Pinocchio stayed silent as Lampwick could tell that she was listening to everything she was saying and not wanting to interrupt with questions or anything. Lampwick sighed again as she continued, "He thought he would see to correct that... I don't know if you've learned that not all parents are good parents like I'm sure Geppetto is with you... but...". She closed her eyes.

Pinocchio replied, "Maybe your mama wouldn't be afraid...I mean, we gotta try, right?". Lampwick shook her head.

"No, Pinoky, it's not that simple... he... he hit me, hurt me a lot, always when she wasn't around, and I could never tell her. Like she would believe me; my word against his? He always told me she would never believe me, it would just sound like me acting out against him.", Lampwick said.

Pinocchio looked at her, "But you're not small anymore. You're still Lampwick...She'd believe you. I mean, she loves you, right?".

Lampwick glanced away, unsure of that answer ever since she abandoned her home, "Look, Pinoke, let's focus on getting you back home before we do anything else, alright?"

"Okay, Lampy...", Pinocchio nodded, somewhat reluctantly though as she got closer to her once more. "Heh... getting comfy, Slats?", Lampwick smiled.

Pinocchio replied, "It's a bit cold.", and Lampwick nodded, wrapping a arm around her, smiling before Jiminy returned, calling out, "Pinocchio, Lampwick, I got clothes on a hanging line! I asked the owner of the house, and thankfully, the owner is kind to say yes, though she's blind. So, there should be no trouble. Come on, let's get you two dressed warmly!".

"Alright.", Lampwick smiled as she chuckled as the girls moved to follow Jiminy. It was a short distance, but the group finally reached the small cottage, a fairly cozy looking place.

"We'll have to go through the home to get to her clothes first, so you two will have to meet her without anything on.", Jiminy told them as Pinocchio and Lampwick nodded, "You said she was blind, so not like she'd see, right?".

Jiminy smiled, "Yep. No trouble.", and Lampwick went to knock on the door. A soft, elderly feminine voice was heard, "Yes, I'm coming. Who is it?".

Jiminy called out, "Madame Lafleur, it's Jiminy. I have brought my charges. May they see to your clothes in the backyard on the hanger line?".

"Just a moment...", the woman's voice told them before it opened up. As the girls expected, it was a fairly elderly woman with long grey hair and plenty of wrinkles, though there still was a strange retention of youthfulness to her in some ways. And obviously despite looking at them, she clearly wasn't seeing anything, "I take it you have your girls with you, Mr. Cricket?".

Jiminy replied, "Yes, Madame Lafleur.", with a gesture of his head, and Lampwick replied, "My name's Juliet.". Pinocchio looked at her in surprise and Lampwick whispered quietly, "Juliet is the dame version of Romeo. Quickly, introduce yourself as Perla.".

"Perla?", Pinocchio whispered. "Thought of it on the spot there, just go with it.", Lampwick urgently whispered back. "Oh, um, and I'm Perla.", Pinocchio introduced herself.

Madame Lafleur smiled warmly, "Oh, such lovely voices. You two are kind to ask an old blind lady for clothing trouble...especially when you are having problems. Come along. My daughter's old clothes have been drying since this afternoon in the backyard. I was thinking of giving them to the dress shop but if you need clothes to fit for puberty, I do not blame you.", slowly yet clearly talking as the girls and Jiminy came in, relieved for the warmth of the fireplace.

"Ah... I'm not feeling as cold...", Pinocchio said. "That's the fireplace giving that warmth.", Lampwick whispered. "Don't think you have to worry about fire in the same way as before... but, still not a good idea to get burned by it.".

Pinocchio nodded as she rather is liking the sound of Perla after she said it. It feels like she belongs to the name, happy and just right... But she has a feeling that her best friend isn't too comfortable with being a young woman yet.

The trio followed Madame Lafleur, unknowing that she's actually the Blue Fairy in disguise...she has been watching ever since Jiminy prayed gratefully when Pinocchio was saved by Lampwick from drowning, and she masked the rowboat in an invisible bubble from the sight of the Coachman until they got far enough to be safe.

Her plans with Pinocchio certainly had taken quite a snag for a multitude of reasons as she was keeping her eye out for the young puppet. She knew Jiminy was trying his best with him, but perhaps she should hold a bit of blame in herself by her stipulations to the puppet and his life. Of course, she never really could've predicted Honest John's efforts in derailing plans, both with Stromboli and especially the Coachman. But now, the plan had changed; especially when she learned of Pinocchio's buried desires when he first saw himself in that dress in the window.

She's not mad nonetheless, and if being a young woman is what Pinocchio wants, she herself could make the curse into a permanent gift...Of course, she'd have to ask Lampwick still if she wants to go back to being a boy, or be there as Pinocchio's true best friend...she herself had heard his mother's prayers and pleas to have her beloved son come home safe, no conditions...The Blue Fairy is proud of the woman's fierce temperament when she confronted her second husband...Now perhaps she's homeless, having left the house she ever had since her first husband brought it, but she's determined to reunite with her only family even if it takes years.

