Christian turned back to glance Nini lying in the center of the room alone.
She was breathing hard from the dance but as she glanced up she caught his
eye and smirked coldly. Whipping around with a barely controlled rage he
stormed past the gates of the Moulin Rouge and to his garret across the
street. The building seemed cold, uninviting as he looked up at it. Around
him, splatters of raindrops poured from the seething mass of clouds
overhead. It was a perfect setting for him. The rolling of the clouds
matched the fury building inside of him.
Yes, he had promised Satine that he would never let jealousy overtake him but the image of her standing at that balcony with that extravagant diamond necklace and the Duke pressing kisses onto the pale cream of her shoulders made his vision burn red. Clenching his fists together he fought to keep from screaming as the rain increased.
A giggle behind him signaled the bohemians returning to the garret for another party. He moved out of the way, into the shadows of the alley next- door as he watched the Argentinean and Nini move into his view first, both chatting about something trivial. Behind them trailed Toulouse and a few dancers, all of them stumbling; laughing at the others tripping. And then Satie and Doc brought up the rear both holding half-full glass of Absinthe and pointing to the air above them.
No doubt the Green Fairy was making her rounds tonight. Christian mentally spat as the group past him into the garret. A pang of hurt hit him as he had half-expected Toulouse to see him. He sighed and pushed off from the wall he had leaned against. Moving back into the street proper, he bumped shoulders with the dark-skinned man that had carried off Satine the first night he had met her.
"Excuse me." Christian muttered, walking onward.
Chocolat made to speak but thought about it and simply turned to head into the garret where the party was already underway.
The street was deserted expect for the occasional Prostitute. These were completely different then the ones Christian had met at the Moulin Rouge. These oozed dirt and disease. Their hair was matted with grime and soot while their clothes, once lustrous were now torn, frayed and soiled.
"How 'bout a night?" one wheezed at him from her corner. She winked and ran a hand over her hips. "Keep a poor lady like me warm, won't cha?"
Christian did his best to keep his face impassive and hurried by. Another girl whistled at him and he ignored her as well.
He walked past abandoned stores, past houses, and past smaller, less vibrant nightclubs.
He walked to escape the pain, betrayal, and rage that seemed to lurk behind him, never letting up.
What seemed like eternity passed when the rain finally stopped, giving the penniless writer a break. His clothes were soaked, his hair plastered to his skull and the papers he had in his pocket were ruined. He didn't care though. Shivering from the cold that now crept into his bones he continued to walk until the archway of Montmatre stood before him, the gateway into the world beyond.
A world where Christian knew he could find someone of better stature than Satine, better than a courtesan who slept with anyone who could pay her price.
"But I love Satine!" he cried into the night.
"Troubles are a bitch aren't they." Crooned a melodic voice from the shadows beside him. He spun to face them and saw nothing. "Love, lust. They're the same thing but one can never tell the difference in the first few weeks. Both consume the soul." The voice continued with a hint of mockery.
"I do not lust for Satine, I love her with my soul." He countered, peering to see if he could make out the person.
"Ah, but does she return that love?" the voice grew stronger and Christian could suddenly make out a dark silhouette, darker than the abyss of the alley.
"Of course she does!" Christian shouted, but doubt like a annoying fly buzzed in the back of his mind.
"Sleeping with another when she knew how much it tears at you?" again the mockery returned. "My dear boy, she's in love with diamonds!"
"You lie." growled Christian. He felt that rage returning and once again the picture of the Duke touching his Satine made the red slowly come back.
A harsh chuckle and then a swirl of fabric. "Do I? Tell me. If she loved you why would she spend the night with another man? She can leave the Moulin anytime. The only thing that keeps her coming to you is that lust. The burning desire that connects you two. Soon it will wear off and then what?" out of the black fog came a cloaked figure. Standing a few inches shorter then he, it made him feel like a child next to it. Confidence and a predatorily aura surrounded it, pouring off of it into the night air.
