Angels wings, erm...thanks. I really like your review, but I'm not finished. I just take forever to update; I'm lazy.

thegeyerguesthoouse, sorry for the slow update again. Well, there will be a little more fluff. I haven't decided quite how the rest of this plot will go however I have a big and shocking ending in mind. Watch out for that.

Nikki15DesertRose thanks for the review. I always aim to keep my readers interested, despite the slow updates.

RedDeathLvr, nice to know that there is still readers! Thanks for the review. We'll just have to wait and see how Erik's anger affects the story.

Sorry for the slow updates, I'm lazy. :)

Nadir sat in his office. Listening as the catering staff were cooking and setting up the food for the masquerade ball later that night. But as he gripped his pen and stared down at the accounts for a tenth time, he sighed; perhaps this wasn't such a good idea after all.

He untucked his chair swiftly, having given up on work for the evening, ans pulled on his coat. The rain still hadn't ceased. So he tipped on his hat, stooping it over his eyes and hailing carriage. After shaking off his sodden coat, he stepped in.

Listening to the rattlings of the carriage against the cobbled streets, the lashing of the rain and the drivers rather out of tune whistling his mind opened. Erik hadn't been home in days. His room was barren.

Nadir wondered how he got the organ out without any of his house staff noticing... Alas, he shook his head in defeat. His friend was quite the puzzle, a very warped puzzle with many pieces missing. That is if he has all of his pieces in the first place.

Indeed, Erik had done bad things. If he had told Cynthia about the incident at the Opera Populaire nearly a year ago then perhaps she would have stayed away? Yet, he himself had done a lot of handy work like Erik's.

Though he didn't join in with the entire 'Punjab lasso' fad that was going on, he still had his own little 'trade mark'. For a long time he'd trained as an assassin in Japan, came to obtain a 'Katana'.

How it set his soul alight thinking of his old team-mate, he grinned to himself as he stare out of the window. But as the carriage stopped, she set into sight, almost angelic.

Her red hair ran in tendrils down her exquisite frame. The mask on her face covered only around her bright, pale eyes. Her dress was a raven black. Her pale skin was glowing.

Nadir stared at her, opening the carriage door. With a pout and a sigh she waited; Nadir just stared.

"Nadir,if you insist on looking at me in such a way then I shall gladly share the next carriage with a group of flee ridden mongrels." Irritability was evident in her voice. So he cleared his throat and ran over to her, wrapping his coat over her shoulders and guiding her in.

In one, swift, movement she let down her parasol and sat down. The Persian sat next to her, snug to keep her warm. She moved closer to him and linked his arm for extra warm. It was mighty cold outside.

"You look stunning tonight, my dear." Smiled the Daroga and he have her gloved hand a squeeze. Her reply was a pleasant giggle, followed by a warm peck on the cheek.

"I'm sure you look the same too, darling." Her smiled was the sweetest honey, so very rare too. Especially these days.

"Well, I'm not in my costume yet, lovely." He gave a slight laugh as she looked a little embarrassed at her comment now. Soon enough they were there, opening the carriage doors yet again and bracing the cold.

Cynthia popped up her parasol and shared it with her suitor. They splattered their way through the puddles and laughed as Nadir shouted 'Jump!' to get over the deeper ones. But they eventually made it to the top of the steps.

She giggled as she took down her parasol, catching her breath as Nadir shook a little rain from his hair and beard. Then, he pulled her in. Resting her hands on his chest she looked up at him with a slight smile. He kissed her.

Little did they know of the villain who lay lurking in the corner. Sat in the shadows with lasso at the ready. Like a tiger in the grass waiting for its prey to dare come closer so that he could make chase. That's when the music started.

Nadir lead his maiden to the ball room. The catering staff had done a fantastic job. Elegant music drifted nicely through the hall, everyone was dancing and being merry. Champagne,wine and food was being handed out left right and center. Just as he had planned.

But he still wasn't in costume. So, laying a kiss on her hand, apologised for his absence and rushed off to his office. Running down the hall, taking a sharp left, then a right, crossing the hall diagonally untill he reached his destination. Firmly, he wrapped his hand around the door knob, giving it a strong push.

Suddenly, something tightened around his neck. He tried to kick-scream... No noise came. He felt hot, heavy breathing against his ear, struggled.

But soon his lungs burned and stung, hands went cold. The pressure in his head was intense. So he let himself go, flopping to the floor in a tired and asphyxiated heap. Gone.

The culprit pushed his limp body into the office, carrying him and sitting him upright in his chair. That would teach him, maybe teach her too. Teach her that it's bad to sleep around.

"Cynthia! Cynthia darling!" Lily ran over, bright and bubbly. Erik cursed from the shadows, she had to interfere just as he was about step in a sweep her away! But at least she wouldn't have to worry about Nadir anymore.

"Oh, hello Lily." Cynthia greeted her beloved sister with a gracious smile, trying to listen out over all the commotion for her sweetheart Nadir. "Have you seen Nadir-"

Her sister grabbed her by her arm and lead her into the party, full of dancing, smiling people. Erik smiled, this was his chance.

"Lily? What are you doing?! Where am I?! This is not in the least bit humorous!" Someone gripped her shoulder from behind and spun her around. They put her hand in theirs and started dancing. They were unfamiliar at the touch.

"Good evening." She calmed at their voice, it was the cello player. One of her distant friends, but a friend at least. He was a pleasant man, not the most pleasantly aromatic but she knew that he wouldn't drug her and kidnap her.

"Time to switch partners." She heard a little glee in his voice. But how could he be so happy-go-lucky about it?! She could end up with anyone, even him.

And surely enough, she did.

Yes, well thankyou for reading

Sorry for the slow update,

as per usual.

Review, anyone?