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Post by Erik on Sept 4, 2007 10:13:36 GMT -5
*Erik's sweeping gesture took in the foyer, the Opera and perhaps the world.*
"This is Erik's Opera, Julian. He was here at its creation, and the stamp of his genius is on every stone. What think you?"
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Post by Julian on Sept 4, 2007 11:17:11 GMT -5
*Julian wandered slowly, taking it in stone by stone, admiring each fine detail. He looked back to Erik, bowing his head to him.*
"It is...larger than I expected."
*Realizing that may not sound like the compliment that it was intended as, he quickly added.*
"I am more accustomed to small quarters."
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Post by Erik on Sept 4, 2007 11:38:39 GMT -5
*Erik smiled despite himself.*
"Yes. It is rather obscene. Of course I had no part in this business." *He waved a dismissive hand at the gilding. But come; Erik thinks you will like this better."
*He led his son to Box Five, showed him the hollow column, the trapdoor in the stage, the flies and the many, many passages behind mirrors in dressing and rehearsal rooms.*
"That is Erik's domain," *he said proudly.* "You must be careful not to betray his secrets."
((I figure we can either use this thread to explore or if there's something going on in a room you want to spy on, feel free to move us there.))
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Post by Julian on Sept 4, 2007 11:54:28 GMT -5
*Julian's eyes widened at the explanation of the column. This was what he had been expecting, the genius. He nodded in his compliance, but then had a thought.*
"Does that mean that this falls into the purview of what I might use, when you are not?"
*He looked excited at the prospect.*
((Yeah, that sounds great.))
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Post by Erik on Sept 4, 2007 13:02:29 GMT -5
((Damn! I accidentally closed the window. Damn it. It was lots better before.))
*Erik considered this. It was a metaphysical puzzle, what he owed this strange being, this offspring sprung full grown from the union of two men. Wasn't at all regular, and so the ties and the responsibilities and the ownership couldn't be, either. Did he hate Julian for being what he ought to have been in his youth? Or did he want to give him all he could, in the knowledge that Julian *was* himself; himself and the daroga, together forever.*
"Yes," *he said finally.* "But you must never let on what you know, and you must be careful, always, to hide your comings and goings. Once mankind learns Erik's secrets, they are not secrets and so there is no Erik."
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Post by Julian on Sept 4, 2007 13:17:06 GMT -5
((*hugs* I hate it when that happens.))
*Julian nodded solemnly.*
"I understand. Please believe me when I say that even though I have not been here long, I believe that I see the value in secrets. And I would die to keep yours safe. There should be nothing that you are worried to share with me."
*His eyes were cold, but honest.*
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Post by Erik on Sept 4, 2007 13:39:59 GMT -5
*Erik nodded, satisfied, at least, that this child honored him; even if he did, in truth, know the value (or lack thereof) of a secret. And what a pair they made! What havok they could wreak!*
"Very well. Then, may Erik ask, what you most long to see?"
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Post by Julian on Sept 4, 2007 13:52:05 GMT -5
Everything.
*Julian lowered his eyes, trying to decide between an infinite possiblities. Finally he looked back up.*
"Something you love. Something of great value to you."
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Post by Erik on Sept 4, 2007 13:56:47 GMT -5
((There needs to be Erik/Julian goodness, of the photographic or video variety. haha.))
*Erik's eyes darkened, sky blue to stormy sea.*
"One thing you should know about love," *he said bitterly,* "is that it is never profitable. It dulls the senses while fooling you into thinking they are sharper; it deprives you of your reason and wit; and it never, ever ends well."
*He set a hand on Julian's shoulder.*
"Do not love, my son. At least... do not get caught in love. It is a worse torture than any Erik himself can dream up."
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Post by Julian on Sept 4, 2007 14:05:38 GMT -5
*Julian listened quietly, drinking in Erik's words. He looked very pensive for several moments after he was finished. Finally, he nodded slowly.*
"Then...might I see the sky?"
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Post by Erik on Sept 4, 2007 14:13:30 GMT -5
"Of course," *Erik said, more gently.* "Erik should have specified... He spoke, just now, of the love of your fellow man. Or woman, as the case may be. Love of... of things, provided you can control them to some extent, is entirely permissible."
*He looked up, as if he could see straight through the ceiling and the many floors between them and the sky.*
"Come. For too much of his life, Erik was forced to see the sky only under the cloak of night."
*ROOF ROOF!*
((edit: I actually don't see any point in going to another thread, until we actually leave the opera and/or want to encounter someone else.))
"There, my son. That is Paris."
*Erik stood on the roof, his arm sweeping to take in the city.*
"It is an old, and beautiful city, but it is as full of sin, vice and pleasure as anyplace in the world."
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Post by Julian on Sept 4, 2007 14:28:13 GMT -5
*Julian sucked in fresh air deep into his lungs before stepping out onto the roof. As he did so, he was overwhelmed. So much. Too much. For now. He staggered back slightly, looking to the safety of the roof beneath him.*
"It is more...so much more. I could not truly understand, or expect such a thing."
*He calmed himself and looked up to Erik.*
"How long will it take...before I know all of it?"
*He dared to gaze over the city once more, his eyes hungry.*
"I want to know it."
I want to devour it all.
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Post by Lizzie on Sept 4, 2007 14:43:38 GMT -5
((Oh yeah, and yes, I'll try to do some photomanips. 'Cause...hotness.))
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Sept 4, 2007 15:11:12 GMT -5
((*Reads thread title*
*Sings*
Shining, shimmering, splendid... Tell me Princess, now when did you last let your heart decide...
*Ducks rotten tomatoes*))
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Post by Erik on Sept 4, 2007 15:53:37 GMT -5
((Don't worry, dude. I can't believe I did this to myself; it'll be in my head all day.))
*Erik smiled to himself as he came up behind Julian, to speak in his ear as the man-boy drank in the vision with a hunger Erik recognized. He'd guessed the boy was the type to learn to swim by being thrown in, and he was gratified to find it the case.
He chuckled softly in Julian's ear.*
"You will know as much as you wish. The time frame is not important, for there is more, even than you can see. The world is full of cities such as this; not all as great, naturally, but each with their own secrets to divulge. And there are great, empty places, where Man has yet to set his mark, and one's own vision is unhindered. For now, you can learn much from here; how to find your way back home, should you become lost. For there is l'Arc de Triomphe; the Louvre; Notre Dame; Les Invalides... With enough landmarks, you can never be lost."
((It just occurred to me that Erik teaching Julian about the world is just about the worst idea ever.))
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