Trip The Darkness (OPEN to anyone)

[anastasia]

Practically lost in the comfort of the bath as it soothed her aching body, though stung in a couple places at first namely the cuts and burned raw areas. Coughing a few times as she tried to relax and wash up. The unfamiliarity of the items to cleanse the body left her bewildered at times wondering what to do but she eventually did get her skin and hair clean. Often she would sing for the heck of it in the shower but her lungs and throat was not up to anything, not even humming. And it was so silent! She was not use to the silence while bathing. If music from the radio or her CDs not playing music then she would sing, or often singing along with the songs. But again, not this time. There was such silence and she was not use to it.

The sound of movement in the bedroom captured her attention and brought her out of her overly relaxed moment. Now she was curious as to who was there and why.
Getting out of the bath and seeing out some linens or something that would pass off as a towel. Lord! This place was so very different than what she was use to! Definitely not very modern!

Wrapped in the linen 'towel' as she slowly peeked and slipped into the now empty room. Baffled with a furrowed brow as she looked around slowly moving around wondering why someone slipped in here and then left. Soon enough she realized why. Brushing back her damp hair behind her shoulder and ear as she approached a trunk. With furrowed brow still she moved over to it and opened it with one hand while the other kept around her torso as though still holding the linen towel around her.
Inside the antique looking trunk she spied old clothing. Well it was old to her! Reaching in to start picking up pieces of clothing and eyeing them. So very old in style! This was something she was not quite familiar with but... she had to remember! It had been so long since she had worn a costume- Oh, that was what she was considering these to be - but she was no idiot on how these things worked. At least, she hoped she knew how it all worked.
With a little trial and error, and lots of trying on the various Victorian clothes, she finally sported a lovely rose printed damask and lace bustle-natural form cross. Standing in front of the length-wise mirror and gazing into it, seeing herself in this strange outfit simply stunned. She knew she looked stunning and it was almost disturbing. The matching shoes, the corset made her shape so ever perfect. Her hair was just just making it all look so wrong so, she fixed it to at least make it look rather decent and fairly matching.

After a while, she left the room hesitantly. Wandering down the hall as she heard soft noises and movement. Slipping slowly beyond the kitchen to look around the Sitting room and the Dining Room. The place was so old looking, at least to her it was with some Victorian taste, too. This place was so strange. And then she nodded, understanding it all. If this was Erik, then it would make utter sense. Her hands absently smoothed her torso where the corset wrapped around her under the dress as she looked around curiously wondering where Erik was. Finally she moved to the kitchen where she saw him and she stood there in the doorway with lips parted just ever so slightly. The smell of something delicious mellowed her.

[Erik Lavalais]

Erik had his back to the kitchen doorway, so he didn't see her walk up. But he did hear her. The rustling of cloth against the wood floors gave her away.

"Bon soir, Mademoiselle Anastasia. How are you feeling?" He shot her a little glance over his shoulder while he carved the chicken. While she had dressed, he'd had time to steam and dish out some vegetables onto a plate. He finished carving the chicken, dished out some meat onto the plate, then picked it up and turned. He gave her a look-over, raising his eyebrows beneath the mask. She'd picked a rather nice ensemble. The rose motif of the cloth went well with her hair and eye colours.

He nodded, then held out the plate to her. "Nice choice of dress. Do you like wine? I have a nice white wine..."

[anastasia]

She stood there watching Erik with detached curiosity as he dished up food upon a plate. She was rather snapped to reality when he greeted her and the smooth lit of his accent seemed to make her swoon but hid that quite well. He definitely was a Phantom all right. Deformed yet suave.

Reaching out for the plate as she tried to speak, her voice quite hoarse, "Fine... thank you," her other hand moved to her neck as she swallowed and cleared her throat. "Sorry." Still hoarse, "Yes. Wine would be nice, thank you." This was rather strange but then again, she never really knew nor understood the Phantom from the novel and had practically forgotten how he behaved. She simply assumed this was normal yet not normal.

Swallowing again and offering him a smile for the delightful meal upon her plate which she grateful and gracefully took, then turned and went into the dining room that she noticed a moment ago. Feeling so very strange and out of place but at least she was in good care and company. At least, she hoped.

