Disclaimer: Don't own POTO…sniffle…

summersong: Oh, I'm going on Jun. 11. (sad)

A/N: OK, everybody! Here we go with Cameo City! I'm gonna have to take some artistic license w/ you guys since I don't know (most) of you personally. But thank you everyone for the enthusiasm! Since I got this idea from Songwind, she is appointed chat room leader. Anywho (rubs hands together) let's get started.

Oh, before I forget:

You guys are talking in italics with your names attached.

Character dialogue is in " "

Brooke on the web is in

Anna on the web is in

Erik on the web is in ( )

Get it? Got it? Good.

XXXXXXXXX

THE PHANS

It rained, it poured, it thundered…in short, the weather around Perros was making a general nuisance of itself. It so effectively dampened the spirits of the occupants of the Seaside Inn that they all stayed shut up in their rooms moping about the injustice of the world.

Erik was spared from witnessing the peak of Anna and Brooke's madness when a drenched little man arrived at their door with the dresses they had ordered from Madam Trufette's shop. He was then treated to a fashion show.

Brooke accosted the Bag for her digital camera. Anna twirled and posed for her while Erik looked on, keeping his mask on once he discerned the purpose of the silver box in Brooke's hands.

"Brooke, don't you want me to take some pictures of you?" Anna asked as she showed off her forest green riding habit.

"No, no, you can do that later. I haven't done photography is such a long time. I don't know why this didn't occur to me before. Go put on your white evening gown."

As Anna went away to oblige, Erik recalled something and went to his room. He returned shortly carrying two, flat rectangular parcels in his hands.

Approaching Brooke he said, "I meant to give them to you later but now seems as good a time as any." He gave Brooke one of the boxes.

She gaped at the contents, absolutely speechless for a moment, then she gasped, "Erik, are these…real?"

"Of course!" Erik snorted indignantly, offended that she would think he'd offered them anything other than the highest quality diamonds. Setting her camera aside, Brooke lifted a beautiful choker from its velvet-lined case. The design was simple but elegant. Several small diamonds glittered and winked in their gold prongs. Erik took it from her and fastened it around her neck.

"Thank you," Brooke whispered. Erik nodded silently. The delicate swish of silk and lace brought his head up. Brooke heard his sharp intake of breath as his eyes settled on Anna.

It wasn't her ball gown, but the soft white fabrics made her skin glow rosily in the firelight. She had hastily pinned up her long, red curls in a simple 1870's fashion that framed her face prettily. The neckline scooped low and the bodice curled round her body. Erik couldn't help noticing the details. He was a man after all, but he was beginning to realize that Anna was a woman, not a girl.

And being a woman, Anna was fully aware of the attention she was garnering from the Phantom. She blushed at the thought as she shuffled forward. A twinkle at her cousin's throat caught her eye.

"Oh my gosh! Brooke, is that real?" she said.

"Yes, Erik got them."

"Them?" Anna repeated expectantly, her eyes widening hopefully (can you blame her? diamonds are a girl's best friend).

"Here is yours, Anna," Erik said handing the last box to her. She giggled and stammered over the jeweled necklace.

"Thank you, Erik."

The Phantom moved to put it on her as he had done earlier. He plucked the finery from her hands and draped it around her throat. However, it was the cold touch of fine jewels that made Anna shiver, it was the gentle brush of Erik's fingertips at the base of her neck. Trying to distract her mind, she put a hand to her throat and examined the effect of the diamonds as Erik stood behind, gazing at her intently.

Brooke's camera was clicking away like a happy cricket.

"Wow, that last one was good. I'd love to try some aging effects on it in the computer. Hey! Anna, let's go to a chat room. We've been saving the computer's power for a day like this!"

Anna shook the haze from her mind, "Hmm? Oh, yes, let's do that." The girls scampered off to their bedroom. Erik followed. He entered just in time to see them carefully rewrapping their gowns in their boxes. He was used to seeing them in their underwear but being a gentleman he thought it best to avert his eyes as they stripped off their bustles and corsets.

"You can look now," Anna said. They had donned their robes over the chemise and drawers. He noted with an amused smile that they had left the chokers on. Brooke settled the computer on the bed and Anna went to see about getting some Cokes from the Bag.

