#v: welcome to the moulin rouge

[whatsbehindthefacade]

@ofwealthandtaste | plotted starter

It's been somewhat of a long day, admittedly.

They'd had rehearsal first of course, running through re-writes and choreography over and over and over, and then it had been on to the main part of their job. The general public cared little for them having been going nonstop all day after all and still expected a show, and so a show they had given them. In truth, Marie was somewhat considering slipping out of the little after show gathering and just heading home.

Much as she loves her shoes, she honestly can't wait to get them off.

Brown eyes glance out across the small crowd of performers and patrons. She's not the only one feeling a touch lethargic, she's sure, but she can hold out for a little longer. Perhaps she can walk with Arabia, if she can spot her amongst the throng. It's a little bit nicer than walking home alone anyway.

And yet she can't seem to find her, no matter how she turns her head. Perhaps she's with a patron, perhaps she's already left, it's hard to tell. Still, Marie tells herself, it shouldn't do any harm to check. Weaving her way through the crowd, she begins to head in the direction of backstage, eyes still scanning the faces and as such, she doesn't catch sight of the damp patch of floor, not until she feels her feet slip out from beneath her.

[mermaidgirl30]

✨Crimson Tango: A Dance of Diamonds and Revenge Part 1: Welcome to the Moulin Rouge✨

A/N: SO excited for me and @mountainsandmayhem to bring you a Moulin Rouge Joel Miller series ❤️ We are both so excited to be writing this and hope you love it as much as we do! Hang on tight for the ride of your life between these two on their angsty, beautiful love story 🥰 Comments and reblogs mean the world to us! Chapters are in both reader’s and Joel’s POV. No explicit smut in first chapter.

Word Count: 6.2k

Pairing: Joel Miller x fem! reader

Rating: Explicit (18+ ONLY MDNI)

Tags: Angst, unprotected p in v, oral, fingering, forbidden love, murder, fluff and smut, jealousy, moulin rouge au, soulmates being in love, protective Joel, no outbreak, reader is 20 and Joel is 29, tags will be updated each chapter

Summary: Joel Miller doesn’t know what awaits him as he takes on a maintenance job at the Moulin Rouge. He doesn’t know he’ll meet the absolute love of his life, the Sparkling Diamond, as his world comes crashing down around him fast. Will he be able to stay away when he’s warned not to touch the dancers? Will he listen or will he challenge that pull that draws him to the one thing that sets his soul on fire?

Dividers by @saradika-graphics

Welcome to the Moulin Rouge

Your whole childhood centered around death, but you never thought about the possibility of yourself dying, never thought about how you’d like to go. As your vision blurs and the world begins to silence, you realise that this is the ultimate way to go. For her. Saving her is all that matters, saving the person you love the most in the entire world, even if you’ve never met her.

Sarah, please Joel. Name her Sarah.

At times, your childhood may have seemed sad or tragic to the outside eye, but to you it has been nothing short of amazing. You don’t remember the incident that took both your parents, you were too young, so young that you can’t even picture their faces. You were brought to stay with the only family you had left - your mom’s much older brother.

Your uncle Edward was a quiet and kind man, he was also the owner of Moulin Rouge. A bright and colorful dance hall, filled with sparkling costumes and lively music. For the longest time you weren’t allowed outside of the living quarters, but you remember laughter and cheering filtering through the thin walls. This place was magic to you in your childhood naivety.

You remember begging the dancers to teach you the steps to the songs you overheard in the night. Occasionally, one of them would show you a kick or a twirl that you’d practice alone in your room until the muscles in your legs were stretched and sore, no longer able to support your tiny frame.

During the day, a tutor came in for a few hours to teach you and the few other children that lived there, meals were brought to your living quarters by an older woman who rarely spoke to you. Uncle Edward was alway home for those meals, but often had stacks of papers to go through. Most of the time it was just you and the broken guitar and pottery wheel your uncle had given you. But overall you were alone, far away music and laughter to keep you company.

For your thirteenth birthday your uncle surprised you with dance lessons. He knew how much you wanted to learn, and could practically feel the energy buzzing off you every time your eyes darted to the performing dancers. So he gave in, gifting you with something that might bring you a little joy in the isolated burlesque. A silent way of telling you he was sorry for not being around much and leaving you to delve in your loneliness inside your vacant room.

“Well, little petal,” your uncle says as you blow out the singular candle sitting on top of the small cake to celebrate you turning sixteen. “I think you’re old enough now to come up and watch my diamonds perform. What do you say? Would you like to come see the show?”

You practically jumped from your seat, mouthful of chocolate cake, “Yes, Uncle! Please. Nothing could make me happier.”

“Tomorrow night I will bring you up to see it. Perhaps when you turn eighteen you can join them.”

You’d seen the costumes and the women in their makeup before, you’ve even been out to the dance hall and on the stage. But that was only during the day, when the tables were only occupied by up-turned chairs, the overhead lights were off, and the band was nothing more than an empty pit in front of the stage.

The next night, your uncle brought you a new sparkly pink dress, and had the hair and make-up ladies get you all dolled up to watch. You looked at yourself in the mirror and had never felt more beautiful, seeing yourself as one of the famous diamonds of the Moulin Rouge. Perhaps when you turn eighteen you can join them.

The show was like nothing you’d ever seen before. You didn’t know so many varieties of reds and blues and purples existed. The women kicked their legs in unison, men cheering and clapping as they swooshed their large billowing skirts. The music filled your ears with joy and wonder, the sounds crisper than they were through the walls. Laughter and happiness held you like a tight hug. Perhaps when you turn eighteen you can join them.

As the show wound down, your Uncle leaned to you and said it was time to head to bed, “You’ve seen the show, little petal. Now the adults will indulge in wine and talk about things not for your ears.”

You didn’t argue, simply kissing your uncle on the cheek and saying, “Thank you, Uncle. I am going to practice harder so I can become a real diamond one day!”

You floated down the hallway. With your eyes still swarming with the bright colors of the show and your future dreams you hadn’t realised that you opened the door before the one to take you home, and this door led to something both sinister and unspeakable - it led to darkness. The room was only lit by candles sprawled across the wall, casting looming shadows of the acts happening before your very eyes.

You stood in the doorway taking in men and women completely naked, rubbing up against one another incessantly. Your tutor taught you that these areas of your body are not to be shared, they are only for you. Yet here they are, almost unashamed as they grind. The men all appear to be having a good time, but the women - they’re crying out.

Are they in pain? What are these men doing to them? Why are some men just watching? They should be helping. Your uncle, does he know that this is happening? Is this what his diamonds do?

Perhaps when you turn eighteen you can join them.

You nervously approached your Uncle about it a few days later. “Oh, my sweet little petal. I’m sorry that you had to witness that. I promise you, none of those women were in pain. Not all my diamonds dance like that, and you never will. I meant it when I offered you a spot to dance, fully clothed and on the stage only. I only hope that you do not think less of me now that you know what goes on behind closed doors of the Moulin Rouge.”

Four Years Later

Joel stumbles into the doors of the Moulin Rouge after seeing the maintenance worker needed sign displayed in bold letters outside the burlesque. This was the last place he wanted to end up, the last place he’d be caught dead in; but he needed something, and anything was better than the minimal income of selling his woodwork. He couldn’t get by anymore by only getting one or two customers every couple of weeks, if he was lucky. It wasn’t enough to pay the rent of his small, cramped apartment. Wasn’t enough to feed himself day and night. He needed more, and this was his shot.

He pushes the heavy black doors open, quickly tucking his red flannel button-up into his pressed pants, needing to look his best if he wants to get this job. He has to get it, has to impress whoever is the owner of this club.

He finds the first person he can spot, quickly getting the attention of a bartender as he washes crystal glasses with a thin rag behind the sleek bar top.

“Sorry to bother you, but I saw the sign out front that said you need some help with maintenance around here?” he asks briskly as he stares at the bartender with eyes that say he’s desperate. His hands come to rest on the bar top and he fights the urge to nervously drum his fingers along it.

The bartender looks him over as he sets down a glass, nodding his head. “Oh, yes. Let me go grab the owner real quick. Be right back, wait here,” he says as he runs in the opposite direction, disappearing behind a long hallway. Joel nervously pushes back his outgrown curls, silently cursing to himself for buying that loaf of bread instead of getting a haircut. His big brown eyes dart curiously around the club, trying to take it all in.

It’s light outside as the sun glistens in through the drawn crimson curtains, some dancers sauntering on stage as they practice their moves, swaying their hips to a nonexistent beat. Joel averts his eyes and takes in the rest of the large room - it’s filled with tables that are meant for the men to smoke cigars and drink their alcohol as they drool over the women of the burlesque. All lust and no love, the way the burlesque was set up to be. Joel was never into this scene, never fit in with any of those types of men, but he was desperate, he needed work and this may very well be the only way he can get any.

A tall, thin man walks into the room with slicked back sandy hair and green eyes that are as sharp as a snake’s. He eyes Joel carefully, one hand resting in his pocket, the other stretching to shake Joel’s. Joel wastes no time and reaches a hand out, feeling a firm grasp as the owner shakes his hand.

“The name’s Edward. And you are?” he asks with a gentle smile.

“I’m Joel. Joel Miller,” he says with nerves running through his body, the back of his neck slick with sweat. He’s nervous he won’t get it, nervous he’ll leave empty handed with no job. He’ll fight for it though because he’s a fighter, and he doesn’t give up easily.

“So, I hear you’re interested in the maintenance job. You got any experience?” Edward asks as he leans against the bar, crossing his arms over his chest as he examines Joel again, taking in his flannel and tan pants, his worn work boots.

“Yes, sir. Got years of experience with fixin’ things. Anything from sinks to building homes. Even have a little woodworking shop on the side,” he says proudly as he tries not to fidget with the buttons on his flannel.

“Hmmm,” Edward hums as he looks him over again carefully, those bright green eyes staring at Joel’s clothes like he’s judging him. Joel swallows down that dry lump of self doubt creeping in. “You seem capable. How old are you? Think you can handle working at nights, too? Gets pretty rowdy around here when the moon comes up, but that’s when we need someone the most,” he presses, eyes shifting over him as his brow raises in question again, waiting for Joel to respond.