"I don't believe you!" Christian shouted again, but his doubt was growing stronger and stronger. The Moulin is Satines home, he told himself, She couldn't leave before the opening night, it would destroy everything.
"Don't you? What about that night when she promised to see you and never showed up? What was her excuse then?" the voice started to laugh again and then cut off. A moment passed before it spoke again, this time softness rang in its undertones.
"You shouldn't be alone, she doesn't deserve someone like you." It whispered, coming closer to rest a hand on his shoulder. The other hand moved up to pull back its cloak and revealed a woman who almost rivaled Satines own. Her black hair reflected the weak moonlight that made it to the street. Her eyes were a deep jade and her lips were the color of rich rubies. Her skin was silk, almost translucent in the light.
She moved her head to press her lips onto his earlobe. "You should hurt her the way she's hurting you." she trailed off suggestively and pressed another kiss onto his neck. Christian shivered, not from the cold and made a half-hearted attempt to pull away.
"I couldn't do that to her." he managed.
"Couldn't you? Not even once?" her kisses moved from his neck to his collarbone. "I could offer you everything she can't."
That snapped Christian out of whatever trance he had been in and he shoved the mysterious lady away. "Like what?" he scoffed.
"Wealth, fame, power," with each word she came closer again and wrapped her arms around his neck. "The recognition that Shakespeare himself could never achieve." She leaned in again and resumed her kisses. "Love eternal."
By now, her kisses had broken through that thin barrier that contained Christian's grief and rage and he tore her away to stare at her. Her gaze unnerved him; her eyes seemed to bore into his soul; that didn't matter now. What mattered was that he could hurt Satine. "How?"
A sly smile graced her lips and she raised an eyebrow. "Do you want the price?"
"How?!"
"Like this." and she lunged at him; lunged at the skin on his throat. Pain shot through his body as double stings bore into his flesh. He tried to scream out but one of her hands had snaked to cover his mouth. He was frozen, knees buckling underneath him and his vision turning black. He felt a pumping in his throat and realized he was going to die. Going to die from a stupid suggestion from a stranger.
Suddenly the pain receded and the hand covering his mouth was removed. He watched as the woman ripped into her wrist before shoving it to his lips and forcing him to drink. The bitter metallic taste of blood filled his mouth and trickled down his throat no matter how hard he tried to spit it back out. Blackness took over his vision and the last thing he remembered was the cackling of his attacker.
"Yes, I'll give you love eternal Christian James." he heard as the world disappeared.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He awoke to a great hunger. Opening his eyes he saw that the street had gotten brighter. No longer were the alleys pits of darkness; he could make out the rats scurrying to and from the garbage cans. Above him the clouds had returned, the moon once again covered up by their bulk.
Groaning, he moved to a sitting position and stumbled to stand. He sniffed and the scent of meat wafted around him. A bloodlust consumed his senses and he strode silently to where the smell came from. As he went he noticed the Vampriess from before had vanished, leaving him alone with this new curse.
"Back again, eh?" the whore from before sneered as he neared. She was still alone and was shivering slightly from the cold. A lit cigarette dangled in her left hand and her eyes followed his movement. "So, what will it be?"
Christian paused in front of her and passed a critical eye over her form. She wasn't much, he could tell that. But for now she would have to do. Besides, he'd be doing the world a favor. Allowing a small smile to play over his face he stepped closer and reached out a hand to trace her jaw.
She slapped it back and glared. "Not without paying you don't."
Christian replaced his hand and lowered it to grip her throat. "You'll get your due." He growled hungrily as he yanked her to him and buried his fangs into her neck.
Life giving liquid rushed into his mouth and pleasure washed over him. He sucked until he felt her go limp. He dropped her and stared at her now lifeless body, blood tainting the area around his lips and on her neck. "There, I paid."
And with the demon inside satisfied, he turned his gaze and attention to his garret and left the body.
