"Forced to work until they break... and there's not much more I assume that comes next after that sort of thing?", Geppetto asked as the Blue Fairy reluctantly nodded. No words needed to be said; many poor boys would never get the chance to be restored and freed, it was too late for them. The only upside was that they were in a true paradise forever more.
Perla frowned, "Could we find those donkeys? I mean, Europe is a big place, and we could use the compass.". The Blue Fairy smiled sadly, "Such a wonderful idea, Perla, but I cannot make you nor your family rich to be able to buy them from those terrible places, and people could be suspicious. It's best to start small, and small things begin to grow.".
"And remember, Perla, just because we buy or free many of the donkeys and women, it wouldn't solve the problem as the Coachman will just continue his wicked transformations...", Lampwick reminded as the Blue Fairy nodded.
"Indeed... starting small would be finding the Coachman... but alas, dark magic protects him, and I can't find him truly at the moment.", she sighed softly.
Perla replied, "Not even the compass?", and the Blue Fairy shook her head, "Afraid not. The compass was for search and find, along with a few minor things like hiding the owners of the compass and making small places soundproof for secret conversations without being overheard by wrong people or other things of the sort.".
"But not find the Coachman.", Lampwick sighed as Perla nodded. Hopefully something would change, and they could help the fairy and the cursed boys. They still never felt right in the stomach with leaving them all behind. The attention went back to Perla as the Blue Fairy smiled once more.
"But... I'm sure we'll find a way to deal with all of it soon... in the meantime, we have the reason why I'm here... as I said before, Perla. Would you want to stay as this forever?", she asked. Perla smiled widely ear to ear, "Yes, please, Miss Blue Fairy!".
"Are you sure?", The Blue Fairy asked with a chuckle as she already knew as Lampwick snickered, "Does she have to say yes a hundred times? I don't think her answer is changing.".
Perla blushed, playfully glaring at her best friend, "Oh, shush, you!", and Geppetto and Jiminy laughed warmly. The Blue Fairy smiled warmly, "Well, then, hold still, Perla.", and Perla stood still, with a smile on her face as she closed her eyes.
The Blue Fairy waved her wand a few times before she gently placed it on Perla's shoulder and then leaned forward before pressing her lips on the young girl's forehead like a mother kissing her child before bed.
There came a bright white-blue flash, and Perla felt a warm tingle through her entire body, as the Blue Fairy whispered, "Perla, daughter of Geppetto, let thyself be real through and through, with a soul of pure innocence, a body of mortal humanity, and a mind of strong faith and imagination, and so let it mote be.".
There was an almost blinding shine of light as Perla became engulfed with it. It lasted for a few moments as Lampwick, Geppetto and Jiminy averted their eyes.
After the blinding light vanished, Perla is just the same as she was before, with a couple of differences like her black hair is a bit lusher, and her skin tone is a bit darker, looking to make Perla a true Italian woman, and of course, on the inside, her hormones is on full, in late puberty, and her mind is mentally older in a way.
Lampwick widened her eyes in awe, "Whoa, you're full-blooded Italian now, Perla!", with an amazed smile, inwardly a bit of curiosity to see how she looks without clothes, and Geppetto smiled, "My daughter...Are you alright?".
"I… I think so…", Perla admitted as she looked over herself. "I don't really feel that different.". The Blue Fairy smiled, "I just made you a bit more human than the curse would've made you; good thing that my good magic erased the dark magic this far from Pleasure Island. Do you love it?".
"Are you kidding me? Of course, I love it!", Perla happily replied, tears swelling as she twirled around in her dress, feeling more whole than ever before, finally feeling like herself without the remnants of dark magic over her, even with the good magic against the dark magic inside her. She's a real woman, a mortal human, having a soul inside her, like she always dreamed of.
"Glad to see you so happy, Slats.", Lampwick smiled as Perla stopped and rushed over to hug her right. "Hey, easy!", Lampwick cried as she chuckled from the bear hug she was getting.
Perla giggled, "Sorry, Lampy! I'm feeling like I could fly!", as Lampwick smiled, hugging her back, and both Geppetto and Jiminy smiled at the sight of the best friends hugging each other, and the Blue Fairy beamed proudly.
The best friends soon had to pull away, due to Lampwick who was inwardly freaking out yet jealously smug that she got a best friend in a beautiful young woman like Perla. The Blue Fairy looked at Lampwick, "Before you can answer, I have some news for you. Your mother has a copy of the compass, and she's on the way to reunite with you, which would still take some time as we are in the north while she's in the south. She knows what happened as I have visited her two nights ago upon one of her praying wishes.".
Lampwick widened her eyes, "You s-saw Mama? She was told everything...including my...new look?", her heart beating with longing joy to see her mama again yet hopeful fear to hear about her reaction.
