#V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/711822128915333120/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

“You do?!” Randall yelped in surprise, very nearly spilling hot coffee all over himself when she called out: He’d been deep in the middle of composing (he liked these quiet Sunday mornings; they were nice and peaceful, perfect for working on his opera) when she came calling, her knocking abruptly pulling him out of his reverie and startling him just a tad. Still, he wasn’t at all mad about this; the libretto could wait, the reviews were in!

Quickly setting aside his coffee cup (having been fortunate enough to not spill coffee everywhere, thank goodness) and closing the libretto once he was sure the ink was dry, he let her in, leading her over to his little sitting area, taking a seat beside her on the lounger as he surveyed the differing newspapers now set before him on the table. Different newspapers, different reviewers...different opinions...

Trying not to let his nerves get the better of him, he looked to Emily with wide eyes, asking (trying not to let the hesitation creep through his voice all the while), “Which one should we read first, do you think?”

#((she does! she probably hasn't changed one damn bit since randall left the opera; i mean hell; she might've gotten even WORSE)) #((since there's no one putting itching powder in her wigs or unleashing rats onto her; she feels like she has free rein)) #((to be a holy terror on the poor people who have to work with her again; because in his absence no one's been really willing)) #((to step up to the plate and do it; and since he's returned (even for a visit); randall is just not gonna stand idly by)) #((and let her get away with that! even in his moving to leroux he still cares a lot about the opera and the people working there)) #((-he's watched out for the ballet girls; he's sent little messages to stagehands when he happens to hear about something in their lives)) #((and so on-and so he's gonna put la constance back in her place for as long as he's visiting!)) #((and no one's the wiser-except for emily!)) #((who would expect that emily's quiet; mild-mannered husband is really the fearsome opera ghost?)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/710855385566920704/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

At her quip, Randall smiled and pretended to pull the cake away-similar to how a gambler would proudly pull in all the chips they’d won-but he stopped, chuckled, and instead grabbed a knife and cut them a slice each, passing one to Emily before tucking into his own, which was rich and delicate and creamy all at once. He didn’t know how the wizards down in the café did it, but this truly was a job well done, and he’d be sure to leave a generous tip, as a “thank you” for making this grand night of celebration for his angel something special.

His stealing of food and leaving generous tips from his equally-generous salary quickly became a part of the Opera Ghost mythos, once he arrived there: Although there was a lot of debate early on over whether or not ghosts could really eat or if there was somebody else sneaking around stealing food, that was all put to rest when he’d left them a note, complimenting a lunch he’d had (he’d heard someone in the dining room of the café say “my compliments to the chef!”, and so he thought it’d be polite to do the same). From then on, they knew it was the Ghost, who came to dine fairly regularly, and could expect a nice tip in return.

(That was how they could tell when someone else was stealing food-the second party, when they did work there, did not tip when they absconded with things like desserts and fresh baked goods. Needless to say, said second party did not last long there, and was let go after being caught trying to run off with a whole fruit pie the cooks had labored over that day. Good thing too-it was a strawberry pie, and Randall himself had designs on it!)

#((they do deserve it! they especially deserve to have a little genuine peace and quiet; as you said; the calm before the storm!)) #((they had a hell of a time when it came to just getting to leroux and dealing with the whole little leota situation)) #((and they're gonna have ANOTHER hell of a time once the circus comes to town and turns everything upside down)) #((so for now they more than deserve a little domesticity: a quaint village to live in; a quiet little house to call their own)) #((two children playing underfoot...they more than deserve the chance to savor all of that before all hell breaks loose!)) #((and true; it is VERY good that constance isn't the main antagonist here!)) #((i could see her *maybe* considering it...but then deciding against it; too much risk of exposing the truth; y'know)) #((so she'll keep her ax tucked away...for now!)) #((and YES to randall and emily being playful little nerds! i've long felt the banter between these two)) #((has been one of my favorite elements of their relationship to write and i stand by it! i love scenes like these)) #((when they're just bantering and being playful without a care in the world!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/708116595459997696/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

Randall cast his head down bashfully when she commented on how glad she was he reached out to her that night (even if he went about it in an...unusual way, shall we say): Honestly, he too wished he could’ve gone about their first meeting in a much different way (had he know she would be so kind and accepting of him, he wouldn’t have jumped to the whole “Angel of Music” ruse), regretting how he tried to string her along with this charade (to say nothing of how he reacted when she unmasked him). He knew there was nothing he could do to change that, of course, but still, he had his regrets.

Again, there was no changing the past, and so he tried to set aside these thoughts in favor of basking in the glory of their friendship: Somehow, it really did feel as if they’d known each other forever, not just for a scant few months-it was amazing to think that their knowing one another had done so much for them, countering against the loneliness they’d felt for so long. It was sort of funny to think about, in hindsight-the two loneliest people in such a massive, oft-crowded opera house, had found one another.

