Ch. 7 --- What is that Crazy Songé up to This Time?

Ronin continued with her question, "Got to be a Phan for this one; can I borrow the pun-jab and or mask for a while? Pwease? Puppy dog eyes" Ronin, in a huge break of character, stared at Erik with her "puppy dog eyes."

Erik stared at Ronin, wondering what happened to the calm and quiet Phan he had been speaking with. "I-" He looked at her again. "Brandy took it away from me." He said pointing a thumb over his shoulder. "If you can get it back, you can have it." (A/N: Sorry, slight break of character there; but it seems funny.)

Ronin stared at Brandy for a moment, before nodding.

Brandy looked around the audience for a moment, still not noticing Songé's absence. "Alright, Ella, you're up."

Ella, having gotten rid of Sol, scooted closer to Erik, "Where did you're awesome bed come from? I mean, the whole sleeping in a giant sea shell-looking-thing is hot, but seriously, I WANT ONE!" She latched herself onto Erik's arm and hugged him, staring into his eyes with her biggest, cutest, poutiest (A/N: Is that even a word!) eyes.

With his free arm, Erik reached over and patted her head. "I built mine; but I'm sure I could make you one." (A/N: I cannot personally make you one… try a furniture dealer if you reeeeeeally want one.)

"Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyou…" Ella squealed, squeezing Erik's arm even harder.

Erik winced. "Could you please let go, m'dear? You are cutting off circulation to my hand."

Ella gasped and dropped his arm. "I'm so sorry, my most perfect Phantom. I never meant to hurt you." Ella started to grab for Erik again, but he shied away.

"I'm fine. Thank you. Please, I'm alright."

But where was Brandy through this whole glomping episode?

Ah-ha! I see we have yet another visitor.

Glitter swirls through the air Brandy turns, eyes wide. She rushes at the tall figure with very odd hair.

As they disappear behind a row of washers, Kalyn catches the now-flying microphone. (A/N: Not that she needs it right?)

Kalyn climbs onto the counter. "Well, since Songé has run off and Brandy has now occupied herself with The Goblin King, I will be announcing the last round." Kalyn looks out over the audience. Seeing a few blanks stares, she asks, "How many of you know who the Goblin King is?"

Quite a few hands go up.

"For the rest of you, the Goblin King was Brandy's first love. He was in the Labyrinth. You know… the David Bowie movie?"

Receiving nods of recognition, Kalyn decides to proceed. "Venus, it appears to be your turn."

Venus nods thanks to Kalyn.

Turning to Erik, she abandons the calm façade and starts babbling to herself. "My last question...this has GOT to be good...hm..."

Suddenly, she looks up and stares at Erik, "Oh, okay...now in the latest ALW film, why the HECK did Raoul beat you in the sword fight? I mean, COME ON, YOU'RE THE BLOODY PHANTOM!"

Venus was suddenly standing, "Joel S. attempted to humiliate you, didn't he? The fool who put nipples on the Batman suit...agh. How does that make you feel, being portrayed as someone that can be bested in the art of fencing by the FOP that is known as Raoul de Chagny?"

(A/N: Apparently, I am not the only one who dislikes Raoul.)

Kalyn walked over to Venus, "Calm down. We don't want a riot or anything."

"Maybe we do… The swordfight was dumb and Erik should have won."

"Without it you would not have had your film, would you?" Erik spoke up.

Kalyn threw him a thankful glance.

Venus looked at him for a moment, then took her seat.

Erik watched her sit, then continued. "I did not enjoy being beaten by the fop; but without the scene, how could I have declared war upon them. I merely did what I had to do to make the film better for all of my Phans."

Venus stared as Erik quietly went back to my phone.

"Alright, Sol's turn." Motioning to Sol, she handed over the microphone.

Sol jumped up and walked over to Erik. "May I have this dance?"

Erik looked up at Sol. "Erm…"

She pulled him up by the hand as a waltz started on the overhead.

Five minutes later, Sol and a very confused Erik sat back down… and, shockingly, Brandy was still nowhere in sight.

Kalyn, seeming to have lost a bit of the upper-hand to the obsessive Phans, was now just intent on getting this interview over and getting the two who understood these people back in charge. "Apparently, Megan has the floor."

