Tropical (F)ire

      It's not often that a servant goes on vacation.

     True, the Nightsteed might be a retired one, and a noble of sorts, but still, a servant and loyal friend to the King of Qasala.

     The old Uni had never been outside the Lost Desert in all his very long life. Even though he loved his home, he felt like he needed something different, something new. But nothing too crazy. He was very old, after all. He couldn't go on risky adventures.

     He figured he needed to go someplace to relax — but where?

     Then he remembered, he had heard about this "Mystery Island" a while ago. He also heard it was a tropical paradise.

     That sounded nice, he thought to himself. So, he decided he wanted to go there.

     "Are you sure about this, dear friend? I don't know about you going on these long journeys by yourself...", said Jazan, concerned about his old friend's welfare.

     "I am certain, my friend."

     Jazan nodded. "Very well then. Have you got everything ready?"

     "I have."

     "Oh no you don't!"

     That was his daughter, Ishtar the white Uni, who also happened to be the royal medic, who rushed in.

     "Father, have you gone mad?!"

     Nightsteed teased, "Not that I know of, dear."

     She added angrily, "You can't go on a trip! And to Mystery Island?! You can get seasick! O-or get sunburnt! Or get bitten by petpetpets!"

     "Ishtar, dear, I've faced things worse than those and survived."

     She pouted. "I still think you shouldn't go alone."

     "I'm not going alone."

     "Your Seti doesn't count."

     "Aww, why not? She's a very smart Seti."

     "Father-"

     Finally, he scolded, slightly angry, "Shouldn't you be doing your job and not arguing with your father, young lady?" He then said in a softer tone, "I'll be fine, don't worry."

     Ishtar huffed, nodded, hugged him, and went on her way.

     --

     Some days later, a ship arrived at the Mystery Island harbour. Many a Neopet tourist from different parts of the globe stepped out, chattering awestruck about the lovely sights. So did Nightsteed, along with his Seti petpet, Mimnet.

     Nightsteed was wearing simple white robes — he was the odd one out among the colourful natives, and by extension, tourists. He carried his luggage to a little resort where he was staying.

     "Name, sir?", asked the receptionist.

     He sighed. He didn't like saying his name out loud much, or others but Jazan saying it, for that matter, because it didn't sound as cool as his nickname, "the Nightsteed".

     "Lail Hessan."

     "Ah, yes, Mr. Hessan. Your room is ready, sir."

     "Thank you." He took the key and went to his room.

     He had never been in a room like this before, but it was pleasant. It had a nice view of the island, too.

     The island wasn't much different from the desert — it had plenty of sand, sun, and palm trees. The air was much more refreshing, though, due to the abundance of water.

     He laid down on his bed as he drew out his luggage. Mimnet, however, decided it was a good idea to play with her master's belongings.

     "Mimnet, no", he scolded as he drew a piece of clothing away from her. "You shouldn't chew on clothes."

     He looked down at his garments. They weren't suitable for a tropical island tourist, he thought. They all came in shades of black and white.

     He, much like Jazan, chose his attire based on practicality rather than style. He used to be a soldier, too. Soldiers weren't supposed to look approachable or stylish, for Nuria's sake.

     But since he had come here for a change, he realized — he needed different clothes to wear, too.

     So the following day, he set out to buy something new to wear. He saw some colourful shirts at a stand. Ah, well, they weren't something he'd usually buy, but he was on vacation, after all...

     He bought a red shirt with flower prints. He looked at himself in a mirror and sighed. If Jazan could see him, he thought, he'd probably be laughing his head off — and the Kyrii king wasn't the kind to laugh easily.

     But he wasn't here, so he shrugged and went on his way, along with Mimnet.

     He arrived at a beach, and laid down. He had also bought some sunglasses, which, much like the shirt, looked ridiculous on him. Yet, he tried to clear his mind by looking at the ocean — it was a truly magnificent sight. He was quietly laying down there...until...

     "Hi!"

     He was startled by the squeaky voice who greeted him. It was a coconut Jubjub girl wearing a flower on her head, and a lei.

     "Hello...?" But the child didn't answer, instead, she stared at him intently.

     "...little girl, what's wrong? Do you need something?"

     She, however, ran away sheepishly. Nightsteed thought it was weird, but he didn't think much of it. Children could be weird sometimes — he knew, he had had five of his own, and he had practically helped raise Jazan.

     But then the little girl came back with another lei.

     "Oh? Is this for me?", he asked her. She nodded. "Thank you, little one. But why?"

     "You looked sad. So I brought you a gift!" She then ran away, not before saying goodbye.

     Sad? Him? No, he couldn't possibly-

     No, well, he could. He had been widowed some years ago. His children were now adults with families. His eldest son had succeeded him as the king's steed. His life had become monotonous and dull, and he often felt useless. The only joy in his life was his grandchildren.

     Sure, he was respected. Sure, he was appreciated.

     But he was only going to be remembered as King Jazan's steed.

     And that hurt, for some reason.

     But he shook off these thoughts off his head. He wasn't going to let them get him down, especially not on his vacation.

     As the sun set, he and his petpet set out to return to the resort, but then...

