#( little lotte thought of everything & nothing ; christine )

[septembersghost]

[kimwexlers-brownhair]

Meg has Misty's energy but with Nat's scrappiness and heart. Carlotta is a Jackie-Mari combo. Christine is all Lottie.

[shinyfire-0]

Chapter 5 of The Phantom of the Opera - The Enchanted Violin - is one of my favourite chapters in Leroux. 

It’s where we hear about Daddy Daae telling Christine and Raoul ‘legends of the lands of the North’ and the line ‘"Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing. Her hair was golden as the sun's rays and her soul as clear and blue as her eyes. She wheedled her mother, was kind to her doll, took great care of her frock and her little red shoes and her fiddle, but most of all loved, when she went to sleep, to hear the Angel of Music." 

It’s also where we meet Raoul running into the sea after Christine’s red scarf:

‘One day, a little boy, who was out with his governess, made her take a longer walk than he intended, for he could not tear himself from the little girl whose pure, sweet voice seemed to bind him to her. They came to the shore of an inlet which is still called Trestraou, but which now, I believe, harbours a casino or something of the sort. At that time, there was nothing but sky and sea and a stretch of golden beach. Only, there was also a high wind, which blew Christine's scarf out to sea. Christine gave a cry and put out her arms, but the scarf was already far on the waves. Then she heard a voice say:

"It's all right, I'll go and fetch your scarf out of the sea."’

(text from the de Mattos translation which is freely available online)

Trestraou is very near to Perros-Guirec, which now a busy seaside holiday town. And it really is a ‘stretch of golden beach’ in a natural harbour.

i took these photos on the beach at Trestraou in the summer of 2023. It was very windy on the beach which meant that the light changed quickly!

[donfantasmaa]

Perfumes Inspired by Phantom of The Opera

I’ve compiled a list of perfumes relating to POTO. My criteria was based on three things:

Things that can be interpreted as direct references to the book or ALW musical

Perfumes that could realistically have been worn by actual characters

Vibes

I am sorry that a lot of these quite expensive, I personally only own them in my dreams.

Erik:

Black Phantom - By Killian

This one is self explanatory. It’s a sweet and boozey coffee scent

Angel - Mulger

Also self explanatory. Both a well loved and a well hated perfume, there’s a good change you already own this

Death and Decay - Lush

To smell like Erik’s hands of course

Dead Sexy - Tokyo Milk

You know why. Woody vanilla scent

Christine:

Everything & Nothing - Tokyo Milk

“Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing…”

1889 Moulin Rouge - Histoires de Parfums

Not the right year but this is the ultimate Belle Époque Parisian performer scent. It’s a powdery makeup-y smell, probably what backstage at the Garnier smells like.

Wedding Bouquet - Floris

All those flowers Erik bought for the wedding

Lily of the Valley - Floris

Made in 1847, this realistically could’ve been worn by Christine, and I think it suits her well. It’s a fresh citrusy floral, with violet, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang and ofc lily of the valley

Raoul:

Acqua di Colonia - Santa Maria Novella

Created in 1533 in one of the oldest perfumeries in the world in Florence, a fashionable and worldly gent like Raoul might’ve worn this.

Insolence - Guerlain

“INSOLENT BOY!!”

Beach Walk - Maison-Martin-Margiela

Raoul running into the sea to fetch the red scarf

Under the Stars - Maison-Martin-Margiela

Where Raoul and Christine kiss and everything goes wrong

As a bonus, here’s one that reminds me of the fanfic By Starlight by wheel_of_fish because it’s my fav:

Clandestine Clara - Penhaligon’s

[altumferitas]

“Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing”

Oil painting of Sierra Boggess as Christine Daae 🥀

[angel-with-paper-wings]

Ten First Lines Game

Rules: Share the first line of ten of your most recent fanfics and then tag ten people. Don't have ten? Not to worry, just share what you have.

Thank you so much @sadeyedlady-writes for tagging me in this game!!! I do not have anywhere near ten published fics, so instead I chose some of my favorite first lines of chapters from my two multi-chapter works and my one-shot. All fics are about Phantom of the Opera.

Live As You’ve Never Lived Before

Chapter 1: Little Lotte Thought of Everything and Nothing

Turquoise waves crashed steadily onto the rocky shore.