[Erik Lavalais]

Erik watched her leave for the dining room, then snatched up two glasses for the wine and poured himself some. After draining it, he refilled his glass and left the kitchen to join her. He brought the bottle along too, just in case he needed to refill. Placing the glasses down on the table, he went over to her chair and pulled it out. He leaned slightly on the back of the chair, his stomach turning at the thought of whether or not he was doing this right. He'd seen other people act in situations similar to this, but he'd never been a part of one, unless one counted dinner with Teressa. Although, dinner with Teressa wasn't quite the same. At first, it had been, because the little thing had thought herself royalty! But she soon got used to eating with him as though they were both poor. At a few points in their lives, they had been...but that was off track.

"I hope you like chicken..." He swallowed a little hard, filling her glass. He didn't work very hard to make dinner, but he did hope that she wasn't allergic or some nonsense like that. He didn't want to have to take care of another problem that he could have prevented in the first place.

[anastasia]

Coming to the Dining Room table as she set her plate down, not at all disturbed by a lack of formal etiquette as she was not the sort of person to follow them. Glancing sideways as she noticed Erik setting the glasses down and moved to her chair as he pulled it out for her. That gesture made her smile, softening her face that it almost brightened. She barely coughed any more. 'Thank you," she said with barely a voice but with a charming smile as she sat down. Never had any one been so chivalrous with her with something so simple as pulling out a chair for her at a dinner table! It was a gesture that made a heck of an impact as she felt a little breathless. Warmed and deeply touched that someone took that little extra time for her to the point it nearly put her into tears. Slightly dropping her head as she stared at her plate with a threatening sadness. Only a man wanting something did this never did they do this just because it was the right thing to do.
She sighed softly.

Looking up at him as her visage slightly brightened as she smiled once again, nodding, "Yes, I do. Thank you," she replied in that horse voice and just barely coughed before clearing her throat.
Looking at the meal that was made, once again she was stunned. Well, ok, not really but still this was so strange for her. Picking up her fork and started to dig in slowly. Drinking the wine from time to time between eating.

Once she had eaten everyone upon the plate she slightly sat back and the wine. The clearish alcohol tickled her throat as it went down but warmed her full belly. She was satisfied.
Finally she looked up to look at her gracious Host, holding a smile back but it hinted to it's desire to grin upon the corners of her mouth. "Thank you," she began, with a slight hint of hoarseness in her voice, "it was very good. My compliments to the chef," raising her wine glass to him in a singular toast to honor him then drank the last of her whine.
Setting the glass down, she sat there almost staring at him but had to divert her eyes, finding it rather uncomfortable and numbing her to even keep her eyes upon the very being that she deduced was THE Erik. And knowing full well what lay hidden under the mask and his attire. Her breathing threatened to increase at the thought of a corpse so alive and so close to her. Unsure really how to take this. Never in a million years did she ever expect this to be possible. In her dreams, yes, it happened. But this was reality! This should not happen! And yet, it was happening!

"Again, thank you for the clothes, too." she stated gently but could not bring her eyes to look upon him right now. She tingled for some unknown reason while looking off elsewhere beyond him, away from him.
"I guess I should be thankful that you have helped me," She tried to look up and over at him but was finding it hard to even keep her gaze upon his masked face. Finding it just as difficult to belay her increased breathing.
But what now?

No. Where was she? This thought started to entertain her mind to draw it off him and she began to look puzzled. "Where am I?" Looking utterly bewildered with a slightly pinched dramatic face. Wondering what answer she will get and if it will lead to more questions.

[Erik Lavalais]

Erik sat back in his chair, a little confused by her question. Did she not know that she was trapped in this Manor like the rest of them? Oh, perhaps she was new....

"You are currently sitting in the dining room of my living quarters, below a Manor. I've no idea of the location of the Manor, only that it is somewhere in Europe. I've heard tell of a village nearby, but I've not been to it. I've heard that there are horseless carriages and the most scandalous of fashions. It doesn't seem like my cup of tea, particularly..." Erik leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbow on the table. Lifting his hand, he rested his chin on his palm, then took his wine glass with his free hand and swirled the wine a little in the glass. Using his pinky, he lifted his mask just the slightest bit, took a sip of wine, and shifted the mask back down. All the while, he had his eyes set on his guest, watching her reactions, carefully assessing her.

