As Qinae comforted the young Wocky, she telepathically nudged at the Wocky's mind until she found the distressing memories of Balthazar. Having found what was upsetting him, she gingerly erased the memories of his encounter with the beast, then retreated from his mind. During all of this, she spoke softly to the young Neopet and comforted him, keeping him unaware of her intrusion. The Wocky soon calmed down, and she walked him back home. One the lonely walk back, Qinae thought, If only I could erase some of my own memories, with a sigh. Seeing the great distress and fear in the Wocky's eyes reminded her all too much of that look, long ago, in her own eyes...

Qinae was an only child, well-loved by her parents. Her father Mulcane was a handsome Shadow Kougra and her mother Yeani was a beautiful Faerie Kougra. When Qinae was born, many sneered at the non-feminine midnight coat and leathery wings, but Yeani knew Qinae was a very special Kougra with a great destiny ahead of her.

When Qinae was still quite young, she discovered that she could "hear" others even when they weren't talking sometimes, and that a few instances, she could "talk" to them without making any noise. Her mother was delighted at this development, but Mulcane thought telepathy to be an ability far too powerful for Qinae to freely use.

Nearly a year later, three Neopets robed in luxurious red and golden fabric came to visit. Qinae was not allowed to leave her room while the strange visitors were there, but she was able to hear small bits of the conversation.

... but she's just a cub! ... can't leave...
She's dangerous! She very well could ...
I won't stand for it!
... for the best ...
... which was followed by Yeani sobbing as she went to her garden. The strangers were not mentioned again, but Mulcane seemed less patient and more stern lately, while Yeani seemed to have aged overnight. Her rich purple stripes began to be tinged with silver, and her face held worry and torment. Qinae knew she could try "listening" hard to find more out, but repected her parents too much to do that.

One fateful day, Yeani came into Qinae's room, cheeks tear stained.
Qinae, my love, sometimes life is not kind or fair. Don't let it drag you down; just hold your head and wings high and follow your hear. Never let someone decide something for you, or you soon will become a puppet, and she began to cry again as she hugged Qinae and left the house.

That was the last thing anyone heard Yeani speak. That evening, some farmers found her body at the edge of their field, crumpled like a butterfly. After investigation, it was decided that Yeani had experienced a fierce cross-current and was tossed to the ground. Qinae didn't understand; her mother always checked conditions before flying, how could she have been caught off guard?

A week after Yeani's mourning rituals came to an end, the strange Neopets came to speak with Mulcane. They left soon after being greeted, but two different strangers came the next day. Mulcane spoke a long time with them before coming up to speak to Qinae.

Qinae, I know now is a very difficult time for you; it is for me as well. These folks are from a group called the Brotherhood, and they specialize in your think-talk. They will help you become better trained in it. I also thought it might help you heal if you weren't in this house, where everything reminds us of your mother. You'd best get packing your things; the Brothers are waiting for you.

With that, Mulcane left Qinae alone again. She was shocked and confused. Who were these Brothers and how did her father get the idea that being separated from each other would make her feel better? Feeling completely helpless, Qinae began to cry. She whispered, Mother, I need you now so much! I don't know who these strangers are or if I should go with them like Father says to do. I wish you were here to guide me. Completely wrapped in thought, Qinae had forgotten about her young pet Meowclops named Shadow. He was rubbing against her leg and purring profoundly. Seeing Shadow so calm helped her regain her composure and she decided that her father knew best, so she began to pack her things. She didn't pack much, just the things she couldn't live without.

She took a deep breath and with suitcase and Shadow ready, she stepped out to the living room where her father was chatting still with the strangers.

Hello Qinae, it is a pleasure to meet you. Are you ready to travel back with us? Good. We will carry your things for you. However, Shadow had different ideas. He fluffed up like a Fuzzle and hissed. But before he could attack or run, one of the brothers froze as his eyes glazed over. Shadow's eye grew wide for a moment, then he calmed down.

Miss, he said, your friend Shadow doesn't want you to leave his sight. He has agreed to behave if he may stay with you.

Qinae was amazed.Shadow's been my pet for a year and I still can't understand half of what he means. How did you get all that from him?

Easily, Qinae. I simply spoke with Shadow telepathically. You too have this remarkable skill, I am told. I can teach you a trick or two on the trip back if you like. By the way, I'm Rauvi. He grinned as he pulled off his hood to reveal midnight black fur and pointed Kougra ears, just like Qinae. She couldn't believe someone else might look like her! She was very eager for this trip now.

One their way back to the Brotherhood's home, Qinae and Rauvi chatted.

So you are telepathic too? And how come you look like I do? I've never seen anyone else that looked like me before! Can you teach me how to talk to Shadow? That was amazing! Qinae was bursting with excitement.

Rauvi chuckled, Whoa, whoa. One question at a time! Qinae blushed.

--I'm joking, Qinae, Rauvi thought to her, with a smile in the 'tone'.
--Yes, I am telepathic like you. Why I look like you, I do not know. I too thought I was one of a kind. I take it you mutated too?

Mutated? I've always looked like this. You mean you didn't always look like we do now?

