The Past:

I won't waste your time with a long drawn out story about my childhood. I was happy, and that's really all that matters. My father was a blacksmith and my mother kept house. We lived a ways out of meridell, still a part of the city but far enough away that we didn't deal with the problems they do.
As my parents only child I was expected to help in the shop, and so I picked up a few things. I was never allowed to work with the tools but I watched any chance I got, and I learned.
As I said before it was a happy time for me, then the war came. The attacks started off small, nothing that the city would be too concerned about. Our little village on the fringe was set ablaze one night. A few were injured, I can't really say if anyone died, I don't remember. Everything burned, nothing was left. Our homes were nothing but ash and rubble, our shops gone.
A group was sent to the castle to request help rebuilding our community. None came. The troops were to busy worrying about the main city to care about a small village, that probably never really contributed anything anyway.
I was a teenager then, and the day the group returned alone I made a choice.

The Choice:

Looking back, it may not have been the right choice, but it was my choice. No one forced me, or cajoled me. No one even asked me. One day I was attending a meeting on how to rebuild the town and the next I was on the road, heading in the direction the attacking solders came from. If my own country was not willing to save my home, then I would help the invaders bring them down.
Defecting had some interesting results. The other side was not as welcoming as I had hoped. If I was so willing to leave my home country, who was to say that I would not leave theirs, possibly with valuable information. In those first few months I was put though more tests of loyalty than I care to count. My days seemed endless and my nights far to short. Too much work and far too little sleep turned me into a walking zombie, doing whatever was asked of me in hopes that I would be allowed to fall asleep early that night. I didn't even noticed when they first started slipping weapons lessons into my daily workload. Gradually the mind numbing chores stopped and the training got more intense until I was working towards being a full blown solider in the Darigan Army.

The Army:

My training centered around ranged weapons. I quickly discovered I was just too small to use any type of long weapon and swords were often too heavy for me. My slight frame was suited to small throwing knives and lighter short swords however. I quickly became adapt at using a curious weapon called a hira shuriken. Small "throwing stars" from a land that I have never visited and name I cannot recall.
During this time I changed….we all did. My once red and brown fur shifted to a grey blue mix, I gained markings that had never been there before, my hair turned grey, and finally I sprouted wings. I do not know what brought on these changes, perhaps it was something they were feeding us. I really don't care much. I was a different person on the inside as well and this new exterior seemed to fit. The hyper child I had once been was gone and replaced by a calm and collected adult. Where I would have once been confused and afraid in a dangerous situation I was able to make snap decisions that saved my life and the lives of others. I was never outwardly friendly to anyone, but I don't suppose I was ever harsh either, just reserved.
During the time I served under Lord Kass, I moved up the ranks rather quickly. I'm not sure that had much to do with my skill so much as those above me were dying to quickly to train proper replacements. I was never in command or anyone, but I was high enough that I didn't have to worry about being used as a living shield. I wouldn't say I was happy during that time....I wasn't unhappy either. I was just there, doing what I was told to do and staying alive.
Then….it was over.

The Aftermath:

I don't suppose I can explain what it was like. Suddenly everything I had learned for months... years even…was gone. The war was over and I was on the wrong side. Meridell had won, and I was lost.
I was no longer able to blend in with the normal creatures in Meridell. My new appearance made sure of that. Mostly they were accepting of us though, surprising as that was. I had a harder time trying to join the attacking army than I did coming back into the country I tried to destroy. It was surreal to say the least.

The Present:

It hasn't been to long since the war ended and there are still those who will not tolerate a Darigan solider in their midst. During the war I managed to save almost all of the money I made as a solider and buy a small home for myself. It is just enough space for me, in a small town on the edge of Meridell. Much like the one I grew up in and gave up. I don't know where my family is, or if they are alive even. I made one trip back after I returned; it looks as though the plans to rebuild didn't work out. Everything is the same as the day I left.
I regret some of the choices I made. I have a feeling I will spend the rest of my life trying to make up for the mistakes I have made.
I've opened up my own blacksmith shop and the skills I learned as a child have come in handy. The people here grudgingly accept me, but as time passes they are more welcoming. The thing I love the most about this town, is the children. Loving accepting children who are willing to befriend anyone, no matter what they've done in the past. They often play in front of my shop and I don't mind at all. Their laughter brings a smile to my face that I thought was gone forever. As I watch them run about playing whatever game has caught their fancy that day, I remember what it's like, the joy of being carefree. I remember, and I am happy again.

ANGRY STUFF	HAPPY STUFF

Ah Ha! The Plot thickens. I knew there was a reason you were here, I should have know it was the makeables. Ah well..at least your here now and I've got someone to talk to. You may take as many makeables as you like as long as you follow the rules.

The Rules
1. These are not to be used in any type of neopets contest. Even after you edit them. You may use them anywhere else though.
2.Edit these as much as you'd like, but please don't remove my name. If you feel you must remove my name please please please ask me first and link back.
3. Please link back. I've even provided the code for you to link back with below. I can't make you link back but I would definitly appreciate it.

Thats it for rules.

If You have a question about my makeables please feel free to neomail me. If you'd like something to be added to a makeable(wings/tails/edits) please neomail me. I'd be happy to make it.
If a pose of my makeable is to close to one of your makeables/adopts, LET ME KNOW. I will change it. I didn't copy on purpose but sometimes I draw from memory when I don't mean to.

Acara

Aisha

Blumaroo

I told you I'd help you link back. Heres how. After you have edited your makeable and uploaded it to your host Use this code and change my YOURIMAGEURL.GIF to whatever your image url is.
<a href="http://www.neopets.com/~Black_Lilly"><img src="http://YOURIMAGEURL.GIF" border=0 alt="Lillys~Makeables"></a>

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