Finding Kourage: Part One

      Maieben didn't need friends to be happy. She didn't need comfort, defenders or necessities because for Maieben, simply living the day to its fullest was all that mattered. Every day that Maieben had lived she greeted the Sun with a warmer welcome than even the Sun's brightest rays. She didn't see the reason in living if you didn't enjoy what you were doing. She always put others first and caring for them made her happy. They returned her favour sourly and arrogantly. But, Maieben didn't even flick her tail at this. She simply went on doing things her way. Her philosophy was different, opinionated, and above all, WRONG. Or so they said.

      Who are 'they'? Well, 'they' are all the Neopets Maieben had ever met. Her classmates, neighbours, teachers and fellow citizens. Everyone looked down upon Maieben's way of doing things. They all had comments to make and they all judged her behaviour towards things most unfairly. But, then again, that's an opinion, too.

      If this were to happen now things would be handled much more differently. I'm sure you, right now, are cooking up your own idea of what should be done to right this wrong. Or maybe you think these people are in the right. It doesn't really matter because there is much more I have to tell you, so I must ask you to wait before you become a judge, too.

      On one particularly beautiful day when the Sun and sky were at their best, something peculiar happened. The Sun was wrapping the world in an elegant coverlet of beauty. It was baking the hills in its glory with pinks, oranges, yellows and reds, like the paints on an artist's pallet. The grass glinted in the midmorning light with pride. The dew drops resting on them were as lovely as a prize collection of the king's finest crystals. The lakes were so clear and sparkling that they were like mirrors to the world below the surface. If you looked hard enough and you were willing, you could see more than pebbles in the dazzling lakes. The sky was a blue so deep and true that it was mesmerizing. Just one look at it gave you a sudden feeling of trust and respect for Mother Nature's Wonders. It almost seemed to splash the soft, feathery clouds with sea water from the clearest ocean. Just these simple things got Maieben feeling wonderful. All the other plants seemed to stand out with more vivid colours than usual. Maieben walked to school with a skip in her step.

      But, she was not greeted with the same rush of joy as she arrived at the Academy. The other Aishas turned up their perfectly pointed noses at her rather large and diamond-shaped one. Maieben either didn't notice, or decided to ignore this fact. She continued over to her seat and began her assignment. From behind her, furious whispers and gossip floated around. Guilty and pompous eyes glanced at her, indicating the subject of their talk most obviously. Maieben's mood was not affected at all, once again. Her positive attitude remained genuine.

      "Class, listen up! I am assigning a ten-page report on the fundamental importance of quests in Neopia, due tomorrow. I expect all of you to do your absolute best on this project. Good luck! Class dismissed!" Ms. Alabaster, her professor, always made everything sound worse than it really was. The numerous eager students in Maieben's class filed out of the classroom anxiously. Maieben was not one of them. She stayed behind, pondering about her report. She loved being creative and wanted to get a good mark. As she staggered behind the others she lost consciousness of those around her. She was caught up thinking about her new challenge. She was very interested in quests… WHAM! A large ball went whizzing past her pointed ears. She snapped back into reality. Some particularly annoying classmates of hers had been trying to get a good laugh and had decided to laugh at her. They snickered behind freshly clipped paws. Their idea of fun was taunting and humiliating her.

      "What ever is the matter, Mopey Maieben?" The Aishas had given her various nicknames, Mopey Maieben was among them. Maieben ignored them and proceeded on her journey. This was normal. But, today they did not give up. Taunts and teases followed her home, putting her in a bit of a slump.

      Maieben began occupying herself around her Neohome. She did her chores and then set to work on her report. Reagan, her owner, was the only one who loved her for who she was. She was proud and fascinated by Maieben's originality. Reagan had adopted Maieben at the Pound. The workers there had told her no one wanted her. Maieben's friendly greeting had gotten Reagan's attention. Even the way she looked was different. She was a striped Aisha, with forget-me-not blue eyes and a smile that was worth a thousand words. Her long, slender, spade-shaped ears were a sort of different that is beyond words. A uniqueness that is beautiful and memorable. Reagan respected and loved Maieben like no other creature in the world. And Maieben loved her just as equally back.

