#credo

Though it still something

Even if that something was usually hosting a movie night with everyone at your apartment

Candy, homemade sweets and decorations set up as your friends in various levels of costume showed up

But this year Halloween was slightly different

And it started with a letter to Dante

Typically Halloween was quiet for demons for some reason

Dante rarely got calls and lady plus Trish barely did anything besides scare off creeps attempting to Lear

But the morning of October thirty first you found a letter delicately tapped to the door to devil may cry

Asking desperately for help, and as much help as you all could send since apparently some ancient old devil had reawakened and was gonna cause trouble

Perhaps for any other night just Dante and maybe Vergil would go

But on account for how busy the streets would be with potential casualties it was decided it would be best if everyone went

And so everyone went to the address

That being an old theatre that gave you and Dante some fun Deja vu to the entire incident with Patty

And sitting on the stage was an odd demon

Clothes reminiscent to Venetian carnival wear, holding up two masks

The iconic happy and sad theatre masks used to symbolize comedy and tragedy

And before you all knew it or could even engage with the Venetian dressed demon you all were backstage in costumes

Specifically that of the phantom of the opera

Everyone playing pivotal characters plus you

But somehow….

“Wait why am I Christine? I feel like lady better fits this role. If anything I’d be madame giry-“ turns out being centre stage is now the act you must preform much to your chagrin

Act 1

Lady as madam Giry “in think of me”

As your oldest friend somehow in this mess ended up in the role of Madame Giry

The mysterious choreographer for the ballet dancers who seemingly knew more about what was going on behind the scenes of the opera house with the phantom

Mostly due to the fact that in the musical she had a hand in his backstory and her character was melded into the role of the Persian

A cut character from the novel who knew the phantom

Dressed in black lady’s ruby and emerald eyes shine with a sort of muffled amusement

A small smile on her face as she stared at you in the Hannibal ensemble outfit Christine had in the opening of the musical

“This takes me back” she says with nostalgia in her eyes, barely veiled by the fact that there’s also some minor worry. You all were on the stage not of your own whims but rather at that of a demon, none of you could be too relaxed- “just wish I could’ve at least been Raoul, I mean it makes more sense than Dante being him“

“Huh?”

Yeah she’s a bit miffed about the casting as well

But moreso because in her words

“I fit better as him, I’m the one who was childhood friends with you. Damn demon, can’t even get the casting right how’s this show supposed to-”

She doesn’t get many words in as the show begins

Trish’s voice as Carlotta streaming through both your ears off stage as the beginning half of Hannibal took place

At least until you were suddenly pushed to the stage by a mysterious force

Yeah, lady learns firsthand about the fact that you were all forced to the confines of the story of the play

Various times through the show she attempted to go onto the stage

Yet was stopped by the mysterious demon director of this production

Invisible walls and hooked canes pulling her from interrupting

Safe to say she was pissed

You can’t exactly blame her, those same tricks kept you on stage when all you wanted was to leave as well

But neither of you are lucky to escape these tricks

And she makes it evident when on stage

Her eyes are pointed and she’s straight to the point

Not willing to play the role besides getting straight to the point

The black Victorian dress being tugged at uncomfortably

Instinctively trying to reach for kalina usually slung onto her back only to be met with the costumed material

It maker her hand twitch

And action not noticed by others but to you is a sign of her discomfort despite putting on a brave face

You make sure to hold it in those moment when you can

When on stage and off

She always smiles reassuringly when you do so

When your made to sing “think of me” after Carlotta’s refusal for the performance lady holds your hand

She wishes not to let you go even as you both follow the script

You must go sing

But when you do so you send looks her way

Even as your body is being puppeted and piloted by a force beyond you

You look to her

Silently Telling her it’s ok

So long as she’s there on stage with you it’s ok

“Think of me, think of me fondly When we've said goodbye. Remember me, once in a while, Please promise me you'll try, When you find that once again you long To take your heart back and be free, If you ever find a moment Spare a thought for me” your voice singing not of your own volition echos out to the shadowy silhouette filling the theatre seats, its intimidating and fills you with more fear than you’d like to admit.

But when you look to lady

Though your voice waivers under its own weight at being at the behest of the scripts needs it finds confidence in her gaze

You swallow down your fear and find your footing

Your dragged back and dressed in your new costume

Trish patting your shoulder in the small moment of darkness

Before your put back into the limelight

“We never said our love was evergreen, Or as unchanging as the sea. But if you can still remember, Stop and think of me, Think of all the things We've shared and seen. Don't think about the way Things might have been” her eyes shine telling you silent promises under the spotlight.

‘I’m here for you, I’ll protect you, I’ll stay with you like I’d promised you all those years ago’ her eyes she’s always hated speak volumes in ways untold. Even if she’s forced to stay silent and stand still she does so with resilience and eyes telling you all she wishes to say.

“Think of me, think of me waking Silent and resigned. Imagine me trying too hard To put you from my mind. Recall those days, Look back on all those times, Think of the things we'll never do. There will never be a day, When I won't think of you” the silk scarf in your hand is clutched tightly at those lyrics. Your voice rising and belting before your body dances across the stage.

Atop in the balcony seat Dante spies down at you

Dancing in the elaborate costume

It’s weird hearing him sing anything but cheesy 80’s rock songs-

“Can it be? Can it be Christine?Bravo!” You run into the darkness of the stage as he continues, he looks murky annoyed to be in an opera musical like he jokingly chastised Patty about all those years ago. Though as he looks at you dancing he seems to lighten up “What a change! You're really not a bit The gawkish girl that once you were. She may not remember me But I remember her”

“Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade. They have their season so do we, But please promise me that sometimes You will think of me”

From the darkness of the behind the scenes lady gives you a smile as you finish

It remains as you take your bow and the mysterious shadowy crowd cheer and clap

Into the next scene though the lines find themselves ingrained in your mind lady adds a small addition to what she’s meant to say

“I’m proud of you, we’re all proud of you” is what she says, different from madams affectionate but practical “you did well, he will be pleased” as well as pulling you into a hug instead of lightly touching your hand as in the original. Her voice soft and gentle compared to that of her scripted berating of the shadowy extras in the show besides Kyrie.

Through the rest of the performance though her stage presence is small she remains in the shadows

Giving you strength

Just as she always had in your life

In those moments in your teen years you nearly crumbled under the weight of expectations

Of the weight of being a failure in the eyes of those never deserving of being called your parents

She remains there in your mind as a pillar to lean on and she remains now

Still as sturdy a thought

And still as warm as her jewelled eyes she oh so hates

It makes you think of a equally warm memory

Exiting the busy theatre and walking into the rainy streets you and Mary now lady begin the walk back home. With the playbooks in hand she looks at you, pausing beneath the rainy night sky “Hey I know this is kinda cheesy but that song…the opening one Christine does?”