Megan looked up from her notepad and, looking a bit shocked that it was her turn, said, "Dunno... Does Eric like any kind of cookies?"

Erik looked up from the cell phone composition. "Hm… I really have not had a chance to investigate that; but I will chance a guess with sugar cookies. Yes… sugar cookies." Erik went back to his composition, leaving the Phans scrambling to procure sugar cookies at the last minute.

After everyone had taken their seats again, each Phan hiding boxes of sugar cookies behind them, Kalyn continued with the interview. "Emily, if you would."

Emily nodded and asked in a serious tone. "What's the best part about living under an opera house on the shore of a subterranean lake?"

Without looking up, Erik answered in a terse tone, "Privacy."

Brandy popped up from behind her "love-blind," otherwise known as the row washers, "Erik, play nice or it's the closet for you."

"Madame, I am a Creature of Shadows and Darkness; why would I fear your little closet?"

Brandy looked at Erik with her Puppy-Dog-Eyes-of-Doom and Pouty-Lip of Destruction.

"I will not be wavered."

Brandy walked over to Erik, still pouting. "B-b-but, you promised to be nice… for me."

"Fine, I will be nice." Erik turned back to Emily, "I do believe it would be the privacy afforded by the remote location; not only when I need to escape the stares of others but also when I wish to compose and teach my music."

Brandy took Erik's hand and patted it, "Very nice. Good Phantom." Turning to Kalyn, she said, "Ok, I'll take it from here."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, no. You and Songé took off, leaving me to run the interview. It's my turn for the limelight. You go back to schmoozing with your Goblin King and leave the interview to me."

"Fine; but have fun with knowing what to do next."

Kalyn turned away to glory in her triumph. Realization snuck over her features.

Brandy, who had been shamelessly flirting with both the Goblin King and Erik, was suddenly hit in the head with the flying microphone.

Casually picking up it up, Brandy looked at the microphone then at Kalyn. "I told you so. And keep in mind, Mexicans have hard heads; hitting us in the head is to no avail to you." Brandy climbed back onto the stage. "Now… question time for the rest of you…"

Suddenly, the Phantom of the Opera was blaring over the loud-speaker, making the windows rattle with the sheer force of the sound.

Brandy rolled her eyes. "O gods." She looked out at the parking lot.

The bus was the only vehicle in the lot.

Brandy walked out to the parking lot with Erik, the Goblin King, and the rest of the Phans in tow.

Looking around, she saw nothing. Brandy yelled, "I know you're there. Now show yourself."

The music somehow transferred itself to the outside as an old-fashioned carriage pulled by a team of matching black horses pulling around the corner and into the lot.

"How did I guess?" Brandy muttered.

I was atop the box, driving the team on. As I saw everyone awaiting my arrival, I slowed and slid the carriage to a stop. I jumped down, my cape fluttering in the non-existent breeze.

"I come bearing booze…" I shouted to the crowd.

Many cheered. "Finally," I thought.

"I also bring more guests. So interview time will be extended."

Quiet groans. "Shut up."

With a flourish, I threw open the carriage door and handed two more Phans down. "I present to you, Lady Tolwen…"

Lady Tolwen raised herself to her full five feet three inches. Turquoise eyes stared out of her olive-toned face. "Hello," she said calmly.

…And Stalker."

Stalker cocked her purple streaked head to the side and, waving, said "Hey." Her style was very goth with Jack Off Jill and lots of studs.

Alright… since this chapter is seeming to go on forever, I'm gonna leave off here and update on like Monday… Promise.

And I (Songé) apologize that this has been forever and a day… there were some serious issues I had to work through and, sadly, the farthest thing from my mind was writing…

But now, I can get back to what really matters and continue with my art… if you can call this art.

Wish Brandy well… she's having some tough times what with graduation and all… it's real stressful for her.

Alright, thanks for being so understanding (if you are) and poopie to you (if you aren't.)

I swear a better and longer chappie… finishing out interview time… next time.

But no worries… We aren't getting rid of you all so soon… hopefully you will all stick around for the up and coming conflict… defending Erik… Oop, dammit, giving up the plot secrets… as if even I know them at this point…

Will see you soon…

Thankees and byes.