Taking Out the Rubbish {CLOSED} (1,252 views)

[Mo]

He probably thinks I'm pathetic, she thought, living on my own out here, with no food. Trashy watched her reflection in the steady water, but a petpetpet buzzed across the surface and sent ripples out across the pond, distorting her image. She looked back at B, but didn't make eye contact.
"Charlie didn't even come today," she recalled the blue, ornery kacheek that mans the Dump on most days. He didn't talk to her, and she stayed out of his sight.

Trashy followed the Kacheek's gaze to a nearby house. She remembered going inside of a house before. They were big, but some of them cozy still; it would be nice to live in one of those, wouldn't it?
Not me, she thought. Houses are for families, not girls that live all alone. They're too big for just me.
"Maybe..." She said, unsure of approaching strangers. Not everyone was as nice as B... She had learned that much from experience.

She looked startled for a moment, and warmth swelled in her heart. Protect me... she thought. That's what she had told him a Knight should do, but she didn't realize that he really meant it until now. She had never had anyone to protect her before- well, at least, not since she'd lost her memories. All of those cold, stormy nights, alone; all of those nightmares about getting gobbled up by some hulking beast; all of those days that she almost went hungry because the crops weren't growing and she was too nervous to ask anyone for food; there was nobody to protect her, then.
Trashy always expected it to be a mom, or a dad, or at least someone big and strong, when they finally came to her. But before her now, a baby kacheek stood, barely as tall as his Feepit, with an outstretched paw... And it was even better than she had expected.
She took his paw with her own. "Okay. Let's go."

[Blue]

B gave her a sweet smile, and they headed together towards the small house. Winter hovered beside the Kacheek. "We're going to get food for you in a minute, okay?" B gleefully patted his petpet with his free paw, while the other was holding onto Trashy's. "This won't take too long." Winter shivered and chirps like it's saying something. B whispered to the Feepit's ear, "Don't fret, my pet. I know. I'll take care of her. I promise."

They stood at the entrance of the house with Trashy hiding behind B just barely. The baby Kacheek had that brave look in his eyes. He knocked on the door. No answer yet. "Hmm. I wonder if anyone's home." They waited for a couple of minutes.

[Mo]

Trashy returned the smile. She liked B already; she tried not to trust so easily, but he seemed so genuine. She had been though hard times, but she was still an innocent child at heart; she couldn't truly stay bitter.
All of a sudden, her stomach let out an embarrassing growl. She hadn't realized how long it had been since she'd eaten, either!
"Maybe Winter could share with me?" She squeaked, a little flustered about her stomach's totally uncalled for interruption.

Trashy waited behind B, confident that he would do better in the event that a scary monster popped out of the house. He seemed very bold, in an admirable sense.
After a moment with no response, Trashy strode over to the window and hopped up to peer inside, but to no avail. "They covered it," she pouted, unaware that this covering device was fairly normal and called "curtains."

[Blue]

"Hmm." B also went up to the window... but... he just wasn't tall enough to reach it. Winter grabbed him by the waist and gave him a boost, seeing also that the curtains were covering what was inside, though the way the faerie Feepit carried B seem to be not firm enough. It flapped its wings, with a lot of effort to keep them in the air. "If there's nobody home, we can always try the--"

THUD!

Winter accidentally dropped B into the ground. The Feepit covered its face in shame. B looked at his petpet. "D'aww, it's fine, Winter." His poor petpet must be out of energy, flying all the way from Maraqua and all. B didn't want to carry too much so he doesn't tire Winter out so quickly.

B noticed that giant marrow right behind them, and to his left is another house further away from the other side, which was surrounded by potatoes. "Wow! Well... you know what they say: 'Farms are a source of life... and in this case... food.' No wait, they don't say that! Ha!" B scratched his head. They were surrounded by food after all, but it would be rude to just steal.

"Of course Winter will share with you, princess." B went back to Trashy's question earlier and glanced at his Feepit. "Right, Winter?" The Feepit nodded. "We can always check the rest of the houses door-to-door and ask if we're allowed to have some food, if nobody's home on this one." The Kacheek shrugged. He knocked on the door once more. There were no signs that anyone was inside the house. Not even a bit of noise coming from the inside. "Or..." He turned around and suddenly gasped. "Look!" He pointed at a tree, not to far away from their location, and near the pond where they were earlier but didn't notice it was there. "Is that an apple tree?"

