RM Contest Entry: The Date

by ~Madame-Kichigai

Erik twiddled his fingers as if trying to re-ravel his strung out nerves as he muttered to himself, “How did this happen? This woman she perplexes Erik so… I’ve never heard of a woman who is bold enough to ask to court a man….let alone a monster like Erik. Though Erik should’ve expected this of her of all the people, why of all people did she ask Erik on a…date, was it called?”
Erik remembered it well: in what was a feeling of a sort of…fondness of the memory. Though, Erik found like all of the preceding series of events leading to this one- he didn’t quite understand…
He looked into the mirror and it all began to refold in the reflection. His vermillion cravat was redone before his eyes, his satin-lined black cape became buckled once more, his old clothes donned him in their vintage sort of fashion, and his one-feathered hat was set snugly onto the top of his head. Chelsey had said she was throwing a small costume party and Erik had gone as the scariest thing he could think of- himself…
He began to look back on the party from the start…
Chelsey opened the front door of her apartment. She sported a costume that was rather comical in its features. Why, she was wearing a pair of rainbow striped overalls with sequin straps and pouch-lining also of rainbow color in a random order. She sparkled so in the light, Erik had to shield his eyes from her iridescence.
Chelsey stuck out her lower lip, “Erik, you’re supposed to dress like you’re another person at a costume party, not as yourself!” she scolded with a wagging finger.
“I am not myself…I am dressed as the depiction of another phantom,” Erik stated in his own defense with a smirk upon his face with his unparalleled wit.
“But you know” Chelsey interjected, “it’s still technically you.”
Erik hadn’t expected that one, on account that usually a person gave up and didn’t try to go against his intelligence. “Technically you could be correct. Though Erik will deem it as he sees fit, for he is the one wearing the attire.”
Raul came suddenly behind Erik, “Don’t worry, Erik. I came as myself as well!”
Erik lifted an eyebrow as he looked at Raoul, “Fool Raoul, you look nothing like yourself or your imitations.”
Raoul blinked “Raoul?” he let out a chuckle, “Why Erik, I am Bruce Willis!”
Chelsey smiled and gave Raoul a thumbs-up, “See, Raoul gets the idea!”
“I’m not Raoul, I’m Bruce Willis!” he puffed up his chest as to give the simulation of being ‘macho’.
It made Christine giggle as she put a pawed hand onto Raoul’s shoulder with genteel and loving grace, considering her costume.
“Awesome! You’re using the costume I got you!” Chelsey cheered as she applauded herself.
Erik was speechless as he looked at Christine.
“Do you like it?” Christine voiced, “I’m a Pirate Mongoose! Chelsey got it for me!” Erik knew her gentle heart… If Chelsey, whom she seemed to have befriended quite quickly, had bought it for her she would of course wear it as to make the childish fiend happy.
It seemed one after another the show accumulated in Chelsey’s living room. Erik admitted there were normal costumes like Daroga’s police officer garments and Azadeh’s leopard print cat costume, however things were continuously weird with Thanh’s demon costume with an accompanying jar filled with her ‘treasured pickles’, while as Heather was in a polka-dotted raccoon suit.  Had Chelsey picked out all of these costumes for everyone herself? Erik felt an odd sense of loneliness, of being left out… But he should be used to that by now! Erik supposed he just wasn’t used to it with Chelsey…Besides- why would he even want one of those insane costumes anyway? They were ridiculous! Though the feeling lingered still…
Erik sighed. He wasn’t one to ‘mingle’ amongst people, so he made his way instead to seat himself comfortably on the couch as the sense of awkwardness enveloped him.
Chelsey crashed to his side, splashing rainbow reflections onto his face.
“What’s the matter Mr.Badmood-McGloomy-pants?” Chelsey said in a child-like tone.
Erik responded in a somewhat typical way with her strangeness, “Mr.Badmood-McGloomy-pants? My child, you make no sense…”
“I’m in character with my costume!” she commented in response, “But that doesn’t answer my question. Why so sad?”
“Erik does not do well in parties.”
“I bought everyone’s costume you know. Except Raoul’s, I have no idea where he got the whole Bruce Willis thing.” Chelsey said trying to strike conversation.
“Erik figured as much…”
“Are you upset because I didn’t buy you one?”
“Of course I’m not; Erik is not so trivial as to let such matters get to him.”
“Lies!” Chelsey accused pointing her finger in his face, “You feel left out. You’re feeling all lonely again. But what would you say if I told you I got you an even better gift?”
