[$] Wish upon a Star (Closed with Shadow)

[Zelici DragonSquire]

Cole squirmed and condensed in on himself. He was nervous now. Soon enough he was in a child form, but he was solid now. He actually felt like a human. He had condensed his little bit of energy enough that he had a human form. Even though he looked like he was a two maybe three year old child.

His big storm gray/blue eyes filled with tears. "I'm so weak! And there is so little of me left! How can I be a Star still?!" he said. Then he started crying. THe whole time he held Elzario's hand and very carefully and slowly drew a little energy.

**

JiStar hadn't anticipated any problems, like Liore leading the other young stars on a merry jaunt through the energy stream. He actually soon became very cross and it was half a day before he gathered them all up again and finally managed to get them to Elzario's house. But even though it had taken so much time in the Energy stream to get to the human star's home, in the human or earth world it had only take about ten to twenty minutes.

He returned himself and Alexandre to Human form, but the other stars zipped around the house in orb form. They were having fun and Elzario was too tired to voice his displeasure. He leaned against Alexandre a little, looking down. His eyes were half open. He needed rest and he had no idea how he was going to manage the return journey. "You alright?" he asked softly.  

[ShadowEternal]

Elzario was a bit surprised when Cole turned into a human child, then chuckled and pat his head. "Don't cry. I'm here. No matter what form you're in, I'll take care of you." He smiled a bit, hoping to cheer Cole up, then he slowly drifted back to sleep.

*

Alexandre sighed as JiStar ended up having to rear the other stars. Once they arrived at their destination, she looked up at Jistar as she supported him. "I'm fine. Though, I would think that question is more suited for you." She then handed him a small pouch. "For you. I made it last night before going to bed. I figured you'd need it to recover your energy." Then she looked around their surroundings. "Wait...isn't this...Rio's home?"  

[Zelici DragonSquire]

Cole blinked at Elzario when he was patted on the head. He rubbed at his eyes so he could see Elzario's smile better and smiled a little smile back. "Kay," he said softly. The....little boy then watched the man sleep for a bit as he gathered his nerve. Very slowly he crawled over closer to Elzario and cuddled up to him. Sighing peacefully, he closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep as well.

***

JiStar nodded his thanks and took the pouch. He held it close and just doing that helped him feel better. Once he was feeling able he stood by himself again. "Correct. Your test is here. Do you remember what your task is?" he asked. He looked down at her as he waited.  

[ShadowEternal]

Elzario instinctively moved his arm to protect Cole's smaller form with his own.

*

Alexandre nodded her head. "You said, I have to turn a star into a human." Then she blinked. "...It's Cole, isn't it?" She sighed, a bit relieved now that she understood the situation. "I see. So that's what it's all about. Alright then, I'll get right on it." She then lifted up her books. "I should use these for reference, correct?" She smiled and proceeded to locate the room Cole was in.  

[Zelici DragonSquire]

JiStar smiled slightly. "Correct," he said. He followed after her as she looked for where Cole was. "Correct again," he said. He couldn't really help her anymore. This was her test.

When they found Cole he was curled up with Elzario and sleeping soundly. He wasn't crying anymore and he was sucking on his thumb as he slept. He felt incredibly safe so close to his Wisher. So nice...........Warm..........  

[ShadowEternal]

Alexandre traced Cole's energy to Elzario's room. "...Well!" It makes sense though. A star with weak energy will want to be close to their Wisher. She went inside and found both Elzario and Cole asleep. She didn't know what to make of the protective hold Elzario had Cole in. She could also see that, despite being asleep, Elzario was sending out a steady amount of energy to Cole. If not for that, Cole would probably be in a more critical condition... Better get started then...

She opened one of her books and flipped to a specific page with a magic circle and runes. Then she opened the two books to supporting pages. "All right. Best do this while there asleep." She then took a deep, fortifying breath and started drawing the rune circle in the air. Outside that circle, she drew supporting runes and elemental runes. "Oh Eternal Star, from the deep reaches of the Abyss, I call upon thee. Lend me thy strength to rescue one child of thine." The supporting symbols then glowed. "As river flows so does the soul as does time, stopping for none. Change is with the wind, now blow once more. Take hold and change shape, born anew and anew reborn. A soul is saved as another finds salvation within..." She then grabbed the circle and touched it to Cole's body. The circle went inside his body and the runes light spread through him. "I thank thee, Eternal Star. Now rest once more within the reaches of Eternity."  

[Zelici DragonSquire]

Cole sighed softly when the circle entered his body and the runes spread through him. He relaxed completely and had a peaceful look on his face. And then he groaned and his face contorted with pain. He clutched his chest. Meanwhile his body had changed to Star form. He thrashed, still holding his chest, as he became smaller. He turned into an infant Star and then grew up to his original size.

