What Once Was Lost (Open to Everyone)

[ladybarbossa]

There are moments in life that are beyond all means comprehension. Some moments are grand and filled with joy. Other moment of terror and great sadness. Some... leave you bewildered and broken. It's those moments that leave you on the verge of death that leave the deepest scars of all upon one's soul.

Laying in her warm, comforting bed now after many days of huddling in stone corners or laying upon splintered make-shift beds. All the while was hungry, thirsty, cold, dirty, and in a complete wreck especially emotionally. Hope is always the last to die and at the point in the Pool House, hope had slipped away.

Clinging to the very threads of life right now as she rested. Eyes were closed, breathing was shallow and short. So very pale, clammy and sunken. Her usually curly hair was straight now since it had not been fashioned or ragged. Those chestnut lengths cascading and flaring around her draped so casually upon the pillows that her head rested on. Ashen hands placed so carefully upon her just below her chest. She truly looked like Death had come upon her. Perhaps Death awaited her silently and invisibly in the shadows threatening to take her away from those she loved. But at least she was washed and clean now. Sleeping there in bed in a clean, light night chemise.
Just... resting.
Sleeping like the Dead.

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik hadn't seen the Vicomtess since they had parted after being in the library together. He missed her, but had avoided her since de Chagny would not be happy to see him with her. De Chagny had shown himself to be a rather brave fellow, Erik had to admit, and he was surprised. For where the younger Vicomte was pugnatious and outgoing, always ready to defend someone and attack anyone whom he perceived to be an enemy....and that was generally Erik. Erik saw Edouard, the older Vicomte, as someone who rested on his former laurels and had descended into the twin evils of drink and gambling. But he had been partially wrong. The man was still a fighter and brave, and Erik gave him credit for working beside him to vanquish Destler.

However, Erik assumed the Vicomte would not be happy if Erik met with Emilie again. In fact, he knew that de Chagny would be angry and probably take it out on Emilie, because he was no match for Erik. It was usually that those stolen moments with Emilie took place when they had met up with each other not planning to meet... But still, Erik had a desire to see her, to make sure she was all right. Anything could happen in this mansion and he didn't care if de Chagny took him on.

Erik came up from his lair and found the back of the mirror which led to Emilie's suite. He could see through the one way glass into her bedroom, and it looked as if she were in bed. He didn't think was Edouard anywhere in the suite, but who knew? He knocked gently on the back of the glass, but she did not respond. He became concerned and then used the secret mechanism to open the mirror and then entered through it.

Erik saw Emilie in bed sleeping, but she looked a fright. Her skin was a greyish colour and she was breathing in gasps. Her eyes were sunken and darkened. Her hair was spreaad all over the pillow in disarray. Erik ran to her side and touched her hand gently. Concern showed on the visible side of his face. "Christine, are you all right?" he said, knowing that she was not. He had no heed for the fact that Edouard could be lurking in any of the other rooms. He didn't care at this moment. His concern was all for Emilie...

Then he heard a sound and straightened up and turned...

[Raoul Edouard de Chagny]

Edouard let himself in to his wife's suite. He hadn't seen her for some time and he came to check every night. Gustave was staying with the Vicomte and he was anxious for Emilie to see Gustave. They would both be delightted. But now she was gone. What a ridiculous circumstance.

Edouard wondered if Emilie were all right. It was not like her to be away from her suite for so long...unless Lenoir had her. He had come to respect the ugly masked man since that madman had taken the little Christine and he had helped the Comte, her fiancé, and Lenoir to rescue the girl. He h ad heard talk that Lenoir had even rescued the blonde girl and her de Chagny from death...and the Comte... twice! Edouard had not believed it until that incident with the madman. Of course, if he caught Lenoir kissing his wife again, he would probably kill the man.

Edouard didn't expect to see anyone there, so he simply walked in and checked all the rooms, lastly Emilie's bedroom. He opened the door and to his shock and surprise, Emilie was in bed, and who should be bending over her but that monster Lenoir, about whom he had just had some nice thoughts!

