Before You Read
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Hey, guest. Before you read this, I'd just like to say that, yes, I know there are some quote marks missing. For some reason, Neo coding doesn't allow quote marks after the 'br' code. I hope this doesn't make things impossible to read XD


Story
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Red, are you done with those potions yet?!
The red Gelert grimaced when he heard the starry Kau shriek into the back room. His name was VhanRed and he worked for Kauvara. His job was to mix potions and bottle them according to her instructions. It was an alright job and could pay up to 20,000np a week. Red only wished he got paid.
He had been living in the pound for a long time, but, one day, he had seen the strange starry Kau speaking with the adoption Uni. They had exchanged some papers and Kauvara had made her way back to the cages of the pound. She asked if any of the pound pets were capable of handling ingredients and following strict directions. Red had been foolish enough to respond first. Back then, he had thought that the pound was the worst place to be. Dead wrong.
His pay was a small room to sleep in and meager meals of omelette.
RED!?! WHERE ARE THOSE POTIONS!?!" Kauvara bellowed from where she was dealing with some freaked-out looking customers.
Red stumbled as he made his way slowly to the front of the shop. He tightly held three magic vials in his jaws while trying to hold a fire jug with his strong tail. Despite the fire potion in the fire jug being contained by thick glass, it still burned painfully against Red's skin.
He just made it to the front of the shop and set down everything he was carrying with several, painfully sharp, clinks. The Gelert sat down on the ground, trying to relax after his balanced walk to the Kau behind the counter. Kauvara was counting the potions he had brought with an annoyed look on her face.
She paused, a single golden hoof under her chin, "Red, where are all of the other potions? I asked for three healing potion fives and six Starburst Bottles. I don't see them.
Red lay down on the dusty floor boards, putting his deep red paws over the goggles he always had perched on his forehead, "Maybe you went blind?" He suggested.
He was already in a bad mood when he woke up, then he worked hard to make the first batch of potions in the morning before taking the whole load out to Kauvara. Then all through the day, she had him running back and forth through the rooms to restock. The last thing he needed was for her to complain, especially so close to the end of the day.
The Kau slammed her hoof back to the ground, "Well, go and get them!" She demanded, her tasseled tail whipping the air behind her.
Red sighed and heaved himself to his paws slowly, giving the curious looking customers behind the counter an apologetic look. He hurried to the back room, black claws clicking against the finely polished floor softly. His mismatched eyes scanned the shelves until he saw what he needed. The red Gelert hopped onto a small wooden stool and stood back on his hindlegs, fidgeting around the shelves.
He grabbed two of the healing potions in his mouth and knocked one on the shelf back with a forepaw, catching it in his tail. Red would have to make three trips. He sped back to the counter, setting down his load before going back to the shelves. He stocked up on three Starburst bottles and began making his way out again.
And that's when things went wrong. Red couldn't see where his paws were going because of the Starburst bottles in his mouth and he couldn't balance himself because of the potion in his tail. So, when he tripped over a Morphing Potion that was laying on the floor, there was nothing he could do to stop from falling.
Kauvara spun around when she heard the heartwrenching sound of shattering glass. Her eyes shot to the spot on the floor where a lump of red fur lay. She ground her flat Kau teeth together furiously and stomped over to Red. The Gelert was just getting to his paws shakily. His eyes widened when he saw the mess around him and the angry Kau facing him.
It was an accident..." He murmured, taking a few steps back and shaking his fur free of potions.
The customers that had been waiting at the counter were leaving the shop, whispering to each other quietly and casting glances back at Red and Kauvara.
Kauvara scraped at the floor with one of her hooves, looking much like she was going to charge at Red. "Clean this up and then turn in for the night. You're finished for today. One more mistake, Red, and you're fired," she hissed between her clenched teeth.
Red's eyes narrowed, but he bit back the remarks that had almost freed themselves from his jaws, "Alright.
The red furred Gelert sighed and went to go and retrieve a towel to wipe the floor with.

*****

Red yawned and curled up on a small collection of blankets that resided on the floor of the back room. His long ears twitched irritably. It didn't matter to him if he got fired or not anymore. He would be happier living a life where he wasn't constantly getting yelled at for the smallest thing.
He had decided that he would quit, but that wouldn't be satisfying. He had been under appreciated by that annoying Kau for far too long for quitting to be enough. A small smirk played at Red's lips. No matter how much Kauvara had mistreated him, he had always remained loyal and done his job to the best of his ability. Well, not anymore.
Red got back to his paws and looked around the shelves. He knew the Magic Shop's stock by memory and there was a particular potion he needed. The Gelert jumped onto the stool by the shelves and rummaged around the potion bottles, trying to make as little noise as possible so as to not wake Kauvara. The potion he was looking for was one used for Battledome potions. It was a kind of poison. It made the drinker's HP automatically go down to zero and left them with some sort of illness.
His eyes brightened when he saw the potions he was looking for at the very top of the shelf. The potion was a toxic green color contained in a thick glass bottle with a black skull painted on the front as a warning. Red titled his head sideways to he could grab two of them in his mouth. He hopped off the stool and set them down before going up and getting two more. Four was probably all he needed for his plan because the potion was so strong.
If he worked fast through the night, he could get what he needed done for tomorrow. The Gelert began taking normal potions from the shelves and putting a few drops of the green potion into them. There was nothing Kauvara could do to stop him even if she did find out. By afternoon tomorrow, there would be an epidemic going around and each pet would say the same thing. They had fallen ill after drinking a potion from Kauvara.
Perfect.

