We all know the story of the masked, musical genius who lived beneath the Opera Garnier in Paris…or do we? What if his early life had been altered in one dramatic way? Or his meeting with Christine had come about differently? And what might happen when his past and present come crashing together in the most unexpected of ways?

Erik and Christine are happily married but what happens when the family is starting to grow when Erik did not ever want to father a child, least one which inherits his facial deformity? Leroux-based, super long family story. The cover art is by my dear friend and awesome artist @staminaoverlook on Tumblr.

"Take me to the Opera" - Erik told the driver after he left the Persian's apartment after his confession to the Daroga. But what happens next? What happens in those three weeks until L'Époque" publishes the message "Erik is dead." How could the story continue? Leroux based AU, prequel to Devil's Little Face.

One-shot rewritten as a full story. Months after the disaster at the opera, a fire breaks out in an old apartment building. The Phantom is left with a horribly burned Christine to care for in more ways than one.

What happens when a cursed totem brings four Eriks together... And What happens when things from the past do not stay where they belong. (Erikcest, dark content, e/c, pharoga)

What if all the adaptations of Erik existed at the same time? And what if someone took all of these Phantoms and threw them into one big house together? From Leroux to Chaney to ALW to even LND here's what happens. Multiverse fic. Includes E/C AND E/E shipping

Christine wants to look at the stars, but Meg wants to look at something else. - (megstine, sorta. originally posted on tumblr @sparklyerik)

Memories retain both pleasure and pain, even for a mirage. [A series of memories from Erika's past as requested by readers of 'The Mirage of the Opera (A Gender-Bent Retelling)' on Tumblr and elsewhere.] *All memories are canonic with my Retelling!Verse*

When Christine and Erik first met, a timer appeared on their wrist counting down to the moment they would lose each other. Now they lie in bed beside each other, and there is only a week left

In Persia, Nadir tends to a gravely injured Erik, and remembers and worries and prays. Erik drifts caught between the worlds of waking and unconsciousness.

In which the Phantom is conflicted between anxiety and pride, and attends a masquerade. (genderbent!au character study)

The picnic scene as it should have gone. Based on the Yeston/Kopit mini-series staring Charles Dance and Teri Polo.

Erik and Christine go to a masquerade ball together. Although it goes well, it's a rather overwhelming situation for Erik, and when they get home it takes him a little time and help to collect himself. Fluffy emotional hurt/comfort. E/C. Oneshot.

The women of Paris are legendarily beautiful, with the exception of Erika - whose deformed facial features have condemned her to a life in the cellars of an opera house. From within the walls of the opera, the musically proficient Erika finds a pupil in Christian - a promising young tenor. What can happen when a beautiful mirage becomes a frightening reality? Rated T for themes.

Erik's nightmare's cloud his sense of reality. E/C fluffy comfort

Christine convinces Erik to go for a walk in the park with her one afternoon. E/C

Christine is snowed inside one morning and pays Erik a visit, a little bit fluffy. Elements of Leroux and ALW

After Erik let's Christine and Raoul go to live their lives together, the Opera Ghost continues to watch over her and their new family. Fair warning, very sappy oneshot. Set after the musical.

When a kidnapping leaves Raoul with a case of hypothermia, Christine forces the Phantom to take responsibility for his actions. Oneshot, E/C/R.

Erik wants the daroga to stop meddling. The daroga wants Erik to stop pushing him away. Oneshot, Pharoga.

A visit to Caesar and a conversation with an old friend gives Christine a method to help ease Erik's pain. E/C, complete. Please read and review.

In 1880 Paris, a man returns to reclaim the Opera as his sanctuary. Set before Red Rose and A Second Chance, and the ALW stage play. E/C, complete.

11-12 year old adolescant Erik loses the only beautiful thing in him. Leroux - based prequel oneshot.

A crossover with "The Man Who Laughs" by Victor Hugo. After saving a fellow disfigured soul from drowning, Erik finds himself ensnared in a conflict which threatens to tear his new-found friend from his true love, a blind girl.

What if the Opera Ghost has a different identity?

Christine nurses her daughter, and considers her face.

Leroux based prequel oneshot about Erik's first visit at a doctor's office.

Gone, but not forgotten; Joseph Buquet knew the difference between stagecraft and the supernatural, but when he went after the intruder he had no idea what he was up against. Movieverse.