     He saw a crowd of tourists and natives gathered around a fireplace, and approached out of curiosity.

     They were dancing and singing. They were very cheery, unlike him — it made him uncomfortable.

     Yet when he was about to leave, one of the Neopets pulled him in.

     "Heya, bud", he, an island Nimmo, said. "You look kinda glum. What's wrong? Not enjoying the island?"

     "I was, until you dragged me in", the Uni groaned. Yet the Nimmo laughed, and the others did, too.

     Nightsteed sighed, and tried to wiggle his way out of the Nimmo's arms, but the latter squeezed him tighter. "Hey, pal! I'm sorry, we were just trying to help you lighten up a little."

     The Uni raised an eyebrow, unamused. "Well, you were failing terribly." But the Neopets laughed again at his retort. What is wrong with these people?!

     Or maybe, there was something wrong with him...he, much like Jazan, wasn't very social, nor cheery. He also had a rather dark sense of humour, not the kind these colourful people would appreciate, he'd bet.

     "Care for a drink?", the Nimmo beckoned. "We have this great twirly fruit juice...or, there's also some coconut water..."

     "That'd be nice", said the Uni. The Nimmo then brought him a coconut with a straw, which Nightsteed levitated with his magic.

     "Say, stranger, where'd you come from?"

     "...the Lost Desert."

     "Really? That's nice. Albeit it must be very warm and sandy there, am I right?", the Nimmo chuckled.

     Nightsteed rolled his eyes. "Yes..."

     He hated making small talk, so most of his responses were monosyllabic.

     "I'm Kai, by the way. What's your name?"

     Ugh, and yet another person asking him his name, no less.

     "Lail."

     "Well, Lail, care to join us in our little party?"

     "A party? Well..."

     Every bone of his being was crying "No, no, absolutely not." But then again, he had come here for a change. And being alone in his room back at the resort with his Seti wasn't that much different from being alone in his study back at Qasala.

     So he said, "...yes", albeit reluctantly, clenching his teeth, forcing a smile. The peppy Nimmo then beckoned him into a little hut, which they entered, and went through a door that led to an open area, in which many Neopets were gathered, chattering.

     It was surprisingly pleasant, the Uni thought — one Ogrin was strumming a ukulele whilst a Bruce girl sang. Some kids were playing, and— ah!

     The same coconut Jubjub girl from earlier accidentally bumped into him. She gasped.

     "You came!", she said gleefully. Nightsteed couldn't help but smile at the cute child. She beamed innocently, and ran away to play with her friends.

     Kai then said, "Say, Lail, we're doing some karaoke over there, if you'd like..."

     Nightsteed blinked, confused. "What's that?"

     "It involves singing songs...although...it seems to me, by your frightened expression just now, that you aren't the kind to enjoy singing, right?", the Nimmo laughed.

     The Uni shook his head decisively. That kind of humiliation was too much for him, and he had been put through enough of that today.

     "That's okay", Kai said. "You can stay here and watch."

     Nightsteed did enjoy music, but not singing, much less in public. So he and his petpet laid down and watched the singing Neopets intently.

     It was fun to watch, but not to participate in. Nope.

     Yet, something was bound to happen that would ruin his peaceful evening...

     "I didn't know the costume party had begun."

     "You're right. Wasn't that supposed to happen tomorrow?"

     Nightsteed's ears perked up at the sound of this mutter, and as he turned around, behind him were two Neopets, a rainbow Pteri and fire Techo. Both looked startled as the scary figure faced them.

     "O-oh, sorry, sir", the Techo said sheepishly.

     Nightsteed was puzzled, and slightly annoyed. What did they mean by "costume"?! Then, he remembered — those blasted Halloween Unis imitated his mummified visage. At first, he was flattered, but as time went on —and many impostors poking fun at him surged—, he progressively began to hate them. A lot.

     But, he pulled himself together, and huffed. "It's alright."

     "Why are you sorry?", the rainbow Pteri asked the other. "He's a rather bad imitation of the Nightsteed."

     This comment, however, flared his ire up. "I'm a what?!"

     The Pteri, ignoring his anger, continued, "Though the eerie glowing eyes are a nice touch, I must say! Very realistic."

     The Techo pointed out, his face pale with fear, "Er...Don, I think he's not a-"

     "He's not a what?"

     But before he could get an answer, he noticed that the floor around him was in flames. Flames that came from the wrathful Uni's hooves.

     The Neopets around him ran away, leaving the Pteri alone with the Uni.

     The Uni's red eyes were glowing with fury. "Listen here, you. I am not an imitation!" He shouted, and stomped on the floor. "I am the Nightsteed!"

     The Pteri's eyes were wide with fear, and so, he fainted. Nightsteed looked down at him, huffing and puffing, but then he noticed the terrified people looking at him. Including the little Jubjub girl. His heart broke at seeing her crying. Mimnet was whimpering at seeing her master so angry.

     He looked down at his flaming hooves. No, no, what had he done?

     Coming here was a mistake. He should've stayed in Qasala.

     He then ran away to cool down, leaving everyone behind.

