Fae's Adventures in the Haunted Woods

      Faeline was born on the 30th day of the month of Storing on a crisp autumn morning. Ash and Bell had never been more enchanted by any creature as they were by their daughter. She was named after Ash’s mother.

      Their large extended family all came to meet her over the month of Celebrating to celebrate her arrival and the holidays together. Though she was too little to understand, or so they thought, they all took turns helping the new parents with their bundle of joy. Fae heard all their stories of their various and exciting adventures all over the world of Neopia. The little Korbat had inherited her father’s love of adventure and her mother’s curiosity, so even though she was only a few days old, she couldn’t wait to go on her own first adventure.

     *****

      “And where do you think you are going?” Fae ran faster as she heard her mother’s voice, but her short legs were no match for the much longer ones of her mother. She was scooped up off the ground and into the Pastel Xweetok’s loving embrace. “You are quite the handful.”

      Fae protested, requesting, eloquently to be put down. Unfortunately the toddler hadn’t quite mastered English and her mother responded by ‘booping’ her young daughter on the nose and smiling at her.

      “Bell-” She heard her father’s voice as they entered their wagon home. The Pirate Xweetok was in a back room rifling through their many storage areas.“Bell have you seen my-”

      “Your tool box is on the table dear,” Bellsamy responded. “Are you taking Goo with you to work today? I need to go out and collect more herbs.”

      “Yeah,” Ash responded. “I can take Fae too.” He came into the main room and ruffled his daughter’s hair accepting her from her mother.

      “Thank you dear,” Bell said. She hugged her husband before rushing out the door.

     *****

      “Goo, stay away from the chia clowns, I mean it,” Ash told the chocolate Bori as he passed the toddler to him. He waved to a desert Hissi who was waiting for him. “Can you keep an eye on Fae for me while I see what Bazz has broken this time?”

      “Hello Goo, Fae!” Bazz the Hissi called excitedly. Bazz ran one of the many games that could be found at the Deserted Fairgrounds. No one was really sure where Bazz spent his nights, but Ash bet he slept in his game stall.

      “Hello Uncle Bazz,” The Bori said as they approached. Fae reached out for the Hissi knowing he always had a treat for her and her brother, who of course showed her where to get all the best sweets. He also always took her to catch cream pies that the robot clown chias threw at trespassers. Fae was quite partial to chocolate cream pie.

      “Bazz! Bazz!” Fae squealed using one of the few words she’d mastered. The Hissi had once been known as Bazziel, but since the little Korbat had come along he had to go by something she could pronounce.

      “Come here darling,” Bazz answered, dropping his over the top transatlantic accent he used to draw in the crowds. “Now what do I have in my pocket, oh would you look at that.” He fished out a piece of chocolate for both the children.

      “Bazz-” Ash shook his head at the Hissi as he rolled up his sleeves. “She just had breakfast.”

      “Which is why I am an uncle and not a father, now-” Fae tunned out the two adults as they talked about whatever grown ups talked about. She reached for her brother as soon as she realized they planned on continuing their boring conversation.

      Goo, usually a trouble-making irresponsible Bori, took the impatient toddler. He checked to see that the pair of adults were still engaged in their conversation. Smiling, he turned to the younger pet.

      “Let's go get some pie!” He whispered. Fae giggled with glee.

     *****

      “Goo! You are a mess! And what, is that Fae?!” Goo jumped as he heard a voice call his name. He turned guilty to see a mutant lupe he knew all too well. He was excited to see she was accompanied by a glowing magma Xweetok. Fae knew this lupe and Xweetok pair too and called out to them waving her cream covered wings.

      “Maaaay-be,” Goo answered with a remorseful smile. “Hi Stubs. Hi Scarlet” The lupe walked up to them rolling up her map. The Xweetok followed her smiling.

      “Well, well, well, is that my niece and nephew or some walking cream pies?” She laughed. She accepted the toddler. “You, my dear, need a bath!”

      “They most certainly do,” Stubs answered. “Come on, Goo. Scarlet can you handle the mini pie? While I tackle the big one. Didn’t Ash tell you to stay away from those clowns?” She sighed, shaking her head. Stubs took the Bori’s arm. It was best to tag team the pair, the Bori was none to partial to baths.

      “Of course,” Scarlet laughed. “Let's get you all cleaned up and then you and I can go visit Ven. He’s got all those cool old toys. Don’t worry, Goo, if you're good we’ll bring you back something.” She put the sticky Korbat on her shoulder and made her way toward Neovia.

     ****

      Fae loved spending time with her Aunt Scarlet. Being a magma pet, Scarlet always radiated heat, and was able to give the small Korbat a warm bath in a nearby stream on the way. Then a warm embrace dried her off. The toddler almost fell asleep on the way to the nearby town.

      “Welcome to- Oh hello, Scarlet, it is nice to see you again. Have you brought me some more maps? I can hardly keep them in stock,” The Darigan Ruki greeted them warmly as they entered the store. Fae loved the sound of the bell of the door and reached up to ring it again. “And I see you have brought young Faeline. Shall I set her up with some of the new toys I have recently got from Shenkuu?”

      “I have lots,” Scarlet laughed. “And I am sure she would love that. Hello Ludwig.” She bent down to pet the zombie karren on the counter. Scarlet took Fae off her shoulders to let the Korbat pet the Petpet as well.

      “Lovely, let's get the small one set up first and then I’ll take you into the back,” Ven replied, coming around the counter. He led them to a back corner of the shop where a playpen had already been set up for his toddler visitor.