You look at her quizzically from beneath your shared umbrella “you mean think of me?”

She nods “yeah that one, it’s cheesy to say but the song made me realize something. When I need strength for things I think of you, of how smart and resourceful you are when I’m failing at something and it makes me feel better. I know you’ve been really stressed for finals recently so…Whenever you need strength Think of me being there with you, it might help” it’s muttered shly but there’s a sincerity to it not matched by anything else.

Beneath the rain you pause, staring at your friend who looks bashful at her own words. They reverberate in your mind as words of your parents swirl with them. You smile, a small one but one nonetheless. “Thanks Mary, I’ll keep that in mind….and thank you again for this. I still can’t believe you got us tickets”

She scoffs, shaking her head with a smirk “I’m not letting your 16th birthday be a depressing night where you study. I know your parents don’t like parties but it’s plain ridiculous they didn’t do anything besides a cake”

You don’t tell her they didn’t even do that.

Years later those words of keeping her in mind for strength resonate especially now as you stand on the stage with the spotlight on you.

Kyrie as Meg Giry in “angel of music”

Kyrie is more adjusted to the stage than you ever were even with choir and whatever else your parents signed you up for

She had sung for masses and church related events for as long as she could remember

It would make more sense for her to be Christine

But Meg isn’t far off from her either

Especially when like Meg she’s nothing if not kind and encouraging through this entire ordeal

Though she’s a technical side character who shows up in small scenes or in the background she’s always a presence of comfort when she’s there

Like the sun peaking through the clouds after a rainy day

Shinning its golden rays of warmth

You feel it when she gives you encouraging looks across across the stage

Even what looked to be small cheers and clapping along with the crowd

She’s always a sweetheart

It’s no wonder as to why Nero was so whipped for her

Speaking of him, he’s always there to pull her close once she’s allowed back into the office stage area

A grin on his face

As Meg she doesn’t get as many moments or scenes with Christine as others

But in the ones she is in she makes it apparent your all in this play together

And her optimism is infectious despite it all

Such as the beginning of angel of music

“Where in the world have you been hiding? Really, you were perfect, I only wish I knew your secret. Who is this new tutor?” Her voice is like a soft lullaby as she holds your hands. Golden brown eyes showing to you she’s not just singing lyrics to a preset song but rather genuine praise.

You hug her, it’s not your body being controlled but like her a genuine action. “Father once spoke of an Angel, I used to dream he'd appear. Now as I sing, I can sense him, And I know he's here” with that you pull her onto the next part of the set, lady already waiting inside to help with the costume change “Here in this room, he calls me softly. Somewhere inside, hiding.Somehow I know he's always with me, He, the unseen genius”

As lady helped you tie the robe on and take off the previous costume Kyrie continues “Christine, you must have been dreaming, Stories like this can't come true. Christine, you're talking in riddles, And it's not like you”

She looks as you with some sort of genuine pride

It sparkles in her smile despite the concern she’s supposed to be acting in the scene

Kyrie did once say she wanted to sing with you on the stage one day

Whether that be karaoke

Or you helping her with a service

It seems she got her wish

“Angel of music, guide and guardian. Grant to me your glory-” it’s belted out like a prayer.

“Who is this angel? This-”

You sing together in harmony “Angel of music, hide no longer Secret and strange Angel”

“He's with me even now” Kyrie holds your hand in hers

“Your hands are cold” it’s sung in concern some legitimate leaking in from this situation.

“All around me” your eyes looking around and land on the mirror where you can faintly already see Vergil.

“Christine are you all right?”

“It frightens me” with that lady burst through the door on Que. her eyes looking you up and down for a moment before going back on script.

“Meg Giry, are you a dancer?” Lady though she has to act mad says the line more teasing towards Kyrie. Kyrie nods and lady points out the door “then come and practice”

Kyrie exits, but making sure to wave as she leaves to you, a smile on her face as the next musical sequence awaits to begin. You receive your letter from lady, her hand lingering on yours for a moment longer than she’s supposed to, yet it feels necessary in relaxing your nerves from being the main spotlight

You’re still unsure how Kyrie does this type of stuff without breaking a sweat-

In your stand out solos of belting as Christine, Kyrie watches from the sidelines with Nero

Her face beaming at seeing you preform as she always wanted

In the intermission she very nearly convinces you to join her in singing lessons for the kids at the fortuna orphanage with her blinding charisma alone

Nero pats you on the back later on and says he isn’t sure how your able to say no to her smile

It’s still a skill he’s yet to attain

The fact she once dragged him to do karaoke is proof of that

Dante still hasn’t forgotten and he makes that fact known

“You did amazing on the stage honey! You have to sing with me sometime!” Her tone is infectious and smile nearly blinding as she clutched your hands in hers.

“Thanks Kyrie but I think being centre stage as Christine isn’t really my thing or my role.”

“Say that to the others fighting over you, I think it suits you well being Christine” it’s somewhat mumbled as the music for masquerade begins

“Huh?”

“K-Kyrie!” nero’s sputter makes her giggle before he pulls her away. She waves at you before Dante sneaks up behind you with a grin.

Dante as Viscount Raoul de Chagny in “little Lottie”

Many a times you’d heard Dante sing in dmc and many times you ended up joining along

The jukebox playing bon jovi, montley crew or billy idol

For as much as you complained of him not doing his work you always ended up joining along with him

Dancing and joining together in a chaotic harmony of synths, electric guitars and drums blurring together as work went ignored

He’s always enjoyed those small moments with you

And you’d be remiss to say you didn’t enjoy them either

It was fun

A release away from the horrors of the night

It’s perhaps why he finds such familiarity in singing with you despite the situation

An ease in how he effortlessly assumes the role of Raoul even without the invisible guiding hand of whoever was behind all this

Dante opens the door to the “changing room” with a vigor only Dante could have when forced into a musical via demonic circumstance

His grin is lackadaisical as is his grip on a bouquet of roses he somehow seemed to get his hands on

Something not in the stage play

Yet something the mysterious director was seemingly fine with

“Christine daáe where’s your red scarf?” You look over your shoulder at him as he leans himself against the doorframe “you can’t have lost it, not after all the trouble it took. Just 14, soaked to the skin”.

You fake a moment of realization, getting up from your seat “because you had run into the sea to fetch my scarf! Oh Raoul! So it is you!”

