Article Spies - Saskia

A blue Cybunny with obvious frustration and a bit of dismay sits on a rock beside a smashed cart. Her name is Saskia and she is the lucky winner for our spies, Birdy and Christos, will spy on her today. Our two friends watch her from afar but it’s obvious something is bothering her.

Saskia: How could this happen to me? What did I do wrong?

A blue Kadoatie runs and sits on her lap

Saskia: *petting the Kadoatie* Only you understand me Tromos, what happened to some Neopets was not my doing!

Birdy: *using binoculars to look closely* It is true, she is sad about what happened -- LOOK AT THAT KADOATIE! It’s so cute, look Christos look!

Christos: Keep it quiet, we don’t want her to know we are here! It is obvious something is not right here. So many Neopets have been stuck with her masks on and they can’t take them off! Who is to blame other than her? *grabs the binoculars* Stop it with the petpet already!

Birdy: *startled* But she seemed like such a good fellow, giving away free masks?

Christos: Exactly, she gave them away for more Neopets to acquire, we should inspect her closer.

Birdy: Finally, it’s been ages since we last spied on someone! *claps hands*

Christos: Keep it down I said!

Birdy gives an indignant huff, and with a pout, turns back to watch Saskia. The Cybunny rests one hand on her Kadoatie, and with her other hand, reaches into her pocket and pulls out what appears to be a broken small Opal gemstone charm.

Saskia: If only the Charm hadn’t been destroyed along with my cart when that monster rampaged past… Half a year’s labour gone in only a few moments! *rubs the charm* And with it destroyed, the masks… *sighs and shakes her head*

Christos lowers the binoculars, eyebrows raised.

Christos: Wow, Birdy; did you hear that?

Birdy: *staring wide-eyed* Pretty shiny charm…

Christos: …Birdy, no. We’re spying, remember? We don’t need to be making a scene, and—are you even listening to me?!

Birdy was evidently not, as she creeps closer from tree to tree, trying to get a closer look at the charm in Saskia’s hand.

Christos: ...Every time… *sighs and goes after Birdy*

Birdy: *stops just before the last tree behind Saskia* Saskis is so lucky! She has that shiny gemstone and a pretty petpet, why can’t I have those?

Christos: Keep it down, we are only metres away from her, we don’t want her to hear us do we? What’s bothering me is that gemstone though; apparently that ‘charm’ was inside her cart when it got destroyed?

Birdy: *inspects the gemstone using the binoculars very closely* From this distance and using these binoculars, observing the apparent shininess and taking into account the outside environmental factors - in this case humidity and 59% of dust in the wind - I have come to the conclusion that what Saskia is holding appears to be a broken piece of a top quality Opal gemstone. That or it’s a piece of fine candy. I am hungry now!

Christos: *scribbles down notes* Isn’t it funny that Opal is the stone for the Neopets of the Month of Collecting?

Birdy: Look! The Duchess is approaching from afar; with what appears to be a Mask stuck on her face. Saskia moves closer to talk to her with her Kadoatie following.This is our moment!

Christos: What? No, Birdy stay here!

But Christos is late. Birdy had already left the cover of the tree they were under and is now moving towards the broken cart. Truth be told she is quiet and quite sneaky. Saskia doesn’t take notice of her; thank Fyora for that! She is busy talking to an angry Duchess who has Toothy Grin Mask stuck on her!

Christos: *with heart pumping real fast* This is bad. This is very bad. This is very very bad!

Birdy what are you doing, come back before she turns around! *in a loud but quiet voice - yes that is possible*

Birdy: Oooh, look what I found! And abandoned Mask of Dread, I want to try it on!

Christos: What are you doing? This is no time for games, come back.

Birdy: *puts on the mask* ...now it’s stuck…

Christos: Come here right now, they are both approaching back to her cart.

Birdy: *with quick movements she returns behind the tree* I can;t get this mask off, take it off me *pulls the mask without any success at removing it*

Birdy and Christos are stuck behind the tree with Birdy having a mask that’s not hers on her face. Saskia approaches with the Duchess still shouting behind her and the Kadoatie attacking Duchess’s dress and making it all muddy.

