Welcome to the Host Club

[hostclubshadowking]

Who: Absolutely anyone
What: The Host Club is open for business!
Where: Antoinette, currently docked at Isla Empieza
When: February 7th - 14th (+ additional dates for crew members)
Style: Whatever you want
Status: Mostly open, some sections closed to crew members
Warnings: None. Will add if necessary.


Loans have been issued, furniture has been supplied, and food had been bought.

The deck of the Antoinette is plainly decorated. There are a few rugs about, but, for the most part, small tables are arranged with couches and chairs. Platters of food are waiting, mostly sandwiches and sweets. Little snacks. There's plenty of hot water kept on hand, too, for tea or commoner's instant coffee.

The Host Club are looking their best, even though their best might be a little more ragged than they would otherwise appear.

Posters have been put up around town, advertising the opening of the Royal Host Club, specifying the Antoinette's location, and disclosing the offer of refreshments.

On the 13th, things will only get more interesting when a bowl of candy appears overnight and adds to the Host Club experience.

(Please feel free to specify dates for interactions in the subheadings below and make your own subheadings if there's something else you want to see.)

Comments

[cuterthisway]

[Honey was innocent enough as he glided past Kyouya's cup - he normally didn't abuse his training but he didn't make a sound as he went past it and his hand passed over the top of it and a small 'plop' was all the evidence of not one.

Not two.

But three - because it was a lucky number! - 'Kiss me' candies.

He smiled super big and happy at Kyouya and went for the sugar as if Kyouya ever took sugar in his tea.]

Kyo-chan! Do you want some sugar in your tea? Or milk?

[Any excuse to stir the dissolving candies.]

[cuterthisway]

[Hook, line and sinker. You got him Hikaru.]

No way!

[He's not as lively as he always is but his interest definitely put the color back in his cheeks.]

That many islands? That sounds impossible!

[And then the stupid questions...]

Do you think there's one for stuffed animals?

[hostclubshadowking]

...Only milk.

[Kyouya couldn't help but give his senpai a slight look at the offer of sugar. When had he ever sweetened almost anything he was given? He didn't have the natural sweet-tooth most of his fellow hosts did.

Still, he didn't complain.

If he were honest with himself, it was because he was exhausted. Yet, it was a welcome sense of tired. A job well done, an impression properly made. It's a very satisfied form of exhaustion. So, if Honey-senpai wanted to help with his tea... he would accept it.

He set down one of the plates of food and returned to the galley to help with another.]

TIME TO BE NATURAL. Or something. More like the girl who looks like a boy time.

[haruhi_fujioka]

[Haruhi walks over to Minako, pulling out a seat for her.] Please make yourself comfortable! What would you like to drink? I've just made some tea, but if you prefer coffee...

[She wants to cater to Minako's needs - no matter how frivolous. Actually she is used to frivolous requests. Minako will likely be a nice respite.]

My name is Haruhi Fujioka. Is this your first time visiting a Host Club? I do hope everyone has been treating you well.

[princelycharm]

[Today was a long day. Mostly due to a couple of incidents he found himself kissing and hugging guests unexpectedly. He will never again underestimate the creativity of the twins. Though he himself had fun trying to force the candy onto his fellow hosts, so it was all for good fun.

It took Tamaki a while but he was finally done with the last of the guests. Some how his popularity with guests hadn't changed on bit. Hopefully this would continue when they are actually charging for their time.

He entered the ward room, took off his coat and hat and then sat beside Kyouya. Everyone had prepared the meal already which left Tamaki a bit embarrassed for being unable to help with tonight's dinner.]

I'll try to help prepare breakfast tomorrow instead...

[cuterthisway]

Okay!

[Cheerful, helpful, happy Honey poured just a little milk into the tea - enough to make it cloudy, and enough to dissolve the last of the candies.

Hell hath no fury like a lolita wronged.]

Here Kyo-chan! Oh, wow dinner looks great! I'm starving!

[Cake would be better]

[hostclubshadowking]

Thank you, Honey-senpai.

[He takes the tea and closes his eyes, sipping it briefly. A small face.

"Only milk" meant that. Only milk. Not milk and "a bit of sugar he'll never even notice." Still, not unbearable. He wouldn't have to pour himself another cup of tea until this one was done. Then, no sugar.

Tamaki's remark makes him sigh just a little. He takes another drink or two and turns his head, opening his eyes.

And in that moment... he understands.

Why his tea tasted sweet. Why Honey-senpai had prepared it. He knew that sweet taste now. But that didn't mean he had to acknowledge it. So, he took a deep breath, sipped his tea again, bound and determined not to let this happen. Not to give away what was happening.]

I imagine Haruhi could use the help.

["Because none of you better wake me up before ten AM, damn it."]

[princelycharm]

That would be fun! We'd have daughter-daddy time!

[Yes, he is very very jealous of the 'Mommy-Daughter' time. He wanted Daddy time too in the kitchen.

He noticed Kyouya drinking his tea and Tamaki prepares his coffee. A splash of milk and two cubes of sugar since he was feeling extra tired today. He gives Kyouya a cheerful smile before he takes his tea.]

Maybe we can do last minute shopping for food in the market before we head off to sea!

[hostclubshadowking]

[Kyouya smiles faintly at Tamaki and then glances to the side, fixing his eyes on Honey. The look is plain, even if there's nothing he can think of to drive it home.

"I know what you did. It's not going to work."

