A/N: Hello everybody, how are we doing today? I am just fine and it is time for the infamous Bal de Masque scene. Just so that all of you know, I am working off of the musical version more than the movie as I really like that one better. I don't know, I guess I just like the pretty colors or something. Anyway, I'll be making minor changes to the Red Death costume that the Phantom wears, giving it my own spin and just so you know, a picture to Annika's dress is in my profile as we speak.
Some may ask why I do that, and to be perfectly honest; it's because I absolutely hate having to describe every little detail of her outfit like it's costume porn! So that's why I put up pictures in case you were just wondering.
Also, I have received PM's from someone -who shall go unnamed- asking me, wait, no, trying bugging me to change this story to M rated. I do not and will never write M rated stories. I do not like them very much and so, this will never happen. However, I have no problem with having Annika and Erik making out like there is no tomorrow. To those who do write M rated stories; no offense towards you guys intended at all; it's just not my cup of tea in the least.
Just one more thing; this chapter will be much longer than the rest of them, as I had to pull a lot of strings to make the last chapter work.
I think that about sums it up, so read, enjoy and review!
Chapter Twenty Eight: Hide Your Face
I am pretty sure that I was channeling Cinderella the night of the Bal de Masque.
As stupid as I'm sure that sounded, it was true, although technically, I had already found my handsome prince, and my carriage wasn't going to be turning into a pumpkin any time soon; unless of course Erik's boat was bewitched. But still, I found myself in the similar circumstance of not having anything to wear. It was odd really, as I thought for sure that Erik would have chosen something pretty for me to wear to the Masquerade, but lately, back then, he had become so very distant, as if he was hiding another great secret from me. Then again, this was Erik we were talking about, he was always hiding something.
I folded my shaking hands in my lap and gazed at myself i the mirror that Erik had ordered for me as a late Christmas present and gave myself a lopsided smile that turned out to look more like an ugly scowl. I flinched and sighed, letting my gaze drop as i thought about what i would be walking into. Erik would steal Christine's ring and remind her that she was still his, on our date.
Bummer.
"Why the long face, sweet heart?" I cringed when I heard the voice of Shock and I turned to see the strange woman who looked like a drowned theater goer step out from the slightly open closet door. A smirk was on her red lips and a gleam of happiness that really did frighten me shined in her dark, dark eyes. She sauntered over to me, swinging her hips and humming some song that I couldn't remember the title of, trying so very hard to look as sexy a humanly possible.
"What do you want, Shock? Come to bother me?" I asked and she clucked her tongue in a disappointed way. I rolled my eyes at her feigned act of offense and waited for her to cut to the chase.
"No," She began in a tone that clearly stated her annoyance at me already. "I have come to help you get ready for your little date!" She squeaked and I tried to suppress my glare.
"Why do you want to help? Sixty usually does these kinds of things, remember the gala, you were nowhere to be found if I recall correctly." I told her and she just giggled.
"Gala's are for children, Annika, you're a woman now, going on her very first date!" I shrugged and sighed, knowing I could use the help.
"Have at it then, I really do not care at all right now." I told her in a flat tone and she gave me a rare, genuine smile.
"That's the spirit that I am looking for, Annie baby, now, let's get on it then!" She walked closer to me and held her black gloved hands in the air, showing me what to do with my hair as she really couldn't touch me.
Close to, if not exceeding an hour later, I again looked in the mirror and I was absolutely shocked at what I saw. My hair looked bloody fantastic. a prefect hybrid of casual and classy, with half of it done in a braided bun and the other half falling loose down to just below my shoulders. I turned around and gave the sickly looking woman a big hug that she returned before turning away.
"I just wish I had a dress to go with it." I confessed to her and a smile lit up her eyes.
"Oh well, you know Erik, and personally, I think he's up to something." She said with a cackle and I gave her an odd, disbelieving look.
"And just how in bloody Hell do you know?" I asked and she shrugged.
"Annika, I think what you think, and sweet pea, you're already on to him, I'm just repeating what you already know." I gave her a soft glare and turned back to the mirror, fluffing my hair and turning this way and that to get a better look at it.
"Annika." My head snapped to the door when I heard Erik call my name and Shock let out an amused cackle.
"What?" I asked and she held up her hands in surrender.
"Nothing, not a damn this, now go get 'em, you lovesick hillbilly, you!" I rolled my eyes for one final time as she vanished into thin air in a puff of black smoke.
I flipped my hair over my shoulder and turned my head. "I'm coming, just give me a moment!" I shouted towards the door. I smoothed my skirt, trying to make myself look nice after my little pity fest. When I felt like I was ready a few minutes later, I stood up and walked towards the door, pushing on the center of it to get it to open as we never really got it fixed after that day so many months ago.
I smiled when I rounded the corner to see Erik, who stood up from his place at the organ. He was already dressed in his Red Death costume looking quite dapper but it was still a little bit frightening, as it was styled like his regular tuxedo dyed a blood red with a matching crimson cape. I wanted to ask him why he would be playing the organ in his costume but I held my tongue, as technically, his mask was still sitting on the makeup table. Besides, I had other pressing questions to ask and for a moment, I was confused what he wanted from me.
