The New Arrival (OPEN)

[Erik Lenoir]

"Consequences...yes, for myself. I am not speaking of anyone else in the manor." Erik wasn't sure if he should have even hinted at his evil past. And yet, though that past was not so long ago, Erik felt he had changed...and for the better. Being in contact with other people had helped him see things from a different perspective. Not that Erik would easily admit that he had been wrong...

They spoke of Adina. "I think you will find her a delightful woman with an unusual past. I am certain she would be happy to relate her story to you. And there are many things concerning the manor that do not make logical sense. I am at heart a skeptic, as I mentioned before, but these strange happenings have given me notice that there are more things occurring at the manor which are not easily explained."

Then Daniel spoke of Emma Ravenhearst and Charles Dalimar. "I was unable to completely ascertain their relationship in the brief time I had with Miss Ravenhearst. She did speak of someone of whom she was afraid; it could have been said Dalimar. I only met him once, very briefly. He appeared to be some sort of magician, of which I am one also. So I was able to understand his appearances and disappearances. Quite impressive. And one more item, I was told he was a former owner of the house, but not the last one. Somewhere in the manor's deep past lay the answers to some of these questions. "Perhaps, Daniel, there is some archive in the library with information about Ravenhearst and Dalimar. At some time, it might be interesting for both of us to do a bit of research on this...

When the strange drawing flew out at Erik's feet and he returned it to its owner, Daniel apologized that he had to see that. "Be assured, dear friend, that I have seen much worse in my time. However, it seems you were in dire straits if that picture tells a true story."

After settling in the carriage, Erik went back in the direction of the mansion. It was quiet; all you could hear was the clip clop of the horse's hooves on the asphalt road. The woods smelled wonderful, the budding trees and the evergreens lending their scent to the dank small of the fertile soil to either side of the road.

It was quite a few miles, but the horse made steady time and soon they arrived at the mansion. Erik turned the horse's head to the direction of the stables and pulled in the carriage. He unhitched the carriage and unharnessed the horse and brought the horse to its stall. He made sure there was food and water and he would ask someone else to make sure the horse was comfortable. He wished, with a pang, that Ana were still here. He could have asked her any time to care for the horse and she would have known exactly what to do.

"Daniel, shall we enter the mansion now? I will be happy to show you about the place. I am happy that you are so eager to see it."

[Daniel Turner]

"I am dreadfully sorry to hear that, Erik," Daniel said, backing his words with a hint of actual feeling to them. It had been so long since he had actually expressed real emotions; not just anger and resentment towards his friends and loved ones. He had often been harsh and secluded when he had first brought the Orb back to his flat, and now he regretted his actions. But there was no way he could take back his angry and bitter words.

He was happy to be talking about a woman after so long; he had often wished to court a young lady but he felt far too shy and nervous when it came to speaking to the fairer sex. However, he had a feeling that Lenoir took a bit of a liking to the maid and decided that it would cause more trouble for him should he interfere with the young woman. "I would be delighted to speak with her when she is available. She sounds very interesting. And as for the manor itself, only time may tell if I discover something about it. I will come to you straight away if I discover anything unusual."

Daniel scratched at his unruly beard as Erik spoke of Emma and Charles. Then Erik told him that he thought Damilar to be a magician of sorts and Lenoir as well… Now Daniel was convinced that Charles must have known Alexander. Lenoir told Daniel that the manor's library held a trove of knowledge possibly about the manor. Daniel would feel right at home while reading through massive tomes of history and architecture.

"Oh, believe me, Erik," Daniel said, his voice shaking slightly. "This drawing does tell a true story. But not one to sully your ears. Unless, of course, you wish to hear the tale at another time. Then- and only then- would I be willing to share that story." He quickly wished to drop the subject and headed back into the handsome and tucked himself away, book clutched firmly in his hands. Only in death would he allow the book to be pried from his lifeless fingers. He looked out the window at the woods before briefly opening the door. He stuck his head out and inhaled the damp, rich air. A slight mist began to settle around the forest; perhaps rain was coming for the air smelled wet and crisp, like evergreen and redwoods. Shutting the door and sitting back, he smiled to himself and tried to hold onto the calm which had just settled over him.

