Erik Lenoir
Hide your face, so the world will never find you...
Hide your face so the world will never find you...
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Dec 26, 2012 20:01:47 GMT -5
It was Christmas Day. Erik was in quite a good mood because of the lovely party the evening before, even though there had been some interesting and embarrassing incidents. He had made up his mind to forget Teressa as he knew she had forgotten him. There was no use in thinking about something that could never be. Whenever he found himself thinking of her, his eyes mistted up a bit, so he tried to focus on something else.
He had several gifts that he wanted to give to certain manor residents. One of them was Adina. She had b een so sweet to him and she had had her own troubles at the gifting event also. They had talked about having lunch together sometime soon and what better day than today.
Erik had not realy been able to sleep the whole night so he had actually put up a few decorations in his lair that he had found stored in one of the rooms. There was a holly wreath on the wooden door that led down below and a tiny tree with coloured glass balls. There was a garland he put over the covered manequin of Christine. All these were made of strange artificial green fronds which looked so real you didn't know that they weren't real unless you touched them.
Erik had also prepared a nice little meal for Adina and himself, having gathered the ingredients from the kitchen during hte night. He gathered some of the cookies and a tiny fruit cake that the women had baked a few days ago. And he had a very nice bottle of sweet wine that he would serve also.
Erik hoped that Adina was home today and free to have lunch with him. But if not, he wrote a note asking her to contact him and they would make a time in the future. He put a sprig of holly in his buttonhole and put on a red bow tie. He crossed the lake, the bridges, and took the lift to the main floor. Walking to the dormintory area, he hoped Adina was home. He felt quite festive today and the decorations that had been put everywhere helped. He hummed a bit of a modern song that he had heard when the ladies were baking. It was played on some modern version of a Victrola, they called it a CD player. It was electric and quite amazing.
Erik reached the women's dormitory area and found Adina's door. He knocked on the door hoping she was there.
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Dec 26, 2012 21:30:30 GMT -5
Adina had been busy most of Christmas eve night, putting the finishing touches on the spats she had been painstakingly sewing for Lenoir as a present. She finished her work and had fallen asleep at her desk, needle still in hand. It wasn't until she felt the warm sun upon her cheek that she slowly began to stir and awaken. Her eyelids fluttered a bit as she stretched her arms, only to prick her finger upon the sharp tip of the needle she was still holding from the other night.
She inhaled sharply and dropped the steel instrument upon her desk, looking at a small bubble of blood balloon over the pinprick. She frowned and sucked at her finger, grimacing a little at the acrid taste. After a moment of surveying her room, she found a small piece of cloth and tied it around her fingertip as a temporary bandage until she could properly clean the cut so it would not become infected. Then she got up and went to her closet to change into her daily maid outfit. When she had finished, she took up the finished pair of spats and placed them in a small white box, wrapping it up in twine.
She smiled with self satisfaction. It was perfect! The box tied neatly and twine just right. She was about to go and prepare herself something to eat since it was nearly noon. But something stopped her… She thought instead of her maid outfit, it would be a much nicer change of pace if she wore the Victorian dress she had been sewing after coming across a rather lovely pattern in a book from the library. She easily changed into the dress, pulled her shawl across her shoulders, and attached the choker around her neck.
Suddenly, there came a gentle knock at her door…. Now who on earth could that be? Adina wondered, tilting her head slightly. She went over to open the door and to her great surprise, it was Lenoir! What perfect luck; she had just finished wrapping his gift and had even changed into her new dress. Perhaps this was a sign of better and much more wonderful things to come in her renewed life!
"Erik," She smiled and opened the door a bit wider, curtsying as she always did. "What brings you here on Christmas day?"
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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 26, 2012 21:46:52 GMT -5
"Adina, it is so lovely to see you." He bowed slightly and kissed her hand. "My lady, you look quite lovely!" He straightened up and paused for just an instant. "I was here to ask you to be my guest for lunch. I have made a small dinner for us, if you would care to join me."
