The Mask Does Not Make The Person

Christine and I were walking through the streets of Paris one night, after her performance. At this time of night, there were many thugs, thieves, and beggars. But one caught my eye: a small, frail girl, can't have been more then twelve, with a blue scarf tied around half of her face...

"Little girl?" I said, approaching her slowly, "I thought you could use some help."

She jumped. "No I'm okay, thank you mousier."

"Are you sure?" I replied, softly.

She didn't reply. She just stood there, frightened.

"May I inquire about the blue scarf?" I asked. Then it hit me... "Wait, don't tell me." I came out of the dark and showed her my white mask.

Her eyes widened. "Come with me." I said, holding out my hand to her.

Still scared and dazed, she accepted my hand and helped her up. She can't have weighed more then 70 pounds, poor thing. I hailed a carriage then opened the door and helped her climb inside. I could see she was shivering, it was freezing outside. She excepted my warm cloak with trembling hands.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Rose." she replied.

"Very pretty!" Christine said, smiling. She always has that knack at making people welcome.

"Where are we going?" Rose asked, timid.

"Home." Christine and I said.

"Th... Thank you..." she softly said, smiling.

"No problem." We said to her, "It's freezing out there."

She finally addressed me on my mask. "So you have...?"

"Yes. And I'm guessing you do too. You can take the scarf off, if you want too." I said, already knowing Christine would be okay with it.

"No, I couldn't!" she said, a little embarrassed.

"Yes, you can." And then without warning, I took MY mask off to reveal my deformity. Christine smiled, this is the first time I voluntarily took my mask off in front of anyone but her. She kissed my scarred face, mostly to show Rose that she was alright.

"You see? You're safe with us." I said soothingly.

"Alright... This gets really uncomfortable." she sighed, then carefully and slowly untied her scarf. Her's was a little less aggressive than mine, but very similar in nature.

"Now, isn't that better? No secrets, not with us." Christine cooed.

When we got home, I opened the door to our house and gestured to Rose to come in. She walked in slowly and smiled. The maid had already lit the fireplace, and I went to the kitchen to make some tea, since it's cold and I didn't want Christine's vocal chords to freeze, also the rest of us.

When I came back, Christine had already settled Rose into an armchair, both of them making meaningless conversation. I know this was Christine's tactic for making people feel welcome, and it was working. Rose was wrapped up in a quilt from one of the upstairs bedrooms, talking to Christine like she had known her for years. How Christine does it I could never guess. I came and sat in the third armchair, and passed the mugs of tea to everyone.

"I hope you don't mind Earl Grey. It's Christine and I's favorite!" I laughed.

"I don't mind at all. Thank you so much... I never caught your names..." Rose said, drinking her hot tea.

"Erik." I said, smiling.

"Christine." Christine said, jovially.

Rose smiled, sipping her tea and smiling. I could see the color was coming back in her cheeks, she was so pale from the cold of a Paris winter.

"I feel so much better, my throat was killing me earlier." Rose said, grinning.

"Mine too. Especially after performing. Do you sing?" Christine asked. Again with the warm, pleasant conversation. I don't know how she does it.

"A little... But I'm awful." she replied, shyly.

Christine starting singing an old Parisian lullaby, one that all of Paris knows. Rose was very shy, but then chimed in, and starting singing too. Thats when I heard it. She was pitch perfect. My eyes widened as I started to sing too.

Rose smiled as she heard my voice, and by the end of the lullaby, she looked stunned.

"You two are amazing!" she stuttered, dazed. "Sorry I ruined it..."

"No, no! You sounded beautiful!" Christine smiled, bending over to stroke Rose's good cheek. "But he's the real judge! Erik?" she added, laughing.

I didn't know what to say. I just sat there stunned. "I've only known one person that could sing like that on their first try." I looked at Christine.

Rose looked at me, confused. "Really?"

I nodded and smiled. "Yes, really." then I added, "I'm going to go compose. My hands haven't seen the

keys of a piano in hours."

"You compose?" Rose asked.

"Yes, he does! And he's incredible too." said Christine, answering for me.

"Would you mind if I came and listened?" she asked.

"Yes, you may. Just try and be quiet." I said. That means no dark, possessive melodies tonight. I was in a flowery, mystical mood anyway.

I walked upstairs into my piano room. Rose walked in and gasped when she saw my formidable black piano in the center of the room. She room was painted a dark shade to help me concentrate. I enjoyed the dark, its soft tendrils surrounded me and centered me into the world of my melodies. There was a desk staked with blank sheet music in the corner, and a closet in the other. The closet was filled to the brim with extra blank sheet music, quills, and ink. I went and grabbed a large stack of sheet music, lots of ink, and some quills and brought it to the little table right next to the piano bench. I rarely used it, but I couldn't be bothered to get up right in the middle of playing to

go get it. I didn't really use sheet music all that often, during this late night composing time I rarely do more than just muse and ramble. I sat down and gingerly pressed middle C. Rose silently sat down on the carpeted floor, wrapped up in her blanket. I let it all out then. My fingers floated across the keys, played beautiful, soft, flowery melodies. Out of my peripheral vision, I saw Rose close her eyes and smile, now being caressed by the sweet melodies I created. About an hour later, Christine lightly knocked on the door. I stopped playing to let her know I heard and that she was welcome to come in.

"Sorry to interrupt, Angel of Music, but I just wanted to say that Rose might want to get some sleep. Its almost midnight!" She smiled.

"Yes, please." Rose replied, yawning.

"Did you enjoy the concert?" Christine inquired, giggling.

"Yes, it was magnificent." She smiled and looked at me. We both still had our deformities uncovered. And we both didn't care...

I stepped in. "Would you mind if I

continued while you go to bed, Rose?"

"I would love you too!" She smiled.

"Perfect. Come on, I will find you something to wear, we must have something that will fit you!" And with that, they both were gone. And I was pulled in to my world of music once more.