2. Chapter 6: Let Your Spirit Start to Soar

A young rosy-faced ballerina scurried into the corps’ dressing room. She quickly found a friend and tugged on her arm. “Did you hear? Someone saw the Phantom!”

3. Chapter 7: Promise Me You’ll Try

The Opera Populaire stood cloaked in shadow, every room inside completely silent as its workers and dancers slept peacefully. Every room, that is, except for one.

4. Chapter 13: Threaten and Adore

For what felt like the hundredth time that day, Christine sneezed.

5. Chapter 20: Anywhere You Go, Let Me Go Too

Three weeks. Never before had Christine realized how long such a time actually was. She seemed to feel each second passing, every moment seeping by as if time moved through thick honey.

An Eternity of Bliss

6. Chapter 1: What Followed

The Rue de Rivoli was quiet and cloaked in nighttime shadows, broken intermittently by the glow of a street lamp.

7. Chapter 8: Resurrection

As nighttime fell upon the small seaside village, the newlywed couple and their friend exited the church with a collective sigh.

8. Chapter 9: The Happiest of Woman (and Men)

Morning light seeped into the room past the half-drawn curtains, gentle and promising. It was not what Erik was accustomed to.

9. Chapter 12: You Will Understand In Time

“Good morning, my Angel.” The musical rumble of Erik’s voice against her skin pulled Christine from her dreamless sleep.

10. The Siren’s Song (one-shot)

The sun dipped just below the west horizon, painting the Mazenderan sky a bright blood-red.

No-pressure tags: @iseedeadsneeeple, @a-partofthenarrative, @maze-zen, @garnet-xx-rose, @emotionalmotionsicknessxx, @erik-carierre, @eriksdreamery, @shinyfire-0, @patron-minette, @granhairdo and of course anyone else who sees this post and wants to participate!!

[withallthingslove]

The Phantom of the Opera Broadway Thoughts/Review — Dec. 7, 2022

After 8 years away (my last Phantom was Norm Lewis), I went back to see it on Broadway.

Going in, I was really apprehensive about seeing Ben Crawford’s Phantom because I had heard so many mixed things about him. Everyone either thought he was the best or had multiple criticisms and there was no in between, and tbh in bootlegs I wasn’t wild about his voice. As a Hugh Panaro Stan, I had seen a lot of fans who prefer Hugh-esque Phantoms not enjoying Ben’s as much. So I was nervous but curious about what I would think

The audience on Dec. 7 was clearly primarily made up of fans. The energy was INSANE. I honestly can’t describe it. Everyone was thrilled to be there 

I was fully chocking back a sob during the overture because it was so overwhelming

As soon as Emilie smiled while performing “Think of Me” I almost started sobbing again lol

Emilie’s Christine is so so so good. Her vibrato is beautiful, her enunciation is super clear. And I think acting wise she is probably one of the strongest I’ve seen. There’s just something about how everything she does is so purposeful and you can see and understand why her Christine is choosing to do something.

I think Ben has somehow become my second favorite Phantom?? The small things I didn’t like are just me nitpicking, like some of the pronunciation and some physicality choices. But I really loved his voice, and his interpretation fits with the energy of the cast. He’s also the only Phantom I think that would successfully seduce me

As for Paul A. Schaefer as Raoul... . He does the bare minimum of what is required of Raoul, and is much stronger in the first act or when he’s acting alongside Emilie. His voice is good. But something about his stage presence is just like “go girl give us nothing,” especially during the Notes scenes. I think he was best during “Think of Me,” “Little Lotte,” and “All I Ask of You.” During Notes II he looked like he didn’t want to be there or deliver his threat to the Phantom. 

Ben, Emilie, and Paul as a trio is really interesting. It’s as if the Phantom’s insanity is what pushes Christine to Raoul. Like she was happy to see Raoul at first, there was some ~ romantic tension~ but as soon as the Phantom appeared she forgot about Raoul. Then once she was scared of the Phantom, she defaulted to Raoul, and her fear is what kept pushing her toward Raoul throughout the show because she wanted comfort and to feel safe, not because she was head over heels in love. Which is why the Phantom had a stronger hold on her chemistry-wise than some other Christine’s who want nothing to do with the Phantom. Instead of the Phantom disrupting Christine and Raoul’s relationship, him disrupting Christine is what brings Raoul in. If that makes sense.