[Mo]

Trashy observed the display, and stifled a laugh. She didn't want to get him on her bad side already!
She was a little startled when he was so immediately forgiving of his petpet. He really is nice, Trashy thought.
She giggled.
"If we can find someone, maybe, but I don't know where they all went," She mentioned, wondering what was going on that they didn't know about.
"Thank you, Winter," The aisha smiled at the petpet, envisioning herself much more graceful than she actually appeared.
Trashy turned towards the direction B pointed out, and her face lit up. "I think so!" She became excited. "Do you think we could get there? Do you think we could get some of the apples?" She was getting hungrier and hungrier

[Blue]

"Onward!" B gleefully marched towards the tree up ahead, along with Trashy and the petpets following behind him. "It might be this heat wave, princess." B responded to Trashy's wondering about how the people are gone. "Could be that they went to the beach or something to cool off."
Eventually, they made it to the tree, but sadly it wasn't an apple tree, or a fruit-bearing tree of some kind at all. "Aww, I think I need glasses!" B pouted. "You know what, why don't we try going to the market. It would be fun! And don't worry, I brought neopoints too just in case." B places his paws in his pockets, then shook his paws from the inside, where coins can be hear clinking.

"Onward, to the town!" He raised his left paw upward into the air, much like a super hero. "And I'll be by your side, whatever happens, okay?" B comfortingly informed Trashy.

[Mo]

Trashy followed B, holding up her head with feigned confidence. She had to practice acting confident if she was going to look like a princess, she thought.
She looked a little surprised. "Where is the beach?" She asked, knowing the word but not quite recalling what it meant. She hadn't done much traveling in the few years she remembered.
Trashy's face fell when the tree revealed itself to be normal and without apples. Before she could react in her disappointment, however, B mentioned going into town and nervousness hit her like a bat.
"Are... Are you sure?" Her "royal" confidence was totally lost.

She timidly began to follow him, but her heart was warmed again with his gentle words, and she was swayed. "Okay..." She managed to give him a smile before they made their way to the market.

[Blue]

Indeed, Meridell is an exciting land. The castle stood proudly in the distance. As if the world seemed to have grown bigger and wider for the young Neopets and their petpet companions as they stepped into the town. "I've visited this place lots of times!" B exclaimed. "Along with my brother, Azelf... uhm... Let me show you around, princess." They first passed by the enormous king of petpets, Turmaculus, which was currently sleeping. "Legends say it used to be just a Turmac who had a really big appetite and grew--" B paused for a moment, looking at Trashy who seemed a little terrified. "I-it's alright! It's alright!" B waved his hands, trying to cover the Turmaculus. "He's a heavy sleeper! And sleeps like nearly 24 hours. He brings either good or bad luck when awakened." The Kacheek laughed nervously and started to tip-toe away from the giant petpet. "Follow my lead." He whispered.

As they quietly continued to sneak passed the sleeping Turmaculus, a small hole was seen not too far away. "Oh look! Do you see that hole over there? It's the Mysterious Symol Hole I was talking about!" B pointed out. "Wanna check it out, Winter?" The Feepit nods and cannonballs into the hole. Seconds later, Winter's head pops out. "Nothing?" Winter shook its head. "Wanna give it a try, Mr. Poor?" He looked over to the Naalala.

Throughout their walk, B had been like their tour guide. "Behind the Turmaculus is a huge hill where the game Cheese roller is held. It's a really fun game! And you can keep the cheese you bought too!" But even as he did, B remained vigilant, in case of any danger. Who knows what could happen? "Over there is the Ultimate Bullseye game!" B pointed to his right with tents and bullseyes in the area. "It's actually an archery game where you use ballistas or a giant crossbow with wheels. And over here right in front of us is where the Turdle Racing is held." Soon, they've reached Ye Olde Food Shoppe, which is just to their left. "Oh look! There's the food shop, your highness! C'mon!"

Mostly the Food Shoppe sold potatoes, old tomatoes... and rocks. Wow. Rocks. "Hmm. What would you want, your majesty?" B gestured over to the available Merifoods. "We've got some berries, fruits, bread--rock soup...?! Uhm, cheese, more potatoes... Hmm, let's see... pudding, smoked fish, sausages, this creamy porridge... Oh! What about this roasted chicken--?" B once again paused, realizing that he probably had been going on for so long that it's becoming tedious. He turned to the Jelly Aisha. "Sorry I have been rambling, princess. Now what will you have? And don't worry about the pay, I got it."

