Author's note: Hi there, and welcome to my newest story! (Don't worry, poppets, I haven't forgotten Sky and her boys! "The Scarred Princess and the Knights of the Menagerie" WILL be updated soon! Have no fear!) Allow me to introduce you to someone new, and very special. Robin Kelly was born and raised in Ireland, but has spent the last two years in Australia before transferring to the elite playground known as Ouran Academy. Despite being raised with obscene wealth (as heir to Ireland's top music company), Robin is very down-to-earth and relatively humble. Robin also has secrets. Secrets Robin doesn't particularly want anyone to find out. Least of all the Host Club. Join us as we make our way through the maze that is high school!
Trigger warning: There really isn't anything triggering in this first chapter, though there will be later on in the story. Robin is...unconventional, to put it delicately. All will be revealed in due time, of course. But for now, we'll stick with a slight air of mystery, shall we?
I do not own Ouran or any canon characters or plot lines. I only own Robin and any related OCs and situations that deviate from canon. Reviews would be MUCH appreciated! Questions, comments, constructive criticism, I welcome it all. Flames will be used to roast marshmallows! Enjoy the ride!
Robin trudged down yet another tragically pink hallway. Long legs covered the distance swiftly. Dark red and black streaked hair fell in casual waves nearly to a slender waist. Bi-colored eyes searched the signs above doorways, wondering just where the new classroom was hiding. They were sure it was around here...somewhere... Ah! There!
Following a small group of blue and yellow uniforms into the classroom, the Irish transplant slipped into an open seat as discreetly as possible. Since said transplant was wearing black jeans, smoky gray button-up shirt, scuffed leather boots, and black leather jacket instead of any type of uniform, it failed dismally. Several pairs of eyes watched intently, causing full lips to curl into a small scowl. Damn nosy rich kids. Don't you have anything better to do than gawk at the new student?
They were spared having to converse with the new classmates, thankfully. The teacher walked in and called for attention. Despite their curiosity about the new student, everyone turned around and silently faced the front of the classroom. Robin started to breathe a sigh of relief, but didn't get the chance.
"Oh yes, we have a new student this year. Would you like to introduce yourself?"
No thanks, rather not. Biting back the retort, Robin stood and bowed respectfully to the room after slinging the leather jacket over the back of their chair. Straightening up, they absently ran a hand through their hair before flipping it back over their shoulder.
"Hello. My name is Robin Kelly. Um. I recently moved here from Australia, but I'm originally from Ireland. I look forward to getting to know everyone."
With another quick bow, they sat back down as swiftly as possible. Pulling a notebook and pen from their bag, they huffed out a little breath and prepared to settle into the class work.
They ignored the looks from their classmates as best they could, striving to focus on the work instead. When they weren't looking at the teacher, they kept their head bent over their notebook, determined to do well in all their classes. A few shorter strands of hair fell into their face yet again, and they fished a bit of leather out of their pocket to tie it in a low tail, rolling their eyes at the murmurs of the girls around them. Dreamy? Handsome? Jeez, seriously? I'm glad they seem to think I look hot, at least... With a tiny smirk, they twirled their pen between their fingers and went back to work.
When the final bell rang, Robin packed their things away and stood with a slight grimace. They untied their hair and shook it out, stuffing the leather cord back into their pocket as they sauntered out of the room, a little snicker escaping as the girls behind them squealed in adoration.
Shoving the stiffness in their muscles to the back of their mind, they wandered around the seemingly endless school. Everything was bright and cheery, ornate and fussy, and nearly every bit of it pink. They shook their head. All the colors in the world, and the school went with pink. They just didn't understand rich people. Never mind that they, themself, were the child of a very wealthy and prominent Irish family. They never considered themself a rich kid, they'd always had chores and responsibilities, just like any other kid.
