Post by Admin on Aug 24, 2020 2:14:39 GMT
Luke's Star? (Part 7)(Luke, Star, Marco, Invite) (Staff Offices, Professor Spellman's Office, 2013)
(OOC: Combined Threads from the previous site)
(Part 1: Classrooms, History of Magics, Luke's Star?; Part 2: Staff Offices, Professor Spellman's Office, Luke's Star?; Part 3: The Gardens, Luke's Star; Part 4: Astronomy Class, Luke's Star; Part 5: Staff Room, Luke's Star?; Part 6: The Gardens, Luke's Star? (Star's Attention Problems) }
Marco Spellman
[/quote]… "Mr. Wright, look at me …How dare you talk to that young lady like that. She was frightened and confused. All she wanted was a reassuring smile from you. Instead you hammer her with questions." Marco paused for a heartbeat then said, "Tell me why you are acting this way." …
Marco had heard though. Unscrambling the piece of paper he read the note. … "Luke, boy look at me." Soon Luke's eyes came back to Marco. "She did not choose to kiss him. Have you kissed her, Luke?"
Luke nodded and lowered his eyes. Quietly he said, "We have hugged a couple of time and only kissed once." Raising his eyes, he added, "But I was respectful and I gave her plenty of time to say no."
Marco smiled at the distress on the boys face. "I believe you Luke. Liam kissed her and did not give her that time. … In Liam's world, what he did was not a wrong thing. The girls where he grew up would have expected it and are much more relaxed and experienced, then Star. As far as he is concerned he did not do anything wrong, in fact he probably thought she had expected him to kiss her when she went off in private with him. Star would not know the signals she was giving him. Everything has been caught on tape but you will not be allowed to watch it in the mood you are in."
Marco looked around the immediate area. …You all have come to the conclusion you know who started this, but I will tell you now, the first one of you who does anything to rectify the situation will answer to me and to Tarik. …The situation is being worked on from several different angles. Now, I am going to take Luke with me. The rest of you need to go do what you would like to do. Luke will be let go from my office in about two hours. Starling will be working longer. Do not disappoint me, any of you."
Marco turned back to Luke, "Follow me please Mr. Wright. I am going to take care of a little problem you have created."
Luke looked at the professor and then at the other members of the Core, trying to give them a small smile. Lowering his head, he followed Marco to where ever he led. He was hoping not to have to go in front of the Head Mistress. Liam had not been prevented from talking with Star. Luke had not physically touched Star, but he had made her cry and that cut deep into his soul. He just followed where led. [/quote]
Marco glanced to his left and back a little, to where Luke was following but definitely not paying attention to where he was going. The professor was not sure what he was going to do, but something had to be done. This was only the second day and already, the Core was up in arms, Luke was ready to fight and Star was in emotional shambles. He had not been in the meeting where the father had laid down the edicts, so he was only going on what he and the rest of the staff had been told … Luke and Star were not allowed to touch, or be in a room without an adult 30 years or older. Star had to talk with other boys outside the Core, which also meant outside the Allies. It was all going to depend on the wording. As soon as Marco got back to his office, where they were heading now, he would send a message to Tarik to join them. Tarik had been made guarantee for what needed to happen for the three months. Marco did not want to put the Medjai on the spot, but he needed first hand information.
As they reached his door, Marco saw a shadow down the hall and guessed who it was. "Luke close your eyes and do not open them until I say." After the boy did what he asked, he said in a loud voice, "Miss Meloy you do not have permission to be in this hallway. Leave now, or I will report you." He heard a scurrying and feet descending the back stairs. "All right Luke you can open your eyes now," Marco said as he tested the door and found it unlocked. He had told Star to always lock the door even when she entered, but he would not get mad at her. It was good she remembered at least to close the heavy door.
Luke had closed his eyes when asked. When Marco said he could open them all he received from the man was a point down the hall. It took a couple of heartbeats before he realized Grace must have been down there. "Is she ever going to leave me alone? " he said in a bare whisper to himself. Shaking his head he entered the office ahead of Marco as directed. A sniffle from his left brought him up short just inside the door. His Star was sitting at her desk, trying very hard to stop crying as she rubbed her red eyes. She had grabbed a tissue from the box at the top of her desk.
Marco stopped short when Luke stopped and had to maneuver around him. When he was able to find somewhere to stand, he looked in the direction Luke was looking and saw Star sitting at her desk crying. His heart went out to her. Before Luke could move, he put a hand on the boy's chest and said, "Stay where you are for a moment Luke." Walking over to his desk, he shuffled through some of the pieces of parchment, found a sheet and tore off two good size pieces. Handing one to Luke and taking one to Star he said to both, "Put these in your pockets, please." Then he went back and sat on the front of his desk, with his feet extended and holding onto the edges with his hands. When he had walked past Luke he had said very softly, "Luke go and talk with Star and Luke you can hug her if you need to, it will be all right."
Luke looked puzzled as he glanced at Marco, only taking his eyes of his Star for a moment. He had put the scrap of parchment in his pocket as asked, and had seen Star do the same. Slowly he walked around the desk and stood beside Star's chair. She cringed away from him and would not look him in the eye. Softly he said, "Star look at me please. I am sorry if I frightened you by getting mad. I was just so worried and when a note flew to my feet, it said he had kissed you. I was mad at him and took it out on you. Please, you are my Star, my only Star. I am so sorry. Marco said, if you want to, he would permit us to hug. Star I need that hug, please forgive me."
While Marco watched Luke try to convince Star to forgive him, he scribbled a quick note and went to the door. Opening it a crack, he handed the note to an elf and said, one word, "Tarik," then closed the door. He needed some more information on what had happened in the meeting with Star's father, and Tarik had been there.
(OOC: Marco and Luke are both my characters. I have permission to say what Starling did.The starting quote is from The Gardens, Luke's Star? (Part 6 - Star's Attention Problem)
STAR
Luke was still staring at her, when Marco put the small piece of torn parchment on her desk in front of her. Slowly she reached out and looked at it. Here was no writing on it and it was not even a regular shape, but if Marco said she needed to put it in her pocket, he had a reason. When she had it safely put away, she looked back at Luke, glancing a couple of times at Marco.
Star moved as far away on the other side of the chair she was sitting on, as she could. She fixed her eyes on the desk, not looking at anything special. She knew if she looked into Luke's eyes she would see the same hurt and mistrust she had read earlier in them in the garden.
Slowly Star turned her head toward Luke. She fought the feelings of just wanting to jump up and hug him tight, but she was afraid he would not hug back. She also shifted in her chair so she was more comfortable. Taking a couple of quick looks at Marco, she saw a smile on the professor's face. Marco was happy and seemed to think everything was all right. "I was so scared Luke when you would not even say hello. Everything that happened was so confusing and I needed to find out from you what to do. You have never pushed me away before Luke."
As Marco walked past her desk headed for the door, Star looked at him. "Please don't leave us alone, Marco…. Please don't leave us alone…." she thought to herself. He only handed a note out the door and then returned to his desk. He had nodded the one time he had caught her eyes. Star looked back at Luke and slowly turned in her chair. "He says he wants a hug…. But , she thought. As she stood she just looked at him, but the pull was too great. She stepped into his arms and put her hands around his chest. He hugged back. Burying her face on his shoulder she said, "I'm sorry Luke…. I was just scarred… I was confused when he kissed me… I didn't like it… oh Luke, please don't be mad at me, please." Star could not stop crying. She knew she was probably not making any sense but she needed to try and tell him how she felt, and it was all trying to come out at once.
(OOC: I had permission to say what Marco and Luke did)
SETH LUCAS WRIGHT
As Star stepped close and put her arms around him, Luke moved his arms around her. It had only been two days since he had last held her in his arms, but it felt like weeks. "What was it going to be like if it was months before he could hold her again," he thought squeezing tighter. He could feel her body shake as she tried to hold back tears.
