Wow, Erik! You're gonna be a busy boy tonight!
Erik: Can I help it that I'm so popular? Let's get to it.
zero sparrow: Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad that you like how this story has opened. I hope we meet your expectations.
Erik: I'm glad you think my form is so enchanting… Nightmare on Elm Street? Horror film?
Sounds like it… Could be good…
Erik: At least she brought popcorn…
Tadriendra of Mirkwood: Thanks for letting us know about those grammar mistakes. I can blame Erik though, because he's supposed to proof-read everything!
Erik: Hey!
Aww, this poor girl is exhausted. I'd be going to college too this year, but I'm picking up a few extra credits in high school first, so I'm not going till next year. Erik, give this poor phan a massage, will you?
Erik: I'm not exactly an expert, but thirty years of playing the organ ought to make this a pleasurable experience for her (starts warming up his fingers).
Me and My Shadow: Sure, From Hell will work… I personally like Johnny Depp…
Erik: At least he's not Gerard Butler, although I'm sure I'll still end up having girls drooling over my shoulders throughout the whole movie.
babygrl258: I'm glad you liked the last chappie. And don't worry, Erik's not jipping you on anything this time!
Erik'sPhantomess: Thank you! Glad you like the story so far. Erik, she brought popcorn!
Erik: Move aside! (Shoves authoress aside, grabs poor phan-girl and pulls her into his closet) I love popcorn!
Jedi Knight Padme: Well, Erik, this girl seems to be very intrigued by the story… She's very interested in what's going to happen next.
Erik: What else did she say?
Not sure… She got stuck in a daydream with you alone in your closet… Lights dimmed… Romantic music playing…
Erik: Is she out of her mind?
One would think so… After getting to know you better it's obvious that you are not romantic!
Erik: Oh, shut up!
darklady5289: Hope you're comfortable there with Erik… Actually, the new ghost has been posing as a man so she is sortakindanotreally a phantom but we can always refer to her as the phantomess in the A/N's if you like.
Erik: You're one of those people who just has to please everyone, aren't you?
Shut up, Erik.
MasqueradingThroughLife: Thanks for reviewing! So you like that twist with her face getting burned by that chandelier crash? I thought it gave a little splash of flavour to the usual "New Phantom is a Girl" scenario.
Erik: So she has chocolate? That'll do. Come on in!
Starrylibra: Hey, you know you're welcome to borrow Erik any time!
Erik: Gee, I just love how you're always selling me to your lovely little phans!
Not my phans, Erik! Your phans!
Erik: Whatever… Shall we quit delaying the inevitable and start the new chappie?
Very well… Enjoy!
XxXxX
Erik was pleased to find his lair was pretty much the way he had left it. The Phantom had left his room and his belongings alone. In the sitting room, she plopped down onto the couch and crossed her legs.
"So," she began. "What now?"
Erik glanced at her quizzically. "Huh?"
"You obviously wish to live here in my home. How is this going to work?"
Erik seethed. "Excuse me, mademoiselle, but this is my home! Not yours!"
She laughed harshly. "You have not lived here in over five years, Monsieur."
"Even so," he said, approaching her. "I built this place. I've lived here since long before you were born!"
"So why did you leave?"
"Because of her!" Erik blurted.
The Phantom raised an eyebrow. "Her? Her who?"
Erik waved it off. "No one! Never mind!"
"Oh, don't feel badly," she said. "I've had my fair share of infatuations as well. Solitude can have that effect on a person. Take Robert for example… his voice entrances me, he is graceful, he is handsome, and he has an ass that looks so good in leotard that I just want to–"
"If this is going to work," Erik said, cutting her off in mid-sentence, "us living together that is, we're going to have to lay down some ground rules!"
"Rules?" she perked up. "Excellent! I enjoy rules… and the consequences that befall those who break them! Why, just last week those managers were late with my pay again! So I ransacked their office and left them a rose – compliments of the Phantom!"
Erik blinked at her. "You call that terrorizing an opera?"
"What's wrong with that?" she asked innocently.
Erik slapped a hand against his forehead. "You have to strike fear into their hearts! You have to make them cower at the very mention of your name!"
The Phantom leaned back and put her feet on the coffee table, much to Erik's aggravation. He had paid good money for that table…
"Well," she said. "Educate me, Oh Thou Ancient and Rusty One…"
Erik growled. "Rule number one: when making demands of our managers, you will be civilized. A courteous letter outlining your instructions will be written. If your commands are ignored, write a second letter detailing the consequences should your orders be disobeyed. If there isn't an immediate response, do what you threatened to do. Don't be inconsistent."
"Check," the Phantom said. "Anything else?"
"Rule number two: phantoms aren't mischievous or cute or funny! You are a ghost, not a poltergeist! If you feel compelled to make your presence known, do something that could cause bodily harm to someone!"
"Oh, but that isn't very kind!" the Phantom said. "And I would feel badly if something happened to poor Robert…"
"Which brings us to rule number three: you will not have relations with anyone above! Trust me… such relations always end badly."
"You mean I can't spy on Robert in his dressing room anymore?" she whined. "Or daydream about pinching his–"
"Rule number four: phantoms don't whine!"
She slumped back and crossed her arms, pouting.
"Nor do they pout or sulk," he growled. "Rule number five: You will keep your feet off the furniture, which includes my organ, the chairs, my desk, and that table!"
Reluctantly, the Phantom removed her boots from the coffee table.
"Rule number six: you stay out of my room and my belongings!"
"Only if you stay out of mine!" she shot back.
"Fair enough!" He sighed. "Any questions?"
She peered at him for a moment. "Just one… What is your name?"
Erik furrowed his brow. She actually cared what his name was? "My name was a mistake!" he spat. Then his expression softened. "But… my mother gave me the name Erik."
She stood up. "Before I came here, I was called Fantine."
"Fantine le Fantôme?" Erik smirked. "Well, then… Fantine… this looks like the beginning of an interesting partnership…"
XxXxX
What do you think, Erik? Short but sweet?
Erik: Fantine? As in Les Miserables' Fantine?
No! This is NOT a Les Mis/Phantom cross-over! I just needed to give the Phantom/Phantomess a name that was French, and I figured Fantine sounded a lot like Fantôme, and I kind of think it sounds pretty so that's why I picked it! This has NOTHING to do with Les Mis!
Erik: I find it amusing how you took the prostitute's name...
Shut up, Erik!
Erik: Well, the authoress is going to run off and pout right now, so on her behalf thank you for reading the chapter, and please review to let us know what you think. Now if you'll excuse me, I have nine dates... See you all tomorrow.