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KIKO LAKE - A few days ago, my pet and I visited Kiko
Lake. There wasn't much there except for a furniture shop, which was full
of eager shoppers hoping to make a quick buck, and a food store which didn't sell
much food either.
However, the jetty leading out towards the lake caught the attention of Magnus
(my Chomby) who was all too eager for a little adventure. He dragged me (yes,
dragged me, you know how big and strong Chombys are) to the edge of the jetty.
Peering down, he tried to get a glimpse of what its like down below. He kept
inching closer to the edge, stretching his head out as far as he could in hopes
of seeing a lake teeming with swarms of Kikos, but instead, he fell in.
Just seconds after he fell in, he was bopped out of the water, and landed
on the jetty. Floating there was a red Kiko beaming from cheek to cheek. "Greetings
there young fellow", he called out. "How may I help you?" I was contemplating
whether to apologise for Magnus or to simply greet him and walk away. Then an
idea struck me. Maybe I could have an interview with him and possibly get a
ride in the glass bottom boat floating in the center of the lake. It would be
exciting for sure, and I know my friends would very much want to hear about
the secrets that lie beneath the lake.
"Thank you for saving my Chomby, he isn't exactly the best swimmer," I replied.
"No problems, he is a bit heavy, but that should be normal for Chombys", he
said, scratching the plaster on top of his head.
Then Magnus asked, "I was wondering if you would mind telling us more about
this lake and such?"
"Oh, ask away."
Magnus: May I know your name, please?
Cheshire Plasterhead: I'm Cheshire Plasterhead, the head guide of the Lake.
The equipment hasn't been set up yet so the lake is still closed to the public.
Magnus: I've heard this lake is in the Caldera of a volcano, isn't anyone
worried that the volcano might suddenly become active again?
Cheshire Plasterhead: Hm.… good question, it's been forty years or so since
the last recorded eruption. So by that I guess it should be safe. Even if it
does become active once again, the water heating up would be a huge sign we
should all bail out of here.
Magnus: Another rumour I've heard is that this volcano houses one of the meanest
monsters known to Neopia within its depths. How true is this. Cheshire Plasterhead:
This is actually a tale we use to frighten young Kikos to make sure they don't
stray too far. In some history books, it is recorded that a beast was banished
deep within the volcano and the entrance to this prison was sealed off. There
is an area below that occasionally spews bubbles and a cave nearby that no Kiko
has ever dared venture. Those who did... well, let's say they were never heard
from again.
Magnus: What goes on down beneath?
Cheshire Plasterhead: Well, we actually have an underwater city down below.
Almost like Neopia Central, except it's under the sea. We have the marketplace
where Kikos sell food, groceries, toys, everything! There's also a school for
young Kikos. This will be the first school they attend. It is where they learn
to breathe out of water so they can explore the world of Neopia without wearing
some silly tank of water. Once they are ready, they go to the Neoschool just
like any other Neopet.
Magnus: How do you all live? Are there cloud rooms like what they have for
NeoHomes?
Cheshire Plasterhead: Now if you think about it, you can't really get a cloud
underwater isn't it. (Cheshire grins) Most of us use the natural landscape as
our homes, so they are mostly made out of beautiful coral. Apart from the lovely
views, living underwater has it's disadvantages when it comes to furniture.
Magnus: How so?
Cheshire Plasterhead: Well, cloth rugs will rot slowly but surely underwater,
wooden tables will too. As for metal, it might corrode, poisoning the water.
So we have to make to with corals again! There are many Kiko craftsmen that
can build rugs, pillows, shelves, and beds, virtually anything you can think
of from coral. Only they know the secret to bending a coral into shape. If anyone
else tries that, it will most likely snap!
Magnus: HM how do you build your homes? Do you drill holes in the corals to
make rooms and ---
Cheshire Plasterhead: No no no. (Cheshire looked very shocked indeed. I think
even his plaster was falling off...) That would be outrageous! I just can't
imagine any Kiko ever spoiling the coral bed. What we do when we want a home
to live in, is to visit the lakes landlord, Mambo Jumbo. He will then proceed
to do some odd chanting, and waving about, sometimes even dancing with a piece
of coral. Yes, weird indeed, however when we return to the place we want to
reside in, we usually find it's hollowed out somewhat. The amazing thing is,
the coral still lives!
Magnus: Wow... interesting. What kind of games do the young Kikos play? Cheshire
Plasterhead: Ah... the good old days. Most children play hide and seek, it's
really challenging to find others with so many nooks and crannies around the
coral bed. Another popular game is Kiko flight. What they do is to get find
this certain type of seaweed, the Elasticalweed if I'm not wrong, and tie it
to a coral. Using that they fire each other off from the sea bed and out of
the sea. It's fun; you should try it someday.
Just then a Kiko flew out of the water, and landed back in.
Magnus: Looks really fun...
Cheshire Plasterhead: It sure is. (Cheshire smiles)
Magnus: Hope you don't mind me asking... but what's with you and the plaster?
Cheshire Plasterhead (laughs out loud): Even I don't know how that came about,
but supposedly, a long time ago, Kikos never did have plasters on their head.
However, disaster struck! The monster from deep below came out from it's tunnel
and started terrorising the populace. So the elders in the tribe made an "arrangement"
with it. Every week, they will provide one young Kiko. In return, he would trouble
them no more. He agreed, and for five long years stood at the entrance of his
cave every week, licking his lips in anticipation of his next meal. Then came
one fateful day, when this odd young Kiko... I think his name was Daniel...
was chosen as the sacrifice. He didn't seemed to worried about it for some reason,
almost as though he welcomed it. From what he told us later, he was "invited"
deep into the cave, whereupon the monster told him to sit in a corner. Daniel
started to toss the skull of a Kiko around. Soon, the monster grew very annoyed
and said, 'Stop playing with my food!'
To which Daniel replied, 'What food? I'm talking to the skull!' It was then
Daniel knew the monster had a brain the size of a peanut. Seizing this opportunity,
he tricked the monster into entering a cavern and he promptly blocked the exit
with a rock. As everyone in the lake was poor, they could only offer a plaster
to cover the wound Daniel suffered. Plasters that don't come off in water are
VERY hard to find and make mind you. Thus this tradition stuck, everyone wanted
their child to be as brave as Daniel.
Magnus: Interesting story! HM I know the lake isn't open to the public yet,
but could you please take us around the lake? (Magnus puts on his sad eyes look)
Cheshire Plasterhead: Okay, young fellow, hop aboard!
Words can't describe the scene below, corals of all different shape, sizes
and colour covered the seabed, and Kikos swam below going about their daily
activities. After an hour we waved goodbye to our wonderful guide Cheshire and
departed from Kiko Lake.
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