“Just about to turn thirty and ‘course. Nights don’t bother me one bit. I can even start today, if I can,” Joel says with a determined smile as he shoves his left hand deep into his pocket, praying he’ll get the job.

“I see. Well then, looks like you got yourself a new gig. See you tonight at let’s say 7:00 pm,” he says, reaching a hand out to Joel. For most men that would be a question, but Edward is a very rich and powerful man, he doesn’t ask for things, he demands them. Joel doesn’t hesitate for a second and puts his grip in Edward’s, shaking in agreement.

“Thank you, thank you! You don’t know how much I appreciate this,” he says with tears almost filling his eyes. A job, he finally has a job that’ll get him by just fine. No more nights of going hungry. He can finally breathe a second, if not more.

Before he turns to leave, Edward puts a hand on his shoulder and turns him back around carefully. “Oh, forgot to mention something. There’s only one condition I ask of you. Don’t touch my dancers. They’re strictly for the guests that pay,” he says with furrowed brows, his eyes burning into him, as if to see if Joel will flinch at all.

“That’ll be no problem on my part. Promise,” Joel confirms with a nod of his head, his tousled curls moving with the motion.

“Good, good…” Edward hums out. “Alright, Joel. I’ll see you tonight,” he says with a wave as he turns around and heads back behind crimson curtains, disappearing into a dark hallway.

Joel can’t help but smile as he heads out the doors of the Moulin Rouge, stepping into the warm sunshine as it bathes across his tanned skin. He takes a breath of fresh air as it smells of autumn leaves and new hope.

Things start to feel like they’re looking up, like something nirvanic was right on the cusp. What Joel doesn’t know is just what waits around that heavy crimson curtain for him. He doesn’t know the beautiful disaster he’s about to step into. A Sparkling Diamond that will take over his life forever. Someone so precious, so special, so indescribably unique. Someone so very - you.

Joel makes sure to get to the Moulin Rouge fifteen minutes early, wanting nothing more than to give off a good impression. The burlesque is filling up quickly as the sun fades away, the bright full moon taking its place in the sky, stars scattering around it.

When he walks inside the double doors, he sees that the dance hall is filling up quickly with men who smoke expensive cigars and drink bottles of whiskey that he can only dream of affording. He makes his way further into the entrance, his eyes taking in his surroundings, noticing that the large room looks nothing like earlier when it was closed.

Crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceilings as red curtains drape across the crimson wallpaper. The dance floor is littered with burlesque dancers that lift their skirts high and tease the men as they surround them, hoping to entice the wealthiest one. Money is what they’re after and selling themselves is their only shot at making any extra tips for the night.

Joel clenches his jaw at the sight and turns his head, waiting at the front until he finally spots Edward in a black pressed suit. His blonde hair slicked back tight, looking around to make sure his guests are happy and taken care of. When he sees Joel, he walks toward him and puts a hand on his shoulder in greeting.

“Ahh, there you are. Come along now. I’ll show you around,” he says gladly.

After that, he shows Joel the burlesque. He takes him to the maintenance closet and gives him a key to access it - metal tools and large shelves cover the entirety of the inside. Next he takes him down long, dark corridors, past rooms that are locked shut. Just when Joel thinks he's seen it all, they head up to the second story. Sweeping down wooden laden hallways, passed the balcony that overlooks the large city, and through winding rooms that seem to have no end. He had no idea it was so large and spacious here; didn’t even realise people lived here. Joel starts to think more softly towards Edward, sure these women put themselves in vulnerable positions night after night, but they have safe housing and a sense of family and community back here.

Edward takes Joel back down toward the main ballroom where the entertainment is held every night. Just as he latches on to the spiral staircase, he sees a man dragging a dancer with barely anything on into a dark room at the end of the luminescent hallway with red carpet sprawled across the floor. He shoves her in as he starts working his hands up her body, and Joel can see the mass of bodies already in the room as he closes the door, concealing moans and lust on the other side of the tarnished doorway.

Joel gulps and looks back toward the ground, keeping his eyes off the pleasure room. He knows what goes on in these walls, knows what filth lies in every corner. The stench of money and sex encompass the room, he can almost taste it on the tip of his rough tongue. He finds it revolting, men using these women's bodies. No love to be seen in these walls. Only perversions and sexual desire. He turns away sharply and descends the stairs, almost running into the back of Edward.

“I believe one of the wooden tables over by the stage needs some maintenance. The legs are collapsing, think you can do something about that?” he asks with a raised brow as he points at a dark wooden table with the legs barely hanging on.

“Sure. Probably just needs some tightening up. Easy fix,” Joel nods.

“Excellent. I have guests to greet, so fix that and then come find me,” just as he turns on his heel, he stops and looks back at Joel. Green eyes narrowing, a finger pointing in Joel’s direction. “Remember,” he says with venom in his voice, “Do not touch my dancers. They’re only for paying customers, and you cannot afford them.”

Joel only nods, letting Edward know he understands. With that, Edward turns and heads for the main doors, greeting more men as they pack in like sardines. Joel sighs and heads for the maintenance closest, trying to ignore the sinking feeling that shoots through his gut at the backhanded warning Edward gave.

Don’t touch the dancers…you cannot afford them.

Even if Joel could afford it, he would never do what these men are doing. The soft, beautiful women of this place deserve to be treasured, not pawed at and used. He wasn’t a rabid dog. He could control himself unlike all the other men that crowded the Moulin Rouge.

He grabs up a metal wrench and shoves some nuts and bolts deep into his pocket. When he makes his way back to the table he starts to assess the damage. This would be much easier to fix in his well lit workshop, but there’s no carrying this table away from the stage and through the crowd of hungry men.

Now that he’s thrust in the middle of the wooden dance floor, he can see the burlesque dancers seeking out the richest looking men, sitting on their laps and letting them put their dirty paws all over their bodies. The men laugh, carrying on conversations as they fondle their breasts, leaning down to trail kisses up their necks. Some get up and lead the women down the long, dark corridor. Back to the pleasure room. Back to their impending doom.

The three men at the table next to him have one girl propped up in front of them, all of their hands grabbing different areas of her body, asking her if she wants all three of them; the men are easily twenty years older than the petite and innocent looking blonde in front of them. Joel feels for the dancers, but there isn’t anything he can do. It’s business. It’s all about the fucking money and pleasure. Pleasure sells, and this is what most men desire. Sex.

The room grows louder as men cheer from the crowded tables. Some swarming the end of the lit up stage to get a peek at the next performer. Some start chanting, yelling in demand for the next poor soul to dance across that stage, right into the pit of vipers that are ready to spit venom at whatever girl walks out next.

The cigar smoke lingers in the air as crystal glasses clink in cheers, alcohol spilling over on the tabletops. Joel knows that’ll leave a huge mess for him and the other staff to clean up after closing. He tightens the bolts under the table, winding the wrench as he tries to turn his focus away from the lust filled crowd. They’re just a bunch of sick fucks who get off on ripping away the innocence and dignity of women. Nothing more than their play things. Theirs to possess and own for a few hours. It’s cruel and vile, disgusting in itself.

Joel was never the type of guy to use a woman. He’d never dream of hurting anyone. He was thoughtful and charming, a man who minds his manners and works hard for everything he has.

He digs harder into the leg of the table, trying to mute the hooting and hollering that is getting louder by the second. The sounds of the men start to overlap until it’s muffled and pressing on his eardrums, running along the nerves that wire his brain. He concentrates on the task at hand, shutting out the noise as he tries to fix the table.

“The Sparkling Diamond!”

“She’s coming on stage now!”

“Look, look!”

The men nearest him yell to each other, babbling about the Sparkling Diamond as the lights turn crimson and dark around the room, crystal chandeliers send glistening reflections across the expensive tailored suits that fill the crowded room.

“Here she comes, boys!”

Just then, the lights go out completely and a spotlight shines on the wide stage. Crimson curtains splay over the sides, exposing the long walkway where dancers show off for the men. The crowd goes quiet, a few whistles shrouding the silence as a slow, sensual song covers the room. The men pound on the stage, yelling for the Sparkling Diamond to come out. Joel thinks she must be something special if she has the entire room practically panting with anticipation. The wild men crawl towards the stage, pushing each other to get to the front so they can get the best view. Joel doesn’t know anything about a Sparkling Diamond, but he’s intrigued. Just what were they getting all worked up about?

Before he can comprehend what's happening, he hears the click of heels travel across the stage. He rises slowly, seeing the pretty figure that dances under the bright spotlight, the men now screaming and throwing their hands out, begging to get a touch of the enchantress that graces their presence. When she’s fully in view he freezes, dropping the wrench to the floor as it crashes with a loud thud against the spotless wood. It suddenly feels like all the oxygen has been sucked out of the room. Joel braces himself against the table, the sight before him nearly knocking him back down to his knees.

It’s you.

The most beautiful girl he’s ever seen in his entire life. Long, soft curls cascade past your shoulders and bounce around with every move you make on the lit up stage. Your short pink dress barely grazes the curve of your thighs as your arms raise overhead and you spin slowly. As you bring your arms back down, your red painted fingernails caress your curls, then tease the jawline of your flawless face. Your cheeks flush from the attention before you gently bite the tip of your finger, red lipstick sitting matted to your delicate lips.

Joel thinks they look soft to the touch, delicate even. Your lips call to him, almost scream his name. Joel, Joel, Joel. And he wants to answer it. God, does he want to answer that call.

He watches the way you twirl, fluttering your eyelashes as you look down at the men, seducing them effortlessly. Performing is what you were meant to do. When you finally look at Joel he falls completely apart, all his threads coming untied in a heap, and he lets out a breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding.