“Christine!” He pulls you into his arms, a small shriek escaping you as he spun you around with the extra added action. It makes him chuckle at your reaction and lets a few rose petals fall to the ground, still holding the bouquet and you at the same time. His face settles to something more gentle as he began to sing, “little Lottie let her mind wander”

You laugh though it’s more from your own volition rather than coaxed out from your throat, your hand slaps his chest “you remember that too?”

He chuckles, it’s genuine even despite it all as he placed down the bouquet

It rested atop the vanity you once sat at

“Little Lottie thought: am I fonder of dolls” he continues

You harmonize together as you do with the lyrics of livin on a prayer and white wedding part 1 “or of goblins or shoes?”

“Or of riddles and frocks”

“Those picnics in the attic, or of chocolates”

“Father played violin”

He chuckles fondly as if these memories were all real “as we read to each other dark stories of the North”

Though this is all fake

All a script your both following

You both find familiarity

Comfort

Ease in it all

You’ve both acted before in situations where it’s needed

Yet it never feels like a carefully curated facade

It just feels like your both at ease with one another even with fake names and titles

It feels real despite it all

“No, what I love best, Lotte said Is when I'm asleep in my bed. And the Angel of Music sings songs in my head!” You sit down once more on the vanity chair, your body being guided by that invisible force.

Once more you sing together “The Angel of Music sings songs in my head!” He wraps his arms around your shoulders, head slotting itself within the crook of your neck. After a moment he pulls away, though it seemed more from the invisible entity than of his own accord by how stiffly he pulls back.

“Father said…when I am in heaven child, I will send you an angel of music to guide you….well father is dead now Raoul…” Dante kneels in front of you as you grasp his hands “and I have been visited by the angel of mysic”

“There’s no doubt about it” he says with conviction your sure isn’t even from the plays will “but now we go to supper! Let’s have some piz-”

Before he can break script you interrupt him “No Raoul! The angle of music is very strict!”

Who knew his love for pizza was enough to almost momentarily overwhelm the director “you must change! I must get my hat! Two minutes, little lottie”

With that he exits the stage

Allowing for the next scene to take place

Later during the intermission you quirk an eye at him as he eats a pizza

One the director or whatever was in charge got to keep him placated from breaking the immersion yet again

He smiles and offers you a piece of

You sigh and take it

“Seriously? You had a moment of power where you could break from the script and it was for pizza?” You mumble taking a bit of the food he covets

He shrugs, taking a bite of his meat lovers slice “thought it’d be funny. Guess someone doesn’t like this stuffy theatre to have any comedy” he grumbles looking up to the ceiling rafters as if to glare at the director.

You slap his shoulder making him nearly drop the slice

He panics and then gives you a mock glare

One not actually filled with any kind of heat or anger

You’d know when he was jokingly mad vs actually mad

“Your an idiot y’know” you sigh crossing your arms

“Yeah but you lov-“ before he can finish that sentence a sandbag falls from above on his head due to one of Vergils spirit swords. He goes crashing down into the floor, leaving an outline in the broken floor.

Stepping over his brothers outline in the wooden planks Vergil takes as slice for himself and then drags you away. “Come, Nero and Kyrie wish to see you before the second act begins” his phantom costume bellows around him as he pulls you to the change rooms where the two lovebirds sit.

Typical-

Vergil as Erik, The Phantom of The Opera in “phantom of the opera” and “music of the night”

It comes to no surprise that the phantom of the opera is something that Vergil knows of extensively

Hell, he was one of the few people you knew who actually read the original 1909 novel

You had a nice talk with him about it during your semi-weekly discussions

There was a lot he missed out of the years so you’d made it a small tradition to meet every week when you could to tell him about things or explain newer stuff he was interested in or wanted to know more context to

One of those was 911….that was an interesting talk with someone who’s been living in hell for at least 20 years

But anyways, Vergil knew the book

He knew the book well enough you both recorded favourite lines and scenes together

But there was one problem

He read the novel

This was the musical

He never even knew until very recently that there was even a musical adaptation of the novel on broadway

And technically he didn’t learn that, V did when you showed him your playbill from phantom all those years back with lady

He still didn’t even know there was a movie adaptation that wasn’t the 1925 black and white version

So as he stands before you as the phantom

Offering you a hand through the mirror door as mist began to cover the stage he was blind to the specifics beside the general plot beats from the novel

Something that becomes apparent as he realizes that he’s not exempt from singing

your hand intertwines with his

Though it’s less him as the phantom spiriting you away like some fae or mysterious figure

But rather your give your silent gesture of comfort in this scenario

Your both in this duet together

His blue eyes (though one partially obscured by the mask) soften ever so slightly as his grip tightens

The organ roars and your both led into darkness

Mist covering the stage as Dante as raoul looked for Christine after her mysterious disappearance

And hearing the he phantoms voice from her change room

“In sleep, he sang to me, in dreams he came. That voice which calls calls me to me, and speaks my name. And do I dream again? For now, I findddddd” your voice sings as Vergil leads you through the darkness of the stage. His grip secure but comparatively gentle and unsure of itself compared to his typical roughness and precisity he normally had “the phantom of the opera is there! Inside my mind”

“Sing once again with me, our strange duet. My power over you, grows stronger yet! And though you turn from to glance behind” Vergil’s hand glides up from your hand to your face, guiding your gaze towards him. This director must be controlling his actions, your never seen him so tender and flustered before- “the phantom of the opera is there! Inside your mind”

“Those who have seen your face draw back in fear” your hand curls over his still cupping your face. Might as well lean into it for the performance “I am the mask you wear”

“It’s me they hear” his voice is low and yet there’s a small tinge of amusement.

His hand grabs yours again, fingers lacing together as his other held a fake lantern

A hazed blue light spilling over the misty stage

Your both circle each other in waltz within the darkness before stepping onto the prop boat

He rows into the mist as you sit at the front of the boat

You both singing together In unison “Your spirit and my voice” “my spirit and your voice”.

