Disclaimer: I don't own the Moulin Rouge, or Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor,
or even any little parcel of the set. So don't sue. I have nothing!
A/N: I'm finally posting my second story. I'm a little surprised myself! It's been a while. Hello world of fanfiction! R+R. You know the reviews are welcomed here (. I'd like to thank some certain ficcers who know who they are -- Previous reviewers and supporters of my fics. You're all great! Oh! And I know it's confusing but Satina is not the same as Satine. Read on!
The Road of Fate Chapter 1 - An Eternal Flame By: Kattydid
"Here lay the lovely and beautiful Satina Leunette. Her talent for the arts was known throughout the French community, for what brought her to London today..."
A young girl sat alone, head bowed and eyes bloodshot from crying. She loved her mother dearly. Her death hit young Satine like a rock, pelting her and penetrating her sadness into nothing but silent cries and questions to the heavens.
It happened so quickly, so unexpectedly...
As did for her father, whose body was too beaten to be shown.
Somewhere inside this small child, a fire was burning deep in her heart. An eternal flame that could never be put out. A child whose mind was trying to understand how anyone could be so cruel to take something that important away.
Knowing her beliefs, the young girl often questioned the one supreme being who controlled it all. Of all the things someone of her age could imagine, this was the worst. She just wanted her family back.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
"Satine," Her mother called. "Is it alright if Papa and I leave you with Auntie Bella for a bit? We're to look at a new home with a big room for you!"
"Ofcourse Mama! I would love a big room!" young Satine squealed, bright- eyed and joyful.
"Darling, we'll be home as soon as we can." Her father kissed her sweetly on the forehead.
And with that, they left. Satine sat quietly for the next few hours in her small bedroom with candlelight. She entertained herself most of the time with her only doll, Rosie. She named it for the rosy cheeks she had, and for the resemblance of her mother, who was, to Satine, a beautiful rose.
The night hours were cold and bitter. And the noisy thunder crashes rumbled, with the rain turning to ice as it crackled on the thin roof of their small home. Satine was getting sleepy, but wanted to wait for her parents to come back to tuck her in.
"Auntie Bella," Satine quietly asked her Aunt, who was reading by the fire. "When are Mama and Papa coming home?"
"Oh, dear. I didn't realize how late it was. They should've been home by now."
Children take terms into their own hands. They say what's on their minds. "Are they ever coming back?"
Her Aunt Bella's eyes shot mysteriously at Satine, as if it was a bad omen to ask such a simple question. "Of course they are, Darling. Just wait a bit longer. Why don't you go to sleep in front of the fire here?"
"Alright, Aunt Bella. Please wake me when they come."
"I will, Satine. Good night."
But within an hour, there was a knock at the door. It was Jim from down the street. Bella arose to get the door, carefully as not to disturb the sleeping Satine.
"Jim, what a pleasant su-- Jim?" His facial expression was serious, this couldn't be so.
"It's Satina and Robert. They've been killed!"
"What? Jim, are you sure?"
"Positive. That God-awful goon was at it again. He thinks that just because he owns half of the community, he can get away with what he wants to. But I seen it! I was there!"
Bella's voice was low and quiet. "No."
"That's what I say! Honestly they did nothing wrong! Just passing through. That Roy was angry again. Shooting off all over the place. He picked a fight with them, and they did nothing to make him mad. He got angry anyway. Killed Robert first. Punching him to the ground while Satina screamed. Robert tried to get up and save Satina, but the shots came next. Roy shot him down and Satina attempted fighting with him. But his men grabbed her, and Roy killed her."
"That isn't true!"
"Honestly Bella! I ain't lyin' to ya'!"
"Why you're just a cheap liar trying to hurt a family with your words! Well, I ain't falling for it!"
"Bella, you know I'm not lying," he said with a look of seriousness that this Jim never contained. "Look at me. I'm telling you the truth." And with his voice so mellow and sweet, Bella saw something she'd never seen in a man. She seen stars in his eyes, as the knife drove further into her heart.
Tears began streaming down Bella's face. Her voice still small and throaty. "Would you like some tea, Jim?"
"Bella, I'm sorry, but I must be going... He's killed a few others tonight. I'll see you soon. I promise."
"Thank you, Jim."
Satine quietly approached behind the door. "Auntie, what was that about?"
With a small jump, Bella tried to get herself together for the young one. "Goodness, I thought you were asleep, child."
"Auntie, why are you crying?"
