The Waltz of the Bride (Lavalais)

[Emma Ravenhearst]

Emma watched the man with unmistakable interest. He, too, seemed to have a past that was not entirely happy...It was something to know that she wasn't the only one in the manor who had suffered...But even if this man had suffered, he could not understand her's, To be trapped in a house for 117 years with a mad man bent on doing whatever he had to do to win her love...If she hadn't already been dead, she would have killed herself, certainly. But she was trapped here for eternity and there was no escape...

Somehow, the knowledge that this man had also suffered made her feel even more at ease with him. She wanted badly to understand him, to know what had happened in his life...And how he had come to this place...And his musical talents! Perhaps this was how Charles felt about her...A need to understand, to embody...But surely, this feeling wasn't as strong as his. She was merely curious about the man...

She glided forward slowly, her eyes filled with an otherworldly curiosity and her head slightly cocked. Her veil fluttered slightly, though there was no wind in the room, and she glanced down momentarily at the violin in her hand. She opened her hand, and the violin disappeared, reappearing on top of the piano. In her years as a ghost, she had learned how to do a few things...She turned her attention back to the man and glided around him, not speaking, simply observing as she made a full circle around him, finally coming back to his front. Only then did she murmur, "You are different..."

[Erik Lavalais]

"Different?" Erik restated her observation. "Yes....yes, I suppose I am different. And you are quite different yourself, you know. I for one can hardly believe that this is not some sort of fever dream...But then..." He held out his hand again. "I'm not really one to get sick, and I have seen many phenomena in my life that would tell me otherwise."

Erik smiled. A ghost...he was making friends with a ghost! This would be something to keep track of...Perhaps they could talk more often, maybe play some music together? He'd propose the idea to her, it sounded appealing to him...

"...Mademoiselle...The idea has just struck me, forgive me if I seem bold...but I was wondering if perhaps you'd like to continue to play music with me from time to time? It would be my pleasure to play with you again...."

[Emma Ravenhearst]

If Emma had been in her proper state, her cheeks would surely have flushed to a deep red. As it was, with no blood pumping through her form, they simply turned very opaque indeed. She smiled a little, but there was clear hesitation in her eyes as she battled with her desire to say yes, and the dangers that would come with it.

Charles would not take kindly to her associating with any man other than himself. His jealousy was unmatchable and she hated to think what would happen to the manor if he were to find out. The manor was their love incarnate, and if he found out that she was doing something that he believed to be apart from their love...The place would all but crumble.

But she had no feelings for this masked man! She simply wanted the opportunity to play music with someone, something that she had been denied for such a very long time...What could possibly be the harm...? "I would enjoy that very much, sir..."

[Erik Lavalais]

Erik smiled. "Thank you, Mademoiselle." He bowed. Someone to play music with! Finally, someone to talk to about music without having to think about anything trivial like relationships or the like! He could've jumped for joy, but that wouldn't have been too mature of him.

"You have done me a great honour. When should you like to play again?" Erik hoped she'd like to play something sooner rather than later, and his excitement clearly echoed in his voice and body language. His tone brightened, he wasn't as melancholy as usual, and he had this brilliant spectre to thank for it.

[Emma Ravenhearst]

Inwardly, Emma was just as excited as this man was. She could feel her form pulsing with the excitement, much like her heart might have done if she had still had one. It had been years since she had had the chance to play music at all, let alone with someone of such obvious talent. She was a little frightened that she wouldn’t be able to keep up with him, but she was willing to make a complete fool of herself if it meant being able to hear this man play. Perhaps he could even teach her to play piano, or even to sing? She had always wanted to learn to sing, but had never really had the chance. Her voice was adequate, at best. She wondered if this man could sing…

At his question, she paused, thinking. Personally, she would have preferred to play music with him right away, but she didn’t want to seem too eager. Best to be cautious, lest Charles find out about this… “Whenever you would like to, monsieur Erik…I have all the time in the world…”

[Erik Lavalais]

Erik looked at his watch. It was later than he'd anticipated...He needed to get home...

"I apologize for saying so, Mademoiselle, but I am afraid I must take my leave...I will see you again...I promise. Let's say...next week, ten o clock in the evening? I'll bring some music and a few candles. Does that sound doable to you?"

He hoped she'd be able to make it. She intrigued him, made him curious. He wanted to know more about her, wanted to see her again and talk to her and get to know her...after all, she was a spectre. According to his logic, that shouldn't be possible. And yet there she was, right in front of him...

[Emma Ravenhearst]

Emma couldn't help being slightly disappointed when he said that he had to go, but she reminded herself that the hour was very late. Charles was probably trying to find her...And if he discovered where she was, the whole manor would be in an uproar. She couldn't afford to risk the safety and sanity of everyone in the manor just for a few more moments with this masked man, no matter how much he intrigued her.

She could not, however, deny his invitation for another meeting. She had much self control, but she had not been allowed any real fun or enjoyment of any kind in so very long. She derserved this, didn't she? Another chance to be enveloped in music...She looked forward to it already. She nodded just a little at his request, the tiniest of smiles of her wispy face, "I will be there..."

Hardly able to contain her delight, she curtseyed slowly, bringing her wedding dress out around her. As she kneeled in front of him, her form slowly began to fade, the definate lines that outlined her form fading away until she was little more than a ball of light, which, presently, flitted quickly out of the room.