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another-chorus-girl · 6 years ago

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Erik House - Chapter 27

The two weeks following the return of Karimloo's memory had been two weeks to which neither he or Panaro left the others side. And in between the quiet moments of deprived snogging-not too mention the West End Merik's insistence on going back to gym on a daily basis-they completed the plans for the wedding.

With no imminent threats of danger anymore the Christines' were permitted back in the manor, led by party planning soprano Sierra on any last remaining touches around the parlor.

"It'll be nice to have our parlor back once this is all over," Mauer grumbled.

Elizabeth giggled, placing a small peck on his masked cheek, "Don't be so grumpy, you love weddings."

"Not when it interferes with my work, dearest."

While like Mauer, some Meriks' were disgruntled at the organ being off limits until after the ceremony, a few managed well with this setback especially as they had little to no say in the matter.

And one Merik in particular was being quite the groomszilla.

Panaro scowled plopping down on his bed.

"Disaster I say! Beyond imagination even!" He groaned.

Karimloo-watering his plant by the windowsill-shook his head comically.

"It's really not all bad-"

"Not all bad! Did you SEE the floral arrangements they tried to push on us?! As insightful as the Christines' help has been what did or did you not say to Sierra?"

"That 'the only one approving of the flower arrangements at our wedding will be my husband.'"

"Exactly! And then they try and sneak lilies into MY arrangement. LILIES! And remind me again why that child is taking part in our wedding?" The Broadway Merik asked, sitting up to remove his bowtie and tailcoat.

Karimloo shrugged, "Well as adorable as he is we can't have Soot walk down the aisle unattended. And besides, the kid's not that bad, I kind of like him."

"Do you.... do you ever think of children?"

This immediately cocked the West End Merik's attention from the plant to his fiancee.

"Perhaps we should go one step at a time, marriage first!"

"I'm just asking!"

Karimloo rubbed his chin, "I mean I won't say the thought hasn't come to mind, especially being how absent they are around here."

"Well I for one am NOT carrying it! I don't need a maternity suit."

Both men cackled at the joke in regular Merik muscle memory fashion.

"Hey," Karimloo sat on his own bed. "Don't worry love, the wedding will be fine."

"C'mere," Panaro patted the mattress.

Giving in to the Broadway Merik's request he flopped down on the cushy bed, Panaro already making off with his mask and wig.

Panaro ran his hand through the West End's soft wispies of grey hair.

"I still can't understand how you sleep in this without slithering out of the bed in those silk pyjamas of yours." Karimloo chuckled, his twitchy fingers caressing the other man's deformity after having snatched away Pan's mask.

"It's easier when you're in the bed too."

Gerik sighed, staring up at the ceiling.

Across from him Mr. Y took another inhale of his canned eucalyptus.

"Maybe we should do something out in the city? Might take your mind off things." The Coney migrant suggested.

"For the last time I'm not going to a cowboy bar with you," Gerik groaned.

"Oh come now Monsieur! Where else can I wear my hat and spurs?" Y whined.

"Last time we went out, everyone was staring at me from behind."

"Well if you didn't wear stuffing-"

"It's padding!" Gerik argued. "I don't like to do it, it's just a bad habit."

"And besides it doesn't have to be a bar, just somewhere to get away from all this wedding hubub until they leave for the honeymoon."

The men glanced up hearing a soft knock.

"Enter," Y said.

Both masked men straightened up seeing Monsieur F'antome walk in, his shiny dress shoes barely clicked against the floor.

"I had heard Monsieur Gerik was in here. Might I have a word with you in my chambers, s'il vous plait?" While Erik asked this as a question, the thick air made it feel more like an obvious request.

Gerik followed Erik down to the ever forbidden basement of the house. The film adaption froze seeing multiple (masked) faces that greeted him downstairs.

Standing around a large table were Lerik, Crawford, and Karimloo.

"W-What's going on?" Gerik asked slightly on edge seeing the West End Merik.

