When Shall I Find My Christine? (Maria G.)

[Erik Castagne]

Erik had finished placing the Missing Persons poster on the bulletin board outside. It contained a drawing that he had done of his dear Christine. She had vanished and he was concerned about her. Perhaps she had fallen astray of one of the dangerous men who inhabited this mansion. If he knew where to look, he would fight for her! Perhaps, and possibly worse, she may have gone off with de Chagny. Worse, because Erik knew Christine loved the nobleman. Back home in Paris, he had discovered their love by eavesdropping. He had taken her to his lair at that point and had shown her the bridal suite he had made for her. That night she had fallen asleep as he played music on his organ just outside her door. He had himself fallen asleep outside guarding the door lest she wander away. When he had awakened hte following morning, she had been missing and he was still in his lair, but upon further investigation, he had discovered that his lair had been moved to the mansion!

It had taken Erik a while to understand this, although he never understood how and why. And most of his waking moments were spent looking for his beloved Christine. He must find her and they could start again. Then the day came when she arrived! He could not contain his joy, but he held back with her, never wanting to make the same mistakes he had made before, to pique her curiosity enough for her to rip off his mask and then become enraged, storming at her and frightening her near to death. All had gone well, much better than before. He wished for their relationship to progress slowly. She had agreed to vocal lessons again.

But one day, she had disappeared. The name was even taken off of her suite, and that h ad distressed him immensely. He had begin asking everyone he came across if they knew anything about his beloved. Some of them had met her, but had not seen her lately. Hence, the poster on the bulletin board.

He stopped in one of the sitting rooms. The last he had seen it, it had been dressed for Christmas, lovely wreaths in the windows, garlands hung from the mantle and a lovely Christmas tree decorated in candles and sweet treats, nuts, and coloured balls. She had already been missing at that time. A lovely time was had at the gift giveaway. Gustave and Erik had exchanged gifts and he had become fond of the boy. from just that meeting. But he hadn't seen him after that. And Lenoir seemed a nice enough fellow. Carrière too and several of the women whom he had seen at the Christmas party and later at Lenoir's birthday celebration.

However, Christine had not been there at Christmastime. He would have loved to have taken Christine to the party. It would have shown her that he was as normal as any of the others. And it would have been perfect. There was no sign of her de Chagny. But now, there was simply no sign of Christine either.

Erik sat on one of the comfortable settees and closed his eyes behind the mask, leaning his head back a moment. What could he do next? Where could she have gone? She might be in trouble.... the thought made him open his eyes and walk about the room. It was cold in the room, for the mansion was slow to warm, considering it's thick stone walls. But he didn't even think of lighting a gas lamp or lighting the fireplace. He paced in the dark, feeling very alone and missing his lovely Christine so much it was breaking his heart.

[maria]

On her way to the Opera House to do some work on it.. that is IF Lenoir or Carriere were there. She had her kid gloves but dressed in the long plaid skirt and a white shirt, with her hair all pinned up into some hedgehog Gibson Girl mess. Striding by the door of the great room, she glanced sideways, barely catching a glimpse of a figure getting up. She stopped and backtracked to come to the door and step inside. With a flick of her wrist, she turned on a lamplight adding just a little light and squinted to see-
"Mister Castagne," she stated with a little joy in her voice as she stood there with a slight smile. "I have not seen you in a while. I've begun to think you didn't want to explore the mansion with me." Holding her kid gloves, almost fidgeting with them in her hands.

With a glance downward she thought a little more, "I noticed the poster you made." then looked at him without a smile but of pity. "Is there anything I can do?" not sure how she would be able to help but she could at least try. Even for a friend.

[Erik Castagne]

Stopping his pacing in the dark when a lamp was suddenly lit. He became aware of the lovely Maria Gianelli, whom he had met outside this past winter and they had viewed the stars together. "Bon nuit, Mademoiselle Gianelli," Erik said in his thick French accent. He smiled behind the mask. She mentioned touring the mansion. "Of course, Erik did not forget. But Erik has been in search of his Christine...yes the poster was made ... if anyone has seen her. But Erik's hopes are slim. It has been a very long time. Erik misses her so. And if she is in trouble or hurt, Erik would do anything to help her..."

Erik sank to one of the settees. He held his masked face in his hands. The expression on his face, if one could have seen it, was indescribably sad. "Erik cannot get Christine out of his mind, Miss Gianelli. He is so worried." He looked up, his brown eyes glinting yellow in the light of the lamp. "You are kind," he said.

Erik decided that he must try to calm himself . He was too wound up in Christine's disappearance. Then he noticed the plaid skirt and white blouse with kid gloves. He smiled under the mask and the smile could be heard in his voice. "Miss Gianelli, Erik thinks you look quite lovely this evening. Quite smart." He stood up. Wearing the dark wine-coloured waistcoat and tie, and the matching cap over his head, he also wore a black tail coat. "Perhaps that tour would be in order if Miss Gianelli is willing...."