“You’re...a very dear friend to me too,” he continued, resisting the urge to just...take her hands in his and endlessly wax poetic about the joy she brought to his life, instead fiddling with his bony fingers as he said, “I...I’m grateful every day to whoever brought the two of us together.” Whether it was fate, some higher power, or just complete happenstance, he was grateful to it for putting them in one another’s path.

#((he's going to seem VERY strange to her i'm thinkin'! him and his folks both!)) #((i do love the idea of her having tangled with another siren (i.e. constance like you suggested) and being just real banged up)) #((enough that she wouldn't survive without immediate medical treatment; and in a daze she stumbles into the pair's net!)) #((and oh god-the two are gonna be STUNNED! like they've somehow caught this MASSIVE fish)) #((wilhelm's probably all excited as they work to bring the net to the surface; maybe he thinks they've caught a record-breaking fish)) #((only to forget all about that when they pull her into the boat and see just what they've caught!)) #((honestly given emily's humanoid-if waterlogged-shape; randall might panic and think he and wilhelm have just unearthed a body!)) #((and then she moves and they see how banged up she is? they're gonna be stunned...but they won't be able to resist)) #((taking her home and getting her the help she needs!)) #((and just imagine june's reaction! she expects her husband and son to return with dinner; and instead they come home with a SIREN!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/709108010243538944/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

The melodies drifting from Randall’s violin eventually petered off as he noticed Emily having fallen asleep, a sight which made him smile as he gingerly set his violin and bow back into their case, admiring her beauty in the dim glow of the candles lit around them.

She was ethereal in the candlelight...her face looked so serene as she slept, her flaxen curls splayed out around her like rivulets of gold running across the scarlet pillow she lay her perfect head on...with her peaceful face, golden curls, and soft blanket laid across her lap, she looked like an elegant painting of a sleeping maiden, waiting for a lover to come along and lay a kiss on her perfect lips.

Blushing, Randall opted to just resort to dreaming about such a thing as he crossed the room, back over the chair he fell asleep in earlier-he just didn’t feel like going back to his own room to sleep; instead, staying out here and sleeping beside such an angel seemed heavenly, as he grabbed his pillow and blanket, making his spot comfortable before he went around the room, blowing out the candles and plunging the attic into darkness.

Once he’d settled down in his little makeshift bed, Randall smiled at Emily’s sleeping form, whispering softly, “Good night, my angel,” before pulling the blankets up and around his shoulders as he drifted off into an easy sleep.

#((oh randall feels totally at ease with emily! like even though this woman is a perfect stranger to him he can't help but feel comfortable)) #((being around her; he has this sense of deja vu around her and he's just wracking his brain over it; trying to figure out)) #((where in the world they've met before because he just feels as though they've been together before!)) #((deja vu aside he still loves being around her and is totally down for spending time with her; he's down for wherever she takes him)) #((because you're right; his mind may not remember but his heart and soul does! and that heart and soul)) #((must just be SO OVERJOYED to be reunited with the woman he loves after being separated for EONS!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/708949395923763200/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

At her compliment, an uncharacteristically strangled-sounding squeak came out of Randall’s throat, and he resisted the urge to throw his hands up over his masked face and curl up into a ball, reminding himself that his bright red face was still hidden from her-yet still, he felt the urge to hide his flustered reaction, instead casting his eyes down at the attic floor to avoid looking at her.

Really? he thought to himself in silent amazement. She really thinks that I would be good company? That any woman would be lucky to have me for a date? It was extremely hard for him to fathom, and there was that angry, bitter little part of himself that doubted it, angrily even, that voice lashing out in his head, yelling in his mind Don’t you lie to me! No woman in her right mind would want to be seen out in public with me! Who on Earth would want to be seen with someone like me?

But Randal quelled this voice as best he could, trying not to let those nagging insecurities eat him up from the inside out (at least, anymore than they already were) and instead trust in Emily’s words. She wouldn’t lie to him, no, he knew in his heart of hearts that she was being honest when she said this-just as he was! He consoled himself with this fact, as he managed to smile for her, saying, in a tiny voice, “Th-Thank you, E-Emily...I-I really do mean it when I say anyone would b-be lucky to go out o-on the town with you!”

And they would! She was a charming conversationalist, she was polite to all she met, she had the sweetest laugh he’d ever heard, she made you feel as if you were the only person in the world when you were with her...all of this Randall himself could attest to, thanks to the time spent together, and so he felt very confident in telling her this-she would be wonderful company, because, to him, she was wonderful.

