This story has also been posted on my tumblr page .com and will be updated both here as well as tumblr. Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the preview image used for this fic, the following photo belongs to Chrissyissypoo19 on deviantART.

I also do not own PoTO, or any other adaptations of Phantom.

It was an average, peaceful day of bliss in the busy, bustling city of Paris. And in the large house just on the outskirts off the city of lights, there was also busy bustling around.

The very spacious parlour room was filled with several very curious, disgruntled, and somewhat confused men. Three of the six sofas were occupied by many similarly dressed men, all of which wore white half masks on their faces and short dark hair slicked back.

On an opposing sofa was a man dressed head to toe in all black, his brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, the signs of scarring exposed despite holding a scarf protectively over the majority of his face. The one sitting adjacent to him wore a skin tight black suit, and a large silver helmet on his head. To his right a younger man with red hair, and mask concealing all but a mouthpiece. His hands clasped uncomfortably in his lap as his gaze darted about the room.

Another man walked in to the parlour, his state of dress quite immaculate in a dark aristocratic suit. Like the crowd of white masked men, the newcomer had a half mask though not as large as theirs.

Looking around the room, seeing the other seats already taken, he walked over as they chatted amongst themselves.

"Is this seat taken?" He asked as suddenly the Meriks conversation died upon his presence.

Some stared, others glared, and a few chose to simply ignore Gerik.

"Sorry, it's taken" Panaro scowled draping his legs over the unaccompanied spot.

Sensing he was unwanted Gerik decided wisely to back away and take a spot by the wall near the entryway. Gerik turned to his left, noticing a tall man clothed in black, propping a foot against the wall, his hands clasped together. He wore a small cap on his head and had on a mask that concealed his whole face, his dark eyes being the only distinguishing feature.

Suddenly a door fell open with a slam, silencing all conversation. Coming up the stairs, a lone figure entered the parlour. He wore a full black mask over his face, golden eyes scanning the room of gentlemen. His suit was simple yet elegant. Taking a seat in an armchair, after shooing away an estranged long haired man from the seat, he cleared his throat.

"Good evening monsieurs," Erik addressed them, "Now I-"

He was interrupted as one last man entered the room with haste.

"A thousand apologies for my lateness," He mumbled, and took a seat beside Panaro whom removed his feet from the vacant spot.

"Thanks," Kerik smirked, the Merik either unaware or ignoring his gaze.

"As. I. Was. Saying." Erik scowled from behind his mask. "I understand this is going to be a strange arrangement. And I understand not all of us will get along. But you ALL will see to it that order stays within this house."

Raising a hand, indicating to the Meriks.

"As you lot are already aware, thanks to Monsieur Lloyd Webber there are too many of you to confide to a few rooms. So naturally the second floor is yours to organize as you must between yourselves."

"Already being taken care of Monsieur Fantome," Crawford assured, Karimloo and Panaro also nodding in agreement.

"See that it is." Erik advised, "I also expect to be undisturbed. Which means my chambers. Off. Limits."

Standing after his brief speech he made his leave, but just before departing into the basement snapped his head back.

"And YOU!" Pointing a long bony finger at Jerik, "Keep those vermin out or you stay out."

Jerik mumbled something along the lines of "my rats" whilst clutching said furry creature to his chest protectively.

Erik scoffed, disgusted this man shared any connection with his character. Taking his leave, he shut the door behind him as the others heard the footsteps fade.

All at once they scattered.

"Must keep them safe. Keep he rats safe," Jerik mumbled nervously running off with haste.

"What in Faust's name is his problem?" Destler asked adjusting the scarf over his face. "I thought I was suppose to be the grotesque one."

Cherik fidgeted uncomfortably and scooted away from Destler to go up to his room. It was not his dreamery, but the redhead would make do.

The Meriks stood and herded up the stairwell.

"I say! No pushing gentlemen!" Crawford shouted. "And before you all disperse we need to have a little meeting of our own!"

The horde of black suited men finally leaving the stairs vacant, Gerik sighed staring up at them. While the Meriks had the entire second floor. He was up on the third floor with the likes of Jerik-whom likely wouldn't bother using the room if his rats were barred entry-and another vacant but reserved room. It was a mystery as to who it was for as he had thought everyone had already arrived at the house. Cherik, Lerik, Winslow, and Destler were located on the main floor, just a hallway down from the parlour. Destler had seem to vanish from where he was just sitting, the others imagined the scarred man would be as recluse as Erik and thought it best to stay out of his way. The other three men scuttled to their respective lodgings.

One floor above the Meriks were all gathered in a room similar to the parlour downstairs, all of them scrutinising the layout.

"Need to cover those windows."

"More candelabras"

"I suppose your going to ask for a fog machine too, right?"

"Why ever not?!"

All the sudden the men turned hearing a sharp whistle.

Panaro took his fingers away from his lips, successful in grabbing their attention.

"Much obliged," Crawford nodded to Panaro. "Now I know we all heard Monsieur Fantome's speech just a moment ago so we will keep this brief."

Turning to Karimloo, giving the fellow Phantom the floor.

"The three of us have set up a layout for where all of us stand on this floor. And yes, this room is rather eccentric for my taste as well."

"That sounds splendid!" Lewis chirped in, "Even the manager's office wasn't as stuffy as this"

"Quite," Jones agreed.

"One question monsieurs. What is HE doing here?" Warlow asked, pointing an accusing finger. The man whom he questioned stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the others. For one he wore a larger metallic mask over his face of peculiar design. And while some of the Meriks adorned fedoras and sequined capes, this mans was overly large and had an inner red liner.

"What?" Harley questioned.

"You weren't even in the show!" Panaro scowled

"I almost was," He defended, scowling at Crawford whom didn't seem to comprehend the vengeful look. "I feel I have a right to be here."

"Yes. And no." Suddenly the Meriks turned, seeing Erik standing in the doorway. "I failed to notice you skulk in earlier which is why I am here now."

"W-What do you mean yes and no?" Harley asked. "I was all lined up for this role!"

"But things changed." Erik's golden eyes narrowed, "However, you still adorn the mask-albeit an obscure one. You may stay on the grounds. But not in this house."

"You don't expect me to bunk with the long haired twit currently wallowing in the trash outside?" Harley asked wide eyed.

"That is your predicament to figure out, not mine. This is the first and last time you shall see me up here gentlemen."

With that the black masked man took his leave, disappearing back downstairs.

This was going to be the start of a rather fascinating living arrangement.

Now to put this out here right away, several different Erik's will be mentioned including many from the ALW musical that will be addressed for the story's sake by the last name of their respective actor. However, this does not mean in anyway that it's the actor themselves being written about, only their Phantom persona, as each actor brings a different personality to the character. While some references to the actor's previous roles or little dabbles of their own personalities may be included this again just fictitious writing about their character in PotO not about the actors' themselves or their real lives.

A few footnotes:

-The story will include several different Erik's from the musical that will dubbed as 'Meriks'. A few mentioned here were Phantoms played by Michael Crawford, Ramin Karimloo, Hugh Panaro, John Owen Jones, Anthony Warlow and Norm Lewis. It won't be limited to these ones, bu just to name a few that will be reoccurring.

-Steve Harley was originally cast by ALW in 1986 to play the Phantom in the musical. However at the last minute Webber fired Harley and replaced him with Michael Crawford. Steve Harley only made it as far as being featured as the Phantom in a promotional music video alongside Sarah Brightman as Christine Daee.