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.:| An Introduction, of Sorts... |:.
A sign above the heavy wooden doors states "Whisper Chamber." From what you have heard, a dimly lit room awaits, filled with stone figures and countless stories. Someone once said the Whisper Chamber was more than just a place to confess, but a place to share your very soul in safety and quiet. The statues will not judge you, nor will they ever reveal what they have heard.
The room is just as it was described; lit dimly by torches flickering on the walls, stone floor and stone faces silent. As the doors are shut behind you, you cannot help but feel a flood of anxiety and relief. Here, millions of Neopians have told their stories; here you will let your secrets go.
Wandering farther into the Chamber reveals something unexpected. While most of the statues look solid and unyielding, a scattered few seem worn, as though others have rubbed their hands across stone beaks or clung to stone bodies as they confessed. One statue in particular draws your eye; a very life-like Crokabek perched on the head of a rather worn Usul. Suddenly, the bird takes flight, its haunting cry echoing through the Whisper Chamber, giving you chills.
Oh, hello.
A Draik, black, white and grey in color peers out from behind the Usul. She is smiling, but it seems forced, and the glace she throws over her shoulder confirms she is extremely nervous. She knows she is not supposed to be in here.
You know where we are, right?
She doesn't wait for an answer, darting out from behind the Usul to crouch in the shadow of the Techo next to you.
This is the Whisper Chamber, a place where Neopians can come and confess their mistakes and tell their stories to the statues. Stone cannot say anything, no matter how hard someone tries to make it speak… She fidgets nervously, the clatter of her silver claws echoing through the empty chamber. But I need to tell someone, not just stone faces…
Her gaze sweeps the room before returning to your face. Green eyes shine with hope, anxiety and a touch of sorrow as she whispers, My name is Aluhio... Can you keep a secret?
.:| Enter the Draik |:.
Aluhio settles into a sitting position. I suppose you would like to know a little bit more about me first..? My story is rather hard to believe... She smiles slightly before continuing.
Name: Aluhio
Nickname(s): Alu, Lulu
Gender: Female
Developmental Age: Young Adult
Human Equivalent: 21-year-old young woman
Neopian Species: Skunk Draik
Real World Equivalent: None
Scales: Black, White, Grey
Membranes: White, Grey
Eyes: Lime Green, no pupil
Family: deceased
Friends: Kaishiren (tentative), Wander (tentative), Shoy (human caretaker)
Love: missing
Personality: Shy, quiet, secretive, quick thinker, constantly fidgeting, on the run
Summary: Aluhio is originally from the forests north of Altador, but has made the journey all the way to the Haunted Woods to escape her past. Born into a noble and haughty clan of Draiks, Aluhio's mother was actually from a rival clan, earning Aluhio and her father much disdain. When a member of the royal family was kidnapped, the elders' sought to blame Aluhio and her father, and gave her a test. She was to fight a prisoner from the other clan to the death. But when the time came to deal the final blow, Aluhio found that she could not. Now she is on the run from her clan, responsible for the death of her father, and very much lost and scared. Shoy provides Aluhio with the food she needs and shelter if she wants it.
LIKES
Solitude
Valeo
Flying
Peace
Freedom
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DISLIKES
Crowds
Drackonaks
Patrols
Injustice
Intolerance
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.:| Truth and Secrets |:.
(This is just a tidbit of Alu's story. I am in the process of typing up the entire tale. If you would like to read a summary of the story, please don't hesitate to send Shoy a Neomail.)
I wasn't expecting that day to be different. The morning patrols were almost too easy, but my fellows treated me with the same disdain as always and nothing really seemed off. Had I known, had I been aware of what would occur that evening, I never would have left my sleeping quarters.
The Captain approached me at nightfall, wondering if I would accompany her on a hunt. Naively, I agreed. As we set out, she mentioned something about choices, but I was too excited and nervous to really hear her. I didn't even notice that she was leading me away from the hunting grounds until we had stopped in an unfamiliar clearing. The Captain turned to me.
You know, Aluhio that we are on the brink of war, correct?
I nodded slowly. My father had mentioned something once about how there wouldn't always be peace with the Placidii, but I had blown it off as the obscure ramblings of a retired Guard.
For centuries we have known the Placidii were looking to take over some of our lands. It seems that this act of kidnapping is the first in their plan to take what is rightfully ours. We believe they may have even infiltrated the Guard... She glared at me. This is a test, Aluhio. Pass and you will be promoted. Fail, and you will be treated as a traitor to the Crown.
Two armored Guards entered the clearing, dragging a battered body between them. The creature was barely recognizable as a Draik, let alone a kinsman, yet I felt a spark of recognition when I caught his gaze.