Erik arched his brow, “How do you mean?”
“I bought tickets to Disneyland here in Paris. They’re two day passes and I got us a room in the Newport Bay hotel since it’s by the lake and you seem to like them and all. Would you come with me? I thought you’d need it. It’s known as the happiest place on Earth, so I thought even you could have some fun! It’ll be just you and me, Erik!”
Erik was taken aback as he looked at the girl. “You’re willing to spend time alone with the likes of myself? Why not with Monsieur Alex?”
“Of course Erik! There’s nothing I see wrong with you. Even so, you’re too much of a gentleman to try anything, and you couldn’t kill me even if you wanted to! You need this more then Alex does, anyway.” Chelsey smiled in what was self-pleasure.
Erik was still perplexed…But he couldn’t bring himself to pass this opportunity by! It would be a chance to…No- never mind…Why was he thinking like this? Erik knew he felt something for Chelsey but…no; she wasn’t like that with him as far as he could tell. “Erik will join you, thank you for the very kind gesture.” Erik was curious about this place she spoke of, but he supposed he’d find out for himself. He didn’t know what he was diving into, but it couldn’t be too horrible.
“Great! Then it’s a date!” Chelsey cheered with a slight ‘squee’ element in her voice as she hugged him. “You’ll love it Erik! I know you will! See you in a hork and a half-wax!” Chelsey then bounded off to congregate with the other members of the festivity.
Erik felt a jab on his shoulder, “Erik, you’re such a dog!” Thanh shouted in Erik’s ear as she rammed the jar of pickles on his shoulder once more.
Erik’s brow furrowed, “Erik has done nothing wrong. He will simply be spending some time with Chelsey and nothing more.”
“Dude, she just said ‘it’s a date’! And she’s staying at a theme park with you, alone; with a hotel, alone!” Thanh shot out, “Do you even know what a date is, stupid?”
Erik’s chest puffed slightly in a defensive mode, “Erik is a genius! He knows more then you ever will!” Though in truth…he didn’t know what a date really was… He wondered, however he was not going to be vulnerable in the face of his over-excited and immature creature.
“Well then smarty-pants, what’s a date?”
Erik was silent.
Heather intervened, “Thanh, that term wasn’t around yet when he was alive! Of course he doesn’t know.  A date then was either a food or a day.”
Thanh turned her gaze to Heather, “Then what word did they use?” with that, she stuck out her tongue.
Heather shook her head and looked to Erik, “In your time, I suppose the closest thing would be to court a person.”
Erik froze in position, clutching his missing heart as if it skipped a beat. “You’re…you’re serious?” Erik asked in a flustered mood, surrendering to the less sophisticated way of speech that he was used to hearing around these days, thus his tone losing that gentleman’s touch.
Thanh began to laugh at his folly in his flustered motions and choked forth word as his eyes grew big as to stare. Heather shot Thanh a disapproving look, rolling her eyes as she slung the remark that would save Erik from the barrage of terminology Thanh had prepared, “God Thanh, you’re so Vietnamese.”
So instead their short yet playful quarrel began, and Erik slipped from the scene at break-neck speed.
The rest of the party was...he supposed a sort of out-of-body experience. Erik knew that physically he was there and he could see all around him- yet it felt surreal- as in he was there but he wasn’t. It was a bit difficult to explain even to himself… It’s funny how a genius can meet his wit’s end for something as simple as a woman…
Erik faded back into reality. The rest of the details were…unimportant. He remembered spending time around with Chelsey and even others such as Christine and Daroga, but he seemed only to be somewhat…social when Chelsey was around. When she left he was nearly as talkative as a still doll. Erik could swear at one point he even ate something when it was offered to him by that exotic woman that was Chelsey.
He did not feel quite like himself. Erik seemed almost bare-ably human! Not the beast he was used to being seen as… It brought a smile to his cold and corpse-like lips as he turned from the mirror which spoke of the recently passed events. Erik removed articles of clothing such as the cravat and the cape that hung on his shoulders and hung them on a coat rack before walking to his bed. Erik lay down and turned his head to the side to gaze upon the cage he had kept Mephistopheles in for the party. He hadn’t wanted the poor thing to be too crowded or to become lost among the bustle that could be Chelsey’s abode. Erik got up again as to open the iron barred prison- making sure first that all doors to danger for his furry companion were shut and locked tight with his eyes. He picked up the rabbit and held it close to his chest as he stroked its white-as-snow fur. Erik moved to lie down in bed once more, this time with Mephistopheles by his side. Erik spoiled the rabbit by stroking the fur and letting it nest in the bed beside him. Erik wished for the unconscious blackness that was the sleep he didn’t need…just so the time would go on faster then it was now. Erik was so very eager to get to this…Disneyland…this happiest place on Earth the peppiest person he knew spoke of before. To spend this time with Chelsey… Erik felt the same yearning as when Christine sang on stage for the first time…when she came to his home and sat with him…his restless soul pined just as much. And so Erik would grace that opiate of a sort of nine-hour comatose.
