"Papa, I...I don't want you to go...", Perla whispered with tears, and Geppetto gave a little smile, "If I was younger, I would give anything to stay, to see you discover true love with your significant other, to give you away at your wedding, see Carlo grow up into a respectable, caring man, but I can still do those things from up in the heavens, with your mother and brother, and for giving you away, well, I hope when the law is broken somehow, Juliet is able to give you away as there's no one else I would rather ask...yet if it's not broken yet, well, perhaps Evangeline would have an idea for Jiminy to give you away...", with a soft chuckle.
Perla held his hand on her cheek, "Y-you promise you'd be watching over us?", tears still falling, and Geppetto gave a genuine smile, "Nobody won't stop me from watching over you, my sweet daughter, and this wonderful, amazing family, you can bet on that.".
Perla gave a watery laugh, seeing that her father's humor hadn't failed him, and Geppetto whispered, "Could you tuck me in, like how I tucked you in, like old times?", with a fatherly, peaceful look.
Perla gave a sorrowful nod as she stood up and walked over to the bed as she slowly started to move the covers to help tuck him in. She sniffled as she looked into Geppetto's eyes, wanting to break down and just never stop crying.
Geppetto smiled gently, "Don't cry forever, Perla. Your son needs you as much as you need him and the others...I will always love you, my daughter...", kissing Perla's forehead. Perla whispered, "I will...I love you always, Papa...", kissing him on the forehead.
"Sweet dreams, Perla...", Geppetto whispered, and Perla stifled a sob, giving him a small smile, "Sweet dreams, Papa...", and Geppetto gave a small smile, his hand holding into Perla's hand as he breathed slowly and deeply, closing his eyes, almost whispering so lightly, "Cornelia, Emilio.", as he then took a last deep breath, and knew nothing but the beautiful beaming light green eyes of his wife and the lively smile of his son beckoning him home as his grip loosened free of Perla.
Perla started to break down and cry as Juliet came into the room and saw what had happened. "Is he...", she asked under her breath but knew the answer instantly without Perla even needing to respond.
Juliet went to touch Perla's shoulder and Perla immediately turned to bury herself into Juliet's arms, a heart-breaking cry filling the room as she broke down. Leila heard the loud cry, and she held Carlo as she looked in, with Figaro running into the room, his whiskers drooping as he smelled his master's fading scent, a fresh scent of death, and hopped into the bed, curling up near Perla's thigh.
"Granna, why Mama sad? Is Poppa sleeping? Wanna thank Poppa for toy.", Carlo asked innocently yet a bit confused and a bit worried to see his mama crying in his momma's arms, as Jiminy took off his hat in respect, bowing his head in grief as he saw the scene.
Leila really didn't know fully what to do at that moment. It was already hard for her the first time to explain death to Juliet when her first husband died and even then, she was a little bit older when that happened. But here... she took a deep breath and gently brushed the little boy's hair, "Yeah... he's just... just sleeping right now.".
Carlo pouted, "Is he gonna be better soon?", and Leila whispered, "You know the Evening Star story?".
"Huh-uh.", Carlo affirmed, and Leila gently kissed his forehead, "Poppa is better now, he's home with Miss Evangeline and the other stars.", and Carlo blinked innocently, "Poppa sleeping to be better?".
Leila sighed softly, "Yes, little one. He's playing with your other granny and uncle. He's happy, and your mama, she is sad to see him go. She will be playing with you soon, I promise.".
"Oh...I not want to make mama sad all the time...", Carlo frowned, and Leila was about to cry for his sweet words, ready to reassure him when she saw Perla approaching, reaching out to him, having heard Carlo's last comment, and Leila handed him over to her, and Perla looked at her with tearful eyes, whispering, "W-would you...", abruptly glancing back without looking.
Leila nodded, "I got it, go be with your son...", realizing that she'd have to get the village doctor, to get the funeral process started, with getting Juliet's help to keep Geppetto covered and all.
Perla saw the well-crafted toy train nearby, and Carlo smiled, "Poppa make it. I love it. Momma, did I make you sad?", seeing Perla's eyes swell up again.
"No... not at all...", Perla told him as she kissed his forehead. "Just... I'm crying because Poppa's gone away for the rest of our lives...", she sniffled.
Carlo replied, "Granna says Poppa happy in the stars, playing with Gramma and Uncle Emmy.", and Perla gave a small smile, "Yes, yes, he is...do you want to show me how you play with the train? And you know, Poppa said that he was really glad that you love it.".
"Really? He happy that I love it?", Carlo gave a wide smile, and Perla chuckled warmly, "He is.", gently picking up the toy train, "Let's play together, huh?", a watery smile, and Carlo nodded, "Yeah!".
Between playing with Carlo, making him exhausted for bedtime, and managing to make meals and barely managing to figure out how to sell invaluable items, it was no surprise that Perla went to sleep in grief within Juliet's arms for the next few days, with the village informed of one of their most respected toymakers' death, the funeral ceremony was set on a warm day, with some clouds.
