Little Comforts (Erik Revenant)

[mamma]

Lounging in bed as there was absolutely no where she could go until someone found the elderly woman a wheeled chair. In the meantime, she was greatly enjoying this amazing device called a ... Television! It was like a large picture frame and flat upon the wall. The moving pictures contained with the shiny blackish frame was a source of never ending amusement and amazement for the old woman. It was impossible to decipher between fantasy and reality though. Though confused with all that was shown - these strange horseless carriages, incredible devices, magical potions that made clothes cleaner, strange people both good and bad, and so much more!
The oblong squarish device that changed the images from a wide selection of other moving images. Again, this was an endless source of fascination for Mamma.

But now she was hungry and thirsty. Again. This was getting mighty tiresome being stuck here and just having to wait upon someone to happen by her room.
"Christine?" Pausing a moment as she flipped to another channel. "Raoul?" Gazing at the flat screen a moment at the latest episode of General Hospital.
"Hello?" Lord, she needs to have Christine find that lazy housekeeper or get a new one!
"Hello?!?

[Erik Revenant]

This was the first time Revenant had appeared above ground since Lenoir had showed him where his lair was… However, the food stashed away down there was certainly not enough to last him long. Thus, Revenant had to finally resurface, somewhat hungry after his time down there but still cautious. He took the lift up from his home, thinking it might be easier to bear the second time. The answer was still a firm no when the doors finally opened and Revenant came barreling out, half terrified and shaking like a leaf. He could not use the lift to go back down. That was entirely out of the question as of now.

Once he finally regained enough control to walk, he started off, made more skittish by the horrendous ride back up. He kept to the side of the hallways he passed through, really not entirely sure where he was going but there had to be some sort of kitchen up here somewhere… Right? Whether there was or not, his thoughts were interrupted by someone calling out. The sudden sound made him cringe and he passed quickly by the door. However, something made him pause, taking a step back so he could just peek into the room. Perhaps it was the other sounds, the sounds that weren’t really people, even if they sounded like people.

When he peeked in, his amber eyes only paused on the elderly woman for a split second before going to the thing on the wall. What was that? Why were there miniature people in it? In his curiosity, he forgot about the woman and crept into the room, utterly mesmerized by the moving picture…

[mamma]

"Christine?" She so loathed crying out in hopes to attract attention just to get a little assistance. It was so unbecoming and unlady like. So... pathetic. Was this what she was degraded to? Sighing as she flipped the channel again. Rather fascinated with this strange black box that had the living pictures. Some of the content was absurd and too wild for her tastes but some of it was rather delightful and even informative. The entertaining aspect of it hadn't fully hit her yet, nor had she become addicted to particular shows. Eventually that will happen no doubt.
"Where ever is that girl," muttered Mamma.

Movement from the corner of her eyes turned her head to look in that direction to see a strange, masked man. "Oh, Heavens!" she cried out rather slightly startled. Placing a hand upon her chest as though to calm her racing heart. "Who are you and what on Earth are you doing in my room, young man?!?" Hand still on her chest as she looked him up and down rather offended and surprised. Then mellowed quickly, half extending her hand out to him. "Would you be a dear and bring me some tea and one of those delicious madeleines? Hmm?"

[Erik Revenant]

In his wonder over the moving picture on the wall, he’d entirely forgotten that there was someone else in this room. At her first cry of ‘Christine,’ he was startled enough to move back right against the wall and peer over at the woman warily. It was only when he started moving back towards the door and escape that she cried out again. This time, he knew it was directed at him and he visibly cringed, stopping in his tracks.

“…Erik Revenant…” He spoke rather quietly and then gestured at the moving picture. “I-I saw that and…” After that he trailed off, not sure how to explain what it was about that picture that had drawn in him. Her sudden change in emotion seemed to throw him off even more. To go from so wound up to so mellow… Did that usually happen? At her request, he simply looked down at the floor. He didn’t know where to even go about finding tea and ‘madeleines,’ as she called them. He wasn’t certain what those even were.

[mamma]

Though her legs never worked well enough to support her long enough to move about, let alone stand more than 20 seconds, her eye sight was rather good still. She could see he was a man, younger than herself, wearing a mask. A bit bewildered for a moment only to shake her head and dismiss the strange visitor.

She looked like a pouting child rather disappointed that he knew not where to get her tea or madeleines, "the kitchen, naturally," and had that deer-in-the-headlight look that she thought everyone knew where to get food and drink. Again, shaking her head to dismiss the man's lack of knowing where the kitchen was.

