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Post by King William Leverich II on Dec 21, 2012 22:33:32 GMT -5
Gustave seemed deep in thought for a while, looking about all the people there and contemplating who could have given him such a beautiful gift. Will shifted from sitting on his heals to criss-cross-applesauce.
“Is it him?” Gustave finally asked, pointing timidly at Castagne.
"That's right, Gustave!" Will said, beaming. "Wonderful. Now, you ought to go over and thank him, his name's Erik," he informed Gustave. He wasn't sure if Gustave wanted him to go over with him or go by himself, but Will was happy to swing either way; he was quite lenient, as long as everyone seemed happy.
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Erik Castagne
When you sing, the angels weep...
When you sing, the angels weep...
Posts: 87
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Post by Erik Castagne on Dec 21, 2012 22:35:09 GMT -5
Erik was feeling self conscious now as everyone was looking at him. He should have known this would happen when he signed the posting for this event. But it was too late now. The little boy was apparently Gustave de Chagny. He wondered fleetingly if the boy were related to the de Chagny he knew, The Vicomte Raoul de Chagny, his Christine's handsome suitor who had stolen her away from Erik. And whose older brother Erik had helped meet his demise. He hoped not.
The little boy seemed quite excited at receiving the gift and considering that Erik had had the chance to give very few gifts in his life, he was feeling very good about that. He nodded when the boy pointed to him. He understood that once the name of the giver was announced, that person must find their gift and open it.
Erik stood and walked over to the tree and looked at the gifts. There was a box with his name on it and a b0w on top. Silently, he picked up the box and then opened it. In a child's handwriting, there was a little story of a knight and a rather nice, but of course childlike drawing of a dragon and a knight. Erik looked around the room. Obviously from a child. It was either Gustave or Roselin, whom he knew from the time he had first come to the mansion. But she was older, in her teen years. Gustave looked nine or ten...it must be from him.
In a quiet voice, Erik announced, "Erik believes this lovely gift may be from Monsieur Gustave de Chagny. Erik thanks little Monsieur. He is very grateful." Erik really was touched by the gift. It was from the heart, and done by hand. His eyes misted up just a bit. He held out a hand to Gustave and said, "Merci beaucoup, petit Monsieur. Erik is grateful and cares very much for the gift."
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Post by Gustave de Chagny on Dec 21, 2012 22:53:17 GMT -5
Gustave was happy that he'd managed to guess right, but he still couldn't help but feel like his gift wasn't good enough. He'd done the best that he could, but he didn't have any money. After all, he was only ten years old... “Thank you, Mister Erik” he said shyly to the man.
The little boy was even more upset though when he realized that this 'Erik' was 'Erik Castagne' – the exact man that his gift was for. He gulped. He wished that he could take it back. After all, his gift wasn't nearly as beautiful...
Monsieur Castagne thanked him for his gift, and said that he was very grateful, but Gustave still felt guilty. After all, Monsieur Castagne had given him a new violin. He's drawn him a picture book...
“You're welcome,” he said, staring down at his toes, knowing he was probably just being nice...
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destler
Full Member
Everyone dies. I only choose the time and place for a few.
and yet... you blame me
Posts: 201
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Post by destler on Dec 21, 2012 22:56:12 GMT -5
Teressa was as stunning as always and the fact that she did not recognize him made him smirk but was this a good thing or bad? Perhaps a good thing since the prosthetics were working!
Melting into his usual soothing growl and being slightly dramatic but ever so subtle for it was only Teressa he was trying to impress. "I'm beside myself,... my alabaster beauty," and decided to take her hand, flipping over to have the palm facing upwards and kissed it, allowing it to linger as he looked up at her with alluring eyes.
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Mister Y
Ten long years... living a mere facade of life...
Posts: 46
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Post by Mister Y on Dec 21, 2012 23:00:09 GMT -5
Erik was about to say something to Meg when Maria came over to greet him. As he opened his mouth again, he noticed the little boy...Gustave de Chagny...he didn't look quite so happy. Putting up a hand to excuse himself from the ladies, he nudged himself into the line of sight of the boy. Subtly, he motioned him over, kneeling so they'd be eye to eye.
"Why the long face, Gustave?" Erik smiled a little, trying to cheer the boy up. "You've got quite a lovely violin, there. And Monsieur Castagne seemed happy with what you got him. Is everything alright?" Poor boy...perhaps he felt that he hadn't given something good enough...
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billie
Junior Member
I don't got all day, and I sure as Hell don't got all night!
Reckon as I see it.. you have two choices.
Posts: 63
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Post by billie on Dec 21, 2012 23:01:57 GMT -5
Billie watched Lenoir and Ana a moment. Slightly raising a brow as the poor half-masked man looked rather ill. Watching Ana seem to at least willing and wanting to do something. Leaned closer to Ana, "I'll be back in a moment," and with that, Billie walked away.
