Well here it is! More drama soon to unfold!
Entering the Meriks' lair like parlour, Kerik sat down with a stifled yawn beside Crawford whom was casually sipping at a mug reading L'Epoque.
"So, you get any last night?" Kerik asked, causing Crawford to cough violently, abruptly swallowing a mouthful of hot tea.
"Excuse me?" He asked, flabbergasted at the upfront question, setting the newspaper down.
"I know she stayed the night, I was just curious." Kerik answered innocently, scratching behind Ayesha's ears as she hopped on his lap.
Crawford shook his head, "I'll have you know I am a complete gentleman when it comes to Sarah."
"Still doesn't answer my question." Kerik said flatly as the older man scowled.
Panaro opened his eyes groggily sitting up, he realised he was back in his room. Though he didn't remember what had happened. Well that wasn't necessarily true. He remembered talking and then music, but not falling asleep. But it was
He heard a knock at the door, "Yes?"
Opening the door, Karimloo stepped in setting down a steaming mug of coffee. The slightly taller man still dressed in his vibrant night robe.
"Sleep alright?" Karimloo asked
"I don't recall falling asleep actually."
A small smile crept on the other man's face.
"Well I'll catch you up. I sang for you my music, a new aria I've been working on. You soon became drowsy and I carried you back to your room." Karimloo explained.
"I see, well thank you." Panaro nodded, standing upright.
Karimloo chuckled, patting the other man on the back as Panaro sipped his coffee.
"I'll give you some time to wake up," He said exiting the room.
"For the last time my personal affairs are none of your concern!" Karimloo heard a disgruntled Crawford say from within the parlour lair.
"It's only one question! Did you or not?!" Kerik argued in a whiny tone.
"Ohh who's my sweet little lady? Hm? Who is?" Kerik cooed as he recorded Ayesha staring up at him, mewing.
"Ahh, so musical. Sing for me my sweet." He chuckled as the Siamese rolled onto her back, continued to mew, her purrs so loud she seemed to vibrate.
Kerik heard a knock at the door and grumbled turning off the camera. "Yes?"
The door opened as his yellow eyes grew wide.
"You? What but I-?"
A young man was standing in the doorway with dark hair like his own and those same deep green eyes as she had.
"Good to see you as well father." Charles answered with a chuckle. Ayesha's head perked up mewing at her master's son, slinking over to rub against his leg.
Kerik's expression went blank, "Oh don't tell me you brought HIM as well?"
"I'm not mad, he'd be torn apart if I were to bring him here!" The younger man said, referring to his other father figure.
Kerik snorted, "Perhaps you should have brought him in that case."
A floor above Mr Y was enjoying his afternoon, also playing host to guests. He was playing a new composition for Anna and Gustave.
"Oh darling it's beautiful. Very beautiful indeed!" She gasped hearing the piece.
"Ah thank you, but not as beautiful as you." Mr. Y acknowledged her.
"Father, may I try?" The boy asked,
The man chuckled, proud of his musical prodigy. Scooting over he lifted the boy up onto the piano bench "Go on."
As Gustave played, Mr. Y smiled down at him.
It seemed several house residents had unexpected but pleasant visitors.
But one lonely man was not too happy.
Sitting in the main floor parlour, Harley scowled. He was practically seething as he stared out the window.
Sarah and Christine were leaving this afternoon. The blonde gave she and her companion some privacy to say goodbye.
The chestnut haired girl reached up, kissing Crawford's malformed lips, her hand tracing along the curve of the porcelain mask. Slowly she pulled away the mask, revealing the twisted marred flesh on the right half of his face. Old habits and all he hesitated, his arms trembled just inches from touching her as if she were made of glass. But Crawford's hands stopped trembling, before finally placing a hand on her back gently, the other intertwined with her hand. They broke apart as he fingered with a stray curl.
Harley made a noise between a groan and a gag of disgust.
Gerik lowered the book he was reading, "Something wrong?"
"She was suppose to be mine!" Harley snapped,
Gerik looked out the parlour window, "Ah I understand."
While he did on a level understand Harley's situation, at least Gerik had Emmy.
