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intothemertensverse · 7 days

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When You Are Old

by W.B. Yeats

When you are old and grey and full of sleep, And nodding by the fire, take down this book, And slowly read, and dream of the soft look Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep; How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty with love false or true, But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, And loved the sorrows of your changing face; And bending down beside the glowing bars, Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled And paced upon the mountains overhead And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

#Pilgrim Soul

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intothemertensverse · 17 days

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POTO Fics by Mertens

More than any other Phantom of the Opera fic writer, I find myself consuming Mertens’ works over and over for the pleasing writing style, the complex emotions, and the raw and realistic portrayals of Christines in particular. Mertens’ writing is how I also got into modern AUs!

I’ve never done any rec list for this fandom so let’s start with my fav fics from @intothemertensverse! (Hi there! Thank you!)

Gustave Daae’s Daughter: A disfigured man on the edges of society with a good heart, Erik has been Gustave Daae’s closest friend for years. When Gustave realizes his time is almost up after contracting an incurable disease, he leaves his two most prized possessions to his friend—his violin, and his daughter. In progress as of 01/09/2023. If you’re not reading this then honestly what do you actually do with all the hours of your life? Some big surprises in this one. Featuring Ayesha and also Angst with a capital A.

A Love There Is No Cure For from Sonnet 86: A fic of epic proportions but it can be read independently of the larger verse it’s in. Major Leroux influences, and follows the SLOW BURNING journey of how Christine’s grumpy old insecure teacher became the happiest man alive (including all the very awkward sex). Mertens’ masterpiece.

An Old Fashioned Love Song: After an incident results in Christine needing to fulfill community service, she volunteers at the local old folks home where a chance meeting with a resident will change both of their lives forever. Cranky 80-year-old disabled Erik? I love this little goblin so much. You will too.

Saved From Solitude: Feeling anxious and unable to sleep in his own house, Erik spends the night in Christine’s dressing room to get some much needed rest. He’s certain Christine will never find out—as long as he wakes up on time. Erik may seem tall, dark, and imposing, but he’s actually the sweetest sleepy old man with a cane. I want to tuck him into bed myself. Bonus total BAMF Christine!

Scuffle in Box Five: The Ghost had requested that Box Five be kept empty, but on the night of Mlle Daae’s first performance, Box Five is most certainly not empty. There is popcorn in this fic and it just makes it ten times funnier.

And Ask Me To Open Up The Gate For You: Christine Daae has tried every trick in the book to achieve the clear complexion she so desires, and all without result—every trick, that is, except for one. She can’t do it on her own, but perhaps her beloved Maestro will be able to lend his assistance in the matter. In progress as of 01/09/2023. This one is so innovative and different! POTO London Christine Alternate Holly Anne Hull’s Instagram Story had a callout for long-term acne solutions, and turns out a few people told her to go get pregnant to achieve clear skin :D

First Impressions: Erik takes Christine to his home and the cape flip goes awry. BLESS YOUR HEART ERIK!!!

Just Us Two: The day after the performance, Christine spends the day with her son, just like she promised. A beautiful, poignant continuation of Love Never Dies focused on mother and son.

Like Everyone Else: Mr. Y has cracked the code of blending in to society. At least, he thinks he has. LND-inspired crack. Just hysterical. Honestly how could anyone argue against Erik moving to New York, it’s plot-powering gold!

Mr. Y’s Christmas Surprise: Erik accidentally and inadvertently invents the ugly Christmas sweater. SEE COMMENTS ABOVE

Joyeuses Pâques (sans masque): Erik tries to celebrate Easter with his family on Coney Island—and what better way to celebrate than with a visit from the Easter Bunny? Guys just a reminder that Christine moved across the ocean to live with this guy, so.

My Three Eriks: Erik doesn’t actually speak in the third person. OR “What do you mean James Gant and James Hume aren’t the same person” Shit gets too real in the lair, and it’s laugh out loud funny.