As Edouard entered the room, Lenoir must have heard him and he straightened up and turned around to face the Vicomte.

Edouard could feel his face turning red with anger! He strode over to Lenoir and pulled him by the lapels. "Who do you think you are, Lenoir, kissing my wife again? What else have you been doing?"

[Raoul Christophe de Chagny]

Raoul took off his hat as he walked into the mansion. He was dressed smartly in a blue and gray pinstriped suit, a pressed blue shirt with a white collar, red necktie, and gray fedora. He had just been to the flower shop after working at the insurance office. He still maintained that job part time, along with his job as a teacher at the school. Somehow he still found time to take law school classes. He was tired, and it showed, but he had insisted upon going to the flower shop.

In his hands was a bouquet of tulips. He knew that tulips were Christine’s favorite—his Christine’s, that is. There was no longer a doubt in his mind that she was his Christine. They had gone to supper the night she arrived, and she had told him that she loved him—and he believed her. In fact, ever since she came there he was the happiest he had been in months. However now, all he felt at the moment was guilt—for taking out his frustrations on Christine de Chagny among other things. He had treated her horribly, and he regretted it, but even more so when she nearly drowned. Luckily he leapt into the pool and saved her from the clutches of some vile creature, but he couldn’t help but think that his harsh words had contributed to her current mental state.

Thus he had bought the flowers and come to make amends. He had been so concerned with protecting her, because he had been so convinced that she was the woman he loved, just older. Now he knew that was a lie. And since he had accepted that, he was no longer angry with her. Frankly he didn’t care what she did or who she loved—she wasn’t Christine. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t wish her a speedy recovery.

It didn’t take long for him to find her room. The door was ajar, and he could hear a commotion inside. He raised his free arm and opened the door, finding the woman’s husband holding Erik Lenoir by the collar and yelling furiously in his face. The young man stood there for a moment or two, blinking in shock before shaking his head, dumping hat and flowers on the nightstand and resting a firm hand on Edouard’s shoulder. “Let him go, Edouard. And don’t try anything funny!” he hissed, glaring at Lenoir. “You both need to stop this childish row for the time being—can’t you see the woman is sleeping?!”

[ladybarbossa]

There were no dreams but neither was there nightmares. No delicate thoughts or images or feelings while in that deep slumber. Nothing.. but a void. Her mind was like her body, exhausted beyond measure and means. All it wished to do was find solitude and rest. Lost in the distance of whatever was coming over her.

She continued to sleep, like the dead, in that bed. As though she didn't hear the little argument. Most likely she didn't hear it at all. None of the voices. Not even the ones in her head at this time that seemed to torment her. Everything... was silent.
Those shallow breaths remained uninterrupted looking as though she were truly upon her death bed. Unmoved... unconscious.
Sleeping... like the dead.

[Erik Carriere]

Erik was walking through the halls of the dorms. The only times he had been through here was when he had entered into the rooms from his side of the one way mirrors. His Christine had been gone for about a week... perhaps even a bit more. He was going to her room to see if she was there. She seemed to have disappeared before the end of the week, never having given the answer of whether he could love her or not. Or maybe her disappearance was her answer... she just couldn't tell him in words... but oh how that would break his heart if it were true.

Erik wore his normal attire of a black tailcoat, vest, white shirt, black cape, and of course- a black walking cane. On his way to his Christine's room, he thought about the Vicomtess. It had been a while since he had seen her, even though they were suppose to have dinner the next night with herself, Erik, and her husband. He knew that she had probably been busy but even so, he hadn't seen her at all. Not walking through the halls or anywhere. Well... he at least hoped that he would run into her soon. He missed her company, especially with his Christine away doing who knows what. Erik liked being around the Vicomtess, she was just very nice to him amongst other things. She was probably the closest friend he had here at the manor, other than his father of course.

