Satine’s POV
Jack led us down into the third class general area. As we descended the steps, the music became louder and louder. When I entered and saw the great crowd of dancing people, I instantly felt at home. It was rowdy and crowded and throbbing with music, just like the Moulin Rouge.
"This is perfect!" I yelled to Jack over the noise. He grinned at me, briefly taking his eyes off of Rose.
Rose was taking everything in with wonder, as if she'd never been anywhere this lively and let-loose before. She soon disappeared into the crowd, Jack pulling her along. Christian was standing behind me, smiling grandly.
When I faced him, he motioned to the raised platform. "You should sing something!" he suggested.
"What? Sing?" I protested weakly, even though my spirits had soared at the mere mention of singing.
"Yeah! Go on! Go!" He shoved me towards the platform and I stumbled onto it, feeling instantly self-conscious. I looked at the small crowd, feeling their eyes lock onto me, alone on the stage. I smiled nervously at them, moistening my lips slightly. And then, feeling all the pressure of the world on me, I began to sing.
Remember those walls I built
Well, baby they're tumbling down
And they didn't even put up a fight
They didn't even make up a sound
It's the risk that I'm taking
I ain't never gonna shut you out
I found a way to let you in
But I never really had a doubt
Standing in the light of your halo
I got my angel now
It's like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breaking.
There was complete silence. Jack and Rose were looking at me with large grins on their faces, and looks of shock and awe filled the faces of the other passengers. I found Christian, staring at me with a look of such happy love that I felt my heart flutter rapidly.
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby, I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
Hit me like a ray of sun
Burning through my darkest night
You're the only one that I want
Think I'm addicted to your light
I swore I'd never fall again
But this don't even feel like falling
Gravity can't forget
To pull me back to the ground again
Feels like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breaking
The risk that I'm taking
I'm never gonna shut you out
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
Halo, halo
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo.
I finished the song, breathlessly, on a high note and waited for their reaction, happy and relaxed. A storm of cheering broke out, a few appreciative whoops interspersed randomly.
"Encore!" Jack and Rose bellowed, both holding mugs of beer in their hands. I laughed, agreeing to comply with their wishes.
Do you dream that the world will know your name
So tell me your name
And do you care about all the little things
Or anything at all
I want to feel all the chemicals inside
Said I want to feel
I want a sunburn just to know that I'm alive
Just to know I'm alive
I want to live
Just so you could see the day
When we all get along
I want to scream
Scream my song out loud for everyone to hear
Do you believe
Believe in the day that you were born
Tell me do you believe
And do you know that every day's the first of the rest of your life
And oh
Don't tell me if I'm dying
‘Cause I don't want to know
If I can't see the sun
Maybe I should go
Don't wake me 'cause I'm dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon
And you know the pain
That brought you here today
So what can you do
And you know the tears
For losing those you love
When yesterday’s gone
So please remember
Not to waste another day
Not to worry your mind
And please forgive me
For taking so much time
To get back on my feet
And oh
Don't tell me if I'm dying
‘Cause I don't want to know
If I can't see the sun
Maybe I should go
Don't wake me 'cause I'm dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon
And I'll fight it out
‘Cause I know I can
And I'll sleep tight
When you’re not in
Oh, no, I won't surrender
This is to one last day in the shadows
And to know a brother’s love
This is to New York City angels
And the rivers of our blood
This is to all of us
This is to all of us
Don't tell me if I'm dying
‘Cause I don't want to know
If I can't see the sun
Maybe I should go
Don't wake me ‘cause I'm dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon
Don't tell me if I'm dying
‘Cause I don't want to know
If I can't see the sun
Maybe I should go
Don't wake me ‘cause I'm dreaming
Of angels on the moon
Where everyone you know
Never leaves too soon
And don't tell me if I'm dying
No, don't tell me if I'm dying
And don't tell me ‘cause I'm lying.
The crowd remained silent after I had finished, star-struck looks on every face. I blushed slightly and hopped off of the stage, looking for Christian.
"Let's go," I said when I reached his side.
"Should we tell Jack?" he asked, taking my hand and kissing it. I shook my head, gesturing towards the stage. The couple was dancing on it, both looking extremely happy as they spun around and around, faster and faster to the music.
*****
I was awakened the next morning by Christian, hovering above me eagerly, hiding something behind his back in a failed attempt to be sneaky.
"Christian?" I murmured, reaching a hand up to stroke his face. He leaned into the touch briefly before backing away. I sat up groggily, smoothing back my messy hair.
"What are you hiding?" I asked, curious.
"You'll see! Get dressed!" he urged me, backing out of the room, his hands still behind his back. I sighed in mock annoyance and pulled on the dress I had worn when Christian serenaded me on top of the elephant. It was my favorite dress, and I never left on a trip without it.
"Christian! I'm dressed!" I called. "Now, let me see what it is that you're hiding! I have got to know!"
He entered the large room instantly, holding an ornate box out in front of him. Yet the box was full of little tiny holes, almost as if there was something living in it. I took it cautiously, opening it as hesitantly as if it were a bomb.
But it wasn't a bomb that exploded out of the box. No. It was a little bundle of fur, leaping out at me and purring loudly for such a tiny thing.
"Oh, Christian, a kitten?" I cooed, examining the white kitten with joy. It had a little crown of gold hair circling its face, almost like an angel's golden halo. "He's adorable! What's his name?"
"Do you love him?" he asked, looking at my joyous face. "He doesn't have a name. You get to pick."
"Really? Hmm…how about Auréole?" I suggested, saying the French word for halo.
"It's perfect!" Christian beamed. The little kitten mewed in agreement, happily curled up in my arms.
"Auréole it is, then," I agreed, stroking the kitten.