Chapter Four: One of Them

Someday soon, Le Fleur Noir would lock its doors at a decent hour, Babette prayed as she washed down a table. Following behind her was Brielle, the newest addition since Babette's arrival four years ago, carrying dirty mugs and plates. Two years Babette's junior, with dark hair and eyes, she bore such a resemblance to the older girl that a passerby could swear that the two were related. At such an early hour of the morning, both girls frowned tiredly as they moved from table to table.

"You'd think they would be down here helping us; as usual, they are too tired," Brielle muttered bitterly. The tone was fast becoming a familiar one with her, Babette noticed. Although she had already been here a few months, she had not warmed up as quickly as Babette herself had. Brielle was a sensitive, shy girl. The teasing and outspoken ways of the others apparently were a bit much for her.

Babette handed her more mugs, which Brielle expertly balanced. "Go easy on them. At midnight, we are in bed; they are up all night. Dawn is the earliest they can get some sleep."

"With all the men that follow them at night, I'm sure," Brielle sarcastically replied. "I swear I start to blush in my sleep from all the noise."

Babette grinned. "You do not need the noise; you blush at the very thought of what goes on," she laughed, seeing Brielle beginning to turn a light shade of red. "Unfortunately, you were cursed to be a given the room closest to Fifi's, and believe me, we all pity you."

"Oh I appreciate it so much!" Brielle mumbled, the sarcasm lingering in her words, but a smile slowly emerging on her lips. Babette was the one person in this place that she could get along with. "Babette, could you do me a favor?"

"Of course, what is it?" Babette asked, handing her another mug.

Brielle accepted it, taking it by the handle with her last available finger. "Don't let Madame make you perform at night with the rest of them."

Babette offered a half smile at the request. "You know Madame as well as I do by now; there is no 'I can not do that' when it comes to her orders."

"Well, how did you manage to avoid it this long?" Brielle asked curiously.

"Sheer luck and a little help from the others," Babette replied with a laugh.

"Help from the others?" Brielle repeated, surprised. "They actually help you?"

"Brielle, you really have to learn to…understand them," Babette replied, trying to explain. "They like to poke fun, but that is just how they are. Get to know them a little more, and stop taking things so seriously."

Brielle shrugged. "Maybe you're right," she said quietly before looking at Babette pleadingly. "But until I do, stay on cleaning time just a bit longer, please? You're the closest thing to a friend that I have here!"

Babette sighed, shaking her head with an amused expression. "All right, I promise I will try, but only if you promise not to judge the others so much." As Brielle looked a little hesitant at the thought, Babette added confidently, "Tell you what, I guarantee you that I can introduce you to at least two other girls that you can get along with here. How does that sound?"

"I'll believe it when I see it," Brielle said slowly.

Babette nodded. "Fair enough. Now, I think you'd better get those mugs and plates to the kitchen before your perfect balancing record is broken."

Brielle grinned. "Never!" she cried triumphantly, although, even as she spoke, she began to realize that the weight she was carrying was starting to get the best of her. "Then again, I think that may be a good idea; I'll be right back."

In the silence after Brielle's departure, Babette's mind began to reflect on her own words. Although she hadn't let on to Brielle, Madame was watching her far too closely, too thoughtfully in the past few days. Everyone knew those looks never brought good news, and Babette was certain that her luck was about to run out any day now.

Her suspicions were confirmed later that morning.

As Babette and Brielle started cleaning the last table, they heard a loud tapping on the window. On the other side was a small group of young men, watching the girls intently, obviously very pleased with themselves for sneaking a daytime peek. Brielle blushed a deeper shade of red than ever before, turning away as if that would make her invisible. This only seemed to gain her more attention as the men called to her, trying to get her to face them again with their muffled shouts and whistles.

Babette protectively stood in front of her, blocking her completely from their view. "Those immature little…" she growled, trailing off as she continued wiping down the table. When they would not leave them alone, Babette glared at the group, walking towards the window and roughly throwing it open. Leaning on the sill, her expression changed to a smirk. "Bonjour, messieurs. You boys look like fine young men, students even, oui?"