#((it *is* genius! and i know i'd LOVE to read your vampire!emily!)) #((as for how she became a vampire; barnabas was cursed by a witch; so maybe emily was cursed too?)) #((maybe nicholas was her angelique and slapped her with a vampire curse and engineered the death of past!randall?)) #((and oh you KNOW even before he learns she's a vampire and they were lovers in a past life randall is gonna be ALL over emily!)) #((he's gonna be outright smitten from the get-go-and i don't think the revelation about her being a vamp is gonna dampen those feelings!)) #((i could see him falling even harder in that case-he *is* a romantic nerd after all!)) #((and hey that could TOTALLY mean june and wilhelm are alive! :D)) #((question is: how will randall and emily meet again in the modern world? will emily have been trapped in a coffin for centuries)) #((the way barnabas was and just recently sprang from it; or has she been wandering the world for ages)) #((and is therefore a little more adjusted to this new world?)) #((ooooh this is interesting!! i'm HERE for this!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/708677790772461568/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

“I don’t think it’s silly at all.”

It was heartfelt to him, hearing this song, knowing it was something Emily used to sing with her father, something special that still lived on in her, even in his passing, something near and dear to her heart because of it. Was it some grand, sweeping song from some legendary opera? No. But did it need to be? Not at all. It was an honest answer, and it made Randall smile when he heard it, listening eagerly as she sang him this melody, him taking it to heart as he did.

“It’s...it’s lovely!” he replied brightly, as he turned back to his organ, so charmed by the song that he wanted to see if he could play it back, even if he’d only heard it once:

“Little Lotte let her mind wander... Little Lotte thought, ‘Am I fonder of dolls, Or of goblins or shoes, Or of riddles or frocks, Those picnics in the attic, Or of chocolates?

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... The Angel of Music sings songs in my head...’”

He felt fairly confident that he’d been able to replicate the song fairly well when he played it (he might’ve been off by a key or two, but it sounded fairly close when he sang and played it), as he looked back and smiled still to Emily, saying, “It’s not silly at all, I...I think it’s very sweet. It’s...comforting, in a way, it sounds so...gentle.” He wished he had a lullaby like that, to think back on on dark, cold nights, when he felt alone...

#((no worries!)) #((and y'know; i'm inclined to agree; hatty does seem like the last bit of goodwill we've gotten from the imagineers in the last few years!)) #((and y'know i don't know how much the corporate heads meddle in imagineering; i don't know if they're pushing for these changes)) #((like constance or the awful overhaul of 'phantom manor' or if the imagineers are coming up with these bad ideas all themselves)) #((-given their dislike of constance i'm gonna say the bigwigs have their hands in that pie-)) #((but at any rate they've made some REALLY dumb decisions regarding the 'mansion' franchise overall as of late)) #((and i wish they'd just listen to us fans! we don't need a complete overhaul or some new version of constance)) #((we just want a little sprucing up of 'phantom manor' and the original bride back; to restore the mansion to how it was)) #((when it originally opened way back in 1969! that is LITERALLY all we ask!)) #((i would also REALLY like for jared leto to NOT play the hatbox ghost in the potential new 'haunted mansion' movie)) #((but beyond that don't screw with anything else! just make those changes and we'll be fine!)) #((if it ain't broke don't fix it!!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/707957608117616640/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

If Randall thought he was about to cry before, then he was veering dangerously close to outright sobbing at Emily’s words, and it took a great deal of effort on his part not to do just that, as he tried his damndest to wrap his head around what she was telling him. Did she really mean that? Did she really believe that he was so amazing with his musical prowess? Did he really amaze her so much?

Of course, there was the part of him that nagged him, scoffing at these words, that little voice that was so certain she was lying to him, secretly thinking he was an awful composer, a dreadful singer, and a terrible musician, but for once, he found himself silencing that little voice, so caught up in the euphoria of her words that the inner voice was drowned out. For once, he didn’t believe that little voice, being instead so touched by her wonder, her admiration, that he was struggling not to burst out in joyous tears. So unfamiliar was he with such praise, he hardly knew what to say!

And he told her so, after taking a few moments to gather himself to keep from exploding with emotion (the last thing he needed was for him to break out into childish tears as something as simple as being told he was good at his craft), still blinking back the tears as he managed to choke out, “Th-Thank you, Emily, th-thank you...! I...I don’t know what to say o-other than...thank you!” He didn’t know if he had some natural-born knack for music or if it was just his own perseverance or something somewhere in between, but clearly, it was something worth celebrating in her eyes.

(Honestly, he much preferred to think it was his own hard work that made him so good at music...how cruel would it be for the Lord to give him such a horrible face, and yet have him make the most beautiful music, he thought to himself? Surely, if he were not the Devil’s Child, he was at least cursed by him at birth-the world will love the music you make, but not you yourself!)