***
“Erik? Erik? Wake up! I thought you didn’t sleep!” Erik heard a familiar voice greet him as he slipped back into consciousness. Erik could feel droplets of water fall upon him and the tickle of a wet nose upon his face.
His eyes fluttered open, Erik’s hand floating to shield his eyes from the sudden shine of light upon him. Erik’s now-rested eyes adjusted to gaze upon a soaked Chelsey hovering above him and Mephistopheles nudging softly his cheek.
“Good morning sleeping beauty,” oh the irony Erik sensed in that phrase when directed towards him, “you know- you really have to show me a better way in. I’m going to get a cold if I keep falling into a wet lake in this cold underground!” Erik backed up and propped himself to sit up.
“Erik gives his apologies. It is unusual for Erik to sleep, but it seems things are quite unusual now, anyhow. Now that Erik is awake, shall he dress in something more appropriate to escort you back to your apartment for a dry pair of clothes?”
Chelsey smiled and backed off to give Erik room to get up, “Sure. But remember to pack some clothes and other necessities for yourself, enough for a night and a day. We’ll also have to drop Mephi off too… We can’t bring pets into Disney. Would you trust maybe Christine to watch him for just a day, or Daroga? It’ll be fun with just the two of us!”
Erik nodded, “I would trust Christine or Daroga; As long as Raoul leaves Mephistopheles alone.”
“I don’t get why you still…dislike him so much! I can promise you he won’t hurt Mephi! Try and let loose, for me?”
“Of course…for you. As long as Mephistopheles is alright and happy, Erik will allow it,” Erik responded with a nod to his words.
Chelsey clapped as she went towards the door that led to the outside bank, “I’ll let you have some privacy to get ready! Don’t keep me waiting too long- it really isn’t fun being all wet!” With her words, Chelsey closed the door behind her, leaving Erik in solitude to hunt for both a bag to carry his things in and to change his clothes into something more so fresh instead of the costume he had donned the night before. He had only the choice of shoving his only pair of modern-day clothes into his bag when he found one, and maybe finding the closest thing to modern he could find that he owned. For now- Erik just carried Mephistopheles gently to his cage and locked him back inside before he began the hunt.    
***
They had walked over to drop Mephistopheles at Chelsey’s own apartment to be well taken care of and given love and pampering while they would be away, and for Chelsey herself to grab her suitcase and change her clothes. Instead of walking or calling a coach- Chelsey had brought what was called a car around the front. Chelsey opened a door for Erik to come inside the outlandish thing and sit on what looked like out of the ordinary theater seats… It had been a car- and it had zoomed at ungodly speeds without the aid of horses to this other place of magic Chelsey described on the way.
And certainly- in its own ways this place was indeed magical! Erik had seen more moving contraptions and other things for merriment that Chelsey annotated as they walked past them. However- after awhile she had stopped, reaching their hotel and explaining how he would learn with the fun of the experience itself.
“So- what ‘modern marvel’ do you want to take for a spin first? Do you want to start with the theme rides? Shows? Just walk around?” Chelsey asked as she walked to usher him towards their room.
Erik blinked and thought for but a moment, “I think it best that we walk around see what looks alright for Erik to start with. I suppose he…could work his way up?”
“Okay!” Chelsey flashed a brilliant smile as she held the key-card to their room and slide it into another kind of machine, opening the door. Chelsey ushered Erik in with a smile, going in after him- taking his bag on the way as to give him a moment to take in the luxury.
The rooms were of a sort of nautical design- like they were inside a ship house or a light house! Oh- but these amenities surpassed greatly those two places traditionally!
