Erik slumped back on his seat at the piano bench. Long thin hands resting at his sides as he rested. He imagined it had been several days that he had begun endlessly working.
He sighed standing up, cracking his stiff joints with several loud pops of his back. He pushed the black curtain back from a small window above, overlooking the back of the House.
Erik watched with litle interest the events unfolding outside on the large patio.
At the back of the house, the patio was massive with a pristine red bricked finish.
There was a long spacious table with coloured glass, chairs immaculately carved and imported from Persia lined the table. And at the very center of the bricked patio was an enormous inground swimming pool, going as deep as 8 feet. Just past the patio was a luscious garden, a wide variety of lower species flourished and grew to tremendous lengths. Roses of varying colours-though mostly a deep red-bloomed beautifully throughout the garden.
Back on the patio there was much activity brimming on it today. The water shimmered in the sun and was oh so crystal clear, so Lerik's dark cloaked figure was painfully obvious in the water, despite his attempt to be discreet.
Carpenter sighed, watching the snorkel bob closer and closer to the group of Meriks.
"We see you!" He shook his head. The rest of the masked men agreed Lerik's insistence to swim in his clothes was ludicrous.
But the snorkel just kept bobbing.
With a smirk, Kerik padded his way through the water and placed a hand over the airpiece of the snorkel. All of the sudden a hand shot out thrashing about to shoo away at the novelised man's palm.
Lerik seemed to be the only one brave enough to stick his head in the water. In fear of their masks and wigs coming loose, none of the Meriks had gone any deeper than halfway, if they went in the water at all. Though they were dressed in the same long striped getup, the Meriks taste was certainly questionable in swimwear.
Gerik and Y were seated by the water, but didn't go down to the end the party of Meriks were gathered at. Gerik wearing basic swim trunks as the movie adapted man dipped a foot in the cool water. Y wore a similar ensemble but had taken a while before coming out due to conflicting choices on bathing suits.
Destler was seen looking the most casual he'd been at the House. Unlike his counterparts that wore a striped full piece or swim trunks, Destler had no intention of going in the water-God knows what the chlorine would do to his face-and instead wore a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a simple pair of slacks. He watched the others boredly, lighting a fresh cigarette.
"You must be burning up," He commented to Winslow whom sat next to him.
"A little but I'm sure I'll live." He remarked.
Jerik was beginning to smell as of lately and was barred from joining the festivities.
Cherik had said he would join the others shortly, going out to retrieve some more refreshments.
Gerik hesitantly stepped into the water, glancing over at the Meriks whom were laughing-or in their case cackling-at something humorous.
"It feels a little unfair sometimes," He mused.
Y nodded, "I agree. Technically I should be one of them. But, that's why it's called a technicality."
As the two outcasted Phantoms surveyed them, Panaro and Karimloo stepped out onto the patio.
Gerik hated to admit it after the mauling he'd recieved at the man's hands but he had a strange fondness for Karimloo. Perhaps because he was everything he was suppose to be. True, his movie was popular, but Karimloo was within that inner circle among the Meriks' greats despite only a few years under the West End man's belt. Physically, while under the mask was hideousness, he was as close to perfection as man with his condition could be. And his voice, it just had a pitch and density that truly soared.
Gerik had to look away, feeling his face go red, as Karimloo removed his loose shirt. The Merik's well toned physique was certainly a sight to behold as he had taken to wearing swim trunks as well. Some of the others stared, noticing the sleeve of tattoos Karimloo's arm exposed.
Panaro's eyes barely leaving the broader man with an almost possessive gaze.
'Oh no, he's hot!' Gerik felt himself shrieking in his head as he was sure his face-or the exposed half-was a very deep red.
"Are you quite alright?" Y asked his friend whom nodded.
"Fine!"
Suddenly Gerik felt a splash and was thoroughly drenched, his wig coming loose as hein a futile attempt tried to readjusted the damp wig piece over his own dirty blond hair.
A black shape emerged to the surface as Soot barked happily paddling through the water.
"Good boy!" Panaro laughed, as the drenched labradoodle doggy paddled toward his master.
"See here! I agreed by Erik's request to supervise you lot, but really? Animals in the pool?" The Daroga scowled, uncomfortably chaperoning the festivities. Unfortunately the Persian owed Erik a favour.
"What about her?" Panaro asked, pointing at Ayesha, whom sat peacefully on a chair floaty by Kerik whom totally sprawled out floated beside his little lady.
