phantomwolfwhisper: *Annalisse Giry was reading a book by the light of a kerosene lamp when the door opened. She slipped a piece of scrap parchment, scribbled over with old conjectures and theories, between the pages to mark her place, and looked up. It was probably that fine young woman Erik had brought to stay with her, Mademoiselle Ril. Oh yes, she just preferred Ril. Annalisse sighed with pleasant anticipation. She had so many questions she wished to ask - or perhaps Ril did not like prying? Well then, perhaps she would just listen, glean what she could from casual conversation. Oh, the Fey! She smiled again, and moved the book to the side table by the lamp.*

elizabeth_hefty: *Ril shut the door quietly and leaned her forehead against the wood for a moment. She felt eyes on her and turned around.* "Anneliese! I didn't realize you were still awake. Forgive me, I didn't mean to intrude." *She tried a smile but knew that it didn't come out quite right.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Seeing the odd expression on Ril's face, Annalisse took on a soothing manner.* "No, no, it's quite alright, my dear. You're not intruding in the least. You ARE a guest here, after all. I often stay up into the wee hours of the morning, reading. Forgive an aging woman's habits." *She smiled consolingly and winningly. Now, to get to the bottom of the poor lady's discomfort.* "Why, are you well, dear? Forgive me if I sound a bit forward, but your face just now... Have you taken ill? Or - Have you been having a spat with someone? Erik, I wouldn't be suprised. Has the most beastly temper sometimes. You needn't worry, Ril, he'll come off it in a day or so, and come crawling back all guilt-laden for snapping at you." *She smiled again and stood.* "Are you hungry? I've just sent for some food to be brought up from the kitchens... Late reading gives one quite an appetite, you know... Perhaps there's something you'd like?"

elizabeth_hefty: "Anything is fine really. And no, we didn't fight. I'm just.. tired." *She pulled off her gloves and set them on a table along with her book. She sat in one of the richly upholstered chairs and smoothed the fabric of her cloak.* "You had mentioned that you wanted to know about my people. Is that still true Anneliese?"

phantomwolfwhisper: "But of course! Oh, but if you're tired, perhaps you should sit down. Come, I don't bite." *Annalisse motioned to the empty spot beside her on the aged sofa.* "Now. Where do your people live, Ril? Oh - forgive me! It's just, I'm so curious... I have studied and conjectured the existence of other races for so long.. And now, here you are! Please, if I say anything to offend you, you may shake your finger at me and scold away."

elizabeth_hefty: *Ril smiled and sat on the comfortable couch.* "Well... if you were to visit it now I believe it would be in Africa. Though where on the continent I'm not quite sure." *Her voice grew quiet here.* "It was so long ago.. I can hardly remember." *She looked at the woman.* "Madame Giry, there is very little you could say to offend me. I have seen many things in my lifetime. Few of them pleasant."

phantomwolfwhisper: *Sympathy shone in the human woman's eyes.* "Africa... Oh Ril, you are so far from home! I cannot imagine being as far as London - though I did travel there once, in my youth- and Africa! Poor child. Hopefully there will be may more pleasant things in your future, my dear. And please, call me Annalisse. Mme Giry is my grandmother... Dearly departed years ago, naturally, but still." *She smiled and patted Ril's hand.* "It was a long time ago, you say?" *She thought about the parchment marking her place in her book. Somewhere in the mass of scrawled dates and crossed-out references was a rough map of the world. Africa was little more than a misshapen lump on it, completely free of notes. Perhaps this new information would be even more enlightening than she had, at first, thought. Her anticipation heightened. Perhaps.... Perhaps the Fey she had read of were kin of those Ril belonged to? Two clans, spread across different parts of the world! But she kept her conjectures to herself, and quietly listened.*

elizabeth_hefty: "Yes... Easily thousands of years ago." *She moved her hand in a dismissive gesture.* "I lose track of time easily. I haven't seen another of my people since I was taken from my home." *She smiled sadly.* "What else do you wish to know, Anneliese?" *It was strange talking of her people with this human woman. But she seemed excited and eager to know about the Fey and their culture.*

phantomwolfwhisper: "Thousands of...! My goodness! Pardon me, but I must say, you're looking absolutely divine for your age, my dear. Thousands!" *So that was why there was nothing on her map. Most of her books had been written in the last five hundred years, and naturally, few people went into the wilds of Africa without good reason.* "Your people then... Are immortals? And your coloration... Is that typical of your race? I know it must seem an impertinent question, but with the things I read," *she gave an apologetic smile. She seemed to be smiling a lot tonight. It wasn't a bad thing.* "It's better not to take anything for granted. Are you young, for one of your people? Or is time even acknowledged amongst your people?"