"I said that I would not be decorating anything, but somehow, this year, I am in a jovial mood and I found some decorations in a box in the ball room, and well, last night I couldn't sleep..." He started to laugh at his rush of words which came quite quickly as he was excited by the fact that Adina might accept h is invitation for lunch.
"And let me say again, your gown is quite exquisite! Did you make that yourself? You are quite talented, if that is so. And even more so, you look lovely in the gown. It is perfect."
"I realize this is a bit sudden, even though we did speak about a lunch together. I do hope you have no other engagements...perhaps you are dressed for another appointment..."
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Dec 26, 2012 23:42:41 GMT -5
Oh, Erik. He really was quite the gentleman: so polite, always courteous towards her. But then he had asked her a question... Lunch? Then she remembered: He had said that one day he would wish to sup with her, having someone to dine with regularly. "Oh!" She finally chimed, the words registering in her slightly foggy brain. "Oui! It would be an honor to join you for dinner."
She couldn't hold back a slight giggle at how joyous Lenoir was becoming. He seemed to be tripping over his own words and started to get ahead of himself. She thought it was sweet. "Well, I am very pleased to hear that you had a lovely time... Oh! That reminds me: I have your Christmas present all wrapped up. Perhaps after we sup, I shall give it to you?"
Adina was now starting to blush. Blushing and giggling. Gracious, she was acting like a common schoolgirl! But she was too happy and thought the entire world could just stop for this moment. She was feeling a little spontaneous and did a little twirl.
She looked down at the floor then back up at Erik. "Oh, Erik, you flatter me so... You like it? Yes, I did make it myself. I heard that there is to be a sort of masquerade for the new year. Is that true?"
"Appointment?" She did not really understand what Erik meant. But then she realized. "Oh! Non, not at all, Erik. I just thought that... Well, since this is Christmas, that I would dress up for the holidays... Is it too much, Erik? I-If it is, I can just change back into my other outfit. Well, I-I mean-..."
She was becoming flustered and it only made the heat rise in her cheeks. She fumbled with her hands before locking them behind her back. Her eyes looked up at Erik's and she felt the butterflies in her stomach settle and finally fold back their wings.
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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 27, 2012 14:45:20 GMT -5
Erik was glad she had agreed to lunch. He had thought she would, but then when he saw her in her fine dress, he wasn't sure if it was just because of the holidays or if she had found a beau who was to take her somewhere.
"Your dress is quite lovely, Adina. Quite beautiful. I just wondered if you were dressing in such a fine way for some handsome beau who had caught your eye." Erik smiled but he wondered. After all, they were just friends, if truly the best of friends, but he did not wish to stand in her way if she had someone that would romance her.
Then she said she would indeed join him for dinner and his smile became more confident. "I had thought perhaps at my home if you would enjoy that. I have made a bit of food for us. Are you ready, or did y0u wish to bring a wrap along? The halls are a bit chilly and a shawl might be in order."
He was still standing at the door, not wishing to enter, considering she had not asked him in. He wished that he had flowers for her, but considering that it was winter and he had not made a trip to the village in these last days before Christmas, he had no flowers at the moment.
Then she said she had a gift for him. He smiled. "I might just have something for a little red-haired lady who happens to be my best friend..." He smiled and blushed just slightly. He continued to sile when she spontaneously danced just a bit. "Is m'lady feeling a bit festive today?"
Then she asked about the masquerade. "Yes there is to be a masquerade. I beleive everyone is invited, with a costume of course. I hope that you will be there. I have only heard details in passing. I expect there may be more information available soon, considering that it is to be held on the New Year. Odd, I wonder exactly what New Year they will be celebrating. Had I been home, and..." here he looked slightly embarrassed, for if he had been home, he might have been in prison, or worse, executed for murder, "I don't know if I should have been celebrating the new year, but it would have been 1882."
Erik looked a bit melancholic as he thought about that. Yes, perhaps he was lucky indeed to have come here. The ghosts had done him a good turn...
