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Gankutsuou Reborn	By : roryheadmav Category: +G to L > Gankutsuou Views: 5847 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Gankutsuou, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
DISCLAIMER: This story is a non-commercial
work of fiction based on the anime/manga Gankutsuou. Original copyright
of Gankutsuou belongs to Mahiro Maeda, Gonzo/Media Factory, GDH.
Absolutely no monetary gain has been made with this work.
GANKUTSUOU REBORN

© December 22, 2005 By Rory
V. Pascual

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Eugenie's Surprise
When his three soft knocks on the
door remained unanswered, Albert ventured to enter his lover's chamber.
The young envoy spotted Etienne at once. The singer was sitting sideways
on a sun seat, his long legs stretched out. His chin was laid on the balcony
ledge, cradled by his folded arms. Etienne was gazing sadly into the distant
city, his long hair flying in the cold breeze.
"Oh, Etienne!" Albert was worried
sick about his lover. Ever since that night at the opera, all the good
spirits seemed to have deserted the singer. Rather than entertain guests,
he would stay up in his room, lost in deep thought.
Albert was virtually unaware that
the depressed young man he was gazing at with deep concern was not the
Nightingale, but the entity known as Gankutsuou.
In truth, Gankutsuou had been struggling
for the past four days to coax Etienne out of his self-imposed isolation,
but the singer would not respond to his pleas. Worse, the Nightingale was
becoming more daring, poking in places inside his mind. The entity had
to seal those memories away, which only infuriated the singer.
"What are you hiding from me, Gankutsuou?"
Etienne would often rail at the entity he shared his body with. "What is
it that you're so afraid that I would find out?"
Gankutsuou buried his face deep into
his arms that only his sad eyes and the tip of his nose were visible. What
am I going to do? If I tell you the truth, we might lose our second chance
at happiness.
What was making this situation unbearable
for the entity was Albert. Although, he will not deny, that he was very
happy to spend more time with the mortal, Gankutsuou knew that what Albert
was pining for was his precious Nightingale. He was in love with Etienne,
not with him. The entity dreaded what would happen if Albert found
out that the 'Ruler of the Cavern' still lived.
However, it pained Gankutsuou even
more to see Albert fumbling in the dark for the reason for his lover's
depression. He knew the young ambassador was standing in the middle of
the room behind him, wrestling with the desire to speak with him or to
just leave him alone.
Something white and cold fell on
the tip of his nose. Gankutsuou lifted his head to see tiny snowflakes
falling from the sky.
:Snow�: The entity gazed in
quiet awe at the white puffs floating down upon the city.
:�?Snow?�:
At that quiet inquiry, Gankutsuou's
eyelids fluttered close and he reached out to the sulking Nightingale before
he could return to his sanctuary.
Etienne never expected actual physical
contact inside his mind. Great was his surprise when a cold hand gripped
his wrist, preventing him from retreating. He whirled at the entity, ready
to give him a sharp tongue-lashing, but he stopped as he beheld Gankutsuou's
face for the first time.
The entity looked exactly like him,
except that he was older and that his hair was tinged with gray. On his
forehead glowed those familiar intricate pink marks. Even Gankutsuou was
just as surprised that he had actually caught the singer.
:That's enough, Etienne,:
Gankutsuou begged the Nightingale in earnest. :Can't you see how much
this is hurting Albert?:
:And whose fault do you think
it is?: Etienne asked in turn, his words heavy with anger. :Who's
the one who's been keeping secrets from me in the first place?:
:I'm doing it to protect you.:
:Are you protecting me or yourself?:
Etienne shook his head in frustration. :I'm afraid, Gankutsuou. Whatever
it is that you've been hiding from me, I'm terrified that it might become
the cause of my being parted from Albert. I've been seeing�visions, just
glimpses. Of Albert, of strange men� Something is telling me that I'm supposed
to know them, that they did something terrible in the past. That I did
something just as bad.:
:You're getting your memories
mixed up with mine.:
:Then you did know Albert
in the past.:
:Yes, and the less you know about
it the better.: The singer was about to argue with him, but the entity
raised his hand. :Please, Etienne. I truly understand how you feel,
but it's something I don't want to discuss. Now�is not a good time�.:
:But what if your past catches
up with you? Benedetto, and that voodoo priestess Marie Laveau� What then?
