Neomail n' Stuff

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This is my story for the NT. It's not finished. The stuff thats in italics are things that have totally been recently changed. So um if you're checking back from previous critiquing read those first.

Updates

July 01/2011 - the first couple paragraphs describing Brooke and some stuff at the end just adding on to where I left off. There are a couple little edits here and there and I fixed most of the past tense etc. mixups.

Part 1

I stood gazing into my full-length mirror. My freshly washed, my sun streaked brown hair was in an up-do and I wore more makeup than usual. I'd worked on my dress for months – the matching clutch for about three weeks. It was themed to my element – earth. With a thick leafy bodice and a brown ruffled taffeta skirt with thick brown exposed stitching, it was tailored to perfection. Even the dyed orchid I wore in my hair was green. My wings were subtlety glittered. I had to look good: this was the most important day of my life.

I left my little house and skipped along the road – I had plenty of time to spare. My street was a long stretch of pale pink and purple houses framed by great drooping brown trees that bloomed all year long. Surrounded by a dense forest of ancient trees, my community was a woodland paradise – that's why I had chosen it. If you turn left at the first fork and continue to climb up, you reach Faerie Hollow, home to the Fountain of Life. A simple, round building sits on it's banks – the only building surrounding the Fountain. For me, that building holds mystery and a great many hours of childhood spent imagining working there. My entire life was built around it.

For the last twelve years of my life I'd watched the Fountain of Life Faerie Enforcement building – or FOL Faerie Enforcement Building – in complete awe. This building was the workplace of ten interchangeable, elite faeries at a time. Every decade, on the 5th of the Month of Gathering ten new workers are chosen. The entire Faerie community from birth to a billion years old attends. The people who work there are like the best sports team in the league– we all know who they are, even though they have no idea who we are.

Ever since I knew the name of this simple, round building on the banks of the Fountain of Life I wanted to be one of those ten; to be immersed in the magic and adventure of keeping the Fountain of Life in check. I was always interested in the FOL and was an overachiever in all things aquatic. I made my way to the top of the classes until I met my matches: the class trained especially to become one of the ten.

So today, the 5th of the Month of Gathering, year 10 I was one of the 200 graduates sitting in the front row - less than ten feet from Fyora herself. She stood more beautiful than in the images and more tall and powerful than it was written. She smiled graciously as Mr. Pointe, the principal, gave her the floor.

We are gathered here today," she began her famous speech and my heart hammered in my chest. "to not only celebrate what these students have done, but also choose from them ten who will attend to possibly the most important job in Neopia." My hands were sweaty, and as much as I tried to prevent it, I zoned out of her Highness' speech and reminded myself of why I deserved this job.

My years of staying up until three am poring over obscure books that contained slightly irrelevant information made me the most read scholar in my group of friends, and probably the whole student body. I was the student who always aced her tests but never had to study – I knew the content so well. Suddenly Fyora's voice broke my thoughts, "Brooke Windsor – Protector." My head snapped up and my entire row stared at me, their false congratulatory smiles pulling me back into reality.

No way.

I stood up shakily and walked down the aisle, concentrating on not tripping while Fyora was watching. The three steps to the podium were the longest I had taken in my life. Fyora continued to smile graciously as I reached to shake her hand. She was more perfect close up. Her hand was smooth and cool like wax as it wrapped around mine. Her voice was sweet and almost hushed as she congratulated me. The room began to blur and spin as she pinned the badge onto my dress, the one I worked so hard to make. I was suddenly self-conscious. Did I look okay? I beamed back at Fyora, hoping my lipstick hadn't smudged, and stumbled back to my seat. A couple people sent me dirty looks, but I didn't mind. This was surreal.

However, it seemed as if I was the last. I felt a little shame now: everyone knows that the last faerie picked is the least qualified. But I was still in, was I not? Fyora continued to tell us that our jobs would begin the next day, orientation in three hours. After it was finished, I flew home as fast as I possibly could. With my name in the papers I needed to look good.

