.II.Intro.II.Story.II.Greetings.II.Family.II.Stitches.II.Personality.II.
.II.Roleplay.II.Hopeful Future.II.





The sun's rays beat on your back as you trudged up the hill, eyes intent on the small house perched at the top. Slightly panting (it really had been a steep trek), you find yourself on the front porch and wearily ringing the doorbell. No answer. Frowning, you look for signs of..well, an explanation, what else? Fortunately, that explanation is found in a note lying pinned beneath a jug of ice cold Coke...


Dearest Edible Carrot:

Gone shopping for something last minute, and very important, trust me. I imagine you might know why I asked you here, since you've probably gotten a load of people clambering for her...yes, I am another suitor for Careveil, best known as Cara. I have talked with her, and I believe our connection runs deep. Cara feels regret at having to leave you, and is very sorry she has not told you of her story yet. Therefore, she entrusted it unto me to pen her story as she told it to me. She hopes you understand, and in token of gratitude, would like the little velvet heart she gave you to be kept with you...

Again, horribly sorry I can't be here.

Luffles,
Intox


You raise your eyebrows in surprise, curious maybe about what story Cara may be alluding to. Or maybe you're simply a little bit annoyed at Intox's tardiness. In any case, you grab the manuscript lying on the table, poor yourself a glass of Coke, and sit quietly in the shade, reading the tale which Careveil has finally decided to tell...


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How did Cara come to be? The secret is not often told, nor does Cara herself want to tell. She feels a certain responsibility toward secrecy, you see, and has to this date told only two people of her beginnings. Her biography does not extend back very far, none of the "thousands of years ago" mystical nonsense. It is nothing but the trifling exploits of a kougra and her sister; a caretaker and her invalid; finally, a friend and a friend. The simplest way to tell it would be just as it is: a story, beginning with that ages-old phrase...


Once upon a time, amongst the thousands of destitute in Neopia, there lived a girl and her little zafara, whom we know was named Kurai. Unfortunately, this zafara was afflicted with a serious disease, resulting in paralysis of her legs. Her dream was, oddly, not to regain the use of her limbs, but to be able to fly, just like the faeries she would watch in awe from her windowsill. Her owner, with an anxiety natural to all caring mentors, proposed that they save up for a faerie paint brush, for what else could endow Kurai with the glorious wings of flight?


And so thus, they began to save, scraping up what money they could, Kurai more and more eager to fly with every passing day. The going was slow, but they knew the time would come, and it did, though not in any way Kurai would have thought of...


The two were at Tombola, Kurai's owner having spun the wheel for her since she couldn't reach the handle. The arrow whirled rapidly, coming to an excruciatingly slow stop at...they had won! Kurai grinned, knowing that the prize would help her fund along even further. The Tiki Man smiled, turning to go inside his dark shop to grab the prizes.


He found his forward stock of codestones and faeries to be utterly empty, given out long ago. He blushed and scratched his head. Surely he wasn't entirely out of stock. The buzzard would have alarmed him long ago and have him asking for donations. With a determined air, he strode purposefully to the back of the storeroom, sure that there must be some errant codestone lying about somewhere. None. The Tiki Man sighed, shaking his head morosely. He wished it had been some pompous brat who was being deprived of his prize, not the destitute pair now waiting so expectantly.


Turning around, he called out, "I'm sorry miss, but--" he was cut off short with a twinkle of violet.


He frowned, looking up to the very top shelf, dust-covered and dreary. He knew only of one item he had put way up there, and he knew very well it was no codestone. With shaky hands, he climbed a ladder to the top, knowing exactly what he would find. Covered in dirt that had collected on it over the years, lay a small plushie kougra, deep purple eyes flickering at him playfully. He had been it's guardian for so long,but could it's unspoken message really be true?br>

"N-no, I mean..." he paused, then asked quietly, "Are you sure?"


The same lyrical, almost laughing twinkle in reply.


And it was so with great respect, that he lifted the dusty plushie from it�s post on the wall, bringing it to the two waiting outside. �Here you go,� he said proudly, handing them the creature.


Kurai stared at the plushie, a dejected look on her face. Both she and her owner knew the running price of kougra plushies, and it was an unbearably miniscule amount. Fuming, Kurai was wheeled home, where she tossed herself into bed. She grabbed the toy and tore off it�s legs, years of quiet acceptance exploding into a futile, child-like fit. Finally, she threw the remains of the plushie into her toy chest, with such force the cover banged down after it. Wiping a few stubborn tears from her eyes, she dug her face fiercely into a threadbare pillow, and slowly began to dream�


Floating through the clouds, warm thermals grazing her cheek. The beat of wings effortlessly gliding through the delicious blue sky�


She woke with a start, startled eyes peering into the darkness. Something had woken her up, and it was a while before she heard the same sound again: a loud thump. Kurai squinted her eyes, trying to make out what it might be. To her horror she discovered the noise was coming from her toy box. She could only stare, frightened of what might come to wreak it�s havoc on her wasted body. The lid slowly creaked open, and out beneath light of the sleepy crescent moon tumbled a life-sized plushie kougra. Her vibrant, violet eyes sparkled with mischief and life renewed. With a flush of guilt, Kurai could see that the kougra�s legs had been neatly re-sewn on. The creature did not seem vengeful, however, and instead winked at the astonished creature.


