Carlisle-Star, outside.

[ofthefamily]

Things have calmed considerably at home, but Carlisle is hesitating to leave Milliways so immediately after his shift.

Presently he is outside, debating going back in to retrieve a cigarette.

Comments

[bright_daughter]

At the End of the Universe, stars are always dying and being born. There is a song to it if you can hear it, but there are few who can and few yet who can understand.

As is as it well is.

Which is why there is a sparkling shape, standing at the end of a familiar dock, watching the sky with a pleased expression.

[ofthefamily]

It's dark enough that she appears even brighter.

(At least he's forgotten about the useless burning of tobacco and paper.)

"Hello," Carlisle calls, still a bit too far away to be speaking at his normal tone, but he figures it's enough as he walks onto the dock.

[bright_daughter]

In shadows of daytime she glimmers, but in the dark she shines. This is the place where stars belong, where they are born and live. Shining brightness on to planets, into skies.


Star turns, a ripple of skirts and blonde flowing hair, without loosing the easy smile. The one that says she knew he was there before the words, perhaps before he had passed the door, or entered The Door.

Soft and sweet, "Good evening, Carlisle."

[ofthefamily]

"How have you been, Stella? It's been some time since I've seen you."

[bright_daughter]

Wrists woven with ribbons tonight, every movement was a shimmer in the darkness. As though shadows couldn't cast upon her for what she was. Her expression turned fondly bemused.

"All you have to do is look up."

[ofthefamily]

"You know what I mean. How have things been in Milliways for you of late?"

[bright_daughter]

"They have not," she said, swishing her skirts slightly, holding the fabric between her fingers.

[ofthefamily]

"You haven't been around the bar?"

[bright_daughter]

Star shook her head with a smile that was brilliant, deep into her blue-silver eyes. She's been home where the extra moons and the turrets mean the most of everything, surrounded by her family as the moon ripened.

[ofthefamily]

"I haven't been around all that much lately either," Carlisle returns, looking out across the lakeside with his hands in his pockets.

"Had a bit of a storn at home, but it's passing."

[bright_daughter]

Star watched him carefully, calm and peaceable. She is not part of the world of even subtle solemnity, anything pitying or sad. She can sense the greatness of them that will shine.



She's also been corrected many times by him.

About what he does not want to hear.


"It will be a beautiful summer."

[ofthefamily]

"Such carefully chosen words," Carlisle mumbles.

That makes him more nervous than anything else, but he was having such a good day.

[bright_daughter]

A beautiful summer.
Here and gone in the blink of a dance.
Just like the length of his life and all his family.

"I can amend my winds without myself."

[ofthefamily]

She is talking over Carlisle's head. (Yet again.)

"I'll have to take your word for it?"

It sounds like a question.

[bright_daughter]

Star smile titled, bemused, and she threw her head back looking up. Her curls fell about her, wisps of light and sparkles of movement in that darkness when she did.

"You can."

[ofthefamily]

"I usually do."




Eventually, Carlisle sits on the dock, smoothing splinters out in the wood with a press of his thumb across the planks.

[bright_daughter]

"You like doing that." Star said, without looking down yet.

[ofthefamily]

"Doing what?"

Absently asked despite his attentions being focused on her; Carlisle assumes she's about to talk above him again.

[bright_daughter]

Her skirt shook and twirled partly, to look at him more than ever getting to his hand. She could not help but love it about him. It was part of her.

"Protecting people."

[ofthefamily]

Carlisle doesn't quite follow until he looks down at what he'd been doing to the wood.

A shrug and he smiles even though he stops his accidental ministrations. "Needed to be done."

[bright_daughter]

"Not as true," Star said, slipping down to sit next to him, even if it is upon the cushion of nothing. She drew her knee up, looping an arm around it. "But it is kindness and in kind has done such."

[ofthefamily]

"Isabella is out of the hospital."

This sounds more important than it should be.

[bright_daughter]

Star's head cocked, cheek almost against her knee.

"Was there doubt of it?"

[ofthefamily]

"I knew that once she was back in Forks, she'd be well looked-after."

Purposely vague, even if Carlisle feels ridiculous in doing so.

"She makes Edward happy; all my children deserve to be so. Alice and Jasper bought a house in France. I may not like it, but I think it will be good for them both. Especially Jasper - he puts up with too much."

[bright_daughter]

Star twirled the ribbons with the movement of her opposite wrist, watching the sparkles which fizzled from them when they did.

"The having does not always equal the dreamed wanting."