Interview with a Pop Star

Vulxe: Thanks so much for your time, Mr Pop. I'm sure it must be difficult to get away with so many Neopians wanting a piece of the action.

Mr Pop: Please, call me Keith. I borrowed King Skarl's "out to lunch" sign. Don't tell him, though. He's grumpy at the best of times. He once threw the dart at my head on purpose!

Vulxe: Ok, Keith, your secret's safe with me. So tell me, how does it feel to be an overnight sensation? Did you ever expect this kind of warm welcome here in Neopia?

Keith: Not at all! I've been completely overwhelmed by the support of the community in my venture. Six months ago I was just like any other yellow Kiko with a dream in his heart and a surplus of balloons. Today I'm being interviewed for the Neopian Times!

Vulxe: I'm curious, why do you have so many balloons in the first place?

Keith: It's a little embarrassing, but as a kid I didn't have many friends. I found that if I blew up balloons and put a bandage on them, they could be perfectly good pretend Kikos for me to play with.

Vulxe: So we're popping your friends?!

Keith: It's ok, it's allowed me to meet many new friends each day. Real ones. I love meeting new people. One day I dream to meet the host of Better Than You.

Vulxe: Oh?

Keith: Yeah, he's amazing. I chose this jacket as somewhat of an homage to his. Less sparkly, of course. I don't think I could pull off sequins quite as well as he does. But I've dreamed of meeting him since I first saw the show.

Vulxe: I understand that a another dream of yours was revitalising the Kiko Lake tourism industry, that a big part of why you opened the Kiko Pop stall was to encourage tourists. Tell us about that.

Keith: Growing up at KL was tough at times. We weren't big city like Neopia Central, glamorous like Faerieland or wise like Brightvale. We were overlooked by most tourists, who'd rather the shopping or excitement of somewhere else. I always saw that as a shame though; they didn't even give us a chance! Kiko Lake might be small, but it's a beautiful and friendly place to visit. I figured that if I could somehow generate some buzz about my home, find a lure to bring in daily visitors, that word would spread about how wonderful it really is here.

Vulxe: And it's worked.

Keith: Yes, better than I ever could have imagined. Many of the tourists who come for Kiko Pop linger around town for a while, buying a souvenir at the Carpentry, having lunch at Treats or going on a beautiful Glass Bottom Boat Tour.

Vulxe: Sounds like a lovely day out for any Neopet. Now Kiko Pop is a free activity. May I ask, how do you manage to stay afloat whilst giving out so many prizes without charging? It seems like it would be a huge drain on your bank account.

Keith: I've been lucky enough to secure sponsorship by some civic-minded citizens who share my ambitions for Kiko Lake tourism. They've kindly provided a variety of rewards to distribute, from battledome weapons to wearables. I wouldn't be able to run the game without their help.

Vulxe: It sounds like the community has really banded together to make this project work, and the proof is in the puddings: thousands of loyal players. Do you often get fans asking for your autograph?

Keith: Haha, no. What's much, much more common are the hunters trying to get more detailed information on how to earn the Kiko Pop avatar. I don't think a day goes by without some desperate soul begging for advice on how to earn the av.

Vulxe: Well I'm still stuck on that one myself. Care to share any insider tips with our readers? Difficulty, colour, row, bandage... just a little hint?

Keith: My lips are sealed! I wouldn't want to spoil the fun by giving away the secret. I can tell you the best throwing technique though, if that would help.

Vulxe: Wonderful, let's hear it.

Keith: If you always want to hit your mark, it's all about your arm movement. Keep your shoulder steady- that shouldn't be moving at all. Now one of the most common mistakes, that invariably wind up with the dart bouncing off, is the wrist snap. A wrist snap alone does not a dart thrower make! You need to have a quick domino effect of movement, from the upper arm to the forearm to the wrist. It's this combination that will give you both the speed and power needed to penetrate your rubbery target.

Vulxe: What about eyes? Does closing one really help with aiming?

Keith: It does, if you close the correct one. Just like you have a dominant hand to write or catch or, say, throw a dart with, you also have one eye which is better able to judge distance. Practice throwing with your left eye closed for a week or so, as most people have dominant right eyes. If you're finding you're not on point, try switching. By finding which of your eyes is dominant, you improve your chances of success.

Vulxe: Thank you so much for your fantastic expert advice, I'm sure it'll help our readers greatly. Now some would describe Kiko Pop as a classic sideshow game. Have you had any thought to the idea of moving it to the Deserted Fairground?

Keith: Look, to be honest it's been suggested by a few people, but I'm really not keen on the idea for a few reasons. First and foremost, if I did Kiko Lake wouldn't get the visitors. Secondly, everyone knows that those games are totally rigged! Just the other day I was at the Coconut Shy and I got ripped off by that scoundrel. I hit the coconut square on and it didn't even wiggle. Clearly something fishy was going on. I would hate for Kiko Pop to be considered alongside those cheaters. Thirdly... I'm not proud to say this, but that place just creeps me out! That ghost Kacheek that's always hanging around makes my skin crawl.

Vulxe: Well, it is called the Haunted Woods.

Keith: I know, but that doesn't mean I'd want to work there! Nope, no sir.

Vulxe: Any plans for expansion in the future? Perhaps instead you could open some more games and give the Deserted Fairground some honest competition.

Keith: None at the moment, but it's certainly something to consider as we move forward into Year 17.

Vulxe: Well, I guess I'd better let you get back to Kiko Pop before the line of waiting customers gets too long. Thanks again, Keith, for both your time and what you've done for Kiko Lake. Any last words for our readers at home?

Keith: Thank you all for your support of Kiko Pop, and I look forward to seeing you here again soon.