Friday: The Problem with Bandages

The blazing sun was rising in the horizon on this particular Friday morning, yet the temperature in this exotic land was still scorching hot. To say this place is not for the faint of heart would be an understatement, because rain seldom occurs, and the temperature can soar into the triple digits.

      Gusts of strong winds can travel as fast as 100 km/hour and grains of fine sand end up accumulating into piles of high billowing sand dunes, thus creating the famous Lost Desert world in Neopia.

      The residents of this land acknowledge the sizzling climate they live therefore their business hours are revolved around the blistering heat of the sun: shops are typically opened in the wee morning before the sun reaches its maximum temperature, closed around midday so as to avoid the blistering and unbearable heat, and then re-opened in the evening when the sun sets and the temperature lessens to a more comfortable degree.

      Since sand and dust storms are natural occurrences that fling grains of particles into varying directions, it makes it an extremely unpleasant experience for Neo-citizens as it causes headaches and respiratory problems. Amid the flying fragments of sand, a daring and sweaty Neo-citizen was scouting through the City of Sakhmet, searching for an unorthodox souvenir he can bring home to Neopia Central.

      The Neo-citizen acknowledged the searing and harsh Lost Desert environment therefore he was adorned in a large brown cape, a heavy and thick scarf wrapped around his mouth to prevent the inhalation of sand in his lungs, and clear goggles to ensure his vision won't be blurred by the sandstorm. He was walking northeast of the city, while discreetly munching on a Crackle Bug on a Stick from the exotic and unique Food Stall. As he was perusing through Lost Desert's infamous Osiri's Pottery shop, known for selling the finest pottery and Earthenware in the land, he heard an awful ruckus coming from afar.

      Intrigued by the clamouring commotion, he followed the sound until he stood in front of the Petpet Stall. Tilting his head to make it easier to eavesdrop, he could hear a bunch of petpets growling at each other and the shopkeeper shouting out obscenities through the entranceway.

      More curious than ever, the Neo-citizen entered the shop and was surprised to see the scene before him; a particular petpet was making a huge tantrum in the shop - he was rolling around the room, stomping on the floor, aggressively growling at other petpets within a two meter radius of him, and wailing his arms up in the air. The Neo-citizen concluded the petpet was the one responsible for the brouhaha he heard earlier.

      He glanced at the other Lost Desert-themed critters in the shop that were all huddled in the far right corner in the shop, and the Neo-citizen was fascinated by them; instead of seeing furry and fun-loving petpets crawling around, Lost Desert petpets have evolved to handle the heat and lack of water. For example, scales are a common feature he saw, like a Wadjet that was sleeping in a wicker basket, who thrives in the blazing heat and slithers around in the sand. An Apis was hiding underneath a wooden table, with a distinctive hump on its back that allows him to withstand water for a long period of time, and a Seti was curled up on the floor, with its remarkably slender and strong legs that are used for travelling long distances in the open desert.

      However, the petpet that the Neo-citizen was most intrigued by was the one who was making a scene in the shop and incoherently mumbling nonsense underneath his breath. In fact, just glancing at the red-eyed petpet put him at unease as his scowl on his face is more grumpy and angry than a Plumpy, and everyone knows how much of a foul mood they're always in!

      Apart from his petulant behaviour, the one feature that sets this little critter apart from the rest of the petpets in the shop is that he is wrapped in gray bandages from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.

      Curious at the petpet's odd feature, the Neo-citizen approached the shopkeeper of the Petpet Stall and asked, "What kind of petpet is that?"

      The shopkeeper, who was sweeping up the debris from the recent sandstorm, responded, "That little petpet is by far the most unbearable thing in Neopia. He constantly stomps around the shop, almost as if he owns the entire place, and all the other petpets in the shop just have to tolerate his daily tantrums. Heed my advice, do not bother purchasing that grouchy petpet... he'll make your life a living and unbearable nightmare!"

      Shocked at the shopkeeper's blatant disregard for the petpet, the Neo-citizen took a quick glance at him, and noticed that he was rolling around the floor, steamrolling and subsequently demolishing the little knickknacks in his way.

      Obviously irritated at the petpet's behaviour, the shopkeeper continued her rant, "We do not know why he acts this way either. We've tried to speak to him, hoping to get an explanation for his insufferable behaviour, but all that's reciprocated are indistinguishable sounds. Now, we just let him do whatever he wants and hope that we do not get in his way..."

      The Neo-citizen was abhorred at the shopkeeper's attitude towards the little critter; the petpet may be a bit rough around the corners, but surely there has to be an explanation, right? Deciding it was time for someone to reach out to him, the Neo-citizen cautiously approached the petpet who was currently making a ruckus by rolling on the floor. However, the petpet was so engrossed in his activity that he wasn't expecting the Neo-citizen's bold move and ended up hurling him into the floor. Obviously frightened by the petpet's aggressive behavior, the shopkeeper quickly helped the Neo-citizen to his feet and guided him away from the danger.

      As the shopkeeper veered the Neo-citizen to a safer spot in the shop, the little petpet began to shout at him. The Neo-citizen turned his head to face the howling petpet and noticed his eyes; it didn't show any malicious intent, but instead was shining with sorrow and plead – almost as if he was desperate to talk to him.

      The Neo-citizen attempted to reach out to the petpet once again, but the shopkeeper halted him by grabbing his shoulders and saying, "Don't bother with the petpet, he'll just end up screaming at you for no good reason. He is a lost cause and clearly not worthy of your time. Why don't you purchase a different petpet instead? Ettaphants are quite popular among Neopian Central residents... I mean, how often can you tell people you have a two-headed petpet? "

      The Neo-citizen released a heavy sigh and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I'll take an Ettaphant with me? He seems like a good companion to take him with me to Neopia Central..."

      Far across the shop, the petpet saw the shopkeeper and the Neo-citizen's silhouette fade into the back corner of the shop and began to wallow in sadness by sulking in the corner of the store. A moan escaped from his mouth as he teared up in frustration and screamed out in pain once more as he realized the dilemma he was in. The bandages that are wrapped around his body, and most importantly, around his mouth make it difficult for him to explain his extenuating circumstances. Earlier when the Neo-citizen approached him, he did not plan on throwing the Neo-citizen into the ground. Rather, he was rolling on the floor because there was sand underneath his bandages, and it was the only method he knew to get rid of the itch.

      He tried to apologize for hurting the Neo-citizen, but his apology was misconstrued as screaming by the ignorant shopkeeper.

      Turns out, if the Neo-citizen could decode the message, the poor Sutekh was simply trying to say, "The sand that whips across the Lost Desert makes it impossible for me to live comfortably. It's the reason why I'm constantly stomping around grumbling and moaning... because I cannot scratch the itch underneath my heavy and thick bandages!"

      Sutekh Trivia: Sutekhs are possibly the grumpiest Petpets around. They are always stomping around grumbling and moaning.

The End