As Perla was greeted by many people who knew Geppetto, she thanked them at the wake reception, with Carlo distracted by some other little ones, playing, she began to hear gossip around her. "I can't believe it. Getting sick while carrying that boy? Tsk, can't believe that the girl borne him out of wedlock. You think that Juliet was the sister of that boy who got that girl knocked up? Being Geppetto's daughter, you'd think she would be smarter than that. Any man wouldn't marry an impure woman, raising a boy alone, especially when we hadn't seen that Perla around for years...You think Geppetto fooled around, keeping Perla secret? He hadn't married since he lost his wife and son...He must be so disappointed that his daughter isn't properly married or even having a husband...You think the boy might be Perla's half-brother or something? I mean, Geppetto seemed to know Leila.".
Perla's blood boiled at all the gossip, feeling humiliated at the same time, realizing that this is what Leila experienced, and she took a deep breath, keeping in that anger inside, not wanting to make a scene for the sake of her son or Juliet, and faked her smiles at every person who spoke acknowledging words or small stories about Geppetto.
Later that night, after putting Carlo to sleep as he had a long day, Perla's heart broke as she saw her father's bed, beloved clocks and toys, and such before she remembered the gossip, and she stomped her way down to the kitchen where the others were having a little supper, announcing, "I can't take it anymore!...We need to go...Somewhere those damn people aren't!", with a sob as she collapsed into a chair.
Juliet, Leila and Jiminy stared at her when she had the outburst as she sighed. "I'm sorry... I just... today was terrible... with both burying Father and then of course, the rumors and whispers... I... I'm sorry, I snapped there.", she apologized.
Figaro mewed, rubbing against her legs softly, and Perla gave a small smile, petting Figaro gently, "Thanks, Figaro...", as Juliet shuffled over to rub her back, "That bad, huh?".
Perla sobbed softly, "Yes...I wanted to get Carlo out of there instantly...It's even worse than what you said, Leila.", looking at Leila who sighed deeply, "They even hadn't taken Geppetto seriously about the Coachman either...You really want to be out of this place, huh?", realizing that Perla is far braver and bolder than she was back then...
"Yeah...I know Carlo got friends sometimes, but considering his age, he could just...just move on and start thinking that it's an adventure...If they are going to gossip like this around the marketplace...I...I can't...I don't want to be rumored as a whore or something to ruin Papa's legacy around here...", Perla shakily said.
Jiminy frowned strongly, "I suppose we'd leave the village soon as we get money from selling the house...But three ladies such as yourself, with a young child in tow, well, that would gather attention from unsavory types...I wish I was human to give those people that I was your escort to wherever we're going...".
"You really sure you want to make that sort of wish, Jiminy?", Juliet asked. "I mean, we'll be alright as is... so long as we get traveling soon to some place...", Juliet bit her lip. "Actually, maybe this might be the right time for us to find that love of yours, Perla... perhaps that might help with some of our pressing issues.".
"Good point, Juliet.", Leila agreed. "After all, it'll probably be more difficult for us to get money during this time now that Geppetto has passed...".
Perla took a deep breath, "We can somehow sell everything in the house, after a cleansing, of course, and we could get a wagon with some mules with enough space for food and room to sleep on the road...I know Papa would want us to be covered with some money to keep us alive on the way north...And Jiminy, are you really wanting to be human?".
Jiminy sighed deeply, "I know you three ladies could take care of yourselves basically, but not very much...What if there could be a group of bandits or worse? We all have Carlo to think about. And even if I'm an official conscience, I...I don't want to leave you guys to help other kids find their conscience, if it's my job then...I want to see you safe and settled where I'd be relieved to see you all happy in...before I am then having to leave to do my job...".
"And of course, I'd always wish to go back to being a cricket, but honestly, a human life is far longer than a cricket, and if I can help kids without being helpless to do even a thing that I'm too small for, it's enough for me...", Jiminy finished.
"Jiminy...", Perla whispered as he smiled, "Trust me, Perla... this is something that I feel I can do... for the betterment of others...".
The ladies smiled at Jiminy, and then they all heard a familiar sound that usually comes around Carlo's birthday and Perla's birthday, and they looked over to see the Evening Star pulsing outwards with Evangeline appearing with a soft, sad smile.
"Come here, dear Perla, you need a hug.", Evangeline spoke warmly, and Perla went to hug her, tears in her eyes, "Evangeline...Sorry that Carlo is asleep. He usually is excited to see you, but...".
"He should keep sleeping... now's not the time really for smiles, I'm afraid. It's still a time for mourning.", Evangeline explained as Perla wrapped her arms around tightly around the fairy.
