08

Hearing footsteps following after him, Erik turned and watched Fleurette tiredly walk after him. "Evening Erik," she waved at him and then took to rubbing her eyes desperately trying to keep herself awake.

"How was the show?"

"It was all right." Fleurette shrugged and looked at the dimly lit corridor in front of her to him. "How was your day?"

"Uneventful." Erik answered honestly, Fleurette smiled lightly at him and then quietly yawned. He looked at her and then around them. "You must rest, it sounds like you are going to be busy tomorrow."

"Ah," Fleurette looked up at him and shook her head. "Not if I pretend to sleep most of the day."

"Oh that's just sneaky of you." Erik said while wagging a finger at her. "Pretend to be asleep so you can wriggle your way out of Meg's plan." Shaking his head he crossed his arms and looked at her. Fleurette frowned, "What's wrong?"

"Her plan."

"You say this because she's trying to get you to sing." Erik pointed out while picking up walking down the corridor. Fleurette walked slowly after him, when all he got was silence Erik looked at her. She was looking up at him with narrowed eyes.

"Singing and dancing is a skill and...just a skill. Not to mention the stamina, I mean, no I can't." Walking into the room Fleurette looked around, "Erik you found some curtains?"

"Actually I didn't, they were sheets from one of the forgotten beds from the first floor."

"You just fashioned them to look like curtains then?"

"Yes."

"That's great," rubbing her hands Fleurette walked over and collapsed in the chair. "No more getting woken up by the sun." Leaning her head back she shut her eyes and then slowly opened them. "You also tidied up?"

"You're messy."

"Am not! I was in a rush...and I just never got round to cleaning up..." Erik just raised an eyebrow at her words and slowly sat down in the chair opposite to hers. Fleurette watched him and shifted in her seat.

"You're doing another show tomorrow?" Erik questioned, Fleurette shook her head which caused him to look at her confused. "But why? If I remember rightly you seemed dead set to do something you loved to do. Why are you not returning?" Fleurette looked down at the floor, Erik sat forward and lifted her head up to look at him. "What happened?" His tone took on a protective yet defensive sound which caused Fleurette to jump a little.

"Nothing."

"Then why do you not go back?"

"Because I do not fit in there." Fleurette said blankly, Erik leaned his arms against his knees and looked down at the floor.

Frowning lightly Erik look around, "Where are you things?"

"They got stolen." Fleurette said honestly, back at the theatre once she got changed she quickly left her dancing gear to go tell Elsie she wouldn't be coming out with her and the others. Then once she returned her things were gone.

Erik frowned and narrowed his eyes, "What?"

Shrugging Fleurette looked up at the ceiling. "At least I now have enough money to go buy some new things."

"Yes as true as that may be it's not really the point is it?" Erik questioned, "You have to go back."

"I'm not staying with a load of thieves."

"I meant you should go back to try and get your things."

"What's the point? My things are gone end of."

"That's so defeatist." Erik smiled thinly. "I understand why you do not want to return. I am behind you on your decision," he paused, Fleurette shot him a look which seemed to believe otherwise. "But you cannot let them just chase you out of there."

"There wasn't any chasing Erik."

"You know what I mean."

Fleurette sat silent for a few seconds before nodding slowly. "I suppose I could talk to Jerry. He may be able to get my things back."

"That's a good start. Until, and if, you get your things back do not return there."

Fleurette pulled a face, "How am I meant to know if he's got my things if I don't go back there now and again?" Rolling her eyes she stood up and walked over to the window. Pushing the sheet with its faded floral print out of the way her eyes skimmed over the night sky.

"I'm just letting it go. Those things were old and breaking anyway, I'd have to throw them away sooner or later..."

"More the sooner than the later." Erik pointed out simply, Fleurette looked over her shoulder at him and pouted. "I'm only agreeing with you." Shrugging he leaned back in the chair and opened them when Fleurette sat down on his lap.

"What do you make of Meg's plan?"

"It's simple, although I do not feel totally happy with it." Erik said simply, Fleurette let out a long quiet sigh before sitting back and leaning against him. Erik looked around before looking at her, "Are you all right?"

"I'm tired is all," shutting her eyes she didn't talk for a while. Erik honestly thought she had gone to sleep before she quietly spoke; "Erik can you hold me please?" Doing as she said caused her to shift slightly and fold up and lean against him. In a matter of moments Fleurette was asleep, this time for real instead of pretending.