Bella looked into the eyes of the innocent Satine and hesitated with her words. That face would have to grow up quickly, grow without a mother or a father. She didn't want to end her childhood so fast. How could she ever?
"Auntie?"
"It's...about Mama and Papa."
"Are they coming home soon?"
"I'm afraid not..."
But then she knew, and didn't want to hear anymore. She ran to the fireplace, dropping to the floor and held Rosie close. Death was so mysterious to a girl at the tender age of 6. She didn't know much about it. All known to her was that when people die, they go to sleep and never wake up, or they go to a place called 'heaven', but which one was it? Not that it mattered. She knew it was over. She wasn't seeing her mother or father ever again. And "Forever" was a strong word for a child.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
"Harold, what are we to do? We can't have Satine live here. This isn't even a home. We've not enough money to provide her. How will she even love us?"
"Oh, Marie. You needn't say those things. I'll make it feel like home for her. I've been working longer in the bakery. I've already made her a bed to sleep in."
"But how is she going to act? Is she going to be so upset that she won't talk to us or want any part of us?"
"We'll worry about that when the time comes."
Marie quietly finished the coat she was making for Satine which what little fabric she had for it. She felt so bad for the little child. She lost her parents. Satina was good friends with Marie, who was Satine's Godmother.
They had only seen the child once, but even then, it was easy to see that the baby was Satina's child. Satine was the picture of beauty and love.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
The whistle of the halting train awakened Satine. She was now in Paris. Bella sent her to Montemartre to be with her Godparents. It was said to be a town of writers' and painters. It was where Satina grew up and found love.
She was nearly hustled off of the train by busy people not watching their step. Satine had brought a tiny cloth bag with what few belongings she did own, and her doll, Rosie.
Paris was certainly big. Satine looked around to find many beautiful and rich-looking buildings. But she didn't know what to do. Who were Harold and Marie? Of course she had heard of them, but not much. She didn't know what to do other than stand in that spot, waiting for something or someone mysterious to take her away to a new home.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
"Look, Harold! It's Satine!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure! She looks just like her mother." Marie slowly approached her, not wanting to scare her, but Satine was looking elsewhere. "Satine?"
Satine shook herself out of her state of wonderment. "Oh, hello! You must be Aunt Marie!" She smiled happily, even if she was far from it.
Marie was surprised at Satine's sweetness. She was expecting an upset little girl. "Why yes, but you don't have to call me Aunt. You may call me whatever you please."
"Why not Marie?"
"Sounds fine to me!" She pulled Harold over. "This man here, is Harold. You can also call him what you want."
"Why hello little muffin." Harold held out his arms, grabbing her into a hug.
They weren't what she expected, but she decided to like them. It wasn't every day that people were so welcoming to her. Since her parents were gone, her Aunt Bella was disheveled and quiet. Satine never knew what to do or say.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
Her new home was tiny, smaller than before. But she'd have to accept it. Marie and Harold provided her with as much as they could, so she was grateful.
She'd be starting school in a week, but didn't know much French. Dreading every next moment, she eventually fell asleep on the small cot, grasping Rosie tightly. But before long, the recurring nightmares came again; the ones of the night her parents being killed by an awful man. She shook, reliving it each time, knowing what was to happen, but couldn't control it. It was too real. Only this time, she wasn't the innocent girl falling asleep by the fireplace. She was a growing girl who lost her childhood with the deaths of her parents.
The following nights were as restless as the ones before. Satine grew accustomed to looking out the small window near her cot and sung herself to sleep most of the time, looking at the stars.
The stars were brilliant, not just balls of gas up in the depths of the galaxies beyond. To Satine they were so much more than that. Stars were angels, they were symbols, but symbols of what? Satine often questioned that herself, but she also often realized that no matter what they were, stars stood for something powerful. She felt that by gazing at them each night, she'd find her parents, her wonderful past, and maybe some hope for a future.
That night, she dreamt...
"Oh, you silly child. You cannot behold the future within the stars, just believe. Have hope, hold onto your dreams. You're still a child."
Satine gasped in fear. Where was she? The whole room had lit up. And a strange old woman was standing before her. "Bu-But, what about my mother and father? I want to see them so much..."
"You have your memories. You have to sleep, child, sleep is the key to dreams at night, and if you sleep, you will dream. If you dream, you will see them, as vivid as the past was at the time."
