AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the long vacation but my fluff bunnies and I had a serious case of writer's block. Of course, I should warn you that I may not use all of the same songs from Moulin Rouge.
Sakufluff: On with the show!
Narufluff: Hey! That's my line!
DISCLAIMER: Moulin Rouge, Kingdom Hearts, and songs featured that does not come with the Moulin Rouge movie does not belong to me but to their rightful owners and distributors.
Part 2: Namine
We were off to the Moulin Rouge where I would perform my poetry for Namine. Xigbar let me borrow one of his well tailored suits. When we entered, the place was packed from one end to the other with customers of all varieties dancing and having a good time. Of course, it was amazing to me for until now I have never even been to a bordello. The dance floor was huge. Even the tables and chairs were sat in by someone while others merely stood up. Each sipped a drink of their choice. A red curtain was located just above the huge balcony that seems to wrap around above us on the dance floor. The bright chandeliers and stage lights worked together to help give the Moulin Rouge the air of magic it is known to have when you first walk in.
Xemnas own Diamond Dogs graced each and every customer, male or female, with their presence. The female Dogs wore what some called slutty lingerie while the males were leather, spandex, and nothing else. The promise of secret pleasures beyond a man's wildest dreams spilled from their lips enticing even the weariest of visitors to come and play with the night temptresses.
"Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir!" Some of his Diamond Dogs sung.
"Hey sister. Go sister. Soul Sister. Go sister." The others sung as they danced around, rubbing against and teasing each male as they continued their song and dance.
Out of nowhere in the thick of the crowd and dressed as a ringmaster at a circus, stood a man with white hair and golden eyes. He wore a welcoming half smile as he opened his arms up in bid of welcome. Then he disappeared and reappeared on the balcony. The crowd practically went wild. It was then, the man I did not know until later as Xemnas began to sing as his Diamond Dogs continued their siren song.
"If life's an awful bore. And living's just a chore. That you do 'cause life's not that much fun. I've just the antidote. And though I mustn't gloat. At the Moulin Rouge you'll have much fun. So scratch that little niggles. Give a little wiggle. You know that you…"
"Can, cancan." His Diamond Dog sings.
"Don't say that you can't, can't can't." Xemnas sung in return.
"You know you can, can, can!"
Don't say you can't
You know you can
"Here we are, entertain us. We feel stupid and contagious!" Both males and some females yelled back at him as they sung this.
I was now in the thick of the crowd and felt the pull just as much as the rest of the rich gentlemen who found their way into the Moulin Rouge. I was dressed in a black and white suit that Xigbar let me borrow. My blonde hair still spiky no matter what I try. However, I was sharp enough to pass off as some rich fellow who came to the Moulin Rouge to "get my money's worth".
"Got some dark desire? Love to play with fire? Why not let it rip? And live a little bit?" Xemnas continued singing.
Of course, my friends and I were not aware of the man who has also entered the Moulin Rouge that night to see Namine as investor... He was dressed in a black and white suite, blending in with what he would probably prefer to call the common folks. He watched with lustful eyes as the women danced about, sizing each one up. However, the Duke's only interest and secret desires was for only one special lady…
"We can cancan. Don't say you can't, can't can't. You know you can, can, can."
This time I sung and danced around like everyone else, also blending in. I was completely overwhelmed, yet somehow managing to keep a level head. Not wanting to consume too much alcohol in order to stay focus event though every nerve in my body practically sung. Of course, I was too caught up in the present moment of the Cancan Dance for my nervousness to really show yet.
"Outside it's really raining. But in here it's entertaining. If you love, love, love. To be free, free, free. The Moulin Rouge is the place to be."
"Because we can cancan! Yes we can cancan!"
"Here we are, entertain us. We feel stupid and contagious!" The crowd sung, I now joining in this happy chant.
We repeated this over and over. I am already tipsy with delight at the lights, the music, and the sheer intoxication of the Moulin Rouge. I was practically drunk from it, but still I wanted more.
"Outside things may be tragic. But in here it feels like magic." Xemnas sings.
They were still singing the Cancan song and the dancing continued.
Music was still going as I followed Xigbar, the Argentinean, Axel, and Doc to an empty table they somehow manage to reserve. We have successfully evaded Xemnas. Silently, I listened and followed, listen to Xigbar schooled me on what he knew of some of the clients of the Moulin Rouge, pointing here and there as he named and spoke of each.
"And of course Madame Madeline…" Xigbar rattled on.
But I was no longer paying attention. With the music over, my mind drifted back to the plan. I found myself thinking of our plan. A part of me knew that there was a fat chance that this plan may not work. However, if it did then I would not only get to be the voice of the revolution, but also become a famous writer and be known around the world.