“In one combined. The phantom of the opera is there”

“Inside my mind” “Inside your mind”

The chorus sing as props rise from the mist

It’s a marvel to look at from the crowd and from the stage

The shadowy audience looks on in awe

You can hear faint whispers between them of the romantic tension

At least your selling that aspect of the musical

You weren’t exactly sure how you’d do at that despite the mysterious play director puppeting you along for this all

Spying a glance at Vergil he looks composed

Though seemingly embarrassment of being forced to sing and preform seemed to have made him flustered

Even in the blue lighting you can see a bit of red splash across his cheeks

You only hope he doesn’t stab you or something after this

“In all your fantasies, you always knew. That man and mystery-“

You turn back to him from staring at the crowd “We’re both in you”

“And in this labyrinth, where night is blind”

“The phantom of the opera is here” “the phantom of the opera is there”

“Inside my mind” “inside your mind”

Helping you from the boat there’s a small pause as Vergil is puppeted to kiss your hand

An action not in the play from what you remember

But it has been a long time since you’d seen it

It causes some faint cheers from the crowd before he led you into the stage into his “lair”

“Sing my angel of music” he voice is gentle yet carries a weight to it, its commanding even without the fact you’d be forced to do it anyways

“He's there, the Phantom of the Opera”

“Sing!”

And you do sing, you sing

You feel your voice in your throat as the notes flow involuntarily from your mouth

It seems somehow you were blessed by the demon making you sing

Else you’d be absolutely fucked for this song

Specifically because the actresses for Christine had to do actual training in soprano legit

And all you have as a prerequisite is choir in like 7th grade

Yeah, not exactly a lot

But thankfully your not embarrassed on stage as Carlotta is

And yet despite your dislike for being centre stage as you are now

Doing a solo that was meant for having all eyes on you

Being the crowning moment in the show

You somehow don’t feel the pressure of it all

Not just cause of the person pulling the strings and your vocal cords

But also from Vergils presence

His gaze from beneath the mask

From icy eyes that seem to melt ever so slightly and let emotions leak through

What specific emotions your unsure

But you think it’s a bit of awe

And coming from him, someone like Eric who’d been hurt for so long

Suffered alone in the dark

Well…it’s nice knowing you’d brought him so genuine joy

“Sing for me!”

You continue and he throws off his hat

It flys off stage and hits Dante in the face

No one but you and Vergil on stage hear the audible omph from him

Before the cape comes off as well

Vergils eyes solely focus on you

Making you feel as if he and you were the only ones in the room deposit hundreds of eyes burning into the back of your head

“Sing my Angel of music!”

Somehow your voice rises even more as he holds out his hand and lifts it slowly

Signifying to go higher

And you do

It goes higher

And higher

“SING!” His outstretched hand finds itself on your shoulder, spinning you around to the crowd “SING FOR ME!”

And high enough it rings in your own head

Until it reaches the peak

By the end your left breathless

And the crowd roars

Literally, there are definitely some demonic cheers in there mixed in

The sound of fingers hitting the organ makes you tune once more to Vergil now at the instrument, each word of his punctuated by the pipes “i have brought you! To the seat of sweet music throne, to this kingdom where we all must pay homage to music, music. You have come here! For one purpose and one alone. Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me to serve me, to sing. For my music, my music”

There’s a pause for a moment

Him steeling his voice

It’s still odd to hear him sing

And yet like Dante’s voice it resonates in its power within your mind

Whilst Dante’s singing always has an edge of playfulness to it, as if he’s playing the fool even as he expertly steps and sways to the music with ease. He looks looks and acts drunken but if you pay attention his every move is professional even as he jokes

Vergil is more practical with an intensity to it, his voice is chilling and sharp to the point. It’s as if his words are blades cutting through the air, making the room go silent from it all

But In small moments fragility creeps in, softening the edges of his words to that of moonlight reflected on the Yamato

Like Yamato his voice both cuts clean and can balance and show vulnerability

“Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently, the sense abandon their defences” as he sings your reminded of your time atop the temen-ni-Gru with him awaiting in silence for Dante. In the rain you both were illuminated by the moons gazed glow, basking in its light while waiting for an inevitable battle to come. But as you both waited, shivering in the cold rain he recited aloud with you more poetry. That of Blake but also of Poe and other such writers, enjoyers of the romantic and the macabre. His tone is the same as then, that softness reminiscent of old yellowed pages with pressed forget-me-nots between them “slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendour. Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender”. On que like in the original production you turn to look at him but he softly turns it away before slowly turning it back to him, his thumb rubbing against your cheek “turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light.”. Also on Que you nearly lean forwards for a kiss, and similarly on Que Vergil is tugged back by the unseen force, though he looked entirely unprepared for that action, shit you didn’t even think of later on in the show and how awkward that would be, you’d have to give him and Dante the warning beforehand knowing their respective traumas- “to the music of the night. Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams, purge your thoughts of the life you once knew before. Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar! And you’ll live as you’ve never lived before”

He hits the high note perfectly

Though your not surprised

Not when you’d seen Vergil raise multiple octaves when yelling at Dante for using Yamato to cut pizza

…..again

Plus the fact your all being controlled

You keep bringing up this fact cause no way on this green earth you would’ve survived Christine’s solo without loosing a lung

Nor would anyone have ever convinced Vergil to sing

Well, besides the off handed humming you’d occasionally caught him doing with the mixtape you’d made him from all those songs he had on the weird playlist

“Softly, deftly, music shall surround you. Feel it, hear it closing in around you. Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind. In this darkness which you know you cannot fight. The darkness of the music of the night”

The metal bars of the dungeon like gate descend from above

Slowly coming down onto the stage

Distant light of the candelabras creating soft yellow hues in the darkness between the bars

Like eyes staring out

“Let your mind start a journey to a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be, Only then can you belong to me”

Yet again he nails the high note

Damn, maybe Kyrie should try and get him into opera for real

He’d make for a good singer

It also seemed up his avenue

Though you suspect he’d go stir crazy without demons to kill

You know Dante for sure was the same

He comes around from your back, arm curling around you and pressing you into his chest

Your body instinctively sways with his words

“Floating, falling, sweet intoxication. Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation.”on Que your hand trails up to his mask before taking it and guiding you towards the veiled mannequin in Christine’s likeness dressed in wedding garbs “Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in. To the power of the music that I write, The power of the music of the night”

With that he tears off the covering

Revealing the mannequin behind the broken frame of a mirror

It springs to life when you touch it

And like the from all those years ago Christine falls to the ground from shock and horror

Though this time

The phantom catches his muse

“You alone can make my song take flight…help me, make the music of the night” it’s almost downright whispered if not for the mic attached to Vergil.

From there on the scenes continue as per usual

during the intermission as you follow Vergil after stealing dante’s food and making a sandbag fall on him you can’t help but warn him

“Uh hey sorry about the almost kiss thing, I should have found a way to warn you of it since it happens in the show. Oh! Also later on in the show Christine kisses the phantom in the finale, I wanted to let you know beforehand” at that vergil pauses in his stride, your unable to see most of his face but faintly you see a splash of red on it

“It’s fine. It’s not as is if you have a choice either” it’s muttered with an edge of annoyance, probably due to this whole situation. “I’m more concerned on your feelings on the matters”

“Huh my feelings? why? Your the one who almost had affection forced on you?”

