The characters and background of Xenosaga are property of Namco and Bandai, and are in no way my own.
Chapter XI
As expected, Ziggy and Momo left four days after talking to Shion. This meant a third house needed to be built, as well as the new Robot Academy. chaos suggested that everyone should help with the construction to help speed things along. In the meantime, he gave his room to Allen and Shion. The Professor, Scott, Jr. and he all slept in the main room of his house. He kept the door to Kosmos' room locked. They started building the Robot Academy first, so that they could move all of the Professor's equipment in, allowing the Elsa to return to the Dammerung. This happened within a month. Everyone said their good-byes, and Matthews said they'd all be back when they'd made enough money to retire.
Knowing that it would only be another three or four months before Ziggy and Momo arrived, Jr. approached chaos to ask a favor of him. "chaos, is there somewhere we can speak in private?"
"Of course," said chaos. "Why don't we take a stroll through the woods?" There was a group of ten teens working on building one of the houses, with Allen's help and Shion's supervision. The Professor and Scott were setting things up in the Robot Academy, including a communications center. As chaos and Jr. strolled leisurely through the woods, chaos asked "So, what's on your mind?"
"I've been thinking about not halting my cells anymore. You know, so that I can grow up. Well, physically. There are just a couple of things I'm not sure about."
"What are those?"
"Well to start, am I going to grow at a normal rate, or will I have some kind of growth spurt? And secondly, though maybe it should be first, where am I going to get some new clothes?"
chaos laughed. "We have some excellent tailors and seamstresses. Of course, it won't be the sort of things that you are used to exactly, but I would say that isn't a problem. As for your growth rate, I really can't say what would happen. But I may still be able to help."
"How?" Jr. stopped looking and looked at chaos.
"I still have some powers. I may be able to stimulate your growth. I just don't want to guarantee you anything."
"I guess that's going to have to do. I mean, what other choice do I have? I guess I should have thought about doing this years ago."
"The past is, unfortunately, something we cannot change."
"Isn't that the truth." Jr. looked down at the ground, thinking about his brothers.
"So, when should we start?"
"I was thinking as soon as possible."
"All right," said chaos, starting to walk again. "Why don't you go ahead and quit stopping your cells today. I think we should wait a week or two to see if you do have a natural growth spurt. If not, then we'll see what I can do. And if you do start shooting up like a beanstalk, then you'll have to borrow something from myself or Allen until we can have some new clothes made for you."
Jr. laughed slightly. "Man, that's two bad choices. Maybe I don't have any other choices." chaos smiled. "Thanks, chaos. I know that I can always talk to you."
"Don't mention it. Shall we head back then?"
"Yeah, I'm sure they could use some help. Or maybe Allen could use a break." chaos shook his head, smiling slightly as the two headed back down the path.
Within a week, Jr. did have a noticeable growth spurt or about two inches, but it really only made him look about fifteen instead of twelve. Shion tried to encourage him, telling him he would soon be taller than Allen, but Jr. wasn't convinced. After the second week when he hadn't shown any more growth, he and chaos took a walk again. chaos placed both his hands over Jr.'s head and closed his eyes, instructing Jr. to do the same. His hands began to glow, and a minute later when he opened his eyes and removed his hands, Jr. had grown another inch and appeared to have added some muscle.
"chaos, this is fantastic! Can you do it again?" Jr. was jumping up and down, he was so excited.
"Um, I think it would be better if you grew accustomed to this size first. We can try it again in another week."
"Aw, man. Hey, how old do I look now?"
"I don't know. Maybe seventeen?"
"Hmm. That's not going to do. Well, a few more times should be enough. I've gotta go see how I measure up to Allen!" Before chaos, could stop him, Jr. was running down the path. chaos rubbed his hand over his forehead, thinking it was probably more important that Jr. acted older, than looked older.
By the time chaos made it back to the construction site, Jr. was already talking excitedly to Shion and Allen. Apparently, Jr. was only three inches shorter than Allen. He said he hoped to be at least as tall as Allen, if not a little taller. Shion laughed at him. chaos decided to bypass this and check in on the construction team. Shion and Allen's house, which was closest to chaos', was almost finished being built.
Another month passed, with chaos assisting Jr. in his growth on a weekly basis. By the end of the month, Jr. was slightly taller than Allen, which made him very excited. Allen said it would take a lot of getting used to. Jr. had been borrowing some clothes from Allen, but now that he and chaos had decided he should stop growing, he went to see the seamstresses about making him some new clothing. He was actually surprised at what they came up with, though it did take some time. He had leather boots and blue pants that resembled denim, but were similar to linen or khaki in their material. He wore a white v-neck cotton t-shirt with a black jacket that matched his boots. He had designed the outfit himself and was quite proud of the way he looked, considering the circumstances. He kept his hair in mostly the same style.
Helping out with construction was having a good impact on him, too. First of all, it was helping him to build muscle mass, so that his upper torso was becoming quite toned. Also, he found himself naturally falling into a supervisory roll among the boys doing the construction. Being a successful leader was helping him to become more mature, which was not to say that he lost his playful side. But he was intent on giving Momo the impression that he was a man when she came, not a little boy. With Allen and Shion's house completed, they were now working on Ziggy, Momo, and Juli's house. Jr. wanted to make sure it was ready before they arrived. Besides, with Allen and Shion moved into their own place, there was more room at chaos', and he didn't seem to mind.
With Ziggy and Momo expected in two to three more months, Shion contacted their ship via the new communications center in the Robot Academy. She spoke to Momo about Momo beginning work on assembling the custom Realian. Momo had found almost everything that Shion had requested, and had customized the eyes herself when she couldn't find them. She was sure that everything would be ready for the Professor when they arrived. Shion told Momo that their house would be ready when they arrived as well, and that everyone was looking forward to seeing them soon.
After finishing her call, Shion decided that it was time to visit the seamstress who had done such a nice job making clothes for Jr. She wanted to commission a dress for Kosmos, something special, both flattering and beautiful. She had the perfect idea in mind. Giving Allen a kiss on the cheek as she headed out, she told him she'd be back later in the afternoon. As she traveled down the path, she hummed cheerily to herself.
