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Post by Erik on Sept 7, 2007 18:40:47 GMT -5
"I'm certain you are," *he said, while inside part of him screamed No! This isn't her, his Phantom isn't you, and this is all terribly wrong!
He knew how to make it right, of course. Dispel all this foolish confusion, make things normal again.*
"Would you consent to sing for Erik?"
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 8, 2007 0:12:35 GMT -5
"Oh...I...yes."
*Again, the odd familiarity. Especially that particular request, spoken with a voice that had that same resonance.
But it couldn't be. This was different, certainly.
Nodding, Christian did a few warm-ups before moving into a beautiful rendition of Nessun Dorma*
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Post by Erik on Sept 8, 2007 0:19:22 GMT -5
*Erik felt his eyes well with tears as he listened. He had to look away. It was her voice, in every particular but that one--in the sense that his tenor equaled her own perfection in every way. It was impossible! Only he could have taught the boy to sing like that. Only he could have shaped that voice; he felt the imprint just as a painter knows his stroke.
This boy... This Christian Daae... to be delivered here! Was it by by accident or Providence? And what was he, Erik, to do about him? When he aroused so many conflicting emotions. Anger, at Christine and the world for rejecting him. Pride, in the impossible conviction he'd had a hand in the boy's talent. That same yearning to care for him that he felt for Christine, that something in him made Erik himself more human.
It was ridiculous, of course. His rational mind rejected it altogether.
He attempted to marshal his emotions--or at least his reaction--as Christian finished.*
"You have been well taught."
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 8, 2007 0:25:47 GMT -5
*Christian's smile was beautific*
"My teacher was the Angel of Music, monsieur. I owe much to her, and I only wish I could thank her. I never thought I'd get the lead in the opera."
*His smile slowly faded as he realized that he still didn't know where she'd gone, or why this man was here in the cellars.*
"Forgive me, sir, for you probably have a good reason to be here--but why are you here? I thought that this domain was hers and hers alone."
And why is it that I have such deja vu around you?
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Post by Erik on Sept 8, 2007 10:37:27 GMT -5
*Given all the other strange things had been going on, Erik had a theory.*
"Erik believes that there is something... very untoward happening here. Surround the opera house. People have been appearing and disappearing, and ending up in completely inappropriate places, for the last year or so. It is Erik's belief that such a thing has happened to you. For as far as Erik is concerned, he is the only person who has lived here, since the opera was built."
*He shrugged.*
"It is only a matter of speculation, of course, but it's possible your Phantomess might show up here, one day. For all the good it will do her."
*Perhaps best, if he did in fact have a female doppleganger, that she be spared the heartbreak of what would have happened, just now. For he was no longer in any doubt about it.*
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Post by Julian on Sept 8, 2007 10:51:24 GMT -5
*Julian watched the scene from a perch in a darkened corner. He had slunk in to hear Erik play, but this...this was unexpected. And very intriguing. He remained perfectly still, making every attempt to be Erik's shadow.*
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 8, 2007 11:11:25 GMT -5
*It was the oddest thing ever, and not what he was expecting. Though, really, what WAS Christian expecting?
The young tenor cleared his throat nervously*
"So, you are saying I am no longer home? And that wherever I am, it is far away from the Angel of Music?"
*Christian couldn't stop his voice from cracking. To think that he'd never hear that heavenly voice again...
His luminous blue eyes got teary*
"What do I do? I feel lost..."
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Post by Erik on Sept 8, 2007 11:28:23 GMT -5
*Erik could never bear it when Christine cried! He moved instinctively to take Christian in his arms and cradle the boy's head on his chest.*
"Shhh, Erik will make it better," *he crooned.* "Shh... Your Angel of Music is here, right here..."
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 8, 2007 11:43:08 GMT -5
*Whoever this Erik was, he obviously wasn't a bad person. He'd been nothing but civil--nay, nice--to Christian, and the young singer felt inclined to trust this person that reminded him so much of the Phantomess.
Even the soothing voice.
Without realizing what he was doing, Christian leaned into the comforting arms*
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Post by Julian on Sept 8, 2007 12:08:28 GMT -5
*Julian bristled. He felt the tendons of his body tighten, forcing himself to keep still. Who was this...this man...to assume such familiarity with his mother? He certainly didn't recognize him. His lips tightened and he didn't dare to blink.*
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Post by Erik on Sept 8, 2007 14:38:08 GMT -5
((Poor, unhappy Julian!))
*As Erik's arms tightened around Christian, part of him was still warning him that this was not how things were supposed to be. But rather than flinching away, Christian accepted his embrace. Even... welcomed it. The contrast with his Christine pained him, because he knew, if this was real, that she had only shrunk from him for his face. The thought aroused so much unresolved anger that, without knowing it, his form reverted to its original contours.*
((BAH BAAAAH!!))
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Post by Julian on Sept 8, 2007 16:33:11 GMT -5
*Julian's eyes widened, taking in everything that was happening. This was not normal, he was sure of it. He blamed this new man. He swelled newly impassioned but fought to keep himself at bay. Erik wasn't upset. Perhaps he shouldn't be either. He would try to wait it out.*
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 8, 2007 20:05:16 GMT -5
*Christian swiped at the tears that had fallen. Traitorous things, tears. They always betrayed one's emotions.
He pulled back to thank Erik for the hug and found, in place of the ruggedly handsome visage, nothing short of a skull with a thin veneer of skin over it...no nose...and...and...
With a cry, Christian stumbled backward, tripping over his feet and almost falling over*
"What...what...?"
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Post by Erik on Sept 10, 2007 10:31:45 GMT -5
*FUGLY!ERIK*
*Christian's reaction surprised Erik so that he hardly knew what he was saying.*
"Christine!" *he asked plaintively,* "why do you shy from your Erik?"
*A thought struck him and he reached up to touch... nothing.*
"Not again," *he murmured.* "Please, not this!"
*He attempted to hide his face with his hands, but the truth was out, and Christian knew now, and his chance to reimagine his own history had departed. Rather than anger, he felt only deep sorrow. Sorrow for how he'd ruined things yet again; sorrow for how it had happened before. He felt no urge to dig Christian's fingers into his poor face, for Christian had not plagued him with curiosity.
The fact that he hadn't been tempted, either, escaped Erik's muddled notice.
And when he felt tears sting his eyes, his hands suddenly informed him that his nose was back, indicating that the rest was in place as well. He looked up.*
((This plays havoc with my plans for the Dahlia's scene, but oh well.))
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 10, 2007 10:47:56 GMT -5
*That horrible skull...Christian was afraid to look again, but when Erik called him "Christine", he couldn't contain his curiosity.
Erik was back to is previous apperance, looking utterly miserable and with tears in his eyes. Christian watched him for a moment, wondering if the face would change back to the terrifying visage.
When nothing happened, Christian slowly approached Erik and reached out to Erik as though he was going to touch his face. Realizing what he was doing, however, the young singer pulled his hand back and instead spoke.*
"I...Christine, sir? I'm sorry I ran away, I-I was startled, and...please don't cry..."
*Opting for the safe route, Christian placed a hand on Erik's arm*
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