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Portrait of the Soul	By : sirenofsaturn Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 2723 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Thank you for the reviews! They are the conveyer belt that keeps this story going! Please remember I own nothing except any original characters and this fiction based plot!
Erik: Chapter thirty-four
Soft notes of Bach’s melody continued to drift into the night air. Peter’s young fingers moved freely yet cautiously along the ivory keys, careful to impress their new tutor.
Catching brief glances out of his peripheral vision the young man watched his tutor remain as still as a statue as he continued his playing. Ending the final aria Peter let the final notes linger before facing Erik fully to receive his judgment.
“Much improvement in the key, but you are still rushing some of the areas. Remember the tempo. You are playing more lagato than allegro. Do not drag it out, play it lively. Do you understand? Now again.”
Peter returned to the keys without even giving a nod to confirm he understood. He was somewhat surprised of himself for suddenly listening to the orders of a practical French stranger. Part of him, though, continued following the instruction wanting to impress the strange masked genesis.
Bringing the last of the dishes into the kitchen Mia could not help but smile. She knew from when she first left Erik alone with Peter that the two musicians would bond. After dinner the two had returned to the barn to no doubt indulge themselves again into their sacred bliss of music.
Watching her mother begin to pump water into the sink, Mia began to help her clean the dishes.
“Peter and your masked man seem to be getting along well.” Nitsee commented.
“His name is Erik, Mother. I believe he’s helping Peter practice.”
“…I need to talk to you about that Mia. What you have done with your life, the decisions you made were yours…but Peter needs to-“
“Mother.” Mia interrupted. “Please allow me to speak first, otherwise we seem never to get around to what I wish to say.”
Watching her mother nod, and continue washing Mia sighed and began. “As far as Peter goes, what he wishes to do in his life is just that Mother. His life! I have not influenced him. He simply chose to follow an artist path. Did you ever think it strange? Grandfather was musical and died right before Peter was born. Peter seemed to pick up the interment as soon as he could walk to it…Then to show your support you had the thing moved out into the barn?”
“It was taking up space.”
“That’s dreck!”
“Watch your tone!”
“Watch your life! Watch your children’s! Mother do you not think it beshet? It’s meant to be…Let Peter make his own decisions…I know you were never happy or supportive with mine…But at least pretend to be for him. He’s still so young…Just think of what he can do with his life. All he can become.”
“Mia-la.” Nitsee sighed. “Fine. I…I wont try to mislead his choice. I wont help it! But I wont hinder it either…”
“Thank you.”
“But Mia, what you said before…I may not have supported your decision.”
“Mother. You wanted to lay in front of the train.” Mia reminded.
“Do you know how much it hurt to see my little monola leave?”
Mia sighed. “I’m over thirty, just how little am I?”
“You’re always a baby to me. Regardless, Mia…I’m proud of you. You know that, right?”
“I guess I knew…I hoped you were…What made you say it out loud?” The artist asked.
“Monola, when the French- when Erik first sat at our table…I was not asking all those questions to be a yenta. I wanted to find out about him. He has so many accomplishments, however I have to wonder how proud his parents were…if they even bothered to say that?”
“He…Erik does not like to talk about his childhood. I know a lot, but it’s very painful for him to mention…I know that, unfortunately, pride was one of the things his mother never felt for him.”
“A shame. If only she knew he would be so successful. How much is his salary anyway?”
“Mother!”
“What? I do not have a right to know if my child is being properly taken care of or not?”
“You’re forgetting I make a salary as well!” Mia argued.
“As much as his?” Nitsee beckoned.
“…No…not nearly as much…and that is all I’m saying to you!”
“Alright. Anything else you want to discuss?”
“Yes. For heaven’s sake Mother, let Nette marry that boy. Don’t let her become an old maid just because I’m not married yet. She is willing and able. Let her!”
“Of course we’re going to let her marry the shoe maker’s son! Why would we wait for you? You’re so far away. You could marry, and by the time the announcement came to Russia your sister could have gray hair.”
“Now I know who Nette gets her lovely charm from.” Mia rolled her eyes.
“Don’t be cross with your mother! All I am saying, Mia-la, is I would never hold that away from your sister.”
“Then why does Nette have the impression that you want to hold any engagement out?”
“Simple her dowry. Your father and I do not have as much as we would like to give our new family. Anything of value is in your Baba’s trunks, or the piano. Which I would never sell!” Netsee hurried catching her daughter’s glare. “So tell your mashgina sister not to worry, and quit sending you to settle her mind. You seem like you have more on your plate when it comes to long engagements…”
“Mother.” Mia sighed. “I am not engaged. There is no ring on this finger.”
“Do you not think that is the first thing I checked when you walked through this door? All I am saying Mia-la is that you, unlike your brother and Nitee, are not as young. If you want-choose to, of your own mind, experience marriage…which I strongly pray for…you may wish to consider making your choice soon. If you wish to enjoy more things…”
“What sort of things?”
“Well…I would like to see some grandchildren before I die.”
“You have three already!”
“Not from you! The clock is ticking angel…”
“Baba was around my age when she married. She did not have children into later in her life!” Mia argued.
“Yes, but your forget Mia, I am an only child. Two younger siblings…dead at birth…that is why I married so young…I wanted a family…give yourself options Mia. Do not close yourself into a corner of celibacy. Look into your French man’s eyes, know from him there is nothing worse than living a lifetime alone.”
“…As long as I stay by his side…I wont have to.”
I really didn’t mean to make it so sappy…Was it? I had all intentions of making it lighter, but sometimes the drama just gets the better of me. So give me your feedback. I love the reviews phans you really keep me going. I also hate to say this, but should I?
Erik: You act like they care what is going on.
Thanks… Anyway guys with every chapter from this point we’re getting closer to the end. Don’t worry, we still got a way to go and there are lots of twist that lay ahead. You think I would leave our two stars in Russia?
Erik: I would also like to hear the Daroga’s tale on taking care of my lovely little lady.
You know I wouldn’t deny you that pleasure…Please review! Till next time!
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Portrait of the Soul