"Shhhhh, my Star. It will be all right, you will see." Luke kissed the top of her head. "We will work something out, I promise." Taking one of his hands he pushed up gently on her chin, so he could see into her eyes. They were filled with unshed tears. "Now please stop crying. I know you are not at fault. On the way to the office I had a chance to think about what had happened and I realized it was all Liam's fault. He took advantage of you sweetness." Luke again pulled her close. Looked like he was going to have to teach the 5th year Gryffindor some manners.
Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a clean handkerchief. Tears came to his sweet Star easily, so he had started keeping one or two clean ones in his pocket at all times. Handing the handkerchief to Star, he tried to smile but was only able to achieve a small one. "I'll tell you what my Star. Next time I act like and idiot why don't you hit me in the arm." He heard the giggle and she snuggled a little closer.
As he looked over at Marco, the professor's door opened and Tarik walked in. Luke panicked as he gently pulled Stars arms from around him and pushed her behind him. He held on arm back to keep her there and his other hand formed a fist at the end of his arm he had dropped to his side.
TARIK SADAKI
Tarik had been reading in his apartments at the school, when the elf found him to deliver Marco's note. Sasha, his wife and Headmistress of the School, had taken Mika and Silvia, their twins to Hogsmeade for a little shopping and lunch. He opened the note and read.
Tarik had shaken his head, put on his robes and headed toward Marco Spellman's office. He always wore his official Egyptian robes of State of the Wizarding World, when walking in the halls or even out in the world. They were more comfortable than the school robes. As he walked past a small curtained off alcove he almost stopped when he felt eyes on him. He knew whom it was but decided not to stop to question her. There was no way she would be able to hear in the office so he would let her stay. It would be easier to find her later.
When he reached the office door, he knocked quietly and entered. He was about to greet Marco when he saw Luke holding Star in his arms. Looking at Marco he said, while pointed to the children, "They were hugging which I am pretty sure it was made clear at the meeting was not allowed." An auditable whimper came from behind Luke, which Tarik ignored. "Would you mind explaining my friend?" Tarik knew or at least hoped there was a good enough explanation that he would not have to report to Starling's father about the infraction of the rules the man had been adamant about having enforced.
(OOC: I had permission to say what Starling did in this post.)
MARCO
Marco had not moved from his position of sitting on the front of his desk, hands on the edge for support and legs stretched out in front of him. He raised his lowered head and smiled, "Actually I am running a History archeological experiment." Marco laughed when Tarik's eyebrows rose. All the man said though was. "And?" so Marco continued. Looking at Luke he said, "Luke please remove the piece of parchment I gave you earlier out of your pocket and show it to professor Tarik."
It took a moment for Luke's brain to register what Marco was saying because his eyes had been on Tarik waiting for… well he was not sure what he was waiting for but he was ready for anything the professor said or did. His Star was not going to get in trouble because of him. Never taking his hand away from where he had extended it back behind him, so he was in contact with Star, Luke took his other hand and reached in his pocket. Pulling out the piece of parchment he showed it to Tarik, then put it back. In a whisper he said to Star, "Shhhh, it's going to be fine, my Star. I'm not going to leave you, I promise."
Marco nodded and turned back to Tarik, "We all know my friend that emotions give off energy when they are felt. It is part of the way others perceive how you feel. Since the situation between Starling and Luke is very emotional, I surmised, there would be a lot of energy radiating out from them and those around them. The piece of parchment Luke and Starling have in their possession is picking up that energy. I decided to find out what effect the energy would have on parchment." Marco tried almost successfully to suppress the chuckle, which was trying to escape his throat. "The children will keep the parchment on them at all times." Marco looked at Luke and received a nod. "I am taking it for granted you will be willing to help me with my experiment, so whenever you or I are present, feel free to let them express their emotions." Marco did not try and hide this chuckle. He had just given himself and Tarik a good reason to let the children, hug and touch at least in their private offices.
(OOC: Marco, Tarik and Luke are both my characters. I have permission to say how Starling reacted.)
STAR
Star did not want to look into Luke's eyes. The last time she had, it had scared her. As he lifted her chin, his eyes only showed the caring she had seen there since almost the first instance of their meeting on the train. Her Luke was back and holding her. When he handed her a handkerchief she used it and put into her pocket, then put her head back down in the hallow of his shoulder.
Star managed a small giggle and rubbed her cheek on his chest as she nodded. In a whisper she said, "You can depend on that, my Luke. I am so glad you are not still mad at me."
Star felt Luke jump and his mussels go tight. As he pulled her arms from around him, her mind thought he was getting ready to push her away again. When he started to push her behind him, she resisted until she looked in the direction he was looking and saw Professor Tarik. It took no more prompting for her to slip around Luke and try to make herself as small as she could. Tarik, the person in charge of reporting to her father about what she was doing to obey her father's rules, had seen her hugging Luke.
Trying to snuggle closer to Luke's back, Star took the handkerchief out of her pocked and wiped the tears coming from her eyes. She tried not to make a sound, but a gasp escaped her throat. Tarik now had the right to tell her father, that Luke and she had broken one of his rules. Tarik was such an honorable man, she was afraid he would tell, which would mean Star would be sent to another school, and she and Luke could go a couple of years without seeing or talking with each other. Star reached out and grabbed the fingers of the hand Luke was holding behind him. She never wanted to let go.
Star had been trying to listen to see if she could pick up anything, which would tell her what was going to happen. When she heard Marco tell about the experiment she lifted her head a little bit and peaked over Luke's shoulder. She felt in her own pocket to make sure her piece was still safely tucked away. In a soft whisper, only Luke would be able to hear she said, "Luke what is going on? Should I get my piece out also? Don't let them separate us please?"
She watched out of the corner of her eye as Luke reached into his pocket and pulled out the small piece of parchment like the one she had in her pocket. She nodded her cheek against his back to let him know she had heard his promise. Luke had never broken a promise to her, so she trusted him to keep this one.
Star pulled in a slow breath and let it out. She put both her hands flat on Luke's back, just to have the contact. If Tarik agreed to the experiment, then she and her Luke would be able to actually hug and hold hands, at least as long as they were in Tarik and Marco's offices.
Cautiously Star peaked around Luke's shoulder at where Tarik was standing. The professor had not moved. He stood straight and tall, every inch of his royalty showing in his stance. When his eyes met hers, she cringed and ducked back behind Luke. In the lowest of whisper she could use she said, "Please, please, please agree… please agree…. Please agree..." She felt Luke's fingers squeeze the hand she had placed back in his.
TARIK
Tarik saw Starling's head come up barely enough for her to look over Luke's shoulder. It did not set well with him that she was scared of him. He knew when most of the students had first met him, he would have come across as being more stern than he was, but Starling had known him for four years now. She was afraid his honor would make it necessary for him to tell her father. That possibility was all going to depend on what Marco had come up with for a reason why the rules should be relaxed.
It was not just the fear in Starling's eyes that was bothering him. Luke had squared his shoulders and looked ready to fight and run if necessary. If only he could explain so they would understand, this was just a small moment in their lives. But children lived in the present and could barely even comprehend a future. He remembered Darik, saying to him once when he wanted to just react that he should stop and think, because "you never know what is around the corner or what the next day will hold." It had almost astonished him at the time that the next day had solved the problem, without him even doing anything. If he would have reacted and not given the time a chance to run its course, the whole situation would have ended badly.
Coming back to the present, he saw the piece of parchment and he heard Luke's whisper, telling Starling he would protect her. The boy had guts and was going to make a fine man as he grew older.
