Libera Mé (Lenoir)

[Erik Lenoir]

"How did I know you like hot chocolate?" Erik smirked a bit. "Doesn't everyone?"

He looked at her when she said microwave. "I am trying to learn these new, modern devices. They are quite interesting. Technology has come a long way. I can't even fathom what some of the devices are for. However, there are a few books in the library that explain some of them. Lately though, I have rather lost interest in many things. Life has become a bit tedious." Erik was thinking again about Teressa. Having lost her was so very painful and it pervaded his very being. However, talking with Ana and doing something for her had made him strangely feel better.

"Ana, I am however, enjoyng our little talk. It is pleasant to make something and have someone enjoy it too..." Erik paused. He started thinking again of the several times lately he had seriously thought of doing himself in. Would things get better? Perhaps this was a beginning, a new start. He could hopefully come back into the good graces of everyone he had insulted. It had started with Ana.

He finished his small sandwich and thoughtfully sipped his tea. He watched Ana enjoy her food. She said, You deserve someone worth your time and efforts who will put you above their own selfish needs. "Perhaps, but there have been some misunderstandings. " He smiled and then he had to take her hand. "Ana, my dear, I must apologise for my past very rude and terrible behaviour. I hope you will forgive me."

[anastasia]

Smirking after she asked how he knew she liked hot chocolate and his reply of 'doesn't everyone' and softly snickered as she picked up the cup and drank some more. It was one drink that could always comfort and he made it just incredibly creamy and delicious. How ever did he manage that was beyond her.

Nodding as she set down the cup of hot chocolate, "Yes. A lot has advanced in over 100 years." She was looking at the cup then shifted her gaze to him, crossing her arms on the counter and leaning upon them. She listened to him and wanted to say more but refrained upon his lack of interest which seemed to make her rather sympathetic.
Looking down as she nodded, almost hanging her head, "Yes. Yes, it is. More than we would like it to be." Gazing at the counter a moment, "But the important thing is... we continue to survive whatever is thrown at us."

A very slight nasal huff with a smile and glanced down. Well, this was rather interesting and she didn't reject it by any means. It was the sort of thing she thought about when she was younger and it felt rather strange but good nevertheless. Her lengthy chestnut hair shifted forward and she brushed it back, her face was a little bright with a smile. She appeared to accept whatever he was saying as sincere. Perhaps it was a mistake but how could she resist him?

Hungry and it showed as she devoured whatever was set before her, greatly enjoying everything that Erik made. It astonished her deeply how much more of a person he was beyond the story she knew. This was incredible and she complimented him several times on each dish. Magician, Composer, Architect, and now Chef! Ok, so maybe not really go that far, but he could make some pretty good food. Who would have thought and she constantly looked amused over the fact that the Phantom of the Opera made a midnight meal for her!

"There will always be misunderstandings," as she nodded, after finishing a mouthful and nodding. She was about to say more it seemed as she swallowed and washed it all down. But the sensation of his hand taking hers snapped her head to look at him with a straight, serious face looking almost alarmed as though her defenses were suddenly going back up faster than a cheetah could run. Her eyes glanced at their joined hands then back at him as he was apologizing. She didn't think he had been too terribly rude. Did she miss something?
Staring at him while studying him for a moment pondering what in the heck was going on and why, coming to no conclusion but simply accepting his apology. Nodding and gentle she squeezed his hand with a strained smile, "It's alright," then looked back at him wondering what ever in the world was going on? Realizing she knew nothing really about this Phantom, about Lenoir. This was truly going to be interesting.
She smiled slowly, warmly back at him.

She yawned. After finishing her midnight dinner with a belly full now, she was feeling the demands of needing some sleep. Perhaps for once in quite a while she'll have a good night's rest.
Sliding off the chair-stool, she took the dinnerware to the sink and washed them.

Once she'd dealt with the dinnerware - washed, dried and put away - she shifted and turned to face Lenoir. Smiling sheepishly, "Again, thank you, for a wonderful midnight meal and, well," pausing a moment, motioning to him, "Interesting dinner company." Slightly snickering through her nose. She still had a hard time of accepting all this but slowly was working towards it.

