App for Sair And Estella

DISCLAIMER: I was in no way forced to make a petpage application

Estella flew through the void of space, brushing stars with her wings and feeling the energy that they emanated flow through her body. The universe around her was silent, but what else was to be expected? She was the only creature in the void, and she never made a sound as she traveled. Did she get lonely? Not all the time, but occasionally she wished for a companion. But who would ever come out into the loneliest of places?

Estella swiveled her ears behind her. Did she just hear something? Estella slowed herself and turned around, her eyes scanning the stars and occasional rock. One rock was speeding towards a star, and when it collided an explosion of light and even a small sound could be witnessed. Estella fluttered to the site of the collision, and looked down to see a small being caught in the rubble. She looked too young to be living in this cruel environment all on her own, but Estella could not see another creature that might be looking after this little one. She scooped up the being and flew her to where Estella rested, a small blue star filled with pleasant energy. It always replenished her energy and left her feeling up to more exploration.

Estella placed the little one onto the surface of the star and sighed. After so many years of living on her own, how was she going to care for one so young, and in such a harsh place? It was hard enough for her to teach herself to survive, and even enjoy things! But she couldn't just leave the small being all alone.

Well, first things first, Estella needed to find out who she was caring for. She traced her paw over the little ball of fur, until it reached a small piece of cloth around her neck. She bent in closer and took a look. It was a small blue necklace with an emerald-like-gem hanging from it. When she looked closer, she could see the word Sair etched into it. Sair, what a beautiful name. But whatever her name might be, Sair needed a proper home.

The little bundle of energy was sleeping peacefully, as Estella thought about how she could care for her. Her brain kept on going in circles; she knew that Sair would never survive out here. Looking back through her memory, Estella was able to recall a shining planet somewhere beyond where she was now. She never visited there, but it was the only place she could think of right then that would be suitable place for Sair to grow up. And this little ball of life needed a place to prosper where she wouldn't be in danger. Estella scooped up Sair and flew in the direction she saw the shining planet in.

Estella hit the brakes as the planet came into sight. Something more seemed familiar than just her recent sighting. She quickly searched her memory, until she found a fading memory of leaving that little sphere for what she thought would be eternal space travel. This was the place she was born; her very first days were spent here. It would be great to be back to Neopia, she believed the place was called.

Estella flew down through the atmosphere and into the planet's fresh air, the wind blowing her fiercely to the side. She had never felt such elements since she left Neopia, which was years ago. It was strange to her, but she had experienced stranger.

She landed on a large cloud that bore a large city. Other creatures walked down stone walkways to various locations, talking with one another and laughing. Estella put a paw to her throat and spoke a few words. It was amazing, she thought, how much information she could grasp again by returning to such familiar surroundings, even if they were not very familiar at all. She breathed in the crisp air, and sighed. She was here now, but it never occurred to her what she would do next.

Suddenly she was approached by a being similar to the one in her arms, though the fur was dark black, instead of brown and greenish. "Hello," The voice was soft and loving, like a female's, even though this creature seemed to be a male. "I saw you fly in, and I don't believe you live here. Are you new?"

Estella cleared her throat before replying. "Yes, I am. I left this planet long ago to live amongst the stars, but I have returned since I found her," Estella showed the stranger the little bundle in her arms. "The void is no place for one so young, so I came here with her so I could care for her better. But now that I'm here, I'm not sure what to do."

I see. Well, if you want, you could stay with me. I'm used to caring for young ones, and I've been yearning for a companion for some time," The being in front of her gave a weak smile. "And by the way, my name is Shadow."

Thank you, Shadow. I really would love the help," Estella gave a weak smile back. "I go by Estella. Or, at least, I did before I left. She has a necklace saying Sair, so I assume that's her name."

Sair, what a gorgeous name. Well, enough said. Let's head over to my place," Shadow said, and the pair walked off.

Estella placed Sair in a crib as Shadow pulled out some milk and cookies. The duo sat down and started talking.

So, Shadow, do you live here on your own?" Estella asked.