#((no kidding! had he done this while he was the consequences probably wouldn't have been good for either him or emily)) #((seeing as that would out them as having a secret relationship and there'd be a TON of ugly fallout as a result)) #((so yeah-being dead was probably the best way for him to be able to barge into the church without getting automatically jumped!)) #((but even so; it's still gonna be heartbreakingly angsty as randall realizes what's going on and that he really didn't survive)) #((and emily has to have the revelation that the man she loves is undead and now they're probably gonna have the whole town)) #((coming after him with torches and pitchforks!! total 'frankenstein' moment!!)) #((i think it's defidently gonna come down to him and emily having to go on the run together-from there i don't what'll happen next)) #((but i'm nevertheless SUPER interested to find out!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/707835668198457344/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

Randall’s breath was held tight in his throat as he nervously awaited Emily’s response, pulse pounding as he searched her face, trying to pick up on any sign of how she was to react to this-he was relieved when she finally replied, exhaling softly as she gave her response. Behind the mask, he’d raised an eyebrow at her comment about beauty being only skin deep (it was a phrase he’d heard before, just never in regards to himself...), her elaboration on how, no matter how attraction Don Juan was, no matter how women he had hanging off his arm, he would always be alone.

And that was true! Don Juan dropped these women as soon as he was done with them, leaving him empty and alone at the end (even if such a thing was never shown to bother him)…but what did that mean for Randall himself, he wondered? Did she mean to say that, despite his accursed ugliness, he wouldn’t be nearly as lonely as Don Juan was? He supposed that was true, now that he had Emily in his life, but still...did it mean that, maybe one day, he too could be loved, surrounded by good company?

He wasn’t quite sure of what to make of that, but he could see what Emily was getting, and despite that skepticism, he put on a smile for her, saying, “Th-Thank you, my dear, I...I’ve thought about that, how people still love Don Juan, despite what he does...even we in the audience are entranced by him, and we see all he does on the stage! But him being alone, despite all that...I-I hadn’t quite thought about that!”

#((i do too! if you enjoy that one; there's its sister film 'vault of horror' which also takes inspiration from ec comics like 'tales' does)) #((as well as 'from beyond the grave' and 'dr. terror's house of horrors'; both of which i love-especially 'dr. terror'!)) #((that one also has peter cushing in it alongside his best friend christopher lee; and it's just a whole lotta fun!)) #((and of course moving a little more into contemporary horror anthologies there's the orginal 'creepshow')) #((which isn't quite as gory as the hbo tales but is a little bloodier than the '72 tales)) #((but no less fun! it works HARD to emulate those lurid 50's comic book panels and it does it REALLY well; i highly recommend it as well!)) #((and i absolutely think you're right-randall and emily AREN'T killers! despite the fact that nicholas killed them)) #((and they'd be MORE than justified in getting that retribution they just won't! as tarzan told clayton: 'i'm not a man like you!')) #((and so randall and emily wouldn't stoop that low! in the case of 'you'll be in my heart' i think that was also that 'law of the jungle')) #((coming in to save the day; mother nature kinda comes in to put an end to nicholas; leaving randall and emily's hands clean in turn!)) #((and i could see them be similarly guilt-free in 'death of a bachelor'! i'm thinking similarly to 'phantasm')) #((something will frighten nicholas and cause a chain reaction that leads to his demise!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/707405965270614016/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

“Uh-huh,” Randall grinned playfully as he leaned back in his seat, kind of enjoying this brief bit of banter between them: Here she was, commenting that maybe he should consider getting a little sleep, while she was yawning herself and refusing to do the same! Like student, like tutor, he supposed, given how she was encouraging him to get some sleep the previous night like she was, only for him to stay up all hours, doing the exact opposite of what she suggested...

He snickered a little to himself as he cradled his empty coffee mug, still smiling a little: When was the last time he’d been able to joke so easily with someone, affectionately ribbing each other for silly little matters such as these? So far, he could only think of doing so with Emily, and it made his chest feel warm-he enjoyed how at ease he felt with her, knowing he could be so...relaxed with her. She was a true friend, and he was grateful for that.

“Well, if you say so,” he continued, tone still amused as he set aside his mug for the moment, shrugging a little: He supposed he would just refresh his coffee here and a bit while she rested her feet...

In fact, he could kill two birds with one stone, as he suggested, “Well, why don’t I get you that tea? I was just about to get myself some fresh coffee before you arrived-that might help us both!”

#((absolutely! leroux strikes a great balance between fear and pity and setting erik up as a really great tragic villain)) #((one that we should pity...but also one that shouldn't be taken lightly given the things he's done!)) #((he *is* still a villain! he's a kidnapper; a murderer; like i don't even KNOW what all he'd be charged for!)) #((again murder; kidnapping; let's see here...the chandelier drop probably also counts as property damage in addition to murder...)) #((plus trespassing since no one else knows he's hangin' around five cellars below; ATTEMPTED murder in addition to full-on murder)) #((and probably a lot of other stuff i'm forgetting now! at any rate erik is still a villain)) #((and as bad as we feel for him and his lot in life-and leroux defidently pitied him-we just can't forget that!)) #((and absolutely! randall doesn't have beef with all of humanity the way erik seems to; he understandably has a hatred)) #((for the people who did him harm and a discomfort regarding the people who came to see the circus and him)) #((and would point and laugh and scream at him but beyond that he doesn't have raw feelings towards his fellow man overall!)) #((he understands that they're innocent and therefore not a target of his wrath!)) #((and i enjoy noting the differences too-it makes this rewrite all the more fun; fleshing out phantom!randall)) #((and seeing how he stacks up against erik himself!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/707201367926849536/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