"Indeed, mademoiselle," the apparent leader answered, strutting closer to the window, proud as a peacock.

Babette nodded, as if impressed. "Students who can tell time, correct?" They all nodded, a little puzzled by the question. "Very good, then I suggest you leave as we are closed at this time of day!"

The leader ignored the threat. "We did not think a place like this was ever closed, especially considering that we are simply waiting for one of our own. He did not come back to the university last night."

"I am sure that he will be back soon," Babette angrily replied. "For now, we are closed, so get back to your books and leave us alone!"

The leader grimaced at her dangerously, seething as he spoke. "A mere showgirl has the nerve to tell us to leave? Who do you think you are?"

"Obviously someone smarter than a bunch of spoon fed brats!"

The young man raised his hand, rather instinctively Babette noticed as she quickly backed away…with a bit of help. Before she knew what had happened, she heard D'Araignée speaking.

"Monsieur, please wait right there!" she begged, dragging Babette forcefully by the arm towards the door.

"You pathetic little wretch!" D'Araignée hissed. "Will you ever learn to control that tongue of yours?"

When they reached the group outside, D'Araignée smiled, phony as always, as she addressed the insulted leader.

"Mon cher monsieur, I ever so humbly apologize!" she said, desperately. "This foolish girl did not know what she was saying, but it was only nerves, I assure you! She is dancing tonight for the first time, and it must be getting the best of her!"

"What?" Babette cried, silencing herself as D'Araignée tugged her arm painfully.

"Surely you could show her forgiveness as well as join us here for her debut," the elder woman continued. "I am certain you and your friends will not be disappointed!"

The leader's expression changed from angry to intrigued in a matter of seconds. "Is…that so?" he asked, trying to maintain a sense of authority as he gazed at her thoughtfully. Babette thought bitterly that she knew what part of his anatomy he was thinking with...and it wasn't his brain.

"Yes, of course!"

The leader continued leering at Babette. "I suppose we can return tonight to see if that is true."

"By all means, please do," D'Araignée said with an inviting smile. "We would be honored!"

"Very well," the leader replied after a moment's pause. "But before we go…I demand a personal apology from the strumpet herself. Although I am grateful for the invitation, she should still learn to think before she speaks, if she even knows how to think that is."

"Of course, that is not too much to ask for," D'Araignée said reassuringly. Shoving Babette forward, D'Araignée glared at her, demanding, "Apologize to the kind gentleman for his understanding!"

Babette gritted her teeth in defeat, remembering her earlier words of wisdom to Brielle: there was no 'I can not do that' when it came to Madame's orders. Swallowing a disgusting taste in her mouth, grimacing as she did so, she said quietly, "I…I am sorry, monsieur. I was wrong, and I should have known better."

"Yes, you should," the man said, patting her spitefully on the head as if she was a child. "We look forward to tonight; surely you have only the best planned for us."

"But of course," she growled.

"Until tonight then."

When they had walked out of sight, D'Araignée led Babette brutally by the shoulder inside the dancehall before giving her a harsh smack across the face.

"Don't you ever speak to any potential customer like that again, do you understand me?" D'Araignée shouted.

Babette nodded quickly. It was easier to give in rather than argue; she learned that long ago. "Of course, Madame; I am sorry."

"Cecile is ill this evening," D'Araignée snarled. "You will be taking her place, as well as joining the regular girls from now on. It is about time you earned your place here."

"I agree, absolutely."

D'Araignée took a deep, heaving breath. "You have until tonight to plan your routine! I suggest you do not waste any more time."

ooo

Odette frantically raced to the back room office that afternoon, books in one hand as she knocked noisily on the door with the other. Word had quickly spread of Babette's replacing Cecile that night, and as usual, she had been chosen to play the devil's advocate in fighting against the decision.

"All right, all right, enough!" D'Araignée's voice called before the door flew open and Odette was met by the old woman's very displeased frown.

"What can possibly be so important that you insist upon giving me a headache?" D'Araignée grumbled, returning to her desk in irritation.