[anastasia]

Not looking rather amused but slightly annoyed at first when he mentioned sitting in his dining room. Well, that was quite obvious and nearly rolled her eyes, slightly opening her mouth as though to state something obnoxious but kept silent shifting to a bewildered look when her masked Host mentioned 'below the Manor'. Below it? Again?!? Like as in Erik Lenoir's Lair? She was in another? Below the Manor?!? She was in the Manor?!!! The emotions played out slightly upon her face as she thought all this and was not sure how to take all of this. Why and how did she get to the Manor? Last she sort of remembered was being trapped in a burning house. "How?" more to herself as she gazed distantly at the center of the dining table. Continuously looking as though she were trying to deduce the logical reasons in her mind.

Without looking up, still staring off into nothing at the center of the table, "England," she stated loud enough for him to hear with confidence in her voice but still a tinge of bewilderment about her situation.
Then lifting her eyes to look at him with an almost pinched confusion that changed to raised brows and slight surprise, "Yes, there is a town nearby." Slightly leaning forward and down, starting to find it hard to speak but she had to state something in return. "Have you been to the town?" She pondered a moment, if this was THE Erik, most likely he'd not seen an automobile in his life. Poor devil, he never had the joy of driving. "Granted fashion has changed since the Victorian era," then huffed as she looked at her glass distantly, her visage in a sort of shocked awe, "a LOT has changed since the Victorian Era." Remembering now she promised to show/inform/teach Lenoir about all that's happened since in the past 100+ years! So much to show and tell.
"Perhaps you should learn what has happened in the past 100 plus years, too." And began to pick at the last of her food salvaging it for those last bits of satisfaction.
Her eyes glanced up to catch the slightest hint of what lay under the mask as he shifted it to drink the wine. She nearly caught her breath and swallowed. Aware that he was watching her and it nearly made her tense with apprehension. The thought in her mind of what he looked like no longer made her curious. But at least his skin was not blackened dark or gnarled fingers frozen in place through time. The thought of the mummies she had seen in Chicago's Field Museum nearly made her shiver! She did her best to restrain herself from any show of disgust or fear at the fact a living corpse sat across the table from her. This was quite the test of courage for her. Taking a deep breath as she closed her eyes and released it. At least she won't be foolish enough to rip off his mask or inquire. She already knew. May he forgive her for such knowledge!

Seeing if she could shift the atmosphere a little, with a smile she looked back at him barely able to see his eyes as the dark mask overwhelmed his appearance, "Thank you for dinner or supper," smirked, "which ever one it is." Then glanced at the plate before looking back at him. "And now what?" pausing, "I know you said I'm a guest, but ... how long will I remain here?" She paused a moment and gazed distantly at the table before her. Realizing there might not be a place for her to go. What of Billie? She was wondering what now, what next. All these thoughts were running rampant in her mind and she had to desperately belay them when she closed her eyes, bit her lip and froze a moment. "what now," she said under her breath, more to herself.
Then she shook her head, looking bewildered, "How long have I been here?" Looking up at him to see his reaction to her question while she gained the answer from Erik.

[Erik Lavalais]

"You've been here less than a day." Erik shifted to a more comfortable position in his seat. "But you will stay as a guest in my home until you've recovered completely. I'd hate to impose such a limit on you, but it is a precaution that I must take. I'd hate to see my hard work go to waste." Carefully manoeuvring the mask, Erik took another sip of wine. GOD, this was a fantastic vintage...

"Did you think that I would just bandage you up and not help any further?" Erik scoffed a little. "That would only be trying to fix a symptom instead of the complete problem. If I'm to do something, I'm going to do it right, even if it means that I can't go about my daily business as usual..." The last part of the sentence drifted off into a low purr, mostly the result of his accent getting in the way of the English. Erik didn't like the English language very much. It was overly complicated, and had too many double meanings and spellings for words. Whoever had come up with the language had really been asking to be beaten.

Still...he had to learn it a while back, and had remembered it up to this point. Quite the accomplishment, in his mind.

[anastasia]

Less than a day. So he claimed. She had no reason to believe or not believe him, so far she would take his word for it for why would he lie? Nodding and accepted what he told her.