He just had to maintain control. Pay attention to the little conversations happening around him. Look at their gathered group.

He gave Tamaki another look. He had to act naturally, had to behave as if nothing was wrong. He was stronger than those candies. Than the urge they'd put in his head, what they tempted him to do. Tried to force him to do.]

What you choose to do in the morning is your choice. I expect to get to sleep in, since we'll have no guests to entertain.

[cuterthisway]

[Just this look Kyouya~]

[princelycharm]

Oh?

[He gave Kyouya his puppy look.]

Wouldn't you rather spend the morning with us like before? We can go shopping together, Mommy!

[hostclubshadowking]

I have been up well before I'd like to have been for a week.

[Easy conversation, a simple smile. But stubborn resistance.]

I would like nothing more than to get some real rest tonight. And into tomorrow morning.

[princelycharm]

Oh yes that is true. But there were so many preparations to be made.

[He took the bowl of steamed potatoes and served himself as well as Kyouya. Then he took some grilled fish.]

Maybe you should get a massage or something? I can help. Or maybe Honey-senpai would be better at it. Since Martial Arts can help extend your bones... in a way.

[cuterthisway]

[Honey takes that as his cue to pipe in - peering over the table as if nothing had happened.]

I know where pressure points are! [That's not helpful. At all.]

Kyo-chan, do you want one?

[hostclubshadowking]

I think I'll pass. Thank you, though, senpai.

[Perfectly even, a slight smile on his features. But it was best translated as Haruhi had once said: "No way in Hell, senpai."

He looked over at Tamaki again. He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't. He was in control and perfectly focused. He wouldn't it.]

I think just a bit of rest will be fine.

[princelycharm]

Oh but I bet Honey-senpai could work wonders.

...then again, you're very strong.

[He laughs a bit before he flashes another smile at Kyouya when he turns to face the white prince.]

Then I shall wake you up at 6am then!

[That is his definition of a bit of rest.]

[drive-by]

[to_theleft]

[Is it just him, or is it getting oddly tense in here for some reason? Hikaru's pretty sure Honey's pulled something, but for the life of him he can't figure out what or when.

The conversation in the room, for his part, is going to start quietening down so he can focus more on what's happening between those three.]

[hostclubshadowking]

[And to that, the Black Queen just raises an eyebrow.]

Ten AM.

[This is a statement, not a negotiation.]

At the earliest.

[princelycharm]

[He took a bite of his meal while listening to Kyouya's negotiations. There was sudden pouting of those pink cheeks with his lips pursed.]

But Kyouya.. that's half your day gone to sleep!

[hostclubshadowking]

[Half the day gone. Only to someone who slept early. Him, meanwhile... He stayed up late and slept in, at least when able. Hopefully someone else could amuse Tamaki in the morning. And let him sleep.

He made the mistake of taking another drink of his tea. Which only reminded him of the whole situation.

He closed his eyes, attempting to focus himself. But that was fine. He was in control. Capable of resisting. Entirely in control.

Which lasted until only when he turned his head toward Tamaki again. He was going to say something, though... whatever he'd been wanting to say died in his throat. He found he wasn't thinking of anything until it was too late.

Until he'd leaned in a bit, a hand on Tamaki's chin, and his mouth against the blond's in a pressed kiss that lasts only a few seconds longer than it took for him to realize what was happening. Then, he sat back, and just blinked, staring.

...That had not just happened...]

[cuterthisway]

[to_theleft]

[Oh. So that was what he was up to.

That's a little disappointing.]

You should have put more effort into it, Kyouya-senpai! Four out of ten, re-do; re-do!

[princelycharm]

[Kyouya was very still. Did he do something wrong?]



[His hand was on Tamaki's chin. Why was Kyouya holding Tamaki's chin?]



[Did he have dirt on his face?]

[Then Kyouya's face pulls closer. His lips are incredibly close.]



[Those lips.. he looked like he's about to kiss Tamaki. But, Tamaki wasn't Kyouya's type, right?]



[Kyouya's lips touches his. And it is not just some accidental touch, he is actually kissing Tamaki.]



[Kyouya's lips were warm. But this was.. this was...]



[Everyone saw.

Everyone saw. They are reacting too!

When Kyouya pulled away, Tamaki had to lean away a bit. His fingers slowly making their way up to his face and covering his lips. His brows a little furrowed.]

[to_theleft]

Oh, I think you broke him.

[Hikaru sounds way too gleeful about that.]

[hostclubshadowking]

[Keeping yourself at the head of the class is an accomplishment your brothers have already achieved. You must know it will take more than that to satisfy me.

Those words played through Kyouya's head as he sat there.

Was it ten minutes or ten seconds? How long had he just been sitting there, silent, staring at Tamaki?

Even Hikaru's jabs seemed to drift past the mind of the usually sharp Shadow King, who ought to have snapped something back.

But instead he could only sit in silence.

Kyouya closed his eyes for a moment then opened them and stood. A slow, simple movement. Graceful... and cold.

The walls were safe. He knew them. Knew where to hide. And the ice? An old friend. A solid defense.]

If anyone needs me, I will be in my cabin.

[When his blood stops being frozen, it will likely rush to his face. He'd prefer that not happen while he's in front of anyone.

To help keep his mind from shifting tracks, he lets his gaze fall briefly on Honey.]

Perhaps next time, we can refrain from putting anything of that nature in my tea.