Daroga sighed, not wishing for a further headache, not even knowing half of the faces-err masks-surrounding him.
"Fine, as long as he stays out of trouble." The Persian relented, sitting back down.
The two Meriks walked past the pool and the stirring chaos beginning to ensue and up toward an adjacent Jacuzzi.
Panaro let out a sigh feeling his joints relax, immersed from the neck down in the hot tub, alongside Karimloo who stepped in next.
"Is it alright to just let him be?" Karimloo asked, pointing at the labradoodle whom was happily paddling through the water.
Panaro sighed, leaning back, "Oh he's fine! He loves to swim."
Meanwhile Harley scowled at the Meriks, approaching Y and Gerik.
"Was getting a little worried you weren't ever coming out." Y stated.
"I just….needed to get away." He said, glaring at one shaded figure in particular.
Being one of the more overly susceptible to sunlight, Crawford was not oppose to going outside but burned too easily to join the others. But he stayed hidden in shadow under the canopy, happy enough watching the others have some fun.
Jones sat beside his cloaked friend, "You sure you won't come out at all?"
Crawford shook his head, "It's quite alright. Though I'll be back in a moment."
Getting up, the older Merik made to head inside only to bump into a disgruntled Harley.
"Oh! Beg your pardon there," Crawford apologised stepping past him.
As he went inside, the Merik failed to hear Harley's grumbling. Or the chaos that ensued after that.
"The old age choir boy should watch where he's walking," Harley muttered just a little too loudly that the nearby Meriks could hear.
Next thing anyone knew, Harley was yanked from behind and thrown into the water.
"I thought we taught you a well learned lesson last time!" Mauer growled,
"Hold him down!" Carpenter ordered, shoving Harley's face down in the water.
Jones stood, running out to the poolside.
"Gentlemen! Please is this necessary?!" Jones exclaimed, trying to avoid further trouble and attempting to futily pull the Meriks apart.
Wilkinson attempted to give the kind hearted Merik some assistance but two Meriks were not enough to break apart the brawl. Even Daroga had attempted to step in for some aid.
"I'm not even a part of your adaptation and already I feel as exhausted as I do with Erik!" Daroga groaned.
Y watched the chaos enfold and stood from the chair he sat at.
"Where are you going?" Gerik asked, "You can't be seriously going over there?"
"The poor man's our friend, he needs help." The older man said, being older and liking to think he was a little wiser, he wasn't scared of the Meriks as his film adapted friend was.
But the Meriks stopped hearing the back door open and close again, Crawford with a water bottle in hand was tapping his foot rather impatiently.
"More and more I find these confrontations to be rather frequent," He sighed shaking his head at the others. "For God's sake let him up now, he can't very well breathe with you lot holding-OOF!"
All of the sudden Crawford felt himself being propelled into the water face first.
On the way over to help settle the ruckus, Y had slipped and lost his footing. And unable to stop himself slammed into the older Merik, sending him flying.
The Meriks all collectively gasped. Even from the hot tub Panaro and Karimloo whom were watching held a breath, knowing what would happen next would be anything but good.
Some seconds later, Crawford had resurfaced and pulling himself out of the pool, Wilkinson and Jones helping pull him out. His suit and cloak were completely drenched, sticking to his frame.
Even worse than that, once he raised a hand to wipe his face and realised something was missing.
Crawford felt the bare right side of his face.
"My mask!" He gasped, reaching up he felt the few wispy strands of damp hair sticking to his scalp and realised he was without the wig as well.
"Oh no…" Jones knew full well what was to happen next once Crawford's now wild mismatch eyes found Y standing where he just was. "Ok, it's ok. I'll just go and fetch them-"
But before he could finish the older Merik had made his way past Jones and the others and had his hands around Y's throat dragging him back down into the pool.
"My patience has run it's course with you!" Crawford exclaimed, as the older man struggled against his grip whilst flailing his arms in the water.
Harley was barking with laughter, only fuelling the other Meriks previously subsided rage.
With all the splashing and commotion, Ayesha whom was cautiously and peacefully floating was startled after getting splashed by thand toppled into the water.
"My little lady!" Kerik gasped, swimming over to scoop up the soaked Siamese.
The novelised man hissed in pain as unintentionally Ayesha sunk her claws in his bare arms.