He sighs, turning to you and placing his hands on both your shoulders to get across the serious look in his eyes “Because your being made to do these actions without your own feelings on it either”

“Oh uh, that’s thoughtful of you but it’s fine” you mumble shrugging “I mean to me it’s a just a simple kiss. Sure kinda sucks I’m being made to do it but it is what it is. A simple uncomfortable kiss isn’t gonna mess me up more than my parents have anyways. I’m just moreso worried on your feelings for this entire thing, especially considering everything you’ve been through that was forced on you.”

Gratefulness shines in his eyes, a small moment of sincerity in a man that’s hard to read “I…thank you. It means a lot knowing you’d take my experiences into account, but if it’s you then it’s ac-“ shit he’s writing off his feelings to make you not feel bad! Quickly you think of something to say.

“-Plus it’s not like anyone would kiss me in any other context anyways. I’m not an average 20 year old anymore, I’m middle aged and old with nothing really vying for me love wise” you chuckle shrugging your shoulders. Vergil looks deadpan, though you’re not surprised, it was a joke that didn’t land.

Before he summoned Yamato and impaled you as he does to Dante over bad jokes and trivial annoyances Kyrie peaked her head out the changing room door

Smile lighting up and dragging you inside as Nero exited to find is father

A father staring blankly at the door with his eye twitching and a face of complete bewilderment

Nero can’t help but snort, “y’know they’re gonna compartmentalize everything that happened here, right? Nothing you do on that stage no matter how romantic or off script is gonna convince them”

At that his father sends him a small glare. “Why must you add to the fire?”

At that his son folded his arms in an unimpressed manner “oh it’s not like you ripped off my arm and are now trying to snog my only parental figure!-“

Vaguely outside the changing rooms you hear Nero yell at Vergil

Something commonplace

You sigh but lighten up a bit at Kyrie and Credo’s presences

Credo as Richard Firmin and Nero as Gilles André in “notes”

Much to your surprise despite fortune’s more isolated nature credo and Nero were introduced to phantom at some point in their lives

Primarily due to Kyrie’s love a theatre

Though not from the book, musical or movie

But rather

“I think we watched that old mini series that was aired I think in the 90’s? It had like plastic deer in it? I remember that giving me nightmares for some reason” Nero mumbled one day after you asked, he looked to credo for confirmation.

Credo added on “my parents recorded it on vhs and we rewatched it often, they were fans of theatre and never saw the musical so the miniseries was the next best thing. Kyrie particularly liked it though, so we all basically rewatched it until the tape broke. She cried for weeks until me and Nero tried to recreate the picnic scene….key word tried”

Nero chuckles “ah, now I remember why it gave me nightmares”

“Nero-“

“You thought it was a good idea to find those taxidermy dear head mounts from the attic-“

“Nero!-“ credo looks increasing embarrassed

“And “made” deer from that with some broken broom sticks and garbage all around fortuna” credo fake coughs into his elbow before Nero patted his back and turned to you “hey maybe he can try again! You’d like a recreation wouldn’t you-“

Before Nero could finish his suggestion credo pulled him into a headlock. Nero sputtered as you stared at the two arguing with one another. “Uh…I could do without the fake deer but I haven’t seen the mini series before”

A few weeks after that you watched the mini series with credo since Nero pulled out at the last moment

Apparently something about the kids being particularly rowdy’s that night so Kyrie needed help

You shrugged it off and watched it with credo instead

Thus adding more to your phantom of the opera knowledge

But the miniseries is where his and credo’s (plus kyrie’s) knowledge of phantom started and ended

Making an odd situation like Vergil where they knew some things

But others were vastly different

Particularly in the fact that Choleti replaced Richard and Giles as the new managers

So they were both in roles new to them

Though their bickering in the musical matched Credo and Nero’s natural back and forth arguments

Especially in notes

Credo stands on stage at the desk set up, holding a newspaper. His brow furrowed though it lacks the usual edge he had when actually upset or burdened. You knew it well during fortuna. “Mystery after gala night," It says, "Mystery of sopranos flight!" "Mystified," baffled Sûreté say "We are mystified. We suspect foul play!” He walks around the desk “angrily” walking in the fake office in frustration “Bad news on soprano scene First Carlotta, now Christine!Still at least the seats get sold, Gossip's worth its weight in gold” at that last part he lightens up slightly, however you see his fists clench around the papers.

Yeah makes sense he wouldn’t exactly like Richard

He’d be more worried for the state of the opera and its performers rather than how many seats their selling

“What a way to run a business, Spare me these unending trials. Half your cast disappears, But the crowd still cheers Opera! To hell with Gluck and Handel! It's a scandal that'll pack 'em in the aisles!” With that Nero walked on stage as you watched from the sidelines with Dante. Dante seemed to be holding back chuckles at seeing his nephew in such…formal attire. Something he seemed to have teased him about earlier since the agitated red of Nero’s face wasn’t acting as he walked on stage

“Damnable! Will they all walk out? This is damnable!” His hands crinkle the fake newspapers before credo takes it from him

Credo slams his hand down on the wrinkled page “André, please don't shout, It's publicity, and the take is vast. Free publicity”

“But we have no cast!” Nero gestures towards the rest of the stage

“But André, have you seen the queue?” Credo goes back to the desk and picks up a letter from the pile “oh it seems you got one too”

At that Nero takes the letter, still frustrated though your unsure if it’s him acting or still upset at Dante earlier

….probably Dante and being forced to sing

Though your sure kyries compliments will make him feel better later on

“Dear André, what a charming gala! Christine enjoyed a great success. We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left, Otherwise, the chorus was entrancing. But the dancing was a lamentable mess”

Credo picks up his own letter and reads it aloud as Nero did “Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder My salary has not been paid. Send it care of the Ghost by return of post P.T.O. No one likes a debtor So it's better if my orders are obeyed!”

The two look at each other in outrage

“Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a puerile brain!” They both sing together in harmony

Your sure Kyrie is in awe

Credo snags both letters

Taking a moment to look them over with a keen eye

“These are both signed "O.G."”

“Who the hell is he?!?”