Hesitating a moment, she moved to him and gave him a hug. "Hang in there. Life is never easy. If it was, everything would be perfect." Thinking of her own troubles in life as more and more she realized how much people struggled with daily issues of life. Part of this was also to help her get through all these tribulations of her own. And now, the Phantom was reality's latest victim. Surely he above all others should be given more leeway.

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik noticed, that little by little, Ana seemed to lose some of the defenses that she had built around her. He hadn't set out to make her do that. He had been feeling depressed and angry, but speaking to someone, even this odd modern woman, made him feel a bit less depressed. He truly wanted her to forgive him, although he wished more that Teressa could forgive him. But he hadn't even seen her at all since the incident and he wasn't about to come looking for her. He would have no reason anymore to ask Lavalais if he could court her; indeed she probably had no wish to see Erik ever again. So that was that.

He glanced at Ana. "It's true that we survive ... up to a certain point. Of late, I have been unable to ascertain how long I really can go on..." He smiled at Ana as if to mitigate his last statement. "Perhaps things shall be better. I don't know."

He had taken her hand and she didn't resist. He rubbed his fingers over hers softly, but nothing more. He didn't want to start anything again, but it felt nice to touch her hand to have human contact. Then she started to compliment Erik on each of the dishes he had made. He realized he had really outdone himself on what was supposed to be a small midnight snack. But he enjoyed her praise so much he positively glowed with pleasure as she lauded his creations. "I am quite delighted that I have been able to please your palate, my dear." Erik felt he often was not recognized enough for what he did, and no wonder, he had hidden himself from sight for so long. But here, in the mansion, it was different. He didn't have to hide anymore although it was true that he did retreat into himself when something happened that disturbed him this much.

But as he rubbed her fingers with his, he could feel something change in her attitude, almost a stiffening. She must not like his touch. He moved his hand away, but not before she rubbed it a bit. His mood darkened slightly. She looked at him as if she were studying his face. He didn't mind it so much from Ana, because she had seen his face in person and it would seem earlier, in some strange modern way. And yet, it was disconcerting. But then she smiled warmly at him. He wondered what the change that he had felt meant.

Erik let Ana wash the dinnerware and put it away. He watched her as she did that. He liked her long chestnut hair. It was lovely and cascaded in thick waves about her head. He wondered how she would look in a proper Victorian dress. He expected she would be quite lovely. Then she turned back to Erik. He didn't want her to know he had been watching her so closely, so he moved his head a bit so it wasn't so obvious, then turned back with attention, when she spoke to him.

Interesting dinner company, she said. "Only interesting?" he said flippantly, his eyebrow raised and a smile flickering about the left end of his mouth. Then she thanked him for the meal again and he beamed with pleasure. "You are most welcome, my dear. I would do it any time."

Then she totally surprised him by giving him a hug. He slowly and gently hugged her back.

[anastasia]

It was known that she was a listener as much as she liked to talk or give a bit of wisdom. Despite being nervous slightly around this Phantom which had now dwindled greatly. But there was always that little bit of hesitation, fear, being offensive, walls, and whatever else that she kept close in order to keep herself safe from any further hurt. Any attempt to get closer to her she would throw up those defenses so quickly that it would be a little tougher to bring them back down.

Furrowing her brow as she watched him, listened to him. He sounded no different than her, or even many others who felt life was of no further worth after such devastation. Depression was a terrible internal demon. Defeat of such inward torments was more difficult than a physical war.
"You have to," she told him as she gazed back at him with a look in her eyes that betrayed she'd been there several times, especially one major devastation."You define yourself. Or do you let someone else define you?" Raising her brows while still locking her gaze at him. She couldn't believe she was discussing all this with the Phantom. It seemed so unreal. "You've been through all this before. Yes, heartache hurts. Why do you think they call it that." Looking down, "You want to die." Pausing a moment, then looking up at him. "You can't give up." Then tried to smile. "I hope it will get better for you. You can make it better for yourself."

