House Arrest [phantom of the opera fic]

CHAPTER EIGHT

(Raouls POV)

I sat at my desk with my pistol close at hand. Christine told me that being near a piano might help him stay sane... The piano in my office desperately needed tuning; why pay someone to do it when I have someone to do it for free? I was a shame I hadn't taken piano lessons more seriously. I don't even remeber how to play; the piano just sits there, useless.

I started on some papers I needed to get done: bills, letters, just overall paperwork. Erik started to play single notes over and over untill they sounded right. I glanced over at him briefly and saw that his whole demeanor had changed. His shoulders had relaxed and his face, the visible side, seemed more pleasant. His usual scowl dissapeared, and he seemed so... content.
Suddenly, the scowl was back, as Erik could not get a key to be in tune with the rest. He put his hand ontop of his head, but quickly took it away as if He had touched a hot stove... his hair must be the problem. I watched as Erik tried to smooth it down, but some of the stubborn, gray strands stuck up still. At this point I also noticed how messy he looked... his shirt was wrinkled and untucked on one side, his vest and jacket were gone, as the doctor needed to stitch his wound shut. His pants were wrinkled as well, with one suspended down on the side she had been shot. I also noticed he wasn't wearing his boots, only in gray socks. I should have given him his shoes before we passed through the courtyard... The path wasn't easy on feet without shoes. I had run though there as a child without shoes and sliced my feet open.

Erik finsihed tuning the piano after making sure every single key was correct and perfect. He pulled the cover down over the keys and sat down on the bench, looking out the window

Awkward silence ensued without the constant notes of the piano. The only noise came from my pen scratching on the paper and the ticking of the ornate clock near the fire place. I decided to make conversation. He turned my piano when he didn't have to, I should atleast try to be friendly. I pulled out my pocket watch, "done already? That was quick. Most men I hire to do that take twice as long!" I looked at him and stuffed my watch back into my pocket. He looked at me curiously, As if he wasn't sure that I was addressing him. I tried again to get him to speak, "where did you learn to do the so fast?"

He turned his gaze to the covered piano keys, still staying silent. I continued my effort to get atleast one word from him, "I used to play piano... I stopped after a while. I wish I had kept going. All I can play now is the first note of Für Elise. I assume you know that one!" I chuckled.
Finally, he talked, "Yes, I know that one. I never imagined you to be one to play piano, Vicomte."
"Really? What makes you say that? I thought I was rather good at piano."
"Your fingers are much too short."
"They are?" I looked at my hand "hm. I suppose they are. Much better suited for business than music."
He didn't respond, and I felt the conversation dying, "its awfully quiet... why don't you play somthing? Give the piano a test run!"

Erik instantly lifted the cover from the keys and flew through Moonlight Sonata. Christine had told me he was a musical genius but I've never seen anyone play that fast!
The song was over quickly, as he played it at twice the speed. I heard him chuckle, "impressed, Vicomte?"
"Yes, very..."
"I'm suprised. I would have thought that as a Vicomte, you would have heard many great musicians at your parties."
"I'm not one for parties."
"Really? Imagine that! A Vicomte, scared of parties!"
"Well the last one ended with a strange masked man bursting in and demanding we perform his opera!" It was my turn to chuckle, "but you wouldn't know anything about that? Would you?"
Erik laughed a little, but this time it wasn't the insane laugh I had grown used to; it was a new laugh. One I would hear if I was joking with my freinds. It sounded so pleasant, so... musical... everything about the man sitting at my piano was musical!

I organized my completed papers and decided to change the subject,
"I heard you telling Christine your story... I'm sorry all that happened to you. I never would have put those bars on your windows if I had known everything-"

He waved his hand dismissively, "No, I completely understand. I learned a long time ago that all anyone was going to see was a freak and monster... someone to be feared... there's no point in trying to be anything else."
I felt my face drop, "do you really think that?"
"Of course I do! I've never had any real freinds. Not even Madame Giry..."
"But she delivered all your notes."
"That doesn't make her my freind. She fears me, just like everyone else does."
"Is it true..? What you told Christine? About your mother not wanting you?"
"Every word. I wouldn't lie about that." He looked so sad and seemed to shrink in on himself. I looked down at my completed papers, "i've finsihed my work..."
Instantly he stood up and waited for me. I walked over and grabbed the end of the chain, taking it from the piano, but neglecting to take my gun with me.

I took him back to his room and attached the chain to the bed post," Goodnight Erik."

He said nothing.