SPOILERS!
Cassie-A shy Starling/Star Darling. Likes novels, especially mystery novels. Dresses in pink and white.
Piper-A good, relaxed Starling and Star Darling. Likes to write poems and dreams. Also meditation. In seafoam green.
Sage-Starling and Star Darling. Good at energy manipulation. Wishes to be the best wish-granter in all of Starland.
Vega-Star Darling and Starling.
Aerabelle-Friend of Vivica's. All in purple.
Violetta-Friend of Vivica's. Also in purple.
Ophelia-An orphaned Starling, former Star Darling.
Andreas-Cassie's Uncle.
Finn-Piper's older brother.
Shekinah-Grandmother of Piper. Has a name in this story.
Lyle-Grandfather of Piper. Has a name in this story.
Lumia-Piper's mother. Has a name in this story.
Bram-Piper's father. Has a name in this story.
Kian-Sage's grandfather. Has a name in this story.
Aria-Ophelia's mother. Has a name in this story.
Ryker-Ophelia's father. Has a name in this story.
Illumination Library-A library.
Holo-book Club.
Meditation Club.
Lunalite-Power Crystal. Cassie's.
Silverbella-Wish Blossom. Cassie's.
Gingerella-Power Crystal. Ophelia's.
Frecklelite-Wish Blossom. Ophelia's.
Cycle of Life-An ending of a Starlings' Life.
UPDATE-Wedsday July 24th 2024.
UPDATE-Wednesday August 28 2024.
UPDATE-Friday September 6th 2024.
Cassie, pink and white, loved to read books! She had just joined The Hollo-book Club and was planning on showing them her power crystal, star-shaped glasses. She called them her reading glasses amongst other Starlings.
She never wore then before except on missions. But since the newest Star Darlings wishes' were granted, she saw no reason why not to wear them more often.
She was about to walk into the club, when she something.
She had the wrong room! It was The Meditation Club!
She knew because Piper was there and no one else was.
Piper really liked to meditate!
Innerlight Meditation, a class had just ended. So, was Piper hoping to get extra work?
There was plush throw pillows in all different colors. Besides that was the floor, which was painted sky blue with fluffy clouds.
But the air was also filled with a strange scent. It was from three candle-like sticks, air rising from a small container.
"It's called incense," the seafoam green girl said with one eye open. "I imagine you're not here just to smell it, haven't you?"
"Uh-Uh. No! I wanted to find a quiet place to-"
"'-Read'?" Piper interrupted. "I may tell by that Holo-book you're carrying. Besides. No one else ever visits."
"Oh! Star apolo-"
"No need to apologize! You may stay here. Or, go to The Illumination Library. Both are good."
"I think I'll stay, if you let me," said Cassie.
"Just be quiet and don't bother me," said Piper.
Cassie sat on a cushion. The furniture went snuggly to her. It turned white.
Piper went to meditation again. She closed her eyes. She breathed in and out. In and out.
Cassie hummed a song while she read. A Sparkle Rock song that The Star Darlings' Band often played.
Piper opened up both eyes. "Excuse me?"
Cassie looked at her.
"Yes?"
"You're bothering me! Either be quiet or shoot your stars away!"
"Oh. okay." Cassie was about to leave, but Piper stopped her.
"What are you doing?"
"Huh?"
"I mean just now-I've never heard somebody give up so easily before!"
"Well, now you have!" Cassie ran from her.
But Piper stopped her with wish energy.
"I think I may help you!" Piper said.
"How?"
"Meditation, after all! It'll help you with your anxiety!"
"Um. Okay,"
"You may kneel into your cushion," said Piper to Cassie. "Now! Clear your mind. "Let it be empty,"
"But how?" asked Cassie.
"Shh! Try!"
So, Cassie tried. After a while, she succeeded!
"Notice your breath," said Piper. "Feel free to let your mind wander. Don't expect it. Just allow it."
Cassie knew what to think about.
"Now, open your eyes. Notice your surroundings! You're good!"
"I noticed my book," Cassie said.
Piper rolled her eyes. "What's that even about?"
"It's a copy of my uncle's! He's a mystery novelist!" Cassie said with glee.
"Really? I've never read a mystery before!" said Piper in surprise.
"Wanna borrow mine?" Cassie asked.
"No! I mean, it's okay. I'll buy my own copy. Besides, I prefer poetry! I write poetry all the time!"
"I would like to read yours, too!"
"That would be cosmic! But I'm not published,"
"That's okay!" Cassie exclaimed. "Do you want to visit New Prism? They have the best libraries!"
Piper thought for just a starmin.
"Sure! And I may rent poetry novels while we're there!" she said.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
New Prism was alive of activity.
The two girls walked all over Retrograde Road.
Then they arrived at a library, just as Cassie said they would. A huge crowd had gathered.
There was a man with a stand of books outside. Cassie was surprised!
"Uncle Andreas!" said Cassie to a white and pink-clad man. "I thought you were still in Starland City!"