With a slight smile, she returned her gaze to him. That little look upon her face that made her look like she was beaming with pride over her invention. But, she didn't create it. Only possessed the device that hung upon the wall.
"It's called a Television!" she grinned, looking so darling and innocent that melted away with a rather baffled and slightly naive ignorant look upon her face, "Though I'm not quite sure how it works." Touching her forehead with her fingers for a moment as though to silently relay she was being silly and absent-minded. Then picked up the remote and turned the channel 5 more times.

Turning her gaze back to Revenant as she realized she ignored him for a moment, "Come here, young man. Come!" motioning for him to come to her bedside, "Pull up a chair and keep me company, will you? I do so enjoy the company of others." And smiled warmly at him. "You seem like a nice young man. Have you met Christine or Monsieur de Chagny yet?" Looking a little absent-minded again," There was another man. I cannot remember his name," furrowing her brow as she tried to recall it then dismissed it with that trademark blinking of eyes and shake of the head.
Then looked back at Revenant and smiled at him.

[Erik Revenant]

He didn’t know what to make of this strange woman. He also didn’t know what to think of the thing called a “television” that was on her wall. Honestly, he was about as lost as she was when it came to the strange box on the wall. Would the oddities never cease? First the lift, now this? What were these things? How did they work? He didn’t have a clue.

When she invited him to sit by her bedside, he also wasn’t entirely sure what to do. He didn’t want to get very close to her as he valued his space immensely. He’d much rather stay far away and not get involved. Or maybe say that he had to go even if that was a lie and he didn’t particularly like to lie. Eventually, he took a few hesitant steps towards her, keeping his eyes on the floor, or the wall, or pretty much anywhere that wasn’t her. She asked about a ‘Christine’ and ‘Monsieur de Chagny.’ One name was familiar, at least. Lenoir had mentioned there were a great many Christines here. Revenant couldn’t recall if a ‘de Chagny’ was mentioned. Unless that was Raoul’s last name. Or maybe it was the last name of one of the ghosts that lived here. He didn’t know and he wasn’t going to ask.

“I haven’t met them.” He shook his head slowly as he rather awkwardly moved a chair a little closer to her and sat down. Of course, his chair was still a suitable distance away. Far enough that she couldn't reach out and touch him, at the very least. He certainly didn't want to be touched. Granted, he didn't want to sit here with someone and talk either. But he would have to deal with it at least for a little while. Maybe she would ask him to go away soon. He could only hope that was the case.

[mamma]

"Oh," as Mamma's face turned to that of childlike mild surprise. "You haven't?" Blinking a couple times before a sweet smile spread upon her old lips, "I hope you will meet them. Christine is such a good girl. She takes care of me!" The grin that now occupied the old woman's face could never be wiped away as pride for Christine radiated from the elderly lady like a beacon of light from a lighthouse at night. "She sings, you know! She so loves to sing." Continuing to smile as she thought of the lovely young woman.

Turning back to look at him after turning away for just a moment, then looked rather disappointed to some strange extent. "Oh, now why sit so far away, young man! Come closer," she motioned for him to come to the bedside at least, like what Christine does. "Come." Looking him over with a pleasant attitude, "You seem like a nice young man. You should meet Christine and Monsieur de Chagny. They are such good young people."

Then she looked a little disappointed again, "Oh, I'm sorry, dearie," as she glance about absent-mindedly. "I'd offer you some tea or cakes, but I have not seen the housekeeper in some time." And was quite disappointed that the maid was neglecting her duties towards Mamma and Christine.

[Erik Revenant]

He didn’t want to come any closer than where he had already settled down. In fact, it seemed almost out of the question to move again. This was plenty close. Any closer and he’d start to feel trapped. However, with her prompting, he moved just a little nearer. Just a few feet. All the while, his eyes stayed fixed on the floor. Why couldn’t he have left well enough alone to begin with? Then he wouldn’t have this issue of socializing. The mention of this Christine girl left him utterly unperturbed. Why should it matter to him that someone enjoyed singing?

Either way, he ended up a little bit closer, closing the gap just a bit. At the mention of tea and cakes, he shook his head just a little. Even if she had them, he probably wouldn’t eat or drink. Sweets weren’t something he enjoyed. Just plain foods, such as a small amount of meat, maybe some bread, a little fruit… that was what he ate. None of this cake she spoke of. “It is alright…”

[mamma]

Turning the television volume down so she could talk to Revenant. "I don't often get company. Such a delight that you happened by, young man," she smiled at her masked visitor while sitting up in bed. "Christine usually visits me but I rarely see anyone else. She tells me there are several people who live here." Thinking a moment and it looked like she was thinking as her elderly face almost went into a scowl. Then lightened up and shook her head.