"I don't want the memories. I want to see them!" Satine's fear was almost anger at the same time. Already, she was sick of battling the pain of loss.
"In good time you'll see them. Just you wait."
Tears streamed down her soft face with so much love for what she had. "Can I get to them earlier than expected? Please?"
"Child, wait for your fate. You have yet to see the long road ahead of you."
"Can't I change it? Can I make it shorter?"
The glowing woman looked at her with such pity. She knew what Satine's future beheld. "Fate only changes when something intervenes. When something alters it. But that's very unlikely."
Satine's eyes fluttered in amazement. "How?"
"Don't worry about that. Just live your life. Dream a little dream now and then."
And with that, the old woman formed into a small light that flew past Satine before she had a chance to ask the woman who she was, or why she even came. But through all the confusion and fright, Satine slept this dream through until morning.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
"Satine. Satine? It's time to get up for school."
With a small mumble and a rub of her eyes, Satine awoke slowly, instantly remembering last nights' dream.
Marie patted Satine's small head. "Come along sleepyhead, time for your breakfast."
Harold had already started on his breakfast before he went into the bakeshop to put in a long day. "Good morning Sugarplum! Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, Harry, thank you very much."
Satine took a seat across from Harold and sat quietly. She didn't want to express any feelings regarding last night, let alone unsatisfied thoughts. She really did appreciate Harold and Marie, and all that they did. But she just couldn't call them "Mummy" and "Daddy." Though she knew she probably could never bring herself to doing so, they were a couple of the most loving people she'd ever met. Just like her parents.
But even Satine knew that nothing they could do or say could change how she felt. Nothing could change the past, the unfairness that went on, or the hatred the world contained. Harold and Marie were simply people who took her in despite the anguish burning in her heart.
Of course that wasn't meant for children to understand. What they know is what they live off of. They feel that grownups can do anything. Grown-ups were the caretakers who took the pain away and made everything better. Though normally, this was only the role of the mother and the father. Satine knew that no matter how much she'd loved her parents, they were only people too. Just as Marie and Harold were. And no one in the world could take her pain away. No riches, or a big room, or the doll that her mother had given her, would change what happened. What's done was done, and reality was now.
A/N: That's the end of Chapter one. 2 should come soon. Please review, I'd love to know what you all think!
A/N: I'm finally posting my second story. I'm a little surprised myself! It's been a while. Hello world of fanfiction! R+R. You know the reviews are welcomed here (. I'd like to thank some certain ficcers who know who they are -- Previous reviewers and supporters of my fics. You're all great! Oh! And I know it's confusing but Satina is not the same as Satine. Read on!
The Road of Fate Chapter 1 - An Eternal Flame By: Kattydid
"Here lay the lovely and beautiful Satina Leunette. Her talent for the arts was known throughout the French community, for what brought her to London today..."
A young girl sat alone, head bowed and eyes bloodshot from crying. She loved her mother dearly. Her death hit young Satine like a rock, pelting her and penetrating her sadness into nothing but silent cries and questions to the heavens.
It happened so quickly, so unexpectedly...
As did for her father, whose body was too beaten to be shown.
Somewhere inside this small child, a fire was burning deep in her heart. An eternal flame that could never be put out. A child whose mind was trying to understand how anyone could be so cruel to take something that important away.
Knowing her beliefs, the young girl often questioned the one supreme being who controlled it all. Of all the things someone of her age could imagine, this was the worst. She just wanted her family back.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
"Satine," Her mother called. "Is it alright if Papa and I leave you with Auntie Bella for a bit? We're to look at a new home with a big room for you!"
"Ofcourse Mama! I would love a big room!" young Satine squealed, bright- eyed and joyful.
"Darling, we'll be home as soon as we can." Her father kissed her sweetly on the forehead.
And with that, they left. Satine sat quietly for the next few hours in her small bedroom with candlelight. She entertained herself most of the time with her only doll, Rosie. She named it for the rosy cheeks she had, and for the resemblance of her mother, who was, to Satine, a beautiful rose.
The night hours were cold and bitter. And the noisy thunder crashes rumbled, with the rain turning to ice as it crackled on the thin roof of their small home. Satine was getting sleepy, but wanted to wait for her parents to come back to tuck her in.
"Auntie Bella," Satine quietly asked her Aunt, who was reading by the fire. "When are Mama and Papa coming home?"
"Oh, dear. I didn't realize how late it was. They should've been home by now."