The room smelled of sweet sea breezes with a hint of a flowery scent emanating from the crisp, fresh linens. Erik sat upon the bed that Chelsey dropped his bag upon, smoothing his hand upon it with gentile- as if their softness would tear like rice-paper. Erik laid his head on the pillow and his body hung off the bed as to not dirty it with his shoes. This bed was so lush in décor and feel…as was the rest of this room! Erik had to admit- it was no Opera House, but it was like the home he had only dreamed to share with Christine when the hopes to making her his bride were still alive…
And oddly enough- he was now here with Chelsey! Erik walked to stand beside her, to gaze out into the shimmering lake that greeted them with its pleasant view outside. It was rather relaxing…Erik oh so fought the urge to wrap an arm around Chelsey… It was so peaceful- very right in feeling!
Chelsey turned to Erik and let another one of her grins- as captivating as the Cheshire’s to Alice, most likely, “So Erik- how about we take a look at the grounds here first and then  go off for some fun- give you time to take it in you know?”
Erik couldn’t help but sigh softly in bliss and return it with a sweet simper which genuinely graced Erik’s lips. “Whatever you see fit, m’dear. Erik won’t argue with this…”
Chelsey let a giggle, “You look love-struck, like in a cartoon right now Erik. Are you feeling alright?”
Erik couldn’t help but blush and avert his eyes. “N-never better…” he stammered slightly.
“This must be a bit awkward for you is all. Pretty amazing, huh?”
“Y-yeah…that’s it exactly.” Erik then thought after speaking, “Oh…how this woman she…she turns Erik’s world topsy- turvy. Erik’s world is falling apart around here but…but it’s so bright and wonderful at the same time! She is spoken for- just as Christine was- but he can not help but want to try and…and to win her over. On this date- Erik must try his best to sway her to him. Not with his voice- but in another fashion…”
Erik’s thought was interrupted by the waving of Chelsey’s hand before his eyes. “Hello? You there? Let’s go- no time to waste!”
Erik nodded and took the hand that Chelsey now offered to him- and in no time he was being dragged out, the door shut behind him, and running with Chelsey down the flight of stairs and soon out the door to wander the Newport boardwalk. Usually it was the gentleman who escorted the lady- but Erik found that he had no way of navigating a place he did not know. Erik could suppose Chelsey escorted him many a place as it was- were manners changed as the years went by? Erik could only suppose!
However, this train of thought was interrupted by what was sweet sunlight pouring over to accent Chelsey’s features as they stood in a plaza with what looked like a hanging garden surrounding them with a lake stretching before them, paths winding around it.
Something particularly caught Erik’s eyes right past Chelsey’s illuminated features- it was a sight for sore eyes in a sort of fashion, especially since they distracted him from his thoughts of the glowing woman before him. This was a date- but he still had to be a gentleman and gradually move forth in his shy ways to test the waters and see if he could truly ensue Chelsey’s heart.
“My, would you look at that my dear- it seems to be something I myself can recognize in this crazy modern day- the art of Paris gladly hasn’t changed it seems!” Erik stated with a gentle smile as he set his gaze on the artist.
Erik couldn’t quite tell what she was working with, but she seemed to be sculpting something. Erik examined her a moment to see her in what was traditional wear of an artist back in older Paris. This artist was a short woman and apparently young- probably somewhere in her teens Erik would presume. She had hair that seemed a mixture of sienna with terra cotta accenting it to cover her shoulder blades, while the hair itself was covered on the top by what was a traditional black beret. She seemed light of skin, and bright of eyes which reflected the lake. She was adorned in what was a simple white smock over a broadly striped black and white top completed by black pants and ballet slippers. He tried to use her as a distraction from the dazzling quality of Chelsey, but she only seemed to bring forth the picture of her in his mind with their similarities.
Chelsey took notice to the child as well, “That’s cool! She looks like a Parisian Artist! Why don’t we go look?”
Erik nodded, “Yes…it would be nice to indulge myself while I am here! I do quite enjoy the arts… Do you as well?”
“Yeah!” Chelsey chirped as she grabbed Erik’s hand to lead him once more, “Of course. Art is a great factor in culture. It can tell you a lot!”
Erik could only nod as they approached the eccentric artist.
It only grew stranger and stranger, however, as they became closer. Erik could see now whatever she was working with was a lumpy and didn’t resemble any sort of clay or material he had ever seen.
Chelsey smiled at the peculiar girl, “Why hello there!”
The artisan looked up with a Cheshire grin, “Well hello indeed! What may I do fine folks?”
“Yes- we were just wondering,” Chelsey spoke sweetly as usual, “what you were doing? We’re into art, and it looked like you were sculpting something.”
