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Geez... gave me a story idea. lol

Yeah and the netruals get attacked by being in the middle...

Yeah. Having the guild blow up real good because of fanatical R/C and E/C supporters would not be good.

Though...I quite like the idea of blood and text, I must say.

I dunno. Would I be considered a neutral? 'Cause I'm more of an Erik fan, and I'm not particularly fond Raoul per se, but I'm not in love with Erik, nor am I a Raoul basher.

You guys have me all confused now.

I'm just curious... has anyone here actually seen a fanatical R/Cer? Anyone?

Oh Fox, dear, I was afraid you'd apply that term to me. XD

You and me were on the same train of thought. xd

I'm pretty neutral. I like both Raoul and Erik. Maybe I like Erik a teeny bit more, but as far as pairings go, I'm for R/C. The E/C relationship is one-sided, and I know everyone claims that Erik needs love, but I'd honestly make him go through a deal of therapy before taking on a romantic interest. If they were an item, and anyone were to hit on Christine (ala drunken New Years party xd ), he would probably seriously injure or kill them. Of course, she might not even be allowed to go out much anyway, because he would want her to always be with him.

Catch my drift? Messy relationship alert.

Oh, I remember someone saying about Erik (in a R/C and E/C debate) that the fact that he would kill for her is touching, and that proves that he loved her more. My reaction was like, "LOLWTF. I think it's easier for Erik to kill someone than it is for Raoul to just give up his life and be choked to death with a rope."

Although I do think Raoul and Erik loved Christine the same amount, (The book protrays them both as love-sick puppies.) Christine loved Raoul, while she pitied Erik. The musical added a element of 'lust' that the book never had (closest thing was her being amazed my his voice), but the fact is, she didn't love him.

So, I wrote all of that. Do I get the title yet? ninja

Oy. I think it really depends on personal interpretation, and which version or versions of Phantom you fan-base yourself off of. Different people see different things in the relationships, and that's okay. I don't really think there is a true set of right or wrong as to what the relationships are, or aren't. These questions or concerns about "Who's really in love, who's not, who's the better choise!" were never truly answered in order for the reader to take from it what their individual minds and hearts would come to see, like a good story should.

Personally, I see equally balancing Positives and Negatives in Erik/Christine and Raoul/Christine. To explain myself... would take a long time, and I need to sit down and edit the views I had to write while in exploring ideas for my fanfiction. Perhaps when I do, I can share my own exact thoughts.

In the Leroux novel, though, I don't forsee Erik/Christine working out. Not because it would not absolutely work between them (who knows), but because, and I think most can agree, it would defeat the whole purpose and beauty of the whole original story to begin with. Same thing with "Phantom" by Kay. If it didn't end as it did, you'd have to wonder, how else WOULD it go? How could it? Why? Not to say that it couldn't, but just that it's hard for many to fathom how it would work out any other way.

Yeahp, I'm going to try to tackle that task of making an explained list. Maybe I can submit it as a college essay when I finally get my butt into school xd *snort* I just have to refine my words and better explain my ideas, as what I wrote in my fanfic outline was just a base text, just notes.
but then again, my fan base is a blend of Leroux/Kay/ALW. I love all three and see three very different Eriks, Christines and Raouls. I see 6 different relationships, if not more. So yeah, it should prove to be interesting if I can get around to doing it.

And yeah... he was older. Much older. I guess it's all in what floats your gondola XD I like the fact that Erik is older. (you know what, maybe I should mention that I'm a girl parading around with a male avatar). Well, I guess I should say it's not about him being OLD, it's more the appeal of... hm. I don't know how to word it. More life experience? Maturity? Then again, this is coming from a person who dated someone 8 years older than herself so.