"Another slumber party?" Erik asked.

"Yep. You can join us if you want…it may be a little shocking."

"I've grown accustomed to that."

"Well, then come on over, but remember what we told you about slumber parties. Most comfortable clothes only. Or no admittance."

Erik returned a minute later, his black robe, embroidered with iridescent green, in place of his vest and jacket. He wore only socks on his feet and he set his mask on the nearest nightstand.

Anna patted the space on the bed between her and Brooke, "Come on, Erik."

He shifted awkwardly. This was more than a little out of the ordinary for him, but the girls insisted so he finally climbed on to the bed and settled down in between them. Meanwhile Brooke had made contact.

XXXXXXXXXXX

OMG! Anna is that u?

Hey, Songwind. Was up?

Just talking Phantom w/ the girls, Songwind replied. Where've u been? It's been, like, 6 months since we've heard from u.

Ah, been a little busy…but hey, Brooke's with me she'll be talking in blue…I'm green.

Got it, Songwind said, or typed rather.

"Are you actually making contact with someone from your time period?" Erik asked in wonder.

"Yeah."

"Well, what is the topic of the conversation?" He leaned forward eagerly, his natural inquisitiveness taking over.

"Um, actually…you are the topic of conversation," Anna said quietly.

"What?"

After Anna's SN had been accosted by greetings from every participant in the chat room (all of which included at lot of ! and other typed expressions of excitement), Songwind proceeded to direct the conversation back to the favorite subject.

Okay…back to Erik…

"Yes?"

"No, no she's not talking to you…just about you."

Erik glared apprehensively at the glowing screen.

OMG! phantomsangelofmusic bounced excitedly, I love those Red Death pants...I WANT TO GLOMP THEM…NOW! (drools)

I thought you established this already, said kristinekat13.

Yesh, but repetition 'tis the hallmark of a phangirl obsession, phantomsangelofmusic replied.

LOL. Good point.

What I'd like to know is what would Erik dress in if he were here in our time? interjected Phantress.

"Why do they want to know that?" Erik asked, though he was a little afraid of the answer.

"Because they think you're sexy," Brooke said flatly.

Nothing, easternelvenlady suggested. You could almost hear her purring the suggestion. There were several exclamations of SQUEE! from Mademoiselle Phantom, Sarita, phantomsangel102, and Galasriniel.

"Sweet heavens! Are they mad?"

"Quite possibly."

I've got it! cried Loveroftrapdoors, He'd wear a navy blue T-shirt and a dress-shirt with navy blue pin stripes under a black coat with jeans and boots. You know, that sexy, scruffy look…like he'd just pulled on whatever he could find on the closet floor. (squee!)

Got it all figured out, huh? said Lady Brandybuck of the Shire with a computerized smirk,

Oh, yes…that and sooooo much more, Loveroftrapdoors said. She added BWHAHAHAHA! to emphasize her point. Her choice of 21st century clothing for Erik received enthusiastic approval.

"What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?" Erik howled in frustration. Brooke made a quick sketch of the outfit described and showed it to him, while Anna explained that the phangirls were picturing him in said outfit (or nothing at all, but she skipped over that part). Erik growled.

Hmm, what would the fop wear? pondered Songwind.

Who wants to know? enigmatic mystery snorted derisively.

I do! Maska said. The following silence was followed the following suggestion:

How about nothing?

More silence and o0 and a few Ews followed. Brooke hid her face in a pillow to avoid the icy glares of Anna and Erik.

"You," Erik said, "are hopelessly vulgar."

Meanwhile Maska had added a SQUEE and a (faints) for moral—or, um, immoral—support.

He'd probably shop at the Banana Republic, said Alatariel Maris Telcontar.

"Why would he wear a banana?"

"Never mind."

Hey, that's Elijah Wood's favorite store! Lady Brandybuck of the Shire hollered, There is NO way Raoul and Lijah have anything in common.

How about the GAP then? suggested xxXGoddessxofxdeadxloveXxx.

Hey, hey, what is w/ all this fop-talk?