Evangeline rubbed her back softly as Perla sobbed quietly for a bit, with the others quietly respecting the moment between them until Perla became a bit better, whispering, "I...I know you witnessed life a lot since you knew that I was pregnant with Carlo, and death, due to the recent wars and all...Did Papa arrive safely and peacefully to heaven?".
Evangeline gave a small nod. "Yes... you'll be happy to know that he's alright... much happier and forever at peace now.", she assured her as Perla nodded and took a few breaths to calm down.
Perla whispered, "That's good...He deserved it...", with a small smile, and Evangeline kissed her on the forehead gently before looking at Jiminy, "You truly are a great soul of compassion and loyalty.", with a proud, warm smile.
Jiminy blushed lightly, "Thank you, milady...", and Evangeline chuckled softly as Perla let go of her, backing up to join Juliet by her side as Evangeline then replied, "Step forward, Sir Jiminy. If I am correct, you were born in the outskirts of Florence.".
Jiminy hopped forward, smiling, "Yes, I was raised by my mother, along with 17 siblings.", and the ladies and Figaro widened their eyes in amazement and surprise.
Figaro himself had two sisters and one brother, but golly, that's a heap of siblings. Jiminy chuckled, "My mother was intelligent, and I, along with five others took after her while the others were wild like our fathers...I think somebody dropped a potion or something in the cornfield where I was hatched.".
"A potion?", Juliet asked. "Is that why you're... well, um, you then?". It would actually make a bit of sense; talking crickets weren't exactly a common sight in Europe... or anywhere for that matter as far as she knew.
Jiminy shrugged, "I assume so, since I wasn't there, well, not physically there yet when it came. Mother was wild before something crashed into the ground, in the area she was in, and she somehow gained intelligence and bipedality and such, thinking like a human being, and a few days later, she laid my egg and the others' eggs. My mother named herself Teresa Cricket, and for my other intelligent siblings, three sisters and two brothers. I suppose they are traveling to other places like I once did.".
Leila was amazed, "Wow...", and Jiminy chuckled, "I know, it's another miracle in a way.", before taking a deep breath, smiling at Evangeline, "Now it's time to make another miracle. I'm ready, Miss Evangeline.", kneeling in respect.
Evangeline smiled warmly, "Sir Jiminy Cricket, son of Teresa Cricket, official conscience, 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.", as her wand rested gently upon Jiminy's head.
The others quickly averted their eyes; obviously expecting the blinding light that would come such as previous occasions before. And they were right; Jiminy was engulfed in a bright light as Evangeline's magic worked on him.
Very fortunate that Evangeline's good magic is harmless as it wasn't painful at all, and it lasted for maybe three minutes as Jiminy was small, and now as the light is vanishing away, he's much different yet similar.
He still wore his familiar clothes and accessories, yet now all in human size, and he has his warm brown eyes, but now he's a dark tanned Italian man, with well-groomed black hair, looking like he's in his early 30s, standing up to find that he's tall, 6 ft to be exact, only an inch taller than Evangeline.
"Well...?", Evangeline asked as Jiminy looked over himself. "You wouldn't happen to have a mirror, would you?", he gave a nervous chuckle as he just had to see how he looked.
Juliet replied, "There you go.", as she grabbed a mirror from one of the drawers, and Jiminy raised it up to his face, awed and stunned in amazement, "Golly...I'm human...".
"You sure are, Jiminy...Nobody would dare to give us any trouble if they think that you'd be my uncle, I bet.", Perla said, and Leila nodded, "That's for sure...Now we have to figure about Carlo's reaction in the morning.", with a soft hum of acknowledgement.
They nodded, realizing that either Carlo would be confused, or that he'd be excited to finally hug Jiminy when he sees him in the morning.
Evangeline replied, "Well, I must get going...Are you completely happy with this?", and Jiminy chuckled, "It'd be a bit of time to get used to the height change and living in human society, but I feel great, and I don't regret it at all.", with a smile.
"And it's all for a good cause.", Leila added. "To help all of us, especially when it comes to moving on.", with a nod. "Yes... we've... we've decided that we'll be leaving here soon... probably Italy itself too, if the compass is truly accurate.", Perla said.
Evangeline sadly smiled, "It's hard to leave a beloved place of memories in this house, but I see your point. I may be rarely upset, but how dare those people judge you, not knowing what you, all this family has been through.", with a disappointed sigh.
Perla smiled softly, glad to have the Blue Fairy's support and love, and Evangeline sighed, "All the same, I'll be watching over your journey.", and the family smiled gratefully to have a familiar friend to see them off, not forever, no, but it's not like they have any real importance to stay, not having friends like Geppetto once did...
With tidings and hugs, Evangeline headed back home to the Evening Star, and so, Jiminy was greeted by a excited and surprised Carlo in the morning, hugging for the first time, and strangely, Jiminy was all too happy to give Carlo a piggyback ride when he asks for it, getting used to his height and fitting in as best as he could while selling most of the household items in the marketplace or such for the next few days with the ladies.