Raoul Edouard de Chagny
You need the man you knew back here beside you?
You need the man you knew back here beside you?
Posts: 365
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Post by Raoul Edouard de Chagny on Jan 20, 2013 18:08:50 GMT -5
Ana's ranting was starting to give Edouard a headache. She obviously hadn't understood anything that he had related to her. She was just too stubborn to know when to stop.
"I don't know why you are ranting and raving about this man. Go to him and tell him how wonderful he is. I'm sure he will be thrilled to hear it. He needs all of you women fawning over him."
He wished he had never walked into this room. She was making him rather upset and he felt like he needed a drink to calm him. As soon as she would let him go, he would go straight to his room and get himself a nice brandy. That fool Lenoir. Causing trouble even when he wasn't about. And of course the little stunt he had done, inviting Lenoir to the pub and encouraging him to drink too much, that had been quite hilarious and a really good stunt, but it seemed to put the women even more firmly on Lenoir's side, as they saw him as the victim. That really hadn't been how it had started. Edouard really had wanted to be friends with Lenoir at that point, but Lenoir had taken the stunt a bit too seriously.
"You're being much too sensitive, like all the other women here. Most of them are a bundle of nerves and raw emotions, if my wife is any example. And as to what people think of me? I don't care. If they choose not to like me, that's their business. I have plenty of friends.
"You sound like you are an afficianado of Dr Freud or Dr Jung or some of the others with their silly and worthless psychological theories. I don't care to hear any of that nonsense. And you go on and on about class. What do you know about that/ You don't have classes in America. That was done away with when your country was founded. You know nothing of what it means to be from the nobility. And it has nothing to do with how much money one has. I know for a fact some of the people from the most noble families who have not much wealth to their name. But they are no less noble.": Of course Edouard was including himself in that class, because he had very little money to his name. That was the reason they had come to Coney Island for Christine to resume her musical career and make some money to support the family.
"And you would think that Christine would have gotten over Lenoir in ten years, traumatic or no. You think it was not traumatic for me to be almost drowned and strangled in my venture to free her from his talons?" He paused. " Angel of Music, my foot." He almost spit the words out. He lied to her. He bloody lied. I tried to warn her. Then she became afraid of him, thought he would kill her. He promised a vendetta against the both of us, surely you know that. Would that she has stayed frightened of him."
"And her needs? I attended to all of her needs. And, I admit, she has attended to mine as a good wife should do. I never had to want for anything from her, except perhaps the complete full attention of her affections."
"How dare you tell me I have done something wrong when all I wanted was to make Christine happy. It seems I can no longer do that, since our marriage. She has been so devoted to her Lenoir. Would that she saw me in the same light. It has not made me love her less, but ... I know that her affections are largely gone from me. She cares for me only as it is her duty to do so, as a good wife. Then she runs back to him. So what am I to do?"
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anastasia
Senior Member
Making a point is a matter of opinion. I'd rather make a difference
With me? Expect the unexpected!
Posts: 285
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Post by anastasia on Jan 23, 2013 0:06:33 GMT -5
Raising her brows then rolling her eyes and sighed. Apparently de Chagny was not the sort of man she thought he was. Just one more arrogant wealthy snot! Glaring at Raoul Edouard with a steady upsetting gaze and pursed her lips. "It would make more of a difference if you were not so vicious towards him," her voice deep and serious as she glared at Raoul. "Kindness is always better. No matter who you are."
Raising her brows and widening her eyes, "I'm being sensitive?!?" Nearly a snicker-huff, "After that situation in the kitchen? Who's the sensitive one now?!" She sighed and shook her head. "Drunk and then verbally attacked Lenoir for whatever reason you wanted to bash him thinking it would help you look good?!? That's NOT how it works, de Chagny!" Once again rolling her eyes not caring if it was bad manners. At the moment, this guy needed to know how irritating he was! How obnoxious and uncaring and stupid! Once again raising her brows as she continued to glare at Raoul Edouard. Then she snickered, turning her head away for a moment, "Apparently you don't either! The way you are acting towards other people! Again, you are so selfish, cruel, and abusive!" Then returned her eyes to him. "Someone who is a Royal or Nobility in your case, should be humble, caring, and willing to serve! Not the other way around!" She barked at him. "I doubt your mother taught you to be like this." Knowing that was a blow but perhaps it would get him to thinking about what his mother taught him. Hopefully.
