"I believe we haven't introduced ourselves yet." The father steps in.
"I'm Eric Starstuhm. This is my wife, Donna Starstuhm..."
"I believe you would know our name, right? I mean, we're quite known around this town."
"I fear not." Carolina replies.
For it appears Carolina was busy, the parents' seeming grief overtook her by surprise. The mother was the one making the loudest voice, having to be the one so relieved by the news of Pearl's emergence. But it seems she was after another reason.
There was a lot of evidence to share about their findings on Pearl. However, the parents' concern lies only in the existence of their missing daughter. The woman they were looking for in this facility was someone named 'Christine.'
"Ms Carolina, please answer to me! I beg you!" The woman grasps her shoulders. Tears run down her face along with her eyeliners.
"Is it true? Does our daughter still lives? Please tell me!"
"C-calm down, Ms Starstuhm. I can assure you that your daughter is alive and well," She breathed heavily at the fearful thought on Donna's face.
"I...I can't believe it. Was it a dream? It can't be, right? I haven't heard that name many years out of my tongue since now..." The mother shares.
"Oh, Christine...how could you..."
"It's not that I don't believe you. But how do you know it was our daughter? What gives?" The father stares doubtfully.
"A lot. All of our sample on her all ties to you and your family..." Carolina replies.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Down on the mountain, tucked just a few feet below the ground, the couple sought their eyes for a trip through an elevator. Descending from the sunlight, the Institute was deeper than anything they could imagine. Whale oil powers up everything, turning the cogs into a functional platform.
The hallway is filled with modernity as if something past their times. Yet there are few things easily recognizable by the walls—such as the huge incinerator setting the underground ablaze. Fortunately, coals won't burn through their skin with the steel floors and walls.
A chamber stood before the eyes of the Starstuhm, guarded by two men with one glass window on the outside, blurring what was inside with a deafened and darkened blur. A group of men carefully envisioned every movement and activity by the side, assuring safety at its best.
"There it is. She's just one glass ahead before your eyes..." Carolina muttered.
"Isn't it miraculous to find out what's happening in there?"
"Big...but also...small..." The father said.
"I'm too doubtful for this." He said.
"Open the curtains. Now." Carolina commands.
What lies inside is still a mystery, but it is clear that Pearl was waiting inside. As the curtain covering the window opens, the family can only watch for what is unveiled on the other side. But they were shocked to find out what seemed to be a different turn of event.
"Pearl, I'm back! I hope you behave while I'm out for—" Carolina pauses.
The couple were just in time to witness Pearl and Starglaze's show on the other side. The wondering ballerina was standing with a star poking its edge on her face, releasing stardust as it made her sneeze with one. In retaliation, her hands gripped at the naughty Joyling by the edges—a glue she tries to pull from her face.
"Get off of me, Starglaze! You're ruining my hairstyle!" She yelled.
"Not until you say sorry for my hat! Sorry now!" Starglaze latches furiously.
"No, you deserve it. Take it like a real Joyling!"
What a comedy for the Starstuhm. The two had their eyes in confusion. They didn't even bat an eye on the family while they were fighting. The two were entertaining the family in a way they didn't expect.
What was once a mourning session now feels awkwardly a comedy instead. But there was no one to interrupt the ballet and her starling friend yet, as the show must go on by the spotlight. Unfortunately, the show won't go any longer.
"Is...is that..."
"Pearl! Starglaze! Quit fighting! You're embarrassing yourself!" Carolina banged on the window, ringing the alarm and also flickering the light.
"Especially you, Pearl. Your parents are here."
"Sorry, Ms Carolina! I'm afraid I'll be done when I'm—huh?"
Pearl pauses her act, with Starglaze nearly having the peak on his act. Just as they never expected, Carolina was standing on the other side with other humans she had never met, and she wasn't even prepared for them yet. Rage diminishes instantly into shame as their hats go off together.
"Yee!" Starglaze yells with a gradual faint.
She stands stiffly, having no words but an embarrassment for those humans. She yanked Starglaze from the glass panel before she cleaned herself from the stardust. It was a calm and mannered transition of her coming from a senseless fight. But as she finishes, she lets her true self take the spotlight.
"F-family! I mean—hey, looks like we've met again! I mean—hello?" She waves.
"Oh, I messed that up so much," She covers her face.
