Tear in my Beer (OPEN)

[Adina Gillespie]

This strange transpiring which occurred all around Adina was a might bit confusing to the maid. She kept her guard up around the other men and gave a small giggle at how Erik seemed rather protective of her. He had snapped at the Vicomte to bring her the cider she had graciously asked for. When it was delivered, Adina took the glass and nodded politely to Raoul. "Merci," She then paused when she brought the glass to her rosy lips and looked up to see the blonde-haired man slightly hovering over herself and Lenoir.

"... May I help you, monsieur?" She asked, a bit snippishly. Something about the Victome made her instantly dislike him and wish to be away from this man. She gently gripped Lenoir's hand and finished off her cider, wiping her lips with a fingertip. "I suppose we are to walk back to the manor, messieurs? Unless you have some other means of transportation?"

[Raoul Edouard de Chagny]

Edouard decided to take charge of the situation. When he returned with the cider for Adina, he pulled his chair closer to them and signalled to Billie to come closer too. "Walking, Adina? You think Erik here can walk home? I think not. We came in a horse and carriage. Seats three people. So, it's perfect. Although...I still don't think I can carry him alone to the carriage, let alone to his suite in the mansion. May I prevail upon you, Monsieur Cristofersen to come with us to the mansion and help me get Monsieur Lenoir to his suite? Or at least somewhere he can sleep it off. What kind of transportation do you have?"

The Phantom looked a little bleary eyed, as if he didn't quite make sense of what Edouard was saying and perhaps didn't care either. He had Adina's hand in his and he seemed happy.

"Adina, hopefully you will not mind riding with your...friend...and me. I will drive the carriage back to the manor for us. And you don't have to worry about me being inebriated. I have often drunk much more than this and still retained all my sensibilities." Edouard stood up and bumped into the table, almost tripping. Several of the bottles and glasses looked ready to roll off the table. He righted them quickly. He smiled, slightly embarrassed.

"Well come on then, let's get this fellow up and about." Edouard put an arm around Lenoir and tried to get him to stand, but the Phantom's legs wouldn't hold him. He tried again with the same result. Edouard became a bit angry. "Can't you even help me here, Lenoir? I'm trying to help you, to get your drunken arse into the carriage, but you're not helping!"

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik heard de Chagny making plans for them to get home and he was so relaxed that he didn't care any more. If he could have lay down on the rug in the pub to sleep all night, he probably would have done so. He kept grinning at Adina and holding her hand, not in a leering way, but in a silly, drunken way. But he meant no harm. He really did care for Adina.

Then de Chagny said there were three places in the carriage. Erik counted the people at the table, including himself. "Tha' isn't c'rrect, de Chagny. We have four people here. Or are you planning to leave one of us behind?" Erik smiled as if he had a wonderful secret. "I have the solution. Adina can sit on my lap!"

De Chagny seemed to ignore Erik's brilliant suggestion, but a moment later, stood up and bumped into the table, nearly knocking the glasses and bottles off. At leastw it looked that way to Erik. He grinned. De Chagny was drunker than he wanted to let on.

Then de Chagny, probably wishing to be gallant in front of Adina, tried to help Erik up. Erik just couldn't get up. His legs just felt like jelly and he couldn't stand on them. De Chagny tried again, but to no avail. He then proceeded to get a bit angry at Lenoir for being drunk.

Erik didn't even care any more. He just wanted to go home. He couldn't think any more and this was getting to be torture. He leaned his elbow on the table and held up his head, still holding on to Adina with his other one.

[billie]

Out of the trio of men, Billie was the most coherent. Having only had a pint and a quarter of guinness and a shot of tequila, that wasn't enough to get Billie drunk since he drank in moderation. Unlike de Chagny or Lenoir who had more than they could handle in so quick a time span. Once again it was a little bit amusing watching the two men in their drunken episodes.