Inhaling deeply then released it silently and found it hard to look at him, distantly gazing at the counter. The sensation of his gentle rubbing touch numbed her mind as she slightly stiffened still. She enjoyed it, almost too much. It was those defenses shooting up as she would ensure that no one would get close to her heart. Her countenance did shift to almost a haunting or cold look, desperately wanting him to step away. She didn't want any more heartache. She was afraid of any form of relationship any more, be it with a general friend or something more intimate. She was tired of such things, tired of the hurt. Unsure if she would be able to survive another round of hellish inner pain.
Yes, she felt uncomfortable. To an extent. In a way, it was good since this helped her move out of her comfort zone so to speak, it helped to deal with her inner pain she never dealt with. She was so eager to give advice to not be so easy or swift into any sort of relationship of any level, but there was those levels where this was so bad and it troubled her. She would keep her eye on him and be sure that nothing would advance beyond just a little friendly chat or touch. Something to keep at a healthy distance according to her.

Weakly smiling and trying to show her appreciation of what he's done so far. Seeing that this was boosting his ego some and smiled just a little more with a tiny little shake of her head.
Slightly raising her brows with a smirk but still a little detached. But now was he brushing her ego for such praise of him? This was just confusing and entertaining to some extent.
She had to keep her breathing in check and do her best not to give him the wrong signals and hopefully she wouldn't take his actions wrongly either. A dangerous line they walked but again she'll ensure that it remains nothing more than just friends.
She hoped.

She laughed as he stated 'only interesting?' and shook her head while planting her hand on the counter. "At least," she stated while snickering at the same time. Then laughed more as he seemed to have that 'Han Solo" smirk and dropped her head with another head shake. Well, now she was more than just amazed. He was nothing that she expected he would be. More actually. Damn, this was almost disturbing. She was liking him and despite all that he'd done or said when they met.
Raising her brows as she looked at him. Was he flirting? It was rather interesting to be flattered by the Phantom.

Perhaps she was being a bit too harsh and distant, even stupid with her unreasonable defenses. Those past pains just made her someone she never liked to be. Torn with her fears and hopes, should she push him away and deny herself a friend? Or should she hold him near and become best of friends? It will be difficult especially when she struggled inwardly with her own feelings and fears.

Giving him a power hug, hoping it would help him as a hug usually is good medicine for the soul like chicken noodle soup. After a while, perhaps a couple or few minutes of the hug, she pulled back and looked at him with a slightly curious look. "I have a question," she paused a moment as she stood there, just slightly a foot from him. She looked utterly confused and troubled. "You mentioned... when we first met... that those who have a room here at the Manor... are ... prisoners... of the Manor," Looking up at him in hopes he had the answers to her question and would eventually have more questions. Slightly shaking her head again, "What do you mean by... prisoner?" Hoping so much that he had an answer to why she was at the Manor.
It was a good thing that she was calm and comfortable with him aright now otherwise she would have slapped him and spat in his face thinking he was a part of this.

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik could feel that Ana felt defensive toward him. He didn't really know why. As they sat and talked, she seemed calm and almost serene, but when he had touched her hand, she suddenly became rigid and possibly upset. So then he was quite suprised when she hugged him. It felt lovely, but strange, coming from Ana.

Erik hadn't really planned on the two of them becoming close, even if it were only a friendship. He didn't see any more than that possible. Whether Teressa and Erik ironed out their differences, which he doubted, he would not kiss Ana again. Just his presence seemed to upset her in some way. He couldn't fathom why. And he didn't think it had anything to do with the infamous kiss, which is what he thought earlier.

"Define me? I have never heard that expression, but certainly I define myself. I am unique, one of a kind. And yes, there are other deformed men living here named Erik, but none of them are like me." Then she surprised him with an insight... she said, You want to die... How could she know what he had been thinking about? He frowned at her, not really knowing what to say. Then he rubbed his left temple. "I have been thinking about it, I admit. Sometimes I have visions of myself drowning or falling from a great height...I don't know why. I really don't know why..." Erik looked at Ana, then. He seemed sad. "I feel better now though." He smiled. It was largely because of her praise earlier that he felt better. "I won't give up, at least not for the moment."

