Home for the Holidays (OPEN TO ALL)

[anastasia]

Ana was meandering through the Halls of the grand Manor at a pretty decent pace with a large box filled with all sorts of Christmas decorations that she purchased while in the Village. The start of the Holidays cheered her up even though she missed Thanksgiving, the Holiday Season could not be dampened by anything! All ready in a wonderful mood with a constant smile while humming or singing various Christmas songs almost constantly, whether she was in her suite or elsewhere on the grounds of the Manor estate. Already planning on making Christmas cookies and fudge some time in the next couple of weeks plus try her hand at a Yule Log (Lord help her!). The task that would take the greatest amount of finesse was learning what everyone wanted for Christmas and to get them that special gift!

Partial humming, partial singing of "Winter Wonderland" as she rounded a corner towards the main foyer to where she would begin decorating the massive place.
Walking towards a little nook by the stairs she set the box down then glanced around, raising her brows, hands upon hips and exhaled. It will be a heck of a task to decorate. Hopefully there will be some help soon.

[Erik Spectre]

Érik moved through the halls like the ghost that he was. He was not heard, nor seen, nor could anyone have felt his presence behind their backs. He slipped through the shadows, his long cloak covering his lengthy form. He had no goal in mind, no place where he was heading, only that the stalking about helped him to think.

It was only over a month ago that he watched the woman he loved marry another man, with his consent. Anger swelled in his gut, but he had reigned it in that day. It was crucial to his plan that he become the civil gentleman that might please Christine's conscience. But on the inside, his blood was boiling. Day after day he paced in his home, Marguerite helpless to appease his rage. He tried to compose, but no music could save his weary soul now. It was only the thought of revenge, the thought of his triumph that kept him going.

Yes, a grace period had to be allowed for him to calm his nerves and put on the mask of indifference, even happiness at Christine's marital bliss. It had been over a month, though... Over a month, and he still lie awake at night, images of de Chagny and his beloved in each others arms swirling around his mind that made him want to vomit. It was the Comte who was to blame for his Christine's unfaithfulness... He would win her back, no matter what it took... Even if it meant that he could no longer be alone.

Érik was in search of someone to talk to, someone to plant that tiny seed of trust in so that his plan would be set in motion... But who? He thought about going to the kitchen, for that and the Opera house were the places he knew the exact location of, but he might have been obligated to eat something, and he could only ever think properly on an empty stomach. There was no guarantee that someone would be in the theatre, so he had to hunt for someone who was out and about.

In the foyer he found this person. He'd never met this woman before, and he couldn't recall seeing her at Christine's wedding. He watched her silently in the shadows as from her lips flew a tune in English that he did not recognize. She held a box that was filled with Christmas decorations. This caused Érik to remember that it was in fact the holiday season. He readjusted his mask and smiled. Cautiously, with half-feigned and half-actual nervousness, he took off his hat and stepped forward, clearing his throat.

"Joyeux Noël, mademoiselle," he began in a kindly way. "Forgive me for intruding," he continued in English, as her accent with the song told him she was. "But I was drawn by your song. It is unfamiliar to me, and I hate to have any sort of music unknown to me, especially a tune so beautiful."

Now all he had to do was play the part of the gentleman, which truly, he was. It was the rest of humanity that failed to see him that way.

[anastasia]

Gazing at the box with her face slightly distorted in deep thought wondering where and what to use and where. Glancing about the staircase at the railing which no doubt could handle lights and garland of some sort. This place would be a non-stop Christmas decorating nightmare if someone did not like decorating for the holidays and if people did not show up. It was kosher for her to decorate all by her lonesome since she's always been used to doing it that way. The silly 'Winter Wonderland' song was stuck in her head, humming a little more of it and some mumble singing as she thought.
Dressed in a lovely white chenille turtleneck long sleeved sweater that went slightly past her hips, the multi-toned denims and black velvety heeled shoes. Her long chestnut hair left as is cascading down her back around her shoulders, loose and carefree to match her joyful spirit today.