At this, Randall wanted to protest; he wanted to wave it all off, to say “I was just doing what anyone would do!”, but he knew that just wasn’t true. She was right, most people in the opera house probably wouldn’t have sacrificed a whole day, a day spent running the risk of getting sick while running errands, bringing her food and drink and keeping her company, no, he was sure most wouldn’t have done such a thing...he still wanted to protest, to say it was nothing, but ultimately, he found he just couldn’t argue anymore.

Despite the difficulty he had in wrapping his head around the whole thing, he nevertheless willed himself to believe her (difficult as that was), swallowing hard as he managed to saying, “W-Well, you’re...you’re very welcome, E-Emily, I...I was just glad I could help!”

He blushed again and averted his gaze, half-expecting her to laugh at his incompetence when it came to rudimentary matters like accepting thanks...he kicked himself a little for thinking Emily would do such a thing, reminding himself that she wasn’t like those who used to point and laugh at him, that she wouldn’t do such a thing, but still, he had that moment of expectation before he glanced back at her, smiling shyly behind the mask.

#((it isn't-but it's accurate! randall knows how to be kind *but* responding to/accepting kindness? that's a different story!)) #((and i know i certainly can't see erik being so chummy (for lack of a better word) with the people of the opera!)) #((erik's relationship to the people there is more like a king and his subjects; he has this sort of superiority complex)) #((-probably because he's been treated as lesser for so long; he's taking the opportunity to be at the top of the food chain for a change-)) #((and so he puts himself above everyone else; he wants them to bend to his will and do as he commands)) #((and when they don't he throws a temper tantrum!)) #((but randall...doesn't really put himself on a pedestal the way erik does! he *is* the opera ghost and he still sends out his notes)) #((but he's not nearly as aggressively demanding as erik is! in some ways i think he just wants to be a man)) #((not a 'king' the way erik is; ruling over his domicile with an iron fist!)) #((instead he just wants to be able to rub elbows with the common man! he likes listening to the stagehands talk about their lives)) #((he likes sending well wishes to people when he hears something good has happened to them)) #((he just wants to be a normal man; he doesn't want to be above others anymore than he wants to be beneath them!)) #((he might not be able to be really truly sociable with people but he tries! you just couldn't see erik doing such a thing)) #((and it's one of the differences between the two of them that i'm glad has come up!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/714651393730936832/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride​

As soon as Morgan came into the room, Randall immediately got between him and Emily, out of a fear that the pianist would try to hurt her, but instead, Morgan just reached out and grabbed at Randall himself, grabbing him by the lapels and pushing him up against the walls, slamming him, all the while Randall himself tried to scramble away, to get out of his grasp, eyes wide with terror.

“Why?! Why her?!” Morgan bellowed as Randall, having briefly gotten away, tried to get back to Emily and open the passageway so that they might escape, but before he could, he was once again snatched up by the pianist, who slammed him once again into the wall, dazing him as Morgan kept him pinned there, demanding, “Leave her! She is nothing more than a twittering, empty-headed little ballerina-she doesn’t deserve your great tutelage! But I do! Teach me instead! I will be your great pupil, not her!”

“Let me go!” Randall cried, the fear continuing to grip him as he and Morgan continued to grapple, with the former trying to break loose and rush back to Emily, while the latter maintained an iron-clad grip on him, clearly refusing to take “no” for an answer. In the scuffle, Morgan’s hand clapped onto Randall’s mask, beginning to pull it away as he hissed, “You’re no ghost, you’re nothing but a...MAN?!”

Although Randall had tried to hide his face as quickly as he could, Thaddeus still got to see it in all of its deaths head glory-the sallow cheeks, the sunken eyes, the hole where a nose should be, all of it. It was not the face of a ghost nor a man, and certainly not the face of an angel. Thaddeus froze, face twisting in horror and disgust as he whispered hoarsely, horrified, “Y-You’re a demon!”