It was strange. Here he was pouring out his feelings to this woman whom an hour or so ago he had despised and blamed for all of his problems. He didn't any more. It had been a leftover from the whole series of events that started with that kiss. She hadn't been to blame at all. He could almost blame the horse more than Ana. She hadn't done anything. The horse was the one who pushed them together. And Teressa? He couldn't really blame her either. She thought she knew what she saw and it certainly looked like that. Then, trusting de Chagny. That was his next mistake. He would never trust that little bastard again. And later he had disgraced himself in front of half of the mansion. In his heart he knew he was to blame for setting the events in motion. But he would never admit it aloud. He felt that Ana had forgiven him the kiss, but had she really? She never had put it in words really. What was she thinking? He couldn't always read her face, even though emotions crossed at quite regular intervals.

After the hug, Ana seemed pensive and said she had a question to ask. It concerned the fact that he had earlier, before she had ever come her to live, said that anyone with their name on the door of a suite, was confined here for good. She wanted to know what was the truth of that.

Erik cleared his throat and smoothed back his hairpiece with one hand. He felt slightly nervous concerning the answer he was about to give. "It appears, to me, that there are certain forces that have conspired to bring us here. And why? I have received several answers. For their own pleasure? So that we may work out our lives in a place where we can be happy? For no reason at all? I don't know really. But it appears that all of us who are from the era of Queen Victoria are here for good; there is no escape. For the villagers and those who belong to this modern era, I don't know. I expect you would have more of a chance of returning. If you went home to America, it would be the same one you left. However, if I tried to return to the Paris I know, I expect it would be 100 years in the future, everyone I knew back then would be dead, save those who came here to the mansion. So what are we to do?"

"We do have the freedom to walk anywhere on the grounds and go to the village. Further than that, we may not go. But you? I could not say. Perhaps you are confined here as surely as I am." He looked at her with sadness in his mismatched eyes. "I hope that you are not a prisoner. It would be quite unfair." Then he laughed a humourless laugh. "Ironic, isn't it. I am a prisoner in your world and you in mine. We are forced to live in a place between two eras..."

[anastasia]

There was absolutely no doubt that indeed Lenoir was unique! She weakly smiled as he explained that he defined himself which she nodded and was glad that he had such a strong sense of individuality. That alone proved to her that he was confident. "You are right," she said gently to re-enforce what he just stated and agree with it.

Her countenance shifted to a slight frown when he mentioned he thought about ending his life. She simply watched him and listened. She was right. Then again, who hadn't felt like that from a deeply upsetting heartbreak? In most cases someone would have thrown a massive pity party, whimpered or begged not to do something so drastic and clung to him. But, not her. At one point in time yes, she would have done that but after her own dealings with heartache - more than once - she could only sympathize because she'd been there before. No one would ever know that sort of feeling unless they had been there. A person didn't want pity or condolences or a massive pampering over the difficult time. A person going through it just needed time to recover and at least a shoulder or two to cry on. Someone who really understood. Somehow that person suffering through such deep devastation would survive it. If they were strong enough. She hoped that he was strong enough to be able to handle another devastating blow to his heart. Each time was worse than the last. She looked so sad and sympathetic, rather empathetic actually, her eyes turned glassy with tears. She knew. And even after so long, she still contemplated the same. A heartache could never be wiped clean. Never! "I do," just slightly above a whisper in a tone of sad understanding. She couldn't look at him and turned her head away so he wouldn't see her teary eyes of the pain that would never go away.
Desperately blinking the tears away before she looked back up at him with a weak smile rather proud that he had the courage to keep going. After all, that's how it worked, right? You just have to keep going... no matter what. "Good," she said softly.

A sharp inhale before she let it out the same way and watched Lenor react to her question. Furrowing her brow as she stood there, backing to the counter - her backside to the counter's edge, her hands coming back to grip gentle the edge as she gazed him, leaning back against the counter.
Furrowing her brow at the mention of 'certain forces' which bewildered her and started to make her slightly curious, wondering what he was talking about. She said nothing and just listened to his explanation. Or some form of it at least.

Barely raising her brows as she gazed back at him almost blankly, baffled beyond words at his explanation. This was something she wasn't sure how to react to other than just stand there - somewhat - leaning against the counter looking utterly dazed. Of this she couldn't even imagine this sort of hell he, or the others, were going through. Simply, utterly bewildering that left her speechless.
His situation doubled with only a lack of complete understanding or explanations, coupled with her own unexplained situation just made the question accumulate more questions without answers.

