| Today marked Topax_Firestar's SECOND year birthday. I loved
my yellow Lupe so much, that on this day, I spoilt him rotten with unnecessary
gifts. Me, Topax and my other three pets all sat around the dinner table that
night, eager for cake. Longtail (my baby Aisha) and Smallpuppy (my baby Lupe)
drooled with delight as I light the candles. We all started to sing at that very
moment to Topax, "Happy Birthday to you…" When the song was over, we all cheered
as Xerxes, my green Lupe, cut the cake and handed each of us a slice.
I was about to chomp on the chocolate frosting
covered cake when I noticed a small gray figure claw it's way up onto the table
right next to Topax. Topax petted his Meowclops petpet, making the kitten-like-petpet
purr softly. Topax then broke off a tiny piece of his birthday cake and fed
it to his companion, who was now chewing on the pastry happily. Topax spotted
me looking at him and Fuzzy, and knowing the rule of petpets at the table, frowned
and sat his petpet on the floor. He looked back at me, but I was smiling, signaling
that it was okay this once to let Fuzzy eat from the table. After all, it was
Topax's birthday, right?
Xerxes had offered to help me wash the dishes
after our meal, but I declined his offer and told him to go and join Topax,
Longtail, and Smallpuppy, who were playing happily together outside. I began
to wash the dishes and think about that one night when I found poor Fuzzy, lost
and starving. The scraggily little creature had miraculously found its way into
my home, and soon, into Topax's arms. I smiled, remembering the joy I had brought
my yellow Lupe one year ago. For some reason, he was fond of felines, unlike
me; especially when they claw up the furniture!
"Do you mind if I go out for an hour or so,
and go check the auctions to see if there are any good deals?" I called out
to my pets.
They shook their heads, signaling that it was
quite alright. We exchanged goodbye waves as I headed out the door. So, with
lots of Neopoints on hand, I headed down to the big auction house, hoping to
snag a good deal.
Inside were many stalls set up, some with hundreds
of different people and pets crowed around them, while others were left alone.
I walked by most of them, browsing at the items they had on display, some were
overpriced while others were items that nobody would ever want in their house.
"'Jetsam Movers'," I read aloud the title of
a book on display. I looked up at the owner; a cheerful and smiling young Poogle,
who waiting patiently for someone to come and place a bid on the item.
"How much do you want the first bid to be?"
I began to ask when I overheard the auctioneer start calling out high prices.
"How much do I hear for the furry little petpet?
103,000? Do I hear 104,000? YES! Anymore bids? 110,000?!?! Great! 110k going
once... Going twice... SOLD to the purple Cybunny with the red collar!" came
the auctioneer's voice from the stall next to me.
Dropping the book, I raced over to the next
stall, just as the crowds were leaving. The Scorchio noticed me standing right
in front of him and shook his head.
"I'm sorry but you cannot bid anymore on this
item; it's closed."
"What was that!?" I managed to get out between
gasps for air.
"Was what?"
"The item that just now sold for 110k! What
was it?!"
"Why don't you take a look for yourself?" The
auctioneer stepped aside to let me take a peek at the 110k worth item.
There, sat upon the white clothed table, was
a silvery cage. Inside lay a baby Meowclops, eyes wide and full of wonder. I
stepped up to it as my mouth dropped down to the floor. Just at that very minute,
the purple Cybunny with the red collar came striding up proudly and took the
cage into his paws, and striding away towards the exit.
"WAIT!" I called out, running after him.
He came to a sudden halt and turned to me, "Yes?"
he asked impatiently, as if he wanted to hurry home so he could show his family
the 'prize' he had brought back.
"Are Meowclops REALLY worth that much?"
He snorted and rolled his eyes. "Where have
you been?" He peered at me as if I was from another planet. "Don't you know
that Meowclops are RARE?"
Rare… I repeated the words again in my
head.
He swiftly turned again, this time power-walking
towards the exit, as if he didn't want to make contact with me again. I took
to me heels and headed towards home, leaving the Cybunny right behind me.
All my pets were playing a nice quiet, yet fun,
board game in the living room. The peacefulness was spontaneously interrupted
as I burst in, eager to tell the news I had found. I frantically turned my head
this way and that, trying to spot the furry Meowclops. "Aha!" I exclaimed when
I found the one eyed feline. I scooped him up and ran back to the living room,
where my pets were still blinking confused as to what had just happened.
"Couch…what's all this about?" Smallpuppy curiously
inquired.
I spun around excitedly, swinging Fuzzy and
almost making him dizzy. "TOPAX! Do you know how much Fuzzy is worth?!"
