She Who Treads Amongst the Stars

Chapter 5: Home

"Um, well, let's see...I think it makes sense if the kitchen goes here...and the library should go over there," Rosalina said, pointing at some of the observation stations on her map as Luma watched over-shoulder. "And the Gate should be closer to the northern pole."

After Rosalina committed herself to being Luma's mother, it naturally followed that they should do something to make this comet feel more like home. And what better way to do that than to construct domes that suited their way of life? This way, the stations could serve a dual purpose: generating projections of far-off stars and galaxies while providing places to eat, sleep, read, play, and relax. As wonderful as the view from the comet was, there were times when Rosalina wanted her vision to remain confined and small. To put it simply, she missed being home dreadfully and wanted more than the memories to sustain her.

Rosalina and Luma decided on the following themes for the domes: a hillside terrace, a murmuring fountain, a cozy library, a warm kitchen, a royal bedroom, a mechanical engine room, a tributary gate, a docking garage, and a serene garden. One by one, they went out to each point and set themselves to work constructing the respective dome.

At first, Rosalina thought about conjuring up the tools and supplies needed to build each dome. But then she remembered their fortune with the Star Bits. So, before the pair started their first project, she checked under the ice for any possible materials. And did her intuition pay off! Not only were there tools, but bricks and steel and stone and wood and even furniture of all types! It was unlike anything they had ever seen. The pair felt surprised, to say the least, but this discovery would become a huge aid for their massive project. And whatever they couldn't build from scratch, Rosalina could summon herself- mainly decorations or miscellaneous appliances.

Ever since then, Rosalina had been bustling about at a feverish pace. The girl and her star friend worked tirelessly, brick by brick, stone by stone, to build each individual dome and fill it with the necessary furniture or supplies. Sure, Rosalina could have used the magic to instantly erect the rooms, but where was the fun in that? They didn't have to adhere to any strict schedule: they had all the time in the galaxy. Besides, she liked using her energy towards something productive, and so did Luma.

"Hey, Luma! I know we should probably focus on building the place first, but I'm too excited thinking about designs and stuff!" Rosalina presently waved her wand and projected two different samples of wallpaper. "Do you think we should use the floral wallpaper for the Kitchen, or the plain one with orange bricks?"

"Mmmm... I like the plain one!"

"Well, of course you do...because I like the floral one."

"You don't have to pick that one just because I like it, Rosalina."

"Yeah, but if I don't, you'll never let me hear the end of it."

"Got a point there."

And so on. They deliberated on everything, from aesthetics to functionality pieces. Slowly but surely, the comet began to take shape, looking more and more like home. With each dome they finished, they marked the openings with a pair of star-lit lanterns and a jewel-encrusted arch. The spaceship itself didn't really change that much: the pair built the Garage around the ship and saw no need to change the interior at all. Rosalina considered fixing the dents and scorch damage from the long-ago crash landing but ultimately decided against it. It gave the ship more personality, and she wanted that reminder of how she got here.

Gradually, between expeditions to other galaxies (by now, more so for the sake of it than looking for Luma's mother), their comet-home finally saw completion. One day, the pair wandered around the comet to marvel at each dome and structure, beaming from the fruits of their efforts. Rosalina could hardly believe that the rounds felt so easy to walk now. After all this time, the fatigue from her first trip around the comet felt like a relic of the past.

"Don't you think it's awfully big for just the two of us?" Luma finally said, breaking the silence that had settled between them. Rosalina only fidgeted uncomfortably in response. They were in the Fountain currently, and she had been taking solace in the quiet burbling of the water.

"Well... I know it's certainly spacious. This whole comet is huge." Even as she spoke, an obvious nagging bit at her chest. Obviously, something was still missing among the vast pockets of empty space: the intimacy of family. While splashing the water with his arm, Luma looked up at her expectedly, sensing she had more to say.

"...If only Daddy and Mommy and my brother were here," Rosalina sighed wistfully. It seemed beyond her powers to bring them here, at least the few times she tried. But she really did wish to see them sometimes. Luma approached her side and gently nudged her on the shoulder.

"I understand you still miss them," Luma murmured in comfort. She slowly shook her head and crossed her arms, staring vacantly somewhere upon the dome's curved wall.

Indeed, even as they left the dome to retire for the night, they felt the comet was too still and silent for its sole two occupants. How could they fill the emptiness with companionship? Perhaps that could be their next big project.

Rosalina had a separate bedroom now, a purple one with a grand bed and canopy. But she wanted to sleep in the spaceship one more time, as a sort of ceremonial gesture. Having moved everything from the ship to their respective domes (the mini-fridge to the Kitchen, the net and telescope to the terrace, and so on), she settled down on her cot for what was probably the last time. She bundled herself tightly into the sheets, wishing the swaddling would satisfy her craving for a human touch. Clutching her favorite stuffed bunny close to her heart, the little girl slowly fell into a deep slumber- one just as empty as the comet she rode.