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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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235 reviews! Thank you so much everyone! I can’t believe how fast this story is going! Despite everything else in my life that is going by faster than a cheetah on speed, I’m glad I get to sit down and share my writing with all of you.
Erik: Clarify something for me? You’re back is so knotted you have limited mobility of your neck, because you have done nothing but write for your professors…and you’re writing again on your own free time?
Yup! Do I have your respect as a dedicated artist?
Erik: And a lunatic…but I’ll at least do the disclaimer for you. She owns nothing except for any original characters and this fiction based plot. Anyone caught stealing will be punjabbed.
And believe me he’s just dying to hang someone…
Chapter thirty-six
Erik’s eyes remained closed as he tried to hang on to the last moments of sleep. Pulling the sheets tighter around the phantom tried desperately to absorb back into mattress were he could be free of all life. ‘I dare say I’m growing use to this damn cot’. Allowing his sunken eyes to open Erik remembered he was no longer in Russia. He was back in Paris…back home.
Looking around the Louise-Phillip room his mind began to absorb every detail. Nothing looked out of place, and yet he had not set foot in his own home for over a month. True the visit with Mia’s family lasted only a few days, however the new rail systems moved at an excruciatingly slow pace. They were building canals in America why could they not build one through out Europe? Water was beneath almost every land surface. Erik had learned that when they first began to build the opera house.
Yes, the train ride was simply too long indeed. Even though the two had shared a private cart Erik still felt robed of any privacy. The time between Mia and himself had been spent close, but with restriction. When the two artists had arrived back in Paris the night before, Erik had all but thrown Mia over his shoulder and ravished her.
Erik had briefly noted that the house seemed in order. Two cats were sleeping on the sofa. His organ was right were he left it, neglected for longer than it had ever been. As much as Erik wanted to play, he had other needs to attend to first. Clothes were removed, the bed was turned down, and love was made. Although music was the first love Erik had ever had, he was learning that he needed a woman’s love to meet his mental and physical needs. Half a century he had lived without a woman’s love, now he merely told himself he had much catching up to do.
After touching was shared, and sentiments were whispered sleep had taken them both away. Now Erik lay in bed with Mia curled against his side. Brain lay curled up on her pillow, and Ayesha the same on his chest. Just as Erik decided to spend the rest of the day this way the bell for the lake went off. ‘Damn it Daroga…I told you we’d return by the fifth.’
Careful not to wake Mia, Erik gently rose out of bed. Ayesha yowled at being disturbed, as Erik picked her up to move her.
‘My little lady were you always this heavy?’
As Erik was leaving to get dressed a slight feeling of jealousy came over him. Usually Ayesha would follow him around whenever he rose for the day. Instead his small lady had resettled herself under Mia’s arm.
“Traitor.” Erik muttered.
Hurrying into a shirt, trousers, and mask Erik met Nadir in the drawing room.
“Welcome back.” The Persian greeted. “I trust your travels went well?”
“As well as expected we were delayed in Poland, but only for an hour.”
“So?” Nadir continued. “How was it?”
“I will never set foot on a train again.” Erik retorted.
“I meant Mademoiselle Sclar’s home.”
“I will never set foot there either, unless I find means of travel by road or boat.”
“Erik do not play games!”
“Tea Daroga?” Erik smiled, heading to the samovar. ‘I forgot how impatient he can be…I do have a lot of catching up to do…’
After lighting the samovar, Erik sat across from his friend as the water began to boil. “She has a very unique family.”
“Unique good or unique bad?”
“I mean unique. It was…refreshing. Watching an actual family move in live under one roof. The house though I found slightly cramped. I wont even mention the architecture. Mia’s grandfather might have been an architect but that house is at least as old as I am. The building materials have come a long way, on windy nights I thought the wall would blow over on me. But I must say regardless I felt welcome with their hospitality. Certainly the best treatment I have ever received from strangers.”
“Are both her parents still alive?”
“Yes…I did not see much of her father. He and his son-in-law were kept mostly away with their business. Though it does not matter. If I were seeking approval in any way, my friend, it would be from her mother…”
“What do you mean?” Nadir asked.