Odette followed, placing the books back properly on the shelves. "Returning the books, for one thing, Madame, and to discuss Babette's debut for another."

D'Araignée ignored the latter concern. "Everything is accounted for? Nothing is missing?" she asked, attempting to sound interested.

"Oui, Madame, but about Babette…"

"Very well, then there is no need for you to stay here, is there?" D'Araignée interrupted immediately.

Odette sighed, choosing her words carefully. "Madame, she is not ready. If I must, I will cover for Cecile tonight, but do not put Babette out there on such short notice. She has not even done serving duties yet."

D'Araignée did not look up from a few scattered papers. "She is perfectly ready; I should have put her out there ages ago. Men do enjoy fresh, untainted meat, as you know."

"But she is not prepared for this!" Odette persisted. "Sending her out there cold, she could panic or freeze, and that is not fair to her!" Knowing which chord to strike with the older woman, she added as an afterthought, "Nor is it fair to the customers who are expecting nothing but the best!"

"That is her own fault," D'Araignée said, growing more impatient by the second. "Obviously you heard about the stunt she pulled this morning if you are so unrelenting about this. Perhaps if she had not done what she did, I would have been more generous and understanding to give her an extra day to prepare herself."

Odette shook her head adamantly. "Madame, even this is too much of a punishment. Please, I beg you to reconsider!"

D'Araignée rose from her seat once again, her smile and tone far too sweet to be genuine. "Odette, my precious little Odette, how long have you been here with us?"

Odette instinctively took a step backward, realizing that she had severed the woman's last thread of patience. "Quite a long time."

"Do you remember the day you arrived?" D'Araignée asked. "So frightened, yet so brave, running away to spare your family another mouth to feed after your father's business had failed. I believe those were your exact words. Do you remember who it was that took you in when you felt you had no where else to go?"

"You did, Madame."

"And who truly believes that, of all my girls, you would be the best 'heir' to this business after I am gone? You with your smarts, your reading, all that hoity toity nonsense left from your days of living in the bourgeoisie?"

"You do."

By the time D'Araignée spoke again, the sweetness had vanished and she stood threateningly eye-to-eye with Odette. "And who, pray tell, has the power to change all of that any time she chooses for your lack of common sense to speak against me?"

Odette lowered her eyes to the ground in defeat. "You do, Madame."

"Very good, do not forget it."

Satisfied with seeing the girl put in her place, D'Araignée returned to her desk. "You say Babette is not ready," she affirmed. "Did any of you fools think to get her ready instead of whining about how she is not?"

Odette shook her head. "I do not know what we were thinking, Madame," she answered submissively. "You, as always, are right."

"Of course I am," the old woman said. "Then I suggest you get out this instant and start teaching. You have a lot to show her before tonight."

ooo

Babette stood in the wings that night, swearing that butterflies were madly fluttering about in her stomach, as she listened to the crowd cheer on Aubrey's performance out on the floor. Before she realized she had company, however, both Odette and Aubrey joined her, the crowd's resounding applause for the latter just beginning to die down.

"Well, this is it," Odette said. "Are you ready?"

"I am going to be sick," Babette replied slowly, shaking like a leaf. "I can not do this, absolutely can not do this!"

"The hell you can't!" Aubrey said, hugging her close around the shoulders and obviously the most confident among the three of them. "You were taught by the very best, 'dette and me, and we worked you to the bone all afternoon! There is nothing you can not do!"

"Yes there is and this is it!"

Odette took Babette's hand comfortingly. "Listen to me, sweetie; what was the one thing I taught you today? Who is in charge out there?"

"I am."

"That's right, as long as you are out there, you call the shots, oui?"

"Oui."

"There is nothing to be afraid of then," Odette said firmly. "All of those men are here to see you, to be rewarded by you. If they do anything you do not like, take away the reward quickly; cover yourself a bit for example, and watch what happens! They will never do what they did to upset you again!"

Babette stared at her, utterly confused. "Are you talking about men or dogs?"

