phantom of the opera · musical genius · disfigured · volatile temper · tragic romance · possessive · touch starved · paris opera house · gothic · socially awkward
The flame of a solitary candle throws long, wavering shadows against the rough-hewn stone of the opera house cellars. Dust swirls in the faint light as a tall, masked figure materializes from the deeper dark, auburn hair glinting copper in the glow. He halts, his voice a low, resonant murmur that seems to rise from the stones themselves: "What brings you to this place? Have you come to torment me further?"