--No I did not. I have not spoken of this, as there has been no need to previously. I was an orphan living on my own. One fateful day when I was rummaging in Haunted Woodes to find food, I smelled something wonderful coming from Edna's house, so I went to investigate. Her trashcan was full of all sorts of bizarre foods, but I was hungry. As I was digging deeper, I felt something wet and unusually cold on my paw. It was a strange bubbly, purplish goo, and it would not come off. I assumed it was another strange food, so I licked it off. A short while later, I became feverish and dizzy so I found a hollowed out tree to try to sleep in. My dreams tormented me and I spent the night in pain. When I woke up, I was not a Yellow Kougra anymore, but was as you see me today. Shortly after that, I started to notice I could "hear" people, and the Brotherhood took me in and have been like a family to me ever since.

Wow, that sounds like it was scary! You need a friend like Shadow. He helps me not be scared. I just wish I could talk to him like you did.

--Oh, but you can. And you don't have to speak aloud, just "think" what you want to say, and I will hear you. I will teach you how to reach minds, so the Master will praise you and not be as tough on you as he was on me. I will open my thoughts in a moment after I break connection with you. Before we part, have you noticed that thoughts from different folks feel different? It works much in the same way as your voice identifies you. Try to remember what my mind feels like; for if you remember well, you can contact that person no matter how far away they are.

Are you ready to try, Qinae? Mentally search until you find me. It will take time your first try at it, but don't get discouraged; it gets easier with practice, I Promise.

Too bad things couldn't have stayed that way, simple and good-natured, Qinae thought sadly...

Shortly after her arrival, however, things changed drastically. The Master was very pleased by the amount of control and understanding Qinae possessed of her own talent. This brought about a change of pace for her at the Brotherhood's home. No more simple exercises and daily meditation for Qinae. No, the Master had her doing farr more complex training. He began by teaching her how to make one stop in their tracks by asserting your mind onto another. It only got worse from there. With a greedy glint in his eyes, the Master taught her how to mind probe, how to secretly plant thoughts and ideas in another's mind unnoticed, and even how to delete one or all of someone's memories. The worst part of it was that she had not seen Rauvi since the new training. Qinae was confined to her quarters and the special training room for her and the Master. Qinae was very lonely for companionship and quite miserable indeed, despite Shadow's attempts to cheer her. Her quarters, like all the housing at the Brotherhood, was built to shield any incoming or outgoing telepathic communication, and the same with the training room. When she asked the Master one day if she could be granted a visit pass to see Rauvi of the Brotherhood, the Master looked at her coldly and said, We do not have a Brother here by that name. Now let's see how well you learn basic possession. And so Qinae was forced to learn how to possess other Neopets for a short period of time and how to explore all of Neopia without her body moving an inch.

That night Qinae wept in her bed. Rauvie just disappeared? She had nightmares that night, of the Master just 'thinking' Rauvi away, and of her being next in line. That morning, Qinae was determind to escape at some point, but first she had to come up with a plan.

A few days later, the Master decided she needed to begin helping the other Brothers with their tasks. Qinae was horrified to know that the Brothers accepted money to haunt a person until they could bear thislife no longer, and to wipe the 'customer's' enemy's mind completely empty. Some customer paid to hear another thoughts, or to telepathically travel with a Brother to snoop on folks. On most of these days, Qinae was nauseous by the end of her work. She had to get free!

Shadow ultimately was her opportunity at freedom. Petpets were allowed to roam freely; yes, even to outside. Qinae telepathically conversed with Shadow, and he consented to temporarily sharing his body with her so that she could spy and hear the codes she needed for both of them to escape the specially locked doors.

One Qinae's next Day of Meditation and Rest, she and Shadow began their mission. They sauntered down the hallway and past the first point Qinae could not pass without the Master's permission for a Visit pass. Unfortunately, no one was there to pry codes from. However, the stairwell door did have a guard posted next to it. Shadow/Qinae walked up to the Krawk and rubbed on his leg.

Aww, look! A Meowclops; ye don't see onna dem ev'ry day! The Krawk picked up Shadow/Qinae, and then whispered to "them", I'll betcha you'ra wantin' out! Lemme punch these here buttons, as Qinae clearly saw him punching the sequence 4923, and the door glided open just as they were being set back down to walk out.

Now you have fun 'n don't go gettin' inta trouble! he said as they strolled off.

This was too easy!, Qinae thought. All of the other doors were just as simple. The only tough part would be the hall door for her room. She and Shadow came back towards the room, feeling quite smug with themselves until they saw the Master headed for her room! She must have stayed out longer than she thought! What would he do if he caught her possessing Shadow??

--Leave this to me, came Shadow's thought.

--Are you sure, Shadow?

--Yes, just stay aside for a moment please.

And with that, Qinae let Shadow have control of the small body once more. Shadow streaked down the hall and between the Master's feet, stopping in front of the door, just inside the room. The Master opened the door just as Shadow 'spoke' to her again.

--Get Out. Now!

Qinae hurriedly conceded and began the process of taking her own body back over. Meanwhile, to stall for time, Shadow flung himself upon the Master, a hissing furry wad with nails like razors _______ about. Unfortunately, he was frozen in his tracks as he felt the icy grip of the Master's mind.

--What are you doing, you miserable little pest?! How dare you attack me! Do you think that you could honestly stand a whiff of a chance against me? I ought to...

--Ought to what?, thought Qinae, interrupting the Master.
--Are we ready for another assignment? I'm so sorry Shadow attacked you. Here, let me take him off your hands. He just doesn't like folks in my room when I am resting.

The Master seemed startled.







Still under construction!










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