The Blue Fairy nodded, "I had to… at least to put much of her worries at ease. She really feared that you were dead.".
Lampwick exhaled, giving a sob as she didn't mean to make her mama think the worst with her running away, and Perla squeezed her shoulder, "Hey, it's okay, your mother must be so relieved that you're alive, right, Miss Blue Fairy?".
"Very much so, she is still trying to process what I told her about you, but I promise you, that'll all be good when you two finally reunite.", The Blue Fairy told her as Lampwick nodded and smiled; though the fairy could see right through her that the young woman was still conflicted internally.
Lampwick whispered, "Can you wait? Until Mama gets here? I...I'm still undecided.", and the Blue Fairy smiled softly, "Of course. From what I believe with my copy of the compass, your mother will be here within five days, maybe less if she's very determined.".
"Heh, that's Mama, alright...She's scary when she's very determined. No one will get in her way...", Lampwick chuckled lightly. and the Blue Fairy smiles warmly, "Then expect me to be back in a few days once she's here by the time my star comes out.".
"Thank you, Miss Blue Fairy.", Perla thanked her, and the Blue Fairy gave a little chuckle, "You know, you and this family deserve to know my name, but do not say it in the vicinity of the Coachman if you see him. You may call me Miss Evangeline.", as she was given the name in a future vision, if she is right about a sweet gentleman named Ray being in love with her.
"Evangeline… what a beautiful name that is.", Geppetto smiled as the Blue Fairy gave a small blush. She then turned her attention to Lampwick once more before she held up her wand; to the others, she was silent for a moment, but for Lampwick, she could hear everything, "I know what you're thinking… regarding Perla… please know that I will help you with it if you so desire that path.".
Lampwick exhaled, thinking out loud, asking how, and the Blue Fairy kept up her wand still, "The compass you have right now, what I mean by hiding conversations, it also hides the owners from being found out, and I know your hormones are making you wonder how it's like to be with Perla in this form of yours before you are able to make your decision the night when your mother comes. And yes, the compass just doesn't make small rooms soundproof, it shields the window from any high housing, if you are to experiment with Perla those few days, so there's no fear of being found out as witches, claimed for execution and all.".
Lampwick's eyes widened, hearing that before she nodded, "Thank you… I… I still am thinking about that too, but Perla… forgive me for thinking this, but especially with what happened with Honest John and his perverted follower… I really just want to protect her, keep her safe… it's the least I can do for her in many ways since she saved both of us…".
The Blue Fairy gave a little nod, "It's alright, you have the next few days to think about being a boy again, or dare even a young man, but you're a human being, and humans aren't perfect. And it's understandable to want to keep her safe. Either way, you will be safe in the loft room from any suspecting eyes and such, alright?".
Lampwick smiled in understanding, and the Blue Fairy then let down her wand, "Pardon me, my friends, but I must get going. There are other meaningful wishes to be helped along, as my home's calling.".
"Evangeline… you have done so much for me and my family. I can never repay you for what you've given.", Geppetto said to her as she smiled.
"You're more than welcome, Geppetto; it always warms my heart to help those who are pure in their heart's desires. But… there is one more thing I need to do before I leave…", The Blue Fairy turned her attention to Jiminy.
Jiminy rubbed the back of his head, "No need, Miss Evangeline...I don't deserve a medallion pin...after what I've failed in being a conscience.", with a sigh.
The Blue Fairy smiled softly as she leaned down, "Sir Jiminy, you stuck around, even when hope was lost for Perla in Stromboli's wagon, even when you didn't know what the stagecoach brought Perla to, and even when you wanted to go home, you went back to warn Perla, and you assured them, guided them home, and you kept watching over Perla and her friend, and stayed with them in the rescue of Geppetto and the others. You truly are a friend and yes, there were times that Perla was tempted, but honestly, who wouldn't?".
Jiminy blushed upon hearing that. She was right in a few ways, but he still did seem like he failed in others. "You have truly proved that I was right in choosing you to assist Perla… and I would hope that you'll be willing to continue that role.", The Blue Fairy commented with a gentle smile.
Jiminy smiled softly, "I got a home and a family I haven't expected...I'm sticking around even if Perla and Lampwick can take care of themselves already.", as the girls told them what happened with Honest John and Gideon.
"And we'd be more than happy to have you around, Jiminy.", Perla smiled as Jiminy blushed again. The Blue Fairy gave a warm chuckle, smiling, "And I wouldn't say it any better, Sir Jiminy. You deserve it.", and her wand glowed for a moment before Jiminy's waistcoat got a medal in brilliant gold.