For now, yes. I do have two sisters, but they're both off traveling right now. But this is a bustling city; I'm rarely truly alone," Shadow explained.

I see. I've never really had company. Nobody seems to like me," Estella looked down.

I'm sure that's not the case, Stell. You've just got to take to people," Shadow pointed out.

Stell? Seriously?" Estella rolled her eyes.

Sorry, but I like nicknames. Is it alright if I call you that?" Shadow blushed.

Why not?"

Years passed since Shadow and Estella started living together. Sair grew up into a beautiful young Faerie Xweetok, and the trio lived happily together.

Until one stormy day…

Estella was taking Sair out to get some new stuff for her room. Rain was pouring down lightly from the clouds above, and the cloud Faerieland was on was sending water down itself. The wind was blowing gently, but Sair could feel it gradually picking up speed. The young Xweetok was carrying an umbrella that was being blown aloft in the wind. As they were fluttering over a gap between two clouds, a strong gust of wind blew against the umbrella, throwing Sair so far off course that she ended up spiraling into the sea.

Sair, no!" Estella called, but her cry was lost in the wind. The Faerie Draik could only watch as Sair was lost in a swirling haze of rain and wind. "Sair!"

The breath was knocked out of Sair as she crashed into the rolling waves. She shook herself off and struggled to the surface of the ocean. Water soaked her pelt, but she didn't care at that point. She made all the effort to keep her head above the merciless waves and Faerieland in sight, but her struggles grew feeble and water surged over head.

Sair woke to feel warm sun on her face. She opened her eyes and struggled to her feet. She was on the beach, the gently rolling sea to her left and a grassy landscape to her right. The air was crisp and humid. Other Neopets were walking around, but unlike the ones she knew these looked cruel and merciless, like the sea. A small group of them saw her and approached her.

Yarr, what's a pretty maiden like you doing in such a tough place?" One of them asked her. He looked like a Lupe, but his fur was gray instead of the normal colours she had seen and his clothes were tattered.

Looking into his eyes, Sair knew that this was no place to be herself. If she wanted to make it, she had to be tough. Or at least, tougher. "I came by the sea on the stormiest of nights! I don't need ships, so I swam the whole way!" She declared. At least it was partly true.

The Lupe shook his head in amazement. "Such a maid would be a good addition to our ship. We plunder for the most expensive of riches, take no captives and are feared throughout the land! Come with us and you will never be unhappy! Our ship is the sturdiest of the sturdy, but if you wish to swim alongside us if you wish."

I would love to come along with your little gang. I only swim to exercise, and I think that someone besides you would need to keep the crew in check," Sair smirked.

You're a daring one, miss. Welcome aboard. I'm Mark. Mark Andrews. But you can call me Captain Andrews," The Lupe held out his paw. Sair shook it.

Glad to be coming along, Captain Andrews. I go by Sair."

Sair, what a fitting name. Well, since we're done gathering up supplies, we're going straight back to the ship," Mark walked past Sair, and beckoned for her to follow.

So, Sair, where do you come from?" Mark asked. The duo were in the Captain's quarters, gulping down Neocola while conversing.

I came from the outer reaches of space, hurtling through the galaxy in a chunk of rock until I crashed into a star, receiving it's fiery power," Sair wasn't exactly lying, she did know that she was found in a rock after it crashed into a star, and she did feel it's power coursing through her veins. "I flew through the stars until I found this planet, so I came here to keep myself occupied."

While a normal pet might think that that story is a little far-fetched, but a pirate will believe anything," Mark smiled, and Sair smiled back. This would prove useful to her, the stories she created would be believed no matter how outrageous. "I was found by this ship on the second stormiest of nights second only to last night's. I've been here ever since; working my way up to being a captain. Maybe you might follow in my footsteps."

Maybe?" Sair chuckled.

The next few years were fairly uneventful, save for the fact that Sair had taken Mark's place as Captain. She was known as Lady Sair to the crew, a nickname created by Mark Andrews, who had retired in luxury.