elizabeth_hefty: "We're immortal in the sense that we don't grow old. However we can still be killed." *Images of the burnt out village flashed in front of her eyes and she struggled to keep a straight face.* "As for my coloring.. Yes it is typical. Though not all are of my shade. My sister was ice blue... very pale skin. She was beautiful." *Pain shot through her heart and she was quiet for several minutes, composing herself.* "Time is.. irrelevant. We don't keep very good track of it. Except for our festivals and Holy sacrifices, much time could pass and we would be perfectly content to let it. Once a Fey reaches maturity.. where they don't age anymore.. they are considered an adult. Ready for service to Mother Night or marriage or whatever has been destined for their lives."

phantomwolfwhisper: "Oh, so you worship an entity of Night, as well!! Erik picked it up from somewhere, I'm not quite certain where, but I'll wager it wasn't from the gypsies. You should talk to him about it sometime." *She paused, noticing the struggle Ril was having keeping a straight face.* "I've said something, haven't I? I'm so sorry, my dear... I know some things are best left alone in the back of one's memory. That must be the food!" *She turned at the knock on the door, and stood up.* "Just slide it through, Francesca! Like always!" *The servant girl on the other side of the door slowly opened a narrow panel in the wall, just large enough for a full tray to be passed through. Erik had designed and built it, the dear boy, for when he visited her and didn't wish to be seen. How many times now had she been the hero of the night, ordering up food in that fashion, when the man hadn't had the good sense to remember to eat? More often than not, surely. She took the tray, which held a pot of tea, some honeyed biscuits, a few sliced chicken sandwiches, and some fresh fruit. Sliding it onto the table in front of the sofa, she made an inviting gesture to Ril.* "I always order more than I can eat. Never know who might show up at the strangest of hours." *She winked.*

elizabeth_hefty: *Her long fingers sifted through the food, carefully selecting a few grapes and a single sandwich.* "Thank you, Anneliese." *She stared at the food in her hands, drained of energy.* "You did not say anything wrong. It has just been a very long and trying day. Filled with memories." *She sighed and began to eat. Her thoughts stayed on Erik. Would he forgive her for her actions? More likely he would never wish to see her again. A muscle in her jaw jumped at the thought. No, that couldn't happen. She needed him to get revenge... Once Red walked this earth no more, she would go. Leave not only Paris but this world.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Annalisse nodded understandingly.* "The past is one ghost that can never be appeased…” *She poured herself a cup of tea and sipped at it.* "I've often found that the best remedy to most problems is a good night's - or day's - sleep. That, and a bit of something in your stomach. Things may not look brighter in the - well, when you wake up, but at least you'll be rested for it."

elizabeth_hefty: *Ril thought of the woman’s advice. It was sound. She was quiet as they finished eating. She stood then, brushing the crumbs from her hands and legs.* "Thank you, Anneliese. I think I will retire. I enjoyed our conversation immensely. Perhaps we can have another before I resume my journey?"