He stands there frozen, sinking his nails into the hardwood table as he sucks in a shaky breath, almost unable to fully take in the vision that stands mere inches before him. He can’t hear the carnal men anymore, can’t smell the cigar smoke that encases the air, can’t focus on anything that even remotely takes his attention from the beauty that lights up the room. He can only focus on you. He feels a pull from his chest, like an invisible string, forcing him to look at nothing else but you. The Sparkling Diamond that draws men to the Moulin Rouge, and the one thing he knows will get him fired.

Your eyes sparkle and shine like a rare gemstone, pulling Joel in like a siren’s forbidden song, a lull that drags him under the dark depths of the sea. The smile you wear doesn’t quite reach your eyes, a sadness there that he can’t quite place. The men claw and reach for you like starving pigs, acting like you’re just a piece of meat to pass around to all the others to get a quick taste of.

It makes him sick the way they objectify your body, only caring about what’s underneath the short shimmery dress you wear. Joel doesn’t stare at your curves, doesn’t get sucked into whatever fantasy the rest of the men are in. He just stares at your eyes. Beautiful, sparkling. He’d cross oceans just to have a chance to memorize each fleck and color that maps out those starry eyes. Like roadmaps to his soul, leading him home to the deep depths of those glistening irises. And that’s when something snaps, he can’t - no, he won’t let any of these men put one grimy finger on you. Whatever it takes he’ll do it. He makes a silent vow to keep you safe, protect you at all cost.

There’s only one condition, don’t touch the dancers.

Edward’s voice plays through Joel’s mind on repeat, warning him to not tempt fate. But fate had already been tempted when he saw you up on that stage. He’d quit, starve, be homeless on the street if it meant he could have a chance to be with you. He’d give it all just to be able to touch you, to know you, to have you. He’d leave it all for you. His sweet, Sparkling Diamond.

You spin and turn, kicking your feet up to show off your smooth, long legs that all the men drool over. You turn to the right, drifting your eyes in the direction of a man you’ve never seen before. You almost freeze as he stares right back at you, big beautiful brown eyes gazing into yours as he gawks at you reverently. But his eyes don’t travel down your body like the other men’s do. His eyes stay fixed on your face alone, staring up into the pits of your soul as you suck in a breath and try to focus on the beat of the song.

His long tousled curls drape over his forehead, almost falling into his brown doe eyes that seem to suck you in. He’s tall, broad shouldered with thick biceps that cling to his rolled up button-up flannel. Spidery veins cascade down his arms and end in massive hands that stay clenched by his sides. His tanned skin seems to glow as he stares at you with brown eyes that melt into your own like a candle stick, wax flowing down slowly, sticky and new. It’s captivating. He is captivating.

It's like you’re stuck in a haze, thick clouds that cover you and wrap their fog around so you can’t see, can’t hear anything anymore. You try to focus on the men that praise your body, try to avert your eyes from the handsome stranger, but that organ in your chest you force yourself to ignore is almost screaming at you to run to him. Two souls colliding into each other that were destined to meet. Just like twin flames.

Soulmates.

You blink once, twice, peeling your gaze away from him, turning the other direction, forcing yourself to stay bright eyed, hoping your smile doesn’t lower. You come face to face with a gentleman with a large top hat that screams your name and reaches his arms out, desperate to get just a single touch from you that he hopes will become more.

You turn back around and find that heated gaze again with the dark brown eyes, your own eyes going wide as they draw you to him. He looks a lot like your saving grace. Someone that wants to come in and sweep you off your feet.

Again, he just watches you silently, eyes searching yours as he seems to clock into your mind, reading your thoughts like a book from front to back. He won’t find anything there except a longing for something more. An escape. Happiness. And maybe he could be that for you. Maybe, just maybe he was destined to find you. You can feel it in your chest, that ache and pull that draws you to him.

Your uncle won’t like this. Not one bit…

Joel watches your entire routine, never once letting his eyes drop from you. He watches as you disappear into the crowd of men, narrowing his eyes when he sees the way they grab at you and beg to have a dance with the Sparkling Diamond. It makes him want to strangle every single one of them slowly.

Please, just one dance?

Sparkling Diamond! Care to have a drink with me?

How about a little fun in the red room?

You politely decline each offer and just smile as you pass the men by, trying your best to not meet the stranger with the pretty brown eyes’ gaze. He’s so handsome, so very easy on the eyes. You try your best to look at the men with money, knowing this is what you’re here for, to give them a show so they’ll pay to come back. Try as you might, that thin string snapped the second you saw his brown flecked honey eyes. You don’t want to do this anymore.

You turn where you stand and look back towards the stage. You search as men cram around you and over the top of an older man’s shoulder you can see him, clear as day, still staring at you with a trance-like expression on his face. You hold his gaze for a few seconds, curling your lips into a shy smile and you swear you see his pretty caramel eyes light up like fireflies in the night.

Just when you’re about to walk over to him, you feel your uncle pull you away in the opposite direction. “Come on, little petal, got some nice men that’d like to meet you.”

You follow him helplessly past some drawn crimson curtains, already over the drunk men that will press their chapped lips to your face and place their grimy hands all over you. You’re finished though, over all the fake smiles and laughter you are forced to sell these men night after night. When you look back over your shoulder you can’t see him anymore. No more pretty brown eyes that make you feel somehow safe. You don’t know him, his backstory, his name, or even his age, but you’ll find out. You have to, you just have to.

After finishing fixing the two broken tables and putting them back into order, Joel gets another visit from Edward as he saunters over with a big smile and a glass of scotch in his hand.

“Everything going alright?” Edward asks as he pulls on his black tie and straightens out his long tailed coat.

“Yes, sir. Finished fixin’ those tables for you. They should be good to go now,” Joel answers as he stands up straight with his hands deep in his pockets.

“Excellent!” Edward goes over to the wooden tables and knocks on the top, inspecting Joel’s work as he looks them over carefully. Once he’s satisfied he gives Joel a strong pat on the back and nods. “Did good work, boy. Think we’ll keep you around.”

Joel smiles at the compliment, thanking him for the opportunity. “Oh, there’s actually something else that needs to be done. You remember that room we passed on the second floor? The very back room by the balcony? The one that says Sparkling Diamond?”

Joel’s eyes go wide as he recalls passing a big red door with the letters spelled out in fake diamonds. That has to be your room. He should’ve noticed it sooner, maybe asked about it. But he didn’t know that room would belong to the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He didn’t know it until now.

“Uh-yeah. What about it?” he asks cautiously, eyebrow slightly raised in anticipation of what Edward would say next.

“The sink in her kitchen is dripping and some of the lightbulbs are burnt out. There should be some in the supply closet. Think you can handle taking care of that now?”

He doesn’t hesitate a second. “Absolutely. I’ll get right on it,” Joel says urgently.

As he turns to leave, Edward calls his name. “Oh, Joel. Before you leave tonight, go ahead and have a beer. It’s on me.”

Joel doesn’t know what to say. He’s never been offered a free one before, always had to pay money that he didn’t have to get one. “Oh, thank you. I… I appreciate it.”

“You earned it, kid. I’ll see you tomorrow night?” Edward asks with his eyebrows knitted together and gaze heavy on Joel.

“I’ll be here,” he promises.

“Alright, take care now. I’ve got some business to attend to so see you tomorrow.” Edward turns and walks back into a sea of rich men.

Joel pushes his way past men in black suits and black ties, cigars hanging from their open mouths and drinks spilling over their glass cups as they talk about money, sex, stocks, and women. He tunes them out and keeps walking, ignoring the nasty stares he gets from not being in a suit himself.

As soon as he grabs the bag of lightbulbs and a few plumbing tools, he heads up the grand staircase with red carpet sprawled across each step. He makes his way up the stairs, down the narrow dark hallway and stops before he turns the corner. He stands just a few feet from the pleasure room. The red room as they call it here.

He can hear the moans and cries coming from the room, can smell the stench of sex that whisks through the air. He wonders if you go into that room night after night, letting the men with dirty claws sink their nails into you, feasting on you like blood sucking vampires.

His jaw clenches up as his nails sink into the meat of his palm, his face becoming hot with heat as he imagines you splayed out on an open bed while the men take and take from you until you have nothing left to give. Until you’re just a used up rag doll for them to toy with. He snarls and turns the corner sharply, putting those dark thoughts out of his mind. If he had his way he’d make damn sure you’d never set foot in that room again. He’d slaughter a whole fucking mass of men if he had to. No one should lay their filthy hands on you as far as he’s concerned.

He walks through the long corridor, passing door after door until he finally gets to yours. He takes a deep breath and turns the golden doorknob slowly entering the dimly lit room with pale pink wallpaper. He gently shuts the door and when he turns around he stops in his tracks, hand sliding off the doorknob as he sees you standing in the middle of the room. Naked.

Your skin is soft, probably as soft as the back of a rose petal. Your legs are long, smooth, and enticing. He wonders what it’d feel like to run his long fingers over your creamy thighs. You’re bent over, ass in the air, as you unbuckle the straps of the high heels you wore on stage. Your hips are curvy, shaping your round ass into mere perfection. Your full breasts peek out from the corner as your long waves spill over your shoulders. You’re absolutely perfect, stunning, a work of pure art.

Joel knows he’s fucked now. He knows. After seeing how beautiful you are, he can’t turn away. He shouldn’t be standing here gawking at you while you change, but he can’t move. He’s stuck like glue, an immovable object that can’t be pushed. He’s in trouble, so much trouble.

He loses his balance when you bend over again, exposing a different view of you that nearly takes him to his knees. The bag of bulbs falls to the ground with a large crash, and you turn with a quaint gasp as you take in the man that stands before you. It’s him, the man with the dark eyes.

Your eyes go wide, quickly reaching for a thin, sheer robe as you wrap it around you and cover the parts of you that are completely exposed. You breathe hard, your breath coming out rushed and fast. He does the same as he just stands there staring, no air left in his lungs as he stands in front of the beauty that takes his breath away. And then it’s silence, only rushed breaths and pining eyes.

The longer he stares into your captivating eyes, the more he knows he’s fucked. There was no way he was getting out of this now, no way to back down. He was going to make you his one way or another. You would be his. Period.