As Erik walked, he began to hear some kind of commotion. It was on his way to Christine's too, though it was much to near to be coming from Christine's room. And as he walked, he finally came by the room. The door was wide open and he stood in front of it. He saw three men, two of which he recognized. The Vicomte and Lenoir, probably the ones who were making the commotion. Then there was a younger gentlemen standing next to Raoul, possibly another de Chagny. He then saw the Vicomtess, laying on her bed. And for a second, he actually thought she might have been dead, which made his heart jump considerably. But then he realized that she was breathing. She looked horrible, almost like she had been drained of life. What happened to her since their meeting that could have possibly left her looking like this? He looked at the three men, but stayed at the doorway. "What is going on here?" He questioned aloud to them.

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik was annoyed when Edouard de Chagny suddenly yelled at him and attacked him, probably thinking he was attacking or kissing Emilie. He pushed Edouard away a bit roughly. "You fool, I was worried about her and when I came here and she was in bed and not moving, I naturally bent over to look. She doesn't respond to sound or voices and she looks terrible. I was going to try to ascertain what is wrong with her and then perhaps find a herbal mixture that would help revive her. I meant no harm, de Chagny." Erik frowned at Emilie's husband. The man was always jumping ot conclusions.

To make matters worse, Christophe de Chagny entered the room. Erik wondered how anyone could mistake him for being Edouard's younger self, as had been talked about. When he saw them together, Edouard was about seven inches shorter than the younger man and their features were only slightly similar. And Christophe was worse than Edouard. He jumped to conclusions and became angry without even thinking about it. Well, Edouard did too, but he had calmed down when confronted with the truth...and a firm hand from Christophe.

"De Chagny," said Erik, addressing his statements to the younger Vicomte. "I am not doing anything untoward. As I stated before, I was trying to ascertain what is wrong with the woman. She looks gravely ill. " He looked at Edouard. "Would you allow me to bring her a herbal remedy? I guarantee it would not hurt her, and most likely help her condition."

Then Erik noticed that Erik Carrière was also in the room. He hadn 't seen him enter. "Good lord, is the whole mansion here in Madame de Chagny's room? I think it would be wise if we spoke softer and took our disputes outside. Now, de Chagny, what do you say?" he asked directing his question at Edouard. "May I bring something medicinal for her?"

[Raoul Edouard de Chagny]

When Lenoir pushed him away, and not any too gently, Edouard was about to retaliate when he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was the hand of he younger, taller Vicomte, Christophe de Chagny. Then he heard Lenoir explain that he was just trying to find out what was wrong with the Vicomtess."

Edouard looked at Emilie. She looked so awful; his attention had been on Lenoir and he hadn't really looked at her. He was now shocked at her pale, almost greyish shade. It almost looked as if she had bruises on her in several places, and who knows what else under her nightgown? He took here hand, for the moment ignoring Lenoir and Christophe. He didn't even hear Erik Carrière enter the room and speak to the other two. He knelt down at her bedside, gathered her into his arms gently and rocked her, holding her close to him. He didn't care that the other men could see him. He just wanted to know what was wrong with his Emilie and how to make her better. Perhaps he should let Lenoir try; he was sure he wouldn't hurt her, he knew Lenoir had feelings for her, he might as well use that to help her.

"All right Lenoir, what did you have in mind? I don't think there is a real physician here in the manor that I know about, so we might as well let you try with your witchery. You had better not hurt her, though, or I shall have your head!"

[ladybarbossa]

So deep in her sleep, so exhausted she did not hear the minor commotion. Before she was wavering in and out of consciousness but now... now she was at the mercy of the sandman.

A faint sensation caused a little reaction out of her. Her eyes fluttered slightly with a soft, slow breathy exhale. If she could, she would have put her arms around who ever was holding her. But her body felt so limp, so unresponsive. Barely grazing consciousness before she fell into unconsciousness again in her Husband's arms.

