"Father's" Day bandwagon, also icons and musings

[theoperaghost]

So very kind of you to finally give me icons with which to express myself. I dare say if that kind woman had not sent you some, you would have never had the motivation. And please, spare me your excuses - "proper schooling" is not really all that "proper". Stifling the imagination and morbid curiosity in favor of creating more like-minded simpletons hardly seems like an ideal practice. And you have stated yourself, "in this economy, it's unlikely I'll even get a job". Why do you pour money, then, into something which will give you nothing in return for your investment? Curious.

...

I am growing tired of your jokes about "posting" with me on Father's Day. This day does not exist in my time and will not for several decades. As for Christine Daaé, and I am her teacher, not her father. A father figure perhaps, but, that is of little import.

...

You are honestly beginning to make me regret granting you my Voice. I am not certain creating another account for me would be wise, seeing as how you have blurred many of the lines between the movie adaption and the book, as it is. There cannot be two Angels of Music.

Comments

[theoperaghost]

Interesting... [He places his fingers together, his curiosity getting the better of him.] I should very much like to know how this is possible. Though I suppose, as you believe it is magic, you wouldn't have the faintest clue.

[cassie_of_troy]

They call it a "wand." Some sort of wooden...device. It channels power. Whether this power is innate to the wielder or not, I cannot say.

[A pause.]

Social convention dictates I should ask you for your name at this point in a conversation.

[theoperaghost]

Yes, I am aware of what a wand is... it simply has not, to my knowledge, actually granted power one way or another. However, my mun seems familiar with this "Severus" fellow.

I go by many names - the Phantom, the Opera Ghost, the Angel of Music.

[cassie_of_troy]

[And line-face]

The Phantom. The Opera Ghost. The Angel of Music.

Tell me, do all names in your homeland begin with the word "the?"

[theoperaghost]

All the names given to me by others seem to be, though I will admit "Angel of Music" is my own.

You may address me as Erik, if you prefer.

[cassie_of_troy]

Rather easier to say, I think.

[theoperaghost]

Perhaps, but the common masses are less inclined to take you seriously without some title. Besides, the residents of the Opéra Populaire dubbed me The Phantom and the Opera Ghost. I simply use these for convenience sake.

[cassie_of_troy]

I see.

I am sometimes called by a title as well. "Priam's Lunatic Daughter."

[theoperaghost]

Lunacy, like a given title, is quite relative in my estimation, mademoiselle. If you notice, I am not an apparition as my titles would claim.

[cassie_of_troy]

I did notice.

[theoperaghost]

Then by my example, titles do not always have merit. Madness or lack thereof... it is much the same gesture.

[cassie_of_troy]

Yes. But it's far better to be remembered than forgotten.

Is it not?

[theoperaghost]

People will be forgotten in time, as I wish to be forgotten; but legacies will last far longer. Perhaps forever.

[cassie_of_troy]

That is the heroic code. Since mortality is the human condition, it is best to live gloriously, so that one's legacy lives on.

At least for me. For women, it is always best not to be spoken of.

Or so they tell me.

[theoperaghost]

My life is not worth glory. But my art, my music... that is what I wish to leave behind.

There are many other women in history that are still spoken of today. What these fools tell you is not always true.

[cassie_of_troy]

Music? What sort of music?

[theoperaghost]

I mostly compose operas. I suppose you know of "tragedies", mademoiselle? The music I write is for them. I can also sing, though I do prefer writing music to performing it.

[cassie_of_troy]

I see.

I'm afraid I know nothing of "opera."

[theoperaghost]

It is a theatrical work which is wholly sung; an operetta is one that is mostly sung, with some spoken parts. What I am sure you are familiar with is a Greek play, that is, what opera is derived from. Opera is a revival of the old Greek tradition, in effect.

[cassie_of_troy]

If it's Greek, I doubt I'll care for it much.

[theoperaghost]

But you are aware of the tradition, yes? And I have no doubt that Troy did, at least, have some form of music.

[cassie_of_troy]

Oh, we have music. Hymns, for the most part.

I only know the dirty versions.

[theoperaghost]

Operas can be just as bawdy and scandalous, I assure you.

[cassie_of_troy]

I shall sleep easier tonight knowing it.

We've nothing like that in Bete Noire. Although there's a weekly radio broadcast.

[theoperaghost]

"Radio broadcast"?

[Radio wasn't invented until a few decades later from his time.]