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Dec 27, 2012 17:56:16 GMT -5
"A beau?" She repeated, tilted her head a little. "I don't understa-. Oh! The dress." She looked down at the lovely brown dress with vertical black stripes she was wearing. "Non! Not this, not for a beau. To be honest, I do not really know many men in the manor. I only know you, and- rather regrettably- both Destler and Dalimar. I am by no means interested in monsieur Destler nor my own employer."
To be honest, she did wish that she had a 'beau' as Erik said. She had been trying very hard to be outgoing and even speak with more men at the Christmas Eve party… Bu most of them seemed to have a lady already on their arm or they were… Well, interested in the same sex. She found it a bit odd when the ghost king had kissed that tall Phantom, even if it had been as a joke.
"Really?" Adina began to brighten up even more. She had liked Erik's home beneath the manor. It was rather beautiful and she remembered the many candles that lit the subterranean lair. He had told her that he had prepared a bit of food for them. "Oh, Erik, you did not have to do that. I would have happily prepared us something to eat. You are very kind and generous; I just know it will be lovely."
"Do you wish to come in then while I retrieve my shawl?" She stepped back and hurried to her wardrobe to fetch her shawl. "It does seem a bit colder today, n'est-ce pas?" Then Adina gave another small giggle. "Really, Erik, you did not need to get me anything. Your friendship is what I cherish most of all. That is the greatest gift you could ever give to me. Perhaps- how do you say?- great minds think like one another?… Non, that is not right." "And, oui, perhaps I am feeling festive. I do believe that since I am alive again, I wish to make the most of this time."
"So it is true," She mused softly to herself. She looked down at her dress again and thought that it would make for a lovely outfit for the masquerade… But what would she do for a mask? Not now, she had no time for such thinking; Lenoir was here and she had to be polite. The masquerade could wait another day. Best not to keep someone waiting. Erik began to muse as well about what this new year would be. Adina shrugged a little and shook her head. "I am not quite sure of that myself, Erik. For me, it must be many centuries after my time…" Her words trailed off when she saw how suddenly silent Erik had fallen. She looked up at her dear friend and wondered what could have made him go so silent.
"Are you alright, Erik?" She asked, reaching out to gently take hold of his hand.
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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 29, 2012 17:29:46 GMT -5
When Adina asked Erik what was the matter, why he was suddenly quiet, he came out of his momentary reverie. "I was just thinking of all the years I have seemingly lost. I suppose it doesn't matter. I shall have to ask someone who knows, which year it is that we will be welcoming in a few days."
"Shall we go then? Are you ready?" He took her hand, and as they passed by the immense windows which of late had been kept very clean, he said. "It seems a lovely and clear day today. And I see that someone has been cleaning these very high windows. Much better than when I came here. One could hardly see a thing out of the windows, even in broad daylight. And the halls were quite dusty too. Why everyone would hear me coming, not because of my footfalls, but on account of my sneezing." He laughed.
I came to the mansion last year just after my birthday in January. At least I thought it was. Time seemed to be skewed for me for a while. None of the clocks held the correct time. And I had been at the opera house, and then, strangely, I was here. It made no sense. Perhaps I understand it bit better now. Those first few weeks were quite difficult. I dfid not find where the kitchen was for days, until I met a lovely Christine, whom I accused of stealing my beloved's name.: He laughed. Of course if I had known then that there had been so many lovely ladies with the same name..."
"And my home. I did not know it existed here and I slept in odd places for weeks until I discovered it. I even had an unlikely sojourn in the dungeon with the little blonde Christine. We became locked in the place and a spectre kept us there to tease and laugh at us for several days. It was quite..." Erik was going to say frightening but he didn't want to admit to any fear, so he said instead. ... "upsetting."
"The months of late have been much kinder to me...well somewhat in any case. . At least I have my home for a refuge and several close friends...which I never in my life would think that I would have..."
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Dec 29, 2012 21:06:39 GMT -5
Adina frowned sadly and lowered her eyes. "I too have lost many years as well... Everything is so strange. And yet..." She paused and smiled a little. "It all seems very interesting and I look forward to seeing what new things are to come along with this new year."
