cfiadw [ch. 1] [2/2]

[snowspring]

 "catching fire in a devil's whisper" revision commentary
chapter one, part two

currently listening to: "overture" - andrew lloyd webber
fic word count: 110,276

technically the overture would be playing during this scene if this was the musical lmao and anyway i just really fucking love the organ in it omfg and the violins hhhh

For part two of chapter one, oof let's just dive right in!  We left off on Chan accidentally cockblocking Jeonghan during his secret early morning meeting with his "angel", with the promise of a full day ahead of our boys...

[The spring air nipped at Soonyoung’s face as he stepped from the carriage, the only part of him that was cold because the rest of him was bundled up in his warmest clothing.]

Ahh Soonyoung.  I tried my best to keep to his irl personality as much as I could, but he did indeed get cast as the "grumpy" manager in this so...

[It stood tall and proud in the morning light, a marvelous beauty, really; the sun glinted off the bronze and gold statues that adorned the exterior and posed monumentally above the two men.]

If I remember correctly, I don't think I give the opera house a particular name in this fic; in the novel and in the movie, I believe, it's the Palais Garnier.  Leroux simply used the name and location of the opera house he knew best, the one he heard was haunted with ghosts and accidents.  Since in my fic the opera house is being torn down in the "present" day, I chose not to have it be the Palais Garnier, though of course it is based off of it.  I mean, look how beautiful it is!

hhhh how I would Love to visit Paris and the Palais Garnier but alas........ no moneys :(  anyway that's not the point back to the ficccc

[A new voice, a deeper one, replied and Soonyoung turned to see a tall, thin man in a black coat make his way over to them.  The loose threads on his ragged sleeves and the way he carried himself sort of jolted Soonyoung out of the majesty around them.  As did the man's smile; it didn’t reach his eyes, and seemed to haunt his angular face.]

Wonwoo........... WONWOO.  My favorite character in this entire fic.  The last time I wrote him he [redacted] and so to come back here, to be reminded of how sad and tormented he was at the start, how he'd been like that for years and years... ow :(((

I mean just look at him.... with that curly hair and his glasses and just thinking about how sad and haunted he is, everything he goes through, everything he does... :(((

[He looked to the stage and saw a portion of the company gathered around a costumed man who looked, to Soonyoung's untrained eyes, like he might pass out if he continued singing like that.  But it seemed to suit him; mouth open wide, he broke through Wonwoo's words with a strong voice, as if he were made for the stage that held him.  Most of the other faces Soonyoung saw mirrored what he imagined his own looked like: thinly veiled surprise.  But the man continued on, commanding the attention of everyone around him, even those who were supposed to be acting, too.]

You know, I was really worried posting this fic with this iteration of Seungkwan.  It felt too close to the "diva Boo" portrayals we, rightfully, shunned - which is one reason why I decided to develop his character past the one-dimensional Carlotta that Lloyd Webber wrote.  Since I've grown up, Carlotta has become one of my favorite characters and I always feel so fucking bad for her in the end [I'll never forgive Joel Schumacher for that scene of her holding Piangi, rip] - which is another reason why I decided to let Seungkwan become an actual real character in this fic.

[“You and the rest of Paris, it seems,” Wonwoo said.  “But we have a plethora of singers.  The young man in costume over there - “ he motioned to a slender man laying on the stage before Seungkwan, watching him with amused eyes; one of the others who, Soonyoung assumed, was supposed to be acting - “is Hong Jisoo, and he generally plays opposite Seungkwan.  Gives him a run for his money if you ask me.”

“He’s handsome,” Seokmin said quietly, as if he did not want to be heard, and Soonyoung merely snorted to himself because of course.]

SEOKSOO.  Wow you can tell I wrote this when I was still a baby carat (I believe this was either January or February 2020, which means I'd only been a carat for about two or three months) but hey, I do still love Seoksoo.  I just don't think they go very far in this fic heh

(found a tense switch and i wanna DIE how long has that been there)

[The three of them made their way towards the stage, and Seungkwan’s singing grew even louder.  His strong, stable voice carried through the theater as he hit notes Soonyoung didn’t think existed.  Standing still as he crooned, Jisoo leaning against his legs with closed eyes as if in death...  Soonyoung didn't understand a word he sang but he felt them.  Bolstered by the emotions playing out across Seungkwan's face, practically co-stars themselves, he was transfixed.  Behind Seungkwan's beautiful voice the orchestra sounded, seemingly following every intonation Seungkwan made with their own sorrowful trilling.  It was, apparently, just what Soonyoung needed to lift his spirits and suddenly he truly could not wait for tonight.  No wonder this was touted as the best opera house in the country, and perhaps even Europe.

It left, for the briefest of moments, an uneasy feeling in the back of Soonyoung's head, tugging at his mind like an insistent child until he acknowledged it.

With performers this incredible, why was the previous owner so desperate to sell and run away?]