Jiminy widened his eyes in surprise, "Well, I'll be!", reading out loud, "Official Conscience.", with an awed smile. "Wear it proudly, Jiminy.", the Blue Fairy chuckled as Jiminy nodded. "And as for the rest of you… live your lives well; just remember that if you need help… I will always try my best for you all… one way or another.".
Perla smiled widely, "We'll do that, Miss Evangeline!", and Lampwick nodded in agreement, with Geppetto saying, "You're always welcome here, Miss Evangeline. We'll expect you once Lampwick's mother is here.".
The Blue Fairy nodded with a serene smile, and then left the home with a twirling spiral of blue sparkles. The family soon got into the celebration mood by dancing and playing music to celebrate Perla's official birthday.
A couple hours later, after trading good nights, Lampwick is looking at their compass on the loft bedside table, hardly believing that her mama has a copy of the magical compass and is on her way north to the village here.
"Lampy?", Perla spoke up and got her attention. "Is everything alright?", she asked. Lampwick blinked, and looked back at Perla who came in with wet hair, having just finished her bath, and now is drying her hair, in a bathing robe. Lampwick's heartbeat raced yet again, but she managed to focus on Perla's concern for her, "Yeah. I...I know Miss Evangeline told her everything, but I'm...I'm still scared...I...I'm leaning to want to know how women thinks and feels as when I was a boy, women were a mystery...yet I don't know if I want to go back to being a boy, or at least a young man, since having memories of learning stuff already got here in my mind without needing school...".
"There is more to it, isn't there?", Perla asked as Lampwick nodded, "Yeah, there is more… that's pretty obvious. It was easier for you to adjust because you only had life for a few days prior… but for me…".
Perla sat next to her, unknowing that her presence is driving her best friend almost crazy, and she doesn't know herself that her new hormones is stirring slowly as she asked softly, "It's memories of your past life, isn't it? Your mama tucking you in for bed, roughhousing and playing with other boys, doing chores a strong boy can do, learning to be independent by your pop before he died...Then there were the bad memories...of him, right?", referring to Lampwick's stepdad.
Lampwick nodded. "Yeah, really summed it up right there… certainly the whole being a boy for years is a major factor.", she sighed.
Perla exhaled, "Huh, it's funny...", and Lampwick replied, "Huh?", looking at her in confusion, and Perla elaborated, "We were physically 8, and now we're 16...8 years is merely short in an adult's life, yet they were seemingly long to you, wasn't it?".
"Yeah…", Lampwick rubbed her arm. "It really…", she groaned. "I'm still just so confused and worried about what is to come… for me and you.".
Perla nodded, "Well, whatever you decide by the time your mama gets here, I'll support you, Lampy, boy or young man or this current form right now, and I'll be always your best friend, okay?", her hand resting on her thigh.
Lampwick gave a grateful smile, "Thanks, Perla. You will always be my best friend too, and I'll see to make those few days before my decision, the best days, with you, playing in the grass, stitching things together, making meals, and doing woman chores...".
Perla smiled widely, hugging her, and Lampwick blushed red, her heart beating as she hesitated to hug her back, as Perla is definitely nude under the bathing robe, her damp strands of black hair still unbrushed for bed. She glanced at the compass, remembering the Blue Fairy's words, and she herself was both nervous yet hopeful that the magic would work if she's so terribly curious to take her nightdress off, to take Perla's bathrobe off, remembering that night in the pool billiard basement.
"Lampy, you okay? You're blushing red like a tomato...", Perla asked in concern yet confusion, and Lampwick exhaled, "Perla...I...I promise I'm not spelled under anything bad, but...do you remember how you felt when I touched you from behind, with compliments?".
Perla suddenly blushed as she remembered it. Lampwick could tell there. "Y-yes… you… the lust was starting to take over… you were becoming like the other boys…".
Lampwick whispered, "I promise I'm in control now and always, not that dark magical lust, Perla...I..if those few next days are the last days of being a woman...I will have an idea how to treat women right if I choose to be a boy or at least a young man...I...We're human, not perfect like how Miss Evangeline said, and I understand if you don't want this...This... right now, will be the only time I will ask, I won't ever push again...And besides, being best friends with you, even if I'd be a boy again, is the most important thing, and I don't want to hurt you...".
"Lampy… you're starting to worry me…", Perla said as Lampwick chuckled, "Relax, it's all okay, just, this is something that's a bit difficult to ask… for so many reasons.".
Perla tried to think of what her best friend meant by that before her older mental memories helped her, and she gasped softly, "But we will be caught! I, I don't want to humiliate Father if the village knew...", and Lampwick replied, "But we don't have to be caught...Miss Evangeline...she saw through me...She told me that our compass right now, as it's magical, it can hide us from view, from any suspecting eyes, to make us, including our surroundings, soundproof to anybody out there, and that we'd be safe.".