Chapter 1
A/N: this is a reposting of my earlier Character-Sitting story.
I apologize for any formatting mess-ups. I'm blind and use a screenreader but don't usually bother with making documents look pretty. (I also had enough of format nitpicking in school, thank you very much.)
I do not own anything that is copywrited, bla bla bla. I don't own people that make cameos or inspire happenings in later chapters. I only own myself and my imagination.
"Character-sitting, or Fan-sitting: the experience for a character and fan to explore and to understand each other's worlds.
"CHARACTER-SITTING: a fan signs up to take a chosen character from the universe and to have that character reside with them in their home and their world.
"FAN-SITTING: fans sign up to go to the universe of a chosen character, and live with that character in their home and in their world.
"This site assists with both character and fan sitting.
"Characters will be notified after fans have registered. Rules will be provided for both the fan and character.
"There is also the option of having a "friend" to assist the fan and/or character during the time of the stay."
Interesting. Is this website a real thing? Oh well, no harm in browsing.
Wow, they really have everyone. The Harry Potter characters were endless. There were Disney characters, Nickelodeon characters, Dreamworks characters, animated and real-life characters. Hiccup and Toothless were a package deal. Having someone like Rory Flanigan from Glee would rock. Haku from "Spirited Away" would be fun, but then I'd have to take Chihiro, too; I want to keep them together. Can you host more than one character? What character would even agree to hosting a crazy fan?
Maybe if that character's crazy too...but Erik wouldn't say yes.
So I guess I'll have to host him! Okay, "Phantom of the Opera." Books, not movies or musicals.
"For characters with many adaptations, influences from any desired adaptation may be chosen in addition to the main adaptation."
Maybe...a little personality and heart from Yeston and Koppit/Charles Dance. I chose Gaston Lerroux's book and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical as the main ones, and stuck in mild Susan Kay influences/mannerisms (I appreciated his childhood and Persia/Nadir's storyline the most). I also chose for him to have knowledge of all the adaptations I knew. But I picked "moderately influenceble personality" instead of mildly or completely, because I didn't want a mindless, dependent phantom, but I also didn't want an uncontrollable, almost-Lerroux Erik.
"This character has the highly recommended option of an Assisting Character. Nadir Kahn, or the Persian, is suggested as a help for the host when this Erik is unreachable or inconsolable by the host."
Eh, why not? I love the Persian.
I clicked the "Submit request" button, and received a thank-you page.
A couple days later, I checked the email I'd put into the character submission form just for giggles. I wasn't expecting to find anything. I even used an email address that I made specially for situations where I wanted to remain anonymous.
"THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING WITH CHARACTER SITTERS
Dear fan,
Thank you for offering to host a character. This e-mail includes all information you need to know about your character before accepting. Attached, you will find a document of guidelines to insure you and your character have the best experience possible. After reading through the document thoroughly, please click
I ACCEPT
or
NO THANKS
to confirm or deny your request for this character. Any additional information or questions will be handled once the request is accepted. If you choose to deny your request, no harm will come to you or to any character. The request and necessary information will be sent to your character only after you have verified your acceptance.
Thanks again,
The Character Sitting team"
Okay, I guess I'll read the documents. This was fun!
GUIDELINES FOR YOUR ERIK
* Prepare a secluded, dark room in the house for Erik to be when he feels he needs alone time. A basement is ideal, but not absolutely necessary; Erik can be flexible.
* Erik will come with all necessary clothes and accessories. Please notify us (when you accept your Erik) of the accessories you prefer:
- keyboard; includes headphones; Erik will have learned to work an electronic keyboard (if you do not already own a piano or keyboard)
- violin
- Ayesha (not recommended if you already own a pet)
- Punjab lasso (not recommended for a phan who does not like Erik's murderous tendencies; if chosen, you should probably keep this with you and only hand it over to Erik in the presence of your enemies or people whose lives you don't care about)
- various masks and outfits for various occasions(e.g. lurking, parties/black tie affairs, being casually out in public, performing)
- Red Death costume (includes mask)
- black cape
- Your Erik will come wearing a customized flesh-colored mask, making him look like any other man.
- cell phone (if you would like your Erik to eventually modernize)
- Don Juan Triumphant/morphine (these two things cannot be separated)
- equipment for composing (staff paper, pens and ink)
* Erik will possibly start out aloof and uninterested. Be patient; Nadir Kahn, the assistant character, will help him warm up to you if necessary. If he attaches to you quicker than expected, and you are suspicious, contact Mr. Kahn. However, if Mr. Kahn assures you that you have nothing to worry about, enjoy your devoted Erik.
* Limit his interactions with other members of the household-only have him interact with whom you wish him to attach. You'll know when it is safe for him to interact with others; he will get clingy and/or protective with you if you do this right (proceed with caution).
* A cover story will be fabricated for all members of the household. However, you must not share your Erik's information with anyone, even the most devoted phans of friends. Stick to the cover story.
* Please allow Erik time to adjust to the new century and new culture as well as to you. EVENTUALLY, if you desire, he should be able to go out in public with you and function as a member of your society.
* You must remember to be flexible as well-research on 19th-century France as well as the Baroque period of music is suggested. Any phan knows that you must not allow Erik complete control over you, as this could be dangerous; but equally dangerous is not having knowledge about Erik's own culture and history.
* Do not show him any books, films or songs about his story immediately; wait until he is comfortable with you to bring up the topic.
* NEVER EVER disregard your Erik's unpredictability.
* Keep in mind that an Erik is still an Erik, no matter how quickly he adjusts. Erik will lash out if he feels threatened. Mood swings are always possible (e.g. unexpected rage to intense self loathing). You must also be mindful of his passion: Erik's tendency to be ruled by obsessive feelings could lead to clinginess, jealousy, possessiveness, even harm if no interference is made. If you take care when you first notice something that needs to change, no law enforcement or legal action in your own universe should be necessary.
* You are trusted as a phan to have good judgments and to keep Erik as well as everyone around you safe. Do not hesitate to remind Erik that you are ultimately responsible for him, hence you are the dominant party in necessary situations (for instance, involving the law, life and death, or even your mother's jewelry.)
* If you have any questions that books and movies fail to answer, contact Nadir Kahn.
IMPORTANT: have fun! Go easy, but if Erik allows, don't hold back your inner phan.
(A/N/disclaimer: there is a story in my favorites called "Erik: An Owner's Guide and Instruction Manual", and that was a huge help in drafting these little guidelines!)
What would happen if I hit "I ACCEPT"? I so wanted to! But where the heck was the disclaimer on the site? I went back to the page in a new tab, but couldn't find it anywhere. No "Full Disclosure" links or anything. No indication that this was totally fake or even that you would get anything out of it. Freaky. Good thing I used a crap email!
But if there's no demand for my information...
"Link I ACCEPT," quips my screenreader. And then, "Enter."
All the webpage said was:
"We're so glad we can fuel your fantasies! Your character will be arriving soon."
No further details were asked of me.
I wasn't sure how I felt about this.