They then have a mock moment of realization

“Opera Ghost!” they sing together again

Beside you Dante chuckles into his fist

Leaning on your shoulder much to your chagrin

“Yeah who else would it be? It’s not like you’d already heard of the guy living in your sewers” he mumbles before looking down at you “almost my time right? I feel the asshole- sorry director itching to guide me”

“Yeah almost time” you reply watching credo and Nero continues

“It’s really not amusing!”

Suddenly your hit with a thought as you realize the next few songs and what comes next in the story “Oh by the way”

“He’s abusing our position!”

“Huh yeah? What’s up honey?” He looks at you confusion. You steel away an annoyed grimace at the use of the nickname and let it roll for now.

“In addition, he wants money!”

“There’s a scene soon where we have to kiss, or I assume we’ll be made to kiss. I wanted to warn you in advance cause-“you watch various emotions cycle through Dante’s mind, to quick to catch ahold of any which one in specific.

“Huh?!?!?!” Before he can say anything else he’s tugged towards the stage, he stumbles forwards away from you onto the stage.

“He's a funny sort of spectre”

“To expect a large retainer! Nothing plainer! He is clearly quite insane!”

Dante’s stumbles turn to a confident stride yet his face still remains red as he brandishes a letter in his hand that’s nearly crumpled from how tightly he grasps it “Where is she?!”

“You mean Carlotta?” Nero replies with a raised eyebrow

“I mean Miss Daaé! Where is she?”

“We aren’t sure” credo changes the line slightly though like the other changed lines the director doesn’t seem to mind. He has more of a worried tone than before

“I want an answer!” Dante waves the nearly crumpled up paper ball of a note “I take it that you sent me this note!”

“What's all this nonsense?”

“Of course not!”

“She's not with you then?” Dante looks between them still red.

Credo crosses his arms “Don't look at us! I’ve looked for her myself!” Yet another added in line “Of course not!”

“We're in the dark!”

“Monsieur don't argue! Isn't this the letter you wrote?”

“And what is is that we're meant to have wrote?...Written?” With that Dante hands Nero the note.

“Do not fear for Miss Daaé. The Angel of Music has her under his wing, Make no attempt to see her again.” Unlike Andre’s reaction in the play Nero goes more quiet by the end of the note out of worry and looks to credo.

“If you didn't write it, who did?!” With that Trish bursted in on stage-

You watch the rest of their performance of notes/primma Donna with amusement

Especially during primma Donna

Credo still felt increasing awkward around Trish

Especially after the whole disguise and facade she had to infiltrate the order

If she didn’t push his buttons like hell then

Then she certainly did after that entire ordeal

During the intermission you sit beside credo in the change room

Nero left the room and Kyrie went off to find him

Leaving the two of you alone

He fiddles with his costume for Masquerade

“The musical is very different from the mini series” he mumbles with a keen smile lifting up the skull mask “though I am enjoying it…minus the character I play and maybe the phantom”

“Really? I thought you’d like this phantom like you did Charles dance’s!” You gently elbow him in his elaborate costume.

“I do like Charles dances phantom but the phantom here is more…violent. I don’t like how he treats Christine, how he tricks and manipulates her with her dead father’s words” there’s a trickle of nostalgia in his eyes “I can…understand how that feels as you’d imagine. But…this one here I understand why you hold it in high regard”

You watch him go serious, rigid. He has a problem of doing this, becoming drawn in and serious. So instead you try something. “My god! The place really is haunted! What is that!”

It takes a moment but it clicks in credos eyes behind the mask “well without looking i would say with confidence it must be Carlotta!”

“Who?” You chuckle hitting his side with your elbow

He laughs back “the new star!”

“She can’t sing!”

“Well obviously she doesn’t know that”

“Well someone should tell her!”

“She’s married to the new manager”

“Good god! This means she’s probably going to sing all the time! What kind of horror are you leaving me in?!” By the end your both laughing together not seeing Nero peaking in through the door.

He turns to Kyrie “their quoting the mini series”

“Seems your plan worked that one time” she chuckles “your lucky I covered for you suddenly bailing on them again like the first time”

“I know…”

“And your lucky you look so good in a suit that I agreed to this new plan to get them alone again”

“I know- huh? What was that”

She sighs before chuckling and kissing his cheek “like parent like child. Your both terribly oblivious”

Trish as Carlotta in “poor fool he makes me laugh”

A few Halloween’s ago you and Trish watched the movie version of phantom

The one with Gerald butlers unfortunate singing and the weird sexed up outits for Christine despite Emmy rossum being 17 while playing her

Yeah, that night you and Trish dinned on cheap candy and some fancy wine she somehow snagged that probably costed more than your rent

Safe to say it was a night of laughing and you drunkenly complaining to her about all the terrible choices when compared to the musical or book

Not to mention the kids who came knocking for candy and got two drunken idiots handing them entire bags because screw it

Your making up for the fact your parents never let you have candy or Halloween by overcompensating

Later on you get known as the ultimate boss of Halloween and now have lineups of kids each year

A fact Trish teases you about but helps with anyways

But anyways you complain to high hell about the movie adaptation

Especially when it came to the singing of the titular characters

Except for Carlotta played by Minnie driver

Because she at least was fun to watch

So when now playing as the prime Donna Carlotta Trish had some footing for her

Though in all honesty she seemed to be having fun just acting as a diva

Though admittedly less mean than Carlotta typically is

Her jabs and insults were said more as sultry and sly remarks than something biting

It made sense for Trish

For as fun as being the diva could be she never aimed to harm as Carlotta did

Just poke light fun

It’s perhaps why during this section she was particularly flirty

Though your not surprised

Not with how Trish seemed to ooze sex appeal on the daily

In rococo style dress she directs your gaze to her via her fan

Her smile is teasing

Eyes filled with electric allure

“Serafimo, away with this pretence!” She helps you undo the ‘maid’ ensemble, ripping off the skirt and bonnet “you cannot speak so kiss me in my husband’s absences!” Her words are like velvet, rolling with a teasing seduction only Trish knew how to pull off

As serafimo you nod enthusiastic

The two of you going to the chaise

She holds your hand though it all

Even as you both stumble onto the couch

Her fan going up and the two of you putting on an exaggerated preference

Just as this part of the play was meant for

Though behind the fan you both stare at each other holding back laughs

She winks and blows you a kiss that makes your composure wobble

“Poor fool he makes me laugh hahahahaha! Ha-ho-ha-ho-ha-ha-ha! Time I tried to get a better, better half!” Through it all you mock laughing along with her mutely though honestly you were holding back genuine laughter and by the looks of it as was Trish

This section of the show being slightly absurd

Though in the best of ways

“Poor fool, he doesn't know Hohohohohoho…” trish and the chorus sing together, your body mocks kissing Trish’s arm like the play orders, though knowing her and her often times playful but salacious affection you know she wouldn’t mind the real thing “If he knew the truth, he'd never, ever go!”