…
Tarik suppressed a chuckle by pretending to cough into his closed fist. Marco was staying true to form. The man had a knack of getting around rules and regulations and making it all very logical on what he did. Sasha had told him some of the stories she knew about the man. Tarik would have liked to have known Marco when he was in school. He would be willing to wager a thousand Galleons, that Marco would have given the staff at Hogwarts a merry chase when he had been attending classes.
Tarik smiled and stood looking at the children. He knew they needed each other. They were true examples of "star-crossed". Even if for some reason Starling got removed from the school they would be joined back together later in life, but he did not want to see that happen. He opened and closed his hands to try to give himself some time to think. Marco had set up the perfect situation to let the children still be together, but he knew Starlings father would not look at it that way. He decided, to wait and see what happened in the future before reporting to the girl's father.
When Star again peaked out from behind Luke, and visibly cringed, when his eyes met hers he decided it was time to take some control over the situation. Standing up straighter, he solemnly nodded at Marco, letting him know he was going to try something, turned back to the children and said, "Starling come here please." When there was no movement, he added in a sterner voice, which left no room for refusal, "Starling come and please use titles in your greeting."
STAR
When Star again peaked out from behind Luke, and visibly cringed, when his eyes met hers he decided it was time to take some control over the situation. Standing up straighter, he solemnly nodded at Marco, letting him know he was going to try something, turned back to the children and said, "Starling come here please." When there was no movement, he added in a sterner voice, which left no room for refusal, "Starling come and please use titles in your greeting."
Star first peaked out from behind Luke's back to see if she could tell if Tarik was upset. She knew Tarik did not normally like using his royal title. He would sometimes get upset if you called him anything other than Tarik. He still had a smile on his face so she figured if he was upset, it was not with her.
Luke's hand was still holding hers. Squeezing his fingers, she gently pulled her fingers free of his grip. Star took the time to rub her hand on his back and said, "It will be all right my Luke." She stepped out trying to keep her eyes up and looking straight ahead. She did not want to see the disappointment in the professor's eyes, which she knew, had to be there.
Stopping in front of Tarik, she looked up through her lashes saying, "Yes High Amir Tarik-Ari Sadiki-Talibah" She added a gentle curtsey just in case it was required but did not look into his eyes. Star was not sure how formal Tarik wanted to be.
TARIK
Tarik kept the smile on his face and he allowed it to travel to his eyes. Sometimes he tried to act stern around the children, but it never seemed to work. Star had never been this skittish though on coming to him. He hated her to think the worst was going to happen, but the children had to learn there were consequences to their actions.
Tarik had to work on hiding his chuckle. "Starling look at me please." When she finally looked up he continued, "That was very well done. Now I want you to stand up very straight and tall and tell me your name. Please use titles." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luke straighten up and get a questioning look on his face. Apparently, the young man did not know Starling had a title to go along with her name. That was interesting because he would have thought Star, would have told him. Later he would check with her on why she had not let him know.
Luke had straightened up fast. "What did the professor mean, use her titles" Star had never said anything to him about being connected to royalty. It was a little awe inspiring to think he had dated someone from royalty. His mind flew to the possibility that maybe Star's father had set things up because he thought Star could look higher in society for someone in her life. He winced at the thought he might be holding her back. Tarik's smile grew a little bigger as Star straightened. However, when she looked at Luke with a side-glance over her shoulder, it only added to the puzzle. He wasn't going to prompt her anymore, she had to gather the strength to herself, by herself.
(OOC: Tarik and Luke are both my characters. I have permission to say what Starling said and did for this post)
STAR
Star slowly raised her eyes to meet Tarik's. She was desparately holding back tears. It went against everything she felt to disappoint the man who had become not only a mentor in her life but a friend.
Star winced. She had never used her title outside of the house, for very good reason. She had a choice, use the title or disobey Tarik.
Star followed Tarik's eyes. She wanted to plead with him not to make her do this. When she was younger and in Muggle grade school, the teacher had them do a genealogy project to show them how to do research. Star had known she was a princes, but had never looked for any of the facts. She had talked with her mother and had been told she was an Egyptian Princess, by birth, but only in the Magical world. She was not allowed to tell anyone she was a Witch, so she would not be able to back up her facts. Choosing to tell only what she could as far as the names of her ancestors, she had gone to school with the report in hand.
In class the teacher had asked all of the children to read their reports. Star was one of the last ones in the order the teacher had set up. Some of the children had told how their grandfathers, uncles and aunts had helped to change the world. Everyone seemed to have a story to tell about a famous person in their family. When it became Star's turn, she shyly walked to the front of the class and started to read her paper. It was filled with facts, and names and places, but the only true important thing was that she was a princess and that she could not tell them why. In her mind she had rationalized, she could truthfully say she was a princess and would not have to tell them from where. She had been wrong. She still said in class that she was a princess from a very small place in Europe and then headed back to her seat. Some of the kids had already started to laugh.
The teacher had stopped the laughter, but later after class, some of the popular children had questioned her about what place she was talking about. Star had just said it was a secret and tried to walk away. Apparently over the next couple of hours and days, the younger students had told their older brothers and sisters what she said, and they had also started to tease Star. She had ended up crying herself to sleep that first night and vowed to never mention it again. It had taken almost six months before the children had found someone else to tease.
Now Tarik wanted her to say in front of Luke that she was a princess. She was just going to die if he decided he did not want to be with her. He had become her life. Finally in her mind she gave in, because they would be separated if Tarik, pushed the fact they had been together in Marco's office anyway.
Looking back toward Tarik, she looked into his eyes, pleading for help, but she said in as firm a voice as she could, "My name is Amira Starling Amelia MacStone." Then she closed her eyes and waited for Luke's laugh.
LUKE
Luke could not help but smile. He knew Marco had some reason for making sure he and Star had the scraps of parchment in their pockets, but when he tried to figure it out, he could not come up with a reason. Professor Marco had just gone up a couple more notches in his friends list, and he was already pretty close to the top under his Core friends.
Luke could fell Star's hands laid on his back. They were shaking. Everything in their future depended on whether Tarik would accept Marco's explanation. If Star had to leave, he was going to talk with Brennan and get himself transferred to where she was sent. They had been writing back and forth since the summer between their first and second years, but Luke knew he would not be able to just be able to write to her for three years, without seeing her, hearing her voice and holding her in his arms. There was no guarantee that Star's father would even let them write each other.
Luke held his breath. Tarik was known for being kind, but he was also known for following the rules to the letter. When he put his hand back behind him, he felt Star's small hand drop back into his. Her hands were still shaking. Their warmth meant everything to him at the moment. It was a connection he was not going to allow to go away.
When Star let go of his fingers and stepped out from behind him, Luke just wanted to grab her and tell her to stay with him. However, he couldn't do that. Tarik had told her to come to him and she dare not disobey or it might send Tarik's mind off in a direction none of them wanted it to go. All he could do was whisper, "I love you, My Star." Then his only recourse was to watch.
Luke met the quick flicker of Tarik's eyes. They had a question in them, but he had no idea what the question was, and he was not sure he wanted to know. He would answer any question the professor had, if he would just agree with Professor Marco, and not tell Star's father they had been hugging and were together.
Star followed Tarik's eyes. She wanted to plead with him not to make her do this. …
Looking back toward Tarik, she looked into his eyes, pleading for help, but she said in as firm a voice as she could, "My name is Amira Starling Amelia MacStone." Then she closed her eyes and waited for Luke's laugh.
Luke just stood there for a moment. When he looked around he caught Marco's smile and nod first. Then he caught Tarik's smile and nod. Tarik also motioned with his head for him to come forward, which he did immediately. Since Star had found it necessary for her to curtsy he bowed and said, "Yes Amir.", but his eyes found Star and there they held. He took the chance Tarik would not mind when he added in a bare whisper, "Star open your eyes and look at me. You are still mine."