Frozen there still but his laughter seemed to almost spook her, somewhat snapping her attention back to him. Ironic?!? Her lips parted as she stood there with such a look that could never be explained other than an absolute flood of emotional visage. Her chestnut hair had shifted to cascade over her shoulders and down in front, framing her face almost like a dark veil once again as she silently, blankly tried to drink in what he said. It was so difficult to even believe. It didn't seem logical, it had no purpose, no rhyme or reason, no explanation!
And for once, she was more than speechless. She could not think, she could not react, she just stood there leaning back upon the counter as though if she moved, spoke, thought, reacted, anything... she would be struck down by the Gods that be! His words kept ringing over and over in her ears-
"I am a prisoner in your world and you in mine."

[Erik Lenoir]

Ana seemed shocked and speechless by the information that Erik knew he had to give her, the sad information about their existence at the manor. "It has been difficult finding information about why wwe have been brought here, Ana. Very difficult indeed. I have even heard conflicting reports of who owns or owned the house. There is the tale of the fellow who owned the house and then passed away and somehow we were brought here shortly after. Then there is a fellow named Will Leverich who tells me that his family owned the mansion since medieval days. That would make him the logical heir and he calls himself Keeper of the Mansion. He is a congenial fellow, easy to like. Another who seems to vie for ownership is a fellow named Charles Dalimar. I have met him but once and was unable to speak to him before he left abruptly. A fourth contender apparently is a fellow that Dalimar reports to, even more unlikeable than Charles. Charles and his employer are undoubtedly involved in frighteningly evil acts. I have met Charles' employer and he is undoubtedly an evil demon." Erik did not mention to Ana that Claude, the fellow he was speaking about, was in truth a real demon...

"It would be well to keep away from Charles and his employer if possible. I have done so, except for one frightening episode. Will is a congenial fellow, as I mentioned. There is no need to fear him. And I tell you all of this so you will not be taken in by any of them. Whether they own the house or not or whether they have brought us here or not, there are certain people...and I use that term loosely...with whom I will not mingle."

"Do you by any chance believe in ghosts?"

[anastasia]

Unmoved from the counter that of which she was leaning against, her hands still gripping it slightly while she listened to Lenoir. Little by little, her hands gripped the edge of the counter a little more firmly. What he said was confusing yet he made perfect sense. And unfortunately, it was quite disturbing! She was trapped in a mad house!

Lifting her head to look at Lenoir with such a look that one would think she was possessed but she was not. She was simply trying to process all this in her poor head!
No, usually people would think her crazy or dismiss her for such beliefs. But, she has come to an understanding of the spiritual and supernatural side. One of which she knows it's real but will do best to leave it alone.
"Yes," she simply said with a tone of truth and soft in volume. All the while locking her gaze upon Lenoir. What ever was he getting at here.

[Erik Lenoir]

"I am a skeptic about such things as ghosts. It took a very long time to convince me that there was such a thing. And the person who convinced me, just happened to be a ghost." Erik laughed. "I spent much of my career at the opera house calling myself a ghost and acting like one. I never in my life thought I would meet a real one. But since then, I have met several. " Erik didn't want to frighten her by describing the evil ghosts. " Some of them are very kind and wonderful. Among them would be Madame Leona, Will Leverich who purports to be a king, Christine Olivia or Livy as she prefers to be called and then the strange Emma Ravenhearst. She seems very sad, much sadder than the others." I am not saying this to frighten you, Ana. I wish to warn you not to become alarmed. But you must know what you are up against if you should have such an encounter."

He was still sitting at the table and Ana was standing with her back to the counter, across the room. "Ana, pleasse don't be afraid. If I did not think you could understand, I would not have told you. I am sure most people would think I am absolutely crazy and out of my mind, but I assure you all of this is true." He paused and smiled again. "Some people already do think I'm crazy. Do you?"

