The Greatest Showman #943 - Starry Sky

The inky black sky stretched endlessly above, its vastness adorned with countless silver stars. Interwoven with the pale yellow street lights and the white streaks of taillights, the night became a grand canvas of swirling ink. The ripples of color gently smeared across the sky, forming shapes that outlined the mysteries of the universe. The deep, mesmerizing reflection of the stars in the eyes of those who looked up left them unable to tear their gaze away.

The stars, scattered across the velvet sky like glittering dots, seemed both ordinary and extraordinary. Each one was distant, yet somehow close, their brilliance drawing the eye deeper into the endless expanse. Renly found himself lost in the beauty, imagining the worlds that might lie on those distant planets.

Renly loved the night sky of Los Angeles. Unlike the distant, icy heights of New York, or the misty, subdued nights of London, the night in Los Angeles had an unmistakable brightness. It was as though the city itself pulsed with energy, a thrilling kind of light.

Standing on the flyover on the fifth floor of the Hollywood & Highland Center, the cold night wind whistled past his ears. It felt as if he could soar into the sky if only he stretched his arms wide enough. In the distance, the iconic "HOLLYWOOD" sign stood out against the night sky, as dazzling as ever. Below, the sprawling city lay open, a vast world unfolding beneath his feet.

The cheers and shouts of movie fans and reporters bubbled up like lava from below, while inside the Kodak Theater, the party atmosphere swirled with laughter and chatter. With two hours left until the Vanity Fair Oscar party, no one was in a hurry to leave.

After enduring bankruptcy and a controversial rebranding, the Kodak Theater, now temporarily named the Hollywood & Highland Center, may be hosting its last Oscars. This uncertainty made everyone hold on a little longer, cherishing the good memories and leaving their marks behind.

Renly knew that Kodak had filed for bankruptcy, but the theater itself remained unchanged. The famous audio technology company Dolby Laboratories had acquired the naming rights, and the theater was now called the Dolby Theater, continuing its legacy as the home of the Academy Awards for the next 20 years.

It was a reminder of life: people always seek something to leave behind, proof of their existence.

A figure appeared at the end of the overpass, noticing Renly standing alone. She paused for a moment, then, after a brief hesitation, walked toward him. The wind caught her white dress, making it billow around her like a goddess of ancient myth. But this was no goddess of beauty; she seemed more like a warrior, noble and poised.

Stopping just three steps away from Renly, she leaned against the railing, her gaze lifting to the sky. Without a word, they both stood in silence, absorbed by the majesty of the stars above. The bustling sounds of the city and the excited atmosphere below seemed distant, leaving only the quiet connection between the two strangers.

"You said, which star is the rose garden on?" the woman asked, her voice carrying a faint trace of late-night weariness.

The rose garden. A reference to The Little Prince, where the young prince visits different planets and encounters a unique rose on one of them.

Renly couldn't help but smile at the reference. "At least it's not the one you pointed to," he replied, noticing her finger pointing toward a bright star. "That's Alpha Pegasus," he added, following her gaze. "These three stars form the Pegasus constellation, and that one is Alpha Andromeda, completing a quadrilateral."

He raised his hand to illustrate the formation in the sky. For a moment, it felt like he was back to his childhood, lying on his back, staring at the stars, doing nothing but soaking in their light until sleep took over.

Rooney-Mara raised an eyebrow, following Renly's hand as he drew the shape in the sky. She was curious about Pegasus and Andromeda's locations, prompting Renly to explain further, his voice a low hum in her ear. She stretched her body, playfully imagining that if she stood on tiptoe, she could reach the stars.

Before long, she couldn't help but smile.

Turning to look at Renly, she asked, "Don't tell me you're an astronomer?"

Renly chuckled softly, his voice slightly husky. "No, not an astronomer. I just liked reading all sorts of things as a child. Learned a little bit about everything. But if you keep asking, I'll be out of knowledge in no time."

Noble education was a vast and intricate system, often bewildering to outsiders. Many wondered why aristocrats, with all their leisure, seemed so busy. Their free time, seemingly full of nothing, was actually dedicated to learning. Besides art and philosophy, the noble class often studied natural sciences—biology, physics, chemistry, astronomy. It was said that every student of painting had to study anatomy and even dissect cadavers to understand the human body's structure.

For true nobility, education took years, sometimes up to fifteen years, before graduating from the apprenticeship phase. And centuries ago, aristocratic girls would celebrate their coming-of-age ceremony at sixteen—a rite with deep significance.

Renly wasn't being modest when he said he only knew a little about astronomy. His passion lay in chemistry, with its endless experiments and playful reactions.

Rooney smiled knowingly. "Even just the basics is rare knowledge. So, tell me, does it work?" Her eyes sparkled with playful curiosity.

Renly immediately understood: "Does it work?" It was an opening, a subtle way to bridge the gap between them.

He smiled, glancing over at her. "I'm not sure. I guess that's up to you to answer. Does it work?" He raised an eyebrow, teasing her with his gaze.

With a slight challenge in her voice, Rooney replied, "It's a little late for that."

Renly nodded earnestly. "I'll keep working on it."

Rooney's face softened with a serious expression, before she continued with her advice. "You know, a true master would never be so honest. You should walk behind the woman, raise your hand gracefully, and trace the stars, drawing the outline of the constellations in her view. Then, you know…"

Her voice trailed off, the words unfinished, but Renly understood. Rooney quickly looked away, a flush spreading across her cheeks as she pretended to be unfazed. Clearing her throat, she resumed, "You still have a lot to learn, though."

Renly laughed, a low sound that was both soft and rich, like velvet darkened by the night.

Rooney clenched her fists, muttering under her breath, "Damn it."

"I understand," Renly said with a teasing grin. "Are you sending an invitation?"

Startled, Rooney answered quickly, "No! Absolutely not!" But as soon as she said it, she realized she'd overreacted. She closed her eyes, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness, though a smile tugged at her lips.

"You did that on purpose?" Rooney finally caught on to Renly's prank, biting her lip lightly.

Renly spread his hands innocently. "Did I do something wrong? Or should I just step behind you and show you the outline of Pegasus?"

Rooney rolled her eyes and let out a dry laugh. "Very funny." She straightened, her chest out, her chin lifted, and gave Renly a playful, earnest look. "I'm just giving advice. You know, the kind that helps you understand women better. Maybe you can use it someday."

Renly's half-smile deepened, his eyes glinting. "Are you sure?"