From One Usuki Fan to Another

     It was, truthfully, quite a stressful experience—clambouring over Acaras and Jetsams alike in a desperate attempt to secure the most prized and limited items. One year, she had even been clipped by a Grarrl’s toenail as the Grarrl, feet clad only in flimsy sandals, had tripped over Stella’s paw. She couldn’t complain too much, though. Just the year before, she had been pushing about in the frantic crowd and gotten the better part of a Usul’s tail in her mouth. She wasn’t sure who had been more mortified when she had promptly gagged and slobbered all over it—her or the Usul.

     Still, there was something about the whole ordeal that Stella loved. She loved being surrounded by all fellow fans in the queue, all forgoing a good night’s rest in order to try and be one of the very first to enter the store. She loved rushing through the store doors when the apprehensive storekeeper, a usually cheery Blumaroo, opened the doors. She loved the crush of the crowd and the exhilarating feeling of success and joy as her paws wrapped around this year’s newest Usuki set or doll.

     This year was no different. Her long ears twitched with excitement as she saw the storekeeper approach the doors. She counted down in her head. Three. Two. One. And then, putting her strong Cybunny legs to good use, she pounced forward.

     Stella’s next stop was the convention itself, where she thought she might spend the rest of the day before attending the parade in the evening. She had, however, had an extremely productive few minutes at the Ususkiland. She had managed to push and elbow her way through the crowd, and she left with heavy shopping bags and an extremely light bank account. Her priority was always to get the newly released Usuki doll—preferably two. That way, she could have one for display and one for play. This year, although she had managed to get only one Usuki doll, she had managed to get her hands on an incredibly elusive Goodie Bag. She almost never managed to get the year’s Goodie Bag, so she was especially pleased. And then, because she was there (and, apparently, celebrating), she picked up a few other bits and pieces. The Blumaroo had put a number of items on sale for the day, including Fluffy Usuki Slippers, Usuki Nail Clippers, and Usuki Sheet Masks. Then at the counter, she had spotted some Usuki Gummy Faces, and she just couldn’t resist. They were immediately added to her basket.

     Laden with bags, she made the decision to go back home first. Although she was desperate to get to the convention as quickly as possible, she knew that it would be a significantly better experience if she wasn’t lugging around multiple shopping bags. Plus, you never know what could happen at these events. What if someone saw her Goodie Bag? Her Usuki? What if they hadn’t been so lucky? And what if they were willing to do nefarious things to get one given the opportunity? Stella didn’t like to think the worst of other Neopians, but she knew that Usuki fans were particularly excitable and often willing to do whatever it took.

     And so, she decided that arriving a little bit later than usual would be for the best. She quickly hopped home, gently deposited her bags and then, throwing a final longing look at her acquired goods, closed the door and headed out again. Empty-handed, she made her way to Usukicon.

     To say that the convention was busy would be an understatement. It felt like every Neopian alive was there. And yet, somehow, it felt calmer than the store had been that morning. The crowds were more civilised, and Stella happily meandered from stall to stall, looking over the products. Most of the stalls were selling older or fan-made products, most of which Stella, a longtime dedicated fan, already owned. Still, she enjoyed perusing them and making small talk with the stall holders and occasionally complimenting the Neopians who had decided to cosplay as various Usuki dolls.

     She was quietly contemplating if a Festive Usuki Banner would look good in the spare bedroom (her bedroom, of course, already had one), when a loud cheering noise caught her attention. Always a curious young Cybunny, she immediately began to weave through the crowd towards the hullabaloo. It very quickly became obvious coming from, and Stella soon joined a large group of cheering Neopians. At the centre of the crowd was a Mynci standing on a podium. In one paw, the Mynci held a megaphone. In the other, she held an Aviator Usuki Doll—the new release for this Usukicon.

     “One Aviator Usuki Doll! Come on up, folks! I’ve got one Doll to give away to one lucky Neopian! That’s right, come on up! Come closer!”