As the coach made its final stop, Daniel got to his feet and brushed back a bit of his hair… 'A damned good hot bath and a shave,' he thought to himself. 'That will be my first order of business as soon as I am shown around this place and settled in.' Stepping out of the handsome cab, he hitched his bag up over his shoulder and looked up at the house. It seemed to loom over him with such a height that it was almost dizzying simply to look upon it. Taking another deep breath of air, he made his way up the stairs and looked upon the massive doors ahead of both himself and Erik.

"Of course, Erik," Daniel smiled at Lenoir and nodded gratefully. "I am rather anxious for this tour and to possibly meet some people."

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik thought he saw a bit of interest flare in Daniel's eyes as he spoke of Adina. "There are many ladies whom I am sure, would love to fill you in on their stories, Daniel." A smile played at the visible end of his lips for just an instant.

Now you have piqued my interest again in looking into the history of the mansion. Of late, as I said, I have been a bit melancholic because of my several friends disappearing from the mansion. I must find other occupations for my mind before I go mad thinking about that. Other inhabitants of the mansion have decided to take on a job in the village. I fear I am rather ill suited for such a thing. One thing I have taken on, that has not come to fruition yet, is the refurbishment of the opera house. It is a lovely place, but when I came here, was in tatters and sorely in need of repair. Some of it has been already done, the next step is to put together an opera company, an orchestra, a ballet company and all of the other people behind the scenes who are invisible, but sorely needed. I will provide the direction, managing and production part of the shows. I have music of my own that I should like to have performed also. Perhaps even a stint on the stage in one of the productions..." Erik stopped and laughed. Undoubtedly this man had no interest in Erik's plans for the opera house.

He smiled a bit grimly as Daniel said that the drawing's story could sully Lenoir's ears. "It is quite unlikely, Daniel, that any story could shock me. I have seen a great deal in my time. And you can be sure that any secret with which you entrust me shall be kept that way, despite my reputation for loquaciousness.

Before they arrived at the mansion, the sweet odour of rain had been in the air. As they came from the stable, the first tiny drops of rain could be felt. Erik hated to be wet and so they hurried to the door of the mansion.

Erik expected that Daniel would be interested at some time in seeing his lair. However, he was wary of showing it to too many people. He did not wish visitors unless they were specifically invited. Of course, there were exceptions and he expected that Daniel may be one of them, as was Adina, Emilie and a few others. But Erik was not one to jump headfirst into anything. He was careful and would bide his time to see if Daniel were really as trustworthy as he seemed. The first order of business was to see if Daniel had a suite assigned to him by the ghosts. If so, then he would be a permanent resident. And so Erik would take him to look for his suite.

"Daniel, I would like to show you where you may stay. There are many empty guest suites, and often, there will be a suite prepared ahead of time." Erik knew it sounded a bit mysterious, but he didn't wish to tell him the ghosts most likely knew he was coming.

"The tour shall commence as soon as we have found your suite and you have made yourself comfortable."

[Daniel Turner]

Daniel gave an awkward grin and looked about. A creeping bit of blush rose in his cheekbones as he scratched at his beard. "I-I'm sure there are, Erik…" He greatly liked women but he felt that he might not make the best impression because of his vivid hallucinations and hearing voices. Not really good dating discussions on his part.

"I am sorry to hear about your friends who have disappeared. I do pray that nothing has befallen them." He then laughed merrily at Erik's renewed interest in delving once more into the background of the mansion. But then Erik said something that greatly interested Daniel: he spoke of an opera house and how it needed refurbishment. "I would be delighted to help you in any way that I could. You mentioned something about 'behind the scenes' which greatly interests me. You already know about my love of artifacts and antiques; perhaps I could help you with 'pops'? Er, no- that's not the right word. 'Props', is it? I would be delighted to fashion some vases, sculptures, and other items should you need such things in the particular shows or ballets you plan to produce… I, myself, have never had the opportunity to see an opera or to indulge in such gaieties. From what I have heard, they must be truly a visual splendor for the eyes. Spectacular, I might say!"