It was clearly not her best, but she wasn't judged for anything, nor did she have anything to be judged. As the mother sees it, Pearl is standing in the human dress as she was once in her mind. However, so many things are still wrong from Pearl than she remembered.
"Oh...oh my..." The mother pauses.
"Alright, wife. As you had practiced!" The father muttered.
"She has her voices...She REALLY has her voice! It's Christine's voice!!"
The mother fell to her knees, crying as she broke down emotionally.
The room turns awkward, unlike what Pearl had expected. The mother can't stop crying while her father consoles her, Yet the father's eyes are still locked towards the Joyling on the window. Even he couldn't move a thought out of his head than a doubt. It was a show for everyone, even the men in charge. But there's only a silence for that.
"Uhm...?" Pearl stares sharply around.
"Christine, is that...is that really you?" The father glances in disbelief.
"H-hi, are you my...father?" Pearl replies.
The father checks on his wife without a word.
Together, they saw the whole show of her parents made before their eyes—A mixture of happiness, sadness, and rage. There was a lot to fill from those humans with their never-ending chatter and whines.
"Wow, humans are...more fragile than I thought," Pearl mumbled.
"Maybe they're just accustomed to our show. You know how many of our fans going cuckoo for a backstage pass?" Starglaze dives up
"We never had a backstage pass. What are you talking about, sir?" She replies.
In that moment of the truth, the couple had never felt their eyes open. The magic in their eyes—if one truly exists in this dream-like moment. When has it been since they ever heard the name 'Christine' uttered along with 'alive' before? Maybe Pearl couldn't see it, but the family did find their own light.
"Can we see her directly? We want to see our daughter close!" The mother begs.
"Pearl, are you ready?" Carolina muttered.
"I...am..." She replies faintly.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Throughout those minutes, Pearl was surrounded by nothing but a tone of appraise, emotion, and cries across her comfort space. Both the family were sharing all their thoughts and loves for her, while she was passively idling to hear their mumble like the good daughter she is.
"Oh, Christine...Look how beautiful you are..." Donna holds her by the shoulders.
"I...I am...?" Her eyes glimmer. Humans sure have that compliment for her.
"You are! The most beautiful woman ever...I can always see that face of yours in the spotlight every day..."
"Have you eaten well? Have you taken care of yourself here, too? You've never been more beautiful than ever."
"I'm sorry for everything...*sobs* I'm sorry..."
"*Sobs* Even you're still the same Christine you were when you were young. You're always been her..."
"Oh, Christine—my beautiful girl..."
What a word—A tempting word. If Donna could be so caring and loving, then Pearl couldn't doubt having a mother like her. She was leaking tears from her eyes, smiling with her teeth slightly out and a soft tone like a caring mother.
Hearing those words awakens something in Pearl. Just this morning, she thought of a love so deep like this, and now she finds it lying before her face. Donna was offering her hands for her in the spotlight of her space.
"Y-yeah..." She uttered with a tearing smile.
"I am a beautiful girl...am I...?"
Her smile vanished just as she felt the ghastliness step in from the door. It was charming, playful, and comforting to hear such words from her mother. But deep down, it itched her skin. Her fingers were twitching behind Donna's back, while Pearl's eyes were attached only to the mother's beautiful long hair.
"I'm...adoring..." She closes her eyes.
"*Sobs* Augh...aughuu..." The mother continues her cries for happiness.
"Oh, Christine," The father muttered.
Then there was the father—subtle yet less for Pearl. His voice is as low as hers, and he watches Pearl enjoy every second she has with her wife so he can have less. It seems he didn't have much to think about than his doubt being vanquished when she sees Pearl.
"H-hey...you're my...you're my dad, r-right?"
"I...I hope you...uhm..."
With the mother stepping aside, he kneels with one knee and carefully places his hands on her shoulders. Pearl is confused, but the man looks at her with an eye seemingly filled with remorse. Like her mother, even David was pressed in another way.
"I'm glad you're alive, Christine," He said.
Pearl stood there, arms crossed at her waist and feet locked in the center. She was confused, but her father replied with nothing but a teary eye. No words, no replies, and no expression more saddening than that. And so he walked away, brushing off that concerned eye.
Meanwhile, Starglaze was jealous. They didn't even bat an eye for his well-tidied hat and bowtie. Pearl was another spotlight again, and she wasn't even happy about it. But what can he do to intervene in such a gratifying moment?