But with this comedic song comes the twist

And it happens with a flashing of lights

And Vergils cold voice echoing out through the theatre

“Did I not instruct that box five was to be kept empty!” Already knowing the part was oncoming Trish keeps an arm out in front of you shielding you though the threat was imaginary…and that Carlotta would probably rather push Christine down a flight of stairs-

“He’s here! The phantom of the opera!” Kyrie dressed as one of the maid ensemble rushes to the front of the stage. Fake panic In her voice as you began to sit up from the plush chaise.

“It’s him! I know it” you let your voice waiver a bit to try and act more fearful, it’s hard to do that though when you know it’s Vergil as the phantom and this entire situation “it’s him!”

Trish rushes up behind you

Rococo dress following with each step

Her hand curls around your waist

The other holding her fan up to your mouth to silence you

Unlike Carlotta her next words are more teasing than biting

“Your part is silent, little toad” taking a glance at her face you see some vague upset in her eyes at calling you a toad. But your eyes silently saying to her it’s ok, make her back down a little. Though it’s still clear she’s upset at having to insult you for the sake of the show.

But as they say the show must go on.

Vergils chuckle echos and rattles through the entire theatre “a toad, Madame? Perhaps it is you who are the toad!”

Trish sends an annoyed look up to the upper stage

Rolling her eyes though your unsure if that was in character or not

She looks down to the shadowy orchestra

Giving them their sign to go back

She then looks to you once more

Her fan directing your gaze back to her

“Serafimo away with this pretence! You cannot sing but kiss me in my!-“ on Que her voice croaks, it sends Vergils laughter echoing out into the theatre. She pauses in mock horror before trying to continue “poor fool he makes me laugh! Hahahahaha!” But she croaks again

And again

And it sends the phantoms, Vergils laughter echoing in the theatre like banshees and ghouls

In character as Christine you would’ve just reached for her shoulder

But as you

As Trish’s friend you shield her from the crowd

From the mocking even if you know it’s not serious

Because this is a show

But despite that you dislike the thought or feeling of her being ridiculed

“Behold! She is singing to bring down the chandelier!” Vergils cackle sounds distorted

You lead Trish to the edge of the Stage though your unable to follow

Just behind the curtain she turns to you and gives you a wink

Before your led back to centre stage

While credo and Nero as the opera house owners give an announcement to the crowd

“Ladies and gentlemen, the performance will continue in ten minutes' time… when the role of the Countess will be sung by our dearest Miss Christine Daaé” from the box he sits in with Nero, credo gives you a smile and small bow.

Nero continues “In the meantime, ladies and gentlemen, we shall be giving you the ballet from Act Three of tonight's opera. Maestro—the ballet, now!”

During the intermission with Trish you can’t help but check in on her

Only to find her in lounging and eating what looked to be imported Swiss chocolate

She smiles at your appearance

Waving you over to sit at her side

On a very familiar fainting couch

“You ok after the performance? I know it’s meant to happen but it’s still an embarrassing thing to go through” you ask taking one of the chocolates she hands you. Popping it into your mouth the heart shaped confection melts on your tongue, letting the sweet tartness of raspberry settle in your mouth. “Shit these are good” you mumble awaiting her response

She chuckles, placing yet another in the palm of your hand. “Worried for me my sweet Serafimo? That must be quite the feat considering your mute. Though I have to say I still prefer your other nickname instead, though Serafimo is much better than toad at least” that last part is said bitterly as if hating to call you something like that before she chuckles yet again and boops your nose. She settles into a further comfortable position on the chaise “don’t worry though, I’m fine. Been through way worse humiliations than this back under Mundus”

“Still though. Even if you’ve been though worse doesn’t negate that being humiliated on stage is still terrible” you reply back seeing her wave off what just happened.

She smiles at you for that

A sweet smile that is far more teeth rotting than the chocolate she hands you

A rare sight to see from Trish

It travels to her eyes unlike all the other smiles of fake seductiveness

“Like I said, I’m fine. But thank you for checking in on me” she says with a genuineness that hard to come across with her constant teasing “my sweet serafimo, or should I say my sweet Honeypie~” and there’s the joke flirting again-

You taste with her more sweets before going off to find Dante

God knows he hasn’t accidentally dropped a light on someone from his dumbassery

Trish attempts to bribe you to stay with more chocolates

Dante as Raoul in “Why Have You Brought Me Here?” And “all I ask of you”

The entire time leading up to all I ask of you Dante’s been skittish

You’d seen it in how he has tapping his foot in anxiety

Or how he paced off stage in circles

You can’t help but feel bad

And curse the person behind this for putting him in this situation

God, he’s already had enough of people forcing shit on him-

(Unbeknownst to you while walking circles off stage he has the dopiest smile to man. Vergil nearly stabs him again out of a mixture of emotions mainly jealousy-)

You were gonna strangle whoever put you all in this

Strangle them and then steal the costumes and maybe a few of the set pieces

But that was for later

Now you were running in a Roccoco dress and cape to the set

To the “theatres roof” with a statue of Apollo overlooking the entire-

Your body continues as on set but your eyes stare at the statue

A familiar statue of a lion headed woman carrying an hour glass

You know for a fact she’s enjoying this too much right now

You’d probably be hearing about it next cryptic ass dream she sends your way

“Why have you brought us here?” Dante reaches for your hand but your body pulls away in fake fear.

“Don’t take me back there!”

“We must return!”

Your face flashes with fear “He'll kill me! His eyes will find me there!-”

“Christine, don't say that-“

“Those eyes that burn” you cover your face with your hands and attempt pull back again at Dante’s touch. His grip is both firm

“Don’t even think it”

“And if he has to kill a thousand men”

“Forget this waking nightmare!” His voice is pleading as you keep shaking your head

“The Phantom of the Opera will kill and kill ​again!”

“This Phantom is a fable, Believe me, There is no Phantom of the opera!” At that you pull away from him. Green cape and hood fluttering around you as you walked across the stage

“My God, who is ​this man” “My God, who is ​this man”

“Who hunts to kill?” “This mask of death?”

“I can't escape ​from him!” “Whose is this voice you hear?”

“I never will!” “With every breath?”