Once again her eyes shifted up to see his mask move a little once again as he took a drink of the wine with a sharp inhale that she tried to stifle then released it when she blinked hoping not to disturb him or worse, hoping her eyes would not betray what she was thinking - that she most likely knew what he looked like! Glancing down at her now empty glass not wanting to upset him from whatever her eyes said. Frightened of him? Perhaps just a little. A combination of she didn't know him and knowing what he looked like did place her in such a stiff, defensive stance that she tried so hard to get rid of. She really did not want to be so wicked to brush him away from her. After all, he did help her and still continued to help her, being kind to her. It would be cruel of her to be mean and rude towards someone who had been, and currently is still, kind to her.

Lifting her gaze back up as he spoke once more. This time she gazed back at him rather blankly, almost furrowing her brows or raising them slight. She only sat there just simply listening to him. His determination to help her was quite touching and warmed her to the core. Every word seemed to draw a rather humble sweet look from her. The fact that this Phantom would disrupt his own life to ensure she was fine and recovered was, again, quite touching.
Looking down, her lips parted slightly. She didn't want to disrupt his life by any means but he truly was making an impression upon her.

"Thank you," her voice was kind and sincere then looked up at him as her eyes reflected what her voice had said. Practically speechless that a stranger would be so kind. A stranger she thought she knew.

After a moment, she gathered her strength, one little cough, the first in perhaps a while. Was that a sign of progress or that she had a ways yet to go before she was well enough? Her lungs did burn now but her throat was dry. Clearing her throat as she rubbed it now, then coughed after she took a deep breath.
"I shall try not to be a burden to you," thinking of his name which she nearly had forgotten other than his first name, "Mr Lavalais," and smiled at him.

With barely a smirk and snicker she relaxed a tad bit, "What do you recommend I should do now?" Looking at her plate, despite her achy lungs she figured perhaps she could help with the clean up or do something.

[Erik Lavalais]

"Rest." Erik stood, clearing the dishes. "You need to rest and relax to get your strength back. And try not to talk too much until the burning feeling in your throat goes away. And don't touch your burns. They'll heal faster if you leave them alone." Erik nodded politely at her, sending her on her leave, then backed off into the kitchen.

He set the dishes in the sink and filled it with water. As he cleaned the dishes with a bit more diligence than usual, he thought about the strange situation he'd gotten himself into.

There was a strange woman in his home for the second time in his life, because he had to save her and nurse her back to health. At least THIS time, he could let her go and get on with his life as usual. That's all he wanted, really...to forget about ever finding anyone else and just get on with his life. He thought that he'd resigned all thoughts of partnership a LONG time ago.

[anastasia]

Rest. How the devil could she rest? With a sigh gazing at the table where the plate once sat and contemplated that very thing. She was not one to rest really. Always active usually with horses or something that kept her busy. Or a movie or something to occupy her time that kept her moving in some way. But never simple rest where she did... nothing.

Another sigh as she rose from the chair, pushed it back in then moved slowly while pondering what the heck to do. Looking about the house at all the 'antiques' - as the items were to her - all the while listening to the faint sound from the kitchen. A little smile attempted to curl the corners of her mouth. Not knowing why but there was such a peace in her soul and such a light she'd never felt before while in his presence.

Before making her way back to the room he had put her in, she paused near the doorway of the kitchen to watch him a moment. No words but absolute silence from her as those brown eyes observed his every movement, how fluid it was and though ordinary was actually extraordinary. Such a feeling in the depths of her being almost made her frightened with a painful stomach. It was nearly impossible to calm herself.
Blinking and looking downward for a moment, prying herself away from the doorway and strode slowly back towards 'her' room. Trying to think of what she could do. There really was nothing other than lay in bed and that was not her.

In her room, she wandered about looking over things. Then sorted through the attire he had brought in for her. The dresses were quite lovely for sure as was every accessory. She wondered why he had these items and how he came to possess them. Bored half out of her mind, she decided to try on every piece of clothing, especially the dresses which she took a fancy to a few of them.

