Tales of the Stars
Book 1: Homecoming
Chapter 17
"Welcome gentlemen to your right of passage. Over the next two days we will be enjoying six wonderful episode that make up Star Wars. Well….five wonderful episodes and one that has to grow on you a bit, but that's besides the point."
"Star quit making a production of this and just start the first movie." Hikaru urged. Staria pouted, she was enjoying the game.
"Alright, alright." she popped the first disk of her collectors set into the blue ray player and took her spot on the couch between Tamaki and Kyoya. It was a little after three in the afternoon and she had every intention of getting them through the original trilogy that day. "And so our journey begins." She pressed play.
"Star-chan I think you put the wrong disk in." Honey said as the opening story scroll started to play.
"Yes this clearly says episode four." Kyoya agreed. Staria resisted the urge to smack them.
"I know that. We're watching them in chronological order. Just watch."
"But episode one should be first you know." Hikaru pressed.
"Yeah what was this director thinking starting his story in the middle." Kaoru added.
"Guys please, just give it a chance." Staria asked noticing that Tamaki and Mori seemed to be the only two actually reading the story lead up. She knew at that point she'd be answering questions the whole movie.
"If this was made in the late seventies why are there clearly CG elements in it?" Kaoru asked as a dewback crept across the screen.
"The director wanted to go back and fix things he wasn't happy with when the technology was there to fix it. I kinda wish they had the option to watch the original cut still, but that wasn't a feature they included. I don't think the add-ons hurt the films at all but it is weird knowing the time gap between filming and the edits." Staria explained.
"So we're not really watching the first Star Wars." Hikaru said.
"Yes and no. You're watching what the director wanted it to be. Don't analyze, just watch. You can pick things apart after the fact." Staria compromised.
"For it's time it's quite extraordinary." Kyoya admitted. "Though their army is rather poorly trained if it can't fine a couple of robots." Staria looked at him and paused for a moment.
"Only you Kyoya, would start picking apart the empire's tactics this early on."
"I'm assuming that means they have worse follies to come."
To Staria's surprise Tamaki hadn't said a word yet. The blonde was completely immersed in the world. She had figured he'd be the one asking questions constantly, not the twins and an occasional quip from Kyoya. Honey and Mori were almost equally as entranced by the film, but they seemed more relaxed than their leader did. He had shifted to the edge of the couch, his arms propped on his knees and in turn his chin resting in his hands, leaning towards the large TV screen. Staria would have to wait till the movie was over for his reactions.
As the end credits began to roll Staria stood up and stretched. "Well?" she asked.
Tamaki slowly turned to face her, his eyes filled with excitement. "That was amazing!" He jumped up and grabbed her hands. "Why didn't you show me this sooner!? You said there's still more right? What happens next? Do they have another enemy to fight? Dose Darth Vader come back? Who does the princess end up with?"
Staria laughed, "Whoa there. Calm down. You don't want any spoilers right? Let's take a stretch and we'll move onto 'The Empire Strikes Back', one of my personal favorites."
"So destroying the Death Star wasn't the end of the empire?" Honey asked.
"No, not in the least. It's was just a battle station. The empire is vast. It won't go away that easily." Staria answered. "So are you ready to just start the next episode or should we eat dinner first?" After a drawn out argument on the matter it was decided that food came first then they'd finish the original trilogy before calling it a night.
"A bunch of teddy bears? Really?" Hikaru was a bit disappointed at the out come of the trilogy.
"I like them." Honey grinned.
Staria shrugged, "What can you do? The director wanted the empire to be brought down by a primitive society. The whole machine vs. nature kind of thing. They were supposed to be whookies originally but Chewbacca's character evolved into a rather intelligent creature so he needed a new life form to fill that roll. I like the ewoks. Always did, but I agree it's kinda silly that the empire's elite forces are taken down by rocks and trees."
"So which film is your favorite of the three?" Tamaki asked.
"A few years ago I would have said 'Return of the Jedi ' hands down, but I've been starting to enjoy 'The Empire Strikes Back' more. I love all of the scenes on the ice planet Hoth. Plus I've always like Yoda as a character. Almost all of Han's lines are great, made him my favorite character if he wasn't already. I don't know I just like the drama in the second one better. Though at the same time I love all of the early scenes with Jaba in the third. It's really a hard choice. All of them are so good in their own way and I've scene them too many times to really count."
"You're a nerd." The twins picked playfully.
"Yes I am, and I love it." She just smiled back. "But I will fall asleep if we start episode one this late so let's call it a night. We can watch the prequels tomorrow."
"So if those three happen before these what parts do they follow?" Honey asked.
"You'll get to see a lot more Jedi, and the empire is still the republic, so technically they're the good guys at this point. Episode one will start you off with a young Obiwan still training under his own master, and you'll also meet the boy who will one day become Vader."
"Let's just start it now!" Tamaki beamed still excited to watch more.
"Unless you plan to not sleep until tomorrow afternoon, I'd wait. These last three are all three hour plus long movies and once you start the story line you probably won't want to stop for bed." Staria warned. Tamaki pouted a bit but gave in.
