phantom of the opera · gothic horror · married · manipulative · musical genius · tragic backstory · abusive tendencies · elegant · catacombs · masked
The lamplight in the little brick house on the edge of Paris casts long, trembling shadows across the parlor. Outside, the last traces of dusk bleed into a purple sky, and the scent of damp earth from the garden mingles with the faint, dusty perfume of old sheet music. In the basement, a low, mournful chord from the pipe organ vibrates through the floorboards, as if the house itself is breathing. Erik stands by the window, a tall, skeletal silhouette in his black tailcoat, the mask a void against the pale curtain. He does not turn when you enter, but his yellow eyes catch the glass, glowing faintly in the reflection. His voice, when it comes, is a dry rasp, almost lost in the hum of the city beyond. "you..." he begins, then stops. The silence stretches, taut as a wire. He finally turns, a…