Hrm. At least it's quiet here. Who in their right mind squeals like that in a library, for God's sake? Bright eyes - one brown, one blue - wandered the empty hallway. A sudden tremor raced through them, causing them to wonder if the obnoxious school was haunted. They rolled their eyes at their own thoughts. Yeah. Haunted, right. What is this, Hogwarts? Ohh, now there's a fun thought. Wonder how I could get my hair silver and green... Gotta rock the Slytherin pride, after all... Hmm...
These thoughts carried them down to a dead-end. They blinked twice in confusion, then shrugged and turned back. Before they had taken three steps, a loud crash echoed from the room at the end of the hall.
They burst into the room without delay, intending to render aid as needed. But the scene that met their eyes wasn't an emergency. A short, disheveled brunette was being scolded by a rather pretty blond boy while several other young men looked on. The shattered remains of some blue pottery lay spread across the floor.
"Yikes. Hope that was a reproduction."
Several heads whipped around at the statement. Robin glanced around, waiting for an answer, and was rewarded momentarily. A raven-haired boy with glasses briefly explained that it was not a reproduction, but rather, an original worth an obscene price. They winced in sympathy for the brunette, who had apparently knocked it off a badly-placed stand. The tall blond who had done the scolding bounced out of his seat and rushed over.
"Indeed! And in order to pay the Host Club back, the honor student, Haruhi Fujioka, will be our errand boy!"
"Errand boy, sure. Wait, Host Club? Ohhh, so that's what the girls in class were talking about."
The blonde went on a long-winded monologue about rich, handsome boys with too much time, princesses, something about an elite playground... Robin stopped listening almost immediately. They tuned back in with a start when the dark-haired one said their name.
"Robin Kelly, class 2B. Transferred from Australia, originally from Ireland. Heir to Ireland's foremost recording company, Cloverleaf Records. Decent enough grades, but a habit of fighting."
"Yeah, yeah. You seem to know everything, so you must be Kyoya Otori. Which would make blondie there Tamaki Suoh."
They turned to keep speaking, but the blondie in question struck a pose and smiled radiantly.
"I see my reputation precedes me!"
He closed the distance swiftly, reminding Robin of a strutting peacock. He had a pretty face, but they were starting to wonder if his head was just full of fluff and sparkles. They stared blankly as he went on another rant, something about the trials of being born beautiful and perfect.
"Ok, Narcissus, whatever you say."
With a little shrug, they turned away from the crestfallen blond, eyes settling back on the disheveled brunette. Haruhi Fujioka seemed just as lost as Robin felt. They walked over and patted the shorter teen on the shoulder in a show of solidarity.
"Tough luck, kitten. You gonna be alright?"
"All I wanted was a quiet place to study! Who the hell puts something that expensive on such a flimsy stand anyway?!"
Robin glanced at the stand in question, gave it a little nudge, then huffed out a little snort of sarcastic laughter as it wobbled precariously.
"Bloody hell, lads. I know you've got money to burn, but that's pretty damned irresponsible. Obscenely expensive bit of shiny, but you can't dish out for a sturdier display?"
Without waiting for a reaction, they turned back to Haruhi and spoke gently.
"If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know, alright?"
Fishing a pen from their bag, Robin snatched Haruhi's hand and scrawled a phone number on the upturned palm. They grinned lightly at the little brunette, who seemed even more confused.
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
"We're both new here, so we ought to stick together, yeah?"
"I... I guess so. Thanks, Kelly-senpai."
Robin laughed quietly and ran a hand through their long hair, then shot a radiant grin at Haruhi.
"Please, kitten, none of this 'Kelly-senpai' business. Just call me Puck, alright?"
Haruhi scowled a little, no doubt slightly annoyed at the nickname, but seemed to think better of saying anything about it. It would be better to have at least one ally among all these rich bastards, after all.
Before either could say anything else, however, a pair of red-headed twins popped up, seemingly out of nowhere. Matching devilish grins adorned identical pretty faces. Robin groaned quietly.
"Puck? What kind of name is Puck?"
