A Mutant at Usukicon

     For my brother, Neopia-Famous Media Personality Gorel Goldenrod, the Month of Hiding was always packed. He sat on a telethon for Early Advent, judged a sandcastle competition in Krawk Island, and more events I would have to hear about and edit into something readable for The Times.

     But this year was different.

     “My schedule is just too packed!” with a sigh (Cybunnies are just so dramatic), he flopped on the daybed in his office, the hot sun of his office in the Lost Desert shining through gauzy curtains.

      “I’ve just been invited to return to Faerieland for the official induction - coronation - something of the new Council! It’s very important! I can’t let the public down! Something will have to give.” After a moment’s silence, he hopped up, went to his desk, and stared at the giant calendar upon it, where all his event dates (and his signature, practised daily) were.

     He pointed. “Usukicon! I’ll have to pass this year,” He shrugged. “Pity.”

     I sat in a winged scarab chair, editing an article. “I never had the feeling you liked it.” I said, not looking up.

     “Really? I’ll have to work on that for next year. I mean, it’s a little gaudy, but –.” He grinned. “ I just had a smasher of an idea – You should go!”

     “I should go?”

     “You should go!”

     I set aside my clipboard. “Let me try that again. I -” I gestured to my green fur, beady black and red eyes, and sharp claws. “I should go to Usukicon?”

     “Yes, you should go.” He pressed. “I have the VIP pass and everything. Tell them you’re my brother, and they’ll fall over themselves to give you A-plus treatment. Besides,” He beamed. “It’s high time my editor had some fun - and you like Usuki! I thought you’d be excited!”

     I wasn’t ashamed of my love of Usuki…but it’s one thing to talk about upcoming dolls, leaks, and that movie constantly stuck in development on fan forums. Another thing entirely to go to Usukicon as a Mutant Korbat.

     I didn’t say this and nodded in a you’re right kind of way. He tutted in that self-important way. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

     —-

     I had never seen the NeoDome so crowded; Even the Altador Cup would struggle to compete.

     Between the crowds and the cosplays, very few people gave me a second look. Those who did were quickly lost in the crowds - no longer my concern. The fifth time someone jostled me, I gave up and took to the air.

     There were Neopets up here, many with cameras and phones, filming the crowd.

     (Gorel told me not to worry about filming – “We’ll make it into a special guest article. Whatever you experience, whatever you see.”)

     I flapped to a Pteri who was perched upon a rail placed upon the wide open window of the NeoDome. “Ah - Hi - Would you happen to know where the VIP lounge is?”

     They stared at me.

     “First - first time,” I gestured to the lanyard around my neck.

     They cleared their throat. “VIP? You?” He glanced at the badge. “Um…right, so,” They gestured to a hallway, barely discernible in the crowd. “Enter the Artist’s Alley and look for the giant, blue Usuki statue. There should be a map.” Without elaborating further, they took off into the crowd.

     “...Thanks.”

     The Alley was filled with a ton of booths, all selling fan-made Usuki merchandise. I picked up a pencil case that was subtly patterned with Dark Villain Usukis, a bunch of stickers I knew I would never use (They’re so permanent. I hate that), and a clipboard engraved with various Usuki playsets.

     Turns out ‘the giant, blue Usuki statue’ was a large Caffeine Overload Usuki Bobblehead without the bobble or jitter. Instead of an oversized cup of java, it held a map of the event.

     The VIP lounge was a door behind colorful, star-shaped balloons; A stairway lead to a room over the floor with a large window looking upon the convention floor –

     A view quickly blocked by an orange Bori, frowning. “May I help you?”

     I held up my lanyard. There had been enough time to change the picture on it to my shell-shocked face, but somehow the name had not been changed.

     She squinted at it. “You’re not Gorel Goldenrod.” Her nametag, spotted with pink and green stars, said Kepela.

     “He couldn’t make it; Gave his pass to me. Gemarkas.” She looked blank. “I edit his stuff.”