     --

     The next day, Nightsteed woke up in a spot near the ocean. He was sore. It wasn't comfortable, unlike the bed from the resort, but, after what he had done the day before, he was too afraid to go back there. The natives and tourists back at the party must be mortified of him, he thought.

     But once again, his train of thoughts was interrupted, this time by yapping from his Seti petpet.

     "At least you don't seem to hate me, Mimnet", he sighed sadly, as he pet her.

     "No one said they did." The Uni jumped at the voice — it was Kai.

     "Oh, it's you...I-I'm sorry..."

     The Nimmo shrugged, "Why? It was a justifiable reaction to someone insulting you. I would've been mad, too."

     Nightsteed sighed. "Still, I apologize for scaring your friends. I must've ruined things for you. A-and I must've accidentally burnt something...I'm not sure..."

     "Well, only some of the decorations, but that's fine. And as for my friends — well, we can fix that. Actually, we came here to ask you a favour."

     "'We?'" Then the little Jubjub girl came from behind the Nimmo, along with another lei.

     "I think you and my niece have met already?" The little Jubjub smiled at Nightsteed.

     Nightsteed took the lei from the girl. "Oh, little one, you didn't have to...I'm sorry for burning your gift...and for scaring you..."

     "It's okay. Daddy gets angry at times, too. And he's a fire Jubjub!", she giggled. "We want you to come back!"

     "Y-you do?" Both Neopets nodded.

     Kai explained, "We want you to be a judge at our costume contest!"

     "Me? But I don't know a single thing about costumes..."

     "But what if you don't have to?"

     "Oh?"

     The costume contest took place a little later. And, surprisingly, the theme for the costumes was...

     Nightsteed blinked. "Wait, they're dressing up as me?"

     Kai nodded. All the different Neopet contestants did their best imitation of the Nightsteed's mummified form.

     "It seems you've inspired a trend!", Kai laughed.

     He did? Well...it seemed like it! It was a bit...odd, he thought, seeing the costumes of himself, especially on different species of Neopet, not just Unis...but he couldn't help but be flattered at the same time. These people —these strange, colourful, cheerful people— weren't afraid of him. They thought he was ”cool", as they put it.

     After the contest was over, he sat down with his petpet in a beach chair to drink a twirly fruit juice — it was nice, albeit not as good as Queela punch. He was watching the sunset in silence, but then...

     "H-hey." He was startled. He saw, and it was the rainbow Pteri from before.

     Nightsteed looked at him, a bit embarrassed. "Listen...I'm sorry about yesterday. I lost my temper, and I scared you."

     "I-It's fine, really. It's just that...I-I...um...I'm a big fan!", he said excitedly.

     "Huh? You sure have a strange way of showing it, then...", the Uni raised an eyebrow.

     The Pteri looked down at his feet, embarrassed. "I know. I'm sorry." He explained, "It's just that...I kinda expected you to be more scary, if that makes any sense? I mean, no offence, but you look old and weary."

     "That's because I am, young one. I'm very old." Nightsteed laughed, "I guess time has mellowed even my appearance..."

     The Pteri smiled shyly, then added, "So...no hard feelings?"

     "No, young Pteri."

     "Uh-huh...listen...could I ask you a question? Or, like, a hundred? I have too many...if that's okay with you?"

     Nigthsteed chuckled. "Sure."

     --

     Some days later, Nightsteed and Mimnet departed the island, and went back home.

     He hadn't even finished setting a hoof on palace grounds, when-

     “Father! Oh, thank goodness you're well!" It was Ishtar, who ran up to hug him.

     He chuckled, "Of course I'm well, silly."

     "How was your trip?" She squinted, examining him intently. "Did anything happen? You look...different."

     He smiled, "You mean I look happy and relaxed, for once? I haven't felt like this in a while."

     "Lail! You're back!" That was Jazan.

     "Tell me, dear old friend, did things go well for you?", he asked.

     Nightsteed nodded. "Yes! So much that I'm considering going back there, eventually."

     "You what?", Ishtar shouted. "No, no no. Absolutely not!"

     Nightsteed said seriously, "Ishtar, I am your father, and, for the moment, I can decide for myself."

     "B-but-"

     "You know what? If you're so concerned about my welfare, why don't you accompany me next time?" He smirked mischievously. "You need to relax, my daughter. Stress is making you old."

     He entered the palace, leaving a flustered Ishtar behind, and a laughing Jazan.

     As Nightsteed laid down in his study to draw out his luggage —including the colourful shirt, sunglasses and lei he had acquired back at the island, items he was going to bury in the deepest corner of his belongings— he smiled. He had gotten a postcard souvenir from the natives. It read:

     "We're so glad to have had your company, Mr. Lail! We hope you come back soon! Signed, the Tropical Fire Club."

     He couldn't help but be flattered, too — the club was originally called the Tropical Flower Club, but he had heard muttering of changing the name. It's just like that crazy Nimmo said, he had inspired a trend.

     He, whilst old and weary, could still inspire others. He was still important, he could still make new friends.

     Funny how he needed to get out of his comfort zone to find out that truth.

      The End.