[ineed-a-cigarette]

I owe you nothing. And you are nothing to me. Thank you for curing me of my ridiculous obsession with love. -idontworkfornypd

Serena stared at Rafael almost not believing what he was saying. His tone was calm and collected. He didn’t seem upset. He just seemed cold and hurt. And she didn’t know what to do or what to say. It was as if her mind was refusing to accept what was happening and she was trying to find a logical explanation.  It all started right after his talk with Alex. And her talk with Alex.  Rafael was being more and more reserved and quiet and reserved. Serena kept telling herself that he was just busy and there was nothing wrong. besides, she was also busy herself with the pre-gala events. It was a big deal for her and She would spend a lot of time with Mathis. When she would come home they both would be just too tired to talk.  Rafael was finally convinced to escort her to one of the events even if it wasn’t really his style. She thought that things were finally getting better. That it was just a bump along the way. She spent most of the evening socializing and getting connected as Rafael stayed behind.  And now, as she soon as she went back to him, he told her that like it all meant nothing to him 

@idontworkfornypd

[hfrtveit]

@AaronTveit: Heading to a Gala tonight, continuing to celebrate an amazing film form 19 years ago. He is a little treat. Form the sparkling diamond herself. Thanks @NicoleKidman I am going to be framing this. Send me that one with Keith too. I will put them side by side. I will make sure to send Vanessa your love.

@queenvh

[tutuandscoot]

Scott's costume: latin medley/ Moulin rouge

Again?? Which MR costume 😅

(I’m going to say the OLY one for the sake of this argument)

I so appreciate VM for having a simplistic aesthetic- to me it means they GET IT - its about their dancing, and it was such a welcome departure from what Ice dance had been prior to them- like literally the second they arrived in seniors everyone else looked like fucking idiots- and it’s especially obvious in the FD event at Vancouver that the other ‘top teams’ (like except DW- but still they always had more over the top costumes compared to VM) were so lost in the old way.

So I guess compared to their costumes from every other season, their 2018 Olys costumes were pretty out there- significantly Scott’s. But the thing is it never once detracts from their dancing. They could literally compete in practice clothes and they would sparkly just as much and be just as engaging if they were in costumes.

But the way he OWNED those costumes. It’s not that he couldn’t of pulled them off when they were younger, but this unflinching confidence he had after the comeback. I won’t get into it too much here but based on stuff he’s said, once he let go of being afraid to go for it performance wise- he wasn’t afraid of being embarrassed, that’s when he became unstoppable. He was always committed and gave 110% and was always an engaging skater, but it was just so much more in the comeback- he really found himself. And especially with both programs and their very sensual nature- you can’t be afraid- but you also can’t go over the top and not be attractive to watch (cough ZD).

So speaking of the SD first. He shined, he was so engaging, so into it- perfectly walking this delicate line between being into himself and into Tessa. He made it all about her but responded to her being into him. They skated like they knew how attractive they are together. He totally embodied the character; the animalistic influences- I think some commentator said at the start he looked like an animal that hadn’t eaten for a month and then proceeded to devour Tessa. So more than just the costumes it’s the way he wore it.

The costume I love- and I love how that pattern carried through their comeback- it’s similar to the cutouts on T’s Prince costume, then the shape of the cutouts match her sparkles. The V neck was the perfect cut- not too low-like the length that you want to hook your finger in it and stretch it down lower- but that’s attractive coz it’s not done for you. The fact that he’s smooth AF (no I don’t care that sounds gross he is and I love it) the ‘pop’ collar, the way it fits on his back, the way it highlights his shoulders but doesn’t make him look like a football player- coz he’s very slim but his muscles are *chefs kiss 💋 so you want to showcase them without over emphasising them.

Ok MR:

Like I’ve said the SD was the first thing I ever took real notice of them doing and the costumes were a huge part of that, so when they came out for the free I was so excited to see what they would wear. I think in general male skaters tend to miss the ball with costumes. A lot of the time they are too over the top- too sparkly and it swallows the skater- it detracts from them. And half the reason for that is they don’t have the confidence to wear it. That has never been Scott’s problem.

So when they came out for the free it’s no surprise I loved the costumes. One of the reasons I love this for Scott is how naked he seems in it (I don’t mean that literally- we’ve just had these negative objectification discussions so you know I’m not referring to it that way). I mean it’s literally just about his body and his movement- he skates like he’s knows he’s very exposed which was perfect. It fits the character/s, it fits the music, it fits the moment- it complements Tessa’s dress (the IE one not so much the TE one). He’s so confident in it. It’s the perfect amount of sparkle.

Having said that I have imagined different versions of it. I liked earlier in the season where they both had high neck lines. I know it’s a conflict of interest with their respective love for each other’s necks but I really liked it coz it kinda added this underlying darkness (I’ll discuss more in my 2017/18 costumes essay). So I imagined his olys costume with the high neck with sparkles to match T’s. I also imagined it with the back cut out to match hers- like the diamond shape (but I know there’re restrictions with costumes in ID and I’ve never seen another guy with bare back/torso costumes before). My hesitation with those two changes is I worry it might have looked a bit (I don’t at all mean this offensively) gay.. like a bit gay club-ish, which there is absolutely nothing wrong with but I don’t think it would work for the program.

So.. after all that I think I’m gonna say the SD one edges out- for all the things I mentioned above. It wasn’t like any other costume where as his previous MR ones and even Carmen have that same naked effect.

[littlelittlebear]

Two Drifters | 3/3 Jeronica Secret Santa

@fangstomysweetpea oh my god.... its finally time!!! 

The moment i’ve been aching for is finally here and i am HYPE

Happy Christmas my dear Tumblr-friend, I hope you enjoy this jeronica playlist/au/riverdale rewrite.

A couple things first, the descriptions on each song are just an outline as to whats happening in that moment/what the song calls for. Also, this is like a story, so its not really something you can play on shuffle lol. I’m confident you didn’t really need these “instructions” lmao, just want you to have a bomb-ass jeronica experience XDD

Also, you don’t have to “follow” the descriptions when you think them out, you can completely take the reigns too if you’d like!

So.... here ya go!!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1MflcKtyBDRjnP0giX03X4?si=ZcsD0GfxR0KevhgDpTZVKQ

And here are the descriptions-

Oxford Comma-

Locking eyes for the first time… wow. Just- everything is in slow motion.

Baby Doll-

Slow dancing in Pop’s after the dance. (V goes to Pop’s instead of Archie)

Can I call you tonight?-

Jughead and Veronica’s moments of glee when they finally set up a date with each other. Veronica squeals and jumps up and down, Jughead punches the air, they both fall down on the bed with blissful looks on their faces. Two cinnamon rolls.

“So, I’ll call you tonight?”

“Yes! *Too enthusiastic- calm down Veronica* Yes. Call me tonight.”

*Que music*

Just Like a Movie-

Jughead calls this their theme song one day when they’re just hanging out in the student lounge as a joke.

Scrawny-

Veronica calls this Jughead’s theme song in response, they have a good laugh and Jughead rolls his eyes at the lyrics A LOT.

Space Girl-

Jughead calls this Veronica’s theme song- because she’s “oUt oF tHiS worLD!”.

She smacks his arm for being so cheesy.

Good Morning-

The morning after they do the “horizontal tango” with each other for the first time, they dance in Veronica’s kitchen, knowing all the words- only to be interrupted by an amused Hermione Lodge.

Unforgettable-

Their first Christmas together, spent snowed in at The Pembrooke. But honestly, they don’t mind.

Shake it out-

Jughead and Veronica cry together after her parents blackmail them/force them to break up. #parentssuck.

Your star-

Coping with the breakup, newsflash- they aren’t, or when they are... they don’t go the healthiest route. So. Much. Angst.

Rare-

Veronica changes up her style a little bit, which really is just lower cut tops, just trying to forget about Jughead- does a lil sexy performance singing to this at a pep rally.

Out the door-

Jughead never leaving the depressional stage of grief.                                

+ Exchanging broken looks that just scream “I’m not over you.”

I can’t get you off my mind-

Drunkenly hooking up at a party because their tension recently had just been… w o w

Drugs-

Sneaking around- sexy times ;)

Why Do You Love Me-

Having a screaming match, then a very angry/hot makeup session, then very angry sex XD

The Wind-

After some hOrIzOnTaL TaNGo at Sweetwater River, they admit that they can’t keep away from each other, saying that they love each other for the first time- followed by Veronica crying tears of joy cuz she’s never done that before- and that they’re going to work everything out, together. They just hold each other after that.

“I love you, Princess.”

Veronica props herself on her elbow to face him (they were laying down before)

Jughead sees her widened eyes. “Y-you don’t have to say it back, I know its ha-“

“I love you too, Jug”

You and I-

Montage of working at Pop’s for summer, ending with a jam sesh in Jughead’s trailer- Veronica just in his shirt and Jughead just in his sweats. FP comes in, surprised to see Veronica, but welcomes her easily. FP and Veronica bond, and he embarrasses Jug with some baby photos. While Jug’s probably beet-red, he can’t help but completely oggle at Veronica- happy that they don’t have to hide from his dad anymore.

Start a Riot-

Jeronica send a little message to Hiram through security cameras (they just make out lmao), showing that he can’t keep them apart. They then proceed to trash Hiram’s jingle jangle lab. :)

Moon River-

Slow dancing after having been crowned homecoming King and Queen. And of course, because Veronica is 1/2 of this relationship- this becomes their song.

“That’s us.”

“What do you mean?” Veronica asks, confused.

“The two drifters in the song. ‘Two drifters, off to see the world.’ That’s us”

Veronica’s eyes start to gloss.

“I absolutely love that. And you.”

Teenagers-

Being the badass power couple they are, being 100% team Serpent against the Bulldogs during the riots. Its all one long shot too- no cuts :))

A Sunday Kind of Love-

Looking at each other in slow motion (wow- I really love putting stuff in slow motion) when Veronica is officially named Serpent queen, they’re absolutely smitten with each other. Cut to them dancing in the Wyrm to the song, discussing how they’re going to make their big debut as Riverdale’s resident power couple… second to Choni of course.