"I do not doubt that, sir," He started somberly. "But… Have you seen real monsters? I mean, real and for true abominations that should not be in existence?" He still thought that Lenoir did not really believe him when he said actual monsters. "The things I saw were things even unfit for hell."

The frail man looked about the expanse of the land surrounding the manor when he felt a drop of rain fall squarely upon his nose. He blinked rapidly and wiped away the droplet with one finger. He looked up and realized that the skies had begun to darken. "Perhaps it would be wise if we discarded of these soaking clothes… There's a coat hanger of there, that should work marvelously." He slipped out of his coat and hung it up

"You don't say? Good gracious, that's a bit mischievous, is it not? Surly there cannot be a suite already made up for me…. Could there?" He thought that it had to be the workings of some prankster, but something began to nag at the back of his mind that something else was afoot that Erik was not fully explaining. However, he would not press the matter unless Lenoir brought it up himself.

"Thank-you very much for all your help, Erik," Daniel bowed his head and then looked around the foyer. "Er, where exactly are the suites? Are they up the stairs or through the door down here?"

[Emma Ravenhearst]

Emma knew that there was someone new inside the house as soon as he stepped in. How could she not? The manor was as much a part of her as an arm or leg, it beat with her (admittedly false) heart, it changed to her whims. This manor had been built in her name, built out of love for her, however misdirected, and she was forever a part of it. As long as she existed, the house would as well.

Existed was a strong word. She was barely a living creature. She had a solid body, a heartbeat, but she was still ghost like, unable to leave the manor, stuck. She was no better off than she had been before she had been granted her body. Still, she supposed, it was better than nothing at all.

She rose from her place in her bedroom, very aware of the new energy walking through the manor. She supposed she should greet the new comer, it was only proper. As mistress of the manor, such duties fell to her. Charles would say so, anyway. He was the master of the manor, or had been. She had not seen him in quite a while, which she was grateful for. That damned man, who had caused her so much grief...Not her husband. She had never had the pleasure of a wedding. And that horrid girl, that Christine, thought she had the right to get married in this house?! In the house built out of Emma's love, for her to be wed in? And now, that Christine was going to have a child. She couldn't hide the depression and anger that it brought up in her, how it made her want to scream and cry for things that she would now never have.

But now was not the time. She had duty to attend to. She straightened out her dress (damningly 19th century) and began making her way through the manor, not so much walking as gliding through. There was certainly something unearthly about her, and about the paintings of her that littered the house. She hated it. She reached the foyer, where she knew the man was. There was a grand staircase leading down onto that level and she began to walk down it, her hand on the railing.

"Good day, sir...And Lenoir...Might I ask your business here?"

She certainly seemed a good deal more confident than the last time Lenoir would have seen her. Her head was up, and she looked as though she certainly were the owner, though still meek and humble. Ethereal was the word to describe her, certainly. Her glossy brown hair was twisted into a bun, away from her pale face, in which two hazel eyes sparked. Her beauty was evident, but it didn't seem quite enough to justify all that the mad man had done for her. That was left to be seen.

[Erik Lenoir]

"The dormitories are two storeys above. We shall take the stairway, Daniel. I am sure there will be a suite for you there, with or without your name." Erik removed his hat as they moved through the foyer and held it in his hands. "I am very happy that..." Lenoir stopped in mid sentence. He and Daniel had walked halfway through the entry room toward the marble staircase when suddenly Lenoir simply stopped walking and looked at the staircase, surprised. For coming down the staircase was that missing ghost, the elusive one who hadn't stayed to speak to him for very long the other two times he had met her. It was Emma Ravenhearst....

Emma asked what Lenoir's business was at the mansion. He frowned. This was irritating. "Miss Ravenhearst, I bloody live here! I am not allowed to leave as you damn well know. Now stop insulting my intelligence and tell us why you are gracing us with your presence!"

She appeared to be more confident and not so frightened than at least the first time he had seen her, in the graveyard. She had not spoken much at that time. Then he remembered the second time he had seen her, Billie Cristofersen, the American, had been interested in her story. But that didn't matter now, for he had disappeared, probably leaving suddenly for America.