Though the two had made peace calling a truce, as Karimloo was sympathetic that Gerik had tried in the end to reverse his amnesia and purposely trying not to hurt Panaro during the last fight. But ever still Gerik felt uneasy around him, or just the fact that there were two Meriks' in the room and only one of him.

Erik also joined the men by the table. "Nothing to be afraid of, I can promise that much."

The others still stood, while Erik was the only one situating himself in a sturdy wooden throne like chair with articulately carved design.

"After much talk-" Glancing at Lerik but the mute giving an understanding nod

"-we have decided some changes in leadership must be made. Or rather some additions."

"Additions?" Gerik asked, it was then he realized there were five men and only four seats.

"Yes," Crawford chimed in. "To further keep order in the house, it would help to have more heads at the table that is."

"And it's been decided after some deliberating," Erik continued, "That your talents would be suited into aiding us with that."

Gerik blinked. "Me? You...You want my help with the house? After everything that's happened? And that's happened due to my brutish actions?"

Erik's rolled his golden eyes that glowed in the dim room. "As if we are sinless saints. Not a wise set of decisions you've made Monsieur, but hardly irredeemable."

"But what about Lerik? He's a more universal face than I am. And he actually lives on the main floor."

Lerik signed his piece but Erik translated as Gerik was still getting the hang of sign language.

"He says that the floor of cinematics could use a more modern face to seek out leadership. And... now now Monsieur I wouldn't say you're a relic! Ahem. Needless to say he feels with yours being the first one people turn to of the Phantom...'filmies' as some housemates have dubbed your kind, it makes quite logically sense you be their representative. He'll still do his share to help as you reside upstairs, but feels that of the two you should primarily be the one for them to turn to." The original opera ghost explained. After signing his piece Lerik took his quiet leave with a waving gesture.

"But I don't understand why I'm here?" Karimloo asked, indicating to the elder Merik. "We have you for our floor of the house?"

Crawford nodded, "Which you still do. Unlike Monsieur Lerik's voluntary resignation I am not going anywhere. However I cannot do this alone. Monsieur Gerik has the benefit of lesser numbers on the cinematic floor. But there are just too many on our portion of the house for me alone to manage. And your face is quite one that gets around more easily and draws attention."

"I would say this non negotiable but I will ask you gentlemen to make your choice. But I highly advise against refusal." Erik clasped his hands together and elbows propped on the table. Crawford pulled out his usual seat, his throne darker than the light mahogany of Erik's but equally well crafted to suit his persona.

Karimloo nodded, "Alright."

Crawford gestured to a seat similar to his own but with varied changes, Karimloo quietly took his new seat.

Gerik bit his lower lip. He wanted to say no and stay out of public spotlight. But really that felt quite unavoidable.

"Damn the theatrical release," Gerik grumbled. "Ok, I accept."

"Take a seat," Erik chided.

Gerik's throne was a little more lavish than the Meriks' chairs and he felt surprisingly at ease sitting down.

"Excellent, now onto our first matter this evening..."

Erik groaned hearing footsteps frantically coming downstairs.

"I should have installed alarms..." He grumbled, "What now?!"

"We have a few...unexpected guests." Cherik said timidly, "Strange fellows actually. I'm not really sure who to ask."

The original opera ghost shook his head.

"We will continue the meeting later this evening. Monsieur Crawford, I'm assuming the door is for you again."

The masked men joined Cherik up the stairs to be met with a very strange sight indeed.

"We were told this is where we should go for a place to stay?" A quartet of abnormally shaped masks greeted them.

"Are we to speak to you? Perhaps you know Monsieur Davis, he's staying here too?" A man of dark skin and enormous height-practically dwarfing everyone in the room-inquired to the Merik.

Crawford nodded, "He is, he's been shifting around quite frequently on our floor, doesn't seem to feel right anywhere poor fellow."

"There are a few more of us waiting in your lobby-" A stubbly masked man asked before being interrupted by one of his companions.

"Foyer!"

