Yawning and blinking the sleep from his eyes, Toulouse was the first to
awake. Seeing Pearl stretched out across his lap, his eyes widened, and his
heartbeat sped up. Toulouse was not exactly used to having people sleeping
on him, much less pretty girls sleeping on him. Somehow he managed to get
up without waking her, and he left to tell his plan to Zidler.
"WHO ARE YOU?" A gravely voice demanded. Pearl woke up, but she didn't open her eyes. A pair of strong hands suddenly grabbed her shoulders and sat her up, and then shook her. The voice repeated it's question about five times louder, and Pearl opened her eyes.
She was greeted by the sight of the narcoleptic Argentinean who'd slept through her introduction. Still yawning, she did not yet have the energy to tell him. And him shaking her wasn't helping either. So on instinct, she kicked her left foot out and hit him square in his 'talent'. He stopped shaking her, groaned, and toppled over onto the floor.
Yawning and stretching, Pearl stood up and stepped over him without a word. The man had annoyed her, so she would not treat him kindly for a while.
She went over to Satie, who'd ignored the whole thing. Pearl sat there staring at him a full five minutes without him noticing, and she had to laugh. That did distract him though, and he turned to look at her.
"Pearl, right?" He asked in a soft musical voice. Pearl nodded strands of tangled auburn hair falling into her eyes. Satisfied with her silent answer, he went back to the piano.
"So you are Pearl?" The narcoleptic asked from behind her.
"Yes. I met Toulouse yesterday and he offered me a spot here." She explained lightly, trying to avoid the Argentineans rather stifling gaze.
"Was there a reason you kicked me?" He asked with a trace of amusement in his voice. Pearl grinned sheepishly and nodded.
"You were shaking me, and I couldn't talk until you stopped shaking me, so I had to stop you somehow." Pearl replied, still avoiding his gaze in case he was still angry.
"Fine then. Just, next time, please kick my stomach or something." He asked, the hint of amusement in his voice growing. Pearl nodded, and looked him in the eyes before scuttling off to get something to eat.
That day, Harold called everyone to a meeting in the garden of the Moulin. All were in attendance except for Marie, Pearl, and Christian. Marie was missing because she noted that at her current state, Pearl would not impress the Duke. So she'd dragged her off to clean her, and get her dressed up. Christian was not there for obvious reasons, although he did watch the meeting through his window.
Zidlers booming voice carried up to where he stood, so he heard all about the plan. Just thinking about plays and the dance hall brought back too many memories. Satine, the play, and just really Satine in general.
"Come what may.." Christian whispered aloud. He wasn't sure if it was just his thoughts becoming so vivid her heard them, but he was nearly positive her heard a replying, "I will love you.."
"Until my dying day." He finished in a breathy singing voice. Even if it only was his imagination, he was comforted by the thought of Satine still singing with him. Snapping out of his daydream, he went back to listening to the plan. It would seem foolproof if only it did not remind him of Satine.
Upstairs Christian could hear Marie and Pearl. He had a strong desire to go and tell Pearl not to do it. The job was too dangerous. Satine had been in danger when she'd done the same thing, and was only saved by Chocolat's quick actions. But he did not want to ruin this. He thought his beloved Satine could rest easier if she knew the Moulin Rouge was not being run by the Duke.
Besides that, Pearl was stronger. Admitting that Satine had been weak physically and emotionally, that may have made things easier for the Duke. Pearl had no one that she loved to worry about, and although she was small, he'd heard from the Argentinean that she was quite forceful.
Comforting himself all would go well, he watched as the group in the garden began to make the posters that would be hung around Montmarte and Paris. The only downfall would be the masses of people coming to audition for a non-existent show.
In Toulouse's studio, Pearl was feeling very clean. Under Marie's insistence, she had taken three showers. She'd used nearly seven different kinds of soaps, and about five or so different shampoos. Now Marie was fixing up her hair and making random comments.