"Oui." She smiled and curtsied before taking Erik's hand... It didn't feel as cold as it had the first time she had taken his hand. It seemed warmer somehow; much more comforting. The two passed by the cathedral-like glass windows and Lenoir told her that it seemed someone had been cleaning them. "How is that possible without a very tall ladder?" She tilted her head and looked up at the windows. She couldn't help but giggle a bit when Erik said that he would often sneeze from how dusty the windows had been beforehand.
"January..." She mused this over. Hmmm, she would have to get Erik a second gift after the Christmas present she so happily- and painstakingly- had made for him. "Well then, I will have to bake you a cake for such an occasion. I did not know that chocolate was in such abundance at this time. I had thought that it would have become extinct in a matter of years. Then Erik continued conversing about a Christine... Which one? She had already met two of them during the party. Gracious, if there were numerous Eriks, then how many Christines were in the manor as well?
"D-Dungeon??" Adina gasped, her eyes widening a little. Surely he was joking! They couldn't be an actual dungeon in the manor.... Could there? "S-Surely you don't mean an actual dungeon, Erik." But then he spoke of the spectre that had trapped himself and Christine within the frightful room. Adina visibly shuddered and swallowed hard. "M-My goodness... Perhaps we can speak of other, more pleasant, subjects, oui?"
"I am glad to hear that, Erik," She smiled and gently squeezed his hand. "I too have found that I am a bit more... More enduring of some of the men here in the manor. It was such a delight to meet the ghost King. I did not get a chance to really speak with the very tall Erik, though I wonder if it would have proven to not be such a wise idea... He seemed a bit prone to fits of anger. But, anyway, I am glad to have met you and that we have become friends with such ease."
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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 29, 2012 22:41:04 GMT -5
"Some of the things in this new strange century are quite unusual, and I have found that some here find them frightening. Some I find not to my liking, but the new inventions are rather fascinating. I most definitley do not like the way most of the people dress. They are entirely too casual and not only with their clothing, but with their actions and words. However, I suppose there is nothing I can do about it."
Adina laughed when he mentioned how dusty and grimy everything had been. "Yes sit seems I have a bit of an allergy to these things. Usually my mask and ...eh...false nose keep it away, but there was so much dust that I was quite allergic. I must say, it's not a pleasant thing to sneeze behind a mask and prosthetic nose." He said the last with a bit of humour. "And yes, there are some amazingly tall ladders here. I myself used one while inspecting the walls of the opera house for refurbishment. While I was at the top of one of them one day, who should walk in but Carlotta Guidicelli. When I heard that woman's voice, I nearly fell off the ladder. As it was I only dropped my notebook." Erik was in a good mood telling his odd little stories of life about the mansion.
He noted a question in her eyes as he spoke of Christine. Her name was Christine Ellen Daaé. The Christine I new at the Opera house is Christine Svenna. Ellen was going to marry Raoul Christophe de Chagny at one time. I wish she would have. But she is one of the people who have strangely disappeared from the mansion. It makes me wonder...and she was a very nice girl. She treated me well for only having met me. Then there is of course Christine Olivia. You undoubtedly know her; she is a spectre. Christine Emilie is married to Edouard de Chagny. The little blonde Christine who is now a de Chagny...she is another one. It becomes a bit confusing sometimes."
"Yes there is a dungeon here. I was investigating it myself by candle light when little Christine who had just arrived, and was, unfortunately still in her night clothes and carrying a blanket, had wandered in and pulled the door closed by mistake with the end of the b lanket and the door had locked. I had the key, and was going to open the door, but that mischievous spectre took it from me and in the dark I could not see where it was. I believe after he had teased us enough, he hid the key and then whispered to me where it was. A bit unnerving. It was worse by far for Mademoiselle Daaé though. There were skeletons, rats and spiders down there. I tried to dig out way out and could not. She was very cold and I offered her my coat and said I would guard her if she wished to sleep in one of the cells, but she would have none of it . She is most definitely a lady, but I would have felt better if I could have offered her some help. Finally she did take my coat when it became unbearable. She had no shoes on, you see. And I think she may have been a bit frightened of me."