     After consulting her clipboard again, she abruptly went into a side room. After some minutes, she returned. “Make yourself at…home.” She quickly left. .

     There were a variety of refreshments, several tables and couches.

     A white Tonu sat on a couch, a phone held back enough for her face to be visible, mane pink with stripes of green over a sweater emblazoned with a large U. “Yep, another year, another Usukicon, forum. You know what to do, hang out in the thread - this one, right here - and i”ll keep you updated with all the biggest happenings, reveals, and surprises at Usukicon Yeeeeeear 28! But even the Queen of Usuki needs her rest - and not much has kicked off yet, anyway. I’ll go live again later today. And remember - You’re With Edawa Cing!”

     All of this was accompanied by a flurry of gestures.

     She stopped streaming and winked at me. An influencer. I hadn’t dealt much with them, but my brother seemed to tut whenever he had to work with one. All smiles on camera, though. “Well, and a fine day to you!”

     I raised my head in acknowledgement. “You’re streaming the event?”

     “Yep. I’m the owner of the Usukiverse - the biggest gather of Usukiheads online.”

     My eyebrows raised in recognition. “Usukiverse forums? Edawa….Eda… You’re ecsing?” Her username.

     She smiled, even bigger, clasping her hands and her pink nails together. “That’s me!”

     I gasped. “I’m gemkas! Gemarkas here. In real life.” I’d been too wary to meet other Usuki fans in real life - Who would have thought I’d meet the biggest fan in Neopia today? We shook hands.

     “How’d you get here? On press?”

     “My brother gifted me his pass this year.” There was a pause. I’m sure Edawa expected me to name him, but I never like name-dropping him. Not out of wanting to get by on my own merit, but because he lived to have his name dropped, mentioned as social cachet, and I loved to withhold it in a petty sibling kind of way. “I don’t know what to do first, but I did want to hit up the ‘Usuki Through The Years’ panel…”

     Edawa looked at me levelly for a moment, eyes narrowed. Then she sprang up. “Consider this - we take the Con together. The biggest panels. The coolest booths. The newest merchandise. You do some activations with me.”

     I almost said no - But by myself, I’d be treated like a Dung Mote - ignored and scorned, even with Gorel’s pass. Alongside Edawa, I’d have her social protection and get to see some cool stuff. I nodded, “Sure, I can record some stuff for you.”

     “Yes!” She jumped up, shouldering a large duffle bag laden with various Usuki keychains with plastic faces and furry bodies. “I know exactly where to start…”

     —

     There were several stick-on earrings in both of my ears, stars and bows. The Ixi at the booth mixed several powders together to come up with a purple that showed up on dull green fur. The makeup was clearly intended for…normal…Neopets, but she had been game to try her skills on me.

     She must’ve done a great job, because Edawa, behind her camera, laughed.

     “How - stinkin’ - cute! The sparkles make him pop!”

     Sparkles? I quickly turned to the mirror. Indeed, there were sparkles across my nose and under my eyes, along with a dull pink on my eyelids I don’t remember being applied. I tilted my head back and forth. I could do without the eye makeup, but the sparkles did look pretty.

     “Well, gang,” Edawa pointed the camera at the mirror and put her face close to mine. “How does our gemkas look?”

     I had been hastily introduced (or, reintroduced) to the watching populace of the Usukiverse forums. Edawa said a few users had recognised my username and replied with emojis - most were even positive - as I underwent a makeover.

     We had gone on a whirlwind run of the floor. Edawa told me to visit any booth that seemed interesting. There were coin and card vendors, some comic artists, even a small debate booth where you could discuss anything Usuki for five minutes (I think I convinced the Lupe at the booth Usuki Generation 2 wasn’t too bad).

      I didn’t realize how many people had been watching until we doubled back to an guild’s booth where we had bought some zines; The Chia was beaming and shouting that there had been a flood of customers after our spotlight; They was completely sold out.