I was so far in my thoughts that I never even remembered when I sat down. Of course, all of that changed when I heard the voice of who I thought was an angel for the very first time.
"The French is glad to die for love. They delight in fighting duels."
Suddenly, all of the lights flickered off, casting a spotlight nearby just up above our heads. I looked up and that was when I saw her for the first time. Namine.
"It's her." Axel whispered just loud enough for me to hear. "The Sparkling Diamond."
The Sparkling Diamond. She was stunning dressed in a dark blue shimmering dress and a simple blue rose placed strategically in her blonde hair that was curled and brushed, falling down her back in waves. She wore matching high heeled shoes on her feet. She swung back and forth on a trapeze, never losing her balance.
You can say that it was almost love at first sight.
But there was another who also had his eyes on the Sparkling Diamond. And he was there to meet her that very same night. He was Xemnas investor, Saix.
"But I prefer a man who lives…and gives expensive jewels."
Suddenly swing music starts as the lights flicker on and everyone is captive in awe as Namine swung faster and faster, never losing her balance. The men cheered as she leans back on the trapeze and caused it to go around in circles as she touches the men's hands.
"A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but a diamond is a girl's best friend. A kiss on the hand may be grand but it won't pay the rent on your humble flat." Namine sings and then gets off of the trapeze.
"Or help you feed your pussycat."
"Men grow cold as girls grow old." The other Diamond Dogs join in. "And we all lose our charms in the end. But square cut or pear shaped. Their rocks don't lose their shape. Diamonds are a girl's best friend."
"Tiffany's!" Namine yell.
Meanwhile, as Namine sings, Saix speaks with Xemnas.
"When am I going to meet the girl?" Saix asks, his voice reflecting his impatient nature.
"After her number, I have already arranged a special meeting. Just you and Lady Namine completely alone…" Xemnas tells him.
"Cartier!" Namine yells.
However, Xemnas was not the only one who has already arranged a meeting. Xigbar also arranged a special meeting between Satine completely alone after her number. I blushed as he says this.
"Alone?"
"Yes, completely alone." Xigbar confirmed just as Xemnas did the same with Saix.
Namine sat on top of a man she pushed to the floor as she continues to sing.
"Cause we are living in a material world and I am a material world."
"Come and get me boys!" Namine says after blowing a kiss.
Without hesitation, a couple of men lifted her up into the air.
"OW!" Namine yells.
"Whoa," I responded as she quickly brushed against me and then got herself just out of reach again.
While this was going on, Xemnas excused himself and made his way to the table where Namine was now standing.
She wore a smile on her face as they carried her about after lifting her again.
"Black star! Roscor, Talk to me Xemnas! Tell me all about it! There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer."
"Oh…" Xemnas responds as Namine puts a hand on his shoulder.
"But diamonds are a girl's best friend!" The rest of the Diamond Dogs and some of the customers of the Moulin Rouge sing.
"There may come a time when a hard-boiled employer thanks your…"
"Awfully nice." Xemnas responds grabbing her.
Eyes widening, I was about to get up when Axel stop me.
"Don't worry. I'll go and speed things up a bit." Axel responds before venturing forth.
Axel gets up and accidentally knocks into a waiter, causing a tray of tea to fall right on Saix.
"Oh! I'm very sorry."
"You idiot," Saix responds.
"Roxas, mind if I borrow this pal?"
Meanwhile…
"Is he here Xemnas?" Namine asks as she changed into a sparkling white dress. The blue heels and rose replaced with white ones.
"Have I ever let you down?" Xemnas says quirking one eyebrow.
Xemnas risk a peek at Saix and practically gasp at the sight before him. Axel was in the middle of trying to help Saix get the tea that was spilt off of him.
"Well?" Namine asks.
"He's the one that Axel is shaking the hanky at." Xemnas responds.
Namine now peeked out from the clothes that surrounded her giving them privacy, seeing with her own eyes. However, it was not Saix she saw Axel shaking the hanky at. Instead, Axel was shaking the hanky at me making her think that I was the duke.
"Are you sure?" She asks.
Xemnas look again. Of course, by then, Axel was shaking the hanky at Saix again.
"So embarrassing," Axel quipped.
"That's the one angel. I just hope that idiot doesn't frighten him off." Xemnas says before handing her a heart made of diamonds. Namine squeals.
"Why don't you clean your own self off?" Axel suddenly snapped at Saix once the deed he intentionally set out to do was done.
It was then Saix bodyguard, Zexion, turns Axel around and shows him the concealed weapon the other had on him.