My home was a little sense of normal in this new exciting turn of events. I set the kettle to boil and placed a teabag in a mug. I leaned close to the mirror and swiped more mascara on my lashes, perfume to my neck, and glitter to my wings. What was I going to do for the next two hours until orientation? Friends! I had completely forgot about them. I sent a quick neomail to each of my little circle, hoping to get a reply. Then I sat to wait, sipping my tea and petting my sleepy Babaa, Rose.

I began to map through in my mind what would happen in the orientation – conversations I would have with my colleagues and how I would present myself to my new boss. And so I sat there sipping tea until my mug was dry. I glanced up at the clock and realized a half hour had passed and still no reply from my friends. As I went to refill my tea, I remembered I would need various sorts of supplies for my new job. This was so exciting!

I normally preferred walking to flying, but I seemed to have just so much energy that I flew all the way down to the stationary store I had once worked at. Out of breath, I ran into the store only to bump into someone. I looked up and gasped. "Monique?" I asked. My best friend – she had not been chosen.

Hi," she said icily.

I recoiled a little bit, hurt and confused. "Where've you been? I neomailed you like twice!"

She looked bored. "Oh really?" her voice was flat and uninterested. "I must have missed them. Anyway, I have to go plant some flowers."

She left me standing in the entrance, her familiar earthy scent lingering in the air a moment before the door swung shut and the bells attached jangled merrily. A lump formed in my throat. What was going on? The flooding smell of new paper and pencils soothed me a little and the small familiar shop greeted me, reminding me of why I was here. 'I'll sort that out later,' I thought to myself. For now I needed some good retail therapy.

If a little pricey, the new collection of appropriately themed aquatic notebooks were waterproof and adorable - with little maraquan petpets swimming around on the front. I needed erasers too – and possibly a new briefcase. Soon my basket became filled with little supplies I thought I needed. Mr. Squiggle, the kind old Tonu – immigrated from Shenkuu - who owned the shop, was at the register.

My!" he greeted me. "These are a lot of things, are they not? Oh my, yes, how could I have forgotten? Congratulations, Brooke, you make wonderful in the FOL. You know Wren made it in too?"

Really?" this was news to me. When I worked here Wren was often on my shifts too. "That's awesome! I look forward to seeing him in… oh geez, 15 minutes." I glanced at the large grandfather clock behind the counter.

You go quick!" Mr. Squiggle smiled sweetly and bagged all my things. "Is on the house."

Are you sure?" I stared at him. "That's at least ten thousand points of items!" I knew how slow business was.

