Karimloo stepped inside the house just as dawn was peaking over the horizon.
Rarely did he enjoy leaving his new home-as the place was growing on him as weeks passed-but he did need to stay in peak physical condition. At least the gymnasium was open morning, noon, and night. If Karimloo went during the silent dark hours, less people would be around to gawk. It's not everyday people see a man lifting whilst wearing a slicked down wig and mask.
Although Karimloo was mildly surprised to see a boy there also wearing a rather strange mask. The boy glanced his way a few times in between reps but other than this kept his baseball cap brim down over his eyes and continued his exercises
Karimloo paid the boy little mind and let him be.
He was just heading up the stairs when he heard an ungodly shriek.
"For the love of treble clef! Not again!" Karimloo heard from upstairs.
"Oh what now?!"
"Some of us are trying to sleep after hours of composing!"
The shriek had come from the parlour, and as Karimloo creeped closer he heard sniffling.
"My little darling….no…." He hard a mumbled whimpering.
Several dishevelled Meriks came bounding down the stairs.
"I swear if that's Harley screaming again, not even his hand at the level of his eyes will save him." Warlow grumbled.
Gerik yawned stumbling down the stairs.
"What's all this commotion about?" He mumbled, the Meriks too sleep deprived to show discontent at his presence.
In the parlour was a slumped over Jerik, cradling a large furry motionless lump to his chest.
"No no no" The estranged long haired man weeped.
"Seriously?" Panaro griped, "It's a rat!"
Jerik shot him an offended glare, "Don't say such a thing about her!"
Kerik stumbled through the crowd.
"What's all this noise?" He asked, running his hand through his now messy hair.
"You!" Jerik pointed an accusing finger, "Your little beast killed my Sofia!"
Kerik angrily stomped over, "How dare you speak that way of my little lady! Ayesha has certainly more class than your vermin minions! If anything she did that one a kindness!"
As if on cue a mew was heard. The Siamese feline in question strutted through the parlour.
"Shoo! Shoo!" Jerik shouted as Ayesha's ear went flat against her skull, giving him a venomous hiss.
"You're scaring her!" Kerik exclaimed, running over to scoop Ayesha into his arms. Once in her master's embrace, Ayesha's demeanour changed as she purred lovingly against his chest. "Splendid work my girl."
Still cradling the dead rodent Jerik ran out of the parlour and back outside.
"I think a certain someone earned herself a little treat." Kerik cooed, heading for the kitchen to give a well deserved feline a saucer of milk.
"No no please you made a mistake."
"But she looks just like her! I'm certain!"
"No! You're mistaken."
"I say what's going on?" Crawford asked, seeing several huddled around the window.
"We have a guest." Mauer said.
"What? But who would-?" He paused, glancing out the window to a familiar sight.
Rain dripped against the glass but they could easily make out a figure in a blue cloak that was approaching the main door of the house. Lifting the hood revealed long brown curls and fair pale skin. She was accompanied by another fair haired woman, but she had a mass of golden blonde hair.
"Is it truly!" Crawford gasped, disappearing down the stairwell.
Knocking on the door, it was opened to a startled Kerik.
"I'm sorry mademoiselles can I help you?" He asked, startled to see the women at the door.
Confused Lerik gave Winslow a bewildered look hearing the commotion from the foyer. Scribbling something down he showed Winslow the parchment.
'Callers?' It read.
"Yes, um I'm looking for the master of the house monsieur." The blonde said. somewhat perplexed by the man at the door. He had a pair of familiar eyes, but she knew this could not be him.
"I see, well you must know he doesn't like to be disturbed. We try to abide by that rule." Kerik explained a warning glance at the basement door.
"I appreciate your concern, but we've met before you see and I-"
But Kerik felt the door yanked open as Gerik poked his head out.
His green eyes gleamed at the other girl, strolling to her side. "It's been too long my dear!"
The brunette took a step back.
"I apologise monsieur, you have me mistaken for-"
"Oh my! What happened to your voice?" He asked concerned, taking her hand.
"I mean it's lovely but you sound so different. Oh but that's-"
"Remove your hand right now monsieur," Gerik froze hearing Crawford's icy tone. Backing away, the older man stepped passed Gerik.
The dark demeanour immediately changed as he laid his mismatch eyes on the brunette.
Crawford smiled, "I knew it was you darling!"
Taking the brunette in his arms the two embraced lovingly as she smiled up at him.
"It's so splendid to see you," Her pale blue eyes practically glimmered.
"And I you my dear, but please do come in. You'll catch your death a cold out here"
Leading her in the house, Kerik and Gerik turned to the blonde.
"I'm sorry, it is cold outside. Please." Kerik widened the door open.
Neither Sarah or her companion were anywhere to be seen. Christine was offered a seat in the parlour by the masked man.
"I'll go get him for you" He replied, hesitantly opening the basement door. Then he paused, turning to Gerik. "Say why don't you do it?"
Gerik scowled, "Do I look that naive?"
"Well you actually thought you were a good sword fighter"
"Is this suppose to butter me up?"