It’s the best supporting cast/company/ensemble I’d seen in a long time. The epitome of “acting is reacting.” Everyone (aside from Paul I’m sorry) brought something different, had high energy, and were acting in a way that fit seamlessly with those on stage with them. The best way I can put it is I think sometimes in past casts, people had their interpretation and stuck to it no matter who they were playing alongside, while this felt like you were watching something unique and a one-of-a-kind rendition that might be different the next night. 

Aside from Ben and Emilie, the two other strongest cast members were Nehal Joshi as Andre and Raquel Suarez Groen as Carlotta

The sound quality is sooooo much better than when I was last there in 2014, which I think is partially why the overture was overwhelming in the best way. Everything was clear and impactful.

As soon as I heard Ben’s voice over the speakers during “Angel of Music” I fell in love ajksjk bootlegs really don’t do it justice.

The orchestra and music sounded amazing during the title song. And I actually liked the change at the beginning with Raoul and the ballerinas instead of the body doubles

Ben definitely has some pronunciations that take getting used to, but it sounds like Emilie’s Christine mimics that pronunciation a bit for continuity

I am not an E/C shipper but I was rooting for them to kiss during MOTN their chemistry was that good, especially when Ben sings “touch me, trust me” like *feral screech*

Ben’s crawl across the floor during “Stranger Than You Dreamt It” was more toned down than I had seen it bootlegs, which made it more emotional instead of funny. Emilie handing back the mask I think was one of the strongest acting moments of the show you could feel the tension between them 

“All I Ask of You” was very cute, and Emilie and Paul’s kisses were more realistic and less theatrical if that makes sense which I appreciated. They were believable as a couple

Ben and Emilie’s chemistry was so apparent during PONR and they both vocally sounded so good. I still prefer the original blocking, but the new blocking worked well enough 

During the final lair, it didn’t feel high stakes because of Christine or Raoul being in danger, but more so high stakes in that you didn’t know what Christine was going to do? One of those cases where the lines she delivers pick Raoul, but her chemistry and body language is saying other wise. When giving back the ring Emilie definitely lingered long enough that you question if she’s having ~feelings~ instead of just feeling bad. I also typically assume the Phantom dies like a week later, but I don’t get that vibe from Ben’s Phantom and could see him still waiting around for her idk.

Normally I’m like “girlie get out of there” during final lair. But even though I am a LND HATER, this is the trio where I wouldn’t mind Christine ditching Raoul and going back to fuck the Phantom  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I went back up to see Phantom one last time to appreciate all the set pieces and orchestra that will be butchered when Cameron Macintosh brings on whatever he has planned. So I really tried to soak everything in as far as the feeling of seeing it live and remembering how things were. But the cast was so good and the energy of the audience was so great to be a part of I think I’m going to try and swing another trip in 2023 just to have one final phantom experience.

[britishchick09]

Christine took out an old piece of sheet music titled Barnets Første Sorg. The song was in Swedish, but a familiar word jumped out at her as she read the first line.

"It looks like this says 'Lotte'," she remarked. "Like Little Lotte!"

"Why, that's awfully similar." Madame Valerius agreed.

Christine skimmed through the first page, which contained three verses of the song. She sighed and said, "I wish I could speak Swedish fluently… I'd love to know what this means."

She flipped through the sheet music, finding three more pages of music notes and mysterious lyrics. On the back, she discovered something written in Papa's handwriting.

"This must be the translation!" Christine exclaimed before reading, "'Little Lotte thought about everything and nothing…'" She looked at Madame Valerius in surprise, then lowered her head to continue on. "'A butterfly she floated around in the gold of the sun, in her yellow tresses she wore the crown of spring. Like her gaze, the soul was so pale blue and clear. She cherished her mother, she was faithful to a doll, she looked at her clothes and her red shoes, but above all she loved a little bird which father had caught in the snow last Christmas.'"

The rest of the song was about Lotte caring for the bird and nursing it back to health. She kept the bird in a cage so it would be safe, but she didn't understand that it wanted to be free. This led to her first sorrow- the loss of her new friend after it perished in its cold cage.

