How did you become RC?

[Angel]

Just interested to know I mean, always RC? Converted EC? Still sitting on the fence? (Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.)

Personally, my first reaction to POTO was a definite RC, with huge amounts of sympathy for Erik. Then, reading copious amounts of repetitive phanphiction turned me EC ... and then, one day, I woke up, and randomly converted myself back to RC - although a good EC from time to time is fun, too! (But RC rules all, IMO )

So, what about you?

[raoulsgem]

It's a LONG story

When I first heard about POTO in chorus class, my chorus teacher was telling us a little bit about the story, and if you didn't already know I hate hearing about death so when I heard Raoul was alive I said to myself 'Well at least I know he's alive' and as the story progressed I began to really like Raoul a lot, but during the graveyard fight I began to get attracted more to Erik, so I was an E/C phan for months but on POTO.com I started to get tired of listening to everybody say 'Raoul is terrible, Christine should have gone with Erik'

So I like Erik and Raoul equally, but unlike most people I like her going with Raoul, Christine would have done better with Raoul anyway.

Yeah...so that's my story, my friend likes it too when she saw the Broadway play, she was crying when they were kissing because it was so beautiful.

[Simple Rose]

Oh how complicated my story is lol

Often when I watch movies, I attach myself to one particular character that I sympathize with. For instance, Faramir in the LOTR: ROTK. Of course, the logical sympathy tap would be Erik, but there was something about Raoul's charisma that really took hold of me. I really wanted to protect him... during the whole swordfight, my mind was screaming "no! no! no! don't die!" and even louder when his arm was sliced. During the final lair, I was bawling my freaking eyes out! And I mean actual tears falling... I NEVER cry at movies. But even afterward, I would well up at the memory of seeing him tied to that grate.

And of course, I just identify so incredibly well with Christine. Heck, I even have my own Phantom and Raoul. (one is vigorously pursuing me, is musically inclined, shows all signs of being a genius, socially inept.... the other is sheer charm and charisma, definitely more socially acceptable and better-looking... total sweetie too) I have a good voice, which I practice when there is no one home so that my only tutor is the words that come magically to my head; I always know exactly how to fix something if it doesn't sound right. And I've never taken lessons.

And besides, the first time I saw the movie, I was kind of afraid of the Phantom... which I think there should be a small amount of fear, because he DID kill people and act as a ghost.

But now, phanphics have ruined it for me lol Phics like Demons, Rock My World, Neither Mask, But Foul, Nor Good Holy Vows forced me to see the underlying beauty in the E/C relationship. The original novel by Leroux also persuaded me to consider admiration of this relationship.

So, I am sitting happily on the fence. I still feel the smallest amount of contempt everytime I see "iHaTeRaOuLhE'sSuChaFoPoMg!!!!!!!11!!eleven!!! GERRYISHAWT!!!1", and so I created this young site. As well... honestly, who DOESN'T completely and utterly melt when AIAOY comes on the screen?

(Note, Moved to The Relationship: In Books until I create an "etc" forum. The Paris forum is for all things unrelated to Raoul and Christine)

[Angel]

Yes, that is a long story, Em! (And wow, I'm hopeless at putting things in the right forum, aren't I? ::hangs head in shame:

[LittleLotte394]

Cool story, Em! Well, when I first saw the movie, I was a die-hard E/C. When I read Leroux, I began to warm up to R/C, and when I saw the film a few more times, I realized the wonderfulness of R/C! Of course, like Angel said, the occasional E/C is always nice, but I'm definitely R/C.

[Jaycee]

The only version I've ever seen is the movie but I have alway been completely R/C. Sure I feel sorry for Erik (who wouldn't?) but Raoul always seemed like a much nicer person.

[Angel]

I agree, Jaycee. I genuinely believe that Raoul was not only the smart choice for Christine, but the right choice. He's not going to keep her shoved away from the world and try to control her all the time (although some phanphic writers disagree ...). I think that EC is nice in theory, but sort of unrealistic in the long term. In saying this, I don't have anything major against Erik - I mean, he's the one that brings so much meaning to the story, IMO. I doubt I'd be a phan if it wasn't for Erik. But I just can't see him and Christine working out in the long-term - although it is sort of nice to fantasise about!

But if I hear screaming phangirls claiming that OMG Da PhAnTuM iz dA S3X!!!!!111111! BOOOOO rAuOl iz FoPhE4d (wow, I think attempting to write that just took my IQ down about twenty points ... and I can't even do it properly), then it makes me seriously concerned for the future of the human race

[Jaycee]

;DI love the way you worded that last bit! You mentioned that Erik is the one who gives meaning to the story. You have a point but even with Erik, there would be no point to the story without Raoul! There would have been no love triangle and it would have been entirely pointless.

[Angel]

You hit the nail on the head, Jaycee POTO just wouldn't be POTO without Raoul, just as it couldn't be complete without Erik! The whole climax is basically that Christine has to choose - and it's a bloody hard choice.