She remained silent for a moment as Raoul went on, venting the issues. At least she would let him do that much. Wondering how long he had all that pent up. Her glare softened as she sat there and continued to listen. Then once again, raising her brows and pursed her lips. She couldn't be utterly upset with him despite she nearly was infuriated with him. He's an ass but a man who's not really grown enough to mature beyond the problems accumulated over the years it seems. And so.. she began to pity de Chagny. Who was the one whom needed pity now? It was almost a role reversal. How ironic. Who had become the monster now? She sat there a while and silently wondered. "Sounds like you all are at a crossroads for sure." Pausing as she sighed, glanced over to the window. "Maybe reconnecting with the past has raised issues that haven't been resolved, Raoul," using his first name in order to get his attention to how deep and personal this most likely was. She didn't care if it offended him or not. It was meant to be a moment to open his eyes. Her eyes were a bit softer and more understanding, she wasn't terribly upset with him while sitting there... watching him. Waiting for his next reaction and thoughts.
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Raoul Edouard de Chagny
You need the man you knew back here beside you?
You need the man you knew back here beside you?
Posts: 365
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Post by Raoul Edouard de Chagny on Jan 23, 2013 1:35:29 GMT -5
Edouard was at the point where he didn't wish to even think about his problems with Emilie or Lenoir or even face his own drinking problem. And the fact that he had lost the family fortune on the gaming tables in Monte Carlo. He had hoped to win it back soon if he had some seed omoney to start with, and that would have come from Chirstine's musical career, which didn't happen, because they had come here.... to the Manor. He always tried to put these things out of his mind and that was one reason that Ana infuriated him so.
Now, not in anger, but in desperation in a way, wishing to make her understand so she would leave him alone, he spoke. His voice was quiet and he couldn't look at her. "How would you feel if you were me and the love of your life was taken away from you by your rival, a man who takes her affections by mesmerizing her. Something I could never do of course. I can sing, but not more than any untrained singer. I would not care to sing around all the opera singers here. I leave that to Christine."
He was quiet for a moment which seemed to draw out for a long time. Edouard spoke again. "True, he did show us compassion when he let ups both leave his lair. I had not thought him capable of such a thing when I first came upon him. My first glimpse of him was from the audience when Christine pulled off his mask. He then kidnapped her! For the second time! What was I to think? The man is clearly insane. Who thinks they can make a woman love them by kidnapping them? Obviously Lenoir does. And I wonder if most of those women know what lies under that mask. I admit, he has a way about him with the women. When I first saw him in the lair, he was a horror, his face all contorted and mutilated, no hair....he looked a literal fright. And then, Christine kissed him. And it was from that time on that she changed."
Then Ana started being accusatory again. "What do you know about me? I'm trying to help you understand that Lenoir isn't the lovely misunderstood fellow all of you women seem to think he is! I am tired of everyone saying how wonderful he is! He's a bloody murderer! I've never killed anyone but people treat me as if I have! I risked my life to bring Christine out of that animal's lair! And yes, who else would live in a place like that except someone who comes up and preys on defenseless young women?"
Then his voice became quieter. "I did think for a while that perhaps he had overcome his evil tendencies. I felt a bit of admiration for him when together we rescued the little Christine from Erik Destler. He was quite brave at that time. And I thought perhaps we could become friends if he and I went to the pub together. Perhaps if we were friends he would stay away from Emilie. But that didn't happen. I don't really understand him at all."
Edouard was feeling a bit sorry for himself, and also a bit puzzled that Lenoir had such a way with women. He just didn't see what the women saw in the Phantom, except perhaps that he entranced them with his voice. "And keep my mother out of this. She would not approve of such a crass, loud and disrespectful creature as ou aare!"
