Just Luck - GalaxyStriker's Story

by requiemlakente

A cool breeze blew across the landscape, rustling my dark blue fur and slightly breaking my concentration. My ears twitched at the many sounds of the people passing my, and the aroma of delicious things from the food shop reminded me of my hunger. Being a Lupe, I could smell the food from a mile away if I had to. I glanced over at my owner, RequiemLakente, who had the same look of determination as I. Her sea green hair blew back slightly, covering a bit of her slightly tanned skin. She meet my gaze momentarily, a smile crossing her features, then again she looked away. I shifted slightly in my crouched position prepared to pounce, as was my owner to run.

The Money Tree was as it always was, crowded. These days, getting 75 Neopoints was difficult, being that everyone was after it. Most of the time though, we only took money if it was over 100 Neopoints We saw someone throw a few pouches next to the tree, the sound of coins rattling in the pouches. My feet moved before I knew what I was doing, and as I passed the money I snatched it up in my jaws.

My owner dived towards another bag of money, nearly reaching it when a giant Skeith stepped in front of her, baring it's teeth. She paled, stepping into a fighting stance, prepared to defend her find. I gave a low whine of disapproval, which seemed to reach her better judgment. She slowly backed away, frowning at her loss.

Her eyes lit up when she saw the parcel in my mouth, running towards me and dropping to her knees.

"What a good job, girl!" She cooed, scratching behind my ears. She took the bag from my mouth, looking at the value rating on the side. "Three hundred Neopoints!"

She continued to cheer and praise me for my work, then clapped her hands together merrily. "Let's go eat," she said, petting me on the head.

I licked her hand, as Lupes do, barking and howling in happiness. "YES!!" I screamed. We hadn't eaten in a few days, and today we would feast.

My owner, well she's more like a mother, began to stride towards the food shop, brushing the dirt off of her blue jacket, and pulling her topknot ponytail tighter. She walked up to the counter, looking around for the shop owner. The Chia appeared, holding an inventory list in his hand, looking over some figures. I barely managed to hold down a growl, there being the known fact that Chias and Lupes don't get along well. Mom seemed to realise my uncontrollable urge to chase the Chia around a tree, and scratched behind my ears again.

"Easy, girl." She whispered, before turning back to the shop owner, who still hadn't looked up. "Uh…hmmm…well…I'd like a joint of ham, a bottle of milk, some broccoli, a wedge of cheese, and some water."

The Chia looked up, startled by Mom's appearance. It wasn't like she was scary or anything, but living in poverty can make one's cleanliness level drop a bit. Her clothing had grass stains and rips from sleeping on the ground, her hair wasn't brushed, she had a few streaks of dirt across her nose, and she had quite a few scrapes and bruises. In short, she was unkempt.

Like magic, the Chia's entire disposition changed. Still, he got us the food, yet glared at us like we wouldn't be able to afford it. Despite the fact that I wondered that as well, my blood was still boiling. The Chia handed us our food and left again. With a smile, we ran to a patch of grass off feasted.

It was the best day that week.

***

That is how things went for a while. 'Living on the edge' is what Mom calls it. We sleep outside, having nowhere in particular to live, and travel quite a bit.

Eventually we got a small shop, played a few games, and earned about a thousand Neopoints. Compared to most though, we were still poor. I fought against the Pant Devil invasion not too long ago and defeated a few, but eventually lost. My Mom spent almost three fourths of our money to buy healing potions, leaving us right back where we where…broke.

We were back up in the seven hundred Neopoints range, after playing a few games. My mom was wondering where we could get some money, when she found the game that would increase our income about five times.

That game was called Cheat!

***

I wasn't aware of it, but I was quite good at gambling, and very able to play cheat.

I began the game against Capara, Little Timmy, and Branston. Sitting down in the chair, I wasn't quite sure what to do. As the cards were passes out, my eyes darted about nervously. I went first, putting for random cards on the table and calling a number. Need less to say, I was caught cheating. Then the means of the game penetrated my thick skull and I really started playing. Branston caught me the most that round, anger welling up inside of me. I almost forgot to be lady like and jumping the poor Eyrie right then and there, but I held strong and eventually won the round.

The next few rounds didn't have much excitement, but things really started heating up when I went against my last challengers. Princess Fernypoo, Agent 00 Hog, and Spectre.

Ferny and Hog I had beaten, but even I knew of Spectre's reputation. My hands were trembling as I walked into the room, but when the cards were passed out I felt an intense feeling of calm. I lost the first time, but the second I picked my self up and whooped my way through.

Ferny and Hog I had beaten, but even I knew of Spectre's reputation. My hands were trembling as I walked into the room, but when the cards were passed out I felt an intense feeling of calm. I lost the first time, but the second I picked my self up and whooped my way through.

We were nearing the end of the round, I was grinning like an idiot the entire time, so no one quite knew what I was thinking. As I slapped down a set of cards, Spectre called "CHEAT!"

Slowly my paws tuned, revealing the three eight cards I had called. As I handed the pile to Spectre, I could barely hear him mutter "Just beginner's luck"

At the my second to last card, I put in my card as a cheat, which no one caught.

On my last card, I could put down the card with no cheating whatsoever and won the game.

It was the best day in three months.

***

My point is that our land of Neopia is in a state of poverty. To this day we do not have a NeoHome. Some day we might, but until then we live off of gambling. I was just lucky this time, but I may not be next time.

The End