Children take terms into their own hands. They say what's on their minds. "Are they ever coming back?"
Her Aunt Bella's eyes shot mysteriously at Satine, as if it was a bad omen to ask such a simple question. "Of course they are, Darling. Just wait a bit longer. Why don't you go to sleep in front of the fire here?"
"Alright, Aunt Bella. Please wake me when they come."
"I will, Satine. Good night."
But within an hour, there was a knock at the door. It was Jim from down the street. Bella arose to get the door, carefully as not to disturb the sleeping Satine.
"Jim, what a pleasant su-- Jim?" His facial expression was serious, this couldn't be so.
"It's Satina and Robert. They've been killed!"
"What? Jim, are you sure?"
"Positive. That God-awful goon was at it again. He thinks that just because he owns half of the community, he can get away with what he wants to. But I seen it! I was there!"
Bella's voice was low and quiet. "No."
"That's what I say! Honestly they did nothing wrong! Just passing through. That Roy was angry again. Shooting off all over the place. He picked a fight with them, and they did nothing to make him mad. He got angry anyway. Killed Robert first. Punching him to the ground while Satina screamed. Robert tried to get up and save Satina, but the shots came next. Roy shot him down and Satina attempted fighting with him. But his men grabbed her, and Roy killed her."
"That isn't true!"
"Honestly Bella! I ain't lyin' to ya'!"
"Why you're just a cheap liar trying to hurt a family with your words! Well, I ain't falling for it!"
"Bella, you know I'm not lying," he said with a look of seriousness that this Jim never contained. "Look at me. I'm telling you the truth." And with his voice so mellow and sweet, Bella saw something she'd never seen in a man. She seen stars in his eyes, as the knife drove further into her heart.
Tears began streaming down Bella's face. Her voice still small and throaty. "Would you like some tea, Jim?"
"Bella, I'm sorry, but I must be going... He's killed a few others tonight. I'll see you soon. I promise."
"Thank you, Jim."
Satine quietly approached behind the door. "Auntie, what was that about?"
With a small jump, Bella tried to get herself together for the young one. "Goodness, I thought you were asleep, child."
"Auntie, why are you crying?"
Bella looked into the eyes of the innocent Satine and hesitated with her words. That face would have to grow up quickly, grow without a mother or a father. She didn't want to end her childhood so fast. How could she ever?
"Auntie?"
"It's...about Mama and Papa."
"Are they coming home soon?"
"I'm afraid not..."
But then she knew, and didn't want to hear anymore. She ran to the fireplace, dropping to the floor and held Rosie close. Death was so mysterious to a girl at the tender age of 6. She didn't know much about it. All known to her was that when people die, they go to sleep and never wake up, or they go to a place called 'heaven', but which one was it? Not that it mattered. She knew it was over. She wasn't seeing her mother or father ever again. And "Forever" was a strong word for a child.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
"Harold, what are we to do? We can't have Satine live here. This isn't even a home. We've not enough money to provide her. How will she even love us?"
"Oh, Marie. You needn't say those things. I'll make it feel like home for her. I've been working longer in the bakery. I've already made her a bed to sleep in."
"But how is she going to act? Is she going to be so upset that she won't talk to us or want any part of us?"
"We'll worry about that when the time comes."
Marie quietly finished the coat she was making for Satine which what little fabric she had for it. She felt so bad for the little child. She lost her parents. Satina was good friends with Marie, who was Satine's Godmother.
They had only seen the child once, but even then, it was easy to see that the baby was Satina's child. Satine was the picture of beauty and love.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
The whistle of the halting train awakened Satine. She was now in Paris. Bella sent her to Montemartre to be with her Godparents. It was said to be a town of writers' and painters. It was where Satina grew up and found love.
She was nearly hustled off of the train by busy people not watching their step. Satine had brought a tiny cloth bag with what few belongings she did own, and her doll, Rosie.
Paris was certainly big. Satine looked around to find many beautiful and rich-looking buildings. But she didn't know what to do. Who were Harold and Marie? Of course she had heard of them, but not much. She didn't know what to do other than stand in that spot, waiting for something or someone mysterious to take her away to a new home.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
"Look, Harold! It's Satine!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure! She looks just like her mother." Marie slowly approached her, not wanting to scare her, but Satine was looking elsewhere. "Satine?"
Satine shook herself out of her state of wonderment. "Oh, hello! You must be Aunt Marie!" She smiled happily, even if she was far from it.