*****

RED!?! WHERE ARE THOSE POTIONS!?!" Kauvara yelled from where she was behind the front counter. It was a busy day and it was still only morning. Red sprinted over to her, setting a few morphing potions on the counter. His gaze momentarily flickered to his unsuspecting victims behind the counter. They would have no idea what had hit them in a few minutes.
It was that small satisfaction that kept Red working without complaints for most of the morning. It was just around noon when Red noticed a large group of pets and owners outside of the Magic Shop. Most of the owners were carrying cures from the Pharmacy and the pets that were there didn't look all that well. All of the owners were exchanging whispers, looking at the Magic Shop warily. Only a few moments later, the group came swarming into the Magic Shop.
What did you do to the potions?!" "What's wrong with my pet??!!" "Did anyone put you up to this?!?!" "Why have you done this to us?!" "I've been a loyal customer here for years and this has never happened before!!" The small shop was filled with angry, yelling Neopians. And all of them were yelling at Kauvara because none of them knew that it was he who made the potions.
Kauvara looked frantic. She was as clueless as the angry customers. She held up to of her golden hooves and the shop fell silent, "What exactly is going on?" She asked.
Oh, like you don't know," a furious looking blue Lupe muttered between bubble filled hiccups. The Lupe's owner nudged it though and looked back to Kauvara, "After drinking a potion we purchased from you earlier today, Nianthal fell ill and weak," the worried Neopian explained.
Kauvara nodded, "Alright. Did only potions from today do this to your pets?" She asked loudly so everyone could hear her. There was a wave of nods.
The starry Kau put a hoof on her forehead, thinking hard. Why her potions causing this? And why only today's? Yesterday's events reeled through her mind and a few gears clicked.
Have I ever introduced you to the Gelert that makes and bottles my potions for me?" She said, turned to the back room, "Red! Get out here, NOW!" She called.
All eyes were on the small framed red Gelert that padded timidly from the back room. He froze when he saw all of the Neopians in the shop, but kept his calm composure, "Is something wrong?" He asked Kauvara.
Her eyes were glaring at him, pinning him to the spot, "You know what's going on, Red. You put something in my potions," she said, her voice cold.
Red blinked and stood silent for a few moments before nodding, "I did. Perhaps I wouldn't have though if you didn't treat me so poorly," he growled, his thin tail lashing the air.
Kauvara and the Neopians really only cared about his first two words.
GET OUT OF MY SHOP!" Kauvara demanded loudly, stamping after Red, horns down. The Gelert's fur bristled and he lunged over the counter, past angry Neopians and out onto the streets of Neopia Central. He wasn't safe, though. A few owners and their ill but furious pets had followed him. The pets all looked determined to attack him.
He braced himself before sprinting off, long legs working their hardest to keep him at a fast pace. The pets following him were fast, too and ran after. A few of them were even faster and would probably catch up to him soon. Red wouldn't stop running though; maybe they would stop following him eventually.
He had been running for almost two minutes though and none of them had given up. Red was trying to catch his breath and had begun to slow down. He was near the Rainbow Pool now, and a few curious pets and owners looked over to see what was going on. Red finally had to stop running and flopped down on the ground right by the Rainbow Pool tiredly, sides heaving.
The pets that had been following him had finally caught up and looked even angrier than before. He glared up at them from where he lay but could do nothing to defend himself. He closed his eyes to maybe shield himself from the attacks that were to come, but they never came.
The pets that had followed him had been yelling a moment before, but now they were dead silent. He could hear a Uni that had followed him stamping its hooves against the ground fearfully and opened his eyes slowly to see what had caused the sudden silence and fear.
On the rim closest to him of the Rainbow Pool a deep indigo figure was standing still, perfectly balanced, staring the group of pets down. The creature's eyes were a bright violet color and it kept them glaring at the pets that had followed Red. It parted its jaws to allow a serpentine tongue to flick out from between two knife-like canines. A few small black flames shimmered in the air around the creature as it prowled forwards a step.
It hissed coldly at them and finally spoke in a cruel voice that broke through the surrounding noises like ice, "I offer you the advice to run," it suggested softly, taking a single step from the rim with its forepaws.
The group of pets stared at the creature for a moment more before turning tail and sprinting off at full speed. Once they were far away enough, the creature shook its fur, sending some flames into the air. It turned to Red and smirked.
What exactly did you do to make them so angry?" It asked; a humorous glimmer in its bright eyes.
Now that it was no longer threatening anything, Red could identify the creature. It was an off color Maraquan Gelert with, odd as it was, hindlegs. It wore a bright red color around its neck, but it didn't seem that its owner was anywhere near.
Red jumped when he realized the other Gelert had asked him a question, "Oh, I just slipped something in their potions..." He explained, staring down at his paws. The dark colored Maraquan Gelert nodded, "They seemed unwell." He paused for a moment before eyeing Red carefully, "Are you perhaps the one that works for Kauvara?
Red's mismatched eyes brightened, "You know of me? Yes, I...was," he replied. Red then shook his head, "Augh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm VhanRed, Red for short. Thank you for helping me by the way," he added.
A small chuckled escaped the other's mouth, "Saving you is more like it." He put a forepaw in front of him and dipped his head in a greeting bow, "My pleasure Red. My name is Devi," He gestured to a small creature behind him that Red hadn't noticed before. It looked like something out of a horror film, made only of bones, "and that is Viv," he finished.
Red smiled, "Nice to meet you Devi and Viv," he sighed and looked back towards the direction of the Magic Shop. Now he had something new to worry about. Where would he live and how would he get food? Only pets with owners could go to the Soup Kitchen.
As if reading his mind, Devi spoke up, "I take it you no longer have a place to stay?" Red nodded in confirmation, "I was just run out of the only place I was even partially welcome in," he said.
Devi tapped the ground with a forepaw thoughtfully, "Hm...I know Max was told to only allow one pet, but I'm not sure Crae would mind much if he took on one more..." He muttered more to himself than Red. Red's ears twitched up curiously. Max? Crae?
Who?" Red asked, trying to look a little less confused than he felt.
My owners," Devi replied, standing up. "Alright, come with me. I think I know where you can stay." He trotted off at a quick pace, the petpet made of bones keeping a good pace alongside him. Red was still slightly confused, maybe even more to hear that this one pet had two owners, but followed.