phantomwolfwhisper: "That would be most pleasing." *She beamed. Escorting the Fey woman to the door of the guest room, she patted Ril's shoulder.* "Have pleasant dreams, or none at all." *With that little gem of wisdom, she turned back to her own chambers. Picking up the book she had left on the side table, she scratched a few notes onto the parchment. There was so much to be learned! But that was enough for tonight. She wasn't quite sure of the hour, but she knew it must be one of those that was a shock to find yourself still awake in. Annalisse gathered up the remains of the meal, and slid it through the opening in the wall. A small counter on the other side would hold it, keeping it from crashing to the floor. With that, she brisked around the room, tidying, then blew out the lamps, and made her way to her own bed. Sleep truly was the best medicine... especially when you felt like you had no use for it.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Erik lay in his coffin-shaped bed, underground, staring at the ceiling. Never, he thought, had his choice of furniture been more apt. He didn't know why he felt so miserable, but it was sure to pass eventually. Like everything eventually passed.. even the human body. Mme. Giry was forever chiding him to sleep, but he truly didn't wish to. He had run out of wine, and the taste of nightmares was already at the back of his mind. Staring at the deep crimson ceiling painted over with the notes of Mozart's 'Requiem' seemed as good a way to pass the hours as any. Eventually, as any lengthy amount of boredom is guaranteed to do, he fell asleep.

elizabeth_hefty: *Ril slept fitfully.. dreams and nightmares cluttering what little rest she did get. She forced herself to sleep, knowing that she would need it. She woke drenched in sweat and breathing fast, panicked. She ran a shaky hand through her disheveled hair, disturbed at the images that had been given full reign over her mind over the past few hours. Not only memories but premonitions... She shuddered and held her head in her hands.* "I have to stop this. Once I'm finished here.. There won't be anything left. Nothing but death." *The thought gave her an odd sense of comfort. She would finally achieve the peace she wanted. At last.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Ayesha the Siamese cat prowled around the upper balconies of the empty auditorium in the opera house. This was her palace, and though humans, naturally, attempted to deny it, she was the sole reason this place had been built. She flicked her tail, eyes half-closed as she surveyed her realm. There were many humans in this place who were aware of her - the man who lived down, down, down, and gave her catnip toys on days human assigned special significance to... The woman with the big stick who spoke firmly to the flock of dancing girls and made sure she was always fed... The little dancing girl who stroked her fur when the woman with the stick wasn't talking to her... Yes, life here was good. In fact, it was breakfast time. Ayesha leaped down from the back of the chair on which she was perched, and padded along to the woman with the stick's room. Finding the door closed, she simply squeezed herself through the opening in the wall, and dropped down inside. To her disappointment, there was no food awaiting her. Perhaps the man who lived down, down, down had come in the night and eaten the food that was normally left for her. She twitched an ear in irritation. But wait- what was that? A sound from the back room. Visitor? New person? New royal subject? She padded to the door and sat there, waiting patiently. With any luck, they would trip over her as they exited, and she could let out a pitiful wail and feel mistreated.*

elizabeth_hefty: *Ril’s ears perked at the sound near the door. It was an animal, if she wasn't mistaken. She opened the door and found a beautiful tan-and-sable cat. She smiled and clicked her tongue while picking the feline up.* "Well aren't you just the sweetest thing?" *Dark fingers ran through the soft fur.* "I wonder whom you belong to.. Probably Erik." *She lifted the animal and looked into its eyes.* "Perhaps you wish to go see him? It would be a good excuse..." *She sighed, and pulled her gloves on then cradling the cat gently, Ril made her way down into the Phantom’s lair.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Ayesha let out a meow of protest as the strange person picked her up and began patting her. She didn't know this person's smell! She didn't know them at all! But after a moment of gently being stroked, she settled in, purring. Whoever this new royal subject was, they certainly knew how to pet a cat. Contentedly, she nestled closer into the woman's arms.*

elizabeth_hefty: *She murmured in Fey to the cat, feeling it relax in her arms.* "What a beautiful thing you are. A perfect Lady." *Ril went down the steps slowly, thinking. She would return the cat to Erik, make sure that he was all right, and leave. She would not speak a word of the night before.... Though it hung heavily on her heart. She tugged on the tripline, letting him know that she was on her way.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *The loud sound of ringing bells filled Erik's ears as he tried to pry himself from his groggy slumber. The alarm wires... Couldn't the lazy stagehands just wait a FEW more hours before becoming unhealthily curious? Rubbing his face with the back of his hand, he suddenly remembered. He had told Ril to pull the wire as a doorbell... Smacking his face to get the circulation going again, he hopped about the room, trying to take off his rumpled shirt and put on a clean one at the same time. Oh, and he should brush his teeth... Finally, he shoved his feet into a pair of boots and staggered down the hallway into the main chamber. He couldn't believe he had slept so late! But at least he didn't have a hangover. Thank the night for small blessings.*