�Wanna fly? � she giggled.


Without waiting for response, she bumped the zafara onto her back and soared into the starry night expanse above. To far stretches Careveil (for that was her name) would carry Kurai, where few could venture, let alone one without the power to walk. But it was on a cliff in the forests of Meridell that a sudden, surprising question arose.


��Kurai? � asked Cara quietly.


�Yeah? � Kurai had closed her eyes, lulled by the woody sounds of the night.


�What�is it like�to have a heart? �


The zafara fluttered her eyes, and sat up, �A heart? Silly! You have a heart already, and it�s the biggest I know.� But when Cara looked at her skeptically, Kurai added, �Well, if you really want to know, you�ll find out for yourself tomorrow. �


And she did, for during the night, Kurai worked on creating a little stuffed velvet heart. With a private giggle, she wrote her name and Cara�s in her child�s block print. The next day, this creation was sewn into Cara�s chest, the hole formed patched with a small handkerchief.


�There, now you�re just like everyone else! � Kurai said gleefully.


Time uncounted was treasured between the two, and often they would share stories with one another, for though Cara had not seen much of this world, she was very adept at formulating stories in it. Kurai�s owner, seeing the delight and awe with which her zafara would view Cara, secretly went and bought a tiny wagon, with a small cushioned harness that would fit over Cara�s back with ease. Painted lavender and decorated with twisting vines and flowers, a soft bed of velvet inside, the cart was never seen in public without Kurai, and Cara good-naturedly pulling it along, the two chatting gaily as they went. Gossip spread like wildfire of the treasure that had visited this once lifeless family, and people came from all over just to catch a glimpse of this fiery-spirited, violet-eyed creature with the odd patch on her chest.


One day, however, when Kurai�s owner came home with joyful news: an anonymous friend had left enough money to complete the surgery which would see the zafara walking again. While it wasn�t enough for a faerie paint brush, the Kurai was nonetheless thrilled, as was Cara, who jokingly complained of how much Kurai weighed. All three made their way to the hospital, Cara waving gleefully at her, eyes twinkling their usual mischief�


I suppose you can see that we are nearing the end of this long story, but the end is not precisely what the reader would wish. For Kurai, wheeled into the surgery room, was never taken out alive. She died during the surgery, and when, with heavy heart, her owner went to tell Cara, she found that the kougra had disappeared�


Several days later, there appeared on the front step of Carrot a rather diminished plushie kougra, indigo eyes glazed with a sorrow she couldn�t accept. Trailing behind her, attached to a harness was a battered cart, lavender paint peeling, flowers long wilted.


She never really told the complete story to anyone. Once, though, she came dangerously close to it. Carrot came into her room one day, and found her sitting on her bed, the patch on her chest newly stitched. With an uncomfortably steady paw, she held out a little velvet heart, the writing on it worn with time.


�I don�t think having a heart is so great after all�� Careveil said quietly.


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Any time there might have been to ponder over Cara's story was cut short when up the hill came trudging a tall girl, black hair spilling over recklessly across her simple brown eyes. Brushing the stray strands out of her face was impossible, unfortunately, since her arms were full of packages, and dangling precariously on one arm was a cage in which a petite miamouse was sleeping contentedly, utterly oblivious to the racket around her.


Loping beside Intox were two creatures; one a faerie wocky with a glittering mirage of wings and lush lavender pastel fur, the other a lanky, scruffed pirate lupe with a rascal's grin and, surprisingly, a lace bandanna around his forehead. The two exchanged meaningful looks upon seeing you, and quietly and quickly padded away, knowing how important this meeting could be.


Intox herself was too busy to notice you at first, balancing an enormous amount of items in her arms. She hurriedly set the cage with the miamouse down on the wood floor, giving you a quick grin.


"Let me just set the stuff up inside and I'll be right out. I'd shake your hand, but I'm afraid I don't have any to spare..." she flashed an apologetic smile and went inside, coming out and shutting the door afterward, clutching a cup in her hand. "Much better," she said contentedly, refilling the Coke jug and pouring herself a glass. She took a seat opposite you, eyes darting down nervously and slightly anxious.


"So...from the looks of it, I guess you've finished reading. Cara's told me not to talk about her story with you, so whatever thoughts you have in your mind will have to stay there, I'm afraid. She's very touchy about the subject, but then again, I guess I'd be touchy too." Here, she paused, finally looking up, "But here you are, anyway. I wasn't sure if I'd expected you to come, but I'm glad you did. Cara's become very special to me, to the point of where I don't think life without her could be plausible..."