In the dead of night, a man lingers in the shadows and waits for his death to unfold. Based on a Tumblr Prompt.

Based on a tumblr prompt of "Stop telling me you're okay." Christine struggles to reach her husband with his mind and heart filled with gray and sadness. One shot that may turn into a multi chapter short series.

Based on a Tumblr Prompt of "I heard you scream. Nightmares again?". E/C, takes place between rehearsals for Christine. Erik and Christine also have an established, yet secret, relationship.

One-shot inspired by two posts from the Tumblr askthephantom-blog-blog. Christine comes back to Erik with a tearful secret. Will he still accept her?

Christine and Erick have been married for awile. Christine helps him get through one of his nightmares. One-shot. Please read and review. If you want me to write more stories PLEASE PLEASE write so in your review. If you read this story please leave a revew, good or bad. Also, if you have a plot you want me to write about please write me your ideas. :) Thanks for reading.

He is not who they think he is, a muddle of stories and lies, wrapped in an opera cloak and mask that are not his own but could be. But Charles de Chagny, all of 22 years old, craves to be closer to that past which is out of his reach. (Post Kay canon)

Christine contemplates Erik, and the nature of his laugh.

A oneshot based on the 1990 Yeston/Kopit phantom. Alternate picnic unmasking scene. What if Christine doesn't faint when she sees Erik's face? Some liberties taken with Erik's appearance, since we never actually see his face in this version. I don't own the cover image!

To which Erik looks at the face that has haunted him his entire life. Christine mentioned; EC implied.

October 9, 1986. After so much planning and preparing opening night is finally upon them, and finally it is time for a man to take up the masked mantle. Time for the Phantom's opera to begin. (Original London Cast drabble)

Christine returns home late, and Erik is predictably in a fine state about it. One-shot, humor and romance, complete. Please read and review.

The Daroga, and Erik, and a lifetime of falling together and falling apart.

She knows the cold weather is making Erik suffer, and she also knows her husband's pride refuses to let him admit that, and so Christine must take matters into her own hands.

Erik and Christine are blessed by the arrival of a healthy daughter soon after their marriage. However, when Erik realizes that his child bears a disturbing resemblance to his mother…his mind can't help but see a ghost. His painful memories are now before him, wrapped in flesh and blood. His flesh and blood. *One-shot*

Rain, a music lesson, an injury. Each has the chance to care for the other. Part of the Night Encounters Series. E/C, complete.

Modern. Technically a sequel to "Chandelier" but it's AU and not canon. Nadir is mourning his wife during yet another anniversary of her death. Erik and Christine help cheer him up.

A small oneshot of E/C fluff. Leroux based.

Their first Noël together brings surprises for Erik. Set a few months after Second Chance. Complete, one-shot, humor and sweetness. Please read and review :) Merry Christmas, everyone!

Kay-verse One-Shot, Pharoga. Prompt from Tumblr user unabashedgentlemenpirate located in author's note. Summary: Mazanderan, 1850. Erik is attacked, his mask ripped from his face. Nadir has never seen the monstrosity underneath - and desperately, a heartsick Erik hopes that he never will, fearing the price he will pay if that terrible fate should ever come to pass.

Modern One-Shot, innocently implied E/C, Raoul-friendly. Prompt from anonymous Tumblr user, abbreviated: "Highschool AU. Erik is in the theatre but never performs. There's the school musical and Christine and Raoul have the leads, but Erik has to dub over Raoul's singing. Erik has a crush on Christine from day one. Full summary inside.

Christine and Erik have not been married long when they start to notice each other's irritating habits.

Erik and Christine have been married for two months, and Erik is refusing all physical contact with her. Rated T. Cliche. Fluff. Angst. E/C. COMPLETE.

Many years have passed since the scorpion was turned. Erik didn't die, but decided to travel and search for disfigured geniuses, who could become his successors. Marguerite Firmin is to find out if there's more than one Phantom lurking beneath the Opera House... A lot of OC. Mainly based on the book, with elements from the musical. Rated M for later chapters.

He goes to every trouble to ensure that her birthday is special. And it is, but not just for the reasons he thinks.

Erik has finally died. Yet, it does not seem that Fate is done with him. In the Great Beyond, he meets Gwynplaine, a man with a visage like himself on the outside but with a pure soul. Phantom of the Opera x L'Homme Qui Rit. Might continue depending on time/interest. Possible expansion to include other stories.