*****

Devi nudged open the double doors to a large manor and stepped in, closing the doors behind Red as he came in behind the Maraquan Gelert.
Devi looked around and pricked his ears up to listen around the house. "Max is home. You wait here until I come and get you," Devi told him before trotting off. Red nodded and flopped down on the tile of the foyer with a sigh.
The Maraquan Gelert paused by the door of the study in the Neohome. He leaned by the door and listened. Yes, he could hear Max's steady breathing.
Max?" He called. He heard the frantic sound of his startled owner falling from his desk chair.
Nrgh....what, Devi?" Max still sounded half-asleep. "May I come in?" Devi asked.
There was a grumbling noise, but Devi heard Max walk over to the door and soon enough, he was standing over Devi.
His owner's bright blue eyes narrowed, "Is something wrong?" Max asked suspiciously, running a hand through his black and red hair. His cat ears were pricked up; ready to hear whatever bad news it seemed Devi had.
Devi was staring straight up at him though, a grin on his face, "Well, you know how Crae said she only wanted one pet?" Max nodded slowly, afraid that he knew where this was going. The Gelert coughed awkwardly and looked behind him to make sure Red hadn't followed, "I met this nice pet in need of a home an-" "No," Max answered quickly.
His owner crossed his fishnet clad arms, "Crae said one pet, Devi. She didn't say 'Oh, one pet, Max. But if you find some really needy pet, feel free to take it in!'." Max scoffed, surprised that Devi would think he would go against Crae's request.
Devi shook his head, "But...he really needs a place to stay. We can't just toss him out, he's not safe just walking around Neopia Central alone," he explained. Max raised a brow, "Why, exactly?
His Gelert's purple eyes were gazing around the study now, trying to avoid Max, "Err, he put a toxin into Kauvara's potions which made the general population of Neopia Central ill," Devi muttered.
Max blinked, "He's the one that did that?" He sighed, "When you said it wasn't safe for him in Neopia Central anymore, you looked like you meant it. So I guess you didn't leave him outside." Devi growled. His owner caught on too quickly.
I'll go get him," Devi muttered, running off to retrieve Red.
Red looked up from examining the tile as he heard Devi return, "Come on," Devi said, flicking his tail for Red to follow as he padded off again.
The red Gelert yawned and got to his paws, following Devi quickly to a room more in the back of the large home. A tall boy was standing in the doorway of the room, staring straight at him. This family was peculiar, Red noted. Their Maraquan Gelert had hind legs and one of the owners had cat ears and a tail...he shook the thought from his head, though and trotted up to meet Devi's owner.
Um, hello," Red greeted, embarrassedly. He could tell that this boy wasn't too happy about him being there.
This is Red," Devi said, hoping that Max would reconsider his decision about letting Red stay or not.
Max leaned against one of the sides of the doorway, still staring at Red as if analyzing him, "He looks like he could be helpful. And I suppose it would be better to have another pet around here," he thought out loud. "Hold on.
He went back into the study and grabbed a phone from the top of his desk, quickly dialing a few numbers. The person at the other end finally picked up and he spoke quickly.
Crae, Devi found a pet in dire need of a home. He's a red Gelert and seems like he can be of some help around here. I suppose he can also protect Devi from Boochi or whatever when they leave the house," Max smirked, "and you can't say no. He's standing right here," he finished.
He hung the phone up after a few moments, "She said that it's fine with her as long as I can afford it," the boy concluded.
Red's eyes glittered happily, "Thank you! I won't make you regret this," he promised.


