Every once in a while I remember something. It's not the kind of thing that
makes you fuzzy all over and makes you feel better when you're sad, but actually
the kind of something that lurks deep inside you, and you try to block it out.
I've always known owners aren't Neopian. Sure. But up until just a few months
ago, I never really thought about answering my question. If owners aren't born
in Neopia.... then... where are they from?
Maybe I should've never asked. Maybe I should have tried forgetting about
it. But being the type of thing that eats away at you until you finally find
out the answer, it's not as easy as it sounds.
Catnip was working at her desk, a calculator by her hand and her discount card.
She wasn't in the best mood, I could tell. Usually I would wait to tell her
what I wanted to tell her, because... well... no one wants to make Catnip mad.
I shuddered, but tapped Catnip on the back.
She immediately lifted her head, and was surprised to see me, almost shocked.
A long uncomfortable silence passed, and I tried to break it.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Calculating bills," she scoffed.
I stared at my feet, and could feel the sweat start to form at my forehead.
"Ummm.... uhhh... Catnip?"
She sat, slumped, with her face against her hand, ready to slip out of her
chair.
"Mmmm hmmm?"
I ran into my question, hoping I wouldn't get caught on a word.
"Where do you come from?"
Catnip's eyes suddenly grew into saucers, and that made me feel like I really
should have forgotten about ever asking.
But then she smiled, and she had that strange look on her face as if she were
half asleep but happy.
Catnip started to laugh.
"I'll show you, Snowflake!"
The chair skidded back as Catnip stood up and started to run upstairs to her
closet. She threw open the cabinet doors. I chased behind her, and watched closely
as she pulled out a small, wooden box. The hinges of the box creaked when Catnip
started to lift up the top of the box, and she gently lifted a package wrapped
in a cloth.
It was like a mystery present. You waited in awe until the final layer was
unwrapped, and then marveled at the site. And boy, did I marvel! There pictures
of a strange place, and Catnip along with some other owners were in them. One
was where she was standing by a huge NeoHome along with another owner, and there
were these weird Neopets that I've never seen before. They looked a little bit
like aishas, but without the stalks. They had big strings coming out the sides
of their cheeks, and a small pink thing in the middle of their face.
Their was another picture with Catnip in a yard, and there was a huge thing
in the background, smaller than a NeoHome, but still large. It had windows and
wheels.
I could hear Catnip sniffing, although she tried to hide it, and I put my
paws around her neck and hugged her.
"Let's take a trip to this place," I finally offered.
Catnip turned around, with a bright red nose, and shook her head.
"It's not easy to get into or out of Neopia."
"It may not be easy, but it's not impossible," I said.
Catnip gave me a smile, and she nodded.
"Okay," she whispered.
Catnip and I walked into her room and she pulled out a big carpet bag. She
quickly stuffed it with some clothes and essentials, and she was ready to start.
Let me tell you, Catnip wastes no time.
We were off in minutes. We stopped a Uni on the road, which was, of course,
vacant. We hopped upon the Uni's back, loaded the carpet bag around her neck.
She gracefully took two steps back and started to sprint. We were off, flying
among the clouds. I couldn't have transportation any other way.
I woke up to see the beautiful, magnificent door to the Queen's castle. Catnip
slid me off the Uni's back and held me over her shoulder. The Uni's head bowed
along with her bright, sparkling mane, and Catnip slipped the carpet bag, up,
over the Uni's face. She waved to the Uni, and just before leaving, stuffed
a few Neopoints in the Uni's velvet red sack slung across her shoulder. The
Uni flew away, and we walked up to the gigantic door.
To be continued... | 