[anastasia]

Standing there listening to still and still unmoved from her spot at the counter. Her visage seemed almost like a scowl but she was not upset in any way. Instead she was listening and open minded. Feeling nothing and yet everything. Every word he spoke sank in quite well and she took it worth it's weight in gold which would be quite a bit coming from him. Oddly she believed him especially since the day they met and he did everything in his power to convince her of the truth. It was nearly impossible for her to believe he was saying anything else. Especially when his eyes seemed to show his sincerity of these truths.
When he laughed, she did not. Not even a smirk. Her face was dead serious (no pun intended) on the subject of ghosts. Ana knew nothing of Emma Ravenhearst. That was one secret that Billie kept to himself so it was no wonder that there was no reaction from her when this name was mentioned. But the mention of the named ghosts did cause a slight furrowing of her brow. No, she did not think Lenoir was lying but this truth baffled her. Ghosts rarely were ever seen. Felt, sometimes heard, but rarely seen other than a shadow or mist. This both disturbed her and yet made her curious.
Pondering a moment as she put her tongue in her cheek about the issue of ghosts. That would make sense with what she may hear from time to time of footsteps or bangs. She honestly thought it was the other residents or she was going mad!

Blinking once with a slight look of surprise. Did he have confidence in her strength and courage? Is that why he was telling her this? Or was it some other reason? Perhaps both. She was surprised nevertheless and yet kept herself mellow from such words from him.

Raising her brows as she gazed back at him more than surprised. "That's a general and open ended question," she wryly stated with no smirk or humor but with honesty and a hint of wisdom. "But no, I do not believe you to be crazy." Her visage and her eyes matched with her words as she believed him.
If there was one thing about her is she could be intimidating and force others from her just with her presence. At that moment, she had that powerful intimidating look because she was real and honest. Nothing was more potent than a woman with power.
"Why would I be afraid?" Her voice gentle but powerful in tone, soft in volume. She understood and knew about these things. True she felt fear a lot but eventually she never let it control her or command her actions. Because of fear she had courage. There was one thing she learn with life is to be self-reliant to find that strength within. Despite all that she'd been through which only forced her to find and use that power within her. She needed no one to define her, she defined herself!

Pausing a moment as she stared back at him then blinked a few times and softened her visage to be less intimidating and potent.
"What ever will be, will be." As she tilted her head down for a moment and pried away from the counters edge and walked over to a cupboard and got a glass then got some water. After she had a drink, she set the glass side. Looking as though she was deep in thought again then sighed as she closed her eyes. "The answers will be shown to use in due time, when the time is right." Then she turned to face Lenoir and for the first time really saw him in a new sort of light. No longer than man she thought she knew from the story, but someone who was a part of a future in which they all had to figure out what it was. Destiny was interesting as the Fates had drawn everyone together in this place for some odd reason they knew nothing about yet. Someday they will all learn why and what for.

For now, as she softly exhaled a barely audible sigh and strode over towards Lenoir, patting his shoulder and giving one of Billie's looks of a slight smirk and raised brows. "Best not to dwell too much upon it. Won't get much sleep." And finally she smiled warmly. "It'll only drive you insane."
Looking up at the clock which it was nearly two in the morning and now she was feeling rather exhausted, slightly tired. But her mind was not at ease. However she had a remedy for that and will play it once she gets up to her suite.
"Again, thanks for supper," barely a snicker as she closed her eyes and almost shook her head, "Granted it was a very late supper." With a wicked smirk and pointing a finger at him, "Now I owe you supper sometime." Kept smiling, "Among other things." She had a promise she needed to keep. There was no way she was going to recant now from at least showing Lenoir the modern world and all that has happened. If anything it will make him more knowledgeable which no doubt he would want that.

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik's mention of Emma Ravenhearst made no flicker of recognition on Ana's face. He must not have mentioned her to Ana. Strange. "Emma Ravenhearst. Monsieur Cristofersen never mentioned her to you? Odd. She's an ancestor of his. He wanted to research her odd death." Erik paused, then smiled as if he thought the situation rather funny. "One day, when Billie came to the door looking for you, after the ... situation in the village...(Erik didn't want to say fire and upset Ana again) and I was about to answer the door, when who should come to the door but Emma herself! She passed herself off as a modern day descendant of the original Emma, but I know better. I was somewhat amused and it could have been an interesting situation, but Billie was so distraught and upset about you that I didn't want to introduce another situation. In any case, she went off to get us some tea and never returned. So Billie knows nothing more than he did before. I was even going to show him her gravestone which is in the family plot near the mausoleum. But she didn't return. Perhaps another time."