“I find it rather amusing, as traditional as a Jewish home might be I learned that a woman’s role is very modern. It was very clear the message I received from her when I first set foot in her home. It was her house, and my gender did not give me any role of authority over her. I dare say for a second I felt as though I was eight years old in my own mother’s presence…but Madam Sclar was more kind…more humane. They treated me like a normal person Nadir, as though without a mask. Even Mia’s young nieces, no higher than your knee, did not gawk in the slightest bit.”
“Speaking of the mask…”The oriental began.
“Not a word…not a single comment. Mia’s younger sister at first seemed…hostile…but I do not hold anything against her. She apologized for her rudeness…you can imagine how strange that sounded to my ears…”
“You speak of so many encounters!” Nadir’s jade eyes widened. “How many people live under that roof?”
“Mia’s parents and grandmother, Mia’s younger brother, Her older sister with her husband two children and an infant.”
“Plus the two of you.” Nadir shook his head.
“It does make one more claustrophobic than they would feel on a cramped train. But, never once did I feel horribly inconvenienced. Mia’s brother, Peter, was an interesting meet.”
“Oh?”
“He is still a young boy, but his musical talent exceeds his age. Mia did her best convincing him of coming to live in Paris…”
“What was your reaction to that?”
“I told him, if he keeps up his skills as a pianist there would be a job for him in the orchestra. After auditioning and a small note to the management.”
“Erik-“
“What?” The phantom shrugged. “Daroga, I still do not see why you continue to hold this grudge about my chosen life. I simply wish to help a young talented man pursue a career. That reminds me I believe we are soon to begin production on The Magic Flute.”
“I can understand that soon Mademoiselle Sclar is going to be busy designing the sets…but what is to keep you occupied?”
“I have a project of my own that is coming up.”
“I should think so.” Nadir sighed. “That Belgium fellow came by my home and handed off a letter for your. It’s from a bank in Rouen. What are you planning Erik?”
“Did you bring the letter with you?”
“No, I’m sorry. I left it at home.”
“Good. Leave it. I will retrieve it myself.” Erik rose going to check on the tea.
“What plans require a bank in Rouen?” Nadir persisted.
“We will speak no more of it here.” Erik hissed. “Do not mention it! I can hear Mia getting up.” He whispered. “We’ll discuss it later.”
As Erik finished preparing three cups of Russian tea, Mia entered the drawing room. “Good morning.” She greeted nodding to Erik. “Monsieur Khan I thought I heard you out here. How have you been?”
“Very well, thank you. Erik was just telling me of your visit. I trust all was well back home?”
“Nothing seems to have changed.” Mia smiled. “I wanted to thank you for taking care of our felines. I hope Brain was not much trouble.”
“The orange one was not at all. It is from my personal experience Mademoiselle that animals reflect their owner. Therefore allow me to clarify that your animal was not the one that nearly gave me a stroke.”
Erik merely took a sip of his tea ignoring the comment.
“Really?” Mia inquired. “Since we arrived back she has been nothing but nice in my presence.”
“As I said, they reflect their owner.” Nadir chuckled.
“Good news then, Ayesha obviously seems well-fed from when I last saw her. Perhaps then I will maintain a normal body weight.” Erik sneered.
“You were actually eating more than once a day at my mother’s home.” Mia reminded. “As someone ‘not trying to seem rude’ you certainly did enjoy a few servings of Baba’s soup. You even drank our wine.”
“Wine, my dear?” Erik turned around handing her a cup of tea. “That was not wine. It was squeezed blackberries and water.”
“Now you know why I only have one glass of your spirits.” Mia smiled. “Too much of your fine French grapes tend to make me tipsy.”
“I think I would like to see you tipsy my dear…It would be rather amusing…”
“Well we know that is why I am here Erik. Simply for your amusement.” Mia smiled.
“I didn’t mean to imply that, that is the only reason I care for your presence…Without you who would build my sets?”
“Are we not the comical one today? I do think the time difference has made you tad mashugina this morning…”
Nadir sat back and watched the two play each other. It was both an interesting and wonderful sight. Despite all the mock arguments the two seemed to put on in front of an audience, Nadir knew that privately the two were as close as two could be.
Yea! Back in France! Please read and review! Help us get to 240! And of course look for the next update when we find out what exactly Erik’s new project is! Still more to come people!
Erik: Please read and review.
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Portrait of the Soul