Of course, the poor woman had nowhere to really start in a search; she was still in the southern part of the Italian lands, in the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily while Lampwick had made it all the way to the north of the Italian Peninsula. Still, the Blue Fairy would make sure to help, in her own special ways like she was now. The poor girls were naked and tired from the ordeal that had gone through.

"I'm not really sure if they'll fit you right...", Madame Lafleur told them. "But I'm sure it'll at least be enough for you two to make it back home to the village. You might also wish to spend the rest of the night here... Jiminy told me you girls really went through quite a lot.".

Lampwick smiled, "We really appreciate the kind gesture, Madame, and yes, we truly have gone through a lot. If we find my friend's father, we'll be okay, and we could always come here to visit...to help do chores or anything to help. It's the least we could do for your kindness, right, Perla?".

"Yeah.", Pinocchio nodded as the old woman smiled. "Oh, you two girls... you don't know how much it warms my heart that you two would be willing to offer an old blind woman a hand.", Madame Lafleur said. "Now, why don't you two go on back and get some of the clothes, try and see if you can fit in any?".

The girls thanked her, and Jiminy led the way to the backyard where a couple of clotheslines are holding a batch of clean and dry feminine clothes.

"Well, certainly some decent stuff for us to wear at least...", Lampwick admitted. She walked up to start grabbing a few, "By the way, Slats... I think we might need to take up her offer of staying for a few hours... I know you want to go back home but it's been late for a long time... dawn's still probably hours away.".

Pinocchio frowned, "Lampy, he must be so worried out of his mind! I really thought back there, we'd be on the ship back after the day was done...He...he didn't know about Pleasure Island...I didn't ask him...I lied to you, Lampy...if the Coachman lied to us, then Honest John lied to me, and he wasn't my friend...God, it's my fault!", sobbing as she collapsed into the grass, wrapping her knees in her arms.

"Hey, Pinoky, please, don't cry.", Lampwick dropped everything as she sat down on the grass to wrap her arms around her and try to comfort her. "It's not your fault and it's not my fault... it's the fault of Honest John and that Coachman. We were tricked.". She held her tighter, trying her best to get Pinocchio to stop.

Jiminy hopped closer to the duo, and replied, "Lampwick's right. You were just excited, and you were trying to be worth everything your father deserves, and no one should blame you for that. Heck, Stromboli tricked you too, but you know what? Your father hasn't tricked you not even once, and I won't ever trick you either, and Lampwick won't, right, my friend?".

Lampwick replied, "The cricket's right, Pinoky. We're best friends, and Jiminy's your conscience, and your father's family. So, you're not alone, Slats.".

Pinocchio sobbed for a few more moments before she finally started to calm back down. "Jiminy... Lampy... thank you...", she whispered as Lampwick smiled.

"What are friends for?", she chuckled. "Hey, uh, cricket, mind giving us some privacy for a moment?". Jiminy blushed as he turned away, "Oh, right, sorry, boys... I'll be inside with the Madame if you need me.".

Lampwick chuckled, "You know, he's not half bad for a conscience and a cricket.", and Pinocchio giggled, "I knew you two would get along...He called you his friend...".

"It's actually nice to have friends, Slats. Come on, let's get ourselves dressed up...At least Italy is more progressive...I heard that there were things that make a woman skinny up north in Europe...", Lampwick commented.

Pinocchio widened her eyes, "Really?", and Lampwick nodded, "Yeah, but I didn't exactly hear much detail, just that it's a big thing in rich people's places and such. And Pinoky, after this, we can go to your father...I guess you're right, he must be worried sick about you...We just can't be too loud, when we get there, okay?".

Pinocchio nodded as she suddenly yawned, "Well, that is if our bodies will let us...". Lampwick gave a nervous chuckle. Lampwick grabbed some clothes again as Pinocchio stood up and used the moment to slowly look at herself now that things had calmed down; she never really had much in terms of exploration while fleeing from Pleasure Island.

Pinocchio hadn't really noticed the Blue Fairy's special parts as she was rather modest, and so nice that Pinocchio only cared about asking questions and listening as best as she could, when she was a puppet boy...But yet Pinocchio realizes that she's possibly two inches shorter than the Blue Fairy, and an inch shorter than Lampwick in terms of height.

She slowly explored, narrowly missing the throw of clothes her way from Lampwick, and she surprisingly wanted to be nude longer as it's freeing in a way, but she knew if she wanted to reunite with her father, she has to get dressed...She figured out the knickers, stockings, and skirt, but she was still clueless about the bra..."Lampy...what is this?".

Lampy glanced over, blushing, "That's a garment for your breasts...It keeps them firm from bouncing...It's a brassiere, a split part of something called a corset which was the big thing for women to keep skinny, I remember now.".

Pinocchio gave her a look as Lampwick blushed. "Um... ask me how I know all that when we get back to Geppetto's... I think we both need some sleep...", she said as she was trying to finish getting her clothes on. "Wow... these things fit perfectly... how about you, Slats?".