With this last, Edouard picked up his book and strode toward the door quite decisively.
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anastasia
Senior Member
Making a point is a matter of opinion. I'd rather make a difference
With me? Expect the unexpected!
Posts: 285
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Post by anastasia on Jan 23, 2013 2:34:38 GMT -5
She sat the watching Raoul unmoved and curious. The more she spoke with de Chagny, the less she was upset with him. It was so clear to her how imperfect even these 'characters' were.
He struck another cord with her. Diverting her brown eyes away from him as she gazed upon the floor then turned to look at the window, trying so hard not to let her eyes turn glassy and show anything from her past. It was hard not to let him see. Something like that had happened to her. It hurt... like hell! But she moved on. She had to. Even if it felt like the end of the world. Forcing herself to block any feelings for any man since then. At least for Raoul he still had his Love. She remained silent for the moment, while he went on once again.
Finally turning her eyes back to Raoul Edouard, "And I'm an Adulteress... and you are a Drunk." Her eyes more haunting than they were hard or intimidating. Glancing away once again, and looked down with a sigh, "I know Lenoir is no vision of perfection. Even when looking past his deformity," which she obviously hinted that she knew what he looked like, somewhat fidgeting with her fingers slightly. "No one on earth is perfect. We antagonize one another to the point we do stupid and utterly wrong things." Pausing again as she thought more. "It's how you treat others that they can't stand you, de Chagny. People will see you in a better light and like you more if you were not so mean. Why degrade someone just to try and make yourself look better? If you can't see that, especially when you've have a few too much to drink, then it's time to look at yourself a little better." She then looked up at him, "I'd loved to respect you once again but you have to give me reason to. You have to EARN it. Again." This perhaps was so incredibly difficult for her. It was so strange to talk to a 'character' about respect.
She glared at Raoul again about the issue of his mother. Knowing it would be a touchy subject but still, the fact he was not kind enough was irritating her once again.
Shifting, uncrossing her legs and quickly got up. She darted across the room, too, placing herself between him and the exit right there at the door. Her back to it, her hand upon the handle as she gazed hard back at de Chagny. "Give me a reason and earn my respect again, de Chagny. Find that bit of kindness in you once again. It was there once before. Find it again. Be nicer to Lenoir. It won't happen over night." Glancing sideways with a sigh. "You have to... " then looked at him again, "try."
After a moment of staring at him into the eyes, "If I hear you are still unkind, Raoul, then so help you, God, ... there is no way that even He can help you or save you from what you have started." She finally stepped aside and let go of the door. Doubtful that she ever made a difference in that stubborn head of his. It was obvious how real these 'characters' were and she was beginning to think as she stared ahead of her like she was in a daze, how much of a struggle life in the Manor was going to be. No doubt they will make any soap opera or reality TV show look lame! God help them all!
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Raoul Edouard de Chagny
You need the man you knew back here beside you?
You need the man you knew back here beside you?
Posts: 365
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Post by Raoul Edouard de Chagny on Jan 23, 2013 23:29:39 GMT -5
Now this woman Ana seemed to be siding with Edouard. Was it another desperate ploy to have him make up with Lenoir? He was tired of it. "I'm tired of hearing about Lenoir. I avoid him as much as I can. I don't care to be friends with him and I don't bother him, well, the one time in the kitchen, but he didn't seem offended. He knew I meant nothing. But I just don't wish to be anywhere near him. I don't suppose that pleases you."
Then she admitted to being an adulteress. He didn't wish to hear about that. And he supposed she told him that because she immediately after that called him a drunk which hardly sat well with Edouard. "I don't care to be talking about this. It's none of my business what you do or don't do and it's none of your business what I do or don't do. Neither of those things are crimes. But you must admit Lenoir is the dangerous one. He is a murderer, living here, in the midst of us. He is a criminal and ought to be locked up. I know there are some others who feel the same way. I don't know why you're defending him."
"Have you ever seen his face? I don't suppose it would shock you though, you don't seem to be the type who would be frightened of something like that. But you would do well not to get too close to him. He can be quite manipulative. Now, can we stop talking about that bastard?"