Excellent observation, Anna, said Songwind, Ehem on to sexier subjects…

DON JUAN PANTS! (slobbers & glomps), Tian Sirki stated frantically. OMG! How is it possible that Gerry could look so delicious?

You glomp the pants…I'll glomp his cape, said Phantress.

You have come here/

In pursuit of deepest urge/

In pursuit of that wish which till now/

Has been silent…sang Conan-Lover. She was quickly joined by the whole lot.

"They've been anything but silent," Erik muttered.

"Technically, you can't hear them."

"I know that! Humph, I would love to see them try and…glomp…my pants."

As if hearing these sentiments Lady Dark Water said, How would u even get within three feet of those pants without being punjabbed?

AHA! An Erik-Glomping Tutorial, said ToyMonkey-Ching.

Let's see…u could hide out in Box Five, suggested Sarita.

But you'd have to get him to come out of that hollow column first, put in Alatariel Maris Telcontar.

Probably have to get the lasso anyway from him somehow, said Phantress.

Oh! Oh! Willow Rose 3 was then bouncing up and down in her chair, giggling at the sheer genius of her idea. You could use the fop as bait and while Erik was killing him, you could glomp him from behind!

This meant with near universal approval. The cheers were interrupted only by Maska and Brooke's cries of Not Raoul.

Knowing Erik, he'd be strong enough to wrestle any of us into the lake for a quick drowning before we'd even get his shirt off, said Alatariel Maris Telcontar.

OMG! HIS RUFFLY SHIRT! (SHRIEK!) This came from Galasriniel.

Okay then…you could sing like Christine and thus, seduce him with your voice and when you've got him hooked…GLOMP! said enigmatic mystery.

"No one sings like Christine!"

"Erik, calm down."

"NO ONE, I TELL YOU!"

"Uh, Brooke, I don't think this was such a hot idea."

But of course, in order to sing like Christine, you'd have to get lessons from Erik, said Alatariel Maris Telcontar.

Knew you were gonna say that, moped Tian Sirki.

"EXACTLY!"

"Erik, would you please control yourself?"

"Not until I've had my say. Give me that computer."

"No! Erik, you can't tell them who you are! They'll never believe—"

The Phantom paid her no heed as his lithe fingers flew over the keyboard.

You fools! You dare to assume that you could not only out wit the Phantom of the Opera, but strip away his dignity as well?

Wow, Anna, that's a little intense, said Lady Dark Water. You know we're just joking.

I'm not, Sarita chirped merrily.

Meanwhile, back in 1870, a small battle was being waged over possession of certain laptop. Somehow, Anna won.

That wasn't me…it was our friend…um, Erik

Quite a few ? and o0 and a rousing encore of "Be Our Guest" from Conan-Lover answered her.

Um, yeah, so he's sitting here getting a little peeved by this whole glomping thing so he's gonna talk in red

"Okay, Erik, just remember to click that little red button before you type or else everyone will think that Brooke and I are as psycho as you."

"Very well."

(You fools!)

You said that, said Lady Brandybuck of the Shire.

(Well, it certainly bears repeating.)

Hey, what's up with you? We're just having phun time, said Songwind.

(It's insulting to my dignity.)

Well, then don't listen…or watch, she replied. The other phans sat noisily munching popcorn as their friend unknowingly jousted verbally with the Phantom of the Opera.

(I ought to Punjab you.)

Haha…I get it…u think you're him.

(Him who?)

Uh, Erik…duh.

(Naturally, I am Erik.)

No, I mean u think you're THE Erik.

(I AM the Erik!)

That's what I just said.

(Listen, you infuriating little twit, I AM ERIK, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA!)

A few more o0 popped up before Songwind continued.

Right, buddy, if you're THE Erik, then I'm THE Christine.

(What? Christine! How on earth did you manage to get in here?)

I didn't say I WAS Christine, weirdo.

(I am not a weirdo.)

How about psycho?

(Or a psycho.)

Okay, freak.

(Nor a freak. I am Erik!)

Yeah, well, you're freakin' me out.

Finally, someone decided to humor the man behind the angry red words. That someone was kristinekat13.

Okay, then, ERIK…Why haven't you killed Raoul yet?