      Maieben really got into her project. She did all the research and compiled it evenly. She even made a model shield that represented the dangers of a quest. She worked extremely hard and was very satisfied with her work. She prided herself on a job well done. Reagan came in to look at one point and she had encouraging comments by the dozens for Maieben. Maieben blushed modestly.

      The next morning Maieben woke to the divine and embracing tune of a Pteri. It lifted the corners of her mouth until she was grinning from ear to ear. It was a delightful day outside her picture window. The rolling, green hills sparkled handsomely in the meager, morning light. Mother Nature had yet again outdone herself. It seemed as if she had spent the whole night painting the sky to look extravagant. Maieben got up and groomed herself until her coat looked glossy and gleaming. She had a good feeling about today. Something inside her was twisting and flopping around. But, in a good way. An excited way. A tense, anxious and wonderful way. It made her shake with pleasure. She flicked her tail nervously as she woke up Reagan with a loving lick-kiss. They enjoyed a delightful breakfast of omelettes together before Reagan sent her off to school.

     Maieben couldn't wait to get to school. She wanted to present her report so badly that she almost couldn't stand it. When Ms. Alabaster told the class they would be presenting their reports next, Maieben nearly fell off her chair in excitement. She asked Ms. Alabaster if she could go check on her report; she wanted to go see it for reassurance. The sight she met in the hall where her beautiful shield had been was devastating. All Maieben could do was stare in shock and grief. Her shield lay before her, or rather, what used to be her shield. It was in shreds and tatters at her feet. It was beyond repair. Her shield was destroyed and ripped up as if someone had torn it down the center and attacked it.

     This was too much. She felt numb, the twisting sensation inside her crumbled…Her former anxiety was ebbing away painfully. She felt worse than she ever had before. A new, powerful emotion was coursing through her catlike body. It was antagonism and resentment. She felt very bitter and frozen inside, like she had forgotten how to be nice. She didn't like this new feeling and she tried to control herself, but it was too hard not to let out her hatred. It was almost tempting; she couldn't get a grip on these feelings, but they were too powerful and too great to overcome. She erupted like a mad volcano as she heard giggling behind her. 'They', her rivals, were in the corridor nearest her, laughing at their idea of a good tease. Apparently they were the attackers. They had dismantled her report for fun and with evil glee. Maieben was beside herself with loathing and disgust such as she had never felt before. They had hurt her project, her grade and her pride. This was the last straw.

      Before Maieben could speak, one of them spoke. His name was Talkom. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? Did wittle, Maieben have an accident?" he prompted angelically. He was giving her sad eyes that were really malevolent eyes in disguise. The other Aishas had burst into a fit of endless giggles. As another, Morella, began to speak, Maieben took a wild chance and swung her paw, claws extended, vigorously. She didn't care who she hurt or what got injured, she just wanted to scratch and wound as many of them as possible. All her hard work was completely ruined and it was all for their pleasure. Maieben walked away, leaving them speechless and her, fuming.

      This was the exact moment that Ms. Alabaster chose to inspect her pupils. "Maieben, are you finished checki-" she let out a sort of muffled scream that sent chills down Maieben's spine. "What are you doing? Don't you EVER strike a classmate of yours, Maieben! I am astounded and utterly shocked at your behaviour. This must be dealt with! I'll go fetch Headmaster Quinch." With that she marched off. The group of Aishas who had tormented Maieben frowned disapprovingly. Maieben was so traumatized from the day's events that she stood glued to her spot in the hallway. She managed to shuffle back to the classroom, but after that her memory of the afternoon was very blurry. It was as if everything had been in slow motion, but the talking was speeded up and everyone was speaking something foreign. All she remembered was being punished and watching the real delinquents walk away without even a scolding.

To be continued...