Chapter 10 The Decision
It was about 4:15 P.M. and Shimmeringstar was unpacking some boxes. He got his clothes unpacked and put them in the brown dressor which was in front of his bed. He also set up his bathroom and his kitchen. He only had a few boxes left to unpack but decided to leave those for later. He washed up in ten minutes combed his hair, put on some underarm deodorant as well as some old calone to hide any smells his nose may not of detected. He changed his clothes to some black pants, and a plain green sleeveless shirt. 'Okay, it looks like I'm ready. Time to get this show on the road' he said to himself feeling a little nervous. It was just then that he heard someone knocking on his door. He went to the mirror and gave himself one last look over before he answered the door. Sure enough, just as he expected, it was Wishbear.
"Hi," Waved Wishbear as she smiled. "Are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." Replied Shimmeringstar as he closed the door behind him. "Let's go." He said trying to sound confident as he walked along with her. Their were no words exchanged as they walked halfway down to the hall of hearts. Shimmeringstar not knowing what else to do asked Wishbear.
"So, how's Twinkers doing?"
"Oh, he's doing just fine," Replied Wish a little nervous herself. 'So, she's just as nervous as I am.' He thought to himself.
"So is he alone?" He inquired.
"Oh no, I dropped him off with Champ bear before I came here," Wish replied. "Those two get along so well." 'I wish he'd talk about something else. like how he likes it here in carelot.' Wish thought to herself. But to her disappointment, he became quiet again until they reached the hall of hearts.
As they entered the hall of heart's in the cafeteria area, they saw that they were the only ones their except for Grams bear who was getting the buffet line ready for this evening's rush. She was so busy that she didn't notice them. So they decided to seat themselves and thought it best not to bother her. They chose a place in the middle of the cafateria. It was a small circular brown table that looked like it was made only for two people. They both went and sat at the table right across from eachother.
"So Shimmeringstar, have you made any new friends?" Wish inquired.
"Oh yeah," He replied lighting up like a light bulb. But when he saw Wishbear eyeing him intently, he stopped because he didn't want to sound to overwhelming to her.
"So, what friends did you make along the way?" She inquired.
"I went with Aqua and Lonesomeheart bear to the forest of feelings." He replied coming to life again. "We went their to train. Also, Goodluck bear and Polite panda came with us and watched us train."
"That sounds exciting!" Replied Wishbear carefully.
"Oh, I haven't told you the half of it," He said excitedly. "Shortly after we finished our training session, Braveheart invited me and my friends over for a picnic. I got to meet all of the carebear cousins. That was fun. Especially when Lotsaheart kept overstuffing himself with Swiftheart's carrot cake." Shimmeringstar stopped himself not wanting to feel like he was being to talkative here. "So, how was your walk with Twinkers?"
"Great," She replied. "I take him for walks everyday."
"So, how did you meet Twinkers?" Wish lit up and began to tell him the entire story from a to z not missing any details inbetween about how she met Twinkers. Shimmeringstar listened intently the entire time. "I hope I'm not boring you."
"Not at all," Replied Shimmeringstar. "Now, you said Twinkers came from the Great Wishing Star?"
"Yes," Wish replied. "She's the source of all wishing power."
"So, are you the only who knows about the great star?" He inquired.
"Oh no. everyone in Carelot has met the great Wishing star." She Answered. "She's the one who gave us our tummy symbols!" She said as she proudly pointed to her symbol.
"So what else has she done for the carebear family?"
"She rescued Trueheart and Nobleheart and us when we were all cubs from Darkheart."
"Was she also the one who provided your home here in Carelot?" He inquired.
"Yes." She replied. "My my you sure do ask alot of questions about her. Would you like to meet her?"
"I'd love to." Replied Shimmeringstar. "When can I meet her?"
"Um, I could set it up tonite." She replied.
"That would be cool!" Shimmeringstar replied. "But right now I'm very hungry. It feels like my stomach is being cut in half by a saw." Wishbear laughed. "What? What's so funny?" He said curiously.
