My Angel of Music! (C. Joy)

[Erik Castagne]

Erik had been at the mansion only a few weeks. Most of the time he stayed in his lair and tried to compose. But it was difficult. His inspiration, Christine, was gone. He thought about the last time he had seen her and tears filled his eyes. Yes, she had betrayed him by ripping off his mask after he had specifically told her not to...but, still, he missed her.

After the mask incident, Christine had been so frightened, she had taken to the bridal suite he had prepared for her. He could hear her crying that night...but then he had in some inexplicable way come to this strange mansion. He had found his lair, five storeys under the opera house, complete with lake, staircase leading to the opera house, the gondola, everything inside his home that had always been there since he had built the place. Everything but Christine...

The bridal suite was still there with everything he had painstakingly gathered and had made especially for his bride-to-be. On a whim, he opened the door and looked sadly at the treasures. Each one reminded him of Christine. The comb and brush set with the hand mirror. The lovely vanity. The beautiful swan bed with several pairs of lovely shoes sitting under it, at the edge. And of course the beautiful bridal gown Erik had had made just for Christine. It was so beautiful. He ran his fingers over it with reverence. Although she had never worn it, it still reminded him of her.

Erik wondered if Christine were here. If she were, then perhaps there was no reason to even want to leave the mansion. Perhaps if he went up to the mansion he might have word of her. He put on his cape and fedora and left the lair, entered the gondola and moved it toward the other shore. He ascended the five staircases and reached the top. There was the double wooden door that led out to the corridor of the mansion and to the strange little lift that would bring him up to the main floor.

But then Erik saw another door...no, it wasn't a door, it was the back of the mirror in Christine's dressing room! There was the mechanism he had built to open and close it. He was amazed. The glass was one way glass, Christine could not see through it, although Erik could. And audible sounds could pass either way.

Erik gazed at her very familiar dressing room. This was here too! He almost forgot he was not at the Paris Opera House anymore. He stood there, almost in a trance, looking at each item that was there on her vanity. She had a costume hung over a screen and there were flowers on her vanity, in a vase. He wondered where she had gotten them...Raoul? he thought with a pang of jealousy.

Then the door started to open at the other end of the room and Erik hoped it would be Christine. He was so exited he forgot himself and audibly said her name...several times...."Christine....Christine? Christine...."

[christinejoydaae]

Christine had been out exploring the manor once again. Finally, she was getting to know some of her fellow residents, although she still felt that there was something wrong about the several Christines, Raouls, and Eriks.

Yet still there was absolutely no one in the manor that she was personally familiar with. It seemed a majority of the others in the manor had someone they knew, someone who they could trust from their...previous lives.

By this point, Christine had given up almost all hope of her Angel coming for her, or anyone she knew, for that matter. She was growing accustomed to counting on her new acquaintances when, suddenly, that all changed...

As she stepped into her room, she could hear her name being called out. And, oh, was that voice familiar! It was the voice of her Angel! "A-Angel?" she called, far too hopefully. "Angel, is it truly you?" She couldn't believe it! He had come!

Christine clasped her hands together, looking round as if he would be visible. If only...she thought wishfully, although she was much too excited to let that bring her down now.

She could hardly contain her excitement. Would the lessons continue? Would he ever reveal himself to her? Oh, she couldn't wait...and how absolutely relieving to know that she was no longer alone, and that she hadn't upset him!

[Erik Castagne]

Calling out her name, inadvertently, Erik saw the door open and Christine entered! She had heard him, for she called out the only name by which she knew him...Angel... His heart leapt with joy! She was here and she still knew him as her Angel of Music...they could start again if he were very careful. He must not make the same mistakes and he must not frighten her by any means.

This first glance of Christine...through the mirror...Erik felt it was longer than a lifetime since he had seen her last, and yet he knew it to be less than a fortnight. She was really here!

What Erik wanted to do was to push open the mirror and take her into his arms...but of course that would be rash. He decided to have her sing for him ... he knew she didn't need any more lessons really...she had been ready when she had been at the opera house. But it was prudent to take things very slowly. He couldn't afford another mistake like what had happened before...with the mask.

Erik said softly, "My Christine! You are really here! You must sing for your Angel, dearest...and later your Angel shall show you the place where he lives...where he composes his music...

