An Interview with the NC Mall Altador Cup Shopkeeper

Hi there! I’m Kuszemi, at your service, and I’m here in Altador today to interview the NC Mall Altador Cup Shopkeeper. Everyone’s hyped for the eleventh installation of the AC, so let’s join the Shopkeeper here today to see what he can tell us about the newest shipment of NC Mall Altador Cup merchandise this year, and what it’s like to be an important part of one of Neopia’s favourite annual events.

(Kuszemi turns to the NC Mall AC Shopkeeper with a flourish. The NC Mall AC Shopkeeper is a jaunty-looking brunette Usul with bright green eyes.)

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Hi! Welcome to my Altador Cup Shop! We've stocked the shelves with all sorts of Altador Cup inspired items. Be sure to check out the new face paint and pom poms, and you'll be cheering your team on in style! Well, enjoy looking around... I'll be right over here if you need me!

Kuszemi: Not so fast! I’m Kuszemi, I wrote you to say that I was coming over here for an interview.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Hm. Yeah, the name does ring a bell. So what can I do for you?

Kuszemi: Well, I’m an Usul.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: I can see that. I am too, y’know.

Kuszemi: Well, I was hoping you could tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be here.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Are you going to buy anything, then?

Kuszemi: (sigh) Will you refuse to do the interview if I don’t buy something?

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: (with a broad grin) You said it, not me.

Kuszemi: Fine, then. I’ll have that Haunted Woods Altador Cup Jersey.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Excellent choice. I’ll have that wrapped up for you in a jiffy. So you want to know about me and how I came to be here.

Kuszemi: I would appreciate that very much.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Well, this is my fifth year, technically. I took over after Coach Riki left to pursue… other career options. So I took over. This is my first job, y’know. Fresh out of Usul University, I was.

Kuszemi: So what made you decide to pursue a career in the Altador Cup?

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: (grumpily) Do you have any idea how lousy the economy was when I finished school? Couldn’t even land a graduate scheme at Kau-Kau Farm. I was class valedictorian, mind, and I won the very competitive Yoo-Sul scholarship for three years running. So much for that. Fortunately, my aunt’s a defender for Roo Island, and she put in a good word for me, so here I am.

Kuszemi: Fenny Vail!? You mean to say that Fenny Vail’s your aunt?

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: (looks slightly guilty) Did I say that? I didn’t say anything of the sort.

Kuszemi: You most certainly did.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: I most certainly did not. Don’t go putting words in my mouth like that. Say, if you’re an ardent HW supporter, would you like to pick up a nice pair of Haunted Woods Team Cuffs to go with the shirt? Only 150 NC.

Kuszemi: I’ll think about it, but not before you tell me a bit more about your famous aunt.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Oh la di da di da, wearable NC items cannot be applied to unconverted Neopets or the following painted Neopet body types: Maraquan, mutant, baby, invisible, and fruit and vegetable Chias, unless specified in item details; the NC Mall features some NC items that are only wearable with specific painted Neopet body types such as –

Kuszemi: All right, all right! I’ll have the cuffs if only you’ll stop rattling off like that.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Also no more awkward questions.

Kuszemi: (morosely puts away his purse) Well, I did just spend 300 NC. I would think that merits at least one question about how Fen -

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: (in one breath) Non-handheld Accessories are also not compatible with the body types mentioned above! Backgrounds and Trinkets will display properly for all body types –

Kuszemi: Okay, okay, okay, okay!! No Fenny Vail it is, then. So, um – which team will you be supporting this year?

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: I don’t play favourites. It’s bad for business.

Kuszemi: Fair enough. That is a valid point. Do you think you’ll ever want to join the AC as a player?

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Seriously? You want me to give up my amazing All-Star career in AC retail?

Kuszemi: That sounds like a trick question, so I’m not answering that. Next question! As an Usul yourself, which of your items here would appeal the most to an Usul audience, do you think?

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Well, it really depends on which team they’re cheering for, as these items are team-themed rather than pet-themed. As far as I can tell you’re Team HW, so I’d recommend the Haunted Woods Altador Cup Locker Room Background for you.

Kuszemi: Orange and black don’t go well with my mocha complexion.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Something more moderate then, like Docks of Altador Background. 200 NC and it’s yours. That summery background complements your chiffon outfit nicely, and goes very well with your cream ruff.

Kuszemi: I’m happy with my current background, thanks. Marching on, then! Do the team members themselves ever come here to shop?

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: They do indeed. Just yesterday, we had Kiko Lake here. They pretty much cleared out my shelves. What with winning the AC last year, and then all those generous item donations they’ve been getting from various Neopians, they’ve been living the high life recently.

Kuszemi: Does anyone come here particularly often?

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: They all come particularly often.

Kuszemi: Oh, of course. No favourites.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: That’s right. By the way, do you fancy a Haunted Woods Team Pom Pom?

Kuszemi: I’m all right, thanks.

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Are you going to buy anything else? Because I have an appointment coming up.

Kuszemi: Well, I have a few more questions left.

(There is a jubilant knock on the door.)

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Come on right in! (to Kuszemi) Afraid I have to attend to other business. Feel free to look around the shop though, you might see something else you like.

Fenny Vail: Well if it isn’t my favourite nephew!

Kuszemi: (goes positively agog) Fenny Vail! So you are his aunt after all!

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: Aunt Fenny, put on your sunglasses! (grabs a Sun Shower and shakes it out, and a huge flash of light dazzles Kuszemi. Fenny takes off her sunglasses and stows them away surreptitiously.)

Kuszemi: (blinks groggily) Ahem, ah, er. Where am I? What am I doing here?

NC Mall AC Shopkeeper: (even more perkily than usual) Hi! Welcome to my Altador Cup Shop! We've stocked the shelves with all sorts of Altador Cup inspired items. Be sure to check out the new face paint and pom poms, and you'll be cheering your team on in style! Well, enjoy looking around, as always... I'll be right over here if you need me!

Kuszemi: Huh? What am I doing here in the Altador Cup Shop?

Fenny Vail: (more kindly) The door’s over there if you need some fresh air. Here, let me get it for you. (springs over and holds open the door for Kuszemi)

Kuszemi: Thank you kindly, milady. I.. er.. I think there’s something important that I need to do, but I can’t remember for the life of me what it is.. (ambles out, looking rather disoriented)