"Oh, that was so tragic," Christine remarked, putting a hand on her heart as she lowered the sheet music. "Yet it's so fascinating… This song inspired Papa to create the Little Lotte story I know so well!"

a future rewrite scene referencing the song that inspired gaston leroux to write the 'little lotte' story in poto! ;)

[exitiumparit]

Christine tag dump !

[phantomtrader19]

Phantom of the opera 1st and 3rd preview review

PART 2

Masquerade - WOW I don’t know if it’s the brand new costumes and sets or the cast but I something was different. It had such oomph to it! The lightning was changed to a more intense blue/pink-y red tones which looked amazing! Lyrics I believe were the Broadway lyrics didn’t mind it it didn’t make a difference to be honest. Seemed to be a couple tweaks or new costumes I hadn’t noticed before but would need a photo to confirm. Lucy’s star princess...

I don’t understand as she was in an original dress and it was stunning so I don’t understand the change it just lacked altogether, fun thing I noticed is costume supervisor of 25+ years Ceris Donovan was sat behind me in the show with a note pad taking notes. I do hope they change Lucy back to the original dress! Her hair is in a bun with some hair down and her tiara is more of a centre piece on top of her head that lays flat don’t mind it but not my fave,This could change as the show is still in previews. Phantom as the red death still the same! And still disappears through the trap door and the double appears at the top.

Raoul and Mme Giry’s scene was the exact same except I felt it was a bit more intense which I liked! Francesca Ellis is just an absolute joy to watch her acting is top of the game.

Notes II - very much the same nothing more really to add, just like the original Carlotta and Christine’s stand off is always fun to watch! Lucy again just blows it out the water with the acting l.

Twisted every way - Lucy’s Christine you can tell she’s been pushed to her limits and explodes which was amazing to watch, it was sped up rather a lot which I didn’t mind as it sort of reflected how Christine was feeling and as she began to sing “twisted every way...” the tempo slowed again.

Don Juan sitzprobe - lovely to see all the cast in their gorgeous costumes! James Hume’s reyer is so good. I’m not quite sure if it was done before but when the piano begins to play itself and they company seem rather possessed by the phantoms presence some of the ensemble stand round the piano and their faces are illuminated it was rather creepy but definitely added to the feel of the scene.

Journey to the cemetery - the same as the original no changes

Wishing you were somehow here again - the first opening dialogue (little lotte thought of everything and nothing...”) Lucy said quite quickly like she was completely tormented. This song is where you can notice the reduced orchestra it wasn’t horrific but I miss the old orchestra :( Lucy sounded beautiful once again. The stage appeared to be a little brighter than the original.

Wandering child - the trio version was done and killian, Lucy and Rhys’ voice all blended perfectly. Fireballs still shot from the phantoms staff and the fire still burst from the stage.

Before the premier - exactly the same however the 1st preview the gun didn’t go off.

Don Juan - slowed tempo similar to Broadway as previously the west end done it a little faster which I actually prefer but company’s vocals were amazing! I did notice on the 3rd preview a new costume on James Hume nice little addition :) Lucy’s “dreams of looooveee” flawless.

Point of no return - phantoms part stayed the same but Lucy was a lot more feisty and sassy than I’d seen before and I loved her high kick before she put her leg up on the bench! Christine has her hair down and a rose in. Christine actually knows it’s the phantom after the first verse so it was really interesting to watch the difference in how other Christine’s act not knowing the phantom is under the cloak. Just before Christine’s verse begins just after she notices the phantom is on stage she has a moment of panic and looks helplessly into the audience before singing which added a lot more intensity to this scene. Instead of attempting to run off the stage Christine grabs the phantoms hands and puts them round her waist as they sing the last verse which has been significantly I think maybe to build some more tension. Also the managers, Raoul the policeman and Mme Giry come on stage, Raoul and the policeman immediately back off stage Mme Giry and the phantom have a moment as they obviously remember eachother and another change is Christine seems to tell the managers to back off instead of Andre and Firmin trying to get Christine on stage an interesting choice!

Killian still sings the All I ask of you part as usual and still gives Christine the ring.

Down once more - the same as it was before. Rhys does the jump from the bridge which I was really happy about!