[Mo]

The town of Meridell was even bigger than she remembered.
Trashy shrank under the buildings and the fully-grown Neopians busily bustling around the hub of the town.
It intimidated her greatly, but she felt a little more comforted with her knight guarding her from any dangers.
As B showed her around- the Turrmaculus, the Symol Hole, the games- her nervousness thinned and her wonder grew. Soon, she had forgotten her fears and replaced them with excitement; she began asking B to identify different places as they passed (although many had signs which plainly stated their identities), and she followed B in an elated daze. She had forgotten what it was like in the town!

Upon entering the Food Shoppe, her mouth nearly watered. She hadn't smelt food like this in... Well, she couldn't recall when. Food that was actually meant for eating!
As B focused on her, he could see the amazement in her countenance. "It all looks so good..." She had a thought, and beamed at its notion. Forgetting herself, she spoke her mind: "This is what real princesses eat!"

[Blue]

The Kacheek probably though that Trashy was unfamiliar with these foods. Her gaze at the variety of foods presented to her made B believe so. "Might I be the one to suggest the most delectable meals for your majesty?" B laughed at himself, thinking that he's been overdoing his acting as a knight. "Haha, okay, I'll pick for us!" He beamed, sounding like he normally should. Now, what foods is fit for a princess here? Most of the food available are potatoes... He thought to himself, taking a basket with him. It's a good thing I brought enough--Oh! Petpet food! He saw a can of Faerie Petpet Food and placed it in the basket. There was so much he wanted to buy for Trashy, especially knowing her current situation. But not too expensive now. No, he wasn't all that rich, he had some extra savings left from his previous adventures with his siblings. His sister always finds treasure... but B has no idea where she gets it from.

Meat and Beans, the King Skarl Mashed Potato, a Corn On The Cob, a Braku Berry Juice and some blueberries. This was what B had picked out and bought. He presented them to Trashy. "Sorry, your highness, the Royal Cheese Bread and Skarl Fruit was too pricey... And these here ones are ready-to-eat... so we don't have to cook them. Hope you like it though, and please eat to your heart's delight."

[Mo]

"I trust you," She rushed, urging B to hurry up and get them their food in the politest way she could manage. As B presented Trashy her food, he was met with a genuinely grateful smile. "Thank you," She said, beaming, before she started to dig in. Pace yourself,[/] she thought, and though it was difficult, she managed to eat at a closer to normal speed. She didn't want to make herself sick, as she's done before eating too much at once. Living off of scraps can make your stomach sensitive.

"Are you eating, too?" She asked between bites, trying (and often failing) to keep herself graceful as she ate. "Where did you get all of these Neopoints?" She began to worry, though still elated from the food. "Did this cost too much?" Guilt crept up on her. She didn't have anything to pay him back with... And princesses aren't supposed to take handouts like this! "I hope it's okay..."

[Blue]

They sat a few meters away from the Food Shoppe. Winter continued to nibble on the petpet food from the can B opened awhile ago. The Feepit saw Mr. Poor by its side and pushed the can over to the Naalala to share, but Mr. Poor nibbled on the tin can instead.

"I managed to haggle with the shopkeeper." B replied gleefully. "It was a great deal! My big sister taught me how." He laughed. The Kacheek smiled as he continued to watch the Jelly Aisha enjoy her meal. "Don't worry, princess." He got used to calling Trashy that, even if it was only a normal conversation, instead of the usual royal treatment he plays while talking to her. "I'm not really all that hungry. But if that's alright with you, I'll just take this." He picked up a few blueberries and ate some. "Actually," he chewed and swallowed. "My siblings and I go exploring and manage to find neopoints along the way. Also, my sister has a shop at Mystery Island... and I guess I take jobs at the Faerieland Employment Agency from time to time..." B paused. He had an uncomfortable feeling of revealing that fact to Trashy. He did not want to bring this topic up, but he had to tell the truth or else she might act suspicious around him.

Travelling from Maraqua to Meridell by air saved him a lot of neopoints, though he did not want to mention how much he's spent. It wasn't that expensive after all, but it was good enough to buy for food only. He's got good haggling skills like his sister. "Of course, it's okay." B replied softly. "You're my friend." All he ever wanted to do was to give this day, and not worrying about being given a reward for his actions, especially knowing that he went through nearly exactly the same life as Trashy's in his past.