     And now, I was, as the kids say, pastel, ethereal, dreamy, kawaii… all of the above. I bought two of the sparkle applique; One for me, and one for Gorel.

     So much for recording some stuff.

     “We’re having a good time, aren’t we, Usukiverse? How’re you liking gemkas here?” There was another flood of emoji. I tried not to look too closely. I imagined a frowny face amidst the hearts and smiles. “Let’s head to the cafeteria. I hear the matcha and thornberry mochi are amazing!”

     But there was a line to the area. “What’s up there? Any guesses, Usukiverse? Let’s go see!” Squaring her shoulders, Edawa fluffed her mane and began to elbow her way through.

     I tried to loiter back, enter the queue like a sensible person - but she grabbed my arm and tugged. “Come on, Gemarkas! You’re with Edawa Cing!”

     People cowered out of our way as she pulled us through to see a Quiggle dressed up in a Quiguki hat and tabard. He had a long roll of tickets and was handing them out to everyone.

     The camera was up, but angled so only Edawa and I filled the frame. “Hi - I’m live-streaming to Usuki fans who couldn’t make it. What are these for?”

     “A drawing; One lucky visitor wins a prototype of a Mutant Usuki.” He handed Edawa a ticket and, after seeing my bulging Usuki tote-bag and colourful makeup, I got one, too. “You’ve got to be at the con to win!”

     The line behind us gasped and began to babble amongst themselves. The Mutant Usuki had been rumoured for years, a shot in the background in rare videos touring the workspaces of Usuki HQ. A prototype? That would be the crown jewel of any collection.

     “You heard it here - Want a super-rare, not-released Usuki? Well, if you’re watching from home, you won’t. But for everyone else, get to the cafeteria!”

     —-

     The lunch was tasty (Even the Usuki Head Stew - A Shop Wizard Usuki head floated to the surface - Alakazam! It’s the Shop Wizard…in your Stew!).

     “You know,” Edawa crunched a cucumber slice from the Usuki Veggie Plate, eyes on the floor below, watching the line grow. It must have been about two miles by now. “I wish I hadn’t said anything. I want that doll, Gemarkas.”

     We had returned to the VIP lounge after several con-goers approached Edawa in rapturous glee. One Techo was so enthusiastic, he upended my popcorn bucket, gave me a cursory look, and kept babbling at her.

     After that, Edawa - loudly - said: “Me and my friend need a break - but thank you.”

     So, here we were. Of course, I wanted the doll too. It was proof that someone had imagined us as part of this world. “But if you win, fandom will say you only got it because you’re an influencer. Even if it wouldn’t be true, just the pick of the draw.”

     “I knowwww.” She put her head on her arms and slumped onto the table.

     “It must be so hard,” I said wryly, “Being you.”

     She looked up at me, saw my trying hard not to laugh, and burst out into laughter herself. Soon we were both hiccuping with laughter, starting again every time we caught each other’s eye.

     “Heh, what’re we chuckling about?”

     A red gelert had entered, multiple silver piercings on her long ears and short, blue-tinted hair.

     “Just silliness,” Edawa said, as I stiffened. “Gemarkas, this is Reestil Star, one of the Usuki designers.”

     I lit up. “You designed the Limited Edition Usukilector Coltzan Usuki with the pyramid display box! Had to get up at 4 AM but I got him!” I couldn’t help but grin.

     Reestil didn’t seem afraid of me. “Absolutely fab. Love it.” She drawled. “I didn’t know we had Mutant Usuki fans.”

     There it was.

     “There’s a few of us out here,” I said casually. “Makes buying the wigs and merchandise a struggle. Not many options for us.”

     She nodded thoughtfully. “What made you become an Usuki fan?”

      Most had long stories on how Usuki helped them through a tough time – but that wasn’t my story. “I saw the Snow Faerie Usuki in a store one day and…bought her.” I was so impressed by the craftsmanship of the coat and the wings. Years later, she was still my pride.