Final lair - I loved the blocking choice that presumably came from Broadway of the phantom dragging Christine on stage and throwing her to the ground it really makes you feel as if he’s completely lost it! Lucy’s fiery-ness really comes out in this scene. The mirror bride doll is silver with no wig or facial features for obvious reasons. Killian’s acting is fantastic in this scene he’s so mocking but you can see how destroyed he is. Rhys I think could’ve done a little more acting when he had the Punjab lasso round his neck but again he will settle into things soon enough. Lucy’s “you deceived me!” Was amazing she really seemed angry and devastated. The kiss was perfect. Lucy seems to want to go back to comfort the phantom but Rhys holds her back and they run off. When she returns you can see she is trying to hold back her motions and then hurriedly runs off. Killian’s last note was beautiful! The show still had its iconic Meg moment at the end no changes there!

Overall this cast is absolutely stellar! A must see, the show still has the original elements but definitely refreshed and some revised parts which I didn’t mind I still loved it! I think my favourite out of the trio is Lucy she just embodies everything Christine should be and her acting is some of the best I have ever seen.

Please show the cast and crew as much love as you showed the previous cast and crew none of this is their doing ❤️

[christinescarf]

just thinking about Lucy St Louis

her radiant Think of Me that, despite vocal perfection, still holds a twinge of anxiety and nervousness to it, until, as if encouraged by Raoul's memory of her, she demonstrates full control of that cadenza

her unrelenting belief in the angel of music, she really sells you the fact that this poor girl thinks Erik was sent by her father

her being surprised beyond belief with the fact that Raoul might be here, that he might've actually returned to her, and then the small giggle when she confirms that it is, indeed, him

her title song cadenza!!!

the way she puts emphasis on "MAN", her "i remember" is accusatory and confused, which doesn't make Erik lashing out at her not even five seconds later any better

from then on Lucy's Christine is in a panic, she's grappling with the fact that the Phantom and her Angel are one and the same, yet she also feels something very real for the man, her build-up to "SOAR" is a release, a confession not only to Raoul, but herself

her and Rhys' AIAOY is on a league of its own, I could make a whole post analyzing the inflections, the facial expressions and blocking, but the utter RADIANCE present in Lucy during the "Think of Me" cadenza returns once more, and for once the night isn't a giant boogeyman, it's something she'll face head-on, with Raoul by her side

the sadness in her voice when she understands she will never truly be free...probably ever. Erik will always be at the back of her mind, even when he's nowhere to be seen, and her "you will understand in time" really sounds desperate and apologetic to the max

"HOW DARE YOU, YOU EVIL WOMAN, HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!" and "I CANNOT SING IT, DUTY OR NOT" are delivered with such vitriol

"in this... [sigh] the Phantom's opera" again, she is and always will be at the mercy of this man and his actions

she reprises "in sleep he sang to me..." in completely jaded, unemotional fashion (I've heard many Christines really express their feelings of betrayal, but Lucy sounds like she's repeated those words to herself until they mean nothing)

her "Wishing" is a masterclass of its own, from anger and hurt ["Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing", "her father promised her" transitioning to a meaningless phrase], to the entire chorus as a plea, "GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO TRY" and "NO MORE GAZING ACROSS THE WASTED YEARS" being sung through tears, and then reaching an acceptance with "help me say goodbye", where that same radiance sneaks in somewhat

and then PONR is just her retaking the control and autonomy Erik's stripped from her from day one and destroying him with it (she drags out that second "decided" and grunts out "CONsume us" so deliciously)

"so STAND and watch it burn" is angry, vigilant, and then when she pulls the hood off the emotion just comes crashing down on her, as if she cannot believe it's actually Erik looking back at her. the man who's crept up on her for years, months on end. and when he pulls out the ring, she just looks at him with the biggest amount of pity, because WHY WOULD HE BE DOING THIS, and why is there a part of her that wants to accept...

and the Final Lair...I could ramble on and on, because Lucy also changes based on whether she's with Killian or James, but with James there's this bubbling anger mixed with fear, mixed with the last bits of attraction, mixed with pity, mixed with disappointment and betrayal, that's just written all over her. and the fact that she sees he's also beyond the point of return and knows it doesn't make it any easier for her. that same jadedness that was present at the beginning of the graveyard creeps in and is quickly changed by ANGER as she sings out "you are not alone" and kisses him

she's so sorry to leave him, but at the same time she knows it's for the best. a tear escapes. he may love her, but she cannot bear the music of the night. and, just as the libretto says, she sings her final words to Raoul, not looking back

"each morning" with that same radiance

[karmaholmes221]

Vicomte de Phantom

Part 15- A Rehearsal For Don Juan Triumphant

The love story of Raoul and Christine is timeless, how they overcame everything to be with one another, but there is much more to their story than that... there was another woman, Raoul's first wife. The first Vicomtesse de Changy. And she was just as much a part of the story as any other character.

