Nobody turns down tea with the Phantom

[asoutcastshear]

Characters: asoutcastshear and only_one_raoul; Closed
Location: Sergei's
Date: Today
Rating: G? PG at the most

Comments

[only_one_raoul]

Raoul has done a good few stupid things when it comes to chasing the Phantom, but this ranks right up there with following the man into his lair with no weapons and no idea where he was going. His sense of self preservation is screaming for him to turn back, but he would not let the Phantom think that he feared him.

He arrives approximately on time after considering if he should possibly be early and try to catch Erik putting together a trap, or being late out of defiance. He's casually dressed (for a nobleman), stiff, and appears to be completely unhappy with the situation. He stops with a good bit of distance between him and Erik. He says nothing.

[asoutcastshear]

Erik's elbows were resting on the table, his hands laced in front of him. He almost expected Raoul not to come. Why would he? Considering their past experiences. But he was unarmed, this time. He had no real intention of doing Raoul any harm. He on;y wanted to speak to the Vicomte, to warn him.

That was fair, right? And Erik was a very fair man. Well, sort of.

He looked up when Raoul entered and gestured toward the seat. "Sit, Monsieur. It would hardly be proper for me to sit and for you to stand."

[only_one_raoul]

He stays standing for just a few seconds before taking the offered seat. He sits with his back straight, still tensed and ready to jump if Erik makes any suspicious moves, and glares at the man across from him.

"Well?"

[asoutcastshear]

Erik poured himself a cup of tea and watched the steam spiral from the top. He looked so rigid and behind the sweaty mask, Erik looked amused. Clearly, he had struck a chord with the boy.

"I believe we both know why you are here. I am willing to give you one more warning to keep your distance."

[only_one_raoul]

Raoul's sitting across from the man who quite gladly murdered him, so he has every right to be nervous.

"I already told you that your threats mean nothing to me."

Really? The Phantom invited him to tea so he could threaten Raoul to his face? The only difference he can expect is a physical rebuttal instead of a purely verbal one.

[asoutcastshear]

Erik sighed and took a sip from his cup. "Do not consider it a threat then. It is a friendly suggestion." He set the cup down and tilted his head at Raoul. "The suggestion was only meant to help you. Take it."

[only_one_raoul]

"Well, forgive me for saying so, but it's difficult to take 'Stay away from her or else' as anything but a threat." Raoul's posture remains intact for now, sitting motionless except for his expression and small movements of his head.

"Besides, calling it a 'friendly suggestion' still would not change my mind.