"However, I know she appreciated my efforts on her behalf, for she brought me a treat some weeks later when she had recovered from her ordeal." Then Adina said she wished not to speak of the dungeon anymore and he nodded.
"If you would like me to, I would be happy to introduce you to some of the people that I know. I am not terribly ... friendly with most most of the men, save one of the Raouls and Erik Carrière. The others for some reason, seem to have taken a bit of a dislike to me. Well, of course, it's their loss." They walked a bit furthere and he said,"Here is the lift, Adina." He pushed the mysterious button and in a minute the lift opened its door to the odd little room behind.
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Dec 30, 2012 0:00:39 GMT -5
"Yes, there are many strange items in this time. I do like the little spheres that brew the tea without having to remove the leaves with a spoon. That other strange brewing items you showed me- the one that make cafè? It looks very interesting. Perhaps I will try to make some soon." That made Adina feel very pleased. It was a very big step for her to ventured forward into this new time and be more open to embracing it.
"I understand what you mean, Erik," Adina nodded with a slight smile. "I find that I am a bit sensitive to the dust at times myself." Here Adina gave a bit of a forced laugh when Erik told her how unpleasant it must be to sneeze beneath both a mask and a false nose. Then he spoke of the tall ladders. They must be frightfully high and Adina did not like heights too much. She remembered how terrible it was for her to have to climb a ladder to remove a bird's nest on one side of the manor just above a window ledge; it had greatly terrified her and now to hear of Erik's near fall from a ladder in the Opera house. She tilted her head. "'Carlotta Guidicelli'?" She had not heard that name before. Perhaps she was a singer, by the Italian sound of her name.
"Christine Ellen..." There was so much for Adina to take in about all these people: First Lenoir, then Destler, Meg, Ana, Lu, Christine Svenna, Christine Emilie, then the younger Christine at the party, and now a fourth one?? This was going to be a very interesting- if not very confusing- time in the manor. Then Adina eyes widened again. The Christine had disappeared?? Had she managed to leave the manor? If so, how was it possible? Oh, if only Adina could leave the manor and village. But then where would she go?
Again, Erik spoke of yet another Christine: Christine Olivia. She was a ghost!.... But then Adina frowned a little when Erik asked if she had met the woman. "Unfortunately, I have not. It would have been nice to meet another ghost beside that.... man."
A dungeon... A real dungeon. Adina shuddered and listened as Erik told her of how he and Christine had been trapped in the dungeon. She rubbed her arms for warmth and bit her lip, hanging upon every word Erik spoke as if listening to a Grimm fairytale she had come across one day. Or even a horror story by the great Edgar Allan Poe. But what sort of spectre would be so cruel? Mr. Dalimar? No, he was a more vicious cruel but not so that he would stoop to such childish pranks as to lock people in a dungeon with no lights. Not only did this make Adina frightened of the story, but it made her fear that the spectre may still be around.
She exhaled deeply when he finished the story of the ordeal. It had made her hold her breath for far longer than she had realized and she was now panting softly. She placed one hand to her chest before relaxing finally.
Erik had offered to introduce her to some people he knew. That would be wonderful! Oh, she nearly leapt up and hugged him but she held back her excitement. "Yes! I would love that, Erik. It would be wonderful to meet new people and make more friends here." Then they came to the lift... That strange device Adina had gotten so frightened in the first time they both had ridden in it. She bit her lip and held Erik's hand a bit tighter as they waited for the doors to open.
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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 30, 2012 14:38:39 GMT -5
"Don't be concerned. I didn't fall from the ladder. It was simply Carlotta's voice which to me, sounds like a screeching beansí (banshee) which startled me. As I said, all I dropped was my notebook. I had not known that Carlotta had come to the mansion. Carlotta was the main diva at the Populaire, expecting to have the lead in every opera. But her singing and her acting were so atrocious I had to take things into my own h ands. I could not let my opera house's operas feature that... woman. Her presence at the opera house and my wishing for Christine to have the lead in all the operas was quite a bone of contention."