[raoulsgal0689]

As for me... I've have always been an R/Cer. I went to the movie and fell in love with Raoul right there from the first time I saw him!! Plus... I've enver been one to like the bad boys. I always like the sweethearts. My sisters says it's because I'm more mature than most girls my age (though I don't really think I am) and I know what will make me truly happy down the line. That would Raoul!!

[Angel]

Your sisters, IMO, are right, raoulsgal. I've said this a million times, I know, but I think that when Erik satisfied his lust and realised that Christine wasn't as perfect as he thought and she got fed up with living with a socially inept domineering genius ... things would get icky.

Erik's wonderful in his own way, but soul mate for Christine? No way.

[Simple Rose]

Strange, I never actually thought of it that way.

Yes, Raoul is definitely the more healthy option for Christine. It is kind of odd how "healthy" and "safe" have become taboo words in the world of Phantom Phans... it's usually one of the arguments brought up when discussing Christine's choice, that she would have been far too bored far too quickly. I disagree... most people don't think that the life of a vicomtess would involved some form of dramatics. Certainly there would be heaps more with Erik but that is simply because two passionate natures as they have will always clash.

I still stand by my decision that Christine made the right choice.

And I still cry everytime I see the last fifteen minutes of that movie lol.

GO RC!

[creampuff]

Hm.

I've never been RC or EC. I don't have a 'preferable' couple. But there are two things that get on my nerves, the first one being Raoul bashers.

And by bashers, I don't mean the kids who make some snarky comment every once and a while, because everyone makes snarky comments in regards to ALL of the characters. I mean the ones who write phics about Raoul beating Christine, Raoul being a drunken ass, Raoul raping her within the marriage, blah blah blah. It's BS.

The second thing that annoys me is the people who make Erik out to be a snugglebunny. THAT gets to me. "Oh, Christine was so stupid to leave Erik, he's so warm and caring and passionate!" Yeah. Ha.

There are a few shippers out there that really bother me on either side. A lot of EC shippers don't give Raoul and Christine's relationship any credit. A lot of RC shippers don't give Erik and Christine's relationship any credit. It goes back and fourth, back and fourth, "Christine loved Erik!", "No, she loved Raoul! She hated Erik!" "Nuh-uh, she only went with Raoul because he was safe!", "No! She went with Raoul because she was his 'true love' and she was scared of Erik!", "Christine was a cold-hearted b*tch! How could she not go with Erik?! Stupid!"


And it goes on...and on...and on...

What makes the Phantom story interesting is analyzing the effect of Erik on RC, and watching the effect of Raoul on EC.

Did that make sense, ladies and gents?


(OMG that rhymned! AH!)

[Hi-chan]

Hi everyone! ;D

Okay, so... how I became R/C... I dunno, it just happened! I've always been this way, ever since I first saw the movie in May 2005. I've been a f(ph)an for almost a year? Wow..

Anyway, I first saw the movie and I thought Christine made the right choice by going with Raoul at the end of the movie.

When my best friend (who is E/C, btw) told me about PotO weeks before I had seen it, she was just going on and on about Erik and Christine, and I wasn't too interested. I just nodded and said "Mm-hmm." One day, however, out of the blue, she mentions a "Raoul" and complains about how Christine doesn't stay with Erik. I about jumped out of my skin! "What? The Phantom doesn't get the girl?? Then, why the heck was she talking like he does?? And, who is this Raoul? She's never mentioned HIM before!!" After recieving this new piece of info, I was confused, and frustrated she didn't tell me this sooner. Now I had to see this movie! (Fortunately, my mom, who has always wanted to see the stage show, but never got the chance, had pre-ordered it)

And after watching the movie for the first time, and telling my friend what I thought about it the next day, her worst fears came true: as usual, we ended up with exact opposite opinions.

When I found out that there are very few people who share my opinion, I was not surprised! I always seem to be the opposite of the majority. (and I've also found out, the hard way, that reading E/C phics make me dizzy and sick to my stomach to the point where I almost faint...I only wish I were kidding. )

Also, I may be one of the few (if not the only) people who didn't feel anything for "poor" Erik at the end. I believe he made some poor choices and in the end, got what was coming to him. He brought his misery upon himself, and frankly, I don't see how that warrants pity. Of course, after my huge encounter with screaming Erik phangirls, I never really gave myself a second chance to re-assess Erik's character, possibly because those people make me want to constantly keep despising him when I know I should at least give him a chance...

Well, who knows, maybe one day. Even if I do decide to give him another chance, it will never change my opinion regardless. I'm R/C all the way. Raoul & Christine Forever!! ^_^

[eriksprotege]

Started out as an RC shipper, then became EC when my hormones started to kick in (d**n JOEL SCHMAUCHER WHO CASTED A SEXY BEAST AS ERIK!!!! d**n HIM!!!!!!!), and went through a brief 'Raoul is a f*p' phase, but I have now recovered from my insanity, thank God.

I think it was my brief break from PotO, when I was reading Wicked and when I first started to get obsessed with Kristin Chenoweth.

[The Angelic Angel]

I started out as RC, then kind of went over to EC... I dunno, I'm still confused as to how the whole thing happened. Anyway, now I am back to "purist" RC, and I have developed an allergy to EC phics...