The party was in full swing.

Costumed revelers danced to the beautiful music of a stringed orchestra and Wynne loitered with Meg by the food.

"You see over there that's Sorelli, she's going to be the new Prima Donna when Carlotta leaves. Maman says that she is taking Carlotta's place purely because she's beautiful because she isn't a talented singer, but I think she's just saying that because you know who told her..." Meg rambled.

"I know who?" Wynne asked innocently.

Meg tucked a piece of hair behind her ear nervously, "Oh... Um never-mind. I keep forgetting you haven't been here long."

"Who is telling your mother things?" Wynne pressed. 

"Ummmm...." Meg scratched her head.

Luckily for Meg, their conversation was soon interrupted by a man asking Meg for a dance.

"I'd be delighted Monsieur. See you shortly Wynne!" She called over her shoulder. The angelic smile she gave the man matched her angel costume nicely.

Wynne let out a sigh and wandered over to the food table.

At least this party had fancy french h our'derves. Which was great until you had to guess what they were...

One thing was for sure, she was staying FAR away from anything with a snail shell.

"No escargot for this mademoiselle." She muttered taking some relatively safe looking breaded items and setting them on a china plate.

She made her way back to where she was standing before and munched the french food. She had to admit it was quite good. Then again that may have been because she didn't take anything that looked too nasty.

She watched the people dance with disinterest.

"Okay... If this is all that's going to happen can the dream end now? I'm getting bored." She murmured to herself leaning against a pillar. 

All she wanted to do was wake up in her bed, and surf the internet.

Just then something caught her eye... or should I say somebody. A red dot caught in her peripheral vision.

Her eyes widened as she watched Erik walk towards her through the crowd.

Oh no no no! She looked for a way to escape but was fenced in by people on either side.

"Bonjour Mademoiselle." The voice was clearly Cherik's.

"B-Bonjour." Wynne stammered.

"May I have this dance?" He asked softly.

"Uh..." 

He blinked at her.

"Sure." She blushed.

She set her plate down on a nearby table and took Erik's outstretched hand.

"Have we met before?" He asked leading her to the dance floor.  

Wynne giggled nervously as Cherik gently took her hand in his and placed his other hand on her waist.

"If we had I'm sure I'd remember." she smiled shyly. 

Erik chuckled warmly.

"You're new here?" He asked, leading her through the steps easily. 

"What makes you ask that?" She blanched.

Erik pulled her closer and whispered huskily in her ear. "You seem very skittish."

She bit her lip. "I'm just not used to this much attention." She squeaked.

"Ah." Erik replied, lapsing wisely into silence as his eyes scanned the ballroom.

---

After a few songs Cherik's eyes finally caught what he was looking for.

Carlotta.

The woman was not hard to find, being that she was the only other person -Besides Erik- dressed in such an outrageous get up.

She had dressed like a peacock. Erik smiled internally,

"How fitting." He mused, as they glided around the floor. 

"What is?" Wynne asked, looking up at him. 

Erik blinked innocently, "Our Madame Manager's choice of costume..."

Wynne turned her head and giggled at Erik's wit.

"It certainly suits her." She agreed.

Erik hummed, "Perhaps we should go say hello..."

Wynne shook her head vehemently, almost shaking her hair out of it's coif.

"What's wrong?" Erik frowned.

Wynne's eyes widened, "Nothing! I'm just sure she's very busy that's all."

Erik gazed at the girl coolly... something was off, he could tell.

He paused for a moment, considering what to say...

"Well. She won't mind. We have a history you see~" He spoke as one would to a child, dragging Wynne haplessly along to Carlotta's side.

The couple stopped just beside one of the men Carlotta was talking to, as she finished her anecdote, she turned to greet the new arrivals.

"And who, exactly are you?" She asked rudely, with a cursory glance at Erik's costume.

Wynne hid partly behind Erik.

Erik's voice was dangerous, the calm before the storm.

"I thought you'd remember me madame. Why we met just the other day~"

Carlotta raised an eyebrow and stared at the man's eyes... there was something familiar about him...

"I'm sure you remember me!...Rats for a rat~" Erik taunted, his eyes darkening. 

Carlotta's eyes widened to the size of saucers, as the color drained out of her face. She trembled from head to toe.

"r-rat.... rats RATS RATS OH THE RATS! DIOS MÍO!!!" The woman shrieked and batted at things only she could see.

Erik chuckled darkly and Wynne tried in vain to pull away from his grasp.

He turned quickly to look at her. "Where do you think you're going Madame?"

"I-I... What did you do to her?" Wynne hissed.

Men and women stopped dancing and stared at the scene Carlotta was causing.

Choleti turned to look worriedly over at his wife, his eyes locking onto Erik with no small amount of horror.

"Nothing." He replied pulling her through the confused crowd. "She merely recognized me... As did you when you first saw me... Am I correct?"

Wynne swallowed nervously, and rushed to keep up with Erik. (And therefore keep her arm.)

"What do you mean Monsieur?!" She asked in her most innocent voice.

"I am not stupid Miss... I didn't catch your name."

"Wynne..."

They had stopped in the middle of the hallway.

Choleti and some other men could be heard attempting to follow them.

Erik pulled Wynne into the old Prima Donna room.

"You're new... I haven't seen you before..." He remarked as he circled her.

"Monsieur you're scaring me!" Wynne squeaked.

 Erik paused looking deep into her eyes,

Erik's voice rivaled that of a thunder clap. "...Good."

*Bang bang bang*

"Open up!" A voice outside the door shouted.

"Who's that?!" Wynne exclaimed.

"Choleti." Erik replied shortly. 

Wynne spun back to face him. But Erik had gone. The mirror must have been his escape route. Wynne would have followed him, had not Choleti opened the door.

"Miss where is the man who was with you." Choleti demanded.

"I-I don't know... Perhaps he was a ghost..." she bit back a smile.