Becoming part of an official package
Celesta
Tamaki smiled and said, "I would love to be friends with you, and from now on the host club will be your new family."
"Thank you, it would be nice to have someone other than Haruhi to protect me, not that thats a bad thing," I said and instinctively signed it.
Tamaki watched my hands as the moved through the sentence, then he said, "will you teach me?"
"To sign?" I asked
"Yeah, it'd be like speaking in your native language. Like when I speak French to a friend, if they don't know it but decide that they want to, it makes me feel happy. I like when people reach out to me, so I know others like it too," he smiled brightly.
"Oh, I understand that, it's just you surprised me. I wouldn't mind teaching you, but it's going to be harder than French or English," I warned.
"I'll do it anyways," he said.
"I think we should make everyone in the host club learn sign language. Mori and I could help Celesta with that," Kyoya said. (for those of you who need to know, he's standing by or behind Tamaki, that's how she knew he spoke at all)
Tamaki stared at him, "you sign?"
(This she does not see) "You didn't know? He signed an apology about the gender confusion earlier," Haruhi stated.
"It says so in your file, and that you sign fluently," he replied to whatever was said.
"I think it's about time Ouran Academy was introduced to the deaf life style. Your father things I can't speak or understand a person talking, so I have a translator through most things. I only keep him around because I'm least likely to get picked on and sometimes it helps during class," I said.
"Also, he signals when it's time for you to leave. I heard deaf schools use a light to signal the end of each class, and the beginning," Kyoya said.
"Yeah and our plays are really cool, you see them," I said.
"Let's start it slow, tomorrow we will start your lessons Tamaki," Haruhi said.
"We'll do them during lunch and we can show the girls too," I said.
"That's a plan, alright, see you tomorrow," he said.
Then we left the school to begin the end of our day. Once Haruhi and I got home we both sat and did our homework. Afterwards we ate dinner and talked. This conversation though was completely in sign language. No words were said, unless Haruhi forgot one, but she didn't in this conversation.
(Stars will indicate that they are signing.)
*So what's it feel like to go to a hearing school for the first time?* Haruhi asked.
*It's very interesting, everyone likes to speak fast so it makes conversation confusing. Honestly though, that makes it more fun, until I say I'm deaf. Then they give me this look and walk away. Does that make me weird?* I asked seriously.
*No, majority of these kids haven't seen or met a deaf person before. Sometimes you have to act a certain way around people with imperiments, and they don't know how to act around a deaf person. Now that we have the host club, things should get better.* She said.
*I hope so, I really am glad to have the host club there to back me up.* I said.
*Having them will make things easier on everyone. At least now when your translator needs to leave you the host club or I will be able to keep the bullies away.* She replied.
*Sounds a little like we're using them, but it is a positive thought.*
She nodded. *Well I need to shower, and afterwards it's bed for me. Night.*
*Ok, I'll take mine in the morning. Night.*
We both got up from the table and placed our plates in the sink. Then we walked down the hallway together and parted at our rooms. I went over to my computer desk and sat down. I logged on and got on the internet to talk to some kids for about an hour. I liked talking on the internet because then the world doesn't have to make a sound to communicate. I can just type and read words written on the screen, and no one here cares about too much personal things or that I'm deaf. Two things I can leave out and not worry about them talking about: 1) my parents' mysterious murder, and 2) being deaf. I only say that my parents died when I was younger and I'm adopted, no one asks questions.
After an hour I was drained so I went to bed. It took me about two hours to fall asleep, and sleeping was ok. Then I woke in the middle of the night feeling hungry and needing to use the bathroom. I went to the bathroom first then got some crackers to snack on. Afterwards I returned to my bed to wait another hour before falling asleep. This time I fell into the nightmare that leaves me restless and tired in the morning.
I got up early and as promised took my shower. Afterwards I set to drying my hair, which I'd observed others with this and apparently I'm lucky to not be able to hear the awful noise it makes. This thought depresses me and I go to the kitchen after fixing it up all pretty. I sit down and eat breakfast with Haruhi silently. She knew this behavior, but never had we developed a cure for it. Both of us expected something bad to day to happen, and both of us were surprised that host club rolled around without a fight.