"Ha ha..." B laughed, trying to remove the somewhat awkwardness that he was feeling. It seems everyone is full and content from the food. Enough of this drama, he psyched himself up to be happy again. "I believe my brother isn't here... He enjoys being at places that are less crowded with people. And I remember you told me that I'll still be needing some armor? The armoury is found at Brightvale, but it's fifty miles away from here. Shall we return to your kingdom and find armoury there instead, your majesty?"

[Mo]

"You have a sister, too?" The wonder in Trashy's eyes never faded. It didn't take her long at all to finish her meal, which left her elated. A brother and a sister, and maybe even more. He had a family! She reminded herself to ask him more about it later.
She giggled, mostly due to the lightness in her heart. "That's fine," she added, unsure of what the proper thing to say was in this situation.

"Wow," the little aisha looked genuinely impressed. She didn't know what those places were, but they sounded fancy. "That sounds like fun..." She trailed off at his hesitation, and backed down; she didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
Blissfully unaware of the value of neopoints and the notion that this could've cut into B's savings a worse amount, Trashy gave him a big smile. She couldn't find the words, so she didn't speak, but her gratitude shone through.

"Oh," She perked up again, and attempted to appear dignified at the reminder of her princess status. "Yes, my kingdom has all sorts of neat treasures," She mentioned, with a hint of pride. "There's not that many people by the farm today, so maybe he'll go there," she added. She was a little worried about finding B's brother, admittedly; once they did so, he'd probably end up returning home... And she dreaded losing her first and only friend (and knight!)

The two exited the Shoppe to re-enter Meridell in all its glory. Trashy noticed the ominous, floating Darigan Citadel as they made their way towards the farm again. "What's that?" She asked, looking mildly perturbed. She had seen it before, but never had anyone to ask about it. "Have you been in there?"

With their attention on the Citadel, neither of them noticed the two hulking Skeith on the path in front of them that they ran into. Already angry from quarreling with each other, they turned harshly on the two young Neopians, enraged.

[Blue]

"Hmm?" B looked towards the dark eerie fortress hovering in the distance. The Darigan Citadel. It was an unnerving sight to see, especially for B, remembering reading about its history. Surely, the Kacheek believes that not all Darigan neopets are evil, which is proven by his brother Azelf, who was, apparently, half-Darigan by blood. But after hearing stories from Azelf himself, B was utterly speechless of what to tell Trashy. Discovering his brother lost in the Haunted Woods after his terrible fate made B decide not to remind Azelf of his old dark past or even mention what happened to anyone.

"T-that... that's the Darigan Citadel..." B replied, shakily. "Ruled by once an evil guy named Lord Darigan. So yeah, he's not evil anymore I guess." B straightened his back as they continued walking. "I never really went there before... uhm... m-my brother... Azelf has, but he doesn't want to go back..." He paused, looking at Trashy. "But don't let the folks there deceive you. Darigan neopets... not all of them are that... bad..." B started to worry. Who knows... Azelf might have been caught in a fiddle and got in trouble. No, no... Azelf won't just... no way! But he's wearing his cloak, I'm sure his identity is safe, he thought. "There are sweet, smart and kind ones too, just like my bro--oomph!"

Distracted, B and Trashy both bumped onto two angry Skeiths along their path, who snarled at them. Probably frustrated and arguing over their loss at the Round Table Poker or could be something else. "Uhm... p-pardon us, good sirs..." B reasoned with them, getting Trashy behind him. "W-we don't want any trouble..."

[Mo]

Everything happened so suddenly-- Trashy was listening to B talk about Darigans, and out of nowhere, she smacked into something solid as stone and fell backwards. The next thing she new, B was in front of her, facing two giant, steaming Skeith.

"Don't want any trouble, huh?" One bellowed out, glaring at the two little travellers beneath him. "Then you should watch yer steps closer."
The other pushed him aside, his squinting gaze on Trashy. She cowered.
"Hey, wait, whatcha got there, twerp?" He snorted, eyes gleaming at her tiara. "You a princess?"

Trashy was afraid, as she was with any other strangers, and she wasn't sure what they wanted with her. She didn't know if it would do any good to lie, either, so stepping slowly out from behind B, she nodded.

The Skeith exchanged scheming glares, whispered amongst themselves, and before Trashy and B could make a move, they were swept up tightly in the two men's arms, mouths covered.