When Gustave Daae decided to settle down and give his daughter Christine a semi-normal life, he needed a little help paying for their home. He was directed to the infamous Erik Arquette after failing to get the loans he applied for. The gang leader...
Erik stared down at the list that Christine had written the next morning, unable to conceal the slight grimace that crossed his face when he came across something he wanted absolutely no knowledge of. He didn't truly care how women controlled their monthlies so long as they weren't bleeding freely in his presence.
He could only hope that she had some within her old home. He refused to buy anything of the sort. He'd pass that task on to Nadir. After all, the man had been married to little Meg for over a year now. Surely he was more than comfortable with it. Perhaps not, because he'd never heard the woman make a reference towards it and for that, he was doubly glad. If he didn't want to hear about it from his soon to be wife then he most definitely didn't want to hear about it from another man's wife.
He had asked Nadir to bring Meg so that she and Christine could meet. They'd need some company and bonding would keep them from asking too many questions. Nadir had marveled about how curious his wife was and while that was all well and good, it was too big of a risk to have her getting too much information out of him. It was for both of their sakes.
Perhaps Nadir could drop them off at a store and they could do a little shopping. He refused to bring any of her old clothing into his home. She deserved better and her clothing now hardly did her any justice. Perhaps with better clothing, she'd gain some sort of confidence. Even a slight bit would be nice as it was clear that she lacked in that area of her life.
The bathroom door opened just as someone knocked on the door. He cursed under his breath. He regretted telling Christine to take all the time she wanted with the bathing now. Even so, he supposed it had still worked out in a way.
At least he wouldn't have to pry answers out of the woman before he left. As much as he appreciated her beauty and her compliance- he found her silence grating. He didn't want a doll. He wanted a wife. If he wanted a doll, he'd just go out and use any floozy that threw herself at him.
He walked over to the door and pulled it open and grimaced for the second time that day. Must they always act like a couple of lovesick children? It was especially irritating seeing as Nadir happened to be around the same age as himself. Yet there he stood, letting the little blond cling to him and cover his cheek and neck in little pecks. He cleared his throat in order to ruin the moment and gain their attention.
"I am going back to Gustave's house. My bride needs a few things. Why don't you and Meg make yourselves useful and take her shopping?" He ordered, though it was more so in the form of a question than anything else. He didn't wait for an answer, pressing a cigarette between his lips as he pushed past them, lingering only for a moment before he climbed into his car. He pulled off a moment later, speeding down the road.
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Nadir sighed heavily, leading his wife inside Erik's home. He should've expected nothing less. Years upon years of friendship had taught him that the man would always be rather brusque and demanding. He almost felt sorry for Daae's daughter. Almost being the keyword. She could've easily ran away at any time before Erik came to collect her. Unless, of course, Daae hadn't thought to tell her that he'd traded her for his life. He wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't and simply hoped the agreement would be forgotten. What a foolish man.
"Who...Who are you?" A soft voice broke him out of his reverie and he turned around to see her. Christine was truly better looking than he'd expected, Erik's descriptions hadn't done her justice in the slightest. If he wasn't more than happy with his busty wife, he might've considered wooing her for himself. But he was. Meg had wormed her way into his heart.
"I'm Nadir and this is my wife, Meg. Erik asked me to take the two of you shopping." Nadir informed simply, hoping she'd save any questions for Meg. He'd do this, but playing twenty questions was not a part of the job description so he wouldn't be doing it.
"Oh.. Alright. I'm Christine... but you probably already knew that." She uttered, fiddling with her slender fingers. She sounded nervous and a bit flustered. That was to be expected. However, it was most difficult to believe that she didn't speak much with how easily she was doing it now. Erik probably had her more than a little intimidated . He was intense even when he wasn't trying to be.
"We know." Meg confirmed with a little giggle, taking Christine's arm as she guided her outside to the car. If anyone could bring her out of her shell, even a little bit it would be his wife.
Nadir followed after them and locked the door behind him. He laid the key under one of the chairs on the porch before following after the women. while Erik might be confident enough to leave his house unlocked while he was gone, he wasn't.
He really needed to get paid more for the little things he did. Erik would have to start ensuring that the door was locked on his own now that he was going to marry. He'd risk leaving Christine at a disadvantage otherwise.
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Shopping with Meg had been fun and she'd gotten a couple answers out of it. Not about anything substantial, unfortunately. However, she had learned that Erik was all bark and no bite- when it came to people close to him at least. She was sure that would probably extend to her as she would be his wife at some point... but she didn't want to marry someone she barely knew. Yet she didn't see any other choices. Who knew what would happen to her papa if she tried to back out.
The only thing she could do was try and get to know Erik in whatever time frame she had before the wedding. She put her bags down in her new room and hesitantly exited it, going down stairs. Speaking to him was still something she found a little nerve wracking but she tried to keep Meg's words in mind.
She knocked on his office door and she heard his muffled permission. She carefully pushed the door open and approached his desk, biting her lower lip when she found herself gazing into his strange colored eyes.
"Can I ask when we're marrying? I am... curious." She broke the silence, immediately looking down when she was done speaking. She was sure that she had a few months at least. After all, he'd probably want some time to get to know her as well. Even if she'd been nothing more than the prize from a deal of some sort.
"At the end of the week, Cherie. It's best to not waist our time dancing around this... Planning can be done quickly so long as you're able to make your mind up. I've already got us a venue after all." Erik answered, standing to approach her. His hand was warm as he cupped her cheek and pressed a surprisingly chaste kiss against her cheek.
But even so she was chilled to the bone. She had less than a week to figure something out.