You a good worker. My congratulatory present!" He offered me the bags. I took them with a grateful smile, thanked him, and rushed out the door.

~~~

My name is Mr. Grant. I will be your boss for the next ten years. You will answer to me only in "yes sir" and "no sir". If I hear any sort of protest in anything asked of you, a due punishment will follow. I trust you will not be ungrateful for this job as many would kill to replace you."

We all knew who he was – the dictator and the true heart of the FOL. Although strict, everyone could agree he had a heart of gold. He'd been at FOL since anyone could remember and knew more about it than just about anyone.

For the first month in your positions you will be coached by those previously in your positions. You will follow their orders. After this first presentation by Her Mayjesty Queen Fyora herself on the history of the fountain, you will meet with those who will coach you in the next month for a fifteen minute period. Coffee and cookies will be served following. Now please welcome Her Majesty Queen Fyora to the stage."

We sat in a small presentation room left of the foyer of the FOL Faerie Enforcement Building. Finally inside, the building was as simple as on the outside. Modern and sleek, the walls were the soft beige of butter, the secretary's desk was long, curving, and mahogany, the floors pink marble. The secretary was a pretty Fire Faerie named Sara. I had found a seat next to Wren and we had conversed excitedly until Mr. Grant sauntered onstage_ It seemed he was the Protector as well as myself.

Hello," the Queen smiled warmly. "It's nice to meet you all. Hopefully in the next few years we will all grow very close in the act of preserving the most important element in Neopia. I'll begin with a short history of the Fountain of Life, which I'm sure you all know by heart – but it is important to have it fresh in your mind while you learn of your new positions.

Long, long ago when the very first Faerie Queen, Elspeth, ruled there was a faerie named Aqualia. She was the first water faerie and was very beautiful. She had a very special gift, however, and that was the gift of immortality, discovered at a young age. Queen Elspeth appointed her to the task of blessing the brook that supplied Neopia's water. This provided every thing that drank the water with eternal life.

As she grew and realized her great gift, she became very conceited. With her great power, she yearned to rule the planet. Queen Elspeth had been weakened in battle, and Aqualia was able to perform a very powerful spell on her majesty, locking her away in the palace. She ruled for a very short time as Queen, as she was easily fooled, and the other faeries easily unlocked Queen Elspeth.

The Faeries performed possibly the most powerful spell ever created on Aqualia - which separated her spirit from her body. Her spirit was locked in the only rock that could contain it: variolite – mined from the deepest icy caverns of Terror Mountain. Her body was placed in a spot that only one person on this earth would know – and they pass it on for generations in case the knowledge is needed. The variolite was carved into a brick and placed in the river which now supplies our entire planet.

However, there are some Neopians who believe that Aqualia should still be more than a spirit and will do anything to get her out of her prison. Without the stone, the water will become ordinary without it's immortal powers. Old or sick Neopians will not get better and eventually turn into ghosts or zombies – which are both threats to society. So your job is to protect the stone from anyone who wants to steal it, and regulate the water et cetera so the environment does not change.

So now, I'll move on to your jobs within the Fountain of Life Faerie Enforcement Building. Robyn Lightfeather – you're first," she smiled warmly. Robyn stood, her face flushed. Another faerie walked onstage_ �� a beautiful water faerie. "This is Miss Moon, the previous Head Regulator." One by one we were each numbered off with the people previously working where we would be.

The previous Protector was a short, compact Dark Faerie named Christina – Tiny Tina for short. She had a sweet heart-shaped face and wore rectangular glasses slung around her neck by a glittering chain. Her brownish purple hair, which was pulled into a tight bun, had a couple streaks of grey in it. She spoke sharply but gently, in a voice crossed between an army general and a kindergarten teacher.

Your job," she told Wren and I. "initially is to protect the stone. Imagine that the stone is your child – you will have to put your life on the line for it. Every six months or so the continuous flow of water begins to wear down the spells that bind not only the spirit inside, but the stone in place. It is your jobs to memorize those spells and put them into action. This," she hands me a fat book with an illustration of the fountain on the front. "is your textbook. Your new bible. By next year you are expected to memorize all the content."

She went on to tell us the importance of our jobs and the different rules and regulations, the power of the spells, and the rules that bound our magic. She took us outside to the FOL river. She peeled a thick coat of moss off a rock, revealing a glowing blue stone. Tina put her hands to the stone and murmured some words quietly. The stone fell into her hands and she held it up into the sunlight, her eyes shining.

The stone was the transparent colour of the ocean. There was a fist-sized diamond in the middle, capturing the sunlight and sending glittering light all over. It seemed to have it's own internal glow. Tina looked at me – seemingly having a hard time ripping her eyes from it. "The diamond in the middle is the variolite case around the spirit. The rest around it is not really rock, it's the essence of the spell, which is why it can glow on it's own. When the spell is wearing away, the glow will dull. You have to be very attentive to the levels of its incandescence. If you let the spell wear away altogether the spirit will escape." I nodded. "There should be a diagram of it on page 506 in your textbook. See if you can identify where it is now."

I shivered. Wren noticed, and kindly offered to go get my sweater. I watched as he disappeared around the corner. Opening the textbook, I glanced up at Tina, who was completely absorbed in the rock. As she murmured, the rock's incandescence dulled, the blue rapidly slipping out like steam escaping from boiling water.

Uh Tina..?" She didn't look up. "There is no page 506…" She finally looked up, baring her needle sharp teeth. Her eyes had turned a sharp crimson. The air was cold, like someone had encased my body in an ice cube. Then she vanished.

The sky had darkened, grey stormy clouds gathering over Faerie Hollow. The trees rustled in a new chilly wind and pink blossoms were carried away. I stood there in desperate silence. What was I going to do? Suddenly Mr. Grant was running towards me, his crimson tie blowing behind him.

Brooke Windsor." He spoke my name slowly, grabbing my shoulders in an iron grip. My wings caught in the wind and blew backwards. "You're Brooke, right?" I nodded slowly, only thinking of the missing stone. "Please come inside, Neopia Central has issued a warning of a tornado heading this way. Where is Tina?"

I pointed to the evident hole in the river wall, the coating of moss carelessly discarded. His warm smile dissipated. "Where is the stone?" he demanded, his grip on my shoulders tightening. "WHERE IS THE STONE?!" he was shouting now.

Tina took it," I said in a small voice. His face grew whiter than his hair.

Y-you can't accuse her of doing that! Tina has worked faithfully for us for so long!" his expression was confused and vulnerable for a flash, then hardened. He paused for a moment, looking around. "Well we're going to have to find her then."