elizabeth_hefty: *She glanced up as he stumbled into the main room. His shirt was only half fastened and her eyes locked on the expanse of skin that she could see.* "I found this and thought she might be yours." *Ril looked back at the cat who sat contentedly in her lap, purring quietly. Her voice was quiet and she ran her fingers through the fawn colored fur of the little lady.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Erik stared for a second, then suddenly realized he hadn't buttoned his shirt all the way. Well, damnit, he wasn't going to make a point of fastening it now. He took a few steps closer, and saw the cat in Ril's arms.* "Ah, I see you've met Ayesha. Though she doesn't belong to me - cats don't belong to people, you know... People are just the lucky recipients of a cat's presence... I see she likes you. That's good." *The cat looked at Erik with half-closed eyes. Ah, there was the man who lived down, down, down. Did he eat all her breakfast? She blinked up at the woman who held her and gave an asking trill. Perhaps there was food to be found here?*

elizabeth_hefty:* Ril rubbed the cat’s dark ears.* "Ayesha... A lovely name. I can't recall every seeing a cat of her markings before." *She scratched under her chin and smiled.* "I do believe she's hungry." *They were making small talk... Ril felt awful for putting this distance between them. It had been a foolish thing to do.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Erik turned to rummage through the cabinets in the small kitchen area. There was little to be found, but he hadn't had the chance to restock in quite some time. Not that it mattered.* "Ayesha is a Siamese cat... From a small country that was once a part of Persia. Her name means 'Princess'. Though if you ask her, she's more of a queen..." *He spoke over his shoulder as he reached for the remains of a loaf of stale bread.* "I found her when I had first come to Paris... A starving kitten on the streets. She's fared quite well here; the ballet rats are quite taken with her." *He dragged out a pitcher of room-temperature cream, and mixed the stale crumbs into the liquid. It looked like sickening, unappetizing mush, but to a cat... Well, cats had strange tastes. He placed the mixture on the countertop, and Ayesha hopped out of the woman’s arms and over to the bowl, where she promptly began eating. It wasn't leftover chicken sandwiches, but it was food.* "Nothing here that's suitable for us, I'm afraid," *Erik offered apologetically.* "Would you like to come up to the opera house kitchen? Or perhaps... There's an all-night cafe down the street a little ways, towards the Seine. Packed during the day of course, but at this time of night..." *He shrugged.*

elizabeth_hefty: *She studied him for a moment.* "That would be nice. I could use some fresh air. I'm not used to being shut up like this.... away from the sky." *Her voice grew wistful for a moment then Ril shook her head and pulled her cloak over her features.* "Hopefully this cafe is not too expensive?" *She smiled slightly from under the safe darkness of her hood at Erik.*

phantomwolfwhisper: "Money doesn't mean anything to me, Ril. I've collected enormous sums from the managers of the opera over the years, and spent very little of it. My credit account is likely astronomical by now. It's tourist-priced, but the food is good." *He glanced up at the grate.* "Perhaps we could... Simply walk this time?"

elizabeth_hefty: "Yes... My back is somewhat stiff. I don't think it would be wise to try and fly the both of us again." *She motioned one gloved hand for him to walk in front of her.* "You'll have to show me the way."

phantomwolfwhisper: *Erik gave Ayesha one last glance - she was happily eating away at the breaded cream - then pushed against a particular spot on the frame of an innocuous-looking picture. It swung open, revealing a few simple switches, one of which he flipped. A panel in the smoothly domed ceiling popped open, revealing itself to be yet another trapdoor, the flap hanging down with slight grooves in in to facilitate climbing up through the opening.* "After you," *he said.*

elizabeth_hefty: *Gods, they'd never been this polite before. Ril climbed up the makeshift ladder, carefully placing her fingers into the holds provided. Once on the street above she raised her hands, palms up, to the sky and laughed quietly.* "Ah Mother Night... You do still exist. I had begun to wonder."