"Hey…there's no cause for that, don't ya' think?" Axel says backing off.
"Will he invest?" Namine asks as she adds the final touch up to her make up.
"After spending a night with you, how could he refuse?" Xemnas respond.
"So what's his type? Wilting flower? Bright and bubbly? Smoldering temptress?"
"Smoldering temptress…Don't forget. We are all relying on you sunshine. Remember. A real show in a real theater, with a real audience... And you'll be an…"
"Actress," says Namine with a dreamy sigh.
"Times up!" Xemnas says.
Namine smiles and continues her number.
"Cause that's when those louses…go back to their spouses…"
"Hey! Hey!" Axel yells trying to get Namine's attention.
"Diamonds are a girl's best friend!" They sung.
"Hey, I've got exciting news!" Axel yells trying again to get her attention.
But he stops as she walks over to me, leaving me stunned at just how even more beautiful she was up close.
"I believe you were expecting me." Namine says with confidence.
"Ye…Yes…" I stuttered still awestruck.
"Sorry…but I'm afraid it's ladies choice! And I chose him!" Namine says, surprising me.
When I did not respond right away, she lets out a squeal and pouts.
"Awe!" the crowd responds.
She playfully pouted and smile wickedly at me. She turns back and takes a handful of each end of her dress and waves it up and down in turn.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!"
"Namine! Namine! Namine!" the crowd of customers cheered.
They continued to chant as she continues yelping and shrilling. My face was almost flushed a deep red as she continued.
"I see you've met my English friend." Xigbar, who sat beside me, say to Namine.
"I know. I'll take care of him Xigbar. I promise." Namine says, giving him a slight smile.
Then she turns back to me.
"Dance with me?" Of course, it was more of a demand then a simple question.
"Hit her with your best poem. Got that memorized?" Axel whispered low enough on my other side so that only I could hear him.
Little Petite begins to sing. Namine dances and whoops and I stood there simply watching. I knew that I was nervous. Every bit of energy ran through me, yet I could not get my feet to move. I so did not want to screw this up. However, it seems like that I was doing just that.
Other men began dancing with her in encouragement to get me to dance with her. Eventually, I got up enough courage to do actually do so.
"That went well." Larxene says a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Incredible." The Doctor responds.
"He does definitely have a way with the women doesn't he?" The Argentinean says.
As I danced with her, she kneels and her hand begins to go down my body. My eyes widened as she came back up wearing a very seductive smile on her face. Far off watching, Xemnas watched with a slight frown wondering what was going on.
"It's so wonderful that you took an interest in our little show." Namine quipped.
"It's very exciting. I mean…I wouldn't mind if I could be…involved." I say.
"Really?" Namine asks, her interests actually peeking at what I said.
"I think I will." Namine says, giving a slight giggle, making the butterflies in my stomach go even crazier and leaving me a little but nauseous and disheaveled.
"Well…um…Zigbar thought that it would be better if we actually did it somewhere…private…You know…a little…poetry reading?"
"Poetry reading?" Namine says a bit shocked at the words I used to what she thought me referring to sex. "Well…I do loooove a little "poetry reading" after supper. It's a date!" She responds.
"Entertain us. Here we are now entertain us. Cause we're stupid!"
"Hand on to your hats boy!" She tells the men, now leaving my side to finish the dance.
The men throws their hats in the air as Namine kicks up, getting through the throngs of men and back onto the trapeze she came in on. Now with the white dress, she seems to sparkle even more. I was just shocked that I did it. I actually had a poetry reading with Namine.
"Diamonds! Diamonds! Square cut or pear shaped. These rocks won't lose their shape! Diamonds are a girl's best…"
Then it happened. She gasped for air and then she falls off of the trapeze.
"No!" Xemnas yelled as he and the rest of the world below watched her fall.
It was her bodyguard, Riku, who catches her. The whole Moulin Rouge became silent. Xemnas signaled Riku to take Namine to the back. Xemnas, yells making everyone in the Moulin Rouge think that it was all part of the act. So, we all began clapping.
"Namine! Namine!" the crowd and Xemnas both chanted.
"I don't know if that duke's gonna get his money's worth tonight." Larxene, one of the Diamond Dogs, says smugly.
"Be nice Larxene." Xion responded before they both went out to dance.
"You frightened her away!" Xemnas informed them after chanting for a bit. There were instant groans of disappointment.
"But there are some lonely Moulin Rouge dancers looking for a partner or two! So if you can Hunk Hunk! You can Hunkadola with them!"
That was when the music starts again and everything went back to how it was almost as if Namine falling never happened…