Such As The Circumstances Be (Carriere)

[anastasia]

He was Erik Carriere for sure since the tall masked man confirmed it in his own words. This rather floored her just as it disturbed her. Now that it was started to make her visage more distraught, she had to depart from Carriere's side when she wished to at least try to converse with one of her favored Phantom's from long ago.
So incredibly disturbing.

Walking at a steady march through the corridors and outside to the front, moving to the carriage where she took up the reins and started walking the horse back to the Stables. She should have just driven it back but at her current state, walking was the best for now.

She practically did not hear Carriere approach and nearly jumped out of her skin, "Geez!" laying a hand upon her upper chest, closing her eyes and sighed as she stopped walking. The horse stopped as well slightly jerking when Ana was spooked but did not react much to Erik other than try and twist it's head around to look at Carriere but her hand kept the massive head stilled and it whinnied with perked ears that then flicked about.
"Nearly gave me a fright," she stated but wouldn't look at him. Oh, yes, a good thing to say to a Phantom! "Sorry," looking at him finally. Sort of. She was quite distraught now and it was showing even though she was trying so very hard not to let it show. "Not at all," Slowly turning around, she began to walk the horse still hooked up to the carriage back to the Stables. "I don't know," she stated with a twinge of something in her voice that could tell anyone with a keen sense of empathy that she was in need of someone to talk to.

Once outside of the Stables with just a slight light from the carriage lights, she started to walk around expertly removing the horse from the harness. Not sure if she should be really conversing with this Phantom or not. After all, she seemed to mess up with Lenoir.
Stopping in the middle of releasing the horse from the harness, hiding herself against the horse as she did her best to keep at bay tears. Lord, what had she done? What ever had she done?? She didn't know what she did?!? More and more she was confused and frustrated, being blamed for something she had no clue about. Blamed for wrecking a relationship! That's what got to her most and pained her gut! She's been at the other end where someone's cheated upon her, caught them cheating, or was dumped and learned they went to someone else, etc. It hurt like hell!
She couldn't do it. Leaning her head against the horse, she sobbed softly, yet bit her lip as she wanted to not let Carriere see her cry. Heck, she could very well do the same thing with Carriere as what happened to Lenoir and not know it. This really was more a nightmare than a dream come true.

After a moment's pause, still biting her lip but heavily distraught and she fought so hard not to let the tears flow but they still flooded her eyes and streamed down her face. She was angry. Why? Well, it all went back to what the hell had happened?!? So confused. So, so confused and she sniffled trying to keep that quiet while almost roughly working at the harness and finally freeing the horse of the leather mess.

[Erik Carriere]

"I am sorry." Erik said slightly quietly, he really hadn't meant to frighten her - but suppose he was still skilled at that from his... previous experiences. He glanced at the horse, he didn't get to be around them much at the opera house but he did ride them in secret ever so often. He also read a few books on them, not at all enough to be an expert but still - he got the very basics. He quickly returned his attention back on the upset woman.

Erik watched her as she begin to remove the harness from the horse but then seemed to pause and sort of hide her face. Then, ever so softly, he could hear muffled sobbing. His eyes went to the ground and he felt his heart go out for her. He suddenly felt like they were connected by their sadness, though he didn't know of her troubles at all. But he some how felt that her tears were the same tears that he cried when his Christine was constantly gone, constantly doing something, and before this... new version of Christine - constantly telling him that he didn't know how to love. The agony!

Erik then walked to her, a stranger, but one he felt he understood enough for the moment. He put one hand on her shoulder and the other on her opposite arm as he stood behind her. Erik was trying to comfort her, support her, then spoke to her. "Mademoiselle, perhaps you would like to sit or lean against something to rest for a moment?" He then paused for a moment, then let his velvet voice continue to try and sooth her. "If it means... anything to you.... I might understand what you are going through. No, I actual have no idea what your situation is but if you act towards a certain sort of pain like I do... then I really might understand." Erik said gently.