"Destin? tout ce qui sera, sera..." he said, repeating some of what she had said, but in French. (Fate? whatever will be, will be?) I don't believe in Fate. We make our own way in this world. Sometimes we are eaten alive by bad circumstances, but that is only because we allow ourselves to be eaten. Sometimes we claw our way out of it. Of course, there are consequences. We mold our personalities by the choices we make." He laughed again. "You didn't know I was a self-appointed philosopher too, did you. And damn bloody better than some of those who have written books on the subject."

"And you don't think me crazy." He smirked. "There are days when I consider myself completely mad. But no matter. I think I am sane today."

Ana thanked him for supper and he smiled. She even said she owed him supper some time." Erik laughed. "I shall hold you to that promise!"

[anastasia]

She was a bit dumbfounded and unsure what to think or say or how to react other than a completely bewildered visage. It was true that Billie never mentioned this to her. There was a lot she didn't know about his family other than most everyone was dead.
She simply stood there rather baffled until he moved on with his outspoken thoughts which drew her out of her baffled state.

A genuine laugh over his self-proclaimed Philosopher, "Aren't we all?" Still laughing a little.
"Well, yes. That, too, is true. But we are also guided by a Destiny and the Fates. We make our choices, our paths. But if we divert from the direction we are suppose to go, we will get that nudge from the Fates and Destiny and God." She smiled lightly. "It's interesting seeing how it all unfolds, isn't it?"

Shaking her head while smiling. "Nope. You are normal." Smiling back at him. "You have no idea how normal you are." Then she laughed while she spoke, "and yet not normal." Shaking her head, "Just like the rest of us." Not sure if that was meant to comfort him or not but it was a fair explanation that he was not alone in this crazy world in his thoughts. "You're not crazy." Keeping her hand on his shoulder to at least reassure him.

She smiled and softly laughed - a little above a snicker. "Pester me if I forget," raising her brows with still a smile but she doubted that she would ever forget. "Otherwise, I'll pester you if you forget," smirking back at him.

Stepping away from him only a couple paces as she stood nearby where he sat. Now looking baffled once again contemplating what he stated about this Emma Ravenhearst. Shaking her head as she was facing partially away from him, more displaying a profile with a furrowed brow. Scratched her forehead then ran her fingers through her hair, "Ok. so.." she began trying to comprehend." One, how do you know that this Emma Raven-what's-her-name is related in some way to Billie. And two," Pausing as her face seemed more than twisted with confusion. "How the hell?!?" Looking up and over at Lenoir hoping he could explain to her in better detail of that absolute Emma thing. He saw her, she's a ghost, her gravestone. "She's... " raising her brows slightly as she tilted her head down, "Dead? And a ghost here?" Questions with answers that only created more questions. She seemed confused and perhaps she was.

[Erik Lenoir]

Ana seemed to be a bit surprised about the connection between Billie and Emma Ravenhearst. Erik wondered that Billie hadn't mentioned it to Ana, for it had seemed very important for him to find the truth when he had first visited the mansion. Erik noticed her surprise, but didn't say more about it.

Erik commented on her words about Fate. "And perhaps everyone thinks they are a Philosopher, but of course only a few of us really are." He tried ot look arrogant, but couldn't stop a smile from playing about the end of his mouth. It was true he did feel that he did most things better than anyone else. But saying it to Ana, he just had to laugh.

"Thank you, my dear, for considering me normal, if you will. I must admit, sometimes, of late, I have felt somewhat normal." She put her hand on his shoulder in a reassuring way, and he smiled at her. She could indeed be a lovely person after the first throes of introducion were over...

He smiled again when she mentioned that she owed him a meal. "Of couse I shall not let you forget. I shall haunt you if you do forget. Remember, I am also good at haunting..."

Ana...did I not just finish telliing you that this Manor is quite haunted? Emma Ravenhearst, from what I understand was one of the original inhabitants. She does not stay around long enough to for anyone to learn much information from her. I was hoping to see her again to speak to her about her past, but I have only seen her the two times, and she has not come back to speak to me. I suspect she is one of the shy sad ghosts.

