Replaying Past

How dare he!' Esme shouted in her mind as she danced across the floor. 'How dare he forget about me... I hate him, I truly do.' Her mind fevered with anger and jealousy as Raoul lead her across the floor. Erik had proclaimed her to be his wife and the moment Christine appeared, he had forgotten her very pressence. How she wish she could have done something more then shomp his toes. But the large hand that held her back pulled her body closer, bringing her back to the matter at hand. Looking up, she stared up at Raoul, his devilish charm at its best to woo her over to his side. How she wish she could have declined his offer of a dance, but she would not let Erik have the uper hand.

"How do you like my ball?" Raoul purred, his cheke touching her temple in a tender caress. Esme wanted to shove him away and run back to Erik side, but she had to be brave. She had to show Erik that she could easily forget about him. "Tis lovly... I never turly went to one." His voice muttered in desire as he drew her close, drawing her away from the dance floor. "If I had it my way my dear. You would go to as many as your heart desired." She let out a little tatter, trying hard not to pull away. His scent was over whelming with cologne he seem to drown himself in. It all but gaged her. "Thats..um.. very flattering." Their movements came to a stop and Esme questioned what was going on. The music was not over nor did the others seem to stop. Raouls hands let her go, lettign her see them stand beside the grand french windows, letting them see the fire works that lit up the night sky.

She watched in awe for a moment, before something was placed lightly into her hand. Looking down, a glass of champane lingered within her grasp. It bubbles with life and glowed with a golden tent. She looked to Raoul, whom took a sip from his own glass. "Do drink, Its a very good year." Looking back to her glass, she saw no harm is taking a small sip. Liftin gher glass, lettign the rim touch her lips, she tilted it back and let the fizzing liquid touch her lips and tongue, before spilling down her throat. "..Mmm.." She purred, the taste was all but devine. The bubbles tickling her nose and throat. She took another sip, a more healthier one, almost drowning it all. But lowering it, her cheeks flushed with the warmth she felt, she let out a giggle. "My! Tat is good." she cooed. Raoul only laughed, before reaching over, removing the empty glass once she drank the rest. "Now now, pace yourself, dont want you to be passing out on me."

He chuckled at his words. Soon Esme would be swooning in his arms. If not by his charm, then by the little pill he had spilled into her drink. Sure it was a low blow to his ego, but it would be the only good excuse to get her alone. She would swoon and pass out into his arms, he would declare that she must rest and take her away. His wife will entertain that...Edward.. and Raoul would be left alone with his new prize, to fest on what he wanted to taste for months now.

Taking another sip from his own glass, he could not help the smug smile that touched his face. He would have her by tonight. By god, he will have her.

~~~~~~~~{@



What was he doing?

Erik kept his eyes close upon Esme and Raoul, his anger never lowering. The bastard was holding his gypsy far to close and far to hard. He would have marched over and rippe dhis red haired goddess away from those damned hands, if his own weren't busy holding steady to another body. He danced slowly with Christine. She spoke to him, mostly of her life and her role in the ball... He thought he would be jealouse, to spill in rage and regret. But he felt nothing. For the frist time, he looked upon Christine and saw something else, besides the angel he seem to praze her to be. Her hair was dull and lifeless, while Esme burned with the very flame of passion. Her skin was pale and doted in freckles, while Esme was smooth with golden flesh with no marks. Her eyes glowed with a simple boredem while Esme glowed with warmth and love.. What did he see in Christine? Surely there was something about her that drew his heart to its knees? Of course there was... But now. In his eyes, Christine was as plain as Raoul. She could not hold a candle to Esme beauty. To feel such an emtion caused him to worry slightly. But he paid no mind to it.

"You look awfully familiar."

He looked back down to her with a frown, seeing her eyes narrow in question. "Do I?" he replied lightly, unsure how to lead. She gave a nod, before whispering, "Your eyes... I feel as though I have stared into them before." Erik forced a clam smile upon his face, as he tippe dhis hea din a bow. "That is very flattering M'lady." Her face held the awe and wounder like one of a child seeking out a question to a riddle. But before anything could go further, a sound of shattered glass hushed suddenly. Looking, Erik breath hissed in rage as he saw Esme slumped against Raoul, her body looking as thou it could not keep up stright. Her eyes misted and dazed, her face covered in confusion.

"What has he done to her."

Christine frowned to Edwards words, but folowing his gaze. A gasp ripped from her throat. Esme looked terrible Ill and Raoul, bless his sould, was trying to help... Or at least she hoped. Lettign Erik go she rushed to their side, shattered glass upon the floor from where Raoul had dropped his drink to catch the stumbling Esme. Erik went to follow, but a body hit in own knocking him back. 'Forgive y'er lordship, can't stay on me legs afta those drinks.' Erik snarled at the fat man in the pig costume whom stood in his way, holding onto a palte of food and treats in hsi greedy hand. "Move." He barked, but the man only rambled on, stepping side to side to keep Erik where he stood. Erik was going to punch and break this mans nose, if he did not move.

~~~~~~~~{@

Something was not right... One moment she was fine and laughing, the next her body became heavy and her legs gave out. Raoul held her and for once, she was thankful. Her vision was becoming blurry as her legs started to become rubber. She could not stand right... She could not think right.. Something was wrong. "I told you not to drink so fast."

Raouls voice seemed like an echo to her now, as her body was slowly being moved, step by heavy step. Raoul was guilding her, leading her to the grand stair case that lingered at the edge of the room, leading up to the rest of the home. Upon reaching the frist step, Raoul had stopped to speak to his wife whom had rushed to their side.

"Oh dear, what is wrong with her?" She asked. Raoul only gave her that sweet smile, helping Esme stand correctly. "I seem our sweet cousin could not handle the drinks. A bit tispy, I thought I go put her in one of our guest bed rooms, let her sleep it off." Christines eyes narrowed a little before her face was covered with another smile. "What a splinded idea Husband. Here let me help you." Raoul protested, telling her to stay and watch over the guest, but Christine refused to hear it. They bickered and made once excuse after another, all the while climbing the grand stairs. Both hands, Roauls and Christine was holding onto Esme body, helpign her up each step. Esme wanted to say no, to tell them to return her to Erik. But her tongue felt swollen and stuck. She was at their mercy and she hated it.

Half way up the stairs, their bickering never settling, the music came to a sudden streeching halt, as a loud crash and a muttered oath rang out. A broken Violin in hand, a man sprea don the floor holding the side of his bleeding head cursing out. Erik's voice roared out over the gasps and clicking shoes and heels that suddenly stopped.

"I let you take her once, But take another step Raoul and I will not spare your life this time!