"Ugh! Look at me, too! I have my bow tight here!" Starglaze swings by to every family member.
"Hey! Hey!"
"Hello? Are you listening?"
"Hrgh...forget it..."
———————————————————————————————————————————
The reunion was perfect. Many tears and laughs for a grief soon buried beneath this Institute. The line for Pearl to leave is guided by a few men aside, but not for them to vacate as swiftly. For Carolina, one business needs to be handled with Starstuhm.
The one doctor awaits on the outside, assuring that she hasn't heard anything between the couple and Pearl inside. Seeing Pearl's bright smile is enough to prove the success of her reunion. But there's still one more business to handle for Starstuhm.
"I'm glad your family went along with you, Pearl. I hope you don't feel heavy being around these people..." Carolina checks on her.
"I am...!" She happily accepts the loving family.
"I'm not." Starglaze grunts.
"Good. I'm happy for all of you..."
"But before you leave, I have a request for you."
One thing left for the family to do is to complete a waiver between the two parties on the table. Document consists of everything they need to have before leaving. After all, Pearl remains a pure objective for the Institute.
"We highly recommend a 90-day surveillance with the subject during her release program," Carolina presents.
"It's an anticipation that the subject will strive without unintended emotional or physical shift. Especially since Pearl—Christine is not a human."
"Not to mention, news press are highly a threat for us. We're trying not to have them involved yet...if you understand why..."
"Quite an assurance. But only on the premise that you are responsible for everything that happens to our Christine," The mother signs the waiver.
"That's the sale on this contract. Just try not to put her in a terrible spotlight since that could compromise our deal..."
"I'm afraid that would be a difficult bargain." The father signs the waiver.
The motion of the table gradually shifted from cheering to tense. As the father's dismissive behaviour appeared, a crack in his mask slowly emerged in Pearl's eyes. There was a long pause between the doctor and the father as they seemed conflicted. But it was then that David showed what Starstuhm was.
"H-huh?" Pearl pauses.
"What do you mean?" Carolina replies.
"Well, we're Starstuhm. We are a family of actors. Our daughters are also born actors, too. We have a studio in Wiltham, and we're known there..."
"I fear the best words for us is..."
"Performers." The words were uttered in slow motion.
Fingers raced, eyes widened, and Pearl's body shivered but no fever. All her hopes dwindled in one word as the reveal of Starstuhm's identity was no more but ordinary. The family is also seeking a spotlight in a world filled with humans.
"Oh..." Carolina stares in panic.
"Are you sure? Christine didn't seem to enjoy public attention for—"
Pearl acted quickly.
At first, Carolina tries to control the situation. But Pearl shook her head furiously, warning the doctor that their promise still stands. Carolina is immediately shut for such words, but it doesn't end well for both of them in the face of Starstuhm's couple.
"—For a reason we had to keep this facility safe." Carolina covers.
"Oh, believe me. We've understood that right when we're here, but I am uncertain how long that would go for Christine," The father lectures.
The father continues talking about his story, revealing more and more about Starstuhm's little shows. Turns out Pearl wasn't the only one in the latest news every day, and the couple seemed to be eager to see her skill on the stage. All except one thing.
"Most of our family are always on the stage. Well, some of the oldest ones like Christine here..." Donna mumbled.
"*Gasp* No..." She mumbled down her tongue.
"We even have our own studio in Wiltham. It's still open and shining bright for everyone in the town to see!"
"No, no, no...!"
"And the best part is, we always have our daughters to sharpen whatever skills they wanted on the stage. Some has even made their names in our family..."
"I can't wait for Christine to make her own..."
"Augh...huhu..." Pearl whines faintly.
"But—me and Donna had already retired that studio and given it to our other family members..." David added himself to the conversation.
"We might as well as just on our golden age. And our children had to find their own stage someday..."
"We'd better life handling mirrors from out stage than to stretch some muscles after this."
Those last words immediately changed everything again—a twist after another twist. Pearl breathed a sigh of relief when she realised for the final act. Seems like she wouldn't be hovering in that spotlight any further, and she might enjoy being backstage in a home full of mirrors.
"Oh...phew...haha...that's okay!" Pearl relieves.
"I guess that won't be a problem for me! Haha!"
"It'll be for me! When do I get my place there?" Starglaze complained.
"W-who's that guy? And why's he here?" Donna pointed out.