Crossing her arms while humming a little spotting and choppy while she thought then started to dig into the box. Thinking she better go see what else she can bring in. With two more boxes out in the car - the nice Bentley Mulsanne.
It was a sound and a voice that twisted her to face the approaching figure. By no means was she spooked but seemed rather glad to see that another person was out and about. At first she took a double take smiling and about to greet the man as she thought it was Erik Lavalais, to whom she was indebted to. But then she realized that this man was different. They looked like, could almost pass off as twins, but there was the slight difference in height, voice and appearance. The smile disappeared slightly as she barely furrowed her brow, a bit bewildered as to who this man was. But with a blink she changed her visage and smiled,

Slightly stunned and then she realized that many of those here had never heard all these 'modern' songs. With a slightly raised brow and almost a blush, as she placed her hand to her face, covering it, "god," she smiled and was rather sheepish that someone heard her horrid singing. Not the best compared to all the Opera singers here but she at least could hit a note and sounded decent in the modern world of singing. Luckily, the scratchiness in her throat was gone.
Looking up from her hand with a sheepish smile, "It's a Christmas song called "Winter Wonderland". One of my many Christmas favorites." Keeping a gentle tone to her mildly deep, yet feminine voice. "And no you are not intruding." Smiling she stepped towards him, holding out her hand, "Name's Anastasia. I don't think we've met yet." Contemplating which Phantom this was now as she'd come to meet a few of them already and had gotten use to the fact there were multiple Eriks as well as multiple Christines, Raouls and many other people.
Actually she was glad that someone showed up hoping he'd stay around a little while to help with the decorating.

Motioning over her shoulder in the direction towards the main entrance, "I've got a couple boxes of decorations yet to bring in. Could you help me?" with a slightly raised brow and slight smile hoping he'd say 'yes'.

[Erik Spectre]

Érik repeated the name of the song on his lips, though he really hadn't cared all that much. It was merely something to start their conversation. He was more than shocked, however, when she held her hand out for him to shake. Shake a woman's hand? Really? This was unheard of, unless she was some ruffian who had lived on the street... But she certainly didn't look it. Maybe it was just the way Americans greeted each other...

He forced a half smile and hesitantly shook her hand. "Charmed," he replied. "My name is Érik. It's... nice to meet you, Anastasia."

The man took his hand back after a moment and fingered his hat. He considered her suggestion, and realized it would be a good opportunity to help someone and possibly "make friends. "Well, alright... I don't know how much help I'll be, but I'll try." He smiled, trying to seem a bit shy, to make himself more endearing. That was what people liked, right? Honest, kind men... Something he most certainly was not.

[anastasia]

Watching Erik as he seemed a little preoccupied, or so it looked like it to her, repeating the title of the Christmas song with a little smile. When they shook hands, she smiled a little more while gazing at him trying to figure out this little puzzle of which Erik he was. It was difficult to see those golden eyes but she saw them. He was much like Lavalais but yes there were differences. Grinning in response to his charming voice and his name. Even how her name seemed to roll off his tongue so wonderfully. Not looking at his hand, but she could feel how thin it was, oddly rather skeletal and narrowed her eyes as him as she pondered desperately to place this man. Suddenly her breath caught as she gasped in wonder with a realization. Looking as though she'd seen not a ghost but something so rare and extraordinary she would be humbled to the floor by it's brilliance! A sharp breathy exhale slipped from her slightly parted lips almost sounding as though she said 'oh' and struggled to grab her next breath. Both beyond honored and humbled and rather fearful of the living corpse before her, she felt her body desperately wanting to tremble as though she were standing before God.

Just stunned and she looked it as she couldn't divert her eyes for a moment and left her mouth slightly agape. Blinking finally as she snapped from her utter shock, "You can be a great deal of help," smiling back at him, standing there in almost childlike wonder for but a brief moment.

Snapping out of it once again as she slightly shook her head, blinking, and huffed her silent surprise. Now she would never wonder what an actual meeting with THE Erik would be like. This was going to be quite the magical season, that was for sure! Even if the dreams and wishes were over 20 years late.

A slight hesitation as she started towards the door, back towards the car, glancing back to make sure that the tall, very thin man was following. How odd this felt and sent every form of sensation coursing through her body like the Kentucky Derby or Belmont Stakes! So very aware of herself and of him as she led the way to the car.

Stepping outside and up to the Bentley, she opened a door as a hatch was still open, pointed to the back of the car, twisting around to look at him with a bright curiosity. "Could you get the box in the back? Careful though. It's a bit big, slightly heavy and has some fragile things in it." Smiling at him for a moment before she turned back around, stepped to the side of the car, reaching in for the other box which was nearly the same size and barely a tad bit lighter. Pulling it out from the car, then used her knee and backside to shut the door. She stood there and waited for Erik to get box. She couldn't help but to watch him. This was so extraordinary and unbelievable that never did she actually believe it would be like this!