"I apologize for not being a good Hostess, young man," never using a person's name all that often. Really, she had forgotten it already! But she didn't realize she had forgotten it yet. Give her a little bit then she will figure it out. Just as she didn't quite figure out the mask. Again, give it time, she'll begin to wonder.

[Erik Revenant]

“It’s… fine.” Well, it sort of was. Considering he, himself, was attempting to find ways of escape, her lack of food and drinks in the room wasn’t all that disheartening. Truth be told, even if she had food and drinks here, he probably wouldn’t eat or drink any of it. He shifted somewhat in his chair, glancing at the television on the wall. That was, really, the only thing he was interested in. How did it work? How were the pictures of people moving? Where did this come from?

While he was peering up at it, he was paying very little mind to the old woman. It wasn’t as though she was mentioning anything important anyway. Seeing as most of the conversation had been about a Christine woman, Revenant couldn’t be less interested in it. There was a lot to look at in this room that made it easy to not even glance at the older woman. It was a relief to just be able to look around and not make eye contact.

[mamma]

He was mighty quiet, not engaging into conversation all that much. Mamma was both slightly curious and something thinking he was rude. Poor young man, she thought. He always seem distracted and quite shy. A weak smile graced her elderly lips for a moment before looking at the television as something caught her eyes - a hoverround mobile chair! It looked incredibly comfortable and Madame Valerius was very interested. Perhaps then she wouldn't have to rely upon someone to cart her around. She turned the volume back up-
"Excuse me, deary. I have to simply listen to this," and her attention waned from Revenant to the TV.

After the infomercial, Mamma turned her eyes back to her guest. She'd nearly forgotten that she had a guest. "Oh! do forgive me, young man. Is there anything I can get you?" Not that she could get him anything at all or call upon anyone and her face soon enough reflected that she forgot there was no constant housemaid to attend to her every whim. "You are a very reserved young man, mister...?" trailing off as she forgot his name already. Poor Adelaide. Her memory was not what it used to be.

[Erik Revenant]

"No, I don't require anything... and my name is Revenant." He didn't particularly enjoy just the use of 'young man' over and over again. It wasn't his name and he would prefer to be called by name than to be referred to as a young man. Even if that's what he was.

While the woman had been concentrating on the television, he couldn't help but feel the same fascination. Mostly, he just wanted to create that sort of thing, a screen full of little spots of color... If nothing else, just so he could watch those blinking lights all day long and watch the people on the screen. It would be so much easier to deal with than regular people.

[mamma]

Mamma watched the television then looked over at Erik with a slight smile, "Alright, dear. Don't hesitate to ask me if you want anything." Completely forgetting that she could get nothing for him. She did try to be a gracious hostess though.

Her sights went back and forth between the television and Revenant. Slightly amused and yet a tad annoyed that he was not so much a conversationalist. "Tell me, young man- oh, forgive me, Mr Revenant," patting her chest as she cleared her throat. Having nearly forgotten that he requested to call him by his name. She'll most likely still dismiss his name from time to time.

"I've found some very good performances and items through this television, Mr Revenant." Smiling at the man as she looked him over.

[Erik Revenant]

To be honest, the woman confused him greatly. She would go in one direction with her speech and then seem to drop it entirely. Couldn't she stay on task long enough to hold a conversation with him? For a second, he almost contemplated asking her what he was supposed to 'tell her.' But that thought was dismissed immediately. Couldn't he leave yet? This was torturous. Almost as torturous as riding the lift...

He sat there in silence, picking a piece of lint off his coat. He couldn't imagine where that would have come from but oh well. "That's... good." Well, how else was he meant to respond to the old woman? There was little room for conversation, even if he desired to make it. Which he didn't. At all. He glanced back towards the door longingly. How he'd love to just make a mad dash out into the hall and not have to even think about the fact that he'd been stuck in here for any amount of time.

[mamma]

Lounging in her usual way in bed while observing the TV and Revenant occasionally, wondering why he was there then realizing she had company to revert her attention to him but then lost it once again when something interesting came over the television. There was no way that this old woman could keep her attention on one thing for long it seemed. Always distracted, always oblivious.
"Are you sure you do not want some tea?" completely forgetting that she could do nothing to get something for him.

It didn't take long when the old woman finally started to doze off to sleep even while in Revenant's presence. She seemed to have either forgotten or just had no strength to stay awake. Either way, it would leave the poor bored-to-death Revenant an opportunity to leave.
Mamma slept.