phantomwolfwhisper: *He smiled slightly, hearing her soft exclamation. To him, night was shadows and darkness, and a place where men did not dwell. To Ril, she was the open air, the starry sky, the void of space. How very different... How very much the same... He clambered up after her, and pulled the trapdoor closed behind him.* "It's this way," *He said, pointing and starting off in one direction.* "Just far enough for a good walk." *He smiled slightly. Sleep had dulled the emotions of the previous night, and the thought of what had happened did not even enter his mind.*

elizabeth_hefty: *She hurried to catch up to him, breathing deeply of the clean air around her. She had missed being in the outdoors.* "Erik... Once I kill Red, I will be leaving Paris." *Ril spoke softly, knowing that this needed to be said now. If not more to remind herself than anything else. After this, life would be finished for her... And she would walk the earth no more. While at one time that knowledge had given her a certain sense of peace now it only filled her with uneasiness. What would death be like? She shook her head clearing it of those thoughts.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Erik slowed his pace slightly, looking at her worriedly through his shadowed eyes.* "Where will you go then, Ril? Is anything left for you anywhere else?"

elizabeth_hefty: *She kept her gaze lowered to the cobblestones beneath her feet.* "No, there is nothing. I've lived far longer than I would have thought possible." *Ril sighed and looked up at him.* "I will go to Mother Night herself. Its past time for it."

phantomwolfwhisper: *Erik stared at the stones before his feet for a while, thinking. He, too, had had thoughts of sleeping in Mother Night's final embrace. The music that had stirred his soul and filled him with life was dead, gone, and so was everything that had given him the ability to be the soul of the opera house. There was nothing left for him here... Nothing left for him anywhere. But the music had to live on, the opera house must have another soul... Or the horrors of his nightmares would come true. He shook his head. There were so few people who walked this earth who truly deserved to do so... What divine comedy was it that they sought to leave it behind?* "I know Mme. Giry will be sorry to hear that," *He said softly. And me, too. Gods, me too. He didn't know why he didn't add the last part aloud... perhaps because everything was too raw, too fresh, for such words to allow themselves past his lips. He cursed himself for holding back, but he knew he was a dead man walking. Better to die in silence than to say something one might later wish they hadn't. He swallowed and looked away.*

elizabeth_hefty: *Her heart sunk at his words and she nodded.* "I don't plan on telling Anneliese the truth. Better for her to believe that I have other things left to do." *Ril was quiet for several moments. Why did it hurt so much that he did not say anything about wishing for her to stay? He was just a human... If this had been the old days she would sooner kill him then speak peacefully... Let alone allow these feelings she was developing to be known. She studied him carefully watching how the moonlight hit his face.* "Erik.. I would like to leave you with my book. You would learn much from it perhaps."

phantomwolfwhisper: "Your book? But Ril, I can barely read it. It's very kind of you, but... Without you there to help me... "*he looked up at her* "I'm afraid I might singe my eyebrows off or some such thing." *He offered a slight smile.*

elizabeth_hefty: *She smiled in return, somewhat sadly, but still a true expression in place of the smirk that was often on her face.* "It deserves to be kept. Please Erik... We will work on the reading some more, but I cannot let it just disappear for all time. It is even older than I am, and holds many things lost to this world." *She reached out to touch his hand but pulled back at the last moment, knowing that it was wrong for her to feel this way.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Erik did not notice her reaching for him and pulling away, for he had glanced down at his shoes as she spoke. He could not quite comprehend why the thought of her death disturbed him so much, and he wasn't sure he wanted to dwell on it. Then he stood straight and pointed, a faint sense of relief filling him.* "There it is. Just at the corner there."

elizabeth_hefty: *Krist disliked working these late hours, but an artist must do what he can to survive. He looked up as two hooded and cloaked people entered the cafe, one most definitely a woman. He bowed at the waist and led them to a corner table. Neither of the pair spoke and he hurried away to retrieve glasses of water from the kitchen.

elizabeth_hefty: *Ril sat silently in the booth. Saying goodbye would be hard, but it would need to be done. She would wait perhaps another week... But that was all she really could afford. Any longer and her heart would be gone completely. She found herself again reconstructing Erik’s face as it looked beneath the mask... Why should she feel like this for him? It was useless to do this to herself... To him.* "I would like you to play for me before I... leave. Anneliese told me that you were quite talented."