#((yes i do believe you mentioned that; and i for one still love the idea!)) #((i especially love the detail of randall not knowing at that time that emily can be out of water for x amount of time)) #((and thus being shocked to learn that she can and was in fact the one who brought him to bed that night!)) #((i also love the idea of emily getting up and wandering around the pace house after everyone else's asleep)) #((and just investigating; to her the house is probably like a really weird cave/grotto)) #((it has weird new smells; it's all dry; the furniture's probably weird to her; it's all new and strange to her no doubt!)) #((so maybe on one of those nights she was wandering she found randall asleep and helped put him to bed)) #((like 'ah so this is his cave and where he rests; i should put him there'!)) #((man...they really are SO fortunate that she likes them all so much!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://beatingheart-bride.tumblr.com/post/714272738944155648/beatingheart-bride-theheadlessgroom

@beatingheart-bride

The opera went off without a hitch for its two first acts: No disembodied voices echoing around the auditorium (nor did the new chandelier, installed at the beginning of the year, rattle precariously above the audience’s heads; the police took great care to put men up near it, lest they have a repeat of Il Muto’s curtain call), no rats raining from the rafters, not even a whisper of a ghost being around. There was still tension felt among the cast, the crew, and the managers, but so far, all had gone well.

And all continued to go well as the third act began, as the Don, draped in a hooded black cloak, sought to seduce the beautiful Aminta, exuding confidence from his anonymity-at least, until Aminta herself proved to be just as bound and determined to seduce her mystery suitor, taking her would-be lover by surprise with her forward flirtations, as they together approached The Point of No Return.

Randall gulped from behind the veil as he watched Emily skip out onto the stage, singing cheerfully as she flounced around, spritely and light-footed (a small showcase of her dancing talents as well as her vocal ones): Truly, she was beautiful in the peachy tones of Aminta’s dress, evoking spring-turning-summer (especially with a rose blooming in her blonde locks), with her tall black boots and black trim of her gown hinting at a mature streak many often overlooked. She was everything he dreamed of in the role and more.

Am I a fool? he thought to himself as he watched her, preparing for their long-awaited duet: Was this even a good idea, putting himself out onstage in front of an ocean of people, right under the noses of the police? Should he have just stayed in the attic like Emily suggested in her letter? An uncertainty began to creep into his gut...

…but as soon as Emily looked at him, and he began to sing, none of that mattered to him now, as he found himself melting effortlessly into the role of Don Juan, just as she had so beautifully melted into the role of Aminta. To be quite honest, the title character was the only one he hadn’t made any casting suggestions for in the libretto, as a part of him had always longed to play it himself. He never, ever imagined that he ever would, granted, and yet...here he was: Singing for a captivated audience with his angel.

And right under Morgan’s nose too! he thought delightedly, catching a glimpse of the pianist in the pit as he turned all of his focus on Emily and their performance.

#((like randall is sitting RIGHT THERE; maybe he's sitting on a stool by the tub with a book in hand; reading to her)) #((not entirely paying attention and emily's watching him all the while; like he's there; would be SO easy)) #((to just grab and drown and eat him and yet...she can't. she just keeps watching this funny human who is happily reading to her)) #((and she just can't bring herself to harm a hair on his head; and that's...weird!!)) #((and y'know it really *is* funny; considering how superstitious the pace men are!)) #((even as a grown-ass man randall is *still* creeped out by the idea of fairies tricking or bewitching or otherwise stealing someone away)) #((and wilhelm still takes precautionary measures on all hallows eve; such as lining all the doors and windowsills with salt)) #((and other little things to keep any ghosts and goblins that might be out at bay)) #((so them looking at what is obviously a very dangerous supernatural creature; very wounded or not; and not leaving her behind)) #((and instead opting to take her home and help her says a lot about their hearts!)) #((sometimes a family really *is* a mother; a father; their son; and their son's siren gf and that's great! :D)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/713924157395648512/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

Randall squeezed the cold metal of lyre as he peered down on Morgan and Emily from his perch, his cloak swirling around him like the wings of some ginormous bat: Even at the great height he was at, Morgan’s poisonous words carried on the wind, and Randall found himself clenching his fists with an indescribable rage, teeth gnashed together as he quivered with a growing rage. He wanted nothing more than to leap down from the Lyre and call out​ the organist on his lies, but instead, he remained frozen where he crouched-nothing good would come of him revealing himself.

You liar! he swore silently, glaring daggers down at the organist: How dare he fill his angel’s minds with such horrid lies? He, ever having a fondness for La Constance of all things? He’d sooner run naked through the streets of the city than so much as smile at such a hideous woman-she was no muse of his; she never had been, and never, ever would be. Emily was his one and only muse, his one and only love...

…and now, she was being stolen from him.

When the pair had disappeared back down into the opera together, Morgan’s arm around Emily’s waist in a faux-comforting manner, it all came to a head, and Randall found himself seeing red: As the wind began to rise and turn cold, he stood atop the Lyre, seized by an unspeakable anger at this insolent organist, who refused to do as he was told, to keep his big nose out of affairs that did not concern him, and declared to the heavens:

“You will curse the day you did not do...all that the Phantom asked of you!”