"It's been quite a while, Miss Ravenhearst.," Lenoir said a bit more quietly.Then he remembered his manners. It was important to be polite even in the presence of a spectre. "Miss Ravenhearst, meet Mr Daniel Turner, late of Mayfair, England. And Daniel, this is the lovely Miss Emma Ravenhearst that I spoke of to you earlier." He wondered if he should apologise for his angry language just a moment earlier when she had annoyed and insulted him. He decided not to do so quite yet. He would wait to see what she wanted. Perhaps she already knew that Daniel was interested in the ghosts.

"I was showing Mr Turner about the house, the first place being the suite which I have no doubt you have arranged for him.. And then I shall show him other places of interest in the house. You are quite welcome to accompany us, should you wish to do so, Miss Ravenhearst," Lenoir said, hoping that she wouldn't , unless she changed her attitude rather quickly. "Is that quite amenable to you?" he said with a hint of sarcasm.

[Daniel Turner]

Daniel ran a hand through his hair and scratched at the back of his neck, where the spine met the base of the skull. Something was bothering him, a sort of itch that would not go away. Why was this happening all of a sudden. He pulled his hand away and looked at his fingers to see a bit of blood upon his fingertips. He wiped it away on his dark pants so it would not be seen. He turned his attention back to Erik and was about to ask why he stopped speaking when he looked to see what- or who- the make man was looking at.

It was her! Emma Ravenhearst, as Erik stated when he addressed the woman. He looked away and then back at her, his cheeks turning a light pink as he his eyes sheepishly looked back at her. Erik politely introduced him to Miss Ravenhearst. He took a small step forward and extend a hand out to the woman. "A-A pleasure to meet you, madam. E-Erik here has told me about this place, that you have a library? Oh, dear, I'm afraid I'm getting ahead of myself. You see, I am an archaeologist and writer of-of sorts. I read an article about this place being haunted by 'ghosts', and I was hoping to speak with you and possibly your husband about what you truly believe is going on in this place." He gave Erik a slightly skeptical look; had he really meant that this woman had previously been a ghost?

He turned his attention back to Emma and then quickly added, "Do forgive me, but I'm afraid I must ask....." He inhaled deeply and then looked her right in the eyes. "Are-.... Are you really- or have you been- a ghost?" He tightly clutched his bag and bit his lip, bracing himself for the impending answer. Please say it's just a lie, say it's not true. There must be a scientific explanation for all of this. A simple, logical, and tangible explanation. There had to be, there simply had to be!

Daniel looked to Erik, wondering if he had made a terrible mistake. Had he put himself back into the same predicament as before in Brennenburg? Instead of monsters, would he now be subjected to the ghosts whims? Damn him for thinking that this was a good idea! He wondered if his hallucinations would prevent him from leaving as he suddenly saw the image of Alexander behind the woman. He stiffened and swallowed hard before shutting his eyes tightly. Go away, make them go away. He was growing ill from all these horrors haunting him. He opened his eyes once more.... Gone. The thing was gone and he now looked back to Miss Ravenhearst for her answer.

[Erik Lenoir]

Emma wasn't saying anything more. The spectre was rather a quiet one. "Daniel, I think we should commence our tour immediately, for we must find your accommodations so that you may wash off the dust of your journey and change clothing,' Erik said in a quiet voice, for Daniel's ears only. He glanced up at the spectral figure on the stairs. Lenoir next spoke to her in a voice meant to carry a bit farther across the foyer. "Miss Ravenhearst, you will please excuse us, but my friend has had a long journey and wishes to relax a bit. I am sure he will join me in hoping that we shall see you again, and very soon." Erik mounted the steps and bowed formally to the spectre still standing there, as they passed her.

When they had ascended the steps to the landing above, Erik motioned to Daniel as to which way they would be going. They walked several long corridors. "The place is in much better condition than when I first came here, Daniel. Many of the areas had been abandoned to ruin by the former owner and there were none of the splendid wall coverings and paintings. There were a few art pieces, but not much. It has been restored to a similar, I believe, look that it may have had in its heyday." Erik thought ruefully, that its heyday was probably his own real lifetime, although it had existed for several hundred years before that. Erik wasn't sure who had done some of the inside cleaning and finding of the mansion's treasured art pieces. But it had been so gradual that it was almost imperceptible. Perhaps the ghosts had done it to make the residents happy.