"As to your questions, Billie stated the fact that he is a descendant of Emma. He spoke to me about it that very first time. And the ghosts, I am sure you shall meet them soon. One thing, and I do not know this for a fact, but it seems our suites are places where they do not disturb us. So I believe we are safe from them there, if we do not wish to meet them. But many of them are quite congenial." He looked down for a moment, comtemplating whether he should make his thoughts into words. He looked very serious when he said, "You know they had a hand in bringing us here..."

[anastasia]

Moving over to slide a chair to the table and sat down, looking rather lost and contemplative. Sorting through what Lenoir said about the haunted Manor and this Emma Ravenhearst. One never stopped learning as there were surprises every day. His words pretty much left her speechless. What else could she say in response to that?!? Ghosts and a link to Billie's past here at this very same Manor!

She simply smiled back at him about his Philosophy comments and considering him normal. His laugh was so nice to hear and the fact he had such a light side and humor was interesting. He surprised her to no end.
"Well, you are going through a lot of what people usually go through," She looked at him and her look was sincere with that truth that he was having normal issues.

Then she snicked and dropped her head. Haunting her until she repaid him in full, that was pretty good. Nodding as she smiled, "True."

Then the smile melted away and she contemplated once again what he said about the ghosts. At least she could be left alone in her room. She valued her privacy. \
Looking back up and over at him as she slightly furrowed her brow. "They brought you here? How do you know? Do you know why?" Now there was a little bit of a hint towards something. An answer that created a bunch more questions. Now part of her was starting to think she didn't want to know for if the answer was found, then everyone would disappear and the Manor fall silent. She'd be left alone in this massive place and return to her mundane life back in the US.

She decided to be a bold comforter, reaching her hand over to his,"perhaps it's not a bad thing you all are here and alive." she smiled, "At least I got to know you and the others. That's something positive. You all have a chance to really live. Truly make your own path in life." Smiling at Lenoir as she gazed into his eyes. She truly was glad that the ghosts of the Manor decided to mysteriously bring them all to life.

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik looked slightly troubled with Ana's question of how he knew that they brought everyone here. He frowned as he contemplated how to answer. Finally he looked at her directly again. "I have received several answers of why we were brought here. I don't know which is true, maybe one, maybe all of them, maybe none. One of the stories says that a man who owned this house just before we were brought here passed away suddenly and the ghosts who had haunted the mansion for centuries were lonely, so they decided to bring a lot of us here. How they could find people with the dame name and somewhat similar backgrounds, I could not say. We, apparently, are their entertainment. Another story is we were brought here for our own good. Apparently the ghosts seemed to think that we were not happy where we were and felt we could not have a happy future out in the world. So they brought us all here, into what they considered happier surroundings. I was very interested to discover the truth when I first arrived. I wished to leave as soon as possible. I wished to find out how to leave, for it is seemingly impossible. However. it would appear that the ghosts were at least somewhat correct, at least in my case. I had created a bit of a situation..." here Erik broke off with his narrative and looked a bit uncomfortable. "A situation that could have been seriously troublesome for me if I had stayed in Paris."

"Now as to the consideration of leaving the mansion, there are mixed views on that also, as I spoke about earlier. One view, that should we venture too far from the mansion, we would simply disappear into thin air is the most frightening for me. But nearly as frightening is coming back to the Paris Opera House and seeing it 100 years into my future. No one I knew would even be alive. Another choice would be coming back to the same situation I left. And perhaps all of the people I knew there, who would help me if they could, would be gone, and living in the mansion. I have thought this out as clearly as I can. From my point of view and with the information that I now possess, the best place for me is indeed at the mansion. Now in the future that could change, or I might discover more information and change my mind b ased on that information. As for you, Ana, Billie, Roselin and the other villagers who have ventured here, I have no idea what your fate is to be and whether you can leave or not. As far as I understand, and I have said this before, anyone who has a name on the door of their suite, or in the case of myself and the other deformed men, a name in the lift, we are doomed to stay here always."

"And perhaps doomed is too harsh a word....:"