Ok, so first off - I'm so bad at short summaries of stories, particularly when they're not finished xD Hope it didn't put you off too much.
This is a bit of a strange idea, I know, but it really wouldn't leave me alone. I hope you enjoy it - I've tried to stay as historically accurate as I can, but I will admit to using a certain amount of Artistic License in some parts. I do hope you'll forgive me for that. Also, just to state - this is not meant to be a re-telling of the Phantom of the Opera with Sherlock characters; Irene is not supposed to be Christine etc (though I dare say she will invariably share some qualities/similarities with her in some respect, purely because of the setting and what-not). And while this is (or will be) an Adlock story, there are likely to be appearances from various other Sherlock characters too.
I'll try and update as often as I can, but with exams looming, I apologise in advance if there's a bit of a delay between updates.
And I think that's it... Hope you enjoy!
Stepping from the carriage, Irene Adler gazed up at the impressive stone façade of the Paris Opera House thoughtfully, the wind teasing an ebony curl free from beneath her hat and causing it to dance across her porcelain skin, gently caressing her cheek. With eyes the colour of a winter sky and dressed in an elegant gown of periwinkle blue, she cast a fashionable figure in the glow of the gaslights as she let her gaze travel slowly over the elaborate carvings and lavish exterior of the famed Palais Garnier, ignoring the incessant wind and its attempts to attract her attention. So this was to be her new home…
She had heard a lot about the Opera House, and not just about their legendarily lavish performances; the building was supposedly haunted, and the exploits of the 'Opera Ghost' as he had been dubbed by the local press had quickly fallen into myth among the various factions of Parisian society. Although the nobility pretended to be above such things, they , along with the lower classes, delighted in sharing chilling tales of all manner of mischief and chaos which had been unleashed upon the unfortunate Company when the spirit's will was disobeyed, whether wilfully or accidentally. The Opera House had seen it all, from movement of important props at the last moment to severe injuries from falling scaffolding and scenery alike, and all at the hands of the phantom, if the rumours were to be believed. The Opera Ghost had cast a spell over the city, weaving a web of intrigue which hadn't failed to entice Irene to Paris from across the Atlantic; she found the whole idea rather fascinating, and when she had been approached to replace the previous Soprano for the remainder of the season, Irene had jumped at the chance. A lifetime of pouring over detective stories had left her with a thirst for mystery, and this one was far too enticing to ignore; she couldn't wait to learn more, to try and get to the bottom of the puzzle and hopefully even catch a glimpse of the man himself.
Smiling to herself, she climbed gracefully up the steps of the Opera House and stepped willingly into the welcoming embrace of the imposing building and whatever fate it held for her.
High up in the towering edifice a cloaked, shadowy figure watched the woman as she entered the building, his building, his cool gaze narrowing with disdain. So this was Irene Adler… The new Soprano, if reports circulating the city were to be believed, fresh from the Academy of Music in New York. And all decided without his say-so… His managers were slipping, forgetting their places once again. He'd have to rectify that.
"Welcome to the Opera House, Mademoiselle Adler," he murmured with a grim smile. "Do enjoy your brief stay…"