What am I? Where am I? But most importantly, what do I feel I am missing? My memory has deserted me, or have I deserted it?

My name is my curse. My language shall be my death. Absentis. Absence, in Latin. I speak fluent Latin, for reasons not even known to me. But why? Questions are all I know. The worst part is not knowing what I am missing. Is it my heritage, my love, or something far deeper?

When I awoke, I knew something is wrong. It's a feeling you get- do you know it? A gut instinct, or for us neopets, simply instinct. Something was wrong; very very wrong.

Firstly, why had I been sleeping? And why was I unable to remember anything? And why... was there a woman, her blond hair tucked away in a neat bob staring down at me? Another face edged closer to peer at me, and I squinted back. My eyes ached terribly. But why? I opened my eyes wider, and shut them immediatly. My eyes stung so horribly... they said it was a wonder I was able to keep them open for so long.

Them? Who? Yes. Those people staring at me. They said they had rescued me from a near death situation. They said I was covered in blood, and sustained tremendous burns. They couldn't even tell if the blood was my own... or someone else's. They said my eyes had been ripped right out. I remember throwing up after that. And just before I did, they mentioned me being caught in a horrid fire. One that turned my light pelt a dark grey, near black.

When I awoke for a third time, 'they' launched into my story. They... replaced my eyes. But not with eyes, but metal. Hard silver... I asked them how my eyes still worked. They said they did not know. They just that... that it was just supposed to be so I didn't look so gruesome. But something had happened. They also said something else had happened. My body had reacted. Lines shot out of my eyes, and wrapped around my legs. What once was a pure ebon coat turned into a striped, mixed blue and grey pelt. I couldn't believe what I saw when I looked at my refection... Blues, beautiful blues, blending in with the greys. It was beautiful to me. I was beautiful.

I lived with 'them' for a few months, or maybe more. I had no knowledge of the time I spent there. I had, and still have no knowledge of who I spent all that time with, either. I never asked Their names, for I knew that was something They would not tell me.

It wasn't until I noticed something... different about Them that I finally became wary of them. I awoke to the throbbing of a headache, and saw one of Them bending over me. She held some syringe in her hand, why I did not know. But it was empty. That was when I ran.

I did not know it at the time, but the hasty decision to leave 'Them' probably saved my life. Who they were, I still do not know. I doubt I shall ever know, for they disapeered after I left. If I went back, I would have found no trace of their existence, nor mine for that matter. Had I imagined them? Was I like this before, and without knowing it, had I created some fantasy dream world?

Who knows. I certainly don't. I couldn't tell you how old I am, how much time I spent with 'Them,' 'Their' names, my true name, why I can speak latin... It's all a mystery.

But I am quite sure it had something to do with the krawk named Pyrennth.

I met him a sunny afternoon. I remember feeling quite warm in that fur coat of mine. I also remember seeing a young krawk weaving his way through the crowd, darting from owner to owner. I remember. I remembered his left arm, scarred and burned. His right, tatooed. I remember the white hair that seemed to have a mind of it's own. I remember his sad, colourless, dark eyes. And I distinctly remember wishing to talk to him.

Me 'scuse?" I walked over to him quickly, looking up at him. "'Scuse-'scuse? I talk you listen? Can I talk to you?"

I then remember seeing his face become twisted with panic. "What?" He demanded hurridly, finicking with his hands. "What... do you want?" He eyed me cautiously. But there was something about his eyes that made me want to talk to him more desperatly. Most would feel uncomfortable, being under his gaze. But I wasn't for some strange reason.

I want talk with you. That all." I looked up at him expectantly.

No." He started to walk away, and I jumped in front of him.

Why." It wasn't a question, it was a demand.

Because. I can't." His nervous attitude was beginning to grow on me. Suddenly, I was becoming nervous. I felt very... twitchy, spazzy, ready to jump at a moments notice.

Then... I remember hearing shouts. A girl shouting frantically, and the krawk taking off as quickly as he could. And I must say, he could run pretty fast.

I followed him for a while until he came to a dead end. He was starting to panic, and I could see that. He was frightened. I wondered what he did, and why the police were after him. But that didn't matter. I wanted to speak with him.

I know now my reasons were completely selfish... everything I did then on were for my own benefit. Sub consciously, I had made a decision, and I decided to follow through with it after that.

I know way out of here. Come? Come. You come."

He turned to look at me, his face now distorted with a worried frown. "Show me."

We ran. I brought him to the place where 'they' kept me. And I confronted him. Asking him why the police were after him, who he was, and a variety of other things, some pointless to mention here.

This is what I found out. He came to neopia central, broke, and alone. He stole to stay alive, and that was why the police were after him. He said he only stole so he could eat. He didn't do it because he wanted to, but because he needed to. He worked at a tatoo parlour for a while, but was laid off because they weren't getting enough business. The shop closed down two months after that.

He also told me he could speak latin. I was shocked. I said I too could. He then proceeded to become paler then I believed possible for one so grey. But he did. Then he broke into a smile, and he asked me something in latin, and I replied. I don't remember the question, though I have a feeling it was important. As he is. I'm sure he knows something... but what?

All that mystery surrounding him. But that wasn't the worst of it. I fell asleep, worn out from my exciting day. I don't think I ever had an exciting day with Them...