Kerik sighed, "You're right, I apologise."
Gerik smirked, "Thank you."
But this was a short lived apology as before Gerik could react, Kerik seized his cravat and dragged him to the doorway before unceremoniously letting him tumble into the basement.
"Thanks alot! You're a pal!" Kerik called, before closing the basement door. His yellow eyes turned to Christine's startled expression. "Oh don't mind him he'll be fine…perhaps."
She had been told of this place but even still she was certainly caught off guard. One of the men seated wore a giant helmet, and a tight black suit, the other dressed in many layers, wearing a mask concealing all but his eyes which stared at her intently.
He jotted down something, handing her a paper.
'Have we met?' Lerik wrote.
The blonde shook her head, "I'm afraid not monsieur."
Suddenly the door slammed open and Gerik sprinted up the stairs.
"I swear, it's true!" He stammered
"You better be certain" A disgruntled older voice sighed, sounding rather annoyed.
Christine stood at the sound. So familiar, could it truly be?
"And maybe next time you decide to disturb me-not there will be a next time-perhaps you could go about less noise? Honestly I-"
Erik paused, golden eyes wide.
The blonde smiled, clutching a piece of hemming on her dress nervously. "Hello Erik"
"C-Christine?" He stammered. If his face were visible beneath the black mask his mouth would be agape like a fish. "I…Well I mean. It's so, you're really here?"
"Of course!" She said, clasping her hands together. "You sent me a message remember?"
"Yes of course. But frankly I never imagined you would receive it so quickly. Or that you would come."
"I'll always come back Erik. Always to you," She smiled.
"I just…Oh it's just-" Erik didn't finish feeling the blonde wrap her arms around his waist.
"I missed you too maestro."
Panaro glanced quizzically as he stepped out of his room. Several Meriks were peeking around the corner leading to the parlour where music was ominous from the pipe organ on their floor.
"What are you-?" He asked but several whipped around, shooting him a look.
"SHHHH!"
Panaro scowled at being shushed. Trying to get a glance in the parlour, he noticed why so many were staring, seeing the chestnut haired beauty beside Crawford on the seat in front of the instrument.
"She isn't the only one that showed up," Warlow whispered. "A blonde showed up as well. The Swedish fellow down the hall was disappointed."
"I don't understand?" Panaro mumbled, watching Sarah place her arm over Crawford's as he continued to play for her.
"From what I gather her precious boy had an unfortunate circumstance. She was left alone when he passed and her teacher was the shoulder she cried on. And it would seem she's no longer crying on it anymore." The Jones explained.
All of the sudden Panaro could make out some sort of sound from above. Not unplesent but not a very flattering sound.
"What is THAT?" Panaro said through gritted teeth.
"It seems our tone deaf tenor's lady called on the house shortly after those two arrived." Carpenter chirped in.
"Miss Emmy is just as musically inclined as her companion upstairs," Mauer sighed,
"Isn't she a little young for him?" He asked
"It's strictly a student teacher companionship, unlike our pair in the parlor."
Panaro was somewhat envious of the older man. Not wishing to gawk in on the two, Panaro was heading down to his chambers when he stopped at Karimloo's ajar door.
"Not joining the viewing area?" Panaro joked.
"No. I'm not too shaken to see a lady in the house as everyone else seems to be."
He paused, "So you're saying you don't miss her?"
Karimloo knew someone was going to bring up Sierra.
"I didn't say that. It's just that, I understand her choice. And she and I we….there is lingering friendship. But I know now she won't ever be my companion."
Panaro nodded sadly. Letting Trista go was difficult for him as well. He felt a familiar feeling as Karimloo described it.
He turned to leave the man in peace.
"You don't have to go you know," His voice called, Panaro's shoulders flinched.
He cocked his head back to face the slightly taller man. "Really?"
A smile graced Karimloo's lips as he offered him a chair. "Please. I could use another set of ears to critique my work."
Panaro could not resist music's call, especially this man's music.
-Many of the Meriks will share some traits with their respective actors, hence why my Karimloo actively works out like the very real (and gorgeous) Ramin Karimloo.
-Yes the boy lifting was Eric from the film "Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge. Any appearance he makes will be minimal but I couldn't resist
-So even though the Meriks go by last names in the House, I decided the Christine's will all go by their respective first names of their actresses.
-Panaro is referring to Trista Moldovan as his respective Christine, Sierra Boggess as Karimloo's due to their popularity in 25th at the RAH, and of course Sarah Brightman being Crawford's original and the first Christine.
-Going a little factual here. Sadly Sarah's Raoul in this case Steve Barton from the original cast passed away in July 2001, authorities at the time speculated his death was due to heart failure but it's never been conclusive.
-Yes Emmy as in Emmy Rossum from the 2004 movie. While her voice is not terrible, it hasn't been highly regarded as extraordinary by some critics and phans.
-At the time of filming 2004, Emmy was only 16 years old and her version of Christine's age also changed to 16. Her co star Gerard Butler being in his mid 30's at the time.