[christinejoydaae]

Christine's heart leapt into her throat with ecstasy. So tonight would be the night that she'd see the Angel of Music! Oh, at long last! She smiled broadly and held her folded hands just below her chin as if she were in prayer.

"Of course, Angel, anything! Anything you'd like to hear." Christine said, much too eagerly. Once again, she'd sing for her Angel of Music, just like she used to. Just as if she were back at the opera house in Paris...

She expected her voice to be trembling from anticipation to see him...to see his face, to see where he composed his wonderful music...it was almost too much to handle! She'd have to apologize thoroughly if her singing voice wasn't as quality as he was accustomed to...things were simply too exciting!

[Erik Castagne]

When Christine seemed eager to begin lessons again and see his home, Erik almost froze. He wanted to do just that and yet, he was afraid of the same happening as before. He must be more aware that she might pull off his mask at any time. He must gain her complete confidence so that she would not even wish to touch the mask.

His fingers touched the back of the mirror softly, caressing the image of her face. Erik knew the time had come. Not everyone had a second chance, but he had. All was well with Christine now. He must be careful of how he went about this.

"Christine, your Angel is pleased to see you again. We shall start your lessson here....in your dressing room, as we always have. Your warmup exercises...Christine, start now, with them... Your voice must not be strained. Start, please..."

Erik wanted to touch and carress her, but that would take time. Instead he continued to caress the image of her face in the back of the looking glass....

[christinejoydaae]

Christine did just as she was told immediately, launching into her warm-ups without another word. She sped through them carelessly, for she was unbearably anxious to see her Angel's face. Or, at least, what she expected to be his face...

She had done her warm-ups so many times before that she hardly had to think to perform them. Despite her rushing, her voice was light and floated like a butterfly gracefully around the room, enveloping them both.

She could only hope that this was pleasing enough for him...hope and pray that this would grant her access to his abode... If only she knew that he was just as excited as she was, if not more!

[Erik Castagne]

Erik noticed that Christine was rushing her warm up exercises. Was she excited or nervous? He wasn't sure. He was nervous. How would this play out? He had been full of confidence the first time. After the unfortunate ending of his first try to see Christine face to face or rather face to mask, he was filled with trepidation for the second try.

He wasn't sure he should make Christine go through her exercises again. Perhaps just have her sing an aria. "Christine, please sing a piece from Faust," he said quietly as she finished the exercises.

He waited until she had sung at least half of the piece, then he could wait no longer. He added his voice to the music and slowly, opened the mirror and passed through.

Erik stood just in front of the mirror, a short way into the dressing room and looked at Christine. She was so beautiful and her voice was entracing. He continued to sing with her until the piece was ended. He offered his hands to her...

[christinejoydaae]

Christine's heart fluttered when his voice met with hers--finally, she was singing with her Angel of Music again! Their voices fit together ever so perfectly, and, for one moment, everything was beautiful.

...Then he stepped through the mirror.

Christine's voice wavered mid-song. His appearance alone was startling! But his voice...his voice kept her completely enthralled, what drew her closer to him and his outstretched hands. It was all his voice...and when the song ended, it was what caused her to place her delicate hands in his. It was what willed her to disregard the mask, and disregard everything but the fact that this was her Angel, and he was finally taking her with him. Just what she had been waiting for. At this point, returning to the opera house was of little importance. Whether or not he knew how to get back to the opera house was of little importance. He was here, and that was all she needed to know.

[Erik Castagne]

Christine looked startled when Erik stepped through the mirror. He knew though, that his voice was mesmerizing her and he felt more confident. She took his hands when the song ended and in silence, he stepped backward very slowly. He went through the mirror holding her hands and focused his eyes on hers. His eyes were brown, but flashed yellow in the correct light. They, however, were kind, when it came to Christine and they smiled upon her even as he smiled behind the mask.

Everything was going well. Christine still seemed in a trance because of Erik's voice, even though he was no longer singing. As they stepped away from the mirror, it closed, seemingly be itself. The mechanism was clearly to be seen behind the mirror, and through it could be seen the dressing room they had just left. But it was only visible to Erik as he sure-footedly walked backwards down the steps a ways until the horse Cesar was visible. The white horse whinnied softly as they approached and Erik asked by gestures if she would allow him to lift her to the horse's back.