(OOC: Combined Threads from the previous site)
(Part 1: Classrooms, History of Magics, Luke's Star?; Part 2: Staff Offices, Professor Spellman's Office, Luke's Star?; Part 3: The Gardens, Luke's Star; Part 4: Astronomy Class, Luke's Star; Part 5: Staff Room, Luke's Star?; Part 6: The Gardens, Luke's Star? (Star's Attention Problems) }
Marco had enough. "Luke and Star, do not say another word. Ryan, bring me the tape when you and the Core are finished getting any information off it." Stepping up to stand beside Star he said, "Young lady, you will go to my office now, please. Start on your work and I will join you there shortly…" When he did not get an immediate response, he put his hand gently on the girls shoulder and added, "Star, go to my office. It will be all right, I promise you and I have never broken a promise, right?" Receiving a weak smile, from a girl's face, which showed tear streaks, Marco nodded, and gentle pushed her on her way. When she looked over her shoulder and turned those flooded eyes on Luke, he shook his head. The young were so fast to get hurt.
After watching her literally run away, Marco turned back to Luke, whose eyes had followed Star.
Star did not remember passing anyone in the halls as she ran to the Professor's Office. As she ran up the stairs, she had to hold onto the wall, because her eyes were so filled with tears she couldn't think. Reaching the door, she fumbled in her robe for the key, and eventually was able to stick in the lock. At first, it did not want to let her in. Eventually the lock clicked and the door opened in. Moving in as quickly as possible, she shut the door and leaned her forehead against the cool wood. She had to get the tears to stop, but her heart and chest hurt so bad. Aloud she kept repeating, "Why was he mad…. Why was the mad." Star had never seen that look in Luke's face before. It was like he hated her, but he had told her he loved her with all his heart so how could he hate her now.
After a moment, Star forced herself to settle down and take a couple of breaths. They were not deep cleansing breaths, but they got air into her lungs. The tears did not stop, but they slowed as she tried to remember what had actually happened. Professor Marco had walked her back from the walk she had started on with Liam. She and Liam had ended up behind the Astronomy tower and Liam had leant her up against the wall and kissed her. Other than confusion, Star had felt nothing else from the kiss. Professor Marco and Ryan had arrived quickly, which meant they had been nearby, which meant that they had followed them. Star knew deep down she should have been mad that they followed, but they had done it to protect her, so she would not make a fuss at this time.
Marco had sent Liam away and then she, Marco, and Ryan had headed back to the garden area, before Star was going to help Marco with some reports for her Uncle, who was a great archeologist in the magical world. All Star had wanted to do was get back to Luke. She had been confused, by Liam kissing her and then telling her she was being brainwashed by the Core adding how he wanted to help her get through the next three months, by staying close to her and keeping a lot of the other boys away. Finally, he had made her promise she would go into Hogsmeade the next day, just to walk around. Star wanted to tell Luke what the other boy's good plan was.
When they reached the garden and Star had run up to Luke, to say hi, and tell him, he had lashed out at her, and asked if she had enjoyed Liam's kiss. She could not even figure out how he had known about the kiss, but he had before anyone had said a word to him. He had not smiled at her. He had not even greeted her. He had just shot the question at her with meanness in his eyes. As Star unsteadily walked away for the door toward her desk, it occurred to her the look was not mean, but more hurt. Why hadn't he asked her nicely? Did he think she could not be true to their love? Starring at the case across the room as she sat at her desk, her mind went numb, and the tears started again. Star put her head down on her folded arms and let the tears take hold. She cried so hard, she did not even hear the door open and close. Only when she heard her name softly said by Luke, did she look up.
(OOC: The starting quote is from The Gardens, Luke's Star? (Part 6 - Star's Attention Problem)
After watching her literally run away, Marco turned back to Luke, whose eyes had followed Star.
Star did not remember passing anyone in the halls as she ran to the Professor's Office. As she ran up the stairs, she had to hold onto the wall, because her eyes were so filled with tears she couldn't think. Reaching the door, she fumbled in her robe for the key, and eventually was able to stick in the lock. At first, it did not want to let her in. Eventually the lock clicked and the door opened in. Moving in as quickly as possible, she shut the door and leaned her forehead against the cool wood. She had to get the tears to stop, but her heart and chest hurt so bad. Aloud she kept repeating, "Why was he mad…. Why was the mad." Star had never seen that look in Luke's face before. It was like he hated her, but he had told her he loved her with all his heart so how could he hate her now.
After a moment, Star forced herself to settle down and take a couple of breaths. They were not deep cleansing breaths, but they got air into her lungs. The tears did not stop, but they slowed as she tried to remember what had actually happened. Professor Marco had walked her back from the walk she had started on with Liam. She and Liam had ended up behind the Astronomy tower and Liam had leant her up against the wall and kissed her. Other than confusion, Star had felt nothing else from the kiss. Professor Marco and Ryan had arrived quickly, which meant they had been nearby, which meant that they had followed them. Star knew deep down she should have been mad that they followed, but they had done it to protect her, so she would not make a fuss at this time.
Marco had sent Liam away and then she, Marco, and Ryan had headed back to the garden area, before Star was going to help Marco with some reports for her Uncle, who was a great archeologist in the magical world. All Star had wanted to do was get back to Luke. She had been confused, by Liam kissing her and then telling her she was being brainwashed by the Core adding how he wanted to help her get through the next three months, by staying close to her and keeping a lot of the other boys away. Finally, he had made her promise she would go into Hogsmeade the next day, just to walk around. Star wanted to tell Luke what the other boy's good plan was.
When they reached the garden and Star had run up to Luke, to say hi, and tell him, he had lashed out at her, and asked if she had enjoyed Liam's kiss. She could not even figure out how he had known about the kiss, but he had before anyone had said a word to him. He had not smiled at her. He had not even greeted her. He had just shot the question at her with meanness in his eyes. As Star unsteadily walked away for the door toward her desk, it occurred to her the look was not mean, but more hurt. Why hadn't he asked her nicely? Did he think she could not be true to their love? Starring at the case across the room as she sat at her desk, her mind went numb, and the tears started again. Star put her head down on her folded arms and let the tears take hold. She cried so hard, she did not even hear the door open and close. Only when she heard her name softly said by Luke, did she look up.
(OOC: The starting quote is from The Gardens, Luke's Star? (Part 6 - Star's Attention Problem)
Marco Spellman
[/quote]… "Mr. Wright, look at me …How dare you talk to that young lady like that. She was frightened and confused. All she wanted was a reassuring smile from you. Instead you hammer her with questions." Marco paused for a heartbeat then said, "Tell me why you are acting this way." …
Marco had heard though. Unscrambling the piece of paper he read the note. … "Luke, boy look at me." Soon Luke's eyes came back to Marco. "She did not choose to kiss him. Have you kissed her, Luke?"
Luke nodded and lowered his eyes. Quietly he said, "We have hugged a couple of time and only kissed once." Raising his eyes, he added, "But I was respectful and I gave her plenty of time to say no."
Marco smiled at the distress on the boys face. "I believe you Luke. Liam kissed her and did not give her that time. … In Liam's world, what he did was not a wrong thing. The girls where he grew up would have expected it and are much more relaxed and experienced, then Star. As far as he is concerned he did not do anything wrong, in fact he probably thought she had expected him to kiss her when she went off in private with him. Star would not know the signals she was giving him. Everything has been caught on tape but you will not be allowed to watch it in the mood you are in."
