Chapter 6
Chapter 6

Just before eleven, after her performance, Diana sat at the vanity in her dressing room, taking off the heavy stage makeup. Her door was slightly ajar because the room was very stuffy. She was finally able to relax after a hellish week.

Christian noticed the time at the end of the Midnight Amethyst's performance and he knew what he had to do. Even with his apprehensions, to not go would be dishonorable. He took a deep breath and headed into the back of the Moulin Rouge. He had not been back in the skeleton since Satine died but he still knew every pathway and every corner.

He found the Midnight Amethyst's door easily to his surprise. As he got closer to the door, he heard her singing softly. He didn't hear what it was at first but then, as he got closer still, he knew it…'I'll Fly Away.'

"I can't do this," he thought to himself. "But I have to." He pushed the door open and stood in the frame.

"Hello Christian," Diana said without even looking at him. She remained steadfast on her reflection in the mirror.

"How did you know?"

"I invited you. Also only one man here can enter a room like you." She said, still gazing at her reflection. She motioned for him to come in as she took down her hair.

"How is that?"

"Quiet, gentle, civilized… not like many of the flamboyants here." Christian laughed slightly. And then she turned around.

"I would know you anywhere. Whether it is on the streets of Paris, London, Rome, or New York."

Christian's head was swimming in curiosity. He had no idea how to react or which question to ask first. All he did know was that he was getting nervous and agitated. He also knew that anything that did come out would be stuttered.

"W-why did you want to see me?"

"Several reasons. Which one do you want first?"

"The easiest."

"When I bought the Moulin Rouge, I wanted to get everyone who was here before. I needed a writer for the next play to be performed here."

"YOU bought the Moulin Rouge?!" Christian asked. "How did you get it away from the Duke?"

"He really didn't want it. I managed to negotiate with him and I bought it from him for a fair price."

"What's the other reason?" Christian asked returning to the first question.

"I felt there were things you needed to know," she responded cryptically. "But I don't think you'll want to hear it."

"What are you talking about? Amethyst, please tell me…" Christian pleaded.

"Do NOT call me that! You never called Satine 'The Sparkling Diamond.'" Diana interrupted.

Christian was thrown back by this. No one had really mentioned Satine's name, but him, since she died.

"S-Satine?" His voice quivered as he spoke, feeling his emotions starting to well up. "You knew Satine? H-how is that possible? You just got here and s-she's…" Christian had to take a deep breath to control himself. "…She's d-dead."

Diana could see how this was affecting him. But she knew she had to tell him. "I knew Satine long before now. She was my best friend. We met when we were about ten years old. We became fast friends and remained that way even when my family moved again. We kept up contact with each other through letters. I still have everyone…including her last."

Christian was trying to absorb all this at once. He was on the verge of tears but still trying to hold it together.

"You said you would have known me anywhere. How…" Christian asked, still inquiring about her name.

"Diana. Diana Barrister."

"How did you know who I was, Diana?"

"Satine. She described you very well. Would you like to read them?"

Christian nodded slightly. "Could I?"

Diana removed a bundle from her vanity drawer and handed it to Christian, who was now seated on her bed.

"They may not bring you comfort but you'll be able to hold on to her for a little while."

Christian pulled one of the letters out of the bundle, unfortunately one from the last year. As he started reading Satine's word, Christian started sobbing. Diana had never meant to hurt him and this caused her so much pain.

"Christian, I'm sorry," she said as she sat down next to him, trying to comfort him. "I never had the intention of hurting you."

"It's not you. I just miss her so much," he replied through his tears, frantically wiping his eyes.

"I know what you're going through."

"How the hell could you possibly understand? I loved her more than life itself." Christian snapped back.

"I too lost a love before. You are not the only one who has had their life torn apart with a tragic death." Diana heard the rage and anger in her own voice and regretted letting it explode at Christian. She knew all too well the pain he suffered.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Christian ignored her and kept reading, all the while tears streaming down his face. Diana decided to leave him alone for a while, thinking to herself "My God, I have damned myself again." She left as quietly as he came in. She went into the courtyard and gazed upon what she had just done, IL Rinascimento del Moulin Rouge.

In the early morning hours, probably around one or two, Diana returned to her dressing room. She found Christian sound asleep on the bed, his face streaked with tearstains and the letters all around him.

"I wonder if he read all of them?" she thought to herself. "Good night Christian," she whispered as she turned down the lamp and went to sleep herself on the couch.

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