[christinejoydaae]

Christine gave a short nod of approval in return to his gesturing, unable to speak, anyhow. She watched him closely, though not warily, as he lifted her up onto the horse's back. The horse was rather tall, and being as short as she was, Christine felt as if she could see for miles upon him.

Gently, she took ahold of its mane to keep herself steady, her dress trailing along on the floor beside her. Keeping hold of the mane with one hand, she cautiously reached over with the other and draped the long end of her dress over the back of the horse--it didn't get quite so dirty that way. Christine looked to her Angel once again, inhaling softly as she did so.

[Erik Castagne]

Erik gazed at his beautiful Christine upon the horse next to him. She was so lovely and now, she seemed so willing to go with him. Everything was going well, he must not do one thing wrong or he would perhaps lose her. He led Cesar down the ramps which led down, down to the lake five storeys below the opera house. The way was dark and gloomy, lit only by flickering gas lights along the way.

In silence they reached the lake, upon which a small gondola was moored. Erik lifted Christine off of the horse. The horse ambled away, drinking from the clear water of the lake and then on, seemingly knowing where to get some oats and grain. Erik entered the boat and offered a hand to Christine. He untied the boat and picked up the long oar, moving it slowly across the black glassy water. He was caught up in his task, but did not remove his eyes from Christine. He wanted her to be unafraid and to enjoy the serenity of the water and its silence, as he did.

[christinejoydaae]

Christine continued watching him for a moment in silence before she cautiously turned her gaze to the lake, closing her eyes and enjoying the peacefulness of the water. After opening them, for a split second, she reached out towards the water with one of her hands, about to trail her fingers through it. She paused and withdrew her hand, curling her fingers into a fist and setting her hands in her lap as they glided through the underground lake.

The soprano looked all about her, taking in everything that she possibly could. All of it was so...so dark, so mysterious. She looked back to the man guiding the boat, who seemed to fit that description far too well. Dark, mysterious...dangerous? Christine stiffened ever so slightly at the thought that he could be bringing her below the opera for all the wrong reasons. Yet, at the same time...he was her Angel, simply with a startling appearance. A very, very startling appearance. She trusted him to take care of her.

[Erik Castagne]

Erik watched Christine intently, hoping that she was not frightened. She put out her fingers to trail them through the water and then for some reason, pulld them back. It was only a small gesture, but he wondered if she was becoming afraid. He continued to row smoothly and slowly.

Christine must have been lost in thought because she, of a sudden, stiffened, almost imperceptibly. But Erik's eyes, which were glowing yellow in the odd light of the lake, took in everything. His chest tightened a bit and his breath came a little faster. He was no longer as confident as he had been the first time. He must not frighten Christine.

They arrived at Erik's home, the cold stone edifice five stories below the Paris Opera. A place few knew existed, the stone walls rose like a fortress. Erik moored the little gondola, then stepped out and offered a hand to Christine to help her from the boat. Erik mounted the steps to the entrance and unlocked the door. Opening it, light shone from within. He stood aside and made a large dramatic gesture with his arm, waving her in.

[christinejoydaae]

Christine watched him with wide, doe-like eyes, as she had been a majority of the time. She stepped into his abode with much hesitation, still looking about herself with a mix of fear and wonderment.

She turned about once she was inside, making sure to keep her eyes on him at all costs. Not that she'd be able to defend herself, really, if something were to happen--truly, she had made herself entirely vulnerable.

[Erik Castagne]

As Christine entered the house, Erik noticed she seemed to become more stiff, perhaps it was fright. She seemed to have changed from being quite fascinated and wishing to come with Erik to being ill at ease. Erik knew he must set her at ease.

He removed his hat and cape and hung them up. He drew a bit closer to Christine, but not close enough to frighten her. He put his hand on his chest, indicating himself. "I am Erik," he said quietly. "Erik is your teacher. Will you sing for Erik? Will you fill his home with your beautiful voice?"

Erik made no sudden moves toward her. He had no wish to frighten or hurt her. He only wished to hear her voice and have her care for him. It was his his dearest wish...