"Will we be done soon?" Pearl whined, rolling her eyes. She hated to be dressed up, but for this purpose she knew she must be.
"No, dear! Honestly, how can you have taken such poor care of your hair?" She fussed. Pearl just sighed and closed her eyes. There were no mirrors around, and Pearl was glad. She did not want to see how she looked.
Minute's later Marie finished with her hair. Then she walked around her, taking measurements. Marie stared into Pearl's dark chocolate eyes and began to mutter about what would go well with her hair and eyes. Pearl suggested red, but Marie scoffed at the idea. Marie went into the suitcase of clothes she'd brought with her and pulled out a black corset and a rather tiny emerald dress. The dress had red roses lining the bottom, and black lace around the edges.
"Will it fit?" Pearl exclaimed, staring at the dress. Not only was it a DRESS (which she rarely wore) but it looked like it was going to squeeze her to death if she put it on.
"Yes dearie it'll fit. Dresses are supposed to be tight. Now go put on the corset and I'll finish tying it." Marie replied, shoving the thing at her. Pearl stared at it, and wandered off to put it on. After quite a few tries she managed to get the corset on, and she went back to Marie feeling quite naked in such a tiny thing. Marie laced it up, cutting off a good bit of Pearls air.
"A bit tight, isn't it?" Pearl asked in a breathy voice. Marie ignored her, seeing as it was only half tied. By the end of it, Pearl was not sure she could walk.
"Never worn a corset, love?" Marie asked with a smile. All Pearl could do was nod as she looked down at herself. With all the air she had left, she gasped. Her body looked very alien to her right now. Her waist looked very tiny, and her breasts.well, they seemed to have grown.
Without warning, Marie yanked the dress down over her. That at least, was not so tight now she wore the corset. In fact, it hung loose around her legs. The top part of the dress was fitted so it would show off her newly acquired cleavage. Squirming, she tried to pull the dresses fabric up to hide it. Marie saw.
"No no no!" She chided, grabbing Pearls hand and putting it back at her side. Then Marie began adding accessories. A golden necklace strung with emeralds. Two ruby bracelets on each arm, and then she added a sparkling lime glitter to her nails before thrusting a pair of high-heeled black shoes at her.
As Pearl struggled to stay standing in her shoes, Marie began applying make- up. The only item she recognized was lipstick, everything else looked like some tool of torture. Marie stepped back some time later and surveyed her work. A smile lit the old woman's face.
"Darling, you look absolutely beautiful." Marie told her, smiling encouragement. Pearl was not used to looking beautiful, so Marie had to instruct her in some lady like behavior. As she taught Pearl the basics, they chatted about one another. Pearl was sad to hear Marie was not married and had no children, and felt that needed fixed. But before she had a chance to bring it up, Marie began lessons on how to talk and what to say.
Quite some time later, Marie felt they were done. She did not want to totally change the girl, because she had the feeling the Duke would be attracted to both Pearls innocence and aggressiveness. Marie led Pearl downstairs and over to the Moulin Rouge.
Pearl could not help but gape at it as she walked inside. Walking without much grace, as she worried about falling, she stepped into the garden. The chatter died down instantly, and soon every pair of eye was on her. She stared at the elephant, as everyone else stared at her.
Toulouse's mouth hung open as he looked at her. Earlier she'd been a very tough looking young lady, but now. Her dull and tangled hair was now shimmering in the light, done up in a very elegant style so it just hung lightly behind her just brushing against her slender neck. Pearls eyes seemed wider with the make-up, and her lashes were infinitely darker. Her skin looked a bit lighter and her cheeks a bit pinker. With the shoes, she was a lot taller. And with the corset, she was a tad bit more slender. And with the dress she looked very elegant. Even with all that, she managed to appear tougher and bolder than all the other girls did. And the dark times that were reflected in the others eyes, had not yet clouded hers.
From his window, Christian could see Pearl very well. She looked quite beautiful, and he did not doubt that the Duke would be delighted. Which was a very sickening thought indeed.