“Mademoiselle de Poitier, why exactly are you here, again?” Reyer asked me and I turned round slightly to face him from where I lounged next to the piano.

“The composer asked me to oversee the rehearsal to ensure that things are being done to his liking.” I said simply and Reyer nodded nervously before he began playing the opening on the piano and the chorus began to sing.

“Hide our sword now wounded knight! Your vainglorious gasconade brought you to your final fight for your pride, high price you've paid!”

“Silken couch and hay-filled barn both have been his battlefield.” Christine sang in her usual clear voice.

“Those who tangle with Don Juan . . .” Piangi sang, sounding off.

Reyer quickly stopped him. “No, no, no! Chorus rest, please. Don Juan, Signor Piangi - here is the phrase.” He tapped the correct cord on the piano and demonstrated. “"Those who tangle with Don Juan . . ." If you please?”

“Those who tangle with Don Juan . . .” Piangi sang, still wrong.

“No, no. Nearly but no. "Those who tan, tan, tan . . ."” Reyer corrected.

“Those who tangle with Don Juan . . .” Piangi repeated, still wrong. I ground my teeth.

Carlotta turned to face the others. “His way is better. At least he make it sound like music!” She boasted.

I turned sharply to face her. “Signora, would you speak that way in the presence of the composer?” I warned, knowing Erik wouldn’t take kindly to her if he knew she was talking like that.

Carlotta sniffed. “The composer is not here. And if he were here, I would . . .” She sneer, clearly deaf to the implications in my remark.

I cut her off. “Are you certain of that, Signora . . .?”

“So, once again after seven.” Reyer said, drawing our attention back to the rehearsal, he played the note on the piano.

“Five, six, seven . . .” He counted in.

“Those who tangle with Don Juan . . .” Piangi sang, still wrong

“Ah, piu non posso! What does it matter what notes we sing?” Carlotta snapped angrily.

I rolled my eyes, tired of the prima donna’s attitude. “Have patience, Signora.” I said stiffly.

“No one will know if it is right or if it is wrong. No one will care if it is right, or if it is wrong.” She took a deep breath. “Those who tangle with Don Juan!” She screeched mockingly.

Piangi tried again. “Those who tan . . . tan . . .” He turned to Christine. “Is right?” He asked.

Christine gave him a small smile and shook her head. “Not quite, Signor: Those who tan . . . tan . . .”

Reyer sent a weary glance my way and, attempting to restore order, banged on the keys of the piano and the group fell silent. “Ladies . . . Signor Piangi . . . if you please . . .”

He began to play and the group quickly fell in line, focusing on the music. “Poor young maiden! For the thrill on your tongue of stolen sweets you will have to pay the bill - tangled in the winding sheets!”

My eyes searched out the young prima donna and found in the shadows by the edge of the stage, I could just hear her as she sang to herself. “In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came . . . that voice which calls to me and speaks my name . . .” I moved slowly towards her as she continued to speak quietly. “Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing . . . Her Father promised her that he would send her the Angel of Music . . . Her father promised her . . . Her father promised her . . .” She turned and moved down the corridor towards the back entrance to the opera house. I glanced to the crowd who were continuing the rehearsal before I quickly hurried after her.

[chaoswillfallrpg]

ISMENA YAXLEY (née FLINT) is FIFTY-THREE YEARS OLD and a SOCIALITE amongst THE SACRED TWENTY-EIGHT in LONDON. She looks remarkably like JENNIFER CONNELLY and considers herself NEUTRAL. She is currently OPEN.