The Nanny: College dropout Christine Dee lands what appears to be a dream job in taking care of a reclusive rich man’s seven year old boy. As she settles into her new life, however, she discovers a mysterious secret about her boss’s former wife that threatens to unravel everything. Modern AU. Definitely Gerik. Very relatable and insecure Christine. Very funny too. It’s a thrilling murder mystery and it’s very hard to stop reading once you start.

Baby Shark: Erik is haunted by a certain song his neighbor is playing. Modern AU. I thought this was going to be a crack!fic but I was profoundly moved by it. Both Erik and Christine are a hot mess. A very refreshing take!

Honolulu Sun: After two years of relative isolation during the pandemic, Christine is a little chattier than usual with a strange masked man in the grocery store. I’m more than a little bit obsessed with this one. Give me all the Gustave Sr./Erik bonding!!!

Boulevard of Broken Dreams: Wealthy Opera Populaire patron Raoul de Chagny has been kidnapped and the Opera managers have been receiving threatening letters regarding emerging star Christine Daaé. Private Investigators Erik and Antoinette have been called in to get to the bottom of what’s going on, which means they’ll have to be keeping a close eye on the safety of the young soprano. It really is a shame, then, that Erik seems to hate Christine who in turn seems horrified of Erik - but things aren’t always what they seem. Film Noir AU. Big sweeping fic. Angles that haven’t been explored before. And an Erik that deserves to be seen!

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intothemertensverse · 19 days

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fic planning be like:

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intothemertensverse · 22 days

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i dont hate you guys i swear i just have really shitty memory

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intothemertensverse · 24 days

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dreaming of you

#Ayesha’s Eyes #Ayesha

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intothemertensverse · 27 days

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My brain at all times:

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intothemertensverse · 27 days

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POTO Fluff Week 2024 Masterlist

Fanfiction

Garnier Manor by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

no less brittle then beautiful by winter_writes, rated T, E/C

The Artist by me, rated G, E/C

beyond words by @kotaka-kun, rated G, E/C

Things One Finds in the Shadows by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

The Ocean in a Siren's Eyes by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

Brass and Red Velvet by winter_writes, rated T, E/C

borrow your kitchen by @kotaka-kun, rated G, E/C

Automata by me, rated G, E/C

Illusion's Domain by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

Loneliness by me, rated G, pharoga

The Amazing Spider-friend by @intothemertensverse, rated G, E/C

care not by @kotaka-kun, rated T, E/C

The Rosy Hours by @nerdywriter36 and @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

An Angel's Confidante by @enigmawritesstuff, rated G, E/C

his duty as a knight by @kotaka-kun, rated G, E/R

I've Become Rather Fond of Fools by @nerdywriter36 and @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

her Erik by @kotaka-kun, rated G, E/C

Love Goes On and On by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

Differential by me, rated T, E/C

So Familiar a Gleam by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

the smell of blood by @kotaka-kun, rated T, E/C

What the Forest Hides by @nerdywriter36 and @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

Snow White Domino by winter_writes, rated T, E/C

The Tower by me, rated G, E/C

a sense of hope and joy by @kotaka-kun, rated T, gen

The Voice in the Stables by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

Trick and Treat by @thewanderingspacefish, rated M, E/C

Spirit Box by me, Rated T, E/C

Winged Victory by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

Fanart

Christine as American Girl's Caroline by @britishchick09

BG3-Inspired Sims by me

#So much good stuff!#recs

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intothemertensverse · 27 days

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POTO Fluff Week 2023

Not me realizing just now that I never did the masterlist for last year's event 😳 Anyways!

Fanfiction

A Place To Belong by @thewanderingspacefish, rated T, E/C

New Beginnings by me, rated G, E/C

An Evening of Interruptions by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

Dickens Novels and Double-Chocolate Muffins by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

halfway to a promise by winter_writes, rated G, E/C

Books: How do they work by StainedGlassTractor, NR, E/C

It Feels So Scary, Getting Old by me, rated G, Megstine

follow each other, neither behind by winter_writes, rated G, E/C

Frigid by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

A Weekend Holiday by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

every shade between yellow and black by winter_writes, rated G, E/C

Night Fairies by me, rated G, R/C

A Lesson in Catching Fireflies by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