"And I thought you were at The Academy!" Uncle said. "But I did say I was traveling, again, didn't I?"
"Oh. Well, sorry I didn't say something, either." Cassie said. "But I didn't expect you, to be sure."
Cassie lit up like a light. Literally!
"Oh! I should tell you-This is my friend, Piper! She's been helping me with my shyness. She wants a copy of your newest book!"
Andreas smiled. "Look at my book stand!" he gestured to his work. "Since Cassie is family, you may both have a copy! For free!"
The girls squealed, "Eeee!"
Cassie read, "'Detective Cassie and The Mystery of The Cosmic Cocomoons"!
"And guess who's the star!" Andreas said.
Cassie blushed. "Uncle writes me as a character in his books," she said to Piper.
"Now, that's something to be proud of!" Piper said.
"Indeed!" Andreas said.
Cassie's whole face turned red. Then she lit up again. "Uncle. Did you know Piper writes poetry?"
"Really?" asked Andreas. "Have any on your pos-?"
"Yes, actually." Piper said as she presented a manuscript.
"You have it with you?" asked Andreas.
"I was hoping-" but then Piper was interrupted for once.
Three girls walked by.
"That's Vivica and her friends, Violetta and Aerabelle!" Cassie whispered to her uncle. "They're the mean girls in school!"
Vivica, Violetta and Aerabelle stopped short.
"A mystery star novel, huh?" Vivica said. "How dumb!"
Andreas got angry. "Dumb, huh? Well, go read some other, books somewhere else, in that case!"
Aerabelle, all in purple, smirked. "I wouldn't read anything outside a Hollo-text book!"
"And we don't like those, either!" Violetta, also in purple, said.
Vivica turned and walked away, her friends close behind.
"Hold it!" Cassie called. "Why not like my uncle's books?"
The two girls turned around. "BECAUSE THEY'RE-WAIT! WHY AM I YELLING, STAR DIPPER?!" yelled Vivica.
"YES! WHY ARE YOU YELLING?!" Violetta yelled.
"WHY ARE you YELLING?!" Aerabelle yelled.
"Hey!" called from the crowd.
"Stop yelling!"
"Yeah!"
The girls left then and there, yelling all the way.
"That was rude!" Andreas said.
"That was me, by the way," Cassie admitted. "Volume changing. It'll wear off in a few hours."
Andreas nodded. "Anyhow Cassie, I should be getting home. I'll try the swift train home."
"Well, we'll head home, too," Cassie said for Piper. "And we'll try the swift train, too."
So, all three got on the train. Trees and plants whizzed past the windows yet again.
"So! Where are your parents?" asked Piper all at once.
Both niece and uncle looked at each other.
"They. They ended their Cycle of Lives not so long ago," Andreas said.
"I've been living with Uncle for years, now. When I'm not at school, though." said Cassie.
"Hmm. You should probably follow me home," Piper said.
"Why?" asked Cassie.
"My home isn't very far. You'll see,"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Piper and crew arrived at Gloom Flats, Piper's hometown of sparse farms.
Piper looked around the yard.
She approached what looked like a second house.
She just stood there.
"Hi, guys!" she said to the outside of the building.
"Um. What is sh-" Andreas said.
"Just saying, "Hello" to a few friends of mine!" Piper called. "They're all fine. I may see through objects, remember?"
Piper opened the door to the house.
Out popped lights!
There were lights everywhere! Were they wishes?
"They're spirit orbs!" Piper said.
"Maybe we should leave," Andreas whispered to Cassie.
"Hold on," Cassie whispered, herself as she walked over to her friend. "Piper! You're psy-?"
"Psychic? You just figured that out?" Piper frowned. "I already told you."
"I guess it would be sensible. You do have some powers the rest of The Star Darlings don't have." Cassie said. "Everybody has. Is a power of yours talking to ghosts?"
"Like an extra power? One is ghost-talk, by the way. Somewhat." said Piper.
"Is that why you invited us?" said Cassie.
"Yes. Do you want to leave? No one ever visits," Piper said.
"No, I love your house! And your Wish Orbs! But how is that possible?"
"They're not Wish Orbs! They're Spirit Orbs! Spirits are from near and far to get help turning into stars. Or, at least to tum into full-bodied-apparitions!"
"M-May I see my parents?" Cassie said with hope.
"Yes! But. You must tackle it the same as I. Okay?"
"OK!"
"Stellar! Now we're contacting your parents. Okay?"
"OKAY!"
"But! Before we do, I want something else, first,"
Piper was about to visit another room, Star-Zap on. But Cassie stopped her.
"What's the deal?"
Piper said, "Inviting more friends over! And while we wait, meet my family!"
Piper walked into the kitchen to call some people in private.
Then they walked into the living room, watching a professional Star Ball sport on TV.
"Cassie. Andreas? Here's my family!" said Piper.
There was an old lady, a teen boy and two full-bodied apparitions, one a woman, one a man.
