A Night of Poetry and Mistaken Identity
Violet stood nervously in the lavish, dimly lit chamber, her pulse pounding in her ears. The walls of the grand elephant-shaped suite were adorned with rich tapestries and flickering candlelight, casting shifting shadows across the room. She had no business being here. This was all Tobias's fault.
And then, Caitlyn appeared.
Stepping out from behind a silk partition, she was draped in a sheer gown of deep sapphire, the fabric clinging to her every curve. The candlelight caught in the delicate material, making her look almost ethereal—like something out of a dream, something untouchable.
She tilted her head and regarded Violet with an amused, knowing smile.
"What do you think?" Caitlyn purred, stepping closer, her voice as smooth as the finest silk. "Poetic enough for you?"
Violet swallowed hard, transfixed. Say something, you idiot.
"Y—yeah," she stammered, her mouth suddenly dry.
Caitlyn, clearly enjoying herself, glided toward a small trolley adorned with an extravagant spread of caviar and champagne. She lifted a delicate flute filled with bubbling gold liquid and offered it with a teasing glint in her eye.
"A little supper?"
Violet barely heard her. Her mind was spiraling. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. Tobias had set this up—made Caitlyn think she was some brilliant poet, a woman of grand words and passion. And now, here she was, in the private chambers of the Moulin Rouge's greatest star, heart hammering like a drumbeat.
She needed to stop this. She needed to tell the truth before things got out of hand.
"I’d rather just—" Violet blurted, "get it over and done with."
Caitlyn froze, blinking in surprise. A beat of silence. Then, ever the professional, she composed herself and let out a soft, knowing chuckle. With effortless grace, she sprawled across the velvet chaise lounge, draping herself enticingly.
"Very well," Caitlyn whispered. "Why don’t you come down here and let’s get it over and done with?"
Violet’s stomach flipped. Her feet wouldn’t move.
"I—uh—I'd prefer to do it standing," she blurted.
Caitlyn arched a delicate brow, clearly entertained by Violet’s awkwardness. She rose slowly, taking deliberate steps toward her, their bodies mere inches apart.
"Mm. Of course," she murmured.
Panic flooded Violet’s veins as she backed away.
"You don’t have to stand, I mean—" she scrambled for words, heat rising to her face, "sometimes it’s… quite long. I want you to be comfortable."
Caitlyn’s expression flickered with the smallest bit of confusion, but she recovered quickly.
Violet took a shaky breath. "It’s very modern—what I do," she explained, hands gesturing wildly. "It might feel strange at first, but if you’re open, I think you’ll enjoy it."
Caitlyn’s lips curled. "I’m sure I will."
Violet hesitated. The moment stretched. Then she closed her eyes, grasping for something—anything.
"Is everything alright?" Caitlyn asked.
"I—" Violet exhaled sharply. "I’m sorry, I’m just a bit nervous."
Caitlyn’s expression softened.
"Oh…" she whispered.
Violet swallowed. "It’s just… sometimes it takes a while for the inspiration to come."
A mischievous spark danced in Caitlyn’s eyes. She took a slow step forward—so close now that Violet could feel her breath ghost against her cheek. Then, without warning, Caitlyn dropped to her knees.
Violet’s eyes snapped open, her breath hitching. Fuck not right now, don't look at her on her knees. Dear lord help me. Her inner turmoil starting out.
Caitlyn looked up at her, smiling wickedly. "Does that inspire you?"
Violet made a strangled noise in the back of her throat.
Caitlyn leaned in, her lips barely brushing Violet’s ear. "Let’s make love," she whispered.
Before Violet could react, Caitlyn pushed her onto the bed with unexpected strength.
"Make—?" Violet gasped; eyes wide. Her trousers felt a little bit tighter.
"You want to, don’t you?" Caitlyn murmured.
Violet stared up at her, completely dumbfounded.
"Ah…?"
Caitlyn smirked and leaned down, their noses almost touching. "Tell the truth," she purred. "Can’t you feel the poetry?"
Violet swallowed. "Yes…" she admitted, breathless.
"Feel it, feel the poetry," Caitlyn urged, lips so close now that Violet felt lightheaded.
"Oh yes," Violet whispered, utterly lost in the moment. Her secret almost bulging out.
Outside the Elephant Suite
Viktor dangled upside-down from the balcony, held by the scruff of his collar by the large Argentinian performer. His metal leg whirred in protest.
"How’s it going?" Satie whispered.
Viktor peered into the window. His eyes widened.
"She really does have a way with words," he murmured.
Inside the Elephant Suite
Caitlyn was now straddling Violet, grinning down at her.
"Come on, big girl," she teased. Not knowing that Vi was indeed a big girl.
Violet barely managed a dazed, "Ha…"
"Free the tiger," Caitlyn purred, leaning closer.
"Oh..." Violet exhaled.
Caitlyn lifted a nearby top hat and placed it on her head, grabbing a riding crop from the vanity. She gave a playful swish in the air before pressing it under Violet’s chin.
"Show me your poetry," Caitlyn whispered.
Violet blinked, stunned. "Now?"
"Yes," Caitlyn demanded. "I need it now."
Summoning every ounce of willpower, Violet bolted upright. putting her hands in front of her crotch and moving further away from Caitlyn.
"Alright."
Caitlyn barely had time to recover from nearly being toppled before Violet took a deep breath and—
Began to sing.
"My gift is my song and this one’s for you”
Caitlyn’s smirk faltered.
"And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but now that it's done "
Something in Cait's expression shifted.
"Hope you don't mind I hope you don' t mind That I put down in words how wonderful life is when you 're in the
world"
Her breath hitched.
Outside, Viktor nearly fell off the ledge.
Caitlyn suddenly realizing what was happening. Caitlyn is transfixed by this young woman with the voice of an
angel. Vi leads her onto the little elephant balcony.
Violet continued on. "Sat on the roof and I kicked off the moss Well same of these verses well, they they’ve got me quite cross, But the sun's been kind while I wrote this song It's for people like you that keep it turned on"
It is as if Caitlyn is seeing Vi for the first time. Encouraged, Violet pressed on.
"So, excuse me forgetting but these things I do You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue Anyway the thing is what 1 really mean yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen "
Caitlyn swayed, mesmerized.
Outside, the Bohemians held their breath.
And then, with every bit of sincerity in her heart, Violet sang the final words.
"And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple hut now that it's done. And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple hut now that it's done Hope you don’ t mind I hope you don't mind That I put down in words how wonderful life is now you 're in the world Hope you don't mind I hope you don’t mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is Now you 're in the world"
Silence.
Caitlyn’s lips parted, eyes shining with something unreadable. Slowly, she reached out, taking Violet’s hand. The Paris skyline stretched before them, the city lights flickering like tiny stars.
And there, above the world, Violet’s voice soared.
From the rooftop, Viktor beamed. "Looks like she got the job!"
But inside the Elephant, as Caitlyn stared at Violet, realization crashed over her.
"I don’t believe it," she murmured. "I’m in love with a young, handsome, talented Duke."
Violet’s smile faltered. "Duke?"
"Not that the title’s important, of course."
Violet cleared her throat. "I’m… not a Duke."
Caitlyn blinked. "You’re… not a Duke?"
Violet sighed. "I’m a writer."
And just like that, Caitlyn’s dream shattered.
"Oh no. No, no, no!" she groaned. "I’m going to kill Viktor."