"Its just the way you said it," She replied. "You made it sound so overly dramatic."
"Well, its true," He replied. "I'm so hungry I could eat a elephant!"
"Hey?" Shimmeringstar turned and faced a scowling pink elephant with his arms folded across his chest.
"Sorry Lotsaheart," Replied Shimmeringstar. "I didn't mean that literally." Lotsaheart smiled.
"That's good to hear," He replied. "For a moment their I thought you were going to say that you wanted lamb as a side entree."
"I don't think Gentleheart would appreciate that!" Commented Wishbear.
"I don't know, lamb with sauteed mushrooms sounds good right about now."
"Shimmeringstar!" Wishbear yelled standing up placing her hands on her hips.
"Especially with some ketchup." Wishbear closed her mouth as she ran to the womens bathroom.
"Oops," Replied Shimmeringstar. "I think I just got her mad."
"Not mad," Replied Lotsheart. "You just grossed her out."
"Well, I hope she still wants to talk with me."
"She will," Replied L.H. confidently. "Just apologize to her and she'll come around. Hey, what are you doing with her here alone anyways?" Replied L.H. eyeing him suspiciously.
"Oh, nothing," He lied as he smiled nervously.
"Come on Shimmeringstar," Replied L.H. "I can tell when someone is telling me the truth and right now your lying right through your teeth!" Shimmeringstar took a deep breath and explained the whole situation. L.H. remained calm while the human looked as nervous as could be. "I think that was nice of her to ask you to dinner Shimmeringstar. That would explain her behavior the last two days."
"What do you mean?" He inquired.
"Oh, you'll see," Smiled L.H. "You'll see."
"Oh come on Lotsaheart. Please tell me." He begged.
"No way!" L.H. said defensively. "I'm not getting in trouble, and that's the truth!" After that he took off. 'I wonder what that was all about?' He thought to himself. Just then, Wishbear just came back from the bathroom.
"Don't ever talk like that again!" She yelled as she looked at the human with a scowling look. "I have never been so grossed out in my life!"
"Now Wishbear, I can explain."
"Don't you try and explain anything," Replied Wishbear. "Just promise me you won't ever talk like that again! Promise or I'll."
"Okay, I promise!" Gave in Shimmeringstar. Wishbear calmed down and sat back down in her chair.
"I know that you humans need to eat meat in order to survive. But please don't mention those kind of things around here for we find that very offensive!"
"Alright! I'm sorry!" He responded. "I was only joking around Wishbear. I'd never actually hunted before. I just eat what's at the local grocery store!" Wishbear smiled at him.
"Boy, you sure fall for anything don't you?" She smiled.
"What," Replied Shimmeringstar. "You mean you were just pulling this as an act the whole time?"
"Uh, huh!" She smiled. "And you fell for it!" Shimmeringstar jumped out of his chair and chased after Wishbear across the cafeteria. But Wish managed to get away with only a table standing between them. "Now calm down Shimmeringstar. It was just a joke." She said giggling.
"A joke which you'll never be able to tell once I get my hands on you!" He then jumped over the table and landed on his feet right in front of Wishbear. Wishbear turned to try to run but was too late. "Got you!" He said as he scooped her up with one arm and began tickling her with the other.
"HAHASTOP!" She laughed.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Shimmeringstar turned around to see a concerned Gramsbear.
"Nothing!" Replied Shimmeringstar.
"Oh really," Said Gramsbear as she looked at him with eye. "I'd say you two are playing around with one another!" Shimmeringstar quickly put Wishbear down upon her two teal feet.
"Oh, we were just having a little bit of fun." Shimmeringstar said trying to sound innocent.
"Oh I believe you," Said Gramsbear doubtful. "But I think Wishbear was having even more fun than you were. I could here her laughter all the way outside the hall of hearts when I was walking back here." Shimmeringstar and Wishbear looked at eachother flustered. "But that's okay. Hey since you two are here early, would you like to help me set up for our dinner rush tonite?"