Losing all track of time while trying on the Victorian dresses, feeling like a little girl again. Trying to be careful and mindful of the burns. Hissing occasionally when they were rubbed up against or touched. It hurt. They stung. She dealt with it and moved on. Sighing as she recalled what this Erik said about not touching the burns. Wishing she had some burn cream or better yet... aloe.
Putting back on the rose floral gown, she then left the room and made her way back down the hallway towards the great room or as some would call a parlor or drawing room.
Once there, she looked around, not seeing or hearing any sign of this Erik and look rather forlorn. She wondered if he was still here or not. Strange. How so very strange. Who would have thought something like this was real?
Strolling around the room, glancing about. Her fingers and eyes dancing over the books or other art that decorated the room, even the drapes and furniture. Admiring the taste this Phantom had.

Curiosity got the better of her though as she glanced about, turned to the foyer and slowly, quietly made her way out the entryway to see if-
Ahhh, yes! The underground lake! How extraordinary it was! The darkness with the hint of a phosphorous glow upon the rock walls and ceiling, the dark obsidian waters. Nary a sound but the occasional drip of water from somewhere far off. Her eyes were locked upon it and simply stood upon the landing gazing in awe and wonder and relishing how peaceful it was. The air was sweet, damp and metallic, trying to take a deep breath but coughed. Oh, her poor body. But she refused to go back in. Not yet at least. Closing her eyes, she tried to listen to the peace that surrounded her. It wasn't like being out in some mountain range forest on a clear, crisp morning. It was more like a quiet January night in the middle of no where in the Midwest. Not a sound, not a bit of light except the faint lights from farms dotting the landscape. Absolute silence and peace. A smile finally curled the edges of her mouth as she stood here with her arms wrapped nonchalantly about her.

[Erik Lavalais]

Erik finished cleaning the dishes, then looked behind him, checking to see if Anastasia was in the doorway. She wasn't. Good. He went to his room, slipping quietly through the door. He left it open a crack, thinking that Anastasia was back in the room at the end of the hall, about to get some rest. He walked over to his armoire, opening the doors and reaching behind all the clothes. A panel was there, at the back, and he opened it. He'd discovered it a bit ago, a clever little mechanism that hid away some of his most guilty pleasures. He pulled a large brilliant hookah from the hidden area of the armoire, as well as an ornate Chinese puzzle box.

He walked over to one corner of his room. It was a large, empty area, with only a divan. He knelt on the floor, then opened the puzzle box. In his obsessive-compulsive habit, he set the contents on the floor, according to what went with what. His needles went next to the morphine packets, as well as his tourniquet. Next to the opium went his set of opium pipes; long and thin and metal, each one with a different theme. Finally, he found his coals, matches, small burner, foil, and flavoured hashish. There were several flavours, but he opted for the honey flavoured hashish this time. After setting the coals on the burner and lighting them, he dipped his fingers into the packet of hashish and packed it tightly into the compartment of the top of his hookah. He put the foil on top and poked a pattern of many minuscule holes in it with the pocketknife he always kept on him. Then he set everything down.

Erik hadn't heard anything out of his guest, so he assumed she was resting. That was good. It meant that she'd recover sooner and be up and about. He groaned, picking himself off the floor. His age seemed to be catching up with him at last...He wasn't as spry as he once was. Granted, when he needed it, he could push himself to have enough strength, but whenever he was just relaxing or doing menial tasks, it seemed as though he could feel the excess strain of two hundred and sum-mat years pulling at him. He picked up the bottom basin of his hookah and his hose, taking it with him to the kitchen, taking care to be quiet. He filled the basin with cold water, washed out the hose, and went back to his room.

Erik went back over to his armoire and opened the door again. On the doors were masks of all colours and variations. He switched out his full-faced black mask with a black three-quarter mask that he preferred to wear when smoking, then went back to check the coals for his hookah. The coals were hot enough, now. He connected the hookah together and shoved the hose into it, taking a few puffs on it to clear it out. The smoke was thin at first, but it became thicker and thicker with each puff. It was ready, at last. Erik laid down on the divan, wrapped the hose around his arm, and took a drag on the hose. He closed his eyes, sighing the smoke out. He felt relaxed when he smoked, it was therapeutic. He forgot that his door was open, but it wasn't like he was doing anything illegal. He was allowed to smoke in his own home. He took another long draw, then opened his mouth, letting the smoke seep out as though he were some sort of dragon.

