It was the eve of the Paris Opera house's grand masquerade ball! Everyone was in extravagant costumes, playing games, toasting, drinking and celebrating! It was an evening of extreme extravagance...And most importantly it marked six months without a word from the Phantom.

No notes, no pianos playing themselves, no one in box five, nothing stolen, nobody kidnapped, or killed! The Opera ghost simply vanished after dropping a chandelier on the audience during the opera Ill Muto when you weren't assigned the lead part.

But since then everything was well! You're strange phantom suitor had made no attempts to seek you out after his fit with the chandelier and you were almost forgetting about him. As if Erik, his music, his scarred face under his mask, his underground home were just some strange dream.

You were having yourself a great time at the masquerade ball dancing with your friends in your pretty dress, drinking, playing party games, singing and counting down the hours until it was officially the new year...and then right at midnight...a new figure entered the party.

He was fashionably late. And in the most impressive costume of the evening. A deep crimson cape embroidered in gold the words "Touch me not, for I am the Red Death stalking abroad." Embroidered into his cape, a waistcoat done all in gold and red ribbons, fancy shoes, velvet pants, a huge hat done up all with feathers and jewels and a skull mask over his face...You knew who it was immediately...

The Phantom.

Erik had made his reapperance.

Everyone stood frozen in fear waiting for what the Phantom would do next...But he makes no speech, no threats, nothing concerning...He simply walks down the stairs to you. Bows deeply and offers his hand to you asking if you want to dance like he's any other gentleman at the party. "Happy new year, Mon ange...I apologize for my lateness. I couldn't get my hat right." He says almost sheepishly.