Marco looked around the immediate area. …You all have come to the conclusion you know who started this, but I will tell you now, the first one of you who does anything to rectify the situation will answer to me and to Tarik. …The situation is being worked on from several different angles. Now, I am going to take Luke with me. The rest of you need to go do what you would like to do. Luke will be let go from my office in about two hours. Starling will be working longer. Do not disappoint me, any of you."
Marco turned back to Luke, "Follow me please Mr. Wright. I am going to take care of a little problem you have created."
Luke looked at the professor and then at the other members of the Core, trying to give them a small smile. Lowering his head, he followed Marco to where ever he led. He was hoping not to have to go in front of the Head Mistress. Liam had not been prevented from talking with Star. Luke had not physically touched Star, but he had made her cry and that cut deep into his soul. He just followed where led. [/quote]
Marco glanced to his left and back a little, to where Luke was following but definitely not paying attention to where he was going. The professor was not sure what he was going to do, but something had to be done. This was only the second day and already, the Core was up in arms, Luke was ready to fight and Star was in emotional shambles. He had not been in the meeting where the father had laid down the edicts, so he was only going on what he and the rest of the staff had been told … Luke and Star were not allowed to touch, or be in a room without an adult 30 years or older. Star had to talk with other boys outside the Core, which also meant outside the Allies. It was all going to depend on the wording. As soon as Marco got back to his office, where they were heading now, he would send a message to Tarik to join them. Tarik had been made guarantee for what needed to happen for the three months. Marco did not want to put the Medjai on the spot, but he needed first hand information.
As they reached his door, Marco saw a shadow down the hall and guessed who it was. "Luke close your eyes and do not open them until I say." After the boy did what he asked, he said in a loud voice, "Miss Meloy you do not have permission to be in this hallway. Leave now, or I will report you." He heard a scurrying and feet descending the back stairs. "All right Luke you can open your eyes now," Marco said as he tested the door and found it unlocked. He had told Star to always lock the door even when she entered, but he would not get mad at her. It was good she remembered at least to close the heavy door.
Luke had closed his eyes when asked. When Marco said he could open them all he received from the man was a point down the hall. It took a couple of heartbeats before he realized Grace must have been down there. "Is she ever going to leave me alone? " he said in a bare whisper to himself. Shaking his head he entered the office ahead of Marco as directed. A sniffle from his left brought him up short just inside the door. His Star was sitting at her desk, trying very hard to stop crying as she rubbed her red eyes. She had grabbed a tissue from the box at the top of her desk.
Marco stopped short when Luke stopped and had to maneuver around him. When he was able to find somewhere to stand, he looked in the direction Luke was looking and saw Star sitting at her desk crying. His heart went out to her. Before Luke could move, he put a hand on the boy's chest and said, "Stay where you are for a moment Luke." Walking over to his desk, he shuffled through some of the pieces of parchment, found a sheet and tore off two good size pieces. Handing one to Luke and taking one to Star he said to both, "Put these in your pockets, please." Then he went back and sat on the front of his desk, with his feet extended and holding onto the edges with his hands. When he had walked past Luke he had said very softly, "Luke go and talk with Star and Luke you can hug her if you need to, it will be all right."
Luke looked puzzled as he glanced at Marco, only taking his eyes of his Star for a moment. He had put the scrap of parchment in his pocket as asked, and had seen Star do the same. Slowly he walked around the desk and stood beside Star's chair. She cringed away from him and would not look him in the eye. Softly he said, "Star look at me please. I am sorry if I frightened you by getting mad. I was just so worried and when a note flew to my feet, it said he had kissed you. I was mad at him and took it out on you. Please, you are my Star, my only Star. I am so sorry. Marco said, if you want to, he would permit us to hug. Star I need that hug, please forgive me."
While Marco watched Luke try to convince Star to forgive him, he scribbled a quick note and went to the door. Opening it a crack, he handed the note to an elf and said, one word, "Tarik," then closed the door. He needed some more information on what had happened in the meeting with Star's father, and Tarik had been there.
(OOC: Marco and Luke are both my characters. I have permission to say what Starling did.The starting quote is from The Gardens, Luke's Star? (Part 6 - Star's Attention Problem)
STAR
As Star unsteadily walked away for the door toward her desk, it occurred to her the look was not mean, but more hurt. ….Star put her head down on her folded arms and let the tears take hold. She cried so hard, she did not even hear the door open and close. Only when she heard her name softly said by Luke, did she look up.
… Before Luke could move, he put a hand on the boy's chest and said, "Stay where you are for a moment Luke." Walking over to his desk, he shuffled through some of the pieces of parchment, found a sheet and tore off two good size pieces. Handing one to Luke and taking one to Star he said to both, "Put these in your pockets, please."
… Before Luke could move, he put a hand on the boy's chest and said, "Stay where you are for a moment Luke." Walking over to his desk, he shuffled through some of the pieces of parchment, found a sheet and tore off two good size pieces. Handing one to Luke and taking one to Star he said to both, "Put these in your pockets, please."
Luke was still staring at her, when Marco put the small piece of torn parchment on her desk in front of her. Slowly she reached out and looked at it. Here was no writing on it and it was not even a regular shape, but if Marco said she needed to put it in her pocket, he had a reason. When she had it safely put away, she looked back at Luke, glancing a couple of times at Marco.
(Marco) Then he went back and sat on the front of his desk, with his feet extended and holding onto the edges with his hands. When he had walked past Luke he had said very softly, "Luke go and talk with Star and Luke you can hug her if you need to, it will be all right."
(Luke) … Slowly he walked around the desk and stood beside Star's chair. …
(Luke) … Slowly he walked around the desk and stood beside Star's chair. …
Star moved as far away on the other side of the chair she was sitting on, as she could. She fixed her eyes on the desk, not looking at anything special. She knew if she looked into Luke's eyes she would see the same hurt and mistrust she had read earlier in them in the garden.
…"Star look at me please. I am sorry if I frightened you by getting mad. I was just so worried and when a note flew to my feet, it said he had kissed you. I was mad at him and took it out on you. Please, you are my Star, my only Star. I am so sorry."
Slowly Star turned her head toward Luke. She fought the feelings of just wanting to jump up and hug him tight, but she was afraid he would not hug back. She also shifted in her chair so she was more comfortable. Taking a couple of quick looks at Marco, she saw a smile on the professor's face. Marco was happy and seemed to think everything was all right. "I was so scared Luke when you would not even say hello. Everything that happened was so confusing and I needed to find out from you what to do. You have never pushed me away before Luke."
(Luke) "… Marco said, if you want to, he would permit us to hug. Star I need that hug, please forgive me."
While Marco watched Luke try to convince Star to forgive him, he scribbled a quick note and went to the door. Opening it a crack, he handed the note to an elf and said, one word, "Tarik," then closed the door. He needed some more information on what had happened in the meeting with Star's father, and Tarik had been there.
While Marco watched Luke try to convince Star to forgive him, he scribbled a quick note and went to the door. Opening it a crack, he handed the note to an elf and said, one word, "Tarik," then closed the door. He needed some more information on what had happened in the meeting with Star's father, and Tarik had been there.
As Marco walked past her desk headed for the door, Star looked at him. "Please don't leave us alone, Marco…. Please don't leave us alone…." she thought to herself. He only handed a note out the door and then returned to his desk. He had nodded the one time he had caught her eyes. Star looked back at Luke and slowly turned in her chair. "He says he wants a hug…. But , she thought. As she stood she just looked at him, but the pull was too great. She stepped into his arms and put her hands around his chest. He hugged back. Burying her face on his shoulder she said, "I'm sorry Luke…. I was just scarred… I was confused when he kissed me… I didn't like it… oh Luke, please don't be mad at me, please." Star could not stop crying. She knew she was probably not making any sense but she needed to try and tell him how she felt, and it was all trying to come out at once.