"I'd love to." Responded Wishbear.
"I think I'll help out too," Replied Shimmeringstar. "Besides, I can't let Wishbear have all the fun." Wishbear smiled at Shimmeringstar as they helped Grams bear out with the food preparation.
Now it didn't take Shimmeringstar and Wishbear long to set everything up. Anything that was heavy, Shimmeringstar handled. While anything that involved any cleaning or food preparation, Wishbear and Gramsbear handled. By the time they were done, the carebears and cousins were now flooding into the cafeteria while Wishbear and Shimmeringstar got in line and helped themselves with a plate of food from the buffet table. When they were done gathering their food, they both sat down together at the same table. Shimmeringstar had chicken friedsteak with mashed potatoes with white turkey gravey. Wishbear had some fish salmon with a side of lemon, tomato, and lettuce along with a side of hot mushroom soup. Wishbear was about to take a bite out of her fish until she noticed Shimmeringstar bowing his head with his hands joined together.
"Shimmeringstar," Wish said. "What are you doing?"
"I'm praying. I'm giving thanks to God for the food I'm about to eat."
"Oh," Wishbear immediately put her fork down for she felt awkward eating while he was praying. When Shimmeringstar finished and raised his head a few seconds afterwards, he picked up his fork and began to eat. Wishbear did the same.
"Shimmeringstar?" She said softly.
"Yes?" He responded.
"Why do you pray?"
"I pray because I believe God provided everything for me. So I only think its proper that I pay him respect with thanksgiving from time to time." He replied.
"You mean the same God that you saw in your dream?" Replied Wishbear.
"Yes." He responded as he now was eating his mashed potatoes.
"Oh," She said still not understanding but left it at that as she decided to change the subject. "So, how did the picnic go in the forest of feelings?"
"It went great! You should have been their Wishbear." He replied. "It was so much fun!" Just then, they noticed two bodies that approached their table.
"Hey, how are you two doing?" Inquired the cream colored bear.
"Great, how are you two doing?" Answered Wishbear.
"Oh good, we've just been so busy lately." Replied Nobleheart horse. "We just got back from seeing the great wishing star."
"Really? Why did you have to go see the great Wishing Star?" Inquired Wishbear excitedly. "Has anything new happened?"
"Actually," Replied Nobleheart. "We went to go see the great Wishing Star on Shimmeringstar's behalf."
"On my behalf," Inquired Shimmeringstar still chewing on some food. "Why?"
"I think I know why," Replied Wishbear. "But why don't you explain Nobleheart."
"You see Shimmeringstar, the Great Wishingstar provided us with our home, and our tummy symbols," Explained Nobleheart. "He also gave us one other gift." He smiled proudly.
"Oh, and what gift would that be?" He replied.
"The gift of immortality." Replied the purple horse.
"No way," Replied Shimmeringstar in disbelief. "According to the bible that's impossible!"
"For man that is impossible," Replied Trueheart in a matter of fact type of voice. "But we talked to the great wishing star about this." Shimmeringstar looked more confused than a deer caught in a headlight. Trueheart sighed and tried to again. "You see Shimmeringstar, due to the fact that that you joined our family and everyone in our family is immortal, we talked to the great Wishing Star concerning if this great gift shouldn't be offered to you since you now are a member of our family." Shimmeringstar placed one of his hands over his head as he took a deep breath.
"So your telling me, that everyone here that belongs to your family is immortal?"
"Yes," Replied Trueheart. Shimmeringstar just stood their staring into space in disbelief. "Look Shimmeringstar, you told me that you didn't want us keeping any secrets from you. So please don't be upset with us."
"I'm not upset," He said honestly. "I'm just trying to figure out if what your telling me is even possible." Trueheart gently placed a paw on his shoulder.
"We are telling you the truth," Replied Trueheart gently. "You can ask any one of our members of our family. They all also had to make the decision to receive this gift when they all became of age."