→ OVERVIEW:

Sweet and gentile, many treat Ismena Yaxley like porcelain due to the image she portrays to the world. Dainty and romantic should she be dropped she might shatter, though only those outside of her family would be a fool enough to mistake her quietness for fragility. Born into great privilege and wealth, Ismena was the second child of AHARAON FLINT and MARIANNE POTTER and was raised alongside her older brother DIONYSUS and younger sister KRATISTA in the opulence of Flint Manor. Their parents had struggled to relate to them as younger children, leaving them in the care of their schoolmaster, educated in their school room in a far wing of the house where they prepared to later attend school when they turned eleven. Most days after their lessons had ended the children would sit in the gardens, taking picnics by the lake dreaming of life beyond Flint Manor and who they would be when they went out into the world. Her head often buried in romance novels her siblings laughed at how she had fallen in love with the idea of love long before she had experienced it. Love letters and declarations in the form of great speeches consumed her everyday. Dionysus had always said she would have made a good actress with her ability to remember all of the stories she’d read, but Ismena had no interest in play-acting love, longing only for the real thing. 

Sent off to school a year after her brother, Ismena was sorted into Ravenclaw, finding her place amongst fellow bookworms and creative spirits where she flourished. A credit to her family who beamed with pride, the same could not be said however of her naughty younger sister who became well known for getting into trouble and flirting with boys a few years her senior. Doing her best to keep her sister out of trouble, Ismena often found herself pulled into Kratista’s world of parties and potions in the hopes of catching sight of the love of her life. ELIJAH YAXLEY was only slightly older than her and the best friend of Kratista’s object of affection CYGNUS BLACK, together she and her sister would sit in the common room, hand in hand whispering and giggling as they looked upon the men they one day hoped to call their husbands. A fellow Ravenclaw, Ismena had loved him from the first moment she saw him, her heart a flutter as he paraded up and down the common room reading his scripts and practising for choir. As he played opposite countless witches and veelas, declaring his love for them whilst she dreamed it was her rather than them he whispered to. Upon graduating Hogwarts, she was clear in her choice of husband, having heard the love in his heart each time they ran his lines together. 

It had taken some negation between their families before a marriage contract was signed but it all felt worth it when he finally got down on one knee. The proposal was more beautiful than any prose she’d heard, best only by their vows which brought tears to families on both sides of the aisle. Ismena was blissfully happy and it was that very happiness that allowed her to be taken advantage of. Elijah was rarely home, leaving Ismena to wander the halls of her manor wondering what time he’d be back. Her siblings had quickly deduced he was a cheat, though Ismena refused to confront it until she had become an aunt and began to yearn for children of her own. Surrounded by her nieces and nephews Ismena made the decision to go looking for answers. Scared stiff of a life spent childless and alone, she held Kratista’s hand, following Elijah to an old boarding house in Muggle London. She was prepared to find a woman but as two blonde children ran outside to greet him, one no older than CAIUS, the other a grown girl of around ten, the shattering of her heart was almost audible. Another woman had stolen her life, a part-veela Muggle no less who had gotten herself pregnant to boot. But Ismena wouldn't be beaten and for the first time when she looked at her reflection that night she did not know the woman staring back at her. 

Enlisting the help of her mother-in-law, Ismena gave him a choice. Leave the woman she later learned was his long term scene partner CHRISTINE MAY or risk being turned out into the cold by both her and the rest of his family. Ismena wanted to believe it was for her he’d left Christine but a little voice in the back of her mind knew that it was the fear of losing his name, fortune and standing with his mother that was more likely the catalyst. Not long afterwards her twins were born and Ismena felt her life significantly improve as she doted upon them. ELEANOR and VICTOR were her most perfect creation, cementing their family together. Their early years were spent mostly in the front row of Eliajh’s shows, clapping for their father as she ignored the whispers of infidelity that circled even long after Christine was ejected from the picture. After the children has been born Ismena had demanded more from him as a father and had been impressed by how involved he’d been in their children. Leaving the theatre their children became the star of the show, her happiest memories being watching the productions they put on in the parlour. Elle was so much like Elijah, her grandeur and confidence just as large as his. Victor was much more like her, quiet and observant and easy to fall quiet to mistreatment. 