Erik's reaction to the news of Christine being pregnant.

A re-telling of what happened when Christine removed the Phantom's mask. It needed more fluff.

Erik becomes late for Christine's voice lesson one night. Much to his dismay, he finds her asleep in front of her mirror. But maybe, there's an advantage to being late for this lesson. *One-Shot*

Gustave has become a troubled child after his mother's murder. After he gets into a physical fight at school, how will his father deal with him? LND-based. *One-Shot*

Christine promised Erik she wouldn't take her life after becoming his bride. She lied. Warning: Very, very dark. *One-Shot*

Meg shoots someone else. And it's not a mistake.

She was his angel of mercy. One-shot, E/C, complete. Thank you for reading!

Sometimes, Raoul's children remind him of himself and Christine. But mostly they are very much themselves. And a long walk on a hot day is not to everyone's taste... (Musical-based, fluff)

A snapshot depicting Erik waking next to Christine. His thoughts as Leroux Erik would have thought them. He was alive. Alive and in Heaven. He'd kissed her. Kissed her over and over. And she hadn't died. One-shot. Very, very short. But. So. Much. Fluff. So fluffy you are going to die (but be in Heaven). Super-DUPER Leroux

Erik wants to dictate a certain letter to Nadir for him to write. Things per usual, don't go as Erik planned. There's a lot of tears and and a happy end for all. one shot.

Erik has taught Christine how to throw her voice, and she finds the perfect opportunity to try out her new skill one night. Hilarity and sweetness ensue. E/C. One-shot. Very innocent and fluffy. Please R&R

A short, sweet fic inspired by a quote from Susan Kay's book, Phantom. Pairing: Erik/Raoul. Warning: MATURE ADULT CONTENT.

Christine is pushy. She pushes too hard for something from Raoul that he doesn't wish to give to her. The Phantom is encountered during this, and he, perhaps unexpectedly, chastises her for her behavior and rescues Raoul only to take him for his own. Warning: MATURE ADULT CONTENT.

She never stopped talking. Ever. It was exhausting... but at least he never had to guess what she was thinking. Females, in Erik's opinion, were notoriously difficult to read. EC family.

A small misunderstanding, a musing about future, a story of what could be and of a hairbrush with a depiction of a singing bird.

Christine is a severe burn victim, and Nadir forces Erik to take her in.

A night alone leads to the discovery of an ancient Persian oil lamp. Careful what you wish for...Leroux

If the Viscount isn't prepared to set his relationship with Christine Daaé on a more appropriate footing, then the Count will just have to do it for him... Much embarrassment ensues. Rated T for suggestive language and situations.

Christine bandages Erik's face after he uses her hands to scratch himself. Characters are not mine.

Erik decides to audition for "The Phantom of the Opera". Nadir has a few objections. Immortal/Modern Verse. Possible E/N, if you squint.

"Daroga, you must understand I spent decades believing it was the vilest of jokes, some sadistic way the universe had of telling me I would be alone forever... For who would ever say something like that, to Erik…" Leroux AU / Soulmate Tattoo AU. One-shot, complete.

One-shot for the 1990 TV Miniseries of Yeston/Kopit's version of Phantom of the Opera, starring Charles Dance and Teri Polo. This is an alternate ending to the picnic scene: She waited with baited breath for him to reveal his face to her. Her stomach twisting in anticipation and anxiety, and she inwardly prayed that nothing would go wrong...

Erik's mother did not know, nor did she care to consider, that what she did now would extinguish the joy from her son's golden eyes for many long years. Countless men would try to take his life, and one woman would take his heart. The world would torture him for a face that was not his fault and fear him for the sins that were, and it all began with the choice she made that day.

Erik was never able to escape from his gypsy captors. Ten years later, a violinist and his young daughter join the clan for the season.

(Critique Me) Ten years after the events of the opera, a tragedy befalls the de Chagny's with the murders of Raoul and Christine, forcing the long thought dead Phantom out from the shadows to avenge his beloved. With his only witness being the traumatized Charles left behind-his biological son-who wants nothing more than to forget. Erik is left struggling with what to do next.

