Starlight

XXXVI: Where You Are

That's right, we stay
We're safe and we're well provided
And when we look to the future
There you are

- 'Where You Are,' or, the beginning of Moana

xx.xx

"The island gives us what we..."

"And no one leaves..."

"I didn't like that movie."

Bill rounded out the song with an extremely questionable rendition of The Circle of Life, and a hush fell over the group as they awaited Hidgens' judgement.

Robbie hadn't seen Moana since it'd come out, but whatever that was, wasn't it.

She lowered her gun, partly because she was certain they'd passed Henry's test with their dreadful singing, partly because she couldn't believe she'd ever raised it in the first place. Something about this day - about the stakes and the loss and the promise of what might lie beyond it - was causing bravery and impulse to crash over her in waves.

"All right, that was terrible," Henry finally conceded. "Not a single one of you were on pitch, which means you're still human. These things, they-"

"Wait a second Professor," Ted stepped forward, hands still raised into the air, smug satisfaction plastered on his face, "I think I speak for all of us when I say that we'd feel--"

"He doesn't speak for any of us," Paul interrupted.

Ted shot him a challenging look. "I'd feel much more comfortable if she sang too." He gestured to Robbie, who was stuffing the handgun awkwardly back into her jeans. "You've given her a gun and she seems to be having a pretty good time waving it around at me." He offered her an insipid smile. "Don't get me wrong, hon, I'm into it, but not if you're an alien, mm'kay? Do the test and then shoot your shot with me. Not literally, of course."

Robbie blinked, incredulously. She had half a mind to pull the gun again. "Oh, wow."

"She doesn't have to do it. I know that she's human." Henry stared at Ted, but he didn't back down.

"I don't care if the test even works or not, it's a matter of principle! What, she gets special treatment just because she's your lab partner?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Robbie saw Emma grimace. "She's actually his-"

"You know what?" Robbie interjected, "Whatever. I'll do it. It's only fair to you guys: I'll sing."

Henry turned to her, eyes wide. "I've never heard you sing before."

"Yeah, well, there's a reason for that." She put her hands on her hips, breathing shakily. "I'm awful."

He shook his head, smiling softly, utterly forgetting himself. "I'm sure your voice is lovely."

"Jesus Christ, just fucking do it already!" Ted exploded, rubbing his temples.

"Right, okay. Yeah..." Robbie shuffled on the spot, and the gun in her pocket, harsh and cold, rubbed against her thigh. "Here goes."

She opened her mouth and began to sing her first few trembling notes - she'd sung the very first thing that came to mind, and instantly regretted it.

"On my own..."

Why did I pick a song that's literally about being crazy in love with someone but not being able to be with them? Not to mention, Eponine fucking dies. Everyone in that musical does! Oh God this was an awful choice, I should have just let Ted shoot me I hate it I feel so uncomfortable oh my god I-