He watched as activity returned to normal, and groups set out to post the signs. As darkness overtook the garden, the last thing he saw before falling asleep was Toulouse walking Pearl home.
"WHO ARE YOU?" A gravely voice demanded. Pearl woke up, but she didn't open her eyes. A pair of strong hands suddenly grabbed her shoulders and sat her up, and then shook her. The voice repeated it's question about five times louder, and Pearl opened her eyes.
She was greeted by the sight of the narcoleptic Argentinean who'd slept through her introduction. Still yawning, she did not yet have the energy to tell him. And him shaking her wasn't helping either. So on instinct, she kicked her left foot out and hit him square in his 'talent'. He stopped shaking her, groaned, and toppled over onto the floor.
Yawning and stretching, Pearl stood up and stepped over him without a word. The man had annoyed her, so she would not treat him kindly for a while.
She went over to Satie, who'd ignored the whole thing. Pearl sat there staring at him a full five minutes without him noticing, and she had to laugh. That did distract him though, and he turned to look at her.
"Pearl, right?" He asked in a soft musical voice. Pearl nodded strands of tangled auburn hair falling into her eyes. Satisfied with her silent answer, he went back to the piano.
"So you are Pearl?" The narcoleptic asked from behind her.
"Yes. I met Toulouse yesterday and he offered me a spot here." She explained lightly, trying to avoid the Argentineans rather stifling gaze.
"Was there a reason you kicked me?" He asked with a trace of amusement in his voice. Pearl grinned sheepishly and nodded.
"You were shaking me, and I couldn't talk until you stopped shaking me, so I had to stop you somehow." Pearl replied, still avoiding his gaze in case he was still angry.
"Fine then. Just, next time, please kick my stomach or something." He asked, the hint of amusement in his voice growing. Pearl nodded, and looked him in the eyes before scuttling off to get something to eat.
That day, Harold called everyone to a meeting in the garden of the Moulin. All were in attendance except for Marie, Pearl, and Christian. Marie was missing because she noted that at her current state, Pearl would not impress the Duke. So she'd dragged her off to clean her, and get her dressed up. Christian was not there for obvious reasons, although he did watch the meeting through his window.
Zidlers booming voice carried up to where he stood, so he heard all about the plan. Just thinking about plays and the dance hall brought back too many memories. Satine, the play, and just really Satine in general.
"Come what may.." Christian whispered aloud. He wasn't sure if it was just his thoughts becoming so vivid her heard them, but he was nearly positive her heard a replying, "I will love you.."
"Until my dying day." He finished in a breathy singing voice. Even if it only was his imagination, he was comforted by the thought of Satine still singing with him. Snapping out of his daydream, he went back to listening to the plan. It would seem foolproof if only it did not remind him of Satine.
Upstairs Christian could hear Marie and Pearl. He had a strong desire to go and tell Pearl not to do it. The job was too dangerous. Satine had been in danger when she'd done the same thing, and was only saved by Chocolat's quick actions. But he did not want to ruin this. He thought his beloved Satine could rest easier if she knew the Moulin Rouge was not being run by the Duke.
Besides that, Pearl was stronger. Admitting that Satine had been weak physically and emotionally, that may have made things easier for the Duke. Pearl had no one that she loved to worry about, and although she was small, he'd heard from the Argentinean that she was quite forceful.
Comforting himself all would go well, he watched as the group in the garden began to make the posters that would be hung around Montmarte and Paris. The only downfall would be the masses of people coming to audition for a non-existent show.
In Toulouse's studio, Pearl was feeling very clean. Under Marie's insistence, she had taken three showers. She'd used nearly seven different kinds of soaps, and about five or so different shampoos. Now Marie was fixing up her hair and making random comments.
"Will we be done soon?" Pearl whined, rolling her eyes. She hated to be dressed up, but for this purpose she knew she must be.