Getting off the chair carefully and moved to Lenoir as Billie glanced at Adina. The suggestion the masked man made was mighty bold really to have her sit upon his lap. Raising his brows as he looked back at Lenoir and reached to take hold of Lenoir's arm that was extended out to Adina, " 'scuse me, ma'am," Billie said nicely as he drew Lenoir's arm away and slung it over his shoulders to help Lenoir to his feet. "Come on. Best to get you home," looking over at Edouard. "Take his other arm over your shoulder, we can haul him out to your carriage."

With an effort and teamwork, Lenoir was eventually helped outside to the carriage outback after Billie asked where their transport was. With an effort, Billie helped Lenoir up into the carriage seat. "Easy there," he suggested positively until Lenoir was safe, so to speak.
Billie looked at Edouard, "I'll follow behind with the truck."
Then turned to Adina with a gentle visage, "more than welcome to ride in the cab with me. Yer choice."

[Adina Gillespie]

Adina narrowed her eyes at Raoul... She already had it set in her mind that she did not like the company of this man. She turned away from him and focused her attention on Erik. It did bother her, yes, that he had been drinking. After all, it was because of her father that even the faintest smell of liquor made her ill. However, she did not feel the same effect after being so close to Lenoir and smelling the alcohol on his breath... Perhaps it was because she pitied him.

But it was when Raoul tried to help Erik back to his feet that made the young woman feel something stir inside her. She had not felt this fresh fury since she had been head maid at the manor! She slammed her glass down upon the table and put one of Lenoir's arms over her shoulder. "MONSIEUR DE CHAGNY!" She barked, her eyes boring up into his. "I do not know you, nor do I wish to, but I will not tolerate such poor treatment of my dear friend amidst company! You and monsieur Cristofersen will help me bring Erik to the carriage and help him in. I will sit beside him and make sure he is alright during our journey back to the manor. C'est compris?"

After a while she paused to collect herself and looked over at Billie. "Forgive me, monsieur, I have failed to explain my reason for being here. I recently had an... awakening and felt the need to try and live life, I suppose is the thing to say. I have never been to the village and thought it would be a nice night to see the lights and buildings."

[Raoul Edouard de Chagny]

Edouard felt strongly that Adina didn't like him, after just sitting near her at the table. She seemed uncommonly wrapped up in Lenoir. He couldn't understand how this beautiful girl could see anything in the old, ugly, scheming and now extremely inebriated Phantom. Lenoir was amazing in that way, the girls couldn't stay away from him. What could it be?

Billie helped prop up Lenoir and get him to the carriage, but Adina insisted on holding onto him from the other side. Edouard let her do it and thought, Fine. Suit yourself.
Edouard got into the carriage too, and took the reins adter lighting the two lanters that hung on both sides of the carriage to provide light. Adina was between the two men, with Lenoir's arm about her. Lenoir smiled at the maid and whispered something to her that Edouard couldn't hear. Edouard shook his head in disgust.

Edouard knew the way back to the mansion, following the path. There were a few places where the path seemed to disappear, but the horse was confident and they soon picked up the path again. They made good time and soon were back at the mansion. Billie had promised to follow them in his truck and he was true to his word.

Now the problem would be to get the Phantom out of the carriage and back to his lair. No, that was a bad idea. There were some empty dormitory rooms, they could put Lenoir in one of those to sleep it off. Taking him to the lair would be dangerous, hazardous and troublesome. They would be risking their lives trying to cross those bridges and the lake with Lenoir in that condition. Well, Edouard was a little drunk too, but he didn't want to admit it. Why did the Phantom have to live in such a ridiculous and hard-to-get-to place? Five storeys under the Opéra Populaire! How ridiculous!

He stepped down from the carriage and came around to the other side. "Damn, he's sleeping again!" said Edouard to no one in particular. "Mademoiselle Gillespie, may I give you a hand to disembark?" Edouard asked gallantly.