“Why yes I am!” the girl seemed to perk up, “I am Sheep Dowg, I’m a freelance artist. And who might you two be, who seem to take an interest in my work?”
“I’m Chelsey- and this is Erik!”
“It’s a pleasure, mademoiselle Dowg,” Erik voiced in a stately manner as he made a gentlemanly gesture, “May Erik inquire what this young mademoiselle is sculpting?”
“The pleasure is mine, monsieur! And please- just call me Sheep!” the girl curtseyed with her smock, “And yes, he may! I am sculpting that gondola I have out on the water there, excluding the rope- of course.”
“And do pardon me for asking mademoiselle…erg…Sheep- what material you are sculpting this from? It is quite lovely but- Erik has never seen a material quite like what you are using…”
“Ah, I see! That is good news for me! You see- I want to leave a special mark on the world of fine art! And so I am doing what no artist I’ve seen has done before! I am making a sculpture, Monsieur and Madame, of solid meat!”
Erik took on a face of disgust, “Of meat? Why mademoiselle that is the most peculiar kind of thing to be considered fine art!”
“Exactly my point! I will make the sculpture, bake it, and it’ll be something unique! And it takes great skill you know!”
Erik stood tall, “I would have to say it looks like it is an easy enough task for me!”
Sheep stuck out her tongue, “Well if it’s so easy, then how about you and Madame Chelsey try it Monsieur Erik? The bucket there is filled with meat, so you can go ahead and try to make a nice sculpture!”
And so the odd challenge began!
It felt so strange to Erik…the feeling of the meat in his hand and molding it into something was admittedly a difficult task- since meat was not made to be sculpted it seemed. It was so…bizarre feeling as well. Chelsey however seemed to be having fun with it as she went along. Giggling lightly as she worked away at a outlandish creation.
It would take about a half an hour for the two of them to finish- Sheep quietly sipping away at a bottle of green tea she seemed to have with her as she sat in a lawn chair in the little plaza as she watched them.
Chelsey offered hers up to Erik for him to see, “Do you like it?”
Erik choked back a lump in his throat as he looked at the weird glob in Chelsey’s hands, “Why yes, of course! It is a very lovely…banana…”
Chelsey stuck out her lower lip to pout, “It was supposed to be you…”
“Oh, my apologies Chelsey! I’m truly sorry for my rudeness- it is very lovely- I’m quite honored! Erik would have to suppose then that…he would be composed to be a wonderful banana…made of…solid meat!”
“It’s alright- I know I’m not that good at sculpting!” Chelsey laughed lightly and hugged Erik with a free arm, trying not to get raw meat on him and his clothes, “So can I see yours?”
Erik coughed nervously and nodded, “Yes-yes, of course!” And with that, Erik offered up in his hands a disfigured rose. “Erik finds he too has difficulty in sculpting with meat…it’s…it’s a rose I had made for...for you…”
“Oh, Erik! That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me using raw meat ever! Thank you so much!” Chelsey’s eyes sparkled as they did…in…moments…beforehand. And the same event occurred as it did with the other times her eyes sparkled in such a way-
she threw herself onto Erik and kissed him, only nailing him on the cheek this time- avoiding hitting him with the solid-meat-Erik-banana.
Erik could only blush beneath his mask before the interruption that was Sheep came back to judge, “Ooh la la, Monsieur Erik! Quite the romantic are we not?” Sheep giggled.
Erik felt flustered, and found himself unable to react as of now- for lack of having a lasso with him.
“Well then,” Sheep passed the previous subject, “let’s see what you’ve come up with…a disfigured rose and…a banana?”
“Yeah, it’s an Erik-Banana,” Chelsey responded with a roll of the eyes.
Sheep crossed her arms and let another little bubble of laughter, “Not so easy is it madam and monsieur? Don’t worry- I except Monsieur Erik’s apology!” The young girl stuck out her tongue, “And I will only get better- see my gondola- it is nearly perfect! And I am only fifteen years of age! And how old are you, sir?”
“He’s twenty-four!” Erik was saved by Chelsey. After all- how would he have explained his real age?  
And for some reason, her voice even saved him from the embarrassment.
Sheep nodded, “You see- you must keep your mind wide open. Being a creative person should teach you that!”
It was true- Erik supposed maybe he should’ve learned this lesson before…If not for creativities sake but for that fact of…what he was. If someone could befriend him, and even court him such as Chelsey seemed to be doing- then he should be able to venture past his comfort zones as well into something new! It seemed maybe Chelsey would help him open this door- with a little help from Sheep.
