Updated Disclaimer: The song used is "Rhythm of the Night" by Valeria and is featured on the Moulin Rouge Soundtrack. It was editted slightly to fit our story better. :D Chapter Three Girls ran back and forth behind the heavy, red, velvet curtains at the Head Rush. Nata stood next to Jade who was dressed and ready for her first dance at the club. "Just remember what I showed you this morning, and you'll be fine," Nata encouraged. "You'll wow them, and you'll only be up there for a few minutes, so you've got it covered." Nata smiled. "Besides, I'll be back here, and if you don't think you can handle it or get some serious stage fright, let me know. I'll come cover for ya." Jade was in a pastel pink dress which was gathered and ruffled and hugged her figure. The top portion came up over her breasts and tied at the back of her neck, making it easily removed to reveal the bra and panty set beneath. It exposed a generous amount of cleavage and leg, and she didn’t care how beautiful it looked on her at the moment. She kneaded her hands and sighed. “I’ll signal you or… I should be all right,” she said. She felt as though she should be calling upon the Force for assistance, but it seemed so wrong at a time like this. Even though it was the Council who had sent her here, would they approve of using the Force in such a fashion? She pushed these thoughts away as she closed her eyes and put on a seductive smile, stepping out onto the stage. Nata peered out from between the curtains, watching as Jade took her position up on stage. "Good luck," she whispered just loud enough that Jade heard her. "Tonight, the Head Rush would like to welcome its newest girl, Jade!" The announcer’s voice poured over the speakers. The announcement was quickly followed by the start of Jade's dance music, and Nata held her breath, waiting for Jade to start dancing. As the chanted “dance all night” began pouring from the speakers along with the infectious beat, Jade hesitated. Suddenly she was awash with misgivings. What was she doing here? These men were staring at her, some with apathy and some with hunger. Both reactions left her feeling sick inside, and she could hardly stand herself. Nata saw Jade hesitate, and she rushed to the edge of the curtains. "Close your eyes! It's just me! We're in that room again. You can do it. Deep breath and feel the music," she whispered, trying to encourage her friend to start moving before the men began to get restless. Jade heard Nata calling to her and shut her eyes as she was told. Through the Force and Nata’s whispered encouragement, she let the music fill her senses. The blare of trumpets and a new chorus punctuated her next move as she cocked one hip and pointed out toward the audience, her eyes slowly sliding open.
Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night
She barely saw them anymore, imagining only one person gazing up at her who was not in attendance. As the beat intensified, she moved her hands to her own sides and slid them to her hips as they wiggled enticingly. She spun once and rolled her hip toward one of the men, making eye contact even when she wasn’t envisioning his face. The face she saw was much more handsome, with fathomless eyes that made her ache from the inside out.
Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night
Jade knocked her hips to the left and then the right, then stepped forward with one high-heeled foot and took on a prowling stance. She slunk forward, winking conspiratorially at no one in particular, then twirled to give them a glorious view of her backside as she wiggled. A raucous whistle rang out, but she was oblivious to it as the music drowned out nearly all other sound.
When it feels like
A grin spread across Nata's face as she watched Jade. She knew once she started dancing, she would be able to just go with it. The woman had a natural grace about her that helped create the fluid movements that she was now using on the stage to entice the men, and enticing them she was. From the faces Nata could see, their eyes were securely locked on Jade’s every move, following her as she glided across the stage.
It's time to get out
Jade swung her hair around as she spun, tugging surreptitiously at the tie on the nape of her neck. The front of the dress fell forward, and she turned to coyly glace back over her shoulder. Men shifted where they sat, and some even kneaded the front of their pants as though no one else were around to see.
I know a place where we can
Jade turned back, running her hands over bare skin and her lacy pink bra. Her hips bumped and in time with the music, and she shimmied down into a crouch only to come back up running her hands across her backside. As a result, her dress rode up and exposed her creamy thighs.
Just come with me and we can
Letting the rest of the dress drop, Jade stepped lightly out of it. Her body writhed where she stood, her head dipping back in ecstasy as the rhythm wracked her.
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
Backstage, a new pair of eyes had joined the group of girls that were watching Jade's first performance. Annette's blue eyes narrowed slightly at the reactions Jade was getting from the crowd, and an anger seethed through her when she noticed how good Jade actually was. Her blue eyes cut across and found Nata who had spotted Annette and smirked evilly in her direction. With a last look towards Jade, Annette disappeared into the wings, and Nata snickered lightly, knowing that Annette thought Jade was out for her position as “head girl” at the Head Rush.