[Erik Lenoir]

It was a bit of a trick to get Erik back into the carriage; he had a hard time, almost slipping a couple of times. But finally he was in his seat and Adina was next to him. He felt content now. He was glad to be going home, although it wasn't his real home, but it had begun to feel like home. He continued to hold Adina's hand. De Chagny sat on the other side of Adina after lighting the lanterns and took the reins.

Continuing to rub Adina's hand, Erik had vague and various thoughts. He was most of all, glad to be going home and glad to share some time with Adina. But then there was a vague uneasiness in his stomach and it had nothing to do with the amount of alcohol he had consumed. He was seeing Teressa's masked face in his mind's eye. First, her lovely smile as she sat under the willow tree and he came up to her and they embraced. Then her countenance changed to the hurt and outraged look when she confronted him about Ana. Then there was her anger, and even worse, the hurt in her eyes. Erik closed his eyes and moaned a little uncomfortable sound. He was coming back to the same situation he had left. Going with de Chagny to the pub had not helped anything, had not made him feel any better, he had only become more depressed. He was afraid that Teressa was lost to him forever now. All these thoughts were not coherent thoughts, but emotions that washed over Erik. He began to perspire, even though the night was cool.

Erik continued to hold Adina's hand and finally exhaustion set in and Erik fell asleep again. The rest of the journey for him was a maze of unconsciousness.

[billie]

With Lenoir's arm around his shoulders and expecting Edouard to do the same with the other arm but was stunned when that little young woman to bark at the gentleman and take up on Lenoir's other side. Raising his brows to look at her a moment before looking at Edouard in a rather 'bold of her' look and restrained a smirk. Women. No matter where they were or who they were, they were spitfires!

Having helped Lenoir to the carriage, Adina and Edouard climbing into the carriage, Billie shrugged it all off, turned and went to his truck and got in. Following the carriage back to the Manor. Luckily no local cop pulled them over.

Once at the Manor's massive drive, parking his truck and getting out, moving over to the carriage to assist Lenoir getting out of the carriage. "Would be best to just let him sleep it off." Most likely he wouldn't wake anyways, though Billie.

[ladybarbossa]

The evening had been a rather quiet one at the Manor. Despite her Husband did not join her and Gustave for supper it did not dampen her spirits any for she knew he was Lenoir. However, that did little comfort her thoughts. The two men had been at odds and each other's throats even before they came here to the Manor. There was not a moment tonight where she had stopped praying silently that both men would not kill one another. If that happened, where would that leave her? A widow to raise a child all alone!

Having tucked her little miracle into bed earlier in the evening then returned to the kitchen to finish up for the next day's entreé. Watching as the sun set and as the night wore on she began to worry about her Husband and Lenoir. Where ever did they both go? Were they both fine? She hoped they were not arrested and in jail. She truly was not wanting to return to that jail to bail Lenoir and Raoul out... again. Well, Lenoir at least. It was the younger version of her Husband who was there with Lenoir.

Milling around the Manor, fidgeting more at the night wore on. Standing by a large bay window gazing out into the darkness for what seemed like forever until she saw slow moving lights which approached the Manor on the drive. Departing from her station at the window swiftly making her way to the main entrance and darting outside, stopping once she got to the landing to see Edouard getting down off the carriage, Lenoir passed out and a woman with them on the carriage. Then noticing an older man getting out of some strange automobile and coming up to the side of the carriage where Lenoir was to help her unconscious 'Angel' from his propped position. Covering her mouth a moment and stunned. Oh, what ever did they get themselves into! Emilie slowly descended the stone steps and made her way like a proper woman of her station would move, towards her Husband, glancing between him and Lenoir. "Raoul?" Looking at Billie helping Lenoir down. "What happened?" Concerned that Edouard had done something or vice versa. She began to worry about Edouard and started to look him over, namely his face, but saw no fight marks at all.
Her hazel blue eyes shifted to look at the young redhead that seemed to be hovering all over Lenoir. A little twinge of jealous coursed through her. First that brunette in the tight clothes, then tall golden hair girl, and now this redhead?!? Now she was more than utterly confused!