"It's a strange thing," Lenoir noted as he and Daniel walked. "The ghosts seem quite eager to please us, even though they keep us here against our wills.. They have done their utmost to make the mansion look like home again. They provide us food and the places they have prepared for us, which we can in a sense call our own, namely our suites. They have gone to great care to make each suite suitable for each inhabitant they have brought here."

As Lenoir spoke, a large wooden door came into view. Walking up to it, Erik opened it and held it for Daniel. There was a corridor of smaller doors, many, many of them . There was another large door next to the one he had opened. "This is the men's dormitory area. The women's is next door. Let us see if we can find your suite, Daniel..." Erik started to walk down the corridor, looking for the a door that possibly might have Daniel's name on it....

[Daniel Turner]

Daniel seemed to be entranced by the woman. Something was not right about her. She seemed…. Damaged, like himself. But he dared not say a word lest he upset her. He was, though, about to ask her more about the manor when Erik politely suggested to Daniel that they get started on the tour right away. He nodded to the masked gentleman before looking back to Emma. "Well, i-i-it was a honor to meet you, madam. I'm sure we will meet each other again very soon. D-Do excuse us." He bowed his head curtly and hurried off to follow Erik. He slung the strap of his bag over his shoulder, wincing a little as he felt his hand brush against the spot at the back of his head where he had been scratching earlier. It had begun to hurt and was crusted with dry blood. He would have to take care to not rub off the scab when he got cleaned up later on.

He listened as Erik spoke to him once more about the ghosts and how they seemed to care for their very own prisoners. It was very strange to him. Caring kidnappers? Perhaps they were no different than Alexander. The old baron had made sure that Daniel was well looked after when he first arrived at Brennenburg.

As the two entered through the large portcullis, Daniel looked down what seemed to be a never-ending hallway lined with doors on either side. He noted a lot of names upon the doors but none that he recognized. It was very strange, very strange indeed. As they continued almost to the end of the hall, he suddenly realized something: Erik's name hadn't appearing upon any of the golden plates that were stuck fast upon the doors. "I thought that you said you lived here?" He asked, hoping he did not give off an accusatory tone. "Then why do I not see your name upon any of the doors?"

Before he could get a response from Erik, the poor man finally looked to his right and saw that very gold plate he thought didn't exist. For a moment, he felt as though he would pass out but he managed to plant his feet firmly upon the floor. He cautiously reached out to the doorknob and turned it, fearing what may be on the other side. When it opened, he took in the scene before quickly investigating in case there were any strange creatures around that may jump out at him… Nothing. A sigh of relief.

He turned back to Erik and smiled. "I thank you for the help in escorting me to this manor. You seem to be a more gracious host than the actual owner of this place." He set down his bag but took up his notebook and a pen to take notes as Erik gave the tour. "Shall we then?"

[Erik Lenoir]

Both Daniel and Erik were very polite to the spectre of Emma Ravenhearst standing on the staircase. After they had passed Emma and were out of her hearing, Erik said. "It's best that we have left now. If we waited for Miss Ravenhearst to speak, it could be a month or two." He laughed. "I am not disparaging Miss Ravenhearst, but she is just that type of spectre. Not living in the world of time, she has plenty of it when she comes to visit us, but it is flowing by much more quickly for us. She will return. I am sure of it. Especially if there is anything about you that catches her interest."

As the two men entered the dormitories, they walked through the long corridor with many doors, each with a nameplate, most of which Erik knew. Daniel asked Erik why his name was not there. That would be hard to explain, but he would answer. However he was spared that at the moment for quite near the end, Daniel finally found his name on a door.