“And in this labyrinth, Where night is blind. The Phantom of the Opera is here” you sing together in unison, Dante unlike before takes a hesitant glance to you before taking your hand. You and the forces that be low it this time

“Inside my mind” “Inside your mind”

Dante looks at you gently

His eyes pleading as Raoul to tell the truth

To listen

To trust him

“There is no phantom of the opera” it’s pleading, begging you to believe him

“Raoul, I've been there, To his world of unending night. To a world where the daylight dissolves into darkness….Darkness. Raoul, I've seen him! Can I ever forget that sight? Can I ever escape from that face? So distorted, deformed, it was hardly a face. In that darkness….Darkness” at that you stare at him to accentuate your point “But his voice filled my spirit With a strange, sweet sound. In that night, there was music in my mind And through music, my soul began to soar! And I heard as I'd never heard before!”

Dante’s gaze is comforting even as he sings “What you heard was a dream and nothing more”. His hands intertwine with yours.

“Yet in his eyes, All the sadness of the world. Those pleading eyes, That both threaten and adore” you look around, lost in paranoia before Dante pulls you back

“Christine, Christine!” He pulls your attention back by holding you close, pulling you into a hug.

But then

“Christine!” Vergils voice echoes out onto the stage making your body be pulled back like invisible strings attacked to you.

“What was that?” Your voice shakes in mock fear, you pull the hood up of the cloak and turn away as Dante looked around the stage for the phantom.

Underneath the hood you can’t help but smile

All I ask of you was a terrific song

That wasn’t even mentioning it was Dante singing it

And for as much as you’d give him shit for belching out livin on a prayer every week he had an objectively good voice

And even now it’s infuriatingly full of emotion even if forced by the conductor of this all

“Christine!” His voice is full of love and you run to his arms. Dante going the extra mile to sweep you around in a spin for the hug instead of the typical one. Slowly he pulls down the hood when he was done swinging you around, a hand tenderly tracing your cheek by actions none of his own. “No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide-eyed fears, I'm here, nothing can harm you, My words will warm and calm you.” As if desperately wanting to keep hold you he’s pulled away, instead holding your hands in earnestly “Let me be your freedom, Let daylight dry your tears. I'm here, with you, beside you, To guard you and to guide you”

“Say you love me every waking moment, Turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me with you now and always, Promise me that all you say is true. That's all I ask of you” your hands trail up his chest before he guide you across the stage.

“Let me be your shelter, Let me be your light. You're safe, no one will find you, Your fears are far behind you.”

“All I want is freedom, A world with no more night. And you, always beside me, To hold me and to hide me”

He extends an arm to you across the dates singing, damn bastard was good at adding motioning to his voice it sounded almost real- “Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Let me lead you from your solitude, Say you need me with you here, beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go too. Christine, that's all I ask of you”. He gets down on his knee, looking up to you like a deity to worship.

No it’s your turn to grasp his hands, now of your/christines own volition, pulling him up “Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime, Say the word and I will follow you.” He spins you around on the stage, genuine giggles falling out as you continued “Share each day with me, each night, each morning. Say you love me”

Dante responds immediately that it almost feels too fast for the script “you know I do”

“Love me, that’s all I ask of you” oh god, this was the moment. The show stopper, you hoped to god this wouldn’t make him uncomfortable. You knew his history of unwanted advances. Looking at his eyes with a hint of nervousness you don’t see apprehension or anger, not even disgust. You don’t get long to ponder it when he sweeps you off your feet, your lips meshing together in something passionate enough to feel real as you hear gasps from the shadowy crowd. The music swells but you can’t focus much, not on account of feeling airbound not only from him holding you up and spinning you around but also from the kiss that leaves you breathless. “Anywhere you go, let me go too. Love me—that's all I ask of you” once more he picks you up, kissing yet again and giggling happily when putting you down.

“I must go, They'll wonder where I am! Wait for me, Raoul!” You begin to scurry to the other side of the stage

“Christine, I love you!” Dante holds a hand out to you with a grin unmatched.

You tune back to him once more “Order your fine horses! Be with them at the door!”. With that you walked to him and he happily accepts.

“And soon, you'll be beside me!”

“You’ll guard me and you’ll guide me!” With that you both happily exit off stage. Christine and Raoul unaware to the unknown watcher.

Once behind the scenes you can’t help but give Dante an apologetic look

At least until he sees it and dampens a bit

“Honey it’s ok, really!”

“You sure-“

“Absolutely!” He places both hands on your shoulder. “Don’t stress yourself about it honey. Honestly, it’s fine! Not like it’d be the first time. Remember they pirate ship” at that you can’t help but shiver

“Ugh don’t remind me”

“Huh? What’d you mean ugh!?”

He doesn’t get much of an answer when you stop paying attention to his and instead focus on-

Vergil as Erik, The Phantom of The Opera in “all I ask of you (reprise)”

Atop the stage Behind a statue of the watcher of time-

Wait huh

From behind the scenes you do a double take

Yeah no, instead of the statue of Apollo holding his golden lyre

The one atop the actual opera garnier

It was now replaced by a statue of the watcher of time

Her golden hourglass shinning in the spotlights as Vergil hid behind her crouched form

You bet she was enjoying all of this

She found amusement in things of this sort

Particularly playfully pushing buttons-

“I gave you my music, Made your song take wing. And now, how you've repaid me: Denied me and betrayed me, He was bound to love you, When he heard you sing.” His words are soft like angel feathers, broken like glass and yet flow like stream through the air. There’s an air of heartbreak untold as he’s silhouetted by fake moonlight and the watchers grace of gold. His voice breaks ever so slightly “Christine, Christine...”

From off stage you and Dante go stiff

Finding the lyrics already flowing out your mouths

“Say you'll share with me, One love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you. Share each day with me, Each night, each morning” both your voices harmonize as Virgil as the phantom crumbles. Barely holding himself up on the statue mantle as his fists shook and his knees weakened.

He takes a moment to find strength, fake anger pushing him to find it before getting up on the mantle with the idol of space and time behind him. “You will curse the day you did not do, All that the Phantom asked of you!!”

And with that you enter the stage again in French rococo style dress, taking a bow with various extras. The supposed end of the on stage show Christine preformed…until-

The chandelier comes crashing down and the intermission begins

Halloween special featuring my obsession with phantom of the opera. Thank god for those “slime” tutorials (if you know you know) especially the one with Emilie kouatchou as Christine, her performance is immaculate. I saw phantom live a few years ago with my bff in toronto, I believe it was with Quentin Oliver Lee in the national tour sometime in 2018 before his eventual passing In 2022. his performance was breathtaking as the phantom, even now his voice gives me chills. He will always be the phantom I think of when I think of phantom of the opera from how amazing he was on stage.

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