Pet's ID Tag: 97
Name You'd Choose for It: Fantôme (Henry Peter Lockenburough II)
Gender: Male
Reason You Want It:I'm a musician, so I'm naturally attracted to designs that have to do with music. Other than that, he is absolutely gorgeous, and as soon as I saw wibeke donate him, I knew I would want to try for him and hopefully win. I've always usually loved more natural/softer colors on characters, and I love that shade of gray; I think it suits him perfectly. Also, even though he's naturally colored, he has distinguishing marks to make him special. I would love becoming his permanent owner and lavishing him with love and art. Finally, he's one of those characters that I could tell I could write a story about. Most of the time, even with characters whose designs I like, I have to search around for a story. This time a plot evolved in my mind right away, even though the end result was extremely different than what I had in mind at first.
History/Background/Other:General InformationBirth Name: Henry Peter Lockenburough II
Self-Chosen/New Name: Fantôme
Gender: Male
Species: Mutt (Breeds not definite, but he has some border-collie in him)
Age: 15
Birthday: August 22, 1995
PersonalityFantôme grew up to be extremely antisocial, since he hates being the little rich boy hanging with all the other little rich kids; he thinks most of them are snobby, arrogant, and frivolous. However, he can be very charming at times, and, if he had grown up in a different background, who knows? He might've been popular. The only things he like are reading and doing things that have to do with music. But since he's only recently been introduced to music he likes, he's spent most of his time just reading, and as a result, he's very well-informed.
Background (3rd Person and Anthro)Henry Peter Lockenburough II was born into a rich, important, and old family. And he hated it (and his stupid name, for that matter). Always so stuffy and proper there, he longed to be rid of his nagging, overprotective parents and their great expectations, even though he knew they meant him no harm. Always so trapped there, under his parents' watchful eyes, he never really learned how to socialize with others (and as a result turned crabby), although he always had a natural, hidden ability to charm. So, eventually, when he could take it no longer, after 10 years of torture, he hid in his room with all his books, the one place where he could lock everything and everyone else out. He was like a ghost, only appearing for brief moments when he was required to. Always so unhappy there, even in his private haven he never really learned how to love anyone or anything or how to find enjoyment out of life. Until he found it. Music. Beautiful music. He had never heard anything like it. The only music he had ever heard was scratchy pop music singing from his mother. But this was different. A lilting melody outside his window that appeared out of nowhere, one day. And for the first time in five years, he pulled back the curtain on his window. Gently, a little afraid. Actually, more than a little afraid. Very afraid. Afraid of the outside, afraid of what he might see. He couldn't really remember what it was like on the outside...
Background (1st Person and Anthro)I felt a cold draft as I settled into my reading chair. Scowling, I looked for the source of it. 'The walls? No. The ceiling? No. The windows? Ah, it must be the windows. The curtains are waving gently, after all. Idiotic maid. She should know better than to leave the window open. What does she think? That maybe it would attract me out of my room? Fat chance. I've been here five years already; I can stand it as long as I have to. Until I come of age and am able to withdraw from my savings account, I can stand it here. In fact, I think I like it here in my room. Although I'm not sure I've ever really liked anything. At least it's better than being in the reach of my parents,' I think to myself as I head over to the window. As I prepare to shut it close, however, I hear something. It's a little muted,and seems like it's coming from the outside. But that doesn't diminish its beauty. I stand there for a couple of minutes, entranced by it. It seems to be music, even though it's so different from what my mother considers "music." As I stand there, a sudden impulse comes over me. I need to look outside the window. I need to see where the music is coming from. I need to, I need to, I need to. I reach to grab and pull the curtain back, but then the fear kicks in. Is it scary out there? I can't really remember... I don't even know the date, or the season. The days have blurred for me.... I steel myself, nonetheless, and tremulously pull back the curtain. My adrenaline rushing, I nervously look outside. Shocked, I realize it's snowing. That must mean it's winter... When's the last time I saw snow? Or, for that matter, a flower? How much have I missed by locking myself in my room for however many years? These thoughts distract me, and when I recall my purpose for even drawing the curtain back, I realize that the music has disappeared. I shut the window closed, in an even fouler mood than before now the the music has left, and stalked back to my book.
That wondrous sound was buried deep in the back of my mind after I didn't hear anything like it from outside the window for a couple of months. It was always a background thought, left for my subconscious to ponder. But the music did come again. By now it was spring, and I kept my window open by just a crack, always hoping I would hear it. My hopes were fulfilled one lovely warm day, and this time, I caught a glimpse of the player. She was the most beautiful thing my eyes had ever beheld, practicing in what I assumed to be her room, her window open as well, allowing the crooning melody to drift from her instrument to my waiting ears. A sudden urge overtook me, just like on that last snowy day. But this time, it was more drastic. I was going to leave my room, the mansion, willingly. However, I didn't want my parents or the maid to notice. Locking the door, I heaved the window up so I could fit through. Clamboring out onto the overhang, I gazed down and my stomach dropped. It appeared to be such a large distance from the overhang to the ground. I was still not exactly myself, though, and the music was calling me. My adrenaline rushing, I gathered my courage and leaped off. I didn't land exactly gracefully, I must admit. In fact, I didn't land gracefully at all; there was a large, obvious thump as I hit the ground, belly first. The girl must've noticed it, for she jumped a little and turned around. Her mouth formed a round "o" as she noticed me, sprawled on the grass. She carefully set her instrument down (I think it was a cello), and rushed out of my sight. A couple minutes later, she appeared beside me, offering her hand to me. I took it and unsteadily rose, my head still dazed.
"Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.
"F-f-fine," I responded, my voice shaking.
Apparently that reassured her enough, for she continued to broach another topic. "You must live in Lockenburough Mansion, since it looks as if you dropped from up there...." She motioned towards the open window. "I didn't know there was anyone my age living there. What's your name?"
I paused for a second, my thoughts racing. I hated my name; I thought it was embarassing. Although, what did the French maid call me from time to time? Phantom? No... It was more foreign-sounding. Fantom? Not that either... Oh! "Fantôme."
"Your name is French too?"
"Yup. Wait so then what's yours?"
"Clair de Lune. But everyone calls me Clair, since Clair de Lune is sort of a mouthful." She shifted uncomfortably, as she was a bit embarassed. 'Clair and Fantôme,' I thought absentmindedly. 'They don't sound bad together.'
"I should get going... My parents are probably wondering where I am," she stated awkwardly, after a long pause.
"Me too," I responded. As she started to leave, I suddenly blurted, "You play beautifully, by the way." I blushed like an idiot.
Brightening considerably, she responded with, "Thanks! Do you play at all?"
"No. Music isn't a big part of my life, or my family's..."
"Really? Maybe you could come over one day and I could show you hot to play," she invited demurely. I nodded, like an idiot of course. "Now I really need to get going. Bye!" I watched her skip happily away, with a large grin on my face. Then I started to head home, and realized that I would need to scale the wall to avoid detection...
I held her to her invitation, and randomly showed up on her doorstep one day. Luckily, she was the one who answered it, and invited me in. She brought me up to her room, and taught me the secrets of reading music, playing music, feeling music, embodying music. It was fairly easy for me to learn; the music spoke to me, and she told me I was a natural. And so it went on for a while like this, she playing the part of the omniscient teacher, and I the eager pupil. During this time, our friendship blossomed and we found we could talk to each other about everything. I was perfectly content with things the way they were. My parents were ignorant of our friendship, and hers didn't really care. But then, one day, she met me during the evening with tears streaking her face.
"My parents say being a musician isn't a proper job," she told me in despair. "It's all I've ever wanted to do; all I've ever liked doing. All I've ever known." I comforted her to the best of my ability, not really knowing what to say. Her face suddenly lit up. "I know! We could run off into the moonlight together. We can travel the world together, playing on the streets. Or maybe we could get into a professional orchestra."
"How do you know we're good enough to do that?"
She paused, hesitantly. "Well... I hate admitting this, but you have much more potential than I have. It's taken you a couple months for you to get where I was after a couple of years. You could get professional traning, and everything if you left."
I pretended to think about it, but already knew my answer. "Okay." I could never say no to her, after all.
Background (Third-Person and Anthro)Taking only a few minutes to pack necessary belongings, they fled off into the night, running and laughing with exhilaration, adrenaline running through their veins. They knew it was a reckless thing to do, and that they might end up back here, pleading to their parents for mercy and forgiveness. But, for the first time, they were truly breaking the rules. After all, Fantôme's parents' only request was that he stay near the mansion and stay away from the riffraff. He was excited to finally see the world; he had only ever read about it in books. And he was with Clair. That's all he needed. And Clair was with him. That's all she needed. Along with their instruments, they continued in no set direction, awaiting what was to come.
Third-Person PoetryGently plucked strings, weaving their delicate harmonies
Carefully bowed melodies, creating their trance
The power to drive creatures mad, or to bring ease to pain
The power to draw anyone close, and ensnare him in its beautiful trap
The power of music
The power of lilting tunes
Enough to send the phantom and the moonlight into a frenzy
Enough to send the phantom and the moonlight into uncharted landsFun Facts- I came up with his name because I was thinking of Phantom of the Opera, and thought that "phantom" in French would be a nice name for him.
- His birthday is the same as Debussy's (other than the year xD).
- Clair de lune is a piece composed by Debussy, based on a
Paul Verlaine poem, and is part of Suite Bergamasque.
- At first, I was planning to write him as a mysterious, travelling loner, but the story somehow evolved into this. xD
(Hmm... An alternate story would be interesting...)- What will happen to them? I don't know, that's for sure. *pathetic attempt at cliffhanger*
- Clair de Lune is not a real character, but if I got Fantôme, I would definitely get someone to try and design her.
Permission
I understand that by adopting this creature I take full responsibility for it. I do.