A Child's Fascination by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

Test Flight by victorie_etoile, rated G, gen

Wind, Warmth, and Friends by winter_writes, rated G, E/C

Sweet Like Cinnamon by @intothemertensverse, rated T, E/C

Joy Ride by me, rated G, E/C

Rain and Redamancy by @nerdywriter36 and @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

When Evening Draws In by winter_writes, rated G, E/C

In Your Skin and Blood and Bone by me, rated G, E/C

The Symphony of our Hearts by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

All in the Golden Afternoon by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

At Rest on a Hillside by winter_writes, rated G, gen

On a Daily Basis by me, rated T, E/C

True Friends Are Great Riches by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

Namesake by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

Figuring Ourselves Out by winter_writes, rated G, E/C/R

Hope in the Darkness by me, rated T, E/C

All In the Name of Love by @nerdywriter36, rated G, E/C

Flirtations and First Dates by @brendadaaedestler, rated G, E/C

Fanart

Bedtime Stories by @mormymoe

Reading Before Bed by @britishchick09

Like Father, Like Son by @mormymoe

Perros Fun by @britishchick09

Bug Hunt by @mormymoe

Off-Duty by @mormymoe

#Recs

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intothemertensverse · 30 days

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Introducing: PotO Ace and Aro Week

What is it and why?

This will be a week dedicated to sharing and exploring headcanons, personal readings, artwork, meta, and writings about the topics of asexuality and aromanticism in The Phantom of the Opera universe. The goal is to celebrate and bring awareness to aro/ace readings and headcanons, and allow a place of positivity to be fostered for a topic that has not always been given the respect it deserves.

When is it?

September 15-21, 2024

Who can participate?

You do not need to be aro or ace to create something for this event—anyone can participate! However, if you are blocked from this blog for past continuous aphobia, your works will not be promoted on this blog or the masterlist. Use the hashtag "#poto ace and aro week 24" to find and boost your works!

What can I make?

You can make anything! Drawings in any media, mood boards, headcanon posts, meta posts, etc. Stories of any length, genre, style, rating, ship or lack thereof. As long as it fits the theme of exploring the idea of aromanticism, asexuality, or both, or any of the identities under those umbrellas, within the context of any adaption or version of The Phantom of the Opera, then it counts!

What are the rules?

Because this is an event meant to showcase our personal thoughts and feelings and opinions, please do not use ai for this event. If you have questions or need clarifications, please send an ask! If you already have something that you’ve created in the past that fits the theme, you can submit that too!

What’s ace? What’s Aro?

#Im hosting a phandom event!

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intothemertensverse · 1 month

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They must suffer. For the narrative.

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intothemertensverse · 1 month

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#baby shark au #erik

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intothemertensverse · 2 months

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That ask was probably really unhinged and meandering but that's me

and we love u for it 😌

#💞

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intothemertensverse · 2 months

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The difference between cottagecore and gremlincore is that cottagecore is flowers and coziness, while gremlincore is mushrooms and bugs and worms and dirt. Doesn't gremerik eat worms? I feel like he would have a collection of buttons and thumbtacks and sharp rocks. He doesn't feel like a comfy blanket guy to me. But then again, he does have that "nest" in Christine's closet and who knows what he has in there...

he eats those worms like spaghetti 😔 typically while making prolonged eye contact with Raoul, because he knows it weirds him out.

there’s probably blanket scraps in his nest, layered with rocks and thumbtacks and buttons. Probably a fair deal of dirt too, despite Raoul’s attempts to clean it out. Erik thinks it’s Cozy 🥲

#gremlin au #asks

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intothemertensverse · 2 months

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ooo 👀 the thing I’m currently working on is supposed to be a Surprise but I can share the WIP I was working on just before that!

Erik tried to offer her his cape once more, afraid for her comfort, but she merely smiled up at him, shaking her head.

“Granny Ginger’s drink kept me warm,” she said, then noted the brief flash of disappointment in his eyes. “Oh, but, I could always be warmer,” she quickly added, scooting closer to him and putting herself under his arm.

Erik said nothing, his shoulders stiff as he wondered at how his own face could possibly feel so warm in such a frozen land.