"Sounds like a chicken noise. Puck, Puck, Puck..."
Robin rolled their eyes as the twins flapped imaginary wings. Ginger twins. Might as well be back with the Kelly cousins. A slight sigh was issued, then a bright smile flourished. The twins seemed shocked, and took an immediate step back as Robin answered with theatrical grace that reminded them just a little of Tamaki.
"My dear sirs, have you never read the works of the great bard himself?"
"Huh?"
Robin cleared their throat and struck a pose, grinning wryly as they switched to English.
"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends."
Applause greeted the slight bow at the end of their performance, causing a genuine smile from Robin. Tamaki looked as if someone had handed him the Holy Grail, and Robin took a step back, keeping a watchful eye on the hyperactive blond.
"You must really like Shakespeare, huh, Robin-chan?"
They turned at the question, only just noticing the last two people in the room. An eyebrow arched at the sight; the tallest person they had seen thus far in this new school, and a rather short blond who was clutching a plush pink bunny. Both boys looked incredibly familiar, though Robin was unsure why. Until a light flickered on in their head, causing their jaw to drop open comically and their eyes to widen in shock.
"Holy Mary, mother of God."
Robin shook their head roughly, snapping out of the slight trance. They bowed deeply to the two young men. When they spoke, it was in a serious, almost reverent tone.
"It's truly an honor to meet the great Haninozuka-sama and Morinozuka-sama."
There were shocked looks from all corners. The twins were looking as if Robin had suddenly sprouted an extra head, and Tamaki rushed off to pout in a corner. Robin briefly thought they saw mushrooms growing from the blond's head and shoulders. Kyoya cleared his throat quietly.
"How do you know Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai?"
"I don't. I was lucky enough to be in the crowd last summer when Haninozuka-sama took the national title again. I had to miss Morinozuka-sama's win, unfortunately, as I'd had the flu at the time. My cousin said you were amazing though, Morinozuka-sama."
Mori looked more shocked than the other Hosts had ever seen him, and a faint blush stained his cheeks. He seemed...almost embarrassed by the praise. Honey, on the other hand, looked positively enchanted. He grinned radiantly and bounced over to Robin.
"Since you're a second year, you can just call us Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai like everyone else, Robin-chan. So you like karate and kendo, huh? Which do you like better? Do you practice? I bet you're really good! Hey! Do you like cake? Which kind is your favorite?"
Robin's eyes grew wide at the blond's rapid speech and subject change. They blinked in confusion for a moment, until everything sank in. Then they smiled lightly and replied happily enough.
"Thank you Honey-senpai, that's very kind of you. I love watching both karate and kendo, as well as several other martial art forms. I did practice karate for a few years, but I had to stop a couple years ago for health reasons. I was never all that great anyway, so it's alright. And yes, I do like cake on occasion. I can't say I have just one favorite, though lately I've been kind of addicted to a raspberry-lemon one from this little bakery near my brother's restaurant."
"That's rather odd. My research shows you being an only child."
Robin turned back to Kyoya with a roll of their eyes. They gave a little shrug and answered with a carefully guarded tone.
"Legally, biologically, Seamus and I aren't related. But he is my brother. 'The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.' You don't have to be blood-related to be family. And biological ties are meaningless without love and acceptance. Believe me."
With a slight grimace, they ran a hand through their hair, then flipped the long black and crimson strands behind their shoulder again. They rubbed a spot just below their collar bone as a faint pain tried to bring back unpleasant memories. They shook their head lightly and plastered a little grin in place, turning back to Haruhi.
"Remember kitten, call me if you need anything. See you tomorrow, lads."
Robin flashed a tiny, genuine smile to Honey-senpai before striding out of the room. This fancy new school might not be so bad, after all.
AN2: First person to correctly guess why Robin called Tamaki "Narcissus" gets a shout-out in the next chapter! And so will the first person to correctly identify where Robin's speech comes from. No cheating! Until next time, poppets!