"Star, STAR!" said Jinx, as loud as she could, which wasn't very as the breath was being squeezed out of her. "Need to breathe!"
"OH! I am sorry!" said Starfire, letting her go. "In my joy to find you I forgot my own strength."
"You sure did," replied Jinx, holding her head again, "And it made my headache worse."
"In order to make it up to you, I shall relieve your pain," said Starfire. She turned Jinx so her back was to her, then proceeded to press her open palms against the bad luck charm's back, neck, and head. Then she used her fingers to rub behind her ears, the back of her head, and the sides of her neck. Then she grabbed Jinx by the wrists, held both arms away from her body, and gave a sharp jerk. They all heard several cracks and pops. She let go, and stepped back.
Jinx stood unmoving for a moment, then shuddered. She turned towards them with a grin on her face. "The pain's gone!" she exclaimed, "All of it!"
Starfire smiled. "I am glad you are better. That was a very old technique used on the battlefield to relieve pain when there was little time."
"Star, what are you doing here? How did you find me? How did you get here?" asked Jinx.
"We shall discuss this later," Starfire replied, "Right now it is plain you are involved with a matter of law enforcement, and I would not interfere."
Kim pulled the Kimmunicator and called Wade. She explained the situation, and told him what she had in mind to get all of her creatures.
"I'll call Dr. Director, and let her know," said Wade, and took a drink of soda. "In the meantime, who is that?"
"Oh, that's Starfire, a friend of Jinx's," she replied.
"Really? From her universe?" asked Wade.
"Apparently," said Kim, looking at the orange girl and the gray girl, who looked back at her. They both nodded. "I think we can head home now, unless GJ doesn't want to finish up for some reason."
"Why don't we follow her?" asked Ron.
"As much feed as she stole, she must have many animals, probably more than just the four of us can handle. It needs a larger group," she replied.
"That makes sense," said Ron.
Wade did some typing. "Ride's on the way, be at the plant in ten minutes."
"Starfire, would you come with us, please?" asked Kim.
The strange girl nodded. "Of course. My mission was to find friend Jinx, and I shall not leave her now."
While they waited for the ride to arrive, Starfire went and retrieved a large backpack she had dropped when she rescued Kim and Ron.
The ride home, in a GJ VTOL jet, took about thirty minutes, most of which was spent in silence. Kim, Ron, Rufus and Jenny all wondering what the unexpected arrival of Starfire would mean. For her part, Starfire was wondering how she was going to break the news to Jinx.
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Dropped off in front of Kim's house, Ron excused himself. "I'm gonna go clean up and change. Don't start without me."
"Wouldn't dream of it," replied Kim, taking him in her arms and giving him a kiss.
Ron grinned, and eventually managed to let go. He disappeared towards his house.
Kim turned to find Starfire standing with a goofy expression. You could almost see the hearts in her eyes. Kim raised an eyebrow. "What's with you?"
Jenny rolled her eyes. "She's a hopeless romantic. Seeing people act like that sweeps her off her feet."
They headed for the Possible house, and Kim didn't notice Starfire floating a foot off the ground, following. By the time they got inside, Starfire had recovered and was walking.
Mrs. Possible came out of the kitchen. "Hi, kids!" she said, cheerfully, "Dinner's nearly ready." She stopped short, catching a look at the visitor. "Oh, who is this?"
"Mom, this is Starfire; she's from Jenny's universe," replied Kim.
"I see. I'll set a place for one more," she said.
"Ron's coming too," said Kim.
"His place is already set," replied her mother. "Your father's going to be late, and the twins are with the Smithsons."
Kim headed for her loft, and Starfire followed Jenny to her room. "Go ahead and clean up first, I'll wait," said Jenny.
"Thank you, friend Jinx," said Starfire, putting down her backpack. She rummaged inside and got out soap and shampoo.
"They have those here," commented Jenny.
"Yes, but these have no scent. People of my world do not wear the smell of flowers," was the reply. She headed off to the bathroom.
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It was a half-hour later when they all sat down to supper. Starfire was now wearing a pink t-shirt with Sayonara Pussycat on it, white shorts and sandals.
"Thank you for inviting me to share your food," said Starfire to Mrs. Possible.
"Certainly, dear, think nothing of it," was the reply.
After a minute of eating, Starfire looked at Kim's mom. "Do you have mustard?"
"Uh, of course," Mrs. Possible replied, wondering what she was going to use it on. The dishes were boiled cabbage and kielbasa, corn-on-the-cob, and mashed potatoes.
Receiving the bottle, Starfire proceeded to cover her corn with it, then ate it, cob and all, while everyone else at the table stared.
"Glorious!" Starfire exclaimed, "The middle part has a very subtle flavor that I like."
Jenny leaned to her. "Star, you weren't supposed to eat the middle, just the kernels on top." she whispered.
Starfire immediately turned red. "Oh, I am sorry! Did I commit a breach of manners?"
"No, it's okay," said Kim, looking at the strange girl, "I've just never seen anyone eat the cob before."
"Me either," added Ron.
"Perhaps you should try it with mustard," said Starfire, smiling, "It's quite good."
Rufus had finished the cheese put on a plate for him, and so wandered over towards the visitor. Seeing this, Starfire slowly reached a hand toward him as unthreateningly as possible.
Rufus sniffed her fingers, then backed away again. "Uh uh," he said.
Starfire's face crumpled like she was going to cry. "But I performed the shower-ritual, and I am clean," she said, but it made no difference. Rufus backed away another few steps.
"What's wrong now?" Ron asked.
Rufus looked at him. "Still smells different."
"I bet I know what it is," said Jenny, "Star's not from Earth, so his brain doesn't understand her scent."
"Wait," said Ron, eyes wide, "You're an ALIEN? A real, live alien? From outer space?"
"Why, yes," Starfire said, tilting her head at Ron, "Did you not realize?"
"No, I thought you just had an exotic tan," he said.
"I am from Tamaran," said Starfire, "It is similar to Earth in many ways."
Mrs. Possible was stunned as well. If this was true, it was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. The chance to examine an alien!
"Star, this Earth hasn't made contact with anyone from space yet," said Jenny.
"Oh! Should I have, 'kept my trap shut', I think the expression is?" she asked.
"No, you can trust them. They're my family now," answered Jenny.
"Then perhaps I should say that 'Starfire' is a translation of my name, Koriand'r, and that I am a Princess and heir to the Throne of Tamaran," said Starfire.
This was getting to be a bit much. An alien princess, sitting at her dining room table? Mrs. Possible shook her head.
"When we have finished the dining, I shall tell you of my mission," said Starfire, looking at Jenny.