I Like Being Mutant

     The university grounds were still relatively quiet. Classes didn’t officially begin for another week, but Jhiy relished in arriving early, soaking up the last of summer and witnessing the transformation from ghost town to vibrant college town. Today, the plan was to head to the library and get a head start on some reading.

     Also, one of the main benefits of arriving at Brightvale University early was settling into the dorms. The Gelert had already carefully unpacked and organised his half of the modest room, posters and framed photos neatly tacked onto the wall. He couldn’t wait till his roommate and best friend, Duplinam the Mutant JubJub arrived so they could catch up and compare schedules.

     That was one thing that was a little unfortunate - in this new phase of academics and life in general, his nearest and dearest were still Neopets just like him. Different. Mutants. While he was grateful his classmates at Brightvale University were above bullying (thank Fyora for intelligent peers), they weren’t exactly lining up to be his friend either.

     In Jhiy’s experience, he had to take ownership of putting himself out there - getting others to truly get to know him and see past his winding horns and jagged scales. The Gelert usually did so by joining a host of different clubs and organisations. Freshman year had definitely been tough, but he was a sophomore now - older and wiser. He was confident he’d make even more friends despite his alleged intimidating looks. (He thought he looked perfectly friendly, thank you very much.)

     “I think I’ll take a quick detour and check the bulletins,” he said to himself, adjusting his heavy backpack for the second time that morning as he veered left away from the library.

     Though it was still early for the full docket of club advertisements, he bet there would still be at least a few. After all, he was far from the only student back on campus.

     But when he eventually made it to the large bulletin board in the centre of the lush green quad, there was just one lone poster pinned in the centre. The words “Assistant position open” caught his attention - probably because it was in all capitals and a glaring red font. He shuffled forward to get a closer look at the requirements.

     Must be curious

     Fondness for risk preferred

     Chaotic scientist energy encouraged

     Jhiy tapped his right foot thoughtfully as he studied the sign. What a curious hiring ad. There was no job description, but the requirements had piqued his interest. While he had been looking for a club, not a job, there was no harm in being open-minded. And he was a chemistry major - he was all about chaotic scientist energy!

     The Gelert pulled a small notebook out of his back pocket and hastily scribbled down the interview details. It was first thing tomorrow morning, which didn’t give him a lot of time to prepare for the interview, but then again, he didn’t have much to go on. This would be interesting.

     ~

     The next morning, the Gelert pulled on his nicest blazer and did his best to smooth it over his protruding muscles. Not for the first time, he yearned for a more subtle profile, a smaller figure.

     The directions to the interview location were long and complex, and it took him over an hour to find the remote island. Good thing he had budgeted time to get lost!

     Eventually he stood in front of an unassuming steel door. Yet somehow it still seemed intimidating.

     A Yellow Scorchio wearing a stained, worn-looking lab coat poked his head out from the other side of the door, a maniacal look in his eyes.

     “So you have found your way to my lab, have you? I'm working on a new experiment, a ray that will give any pet super powers and great strength. Of course it's not finished yet, but if you are willing to take the risk then I may let you have a go. Do you really want to try the ray? Think twice!”

     Jhiy stumbled backwards in shock, mouth agape. The Lab Ray Scientist! He was familiar with the lore of the crazed genius, but had never imagined he would get the opportunity to meet him.

     “I’m here for the interview,” Jhiy clarified. “I’m not here to be zapped. Err, I like being Mutant.”

     This was only sometimes true, but everyone lied a little in interviews, right? He would like it more if his peers were less judgemental and more accepting of his physique but that felt like perhaps too much information for a first encounter.

     “My first candidate!” The Scientist clasped his paws together in enthusiasm. “And hopefully my last because that’s an excellent introduction. As it so happens, I’m looking to add more options to my rays, both Pet and Petpet and Mutant Day is around the corner; Mutant is my TOP priority.”

     Jhiy blinked rapidly as he processed the Scientist’s declaration. Well, that was refreshing. The Gelert had never heard of anyone embracing Mutant colouring outside of Mutants themselves.

     “Oh, um, great,” he finally said. “Well, I’m not sure what questions you have for me today, but to kick things off, I have a 4.0 GPA, and I am eager -”

     “I’ve heard enough!” The Scientist opened the door wide and ushered Jhiy inside. “Dedicated to the Mutant cause and intelligent. You’re HIRED.”

     Jhiy couldn’t help but beam, his toothy smile revealing oversized, sharp teeth. This had hardly been an official interview, but a win was a win and a job was a job.

     “That’s great!” He repeated with more confidence this time. “When do I begin?”

     “Now of course!”

     For the next several hours, the Scientist introduced him to the technology around the lab, the inner workings of the two famous rays and other unfinished projects. Jhiy even got the chance to witness a few zaps.

     “Chocolate is a cool colour,” Jhiy murmured as a newly zapped Chocolate Eyrie left the ray, grateful to no longer be a plain blue.

     “Eh, overrated.” The scientist waved a hand dismissively as he tinkered with the ray’s power source. “Chocolate melts, and besides, what happens if you eat your whipped cream mane? Also, it’s no good for Neopets on a diet. A million reasons it doesn’t always work.” He glanced up from his experimenting to cast his new employee a knowing glance. “The grass isn’t always greener.”

     Jhiy blushed, hoping the heat in his cheeks wasn’t actually visible.

     “It’s not without its flaws,” Jhiy admitted carefully. “But I DO like being Mutant. Really. I’ve never let it stop me.”

     The scientist nodded approvingly. “I sense that energy, kid. Don’t worry. Now, to the task at hand!”

     By the evening, they had cracked the math to an algorithm the Scientist had been struggling with.

     “You’re just as smart as I suspected, kid!” The scientist complimented. “It won’t take us long to produce all sorts of cool Mutant zaps, Pet and Petpet alike. I think this is the beginning of an excellent partnership.”

     Jhiy flushed with pride and nodded in agreement. He couldn’t WAIT to tell Duplinam about his new gig.

     “Indeed,” the Gelert said. “And the start of a great semester too!”

     For the first time in a while, Jhiy didn’t feel the weight of the world of being Mutant on his shoulders.

     He had strong, uncomplicated Mutant pride.

     “I like being Mutant,” he murmured again with wonder.

     The End.