Making his way over to Lu. "Evening," nodding to her and smiling. "Hope you are enjoyin' the evening."
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Post by Gustave de Chagny on Dec 21, 2012 23:09:23 GMT -5
Gustave saw a man, Mister Y (who he recognized from Coney Island), motion him over. He hesitated a moment, but went over. He asked him if everything was all right.
The poor boy shook his head , trying not to cry. “But his gift is better than my gift for him. The ghosts said that he wanted a watch, or a book about knights, but I don't know how to get him any of those things...”
The boy was sniffling and hiccoughing, trying very hard not to cry like a baby. After all, he was a big boy now, right? He was ten years old...
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Mister Y
Ten long years... living a mere facade of life...
Posts: 46
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Post by Mister Y on Dec 21, 2012 23:16:13 GMT -5
"He wants a watch...?" Erik sighed at the expression on the poor boy's face...He looked so upset...Erik remembered the watch he'd bought in the village...It was nice, new, tightly wound to a tee. And if it would bring a smile to the boy's face, then it was worth giving it to him.
"Here. Take this." Erik reached into his pocket, pulling out the watch and removing the clip from his buttonhole. "It's new, I promise." He offered it to the boy, hoping that perhaps it would fix Gustave's unhappy mood.
He gave the boy another smile. Perhaps, as he'd been told before, smiles were infectious.
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Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
Posts: 1,241
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Dec 21, 2012 23:21:14 GMT -5
Erik wanted to just fade into the woodwork. He closed his eyes and covered them with his hand. How long would it be before this torture were over? He supposed he would just have to carry on. He took a couple of deep breaths and sat up straight. As soon as his gift was given and received, he would leave and go directly to his home. He could kick himself for signing that damn post. Everyone else seemed to be having a good time...
Then he looked over to peek at Teressa again. Oh no. Destler was looking at her and speaking to her. He seemed to have a way with women too, which Erik was at a loss to explain. Now what could he do? He didn't care to fight Destler again; chances are Teressa had already chosen that evil character. And his face probably won her over if she hadn't been won before. For someone as mature in age as she was, she certainly was naiive. Perhaps it was Lavalais' fault for keeping her too sheltered... Erik didn't know. But he couldn't wait to leave.
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Post by Gustave de Chagny on Dec 21, 2012 23:22:50 GMT -5
Gustave sniffled and looked up at Mister Y with sad eyers until he pulled out a pocket watch. His little eyes slowly lit up and a smile soon crept afterward. “Oh, that's just like the one he wanted! Thank you, Mister Y! Thank you!”
He gave the man a hug and then took the watch from him before rushing back over to Mister Castagne, wiping his little red eyes. “Merry Christmas, Mister Castagne,” he said, holding out the pocket watch to him.
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Erik Castagne
When you sing, the angels weep...
When you sing, the angels weep...
Posts: 87
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Post by Erik Castagne on Dec 21, 2012 23:33:05 GMT -5
Erik noticed a tall half masked man, another person he didn't know, speak to the boy Gustave and hand him something. He came over to Erik and handed him a beautiful pocket watch.
Erik didn't know what to say. He thought perhaps because he had given Gustave such a grand gift, that his own was not good enough. The boy wished him Merry Christmas and Erik pulled him a bit closer. "Erik is pleased with your other gift. It is from the heart and the best gifts are from the heart. Erik does not need another gift." But he saw the boy's pleading eyes and he felt it would be rude to refuse. "But Erik shall cherish the watch in any case, because it is from little Monsieur, Erik's new friend." He gave the boy a hug.
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Post by ladybarbossa on Dec 21, 2012 23:33:12 GMT -5
Christine had looked away for but a moment from Gustave to look at Raoul who was talking to a man whom she did not recognize but the two of them seemed to be striking up an interesting conversation. More absolute surprise that seemed to worry her a bit. But as she turned back to talk to Gustave, she noticed he was gone. Opening her mouth about to call out her son's name as her eyes frantically scanned the room for him only to find him quickly and she sighed in relief. But that did not last long. Fear gripped her and she held her breath. It was Him! A fist curled at her chest as though reflecting the tightening in her chest. Trying not to pale while praying ever so silently. She took a step forward then suddenly stopped and froze. She could only watch Mr Y with her son. This was so frightening. What ever would happen?!?
Stunned. She was absolutely stunned at what she saw. They seemed to be fairly decent and He was consoling the boy. In a moment she noticed that Mr Y had given her son...a watch! A lovely watch but did not know what for. She wanted to run over there and whisk Gustave away but she was frozen where she stood.
Now she was stunned even moreso when she saw Gustave take the watch and give it to Castagne, another masked man. This completely took her by surprise as her fist unfurled and rested upon her chest as she tried to breath and tears welled in her eyes. The gesture from one to another was more than touching and she was at a complete loss. The Christmas spirit truly was alive tonight.