"It was suppose to be me! Not that…that bloody TWIT!" The metal masked man exclaimed, rousing Warlow whom lowered the paper he was reading. Mauer, whom was sitting by Warlow mumbled something in the man's ear, the latter nodding with a stern scowl.
Gerik caught the looks and cleared his throat.
"Now now," He started, "I mean it's not all bad-"
"Easy for you to say! You got a theatrical release! What do I have? A few grainy music videos that's what! He stole all of it from me! That they would pick a choir boy over me!"
During Harley's tangent, Warlow and Mauer slipped out of the parlour, Gerik getting an uneasy feeling as the men departed.
"He's not even that good! I mean really, the old sap was an absolute joke! You agree I'm right?" Harley asked hopefully.
Gerik stammered. "Err…well that is to say.."
He suddenly noticed the increasing number of occupants in the parlour. Warlow and Mauer had returned, along with them were Jones, Lewis, Panaro, Karimloo, and Carpenter. Suddenly the air felt very heavy within the parlour.
"Perhaps I'll go check on Emmy," Gerik babbled an excuse to get out of sight.
Harley, oblivious to the growing number of Meriks or Gerik's departure, looked out the window at the pair.
"It's unfair." He paused, "Hey, are you-?"
Harley spun around, Gerik nowhere in sight among the sea of white half masks Harley now stared back at him, a scowl gracing their expressions.
"W-What's all this?" He asked mildly annoyed.
Harley was shoved against the wall by Panaro who sneered at him.
"Don't know when to stay quiet do you?" Mauer asked rhetorically.
"Or to show a little bit of respect. You're just as arrogant as that insolent fop." Karimloo glared
"Respect?! Oh please!" But Harley was silenced feeling the air escape him as Panaro had his hands wrapped around his throat.
"A choir boy eh?!" Carpenter exclaimed. "At least he doesn't sound more toadish than that tart Carlotta!"
Jones exchanged a look with the others, "This isn't going too far is it?"
"NO ONE DISRESPECTS DAD LIKE THAT!" Panaro shouted.
"Did you just say-?"
"We were all thinking the same thing, don't deny it!"
"Safe travels, my dear." Crawford said, as Sarah and Christine departed. Entering the foyer, he heard a commotion going on inside. Following the sound to the parlour he was startled to see several of the Meriks had jumped the unfortunate Harley. The man's long cape was torn and trampled, his suit jacket ripped at the seams, and at the moment he was attempting to push Panaro, Karimloo, and Warlow away whilst protectively gripping the mask on his face they were clawing at.
"ENOUGH!" Crawford's voice boomed in the parlour, causing the other's to cock their heads in the older man's direction. "Just what exactly is going on here?!"
The three men released Harley-whom fell on his backside as he hit the floor-as they stood to face Crawford.
"We were just giving our…friend a lesson in what respect means." Carpenter mumbled, shooting a groaning Harley a glare.
"I hardly think any disrespect warranted this," Crawford said still somewhat confused as to what happened.
"You didn't hear what this cad said!" Panaro pointed an accusing finger.
"All the same I think it looks like you made your point gentlemen."
"Are you quite alright?" Crawford asked Harley, extending a hand to help him up.
Harley scowled, refusing the older man's offered hand and staggered to his feet, hobbling away clutching the torn cape around himself.
Blinking, Crawford was ever still oblivious to the seething jealousy radiating off Harley.
-Karimloo in the beginning scene was wearing the mandarin robe often used during the 'I Remember/Stranger Than You Dreamt It' scene in the stage musical costume.
-Anna is referring to Anna O'Byrne from the Australian production Christine co starring with Ben Lewis in Love Never Dies.
-If a Merik is ever referred to as Lewis this is in reference to Norm Lewis, not Ben-although Ben Lewis has since become the most recent West End Phantom as of autumn of 2017
-For those who haven't read Kay, (SPOILERS) Charles is Erik's son in "Phantom" whom was born after Erik died and of course we have Gustauve, Christine and Mr Y's son from Love Never Dies
-The 'choir boy' jab at Crawford is due to a salty Steve Harley commenting bitterly that Crawford had a "choir boy voice" during the 'Behind the Mask' documentary on the original ALW cast and show.