"That's my granny, Shekinah my grandpa, Lyle, my brother, Finn, and my parents, Lumia, my mother, and Bram, my father," said Piper "My parents may turn from orbs to ghosts anytime they want. Same as the rest of the people who visit our home. They know they're safe."
"Nice to meetcha!" said Bram as he tried to shake Cassie's hand.
It fell through. "Whoopsl I keep forgetting that won't work anymore!"
Piper stepped in. "My parents have only been, "gone" for a little while, now."
Finn shook his head. "Whatever," his said with an eye roll. "Did you have to bring them here?"
Piper glared at him. "Yes! They're my friends! And I have three more here, soon!"
"Ooh, it's a so nice to have company!" Lumia said.
Shekinah frowned. "Are you sure you won't be frightened?"
"Cassie and her uncle aren't frightened," Piper said.
"Everyone else was!" Finn said.
"Who are the other two friends, though, Piper?" Cassie asked.
A knock was heard on the door.
"That must be them!"
Piper walked to the door and opened.
"Sage and Ophelia! So nice to see you both!"
Sage was dressed all in lavender with giant braids, and the orange-yellow girl, with pigtails, was Ophelia.
"Now. You have no idea why you're here, do you?" Shekinah asked the girls.
"You want to explain, Grandpa?" asked Piper.
"You want your friends to meet their families, right? Their dead family members?" Lyle said. "Well, now you may."
The girls' opened their mouths' wide.
"You mean I get that to see my parents?! asked Ophelia.
"And I get to see-Huh? Who should I see?" Sage wondered allowed.
"Anyone you used to know personally!" said Piper.
Shekinah threw her hands up. "Why are we allowing this to continue? We decided to not allow to let other people in a long time ago!"
"And no one wants to visit regardless!" Piper said. "They're too afraid!"
"I'm not afraid!" said Sage.
"WE'RE not afraid!" said Cassie, her shyness replaced with happiness.
"Yeah!" said the others.
Piper smiled. "Then lets get started!"
"What'ev," said Finn.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Soon, all three Starlings missing their family members had summoned them! They were all fully-bodied!
Sage saw her grandfather, Ophelia saw her parents and Cassie saw her parents.
Each Starling hugged their loved ones.
"I missed you sooo much!" said Sage.
"Me, too!" said Ophelia.
"Me, too!" said Vega.
"ME, TOO!" said Cassie.
They passed threw them and Piper and her family got her up.
Andreas stepped forward. "Piper. This is my sister, Aniya and her husband, Maison."
"And this is my grandpa! I haven't seen him since I was little!" said Sage. "His name is Kian".
"I didn't I have anyone, so I'm extra happy to see them, too! Aria is my mother! Ryker is my father!" Ophelia said. "Mom! Dad! I'm an orphan! I live in a orphanage."
"We know," said Aria.
"We've been watching you," said Ryker.
"Us, too!" said Kian.
"Yes!" said Aniya and Maison. "Us, too!"
"Everybody staying here?" Piper asked the spirits. "Just until your families leave?"
"Yes," said Sage's grandfather and Cassie's parents.
Then Ophelia's parents looked at each other before saying something.
'"Ophelia," her father began. 'We'd like you to stay."
"What do you mean?" Ophelia asked.
"You have no family or friends, Ophelia," said her mother. "If you live here, we'll be together."
Ophelia didn't have to think.
"I will!"
"We'll have to tell the orphanage about her," Andreas told Cassie.
"What"? asked Piper's grandmother. "And tell people about our haunted house?"
"They'll either be scared away or think we're crazy. The usual." said Piper.
"The police of people won't stop, though,"
"Maybe Lady Stella will help?" Cassie asked.
"I'll call her," said Piper as she got out her Star-Zap.
"Um. Piper?" asked Cassie.
"Yes?"
"I think I speak for everybody that we're glad to see our families and we hope to see them again,"
"Yes, I agree,"
Then it happened!
Magic poured from Cassie and Ophelia!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Soon, Lady Stella had told the orphanage that Ophelia was studying at Starling Academy. Sage and Cassie and Piper returned for real.
"You and Ophelia both had or gained things on this journey," said Lady Stella. "Lunalite and Silverbella for Cassie. Gingerella and Frecklelite for Ophelia. Queezle and Bluebubble for Vega. I'm proud of you, four. Goodbye for now, Ophelia! And I may expect more from most of you in the future!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cassie tried extra clubs one day. She approached Piper.
"I want-"
"You want to join The Meditation Club, right?" Piper asked.
"If you join The Holow-book Club!" Cassie said. "And thank you for helping me with my family, by the way."
"Once again, you're welcome to visit them whenever you want," Piper said. "Oh, and my uncle Star-Zaped me! He wants you to mail him another copy or two of your poetry books! You're getting published! If you want."
"Yes, I will!" said Piper.
So, Piper and Cassie grew closer as friends. And the clubs always had members from then on.