Topax smiled and took Fuzzy from my arms. "Yeah…
Priceless! He's the best petpet in all of Neopia!" He stroked the Meowclops
and once again, made that purring noise.
"No!!! You're wrong!! Meowclops sell for 100k!!"
Topax, Xerxes, and Smallpuppy all stopped what
they were doing and looked at me, not believing the surprising news.
Longtail raised her hand. "Um… What does 'k'
mean?"
"One-thousand," Smallpuppy clarified. "When
Couch says, '100k', it means, 100,000 NP."
"We're going to be rich!!" I exclaimed once
again.
"No!" Shot out Topax's stern toned voice.
I stopped twirling and looked at him, as if
he was mad. "What??"
"I don't want to sell him, Couch," came the
stern voice once again.
"But why not Topax?" I inquired, this time with
worry in my voice. "I can get you a new petpet."
"I love Fuzzy! I don't want another petpet,
even if Fuzzy is worth a lot of money!"
"But Topax! We could be rich!" I pleaded again.
"NO!" yelled Topax's voice, as he and Fuzzy
ran away to his bedroom.
I've never seen him this angry before… I thought
as I stood there irresolutely in the middle of the living room, my other three
pets' eyes fixed upon me.
"Couch…?" came Longtail's soft voice. "I think
I'm going to go to bed now... it is 8:30pm after all…"
Her statement was followed by murmurs of agreement
from Xerxes and Smallpuppy. And so, without even waiting for an answer from
me, they both ran off to their bedrooms.
I sat in the dining room, drinking a hot cup
of borovan, and watching the clock tick and tock. I thought and thought about
my Lupe's stand against my will.
I was only trying to do the best thing possible…
I pondered as I took another sip of my borovan. …Or WAS it the right thing?
I plucked up some courage and marched straight
down the hall to Topax's room. I lifted my left hand and began to gently, but
firmly, knock on the door.
"What?" came a defiant voice from the room.
"It's me Topax. May I come in?"
I long silence passed between the door and myself.
"Topax?"
"Okay, you can come in."
I opened up his door and walked carefully in.
Topax was armed with about half a dozen pillows, five purple blob potions, an
ancient Lupe wand, a Lupe battle claw and a seasonal battle duck. I looked at
him, wondering why he had set out all his weapons (and pillows), but then, I
saw his little Meowclops sitting on the bed next to him. Around Fuzzy's neck
hung a cardboard sign that read in big, red print, "COME AND GET HIM"
"Topax," I put my hands on my hips, "you're
being silly." I took a step forward as a pillow came hurtling towards my head.
Topax was incredibly strong and so that pillow he threw actually hurt.
"Stay away!" shouted Topax as he raised another
pillow as a warning sign.
"I come in peace!" I shouted back, and not taking
another step forward.
He lowered the pillow. "What are you… some kind
of alien?"
"No, but I do want to talk with you."
Topax relaxed a bit and answered me, "Okay…
but no tricks!"
I sat next to him. "Topax… don't you think you're
being a little bit silly? I'm only thinking about what would be best for our
family."
"Yeah, but did you think about what I wanted?"
There was a pause of silence.
"After all Couch, he is my petpet."
I sighed and got up. "It's late, Topax." I slowly
made my way to the door. "I think it would be best if you went to bed." I closed
the door quietly on my way out, still thinking about today. I was tired, so
I retired for the night.
Despite my late sleep, I woke up pretty early.
Well, earlier than all my other pets. I slipped on my Cybunny slippers and headed
downstairs towards the kitchen. This morning I would make Faerie pancakes. An
hour or so later Xerxes, Smallpuppy, and Longtail all woke up and were ready
to dine on the delicious fluffy Faerie food.
"Where is Topax?" Longtail asked politely before
eating her breakfast.
I sighed as I began to answer her question.
"He had a late night… he probably won't be awake for another hour or so."
Just at that very moment, Topax appeared with
Fuzzy following loyally. Topax looked as if he had gotten enough sleep, unlike
myself.
"'Morning Topax. Do you want a pancake?" Xerxes
asked.
Topax nodded and sat down at his usual spot,
hungry for food.
"So… Couch… are you going to sell Topax's petpet?"
Longtail asked through her munches of pancake.
I smiled. "Nah, I don't think so. Playing games
is just so much more fun than taking the easy way out of earning money."
Topax smiled and petted his petpet. Everyone
else smiled too, knowing that Topax was happy that is petpet was staying.
The End
| 