[anastasia]

Losing all track of time while gazing upon the obsidian lake that sprawled out as far as the eye could see which was not very far at all in such darkness barely lit by the glow of phosphorus moss that covered parts of the cavern walls and ceiling. Feeling exhausted finally she decided to get up, after sitting upon the step sometime when standing became a little too much for her.

Turning and heading back inside the house, her mind swarming with a mass of varied thoughts - thinking about everything and nothing at all - in her encroaching tired state.
As she moved slowly back towards the room that her Host had put her in, she glanced about and listened but all was silent. Looking down and thought where ever was this strange masked man?

Striding past one door that was open and something caught her attention. She stopped, took a couple steps back and spotted that very mysterious man casually laying upon something that looked much like a lounge chair... SMOKING something. Her lips slightly parted with a visage of utter bewilderment. She didn't remember this from the book. Was this something not told?
Alas there was a part of her that was slightly disturbed with this action. Her eyes glanced over his laid back form of how relaxed ... and tempting... he looked.
Her eyes shifted quickly to glance around him and spotted other items that only increased her feelings to disgust! Parting her lips moreso as those brown eyes looked at him again. This time realizing the full face mask was gone and one could see the exposed part of his face around his mouth and chin. Catching the faint hints of the scars around the mouth and chin. She stood there staring at him before she blinked. Her breathing was under control for now. He looked so... at ease. This did not seem like the Erik she had read about anywhere. So if this man was not the original Erik.. then who was he?!? Then again, it had been 20 years since last she knew the story. No doubt this was something she simply did not remember.
Sharply inhaling through slightly parted lips and blinked to gather her wits. Wanting to force herself away from the doorway but could not move.

[Erik Lavalais]

Erik smiled, his eyes still closed. He exhaled the remaining smoke and took another long draw. The deep breaths made him light-headed and dizzy. This was one of his vices; his way of self-administering therapy in times of stress or strain. He opened his eyes, watching the smoke make strange designs in the air as he let it free from the confines of his mouth. But, through the smoke, he noticed that his door was open. And framed in the doorway, was his guest.

Erik sat up quickly, untangling the hose from his arm. He stood, pulling his robe tighter around himself. "Can I help you with something...?" Erik swallowed. He felt suddenly self-concious. His lip scars were clearly visible, as were the ugly mangled scars on his neck. Cautiously, he walked over to the threshold of his door, crossed his arms and leaned in the doorway.

[anastasia]

It was like watching the ultimate horror unfold right before your eyes and you simply could not turn away. No matter what you did, you just could not turn away. Drawn to the incident for some reason that could never be unexplained.
Gazing upon her Host was just like this. This behavior disgusted her and yet he was so alluring! How? How ever could he be so alluring being something that terrified her so? She could see with nearly wide-eyed suspense his emaciated form. Well, what she could see from the haze created by the smoke and the fabric. Almost feeling like an innocent once again in his presence, as though she'd never been through any hells in her life or never been used by men in every way. He was tempting! Oh, how this was just mesmerizing her. How dangerous it was and though she knew it was, she was so unable to move away from the danger!

Sharply inhaling as her eyes widened realizing that she'd been discovered. Her mouth opened slightly as she tried to gather air into her lungs which felt like they were utterly deprived of the very thing they needed most! Her hands darted to the door frame, Fingers grasping the molding to the point they started to ache. She stood her ground, trying not to be afraid even though she was. Preparing herself for some form of assault.
He spoke. Oh, he spoke. That nearly caused her to melt and yet she tensed up. Visibly moreso when he approached her. Still gripping the door frame and still she did not move away. Only gazing up at him in awe and continued suspense. Silent for a moment as her eyes seemed to take him in, studying him for some reason.
Finally releasing a breathy exhale, then shook her head causing her lengthy chestnut hair to ripple gently about. "No," breathlessly spoken through her now dry lips as she tried to continue to breathe. Why did she feel like this?!? It made her feel various emotions, namely fear and frustration. She must guard herself from anything like this again!

Swallowing as she turned her eyes away from him finally, and slowly began to pry herself from the door frame. It was a great battle for her to try and pry herself away from being so close to him. He seemed to embody danger and sensuality. Did he know this? If he did, he utilized it well. If not.....
"Sorry," she said as she started to turn away from him. Feeling that she did him wrong, "I did't mean to stare." Her voice so soft, almost weak, as though a child who had been severely punished.