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Post by Erik on Aug 27, 2008 15:51:01 GMT -5
Erik stood in the parlour.
He was feeling much better, though he had yet to look at himself. The sight of his hands was enough to tell him his looks were gone for good--most likely, much worse than he'd been originally.
But his spirit had returned.
Too long he'd wasted in a vain attempt to live a "normal" life. He was not normal, nor would he ever be. And fatherhood, far from domesticating him, had convinced him that he was not like other men. Other men did not have a Julian. Other men were not granted the dubious gift of corporeality in order to rescue their daughters. Erik was extraordinary, and it was high time he realized it.
Christian had abandoned him, it seemed, as had Megan. Only Julian, Wanizame and Pina stood by him. But it was enough. He would need nothing else.
Nothing but the power to do with this building as he pleased. He was its soul. And it had missed him.
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Post by Erik Destler on Aug 30, 2008 13:02:03 GMT -5
((As Wanizame, since Verse breaks when I try to log in as him))
The little sharkman tended toward following its friend around like a loyal dog, hanging back sometimes, but always nearby. It spent much less time in the water than it had planned, but would still gladly drown anyone intruding on the lake when it wasn't seeking strokes and treats. From its experience with Henry, it knew when to leave Erik and Julian alone together and spent those times wandering the belly of the opera, though its shape was clumsy for this purpose.
It gave its pleased click and craned its head up at Erik, who would always be a little boy to it, in some ways. "Care care is better, yes? Is good. What now doing?"
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Post by Erik on Aug 30, 2008 20:41:06 GMT -5
((As far as I am aware, Erik and Julian have not reinstated their sexual relationship. For the record.))
Erik smiled down at his little friend. He doubted Wanizame would understand or care what Erik was planning, for it seemed out of the creature's purview; domination and ambition were not strictly survival characteristics for someone like Izame.
"Giving you a name," he said, his voice rich with undisguised humor. "Is 'Proteus' too obvious?" he mused, as if to himself. "It certainly fits." His mouth twisted in a gesture that took the place of wrinkling his nose, which no longer existed. "No. Erik cannot call you that; it would be absurd." He pondered for a moment, then proclaimed, "Erik shall call you Mortimer."
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Post by Wanizame on Aug 30, 2008 23:37:23 GMT -5
Mortimer was a name it had heard before, or at least something similar in its long experience. It was a nice, human name, and the creature clicked happily, thumping its thick tail once on the floor.
"What means Pro-t-ahss? Care care? Why is fits?"
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Post by Erik on Aug 31, 2008 1:02:40 GMT -5
Erik chuckled. "Proteus was a man of myth--a story. He was a creature who lived in the sea, and could only speak the truth--though only to he who could take hold of him, for he could change his shape."
He stroked the creature--Mortimer's--head diligently.
"It is, however, a rather ostentatious name. Why--would you prefer it to Mortimer?"
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Post by Wanizame on Aug 31, 2008 1:07:43 GMT -5
"He lived in the sea and changed shape?" And the sharkman wasn't sure it knew any difference between "truth" and "lie". There only "was" and "was not" for it, so it didn't quite understand that part of the tale. "But...is creature. Erik gives Shark human name. What means ostenshus?"
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Post by Erik on Aug 31, 2008 1:12:10 GMT -5
Erik frowned, realizing he was out of practice talking to Wanizame and had gone quite wrong.
"He did, but... Erik thought you wished for a human name. And Proteus would be an unusual name to call someone. Of course, Erik will call you whatever you wish."
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Post by Wanizame on Aug 31, 2008 1:16:44 GMT -5
The little merman gave a shrill caw and its mouth curled up at Erik's misunderstanding.
"No no, 'Pro-t-ahss' is creature, 'Mortimer' is human name. Is good! Like like!" Of course, it probably would have been pleased with any name Erik had given it, but it hopped around a bit to show its approval and then thumped its snout against the man's hip.
"Now Care care what do? Make pretty-noise?" It clicked and crecendoed into something that sounded like the upper range of a cello.
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Post by Julian on Aug 31, 2008 6:23:10 GMT -5
((Yep, no sex for Erik/Julian. Yet.))
*Julian appeared from the shadows with an intrigued smile.*
"Mortimer?" *He glanced from sharkman to mother.* "Interesting choice."
*He stepped further into the room with a nonchalant air.*
"Forgive me for my absence, I was making a delivery."
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Post by Erik on Aug 31, 2008 10:01:45 GMT -5
Erik smiled down at Mortimer, satisfied and happy and quite interested in the sounds it was making. He needed to explore that, the creature's unique abilities and--
He was distracted by the entrance of Julian, and looked up curiously at his son.
"A delivery?" he echoed. "Julian. I think it is time you told Erik what has been occurring in his absence."
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Post by Julian on Aug 31, 2008 10:16:07 GMT -5
*Julian looked surprised for a moment, but he opened his arms slightly, as if concealing nothing.*
"Destler...the other Erik that dwells here...he was wounded. He asked me to construct a new mask for him."
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Post by Erik on Aug 31, 2008 10:47:15 GMT -5
With a sudden snap, like a rubber band stretched to its limit and suddenly let go, Erik recalled the scene that had confronted him in the other Erik's lair. His memories of that incorporeal time were somewhat hazy unless he focused on them, floating about in his mind much as he had floated through the world.
He remembered now, however.
"Ah. Destler," he said, his tone icy. "He remains here, does he? Tell me; he must have been a great friend to you in Erik's absence."
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Post by Wanizame on Aug 31, 2008 11:52:56 GMT -5
((I'm sure they've at least had some alone time.))
The little creature ignored the flaring argument and trundled around the parlor, checking its usual hiding places for apples (finding one that was a bit leathery, but apparently still tasty) and leaning up to stick its snout over the mantle and inspect whatever might be stored up there.
It gave a little growl at Erik's tone, though it still didn't seem to be paying attention, and was likely merely reacting to its old friend's attitude.
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Post by Julian on Sept 1, 2008 7:12:55 GMT -5
*Julian shook his head, his eyes honest.*
"I did not see him again until today. His man was sent to ask for my aid."
*He glanced at the sharkman.*
"The only company I had while you were gone was Iza--Mortimer and the man which..."
*He frowned, remembering the shark's dislike of the project.*
The man that I used to fashion a replacement body.
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Post by Erik on Sept 1, 2008 10:57:13 GMT -5
"Your aid in what?" Erik asked. "Perhaps you might tell me about this Destler. Leaving off certain details for which Erik was present, of course. What business has he here? What are his plans?"
It concerned him, having someone else share this space with him, even if he had not yet actually come into contact on a physical basis. Another Phantom could hamper his plans for the Opera; Erik needed to know what this man's intentions were.
I am merely trying to ascertain the atmosphere of the Opera, my dear. Erik cannot work from a place of ignorance.
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