Are you telling me that I should just sit back and do nothing?:
:I'll do everything in my power
to protect you. That's a promise, and that includes keeping�things�from
you that could harm both you and Albert.: Gankutsuou quietly admitted,
:I've been thinking these past days�that maybe I should move on. I've
been causing you a lot of pain. It hurts just as badly to see Albert so
sad as he is right now. I'm�going to figure out a way so that I could separate
my essence from your body.:
Etienne was taken aback by the entity's
plan. :Gankutsuou, I didn't mean that I wanted to get rid of you. I
only wish that you'd be more honest with me.:
:Something that I could not do.
Let's face it, Etienne. I'm also endangering your life, and�:
Gankutsuou's eyes flew wide as the
Nightingale gave him a tight hug.
:Don't you ever think of leaving
me,: the singer cried. :I know that I had hurt your feelings as
well. I could feel your pain, but I kept on ignoring it. If you can't tell
me the truth now, I'll wait until you're ready. But don't you ever say
that you'll leave me. Next to Albert, you're the first friend I've ever
had. I don't want to lose you.:
The entity's eyes filled with tears.
:As long as you can endure my presence and my secrecy, I swear I won't
leave you.: Gankutsuou pulled away, a relieved smile on his handsome
face. :Now go. Albert's worried about you.:
:Don't you mean 'us'?:
:It's you he loves, Etienne. He
doesn't love me.:
Before Etienne could argue that fact,
the entity retreated into his mind, just as a thick coat was draped over
his shoulders. He tilted his head backwards to see Albert's bright blue
eyes gazing down at him.
"You're going to catch a cold if
you stay out here," Albert murmured, a gentle smile curling up his lips.
Seeing the worry lines on Albert's
brow, it was only then that the singer realized the trouble he had put
his lover through.
With a choked cry, Etienne flung
his arms around Albert's neck. "God, I missed you! Please forgive me, Albert!
I promise I'll never leave you alone again!"
The envoy laughed at that surprising
outburst. "What are you talking about? Etienne, you never left the house
in two days. You must have been dreaming."
"Yes, I guess must have," said Etienne,
a charming blush coloring his cheeks. "I felt like I've been gone for ages."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have rushed
you into attending the opera like that. Signore Verano even had to pressure
you into singing that night. I should've had the sense not to do that to
you also, knowing that you were not ready."
"Don't worry. I'll pace myself from
now on." The Nightingale stretched his arms out and yawned. "I'll be staying
right here in this room for a whole week and just read 'Le Fantome de l'Opera'."
"Read?" More lines appeared on Albert's
forehead. "Is that all you're going to do?"
Etienne chuckled as he clutched the
lapel of his lover's shirt and slowly pulled him down. Murmuring huskily,
he said, "Oh, Monsieur Herrera! I only read during the day. My nights are
reserved especially for you."
Those enticing lips tantalized Albert.
"Good! I don't want Monsieur Erik stealing away my quality time, especially
since I've been a very patient celibate for the past four days."
"Hmm� I think Monsieur Erik could
wait a day longer."
Before the two lovers could kiss,
however, there was a loud bang downstairs followed by an outraged shriek.
The door opened and Bertuccio peeked
inside. "Excuse me, Albert, but there's a rampaging pianist here to see
you."
Just as Bertuccio said this, the
door was flung wide open to reveal a very angry Eugenie bearing a briefcase
in her right hand and a crumpled letter in her left.
Throwing the letter at a startled
Albert, she ranted, "That pompous ass! After all those rehearsals, he has
all the nerve to say that he's quitting my production, saying that it's
too scandalous for an artiste of his stature!"
Albert tried to smoothen the wrinkled
letter so he could read it, as a bewildered Etienne inquired, "And the
'pompous ass' in question is?"
"Guillermo Verano, who else?" Before
the shocked eyes of the two men, Eugenie started pacing back and forth,
ranting like a lunatic. "Who does he think he is anyway? He is certainly
no Ludivigo Cassals!" She let out an evil laugh. "Besides, who says my
production will flounder without him, especially when I have someone who's
a hell of a lot better than he."
Haydee, who had been napping in the
next room, appeared. A curious Baptistin had also come up behind her. Patting
the mischievous rogue, she suggested, "Please contact the Paris Asylum,
will you, Baptistin, and inquire if they are missing any patients?"