*~*~*~*~*~*~* (A/N): Well, this is my first Moulin Rouge story. I was reading one of Anne Rices' books and my lovely muse kicked me into writing this. Not much, I know but if the feedback is good, there'll be more to come, filled with detail. And don't worry, I am a Christian/Satine diehard fan..I just wanted a new twist on the movie ^_^
Yes, he had promised Satine that he would never let jealousy overtake him but the image of her standing at that balcony with that extravagant diamond necklace and the Duke pressing kisses onto the pale cream of her shoulders made his vision burn red. Clenching his fists together he fought to keep from screaming as the rain increased.
A giggle behind him signaled the bohemians returning to the garret for another party. He moved out of the way, into the shadows of the alley next- door as he watched the Argentinean and Nini move into his view first, both chatting about something trivial. Behind them trailed Toulouse and a few dancers, all of them stumbling; laughing at the others tripping. And then Satie and Doc brought up the rear both holding half-full glass of Absinthe and pointing to the air above them.
No doubt the Green Fairy was making her rounds tonight. Christian mentally spat as the group past him into the garret. A pang of hurt hit him as he had half-expected Toulouse to see him. He sighed and pushed off from the wall he had leaned against. Moving back into the street proper, he bumped shoulders with the dark-skinned man that had carried off Satine the first night he had met her.
"Excuse me." Christian muttered, walking onward.
Chocolat made to speak but thought about it and simply turned to head into the garret where the party was already underway.
The street was deserted expect for the occasional Prostitute. These were completely different then the ones Christian had met at the Moulin Rouge. These oozed dirt and disease. Their hair was matted with grime and soot while their clothes, once lustrous were now torn, frayed and soiled.
"How 'bout a night?" one wheezed at him from her corner. She winked and ran a hand over her hips. "Keep a poor lady like me warm, won't cha?"
Christian did his best to keep his face impassive and hurried by. Another girl whistled at him and he ignored her as well.
He walked past abandoned stores, past houses, and past smaller, less vibrant nightclubs.
He walked to escape the pain, betrayal, and rage that seemed to lurk behind him, never letting up.
What seemed like eternity passed when the rain finally stopped, giving the penniless writer a break. His clothes were soaked, his hair plastered to his skull and the papers he had in his pocket were ruined. He didn't care though. Shivering from the cold that now crept into his bones he continued to walk until the archway of Montmatre stood before him, the gateway into the world beyond.
A world where Christian knew he could find someone of better stature than Satine, better than a courtesan who slept with anyone who could pay her price.
"But I love Satine!" he cried into the night.
"Troubles are a bitch aren't they." Crooned a melodic voice from the shadows beside him. He spun to face them and saw nothing. "Love, lust. They're the same thing but one can never tell the difference in the first few weeks. Both consume the soul." The voice continued with a hint of mockery.
"I do not lust for Satine, I love her with my soul." He countered, peering to see if he could make out the person.
"Ah, but does she return that love?" the voice grew stronger and Christian could suddenly make out a dark silhouette, darker than the abyss of the alley.
"Of course she does!" Christian shouted, but doubt like a annoying fly buzzed in the back of his mind.
"Sleeping with another when she knew how much it tears at you?" again the mockery returned. "My dear boy, she's in love with diamonds!"
"You lie." growled Christian. He felt that rage returning and once again the picture of the Duke touching his Satine made the red slowly come back.
A harsh chuckle and then a swirl of fabric. "Do I? Tell me. If she loved you why would she spend the night with another man? She can leave the Moulin anytime. The only thing that keeps her coming to you is that lust. The burning desire that connects you two. Soon it will wear off and then what?" out of the black fog came a cloaked figure. Standing a few inches shorter then he, it made him feel like a child next to it. Confidence and a predatorily aura surrounded it, pouring off of it into the night air.
"I don't believe you!" Christian shouted again, but his doubt was growing stronger and stronger. The Moulin is Satines home, he told himself, She couldn't leave before the opening night, it would destroy everything.