That anger quickly melded with a blinding madness, that mad cackle from earlier seizing his throat as he seemingly flew back down inside, rushing to the cupola above the auditorium, housing the mechanism for the grand chandelier, which glittered above the audience’s heads as they burst into applause as the cast of Il Muto gathered before the crimson curtain to take their bows. His eyes dampened with tears when he saw Emily, looking resplendent in her gown, smiling and bowing to her adoring audience...

…but when he saw Morgan in the wings, smiling like a snake as he clapped, Randall saw red again, as his hands worked shakily to undo the contraption, eyes burning with hatred as he set the mass of metal and glass sailing forward, free-falling to the stage, towards the organist, with a furious declaration:

“GO!”

But at the last second, the chandelier swung off-course, no longer aiming to land at Morgan’s feet like planned, but instead, it went forward, coming to a loud and horrendous crash upon the stage, stopping its fall right at Emily’s feet.

“No!” 

Randall gasped in horror when it did so, fresh, hot tears sprouting from his eyes as he stared at her: Although he was grateful it didn’t ultimately hit her, he knew, in his heart of hearts, that it didn’t matter. She would think the worse: This, compounded with Morgan’s poisonous words, would be all the confirmation she needed that her friend and Angel was nothing more than a devil in disguise. His stomach churned at the thought, and although he stared at Emily, wishing to cry out for her, to tell her that he was sorry, to tell her the truth...

…he knew it was no use, and so, he instead chose to flee, cape drawn around him as he hurried back to the attic, locking himself inside as he sobbed. It was of no use-she would hate him, now and forever. Even if he went to her now with the truth, she would not believe him.

And that would be all that would be heard of the Opera Ghost for the next six months-it would not be until the Bal de Masque to ring in the New Year that he would return, and with a vengeance...

#((exactly! honestly if you were to ask randall what the worst day of his life was he'd most likely sarcastically reply 'the day i was born') #((and of course he hasn't exactly had a lucky life following that; what with being the moneymaker for the circus and all)) #((but this? this rapid decline as everything goes from bad to worse? the loss the one and only friend he has?)) #((the accidental death of someone he meant no ill will towards? it's all coming at him so fast!!)) #((it's all coming crashing down around him so quickly and there's nothing he can do when it comes to stopping/fixing it!)) #((i think that's what makes it such an awful day for him; how helpless he is to change the outcome of how things have gone!)) #((and you're right; had gus not died; it could've kicked off a whole wild goose chase! there really would be no winning for poor randall)) #((and the opera house got turned upside down; looking for this obviously non-ghost man hanging around)) #((who just sabotaged a performance in front of everyone!)) #((i know i say it a lot but...oof!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/712704111168061440/beatingheart-bride-theheadlessgroom

@beatingheart-bride

Well, that wouldn’t hurt, would it? To show her some of his concepts? The notion made him smile, as he got up from his seat and crossed the room, riffling around in his papers to scrounge up some of the sketches he’d done that were scattered hither and yon (to most, it likely looked chaotic, with no system to finding what he was looking for, but actually, he found it quite easy-he liked to do these sketches as a way of relaxing his brain in between composing). He studied them with a careful eye, deciding which ones she might like the best, and was about to bring the few he’d picked back to her...

…when he happened to glance back at his libretto, containing not only his music, but all of his concepts for the opera as well. He paused, momentarily lost in thought as he weighed his options-should he? He wanted it all to be a surprise, wanting her to see everything for the first time once it was all completed, true...

…but a little sneak preview wouldn’t hurt either, would it?

Not in his opinion, as he plucked one of the concepts out to bring to her, along with the more casual ones he’d done for his suits, explaining, “These are just a few I’ve made; I wanted a little variety when it came to my waistcoats-you see, one white, one grey, one black-and the cut of my coats, so I played around with patterns and fabrics and lengths; i-it was actually a very fun little experiment, studying the patrons I saw come and go, and using them as a template, you could say, finding what I liked best!”

And then there were his Don Juan sketches; just a couple, as the briefest of sneak peeks at what was to come: It was the titular Don and his manservant Passarino, both dressed in rich reds and deep blacks, a very predominant color for many of the costumes he had in mind, along with some regal golds and burnt oranges, all invoking a hellish sort of color scheme. Her character, Aminta, would at first be seen as something of an exception; her dress would a soft, rosy pink, but it and the black ruffles and trim would hint at her more daring and seductive side, a side the Don would bring out in her.