Duchess: This is insolence! I demand you right now that you take this hideous mask off me!

Saskia: For the millionth time I can’t! See this gemstone? *shows the broken stone* It is Opal and you know what that means.

Birdy: *speaks quietly* I am quite good at identifying shiny things; although I would prefer if it was candy…

Christos: Shush, I am starting to realise what’s going on

Duchess: I have no concept of what a broken Opal gemstone has to do with this terrifying mask being stuck on my face!

Saskia: This gemstone was inside my cart when it was destroyed. It had a charm on it and the masks were all connected with this gemstone. The opal stone is the strongest in the Haunted Woods, it is associated with protection, enhancing magical workings ...

Christos and Saskia: *in unison although Christos was more quiet* ...and absorbs the energy around it, whether positive or negative.

Christos: This is it, I knew Opal was significant here! Do you understand what happened here, Birdy?

Birdy: I understand that I have a mask stuck on my face.

Christos: Yes, and whose fault is that? I warned you not to get close, but you didn’t listen.

The Duchess and Saskia continue to argue, and Birdy futilely tries to pry the mask off her face, to no avail.

Duchess: …a complete disgrace! I can never show my face in public again!

Saskia: *dryly* Actually, I’d say this look is an improvement.

Duchess: *gasps* Why, you little–!

Just when things look like they could get ugly, two new voices enter the scene. Turning towards these new visitors, our spies lie in wait to see who they are.

Corbin: I’m telling you, Kell, the monster was right over here!

Kell: Well, I’m here, and I don’t see any monster.

Corbin: Well, maybe if you hadn’t taken a week with that melody of yours…

Why, it’s Corbin and Kell – the two monster-hunters that showed up in Neovia just after the Spooky Food Eating Contest ended. Could they know something about the mysterious gemstone and destruction of Saksia’s cart?

Birdy: *gasps* Christos, look! It’s those monster-hunters! *squees softly* They are so cool, I want an autograph! *starts to creep towards them*

Christos: Birdy, wait! You’re still wearing the— Oh, nevermind… You’ll figure it out.

Birdy sneaks through the bushes, and waits beside the path until they are just about to reach her. Then, she jumps out in front of them.

Birdy: Hi! I’m—

Kell: MONSTER! It shapeshifted again; quick, Corbin – help me with the melody!

Birdy: *confused* Huh? I’m not a monster!

Kell: Exactly what a monster would say, don’t you think, Corbin? Now, just hold still, monster; this won’t hurt a bit… *inches forward*

Birdy: NO! I don’t like you anymore! You’re mean! *starts screaming and runs away*

Kell: Agh, not again!

Kell and Corbin begin to chase the “monster” through the Faire, catchng the attention of faire-goers and those who have set up stalls – including Saksia.

Saskia: …What on Neopia… *frowns* …Hey, wait a minute – is that one of my masks?! *turns upon hearing something clatter to the ground behind her* And what are you doing here?!

Christos: *accidentally knocked over some boards from the ruined cart in an attempt to sneak away* Uh… I’ll just be going now. Have a nice day! *turns towards Birdy’s direction shouting* Hey monster-hunters, that’s my friend over there!

Saskia: Oh no you don’t! Get back here! *runs after Christos*

Duchess: Now, wait just a minute, young lady! I’m not finished talking to you! *hikes up the hem of her dress and stomps after Saskia*

Birdy’s screaming continues to echo throughout the Faire, as Corbin and Kell chase her. Christos is running after them, trying to tell them that Birdy is not a monster, while Saskia pursues Christos for spying on her, and the Duchess stalks after Saskia, clearly not done ranting at the Cybunny.

Faire-goers are forced to leap off the path as the odd parade twists and turns through the trees, spreading havoc and panic throughout the gathering crowd.

And as our afternoon in the Haunted Faire slowly turns into night and our friends are chasing and being chased until dawn, thus ends our Articles Spies – hopefully by next time our spies set out to spy on someone, the curse of the masks will have been broken!