A Little Coffee, Colouring, and Care

      To be frank, Detective Greg has had a series of dull days recently. It was not like there weren’t any mysteries in Neopia to solve. Afterall, there was a giant purple cloud out in interplanetary space that was terrorizing Neopia and a mysterious grey painter turning the world grey. Even though Detective Greg was a professional detective, a space mission was a bit out of his expertise and he also was not fit enough to fight the mischievous voidlings in the Battledome. Fighting just wasn’t his style in general. He felt at a loss for how he could help out.

      It was at this time that his assistant, a white Weewoo named Waddleson, flew over with the newly delivered mail. Another sigh escaped Detective Greg as he glazed over his bills, a collection envelope from The Money Tree that he had subscribed to, and finally a copy of the most recent Neopian Times. It had been a bit since Detective Greg had been mentioned in the pages, but it wasn’t like he was counting the days or anything (he was). He decided to not even unroll it today.

      Detective Greg was just about to turn back to his colouring when Waddleson started pecking at the Neopian Times. After a bit of a stare-off with his Weewoo, Detective Greg gave in and proceeded to unfold the newspaper.

      With a ‘chrrrrpp chrrrrp’ and another peck, Waddleson emphasized a boxed advertisement on the bottom right corner of the first page. Detective Greg mumbled the article out loud:

     [Attention: Help is wanted at the Volunteer Centre!

     Dr. G is looking for kind Neopians to join the Neopian Hospital Volunteer Team. We need those with a compassionate spirit and heart to aid others in their difficult battles. Any interested Neopian need not apply; please come directly to the Neopian Hospital to volunteer your time. Thank you.]

      Detective Greg rolled his eyes and rerolled the paper, only for Waddleson to angrily let out a ‘brrrflp’ and jump in the air, plopping back down. This was Waddleson’s way of showing his frustration.

      “Waddleson, I’m not fit for that position,” Detective Greg began, letting out yet another sigh, “How can I help others when I can’t even help myself?” It is true that Detective Greg suffers from depression. One that no coffee could cure, no matter how delicious.

      Waddleson shook his tail feathers at Detective Greg and then hopped off the counter to scurry across the room.

      Going back to his dotting, Detective Greg now somehow felt even more down. His worries and fears were starting to creep up on him. Just when he was thinking that perhaps he should return to his bed again for the whole day (or maybe two!), Waddleson returned with a newfound confidence. He spat something out with a big plop on top of the newspaper.

      It was Waddleson’s Petpetpet- a small Pebble with a smiling face on it. It was almost as if Waddleson was trying to tell Detective Greg to cheer up, to try again, to not let his depression win.

      “Okay, I suppose I can go and just see what this is all about,” Detective Greg answered reluctantly, giving in to his feathery friend. Waddleson gave a determined nod. Detective Greg needed this little one in his life. He was once again reassured that getting an assistant had been the best move for him.

      Neopia Central was not a very long journey for him. Once blooming in all the pigments of the rainbow, these days Neopia Central was just as grey as Detective Greg was. Even the shopkeepers had his ‘ho-hum’ attitude and lack of will. It made getting to the Neopian Plaza and then the Hospital pretty easy since no bystanders felt like stopping and chatting.

      The Hospital itself was a little different than Detective Greg had remembered it. On one side, it was business as usual with Nurse Glee the Blue Elephante. Thankfully the grey curse hadn’t reached her. She had her clipboard ready to recommend amenities and her little Buzzer Petpet was helping her stock the Pharmacy shelves. After Detective Greg gave a polite nod in Nurse Glee’s direction, he turned to face the other side of the room.

      This was the area that was different. A counter was nestled in the middle of the room with a Green Gelert in a lab coat and tie behind it. Around him appeared to be draped off hospital rooms that appeared to each have a hospital bed, vase of daisies, and a Get Well Soon Card on a dresser.

      Knowing that Waddleson would be upset if Detective Greg gave up this early into the adventure, he moseyed over to the counter with a gulp and a determined face.

      The Gelert greeted him with a smile.