"Ah sorry, foyer."

The elder Merik paused hatching an idea.

"Actually, you would be better to speak with my companion here." He said indicating to Gerik who blinked shaking his head.

"What? What are you on about Crawford??" He asked nervously "They're with your adaptions clan."

"Yes and no. It's become apparent Monsieur Davis since arriving has been having much difficulty adjusting to our idiosyncrasies. They follow the criteria of our adaption but the wild ideas they have, sound a little more like your interpretation."

Gerik and Crawford glanced back at the group, while certainly dressed like the Meriks, their curled up wig piece and in some lack of appropriate grooming said otherwise to resemble the mismatch eyed Merik's charges.

"I'm not insinuating they stay on the first floor. They certainly don't belong there, however I fear they won't do so well herded with us. But perhaps on the third floor they could acquire more free reign of their own, and some structure from you. As I understand it you do have a variety of vacancy up there as well-unfortunately the Brazilians and Germans with new tours have had to share three per room due to so little available space on our floor."

Gerik shuffled his dress shoes against the carpet, "I don't know, what if I-"

"I'm confident in you, besides already they seem quite taken with you."

Both men noticed the quartet was practically ogling at Gerik, as if waiting for further instruction.

The film adaption sighed, "Well alright. Gentlemen, if you'll fetch your other companions I'll lead you upstairs."

Watching the men tote behind Gerik, Karimloo stood beside Crawford.

"Monsieur is this wise?" The younger West End asked.

"I wouldn't suggest it if I thought it rash. And I wasn't exaggerating, our floor is at quite capacity even with the West End Wing fully restored. Go see to Panaro, I'll fetch you when it's time for the meeting again."

Karimloo nodded, "Right, it's leg day for me anyway."

The West End groom was nervous as ever.

"This waiting tries my patience!" Karimloo grumbled, nervously patting down his wig.

"Calm yourself," Wilkinson badgered, wiping away a speck of lint off the younger Merik's shoulder. "All will go smoothly, don't worry about it."

"I'm just nervous, Pan wants this day to go so well-"

"And it will. Becoming flustered won't do either of you any good. This is your time to be happy in that moment that not all of us got the chance to have."

The conversation was cut short as the double doors opened.

Wilkinson took his place alongside Mr. Y and Fraser, the former two groomsmen giving Karimloo an approving nod. Sierra walked down the aisle, leading the bridesmaids behind her. The ladies took their place on the opposing side of the groomsmen and best man. Before taking her seat, Sierra gave Karimloo a hug and a tiny peck on his masked cheek.

"Congratulations," She smiled giddily departing to her seat.

The men and women, Phantoms, sopranos, and the very few outisders alike rose. Lerik's wedding mass began, the mute man swaying to the tune. While advising it would be better if Gerik kept his distance from the ceremony, he did call in a favor of the mute maestro to play for the upcoming wedding.

Karimloo swallowed the lump in his throat as footsteps were heard from the doorway. His mouth felt dry seeing his fiancee.

Panaro stepped down the aisle, Crawford escorting him to his right. The Broadway man was glad the older Merik agreed to walk him down the aisle, his leg's trembled as if made of gelatin seeing his fiancee awaiting him.

Behind the two Soot-with the care of Meghan-trotted happily with a basket of rose petals in his mouth. Gustave beside the canine and his mother happily tossing a few out of the basket by small handfuls.

Arriving at the alter, Crawford shook hands with Karimloo, giving Panaro away to the West End man. Patting Panaro on the back, the older Merik took his seat beside Sarah as did Meghan and Gustave.

"Kari..." Panaro breathed. The West End Merik always looked dashing in his eyes, especially today.

Gerik was not the only one calling in favors as after some negotiating, Kerik agreed and had made a call back to an old acquaintance in Rouen. After all, an ordained minister was required to complete the two men tying the knot.

Father Mansart cleared his throat.