This is a two-shot, Mainly Leroux, with sprinkles of Kay if you squint. Basis- what if the Shah, after Erik had built his one of a kind palace, gone through with his plan to put out Erik's yellow eyes instead of deciding it would be safer just to kill Erik. What if Erik hadn't escaped Persia before his sentence of blinding was carried out? How would his life character differ? AU

When Christine escapes the Opera in Raoul's waiting carriage, Erik kidnaps Raoul instead, hoping to find the girl- by any means necessary- before she escapes his grasp forever. They have a VERY dark encounter in the mirrored torture chamber. One shot, alternate ending to Leroux. M for violence and language.

Erik is the master assassin and genius architect for the Shah of Persia. He has everything he could want, money, fame, power…everything but the one thing he knows he can never have. Love. Erik's world is quickly turned upside down when, out of gratitude for his service, the Shah presents him with a gift… and that gift comes with a name. Christine Daae!

Christine helps Erik put the Opera Ghost to rest.

Did you know that there were four radically different endings proposed, written or filmed for this silent film? Join with me in this journey of one-shots which are intended to give you a taste of how this film could have ended. All of these are based on documented "alternate endings" authored by Universal's screenwriters.

Raoul thinks on the events of the past, his love for the phantom and his regret about how it all went down. He reflects on the love Christine and the Phantom share. Written in Raoul's point of view. One shot. Christine/Phantom and Phantom/Raoul

Raul knows Gustave cannot be his biological son but it doesn't matter. He's his son none the less

Raoul returns to the Phantom after Christine leaves, intending to scare him away from her but sees something that changes his opinion of the man. Slight Erik/Raoul, mainly only a hug though

Told in Erik's POV, a stolen pleasure and its inevitable guilt.

For reasons unknown, Erik is now an eight year old with no memory of the Opera house. Who better to babysit him while they figure this out than Raoul and Christine? dumb plot, cute story. R/C ErikRaoul friendship later

"My mother would never let me kiss her! She used to run away and throw me my mask!" But what if that was the only way to save the son she loved?

A young woman and her husband move into a small village not far from Rouen, where a widow and her masked child live in recluse. Can she repair the damage the woman has done to her son before it's too late? Rated T for incidences of child abuse and neglect

What happened after Raoul and Christine stumbled off camera in the Lon Chaney movie. What happened to Erik after he was thrown into the Siene? Book characters, 1925 movie ending. R&R!One-Shot

Let's Rewrite Our History Assumption #7: Raoul has no title, no money, and no other choice what with a sick mother to support. ErikRaoul slash. very lightly M only.

Is it possible to write realistic E/R slash? Can these two be kept in character and still have any kind of a relationship? Possibly, if enough distrust, madness, and revenge is added to the mix! But it probably won't end well...

Takes place after the events of the 1998 movie version. Christine begs for Raoul to take her back to the cave so she can say goodbye to her deceased lover, the Phantom. Raoul eventually agrees, and brings Christine back so she can say goodbye forever.

While Erik is out, Christine finds something. When he comes home, he discovers that he has lost something. This happens during Christine's stay in Erik's underground home. It's kinda fluffy I suppose. Flames, criticism, and compliments are all welcome :

Oneshot. A hideous beast of a man and a green skinned girl meet while running from those who hate and fear them. What will happen? Elphaba/Phantom. Warning: No happy ending.

"How lucky she was to have come to such a conclusion not a moment before she'd have snatched the mask off of his face!" A different take on the Leroux unmasking. Oneshot.

Erik catches Raoul. Established Relationship

*Updated Summary* "Her eyes widened with horror and she sank to her knees sobbing. Over and over she cried up to me, "What did you do? What have you DONE?" And alas, as brilliant as my mind may be, I drew a blank as to why she reacted so." Leroux Erik

Madame, that child is injured. Let me look at her." Twenty-six years later, a slip of the foot leads to a chance meeting, which leads to a slip of the tongue... Post-Kay OneShot

The characters of the Phantom of the Opera find themselves in the foyer of the Adelphi Theatre to watch an exclusive performance of PotO's new sequel, Love Never Dies. Find out how the original characters REALLY feel about the sequel...

ErikRaoul slash. Raoul decides to give up both Christine and Erik, but things don’t end up the way he expects.

Leroux based. Christine just wants a little company, and Erik does, too. Just a little one-shot. Please Review!