“So… now that I’m your queen, I was thinking had a debut of sorts. Just to educate the public of this new order.” Veronica jabs, only kind of joking.

Jughead laughs, but it sounds more of a huff.

“Could you settle for a hand-in-hand entrance at school? Or would you be more comfortable with a red carpet event?”

Glory-

Veronica and Jughead walking into school as Serpent Royalty with matching Serpent jackets- no special colours thank you very much. You can bet your ass its in slow motion.

Worlds Apart-

Veronica crying at Jughead’s bed-side after the Ghoulies fuck him up.

Boss Bitch-

Veronica gets revenge on the Ghoulies and Penny Peabody with the help of the female Serpents, the River vixens, Hermione, Betty, and Alice.

Le Symbolique-

Veronica and Jughead reunite from his state of unconsciousness, this whole sequence is in slow motion, with a lot of white lighting/glare. Jughead almost died and just that thought alone KILLED Veronica.

“Jug I was so scared-“

“Shush Ronnie, let me look at you.” His teary eyes trace over Veronica’s face with a beaming smile, before he brings his girlfriend closer and kisses the top of her forehead.

Harmony Hall- 

Some core four bliss before it gets chaotic again, with a side of Jeronica and Barchie cuddles.

Not Your Barbie Girl-

A River vixen performance, Jughead is so fricken in love with Ronnie right now cuz she’s just RADIATING empowerment.

Therefore I Am- 

Jeronica sends Hiram to jail again after a bomb ass one liner from Veronica:

“Mija, you have no idea what you’re doing.”

“Only one thing’s false in that sentence Hiram, I’m not your Mija anymore.”

(HELP ME I CAN’T WRITE)

*Proud Jughead smirk*

This Life-

Veronica meeting JB and Gladys, them getting along great- just a wholesome Lodge/Jones get-together.

Don’t Call Me Angel-

Veronica changes her name to Luna, fully emancipating herself from Hiram, and this gets Jughead really turned on XD

Sway With Me-

La Bonne Nuit’s first successful night, Josie, Veronica, Toni, and Cheryl perform. Veronica somehow convinces Jughead to dance with her in public. Think Moulin Rouge’s Diamond Dogs type editing.

My Oh My- 

Getting screwed over my Hiram, Veronica is in a TON of debt and needs some “stress relief” with Jughead. He obliges. Happily.

HIP-

Veronica and Cheryl start their rum business, Jughead helps and oml he’s so proud of her. Btw, Cheronica are HUGE badasses right now.

Bury a friend-

Surviving Eversgreen Forest and Penelope Blossom…

Youth-

The core four are free from the forest, successfully escaping Penelope Blossom. Jughead and Veronica share a tearful but happy kiss, laying down on the back of a truck.

Don’t Take The Money-

The core four hang out at pops and promise to have fun this senior year, Jughead steals Veronica’s cherry from her milkshake, but being so vulnerable to Midget’s (He calls her Midget. Yup.) puppy dog eyes, he makes it up to her by sharing his fries. 

“And for a brief, shining moment, we were kids again.” all that good shiz

The Four Seasons: “Winter”-

Jeronica hangs with the Stonewall psychos.

(Online Love)-

Veronica and Jughead FaceTime and Veronica has this vibe like she’s the montage of the hero’s dead girlfriend in a movie. Like her hair is all splayed out on her pillow and she’s all smiley-

“You look like an angel right now- with your hair like a halo and how much you’re smiling.”

Veronica laughs

“Well it’s your fault I’m smiling you idiot.” Her voice softens towards the end of the sentence.

“I love you too, Ron.”

El Tejano-

Party at Stonewall, Jeronica are absolutely WASTED. Fun fact- Jughead get’s really into PDA when he’s drunk

Burned Out- 

Oh shit… I guess Jughead is dead now. (dw, Betty’s still the one who “kills him”)

Claire de Lune-

Just kidding, he’s alive, and he and Veronica have a really cute moment in the bunker. Veronica starts reading his novel, per his request, and he just starts playing this on the record player and she smiles but her eyes are still on the book. He just kind of watches her, and when she starts beaming at the book he can’t help but kiss her right there. Then they just cuddle and little bit, Veronica on Jug’s lap, reading the book some more.

Girls Like GIrls-

Veronica has to prove Jughead is dead, so she and Betty kinda sorta… make out. Like, a lot. Betty is dating Archie at this point, and he’s the one who gets “mad”. But basically Betty and Veronica end up making out again cuz they spot Donna watching them. Veronica is a bi con, and Betty might be too but everyones in denial so *shrugs*.

Dream Lover-

(Time skip, because I’m lazy) Jughead’s alive again, sadly, his spot at NYU was taken by well, Veronica. Luckily, after pulling some strings, she surprises Jug with a full-ride acceptance letter from NYU starting second semester.

Magic Moments-

Yay! Prom! Barchie gets crowned king and queen (Beronica was kind of forgotten about, but thats fine, because we’re here for Jeronica first). While Betty and Archie are totally lost in each other, Jughead and Veronica are just kind of joking around on the side. While it’s Barchie’s moment, Jeronica is still looking pretty damn cute rn. Also, this becomes Barchie’s song!!

Oxford comma-

The song comes through the speaker at prom, Jughead invites Veronica to dance. As they sway, they gaze at one another like they’re seeing one another for the first time, to the song that started it all. 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

And thats it! Thats Jeronica’s story from season one to season four, I hope you have a very merry Christmas and I hope you liked your presents! Also, if anyone feels like adding on to the dialogue or using any of the points in a fic or even making a whole ass fanfiction- please do!! I didn’t do this justice with my mediocre quotes so it would actually be preferred XD.

And again, happy Christmas :))

[virtuemoired]

do a deep dive into “you raise me up” Kobe 2018 i dare you!

thou asked, thou shalt be given. buckle in ladies, bc u r in for a wild ride! welcome to why you raise me up is quite frankly one of the greatest gifts i’ve ever been given.

firstly, i advise u to watch this video FIRST, since this is unrightfully one of their more underrated programs and obviously NONE of y’all watch it on the daily so here’s a refresher:

here we go!

the first notes of the angelic “you raise me up” start playing, and our star crossed lovers are NOWHERE TO BE SEEN. but then- you see the shadows of two figures start to skate out from opposite ends of the rink, and you just KNOW history is about to be made. they slowly make their way towards the centre of the rink AND EACH OTHER, and when they finally touch, all is right in this world. and we are only 20 seconds in. 

first up, we have the iconic lift which if u know me, is my FAVOURITE CHOREOGRAPHIC ELEMENT OF ALL TIME. we started from jack & diane and now we’re here and honestly, i’m crying tears of JOY bc this one’s for me. 

next, we have latch choreography, and i know the haters are going to scream, “but this is RECYCLED choreo, how could it POSSIBLY be any good?” to which i say 1. r u literally forgetting that tessa and scott had an UNDEFEATED season with latch choreography? 2. if u r gonna complain about latch, do NOT come for the incredible, showstopping latch pause™️ in it’s full glory and 3. it is timed perfectly with the music and i will NOT stand for such slander!!!!

moving on, we see them do 1.5 crossovers, but those crossovers are the BEST crossovers i have EVER seen. they transition into my next favourite choreographic element and the only flaw is that the camera angle does not do this MASTERPIECE justice, but i digress. do u see how he picks her up when the word “silence” is sung and places her down EXACTLY when the singer says the word “come”??? and even though this is a LIVE singer, that will NOT stop mr scott patrick moir from being the best ice dancer in the entire world.

more crossovers, and i am already full on SOBBING. what’s more they do it WHILE LOOKING INTO EACH OTHER’S EYES and along with the MUSIC as we hit the chorus. when he sings “you raise me up”, their SOULS intertwine and scott lifts her up as “i can stand on mountains” is being sung, and u know what? scott moir let tessa virtue stand on his thighs with knives on her feet for 22 YEARS so yes, i DO think that this is a ~mowment~ for the history books. 

scott spins her in a circle and when the singer says “walk” he extends his leg out which is so EXTRA but so GOOD. then “seas” is being sung, and scott tosses tessa up in the air and catches her RIGHT ON THE PIANO KEY, setting her down on the beat. as paul macintosh said u simply cannot teach this!!! and tessa’s ARMS go together with the music so well, esp when “strong” is being sung, hopefully in the next 10 years we will have those harry potter moving picture frames so i can hang this moment above my first born’s crib.

now comes the part about this video that i absolutely LOVE because they fade their skating footage w the video of the singer and i am hereby declaring that ALL subsequent ice shows w live music should be filmed like that!! 21 summer i am looking at u!!! this is having ur cake and eating it too it is the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS and i am forever INDEBTED to the genius who came up w this idea, probably my lord and saviour the nhk photographer. back to the program. they change dance holds like 3 times, but u don’t even REALISE it bc u r so entranced by their beauty and their grace. also they do it while maintaining EYE CONTACT like HOW oh my god legends only.

we know the iconic goose lift is coming bc the chorus is about to hit and virtuemoir are the most DRAMATIC ice dancers to ever walk the face of the earth. and of course there’s a lighting change bc why NOT. i say, go big or go home, and do it exactly when “you raise me UP” is sung just for the brownie points. next is recycled latch/moulin rouge/long time running choreo and all PERFECTLY TIMED!! they simply DO! NOT! MISS! A! BEAT! and this is the only acceptable way to use recycled choreo, next.

they stay true to the original choreography bc he does a double twizzle even though this ISN’T a competitive skate but scott moir said you will GIVE ME THAT LEVEL 4 for a double twizzle i WILL hit those level features and i felt that in my bones.

v/m really said we will give u all ur fav programs bc they do the final lift from stay and scott lifts tessa on his shoulders as the singer sings “strong”, which is like, such a power move on his part. also completely on brand, bc the full lyrics is “you raise me up when i am on your shoulders” AND TESSA VIRTUE IS LITERALLY ON HIS SHOULDERS, not a misstep in sight.