I went to sit by myself to wait for the club to begin. I sat in a content daze for awhile, which many believe to be a thing for deaf people. We take just as much pleasure in everyday activities like everyone else. I never understood the big specticle of blind or deaf people. Because we're both different. The thought hit me hard, but it didn't register because I noticed the scenery in which the host club chose was the amazon. Then my attention was drawn to commotion that had I not been looking in that general direction, I wouldn't have noticed. I saw Tamaki chasing Haruhi around with a little girlie outfit. He was getting all pouty about it but that's not what made me get up and get closer to them. I stood behind Tamaki as he had the outfit raised in such a way that you could admire it from behind, even though I couldn't see the front, I made up my mind.
"I'll wear it," I said.
Tamaki jumped about ten feet in the air. He gave me a startled look then regained himself and smiled, "then here, my lady. Go put this on, if it doesn't fit we'll size it perfectly for you.
I beamed at him and took off with it. The odd thing for me was I wasn't much into belly shirts. But this one, I loved it so much. (that one outfit from that episode, really big fans of ohshc will get me) He had really good taste, I wonder if I might keep it. I was surprised to find he, and the other hosts waiting for my exit from the room. They all wanted to see me, even Haruhi wanted a glimpse. They all gave me this stunned look, like I was something that they hadn't seen before. Then they all collectively broke out into grins and I could read that they were telling me how beautiful I looked. This did wonders for my mood, and my self-esteem.
Of course we had club duties to attend to so we couldn't stay like that for long. I went back to my seat to wait for orders from Tamaki, or anyone at this point. My position as a host as of this moment was so flexible. Once club started I barely noticed, but as part of the package Tamaki would give me these looks that suggested someone who was lovestruck. Whether or not this was true or just show, at this point I can't say. Then something one of the girls said dictated that it was my turn to play my part.
"Celesta, would you demonstrate for the girls something in sign language? Something simple, maybe a piece of information about yourself," Tamaki said.
"Okay," I said and signed, *I'm an animal lover.*
"Oooh! What was that?" One girl asked.
"I'm an animal lover," I said simply.
"Wow, it looked way more complicated. Are you going to teach anyone?" She asked.
"Actually, I am write now. Kyoya, Mori, Haruhi, and I are all going to teach the host club members who don't know sign language," I said.
"We should start something at the school to make everyone here more aware of the deaf, and blind. We should have a club on sign language, or something," she said.
"Well, communicating with the blind is like communicating with anyone here. But we could do a period during club where we teach you," I looked to Tamaki who again had that look but this time I knew it was because he thought I was amazing.
"That's a good idea. It will enrich everyone's communication on not only a speaking level, but also a gesturing level," he said.
"Would you like for me to go over the basics now then?" I asked and they all nodded eagerly.
So I went through the way I learned. We began with simple greetings and goodbyes, followed by telling and asking someone their name. That was also followed by how you might ask who a person is. By that time all other hosts stopped and everyone drifted towards us to emmerse themselves in my world. I knew for once, they all could experience my world. When we weren't saying it to each other, and they practiced those few things until most of them memorized it. Everyone enjoyed it, and I knew that being at the academy would be easier than anywhere else. These lessons lasted until we noted it was the end of club. Everyone was disappointed, but became happy at the promise of another lesson tomorrow. Today was their discussion day, so naturally we all stayed behind to talk about the club development.
"Tamaki and Celesta, I some news for you two," Kyoya said as he walked over.
"Yes Kyoya?" Tamaki asked.
"I began a vote yesterday about what the girls think of adding Celesta to the club, and in the manner that we did. The result was positive. The girls, while disappointed at the possible prospect that you may not become theirs, are excited and believe you two are 'very cute' together. If a relationship were to form, well, it would still mean much for your requests Tamaki, they think you might make a perfect couple too," Kyoya said.
"That's great," I said but didn't really get what that meant for me.
"Also, Haruhi has been requested as an official host as well. They find her endearing, and interesting. They had questions about being a commoner as well. I told them I'd bring it up with you and we'll come up with a name based off her card game," Kyoya said.
"Alright, well, whatever she picks, I'm sure it'll be great," Tamaki said.
"Then it's settled, starting next club, you and Haruhi will be official host club members," Kyoya smiled.
I blinked, then slowly smiled, "that seems nice. I know this will be a great experience for us."
Tamaki randomly pulled out his charming act, and aimed it on me. "Oh, your time with me will prove the most fun, my dear."
I froze at the words I read. Then he began to come closer, and closer. I wasn't sure what he was up to, or why. Was it real, or a game? Did he find it funny to play with the new girl? He took my shock and silence as an invitation, a good one. I had no experience in this, and he had some. He slowly closed the space between us, and caused me to act on instinct.