(OOC: I had permission to say what Marco and Luke did)
SETH LUCAS WRIGHT
As Star stepped close and put her arms around him, Luke moved his arms around her. It had only been two days since he had last held her in his arms, but it felt like weeks. "What was it going to be like if it was months before he could hold her again," he thought squeezing tighter. He could feel her body shake as she tried to hold back tears.
Burying her face on his shoulder she said, "I'm sorry Luke…. I was just scarred… I was confused when he kissed me… I didn't like it… oh Luke, please don't be mad at me, please." Star could not stop crying. She knew she was probably not making any sense but she needed to try and tell him how she felt, and it was all trying to come out at once.
"Shhhhh, my Star. It will be all right, you will see." Luke kissed the top of her head. "We will work something out, I promise." Taking one of his hands he pushed up gently on her chin, so he could see into her eyes. They were filled with unshed tears. "Now please stop crying. I know you are not at fault. On the way to the office I had a chance to think about what had happened and I realized it was all Liam's fault. He took advantage of you sweetness." Luke again pulled her close. Looked like he was going to have to teach the 5th year Gryffindor some manners.
Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a clean handkerchief. Tears came to his sweet Star easily, so he had started keeping one or two clean ones in his pocket at all times. Handing the handkerchief to Star, he tried to smile but was only able to achieve a small one. "I'll tell you what my Star. Next time I act like and idiot why don't you hit me in the arm." He heard the giggle and she snuggled a little closer.
As he looked over at Marco, the professor's door opened and Tarik walked in. Luke panicked as he gently pulled Stars arms from around him and pushed her behind him. He held on arm back to keep her there and his other hand formed a fist at the end of his arm he had dropped to his side.
TARIK SADAKI
Tarik had been reading in his apartments at the school, when the elf found him to deliver Marco's note. Sasha, his wife and Headmistress of the School, had taken Mika and Silvia, their twins to Hogsmeade for a little shopping and lunch. He opened the note and read.
Tarik, Problem my office, Luke and Star… can you come please? Marco.
Tarik had shaken his head, put on his robes and headed toward Marco Spellman's office. He always wore his official Egyptian robes of State of the Wizarding World, when walking in the halls or even out in the world. They were more comfortable than the school robes. As he walked past a small curtained off alcove he almost stopped when he felt eyes on him. He knew whom it was but decided not to stop to question her. There was no way she would be able to hear in the office so he would let her stay. It would be easier to find her later.
As he looked over at Marco, the professors door opened and Tarik walked in. Luke panicked as he gently pulled Stars arms from around him and pushed her behind him. He held on arm back to keep her there and his other hand formed a fist at the end of his arm he had dropped to his side.
When he reached the office door, he knocked quietly and entered. He was about to greet Marco when he saw Luke holding Star in his arms. Looking at Marco he said, while pointed to the children, "They were hugging which I am pretty sure it was made clear at the meeting was not allowed." An auditable whimper came from behind Luke, which Tarik ignored. "Would you mind explaining my friend?" Tarik knew or at least hoped there was a good enough explanation that he would not have to report to Starling's father about the infraction of the rules the man had been adamant about having enforced.
(OOC: I had permission to say what Starling did in this post.)
MARCO
Marco had not moved from his position of sitting on the front of his desk, hands on the edge for support and legs stretched out in front of him. He raised his lowered head and smiled, "Actually I am running a History archeological experiment." Marco laughed when Tarik's eyebrows rose. All the man said though was. "And?" so Marco continued. Looking at Luke he said, "Luke please remove the piece of parchment I gave you earlier out of your pocket and show it to professor Tarik."
It took a moment for Luke's brain to register what Marco was saying because his eyes had been on Tarik waiting for… well he was not sure what he was waiting for but he was ready for anything the professor said or did. His Star was not going to get in trouble because of him. Never taking his hand away from where he had extended it back behind him, so he was in contact with Star, Luke took his other hand and reached in his pocket. Pulling out the piece of parchment he showed it to Tarik, then put it back. In a whisper he said to Star, "Shhhh, it's going to be fine, my Star. I'm not going to leave you, I promise."
Marco nodded and turned back to Tarik, "We all know my friend that emotions give off energy when they are felt. It is part of the way others perceive how you feel. Since the situation between Starling and Luke is very emotional, I surmised, there would be a lot of energy radiating out from them and those around them. The piece of parchment Luke and Starling have in their possession is picking up that energy. I decided to find out what effect the energy would have on parchment." Marco tried almost successfully to suppress the chuckle, which was trying to escape his throat. "The children will keep the parchment on them at all times." Marco looked at Luke and received a nod. "I am taking it for granted you will be willing to help me with my experiment, so whenever you or I are present, feel free to let them express their emotions." Marco did not try and hide this chuckle. He had just given himself and Tarik a good reason to let the children, hug and touch at least in their private offices.
(OOC: Marco, Tarik and Luke are both my characters. I have permission to say how Starling reacted.)
STAR
Shhhhh, my Star. It will be all right, you will see…We will work something out, I promise… Now please stop crying. I know you are not at fault. On the way to the office, I had a chance to think about what had happened and I realized it was all Liam's fault. He took advantage of you sweetness…" … Handing the handkerchief to Star, he tried to smile but was only able to achieve a small one.
Star did not want to look into Luke's eyes. The last time she had, it had scared her. As he lifted her chin, his eyes only showed the caring she had seen there since almost the first instance of their meeting on the train. Her Luke was back and holding her. When he handed her a handkerchief she used it and put into her pocket, then put her head back down in the hallow of his shoulder.
"I'll tell you what my Star. Next time I act like an idiot why don't you hit me in the arm." He heard the giggle and she snuggled a little closer.
Star managed a small giggle and rubbed her cheek on his chest as she nodded. In a whisper she said, "You can depend on that, my Luke. I am so glad you are not still mad at me."
As he looked over at Marco, the professor's door opened and Tarik walked in. Luke panicked as he gently pulled Stars arms from around him and pushed her behind him. He held on arm back to keep her there and his other hand formed a fist at the end of his arm he had dropped to his side.
Star felt Luke jump and his mussels go tight. As he pulled her arms from around him, her mind thought he was getting ready to push her away again. When he started to push her behind him, she resisted until she looked in the direction he was looking and saw Professor Tarik. It took no more prompting for her to slip around Luke and try to make herself as small as she could. Tarik, the person in charge of reporting to her father about what she was doing to obey her father's rules, had seen her hugging Luke.
(Tarik)…... "They were hugging which I am pretty sure it was made clear at the meeting was not allowed." An auditable whimper came from behind Luke, which Tarik ignored.
Trying to snuggle closer to Luke's back, Star took the handkerchief out of her pocked and wiped the tears coming from her eyes. She tried not to make a sound, but a gasp escaped her throat. Tarik now had the right to tell her father, that Luke and she had broken one of his rules. Tarik was such an honorable man, she was afraid he would tell, which would mean Star would be sent to another school, and she and Luke could go a couple of years without seeing or talking with each other. Star reached out and grabbed the fingers of the hand Luke was holding behind him. She never wanted to let go.
(Tarik) "Would you mind explaining my friend?" ….
(Marco) "Actually I am running a History archeological experiment." Marco laughed when Tarik's eyebrows rose. All the man said though was. "And?" so Marco continued. Looking at Luke he said, "Luke please remove the piece of parchment I gave you earlier out of your pocket and show it to professor Tarik."
(Marco) "Actually I am running a History archeological experiment." Marco laughed when Tarik's eyebrows rose. All the man said though was. "And?" so Marco continued. Looking at Luke he said, "Luke please remove the piece of parchment I gave you earlier out of your pocket and show it to professor Tarik."
