Background

Once upon a time, Grey Neopets were always and eternally unhappy. No matter how fortunate one was, no matter how wonderful their life, there was no chance of happiness once a pet was born Grey. This was known to be true for centuries, and no one questioned it. Because of this, Greys were long placed at the bottom of society, always having prejudice and stereotypical attributes associated with them. They were, therefore, at a great disadvantage. Very few had "normal" friends--friends who were a basic or painted color other than Grey. None at all found "normal" mates.

However, at one point along the road, one Grey managed to somehow have the determination and will to break this wretched curse. The "Switcher", as he was called, at times would be able to break away from his chronic sadness, and experience happiness. He discovered with much relief after his initial breakthrough that each time he entered a state of happiness or contentment, there was always one factor present. For him, it was his love interest, a beautiful Faerie Gelert that seemed not to have prejudice against him simply for being Grey. He realized that his love for her fostered so strong a joy that it overcame his natural depression.

From this moment forward, there would be a new race known as the Switcher Greys, descendants of Switcher, the Gelert that escaped the confines of his natural color and personality and reached a whole new level in his life. No longer are Greys discriminated against, for several that are able to "switch", as it is referred to, are elite members of society. Many more lead much more normal lives than previously allowed.

Unfortunately, there is still an abundance of those that are now called "Permanent Greys", and though some have been known to convert to a Switcher Grey, the distinction is far too strong for complete conversion for them all. The lucky ones that have a line of Switchers in their family have the best chances of this great gift. Not only has this gift made their lives more pleasurable, it has also allowed the Greys to rise from the slums of society to achieve a higher influence on others.

Characteristics

Switcher Greys, when not switched, act in the same manner as any other normal Grey would. It is their spontaneous responses to certain objects or beings that separates them. They can switch in the presence of someone important to them, an object that they have interest in, almost anything has the capability of switching. Unfortunately, some Switchers have not been able to find whatever they need to activate the switch. These Switchers generally do not even know that they have the ability to switch. Sadly, some Switchers may lead the life of a Permanent Grey without ever being aware of what power they possess.

When switched, a Switcher has three phases, or degrees, of happiness that they can feel at any point during this time. They can be content, ecstatic, or comedic. The highest form of happiness for them is the third phase, which is characterized with good humor and a playful or joking manner. If none of these apply to a Switcher, then they are not switched. The happiness may not last, even if the object of activation is present, if a negative feeling overrides the happy feelings.

Appearance

Some Switchers are born with the same appearance of any other Grey, though when they are switched they are likely to have a content look or a smile on their face. Their eyes may also sparkle if they are switched. Switchers have a more varied coat color, though. They can be not only Grey, but various other colors such as black, white, blue, green, and purple. The only color restriction is that they are not able to have a naturally light coat color. Switcher Greys are able to differentiate themselves from Permanents if they have a color other than Grey.

There seemed to be no hope for him. He had not yet found that special thing that would allow him to escape from his sadness, and he was beginning to believe that he never would. Though still in his youthful years, Riendu had begun to give up on the hope that one day, he would find that special something that would bring him the happiness that he craved to feel. He had searched all his adolescence to find it, and yet he did not know the meaning of happiness. He migrated everywhere, looking for things that he had never seen before, hoping that one would be it. He had found nothing.

Finally, he was ready to give up his dream and consider himself one of the unlucky few Switchers that never found happiness. He had heard of these Switchers, but all the ones that he knew had already discovered what it was--an object or another being that let them switch. He watched them with envy and despair, and all he could do was wish that someday he would know what it was like to smile, what it was like to laugh.

His friends and family were helpless, though slightly more hopeful of eventual happiness for him. Some of them were not Grey or were Switchers, so they did not have the sense of lost hope that Riendu felt. All they could do was sympathize and wish him the best.

Chapter Two
Finding Ayten

Near the end of his adolescence, Riendu made the crucial decision to leave his tight-knit family and become independent. He would be one of the few Switcher Greys to do so, as they are known to be extremely social and remain in large, but close familial communities. However, being around those that loved him, yet made him feel even worse by being able to switch, was simply too much. He couldn't enjoy anyone's company, and felt himself to be a burden.

So he set off alone, leaving his home and his family behind. This journey away brought about a glimmer of hope that perhaps he would find the answer to his dreams. Something out there had to be the thing that he needed to finally find out what it meant to be happy. Until then, he would only know of the word, and nothing else. Until then, he would be the only one of his relations that was always sad. He might as well have been born a Permanent Grey, then.

Riendu took on the role of a vagabond, wandering across various landscapes and living alone and at any given place. His travels brought him to many different locations that piqued his interest, though that was all he could feel. He sunk his paws into the warm desert sand of the Lost Desert, bathed in the eerie glowing moon of the Haunted Woods, shook flecks of snow off of his fur on Terror Mountain, and hiked up to the plateau of Tyrannia. Never before had he seen so many different Neopets or exotic foods.

It was during a short stay in Faerieland when his life made a complete turnaround. He was wandering along, staring inquisitively at the soft clouds he was stepping on as he walked, when he heard a faint cackle. Barely lifting his eyes, he searched for the source of the noise, and immediately laid his eyes on an ominous-looking purple cloud, with a green gas emanating within. Tilting his head slightly, he cautiously approached it. As he grew nearer, and the purple clouds seemed to envelope him, he heard a sinister voice echoing from inside.

Again, there was a cackle. "Do not worry, little one," the voice said in a soothing, though still malicious tone. "All I need for you to do is fetch me a few items, and I will provide you with powerful objects that you can use at your disposal..."

Unsure of what was occurring, Riendu inched forward ever more, until a purple and green figure was in his view. Jhudora was hovering over what Riendu, with his poor eyesight, believed to be a blob of pale yellow fur with strange pink things sticking out of the top.

Suddenly, there was a screech of anger, and Riendu found himself being pummeled by the blob of fur. He and the blob tumbled backwards and away from the purple cloud, and finally rested near the edge of the Healing Springs. To his complete amazement, Riendu felt the blob wiggle beneath him, and as he scrambled up, it shot out from underneath him and a few feet away. From what he could tell, it seemed to be shivering immensely.

It dawned on him that the blob was really a Petpet, as he could barely make out a pair of large, round eyes. "Are you okay?" Riendu asked softly, and somewhat timidly. He wasn't really sure what the thing was.

The Petpet cowered as Riendu approached, wincing as if something horrible was about to happen to him. Instead, Riendu gently picked him up in his mouth and placed him in the water of the Healing Springs. Surely this would help the Petpet recover from whatever fear it was feeling...

The warm water appeared to have an immediate affect on the small creature. Once he looked content, he jumped out of the water, splashing Riendu thoroughly, and began playfully flying around Riendu's head, weaving back and forth. As Riendu watched and tried to keep up by swiveling his head all over the place, a grin broke out and he began laughing. The Petpet was simply so cute and playful that he couldn't help but be amused.

At that moment, the joy came so naturally to Riendu that he had no idea of how significant the moment was. In fact, it seemed so perfectly normal that he didn't realize that he had switched until the Petpet had landed in front of him, finishing its antics. Of course, Riendu became even more ecstatic once he realized that this cute little thing was what he had been looking for. It was only natural for them to become companions, for they had a quickly-formed connection. The Petpet, which Riendu named Ayten, trailed behind him as Riendu joyfully headed home to announce the great news to his family.

None.

Customs

Riendu
Taken.