     “Well, non-doll merchandise isn’t my department, but I’m sure I can find someone who does. Maybe they’ll do something about it. Maybe they won’t see the Neopoints in it. But I’ll ask.” With another nod, Reesil stood and left the room.

     I sat there, playing with my spoon. “You think she’ll ask?”

     “Reestil’s honest. If she says she will, she will. Question is,” Edawa poked me in the arm. “If she does, and it’s a wig, will ya wear it on my stream?” She grinned.

     A decent Usuki wig Mutants could wear? I’d be glad to be part of making that happen. Wearing it in public? Semi-public?

     “Uhhhh, we’ll see.”

     —--

     Hall U, seating 3200 excited fans. Edawa and I get spots 5 rows away from the main stage. It took all day to get over that feeling of being watched, being glared at, and almost feeling like a normal fan - There are even a few people who wave at me, having seen Edawa’s streams.

      And she’s still streaming, right until the Chief Creative Officer of Usuki Co., Kendsy Tuttlege, walks on the stage.

      The Ruki attendant was “Very excited to announce the long-rumoured Rusuki doll!”, on the huge screen behind her; an Usuki face appeared on a Ruki’s body, but in the colour of Usuki’s fur. It still had the antenna, the carapace, and the four feet. “We combined the most stylish of Neopets to create this limited-edition item. Check your favourite retailers this holiday season!”

     There were a few murmurs in the crowd. “What do you think?” I asked Edawa, who was quickly uploading a photo of the prototype - no livestreaming allowed here.

     “I’ll get it to have a complete collection, but…uh…”

     “It’s weird?”

     “It’s weird. Good fashion possibilities though.”

     More products in development appeared: A Rainbow Faerie Usuki, A Void Usuki (Someone shouted “Too soon!” and Tuttledge clearly pretended not to hear it), and a full Ususki set of the Altador Cup’s newest team, Neopia Central (Jemisha’s hair looked amazingly done at such small scale). A lot of things I wasn’t interested in. Edawa was updating the forum in real time.

     “Now, you may have heard about a little giveaway,” Tuttledge said, grinning as we all sat up a little in our seats. “This particular girl was the initial design for a Mutant Usuki by Yaret Dunevill himself, the creator of Usuki.

      “And the winning ticket is…USU-891210!”

     I looked at my ticket.

     USU-875413.

     Edawa frowned briefly before plastering on that show-ready smile. “You win some, you lose some –”

     “You won? You won!”

     All heads turned toward a green Mynci who stood up, with an almost-identical toddler attached to his hip. “Look, Lylo, you won!” nd they made their way to the front.

     After a moment of surprise, the Ruki handed the boxed prototype to the adult – Who promptly handed it to Lylo – who immediately started chewing the corner.

     There was a collective wince throughout the crowd. I held one back myself. At least the toy inside was safe…for now.

     “But the rest of you won’t be leaving empty-handed….if you visit our booth! Year 28 Usukicon merch - pins, bags, lanyards, and more - at booth 297!”

     “You saw it here first, gang,” Edawa said into her camera as the panel ended and the crowds began to depart, grumbling. “The Mutant Usuki Prototype was won by a tyke! Oh, none of that,” She chided - There must have been angry comments.”Usuki is for everybody! Speaking of,” She waved me over. “I want to thank Gemarkas for hanging out with me today! We had a blast, right?”

     It wasn’t my ideal way to spend a day, but it had been fun. “I did. I didn’t think I’d be accepted, being a Mutant - and sure, there were some looks. Or comments. But overall, it was -”

     “Exactly! Thanks, Gem.” I made (what I hoped was) a playful, wry face as she cut me off, a I’ve dealt with this all day kind of look. “Care to join us for our event recap tomorrow? Once we organise our thoughts?”

     Organizing thoughts. That was more my style. “Sure.”

     “Great! Tomorrow, 6 PM NST! Remember, you’re with Edawa Cing –” She pointed the camera at me.

     “- And Gemarkas.”

     The End.