Erik stood in the doorway and watched Daniel as he went into the room. There was nothing remarkable about it and Daniel seemed to be relieved. It seemed a quite ordinary suite to Erik. He had seen many of the others and the spectres had indeed furnished them according to the inhabitants' wishes, before they had even known they were to stay. The spectres were in some ways gracious hosts, all the while holding their guests prisoner.It seemed vaguely reminiscent of the strange castle that Bram Stoker had written about in his iconic novel. The host, obviously up to no good, was however quite the gentleman and hospitable....until later. One of the spectres liked to frighten the inhabitants, but she had disappeared rather quickly. Perhaps the mansion inhabitants had bored her.

Daniel suddenly seemed anxious to have his tour. "Daniel, I should be delighted to take you on a tour of the place, but I thought that you wished to freshen up and change clothing. I don't know what clothing you have brought with you by the way, but in most cases, there is suitable clothing in the wardrobes and cupboards. So coming back to the subject of the tour, certainly we could tour the mansion immediately. But if you wish to change clothing and freshen up, I should be delighted to stay and wait her in the outer room, if you would like me to do so." Erik had the distinct feeling that the man did not care to be alone, as he had been tortured before by strange creatures. "Or I could meet you later if that would be more to your liking."

Then he decided to say just a bit about where he lived. He didn't want to seem as if he were one of the elite, which it seemed that he was. But he would let Daniel figure that out for himself. "If you're wondering where I live, it's in a different are of the mansion." He hoped Daniel would not ask any more about it. Perhaps he would take him to see his home at some time. But he felt it best to leave it for later.

[Daniel Turner]

Daniel did not quite understand what Erik meant by 'the world of time' about Miss Ravenhearst. Was this because the woman was a ghost or some other unknown reason? Either way, it didn't really quite make a difference to him. He simply shifted the strap of his bag to his other shoulder and followed after Erik. The blood from the back of this head now beginning to seep into his jacket a little, though he had no inkling of it happening. He simply turned to look back at Miss Ravenhearst but then realized she was gone… He frowned but kept up with Lenoir. He flushed once more when Erik spoke of Emma possibly returning if anything about him had caught her interest. "N-No, probably not. I don't really think I am very fit for a woman. I mean, look at me. Would a woman want to be courted by a man who looks as though he had stayed a hermit for the past several years?"

He stood motionless as he looked at his own name upon the gold plate nailed to the door before him. He then turned his attention to Lenoir who seemed to remain silent after having been asked about his own room. Perhaps it would remain a mystery just like the mystery of his face, which Daniel dared not ask about for fear of rebuttal. He only turned back to look upon the door once again.

Daniel visibly relaxed his shoulders when he saw the quaint furnishings: a washing sink fitted with toiletries, a nightstand, a chest, a nice little desk and chair, and an armoire. He first went to the armoire and opened it slowly…. Good, no monsters. After Brennenburg, he was strict about checking any sort of amoire should there be a creature lying in wait for him. He had often left friends and acquaintances scratching their heads as to why he had developed this peculiar ritual. Instead, what he found were many neatly hung outfits which seemed to fit his tastes. "Is it possible that these 'ghosts' brought all this here? The clothes and the furnishings, I mean…. They do seem to feel quite a bit like…." Dare he say it? "… Like home."

"Er, perhaps you're right, Erik. I shouldn't take too long, I promise." He waited for Erik to leave the room before taking out his sketchbook, notebook, articles, and journals before placing them upon the desk. He propped an odd raven statue he had come across against the books to keep them from tipping over. He set out his pens, inks, and pencils in one of the drawers before setting his bag inside the nightstand. He went to the sink and found a razor and some shaving cream. He applied the cream to his face and trimmed up most of his beard, leaving just a little bit behind and his mustache. Perfectly neat, just the way he liked things. He smiled at his own reflection before fluffing his messy hair a bit. He would trim that later, but not now. All he did was wash his face and scrub underneath his arms with the soap by the sink before slipping into one of the new shirts that hung in the armoire. He turned to look at his reflection again before giving a very faint smile. He was fine now, at least that was what he thought.