His body then changed back to human form. He was no longer a child and looked just like he did when he first came down to Earth only he was naked. His clothes had disintegrated. The tattoo that covered his body writhed as he groaned and cried out in pain. He pressed himself against Elzario as his body shuddered. And as suddenly as his agony started it ended. His naked form went completely still.

Then his eye lashes fluttered and he took a gasping breath of air. His chest felt oddly heavy and something was....thumping? He blinked his eyes open and gasped. He tried to sit up, but the weight in his chest made him fall back again. He placed a hand over the thumping in his chest to feel it. "Wha?" he said.

He looked around the room and saw Alexandre. He stared at her before he realized he was naked in front of her. His face when cherry red. "A-A-Alexandre?!!" he said in shock and embarrussment. He flailed around before he grabbed a pillow and placed it over his privates.

Then a five year old boy walked into the room. He was crying. "N-Nii-chan!" Erik cried. Erik was only wearing an over sized T-shirt. He ran over to the bed and crawled onto it. Then he hugged Cole.

"Erik...Shhhhhhh..." he said as he hugged the boy back.

JiStar chuckled and clapped his hands. "Well done Alexandre. Well done. You pass," he said, smiling broadly.

An Elder Star appeared then and looked at Alexandre for a moment. He approached her and placed one of his hands on the side of her head. 'Congratulations little one. You have met the Elders' approval. Welcome, Star Whisperer Alexna,' he thought, giving her her Star name that marked her as mature among the Stars. A small tattoo of interlocking swirls and stars appeared on the back of her right shoulder and extended over to over her heart. 'Continue to grow well,' the Elder thought. Then he disappeared.

JiStar walked over to her and brushed his fingers lightly over the part of her new mark that he could see. "All grown up....I'm proud of you, Alexna. Very proud," he said softly. He hugged her tightly.  

[ShadowEternal]

Alexandre watched as the incantation took Cole slowly became human. When it was all done, she let out a breath of relief, since it seemed that Cole's soul seemed to have settled nicely. She looked at JiStar, a smile on her face. But before she could say anything, an Elder Star appeared and gave her her star name. Alexna, it was close to her original name, but it at nicely and made her immensely happy. "I look forward to learning more."

Once the Elder Star disappeared, she turned to JiStar once more. "Haha. I couldn't have done it without you, JiStar! And Rio, too! Oh, wait...Rio! We're in...his...room... Ah, um, now would be a good moment to leave..."

Elzario frowned, groggily from all the noise. Initially, he just assumed Cole was having night terrors, then he heard one too many voices and then power surging through the room. So he finally forced his eyes awake and saw various forms standing about in his room. What? He groaned and yawned a bit. "Hm...those voices...Cole? And...a kid? How in the hell?"

His sight cleared up and he spotted Alexandre, JiStar, Cole, a kid who looked like Erik and... Huh!? "What's going on here? Why is everyone in here? Eehh!? Why is this kid here!? Why does he look like... Wait, wait, wait...WHY IS COLE NAKED!?" His eyes were narrowed from overall lack of sleep and confusion.

Alexandre laughed nervously. "I'm not sure if I told you you, but...Rio really hates being woken up unnaturally." She sighed. "I better go brew everyone some tea."  

[Zelici DragonSquire]

Cole stared at Elzario. This was a new side he hadn't seen to the man. However he wondered why he felt happy that what shocked the man the most was the fact that he was naked. Then again he was cuddled up to Elzario.....

Erik however started crying louder. Elzario was scaring him. Cole rubbed Erik's back and looked at Alexandre. "I think that is a good idea. Chamomile(sp?) might be best considering....."he let the sentence trail off.

Then he looked back at Elzario and smiled. "I'm human," he said simply.


JiStar was unfazed by Elzario. "I'll help you," he said. He followed Alexandre to the kitchen.  

[ShadowEternal]

Elzario was still a bit confused as Alexandre left out, saying something he couldn't quite catch. "Wait, what? What did you say!?" He looked at Cole, realizing, once more, that Cole was naked...and was cuddling with him. Before he could say something though, he was made painfully aware of the crying kid. "Is that Erik? Why is he a kid!? A shrink ray or something? Wait, those don't even exist yet!" Then he fell silent as Cole told him something. "...Ehehehe. You just said you're human. Only a Star Whisperer could do that to you, and it certainly wasn't me so..." He then fell silent as everything started to click together. "...Alexandre is a full-fledged Star Whisperer now!?"

