The frozen precipitation created a blurring effect- affecting one's vision severely. Nadir hunched over his pony's broad shoulders- a poor effort indeed to shield against the growing windchill. Beckoning to him, however, was the branching light permeating from the farmhouse. Thank God he thought to himself. The aging man was not sure if he could endure any more of the freezing French countryside, much preferring basking in the hot rays of his home country. No more of that, though, he bitterly remembered. That is over. A portion of his life he duly hated and loved, fought against and accepted. In one sense it granted him his most cherished memories: his wife, son. And working for the royal family certainly did give him a sense of pride, for a time.

But it also was dark, tangling web. 'Rosy Hours' Erik used to call them. A seething, dangling, taunt. Foul duties and grim realities melded with the good in his remembrances, ebbing back and forth through his conscience. All he could do was move forward, he resigned. His God had bestowed upon him a second chance, another life that was his for the choosing- to finally, firmly take step in his own decisions, and not in accordance to the whims of others out of some misguided sense of duty. His only duty now was decided by him, and he gladly embraced the fact. Perhaps Erik was a surrogate son of sorts, one he sought to look after, protect. Parallels were rampant between his dead family and this very alive one indeed, and the masked man seemed to be the connector between the two.

Only a few more minutes in this blasted weather, he thankfully mused. Nadir had recently found a home, taking pride in the small, but comfortable flat in town. Much warmer than an oceanside farm, yet still close to the house, and,- he could scarcely believe it- his adopted niece and nephew. The title of 'Uncle' had become more permanent now, and he cherished in it, finding contentment in that peaceful kind of relationship that had remained so distant to him for long, empty years.

With such close residence to town, Nadir Khan had taken up working in a financial office, for a Mr. Bordeaux. Erik's recommendation had greatly helped, and he found the work rather enjoyable, despite its predictability. In fact, he had expected finding pay to be much more difficult, because of his aging state, yes, but also his immigrant status. He had learned though, that any associate of Erik's would be comfortable with an outsider, and he was grateful for Mr. Bordeaux's open-mindedness in that realm.

As mail to his friend was sent to his office, he regularly delivered it to the family, and this was of no exception. The only suspicion he had, however, was who it was from, in particular. The letter, whatever it contained, had an elegant seal, the infamous name De Changy stamped clearly. Now, Nadir was not one to entertain Erik's character-defaming tirades, but he knew the his friend clearly hated this De Chagny man in particular, for reasons Nadir was only too aware of.

Oh, and the letter was addressed to Christine. Great.

Subtle laughter broke his present worries, however, as he noticed in the near distance the children playing in the snow-and, could that be Erik?

Yes, he had certainly noticed a change in his friend, a calmness that had overtaken his usually high strung and blunt manners. Perhaps it was a newfound stability, or the fact that he finally grasped his own life back. Maybe this light mood would allow Erik to take his delivery more maturely, then.

"Hello, Daroga. Braving the storm today?" He quipped, clearly trying to cover his embarrassment of being caught in such a disheveled state: soaked coat, hair askew. Erik's voice was raised a bit, fighting the rapidly growing sounds of the oncoming weather.

"Uncle Nadir!" The young boy said, quickly running over as the older man dismounted. The brunt of his weight mixed with the chill made him grimace upon landing.

"Alexandre, another foot taller, I see." The growing boy smiled proudly at that.

The boy's mother got up from the ground, taking her husband's hand in thanks. She seemed even more abashed than him at the moment, wet spots splotching her blue dress from the snow.

"I must apologize, Nadir, I must have lost track of the time." Christine said, her husband scoffing.

"Not at all. Please, do not put up appearances for my sake. It is a pleasant sight to see." Nadir commented. In fact, he was rather envious, albeit lightly, about the family's happiness. It made him sorely miss those moments with his own, made him wish he had cherished them more.

"Oh, do not worry yourself, Christine, the Daroga does not care. If he did, he would be long gone." Erik chimed, picking up Josephine and swiftly carrying her from the storm.

"Come inside, please. Let us eat. Dinner will be ready shortly, and it is much too chilly." Christine offered.

"Yes, thank you, I am rather looking forward to that." Nadir spoke. He perhaps said it too fast, as his friend quickly picked up on his thin blood, not quite yet accustomed to the northern latitude.

"Of course he is." Erik said.

Distracting from her husband's rude behavior to their guest, she addressed her son, "Alexandre, will you please put his horse away? Perhaps put a blanket on, I fear it will get rather cold for the poor beast tonight."

"Yes maman." Alexandre said, gently aiding the near shivering pony to the stable.

After dinner, and the children fast asleep, Erik stared at Nadir, as he had been periodically over the course of the evening. Those yellow eyes never ceased to unnerved him. Sipping his coffee as casually as could be managed, Nadir was sure his friend sensed something was wrong. Now would be as good of a time as any, right? He was not even sure if the children knew about this De Changy fellow, and knew that he was correct in his assumption that this was not a light topic, best to wait until after supper. It was best to wait, right?

Mustering up his courage to approach the topic on his mind, he decided it was time to give over the envelope. It immediately grew heavier in his pocket.

"Christine, I have something for you. It arrived at the office only a few days ago."

All three at the table eyed the blue De Changy crest, showing proudly on the plain white paper. Erik stilled.

Christine, not sure what else to do, whisked the note out of Nadir's hand, a white pallor spread across her face as the clock chimed ten chords.

The two men followed her wide eyes, darting rapidly across the page.

Nadir could sense it. Something was deathly wrong. And in a way, he already knew what it was. Glancing over to Erik, he knew her husband had caught on too. What would he think, having his wife receive a letter from her former fiance?

Christine set the offending object on the table, a heavy scrape resounding against the wood floors as she stood up. Erik's pale hand immediately darted out, spilling coffee all over the thick parchment as he gripped Christine's wrist.

"Read it."

The words seemed to cling to the room's very walls, painting the surroundings like dust. Brow furrowed, her shining eyes glared at his hand, the thin fingers swallowing half of her arm. She yanked it away, and took up the paper. Perhaps she sensed an accusation in those words. In all honesty, Nadir was anxious to uncover the message as well.

Little Lotte,

Over these passing years, I have often thought about you, and have prayed for your continued happiness. Meg Giry has told me of your two children. How proud you two must be! The Vicomtesse and I have four ourselves, and such blessings they are.

I am afraid I bring you grave news, however. This reason spurred me to write to you. I am aware that your husband has been gone quite some time. As you probably know, my family continues to maintain close ties with the Garnier through our patronage. This relationship allows me to keep a ready ear to the comings and goings of the staff there. Today a group of men came in, just as I was finishing up paperwork in the office. They seemed dangerous, and they were looking for you, Lotte.

Not knowing what this may mean for you, I thought it best to communicate that this unsettles me deeply. Stay safe, Christine. If you or your family should need anything, I am more than willing to help.

Yours, Raoul De Changy

It was the recipient of the message to breach forth and slice through the silence.

"Erik", her entire body was focused on him, her voice quiet, trusting, "What are we to do?"

"Wake the children. It's time to leave."