"Gentlemen, ladies we are gathered on this evening. To bring together in a holy matrimony before God, these two men that stand before you." The greying priest turned to the Meriks'. "I'm to understand you've written vows for each other?"

"We have," Karimloo said. He gave a glance to Wilkinson whom signaled Lerik.

The mute nodded, playing the familiar solo all Meriks' knew by heart.

"Something old," The West End Merik smirked at the familiarity of Music of the Night.

As if on cue, Mr. Y stepped forward with a fancy black gold box in hand.

Opening it before the two gentlemen revealing two twin gold bands with a series of hand crafted weaving etched into them, and a small onyx stone stamped into each ring.

"Something new," Panaro spoke softly placing one of the rings on Karimloo's bare ringfinger.

"Something borrowed," Karimloo responded, nodding to his counterpart wearing a cravat around his neck.

Panaro chuckled, pulling on the matching cravat Karimloo wore in place of his bowtie as well.

"You're welcome," Y whispered with a smile before rejoining Wilkinson and Fraser. After he had gone through plenty of cravats after giving so many away, what was two more?

Removing two flowers from his lapel, the Broadway Merik placed one in his own lapel, and the other in Karimloo's. While the groomsmen wore red roses in theirs the two betrothed were a sapphire color that seemed to shimmer in the chandelier's vibrant light.

"And something blue,"

"Kari..." Panaro cleared his throat. "Our time in the house, our time together has made me feel whole where I felt lost and alone once upon a time down in the catacombs. Even through the bad, we still made it, and I want us to continue making it together. And just that anywhere you go, I just ask of you that you let me go too."

Karimloo had to hold back the tears, already feeling his eyes grow watery.

"I remember a time when I was was angry and wanted nothing more than to be left alone. I'd felt abandoned and forgotten. Since then everyone in this house has paved the way to me seeing more out of my existence. But you... Pan, you just give me more and make me question what I thought I knew I needed. I was wrong in what I had said years passed. It is not my Christine, but you Monsieur that can make my song take flight."

The masked men clasped hand in hand, recited after Father Mansart in christening they would take the other as their wedded husband.

"And if anyone at all should address why these two should not be wed together, let them please speak now or forever hold your peace." The holy man addressed the crowd.

"I swear if Gerik comes bursting through that door." Panaro grumbled.

"Shh," Karimloo softly chuckled.

Feeling successful with no immediate answer, Father Mansart smiled upon the two men.

"Then by the power invested with me, I pronounce the two of you married." Closing his book with a friendly shrug addressing either man. "I suppose either of you may kiss your husband."

And with a kiss sealed the Meriks' newly sealed marriage.

FINALLY right? And as always:

-The cowboy bar discussion is based off another instastory of Bronson Norris Murphy’s where he’s seen dancing in a cowboy hat-and possibly spurs on his shoes-still dressed as Mr. Y

-Gerik having padding in his pants is reference to the very real fact that during the 2004 movie Joel Shumacher (likely or possibly even Webber) had Gerard Butler wear padding around his buttocks-which you can see very clearly during final lair.

-Lerik being described as more universal is an obvious reference to Lon Chaney’s being considered to be the Universal Studios movie monster Phantom-even though Universal always advertises Claude Rains Phantom over Lon Chaney

-Unlike most of the PotO movies, the 2004 version did have a theatrical run when it came out.

-The rest of the restaged Phantoms are here! Described among a few are Quentin Oliver Lee’s, Mark Campbell, Cooper Grodin, and Chris Mann. There are several other actors and understudies but these are the new Phantoms mentioned in this scene. Crawford saddling them with Gerik is due to how similar and how the the restaged show has more parallels to the 2004 movie as oppose to the West End and Broadway original versions.

-In real life the actual Ramin has a plant named Robyn

-For those who haven’t read Susan Kay, Father Mansart is a priest whom baptized Kerik as an infant and also taught him many things like writing, reading, and eventually architecture as a child.

#Erik house AU #erik house #erikcest #panarimloo #gerik #merik #lerik #leroux

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