With dramatic flair, Eugenie spun
on her toe, took a step forward, and pointed her suitcase at a stunned
Nightingale. "YOU!"
"Huh?" Etienne was blinking in utter
confusion. "What about me?"
"You, Etienne Delacroix, are going
to be the star of my production!"
As Eugenie cackled like an evil witch
at that announcement, everyone in the room spoke in unison, "WHAT?"

~~~~~~~~~~

"Eugenie? What�is�this?"
Eugenie snatched the music score
that Albert was scorching with his eyes. "Give that back! What does a peon
like you know about music anyway?"
"Well, the melodies and rhythms of
some of these songs seem rather�rambunctious," Haydee cautiously offered
her dubious critique. "But I think Albert was talking about the lyrics."
Etienne, who was humming and tapping
his foot to one score in the far corner, suggested to the pretty pianist,
"I think you should change one line here. I think it would sound better
if you change it to�" He then proceeded to sing the lyrics of the love
song, " 'Douse the flames of passion that consume me�' "
Albert swiftly clapped his hands
over his ears. "Enough! Etienne Delacroix, you stop singing that�that�Hell,
I don't know what it is!"
Baptistin's broad grin filled the
lower half of his face as he laid the tray of tea down. "Sounds like a
pretty horny song if you ask me."
Nodding vigorously in complete agreement,
Albert declared, "You took the words right out of my mouth, Baptistin."
The Count's former right hand man
made a quick escape as Eugenie threw him a sharp glare. Steam was practically
coming out of the pianist's ears. "What's wrong with my songs? It's perfect
for the plot of my opera!"
"That's exactly what I find questionable
� your opera's plot! I mean, a story about a�a masked Count who uses a
male prostitute as his tool for revenge against the men who have betrayed
him?"
"So what's the problem with it? It's
a perfectly engrossing tale, especially since you have the prostitute in
question falling in love with him and trying to redeem him."
"You haven't been listening to what
you just said. Let me enumerate the problems for you. One, the two leads
are both men�"
"If this city does not tolerate homosexuality,
then Le Queen wouldn't be packed every night."
"Two, the music is not standard opera."
"I deliberately composed the score
to be as upbeat and decadent as Luna's popular songs. This opera is more
for the youth of today than the genteel society."
"Third, the two leads not only kiss,
but they also have sex�on stage!"
"It has all been tastefully choreographed
into a sensual dance by our choreographer. And so what if they kiss? Didn't
you kiss Etienne in public just four days ago? It was even plastered all
over the scandal sheets!"
Albert grabbed Eugenie's arm and
jerked her close. He hissed in her ear, "I'll give you the most important
reason of all. You're hitting too close to home. This Count character resembles�him�too
much. And what about Aimé? You damned well that Etienne was�"
The singer overheard what his lover
was struggling to say. "Albert, it's all right," Etienne said reassuringly.
"I feel absolutely no shame about my past. That's who I was. Why should
I deny it?"
Lucien and Beauchamp entered at that
moment. Both men were lugging in their arms what were obviously all of
the Paris newspapers that have been released that morning.
"I'm glad you said that, Etienne,"
Lucien began, as they spread out all the papers on the table, "because
the press is having a field day about your past profession."
Sure enough, the front page of one
tabloid had typed in big bold letters the headline: " 'Paris' New Sensation:
A Happy Hooker?' "
Etienne snorted in disgust. "I may
have been a hooker, but I was never happy."
Albert gave Beauchamp a suspicious
glare. "Is this your doing?"
The journalist was deeply offended
by that question. "Of course not! For your information, the minute I got
wind that this trash was going to come out today, I wrote a four-page exclusive
about Etienne's hardships at La Decadenza and the major role that he played
in the capture of the white slavery ring." He added proudly, "Our publication
sold out the minute it hit the stands, not like these rags."
Lucien patted the Nightingale and
gave him a wink. "When you're free, I'm taking you out shopping. I just
received a letter that you will be one of the recipients of the Legion
Of Honor Medal this year."
Although surprised, Etienne was both
delighted and humbled by the news. "Me? A hero? But I don't think I'm deserving�"
"You saved lives, Etienne, and at
great risk to your own," Beauchamp confirmed, grinning. "No one deserves
it better than you."
"But�" Albert waved to all the newspapers.