To the beat of the rhythm of the night…
Jade was officially lost in another world. Her physical eyes were closed, and in her mind’s eye, her lover had grown weary of watching. He was with her now, holding her firmly and still gently against him as he ground into her backside. It was so vivid that she could almost feel him there. Little did she know she had actually backed herself against the pole which jutted from the center of the stage and was sliding against it suggestively, much to the patrons’ delight.
Look out on the street now
Jade whirled to face the pole and grasped it with on hand as she threw her head back. She twirled away again, her feet actually leaving the ground this time. She landed nimbly, one arm outstretched as though she should be holding a sword, an adept and graceful stance that was nearly threatening. She rocked her hips again, moving away before anyone could give this too much thought.
Under streetlights
Jade’s eyes lighted on Cress, who was watching from his usual table. One of the waitresses was leaning over him, but he pushed her aside to gain a better view of Jade. Part of her balked at his cold, calculating stare, but she luckily did not stumble. Years of Jedi training had taught her how to keep her balance under any and all circumstances, but she became more still than she should have. Cress offered her a wicked smile, then gestured for her to continue. She sighed and transformed her shaken look to one of desire, moving to her knees.
Come join the fun
Nata noted Jade's small disruption in rhythm. Her eyes searched the audience and rested on Cress. He was watching Jade with a hungry stare, and Nata sighed, shaking her head slightly. She knew that look. That was the look he gave all the girls he wanted to have in bed. A lump of sorrow formed in Nata's throat as she thought about Jade and how she only had eyes for her boyfriend. When Cress decided it was time for him to have her, there was not much Jade could do to stop him.
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
The song swung into a foreign language Jade had never heard, and she pushed herself into the music again. No matter how she forced her previous, lovely visions to return, they would not. She only saw Cress’ handsome, hard face watching with no sense of romance. Merely lust. He was a powerful man who could do to her what the rest of these men only fantasized about, and Jade shuddered, hoping this was not visible.
And it’s called the Head Rush
The lights were beating down on Jade’s skin, the room was thick with the scent of arousal, and the music was becoming more frenetic that ever. Jade spun and moved until sweat thrashed from her in droplets. She felt coated and was reminded of the grueling training sessions she’d shared with her master. Even more so she was reminded of summer nights with Obi-Wan. Sometimes they had chanced going into the gardens when it was particularly warm in the late evenings…
To the beat of the rhythm of the night
Again she could feel his phantom hands, just enough to propel her to the song’s end. Oh, rhythm, wanna feel the rhythm Jade halted in place, posed and drenched. As uncivilized whoops and stomping feet filled the room, she bowed stiffly and hurried toward Nata where she awaited at the curtain. Nata beamed at Jade as she rushed off the stage and gave her new friend a hug, despite the fact that the other was dripping with sweat. "You looked amazing out there! I feel so proud!" She giggled lightly at the sound of the men, still whooping for Jade. "You certainly teased them. Let’s go get you cleaned up. You're done for the night." “Thank the Force,” she laughed breathlessly, leaning on Nata as she was led back toward a shower. It looked to be the type of area that was placed for convenience and not privacy. Jade hardly cared, wanting only to rid herself of the sticky, sweaty feeling she had all over. Jade stripped away her bra and panties, then kicked her high heels away as she turned on the cool water and stepped under it. She found herself being completely comfortable around Nata and chalked it up to the younger being her impromptu master in this new world. Besides, once someone had seen you nude, there didn’t seem to be a reason for modesty or embarrassment around them. "You danced really well tonight," Nata said, seating herself on the edge of one of the many sinks in the bathing room. "You need a little more work. You were still slightly stiff when you started, and you stiffened up again near the end, but I think I know what that was from." Nata glanced up at Jade, then back down towards her feet as they swung back and forth below her. "I saw Cress looking at you, but you have to try and ignore him. It's what he does. It's not just you." Jade froze for a moment at the mere mention of his name. She nodded gently, more to herself than to Nata, and soaped herself up quickly. “Just… knowing what he’s like… And there’s something I haven’t told you yet.” Nata raised her eyebrows, looking up at Jade who was now covered in white foamy soap. "Not like I ever expected you to tell me everything about your life, but since you mentioned it... What haven't you told me?" “Cress left something for me in my room earlier,” she said, stepping further under the water and