"And whether I drink or not is not your concern. As I said earlier, I don't care what anyone thinks of me, least of all you. You are an obnoxious, presumptuious woman and I don't care to be spoken to like this. I'll thank you to keep a civil tongue in your mouth."
"And I don't need to earn your respect. I don't give a bloody damn what you think of me. I only wish you to keep away from me and stop harassing me. If you're the type of person we have to look forward to in the future, I have no wish to be involved in it."
"Oh and if you hear that I have gotten out of line, you will be Lenoir's avenging angel and do what to me?" When Edouard rose and strode to the door to leave, she barred the door. "Will you bloody get out of my way, woman? I've had enough of you!"
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anastasia
Senior Member
Making a point is a matter of opinion. I'd rather make a difference
With me? Expect the unexpected!
Posts: 285
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Post by anastasia on Jan 24, 2013 18:58:08 GMT -5
Standing by the door no longer in front of it, "Your choice but you are assuming that your words meant nothing to him. It was pretty low of you to jab at him while you were drunk and in front of others." Looking at de Chagny sternly.
"If you don't talk about your problems then how will you correct them to be a better person? Hmm?" Why was she being harsh towards him? Perhaps she didn't want to see Raoul like this. She thought he was indeed the better one for Christine. But to see him like this was wrong. "We are all dangerous. Some people push us beyond our boundaries when we can no longer control our emotion and actions. But when people are not abusive towards us, we are all reasonable."
Inhaling deeply as she gazed forward. Did she even state anything that she had seen his face? Would it matter. "Should any physical deformity be an issue? If so, then that's very narrow minded and blind reasoning."
Turning her brown eyes to locked them hard upon Raoul Edouard, Pursing her lips when he wanted her to keep a civil tongue. Narrowing her eyes at him a moment and was so very annoyed almost to the point of a vicious snap but she restrained herself. "If your drunken behavior affects me and others, then it is my concern."
Shaking head and kept her words silent. If he wanted to not care about what others thought of him... fine! She wanted to intimidate him, to get into his face, to jab at him, to be just as arrogant. But... she will never bend to that level. She stood beside the door and glared at him hard, "Lenoir is an adult but remember that he has people who care about him, who are his friends and he has done much to become a better man for it. He regrets what all he's doing and he's doing everything possible to make up for that!" Watching him hard, "It's your choice if you want to be a better man, too." She stood there out of his way while locking her eyes upon him. Would he stay or would he go?
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Raoul Edouard de Chagny
You need the man you knew back here beside you?
You need the man you knew back here beside you?
Posts: 365
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Post by Raoul Edouard de Chagny on Jan 24, 2013 22:18:59 GMT -5
She had pushed him too far. Most women knew their place. But this modern woman couldn't leave well enough alone. Undoubtedly Edouard would not have put up with this from his own wife and he certainly would not allow this woman to annoy him like this. Edouard thought that he hadn't had all that pent up rage toward Lenoir until his lips were loosened a bit by the drink. But he wasn't about to say that to her.
"Look, I am tired of your psychology. Dr Freud didn't know what he was talking about and you know even less. So bloody leave me alone!"
He pushed past her and walked briskly down the corridor, remembering too late that he had forgotten his book. He didn't care though. He just wanted to t get away from her harangue. He was beginning to get a headache. After he turned the corner, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes a moment. He took a couple of deep breaths. Certainly she wouldn't come after him. She had upset him so that he felt a great need for a drink. He headed toward the dining room and kitchen.
Edouard walked through the elegant dining room and entered the kitchen through its swinging door. He found a brandy glass in the cupboard and set it on the table. Then he looked for a bottle of brandy in the liquor cabinet and found one. A good vintage too. He sat down and poured himself a drink. His hands were shaking, he was so angry at that woman, but he would never admit the depth of his anger to her. He drank two glasses of brandy, one after the other in quick succession. He poured a third one and by this time was feeling calmer, so he sipped at it. He took another deep breath and closed his eyes. He was planning to avoid that woman in every way that he could. He hoped she hadn't followed him.
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