Alexandre soon entered after this and gave everyone some tea. The one she handed Erik was lukewarm and had honey in it. "I passed the test just now, Rio. "  

[Zelici DragonSquire]

Cole stayed quiet while Elzario puzzled out what had happened. He sat up and continued holding Erik. When given tea he smiled his thanks at Alexandre and held it carefully. His human body was strange to him. He had been in human form as a Star, but this was very different. And he found not having his connection to the other Stars somewhat unnerving. He took a sip to reassure Erik who had hesitated when Alexandre gave him his. Finally the little boy took the cup and blinked up at Alexandre uncertainly before he huddled close to Cole and took a sip. When he found that he liked it he continued sipping at it as he calmed down.

For some reason Cole felt embarrussed to be naked and so close to Elzario. His cheeks were scarlet, but he couldn't fathom why. "Thanks to Alexandre Erik and I are both human and seperate people. We're brothers and have parents. We actually exist," he said. He leaned back and covered his mouth as he yawned. He was really tired again, but for a different reason. He struggled not to fall asleep.

"Her test was to make Cole human. Since Cole made Erik they became brothers," JiStar said.  

[ShadowEternal]

Elzario stared into the cup he was given, silent after taking everything in. "Then she...passed her test. That's...good." He sipped from his cup. "Then I have nothing more to worry about. She is now a grown woman capable of taking care of herself. Now, all that's left is to make sure gets fer self a proper husband... Hm...I wonder how strictly I should screen him? Heh! As if I need to do such a thing."

Slowly, he looked at Cole, then narrowed his eyes a bit at Cole's naked form. "Cole...could you please put some clothes on?" It wasn't too hard for him to control his reactions, but his cheeks were still a slight red. Being naked on ceremony was normal, but waking up to a naked friend...that wasn't. "...Wait, Erik's your little brother now? So then...who are your parents? If you're with me, it's my responsibility to let them know you're here and that I'm taking care of you two. On top of that, we'll need to settle your medical records, birth certificate, schooling... Depending on how old you are, the option of sending you to university is there..." He finished his tea quickly enough and stood. "I can't be laying here like this when there's so much work to do! Ah...ohh..." He stumbled a bit and had to lean on the bedside table. A bit dizzy there.  

[Zelici DragonSquire]

In the kitchen JiStar watched Alexandre. Regardless of her Star name or her new powers, JiStar only saw his little girl who he loved. Now...how did one court a female that one liked? For once the ancient being was at loss. "Alexandre, how can I help?" he asked, already getting water. He had to remember the old traditons. They would help. Who was he supposed to ask for Alexandre's hand first? Did he ask her or ask for permision first from her family? So confusing.....

****

Cole frowned. He had made Elzario angry again. He looked down, not noticing the other's red face. "Sorry. S-Sure....Ah...where do I get some?" he asked. When Elzario fell over he scrambled up and over to him as fast as he could. He grabbed his arm and tried to help him back to bed. "You okay? I took a lot of energy from you..." he said. He frowned in concern.

Erik meanwhile had fallen asleep on the bed.

Cole bit his lip. "As for my parents.... They are competitors of yours..... The Shiki family," he said.  

[ShadowEternal]

Alexandre left the pot warm in case anyone wanted more tea. She was considering making breakfast since it was the right time...then she heard JiStar's question. "Oh...um...well... I don't know what Rio keeps in his cabinets. Could you help me do inventory so I can figure out what to make for breakfast? My brother surely is no cook. So I'm a bit relieved to learn that he has Cole now...it'll get him to start cooking again..."

****

Elzario was still getting over his dizzy spell, but he was grateful as Cole helped him set back on the bed. "Um...clothes...you...um..." He sighed, able to see straight again. "Don't worry about my energy. It's because it's morning and I had a rude awakening..." He sighed. "Right, clothes... Check those drawers across from me."

As Cole looked, he fell silent, dwelling on Cole's words. "Wait...the Shiki Family?" It took him a moment to remember. "Oh, them. They claim we're rivals, but it's all one-sided. I'm not interested in fighting them...only helping people with my medicine...and the village."  

[Zelici DragonSquire]

JiStar nodded. "Of course," he said. But he didn't move. Instead he looked at her. Kissing her would show her my affections correct? He nodded to himself. Then he went over and pulled Alexandre close to him. He kissed her gently.

***

Cole immedietly went over to the specified drawers. He dug around and pulled out pants, underwear, a shirt, and some socks. It was a bit big, but fit him well enough. "Are these your old clothes?" he asked as he dressed.

"I'm glad you are alright and don't mind my family. They are pretty much harmless," he said. He buttoned up the shirt. A little tweaking and he looked presentable. "How do I look?" he asked. He spun around slowly.