"Since when is there a difference?" Aubrey scoffed with a laugh. "The point, petite, is that you own that floor, not them! If they get too crazy, make them suffer."

As much as they were trying to help, Babette was not convinced, and the poor girl began shaking even more as she heard D'Araignée begin to introduce her.

"No!" she said hysterically, attempting a retreat, but the girls only held her in place. "I really can not go out there, I can't!"

As Aubrey helped Babette remain standing, Odette frantically began searching for something, letting out a quiet "Ah ha!" when she found what she was looking for: a tiny mirror that the girls kept in the wings to touch up their appearances before and after a performance.

"Here, look here!" she said, holding it in front of her friend. Somehow, it seemed to help as Babette very gradually began to relax a bit.

"Look at you," Odette continued soothingly. "I mean really look! You are going to have them eating out of your hands!"

Babette did as she was told, almost amazed at what she saw. She knew she was certainly not hideous, but she had never considered herself stunning or gorgeous, hence why she nearly did not recognize the girl staring back at her in the reflection.

"Mon Dieu, I…I am actually pretty," she whispered, giggling slightly as she realized how petty she must have sounded.

Odette and Aubrey only smiled gently as they nodded in agreement.

"You better believe it," Aubrey replied. "You are beautiful; they are going to love you."

"You really think so? Honest?" Babette asked, looking more like a child at that moment than she ever did when she had arrived at Le Fleur Noir.

"If they do not, they should consider having their brains checked!"

But before Babette could answer again, D'Araignée had finished her introduction and made her way to the wings, ever the impatient old witch.

"What in hell are you waiting for?" she growled. "Get your ass out there; they are waiting!"

Babette glanced one last time at the girls for support, to which they nodded reassuringly, before walking out to the floor, now more nervous than ever.

It felt as though time had come to a standstill. Babette knew there was music being played somewhere in the room, and that there were many men lecherously watching her every move and calling out to her. But all she could hear was silence as she looked beyond the footlights. Swallowing fearfully, she stood frozen in place; for how long, she did not know.

Glancing to her right, she saw D'Araignée and the girls watching, angry and worried respectively. Babette knew she had to do something. Looking down at her ensemble, she found and began to unbutton the coat that Odette had lent her, trying to appear casual and confident as she placed it aside, revealing to her onlookers a sleeveless bodice underneath. They were far from disappointed, she realized, as she at last heard their ecstatic cheers resulting from the action.

To the common women of the time, the shouts and whistles would have been deemed disgraceful and insulting. But Babette was not a common woman. She was a Fleurette, she thought with determination suddenly taking hold of her. Fleurettes fed off of such responses; they reveled in them! And now, Babette understood why as she forced her fears aside.

Gracefully, sexily, she floated across the floor, mimicking every move she had seen since she was a child. At one point, she noticed that the strap of her bodice had slipped slightly off of her shoulder. Watching her audience intently, she grinned as she let the other strap do the same on purpose. Another moment later, she lifted her skirt a bit, tucking it in place to let them relish the sight of her thigh, a forbidden area that "decent" women would never dream of showing in public. Such bold, yet simple actions, and the men whooped and hollered as though she was giving them paradise!

Throughout the entire dance, Babette's smile continued to grow as she swayed and glided along her way. Until now, the attentions of a man had made her feel uneasy and threatened, but then again, the only comparison she had was her father's lewd glances on the night he had brought her to Le Fleur Noir. This, oh this felt nothing like that! These men were here to admire her, the girl in the mirror! They found her beautiful, desirable, and every minute of her performance felt more incredible than she ever could have imagined possible!

By the time the music drew to a close, Babette could not help feeling a bit sorry that it was over so soon as she took her bow, savoring the wild cheers and applause she received. She took a moment to look once again at D'Araignée, who appeared quite satisfied with the response, and the girls, who were applauding just as loudly and grinning from ear to ear. Babette simply smirked proudly as she took the liberty of taking one final bow. At long last, she felt reassured that this place was where she truly belonged and wanted to stay. Finally, she was one of them; she was home.