Gymnophoria: the sense that someone is mentally undressing you
Erika's shoes clicked like a rattlesnake's tail against the ballroom floor as she strode in. Most of the dancers, and quite a few of the musicians, stilled in their movements at the sight of her. Erika focused hard on keeping her posture high and poised, resisting the old instinct to duck her head, and shield arguably the worst of her appearance from their view. Firmly, she reminded herself that it was fine, they couldn't see. They were only staring-and they were staring, she wasn't imagining it- because of the strangeness and beauty of her costume. And that was good. She'd worked hard on it. It had not been easy to find every piece for it hidden in the costume vaults, and put it together in a way that looked both intentional and lovely. It wasn't surprising that they were looking, she had expected that. It was fine. Her dress did not favor the fashion of low cut necklines and complicated ruffles, instead sweeping the floor like a wedding train (the irony of that was not lost on her), and the high collar enclosing her neck completely (necessary, really, to hide at least as much of her dead, yellowing skin as possible). Of course she would be noticed. She had planned that, and not a small part of her was currently thrilling with satisfaction at the envy and awe she could see in the eyes of the silly young men and women as she swept past. She would just have to ignore the other part of her emotions, the ones that felt as though she was once again stripped bare for a crowd of mocking eyes. After all, she had come here for business as much as for pleasure- and now, the Opera Ghost had work to do.
A/N: So yeah, I have a lot of feelings and opinions about gender roles in Phantom, and the way that might change if the anti-villain was female. I've actually been sketching out some little lesbian!au drabbles lately, and I thought I might publish this one, see what people think. I know genderbends aren't exactly a unique idea (there's at least one excellent Phantom story with that idea going on right now, actually), but I still like the idea of trying one sometime? Maybe? Anyway, reviews are as always appreciated!