"I am glad you are becoming more comfortable with the modern inventions, Adina. We all have to live in this modern world and we might as well use their inventions if it so pleases us."
He paused. "I realize you don't care to speak of the dungeon, however, I must make it clear that the spectre did not himself lock us in the place. The door was accidentally pulled shut by Christine's blanket. So do not lay blame on poor Mr Jack Darker. He is a spirit with a sense of humour, teasing and playing tricks, but really, he means no harm. Later, he actually saved my life. I felt he was one of the spectres with which I had a bit of a connection. However, I h ave not seen him lately. I wonder if some of the spectres go dormant on occasion. Would you know more about that than I, Adina?"
They entered the lift and the doors closed. Before pushing the button next to his name, the little room was still. "Adina, let me put my arm around you. I know you are a bit frightened of this moving room, but it is merely an electrified lift, similar to the dumb waiters that you no doubt used those many years ago to bring food up and down from the cellars to the kitchen. Close your eyes if you wish and hold on to me." He pushed the button and the lift began it's long descent to Erik's lair.
"We shall be there in a moment..."
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Dec 30, 2012 21:38:21 GMT -5
"Oh," She exhaled deeply, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "I was afraid that you would have fallen." She knew in her heart that it would have pained her greatly if anything were to happen to Lenoir. She looked up to him and thought of him as a close friend, someone she could share her secrets with or feel safe around. Then she giggled again when Erik told her of the woman's screeching voice and how she was the main diva of the Populaire. If the woman was really as terrible at singing as Erik had said, then Adina thought it would be best to keep away from this Carlotta should she ever happen upon her in the manor.
"I, too, am very glad that I am starting to familiarize myself with the instruments of this new century. I saw a strange machine that seemed to play music though it was very different than a phonograph which I had read about in a book."
Erik continued to explain about the spectre and how it was not to blame... Jack Darker? That was the ghost's name? Adina tilted her head. "I am terribly sorry to hear such an ordeal, Erik. Apparently, that ghost is a little cruel to play such a trick..." Then Erik told her that the ghost had saved his life... But then he said something strange. He told her that the ghost had disappeared as did the other Christine; he had gone dormant... "Strange," She mused softly, nibbling on a fingernail.
Adina did not mind the lift as much, though it was still a little bit frightening. She moved closer to Lenoir and shivered. He told her that he would like to put his arm around her and she nodded. "Th-That would be nice, Erik... Merci." She felt a little bit of butterflies in her stomach as the lift began its descent down through the many lairs. She looked up at Lenoir and exhaled, resting her head against his shoulder for comfort.
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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...
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Post by Erik Lenoir on Dec 31, 2012 0:22:34 GMT -5
The lift moved down to the place where his lair was located. He kept his arm around Adina, as she seemed to still be a bit afraid of the lift. He smiled. "Strangely enough, you're not the person most frightened of this contraption. I met one of the Eriks milling about the place and he looked lost. I had never met him and so I asked if I could help him find his suite. He was a strange fellow, not even able to look me in the eye. Quite tall, much taller than I am. Wore a half mask too, which I found odd. In any case, I took him here, which was quite an ordeal. I believe he is the most frightened person I have ever met. His name is Erik Revenant. Nice fellow, but hardly says a word. I suppose I frightened him with my gregariousness." Erik paused, then smiled. Revenant was so frightened while in the lift that I thought he was going to curl up on the floor in a ball..." He glanced at Adina. "And I'm not making fun of him. I really felt sorry for him. This will be a difficult situation for him...however he was quite pleased with his suite."
"The machine you saw...was it similar to the one that Érik received at the party? I learned what that is from having seen the one Ana had in the kitchen when you and the other ladies were baking. That is where the music was coming from. I have, in my home, an older version of a similar sort. It is wound by hand and plays similar discs, but larger ones. It's called a Victrola. The sound however, is quite wanting, compared to the newer ones. Perhaps I should borrow one of the modern ones to enjoy some music..."