Marie was surprised at Satine's sweetness. She was expecting an upset little girl. "Why yes, but you don't have to call me Aunt. You may call me whatever you please."
"Why not Marie?"
"Sounds fine to me!" She pulled Harold over. "This man here, is Harold. You can also call him what you want."
"Why hello little muffin." Harold held out his arms, grabbing her into a hug.
They weren't what she expected, but she decided to like them. It wasn't every day that people were so welcoming to her. Since her parents were gone, her Aunt Bella was disheveled and quiet. Satine never knew what to do or say.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
Her new home was tiny, smaller than before. But she'd have to accept it. Marie and Harold provided her with as much as they could, so she was grateful.
She'd be starting school in a week, but didn't know much French. Dreading every next moment, she eventually fell asleep on the small cot, grasping Rosie tightly. But before long, the recurring nightmares came again; the ones of the night her parents being killed by an awful man. She shook, reliving it each time, knowing what was to happen, but couldn't control it. It was too real. Only this time, she wasn't the innocent girl falling asleep by the fireplace. She was a growing girl who lost her childhood with the deaths of her parents.
The following nights were as restless as the ones before. Satine grew accustomed to looking out the small window near her cot and sung herself to sleep most of the time, looking at the stars.
The stars were brilliant, not just balls of gas up in the depths of the galaxies beyond. To Satine they were so much more than that. Stars were angels, they were symbols, but symbols of what? Satine often questioned that herself, but she also often realized that no matter what they were, stars stood for something powerful. She felt that by gazing at them each night, she'd find her parents, her wonderful past, and maybe some hope for a future.
That night, she dreamt...
"Oh, you silly child. You cannot behold the future within the stars, just believe. Have hope, hold onto your dreams. You're still a child."
Satine gasped in fear. Where was she? The whole room had lit up. And a strange old woman was standing before her. "Bu-But, what about my mother and father? I want to see them so much..."
"You have your memories. You have to sleep, child, sleep is the key to dreams at night, and if you sleep, you will dream. If you dream, you will see them, as vivid as the past was at the time."
"I don't want the memories. I want to see them!" Satine's fear was almost anger at the same time. Already, she was sick of battling the pain of loss.
"In good time you'll see them. Just you wait."
Tears streamed down her soft face with so much love for what she had. "Can I get to them earlier than expected? Please?"
"Child, wait for your fate. You have yet to see the long road ahead of you."
"Can't I change it? Can I make it shorter?"
The glowing woman looked at her with such pity. She knew what Satine's future beheld. "Fate only changes when something intervenes. When something alters it. But that's very unlikely."
Satine's eyes fluttered in amazement. "How?"
"Don't worry about that. Just live your life. Dream a little dream now and then."
And with that, the old woman formed into a small light that flew past Satine before she had a chance to ask the woman who she was, or why she even came. But through all the confusion and fright, Satine slept this dream through until morning.
.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.-~¤~-.,.-~^*\\|//*^~-¤-~^*\\|//*^~-.,.
"Satine. Satine? It's time to get up for school."
With a small mumble and a rub of her eyes, Satine awoke slowly, instantly remembering last nights' dream.
Marie patted Satine's small head. "Come along sleepyhead, time for your breakfast."
Harold had already started on his breakfast before he went into the bakeshop to put in a long day. "Good morning Sugarplum! Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, Harry, thank you very much."
Satine took a seat across from Harold and sat quietly. She didn't want to express any feelings regarding last night, let alone unsatisfied thoughts. She really did appreciate Harold and Marie, and all that they did. But she just couldn't call them "Mummy" and "Daddy." Though she knew she probably could never bring herself to doing so, they were a couple of the most loving people she'd ever met. Just like her parents.
But even Satine knew that nothing they could do or say could change how she felt. Nothing could change the past, the unfairness that went on, or the hatred the world contained. Harold and Marie were simply people who took her in despite the anguish burning in her heart.
Of course that wasn't meant for children to understand. What they know is what they live off of. They feel that grownups can do anything. Grown-ups were the caretakers who took the pain away and made everything better. Though normally, this was only the role of the mother and the father. Satine knew that no matter how much she'd loved her parents, they were only people too. Just as Marie and Harold were. And no one in the world could take her pain away. No riches, or a big room, or the doll that her mother had given her, would change what happened. What's done was done, and reality was now.
A/N: That's the end of Chapter one. 2 should come soon. Please review, I'd love to know what you all think!