Truly Ismena loved them both equally, but managing their relationship when one child sucked up the limelight and all their father’s attention was difficult though she sincerely tried her best. When her children finally went away to school Ismena allowed Elijah to return to the theatre, splitting her time between watching his rehearsals and working with her sister and sister-in-law LOTTE FLINT to make good connections and prepare the foundations for their children to join society. Despite the rocky road to happiness, Ismena had truly believed she had finally found it. Their   Family was whole, Elijah was content and Ismena was happy taking tea with her family and planning the future endeavours of their children. Then a witch by the name of ADAIRIA LINWOOD turned up on her doorstep, a dead ringer for Christine armed with questions. It filled Ismena with shame that she was happy to hear Christine was no longer in her husband’s life due to unfortunate circumstances, though her wicked thoughts quickly came back to bite her when she learned that their affair had not ended when she had thought it had.Ismena had known about Adairia and her younger sister LAUREL but the existence of a younger child, MAREN who was younger than her own children was quite the shock indeed. 

Despair and rage washed over her suddenly, settling over Ismena like a dark cloud she couldn’t shift. Holding out her hand to Adairia she offered a large part of the contents of her vault in exchange for her silence, making the unbreakable vow to never speak of her family again and to keep her sisters in the dark. Ismena was not a naturally wicked woman and had felt both guilt and remorse for keeping Elijah’s secret, but her own children came first and it is a decision she still stands by. With Eleanor and Victor now out in society her attention is focused on ensuring they have prospective good matches and do not follow the same destructive lifestyle as their father, keeping their family name intact whilst also maintaining happiness. Much to her children’s annoyance, Ismena is incredibly hands-on in their lives, checking in on them as often as possible and keeping her wits about her. With Elijah’s dirty secret living in Horizont Alley, now a notable family who own The Fountain of Fair Fortune it is only a matter of time before her perfect plan begins to unravel, though Ismena would sooner die than have her children bare the same heartbreak and humiliation and will stop at nothing to ensure everything continues to look practically perfect by whatever means necessary.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Blood Status → Pure-Blood

Pronouns → She/Her

Identification → Cis Female

Sexuality  → Up to Roleplayer

Relationship Status → Married to Elijah Yaxley

Previous Education →  Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Ravenclaw)

Societies → Pura Soreres

Family → Aharon Flint (deceased father), Marianne Flint (deceased mother), Elijah Yaxley (husband), Eleanor Yaxley (daughter), Victor Yaxley (son), Dionysus Flint (brother/close friend), Lotte Flint (sister-in-law/close friend), Decius Flint (nephew), Rosalie Flint (niece), Krarista Burke (sister/best friend), Eelis Burke (brother-in-law), Caius Burke (nephew) Lyra Burke (niece), Corban Yaxley (brother-in-law/friend), Zariah Yaxley (mother-in-law)

Connections  → Vivienne Travers (close friend), Ilar Travers (close friend), Adger Prewett (close friend), Luella Prewett (close friend), Druella Black (close friend), Cygnus Black (close friend), Walburga Black (friend), Marie Lestrange (friend), Adairia Linwood (adversary), Laurel Linwood (adversary) Maren Linwood (adversary)

Future Information → N/A

ISMENA YAXLEY IS A LEVEL 4 WITCH.

[kcrabb88]

In Sleep He Sang To Me 

Pt. 19 of She Was Bound to Love You 

Summary: What if Raoul de Chagny was a woman? A series featuring the major events (and a few things in-between) from the Phantom of the Opera, with a gender-bent, lesbian Raoul (and a bisexual Christine). ALW based, with Leroux elements.

Scene 13: Raoul struggles in the aftermath of the events of the lair, plagued by nightmares. Newspapers print stories. The police ask questions. Relieved by their strange and unexpected freedom, Raoul and Christine confront what happened to them.

Raoul squeezes her eyes shut, more tears spilling down her cheeks.

She hears Erik’s voice in her head again, each word tracing across her soul like the tip of a knife.

Where’s your fine carriage now, mademoiselle? Where’s your precious older brother to protect you?

That’s when Christine starts to sing. Softly. Quietly.

And only for Raoul.

Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing Like a butterfly she flew about in the gold of the sun.

It’s the old poem Gustave Daae used to read to them. The poem they made their own, expanding upon Little Lotte’s world.

[accidentalheartbeat-blog]

christine daae tag dump !