     Although Stella knew she already had one at home, she still gasped. She had already designated her previous purchase as a display doll, but she did desperately want one for play. And so, like everyone else in the crowd, she inched closer and closer.

     It seemed too good to be true. To the left of the Mynci’s podium was a large glass bowl on a small table. The Mynci was asking Neopets in the crowd quiz questions about Usukis, and if a Neopet answered correctly, they were allowed to put their name in the bowl—they became part of the lucky draw. Stella's breath hitched when the Mynci finally came to her.

     “What two items do you need to combine at the Cooking Pot to create Usuki Rarebit?”

     Stella exhaled. “Traditional Welsh Usuki and a Grilled Cheese Sandwich.”

     “CORRECT!”

     Her heart beat quickly as she put her name in the bowl. She knew that her chances were slim. The majority of people had given correct answers, and the bowl was looking full. And yet, Stella still held on to a sliver of hope. She waited, bouncing with excitement, as the Mynci asked her final quiz questions. When the Mynci finally thrust her paw into the glass bowl and ferreted around for a slip of paper, Stella’s heart went still. When the Mynci called out her name, she nearly fainted.

     The doll was hers.

     It had, undoubtedly, been the best Usukicon of her life, she thought, as she clutched her Aviator Usuki Doll close to her. She had the rest of the day thoroughly. And, although she’d never say it out loud, some of that was due to all the extremely envious glances shot her way throughout the day as people spied the doll in her paws. Now, tired and thoroughly Usuki’d-out, she was ready to go home.

     She was just stepping out of the exit doors when she heard a muffled noise. She glanced around. Most of the attendees were still inside, and so it took her a long time to spot a young Aisha. She was, Stella realised, crying softly.

     Stella slipped her Doll under her jacket and then approached, hesitant. Usually, Stella liked to keep to herself, but the Aisha really did look—she looked around again to check—totally alone.

     “Excuse me. Are you okay?”

     The young Aisha leapt up and immediately flushed a deep tomato red. “Oh! I… oh. I just… It’s silly. My daughter wanted one of those new dolls, and… Oh, well, you know what it’s like.” She forced a watery smile and made an indistinct gesture with her arm. “I didn’t realise how hard it would be to get one.”

     “Oh.”

     “It’s her birthday tomorrow,” the Aisha continued, her voice gradually becoming steadier. “Five years old. Gosh. Oh, she’ll be so disappointed, but that’s my fault. I shouldn’t have got her hopes up, promising I’d find one for her. Really, I just didn’t realise how popular those little dolls are.”

     “I…”

     Stella realised with sudden clarity that she was going to do something totally unexpected. She hesitated, second-guessing herself. But she knew in her heart that it was the right thing to do—that she’d be kicking herself if she didn’t.

     “Um. Is this the doll she wanted?”

     The Aisha’s eyes widened. “Oh! Yes. It is.”

     She pushed the doll forward. “Please. Take it.”

     “I couldn’t!” The Aisha shook her head, looking confused. “It’s yours, and you’re clearly a big fan. And they’re so hard to come by… No, I couldn’t. But it’s very kind of you to offer.”

     “Please take it.” Stella wasn’t sure she had the fortitude to offer again if the Aisha declined. “From one fan to another.”

     In a moment that stretched an eternity, the Aisha reached out, slowly grasping the doll in her own paws. Her eyes shone with tears as she looked at Stella.

     “Thank you. Really, I don’t know what to say. Can I pay you, at least? Goodness, let me pay you.”

     “No, no,” Stella said. “It’s a gift.”

     And before she could question herself—before she could rip the doll back like a small part of her wanted to—she hopped away. And although her paws felt light and her head felt heavy, she knew she’d done the right thing. Usukicon, after all, wasn’t just about collecting things. It was about the fans, and Stella was sure she’d just made a young fan’s day. What could be better than that?

     The End.