phantomwolfwhisper: "She did? I - Well... I don't really know..." *his voice trailed off.* "I.. Don't know if I can." *He wanted to play for her.. perhaps something simple and elegant on the violin... But he knew the inspiration would not come. What was the use of playing music if the life that filled it was gone? A flat recital piece, an insult to music, the joke of the worthless, that's what that would be. And he did not want Ril to remember his music like that. How could he communicate this to her? She must think he simply didn't wish to, or any number of untrue things. He simply couldn't help it. He felt like he had lost his soul.*

elizabeth_hefty: *This time she did cover his hand with her own.* "Please... It would mean so much to me." *He felt... empty. Soulless. Ril pulled away shaking. This was not right. No one should lose their soul. She stared into his eyes trying to understand what had caused him to die inside.* "Erik.. I will not push you. I'm sorry. Please, forget that I asked." *That one small glimpse into his aura had scared her.*

phantomwolfwhisper: "No.. You were well within your rights to ask. I'm only sorry that I can't... It wouldn't be fair to you." *What had just happened? She had touched him, then pulled away, shaking. What could cause such a thing..? Surely it was not his fault? He searched her face, worry edging within him. Was she harmed?*

elizabeth_hefty: *She pressed the bridge of her nose between two fingers, trying to still the quaking in her bones. The waiter came with two glasses of wine and menus.* "Leave them please. We'll let you know when we're ready to order." *She sipped at the fermented grape juice thankfully, her eyes closed. Why would seeing the emptiness in Erik effect her so?*

phantomwolfwhisper: *He watched her for a moment, and when she made no further comment to him, looked quickly away. Though he had memorized every word, he studied the menu intently. So many strange things happened in this world... Futile to try to understand all of them. Still, he shuddered inside. The strange sensation lurked within him that what lay hidden beneath the surface had not been hidden, for a moment... But that was foolish. He should choose something to eat. Perhaps a bit of food in his stomach would help to chase away these wild imaginings. *

elizabeth_hefty: *She huffed silently and concentrated on the menu. French was not one of her better languages, and Ril furrowed her brow as she read slowly. Brie... did that say cheese? She bit the inside of her cheek and glared at the words. She shook her head and laid it down.* "What is good, Erik?"

phantomwolfwhisper: *Erik looked up sharply. She wasn't looking at the - oh. How foolish of him! So many strange dishes with strange names... Naturally the menu would be worthless to someone who wasn't already familiar with it. He felt slightly embarrassed for not having realized this earlier.* "Well... There's the lighter dishes... Pâté and escargot... steak tartar... Um... but the really good stuff is under the 'Bistratto' heading. The leg of lamb in garlic demiglace is a house specialty.... Duck l'raonge is a good national dish.. that's 'orange duck'... Or the beef. More of a roast, but still tender. And the soups are good... beef-onion, lentil stew..."

phantomwolfwhisper : (( Making me use all my French, eh?))

elizabeth_hefty: ((Hehe yup))

elizabeth_hefty: *She nodded thoughtfully.* "The lamb sounds good.. I think I'll have that." *He had recited the list with such ease that Ril found herself smiling... Mother Night she was falling for this man. She looked away again and sipped her wine.*

phantomwolfwhisper: *Erik nodded and waved the waiter over.* "Deux numbre catres dux demiglace l'garlique. Je faime.. Et deux cardeux truffles au chocolat."

phantomwolfwhisper: (( >< first year French seems so far away...))

elizabeth_hefty: ((Lol))

elizabeth_hefty: *As the man hurried away to fill the order, Ril turned to Erik.* "What was that last part? I know you ordered two somethings, but... What was it?"

phantomwolfwhisper: *He grinned.* "Wait and be suprised."

elizabeth_hefty: "I'm sure I will be." *She chuckled and tried to fathom what a chocolat could be... The waiter returned shortly with their plates and Ril breathed in the aroma appreciatively.* "It smells delicious."

phantomwolfwhisper: ((*grins* YOU know))

elizabeth_hefty: ((Of course I know.... I'm a chocoholic))