The lift stopped and the doors opened. "It's all over now, dear, until we go back again." He took her hand again and they exited the lift, then walked the short hall, at the end of which were located the two larged carved wooden doors leading to Erik's home. He held open the door for Adina, then picked up the lantern he always kept just inside the door and lit it. Then taking her hand and carrying the lantern in his other hand, led the way over the hanging bridges.
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Adina Gillespie
Some things belong on paper, others in life. It?s a blessed fool who can?t tell the difference.
Maid of the manor
Posts: 320
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Post by Adina Gillespie on Dec 31, 2012 19:03:49 GMT -5
Adina shivered, still rather unsure about the lift. It seemed safe enough, but the loud sound it made as the doors closed startled her a little. She looked up at Lenoir as he kept his arm around her, telling her about one of the other Eriks who, too, had come upon the machine. Erik Revenant was the man's name. Her eyes widened just a little when Lenoir told her how utterly terrified Revenant had been when the two had taken the elevator and the other Erik had gone into such a frenzy! "Goodness!" She exclaimed, holding a hand to her mouth in shock. "How terrible for the poor man. I am sorry that he went through such a fit with you as a witness. Must have been awful, dear man... And, no, I understand. I know you would not make fun, unless it was that Carlotta woman. She sounds simply dreadful, Erik."
Then Erik spoke of the music machine that Érik had received at the Christmas Eve party. She thought for a moment and then shook her head. "Oui! That is it!" She smiled and nodded vigorously. "It looked bigger though but much like the one that monsieur Érik received at the celebrations last night... Perhaps I could join you in listening to the music some time, Erik?"
Adina sighed deeply and felt much better now that the lift had stopped its descent. Her stomach was a bit queasy but that the sickness soon subsided after she stepped out of the elevator, her hand holding onto Erik's- a bit tighter now. They strolled to the carved doors which Adina recognized when she had first come to find herself alive in Lenoir's home. She smiled and stepped through the threshold as Erik picked up a lantern. It was a very lovely lantern and she loved looked over the bridges at the water beneath them. "This may sound rather strange, but I rather like it here, Erik. I no longer fear it as I did when I first happened upon your shores after-... After I came back to life."
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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 31, 2012 20:06:25 GMT -5
"Of course you must have been quite frightened when you first woke up, in my home. It's a large and dark place, and I imagine it would be difficult to understand where you were when you first awakened here." Erik continued to hold her hand and to speak so she would not be frightened of the fact that the hanging bridges moved with every footstep, although they were sturdy and well built. True, one could fall from the bridges if they were not holding on, but it was unlikely.
They reached the end of the bridges and stepped upon the shore of the huge dark cavern, the only light coming from Erik's lantern and a soft glow in the distance reflecting the many candles of his lair. They walked silently to the gondola which was pulled upon the shore a short distance away from the end of the gently sloping bridges' end. Erik silently attached the lantern to the prow of the boat and gave a hand to Adina to help her in the gondola. He, himself, entered the boat and picked up the long oar and pushed off from the shore, then moving the boat across the shiny surface of the lake. It was always warm underground and a mist arose from the water.
Around a bend in the lake and down the still waters the two solitary figures moved in the little gondola. Arriving at his home, Erik stepped out of the boat onto the shore and pulled it on dry land, then offered hia hand again to Adina and removed the lantern from the prow. He offered his arm and they walked into his dark home, brightened by the candelabra and the coloured candles everywhere burning brightly.
The bits of holiday cheer were in evidence, some garlands of green pine0like material adorning several areas with coloured balls hanging from them. A tiny artificial tree sat on a small table. Erik went to his Victrola and wound it, then put on it some classical Christmas music. "I'm afraid the sound is not as lovely as the player that Ana has, but I expect this year, it will have ot suffice." He turned from the machine and pulled out a chair for her at his wooden dining table which he had spread with a lovely lace table cloth. "I shall be a moment warming the food, Adina. Would you care for some hot spiced cider? It's the same that I made for the baking party..."
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