[bedeviledmanor]

"Good lord, is the whole mansion here in Madame de Chagny's room?"

"Not quite." The crisp voice seemed to come out of nowhere, and in a disorienting flurry of smoke and... and were those moths? ...a tall, gaunt figure emerged from a nearby closed door. His eyes traveled over the men quickly and then a calm smile curved his face. "Gentleman."

Charles Dalimar stood there, looking... quite human. And though none of them but Madame de Chagny had ever met them, he certainly knew who they were. His unearthly air had not left him since his ties to Claude were broken--his eyes were not quite so black as they had been, returning to their old shade of hazel, but something in them still burned. Memories hurt far more in this solid body, and they showed all over his face.

Quietly, with graceful movements, he made his way to Christine's bedside, standing directly across from her husband. "She will be happy to see you, after her... ordeal," he said, bending a little and taking her pulse, then feeling her forehead. "Quite a scare she took."

The strange man produced a key from his waistcoat pocket and unlocked the drawer next to her bed, taking out a crystal bottle filled with a purple liquid and a small spoon. He turned back to Christine and shook her shoulder. "Madame... Madame, wake up..."

She was sluggish, and moving too slow for him, so he delivered her a small shock through his skin. It was the most he could do through the constricting human body. "Ah, there. Good morning, sunshine," he said with a little snicker.

[Raoul Christophe de Chagny]

“If she is gravely ill, perhaps it would be in her best interest for one of you to call a doctor. Honestly…” he mumbled, reaching into his pocket. Recently he had purchased a device known as a cellular phone. It was a telephone, except it was designed to be taken from place to place, instead of hooked up to the wall or on a table like the ones in the manor and the school he worked at. Before he could make his phone call, another man entered the room—and this one was masked like Lenoir.

His eye twitched in disbelief. “My God, there are two of you?!” he exclaimed, unable to come to grips with this fact. He ran a hand over his forehead. “My God. Christine.” His poor, dear Christine—hadn’t they planned to run away? He needed to get her out of here before she was reduced to the state of her elder counterpart—two Eriks wouldn’t do her mental or physical health any good.

Lenoir then suggested that he go find medicine to give to the ill Vicomtess, and her husband agreed. “Wait—I could call a physician immediately—a real physician.” he added with a glare at Lenoir. “He’ll make a house call, and if it’s serious then he’ll take her to a hospital for further care and evaluation…do you really trust this man to give her the medical treatment that she needs?”

As soon as he had spoken, a fourth man entered the room in a whiff of smoke. “The hell…” He must have been a magician—because unless he was he was not seeing what he had just seen. “And who the bloody hell are you?” he demanded, crossing his arms as the man stepped forward. “Are you a doctor, monsieur? What are you giving her?”

[Erik Lenoir]

When Carrière entered the room, the younger de Chagny had simply seen the mask and relating him to Erik, said, "...thre are two of you?" Erik rolled his eyes and gave Carrière a knowing look. Apparently de Chagny hadn't been about the mansion very much; there were quite a few masked men roaming the place. Erik wondered where he'd been lately.

Then he mantioned Christine. Erik frowned. "What about Christine? Is she all right? And where is she? I haven't seen her about for quite some time." Erik was worried for her. If de Chagny started to spend too much time with her, it could only lead to her heart turning away from Erik. And that he couldn't have. But he said nothing more.

"Physicians? Hospitals? De Chagny, have you been in one of those places recently? I was taken prisoner and drugged in one of those places, and not l0ng ago! I would not trust Christine's life to one of tthose doctors! And de Chagny, you disparage me! I would bring her a safe herbal cure, not some witchery that these so-called doctors practice...I would never hurt the Vicomtess..."

Erik glanced at Carrière. "Carrière, tell him, I would never hurt anyone, would I?" Not that Carrière knew Erik that well, but Erik hoped he had made a good impression on the man.

