An Important Delivery

     The Xweetok’s belly grumbled for a toasty beverage. From picturing the gentle steam wafting from a tenderly poured Aisha Hot Chocolate, his mouth watered. The bittersweet cocoa will soon be his.

     A sigh of relief left his mouth when his paw dug into his pocket, heft with neopoints: enough for one drink to end the day.

     As the sun dipped behind the foothills, a rusted glow gave way to cooling purple hues, transforming the comfy village houses into a muted landscape under the stars.

     Ivasco hurried his pace further. His next step became swifter than the last, his foot barely touching the ground. He paid no mind to the clashing winter headwind hardening his brows. Adrenaline rushed his veins and the reality of an Aisha Hot Chocolate waxed far more than simply a distant dream.

     His momentum died when his foot crumpled a peculiar object on the dirt road—too rigid for a leaf and too polished for the wilds.

     He picked up an envelope, freshly stamped with the mud off his boots. Tucked away inside was nothing. Ivasco scanned the meadow, his head moving from side to side, searching for the missing items. Overhead, flapping noises buffeted his ears like a flag flying high on a brisk day. A sheet of paper flitted while it wedged itself between the gnarled crook of a branch.

     The sun’s glow was fading, replaced by the icy bite sweeping Neopia Central, carrying a sneaking suspicion of snow. A breeze sent a shiver to the Xweetok’s spine.

     Ivasco wrestled with possibly leaving the letter, but the urge to climb the tree was too strong, and with a swift motion, he gripped the rough bark and began his ascent. With his feet stabilised on a lower branch, he leapt and snatched the letter mid-air from the tree’s clutch. He landed on the ground with a soft squish. His feet sank into the mud, and the coolness seeped through his boots.

     The Xweetok was in a state of disbelief of his impulse. Was it borne of curiosity? Or was it his altruistic side shining bright? It couldn’t have been the latter because his heroic spirit crashed and burned after today’s disastrous volunteer stint at the NeoHospital.

     The Voidling attacks had stopped, but Neopia Central remained overflowing with patients, desperately needing care and healing hands.

     His primary responsibility was for the baby pets, providing both safety and comfort while Dr. G and Nurse Glee attended to more dire cases. The incessant wails of babies, like a chorus of screechy Crokabeks, echoed in his ears even to this very second. He endured the mane-tugging and the leaden rattle bonks against his head because the reward was worth it. The prospective smooth flow of an Aisha Hot Chocolate meeting his lips boosted his endurance.

     Food wasn’t his sole focus.

     The resignation letter, similar to the envelope in hand, loomed over him like a dark cloud. Before the invasion, Ivasco thrived in the stressful environment with his kind eyes and an extra juice pouch for the behaving babies. His patients’ smiles, a radiant mix of gratitude and trust, rejuvenated him for the next set of challenges.

     His heart, once strong and steady, had floundered.

     Earlier today, Ivasco found himself in the supply closet, hugging his knees and on the verge of tears. These emotions bewildered him. They were an impossible puzzle to decipher. Yet their suffocating murk was undeniable, compelling the Xweetok to rethink who he was and what he is capable of. The demanding work that once highlighted his strengths and talents might not inspire pride in him anymore.

     A shadow brewed within Ivasco, as he believed no one comprehended his struggles. The other volunteers radiated an aura of vivaciousness and dignity; their movements exuded purpose, and their smiles brimmed with serenity and confidence. They were angels, impervious to worldly problems, especially to manageable tasks any Neopet can achieve. To the poor Xweetok curled up in a ball next to the storage boxes of graham crackers, the mere suggestion of confiding in his fellow volunteers drowned him in shame.

     When the Food Shop peeked its hamburger bun roof over the horizon, Ivasco unwittingly crumpled the letter in his hand. He had sworn to ditch it, eager to gulp his hot chocolate, but his fists only tightened their grip.

     As he stuffed the sheet into the envelope, he glanced at the first few lines. His eyes couldn’t lift off the text and the words freed a gentle stream of tears to flow.

     Upon reaching the Money Tree, the road divided into two distinct paths: to the left, where crowds flowed in and out the bustling Food Shop, and opposite to that, a string of shops dotting the southern edge of the Rainbow Pool.

     A warm “Welcome!“ accompanied the mild jingle of the bell above the door.

     Ivasco stomped his feet at the doormat, ridding himself of the dirt. “One stamp, please. Yes, and deliver this letter, too.”

     The Xweetok slid over half the coins from his pocket onto the counter.

     “A very important letter, I take it.” The Post Office Shopkeeper chuckled as he patted the dried mud off the envelope.

     “You can say that.“

     “Very good. To whomever it may go, they will face such joy from your words. You made a meaningful difference in someone’s life.”

     Ivasco shifted his gaze away. “Yeah, sure.“

     The Post Office Shopkeeper sealed the envelope with a circular stamp donning a star-laden Kougra, Acara, and Doglefox. A white-feathered delivery Weewoo with a blue cap hopped from out of the counter and scooped the letter into its satchel. It nodded at the two and scampered away.

     “Have a safe trip home,“ said the Post Office Shopkeeper as he stowed the last of today’s unsold inventory onto a shelf.

     The streets of Neopia Central were always gleaming. The Auction House, the Bank, and the shops flashed with advertisements and product displays. Commanding most of the visual flair, the NC Mall blasted large beams of light into the night, crafting golden stairways into the stars.

     With his pockets more airy than before, Ivasco stared at the Food Shop wistfully and sighed as he made his way to the General Store.

     The comforting scent of coffee and the soft, pillowy marshmallows brought him a sense of peace, and he let out a warm, steadied sigh.

     ~The Letter~

     Dear Friend,

     Allow me to get sentimental here. I hope the organisers and the volunteers know how much fun they sparked from their hard work at the Birthday Bash. I’m the Neopian with the canvas costume. The laughter and excitement were a welcome reprieve from the daily grind. For the past few months, I was a NeoHospital volunteer. My hair had lost its colour, and it’s not because of the Grey Painter.

     My brain short-circuited, and every muscle in my body throbbed from the frequent burnout. After three consecutive night shifts, I nearly missed the celebration. Thank Fyora for the excited party-goers giggling and squealing outside my window, jolting me from potentially oversleeping.

     No words could contain the exhilaration when we shared our personal Neopets stories and the things we love about this world. Not to mention the art and trinkets everyone had handmade for the event. They’re on my desk as I write this message. One glance at the breathtaking gifts never fails to uplift me.

     One of my cherished memories from that night was presenting my costume and seeing so many smiles from kindred souls who love Neopia as much as I do.

     I’ve always been a shy Neopian and finding people to play the newest release of trading cards has always been impossible where I live. This party gave me an opportunity I never knew I had. It’s one thing to practice solo, but to go toe-to-toe with new and passionate friends is world-changing.

     Even if we spoke for a moment, know that you’re the reason I’m going home, smiling and refreshed. Thank you!

     Sincerely,

     lunaticrave “LC“

     The End.