He opened the door and saw Lenoir still there. Thank god he hadn't left Daniel all alone in this new place. For once, he finally felt at peace. No need to worry about monsters or other creatures hunting him, no more Alexander- hopefully- and no more Shadow. He listened to Erik when he spoke of his own place of lodging, furrowing his brow as he tried to untangle that odd riddle. Perhaps best not to keep asking, he thought. After all, Lenoir seemed to bear no ill will towards him and it would be wise to hold onto this possible friendship and not strain it. "Very well then. But enough of that, let the tour begin. Go right ahead, Erik."

[Erik Lenoir]

"Daniel, I didn't really mean that the way you understood it. First of all, Miss Ravenhearst is a spectre, and most of them are not interested in romance with the living. There are exceptions of course, but what I mean is that perhaps there is some thing else that interests her about you. For instance, she may be able to feel some of your background, to understand something of you without you specifically telling you. And perhaps that makes no sense. She is a strange spectre. Nonetheless, I do look forward to meeting her again, whenever that may be." Erik smiled. "As to what women find attractive, there is simply no telling..." He thought about how Emilie had no qualms about kissing him on his deformed cheek...then the smile faded as he realized he might never see her again... And then there was Teressa. She was in love with him, but had never seen his face. Would she disparage him if she did? He wondered if what he had just spoken to Daniel were true as far as Teressa was concerned. He wondered also what she hid under her mask. However, he did not think there was any deformity which would make him disparage her...

Daniel gazed in seeming wonderment and surprise at his own name upon the door. "In one's room, there is usually something familiar. In my case, it was a perfect re-creation of the home I had built for myself. It is a unique home and was perfect down to the smallest things that I possessed. I was amazed, but delighted, as I would have with difficulty, settled in to live in another place."

Daniel began to check the armoire and it seemed almost as if he were expecting spectres to appear. It could happen, anything could happen in this strange mansion. Erik said nothing, simply watched. Daniel asked if the "ghosts" had brought all the things to his room. "I believe that is the explanation, Daniel. It would explain a good many things."

Erik left the room as Daniel prepared to do his ablutions. He went down the corridor to the window and looked out of it. There was a good view of the outside. He sat down in a bench next to the window and wondered about Daniel. A very nice fellow, but a bit eccentric. And since he had a gold engraved nameplate on the door, the ghosts wanted him here for some reason and would keep him here until they were done with him. Is that what had happened to Emilie? The ghosts no longer needed her for some reason? The reason completely eluded him.

Erik grew a bit restless and started pacing the hall until Daniel emerged from his room, his beard trimmed and in clean clothing. Erik liked the fact that Daniel had not asked about the mask, neither did he ask much about Erik's home. He decided that he would show him the "lair" as it was popularly termed, although Erik never called it that.

Erik wondered where he should start the tour. The opera house...that would be a good place. Much had been done on the renovations, yet it was still not what Erik had wished for. There was more he needed to have done. "Let's begin with the opera house, Daniel. Dou you have any interest in music, opera or theatre?"

[Daniel Turner]

Daniel felt embarrassed for thinking that. What had caused him to even fantasize about the possibility of courting a woman, let alone even kissing! Before he ever went to Brennenburg, he had dreamed about making a name for himself, gaining fame and fortune with some great discovery, and then settling down with a lovely young lady. But now those dreams were a long, lost other world he left behind. He gave a small nod and fell silent as Erik spoke. "T-True. It is very difficult to tell what a woman truly wants out of a relationship…" He then decided to ask the question. "Are you currently courting anyone, Erik? And what about that Miss Adina you were telling me about?" Hopefully another icebreaker would keep things at ease between the two. The last thing Daniel wanted to do was to lose the closest thing he had ever come to a friend, even if they had only met within a few hours.

He felt slightly overwhelmed when he first saw the furnishings of the room. With the drapery over the windows and the decorative scones on the walls, it did give off a rather homey feel. It was almost as if he were back in his old room in Brennenburg, yet he did not feel that same sense of dread and terror now as he had felt back then. He then realized that there was also a bookcase against one of the walls that was filled with tomes of archeology and other fantastic discoveries! This made Daniel beam with excitement, but that would have to wait until later. He turned back to Erik when the man spoke of his own home and how it had been reconstructed to perfection. "It sounds like it must surly be a nice place. I would be honored to see it sometime."