[maria]

The light illuminated the darkness enveloping the room and also illuminated Castagne as her mismatched eyes watched the oddly masked man. She was, by now, used to all the various masked men. After all, her own voice teacher wore a mask. She didn't understand why but she never questioned that reason.
She smiled when he spoke her name but slightly turned her head an inch and rose her brows surprised that he didn't forget. Was he avoiding her then? ahhh... his Christine. He sought another and was engrossed in that obsession which she nodded. Glancing down as she fidgeted with her kid gloves, "I understand," then looked back up at Castagne. The look on her face faded to sympathy, hearing that twinge in his voice over the loss of the one he loved so much. In reality, she didn't really understand how that worked but she could at least offer some sympathy and comfort for a friend in need.
"I'm sure she is fine," trying to smile in hopes of cheering him up.

That smile upon her face fades though as he looked distressed. This tugged at her heart that he was so miserable over the lost loved one. He obviously loved her so much. She thought it was quite sweet.
She walked over to the settee that Castagne occupied and stood beside it to watch him with a slight look of sadness. Poor Castagne, she thought. The poor man was so riddled with heartache that he seemed not sure what to do.

A delighted grin spread upon her lips from Castagne's compliment, "These old rags?" as she looked at herself as though her hands were going to smooth out the fabric, trying to be a little uplifting and amusing perhaps. She did like it when he said she looked smart, and drew a larger grin from her, "Why thank you, Mister Castagne."

With a smile upon her face, she shifted to look entertained and pleased, holding her arm out to him, "I'm very willing," smiling still. "And please, call me Maria."

[Erik Castagne]

Perhaps that tour of the mansion would help him forget Christine if only for a few moments. As Maria said, undoubtedly she was all right. But the thought still nagged at him. There were so many strange men in the mansion, one of them could surely have kidnapped poor Christine or hurt her in some way. Or she could have wandered off. There must be an explanation... and yet there was little Erik could do about it.

Maria beamed with pleasure at his compliment of her clothing. She was indeed a lovely woman. Beautiful and well spoken and polite. She wore her clothes and held her self quite elegantly. Even a reclusive fellow such as Erik could be quite moved to admiration at such a splendid sight.

She asked him to call her Maria. He pointed to his heart. "I am Erik." He picked up the oil lamp, for perhaps some of the rooms they would visit would be dark. And if they met anyone, Erik would be able to inquire after Christine. It was a very good plan."

Erik gestured toward the door, with an inquiring nod of his head, asking without words,Shall we start? He held the door for Maria.

[maria]

A smile spread upon her face while facing Castagne, "A pleasure as always. Erik is a good name," she continued to smile while watching him get a lamp.

Nodding as he gestured to the door in silence but conveyed so well the intent and she was all to glad to begin this little venture to explore the grand home they both now occupied. At least, she had vaguely understood he lived here as well. But... where? "Thank you," as she strode through the door and out of the room. Then turned to wait for him, looking around before returning her mismatched eyes upon Castagne.
"You reside here at the mansion, don't you Mr Cast- I mean, Erik," she almost sounded shy but was simply an honest adult mistake and she smiled warmly for it in hopes it would soften her apology and not upset him too much.

[Erik Castagne]

Erik walked outside into the corridor. He stood still for a moment, a dark look momentarily upon his face, that of course couldn't be seen by Maria. "Erik's home is below the mansion. No one has been there save Christine and ... a child... a girl, Roselin. For some reason, she moved Erik's hard heart to bring her there, for she was kind to him and seemed alone. But no one else has seen Erik's home." He was surprised. "Does Maria wish to see Erik's home?"

They walked a bit further down the hall. "Why does Maria not show Erik the other places in the mansion first. Then perhaps a visit to Erik's home would be in order." Erik's home was private. He had prepared the room for Christine and did not wish others to see it. But he had shown it to the little girl. He knew that she had foster parents at the mansion, but they had not said a word about it. So he assumed they did not mind.

[maria]

She stood there waiting for Castagne so they could explore the Manor together, facing him then walked with him as they strode down a hallway. Glancing sideways to Castagne as he mentioned the location of his home, "Down below?" More like a tone of voice that she couldn't believe what he said. She did not inquire further though and left it at that. If his home was there, then... so be it.
Another sideways glance as he mentioned who was there and then the invitation. That nearly shocked her but instead a grin spread upon her face and she nodded, "I would like that." Quite curious now about his place of dwelling.

Her show Erik around the Manor? She was stunned but was rather delighted with the idea and so, with a nod, "Alright."
And so, she walked with him to show him what parts of the enormous house that she's taken notice of already. Showing him various rooms - the kitchen, dining hall, a couple dens, an armory, the library, a couple music rooms, the ball room, an old style exercise room, mentioned the pool but it was unavailable and disgusting, wandered several halls, up and down a few stair cases, a wine cellar but did not want to go further than that.
Gazing off to beyond, she was lost in thought and staring into the darkness. "I don't understand how I came here but I was found down in that darkness," nodding with barely a motion of her hand. "I have to thank Mr. Lenoir for that."
She turned back to Castagne and smiled. "I can't complain being here. Have you seen the Opera? It's a work in progress, but it's slowly coming along." she seemed to beam with the idea of showing it to him unless he's seen it already. "Unless you would rather see something else? Or... go to your home?"