"Alright, let's call it a night then. Star will you help me show everyone to their rooms?"
"You got it."
After showing the guys to their rooms for the night Staria got ready for bed. She had decided to check her e-mail one last time before calling it a night. Mamoru had sent her a new message. He'd found a new lead on the crystal he was looking for and wanted her to give him a call in the morning to discus it. She hadn't had a dream since she was in the hospital, but her brother's seemed to becoming more frequent. His mystery princess wanted him to find a special crystal and he was convinced it was the key to finding her. Staria was beginning to feel useless in aiding him, but wanted to help any way she could. The biggest problem was finding a way that she could, and that Mamoru wouldn't object.
A quick knock at her door startled Staria out of her thoughts. She got up and padded over to the door. Kyoya was standing there, glancing down the hall, when she opened it.
"Kyoya…" Before she could ask what he needed, he came into the room and shut the door behind him. "Is everything alright?" she finally asked and turned away to go sit down.
"No not really." he followed her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against him. "I'm sorry, but it's been driving me crazy. I've been wanting to hold you all night." He hugged her close resting his head on top of hers. Staria blushed at his open confession. "I knew you wouldn't want the others picking on you so I behaved myself."
"So instead you sneak down to my room less than a half hour after everyone said goodnight." She chuckled a bit thinking that they'd get more crap from the guys for that than a little cuddling during a movie.
"Not my brightest move, but I needed to touch you. I've become addicted."
"Did the little game you started back fire, Kyoya?"
"I knew what I was getting into." He kissed the top of her head.
"But do I know?" she pulled away so she could turn around and look at him. Kyoya didn't fight her and let his arms fall away. "What are we doing?" she asked. "Are we starting something beyond friendship, or just fooling around?"
"What do you want it to be?"
"I don't know." She answered honestly, taking a seat on the small couch near her window. "I do like you Kyoya, but I also know I don't belong in this world of yours." She held up her hand before he could argue lineage with her. "I know I have the right to, but it's not me. I just feel awkward and out of place in it."
"Maybe you just need more experience with it then." He offered and came to stand in front of her. "I have to attend an event this week, and I can bring a guest. Come along with me."
"What kind of event?" She asked.
"Foreign royalty are in town to show off some old gemstone that's been in their family for centuries. My family's adding extra security for the event and we need to show face. My sister and her husband were going to be the ones at the party, but some unforeseen issues came up and they had to cancel. With my father and brother's work schedules that drops the duty to me. I personally hate these kind of things, other than that they are good for networking, but if you were to join me I think the evening would be enjoyable. They're even using a masquerade theme, so our few classmates that may be in attendance don't even have to know it's you, if that's what you wish?" He tried to temp her with the last part.
"So it's formal attire. What would I wear?"
"The dress you got from the twins would be fine."
"Except I bled all over the front of it when I passed out."
"Didn't you send it out to the cleaners?"
"I don't know what happened to it, I figured they cut it up at the hospital and threw it out. Isn't that what they usually do when people come in the ER. They get cut out of their cloths for quick access?"
"I assumed that Tamaki just had it sent to the cleaners. I'll look into it. Either way we can get you a dress that's not an issue. It's a matter of do you want to? Will you got out on a date with me and give high society a chance?"
Staria watched him for a moment before answering. "Alright, I'll give it a chance, but you have to give me a proper answer when the night's over."
"I can give you an answer now. I have no intention of jerking you around, but if you'd rather just be 'playmates' as opposed to serious dating I wouldn't argue with that either." he gave her a grin, that she wouldn't have thought possible from his cool attitude.
"Are you acting like this just cause I admitted that I had a crush on Han Solo?"
Kyoya laughed at her reaction and flopped down on the couch beside her. He leaned over so he was only a few inches away from her face, "No, but that was cute earlier. You just proved that you like a guy who's a little aggressive in getting what he wants and I don't need to pretend in that area. I always go after what I want." He paused and leaned back. "Well unless that idiot Tamaki wants it more. I can't help but indulge that guy."
Staria smiled, "You just want to see that your friend is happy. It's a good quality to have." She shifted and leaned her head on his shoulder. "And it's true. I'd rather the guy make the first move."
"I think I can handle that." he moved just enough so that he could hold her again. Staria nuzzled against him and relaxed. He was nice and warm and she let her senses drown in his sent.
"Say we do take the route of a serious relationship, how do we handle things?" she casually asked.
"Well which things do you mean? You're being rather vague."
"The club? I don't think you're fans would be very happy to find you have a girlfriend."
"We've been over this. Host Club members are free to date, it's just not a good idea to date clients. Some of the girl may get jealous, but most will behave themselves I believe. Besides I don't have as big of fan base as the others."
"That's what worries me. Fewer fans, but more loyal ones in the long run."
"We could just keep it hidden if you wanted."
"Maybe…but that would be hard."
"Not necessarily. If we at least tell the others they'd help keep things under wraps."