"Don't you? What about that night when she promised to see you and never showed up? What was her excuse then?" the voice started to laugh again and then cut off. A moment passed before it spoke again, this time softness rang in its undertones.
"You shouldn't be alone, she doesn't deserve someone like you." It whispered, coming closer to rest a hand on his shoulder. The other hand moved up to pull back its cloak and revealed a woman who almost rivaled Satines own. Her black hair reflected the weak moonlight that made it to the street. Her eyes were a deep jade and her lips were the color of rich rubies. Her skin was silk, almost translucent in the light.
She moved her head to press her lips onto his earlobe. "You should hurt her the way she's hurting you." she trailed off suggestively and pressed another kiss onto his neck. Christian shivered, not from the cold and made a half-hearted attempt to pull away.
"I couldn't do that to her." he managed.
"Couldn't you? Not even once?" her kisses moved from his neck to his collarbone. "I could offer you everything she can't."
That snapped Christian out of whatever trance he had been in and he shoved the mysterious lady away. "Like what?" he scoffed.
"Wealth, fame, power," with each word she came closer again and wrapped her arms around his neck. "The recognition that Shakespeare himself could never achieve." She leaned in again and resumed her kisses. "Love eternal."
By now, her kisses had broken through that thin barrier that contained Christian's grief and rage and he tore her away to stare at her. Her gaze unnerved him; her eyes seemed to bore into his soul; that didn't matter now. What mattered was that he could hurt Satine. "How?"
A sly smile graced her lips and she raised an eyebrow. "Do you want the price?"
"How?!"
"Like this." and she lunged at him; lunged at the skin on his throat. Pain shot through his body as double stings bore into his flesh. He tried to scream out but one of her hands had snaked to cover his mouth. He was frozen, knees buckling underneath him and his vision turning black. He felt a pumping in his throat and realized he was going to die. Going to die from a stupid suggestion from a stranger.
Suddenly the pain receded and the hand covering his mouth was removed. He watched as the woman ripped into her wrist before shoving it to his lips and forcing him to drink. The bitter metallic taste of blood filled his mouth and trickled down his throat no matter how hard he tried to spit it back out. Blackness took over his vision and the last thing he remembered was the cackling of his attacker.
"Yes, I'll give you love eternal Christian James." he heard as the world disappeared.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He awoke to a great hunger. Opening his eyes he saw that the street had gotten brighter. No longer were the alleys pits of darkness; he could make out the rats scurrying to and from the garbage cans. Above him the clouds had returned, the moon once again covered up by their bulk.
Groaning, he moved to a sitting position and stumbled to stand. He sniffed and the scent of meat wafted around him. A bloodlust consumed his senses and he strode silently to where the smell came from. As he went he noticed the Vampriess from before had vanished, leaving him alone with this new curse.
"Back again, eh?" the whore from before sneered as he neared. She was still alone and was shivering slightly from the cold. A lit cigarette dangled in her left hand and her eyes followed his movement. "So, what will it be?"
Christian paused in front of her and passed a critical eye over her form. She wasn't much, he could tell that. But for now she would have to do. Besides, he'd be doing the world a favor. Allowing a small smile to play over his face he stepped closer and reached out a hand to trace her jaw.
She slapped it back and glared. "Not without paying you don't."
Christian replaced his hand and lowered it to grip her throat. "You'll get your due." He growled hungrily as he yanked her to him and buried his fangs into her neck.
Life giving liquid rushed into his mouth and pleasure washed over him. He sucked until he felt her go limp. He dropped her and stared at her now lifeless body, blood tainting the area around his lips and on her neck. "There, I paid."
And with the demon inside satisfied, he turned his gaze and attention to his garret and left the body.
*~*~*~*~*~*~* (A/N): Well, this is my first Moulin Rouge story. I was reading one of Anne Rices' books and my lovely muse kicked me into writing this. Not much, I know but if the feedback is good, there'll be more to come, filled with detail. And don't worry, I am a Christian/Satine diehard fan..I just wanted a new twist on the movie ^_^