One member of the love triangle has provided a special Christmas present for another. Will they like it, or will things take a turn for the worst?

The Phantom doesn't own Christine. Carlotta does, whether Christine likes it or not. Carlotta/Christine Dub-con

The Phantom finds out that his life isn't so bad after all. (2004 movie)

ErikRaoul slash. Erik’s beginning to think that Raoul chooses to misunderstand the situation.

What happens when a masked stranger appears suddenly in Arthur Kopit's room just when he's suffering from a severe writer's block? The answer is - a most bizzare co-operation. Based mostly on the Charles Dance version.

Based on the Robert Englund movie. A man known even to himself only as the Persian tells Erik Destler's history in a manner rather different than that of the Inspector.

Deformed boy meets girl. Naturally, they fall in love. But all is not as it seems...

Raoul and Erik are not the men they once were. But the same woman still ties them together. Written for tkp on the Masked Ball livejournal community.

He never wanted it. Them. He never wanted one… much less two of them. It wasn’t fair, Erik decided. He had only just gotten Christine all to himself and now… this.

A modern day short story. If Erik really did live in modern times, and was wealthy, would he choose to "fix" his face?

"This would all end tonight, I had decided-one way or another." A fill-in scene for ALW, between Down Once More and the Final Lair.

And sometimes... he gives me this look... like he's been hit with something painful.

There are many times when a girl just wants her mother... but when the nightmares come, it’s always me she calls for.

Kay-verse Phantom; Tells the story of the little harem girl sent to Erik and all she had to go through for this "privilege."

“And I listened ... and stayed!...That night, we did not exchange another word. He sang me to sleep." A fill in for Leroux, during Christine's first night in the house on the lake.

Erik brings Christine to his home below the Opera for the first time, and tells her of his plans for their life together. Oneshot, a songfic inspired by the non ALW musical starring David Staller.

EC, Raoul friendly, Christine in the torture chamber 6 months after the performance of Don Juan, will Erik find her in time? And what if he does? Rated M for later chapters. *complete*

Erik takes Christine down to his domain for the first time, and illusions are built and dissolved in one.

The night after Don Juan, Erik loses something very close to him... Raoul tries to help. Summary sounds slashy, but it's not unless you want it to be

Based off the Charles Dance TV miniseries. A oneshot with a younger, naive Erik.

It had nearly killed her but, if she was forced to be perfectly honest, it was not like the torture she had imagined. Lighter oneshot.

I always thought that Erik probably didn't tell the whole story of his last meeting with Christine to the daroga. Why should he? I wouldn't have. Based on Leroux with perhaps a few very minor artistic liberties taken. Sweet,but hopefully never just fluff.

What would have happened if, instead of Christine, Raoul had the ultimatum?　What if he had both his and Christine's lives in his hands? RC multiple character deaths. I don't own any POTO, sadly

A small drabble how Erik's wife first saw what Erik is hiding behind his mask.

Os últimos momentos de um homem, de um anjo, de um Fantasma. Eternamente Erik.

Madeline reflects on her feelings for her only child and fantasizes about life with her little boy, her Erik. Kaybased.

Kay Erik became really sad and angsty when Christine wanted him to kill a spider. How will Leroux Erik react in a similar situation? Just a bit of humor : Helps to have read Kay.

Christine is gifted to Erik as a reward for his skills in the royal court. As time passes, they realize how much they need each other. Rated for language and sexual content.

As a present to Christine, Erik reveals his special 'mask' of normalcy earlier in the story. Shameless EC Holiday Fluff. Primarily Kay and Leroux. Complete.

Kay based. What if Erik and Madeline had met one last time? AU of course. ONE SHOT. Read and review, please. Contains spoilers for Kay book.

ErikRaoul series of vignettes... it's not slash though... not yet at least.

Erik's gets a surprise visit from a very unlikely person.

Based on the Kopit and Yeston Phantom film, that stars Charles Dance and Teri Polo. Picks up when Christine faints after seeing Erik's face. It's mostly fluff, but a tiny bit of plot has crept in. The fluff, though, remains its raison d'etre. COMPLETE.

Set moments after the fairground scene. Young Gerik and young Giry have a long, slightly depressing but poignantly amusing talk.

The second descent. Christine puts on the wedding dress... Slightly AU, but only for one small detail. Let's see if anyone can guess what it is!