Chelsey yanked Erik’s arm and him out of his train of thought, “Aren’t you coming, Erik?”
“Hm? What was that, Chelsey? My apologies, I was…in thought…again...”
“Sheep is going to go, to get her sculpture finished up and take hers and ours to bake. Sheep has a date of her own later on with a gondolier on the lake. Later she’s going to drop our sculptures off, so we might see her then. But for now, you and I are going to keep walking, okay?”
“Of course- it sounds like a marvelous idea to…to take a bit of a stroll. Maybe Erik is thinking too hard- he needs to clear his head…”
“Now don’t sound so down while we’re here, Erik! I brought you here to cheer you up and for the love of Rah I’m going to make sure you have the time of your life! What can we do that’ll get your mind all clear and pumped up?”
“Erik’s mind is pumped to the full capacity he does believe with all of these things…”
“It’s an expression, Erik, - it means to make you feel excited.”
“Yes- that is right I suppose…in your modern word play. I suppose maybe Erik’s mind has room to learn and to be merry. But Erik is not sure how these things around him could grant him the happiness he desires- could you possibly guide him through this tunnel of his thought to the light?”
“I can and will! Now drop the sesquipedalian-ism and lingo and have some fun. Remember to K-I-S-S.”
“To- to kiss? How do you mean by this?” Was she possibly asking for him to kiss her? Or to remember to kiss her at some point? It was…confusing the way she put it! It only hurled Erik further….
“Sorry- it’s an acronym in modern day. It stands for ‘keep it simple stupid’- K.I.S.S.!”
Erik could only nod, “Yes…thank you. That is some advice Erik could maybe hold close during these times.”
“Now before we get into an in-depth discussion- let’s go start on the child’s basics! We’re going to go and ride in the tea-cups! Don’t ask questions- just see for your own eyes! We’ll take a walk tonight when we’re all tuckered out!”
And Erik would do just that…Their pleasant stroll on the boardwalk would be replaced by wonderment Erik was grateful to be whisked away to. To be with Chelsey…With the strangest of persons in the strangest of places without a doubt! He would ride these extraordinary large tea-cups he would come to witness as well as the many wonders that would follow.
They were recorded in the recesses of Erik’s mind- one by one they piled and added to amazement that enveloped him. Erik had to admit that at the beginning he was appalled and simply disapproving- but as the day went on- he began to awkwardly adopt some of the modern day jargon he heard all around him and to learn about the many wonders of the current day machinery and the merriment that could be had! It went from tea-cups that spun and moved swiftly to rides that bucked around like an untamed bronco horse (but oddly smoother) that whipped him at speeds he knew not achievable by man! The bizarre contraptions called roller-coasters! Elevators that rose and fell for the amusement of it! Swinging in circles suspended in mid-air while merely sitting in a chair that could fly! It was enough to befuddle Erik beyond the point of caring- and only to absorb the bonny laughter he shared now with Chelsey. This truly was the gift that made all of this fun possible for him- the catalyst to move him forth to elate him higher then these machines could take him even! There were few things Erik could think of to make this time any closer to an unorthodox perfection, undeniably! They so burned the daylight that they road around until the two of them felt as if they could no longer stand to await another ride on whatever thing Chelsey could concoct in her mind from the thrills as far as the relaxation. Erik had become so very tired from all of this walking and standing physically; though mentally Erik tired at the strain of them seeming to grow so very close and the tension of wanting to move forth- but when to find the right time to kiss! And not only the acronym that dictated to keep with simplicity which he tried to use to win her over- but the right time to go through with the action the word actually suggested! He felt as if he could faint- however progressed!
-And in the end, they wound back to the start of it all that was the boardwalk beside the hotel’s lake.
They began that pleasant stroll that was impeded and deferred earlier that day- and took it now by the lights that were strung high above with the stars and down below amongst those flowers- the flower that most caught his eye was Chelsey herself. Oh, how she had won him over with the day…and now would be his turn!
“So Erik,” Chelsey would actually be the one to start, “how was your first day in Disney?”
Erik gave her a sincerest of grins and tried to appear charming, “It was…awesome as is said. I couldn’t have found a better one to spend it with then you, my dear.”
“Oh, thanks so much Erik! You’re being very sweet today, aren’t you? You’re a really nice guy, really.”