it is just so pleasing to me that every time the singer sings “you raise me up” they do a lift which is so on the nose and i am LIVING. case in point: he lifts her up on the words “more” bc he is irrefutably declaring that he will take tessa to heights greater than himself. but then before the line finishes he dips her and circles her around and then u REALISE that they are BOTH singing this to EACH OTHER. they are both raising each other up to more than they can be. love that for them.

before the singer sings “you raise me up” one last time, the piano hits one last dramatic key and on that key scott twirls tessa in a circle and this just brings back memories of tessa saying “he is the melody and i am the piano” which hits different, yknow? and to top it all off, in their final lift, they do it exactly in time with the music, when will your faves EVER?

finally, they gaze longingly into each other’s eyes, and i’m JUST saying that if u end off ur performance like this, u give me no CHOICE but to embrace it with open arms. scott whispers “good job” to her, and this image lives in my mind rent free.

bc this is a dare, i am compelled to give u more evidence to substantiate why this performance is one of their best, if you aren’t already convinced. first up, their COSTUMES. if you’d read my top tessa costumes post, then you would know that this is in my honest opinion tessa’s BEST costume, so you raise me up is already looking promising in my book. but then, we have scott moir wearing his carmen costume that he loves oh so much, like seriously, i don’t think he’s reworn any costume more than this one, and i completely 100% understand why. this is long time running!Scott (which is the BEST scott) and carmen!Scott combined, but with the vibes of latch!Scott, so really, we WON with this program, need i say more? this is like what i envisioned everything would be in my dreams, but it was so much better than that. v/m literally raised me up to more than i could be with it.

[jzmn8r]

Hello friends I am going to put my DBQ outline here because I think I’m funny so here we go (some names taken out for privacy reasons)

Outline by yours truly Jasmine [lastname] on this momentous date of march the 12th 2thousand and twenty

Mrs. [last name] if you actually open this and read it hopefully you won’t I would like to formally apologize for the mess, it has been a wild ride.

I really don’t know how to outline essays so here we go cracks knuckles

These notes will all be deleted later so I apologize if someone logs into go guardian and sees this outline because it will be a mess. I cannot write outlines very well yeah I’m not deleting them, they’re funny, and on that note let’s get into it:

If you cannot handle the swag get out of the essay B)

The Primary Causes For The Fall of Rome:

1st paragraph: *sips tea* welcome, the game is afoot

The Roman Empire started out as a republic (details about said republic). Though this republic wasn’t set to last. It fell after 500 years. Yada yada yada yada the Roman empire rose to power in (insert date) and for many years was a prosperous and stable empire. Yeah, that didn’t last. It fell faster than my bio grade after a test. (I swear I know the material I just cannot take tests to save my life) Soon this empire fell into corruption and just like ms Keisha, died. There were many reasons for this but the most important ones were political deaths, invasions, and natural disasters.

2nd paragraph: Alexa play body by mother mother

Let’s see index cards shuffling hmm political deaths!! Fun topic!! So in the span of about 50 years, 22.5 emperors died (they’re still not sure if the last one is still living or not it’s Coolius Jaeser) but most (13 I think) were assassinated funnnn hrrgh hrrgh. So yeah this caused invasions n’ thingstm and economic failure because who doesn’t want that (everybody???) but holy cow this caused a bunch of sad things to happen. Rome was a mess ya’ll. Don’t go to Rome it’s not good for your mental wellbeing. Anyways yeah details and more details, conclusion.

3rd paragraph: another body paragraph to you queens, kings, and monarchs.

Next scene: we set the scene in Rome in (insert date) talking about invasions (as mentioned above)

HmmmmM, Mama Mia here we go again, but this time with invasions!! Those are always a fun family activity for the weeked, just go invade your local empire. Anyways towards the end of the ye olde empire people started migrating and bum bum bummm i n v a d i n g. (The Huns were the ones migrating in the beginning (They then snatched some of Rome) but the romans were evil little meanies so they called them animals and said they were invading but thats another story for another time.) anywAYS, the invasions were obviously a problem considering that land was Rome’s D:< but the invaders didnt really care so they invaded anyways. (evidence evidence evi evi evidence) yeah Rome then started falling faster than lightning mcqueen’s career in cars 3 or something its been years since ive watched the movie. But yeah, slap a conclusion on that there tractor and skiddaddle.

4th paragraph: oh no I am going to start crying over moulin rouge again am I not?? Anyways, its the final countdown dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun.

OHHHH NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD!!!! (fun fact my birthday is on the anniversy of the eruption of pompeii :) take with that information what you will)

Rome was really going through it in its final years. The poor empire was struggling with a capital s. In the (insert century and/or year) there was a large earthquake, shaky, and then a tsunami. Wow, so much fun, really sad I missed that. (side note, what a love story some of these events would make. Like a love story set in these times, hmmmm gears turning, oH gears are mega turning. (side side note, this obsession with love is probably because of Moulin Rouge)) So if that wasn’t enough to go cause this empire to go cry in a closet, there was a measles outbreak. Plagues, earthquakes, and tsunamis, that sounds like a name of a band. (add details later cause I cannot remember any of them atm) end scene.

Conclusion: well if youve stuck with me this long I am impressed and as it seems the case has come to a close, thats so sad alexa play despacito

So, overall Rome fell for a variety of reasons but the most important were political deaths, invasions, and natural disasters. Rinse and repeat the intorduction but change it up a bit so that it seems like I did more than I really did. Alas our journey ends here, and as the curtain falls I would like to remind everyone that it will rise again and that in the wise words of Shmi Skywalker (yes I am bringing a Star Wars reference into this because I have a problem) “You cannot stop change as much as you can stop the sun from setting” with that note I will always be here for more essay outlines and you can never get rid of me.

This outline was sponsored by Costco- Costco, where’s the beef? *whispers* oh thats not it, thats wendys??? Oh ok

Costco, do the right thing :D

THE END

[mindovcrheart]

( AARON TVEIT + CISMALE ) — Have you seen ALEXANDER WARREN ? This THIRTY-FIVE year old is a/an FBI AGENT who resides in QUEENS. HE has been living in NYC for FOUR YEARS, and is known to be TRUSTWORTHY and CARING, but can also be STUBBORN and SECRETIVE, if you cross them. People tend to associate them with UGGLY SWEATERS and BONFIRES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WOODS

hello hello hello!it is i, the (ir)responsible person behind jo (aka @awkwardrcbot​) today i bring you my mess of a son whom i love to death. here are some bulletpoints i have of him.

he’s 35 y/o and his fc is aaron tveit. if you don’t know who aaron tveit is i recommend you lOOK AT THIS VIDEO RIGHT HERE. you’re welcome. also, stream moulin rouge bc it’s such a good album.

so, alex was born and raised in hermosa beach, california and lived there until he was 17, then he moved to nyc with his THEN girlfriend and enrolled in college ( he has a PhD in criminal justice, a masters of Public Administration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice ) and got enlisted in the FBI.

after his boss’ wife got murdered however, he decided to move back to hermosa beach to start off fresh and get away from that situation ( him and those around him were threatened )

does mostly uncover investigations

he’s rlly good at it tbh? well, he’s good at his job. 

he came back to nyc like, 4 years ago with his bff tho

mamma’s boy to an extend, the boy loves his mamma and his goal in life is to make her proud

sadly, his mom was murdered when he turned thirteen in a mysterious accident (not really an accident, a gang thing. the gang was his... he had a v complicated childhood, alright?

has a brother a couple years younger than him, but is stranged to alex as the rest of his family (bc they believe him responsible of his mother’s death)

his father walked out on them when alex was ten years old

both of his parents were known on their youth to be drug users, a path he followed really early in his life after his mother’s death, but he got clean later on, and used all the information he could get to help him on his undercover investigations

despite being trained to be a killing machine (and being good at it) is actually a goofball most of the time??????

has had one (1) serious relationship, even got engaged at some point in his life, but after the whole mess happened with his boss’ wife and the constant threats he received, he broke the engagement off, that’s when he moved back to his hometown (this will be a wc btw, because i love suffering™)

loves musicals, reading and dogs

and coffee (mostly because he doesn’t sleep because of nightmares and he is always v tired)

is a cool grandpa™

can be hot-headed and v passionate but he means well most of the time he just wants to catch bad guys and make people happy as long as you don’t cross him he’s an angel. if you do cross him tho he’ll end you i’m not kidding he has the fbi on his side

lowkey has an alcohol problem? VERY lowkey tho. (i do have a pattern with this, i know)

oh yea painfully bi if you will, maybe demi? def not straight js

ok so that’s what i have so far on him, i’ll add stuff as time goes but please if you are interested in plotting with me and alex, hmu or like this post and i’ll come to you! ok, this is my turn to leave, thank you for your time. bless u if you read his whole mess

EDIT: my v basic wc page can be found here!

[whatsbehindthefacade]

@bitmorerouge asked: “ i’m not the person you want. i know you think i am. but it won’t take long for you to realize this is a mistake. ” | Pierre to Harold

Harold is not a young man.

He would never claim to be, no, he is all too aware of his own age, of the creepings of time catching up with him. He sees it every time he sits before his mirror to apply greasepaint, notes the grey of hair once dark, the lines of his face. He feels it in the stiffness in his joints when he wakes in the morning. But still, he continues. The Moulin Rouge is his pride and joy, it's inhabitants the closest thing to a family he has these days, and he would not change it for the world.

Pierre, on the other hand, is a young man. Young, attractive, clever, the world is at his feet. Admittedly, there are times when indeed Harold wonders if he is almost restricting Pierre here, clipping his wings and keeping him tied down when he should let him fly. No doubt he could have his pick of anybody he wanted, and yet every time he comes back to him.

But, he tells himself, Pierre is almost like a cat. If he truly didn't wish to be there, he wouldn't be.

The words have the impresario cocking his head to the side a little, brow furrowing. It's more self-deprecating than he's used to hearing from his young lover, and he can't say it doesn't sadden him. A step closer brings him near enough to touch, to take his hand and gently tip Pierre's chin up to look at him.

