A Song In The Dark

Just Like A Normal Man

Erik sighed waiting nervously he was having dinner with Ada and her family in just few short minutes, "What are you doing Erik?" He mumbled to himself. "They're going to turn you in send you back, back in a cage." Erik paced back and forth, "I can't do this." He placed his mask on, "yes I can, Erik you are feared in Paris, the Middle East you have worked for kings. You are a legend don't be scared of a girls father." Erik pulled on his jacket smoothing out a wrinkle. He walked slowly to a mirror looking at his reflection, his black hair was slicked back, he had a strong jaw that had filled out nicely now that he had gained back weight. He almost felt handsome, except for the white mask. "You can trust Denis, you can trust Ada."

Erik lurked across the street avoiding the streetlights. Softly he knocked on the door his heart pounding in his chest threatening to explode. The door opened, "Erik!" Ada gasped, "what are you doing here?" Erik bit his lip there was no turning back now. "Well I am here for dinner, your brother invited me." Ada jumped up and wrapped her armed around his neck, "It's so good to have you here!" She exclaimed Erik chuckled nervously his face going white.

"Ada who is that?" A man asked. He was short and pudgy his hair speckled with grey.

"My name is Erik, monsieur a friend of Ada's." Erik introduced himself with a slight bow. "Will you be joining us?" The man asked. Erik smiled "I was invited by Denis."

"Well join us for a drink!"
"Erik! You came!" Denis exclaimed. Erik nodded evidently nervous. He sat as Denis offered him a drink. "So what do you do Erik?" Ada's father asked, "I... Am a composer, and architect."
"How interesting? If you don't mind me asking what's the mask for?" Erik shifted nervously shooting a glance at Ada who was across from him.
"I..."
"He was injured in a battle." Denis interrupted. "during the revolution." Erik added quickly.

"Dinner is ready if you would like to come to the dining room." Ada announced a smile on her face. They rose and moved to the table, Ada had made there weakly Sunday meal fresh bread, roast chicken and green beans.
"So have you always lived in Paris?" Ada's father asked taking a bite of chicken "I was raised here, I lived in Persia for a short time when I was younger."

"What did you do there?"

"I built an extension to the shahs castle." Erik explained leaving out the fact that it was a torture chamber.

They ate dinner Erik had to admit, he liked these people. Ada's father was nosy but he meant no harm in being so. Erik had never seen Ada so happy she was smiling from ear to ear as she listened to them talk.

"I should be getting home, thank you messieurs, Ada." His voice lowered to nearly a whisper when he said her name it made his heart leap. Erik noticed Denis and his father look at each other with a joyful smile.

"I'll walk you out." Ada offered they walked out of the house once they were alone Erik grasped her hands. "Thank you Ada." She blushed at his touch and his rich voice, "I know this was out out of your comfort zone you have no idea how much it means to me."

Erik leaned forward gently pressing his lips to hers, "I'm sorry for being such a fool with the whole Christine thing."

Ada hugged him her hair smelled of lemon, he sucked in her scent "I should go before someone recognizes me." He whispered.