Star Crossed

Authors Note: Welcome Minna, this is indubitably my first fic as well as my first co-fic, as well as the opening and excuse for the creation of 'Under the Stars' our new website. So however you found us and our fic, welcome and enjoy!



Star Crossed
A story by Bejiin Ripley and Ekaterinn Duval
November, 2000
Dedicated to the Midnight Society (Whether they existed or not!)

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I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.
-- Notting Hill

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Prologue: The Talented Miss Ripley

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There's such a sad love
Deep in your eyes, a kind of pale jewel
Open and closed within your eyes
I'll place the sky within your eyes
There's such a fooled heart
Beating so fast in search of new dreams
A love that will last within your heart
I'll place the moon within your heart
As the pain sweeps through
Makes no sense for you
Every thrill has gone
Wasn't too much fun at all
But I'll be there for you
As the world falls down
I'll paint you mornings of gold
I'll spin you Valentine evenings
Though we're strangers till now
We're choosing the path between the stars
I'll leave my love between the stars
Falling
Falling in love

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Andrew Dupre looked around the crowd nervously. There was electricity in the air, and all over people were talking about him. //Curse the day I let my agent talk me into this. This tradition is growing irksome.// Andrew thought unhappily. He looked around at the holly and ribbons which covered the ball room of his usually bare estate.

"Don't worry" a stunning black haired beauty whispered in his ear. "They'll all love your new piece." He turned to the voice, Ekaterinn Duval. She was simply stunning whether she was the center of focus or not.

"Actually, Ekaterinn, I'm not so worried about what the people think," (BIG LIE) "it's just that, I have some musicians in mind, and I haven't asked them yet. If they say no tonight, I'm not sure I'll even let the work be performed."

Ekaterinn shook her head. "It would be a shame for a Dupre masterpiece to go to waste like that, but you're the composer, not me."

Andrew nodded not quite sure how to take the compliment. "So have I mentioned that you look lovely tonight?"

Ekaterinn gave him a quirky grin "We stars have to keep up our appearances." Blushing Andrew replied "Of course", his compliment had failed again. This was his fourth 'date' with Ekaterinn, and although she was charming, beautiful, friendly, and beyond wonderful, she really didn't seem interested in him.

Ekaterinn took a quick survey of the party and spotted exactly whom she had been searching for. The green vest of her best friend's tuxedo stood out like a sore thumb. "Look Andrew. Isn't that Bejiin Ripley?"

Andrew nodded as he looked over at the teen idol. Long blond hair pulled back in a low pony tail, custom made tuxedo with a perfect fit, and sparkling green eyes, all the charms of prodigy cellist, Bejiin Ripley.

"Yeah, that's Bejiin alright. I actually need to ask him something, why don't we go save him from his fan club?" he suggested. Andrew and Ekaterinn began walking down the marble stairs towards the large group of young girls who surrounded Bejiin.

"So, Bejiin, is your cello's name really Lydia? Because, that's my name too!" one of the girls said happily as she giggled.

//Giggling girls; the whole group of them. Damn, I have at least a gaggle of giggling girls following me around. I try to find valid ways to escape them, but I never get close.// Bejiin thought sadly as she saw her best friend, Ekaterinn Duval approaching with Andrew Dupre, the host of the party. //Perfect.// Bejiin thought. "If you ladies will excuse me, I need to thank our host for this lovely evening." Bejiin said quickly as she hurried towards Ekaterinn and Andrew.

Ekaterinn smiled happily. "Looks like we won't have to do the rescuing. Bejiin escaped without our help."

Andrew nodded. "True." //And I just lost my chance with you Ekaterinn, because all you ever do is dote on Bejiin.// Looking up Andrew stood face to face with Bejiin.

"Just the man I was looking for." Andrew said quietly.

Bejiin seemed almost pained by the statement but simply smiled and said "Really? How's that?"

Andrew looked beyond Bejiin at the group of giggling girls who were still happily chatting, probably about how cute Bejiin was. "Well, you see, my new work is for violin, cello, and orchestra, and I was hoping you'd play the cello part in the debut." Bejiin's eyes lit up.

"I'd love to Mr. Dupre." Bejiin said happily.

//This kid is so formal, so damned polite, if I were him, I'd be much more of a jerk.// Andrew thought as he looked over the party again. "Well, that's great." Andrew said finally. "One down, one to go."

Bejiin nodded. "And who might the violinist be?"

"Well, I was hoping that Hotohori would agree to being the violinist."

