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Post by Erik on Sept 10, 2007 20:45:51 GMT -5
*With a cry of startled recognition, Erik recoiled from Christian, hiding his face in his arms like a child playing a macabre game of hide-and-seek.*
"Forgive Erik!" *he cried.* "He didn't realize... Oh poor, poor Christian, to be so betrayed! That cursed fairy! No! don't look at me! Erik is not fit for your eyes."
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 10, 2007 20:50:33 GMT -5
*Still shaking, Christian slowly reached out and placed a tenative hand on Erik's shoulder*
"It's all right, Erik...it's not your fault..."
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Post by Erik on Sept 10, 2007 21:02:21 GMT -5
*Erik started at his touch, as if he feared a blow rather than a caress.*
"Does it matter?" *he asked bitterly, head still in hands.* "Erik is ugly. A monster. And no one can love a monster, not even Chris--"
*He broke off, to peek between his fingers at Christian.*
"Why do you not run?"
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 10, 2007 21:04:54 GMT -5
*Christian hated that he couldn't stop trembling, but at least it was lessening.*
"You haven't hurt me."
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Post by Erik on Sept 10, 2007 21:11:14 GMT -5
*UGLY*
"But Erik has frightened and disgusted you. It is a natural reaction, I assure you. She... she ran. Or would have."
But not until I raked her fingers through Erik's face, to prove it was no mask.
*He forced himself into calmness, so that he might think of what next to do; how to remove himself from the situation without Christian seeing him again. But in that calmness, his nose returned. He felt his face, to be sure, and then raised his head.*
"There is a highly unwanted pattern forming," *he muttered.*
*HOT!ERIK*
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 10, 2007 21:15:44 GMT -5
*Christian calmed when he saw that Erik himself had done so. He hesitantly put an arm around Erik's shoulders*
"Why does it come and go like that? Has it always been that way?"
*Christian couldn't imagine living that way, having your face constantly change back and forth.*
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Post by Erik on Sept 10, 2007 21:55:56 GMT -5
*Erik forced himself to still under Christian's calming touch.*
"Of course not. Erik spent his life as... as you saw him. Some months ago--around the time strange things started happening at the opera, like you showing up--Erik was... gifted with a new face. A new life. It is only recently that he has discovered its drawbacks. Namely, that when Erik is upset or... or... enamored, he changes back."
*His now-blue eyes burned like gas flames as they met Christian's.*
"Forgive me, my angel, for frightening you. For... daring to touch you."
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 10, 2007 22:01:17 GMT -5
*What could he say to that? To someone who had lived a life of isolation until recently? Oh, what both Erik and the Phantomess must have gone through...
Christian blushed when Erik mentioned being "enamored".*
"It's all right, Erik. No harm was done to me."
*He demurely lowered his eyes*
"I did not mind that you...you kissed me.." He said softly.
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Post by Erik on Sept 11, 2007 8:42:49 GMT -5
*Erik's fingers landed gently beneath Christian's chin, to raise the boy's face to his view.*
"Truly?" *he asked softly.* "Things are confused; surely it was your Phantomess who ought to have had that honor."
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 11, 2007 8:48:11 GMT -5
"Yes. You surprised me, I didn't think...it wouldn't have entered my mind."
*He chewed on his bottom lip thoughtfully*
"Mention of her makes me sad, I think. If I ponder it too long, I might be depressed. She lost her Angel, and you gained one.
But I'm not accusing, or any such thing. It could hardly be said that you snatched me away yourself."
*He gave Erik a lopsided grin*
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Post by Erik on Sept 11, 2007 9:11:22 GMT -5
"No."
But I might have, given the opportunity.
"It would, perhaps, be better had you remained where you were. If, as it seems, you..." *He trailed off. Had his Phantomess really had a better chance at happiness with him than Erik had with Christine?
And if that was the case... Did Erik owe it to this unseen doppleganger to give up this chance?*
"Your feelings do you credit, Christian. It is touching to hear you speak of her so highly."
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 11, 2007 9:16:03 GMT -5
"She was there when no one else was. All of my family was dead, and I had no friends. Hers was the first caring voice I heard in years."
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Post by Erik on Sept 11, 2007 9:29:35 GMT -5
"I know. As, Erik is sure, you were the first she'd heard."
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Post by Christian Daaé on Sept 11, 2007 9:32:25 GMT -5
*Suddenly feeling very weary, Christian heaved a sigh and leaned against Erik, resting his head on the other man's shoulder*
"I can't go back, and she can't come here. And here you are, and you have no Christine, from what it sounds. I feel torn."
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Post by Erik on Sept 11, 2007 9:34:29 GMT -5
*Erik held himself still as the boy touched him again of his own accord.*
"Hush. Nothing need be decided now; you are worn out, my dear, from your... journey. You must rest, and Erik will take care of you."
*How striking the evidence was that Christine might have felt quite differently, had he worn this face back then.*
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