Standing across from each other, the two faced off. Nini fidgeted,
impatient for the Argentinean to make a first move. As if reading her
thoughts, the music began, a haunting beat, and without thought they began
to circle one another, preparing for what was to come. Just as the silent
looks from all around began to disturb Nini, the Argentineans voice cut
through it all.
"First there is desire." Following his lead, Nini stepped forward till the two dancers were a hairsbreadth apart. So close that she could hear his shallow breaths, feel the heat of his hand as it traced down her body, never touching. And as simply as that, she was back. Back to the day that it all began. The day she met him for the first time. No, that wasn't true. Looking back, she realized that she had seen him before, danced with him as well. He was somewhat of a regular at the Moulin Rouge, most often sneaking in to avoid the door guards (as well as save his money for absinth, she presumed.) But it wasn't until this particular night that he made an impression. And that was only chance, his.condition.acting up.
It had been during one of the closing numbers, and since there was a shortage of more "important" guests, when the foreigner had asked for the dance, she had cheekily accepted. Remembering him vaguely as a proficient partner, she was pleased to find him actually rather talented on the dance floor. However, when he went in for a low dip, Nini was perturbed to find herself flat on her back. A string of quite fluent curses died in her throat, though, when she saw the man collapsed several feet away. Calling over Chocolat, she accompanied her unconscious partner to a side room, where he was laid out to recover. Nini felt bad just leaving him there, so she sat on the floor next to him, enjoying a break from the pulsating music inside.
Suddenly, the doors burst open, revealing a panting but ever-jolly Zidler.
"Nini dear, I've been looking everywhere for you!" he began with unnecessary zeal.
"And why in heavens name would you be looking for little old me?" she asked innocently, not wanting to return just yet.
"Well, it just so happens that there is a rather wealthy looking gent out there intent on finding you. Far be it from me to deprive a valued customer his hearts desire." Zidler replied, flashing his winning smile. Catching sight of the man lying next to her, the smile melted smoothly into a knowing grin. ".but I see you're already busy. Pardon the intrusion, I was just leaving." Zidler backed towards the entrance, but when he was just moments from leaving, a flash of recognition crossed his face.
"He's that damn narcoleptic that's always sneaking in here!" Zidler thundered. "Why on Earth are you wasting your time with him? He's always broke!"
Narcoleptic. Well, that explained a lot. Rolling her eyes, Nini stood to face her boss.
"Harold, don't be stupid. Can't you see he's a bit out of sorts." She saw his eyes ram over the form on the floor, and had to laugh at his humbled look. Did he truly believe she would be so careless as to make a move without checking the size of the mans wallet? Satisfied that Harold would make no further complaints, she ushered him out, assuring him, "I just want to wait until he awakens. You wouldn't want him to die right here in your establishment, would you?" And with that, he was gone.
Returning to her spot on the floor, Nini was pleased to find the man lightly snoring, a sound that dispelled the look of death that had enshrouded him. Outside, the bands tempo picked up, and the sounds of laughter filled the air. It seemed that a twilight crowd had shown up. It was unusual, but not unheard of. Reluctantly, she rose and turned to leave. If it had really gotten busy, she would most likely be needed, and she did not feel like another search party finding her.
But before she could take a step, a hand shot out, clutching her ankle. The man was awake. The sudden movement had startled her, causing her to lose her balance. Behind her, there was a rustling sound, and without warning, an arm shot around her waist, steadying her.
"First there is desire." Following his lead, Nini stepped forward till the two dancers were a hairsbreadth apart. So close that she could hear his shallow breaths, feel the heat of his hand as it traced down her body, never touching. And as simply as that, she was back. Back to the day that it all began. The day she met him for the first time. No, that wasn't true. Looking back, she realized that she had seen him before, danced with him as well. He was somewhat of a regular at the Moulin Rouge, most often sneaking in to avoid the door guards (as well as save his money for absinth, she presumed.) But it wasn't until this particular night that he made an impression. And that was only chance, his.condition.acting up.
It had been during one of the closing numbers, and since there was a shortage of more "important" guests, when the foreigner had asked for the dance, she had cheekily accepted. Remembering him vaguely as a proficient partner, she was pleased to find him actually rather talented on the dance floor. However, when he went in for a low dip, Nini was perturbed to find herself flat on her back. A string of quite fluent curses died in her throat, though, when she saw the man collapsed several feet away. Calling over Chocolat, she accompanied her unconscious partner to a side room, where he was laid out to recover. Nini felt bad just leaving him there, so she sat on the floor next to him, enjoying a break from the pulsating music inside.
Suddenly, the doors burst open, revealing a panting but ever-jolly Zidler.
"Nini dear, I've been looking everywhere for you!" he began with unnecessary zeal.
"And why in heavens name would you be looking for little old me?" she asked innocently, not wanting to return just yet.
"Well, it just so happens that there is a rather wealthy looking gent out there intent on finding you. Far be it from me to deprive a valued customer his hearts desire." Zidler replied, flashing his winning smile. Catching sight of the man lying next to her, the smile melted smoothly into a knowing grin. ".but I see you're already busy. Pardon the intrusion, I was just leaving." Zidler backed towards the entrance, but when he was just moments from leaving, a flash of recognition crossed his face.
"He's that damn narcoleptic that's always sneaking in here!" Zidler thundered. "Why on Earth are you wasting your time with him? He's always broke!"
Narcoleptic. Well, that explained a lot. Rolling her eyes, Nini stood to face her boss.
"Harold, don't be stupid. Can't you see he's a bit out of sorts." She saw his eyes ram over the form on the floor, and had to laugh at his humbled look. Did he truly believe she would be so careless as to make a move without checking the size of the mans wallet? Satisfied that Harold would make no further complaints, she ushered him out, assuring him, "I just want to wait until he awakens. You wouldn't want him to die right here in your establishment, would you?" And with that, he was gone.
Returning to her spot on the floor, Nini was pleased to find the man lightly snoring, a sound that dispelled the look of death that had enshrouded him. Outside, the bands tempo picked up, and the sounds of laughter filled the air. It seemed that a twilight crowd had shown up. It was unusual, but not unheard of. Reluctantly, she rose and turned to leave. If it had really gotten busy, she would most likely be needed, and she did not feel like another search party finding her.
But before she could take a step, a hand shot out, clutching her ankle. The man was awake. The sudden movement had startled her, causing her to lose her balance. Behind her, there was a rustling sound, and without warning, an arm shot around her waist, steadying her.