But before anyone had any time to say anything else, a strange man appeared in a cloud of smoke. He frowned. "What the hell...?" And then the younger Vicomte stepped up to the strange man, demandinig to know who he was. The strange man took out a bottle of purple liquid and proceeded to give it to the Vicomtess.

Erik joined de Chagny in his outrage that this man took it upon himself to do such a thing. "What are you doing?" demanded Erik. "What is that?"

[Raoul Edouard de Chagny]

An argument had arisen between Lenoir and the younger de Chagny. Now it was Edouard's turn to try to quiet them down. "My wife is ill. I would appreciate it if everyone could keep their voice down."

Edouard finally noticed that Erik Carrière had entered the room. He nodded in greeting. "My wife is ill and everyone is all agog...all of a sudden everyone seems to have come into her room....

Then when Lenoir volunteered to bring some medicine, Edouard agreed. He doubted the man would hurt her; he knew Lenoir had feelings for his wife. He was unwilling to say the word love in reference to anything between Lenoir and Christine, but he knew there was something. He took her in his arms and rocked her, closing his eyes, hoping against hope that this swoon she was in was nothing serious and that she would come out of it quickly.

Then Edouard heard an unfamiliar voice and he opened his eyes and turned around quickly enough to catch the last of a bit of smoke in which a new personage had appeared, someone he had never met. He laid Christine down gently back on her pillow and stood near the bed to protect her if need be. But before he could object, the man had whipped out a bottle of some unknown potion and given his wife some. "That's my wife...how bloody dare you give her anything? What is that?"

[bedeviledmanor]

Charles looked about, amused at how outraged everyone seemed to see him. He could understand the woman's husband getting angry, but not the other ones. He simply straightened up, looking about coolly at the others in the room. Fools... He held up the bottle and handed it to the nearest person, letting them pass it around. "It's only some modern medicine, nothing to worry about."

He smirked at the man standing across from him, holding Christine's hand. "Madame de Chagny is one of my dear friends, Monsieur. In fact, if it weren't for me, she'd be rotting in the tunnels right now."

He stood up straight and looked around again. "One of you... someone among us, in this manor, has been misbehaving. Madame de Chagny was kidnapped, and I happened upon her in the passages below."

Charles continued with a sigh, straightening his tie and making sure they all got a good look at the marriage ring on his finger, lest they get the wrong idea: "I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Charles Dalimar... the constructor and Master of this manor." He gave a small smile. "I regret not being able to greet you all when you first arrived, I was... not in fit condition."

"Any more questions?" he asked tiredly, spreading his hands open in front of him and looking at each of them.

[ladybarbossa]

Slowly she was drawn from unconsciousness, those eyes fluttered as they tried to open. After feeling a sort of sensation, a shock if one could call it that, it roused every fiber of her being to return to the realm of consciousness.

Still in a daze, trying to come out of the fog. A voice- no, voices -- that sounded familiar. Trying to place them as the first face she sees is-
"Charles?" somewhat squinting, her voice was nothing like hers. Scratchy, dry, weak, slurred. Eyes continued to blink while she was trying to force herself out of this cobweb in her mind. Stunned to see him in the least. She couldn't quite remember what all had happened just yet. It was slowly coming to her.

Her body felt weak while her head rolled and eyes shifted off of Charles to see another man at her bedside opposite of the Manor Master, it was her Husband. "Raoul," her weak, slurred, dry voice managed to get out as she reached her hand for him with a rather weak smile.
Swallowing she turned to look at Charles still with a weak smile. "thank you," she managed again in a dry, weak voice before a little cough then tried to inhale deeply but it was a struggle to gain that much air. Closing her eyes a moment as she laid there, she had opened them after a moment and she was right. She thought she caught sight of others in the room. Two? no... three? They were blurry as it was hard to focus just yet. She slightly smiled at what voices she caught hint of and the words they spoke. It was all rather slightly amusing and better yet, piecing together who all was there.