The opera ghost really existed. But he was hardly an isolated phenomenon. Another one shot.

He always dreamed that someday she would ask him to take off the mask...

Short oneshot, kinda Leroux based mostly out of my imagination. EC but no dead Raoul, just a snarky one

Christine asks Erik to go for a walk in the moonlight. Erik has an attack and naturally things go downhill from there. On the upside, Christine realizes a few things.

Now that Christine has unmasked him, Erik must face his own image and the truth he never knew. An excerpt from the story found in "Phantom Variations: Tales From the World of the Opera Ghost"

AU Erik, a highwayman, takes up resident at a tavern and falls in love with the owner's daughter, Christine. Meanwhile, the King's men search for him, until one night a disguised red coat discovers the elusive highwayman. Inspired by Loreena McKinnet's Hi

Kay based one shot. Erik is searching for his angel when he overhears an interesting conversation...

The Khanum finally gets her greatest desire, and Erik lives out a horrible nightmare. ErikxKhanum darkfic. Rated for dark and mature themes! Oneshot. I'm pretty sure this constitutes a tragedy.

Erik asks Christine to be his bride...and her answer isn't what he expected. Completly Kay based. AU, oneshot.

It's their wedding night and Christine is nervous. But the morning holds a special treat for the newlywed couple. OneShot. EC Morbid.

Based on the Robert Englund film. Picks up right at the end, as the credits roll. What happens when Christine hears the street violinist playing Don Juan Triumphant? Warning: this one is fluffy. If you hate the idea of Englund fluff, skip it. COMPLETE.

The Phantom is still alive... even 20 years after his death. Oneshot. Romance genre is because there is a different sort of love mentioned here, not a lovers' sort.

Kay based, but also ALW & Leroux friendly After overhearing Christine on the rooftop, what if, instead of embracing madness and destruction, Erik had decided suicide was the better route? ONESHOT. ECish.

With a broken heart and a throbbing hangover, Erik wakes to find himself in a highly unprecedented and alarming situation. A short, dark story.

Erik and Christine are expecting their first child, but at a terrible price. Dark!fic

Oneshot. What if the Persian did not help Erik leave Persia after the palace of tricks was completed? And who is this mysterious woman? My submission to the second PFN morbidity writing contest.

Will your child be a scarred gargoyle like yourself? And will your lovely wife hate it as your mother hated you Oneshot. Highly rated PG mostly for the angst. EC

a oneshot from the PFN morbid writing contest. What if Erik had a little less self control around our virtuous Christine and her lovely dressing gown?

FLUFF ALERT! Christine descovers just how beautiful Erik's hands are. R&R please

Based on Kay's novel. A missing moment describing the real reason Erik fled the Gypsy camp with the intention to poison himself. And my firstever FanFic to boot! w00t

SKMarie Perrault removes the glass from Erik's hands after the infamous birthday scene and overhears something of a secret wish. MARIE POV

... And his life is over! Raoul has a change of heart as he poles his beloved across that godforsaken lake. Oneshot.

COMPLETED: How hungry would a woman have to be to accept my money in exchange for her services? Erik has a late-night encounter that will change his views on life forever. Rated for language and for adult topics...

In Susan Kay's Phantom, the shah presented Erik with the gift of a wife but when she shrank from his touch, he refused to keep her. What would have happened, though, had she been willing to fulfill her duty? [AU Kayverse.]

A short one-shot of Erik's POV as he gives Christine her choice. This is a bit dark, but I think realistic. It is my first attempt at this fandom. I would appreciate your reviews. Please check out my other work at: natasha.dropdeadred.net

Erik and Christine have married. So where do they sleep? And what about the Coffin? Short and sweet sequel to "Love Comes To Those Who Believe"

The Management is stressed out. Slash, meticulously bookbased, and very short.

Spiral is set immediately after A Walk in the Bois, and is a very short follow-up to that story. Please read and review.

A nightmare leaves Erik unable to sleep. This is the second in the continuing series of Night Encounters, and is reposted after being removed by FFN. Please read and review.

What begins as a pleasant evening out leaves Christine mildly injured. This is the latest in the Night Encounters series, and is another Red Rose "prequel." Please read and review.

Erik and Nadir Khan meet again in Paris, in an unexpected manner. Part of a new series of "Night Encounters", darker than my usual offerings. Please read and review.