Sometimes I think about the contrast between the two characters I have who are schizophrenic. It wasn't "Erik" who had me interested in the subject, because I didn't realize he seemed schizophrenic until maybe five years after his creation. It was another character I developed around the same time in 2005 who I knew from the start would have the illness: Dorian. He was the whole reason I researched the subject. He has the kind of schizophrenia that you imagine when you think of it: completely disruptive, and ultimately what killed him. (spoiler? even though the story is sorta dead?)

If the two of them lived in the same place and were forced to spend some time together, "Erik" would have immense sympathy for him, I think. Like I can see him legitimately wanting to make sure he's okay and seeing if there's a way to help him/keep him safe while he's away. He's not like a suppppper dad-ish kind of guy, that much is obvious, but Dorian's dysfunction would endear him and make him a little wistful. He'd probably study him a little and worry that he could end up that way in the future.

Unfortunately, "Erik" would be really intimidating to Dorian. Surely, if he approached him in his Phantom get-up, Dorian'd probably shit his pants off medication. He'd need to be near him in his normal clothes and it would still take time for him to earn some trust. We've all got energy about us, you know? "Erik"'s would still seem tense and agitated, and although he would attempt to subdue this around him, before he ever knew what Dorian was going through, he'd not care if he broadcasted that negative energy. Dorian would still remember it. And he'd notice how "Erik" doesn't seem to have other friends.

This is interesting. I like introducing characters to those from other stories. It reveals other sides to them.

LORD, IF "ERIK" AND AKIRA WERE IN A ROOM TOGETHER, ALL HELL WOULD BREAK LOOSE.