~~~

We called an emergency meeting in the conference room – a large room on the top floor with a giant glass table in the middle. Fyora sat at the end, regal and calm in all the chaos.

Has Tina given you the grace yet, Brooke?" asked Mr. Grant, massaging his temples. I shook my head, no. He let out a long sigh.

Then I will have to grace you right now. Usually we have a ceremony, but there is simply no time," Fyora stood. She beckoned me over.

I stood face to face with her at the front of the room. She placed her hand gently on my right shoulder and began speaking in the ancient Faerie language. As she spoke, a chill ran through my body and I suddenly felt this great energy course through my veins.

I have just given you all my knowledge and spells related to the stone," Fyora said quietly. "Use this knowledge wisely."

But, your highness, Tina told me that I needed to memorize a textbook," I told her.

He pale purple eyebrows raised a little. "Let's see this textbook." I took the book from my bag. She took it and quietly flipped through it. "This is a fake. I've never heard of the author." She handed it to Wren and a slip of paper fluttered out. Wren stooped to pick it up and handed it to the Queen.

She frowned. "What in Neopia could this mean?" She passed the note around. In large block letters three words were scrawled across the scrap of paper. "PURPLE ELEPHANTES HARRRY."

We sat, pondering in confused silence. "It could be an anagram," Lauren Windspeed, another one of the ten, piped up.

Sarah the secretary produced a notebook and began speedily writing things down. Her face lit up, "You know, I bet it's in the ancient language, Your Highness."

Fyora smiled, "I like the way you think. If I am correct I am the only one fluent in the language..?" We all nodded. She took the clipboard from Sarah. After a moment her face lit up. "This is quite a simple anagram. It says aleeh neput satyr. It means "in the darkest cave". I'm assuming this means the cave in which Aqualia's body is buried. We must act quickly, Tina is most likely already at the cave. The spell to unite the body with spirit is quite lengthy and there are few who can perform it. I am almost certain that that is Tina's motive."