"Who could've done this?"
"It's that Signore Verano, isn't
it?" asked Haydee, turning to Eugenie.
"Yes, it is Verano." Eugenie plopped
down huffily in the armchair beside Albert's. "He and those rabid dogs
he calls his supporters intend to destroy Etienne before he could even
launch his singing career."
"Oh yeah!" Lucien suddenly remembered.
"There's a blind item about you and your little opera in the 'Theater Voice'.
Something about talented pianist and composer Eugenie Danglars coming up
with, and I quote, 'an obscene drivel disguised as a classic opera.' "
Mention of that quote caused Eugenie
to blow her stack completely. "That's it! I'm suing that son of a bitch!
His contract forbids him from speaking about my opera!"
Beauchamp shook his head. "I'm afraid
you can't do that. As Lucien had said, it's a blind item, not a direct
quote from Verano. You can't sue if you don't know the source of this information."
"What are we going to do?" Haydee
inquired, now truly concerned. "Even I find the antics of this Verano truly
despicable!"
Etienne, who had been mainly a passive
observer in their discussion, commented in a low voice, "I don't see what's
the problem. All we need to do is put up the production and do our best."
All turned to gape at the singer.
"I don't think this is a wise idea,"
Haydee put in. "With this smear campaign going on, shouldn't it be best
to let the furor die down first?"
"Believe me, competing against Signore
Verano is the last thing I have on my mind. However, I do not approve of
his methods of destroying the dreams of budding talents." The Nightingale
gave Eugenie a determined smile. "I cannot promise that the production
will be a success, but I will give it my very best."
"Oh, thank you!" Eugenie exclaimed
in relief, with a clap of her hands.
"When is the premiere of your opera
going to be anyway?" Beauchamp inquired. "Scoop the details to me so I
can give it advance publicity."
That question caused a sheepish grin
to go up the pianist's lips, which only served to rouse Albert's suspicions.
"What's with that look on your face,
Eugenie?" he inquired, his brow wrinkling up.
"He he he. Actually, the premiere
is going to be on the first of January."
"What?" Haydee was flabbergasted
at that reply. "That's only a month away."
"Learning the songs won't be a problem,"
Etienne said confidently. "I'm sure I could manage the acting and the dance
scenes."
Albert's voice was low and ominous,
as he interjected, "Aren't you forgetting something?"
The Nightingale thought for a moment.
"No, I don't think so." He suddenly remembered Gankutsuou. Sure enough,
he sensed the entity listening with intense interest to their conversation.
:Is this all right with you, Gankutsuou?:
:Sure! Why not?: the entity
gave his agreement, very excited. :It sounds fun! Shall I be performing
too?:
Etienne laughed inwardly at that
query. :That's our advantage! Two minds are better than one!:
The loud bang of Albert's hands on
top of the table nearly accomplished shocking Gankutsuou out of Etienne's
body.
"I never gave you MY permission to
star in this bawdy show. Besides�" Albert declared vehemently, "I will
not let any man kiss or make love to Etienne on the opera stage!"
"Aren't you being unreasonable, Albert?"
Eugenie could barely hide her disgust at her former fiancé's jealousy
fit. "It's just playacting!"
"No way!" Albert shook his head stubbornly,
folding his arms over his chest. "I am not sharing Etienne's lips with
others!"
"Oh, really!" Etienne said dryly.
"So what are you going to do � act on the stage with me?"
The sooner those words left his lips,
the singer instantly regretted what he said as a fiendish grin formed on
Albert's face.
"That's an excellent idea!"
Bertuccio, Baptistin, and Ali, who
were busy preparing treats for their guests, nearly dropped the china as
the pianist's horrendous shriek echoed throughout the house.
"MY PRODUCTION IS RUINED!"

~~~~~~~~~~

"Albert, you're grinding again."
"Me? Grinding? I'm not doing anything.
How do you know that I'm grinding you?"
Etienne freed his right hand from
Albert's grasp to point to their pressed groins. "And what's that? Doesn't
that look like grinding to you?"
Albert said defensively, "I am merely
following instructions."
"Monsieur Patou!" the singer called
out to the flamboyant choreographer with the wild purple hair. "He's doing
it again!"
"Oh, Monsieur Albert!" Patou flounced
over to their side. "I truly admire your grace and your verve in your performance�"
"I think he should change it to perv,"
an exasperated Eugenie muttered to Haydee, who nodded in assent.
