His New Muse (Phantom of the Opera/Love Never Dies)

X

 The passageways were dark, lit only by the light of the torch O.G. carried in his hand. Carwyn gazed around as they walked, amazed that this passageway, these tunnels themselves were all here without him having any idea whatsoever of their existence. This was truly something he never would have expected.

 They soon came to a lake, where Carwyn asked, "Where does this lead?"

 "To my home," his companion replied, and helped him into the little boat which sat nearby. 

 "How long have you been here?" Carwyn asked as they rowed along.

 "Since I returned from America, four years. Before that, a long time."

 They rowed towards a portcullis, which opened to reveal a rocky shore where they docked. O.G. climbed out, and then held out his hand to Carwyn. 

 "I am very happy to be able to show you my home," he said. "Come inside with me. Gustave will be awaiting my return." 

 He opened the door, and showed Carwyn into a nicely decorated parlor, one that he would not have expected in a place such as this.

 Gustave, the same boy Carwyn had encountered that day, was sitting by the fireplace, stoking the flames. He jumped up when they entered, and his eyes widened when he saw Carwyn with his father.

 "It's all right, Gustave," O.G. said gently. "I invited Monsieur Descoteaux here for a visit. Carwyn, I believe you have met my son Gustave," he said, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder.

 "I'm sorry if I caused you any concern that day, Monsieur," Gustave said to Carwyn, looking nervous. "Father wanted me to go up to the opera to see you, and I hadn't meant to startle you."

 "I understand," Carwyn said kindly, although he wondered if the boy meant that his father had wanted him to spy on him.

 "Do sit down, Carwyn," O.G. said. He himself sat on the bench of a small piano which had been pushed against the wall. "You seem very surprised by my living quarters."

 "Oh, I am," Carwyn replied. "I can't believe this has all been down here for so long, or that no one has known this has been here. I certainly never would have guessed."

 "Ah. You don't know, then? It was all searched years ago, just before the opera house closed down. I doubt any of these new workers of yours are aware of it, though."

 "I suppose not," Carwyn said. "No one has told me of such things. Except...Madame Baudin! She would know. She was here years ago, when it all happened. She was a dancer here back then, one of-"

 "One of Madame Giry's students," O.G. finished. "I know. I remember little Elizabeth Moreau before she was Madame Baudin. She's certainly grown up since then. You should not tell her about this, Carwyn. I believe it would only worry her more than necessary. Gustave, you don't have to keep stoking those flames like that, they're fine."

 Gustave jumped up from his crouching position and stepped away from the fireplace.

 "Would you prefer to go to your room?" his father asked him. He sighed when he got a nod in response. "Go on, then."

 Gustave quickly left the room, glancing at Carwyn as he did so.

 "He is a shy boy," O.G. said to Carwyn, "Very quiet. I often worry for him. He has not been the same since he lost his mother."

 Another motherless child, Carwyn thought. "Jacques told me of the same thing. His children are like that, and he said they have been very different since their mother died."

 "Jacques Duval? You patron?"

 "Yes, that Jacques. He and I have become very good friends in the last few months. I think we're lucky to have him for a patron."

 O.G. grunted. "I suppose he's a little better than the last one, I suppose."

 Carwyn glanced down at his pocket watch. "Oh. I think I should go. But I can come back tomorrow, if you like."

 O.G. looked surprised. "Would you like to come back?"

 "If you'll welcome me, then yes."

 "Carwyn," he said. "I am much more welcoming to your company than you may realize."

~~~~~~

 "I will see you soon, then," Carwyn said once they had returned to his office.

 "I can come for you tomorrow," O.G. offered.

 Carwyn smiled. "I would like that." He began to turn away, but something made him turn back, something he wanted to know. "Can I ask you a question?"

 "Of course."

 "Do you have a real name? Besides the Angel of Music and the Opera Ghost?" 

 O.G. looked away form him, avoiding his gaze.

 "Erik," he said softly. "That was the name my mother gave me."

 "Can I call you Erik, then?" Carwyn asked. "I...would like to have a real name to call you by rather than O.G."

 "If you must use it," he replied.

 Carwyn nodded. "Thank you. Good day."

 "Good day, Carwyn." 

 Carwyn could hear the door close behind him once he had stepped out of the passage.