letting it wash the soap from her as well as the nasty feeling that was nibbling at her. “A black envelope with a dead, dried rose inside. Does that mean what I think it does?” She turned to Nata, eyes somewhat wide with paranoia. Nata stopped swinging her legs and crossed them at the ankles, giving Jade a gentle look. "Unfortunately, yes. He'll come for you tomorrow after your first full strip." She shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry. If there was something I could do, I would." Jade turned her face away from Nata, putting her arms across herself as she felt suddenly and very bare. In her mind she was already calculating what she would do to deter him, but this was happening much sooner than she’d anticipated. She’d hoped to have more of an opportunity to investigate the brothel further, but there would be no time for that. Maybe she could get in at least one transmission to the Temple… But that would be far to risky. She’d simple have to carry her bag of sedatives with her and pray she was stealthy enough to drop one in his drink without his noticing. “It’s all right,” she said finally. “I had a feeling this would happen.” Her voice sounded much smaller than she’d intended. "I'm sorry... really. I hate that this has to happen, but it's sort of an initiation for new girls, I guess," Nata said. “Don’t worry, Nata,” Jade sighed. “I can handle it.” She finished rinsing herself, then turned off the spigot and grabbed a towel. “I have to get to my room. Excuse me…” She hurried away before Nata could reply. Nata slid off the sink and made her way back to her room. She didn't have to perform tonight, and she preferred to stay out of sight on the nights she didn't have to dance. It kept the possibility of her being called for other duties down if no one saw her. Jade hurriedly slipped into a pair of breeches and a tank top, then took the smaller of her pink bags into the bathroom with her. She pulled out a device and pretended to attempt unscrewing it, as though it were a makeup applicator. It truth, it was letting out a low distress signal to the Temple, one which would hopefully be untraceable. She feigned dropping it back into her bag by accident, then winced and reached for it, pulling out an identical tube that was the true makeup applicator. She spent the next few minutes putting on makeup for show, then put everything back in the bag and went back into her room. Having accomplished the one thing she felt she could do for now, she moved toward Nata’s room. She saw Annette coming down the hall in all her blond fury but failed to dodge her before she was intercepted. "Watched you dance tonight," Annette sneered, stopping and making sure that she fully blocked Jades path. "I don't understand why you wanted to do this job. You are about as graceful as a bantha on ice." Jade smiled and shook her head. “Is that all you’ve got? Now, move. I need to get by.” "I don't think so." Annette narrowed her blue eyes, planting her hands on her hips. "Do not even think that you can make it in this business." She took a few threatening steps towards Jade. "I'll make sure that you don't stay ‘appealing’ to a man’s eye." Jade paused and tilted her head. “If that was a physical threat, I really doubt you wanna go there. I don’t know if you noticed, but you are skin, bones, and breasts. I, on the other hand, am made of a lot tougher stuff than that.” "There are more ways to tear a girl apart than by physical force," Annette growled. "Just watch yourself." She moved forward, making sure to knock roughly into Jade's shoulder as she passed. Jade stood her ground, not even stumbling as Annette’s light weight bounced against her own. She watched her go, then paused to rub her weary eyes. This was all so childish. She had hoped to outgrow such rivalry, but there appeared to be no outrunning simple people like Annette. She moved the few steps to Nata’s door and knocked gently. "Come in," Nata's voice floated to the door as she looked up from her book, her reading glasses slipping down on her nose a little bit. Jade let herself in, then smirked at the sight, letting the door slide shut behind her. “Glasses? How do you see to dance without them?” Nata bit her lip, pushing her glasses self-consciously up on her nose as she grinned sheepishly at her. "I only need them for reading... If I don't wear them when I read, I get a bit of a headache." Jade smiled softly and moved over to sit in a chair near the bed. “What were you reading, if you don’t mind my asking…” Nata closed the book and glanced at the cover. "It's called ‘Love at Last,’ and it's about a poor young woman who grew up in a not so nice place with no parents. She has to do things she'd prefer not to just to eat. Until one day a Jedi finds her, falls in love with her, and whisks her away from the place to a better world." Nata looked back at Jade and laughed lightly. Jade fought in vain against the smile on her face as she picked took the book from Nata’s hand, being sure to hold her place. On the cover, beneath the emblazoned title, was a manly Jedi Knight clutching a gorgeous, dark-haired woman to his chest. Her dress was held precariously against her, and the Knight was mysteriously shirtless, though the standard breeches, boots, and