“Do you think all of these—these <i>trees</i>, were sent here by Philppe?” She asked in a hushed voice as she leaned a little closer to him.

“I would suppose,” Erik said casting a wary glance around them.

“What kind of a man could do that to someone?” She frowned.

“He is not a man,” he reminded her. “He is a wizard.”

She blinked, looking up at him.

“He’s still a man,” she insisted. “Aren’t you a man too?”

Erik opened his mouth to protest, but couldn’t find the words to argue. Was he? It was too much to think about.

“How are your shoes?” He asked instead.

🖋️ WIP Tag! 🖋️

Rules: Share the last few paragraphs you wrote!

I got tagged by two people for this actually so I'm gonna share two snippets here for fun LOL. This one is in response to the tags from @wednesdayandherhyde and @thelovelybookworm!

Here's a snippet from one of my Bad Things Happen Bingo fics (POTO obviously)!:

Raoul couldn't stop the tears from falling down his face. And it was no longer simply because he couldn't blink. The anger, the humiliation, it was too much. He hated it. He just wanted the torture to end. He had thought that the threats to his physical safety was horrible, but he was beginning to think that this humiliation was almost just as bad. “... Do you like it, vicomte?” The Phantom continued gleefully. “Do you like seeing what you have been reduced to? You are my little puppet now, my plaything. Where is the noble, heroic man who rushed into danger to save his beloved fiancé?” Raoul could feel a sob building in his throat, nearly choking him. He couldn't do anything to let it out except through more tears that streamed endlessly down his ridiculous face. He wanted out. He couldn't take this anymore. “… Where is he? Where is he?” The Phantom repeated. “That’s right. He is here, and he is now mine. And there is nothing you can do about it.”

(I think I might have posted this already before but I'm not sure, but I'll assume and hope you haven't seen this yet LOL)

And this is from my POTO Nutcracker AU fic!:

“So, really,” the nutcracker continued, laughing sheepishly. “I should be the one thanking you.” And he bowed low, placing his hat against his chest as he did so. Christine felt her ear tips turn red with pleasure. Then she looked around her. It seemed everything had magically become larger than her. “But… how is this possible?” Christine gasped, and the nutcracker looked around them as well. “Well, it seems you have shrunk,” the nutcracker said, sounding as confused as she was.

(LOL TALK ABOUT A WHIPLASH OF EMOTIONS. FLUFF/ROMANCE VS ANGST/WHUMP)

Tagging: @theragamuffininitiative @angel-with-paper-wings @brendadaaedestler @meilas @achillmango @acht-marin @nerdywriter36 @rose-red-ink @choasuqeen @catkin-morgs-kookaburralover and anyone else who wants to!

#Thanks for the tag!#nutcracker au

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intothemertensverse · 2 months

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A disfigured man on the edges of society with a good heart, Erik has been Gustave Daae’s closest friend for years. When Gustave realizes his time is almost up after contracting an incurable disease, he leaves his two most prized possessions to his friend—his violin, and his daughter. — read it on ao3 https://archiveofourown.org/works/34677895/chapters/86339104

#Reblogging because this just hit 690 kudos #🥰🥰🥰

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intothemertensverse · 2 months

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Tagged by @rainintheevening to describe my WIPs badly!!

no pressure tags: @nerdywriter36 @brendadaaedestler @rose-red-ink @dont-do-rice-babes @theragamuffininitiative

#Omg am I doing this right 😂#idk what happens when you vote on them tbh 🥲#this was fun!#thanks for the tag!

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intothemertensverse · 2 months

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ITS HIM 👀

Me, plunking Stinky Bastard Man’s carrier on the counter: hi he’s here for shots and a nail trim and he’ll need to be sedated

Nurse: Are you sure? We can try-

Me: he needs to be sedated

Nurse: Well, it’ll take longer-

Me: he needs to be sedated, he will try to rip your face off

Nurse: Well we’ll try without first and we’ll let you know if we need to sedate

Me, watching her carry him away: you will need to sedate him

Nurse, coming back 10 minutes later clutching her hand: so, we will need to sedate him

Me:

#gremlin au

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