"Does that mean Lonesomeheart and Aqua bear received this gift too?" Inquired Shimmeringstar. Trueheart and Nobleheart both nodded their heads. After a moment of finally coming to grips with the truth from what they were telling him, he looked up at Nobleheart and Trueheart. "I believe you are telling me the truth. So did the Great Wishing Star have to say?"
"She said that she'd be delighted to give that gift to you," Replied Trueheart excitedly with a smile.
"So, all that's left to do is for me to make a decision." Shimmeringstar said out loud as he took a deep breath.
"Oh Shimmeringstar, doesn't that sound exciting?" Asked Wishbear.
"I don't know." Said Shimmeringstar as he stopped eating. Wishbear looked at him with concern.
"Why not?" Inquired Wishbear. "You'll never grow old and you can be with us forever and ever!" She said excitedly.
"Wishbear, its not that simple."
"What do you mean?" Inquired Wishebear as she also stopped eating.
"You see, I was hoping to be with my parents some day," He explained. "By living forever, I would never die or go to be home with my parents nor with my Lord and Saviour. At least not until he comes back." Nobleheart, Trueheart, and Nobleheart now looked like the ones that had their heads caught in the headlight like a deer. Shimmeringstar seeing this... "Oh, don't worry about all of that I just said this. Like you two said, its my decision to make right?" With that, he stood up and walked away from the table and walked out of the cafeteria. All three of them, went out after him.
"Shimmeringstar, wait," Pleaded Wishbear as she caught up with Shimeringstar along with Trueheart and Nobleheart. "What's wrong?"
"This is just all so overwhelming." Said Shimmeringstar as he stopped and faced Wishbear. "I'm sorry for worrying you all. I just wasn't prepared for this."
"We understand." Replied Trueheart as she gently consoled him by placing her paw stroking it affectionately on his back. "When me and Nobleheart were first told about this, we felt overwhelmed also." She empathized.
"Oh really," Asked Shimmeringstar. "How long did it take for the two to make your decision?"
"It was difficult at first, but after about two days, we accepted the gift and everyone else in our family also followed suit and accepted the gift of immortality from the Great Wishing Star." Replied Trueheart proudly.
"I want to be with you guys. Honest to God I do," Pronounced Shimmeringstar. "But I don't know if I want to live forever."
"Whatever decision you make," Replied Nobleheart horse as he came over and gently placed his paw on his leg. "We stand with you all the way."
"Thanks Nobleheart," Replied the human. "I guess I should go back in and finish my meal." They all walked back in the hall of hearts.
It was now evening around 8 P.M., and Shimmeringstar was now with the rest of the carebear family at Wishbear's house. They were all having casual conversation as they all waited for the arrival of the Great Wishing Star.
"So what does this Great Wishing Star look like?" Inquired Shimmeringstar. "Does he look like Twinkers?" He said jokingly.
"Actually yeah," Responded Wishbear. "Only bigger!" Said Wishbear as she stretched her arms to give Shimmeringstar a clear picture.
"Oh," He said with interest.
"You'll like the Great Wishing Star Shimmeringstar," Replied Wishbear. "She's really nice."
"I look forward to meeting her." Said Shimmeringstar.
"Really," Inquired Nobleheart horse who stood by Trueheart and Tenderheart bear. "Have you come to a decision yet?"
"You'll see." Replied Shimmeringstar with a smile as he now looked up at the night sky.
"Shimmeringstar," Said Aqua bear. "What is your decision?"
"Like I said, you'll see." Smiled Shimmeringstar at Aqua bear. 'Don't make me probe your mind!' Thought Aqua bear from his head to the humans as Shimmeringstar turned and faced him.
'And don't tempt me tell Lonesomeheart about how you really feel about her.' He projected back to him through his mind as he smiled at him.
'You wouldn't dare?' He thought back.
'No I wouldn't,' Replied Shimmeringstar. 'I couldn't do that to my little brother!' He thought back to him as he winked at him.
"The Great Wishing Star has arrived!" Announced Braveheart lion as he pointed to the star that was descending upon them.