We found this Placidus sneaking around our borders, the Captain spat. If you are loyal to your clan and the Crown, you will do the right thing.
I stared in horror. This was a living being, one of our own specie, a Draik! How could she ask, how could she even consider-?
You mean..?
Yes, Aluhio. Her gaze hardened as she looked down at the prisoner. Finish him.
.:| Valeo |:.
Another haunting cry echoes through the Whisper Chamber as the Crokabek from before circles overhead. It lands with a clatter of claws on the stone floor at Aluhio's feet and glares up at you.
This is Valeo. He's been my friend for... Well, for all of his life, actually.
Name: Valeo
[WAH-leh-oh]
Meaning: Latin for "Be strong"
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Species: Crokabek
Feathers: Black, grey
Beak: Tan
Eyes: Golden
Personality: Bold, courageous, fiercely loyal, not too intelligent, impolite
Aluhio smiles down at Valeo, stroking his head gently. I found Valeo sixteen years ago. He was just a hatchling when I discovered him, plastered with mud and trembling.
I had been on a routine patrol when I noticed a group of Drackonaks fighting over something. Normally I would have kept walking, but a squawk caused me to pause. Drackonaks don't squawk... I thought to myself.
Turning back, I was saddened by what I saw. It looked like a Crokabek nest had been knocked out of a tree and the Drackonaks were fighting over the eggs. A clatter in the branches above me and another loud squawk brought my gaze upwards. A pair of Drackonaks were closing in on another nest, but this one had hatchlings in it.
Eggs are one thing, but live Crokabeks? Not okay... I snarled before leaping up and knocking one of the Drackonaks out of the tree. Pick on someone who can defend themselves.
Apparently the Drackonaks could understand me, because the next thing I knew, the other one had leapt from the tree onto my back and dug it's claws into my shoulders. I yelped in pain as the remaining five Drackonaks swarmed around me, clawing and biting.
I gritted my teeth and flared my wings, dislodging the creature on my back and making myself seem three times as big and threatening. The Drackonaks, probably not used to having something fight back, promptly fled.
And stay away! I spat, gingerly folding my wings again. That little beast had done a number on my back and I knew I probably wouldn't be able to fly for a few days.
A whimpering squawk dragged my attention to a nearby bush. On top of it was another nest, probably knocked down by the Drackonaks and then ignored for the lack of eggs. Crouching down, I could make out a shivering black shape in the foliage.
You can come out, little one, I whispered, gently reaching into the bush and pulling out the tiny Crokabek. You're safe now...
The Crokabek stared up at me weakly. One of his wings was broken, probably from the fall, and he looked terrified.
I'm not going to eat you, I muttered, laughing a little. Let's fix that wing of yours. He sat remarkably still while I collected some twigs and reeds, and only squawked once as I bound his wing to the makeshift splint.
There, I said once I had finished, That should be healed and useable by next week. Until then, you and I are in the same boat... We're land-bound.
He just blinked pathetically at me, which caused me to laugh again. I placed him on my head and began walking back to the Caves. Valeo, my little friend. Be strong.
.:| Secret Keepers |:.
Aluhio shifts and something catches your eye. Tied around her right wrist is what appears to be a collection of miniature Draiks. She follows your gaze and laughs softly. These are lares, protectors. Would you like one? I think I may have too many... She offers her wrist.
.:|
Art of Alu |:.
This is a collection of the art that I have drawn of Aluhio, along with all of the wonderful pieces of fan-art I have received. Much love goes to everyone who contributed~!
(Drag and drop for full-view, hover over the image for more information)
By Shoy
By Others
.:| Farewell for Now |:.
Valeo suddenly takes flight, crying out and circling overhead. Aluhio looks up at him, startled. Oh! I've taken too much of your time! We should both keep moving... She smiles shyly. Thanks for listening to my story. You have no idea how good it feels to get all of that off my chest.
She stands and stretches, her opening her wings fully for a second before shaking them out and folding them. Valeo lands on her head, eyeing you again. I hope we'll meet again someday...
You nod and stand, grabbing the stone Techo behind you for support. When you look up again, both Draik and Crokabek are gone, absorbed into the gloom of the Whisper Chamber...
I would like to take this last little section to thank everyone who supported me through out this process. Special thanks goes to Mystic for being my FANTASTIC beta and finding all the mistakes I missed, Eisha for being so sweet and supportive(ILU~!), Shadow-kun for being my RP and application buddy, everyone over at NNTM for being so gosh darn encouraging, my RL friend Shelby for putting up with my constant whining and her continued reminding to work work work, and OF COURSE to Diane for putting Aluhio up for adoption in the first place, and fighting SO hard to get her back after the whole hacker incident. Without any of you, this app would not have been possible. THANK YOU!