[Adina Gillespie]

"I can manage it myself, monsieur," She haughtily retorted, lifting her skirts slightly to climb into the carriage to side beside Erik as Raoul went around to the other side. She did not fully understand it herself why he had started such a fire within her. Perhaps his behavior reminded her of her father, how rude and rough-handling he was of Erik. It stirred her to anger and that was why she supposed she had been so sharp with him.

Adina gently smiled at Lenoir as he held her hand. She was glad to be beside him, even though she was sharing her space with that other man. She did not mind; just being beside Erik was enough to keep her spirits up. She just hoped that nothing terrible would transpire during the journey home. All she wanted to do was get back to the manor where she felt most comfortable at... Then she noticed Lenoir had begun to sweat. "I believe a nice warm tea is what you need to be rid of those toxins, Eri-." But then he fell asleep... Perhaps for the best. "Later then," She said to herself, smiling and she brushed back a bit of the masked man's hair.

When the arrived, she stepped out- on her own- before going around to Raoul's side of the carriage to take Erik's other arm to help him out of the carriage and into the house. That was when she saw the brunette woman rushing over to see what was the matter. She seemed to be a woman of high status by the look of her attire. But that mattered not to the maid at the moment; she was only concerned for Lenoir's wellbeing and wished to get him somewhere to rest right away and then make the tea.

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik was awakened by the carriage stopping and the voices of Billie, Edouard and Adina. He blinked and felt like he was in a strange dream, only halfway aware of what was happening about him. Billie took one of his arms and Adina insisted on taking the other one. He smiled at her. She had been very nice to him. Not that Billie hadn't. Billie was a fine man. He liked him and appreciated his kindness. Edouard of course was irritating and annoying. Nothing new. Erik was used to him. He could be nice on occasion, but one couldn't count on it.

Then he saw Christine Emilie coming out of the manor. "Christine," he mumbled, his voice almost too quiet to hear. He was glad to see her and yet wondering if he was in for a scolding. Erik hadn't seen her since her illness and she was a sight for sore eyes. How lucky could one man be? Both Adina and Christine attending him....but it looked as if Emilie were coming out to speak to Edouard. She greeted Edouard, ignoring Erik completely. He was a bit put off about that, but thought perhaps she was upset seeing Erik in this condition.

Billie helped him out of the carriage, and his legs were like jelly. Adina had his other arm. "Anyone for a song?" asked Erik and then he began to sing an old French folk song about drinking. His voice was uncharacteristically slightly off-key and his words were slurred, but he sang rather loud. Loud enough in fact, to wake up a few manor residents who most likely had been sleeping, although he didn't realize that yet.

[Raoul Edouard de Chagny]

Edouard saw that Lenoir had awakened to a certain degree. He still looked rather foggy, but his eyes were open. Billie helped him down from the carriage and he looked as if he were going to fall, for his legs almost collapsed under him. Adina had Lenoir's other arm and that was all right. If she wanted to help him, let her. Another of the Phantom's "girls."

Then he saw Christine hurrying over to them. She must have been waiting for Edouard to return. He hadn't told her he was going out. Not that he had to. She wasn't his keeper, only his wife. If he wanted to enjoy a night out on the town with the boys, that was his perogative. She called to him. "Yes, Christine dearest, what is it? I was just in town getting acquainted with Monsieur Cristofersen here and Monsieur Lenoir was along...he got himself rather drunk, as you can see." He smiled at her. Edouard tried to choose his words carefully and to impress Emilie that he most definitely had not been drinking. It was only Lenoir who had gotten himself disgustingly sloshed and needed help getting home. Edouard tripped over something and smiled embarrassedly. Then he heard Lenoir start to sing. Edouard knew the song and startted humming along with it, but before he knew it, he too was belting out the song with Lenoir, completely forgetting that there were other people staring at the two.