"However�" the choreographer continued,
"�It is sufficient that we merely preserve the illusion of intimacy. The
Lambada is a sensual enough dance that we could do with less physical contact."
"But Monsieur Patou, I am totally
innocent of what Etienne is accusing me of," Albert exclaimed. "Surely
if I have indeed been overzealous, perhaps I could be forgiven. I am certain
a novice such as myself will be more restrained on stage."
"Ah! But it is on the stage that
you should unleash your passions." The choreographer clapped his hands.
"Now, let's repeat the dance."
:Would you mind if I�: Gankutsuou
interrupted.
:Be my guest,: said Etienne
willingly, knowing that the entity had something mischievous up his sleeve.
As the two men held hands to perform
that torrid South American dance once more, Gankutsuou murmured with voice
dripping with desire and mastery, "Well, Albert, shall I be overzealous
as well?" Reaching down, he cupped a handful of Albert's bottom and deliberately
ground his pelvis onto his lover's groin.
That sudden move, though, had the
opposite effect. Albert's blood was chilled by the dominant tone in the
singer's voice, bringing to his mind the image of the man he had loved.
Gankutsuou realized his mistake in
an instant, and he pulled away. "I'm sorry, Albert. I shouldn't have done
that."
Seeing how pale the other man had
become, Albert scratched his head in embarrassment. "You have nothing to
be sorry for, Etienne. After that, I really learned my lesson. Shall we
try again?"
Shyly, Gankutsuou went into his lover's
arms. But as the music began to play, it was Albert who thrust his groin
forward.
Frowning, Gankutsuou said, "I thought
you learned your lesson."
"I lied," was Albert's simple answer.
The entity breathed out a sigh. :Take
over for me, will you, Etienne? He really is a pervert.:
The Nightingale giggled as he and
Albert launched into the Lambada. :But a lovable one.:
They were halfway into the dance
when they heard the pitter-patter of approaching tiny footsteps. Both Albert
and Etienne looked down to behold Jacques and Clementine grinning up at
them.
"CHILDREN!" Etienne exclaimed in
shock, pushing Albert away.
Giggling, Clementine told her little
brother, "Uncle Albert's being a pervert again."
"Yeah," Jacques agreed wholeheartedly.
A very embarrassed Maximilien ran
over to retrieve his wayward children. "I am so sorry that my children
interrupted your rehearsals. They wanted to see Etienne and�" Unable to
contain himself, the former soldier yanked Albert aside. "What was that
dance? That's not something you show children!"
"How'd we know you were coming?"
Albert cried as the irate father began throttling him.
With arms akimbo, Etienne smiled
down at the twins. "And what are you two doing here? Aren't you supposed
to be in Marseilles?"
"We're staying in Mama's mansion
here in Paris," Clementine replied. "We plan to make a little money this
Christmas by going caroling�"
"Oh, that's very nice!"
Jacques pointed a finger at the Nightingale.
"�And you're coming with us!"
Etienne was taken aback by that exuberant
command.
"Now, now, kids," Eugenie approached
them, flapping her right hand. "Etienne's very busy rehearsing for a show
this New Year."
The little boy's lips jutted out
in a pout. "It didn't look that way to me. It looks like he and Uncle Albert
are getting horny again."
"Jacques Morrel!" Maximilien
exclaimed, a now insensate Albert in his hands. "What did your mother tell
you about your language?"
But the children wrapped their arms
stubbornly around Etienne's long legs.
"Don't be greedy, Aunt Eugenie. It's
just for one night," Clementine argued hotly. "We certainly can't ask Papa
to sing with us. He sounds like a moose in heat. No one will give us money."
"Now, you two," Etienne chided them.
"That's not a nice thing to say about your father."
True enough, Maximilien had burst
into tears at his daughter's remark, while Albert, who was massaging his
aching neck, was glaring at him.
"Oh please, Etienne!" the children
whined and wheedled, using all the persuasive powers that they possess.
"Please say you'll come!"
The Nightingale's eyebrows lifted
as he looked questioningly at the choreographer and Eugenie.
Monsieur Patou snickered as he glanced
at the pianist. "Well, you have been wearing Monsieur Etienne down. One
night won't make any difference. I've never seen a fast learner as he."