When I woke up, he was gone. I looked around, but I knew he wasn't coming back. He had left me a few neopoints, most likely as much as he could afford to give me. But that small act of kindness made me want to see him more. I wanted to talk to him.

I don't know how many days I spent walking around, searching for him. Maybe a week? I spent the few neopoints on cheap food, but only when I remembered. Many times I'd forget. That's what happened one time. I fainted, and when I woke up, I wasn't in the same place I had fallen.

I was scared. A giant grarrl loomed overhead, which was because I was lying on the ground, tied up. I made no move to stir. I was too frozen with fear to even move. I started to shake now, my body slowly beginning to move on its own. The grarrl noticed. He alerted someone else, and a pteri was now visible. The pteri loomed closer, keeping his eyes trained on me. He smiled. "You turned out nice." He paused. "A success. They will be happy to know their experiment succeeded."

I moved my mouth, trying to say something, trying to think something. Nothing happened. The grarrl and pteri roared with laughter.

Now I was beginning to become even more scared, if possible. But it was. I was more scared then I ever was in my entire life. But wait. Something made me doubt that thought- something, in the back of my mind, disagreed. In a split second, something happened. I was sure. There was something that had made me believe I was wrong- that there had been a time where I was far more scared then now.

I believe the thing that had triggered that flashback, that disagreement was Pyrennth's distressed face. As the grarrl moved closer, I was able to make out a terribly bruised krawk. Grey, with white hair. It had to be him. Who else had such a strange colouring?

My mouth literally fell to the ground. I was shocked- what was he doing here? Bad idea. The grarrl made a face, whipped his hand around (since he walked by practically flailing his arms around to keep his balance. He wasn't the thinnest of pets.) and nailed Pyrennth right in the head as she approached him from behind. I gasped, watching as Pyrennth skid across the floor.

But something else was happening. Pyrennth was... on fire? ...Fire. How odd. Pyrennth... pyro? My distress faded for a few seconds, and I let out a loud scream. He was burning! And then, he was... standing up. Just as quickly as the flames had begun, they ended. He looked unharmed.

Only to start again on the grarrl. The pet screamed, and fell backwards. The pteri watched, confused. Pyrennth was a good couple metres away from the grarrl. A snarl, and the pteri leapt at Pyrennth. But he had been expecting it. The bird-like neopet also when up in flames. To this day, I can still hear their screams. Pyrennth traded in their lives for my own, and risked his as well. How noble, but still, how very sad...

Pyrennth appraoched me, and I watched him with wide eyes. What was he going to do to me? He was a good guy, right? My eyes widened when I saw a small, miniscule flame on the end of one of his fingers, as if balanced there. He bent down, and made a quick motion with his hands, and the ropes that were holding me fell away.

How...?"

I just can." He paused. "Let's go."

Once we were safely outisde, he set fire to the building. I wanted to see it go up in flames, but Pyrennth said we had to leave. So I listened to him. He always seemed to have the answers. I still think he does. He's smart as far as I can tell- can make off with your money when you're not looking, can steal everything valuable until there's nothing left. I think he could do something better with his life, but he disagrees.

I think I continue to follow him, living on the streets for a few main reasons. I want to know what he knows- obviously, he knows a lot... but what? And I want to return what he did. He saved my life. I am in debt. But I enjoy being with him. Though, he does pat my head continuosly, and thinks I'm the cutest thing since... well, me... it's still great. He said he'd even enroll me in neoschool soon! Oh, I can't wait... But until then, Pyrennth and I will simply roam the streets, living off others people money. If that's how it's gonna be, so be it!

It had been exactly one year. I'm not sure how I knew that, but when I woke up, I was positive of it.

I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes with my paws. Even if they were metal, they still itched. I looked up, to see Pyrennth still fast asleep. He had a frown on, which was common. There was rarely a time when he didn't. Well, at least when he was sleeping. Wide awake, he was all smiles. I wasn't sure how one could change so much, just by what they were doing. Well, actually, I did know, but, now, it seemed different. Seeing a sad Pyrennth always made me sad, and I definitely didn't like being sad. Oh. no, after deciding that exactly one year ago, I concluded that I would always be happy, just like Pyrennth. I can't say both of us always had a reason to smile, but who needs one, afterall?

---

Now, everything felt different. I had been hanging out on the streets with him, following him, sometimes helping him. Though, he'd never admit it, he enjoyed having me around. We were friends now. It was certainly better then being around Them. They were never too happy.

name: Absentis
meaning: absence in latin
pronounced: ahb-sen-tiSS
specie: lupe
age: 7 years old [human]
gender: female
birthplace: unknown
dob: unknown
kin: unknown
dame: unknown
sire: unknown
status: single

markings: blue monocramatic scars, four by each eye, three dots under each eye. four stripes on front & back legs. Mismatched blue underbelly and tail
other: left ear is pierced once with a small silver hoop

abilities: speaks fluent latin, knows sign language, beautiful singing voice

When drawing: When you draw Absentis, remember her underbelly and tail are dual coloured- that means they are two shades of blue. To accomplish this, simply layer the tail and underbelly with the short strokes of colour, and the fur will look bi coloured ^^