She continued, "The only person who knows where the cave is is possibly the oldest Faerie in Neopia. I will accompany Brooke and Wren to her home. The rest of you will answer to the instruction of Mr. Grant." She folded the note back into the book and handed it to Mr. Grant.

~~~

You two must be careful," Fyora said, slipping on her driving goggles and gloves. We stood in front of the most spectacular faerie cloud racer in Neopia. "Silvermist is very wise, but she has seen a lot of things that can change a person. You must be careful to stick to what you came for and speak very clearly. She is very kind, but if anything do not mention anything to do with old Faerieland. She is old and does not adapt very well to change." Fyora beckoned for us to climb into the back of the racer.

Excuse me for asking, Your Highness," Wren asked timidly. "but why don't you know of the location of the cave?"

Fyora gave a delicate sigh. "Silvermist will live forever and will never change. The descendants of the Queen may change their perspectives and share the secret with others. Silvermist is trustworthy."

We rode in silence, following, the racer speeding up the winding paths of Faerie Hollow. Soon civilization became sparse and we were immersed in nature. Finally the racer slowed in front of a small pale green house with a brown thatched roof and small dusty windows. A well kept garden with exotic flowers I had never seen before adorned the stone path to the front step.

Now be very careful of what you say and be extremely polite. Manners matter a lot to her. Good luck," Fyora waved her delicate gloved hand.

Without Fyora I felt uncertain and vulnerable. Why couldn't she come in? Wren and I stood in front of the door for a good moment until finally he reached out and knocked. A bird chirped in the distance and crickets chirped deep in the wood. Finally the door creaked open.

Why hello there, young ones," the old faerie greeted us merrily. Wren and I exchanged glances. This was not the disabled, frail old woman Fyora had described. She stood tall, with long silvery hair down to her hips. Her face was pretty and heart shaped with bright blue eyes. She'd once been very beautiful.

Hello madam," Wren began. "If you could spare a few minutes from your day, we'd like to speak with you."

Of course!" Sivermist swung the door open wide. "Come right in! I just put the pot on to boil – would you like some tea?"

That would be nice," I told her. Wren nudged me and glared pointedly at Fyora in her racer. A little tea wouldn't hurt.

Young man, why don't you go sit down in the living room? Us women will prepare the tea and cookies," she smiled sweetly and pointed to a small room to left. The house smelled of herbs and old books.

Silvermist set about her small yellow kitchen moving and tidying things as the kettle boiled on the stove. She took an unlabeled tin from her pantry and told me to grab two mugs from the cupboard. The kitchen was small, but had a window on one wall with a view of Elspeth's Meadow. Suddenly she turned to me, lightning quick, her face two inches from mine. She smelled like old books and lavender soap.

Brooke Windsor," she whispered breathily. She was focused intently on me, her eyes a very pale green. She smiled, revealing sharp teeth similar to Tina's. "I knew you would come." She ran her hand down my cheek, her long nailed fingers ice cold. I shrunk back from her. "Fyora was smart to choose you, but you do have your flaws." She paused. I tensed and had the urge to yell for Wren. "You want something," she hissed. "We'll see if you get it… you must give something first." She chuckled softly.

She turned back her stove. "Chamomile dear?" her voice returned to its merry warble. I was speechless and terrified. "Speak UP, darling. I'm not getting any younger."

Oh yes, that would be fine," I managed to choke out.

Sugar?"

Yes, please."

Now let's go see what that young man wanted," she held the two mugs and walked speedily out the door.

She sat down on an overstuffed turquoise armchair. I gave Wren his tea and sipped mine, wondering why Silvermist didn't have one. I sat close to him, enough to smell the fresh scent all Air Faeries have. The smell soothed my nerves.

Wren Herondale," she began, her eyes paling. I tensed, leaning closer into him. Suddenly she recovered and her eyes shone blue. "You wanted to speak to me of something? Oh my… I suppose I haven't introduced myself. I'm Silvermist Waxwing, closest friend and advisor to her Majesty Queen Elspeth."

Very nice to have your acquaintance," Wren smiled warmly. "We've come here today with bad news, unfortunately. Aqualia's stone has been stolen. It has been taken to the cave where Aqualia is buried, most likely to unite her body with spirit. We are told you are the only one to know the location."

Oh yes," her eyes paled and drilled into mine. I gripped Wren's warm arm. "Brooke Windsor. I will tell you the answer, only if you give something of your own to me."

Wh-what is that?"

Something you hold dear to you," her eyes moved to my chest where my family stone hung heavy from my neck. "something you will miss." She smiled maliciously, baring her pointed teeth.

Will you return it?" I asked hesitantly. Family stones held a faerie's happiness – without them for long would send a faerie into a zombie-like state.

With a price," she smiled again, her eyes almost completely white. I shivered against Wren. "I want your youth. How I would love to wake up in the morning without the aches and pains of old age. I will take your youth." I sat there in silence. Wren turned to me, mouthing "no". But then I thought of Fyora, my dreams of being a part of the FOL.

It is the only way," Silvermist said firmly. Her eyes were beginning to become blue again.

Alright."

Good!" she clapped her hands together. "This is marvelous. I have a map now, darling. I will give it to you in the trust I will give it back. Do not doubt that you will pay if you keep it." She reached into her shirt and pulled out a worn browned roll of paper. She gave it to me with shaking pale hands. "Keep it safe."

I silently unhooked the stone from my neck. It left a cold, vulnerable spot on my chest. Already I could feel darkness overcome me. Hesitantly handing her the glowing amber stone, a lump formed in my throat. She grabbed it greedily, her eyes paling slightly.

Good luck, travelers," she said softly.

