A Chocolate Ball We Won't Forget

     The Chocolate Factory’s kitchen was impressively sized, a culinary feat of neatly organised kitchen stations. The energy was a peculiar mix of intense focus, pure adrenaline, and a dash of mania - a controlled chaos of sorts. As Maple hurried to her destination, she passed a number of kitchen utensils she couldn’t even name, all specific to the unique art of creating gourmet chocolate.

     “Hands!” One of the chocolatiers called. “These are the right temperature to be served now.”

     While the majority of the preparation had been completed in advance, the Chocolate Ball was so famously grand that the chocolatiers worked around the clock, even on event day. Especially on event day. You could never have too much chocolate.

     Maple expertly scooped up a tray of Milk Chocolate Onas in one paw and a tray of Walking Carpet Chocolates in the other before making her way to the primary ballroom of the Chocolate Factory where this year’s renowned annual Chocolate Ball was being held. As always, a considerable amount of the event space was reserved for the dance floor. But the real magic, in Maple’s humble opinion, was the set-up around the outskirts of the open space.

     The mysterious Kiko, Mr. Chocolate (her favourite mental nickname for her enigmatic boss), had decided on a museum theme this year. The grand ballroom was filled with elaborate and intricate works of chocolate art - some in showcases on the floor and others hanging on the walls. In addition to completed works, there were also live art pieces in progress by the finest of Mr. Chocolate’s chocolatiers. They expertly explained their process while inviting wonderstruck guests to participate in the process and learn about chocolate firsthand.

     There were rows and rows of edible art. Much like any museum, it would take hours to see and absorb it all. And the best part about this year’s Chocolate Ball? There would be a live auction at the end! The one and only Auctioneer had volunteered his services and would be managing this portion of the event.

     Maple couldn’t wait to see what everything would sell for, particularly the oversized sugary paintings. She and Gus had a bet on how pricey things would get. Gus was convinced no one would exceed a ten million Neopoints bid, but Maple personally felt the Chocolate Ball’s showstopper piece would cost closer to one hundred million Neopoints!

     The showstopper piece was undeniably breathtaking. It was easy to identify that it was at the forefront of the exhibit. Nothing else came close! It spanned the length of an entire wall in the form of a mural. It was made of every type of chocolate you could imagine - intricately carved to perfection. The painting highlighted this year’s ball, featuring not only every single guest, but every single staff member as well. Every corner of the ballroom was captured to a T - the details materialising in delicious creams and saccharine frosting.

     The Lutari took another moment to admire the work of art before dashing back to the kitchen. No doubt there would be another tray ready to be served by now. The cocktail waitress job was only a summer gig, but Maple had familiarised herself with the pace and demands of the job.

     She was only gone for mere minutes, but when she returned to the ballroom, there was a definitive shift in the air. A crowd was beginning to form, their soft murmurs of dismay and quiet gasps echoing around the room.

     With horror, Maple realised the showstopper mural had disappeared. Her tray of Black Currant Kacheek Drops clattered to the ground, little purple gummies rolling waywardly in every which direction. “Oh no!”

     “I know,” Gus said grimly, appearing at her side. “I was admiring the white chocolate kitchen section literally five minutes ago on my way to the back - I don’t understand what happened!”

     “It’s huge,” Maple pointed out. “As in it takes up an entire wall huge. Someone would have seen it being taken. In fact, everyone would have seen it! I wonder if…”

     She let her words fade on the tip of her tongue as she noticed guests beginning to part, shrinking to the edges of the wall, as the mysterious Chia slowly walked down the aisle towards the tampered exhibit.

     While he looked deeply troubled, his demeanour was calm.

     Maple was impressed. If it were her, she’d be panicking. Loudly.

     “Well, folks, it seems our museum theme has transformed into a mystery theme,” Mr. Chocolate declared. “While the auction is now delayed, it will certainly continue! We will investigate this theft immediately. Carry on!”

     The Chia glanced up and locked eyes with Maple and Gus, the only two staff in his immediate vicinity. “All staff, follow me, please.”

     Maple and Gus practically tripped over themselves as they scurried to fall in line behind their boss.

     “I can run to the front and inform the Chia Security Guards to lock down the factory,” Gus offered.

     “I heard there was a theft the other week at Usukicon,” Maple chimed in. “I wonder if it’s the same culprit? I can mobilise some of the cocktail waiters, and we can interview staff. Or I can call the Defenders of Neopia.”

     “Thank you, but no need,” the Chia said. “I know exactly who is responsible. So we are going to go fix this mess.”

     At seeing the surprise and muted delight in their matching expressions, Mr. Chocolate chuckled with amusement. “This job isn’t just about serving sweets. At the Chocolate Factory, everyone is involved with everything, no matter your role. Now let’s go speak to the Auctioneer.”

     “The AUCTIONEER?” Maple lifted a paw to her mouth in shock. She hadn’t seen that one coming.

     “We had an argument about selling the showstopper piece earlier this week,” Mr. Chocolate admitted. “For an entrepreneur, he sure has a soft side. He hit me with a speech about prioritising the arts, how not everything should be sold, blah blah.” The Chia shrugged. “And while I understand where he’s coming from, these elaborate events don’t pay for themselves! That painting being purchased is what will help fund the next Chocolate Ball.

     “What you’re saying makes sense, sir, but where did it go?” Gus scratched the back of his head as he pondered the possibilities.

     “It didn’t go anywhere.”

     Maple, Gus, and Mr. Chocolate all turned around at the sound of the Auctioneer’s voice, filled with remorse.

     “I used an instant invisible armour potion that went unbid on to make the painting invisible,” the Scorchio confessed. “Turns out, Brightvale potions work on inanimate objects too when you coat something with it. I knew I had no chance of taking it during the event of the year. I figured if I could just make it appear like it was gone I could come back later in the night and…”

     “And what, my friend?” The Chia interrupted gently. “Hang it up in your home? Return it to the artist? Return it to me, when my plan was always to sell? Surely you must have realised none of those options would work.”

     The Auctioneer hung his head. “I hadn’t thought that far. I just didn’t think it should be sold. But that was before I knew it was to fund your events. I thought you had plenty of sponsors and donors!”

     “Not as much as in past years,” Mr. Chocolate murmured sadly. “It’s been a rough economic year, but the Chocolate Ball must always go on! It’s a Neopia Central staple event, and all my predecessors have put on this event since the creation of the factory. I won’t be the first to break the trend.”

     The Scorchio nodded in agreement. He rushed forward to hug his friend. “Agreed, you won’t be the first! I have another potion that reverses the invisibility effect. I'll transform the painting back to its original state immediately. I was wrong to interfere. I’m so sorry.”

     The Chia waved his hand dismissively with a bright smile. “All is forgiven! We were overdue for some excitement anyway. Let’s go put on an incredible auction and earn some money for the marvellous Chocolate Factory!”

     The two friends trotted off towards the ballroom arm in arm, leaving Maple and Gus to look on in awe.

     “Well, this is a shift we won’t forget,” Gus commented.

     “This is a chocolate ball we won’t forget,” Maple corrected with a grin. “Come on - back to work! I bet we can time our tray runs to coincide with the big auction.”

     And so they did.

     The End.