“Erik is glad to have found someone who can really…appreciate…him for who he is beyond his mask. Erik has…I have never met someone such as you. You are pleasantly eccentric without a doubt, Chelsey.”
“I always have been against the flow. I’ll take it as a compliment. So- what is your prerogative now mister Phantom?”
“I was thinking that maybe we could maybe…picnic under the stars-here amongst the flowers? Maybe some light wine, cheese, and something for your tastes.”
“It sounds good to me! But you don’t eat...and are you sure that’s what you want?”
“Not to worry, Erik can still drink. Maybe…I will dine with you if you desire it to be so. I would not wish to upset a lady after showing Erik such a great time.”
“Alright- well I’ll go back to the room and get-”
“Tsk-tsk my dear! As a gentleman Erik can not allow a lady to do all of the work! As repayment you should just relax- Erik will fetch whatever you desire. Anything in particular?”
“I’ve got a compromise- I’ll get myself something to eat and you get whatever wine and cheese you think is good from somewhere in the hotel. I’ll be here when you get back, okay?”
Erik had no argument- and thusly he soon departed to browse through the hotel as to find a wine cellar somewhere within and to purchase the best block of cheese he could ever afford with the money he always kept on his person since selling the old Parisian banknotes…Worth so much- and would all be spent willingly as to just get the perfect wine and cheese!
Yes- he did certainly too find it! Though it wasn’t the greatest perfection- it was simple as Chelsey seemed to like things and it looked well enough. Some aged fine wine and some delicate cheese that wafted a scent that so pleased him! He had bought in within the hotel itself, finding a restaurant that was willing to sell it to him.
“50 euros, sir,” a peculiar boy would tell him.  50 ‘euros’ for his wine and cheese from this boy who had black hair that resembled a farmer’s rows… With this peculiar hairstyle it was as if he was trying to grow corn instead of the fine hair he had on his head. Maybe some people in the modern day with all of their wonders figured out how to start growing corn instead of hair? For all that Erik knew…in this bizarre place…He would have to inquire this of Chelsey…
“Sir- 50 euros!” Erik broke from thought, grabbing the wine and the placing his money onto the counter before scurrying away with his treasure with a simple farewell.
Erik smiled in his self-pleasure as he quickened his steps which too grew broader as he grew ever-closer the gilded door that let him in to where the bird await him…
But instead- the bird fluttered to stand before him in a flurry of panic and feathers.
“Erik! We need to get help! Quickly!” Chelsey cawed in a distressed voice, tugging at his arm sleeve.
Erik’s heart flooded with worry at her fretting.
“What is the matter? Tell Erik what is wrong!”
“It’s Sheep! She was in a ship wreck! The gondolier is gone and she’s out there- she’s going to sink or something if we don’t get a boat or something and get her out of the middle of the lake! Erik- I can’t steer a boat!”
“Of course! Chelsey- you go and get someone to help and I will go...Erik can steer a ship well enough!”
“Erik-wait-!” Lo- Erik did not listen to Chelsey’s cries. Erik may have killed- but never such a young woman! It was an act of chivalry Erik knew not that he could do before- more of Chelsey’s wonder! Erik…he…he was going to go out and save a life instead of taking one!
He bust through the doors of the hotel and scanned the shore for a boat…And the perfect one caught his eye! Erik rushed forth onto a boat operated by one of the strange motors that ran the machines here…Erik hoped he knew enough as to where he could quickly reach the one he was now looking over the water to find…
A bulge of water in a flurry of splashes caught his attention- and Erik turned the handle to face that direction and pulled upon what he could recognize as the boats start.
He zoomed forth! Erik let the boat speed forward, steering gawkily towards the girl and the gurgling noises she made with a shrillness that faded as he recognized as Sheep sinking farther into water she gulped. He had to stop soon as to not kill Sheep by running over her in the boat that got close to her at an amazing pace, and as to not miss her in the water!
Erik groped around to maybe find a switch to turn the boat off- but he found none! He became distressed- and pulled the chord to hope for a stop in time…
Erik did so- stopping right beside her- the beret marking the spot which she was sinking, and a cascade of brown hair grasping towards the surface as the body sank and water streamed past.
Erik couldn’t reach her by just outstretching his hand- so he himself fell into water as to reach her…swimming as he learned how- on account of living in a lake all of these years!
Erik’s eyes stung and his vision was blurry from the water- he began to swim downward towards the sinking lass. The pressure grew has he went lower- and his mask was peeled from his face and began to sink as well.