After thoroughly checking every closet and any other possible hiding place should there be a creature, he felt content to be in a new room of his own after moving from Mayfair. He took a moment to lay upon the bed and stare up at the ceiling… No Alexander, nothing… He hoped that this was the end of his visions, but he knew that it was too good to be true; by the next morning, his waking terrors would be back again. He smiled and nodded to Erik after he had confirmed that the ghosts had brought in all the furnishings of his room. He stayed silent and just listened to Erik. There had to be another explanation as to why his room as made so comfortable and to his own personal tastes. But perhaps there was no other explanation besides the ghosts.

Daniel finished his personal hygiene and dressed in some of the new clothes that hung in the closet. They fit perfectly: the white, starched shirt, tie, jacket, and pants. He tightened the laces of his shoes before straightening up to go to check if Erik was still outside. But just as he was about to grab the doorknob, he heard that terrible voice again.

"Did you really think that you could escape me, Daniel? That by taking your leave of Mayfair and traveling elsewhere you would be able to live a normal life?"

He paused and closed his eyes before turning around to face that apparition once more. "I am living a normal life, Alexander. And you cannot take even that away from me. You stole my sanity, but I will not allow you to steal my freedom."
"Oh, but I can, Daniel," The white-haired man said, smirking viciously at the tawny-haired younger man. "You will never be free as long as I am still inside your head, haunting your every step. You. Will. Never. Escape. Daniel!"

Daniel flung the door open and nearly stumbled out of his room before turning back to look at now empty threshold. Alexander had disappeared from the room, but not from his mind. Luckily, Erik's proposition of exploring the opera house sounded just the thing to take his mind off of what he had just seen. "Very well, Erik. And, yes, I do enjoy music. Though, I wonder if the symphonies I have heard are the same as the music in this modern time. Things really are very strange here I will admit. But I will try my best to get used to them."

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik pointed out the way to the Opera House and led the way down several hallways, down the grand stairway and through one of the sets of several double doors of carved wood that led into the opera house. He held the door for Daniel and followed him inside.

"There is a lot of modern music that is...and please excuse the expression...not music to my ears. It is crude and primitive and dissonant. The music that I speak of, the music we shall be offering at our opera house is the same sort which has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. Classical works by Vivaldi, Tschikovsky, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Handel and all the others that we love so well. I have even heard some of the more modern composers, who wrote after my time and many are just as good as those before them. We shall be producing opera also, of course and perhaps plays. It will be a place for any person who lives here and can play or sing music much more than adequately would be encouraged to perform. We hope to include any from the village who wish to audition for me and of course our audience will be from the village as well." Erik sighed. "Would that I could have been in full control of the Paris Opera instead of those incompetents. It would have been a better venue for our music. But alas, I am here, and I shall make the best of it."

"As you can see, the place is looking quite good. When I first arrived, there were torn curtains everywhere, ruined seats, the carpeting was a disaster and there were cobwebs everywhere. The chandelier was about to fall. I have restored much of this, with labour from the village. However, there is one place here of which I am particularly proud." Erik motio9ned above and pointed to one of the boxes. "Box Five. My own box. I asked Adina Gillespie, my very good friend to restore the curtains there and she amazingly did all the work by hand. It is excellent work and took her many months. But, not only do the curtains match the others, but they are a true work of needlework art." He kept speaking of Adina. "She is one of my greatest friends. You see, I had no friends when I came here. They were all enemies. And then, unaccountably,. I made friends with some of the people h ere. Adina was one of them who has become my dearest friend."

As he talked, Erik walked about the place and pointed out pertinent improvements. Finally he pointed at the chandelier proudly. "My greatest achievement. I designed the chandelier and had it made in the village. It is quite lovely, isn't it?" he said proudly. The truth was, Erik had designed the chandelier so that it could be lowered quite quickly to frighten certain people he did not wish to sing on his stage. The rapid lowering would not hurt anyone, for it would not crash. It would simply look as if it were about to do someone in. It would be a warning, should anyone try to thwart Erik's plans for this place. He would have his opera house and he would have it on his terms....nothing less!