Phantom Thoughts pt. 4

I find myself in an overthinking anxiety spiral, so I yet again turn to the de Mattos translation of Phantom. Having an off day, so don't expect this to be a work of genius lol :)

Skipping to the chapter The New Margarita:
{"Impossible!" said Meg Giry. "Six months ago, she used to sing like a CROCK! But do let us get by, my dear count," continues the brat, with a saucy curtsey. "We are going to inquire after a poor man who was found hanging by the neck."}
Snarky Meg is the best (or at least that's my interpretation of this). I'd imagine a longer exchange going something like this:

Philippe: Oh, hello... little ballerina who is definitely not Sorelli. What are you up to on this fine night?
Meg: Oh, just being amazed that my friend is suddenly a brilliant singer. I'm in kind of a hurry to get by so if you'll excuse me...
Philippe: What's the rush? It's a fine gala tonight- enjoy it!
Meg: Well, you see, a man was found hanged here earlier, and my friends and I are going to investigate!
Philippe, distracted: Yes, yes fine- wait, A MAN WAS FOUND HANGED? In THIS Opera House???
Meg: Yep! See you later, Comte Chagny!

{At the time of the old count's death, Raoul was twelve years of age. Philippe busied himself actively with the youngster's education. He was admirably assisted in this work first by his sisters and afterward by an old aunt, the widow of a naval officer, who lived at Brest and gave young Raoul a taste for the sea. The lad entered the Borda training-ship, finished his course with honors and quietly made his trip round the world. Thanks to powerful influence, he had just been appointed a member of the official expedition on board the Requin, which was to be sent to the Arctic Circle}

Interesting. I'd never paid attention to this bit before, and now I want to know more. What are Raoul's sisters like? What are their names? Are they twins? Do they quarrel frequently? Why do they hold Philippe in such high esteem? Are they on good terms with their aunt? (Also, is this implying that the aunt gave Raoul a n inclination towards the navy, or was it his late uncle?)

Now I really want to read a backstory fic about Raoul's unusual upbringing including his TRIP AROUND THE WORLD (which is apparently only worth a casual mention- thanks Leroux- but SOMETHING interesting must have happened during it).

Phantom Thoughts pt. 5: Raoul Edition

Because I may be an E/C shipper, but I do appreciate the Vicomte de Chagny.

{the dowagers of the Faubourg Saint-Germain were pitying the handsome and apparently delicate stripling for the hard work in store for him}

So Raoul is

A) handsome
B) delicate?? (or at least they think he is- or maybe it's late 1800s France for 'precious boy. sweet cinnamon roll.')
C) possibly not ready for hard work (is this code for 'physically weak and sheltered?')

{The shyness of the sailor-lad—I was almost saying his innocence—was remarkable. He seemed to have but just left the women's apron-strings. As a matter of fact, petted as he was by his two sisters and his old aunt, he had retained from this purely feminine education manners that were almost candid and stamped with a charm that nothing had yet been able to sully. He was a little over twenty-one years of age and looked eighteen. He had a small, fair mustache, beautiful blue eyes and a complexion like a girl's.}

D) Shy
E) Innocent
F) Charming in a candid way
G) Looks younger than he is
H) Has a mustache??? (I'm sorry, I know this is canon but I REFUSE to accept it- mustaches are Wrong on any Raoul other than hamster!Raoul.)
I) Has gorgeous cerulean face-orbs

I really have no idea what the girlish complexion is supposed to mean. (Is his facial structure more feminine than most men? Is his skin really soft?)

{Philippe spoiled Raoul. ... He took advantage of the young man's leave of absence to show him Paris, with all its luxurious and artistic delights. The count considered that, at Raoul's age, it is not good to be too good. Philippe himself had a character that was very well-balanced in work and pleasure alike; his demeanor was always faultless; and he was incapable of setting his brother a bad example. He took him with him wherever he went.}

Now I have the mental image of bby!Raoul following around his older brother and trying to do what he does. Enjoy the adorables.

Philippe: You know it's okay to let loose a little, right? This is Paris!
Raoul: ...
Philippe: You don't have to be such a pillar of virtue all the time! Nothing wrong with causing a little scandal now and then.
Raoul: I want to marry an opera singer.
Philippe: Not like THAT!

Will probably make a part 2 to this Raoul edition as I don't have time to finish this section.