Star vs the Forces of Evil: The Ballad of Earth-Mewni

Episode 24: Is Yet Another Mystery

The first day of the big building project was mostly a success. Though there was still work to be done, the progress that had been made on that first day was incredibly encouraging. So encouraging, in fact, that Star was eager to get back out there on Day 2 of the build to pick up where they left off. And Day 3...and Day 4...

Unfortunately, by then, Star had completely exhausted herself. Her eager ambition to see the project to its completion & desire to play a large part of the build took a toll on her. Though her spirits remained quite high, her energy levels were depleted; this was also the case for her friends. It got to the point where the Butterfly family had to intervene for their healthy & safety, insisting they sit out Day 5 of the big build.

"Mooooom, you can't..." Star whined as she laid on her back, stretched across the floor. Her friends surrounded her in varied sitting and/or laying positions. Of the group, Star was the only one still in sleepwear. "We're so close to being done, we wanna see it throooough..." She was extremely wiped out, as evidenced by her slight word-slurring.

"You all have done immeasurable work the past few days." Moon said to the tired group. "You all should be proud."

"But you were never supposed to carry the bulk of the burden." Globgor implored on them. "We all have a duty to pitch in."

"It's no trouble, honest..." Marco said, rubbing his aching shoulder while his baby sitter, sitting next to him, looked on in a trance.

"My boy, you've lugged more than enough heavy crates to last a fortnight." River said sternly. "You lug any more and you'll hurt yourself, especially with your poor posture."

"My poor...what?"

"You gotta lift with your legs, Diaz." Jackie said; she was slumped over a chair. "Not your back."

"Since when are you an expert on heavy lifting?" He curiously asked his ex.

"My dad used to be a construction worker and I'd help him lug boxes everywhere."

Marco stayed silent for a moment; his eyes darted towards Jackie's legs - and a quick glance at her rear - then back to her eyes, and then he absent-mindedly said, "I guess that explains a lot, then" before quickly covering his mouth & blushing hard. And of course, being the tease that she was, Star pounced immediately on this.

"Explains a lot about what, Mr. Diaz?" She nudged his arm playfully & winked. He had to quickly stammer for a comeback.

"A-About how she's...she's so good with the skateboard. You know...c-cause of her legs. Her legs are...in good shape..." An incredibly poor cover for himself that sparked a chuckle from Jackie.

"Riiiiight." And of course Star couldn't help but get in another playful dig at him before turning back to her mother. "Mom are you sure you guys don't want us out there today?"

Moon approached her daughter and took a knee. "You all have done marvelously for us these past few days. And you, especially, Star. You've been a rock for us for such a long time."

"Moooom..." She never quite liked how long they intended to play the "Star's work on Mewni after Toffee's demise earned her a rest" card. But the more she resisted, the more they insisted. She hated accepting praise that she felt was undeserved. But she couldn't find it in her to be upset at her mother's tenderness. "Thank you. I love you." She said as she embraced her mother as tightly as she could. Moon tried to pull away & break off the hug after a brief moment, only to be pleasantly surprised when Star wouldn't move. Ever so slowly Star was embracing this new dynamic, warming Moon's heart.