Reaching the highest floor of the highest tower on the UF-Dome, Star paused at the door to her penthouse. Mina was endlessly thankful the space glamazon had hugged her tightly and offered to care for her during this dark time, but she was still acting funny.
And it wasn't just Star's mannerism that was off, the door to the penthouse resembled a porthole to an ancient submarine, complete with a steel wheel to open the iron cast door.
"Umm..." Star said, her back turned to Mina. "Promise me you won't judge me or my interests."
It was odd because Star was always so mega confident. She often put a testosterone ladden male bodybuilder to shame. And now she was getting nervous?
Mina took a deep breath. She may have looked wide eyed and innocent, but she wasn't naive to the perverse interests of millionaires and famous actors and actresses.
"Star..." she said with a nervous smile. "I don't care if you're into chains. I don't LINK shame."
She was proud of the pun, but she honestly was concerned that Star would be uncomfortable. She placed her hand on the rogueish movie stars shoulder. "But seriously, I promise I won't judge. I was just in a weird hypno gym in the mayor's manor."
Star breathed a sigh of relief but there was still a small panic in her eyes. "Oh, but it's much weirder than chains or leather. Especially when you know what kind of actress I am."
"Well," Mina said, taking a deep breath. "It's either we just face your fear and greatest shame, or I sleep out on your welcome mat."
Star shook her head and held up her hands defensively. "No I do want you to sleep with...er... I mean in my bedroom. Just please don't judge."
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Mina nodded. "I won't, girl. Seriously."
Without a further word, Star spun the wheel and the door opened with a loud creak.
Mina crept into the darkness and when the light switched on, she beheld a nautical nightmare!
The whole penthouse building resembled a pirate ship. There was a giant mast at the center, the floors were made of polished driftwood, and there were life preservers hanging from walls painted sea blue with seagulls flying in the distance.
"Er...um...Star," Mina said. "I'm no real estate agent, but this pirate decor kind of clashes with the whole space hotel theme!"
Star's lip wobbled and she dropped to her knees. "I'm sorry," she cried. "Now you know the truth. I may be a sci-fi actress named Star Skye, famed for Venus Warrior From Mars, and I really have that campy 1930s space warrior aesthetic down good, but I'm really more St'arrrr matey on the inside!"
Mina rubbed her chin and grinned. "Hey nothing wrong with being a closet pirate! I may dress in bright pink and wear heels, but I don't mind a good heavy metal concert now and again!"
"Really?" Star whimpered.
"Nah," Mina giggled. "But I'm giving you a good example of a contradiction. You're someone who loves the sea, but is type cast for the sky. But I digress. Thanks for welcoming me to be your pirate swabbie for the night!"
Star leapt to her feet and began sobbing like a little girl. "And you are the best, most genuine friend I've ever had, Mina! Everyone else is just pure showbiz and tells me what I want to hear!"
Mina flicked a finger at her friend. "Hey, if I wasn't your friend. I wouldn't have defended you in court!"
Star rubbed her tears away. "I thought you did that for a handsome paycheck!"
"That too!" Mina giggled. "But you're also a true friend and you've proven that tonight. And uh..."
Suddenly, a pirate shanty in chiptune form blared over Star's E-Phone. Star quickly picked it up. "Oh Ashley, sup? Oh you want to speak to Mina? Go 'head!"
Mina held Star's phone. Ashley's snide voice came over the phone. "Look alive, undergrad. Tomorrow I'm picking you up early."
"Why?" Mina asked.
"Because, we're gonna be visiting a licensed hypnotist!"
"Ummm...why...again?" Mina asked with curiosity in her eyes.
"Because!" Ashley said boldy. "We're gonna de- hypnotize Raven so he will finally return to his annoying self!"