This seemed to be a test from god himself as thoughts flashed through Erik’s mind at wondrous speeds.
Erik had two choices now with this problem: Sheep would sink farther and could be out of his grasp in seconds, as would his mask. If he went for his mask- he would lack a hand to grasp Sheep and time as to get a hold; his choices were his mask or a human life... On one hand, Erik’s mask was all that kept him hidden from the cruelty that was humans- and one of the race which scorned him was sinking to her death. Initially- he would save his mask- but he thought of Chelsey. He could hear her in his mind! She was the one he truly cared for...and she liked him even without his mask! What would she want him to do?
Erik grabbed onto Sheep’s smock with both hands and pulled her up to him, holding her close and swimming upward as rapidly as he could as to not let the child loose anymore oxygen then she had already, while as the white half-mask was doomed to sink to the bottom of the lake…
Erik grabbed the side of the boat and dipped it slightly as to push Sheep up into it…
“Erik!” he heard his name called in the distance by a familiar voice…
Chelsey…
A second voice boomed towards him, orange lights flashing from a larger white ship, “Stay where you are! Help is coming to pick up the girl. We will pull you both in in just a moment- please check for vital signs!”
Erik climbed too into the motor-boat and was about to do as he was told when his ears were created instead by coughing, water spurting from the tiny mouth of the child.
“What…what happened?” the girl’s eyes fell onto Erik’s face, catching a quick glance of his face, though blurry.
“Erik…! You’re…truly an angel Erik…the real angel…You’re mask- you dropped it...” the child was obviously in delusion as she didn’t pass out immediately…Or could she just not see it well enough?
Erik gingerly took the mask from her fingers with a slight smile at what was human kindness he found in this era, “Thank you, my child…Rest now- the angels have deemed that it is not yet your time.” With this- Sheep seemed to pass into a slight unconsciousness. Erik fitted his mask onto his face, and the rescue ship greeted them, taking Sheep and Erik on board…
The night ended in what was in fact a heroic rescue performed by Erik, who now sat on his bed wrapped in a warm towel.
“They said Sheep will be alright by tomorrow. She just needs some sleep- she swallowed a bit of water and is probably freezing from that nice little swim of hers… We should take her with us tomorrow.”
Erik sighed, “So- do you know what happened?”
“Yeah. I guess she registered on some teen-dating site, something like paris-teens-4-love.com or something is what Sheep says. It’s got a reputation for making all of the wrong matches- and Sheep is no exception. She was looking for an artistic sort of person who could take her on the gondola ride she was supposed to be on. And it turns out the guy she was with didn’t know a thing about gondolas and he crashed them into the side of some other boat. There was a hole and they started sinking. Sheep’s supposed ‘perfect match’ abandoned ship- I saw him go off and Sheep capsized! She didn’t have a life preserver and she started panicking…the poor thing…”
Erik nodded, “Definitely...”
“She told me about being saved too. The paramedics thought the water went to her head when she said that Erik, the Angel of Music had saved her life. She said she saw your face for a second- can you tell me about that?”
Erik blushed, “Erik did what he…thought was right. Erik saved the child and his mask…came off in the water. She is a kind soul- she must’ve grabbed it when Erik wasn’t looking. She...rescued it for me. I suppose it better that she thinks it as a trick of the mind though.”
“Maybe so- but I will never forget it. Erik- you saved someone’s life! I’m proud that you’ve come so far…” Chelsey walked towards Erik and looked him the eyes, kissing him full on the lips, “You’re a hero! I mean- it’s inspirational! It’s just amazing!’
Erik blushed more furiously at her actions, but smiled at the pleasantry.
“I…I am glad you think of me so…But Erik is no angel or hero…It is you who is the angel. Your voice is what told me to save Sheep… I am glad for this date- that Erik has…Erik has learned much.”
“A date? Really? Who said that?”
Erik was confounded, “Thanh and Heather had said it so.”
“I meant it to be just a friendly thing to help you relax…but I think it’ll be okay. We can finish this vacation up like a date with Sheep tomorrow- would it make you happy to experience an outing like we were all a big happy family?”
“Yes…” Erik felt warmth wash over him at her words, “I would like that very much…”
“Alright- well then goodnight for now. We’ll have a real date tomorrow. Rest well, Erik. Wake me if you need anything.”
And the night ended with the basic marvel that was her lips on his cheek with the goodnight. For the first time, Erik got one of the things he wished for in his past.
And tomorrow- he would cherish every single moment…

FIN