#((he probably is! i have a feeling that he and dorian are outliers in the long run)) #((at least in terms of getting away relatively easily; i feel like there's been quite a few that have made a run for it)) #((but either haven't gotten far or gotten killed when they were tracked down and put up a fight in response!)) #((and then there are the ones who likely lived and died in their cages like you said; i have a feeling even in death)) #((they didn't find peace on account of the ringmaster displaying their bodies; it would not be the first time a circus did that!)) #((and had randall died somewhere in there at the circus i think that would've been his fate; his body preserved and put on display)) #((just to rake in a few more bucks!)) #((man it makes me look even MORE forward to killing off the ringmaster-it's not likely to be a very pretty or pleasant end)) #((but it'll be MORE than well-deserved after everything he's done!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/710465015712530432/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

“Because I know you,” he said confidently, still maintaining that angelic tone of voice in an effort to soothe her frazzled nerves. “Both from our lessons together and from rehearsals-you are the hardest working performer in the company, I’ve seen it myself! You have thrown yourself into this role with all your heart and soul, and I believe that dedication will pay off. Your performance tonight, I believe...will live in the audience’s hearts forever.” His own included.

And even if she did not succeed (which he didn’t think was possible, quite honestly)? He would still love her anyways. He did not say so aloud, not wanting to make her fear failing anymore than she already did, but it was the honest truth. However tonight went, he would still love her.

As he observed her in all her grand and regal beauty, looking as if she were a great muse awaiting for her portrait to be painted (oh, what a honor that would be, for any artist!), all garbed in scarlets and emeralds, the angelic tone slipped away, and he found himself smiling shyly, cheeks pink behind the mask as he complimented, “Y-You look...b-beautiful.”

#((there's a scene in the 1989 'phantom' with robert englund in which erik watches as christine performs as marguerite in 'faust')) #((and it's surprisingly adorable as he smiles so joyously! he's just so delighted when she hits every note; he's following along)) #((moving his hands the way a teacher would with every note; and it's just a cute little moment in an otherwise pretty dark adaptation)) #((and i just feel that's how randall's gonna be during emily's performance; just totally unable to keep from smiling)) #((as he watches her perform night after night; he wouldn't miss a single performance for anything!)) #((even when they're not speaking to one another; following the 'il muto' disaster he'll still be in box five watching her!)) #((because he *still* loves her and still wants to see her star continue to climb! he is and always will be her most dedicated fan!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/710019365046763520/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

“​I don’t think it’s silly at all,” he smiled, delighted to know that she had enjoyed the show (even if it was simply the orchestra) as much as he had, as well as admiring her desire to see what he and the rest of the audience saw during a performance. “It’s wonderful to watch-I-I would enjoy watching an opera with you, were we ever afforded that chance.”

What with her being the leading lady now (and would hopefully be the leading lady in many, many productions to come; he had a feeling her future as the opera’s star was within reach), the opportunity for both Randall and Emily to sit down and watch a show together seemed not quite in the cards at the moment (not unless Emily could be in two places at once), but he still liked to imagine that, someday, she would be afforded that chance. Under what circumstances he did not know, but it was a day he liked to think was possible.

And what a day that would be! The two of them, seated in Box Five together, watching and enjoying the show in their own private box in their evening best...perhaps he would see about getting them some fancy chocolates to enjoy during the show, or something to drink (he wasn’t a fan of any of the alcohols available in the café; he’d tasted a few out of curiosity and decided very quickly that they were not for him, instead favoring sparkling, non-alcoholic ciders and the like instead)…she would have the best seat in the house, and he would have the best company...

(He wished most of all, however, that Emily could see what he saw on opening night, when she made her grand debut: He wished he could see how magical she would be onstage, how she would wow the audience with her beautiful voice and emotional performance...she could see how amazing she really, truly was, how gifted she was as a performer!)

“What opera would you most like to see?” Randall asked her curiously, brows raising in interest behind the mask.

#((you make a great point; and i agree! i don't think that randall would be nearly as enamored as he is here)) #((were he to have a normal; more stable upbringing; but i also feel like he'd still be very keen on music)) #((enough to want to pursue a career in it-i see wilhelm as being fairly musical himself; as he plays the harpsichord)) #((and so it just gets me thinking about that fondness for music rubbing off on randall and inspiring him! it might not be the same passion)) #((as he has here in this 'verse but i feel like; in a kinder world; he'd still love music; enough to seek out the opera)) #((and meet emily as a result!)) #((as for his face...i'm not sure! obviously june and wilhelm would work hard to make randall feel confident in himself)) #((and not let anyone get him down because of how he looks; but i could see him wearing something when out in public)) #((maybe some sort of prosthetics a'la that one-shot we did; where he devised a makeup/prosthetics to wear)) #((so that he could go out with emily and the twins? i'm just spitballin' but maybe that'd be his workaround!)) #((and true; it is kinda funny! but honestly emily will ALWAYS bring out the pace's parental sides; regardless of how old she is)) #((or what she is! vampire? yup! siren? yup!)) #((...actually now i'm thinking about little emily meeting little randall at gracey manor when june was working there)) #((and june feeling just as maternal towards her as she does towards dorian!)) #((don't know if that's an au we would ever do but it just popped into my head and i just imagine little randall being smitten)) #((with little emily; just the way little dorian is smitten with little elizabeth!)) #outofhatboxes #beatingheart-bride #V:Phantasm of the Mansion