deactivated lightsaber hilt remained. He was a bit too muscled for her, but Jade had to admit that the beard was attractive. “Sounds exciting,” Jade giggled, handing the book back. She deftly avoided mentioning the Jedi Code, not wishing to dash Nata’s dreams. "Yeah, it does and well…" Nata turned slightly red with a blush. "I kind of hope that one day some guy will find me and take me away from here." She sighed a bit to herself then gestured over to a bookshelf. "I love to read. It is something that allows me to escape from real life and live in a fantasy world." “I can understand why,” Jade said. “It’s good to have a hobby. Did you ever think about trying to write something yourself?” "Well," Nata scooted to the edge of her bed and pulled open the top of a chest at the foot of it. She took out a black notebook and held it out for Jade to take. "I've tried. I don't think it's any good, really, but you can look at it if you want." Jade took the notebook almost reverently and sat back with it. She opened the cover and began reading at the first page. Chara could still feel Eznik's cold hands on her, and the sick lurch her stomach had given when he'd whispered in her ear. That horrible drawl had given her chills. Not at all like the sensations that seized her with Romero. "Sweetheart, are you alright?" Romero asked. He had taken Chara's hands and kneeled before her where she sat. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" "I... No, I'm fine," she lied. It was a bold-faced lie, but somehow she couldn't bear to say it aloud. It would become too real. Romero's gentle green eyes narrowed in concern, his hand reached up to stroke her cheek. "I know that look. You're not telling me everything." Chara’s eyes refused to meet his as her face grew hard. She wasn’t angry with him, though she wanted to be. It was merely easier to hold her tears at bay if she feigned indignation. “Eznik is dead, Romero. You killed him. That should be enough.” She looked back up with an innocent eye. “Shouldn’t it?” "It should," Romero bowed his head. "It is. I just wish I could kill him a thousand times over. The way he treated you, you had to stay down there so long." He looked back up at her, "I just feel as though there was more I could have done..." When he trailed off, Chara blinked back tears and sank into his arms. “You’ve done more than I can ever thank you for. You’ve given me your love and hope for a better future. You unlocked my cage and allowed me to fly. Romero, I… I’ve never said this to anyone in earnest, but I truly love you.” Romero wrapped his arms around Chara, closing his eyes and pulling her close to him. "I have been all over this galaxy and seen so many beautiful women, but none could hold a candle to you. You are amazing in every way, and I love you." Jade looked up at Nata brightly. “This is wonderful. You should think about getting published, really.” Blushing, Nata shook her head. "You're just being kind. All that really is is my dreams put on paper." She shrugged lightly, leaning back on her bed. “That’s where some of the greatest works ever written begin,” Jade insisted, patting the notebook as she closed it. “With some of the stuff they publish out there, this would blow it all away. I’m not just saying that.” "It would be fun to be published..." Nata smiled at Jade. "What are your secret aspirations? I know you can't want to be a stripper for the rest of your life." Jade smiled and looked down, saying the first thing that came to her mind. “Eventually… I’d like to marry my man. Have his younglings. If he’ll have me after this.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s just weighing on my mind…” "Honey, no matter what you do in your life, even this, if he loves, he will always love you. You are who you are, and inside, from what I know of you, you're a wonderful and sweet person. I don't know your man, but I have a feeling he knows that and will always love you." Nata gave Jade a comforting look. Jade returned this with a sheepish grin. “It feels good to hear that, at least,” she sighed. “Thank you.” She moved to the bed next to Nata and leaned down to embrace her, giving her a friendly hug. “Your prince will come. Both our princes will.” "And we'll both be whisked away from here on white stallions and will live happily ever after in a small cottage on a hill by a waterfall." Nata laughed merrily. "Okay, so I've ready one to many romance novels." “Hey, in this universe, you learn never to underestimate the impossible,” Jade grinned as she pulled back. “I’m gonna go to bed, I think. That dance wore me out more than I was willing to admit earlier.” "Alright, have a good night," Nata said, laying back into her bed. "Oh, make sure to chain your door. There will be dances until the wee hours of the morning, and sometimes drunken men wander down the halls trying to find some late fun." Jade’s expression became grave, and she nodded. “I’ll do that. Seal your door behind me…” She waved goodnight and moved back out into the hall, hurrying to her own quarters before Annette or a soused patron could catch her. She chained her door and sighed, willing her distress signal to reach someone in the Temple before the next night.
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