"You rang?" I asked in a faux posh British accent, making me smile.
"Yes, there is something I would like to give you, but on the condition that you close your eyes." He said and I nodded, closing my eyes and complying with his wishes. I heard the sound of him moving away and I wondered just what the Hell he was doing when half a moment later, he was back. "You may open your eyes now." He told me and instantly I let my lids flutter open. My jaw dropped to the floor.
Carefully held in Erik's arms was single handedly the most beautiful dress I had ever seen, and resting on top of the corseted bodice was a mask. The dress was made of solid black velvet with sleeves that reached the wrist and a rectangular neck line. It had a full skirt, but not so much so that it would be restricting, and it took me a few moments to register that this was not a masquerade gown at all; it was a funeral dress.
I was slightly horrified by this, as I wondered what morbid thoughts could be swirling around in Erik's twisted mind until I really looked and saw the mask. It was also sold black, with much more applique in the form of dead roses and feathers on the side, but what caught my attention was the black veil that hung in front of it, like a mourning widow would.
The realization hit me not two seconds later.
Erik, you're a genius. I thought to myself with a grin. Erik intended for us to somewhat match and I was to go as the Black Plague. I almost laughed at how smart that was, but I held it in, settling for a beaming smile.
"You're so smart." I told him and he nodded as I took the dress. "I'll be back in a few. Nice costume by the way." I complemented. I raced back up the stairs as carefully as I could and was changed in fifteen minutes flat.
Erik was waiting for me down at the lake shore, readying the boat. His mask covered his face but he still looked handsome and impressive to me. I smiled at him from behind the veil in front of my face and I could've sworn that I got a small one in return as I reached the lake. Erik held out his hand for me to take and I did, feeling much more like a lady when Erik helped me into the boat to make sure I didn't fall or slip or anything.
When we were all set, Erik dipped the tip of his oar into the glassy water and pushed off from the lair. He hummed a song that I didn't know the name to as he rowed towards the other side of the lake. He took his time, making sure we were steady as he continued to sing. I let my eyes close and allowed myself to imagine what would happen tonight. Maybe my fears wouldn't be correct, maybe I would get to dance the night away with the Opera Ghost.
Before I knew it, I heard the gentle thump of the boat hitting the opposite shore. I opened my eyes to see Erik stepping out and quickly I stood as well, wobbling a little bit before stepping onto the flat ground again. I righted my dress where it had become a bit rumpled during the boat ride and took Erik's arm when he offered it to me, as though we were a real couple.
I noticed then in Erik's other arm a leather bound package. Written on the front in silver lettering read Don Juan Triumphant. His opera masterpiece was complete at last, and I couldn't wait to see it.
Erik led me down the barely lit passage way, patting my hand to console me when a rat scurried past. I hated rats, and I didn't even know if these ones were real. I was tired by the time we came to the staircase leading to the rafters, but I persevered and climbed the winding steps just behind Erik, my hand still held in his.
The Opera Ghost led me along the planks of wood, shushing me every time I was way too loud, and then showed me yet another passage, one that lead to one of the rooms near the front hall in the Opera Populaire. He pushed on a painting that swung open like a door and held it open for me like the true gentleman he was.
We stood in a large, square room that was hung with paintings and rich tapestries. I could hear the party in full swing in just the other room, but I knew it wasn't Erik's time yet, he didn't come to the masquerade to dance with me; he came to threaten Christine and show off his musical. This somehow made me sad, but I didn't dwell on it, that would ruin me and my first 'date'.
I sat down on one of the benches and sighed, trying to look happy as Erik sat down next to me. I could still hear the music and I looked longingly towards the double doors. Erik noticed and he exhaled loudly as well.
"Would you like to go and join the party?" He asked. "I am sure you could find a nice boy yo dance with." I shook my head, placing my hand over his.
"I want to dance with you, no one else." I told him. "And if you don't feel comfortable joining the masses, that's just fine with me." I said positively.
"Do you really mean that?" He asked and I nodded, which made a ghost of a smile light up his face. "Very well then, Annika Walters, may I have this dance?" He stood and held out his hand to me, just like in my dream, but in my dream, I was scared and it felt wrong. But standing there in that square room with Erik in his Red Death costume felt so right and so I accepted his over to dance and allowed him to lead me out into the center of the floor.
He placed one hand on my hip and took the other in his. Slowly, he took a step back, and then another, taking me with him as we waltzed around the room, my skirt getting caught in the way sometimes.
"I'm sorry, I'm not that great of a dancer." I confessed to him as he spun me out. He shook his head.
"Nonsense, you dance beautifully." He assured me and I believed him until he spun me back in and I stepped on his foot. He did nothing to make me feel bad for making the mistake; he just told me to be a bit more careful.