Most of this scene had to be rewritten to match the ending of Tristan und Isolde but I liked this passage the most!  Also thank god for Youtube; I found a recording from a 1983 performance and holy shit.... I've yet to watch the entire thing because it's literally 4 hours long but what I've seen is so goddamn beautiful.  The score, the libretto, the story... hhhhh

[“These are our new owners, Lee Seokmin and Kwon Soonyoung.  They made their fortune down in Marseille in the junk business - “

“Scrap metal,” Soonyoung bit out.  He definitely was not a fan of this Wonwoo thus far.]

Can you tell what my favorite part of the movie is heh

[“Can we get back to rehearsal?” came a voice from behind them.  "Need I remind you that this is a four hour production and we quite literally had two minutes left?"

Soonyoung turned and frowned at the scowling conductor.  He was at least half a foot shorter than Soonyoung, but his voice was strong.  It commanded attention, as all eyes turned to him, and Soonyoung fought back a smile at the sight of this angry little man.  “You are?”]

omg Soonhoon.... goddamn it I love Jihoon.... just wants to finish the damn 4 hour opera stfu wonwoo

[A faraway door slammed open, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps and then heavy breathing - and a man appeared at one of the entrances to the theater.  He ran fingers through curly raven hair hanging in his eyes as he rushed toward the stage, and through the dark, fancy clothes and the drawings Soonyoung had seen of him, he was able to quickly place the young man.

“Apologies, messieurs!” Vicomte Choi Seungcheol huffed out as he came to stand with everyone else.]

seungcheol :(((( this is also one of my favorite parts of the movie (honestly any part with Raoul is, I blame Patrick Wilson omfg) which isn't in the musical; I do love though how charming Raoul is in this scene and I wanted Seungcheol to capture that, too.  He is, after all, the purposeful epitome of youthfulness and good looks and light and all of that gay stuff.  Also just thinking about Jeonghan in this scene... seeing Seungcheol, knowing exactly who he is, debating between running and hiding or making himself known to the lost love of his goddamn life.  wow.

[Sweat gathered at his temples and he gave a bright smile that showed off his teeth and gums, and Soonyoung could hear the collective swooning that went up through the company.  But Soonyoung wasn't as impressed; charming young men with a lot of money tended to do more harm than good.  Soonyoung should know; he used to be one of those.  But, he had to admit, something about Choi Seungcheol was different.  Perhaps it was the way he looked around with wide, curious eyes, as if he'd never been this close to the stage before.  It made Soonyoung want to forgive him of his crimes, and he did, silently.  He was pouring his own (rather, his father's) money into the opera house too, after all.]

yeah I love Vicomte Seungcheol, it's a good look on him.

[Beside him the Vicomte waited patiently, albeit with a strange look on his face.  He stared at Jeonghan as if he knew him and was trying to place him; thick brows furrowed atop wide, curious eyes.]

ha ha yeah these two know each other omg I'm so subtle -

[“Monsieur, these things happen,” he said quietly, seeking Seungkwan out with a gentle gaze.  “Technical difficulties and all that.”

“‘These things happen’?” Seungkwan repeated, an air of incredulity to his tone.  “These things - “  He whirled on Wonwoo again, jabbing a righteous finger in his face that Wonwoo simply stared at, as if he'd seen it before.  “These things have been happening for years and no one has ever done anything to stop them!  Not you, not any of the managers, and it’s always happening to me!”

“Seungkwan please,” Wonwoo tried, but he was cut off.

“No!" He folded his arms across his chest.  "I won’t do it!  Until you stop ‘these things’ from happening, I won’t be singing!”  With a look at Soonyoung and Seokmin, a look that shoved Soonyoung’s heart down to the soles of his feet, Seungkwan cried, “Enjoy your opening night without your lead, managers!”

And with that he stormed offstage.]

that's right, Seungkwan, you tell them.  You're not crazy; Mingyu is kinda lowkey highkey trying to kill you for real so - at the very least, injure you.

[“Yoon Jeonghan could sing Seungkwan’s part,” Wonwoo responded casually, like it was a simple fact of life everyone should know.  Like Yoon Jeonghan was more than a chorus boy, a dancer.  Like Yoon Jeonghan had the same star power as Boo Seungkwan.

Yoon Jeonghan looked up with wide eyes full of stars and wonder, ears turning pink again.  All gazes were on him now, all hopes hinging on him and damn it, Soonyoung hoped the kid could at least carry a tune if he was their only option now.  “I - wh - um, I-I could try?”]

Jeonghan babie.

[And perhaps it was his imagination - no it was definitely his imagination - but Soonyoung swore he felt someone standing behind him.  But when he turned no one was there.]

Cut to Mingyu dropping to the floor out of sight.  Just kidding, he's up in the rafters wishing he could go down and hug Jeonghan too, along with everyone else......

Hhh okay and with that!! Chapter one is done!!!

I remember writing this one for the first time, how excited I was to start this so passionate of passion projects.  And look how far it's come since January 2020; over 100,000 more words, almost completely finished, 6.5k hits on Ao3, and the beginnings of a novel version in the works... yeah, it's safe to say this is my favorite fic of mine.  Ever.  I'm proud of every inch of it, truth be told, and am so thrilled to continue revising it.  I hope you're all enjoying reading about it!

Chapter two coming soon!