"Alright that would cover school, but what about your family? You said yourself that we have class mates who are already engaged. Has your family been lining up girls for you?"
Kyoya looked at her, a bit surprised. "You're serious aren't you?" Staria nodded. "No not yet. My father hasn't chosen a true successor yet. I have two older brothers ahead of me so they'll get pawned off first. It gives me a little more freedom for now, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. If the right bargaining chip comes along I could very well be placed on that serving platter as well."
"Will they care if you date a nobody?"
"I don't think so, and don't call yourself a nobody. I don't really care what they think right now. I have done nothing but what has been asked of me so far, there for I've earned a little freedom of choice in this area. Or at least that's what Tamaki's got me convinced of."
Staria laughed a little. "He does like to give relationship advice doesn't he. Has he even had a girlfriend?"
"Not that I'm aware of, but an all out girl war might truly break out if does get one."
"No one wants their 'prince' to be monopolized by anyone but themselves."
"Naturally." In one quick movement Kyoya shifted them, so Staria was laying on the couch, pinned beneath him. "I keep feeling that way about you," he stroked her cheek with his fingers and leaned down, capturing her lips in a gentle, but passionate kiss. Staria kissed him back, her heart racing, giving into her own emotions for once rather than battling them. The kisses started out soft an sweet but grew more heated with each separation. Hands became tangled in hair and clothing as they explored each others mouths.
Kyoya pulled away, both of them a bit breathless. At some point Staria had pushed his glasses up on top of his head, tangling some of his hair around the nose pieces. He looked down at her, his vision some what blurred. Her hair was a mess, one of her tank top straps hung loose down around her shoulder, and her lips were red and swollen from their kissing. She gazed up at him, a happy daze filling her eyes but sparks of more mature things swam deeper in the stormy blue clouds. He sat back on his knees and took his glasses off, running a hand through his own disheveled hair.
"Kyoya?" Staria's voice alone sent a jolt trough him.
"Sorry." he got up, but she caught his hand.
"Don't be. I like it, but why'd you stop?"
He lifted her hand up and kissed it, "Because it's not nice to play around with a princess, and I can't promise I'll be able to stop if we continue much father tonight. I'll wait until we can come to a clear decision on where we stand."
Staria watched his eyes. She hated herself, but if he'd simply say 'I love you' she would have let him do almost anything he wanted. She was still being selfish and didn't want to be the first to say it. "Gotcha…." she stood up with him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I guess this is goodnight then. Don't stay up all night on your computer. We still have three move movies to get through tomorrow."
"I know, you won't let me sleep through them. Good night Staria."
Kyoya closed the door to his own room behind him, and nearly had a heart attack when he found Tamaki sitting on his bed.
"What are you doing?" He asked and started to change his cloths.
"Oh not much, came to ask you something only to find you weren't here. So I waited." Tamaki answered simply.
"What do you need then?"
"I forgot now. Where'd you go? You haven't changed yet so it wasn't the shower." Tamaki had a knowing smirk on his face.
"You look like you already know so why should I tell you?"
"Because you seem irritated for someone who just snuck into a girl's room well after midnight." The blonde poked.
"Not irritated. Frustrated."
"Got a little too up close and personal for her taste?" Tamaki genuinely was concerned for his friend and for Staria if something had gone too far.
"No, but I was afraid it was going to. She was a little wishy washy about it but she basically asked me if we were just fooling around or if we were headed for a relationship."
"And what did you say?"
"I'd do whatever she wanted. If she wants to date that's fine but if she just wants to play around I'm fine with that too."
Tamaki sighed. "Kyoya. Kyoya. Kyoya. That's not what a girl wants to hear."
"Some do."
"Not our little Star. She may seem scared of commitment but she wants someone to love her as much as she loves them. She wants to know that you love her and want to be with her. She doesn't just want you to string along with her whims."
"You sure do talk big for someone's who's never had a girlfriend you know." Kyoya laid down on the bed with his best friend. "We are going on a date later this week though. She's going to join me at that masquerade, I'm being forced to attend. Speaking of which do you know what happened to her dress after the ball?"
"Yeah I had it sent to the cleaners. It should be in her closet. Why?"
"She thought it got trashed at the hospital. That's all."
"You should surprise her with something new to wear to it."
"No I think she'd feel weird about that. She's still uptight about the whole 'our world' thing. If she's going to stay in it she needs to get use to it."
"I don't think she plans to stay Kyoya." Tamaki said in a sadder tone. "I want her to, but I've heard her and Mamoru talking about her transferring schools when the years up. She hasn't given him an answer yet that I know of, but we may only have a term and a half left with her. So I'd make good use of your time my friend." Tamaki stood up and stretched before saying good night and returning to his own room.
Kyoya stared at the ceiling, still feeling unsatisfied. If she really was just going to leave come March then what was the point. If she was running away from the life of the upper class she wouldn't want to be dating one of it's members. The problem was he had been honest with her. If he had just kept playing his game, he could pass it all off as just playing around. Too bad he really was in love with her. He wasn't looking forward to the rough roads ahead.