About Red
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Alright, so...Red was intentionally meant to be my Boochi sheild, but that doesn't mean I can't give him a personality and story :3 He's one of my favorite pets that I've ever had over my six years of Neo, so don't bother asking for him. Not as if anyone will XD He's not painted and has low stats. *huggles Red* But I love him anyway! =3 Moving on, though. After coming to live in the Intuin household, Red showed a knack for fixing electronic things which is very useful. ^_^ He's also grown incredibly attached to Devi. He's a loyal pet and fun to be with. It's a good thing he lives with Devi and Max :3 I think he's made them nicer.


Vinelo
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Red actually found Vinelo one day when he and Devi were doing a quest in the Haunted Woods for a faerie. What a Seti was doing in the Haunted Woods, I have no idea. Red seems to love the little guy to tears. Vinelo is scarcely seen around the house and usually runs for cover when someone other than Red enters the room. His name is derived from the Italian word 'veleno' which means 'poison'.


Likes
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+ Devi
+ Max
+ Vinelo
+ Plushies
+ Potions
+ Electronics
+ Nature
+ Literature and Art


Dislikes
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- Demanding People
- Being Forced to do Something He Doesn't Want to do
- Jhudora
- The Lab Ray
- Beggars and n00bs
- Unfair Situations
- Being Indecisive
- Jelly and Omelettes


Meet the Family (Red Mode)
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~*~Crae~*~
I guess I don't know Crae all that well. I've only seen her twice I think. She seems alright, a little strict, though. But she's also incredibly defensive of all of her pets, no matter how many she has. She treats us all as individuals, which I guess I'm new to. I would like to get to know her more because she seems cool.

~*~Max~*~
Hrm. Max is an alright owner. Chyaha. He could be better though XD *whack'D* Nrgh. *rubs head* He's considerate towards me and Devi and he makes sure that we're alright. He still seems a bit distrusting of me though because of the Potion Incident. I hope he'll get over that soon O_o; Anyway, it was sort of confusing to me why me and Devi have two owners until Devi explained it to me. Crae has to manage a few accounts and is the one who has all of her pets official papers. She makes sure to visit all of her accounts when she gets the chance, but she's usually really busy. Because of this, she had to assign owners to her pets. Devi and I were lucky enough to get stuck with Max.

~*~Devi~*~
Neeee -n_n- *snuggles random Maraquan Gelert plushie* Devi's awesome. I'm still really grateful to him for bringing me in to his Neohome and all. He's the one that's been helping me adjust to my new life. Max said he was a jerk, but he's sweet to me o_O Max found him on the shores of Mystery Island a while ago. Devi can't remember anything about his past. Not his name, his family, where he lived...nothing. :( Rather depressing. He says it doesn't matter though because, if he had never forgotten everything, he may have never met me. ^^ Sneeee

~*~Vinelo~*~
I found Vinelo while in Haunted Woods. He seemed terrified of something when I found him...I think he was perhaps being chased by a predator. So I picked him up and took him home :3 He's still a nervous little fellow around everyone but me, but I'm hoping he'll warm up to Max, Devi, and Kalivso soon ^_^ Speaking of Kalivso, the Sklyde seems to scare him the most. It's probably because Kalivso is a Spooky petpet. I'm not exactly sure O_o;

~*~Kalivso~*~
Don't tell Devi I said this, but I've always thought Kalivso was a little freaky. He seems nice enough, but I'm a little weirded out by him being a walking skeleton and all. o_o; He also seems to be the one Vinelo runs from the fastest.


Toy Box
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~Before you Read ~Story ~About Red ~Vinelo ~Likes
~Dislikes ~The Family ~Toy Box ~Closing ~Quilt ~Link


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