Of Masks And Roses

The Talk

Later that evening I was sitting in my room on my bed, chin resting in my hands as I stared off into space, thinking, while Simon was sitting across from me and was looking at me like I had lost my marbles. But I just couldn't get my mind away from the Ballet Scene in Il Muto, which was to happen tonight. My thoughts swarmed with the terrified face of Buquet as Erik strangled him with crazy in his eyes, and hate through his heart. And in my own heart, I just knew I couldn't let that happen.

"Um, Scarlet?" I looked up at Simon, slightly startled as I blinked at him, "What's going on?" He asked me, raising an eyebrow. I sighed, sitting up straighter. He looked worried. I took a quick glance around the room, hoping Erik wasn't behind those walls. But after what happened yesterday there was no way he was going to leave me alone, or let me out of it. So far, I have been very lucky to have not run into him. He was probably pissed and until the show I needed to avoid him at all costs, until I could stop him doing the unthinkable. I still thought of him as my friend, and I knew deep down he still felt that way about me. And if I let him continue down this path and didn't at least attempt to stop him...

The images of a broken-hearted Erik crying, shouting as he smashed the mirrors with a candelabra rushed through my mind. I blinked, mentally shaking my head. I needed to stay focused.

"Ok, Simon," I started, "This is very, very, important, and I can't have you tell anybody what is going to happen, but I need your help to prevent it," I whispered, keeping my voice low. If Erik was here, and he hears us, our plan will be for nothing, and he would make sure that we stayed out of his way.

"What's going to happen?" asked Simon, glancing at me with worry. I bit my lip, looking over at the door and gazing at the crack by the floor. It didn't look like anyone was standing behind it.

I turned back to him and leaned in close, "Buquet is going to die tonight." I whispered.

Simon paused, "What?" Simon asked, rather loudly, "Buquet is going to-"

"Shhhh!" I said, putting my hand over his mouth, "You need to be quiet."

"Who's going to kill him?" he asked, looking at the door worriedly.

"Er-" I stuttered, quickly correcting myself and hoping he didn't notice, "The Phantom. And I need your help to prevent it."

"How?"

"Buquet is going to be asked to look out for the Phantom during the show. Buquet will get on his trail, but in the end he will be choked by the Phantom with a noose up in the rafters, then hung over the side in front of the audience, and there's a lot of screaming and-."

"Wait, wait, wait, I have some questions," Simon said, holding his hands up. I relaxed a little bit and closed my mouth, not realizing that it was still open.

I nodded softly, "Yeah, sure, ask away."

"Why, exactly, are you risking your life for someone you absolutely hate?" I paused, and Simon continued, "Every since you came here he has been nothing but rude to you and, frankly, everyone in this Opera House. He is a drunk and he's uncouth and-"

I nodded, reaching out my hand to stop him "Yes, I agree," Simon stopped, looking at me with wide eyes, "He is... a horrible person," I straightened a little, "But that doesn't mean that I want him dead. No one deserves to die."

Simon pursed his lips, but shrugged, nodding, "Ok. Second question, how do you know that this is going to happen?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I figured this question would come up at some point, "Jeez, Simon," I said, looking away, "That's going to be hard to explain." I then explained to him everything that has happened, me being from the future, or at least a different universe, meeting the Phantom and how I probably offended him by calling him his real name, and how I knew everything that is going to happen at the Opera House for the next few months. In the end, the look on Simon's face told me that he wasn't going to believe me.

My shoulders slumped in defeat, "You don't believe me, do you?" I asked. This is it. My one true friend thinks I'm weird and after this, he is probably going to never speak to me again.

"Well," he started, scratching at his head, "A bit, but there is a truth in your words. I can tell that you mean everything you say," he grabbed both my hands from my lap and held them, squeezing them tight in between his. I blushed and felt a tingle go down my back and to my toes, "So I will help you, Scarlet. Even if you sound like a loon." I laughed and he grinned, "And besides, if everything you say will happen does happen, then I'll just have to believe you. You're a good friend to me, and I'll help you no matter what."

I smiled softly, "Thank you Simon," I said, looking into his eyes. He stared back at mine, and for a minute the world was gone, but it came back when there was a loud knock at the door. I opened my eyes, not exactly remembering how they got closed, and realized that I was inches from Simon's lips. I flushed and quickly pulled away, coughing and pulling my hands from his.

"Yes?" I asked the person from the other side of the door, turning away from Simon.

"Final rehearsal in one minute," They called, "Bayard needs you at your station right away, the show will start right after rehearsal."

"Alright thanks," I said.

Silence passed us for a couple seconds, before Simon broke the silence.

"We better, uh, get to the stage," he said, chuckling slightly.

I coughed, "Uh, right, yeah," I said, jumping off the bed, not meeting with Simon's gaze. I hurried over to the door and opened it, "Let's get going."

"Alright," he said, standing up and walking over to me. He touched my arm, his hands cold as ice, sending shivers down my spine, "We'll talk about the plan after the rehearsal." I nodded, and closed the door behind us.