Star had been trying to listen to see if she could pick up anything, which would tell her what was going to happen. When she heard Marco tell about the experiment she lifted her head a little bit and peaked over Luke's shoulder. She felt in her own pocket to make sure her piece was still safely tucked away. In a soft whisper, only Luke would be able to hear she said, "Luke what is going on? Should I get my piece out also? Don't let them separate us please?"
… Never taking his hand away from where he had extended it back behind him, so he was in contact with Star, Luke took his other hand and reached in his pocket. Pulling out the piece of parchment he showed it to Tarik, then put it back. In a whisper he said to Star, "Shhhh, it's going to be fine, my Star. I'm not going to leave you, I promise."
She watched out of the corner of her eye as Luke reached into his pocket and pulled out the small piece of parchment like the one she had in her pocket. She nodded her cheek against his back to let him know she had heard his promise. Luke had never broken a promise to her, so she trusted him to keep this one.
… "We all know my friend that emotions give off energy when they are felt. It is part of the way others perceive how you feel. Since the situation between Starling and Luke is very emotional, I surmised, there would be a lot of energy radiating out from them and those around them. The piece of parchment Luke and Starling have in their possession is picking up that energy. I decided to find out what effect the energy would have on parchment…The children will keep the parchment on them at all times." …
Star pulled in a slow breath and let it out. She put both her hands flat on Luke's back, just to have the contact. If Tarik agreed to the experiment, then she and her Luke would be able to actually hug and hold hands, at least as long as they were in Tarik and Marco's offices.
(Marco) "I am taking it for granted you will be willing to help me with my experiment, so whenever you or I are present, feel free to let them express their emotions." …
Cautiously Star peaked around Luke's shoulder at where Tarik was standing. The professor had not moved. He stood straight and tall, every inch of his royalty showing in his stance. When his eyes met hers, she cringed and ducked back behind Luke. In the lowest of whisper she could use she said, "Please, please, please agree… please agree…. Please agree..." She felt Luke's fingers squeeze the hand she had placed back in his.
TARIK
(Marco) "Actually I am running a History archeological experiment…Luke please remove the piece of parchment I gave you earlier out of your pocket and show it to professor Tarik."
Star … lifted her head a little bit and peaked over Luke's shoulder. …, "Luke what is going on? Should I get my piece out also? Don't let them separate us please?"
Star … lifted her head a little bit and peaked over Luke's shoulder. …, "Luke what is going on? Should I get my piece out also? Don't let them separate us please?"
Tarik saw Starling's head come up barely enough for her to look over Luke's shoulder. It did not set well with him that she was scared of him. He knew when most of the students had first met him, he would have come across as being more stern than he was, but Starling had known him for four years now. She was afraid his honor would make it necessary for him to tell her father. That possibility was all going to depend on what Marco had come up with for a reason why the rules should be relaxed.
It took a moment for Luke's brain to register what Marco was saying because his eyes had been on Tarik waiting for… well he was not sure what he was waiting for but he was ready for anything the professor said or did… Luke … reached in his pocket. Pulling out the piece of parchment he showed it to Tarik, then put it back. In a whisper he said to Star, "Shhhh, it's going to be fine, my Star. I'm not going to leave you, I promise."
It was not just the fear in Starling's eyes that was bothering him. Luke had squared his shoulders and looked ready to fight and run if necessary. If only he could explain so they would understand, this was just a small moment in their lives. But children lived in the present and could barely even comprehend a future. He remembered Darik, saying to him once when he wanted to just react that he should stop and think, because "you never know what is around the corner or what the next day will hold." It had almost astonished him at the time that the next day had solved the problem, without him even doing anything. If he would have reacted and not given the time a chance to run its course, the whole situation would have ended badly.
Coming back to the present, he saw the piece of parchment and he heard Luke's whisper, telling Starling he would protect her. The boy had guts and was going to make a fine man as he grew older.
(Marco) … "We all know my friend that emotions give off energy when they are felt. It is part of the way others perceive how you feel. Since the situation between Starling and Luke is very emotional, I surmised, there would be a lot of energy radiating out from them and those around them. The piece of parchment Luke and Starling have in their possession is picking up that energy. I decided to find out what effect the energy would have on parchment…The children will keep the parchment on them at all times."
Tarik suppressed a chuckle by pretending to cough into his closed fist. Marco was staying true to form. The man had a knack of getting around rules and regulations and making it all very logical on what he did. Sasha had told him some of the stories she knew about the man. Tarik would have liked to have known Marco when he was in school. He would be willing to wager a thousand Galleons, that Marco would have given the staff at Hogwarts a merry chase when he had been attending classes.
"I am taking it for granted you will be willing to help me with my experiment, so whenever you or I are present, feel free to let them express their emotions." …
Tarik smiled and stood looking at the children. He knew they needed each other. They were true examples of "star-crossed". Even if for some reason Starling got removed from the school they would be joined back together later in life, but he did not want to see that happen. He opened and closed his hands to try to give himself some time to think. Marco had set up the perfect situation to let the children still be together, but he knew Starlings father would not look at it that way. He decided, to wait and see what happened in the future before reporting to the girl's father.
Cautiously Star peaked around Luke's shoulder at where Tarik was standing. The professor had not moved. He stood straight and tall, every inch of his royalty showing in his stance. When his eyes met hers, she cringed and ducked back behind Luke. In the lowest of whisper she could use she said, "Please, please, please agree… please agree…. Please agree..." She felt Luke's fingers squeeze the hand she had placed back in his.
When Star again peaked out from behind Luke, and visibly cringed, when his eyes met hers he decided it was time to take some control over the situation. Standing up straighter, he solemnly nodded at Marco, letting him know he was going to try something, turned back to the children and said, "Starling come here please." When there was no movement, he added in a sterner voice, which left no room for refusal, "Starling come and please use titles in your greeting."
STAR
When Star again peaked out from behind Luke, and visibly cringed, when his eyes met hers he decided it was time to take some control over the situation. Standing up straighter, he solemnly nodded at Marco, letting him know he was going to try something, turned back to the children and said, "Starling come here please." When there was no movement, he added in a sterner voice, which left no room for refusal, "Starling come and please use titles in your greeting."
Star first peaked out from behind Luke's back to see if she could tell if Tarik was upset. She knew Tarik did not normally like using his royal title. He would sometimes get upset if you called him anything other than Tarik. He still had a smile on his face so she figured if he was upset, it was not with her.
Luke's hand was still holding hers. Squeezing his fingers, she gently pulled her fingers free of his grip. Star took the time to rub her hand on his back and said, "It will be all right my Luke." She stepped out trying to keep her eyes up and looking straight ahead. She did not want to see the disappointment in the professor's eyes, which she knew, had to be there.
Stopping in front of Tarik, she looked up through her lashes saying, "Yes High Amir Tarik-Ari Sadiki-Talibah" She added a gentle curtsey just in case it was required but did not look into his eyes. Star was not sure how formal Tarik wanted to be.
TARIK
Star first peaked out from behind Luke's back to see if she could tell if Tarik was upset. She knew Tarik did not normally like using his royal title. He would sometimes get upset if you called him anything other than Tarik. He still had a smile on his face so she figured if he was upset, it was not with her.
Tarik kept the smile on his face and he allowed it to travel to his eyes. Sometimes he tried to act stern around the children, but it never seemed to work. Star had never been this skittish though on coming to him. He hated her to think the worst was going to happen, but the children had to learn there were consequences to their actions.
(Star) "It will be all right my Luke." She stepped out trying to keep her eyes up and looking straight ahead. … "Yes High Amir Tarik-Ari Sadiki-Talibah" She added a gentle curtsey just in case it was required but did not look into his eyes. Star was not sure how formal Tarik wanted to be.