Pinocchio is currently figuring out the bra as she partially succeeded on putting it on, "The rest is fitting perfectly, but I can't close this up...I'm trying to reach from behind, but my hair is in the way...".

Lampwick smiled, "Let me help you there...Your hair is sure long enough to reach your mid-back...", as she helped moved the hair over Pinocchio's shoulders, and went to clinch the little buttons into the little loops of the back, blushing.

She cleared her throat, stepping back, "How does that feel? Did I do okay?", and Pinocchio smiled, "You did good, Lampy. It feels great. Not too tight.", before grabbing her undershirt and then blouse, and Lampwick nodded, focusing on dressing herself with the last parts.

"Well... I must admit, Pinoky... we look pretty good for a pair of dames.", Lampwick chuckled as the girls finally got to take a good look at themselves in the window with the moonlight helping to cast a reflection. "Crazy these fit perfectly...".

Pinocchio twirled in her skirt, her eyes sparkling as she felt like that moment again in front of the dress shop, smiling widely, "I guess Madame Lafleur's daughter was a similar size. Oh, I look so pretty! And I love it!".

Lampwick looked at Pinocchio, seeing her smiling so widely and she realized that Pinocchio's smiles were dull yet genuine in comparison during the whole day on Pleasure Island, yet this...this...her smile rivals the stars, and so pure too...Lampwick whispered with a smile, "You know what? I think you really need to talk with the Blue Fairy...I ain't never seen you before like this, so happy and...free...".

"I know... I don't really know how or why I'm feeling this way... but it just feels so right!", Pinocchio said as Lampwick chuckled, "Okay, take it easy, before you fall over and hurt yourself... come on, let's get back inside... it's still a bit chilly out here.".

Pinocchio gasped, "Yes, yes, we got to get Jiminy, and thank Madame Lafleur, and run home! I don't care right now if I'm tired! I want to see home again!", as they headed back inside.

Jiminy was on a table near a rocking chair which Madame Lafleur is in, somehow craftily crocheting something with incredible experience, and Jiminy looked up with a smile as he saw the girls, "Ah, Juliet and Perla, you're looking much better!".

Madame Lafleur spoke warmly, "From the sounds of it, he approved of your clothes...I trust they fit alright? I'm afraid I didn't know if you are the same size as my daughter when she was your age.".

"Well, actually, they fit very well.", Lampwick told her. "Guess we just got very lucky when it came to sizes there.", with a chuckle.

"I'm glad... at least you two have something; and of course, you two can feel free to keep them, like I said before.", Madame Lafleur kindly nodded.

Pinocchio smiled warmly, "Thank you, Madame Lafleur. I don't want to be rude, but we gotta go to town...I can't wait any longer to see Father!".

Madame Lafleur smiled, "Ah, such a polite woman. You two and Mr. Cricket is always welcome to return anytime to visit, you hear?".

Jiminy replied, "Much obliged, Madame Lafleur.", tapping his umbrella as a gesture of appreciation before hopping over and up into Pinocchio's hat, "Shall we, Perla and Juliet?".

"Let's go.", Lampwick smiled as the trio left while Madame Lafleur watched on. "Think you two can stay awake long enough for us to make it?", Jiminy asked as Pinocchio nodded.

"Yep... and then after that, we'll sleep for a whole day!", Pinocchio chuckled. Lampwick grinned, "A whole day of sleep sounds really good to me, after some well-deserved meals, of course!", and Jiminy smiled as Pinocchio agreed happily, and they all but ran through the village, to Geppetto's workshop/home, apparently darkened, probably Geppetto sleeping from exhaustion in searching and worrying.

Pinocchio bit her lip hopefully as she rang the doorbell one time, knocking on the door, with Jiminy calling out, "Mr. Geppetto!", and nothing stirred from inside...

Lampwick replied, "Try again. I couldn't blame him for the late hour.", as Pinocchio tried again, with Jiminy calling out once more, and Lampwick checked the window, cleaning a circle for her to see through before widening her eyes.

She had been to Geppetto's workshop a few times, and she knew that there had been an entire section of wall automatic clocks and such, but now, there's nothing..."Fellas, I think he isn't home...".

"What?", Pinocchio asked as Lampwick bit her lip. Pinocchio obviously didn't want to hear what she thought, but there really wasn't any choice. "Pinoke... I think Geppetto is gone...", she told her as Jiminy leapt off and started going away. "Hey, Jiminy!".

"I'll get inside and let you two in!", Jiminy explained. Jiminy went under the door, thankfully that it's still the same old door he had sneaked into, on the very night his life changed, with becoming a conscience for a puppet boy, now a young woman, and he went to leap into the door latch, using his umbrella to push it open, and then to the doorknob latch, using his legs to wrench it open.

He hopped off, landing on the floor, calling out, "Door's open, boys!", and the girls opened the door, coming in, with Pinocchio calling out, "Father? Figaro? Cleo?".