[anastasia]

Carriere's touch nearly made her cringe and stiffen. Not because she was offended by what may lay under that mask, but the fact that once again a man was getting close. She allowed herself to be nice to Lenoir and now... now he was being vicious towards her! Before that... the whole mess of men whom tore her to shred!
Splaying her fingers out as she stepped forward away from his hands, focusing on the horse. She really didn't want to come off as cold and malicious but at the moment she was very hurt, very angry. "No offense," she began to bit out the words, closing her eyes as she stood next to the horse and bit her lip in welling frustration, "But I don't think you do" she snapped at him, not really looking at him, but partially turned away from him, her hands coming up to rub over her face roughly, back over her hair, then back over her face again where she held her forehead and then her face.
If ever there was a time she didn't know what to to... this was one of those times! At a complete loss for words, frustrated and yet had no clue what she did wrong, and now she was starting to take our her anger upon another Phantom! Oh, yes. Smart!
So infuriated now, she held her face and outright cried. She wanted to hit something but she wasn't close enough to the carriage or the barn door to hit it and she was not about to hit a horse, let alone Carriere. So she curled her hands against her face into tight fists as she sobbed.

[Erik Carriere]

Erik let his hands drop to his sides when she removed herself from his grasp. His head lowered in slight defeat when he found that his words did not seem to offer her any comfort. But he realized that she need her space, she needed to cool down. He found that to be true in himself, he sometimes needed the simple hold of the hand or kind words but then other times... he needed to get it all out of his system, which usually involved destroying things in his domain.

When she began to openly cry, he swallowed hard, backed off a little to give her some space, and let her cry. What could he do? He knew well that there were days were there was no stopping the tears, there was sometimes only crying till all the water for tears became dry and heaving for air. Those certain days he did not miss.

[anastasia]

So tense, so frustrated, so vulnerable, so confused. She should have ignored Billie and not came back here! Then she'd be in blissful ignorance! No, eventually this would still happen and Lenoir would still blame her for something she was completely oblivious to.
Was it a relationship with Christine that she ruined? Well, she saw some Christine character there with her Husband. But... wouldn't that mean that it would have been Raoul who ruined it? Oh, she just continued to confuse herself more. And trying to clear this mess up with Lenoir was out of the question. Eventually she'll regain her wits but for now, she needed to get this hellish feeling out of her system.

Standing there next to the horse with her fists at her face for a while longer then removed them as she turned her head away from Carriere, the palm of her hand covering her mouth as the other hand rested over her chest while she tried to steady herself. Followed by flipping her hand with the back of it hovering over her lips as the other went to her hips. Still so distraught and eyes closed.
"Not exactly the way how one would ever meet, is it," not sure how to proceed but she didn't want to ignore nor be rude towards this Phantom. "Sorry," eyes closed as she spoke a little softer trying desperate to be nicer at least, her face half turned towards him. "It's just... I'm..." her eyes still closed and she tried to fumble her words out with the compromised sad voice, "... being accused... by Lenoir... for ruining a relationship." Opening her glassy eyes now, not looking at Carriere but partially away from him, gazing off into the distance. Why was she confiding in this Phantom? Why should she? Lord knows this one could accuse her, too, of ruining something! She barely recalled that Carriere was a kinder soul... so to speak ... out of all the Phantoms. But then again, a lot of what transpired with Lenoir was not quite what she expected!

Her hands went to her face, covering it again in frustration and anguish, turning away and she began to pace about like some caged tiger eager to be free. Part of her feared any comfort or any close contact for it might spark something later, whether bad or good. She feared getting too close all based on her history with men. She had a tendency to have the worst of luck with them and Lenoir was the latest victim!
Combing her fingers through her chestnut hair as she growled in frustration, the tears streamed down her anguish contorted face. She hated men. Always cursed, or so she believed. Never will she be happy. Always will she be that lonesome woman that's been through too many 'loved and lost' scenarios gone wrong. "I hate this," she said softly with a pained voice. "I wish I never came here." Wrapping her arms around her and simply stood there, hanging her head and cried once more.
This was not how a fantasy was suppose to be.

[Erik Carriere]

Erik watched as she seemed to calm a little and speak to him. He shrugged slightly when she had commented on their... eventful encounter. "Well, I haven't met many." He said, barely louder then a whisper. It was strange... he felt like he had met so many... but he really hadn't. He had met maybe... around ten people, maybe a little less, maybe a little more. He then went completely silent as she continued to speak.

He looked down slightly when she had said that she had been accused by Lenoir for ruining a relationship. Erik had caught wind to people talking about Lenoir's affairs, which he rather have liked to chew them out for because Lenoir was his friend. But he found that Lenoir had been liking a few women, one being a dancer or something, then of course Christine, and possibly another. Though, he didn't know anything about the other. He thought it was just people speaking cruelly about Lenoir but perhaps... just perhaps there is some truth to the matter. Was it possible that she was one of the ladies or related to one of them? Either way, Erik somehow felt that believed her to be innocent... of what ever it was.