Eugenie let out a defeated groan.
"Oh, all right! And I had hoped that you would make your singing debut
on the stage, certainly not singing Christmas carols in the streets of
Paris."
"Thanks, Eugenie!" Etienne said in
gratitude, as the twins let out happy whoops and gave him ecstatic hugs.

~~~~~~~~~~
"We Three Kings of Orient Are

Bearing gifts we traverse afar,

Field and fountain, moor and
mountain

Following yonder Star�"

With a shake of his head, Etienne
pressed the heel of his hand to his aching brow. "Why did they have to
tag along?" he bewailed.
Caroling at the gates of one mansion
with the exuberance of braying mules were Albert, Maximilien and Baptistin.
They were swaying, arm in arm, as they sang. Bertuccio, who was standing
beside a lamppost on the opposite side of the street, was too shame-faced
to join them.
Etienne's group of little carolers,
consisting of noble children bearing drums, flutes and ocarinas, were throwing
sharp darts at the three off-key men with their beady eyes.
:Good grief!: Gankutsuou could
not stop himself from commenting. :No wonder Eugenie was against Albert
singing on stage! He is a much better dancer than he is a singer.:
:They certainly have nerves of
steel, I can tell you that,: the singer snickered as Maximilien croaked
on a high note.
"What are we going to do, Etienne?"
Jacques asked forlorn. "At this rate, we won't be making any money!"
Salvation, however, came in the form
of a high-heeled shoe that hit the noisy soldier right smack on the face.
As he hit the pavement, a steamed Valentine emerged from the house.
"Maximilien Morrel, I knew that shrieking
banshee could only be you, and you even brought a pair of jackasses with
you," Valentine declared angrily. "Leave the caroling to the children and
the professionals."
"But Valentine�" Maximilien whined,
as Albert and Baptistin helped him to his feet.
"No, buts! For a man of your age
and rank, I can't believe you would do something this scandalous!" Her
sharp eyes focused on Albert. "You should be ashamed of yourself, Albert!
With that singing voice, the Empire might think that it's a declaration
of war, and you happen to be an ambassador as well."
"But, Valentine," Albert argued in
his defense. "I was only chaperoning, Etienne."
"Chaperones simply accompany. They
don't cause a racket!"
Seeing that Valentine was distracting
their escorts, Etienne saw their opportunity to escape. He announced gleefully,
"Let's try another street!" and he marched away with the children following
him like ducklings.
The next street had a group of five
poor children caroling, their instruments consisting only of wooden clappers
and tambourines made from wire and bottle caps.
"Why don't you invite them over to
join us, Claude?" Etienne whispered to the youngest son of the Viscount
de Cheval.
Claude's nose rose snootily in the
air. "My father told me to never associate with the riffraff."
"Those 'riffraff' are children just
like you. It's not their fault that they were born poor." Etienne got down
on one knee before the reluctant boys and girls. "I know that you are doing
this so that you could buy new toys. Those children will be using the money
they earn to help put Christmas dinner on the table."
"Etienne?" Clementine asked hesitantly.
"Is it true that you were once poor yourself? That you had to�"
"I was a bit luckier than those children
in that I was never wanting for food and material things. But in exchange,
I nearly lost my dignity as a human being. Sister Bertrille, your Uncle
Albert and Aunt Eugenie, and all their friends� They changed my life. They
saved me." The singer glanced at the ragtag group. "Who's to say that the
kindness and generosity you show to them tonight won't have a great impact
on their future?"
The children looked at each other
for a moment. Nodding in mutual agreement, they hurried to the other carolers.
Smiling, Etienne stood up, only to
freeze in place. He was standing before the stately mansion on Champs-Elysees.
Again, No. 30 was evoking feelings of overwhelming terror inside him, much
of the sensations coming from the entity residing inside his mind.
Although the singer chose not to
pry, it was Gankutsuou who volunteered a nervous answer, :I�I used to
live here.:
That was a surprising revelation.
:Gankutsuou, you don't have to tell me anything if it's making you uncomfortable.:
:I�I swore that I would tell you
the truth, even if it's a bit at a time. But�it's so hard. So frightened�:
"There is nothing to fear here."
Through the singer's odd-colored
eyes, Etienne and Gankutsuou saw the smiling figure of Franz d'Epinay standing
at the front door, with his hands behind his back.