"Welcome Great Wishing Star!" Shouted Wishbear as she waved her paw in the air in greeting.
"Why hello Wishbear!" She said as Twinkers flew up to her and said hello in his star language. "Why hello to you to twinkers." She greeted. "You've grown so much since the last time I've seen you." She then turned and talked to Wishbear. "You've taken very good care of him." Said the Great Star approvingly.
"Well, I learned what happens when you do too much wishing." Commented Wishbear as she smiled nervously. The star nodded with a smile.
"So, where is the human that joined your family Nobleheart and Trueheart?" Inquired the Great Wishing Star.
"He's right here," Replied Trueheart pointing to him. "Great Wishing Star, meet Shimmeringstar!"
"Hello," Greeted the Star as she now turned her attention to Shimmeringstar. "Hello Shimmeingstar. I didn't know humans had such unique names." She complimented.
"Actually, Shimmeringstar is the name the carebear family gave me." He replied. "Really? What is your human name?" Replied the Great Wishing Star.
"Joaquin." Replied the human.
"Well, hakim sounds like a wonderful name." She complimented.
"Its pronounced Joaquin," Corrected Shimmeringstar gently.
"Oh, forgive me." Apologized the star. "So, have Trueheart and Nobleheart filled you in as to why I'm here?"
"They have." Shimmeringstar replied.
"So, are you ready to receive the gift?" She inquired.
"I don't know. I have a few questions."
"Well, ask." Replied the star patiently.
"Can you still die if you receive this gift?" Everyone murmered at this question. The Great Wishing Star smiled causing everyone to calm down.
"To answer your question, yes you can still die if you are harmed." Replied the Star.
"So is that the only limit of the gift of immortality?" Shimmeringstar inquired.
"Yes," The Star replied. "If you accept the gift now, you won't ever grow old, and you'll live together with the carebears forever."Smiled the Star. Shimmeringstar held his chin.
"Forgive me Great Wishing Star, but I don't think I can receive this gift." Everyone murmered against Shimmeringstar.
"How could you reject such a generous gift?" Replied Tenderheart bear. "You'd be the first human to receive such a gift!"
"How could he be so disrespectful!" Shouted Lonesomeheart bear.
"Quiet down everyone!" Said the Great Wishing Star gently but firmly. After that, everyone became quiet. "Although this comes as a shock to me, may I ask you why Shimmeringstar?" The human took a deep breath before he began to explain.
"Well, it defies my religion first off, secondly, I don't know if I want to live forever." He answered.
"Why don't you want to live forever?" Inquired the star with concern.
"You see, I lost my parents ten years ago because someone had intentionally set the forest on fire," The Star looked shocked as she continued to listen. "When I was seventeen years of age, I vowed revenge on the ones who did this to my parents and I became Noheart's apprentice soon after to get revenge! Then, as everyone here already knows, I blamed the carebears for that incident until I discovered the truth of what really happened."
"Which was?" Inquired the Star.
"That it was actually Noheart that had set the forest on fire and not the carebears. As a result," He continued to explain. "I left Noheart and the darkside and joined the carebear family. I am now training with Lonesomeheart and Aqua bear to become a caring guardian."
"Well Shimmeringstar, I am truly sorry for your loss," She bowed slightly in respect. Shimmeringstar nodded. "But I'm also glad that you no longer work for Noheart!"
"So am I!" He agreed wholeheartidly.
"But now that you are a member of the carebear family, I still don't understand why you don't want to live forever." Said the star looking puzzled.
"I know, its complicated." Acknowledged Shimmeringstar.
"Well, I see that you already have your mind made up." Said the Star sadly. "But if you ever change your mind, just talk to Wishbear. My offer still stands if you ever decide to change your mind."
"Thank you. I'll definantly let you know if I have a change of heart." Shimmeringstar promised.
"Very well, until then. I bid you fare well!" The Great Wishing Star ascended back into the sky with its heart and star buddies while the assembly of the carebears below dispersed as everyone went to their own home disappointed at Shimmeringstar's