      Ven was not usually partial to young children. They liked to touch things and often broke things. He dealt in antiques and rare items, which did not mix well with children. Fae, and even Goo were some of the few exceptions. For the children he did allow in his shop, a corner was set up with toys and entertainment for them. This was another place Fae loved.

      “I’ll be back soon, Fae, have fun with Ludwig,” Scarlet said as she placed her in the playpen. Ven put in an assortment of toys in the pen with her, and Ludwig had flown over to perch on the edge, he would keep an eye on her and the shop.

      “Enjoy,” Ven said, giving her hair a ruffle. Fae sometimes wondered if she especially attracted others to rub her head. The thought left as quickly as she had it. She was more concerned by the colorful assortment of toys she’d been left with.

     *****

      “Bo! Bo! Bo!” It had not been terribly long until someone else entered the store with the twinkling of the bell. A timid voice had called out into the seemingly empty store. Fae had been excited to hear another familiar voice.

      Ludwig called out to his master and flew to the front of the store to retrieve him. Bo, for of course it was the young sandman who’d entered the store, made his way to the children’s corner. Fae knew the Xweetok because Bo brought her sleep and sweet dreams at night with his magic dust.

      “Hi Fae,” He said. Bo was least timid when in the presence of children. Children were always easier for him to talk to than adults. They were much kinder, and most were happy to see the sandman who kept the nightmares away.

      “Bo!” the Korbat squealed with joy reaching up for him.

      “Hello Boniface,” the younger Xweetok jumped when he heard his name. He hadn’t heard the Ruki’s approach. “How can I help you today?”

      “I just, I-uh, I need some lavender,” Bo stumbled over his words, as he reached down to give the toddler a snuggle.

      “Oh, you must be Bo,” Scarlet smiled as she approached the small group. “Nice to meet you. Bellsamy has told me all about you. She told me how much Fae loves you too.” She picked up the toddler and handed her the dark Blue Xweetok. Fae squirmed and wiggled in her aunt's arms until Bo accepted her.

      “I am,” He said blushing. “It's n-n-nice to meet you.”

      “I’ll grab that lavender for you,” Ven told him, excusing himself. “Scarlet please feel free to pick out a few things for Fae and Goo.”

      “Thank you,” Both Xweetok responded.

      “Must be close to naptime,” Scarlet laughed as the toddler yawned. “Oh, I’m sorry Fae, but we have a few more stops before I bring you back to your dad.”

      “I-I-I could take her,” Bo volunteered. “I’ve watched her for Bellsamy and Ash before.” Scarlet looked the other Xweetok up and down.

      “You can trust him,” Ven said as he approached silently again. He was not a petite pet, but he navigated the crowded shop with ease. “I can vouch for Bo, you’re lavender.”

      “Th-th-thank you,” Bo stuttered, and accepted the herb.

      “Well, alright, thank you, Bo,” Scarlet said. She picked up a few toys from the playpen, and handed them to Bo.

      “Scarlet, I did have a few things I wanted to show you before you left if you have some time,” Ven told her as he headed toward the back.

      “I’ll see you soon, Fae bae,” Scarlet gave the Korbat a cuddle before following the ruki.

      “Well, let's go get you down for a nap?” Bo asked, looking at the sleepy toddler. She responded with another yawn and he took that as agreement. He carried her to the front and left some coins on the counter to pay for the lavender.

     *****

      “I’m sorry Fae,” Bo said, sitting on the ground and putting her in his lap. “We’ll find our way back and you can have a nice long nap.” The toddler was now well awake with excitement. She had never been to this part of the forest before.

      Bo hadn’t meant to go off the path but he’d spotted some plants he liked to mix into his sand, then he’d spotted another and another, and then they were lost. Ash was going to be so upset with him when he found out. The Xweetok was already afraid of Ash, he didn’t want to imagine how he’d react when he found out he’d gotten lost with his daughter.

      “Boniface, you are not injured are you?” He jumped.

      “Grym!” Bo called out in excitement, and climbed to his feet. “I-I-I am gl-glad to see you!”

      “Ah, you have young Faeline with you, is that why you do not fly?” The uni asked, smiling at Fae.

      “Yes, I’m not hurt, we just got turned around,” Bo explained, holding up Fae for emphasis. “I was going to bring her back to camp but- well- yeah-”

      “Ah, I passed Bell a bit ago, I am afraid she was with Ash earlier this morning,” Grym told him. “Shall I return her to him for you?”

      “W-wou-would you,” Bo asked, hopefully, passing Fae and her toys over.

      “Of course,” Grym knew how Bo feared the Pirate Xweetok. Ash did not look too fondly on Grym, but he had his ways.

     ****

      “Goo,” Grym caught the Bori as he made his way back to the deserted fairgrounds. Goo was relieved to see the Uni and Korbat.

      “Hi, Grym,” He said excitedly, accepting Fae. She snuggled into his dark brown fur with a sleepy sigh.

      “Think you can bring her to Ash for me?” The uni asked, Goo was about to say yes, but the uni had already disappeared into the mist, as was his way.

      He shrugged and brought Fae over to the game as Ash slid out from under the game. Ash smiled with surprise as he spotted the two still by the game where he had left them.

     “Sorry you guys, you must have had a boring morning,” He answered. Goo and Fae looked at each other.

     “It wasn’t so bad,” Goo replied with a smile.

     “Well, let's get home for lunch and Fae can have her nap,” Ash answered. “Then you can go hang with Stubs while I make the rest of my rounds.” He didn’t even notice the new toys till the next morning and no one thought to tell the pirate what had transpired while he was under the game.

     The End.