Another Light of Life

I don't own Erik, nor do the other Poto characters, the poto story itself, nor the opera populaire and Charles Garnier. I do own, my Diane Elizabeth, Ian van Stewart and two more characters that will appear throughout the story. I also, would like to thank Wikipedia for the historical resources I needed. Enjoy reading.

Epilogue

1872

Grey, stormy grey depths stared at the marble friezes and columns which are complemented by statues of classical Greek mythology deities and bronze busts of distinguished musicians, including Mozart, Rossini and Beethoven.

The appearance of the Paris Opera is arguably reminiscent of an enormous wedding cake with Imperial decor. One discerns the immense confidence and desire to manifest artistic flair which its Architect and Imperial patron seemingly effused. The impact upon the senses which building exercises gives rise to thoughts of all sorts of overblown terminology but if illustrated in a dictionary's definition it would be 'opulence', in an architectural sense that is.

The young dark haired woman smiled, apparently remembering something.

1862

"Papa... When will you take me to the Opera?" an eccentric twelve year old, young Garnier with long dark locks tied up into a ponytail, pale skin and stormy grey eyed asked her father after staring intently at the painting of Paris Opera House. Charles Garnier in his late forties with dark brown curly hair and chocolate brown eyes who too was staring at the painting, turned to his daughter, smiled and ruffled her hair then nodded his head, indicating his approval. "When you're old enough, little one" he replied seeing the teen pouted at him. Chuckling, Charles reminded her daughter about visiting her sick cousin. Diane Elizabeth's face lit up once she heard what her father said, hugged him in thanks then had run off towards her cousin's house leaving the master of the house to return his gaze at his creation. 'Brings back good memories' he thought, smile still etched on his face.

1860

Thirty five year old, Jean Louis Charles Garnier stared at his design entry for the competition held by the second Empire of Emperor Napoleon III who was seeking an Architect to design the plans for the new, state-funded opera house, with confidence. Applicants were given a month to submit their entries and he, was one of them.

'Lady luck must be on my side today,' Charles thought with a small smile. Among one hundred seventy one other entries, his design was selected andsoon, he began working on the building which eventually would be named for him.

Charles simply shake his head then gave a rather amuse chuckle as another memory came flourishing back.

1861

One year after Charles started working with the building, the Empress Eugenie, the Emperor's wife felt irritated that her favorite candidate, Viollet - de - duc had not been selected, 'instead, it is a man that is not famous nor known', the Empress thought now approaching the young unknown man. Giving a scowl, she asked him, now that she had his attention. "What is this? (Cue, her hands gestured at the construction of the opera then at the model) It's not a style; its neither Louis Quatorze, nor Louis Quinze, nor Louis Seize!" seemingly amused yet annoyed, the brown haired architect answered cooly, "Why Ma'am, its Napoleon Trois" the Empress glared at him in which he raised a skeptical brow, "and your complaining!" he added, irritation now clear on his voice.

With a sigh, the now famous architect simply turned around to fetch his daughter. When he saw what time it was, he needed to take his daughter and give her lessons, 'She did after all chose to learn and be interested at Architecture and not those hobbies that girls around her age would be engaged to... But then again, I'm glad that she has the same interest that I have when I was young...' Charles thought, quickly taking his coat before leaving the manor.

1872

Pale hands waved frantically at the now dazed Diane Elizabeth. Blinking her eyes she glared at the now seemingly entertained, Ian van Stewart whom let his hand down to his side and grinned, seeing a scowl had formed on his cousin lips, "Ah! Welcome back to Earth me dearest cousin. So, is this the place we'll rebuild?" he asked politely, his Scottish accent apparent through his voice. "Yes, this is the opera that Papa wants to reconstruct but since his busy with the villa in Italy and other various projects, we'll be the one to do his job." Elizabeth replied, eyeing his cousin closely "and since I know, you and Mr. Boredom are not so close to each other, I already predicted that you're coming with me... In here, oui?" she added, now giving him a mock grin. With a nod, Ian replied back with a jerk of his head towards the direction of the opera's door, "Well... That is true. Now, how 'bout we go inside and see what the great 'ol him and his fire had done to your father's creation?" Elizabeth shakes her head as she saw him wiggle his red brows at her. As an answer to his proposition, she dragged him inside the house, "Oui, let's go."

A/N: Now, that's quite a long epilogue. So, what say you, me lovely readers 'bout me first POTO fanfic? A review would be nice with no flames to be thrown on me. Anyhow, I'll see ye cheres on the next one.

Toots~!

Your humble writer,
HikaruElric