"Pierre, dearest, take this from one with a considerable chunk of life experience, but while I will not claim to be incapable of making mistakes, I am confident that this is not one. I am old enough and ugly enough to know my own mind and what I want. And I want you."

[mermaidgirl30]

✨Crimson Tango: A Dance of Diamonds and Revenge Masterlist✨

A/N: Welcome to our little Moulin Rouge Joel Miller au ❤️ Here is the moodboard for me and @mountainsandmayhem Crimson Tango: A Dance of Diamonds and Revenge story. Happy reading!

Summary: Joel Miller doesn’t know what awaits him as he takes on a maintenance job at the Moulin Rouge. He doesn’t know he’ll meet the absolute love of his life, the Sparkling Diamond, as his world comes crashing down around him fast. Will he be able to stay away when he’s warned not to touch the dancers? Will he listen or will he challenge that pull that draws him to the one thing that sets his soul on fire?

Tags: Angst, unprotected p in v, oral, fingering, forbidden love, murder, fluff and smut, soulmates being in love, moulin rouge au, no outbreak, tags will be updated each chapter

Chapter 1: Welcome to the Moulin Rouge

Chapter 2: It Always Ends Badly

Chapter 3: How Wonderful Life Is While You’re In the World

Chapter 4: Come What May

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 7.5

[ineed-a-cigarette]

"It's nothing. It's just an infatuation... it's nothing." - Rafael, saying that to Amanda. -idontworkfornypd

Serena had been be fuming ever since since she overheard that conversation between Amanda and Barba. She knew that eavesdropping wasn’t nine, but she just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Or maybe not. She had an increasingly rowing crush on the ADA and it really stung to know that for him it was nothing more than a stupid infatuation. That she was just another pretty face. She had expected that, but having it being confirmed like that was dreadful. So she came up with a small revenge plan. Nothing too terrible. Just some good old fashion retaliation. If she was going over the edge she could take him down with her. It wasn’t hard for her to drive men crazy after all. She knew that the next time she would see him would be at the governor’s ball. So she put in extra effort. She made sure to put on the most extravagant, the most spectacular outfit she could. She looked absolutely stunning when she walked in the room. Many heads turned. Rafael’s included. 

@idontworkfornypd

[kcookendrick]

group 21: the time travelers

Welcome to Time Traveling. Fasten your seat belts cause it's going to be a bumpy but wild ride. We'll take you back to the early 2000's, and maybe even further. Get ready to go into the Moulin Rouge and hear all about your favorite Candyman and other throwback songs. Enjoy! @chrishbu @cameronhbu @rxgbos @ofcalycia @ksgillan @cntrlbutera @queenvh

Welcome to the Moulin Rouge, after our first performance please time travel back to some of the greatest hits of the early 2000′s. 

Song number one: Moulin Rouge preformed by @cntrlbutera @ksgillan @ofcalycia and @kcookendrick. Dancing performances tonight by @chrishbu @cameronhbu and @rxgbos and @queenvh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQa7SvVCdZk

Song number two: I Want it That Way originally by The BackStreet Boys but preformed by @cameronhbu  with dancers such as @rxgbos  and @chrishbu @queenvh  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fndeDfaWCg

Song number three: Candyman originally by Christina Aguilera preformed by @cntrlbutera with background dancers as @ofcalycia @ksgillan @chrishbu @cameronhbu @rxgbos @queenvh  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ScjucUV8v0

song number four: Beautiful originally by Christina Aguilera preformed by @ksgillan dancers tonight include @ofcalycia, Anna, and @cntrlbuter and @queenvh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAfyFTzZDMM

Song number five: Whenever, Whenever originally by Shakira preformed by @ofcalycia dancers tonight include @ksgillan, @cntrlbutera, Anna, @rxgbos, @chrishbu, and @cameronhbu and @queenvh  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weRHyjj34ZE 

Song number six: Ignition (Remix) originally by R.Kelly preformed by Anna Kendrick with dance performances by @chrishbu, @cameronhbu, @rxgbos, @ofcalycia, @ksgillan and @cntrlbutera and @queenvh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6y_4_b6RS8

song number seven: Wannabe originally by Spice Girls preformed by @cameronhbu with background singers and dancers such as @ofcalycia, Anna, @cntrlbutera, @ksgillan, @chrishbu, and @rxgbos and @queenvh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJLIiF15wjQ

song number eight: MMMBop originally by Hanson preformed by @rxgbos with background singers such as @chrishbu, @cameronhbu, Anna, @cntrlbutera, @ofcalycia and @ksgillan and @queenvh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHozn0YXAeE

song number nine: Cant Fight The Moonlight originally by LeAnn Rhimes preformed by @queenvh with background dancers as @ofcalycia @cntrlbutera, Anna and @ksgillan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx3s99FNXzI

[minyunaich]

Welcome to my Dark Side

Participação: Helena Kane Morrison Whitlam. TW: Vampires being vampires (which means vampire bites, yes, pretty shocking, I know). Weird kinks — voyeurism. Jef*free Star as the bartender. 

Petit Moulin Rouge era um lugar que ia muitas vezes apenas por necessidade. Claro, não podia contar apenas com a boa vontade de um ou outro colega para saciar sua sede. Bolsas de sangue? Oras, que Yuna reclamasse com seu "criador", bolsas nunca eram o bastante.

Um vampiro precisa caçar, afinal de contas. É um predador, está nesse mundo para ser um.

Sendo assim, não hesitou em ir ao tal lugar. Lá, usava uma máscara que cobria parte de seu rosto, mais precisamente na região dos olhos e um véu preto em sua cabeça. Seu corpo era todo coberto pela blusa de mangas compridas e gola alta, e a calça colada ao corpo — tudo na mesma cor do véu. Bom, poderia parecer ridículo e estranho, mas ali no Moulin Rouge nunca fora julgada. Até porque… existiam coisas mais excêntricas.

Já era conhecida pelos funcionários também. Yuna conseguia seus voluntários com o bartender — geralmente mulheres. Ele quem armava todo o esquema. De quebra, ainda ganhava uma gorjeta bem gorda da grã-duquesa que não gastava seu dinheiro com nada além de peças de roupa, acessórios e— isso, basicamente.

O bartender havia lhe avisado que ainda não havia conseguido uma voluntária, mas que iria trabalhar nisso logo. Yuna esperou então, distraindo-se com o canudo do drink falso que não tomava, quando sentiu a presença de uma mulher ao seu lado. Ela se sentou, e a vampira a observou pelo canto dos olhos enquanto seu amigo funcionário conversava com ela. Ela parecia nova ali; não fazia ideia do que estava acontecendo. Pobre moça…

"Com licença," interrompeu a ambos, a mãos seguindo para dentro do véu que cobria sua face apenas para apoiar a lateral do seu rosto ao descansar o cotovelo sobre o balcão. "Você é nova aqui, hn? Jeffree, você vai assustá-la desse jeito," suspirou então, descendo do banco. "Gostaria de me acompanhar?" Ofereceu para a moça e seguiu para uma mesa mais reservada enquanto ouvia o resmungar do bartender ao longe.

Yuna não retirou o véu para conversar com a mulher, mas não era difícil de ver seu sorriso pequeno e gentil adornado através do tecido. Logo ela fez questão de lhe explicar mais sobre aquele lugar, e então sobre o que o outro havia oferecido a ela.

"Ele procura por voluntárias que queiram doar um pouco de seu sangue e… experimentar sensações boas, já que é a única forma que posso me 'alimentar', digamos assim," com isso, sabia que mais perguntas viriam e não hesitou em responder a maioria delas de forma sincera. Coisas mais pessoais ela apenas fugiu discretamente do assunto.

No fim, Helena acabou insistindo em ser sua voluntária da noite. "Ok... Eu quero te ajudar com isso. Mas... Se ativar minha maldição, melhor só se afastar. Ou me desmaiar, é válido também—"

"T-tem certeza?"

"Absoluta!"

Yuna não tinha tanta certeza como ela, mas seria a maldição da outra mais incontrolável do que a sua?

"Certo… Venha comigo então," por fim, levantou-se e ofereceu uma das mãos para que a outra princesa viesse consigo. Yuna preferia tomar do sangue dela do que de uma outra pessoa qualquer no momento— ela parecia apenas disposta à aventura, o que não era ruim.

Levou-a para um dos quartos daquele estabelecimento, algumas pessoas já esperavam lá, sentadas ou de pé, um pouco distantes da cama circular. Yuna explicou que eram como uma plateia — afinal, nada era de graça na vida, se ela queria consumir algo, que fosse pelas regras do local, segundo o dono — e direcionou a mais jovem até a cama.

Com os dígitos delicados, a mais velha ergueu sutilmente o rosto da outra para que lhe fitasse, enquanto tirava o véu de seu rosto. "Olhe pra mim," ela sorriu, as íris tingidas de carmim e os caninos aparecendo, "boa menina."

Com isso, a vampira fez questão de prender sua atenção. A presa era sua— toda sua, e agora nada mais importava. Ela subiu naquela cama também, engatinhando até se pôr de joelhos atrás dela. Uma das mãos segurando seu cabelo e a outra descendo pelo seu pescoço e ombro. Ela sentiu o cheiro de sua vítima, a ponta do nariz deslizando até o ponto do pescoço em que a morderia. Sem mais, o fez, segurando-a firmemente naquele primeiro segundo até que o efeito de sua mordida surtisse.

Quando satisfeita, cuidadosamente usou de seu corpo para apoiar o alheio. "Você está bem, Helena?" E aquele nome percorreu sua boca de forma agridoce. Em um segundo, ela quase foi transportada para uma certa lembrança amarga, contudo um homem as interrompeu.

“Vocês já vão? Não, fiquem mais um pouco…”

"Por que? Você é algum tipo de tarado? Gosta de ver duas mulheres juntas, hm?" A australiana respondeu antes de si, e sem qualquer reação, a vampira se viu envolvida pela outra; os lábios tocando os dela.