"From what I know of Lenoir... he is quick to accuse another instead of looking at the entire situation... he might not even know entirely what he blames... or who." He said gently to her. Erik wished he knew more on the situation, however, at the present time, he did not know adequate information to be able to judge or say much of anything. He looked at her when she said that she 'hated this'. She wished that she had never come here. He looked back down and wondered if she had been brought here like himself and the others, against their wills. Although he had a better and worse life here. Here, he could be in the sunlight and roam around freely, however, he no longer saw much of his Christine anymore or got to here any of the wonderful operas. To win one freedom he had lost another.

Erik looked at her, his eyes sad and filled with grief as she began to cry again. Tears... oh how he longed to never see tears again. Since his time with his... first Christine, there had been more tears then laughter, more sorrow then joy. Now he nearly preferred anger to sadness. Just as long as he didn't have to feel, see, and cause any more of those blasted tears. The wind began to blow more coldly and with one fluid motion took his cape off and draped it around the woman's shoulders then gave her some space again. He continued to give her, her space but although thought that maybe if there was more space between them, she wouldn't reject the cloak and would use it's warmth against the freezing wind. "Mademoiselle, I hope you don't mind me asking but would you like to accompany me to the kitchen? I am afraid of you catching a cold out here and perhaps I could make you a warm drink inside." He said gently, fearing that she would reject the offer but- he still hoped.

[anastasia]

Standing there wrapping her arms around her torso as the horse started to graze and glanced over to it to keep a watch upon it. Occasionally, she'd be looking towards the horse yet staring off into nothing, in a slight daze. So lost in her thoughts.
Her eyes shifted in appearance from upset to disturbed. This was not how it was suppose to go in her perfect little teenage world. Of course, she should know better. This is reality! The real world was never kind. So why should the Phantom be all adoration towards her?
"He knows," she sighed while still holding herself as she gazed down at the ground where the horse was grazing and turned to face the horse.

Snapping out of her little mental isolation at the sensation of something being placed about her shoulders. Glancing at the dark fabric and realized it was his cloak. Lips parted just slightly while turning her head to look at him with a rather hollow bewilderment. Why ever did- Ahh, well, he was just being kind at least. She wasn't that cold really but it was a nice gesture. She blinked and almost grinned. This was so utterly strange to have a Phantom's cloak around her. To be talking to Carriere. Even to have met Lenoir. It shouldn't have happened at all! But it was. And they were there. He was there. Being the type of kind soul she recalled.

But now he was exposed to the invisible elements; the chill of the night air of the late fall. "thank you," she said so very softly and looked over at the horse while her fingers shifted to curl around the vertical front edges of the cloak and wrap it around her. Not that she was cold but in a way it helped with something else.

Go back inside the Manor?!? Her gaze shifted to look immediate back at him with a strong concern in those brown eyes. Was it wise to go back inside where lord knows what else could happen?!?
Pondering a moment as she turned her face to watch the horse. After some silent debating, "Sure. Why not," she replied in a slight resigned disposition. "Let me take care of the horse and carriage first." With a slight little uplift in her face and the very faintest of smiles, "Would you mind helping me with the carriage at least?" then nodded to the carriage house that was attached to the stables, "I'm presuming it goes in there. We can take care of it after I return the horse to it's stall." With that she stepped towards the horse, her fingers releasing the fabric of the cloak and reached out for the horse to draw and escort it into the stables, turning on the lights so she could see. The cloak sway and shifted with her movements as she escorted the horse through the stables to it's stable. Pondering whether to take the cloak off since she really didn't need it, but once she got to the stall, she did remove it and drape it with care over her shoulder while she released the horse into it's stall, then made sure it had some hay and water for the night.

[Erik Carriere]

Erik smiled a bit and nodded when she thanked him, already saw an improvement in her mood which made him breath out contently with some relief. But she then seemed slightly disturbed at the thought of going back inside. Suppose it was probably from the event between herself and Lenoir. Because of it, he wouldn't blame her if she didn't want to go in, but he still didn't want her standing out in the cold. But then she agreed and he nodded with a motion of gratitude in it.

She then told him she wanted to take care of the horse and carriage then asked him if he could take care of the carriage. "Yes of course. He said, with a little bit of a smile, it made him feel so much better to see that slight smile come onto her face. He glanced at the carriage and then the spot she presumed it goes when she started to walk away with the horse. Erik had dealt with a great many heavy objects by himself ranging from large working arrow shoots on wheels to life sized porclene horses. Surely this would be a piece of cake and if not... he would at least be able to handle it before she returned.