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Post by King William Leverich II on Dec 21, 2012 23:47:08 GMT -5
Will watched cheerfully as Gustave gave Castagne his gift as well. It was adorable - WIll had taken a look yesterday - but Gustave seemed down, suddenly. Guilty, that his gift was not as extravagant as Castagne’s for his was. Will could see Castagne was touched, but Gustave did not see this.
But Erik to the rescue, he supposed; Erik gave him the watch. He rubbed the back of Gustave’s hair gently with his thin, long fingers when the boy nearly began to cry. But of course, he was a big boy, he could hardly cry! So Will said nothing, as he was solving his own problems, with Erik’s wonderful help.
“Merry Christmas, Mister Castagne.”
"Erik is pleased with your other gift. It is from the heart and the best gifts are from the heart. Erik does not need another gift. But Erik shall cherish the watch in any case, because it is from little Monsieur, Erik's new friend."
They hugged, and it was touching, really. A beautiful moment in time. He was ever so glad the two of them had found each other, now (through him of course, but his playing matchmaker was nothing compared to the power of kindness.) Will gave Erik and Gustave a warm smile.
But he realized, now, that the chain was broken. Of course, he had only given Erik and Gustave one another because they were the cutest two, and he decided they could maybe play in the future. But no-one else had the same giver and receiver, so the chain would not be broken now.
He walked over to Erik - Mister Y - a few feet away. The two had never exchanged words, but like he had with all the others, Will had watched over him. ”That was a good thing you did, there. I think your present’s under there, you should go next.” Y really had no reason to listen to him, but there was no reason to refuse a present, of course! And he’d not sounded like he was giving orders, it was a friendly suggestion. He couldn’t wait for Erik to start up the chain again!
Will wandered off, watching from the corner of his eyes for Y to start of the presents again, and pulled from his pocket, mischievously... Mistletoe. He’d been keeping that for a joke. Now seemed like a time for a joke. He discreetly moved to the doorway, standing on his toes to fasten it to a string above... The next person who walked in was certainly going to get a treat. He hadn’t exactly intended on being one half of the... pair, underneath, but he was - and the next person who walked through the door was...?
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Christine Daaé
The Swedish Nightingale and Fairy of the North
If when the time comes, I refuse to go with you, well then, Raoul, you must carry me off by force!
Posts: 1,592
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Post by Christine Daaé on Dec 21, 2012 23:47:34 GMT -5
Christine had nodded to Emilie when she excused herself to watch her son open his gift. They really were a darling little family, and Christine watched a moment before someone entering the room caught her eye.
It was Monsieur Lavalais. She hadn't seen him since the rather... unpleasant experience before the wedding. She almost wanted to talk to him, but before she had a chance to, her attentioon was grabbed by the gift exchange. Two people had opened their gifts so far and a rather touching exchange had taken place between Emilie's son and one of the Eriks. She watched and listened to see who would be next.
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Erik Spectre
Don Juan Triumphant
One must get used to everything in life, even eternity...
Posts: 87
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Post by Erik Spectre on Dec 22, 2012 0:01:33 GMT -5
Érik felt like a fool for doing this. He didn't necessarily hate Christmas, but giving a gift to someone other than Christine, no less, was unthinkable to him. In fact, he didn't even know the person whose name he'd been given, but the strange "ghost" spy had made it seem an easy task to find a gift. He'd had no trouble acquiring something tasteful in town, though unfortunately Érik's wrapping skills were entirely sub-par, so he'd given the gift to his "wife" Marguerite to wrap. He'd been a bit busy trying to figure out what he was to wear, so he'd also had her send it up to the tree to wait for the party. He hadn't even seen what kind of paper she'd put it in!
He shook his head as he walked down the corridor, adjusting his new black mask (which Marguerite had kindly made for him with the remaining silk from her bonnet), which did not cover his chin and mouth for once. He could smile and grin like a Cheshire cat all he wanted now! He was wearing one of his finest suits, of dark, dark wine hue, accented by a warm red cravat and a holly tie-pin he'd bought in town when he purchased the gift. He thought he looked rather dashing... Wouldn't Christine be impressed...?
No, he couldn't think about that. He had to keep his eye on the prize. Act civil, be polite! Be happy for her! Try to make friends! That's what he told himself... but did he feel it? He was so depressed all the time... Could this party possibly lift his spirits?
He certainly hoped so, despite his growing resentment of de Chagny every day. Christine WOULD be there, and it would be nice to see her again...
Érik finally found the room that he'd helped Ana and a few others decorate, and as he came upon it he strode confidently to the room, trying his best to seem both humble, kind, and sane at the same time...
However, he wasn't looking where he was going, so he bumped into a slightly shorter man on the way. "Oof!" he cried out, stammering back a bit. "Excuse-moi, Monsieur!" he said, glaring at him... But then he remembered his new "attitude adjustment" scheme. So he tried to smile a bit more kindly. "I'm trying to enter, if you please."
It was then that Érik noticed what the man was doing... Was that... Mistletoe? He gulped.
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