Seus olhos se arregalaram, e um leve rubor se fez presente em suas bochechas. Quê?! Mingyu riu alto em sua mente. Certo, a princesa estava bem doida. Yuna tinha que tirá-la dali.

Afastou-se apenas um pouco em seguida, colocando seu véu de volta e pegando Helena em seu colo — pois agora era forte o suficiente para isso. "V-vamos embora, alteza! Não temos tempo para ficar aqui!"

Helena parecia super animada no colo da grã-duquesa que praticamente corria para sair do submundo, ela não parava quieta um segundo, enquanto Yuna tentava descobrir seu dormitório. Quando finalmente na Erde, pediu para que ela autorizasse a entrada no seu quarto na intenção de deixá-la sobre a cama. Por fim, ajeitou-a e cobriu-a.

"Por favor, lembre-se de beber bastante água e comer, sim?" Suspirou ao final, deixando um riso soprado escapar, retirando o véu e a máscara.

"Obrigada por hoje, Helena," com isso, rumou até a porta, despedindo-se, "boa noite."

Ao que parecia, sua nova Helena era mais empolgada do que a anterior.

Será que podia chamá-la assim?

Nova Helena.

[voulezvous-rpg]

Congratulations, V! You’ve been accepted as your original character, The Flickering Candle — Lilou Song, with a face claim of Lee Se Young!

I’m thrilled to welcome a dancer and courtesan who’s here because of need, not because of desire. Lilou is such a heartbreakingly selfless character, one whose inner light has always gone to others before it’s gone to herself. To have done so for so long, and still feel the sting of loss again and again, makes it no wonder that light is beginning to fade. In a beautiful opposition to the handful of dancers we have who are aspiring to be courtesans, I’m very excited by the prospect of one who’s on the precipice of wanting out. Her bitter vulnerability and position within the club make for so many possibilities, and I’m so excited to welcome both you and this beautiful woman to the dash!

OUT OF CHARACTER

Name/Alias: V.

Pronouns: she/her

Age: 22

Timezone & Activity: est // i’m finishing up my last semester at uni, so until the end of may my activity will be on the lower side of the scale. i would say it fits around 6/10

IN CHARACTER

Character Group: Dancer/Coutesan

Character Title: The Flickering Candle

Name: Lilou Song

FC: Lee Se Young

Pronouns: she/her

Age: 24

Occupation: Dancer & Courtesan

How long has your character been around the Moulin Rouge? Whether working or visiting, how much time has your character spent around the club? Lilou has been employed as a dancer at the Moulin Rouge for two years.

How did the fire impact your character? Directly or indirectly, how did the fire affect your character? What are their thoughts regarding the aftermath and the club’s reopening? Lilou was heavily impacted by the fire due to the Moulin Rouge being her only place of employment at the time of the fire. She had great difficulty finding any different work before the reopening, so she was desperate to thrust herself back into work.

Biography:

.i.

You are in a room, your reflection in the mirror across from you. The lips part, and something vile drips from its mouth. Your hands tighten to a fist, and you strain yourself not to break the glass. It would be nice, though, to sense pierced skin, and blood dripping over knuckles, to know the illusion shattered (because it is an illusion, not reality, it cannot be r e a l i t y )

The reflection closes its eyes, no longer you, and yet all of you. A breeze sweeps between the both of you, and you squint against the bite of cold. Lips part again, and suddenly, you are facing your mother. And when you reach for him, she is cold to the touch.

Do you love yourself? she asks.

You awake, and tears stream down your face.

                                                                            ( you never have an answer, do you? )

.ii.

Your father stumbles through the door again, the stench of alcohol stumbling in with him, and you with narrowed eyes how he makes a fool of himself when he wobbles into his room. Your mother is in the corner sewing another hole in your smock closed, and her eyes are quickly close shut at the sound of your father disposing of the evening meal you all shared hours before.

“To bed,” she tells you, as if you have your own room, as if you all live in an actual house that doesn’t shake in the wind, as if it’s a place to shield you from the cold, as if this is a home and not hell.

It’s not her fault, though, because she tries and tries and tries; she is the strongest person in the household to shoulder the weight of your father and what you need. So you stand and softly make your way to her, grabbing her hand and asking, “What can I do?”

Your mother deserves more than this country can offer her, and the least you can do is lift her burden ever so slightly.

.iii.

          ( she sings you a lullaby and you find yourself drifting on a river,               and your heart no longer feel as if it will burst from your chest.           she digs her hand into your mind, asks you to release your anger                  to be a light in the world, to shine for others, and oh,            oh you want to tell her you will always keep your light burning. )

                                      ((( but you know. oh, you know. )))

.iv.

Your father’s haegeum has been untouched for so long that when you first open the case, the hinges creak in the most awful of noises. When you pluck the strings, the sickening feeling of hearing something unnatural fills your veins.

You shut the case, and try to forget the moment.

But you come back, in the quiet moments when your mother has fallen asleep in her chair, and unveil the violin to the sunlight. You never play it; you don’t know how, and your father is never around to ask. But you trace your fingers along its shape, and the silent music rests in your heart.

It is a comfort, admiring something you one day hope to play yourself.

And then, one day, it disappears, and when your father returns with more food than normal (and more alcohol, always, always more alcohol), your face contorts into something ugly. You refuse to eat, and turn your face to the wall when you meet your mother’s worried gaze in the darkness.

Everything is fleeting. And it’s a lesson you cannot swallow.

.v.

First, it’s your father. Chills, a hacking cough, and the acknowledgment of death presses against your chest. It is quick, the moment of his first shaky breath to his harrowing last.

Your mother isn’t granted the same decency.

It is long hours of sitting beside her, your hand in hers, willing and praying that she will last another night. You cannot bear to leave the house, but you must to scrounge what little money you can gather. It’s not enough, never enough, and you are desperate as you witness your mother withering away.

And there are thoughts of what else you could do, wretched ones that you refuse to stoop yourself to. She asked you to keep your light shining, and selling yourself, no, no you cannot and will not.

But when your mother needs medication and food the most, there is no money left, and you run through the streets, tears brimming at your eyes because why was it her, why your mother, why wasn’t it you?

And suddenly, there, in the lights, the sound of laughter and coins being exchanged. Before you unravels a space you’ve always heard of, always avoided at your mother’s frown, and you launch yourself toward the Moulin Rouge.

Please, you beg, please.

.vi.

The lights expose your mistakes, and the choreographer chides you for yet another night. Minette is suddenly there, though, planting a kiss on your cheek, telling you to smile for it’s like the moon in the black sky, the candle in the windowsill offering distant comfort. And you do smile, because your mother would have wanted you to — and you want to smile. You do.

She survived another four months because of this place., because of what you committed yourself to. And that’s something — that’s everything.

I do hope you stay, darling, Minette throws over her shoulder as she turns away.

I will, you respond. I will.

.vii.

         ( it is poison, this place, what you do because there is nothing left for you.               you would be insane to leave when you are able to feed yourself,            take care of yourself, live for yourself because of this place.

                     but you are losing yourself all the same, feeling the flame within you D I E.               you are tempted by everything your mother would have wept over.                        and you don’t want to stay, you don’t want to smile, you don’t want this.

          how can you be a light for others, if you can’t even be a light for yourself? )

Potential Plot Points:

I do believe it’s pretty obvious Lilou is at the Moulin Rouge out of necessity and that she doesn’t exactly like being there, which certainly doesn’t ring true for plenty of the people who are within its walls. It would be interesting to see how others react to that; are suspicions raised about her because of her dislike? Do people think she started the fire? Why would she return then? I think there are plenty of dynamics to play on that.

She is right on the cliff’s edge of a point of no return, so who’s going to tempt her into darkness and extinguish that candle’s flame or who will help it still burn throughout her life? I see her going either way, and I would love to see which side kind of wins.

She is genuine, she is kind, but there is a bitterness underlying all of that, and it can be easily misunderstood. Who will fight through that to be her friend? She just needs a good solid friend, whether it be another dancer. staff member, or patron.

She hates, hates, hates being a courtesan, but the extra money patrons will slip her is much needed. But what if a patron angers her to a point she withdraws as a courtesan? Idk, I think a scenario like that could unravel into something much bigger down the line ( exactly what, i’m unsure, but the possibilities ).

FREESTYLE

~ quotes

“you are a shared secret kept between cupped hands;                                   you are the first drizzle of spring, the laughter-filled nights of summer. (there is static in your head and in your heart— breathe,                                  and remember that you are more than what your reflection tells you.)”

“Your only problem, perhaps, is that you scream without letting yourself cry.”

“You aren’t a caged bird, 
you’re not as trapped as you feel. 
You’re not as alone as you assume. 
I promise.”

“I want to rest. I want to breathe quietly again.”

❝ you were unsure which pain is worse: the shock of what happened or the ache for what never will. ❞

❝ because sometimes chance and circumstance can seem like the most appalling injustice, but we just have to adapt. that’s all we can do ❞

❝ life sometimes seems like nothing more than a series of losses, from beginning to end. that’s the given. how you respond to those losses, what you make of what’s left, that’s the part you have to make up as you go. ❞

[imjustheretoseetheprivateblogs]

I’m so glad you liked it. In the spirit of Predator fan brodom, I shall tell you the cinematographer for each of the “Four main” Predator movies

Predator-Donald McAlpine (also known for his work on The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe, Moulin Rouge!, and Mrs. Doubtfire)

Predator 2-Peter Levy (also known for Nightmare on Elm Street 5, Ricochet, The Life & Death of Peter Sellers, and 1998′s Lost in Space)

Predators-Gyula Pados (also known for Metallica: through the Never, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: the Next Level, and Maze Runner: the Scorch Trials)

The Predator-Larry Fong (also known for Kong: Skull Island, Super 8, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and 300)

Did you like the cinematography (lighting/colors/camera work) from the Predator?

The 2018 movie? Yeah, I did for the most part! I just flinched from the occasional flashing a few times knowing that couldn't have been fun for some people. Not gonna lie I was too busy loving Fugitive Predator's performance in the movie. Ha.