It was actually hardly heavy, proving further to the world that looks are deceiving. He took off his tail coat to reveal a white poofy shirt and a black vest and put the tail coat on the seat. He then quietly and at a moderate pace pulled the carriage into it's spot. He then quickly got his tail coat back on and went directly back to his spot just in time. He had achieved his goal of getting the carriage in before she came out and hopefully, without her notice until she sees that it is no longer there. Now they will be able to go inside quicker. Erik himself didn't mind the cold wind, it was better then the rather more stale air of his domain and at least he got to move about some more. He smiled and stood innocently, waiting for her to come back out, and watched as she started back to their spot.

[anastasia]

Watching the horse a moment to ensure it would be fine, gently patting the door to the stall, glanced around at the other horses and her a whinny as she made her way out of the stables.

Cloak draped over her shoulder since she didn't want it dirtied or damaged when attending to the horse, she pondered about placing back around her shoulders yet found it difficult to do just that. Not that she was cold, she was actually fine really despite the chilly night air that was now setting in.

Noticing the carriage was gone, the look upon her face was that of bewilderment as she slowed her pace a moment, glanced about then glanced to the carriage house and motioned to it as she draped Carriere's cloak across her arm, "Did you... take that back... all by your lonesome?!?" Rather stunned, by no means was she snapping at him for it. It rather floored her that he did that, let alone so quickly! Looking amazed, "Well, I'll be." As she shifted her gaze to look at him with a mild look.

Glancing at the cloak, "Thank you for your cloak. But I'm fine. I .. took it off. I didn't want to damage it while attending the horse." and offered it back to him with care. It wasn't her possession and so she treated it as though it were priceless.

[Erik Carriere]

Erik was rather enjoying her look of bewilderment, he loved showing people that he could do things that they didn't expect he could do. She then asked him if he took it back by himself. "I did... with the help of a little magic." He said then chuckled jokingly. Ah, it felt good to be placed back into a good mood. He watched as she swung the cloak from her shoulder and returned it to him.

"Thank you, and its alright - just as long as it served its purpose." He said with a slight bow of his head and swiftly placed it back over his own shoulders. He then rubbed his hands for a moment then motioned to the manor. "Shall we go in Mademoiselle?" He asked her then paused. "I also find myself to be in a strange position of you knowing my name but I not knowing yours. May I ask for it?" He asked with a slight smile as he began to walk with her towards the manor.

[anastasia]

With a little magic, he stated and that reminded her of a scene in that TV series. She couldn't help but to smile, close her eyes and shake her head then laugh. Oh, what a moment that was! She snickered again at the re-occurring thought of 'the magic'. That seemed to be his little 'secret', wasn't it? That little bit of something that seemed to set him a part from the others. That and his good nature and kindness.

He seemed to lighten her spirits just a bit and ease her troubled mind for the moment.
"You're welcome," as she watched him a moment. The chivalry that just astounded her to no end. So few men these days ever possessed such civility. It's what set extraordinary Gentlemen apart from the normal, typical man.
With the offer to go inside, she nodded, "Sure" and barely smiled.

Walking back towards the Manor alongside Carriere. She smirked. True. He caught onto to that easily enough. "Anastasia Grace Goodwin-Hart. But, please," glancing over at Carriere with a weak smile, "call me Ana."
Walking as she looked back at the Manor and hoped that she could avoid by all costs anyone, and especially Lenoir. Perhaps a good conversation is what's needed to just ease the tensions that had somehow built up.

[Erik Carriere]

"Ana it is." He said with a slight bow of his head and a small smile. Erik walked with Ana into the manor, automatically he noticed the difference in temperatures and relaxed a little more in the warmth of the building. He suddenly thought of Lenoir... it would probably be best if they went around the dorms to avoid further conflict. It would take a little longer to get to the kitchen, but it would probably be worth it.

He led her through several hallways, up a spiral staircase, through a hallway, up another staircase and then eventually led to the swinging doors to the kitchen. He held one side of the door open to let Ana through and then entered himself. "Make yourself comfortable." He said then went into the cabinets looking for something to drink. He found a box of hot chocolate packets and a bottle of apple cider. He looked at the box full of hot chocolate packets and looked at the instructions. They showed a picture of the microwave on them and he glanced at the microwave in the kitchen.