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Intox blushed, "I don't exactly have the model pets that would be like a fairytale brother or sister for Cara, but I know each would welcome her in their own way," here, she laughed, rolling her eyes, "Cara's already won them over, I know."


"Eldimar is my ex-pirate. He was exiled and forced to take a vow never to look upon the open seas again. He took it hard at first, but is much better now, though he still won't tell us why he was exiled. He had some misgivings about Cara, mainly because she is so much younger and he'd already assumed she was a brat," Intox snorted, waving her hand languidly, "Of course, Cara, being the devious little vixen she is, pushed just the right buttons by making him a lovely lace bandanna..." she giggled, and said in a lower voice, eyes sparkling, "He may be macho on the outside, but he has a secret obsession with lace."


"Anyway, Rena is much younger, and also more prone to attachment to Cara. She's a delicate creature, and, even though she is faerie, I suppose you may have noticed she appears to have no wings--there's only a vaguely wing-shaped cloud of glitter hanging over her shoulders. She can still fly, oddly enough. She...is very much in love with Cara, and it was she who persuaded me to get..." Intox reached down for the cage.


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Placing it carefully on the table, she unlatched the door and the miamouse leapt deftly outside, chattering enthusiastically. It scampered onto the table, and Intox had to snatch her glass of coke away to prevent the creature from overturning it.


"Eheh. Meet Stitches, Cara's petpet-to-be if things go well," Intox stroked it's lush tail absently, "I know the analogy of cat and mouse is odd, but you can't help but she's simply too adorable...Oh yeah, almost forgot!"


She reached down for a small package, unwrapping it carefully. The brown folds peeled back to reveal a plushie petpet paint brush, "This, is for Stitches, so she can, you know, live up to her name. I haven't painted her yet though," she fiddled with the paper wrapping in embarrassment, "I'd prefer that Careveil get to paint Stitches herself..."


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Here Intox settled herself more comfortably in her chair, "I suppose you should know by now what Cara's like. Definitely more than what you bargained for, lively spirit that she is. She's very conniving, and a far cry from stupid. Stunningly intelligent, in fact. I don't know if you've noticed, but Cara's developed an interesting ability..." she paused, eyes pondering how to explain, "She's able to easily detach her limbs and scooch them around to get to hard-to-reach places. And when she's done, she'll just resew it back," Intox laughed, shaking her head, "You have no idea how many times she's fooled Rena and Eldimar at hide-and-seek. She'll unsew her tail, place it behind a tree, then run off in another direction. Either Rena or Eldimar will come pouncing along, tag the tail, then realize...there's no Cara at the end!" she drained her cup of coke, "It's utterly ingenious, how her mind works. Of course, it's really no harm to her, but it drives some of her playmates up the wall."


"But I guess there's more to her than just that..." Intox tilted her head wistfully, "She gets a thoughtful look in her eyes sometimes, and won't say what's going on. I know there's still a space in her heart that needs filling, and that is a huge reason for why I want her. I know she wasn't meant to be that way, so I want to make her into what she should be. I'd like to help her heal, you understand," her eyes were suspiciously wet now, and she hurriedly blinked them back to normal, "I'm sorry...hold on." Quickly, she poured herself another cup, and shook her head quickly, getting herself back to normal.




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"I roleplay my pets a lot. Usually quad, but I do furry anthro as well, sometimes. Cara would be quad, as I think that would exploit her designs to their fullest potential. Here's an example, if you like..."


The weak, watery rays of the morning sun shone wanly on the morning dew, making the meadow sparkle with the reflected droplets. The clouds circled merrily in the cornflower blue sky, presenting no threat of rain. Small breezes winded playfully around the tree branches, cradling the small creature who was rolling in the grass, simply for the sheer fun of it.


Her eyes were a lyrically lovely violet, sparkling with a vivacious personality. Soft, deep purple fabric was stitched neatly at the joints, though in some places it had been patched with care. The oddest of those patches was the square one lying over her heart, since the pattern was in that of a handkerchief. Nonetheless, this creature was no mere plushie, her giggling and tussling with the plushie miamouse beside her told one that. Her voice bounced with cheerful alacrity in the cold, crisp air, a voice innocent and unconcerned with despair and desparation, a voice which knew only fun.


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Intox nodded absently after this recitation, holding her hands fingertip to fingertip in thought, "Well, I guess there's not much else I can give you. I'm very sorry if it's not enough; I was never really that great with being able to put my wishes into writing." she paused, forehead cradled in her hands, "Cara means a lot to me, has grown into almost an obsession, you know. Even if I've never been her owner, she still has had a great impact on me. This application, for example. I don't believe I have ever worked so hard on any other, and yet somehow, it doesn't seem like a burden, to do this for her. She's uncovered a lot in me, given me a wish to continue writing, even. I owe a lot to her, even though I've never owned her. I hope, though, that you understand just how much I want her, how much she needs to be in my life." Setting her empty cup down, she stood shakily, head down, but then lifting her gaze, a determined glint in her eyes, "I hope also, that you understand."