As the song wore on, I grew more and more comfortable until I finally rested my head on his shoulder, allowing him to lead. He seemed shocked by this, as he went a bit still, but he kept on dancing. If I looked up, I would've seen a small smile on his face, but I didn't, I kept my head down as I breathed in the smell of his cologne and fresh sheet music.
When the song ended and a more upbeat one began, Erik stopped and lead me off the dance floor. I tried to look as though I wasn't too upset that the spell was broken and we were back to reality, but I was. I sat down on the bench again and waited for Erik to give me the word that he was ready. I'm pretty sure that I sat there for at least another forty minutes before Erik took my arm and lead me towards the French doors.
"Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you!" I heard the people sing as the music went dark and Erik and I walked out in to the party. It felt kind of awesome, being Erik's date I meant, and looking very impressive standing there in our awesome costumes with his arm wrapped around my waist. I smirked, no one would know it was me, most of them were sure I was dead, if any even remembers me at all.
"Why so silent, good Monsieur's?" Erik sang in a sarcastic tone. "Did you think that we had left you for good?" I gave my most evil smile and tried to look scary, I was having a ton of fun, more so than I thought I would.
"Have you missed us, Good Monsieur's?" I sang back as best as I could while Erik descended the steps with me on his arm. "He has written you an opera." Erik held the package up to show everyone.
"Here I bring the finished score."Suddenly, Erik threw it down at the Managers feet. "Don Juan Triumphant!" Erik drew his sword and a few chorus girls shrieked and the hapless bimbo's that served as the dates for the managers squealed.
"Fondest greetings, to you all." I sang as Erik branched off from my arm, leaving me standing there.
"A few instructions, just before rehearsal starts." Erik sauntered over to Carlotta, who was dressed as... winter maybe? The freaky-looking woman was clinging to Piangi tightly and she let out a shrill scream when Erik approached her. "Carlotta mus be taught to act." Erik insulted, making me snigger.
"Not her usual trick of strutting round the stage."I cackled as the dumb woman glared at me. Erik gave me an amused look and then moved on to Piangi. I noticed Raoul, who was dressed as a fop, slip away from Christine, who was... a fairy princess maybe? And I smiled at his stupidity.
"Our Don Juan must lose some weight, it's not healthy for a man of Piangi's age." This made me snicker again as I turned on the managers. This would be pay back for calling me crazy.
"And our managers must learn that their business is in JUNK! Not the arts. For that is what you have been making since the start!" I lunged a bit towards Grizzly and Elvis, who shrank back. I sneered at their crappy costumes, which were mockery's of the Phantom. Mme. Giry was in her normal attire, with the addition of a new collar and the only one who looked cute was Meg, who was a circus ringleader. I gave her a kind smile and a wink as her mouth fell open in realization. She grabbed her mother's arm and gestured to me in a way that was discrete enough for no one to notice. Mme. Giry's mouth set into a firm line as she scowled at me. I couldn't help but laugh a bit.
"As for our star, Christine Daae." I scowled when Erik said her name.
"No doubt she'll try, my dear Phantom, her voice has potential, she knows this." I paused to give her a pointed glare. "But she still has much to lean, she is nothing without your teaching... your teaching." Erik seemed to sense the jealousy in my voice for he put a hand on my arm. I relaxed a little bit when he did that but Christine seemed even more on edge, I just couldn't believe that she hadn't figured it out yet; Meg did.
"You will always be mine." Erik sang and I gave him a small smile. "You belong to me." This time he spoke, and it made my heart flutter. It was no to last however, as at that very moment, Raoul came charging back with his weapon clenched in his hand. In a split-second decision, Erik dropped a fiery smoke bomb and grabbed me around the waist. I suppressed the urge to scream as the ground disappeared from beneath us and dropped us to the chamber below.
I was surrounded by mirrors and the smoke was blinding. I thrashed about, trying to find Erik and I squeaked when my legs gave out beneath me and I was swept up into a bridal style hold. I looked up and through my watering eyes I saw Erik holding me, making sure that he had a tight grip on me and I stopped fighting.
I let my eyes water as they stung from the smoke and I barely noticed Erik walking until he placed me in the boat. Only then did I open my eyes.
"Do your eyes sting, Annika?" Erik asked me and I nodded weakly. He picked up the oar and began to row back to the lair. "I apologize, it was not my intention to hurt you." I waved off his apology passively.
"Don't worry about it, it's not too bad." I replied and Erik went silent for a bit.
"I highly doubt that this was the fresh start you had in mind, and again, please accept my apology." Erik said and i couldn't help but snort.
"Please, honey, that was so much fun! Did you see Carlotta's face?" I cackled and from above me I heard Erik laugh. I didn't let him carry me back into the lair, it just felt too corny for me, and he understood. I sat down on my chair and closed my eyes as Erik returned with a damp cloth to place over them.
"Rest now, Annika. Tonight was an ordeal for us both." I nodded and yawned.
"Hey, Erik?" I asked as he turned to leave. "That was the best first date ever."