      “Welcome to the Volunteer Centre!” he said, offering Detective Greg a brochure that Greg politely accepted. “Are you here to help others recover during this difficult time, or here to seek care yourself?”

      Detective Greg paused to think of his answer. Maybe both was a possibility? But then that would mean that he would be away from his home even longer.

      “For helping others,” Detective Greg mumbled.

      The Gelert looked pleased, “Great! I’m Dr. G. I’ll be matching you up with a Neopian in need.” Dr. G looked Detective Greg up and down, almost as if assessing him. “Okay, come right this way! I have someone I know you’ll be able to help.”

      Dr. G showed Detective Greg to one of the curtained-off rooms that had a Yellow Kacheek laying in the hospital cot. They wore a blue hospital gown and a Medical Bracelet on their wrist. They also mirrored the same sad expression as Detective Greg. With that, Dr. G suddenly turned and left, leaving Detective Greg to fend for himself.

      “Er- hello, I’m Detective Greg,” he said, quietly making his way to the side of the Kacheek’s cot.

      The Yellow Kacheek looked over at Detective Greg, giving him a weak smile. Thinking for a moment, Greg realized that he could handle this just like he did his cases; finding what this Yellow Kacheek needed was a bit like solving a mystery. He needed to interview and look for clues.

      “Are you injured?” Detective Greg asked, only for the Kacheek to shake their head as a ‘no.’ Detective Greg could already recognize that perhaps they both just had poor mental health.

      The detective next looked around the room. The Get Well Soon Card was a nice idea, but he knew that the happiness given was only fleeting. The flowers were nice too, but you couldn’t just admire flowers the whole day. Hmm, there wasn’t a whole lot that one could do to pass the time with, actually. Detective Greg knew his course of action.

      “Do you like to read?” he asked the Yellow Kacheek. Afterall, this was one of Greg’s favorite ways to pass the time. Detective Greg loved a good mystery, self-help book, even sometimes a biography.

      The Yellow Kacheek gave another weak smile and a soft “yes” in response.

      “I’ll be right back,” Detective Greg said with a determined nod and proceeded to exit the hospital. He went back to Neopia Central to scamper to the Magical Bookshop there.

      Luckily for Detective Greg, there were quite a few books he had already read and liked in stock. He started to pile the titles in his shopping cart, such as The Great Koi Caper, which was a mystery about disappearing Neopets and his tried-and-true favourite, Hilarious Chia Jokes. That one made him laugh so hard that he hurt. Feeling like something was missing about his purchase, he also ventured to The Coffee Cave on Roo Island to pick up something bitter yet sweet. It was always what he liked when he devoured a book, after all. Deciding on a Golden Juppie Delight and a bit of Coffee Meringue, Greg made his way back to the Yellow Kacheek’s room.

      The Kacheek looked just as Detective Greg had left them, but they did perk up when they noticed his arrival. Offering over the sweets and the stack of books, Detective Greg let out a sigh of relief when the Kacheek chose the Chia jokebook and flipped to the first page.

      Making his exit quietly, Detective Greg was flagged down by Dr. G.

      “How was it?” Dr. G asked with an expectant smile.

      “I think it went well,” Detective Greg answered, offering over the stack of other books he had purchased. Dr. G received them with care just as fits of laughter erupted from the room where the Yellow Kacheek was staying. Dr. G’s eyes lit up in response.

      “I’m very happy you could take the time to come volunteer today. If you ever have free time or need a little help yourself, please come back here. We’re always here to help.”

      Detective Greg nodded in response and made his way to the exit. He had been away from his home long enough.

      Once he arrived, he was pleased to find Waddleson had already prepared another steaming espresso and a new book for him by his armchair. Waddleson sat on the back of the chair, happily singing towards Detective Greg in greeting.

      “It went well, Waddleson,” Detective Greg admitted, “Helping others did make me feel a bit better.” It was the truth. It seemed like this small adventure really did bring Detective Greg some fulfillment. He supposed that he would be back again tomorrow.

     The End.