[ladybarbossa]

She smelled the alcohol upon Edouard and that was nothing new. He still seemed rather aware and fine, far from the drunken stupper that Lenoir was in. Recognizing it all since she'd see Edouard like that a few times in the past, half dressed from his 'fun' with the 'gentlemen' - as she loosely used that term for some he associated with - at casinos or gatherings.
Playing with Edouard's lapel and being her usual charming, sweet self. She was glad her Husband was all right. A slight smile played upon her lips as she gazed up at him.

Upon hearing her name, barely, she turned her gaze to look back at Lenoir. Not sure how to really deal with this sort of image. Never in a million years did she even think of her 'Angel' looking or behaving like this! Truly another shattered dream. That seemed to be what Lenoir did best - shatter the dreams.
Smiling a Edouard as she caressed her hand across his chest and walked, almost stalked over to Lenoir, more that woman now than the girl he once tried to force into marrying him. Her face trying to keep it's composure and be stern, but her eyes said it all. This was NOT the 'Angel' she remembered and she was hurt by seeing him like this. Why? Why did he does this? What caused her 'Angel' to fall?
Behaving as though she dismissed Adina as she leaned closer to Lenoir to look at him but dared not to lean in closer instead she backed away. The alcohol was stronger on him than it was on Edouard. Oh, this upset her to see Lenoir like this. Closing her eyes and a sigh, "Oh, Lenoir." Her voice barely above a whisper in disappointment, and then she whispered again sadly, "Oh, my Angel." Looking down then away from him as she glanced at both Adina and Billie while she straightened up. "Bring him inside. There's a bedroom down the main hall to the right where he can sleep for tonight." This was highly awkward of her fallen 'Angel' to sleep or reside anywhere but his Lair. Yes. He truly was merely now... a man.

She turned away from Lenoir and moved back over to Edoaurd. "Couldn't help but to enjoy few drinks with him, hmm?" She actually smiled! There was no scolding in her eyes or in her voice as she played with his lapels again. Then she giggled. "Oh, Edouard." Leaning in to kiss his cheek. "At least have some tea or milk to null the brandy before you come to bed." After a moment she stepped away from him only to look back at Edouard, "I shall attend to Lenoir first." Looking at her fallen 'Angel' with a rather interesting glint in her eye. There was something churning in her female mind.
She made her way back into the Manor and towards the fine room she had mentioned to prepare it for Lenoir.

[billie]

Billie held Lenoir to support the drunken masked man since doubtful that a small woman could support a man more than her own weight alone. His eyes shifted from Lenoir to Adina then to Edouard. And soon to the woman who approached them from the entry way. As she approached Edouard, Billie looked over at Adina. Then turned his head to see the brunette approaching Lenoir. He'd not seen this woman before but it was obvious that his woman knew Lenoir. "He'll be alright, ma'am. Just had one too many drinks." Billie tried to at least be informative and comforting.

The moment silence of the night was dashed when Lenoir began to sing in his alcoholic state then Edouard joined in. Billie did not know this song but smirked and shook his head anyways. "Drunken sailor songs," is all Billie bellowed as he helped Adina carry Lenoir into massive house, towards the room where the brunette woman had stated.

[Adina Gillespie]

Adina lowered her eyes then looked back at Lenoir when he looked away from the woman in front of them. Perhaps he knew her? That seemed most likely. But she was a bit puzzled why Lenoir reacted the way he did when he saw her. Then Raoul went to her; she was his wife? How could a woman stand such a man as him?!

Then when Christine told them to bring Lenoir to an upstairs room. She felt her heart sink when the woman said she would get him some tea... It made her feel useless and not needed; it was her job, after all, to do such duties.

But when Lenoir began to sing, Adina could no help but feel a bit happier. She knew that song. Her father used to sing it when he was drunk; the only time when she liked him in that state. He would sing such beautiful songs in French and now Erik was singing. And she knew the song. She inhaled and began to sing along with him in her native tongue. Ah, it felt good to sing in French once more.