:Franz�: Gankutsuou whispered
the name in surprise.
Then, Franz raised his arms to them
in welcome. The singer and the entity just found themselves flying through
the air, their ethereal substance passing through the oak doors. Sensing
Etienne's fear, Gankutsuou took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
Down, down into the bowels of No.
30 Champs-Elysees they flew, passing an extraordinary landscape of blue
sky and multi-colored stars, an anomaly because they were underground.
When they reached the bottom, Etienne gasped, for he was standing in a
palace of gold and jewels, surrounded by a clear blue sea.
"Gankutsuou�what is this magical
place?" the Nightingale murmured in wonder.
The entity, on the other hand, was
in tears to see his former home restored to its original grandeur. A past
memory came to him, and he hurried towards the painting of a handsome young
man reading a book to his aging father in a small room. He tapped on the
frame and the painting slid to the left, revealing a vault.
"What are you doing?" Etienne watched
as Gankutsuou reached inside the vault. When he withdrew his hands, he
was now holding five small pouches and several pieces of gold coins.
"For you," said Gankutsuou, beaming.
"To give to the children."
"But Gankutsuou�I can't�"
The entity, however, placed those
riches inside the pocket of his coat. "This treasure is as much yours as
it is mine's."
"I don't understand�."
Franz suddenly appeared between them,
saying something to the singer that he did not catch. Laying gentle hands
on their shoulders, he brought them back to the mortal body they shared.
A tug on his cloak, and Etienne blinked
down to find the children looking worriedly up at him.
"Oh, did I black out again?" Etienne
asked, drawing relieved sighs from everyone. "I'm so sorry I scared you
all."
Clementine snorted. "You were probably
just thinking about Uncle Albert again."
"No, I wasn't!" There was a jingling
in his pocket. "I almost forgot. Before we begin our caroling, I have gifts
for you." Etienne gave five gold pieces to each of the noble children.
To the poor little ones, he gave the small pouches filled with gold and
gemstones.
"You didn't rob a bank, did you,
Etienne?" Jacques inquired dubiously, as he bit into one coin.
The Nightingale smiled, sensing Gankutsuou
peering tenderly at the children through his eyes. "It's a gift from a
friend."
"ETIENNE!"
Albert came huffing and puffing towards
them, with Bertuccio and Baptistin following behind him. "I was looking
all over for you."
"What happened to Maximilien?" Etienne
asked about the poor soldier.
"Alas, Captain Morrel has been incarcerated
by his good wife," was Bertuccio's reply.
"We barely escaped with our lives!"
Baptistin quickly interjected.
"I hope you learned your lesson,
gentlemen. As Madame Morrel had said, leave the caroling to the children
and the professionals." Grinning at the children, the singer invited, "Shall
we?"
As the children trotted off with
Bertuccio and Baptistin, Albert went to his lover's side. "I was shocked
when I saw you standing before this place. I know you seemed so afraid
of it."
"I couldn't understand why I was
so distressed whenever I see it, but I realize now that I have nothing
to be afraid of." Etienne added mysteriously, "It's a beautiful place,
a truly magical one."
"Why do you say that? You sound like
you've been inside."
The Nightingale then stated, "This
mansion� It belonged to that man � the Count of Monte Cristo."
Although taken aback, Albert would
not deny it. "Yes, this was the residence of the Count."
"Some day, Albert, would you please
tell me something about him? Both the good and the bad. I want to know
about the man you fell in love with."
That request surprised the young
envoy. Still, he gave his lover a nod and a kind smile. "Yes, I promise
I will."
At that moment, snowflakes began
to fall upon them. Looking at his beloved, Albert could not help but feel
awe. Dressed totally in white with a long fur-lined hooded cloak, Etienne
looked like a Snow Prince. Embracing the Nightingale, he gave him a sweet
kiss.
"Joyeux Noel, Etienne."
"Merry Christmas, Albert."
"HURRY UP, YOU TWO!" the children
called out to them excitedly.
"COMING!" Albert and Etienne answered
in unison as they ran after the little carolers.
Etienne could not help but glance
back at the mansion, where the spirit of Franz still stood before the gates.
Again, Franz said something to him. Unlike earlier, he heard the young
man's voice as clear as a bell.
"Welcome home�Edmond Dantes."

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Gankutsuou Reborn