~~~

Fyora was not waiting for us outside the house.

What will we do without her?!" I wailed. "I know nothing! We haven't worked a minute in that silly building and know nothing about the stupid stone. Why did Tina have to steal it? Why?!"

Brooke," Wren soothed, slipping the map from my hands. "Fyora trusts us to do the right thing. She is never wrong. She's the Queen of the Faeries for Pete's sake. Get yourself together. We'll go to the cave, reverse the spell, and come back to get your family stone. She's just a crazy old lady."

No, Wren, Silvermist knew we were coming. She might be crazy but her words do mean something. Oh where is Fyora?"

We're supposed to follow the map, Brooke," Wren told me, his voice hinting on frustration. "I know the separation from your stone is hard, but we'll make it through. For now we have to keep our heads and find the cave." I nodded miserably as Wren unrolled the ancient map. "We have to head to the base of Terror Mountain. There's a passage there up to the heart of the mountain."

Leading me by the hand like a parent to a stubborn child we walked back down to Faerie Hollow. From there we hailed a cart. It'd begun to rain, misting from the grey swirling sky. As we waited for a cart to pass, Wren turned to me.

Look, how about I give you my own family stone for a bit." He worked the clasp around his neck. "It'll tide you over for a little bit – besides, you're the smart one here." He smiled a little.

Oh Wren," I said. "That would be wonderful. But only for a bit, okay? And you are the smarter one." The second his stone touched my chest it was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. "Thanks," I sighed. He frowned and nodded.

Finally, a uni-drawn cart passed. "You know there's a tornado warning, Mister," the Uni raised an eyebrow at us.

We have orders from her majesty Queen Fyora herself. We need to get to the north side of Terror Mountain right now," Wren told him sternly. Something in his voice was strained, scaring me a little. The Uni whinnied and muttered something under his breath as we climbed into his cart.

The cover's back there, mister, should be easy to put on. We have to move fast - that tornado's coming."

When the cover was on, Wren pulled the map from his pocket. "So here," he pointed to the worn drawing of Terror Mountain. "We'll enter. I'm assuming we'll need a spell –"

Ilya fendih skipur," I muttered. "That's the spell. Fyora's spell really worked! It's really cool – it's not like I'm consciousl –"

We'll talk about that later Brooke, for now we need to focus on what we're doing," Wren snapped. His face was pale, his eyes wild. I recoiled, sulking. "Okay. So then we need to follow the pathway until we reach a fork – which is where we turn left. There's something written here, but it's in the ancient language. Hopefully it's not a warning, as neither of us can read it." I nodded. Suddenly the cart came to a halt.

We were stopped in front of a long stretch of white snow, the Terror Mountain range far in the distance.

This is as far as I'll go folks. That'll be 25,000 neopoints," the Uni called back into the cart. Wren handed him the cash and the Uni quickly galloped away.

We stood there for a minute until Wren started violently kicking the snow, his face pink. "Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid!! What in Moltara are we going to do?!"

Wren," I called timidly, unclasping the stone from my neck. "Wren, put your stone back on. I need you to keep us together, or we'll never get this done." When I took it off, I began to see the bleakness of our situation and began to sob, my tears freezing down my face.

Brooke, come on, let's go. I know a spell to keep us warm until we get there. There's not a second to waste." Wren took my trembling hand and muttered a few words. The air around us heated, snowflakes melting upon contact.

Wren pulled me up into the air, his wings blowing hot air into my face. I flew along too. By some grace the high winds in the mountain range worked with us and allowed us to fly faster. In no time we were able to land and look straight up the deserted north side of Terror Mountain.

So where's the door?" I asked bitterly.

You know, Brooke, say the spell," Wren soothed me patiently.

Ilya fendih skipur." An opening materialized a few feet from us, revealing a dark hole in side of the mountain. "We don't have any light!" I sobbed.

Even Wren had nothing to say to this. The silence was deafening, the snowflakes landing peacefully on us. With the discouragement, Wren's spell had weakened and we were beginning to freeze.

End of Part 1

{c}