A low, feral snarl sounded in Erik's left ear.

(Simple, because Brooke would do something horrific by way of revenge.)

Go Brooke! Maska cheered.

If you are the POTO, then how come you're afraid of upsetting one phangirl…or, um, Raoul-fangirl? asked xxXGoddessxofxdeadxloveXxx.

(Have you lived with these two young women?)

Um, no.

(I rest my case. Next impertinent question?)

Why the bloody hell don't you just dump Christine for someone who is actually WORTHY of you? asked Lady Dark Water.

Erik fumed. (Because she is my perfect angel.)

Dude, there are so many women who would throw themselves at you…all you'd have to do is open your mouth and sing, said Mademoiselle Phantom. I know b/c I'm one of them.

(I highly doubt that, but in any case, I love Christine.)

OMG! I've seen better matches for you…I mean, for Erik on this site, said Willow Rose 3. Heck, I've WRITTEN better matches for Erik.

(How dense are you? I said I love Christine!)

But…but…she's a cheating WHORE! cried Lady Dark Water.

There was silence from the other end.

Oo, I think ya pissed him off there, said Songwind. Little did they know…the second the "W" word appeared on the screen Erik had flung himself at the innocent computer, bent of destruction. Anna, fearing for the life of her precious machine, had launched herself at Erik, and Brooke had skillfully whisked the computer away to a chair beside the fireplace.

Wow…I don't think I've seen him that pissed off since the masq—er, the New Year's party.

I'm sorry, said Lady Dark Water.

Hey, truth hurts.

So what's going on over there? asked phantomsangel102.

Anna's sacrificing herself for the sake of her computer…She didn't have much of a chance but it was a valiant effort…He's got her pinned to the bed.

Doesn't sound too bad, said easternelvenlady.

Yeah…I think she won after all…she's looks very happy. But he's a little dense when it comes to reading women's expressions.

It was indeed true. Erik had blushed furiously when he realized that he was straddling Anna on top of her bed with her arms pinned over her head. He jumped off of her and stood breathing heavily. Was it his imagination or did she actually look pleased about that? Needless to say, Anna was elated. Meanwhile…

Does he really think he's THE Erik? asked Phantress.

Hmm, I just got an idea…carry on with the convo, brb.

Okiday…what would Erik taste like? inquired xxXGoddessxofxdeadxloveXxx of her fellow phans.

Black licorice? said easternelvenlady

Coffee? said Conan-Lover.

Dark chocolate, said Willow Rose 3. This one got a lot of squee and (melts).

How about Hazelnut Steamed Milk? said ToyMonkey-Ching.

DONUTS! WITH SPRINKLES! cried enigmatic mystery.

o0

Hey…WTF happened to Christine's stockings in the movie? asked ToyMonkey-Ching.

Hehe, Gerik got a souvenir, said phantomsangel102.

Someone said Puff but before they could discuss the subject, the phamily returned.

K, I just posted a pic of Erik on my space. So go check it out.

"Brooke, what picture did you put up there," Anna asked. A few clicks of the arrow and the picture sprang up before their eyes.

It was the last picture Brooke had taken. Anna was at the forefront, her head bowed and a hand at her throat as she examined the diamond choker. Erik loomed behind her, a tall, awesome figure in black, and his blue eyes glowing from within the mask. The light of the fireplace fell on their right sides, illuminating that half of their bodies with sharp detail. The left half of their figures was outlined by faint lamplight. Though Erik wore his mask, and there still existed the possibility that it was a hoax, somehow no one could doubt what they were seeing. Brooke had managed to capture his power and presence, that sense of mystery and charisma that could only belong to the Phantom of the Opera.

Songwind was the first one back, OMG. Is that Christine with him?

NO! That's me!

You look just like her!

I do not! She's got mosquito bites for boobs and I'm at least a size B.

Erik groaned and hid his face in a pillow.

One by one, all the phans returned, each almost too shocked to say anything at all.

Is there something you're not telling us? said Songwind.

Um, we're in France?

And it's 1870…A.D.

OMG! (squee!) Is Erik standing right there? Did we actually talk to him?

(Yes.)

blip! The monitor blacked out.