It was a stormy evening, much like one Lady Sair remembered happened many years ago. Searching her memory, she could faintly recall another family besides her current crew; a Draik named Estella and a Xweetok who went by Shadow. She was happy then, but Lady Sair knew that a pirate's life was the one for her.

Lady Sair was up on the mast, addressing her crew. "Our scouts have located a ship that will soon be seen over the horizon. They say that it looks like one with plenty of treasures to be stolen; plenty of cash to be made. One the ship is in sight; we'll set a course for it. After that, well, I don't think I need to explain."

Thunder lashed out overhead as Lady Sair steered her ship into the other, causing both of them to come to a halt. Her crew set up a plank to the other vessel, and they were on in a flash. Lady Sair grabbed her knife and followed, dodging around the main fighting and looking for the Captain.

She lifted her head and spied a large pirate Eyrie looking down on the ship from the mast. She smirked and flew up to him, flinging her knife so it got caught in his shirt and stuck him to the wood.

Lady Sair, please, let me be! I'm only a lowly captain; this isn't even my ship!" The Eyrie pleaded.

Then whose is it?"

He's chained up in the lower decks. We took over this ship only two days ago, and we were planning on tossing him overboard at midnight. But then you're gang came along…"

Lady Sair scoffed and withdrew her knife. These pirates would do anything to save their skins. "Point me to the stairs." The Eyrie flew down and opened a door which led to the lower decks. Lady Sair pushed him aside and went down, twirling her knife.

The interior was dark and uncared for, and looked like it was once an old passenger ship. Lady Sair scanned the area, until she spotted a figure up against the far wall. She flew down there, cut the ropes supporting the chains with her knife and pulled the figure to his feet.

Talk, mister. Where's the treasure on this vessel?"

Sair? Is that you?"

I'm warning you!" Sair showed the figure her dagger, preparing to strike.

Sair, wait! It's me!" He cried.

The dagger fell to the floor with a clatter. Shadow?

Sair, what in Neopia are you doing here? We thought you were dead!" Shadow exclaimed.

Sair just stood there, shocked. How did Shadow wind up chained in a pirate ship? Why was he out at sea in the first place? "I could ask the same of you."

Estella and I had heard rumors of an extremely powerful pirate captain, but in this case she was a Faerie Xweetok. Even though we thought you had drowned, I had to see if it was really you. So I gathered up a bit of treasure and set out to sea, knowing that any decent pirate would plunder such a vessel. But I never expected this," shadow explained, pulling up his chains.

You risked all that just to bring me back?" Sair was shocked, and ashamed of herself for pursuing such a career. Shadow saw the sorrow in her eyes and hugged her.

I had to. Estella and I really missed you."

Never mind that. We've got to get out of here," Sair grabbed Shadow's paw and dragged him through the corridor. The ran up the stairs and into the storming elements above the lower decks.

The fighting was fierce, and heads were turning to spy them. With Shadow's weakened condition, Sair knew that she could never fight her way into and out of that mess. She grasped his other paw and launched herself in to the air, pulling Shadow up with her. Despite her old crew calling after her, she flew off to the Southwest, where Faerieland's great castles lay.

Estella was wrecked with worry about Shadow, who took her in when she really needed it, and for Sair, the little bundle of vivacious energy that she found in a piece of rock that had collided with a star in the lonely parts of the galaxy. The two had shown her what life was really about, and now anything could have happened to them. She paced the floor of the little house in the clouds, wondering if they would ever come back. Her mind was racing with all the possibilities, each one seeming worse that the last. Just when she felt all was lost, someone knocked.

Estella summoned the strength and walked to the door. She opened it a crack and peered out, then tugged it open. There was Shadow; thin with hunger and chains dangling from his paws, and Sair; covered with scars and tattered clothes. But the smiles were still the same; Shadow's loving yet forceful and Sair's soft and loving, just dripping with her lifelong enthusiasm.

We're home," Sair said; plain and simple. Nothing else needed to be said.

Welcome back," Estella felt too happy to even summon a smile, but she did manage to lean forward and embrace the two travelers. "Don't tell me what happened out there right now; I don't care. You're back, and that's all the matters."

The End