Either drink she chooses, he'll probably have to use the microwave. He had actually been avoiding using the think, since he had never used it before. Erik didn't want to use it and then have it malfunction, or at worse, explode on him. He was told that just as long as silverware and plastic wasn't put into it, it would be fine. He wondered what poor sap had to figure that out by themselves and have it explode in their face. He shrugged it off, he'll just need to use the microwave and that's that. There was a first time for everything and it was better late then never. He showed the two items to Ana. "Now, would you rather have hot apple cider or hot chocolate?" He had drank hot apple cider before, but not hot chocolate, maybe it was time for another first.

[anastasia]

Casually walking alongside Carriere back into the Manor. Doing all she could to numb herself from the troubling issue recently. All the while going through the halls of the Manor, she looked about in awe.

Walking through the offered door, "thank you," she said warmly with a weak smile and barely glancing at him. Finally taking a seat as she watched him move about in the Kitchen. After a moment, he presented the options. She smirked, "oh, a tough decision." Then motioned with a nod, "Hot Chocolate." For most likely the Hot Chocolate could sooth her nerves. Hopefully. "I don't suppose there are Peppermint sticks, are there?" that would make the experience even better! If not, well, then... she'll have to get some real hot chocolate made with some peppermint sticks sometime. One never had experienced life unless they enjoyed the little things such as Pepperment Hot Chocolate!

[Erik Carriere]

She asked for the hot chocolate. Erik smiled and nodded. Ana then asked if they had any peppermint sticks. "I'll go see." He said then swiftly strode back into the kitchen. He placed the bottle of apple cider back in the cabinet and then searched vigorously for two cups and two peppermint sticks. He quickly found two dark crimson mugs and set them down on the counter and then found two white and red striped peppermint sticks in a different cabinet.

Erik carefully read the instructions and poured milk into each cup and then put then in the microwave one after the other. Both luckily came out fine and hot. He promptly gathered a stirring stick and ripped open a packaged for each cup and poured the chocolate powder then stirred thoroughly. Then finally, he placed the peppermint into each cup. He felt like he had just made art. Very strange considering it was food, well... drinks. It smelled delicious and he was eager to try it. Hopefully, since he did it exactly as the instructions on the box told him, it will taste just as good as it smelled.

He presented the cup to Ana. "Here, Mademoiselle. I hope it is to your liking." He said with a smile then sat down at the table that had the white table cloth laying over it. He saw a small pile of blue plastic coasters on the table next to the vase of flowers that was in the center of the table. He grabbed one for his drink and then took a sip before putting it down on the coaster. Well, it was just as it's name suggested. Hot. And chocolatey. And the peppermint stick gave it just the right taste of... well... winter. He sighed contently, and slightly proudly that it came out well. He turned to Ana and smiled. "I'll tell you a secret. This is my first time ever making Hot Chocolate... or ever drinking it." He said, chuckling slightly.

[anastasia]

She simply sat there and waited, glancing about nonchalantly with a little hint of apprehension. In lieu of the recent events, she felt rather melancholy and hesitant to be within the walls of the Manor. But she simply did not wish to offend Carriere, to at least allow him a chance to converse since she did wish to talk. No, it was another benefit of a doubt, to see if this Phantom truly was who he appeared to be. Had she simply lost her mind? Or was someone playing tricks on her? Two Phantoms as real as she? This was - or at least felt like - some massive joke someone was letting drag on and never told her that it was just untrue.

Smiling as he returned and presented her with a cup of hot chocolate with... ahh, sure enough! A peppermint stick! A delighted, almost child-like grin overtook her lips as she took the cup and looked at it, catching a faint whiff of the delightful libation.
"Mmm, Thank you," she said with a medium depth, sweet and lightly sensual tone to her voice. Gazing at the hot chocolate, picking up the peppermint stick and swirling it around the muddy looking liquid. A hint of a shine upon the top as the peppermint was melting in the hot chocolate.
Glancing to see the coasters as well and then did the same - picking up a coaster to put it beside her on the table.
Relishing in the lovely drink as though she were remembering a lot of scenes from her past.
She snickered sweetly and softly while holding the cup surrounded by her hands as if it were keeping her warm. Just the mere simplicity of a cup of hot chocolate mellowed her distraught state and brought out that warm person she tried to be.
"Really?" looking at Carriere with raised brows and a slight surprise then grinned. "I hope you enjoy it! It's one of my favorite drinks I love to enjoy around Christmas. Gets you in the mood for the best time of the year." Grinning then took a relished sip of the hot, creamy, minty liquid. Closing her eyes while savoring it. "Mmmm..... perfect." And smiled.