"No, dear! Honestly, how can you have taken such poor care of your hair?" She fussed. Pearl just sighed and closed her eyes. There were no mirrors around, and Pearl was glad. She did not want to see how she looked.
Minute's later Marie finished with her hair. Then she walked around her, taking measurements. Marie stared into Pearl's dark chocolate eyes and began to mutter about what would go well with her hair and eyes. Pearl suggested red, but Marie scoffed at the idea. Marie went into the suitcase of clothes she'd brought with her and pulled out a black corset and a rather tiny emerald dress. The dress had red roses lining the bottom, and black lace around the edges.
"Will it fit?" Pearl exclaimed, staring at the dress. Not only was it a DRESS (which she rarely wore) but it looked like it was going to squeeze her to death if she put it on.
"Yes dearie it'll fit. Dresses are supposed to be tight. Now go put on the corset and I'll finish tying it." Marie replied, shoving the thing at her. Pearl stared at it, and wandered off to put it on. After quite a few tries she managed to get the corset on, and she went back to Marie feeling quite naked in such a tiny thing. Marie laced it up, cutting off a good bit of Pearls air.
"A bit tight, isn't it?" Pearl asked in a breathy voice. Marie ignored her, seeing as it was only half tied. By the end of it, Pearl was not sure she could walk.
"Never worn a corset, love?" Marie asked with a smile. All Pearl could do was nod as she looked down at herself. With all the air she had left, she gasped. Her body looked very alien to her right now. Her waist looked very tiny, and her breasts.well, they seemed to have grown.
Without warning, Marie yanked the dress down over her. That at least, was not so tight now she wore the corset. In fact, it hung loose around her legs. The top part of the dress was fitted so it would show off her newly acquired cleavage. Squirming, she tried to pull the dresses fabric up to hide it. Marie saw.
"No no no!" She chided, grabbing Pearls hand and putting it back at her side. Then Marie began adding accessories. A golden necklace strung with emeralds. Two ruby bracelets on each arm, and then she added a sparkling lime glitter to her nails before thrusting a pair of high-heeled black shoes at her.
As Pearl struggled to stay standing in her shoes, Marie began applying make- up. The only item she recognized was lipstick, everything else looked like some tool of torture. Marie stepped back some time later and surveyed her work. A smile lit the old woman's face.
"Darling, you look absolutely beautiful." Marie told her, smiling encouragement. Pearl was not used to looking beautiful, so Marie had to instruct her in some lady like behavior. As she taught Pearl the basics, they chatted about one another. Pearl was sad to hear Marie was not married and had no children, and felt that needed fixed. But before she had a chance to bring it up, Marie began lessons on how to talk and what to say.
Quite some time later, Marie felt they were done. She did not want to totally change the girl, because she had the feeling the Duke would be attracted to both Pearls innocence and aggressiveness. Marie led Pearl downstairs and over to the Moulin Rouge.
Pearl could not help but gape at it as she walked inside. Walking without much grace, as she worried about falling, she stepped into the garden. The chatter died down instantly, and soon every pair of eye was on her. She stared at the elephant, as everyone else stared at her.
Toulouse's mouth hung open as he looked at her. Earlier she'd been a very tough looking young lady, but now. Her dull and tangled hair was now shimmering in the light, done up in a very elegant style so it just hung lightly behind her just brushing against her slender neck. Pearls eyes seemed wider with the make-up, and her lashes were infinitely darker. Her skin looked a bit lighter and her cheeks a bit pinker. With the shoes, she was a lot taller. And with the corset, she was a tad bit more slender. And with the dress she looked very elegant. Even with all that, she managed to appear tougher and bolder than all the other girls did. And the dark times that were reflected in the others eyes, had not yet clouded hers.
From his window, Christian could see Pearl very well. She looked quite beautiful, and he did not doubt that the Duke would be delighted. Which was a very sickening thought indeed.
He watched as activity returned to normal, and groups set out to post the signs. As darkness overtook the garden, the last thing he saw before falling asleep was Toulouse walking Pearl home.