Bejiin's eyes again lit up. "Really? Wow, I've always wanted to work with him. This is such an honor for me, playing a piece by the renowned Dupre, and working with the fabulous Mr. ." //Besides, he's kinda cute.//

A slight tap came to Bejiin's shoulder and she turned to see a girl. "Mr Ripley?" a sweet voice rang out. She was wearing a sapphire blue ball gown which matched her eyes. Bejiin sighed. She knew what this girl wanted, Mr Ripley's autograph, something Bejiin had become accustomed to giving even at formal parties. Bejiin was reaching for her fountain pen when the girl spoke again

"Will you please dance with me?" Bejiin almost blushed, embarrassed to have to dance with another girl, however, all of this benefited her career, and so she nodded giving the girl her arm. //If this is what it takes to sell classical music, so be it.// Bejiin thought glumly.

Ekaterinn watched with sympathy as Bejiin took the lovely creature to the dance floor. "Poor Bejiin." she said softly.

Andrew frowned as he watched Bejiin go with the beautiful young lady. //Some guys have all the luck.// Then he heard Ekaterinn and felt more annoyance. Bejiin Ripley was dancing with a beautiful girl, was adored by every other girl in the room, and all Ekaterinn could say was poor Bejiin. //Aw, heck, I don't have time for this. I have to find Hotohori before I make my announcement.// Andrew thought unhappily as he glanced at his watch. It was a quarter of eight. He would be announcing his new work at eight p.m. sharp, in keeping with the Dupre tradition.

Hotohori sighed as he took a sip of his punch. These sort of functions were very boring. He supposed that they were good for his career, being in the 'eye' of the public, however, he did not enjoy being scrutinized by all of the female guests. They fawned and flirted, trying so desperately to get Hotohori to talk or dance with them and it bored him. He made a small effort to smile as he saw his host, Andrew Dupre walking towards him.

"Lovely party, Mr. Dupre." Hotohori said as he took his hosts hand and shook it.

"No need to be so formal." Andrew smiled. "Please call me Andrew." Hotohori returned the smile and nodded.

"It's getting pretty close to eight." Hotohori said casually. He had heard that these parties always unveiled Dupre's latest masterpiece, and that it was always done at eight p.m.

"Yes it is." Andrew confirmed. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that." He continued confidently. "You see, my new work is for violin, cello, and orchestra, and I was hoping you'd play the violin part."

Hotohori was shocked. Although he was well recognized and a very popular artist, he was surprised that Andrew would ask him to debut the piece, he wasn't terribly familiar with Andrew's work, and he didn't imagine that Andrew was very familiar with his style of playing either, however he nodded, accepting the job.

"Wonderful." Andrew said happily. "You'll be debuting the piece next month with the London Symphony Orchestra and Bejiin Ripley will be playing the cello part." Hotohori took in a deep breath, he'd be playing with Bejiin, another handsome face who seemed to compete with him constantly for idol status. Andrew continued not noticing the far off look in Hotohori's eyes "Well I'll announce it then, and you can hear the piece after the party tonight if you wish. Bejiin will be thrilled."

With that Andrew steered Ekaterinn away from the still shocked Hotohori and back up the marble staircase. He would make his announcement from the upper balcony over the ball room, as was the tradition, and then a toast would be made. Andrew hastily grabed two flutes of champagne as he and Ekaterinn ascended the stairs. The grandfather clock in the hall chimed eight as Andrew struck a silver knife to the side of his crystal flute.

"Good evening and welcome ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Dupre manor, and also to make an announcement. As I'm sure you all know, it is tradition to announce all of my new works at parties like this, and so I'm pleased to announce my latest piece, Starfall. Starfall has been a major part of my life for the last year, and I'm pleased to announce that I finally finished it, and it will be premiered next month. The piece which is written for violin, cello, and orchestra, will be performed by Hotohori , Bejiin Ripley, and the London Symphony Orchestra."

Andrew smiled as all of his guests began applauding politely. As the applause began to soften Andrew raised his glass. "And so, I would like to propose a toast, to Starfall." He watched as countless glasses of champagne rose into the air. "To Starfall." The crowd said cheerily. Andrew smiled and clinked his glass with Ekaterinn's and took a sip of the bubbly liquid.

The rest of the party followed suit, and the musical sound of glasses hitting each other sounded throughout the room. //Well at least that's over with.// Andrew mused as he led Ekaterinn back down the stairs again. "So Ekaterinn. Would you like to dance now?" Andrew said as he grinned at his date.

She smiled softly. "It would be my pleasure Heir Dupre." Andrew stifled back a laugh as he gave Ekaterinn his arm and lead her out onto the floor.

Questions? Comments? Flames? :::shudders::: Feel free to send em in ^_~