Opening the back door Cherik stepped out his hands full with bottles of fine wine and varying snacks. For the occasion the strawberry blonde had taken to wearing a different mask that glinted in the sunlight.
"I brought more refreshments for every….." Cherik smiled but paused eyes wide behind his mask observing the madness unfolding. On one hand Jones-whom had jumped in the water-was attempting to pry Crawford's hand off Y's throat. Wilkinson and Daroga too busy with wrestling off the Meriks whom had resumed their attack on Harley.
Sitting back watching the show Winslow and Destler chuckled at the hilarity of it all.
"I don't envy them," Winslow remarked as Destler reached over and snatched one of the fresh wine bottle from a frozen Cherik's hands. He sat up, reaching over for two wine glasses on a nearby table.
"And that is why I do best to steer clear of their floor." He nodded
Handing the helmet adorned man a glass, he raised his own.
"To blissfully being excluded in such shenanigans," Destler toasted.
Winslow smirked clinking his glass, "Cheers."
It had taken sometime and some leverage but finally Crawford and Y had been separated, the latter needing to visit Phibes down the street for a bruised windpipe, along with Harley battered and mauled yet again.
Things settled down after that, Daroga had to separate a few of the Meriks. Too many of them in one large group was a little too dangerous.
Cherik cautiously sat in the shade nibbling on some chex mix with Jones and Wilkinson, feeling a little more at ease with them.
Karimloo and Panaro were still in the hot tub, relaxing in the hot water.
"Your skin must be pruning by now," Panaro smirked
Karimloo held a hand up, inspecting his fingers, "Nope. You?"
Panaro looked up at his own hands, "Me neither."
Suddenly Panaro's head shot up hearing whining and rapid splashing in the pool. Soot was still swimming along but his back leg became snagged under the water, pulling the labradoodle down.
The dog cried as it panicked to break free.
"SOOT!" Panaro shouted, seeing his dog disappear under the water. "NO!"
But as he got up, Karimloo was quicker. Sprinting out of the hot tub, he dove head first in the pool, disappearing under. Panaro rose up, heaving and panicked.
Thankfully he saw a shape resurface, seeing a familiar canine poke it's head up.
"Soot!" Panaro smiled, and he noticed Karimloo reemerge with him. Supporting the dog in his arms, the Merik swam them both to the shallow end. His mask and wig missing as well.
Panaro followed and wrapped his arms around the soaked labradoodle.
"Oh don't ever scare me again like that boy. I'm glad you're ok," He breathed, feeling Soot lick his exposed half of his face.
Panaro looked up at Karimloo whom shook his head with a small smile.
"Sorry you have to see this," Karimloo gestured at his face, looking away.
Panaro glanced back at the pool, crouching down and scooping something out of the water.
"I'm sorry," He said holding up the pieces of broken porcelain for Karimloo to see. He stood and reached up to turn Karimloo's face back to him.
"But…" Panaro said smiling, "I don't think you need the mask. Not for me."
Karimloo flashed him a sad smirk, "You don't need to lie."
"But I'm not," Panaro brought a hand up to Karimloo's marred cheek.
The men were interrupted as Soot shook, water splashing everyone as his fur was now poofy.
Panaro laughed, "We'll get you inside."
"I'll come with you," Karimloo said, ringing out and reapplying his damp wig, placing a hand over his deformity. "I've had enough excitement for one day."
-In the 1925 Chaney film, Lerik snorkels in the lake to kill Phillipe, If you pay attention you can even see he has a spare snorkel hanging on the wall also.
-Mr Y having many bathing suits is a "Bathing Beauty" pun
-Hugh Panaro said in an interview featured on Broadway Buzz in June 2011 that Soot loved swimming "One of my favorite memories is our first time swimming in the ocean with him. He loved the salt water."
-Yes, that is a line from the children's show Spongebob Squarepants that Gerik thinks in his head upon seeing Karimloo
-Ramin Karimloo in real life has several tattoos including a sleeve on his left arm. If you look closely at the end of 'Music of the Night' on the 25th anniversary performance as Ramin raises his arm a portion of his tattoo peaks out of his sleeve.
-Cherik has multiple masks and sometimes wears two at a time in the 1990 adaptation giving us several fake out moments. The Charles Dance film is also the only movie adaptation so far that the audience is never shown his face.
-Phibe is a reference to "The Abominable Dr. Phibe" a film from the 1970s. It's not necessarily PotO but it's very relatable to Phantom.