Tarik had to work on hiding his chuckle. "Starling look at me please." When she finally looked up he continued, "That was very well done. Now I want you to stand up very straight and tall and tell me your name. Please use titles." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luke straighten up and get a questioning look on his face. Apparently, the young man did not know Starling had a title to go along with her name. That was interesting because he would have thought Star, would have told him. Later he would check with her on why she had not let him know.
Luke had straightened up fast. "What did the professor mean, use her titles" Star had never said anything to him about being connected to royalty. It was a little awe inspiring to think he had dated someone from royalty. His mind flew to the possibility that maybe Star's father had set things up because he thought Star could look higher in society for someone in her life. He winced at the thought he might be holding her back. Tarik's smile grew a little bigger as Star straightened. However, when she looked at Luke with a side-glance over her shoulder, it only added to the puzzle. He wasn't going to prompt her anymore, she had to gather the strength to herself, by herself.
(OOC: Tarik and Luke are both my characters. I have permission to say what Starling said and did for this post)
STAR
Tarik had to work on hiding his chuckle. "Starling look at me please."
Star slowly raised her eyes to meet Tarik's. She was desparately holding back tears. It went against everything she felt to disappoint the man who had become not only a mentor in her life but a friend.
When she finally looked up he continued, "That was very well done. Now I want you to stand up very straight and tall and tell me your name. Please use titles."
Star winced. She had never used her title outside of the house, for very good reason. She had a choice, use the title or disobey Tarik.
Tarik's smile grew a little bigger as Star straightened. However, when she looked at Luke with a side-glance over her shoulder, it only added to the puzzle. He was not going to prompt her anymore; she had to gather the strength to herself, by herself.
Star followed Tarik's eyes. She wanted to plead with him not to make her do this. When she was younger and in Muggle grade school, the teacher had them do a genealogy project to show them how to do research. Star had known she was a princes, but had never looked for any of the facts. She had talked with her mother and had been told she was an Egyptian Princess, by birth, but only in the Magical world. She was not allowed to tell anyone she was a Witch, so she would not be able to back up her facts. Choosing to tell only what she could as far as the names of her ancestors, she had gone to school with the report in hand.
In class the teacher had asked all of the children to read their reports. Star was one of the last ones in the order the teacher had set up. Some of the children had told how their grandfathers, uncles and aunts had helped to change the world. Everyone seemed to have a story to tell about a famous person in their family. When it became Star's turn, she shyly walked to the front of the class and started to read her paper. It was filled with facts, and names and places, but the only true important thing was that she was a princess and that she could not tell them why. In her mind she had rationalized, she could truthfully say she was a princess and would not have to tell them from where. She had been wrong. She still said in class that she was a princess from a very small place in Europe and then headed back to her seat. Some of the kids had already started to laugh.
The teacher had stopped the laughter, but later after class, some of the popular children had questioned her about what place she was talking about. Star had just said it was a secret and tried to walk away. Apparently over the next couple of hours and days, the younger students had told their older brothers and sisters what she said, and they had also started to tease Star. She had ended up crying herself to sleep that first night and vowed to never mention it again. It had taken almost six months before the children had found someone else to tease.
Now Tarik wanted her to say in front of Luke that she was a princess. She was just going to die if he decided he did not want to be with her. He had become her life. Finally in her mind she gave in, because they would be separated if Tarik, pushed the fact they had been together in Marco's office anyway.
Looking back toward Tarik, she looked into his eyes, pleading for help, but she said in as firm a voice as she could, "My name is Amira Starling Amelia MacStone." Then she closed her eyes and waited for Luke's laugh.
LUKE
(Marco) "We all know my friend that emotions give off energy … I decided to find out what effect the energy would have on parchment … The children will keep the parchment on them at all times."
Luke could not help but smile. He knew Marco had some reason for making sure he and Star had the scraps of parchment in their pockets, but when he tried to figure it out, he could not come up with a reason. Professor Marco had just gone up a couple more notches in his friends list, and he was already pretty close to the top under his Core friends.
Star … put both her hands flat on Luke's back, just to have the contact. If Tarik agreed to the experiment, then she and her Luke would be able to actually hug and hold hands, at least as long as they were in Tarik and Marco's offices.
Luke could fell Star's hands laid on his back. They were shaking. Everything in their future depended on whether Tarik would accept Marco's explanation. If Star had to leave, he was going to talk with Brennan and get himself transferred to where she was sent. They had been writing back and forth since the summer between their first and second years, but Luke knew he would not be able to just be able to write to her for three years, without seeing her, hearing her voice and holding her in his arms. There was no guarantee that Star's father would even let them write each other.
(Marco) "I am taking it for granted you will be willing to help me with my experiment, so whenever you or I are present, feel free to let them express their emotions." ..,
(Tarik) … Marco had set up the perfect situation to let the children still be together, but he knew Starlings father would not look at it that way. He decided, to wait and see what happened in the future before reporting to the girl's father.
(Tarik) … Marco had set up the perfect situation to let the children still be together, but he knew Starlings father would not look at it that way. He decided, to wait and see what happened in the future before reporting to the girl's father.
Luke held his breath. Tarik was known for being kind, but he was also known for following the rules to the letter. When he put his hand back behind him, he felt Star's small hand drop back into his. Her hands were still shaking. Their warmth meant everything to him at the moment. It was a connection he was not going to allow to go away.
… she cringed and ducked back behind Luke. In the lowest of whisper she could use she said, "Please, please, please agree… please agree…. Please agree..." She felt Luke's fingers squeeze the hand she had placed back in his.
(Star) Squeezing his fingers, she gently pulled her fingers free of his grip. Star took the time to rub her hand on his back and said, "It will be all right my Luke." She stepped out trying to keep her eyes up and looking straight ahead …
(Star) Squeezing his fingers, she gently pulled her fingers free of his grip. Star took the time to rub her hand on his back and said, "It will be all right my Luke." She stepped out trying to keep her eyes up and looking straight ahead …
When Star let go of his fingers and stepped out from behind him, Luke just wanted to grab her and tell her to stay with him. However, he couldn't do that. Tarik had told her to come to him and she dare not disobey or it might send Tarik's mind off in a direction none of them wanted it to go. All he could do was whisper, "I love you, My Star." Then his only recourse was to watch.
…. "Yes High Amir Tarik-Ari Sadiki-Talibah" She added a gentle curtsey …
(Tarik) "Starling look at me please … That was very well done. Now I want you to stand up very straight and tall and tell me your name. Please use titles." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luke straighten up and get a questioning look on his face. ….
(Tarik) "Starling look at me please … That was very well done. Now I want you to stand up very straight and tall and tell me your name. Please use titles." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luke straighten up and get a questioning look on his face. ….
Luke met the quick flicker of Tarik's eyes. They had a question in them, but he had no idea what the question was, and he was not sure he wanted to know. He would answer any question the professor had, if he would just agree with Professor Marco, and not tell Star's father they had been hugging and were together.
… Luke had straightened up fast. "What did the professor mean, use her titles" …
Star followed Tarik's eyes. She wanted to plead with him not to make her do this. …
Looking back toward Tarik, she looked into his eyes, pleading for help, but she said in as firm a voice as she could, "My name is Amira Starling Amelia MacStone." Then she closed her eyes and waited for Luke's laugh.
Luke just stood there for a moment. When he looked around he caught Marco's smile and nod first. Then he caught Tarik's smile and nod. Tarik also motioned with his head for him to come forward, which he did immediately. Since Star had found it necessary for her to curtsy he bowed and said, "Yes Amir.", but his eyes found Star and there they held. He took the chance Tarik would not mind when he added in a bare whisper, "Star open your eyes and look at me. You are still mine."