A Day in the Life of Taelia

     As I climb Terror Mountain, I think of all the questers who come here daily just for her to give them a quest and get prizes. The prizes must really be worth something, because I wouldn't want to travel this road every day, the slopes are slippery, the wind is freezing and snowfall almost makes it impossible to see what lies ahead. Luckily I came prepared with ski goggles, a warm coat, climbing equipment and a bag of lovely chocolates from the Chocolate Factory to surprise Taelia. I really hope she likes those. Finally, after what seems like hours of snow and cold wind, I reach a small hut. I see light gleaming from the windows and there is smoke coming from the chimney, which means someone is home. It lies completely on top of Terror Mountain and if it wasn't snowing so much, I would appreciate the view. It's peaceful, in a way.

     I knock on the door politely and wait for an answer. It comes instantly. A faerie appears and opens the door for me, waving her hand, calling me in.

     Taelia: Come on in! Come, come! It's really cold today, come warm yourself by the fire.

     She sits back to the armchair I guess she had been sitting on when I knocked. Her gaze is fixed on the warm fire, crackling quietly in a lovely fireplace that is across from her.

     Me: Hey Taelia! I came to do an interview with you. I also brought you some chocolates.

     Taelia: Yes, you don't have the look of a quester. And chocolate?

     She turns her head, facing me. I look for the bag of chocolates I brought and they are frozen inside the bag. I give them to her anyway.

     Taelia: Thank you! I love chocolates.

     She waves her hand and the chocolates begin to thaw. The ice around them melts and she puts one in her mouth.

     Taelia: So ask away, what would you like to know?

     I grab my notepad and pen and start scribbling as we speak.

     Me: So what does your average day looks like when there are no questers or neopets to be saved?

     Taelia: I like to read or practise my spells. When I am not doing that, I also like to take long walks on Terror Mountain. I occasionally also play Snow Wars, Snow Roller and Faerie Cloud Racers. It's fun. Oh, of course, I also bake sometimes. My Chia Cookies are legendary!

     Her face lights up as she speaks about things she likes.

     Me: That does sound like fun! Do you ever leave Terror Mountain?

     Taelia: I do, occasionally. I've visited quite a few places in Neopia. My favourite was Mystery Island but I couldn't stay there very long, because it was too warm. Shenkuu was also lovely but it had too many mountains for my taste. I prefer one mountain. I frequently visit Ice Caves and Happy Valley! I have a habit of buying scratchcards from that kiosk which is run by a wocky. I even win, sometimes! I also like to visit Altador every year, for the cup. I love seeing how our team does. I always use my powers to cool their slushies and water. I was so proud to see them win in Y21. I've played yooyuball too, once or twice, but it is not as easy as they make it seem!

     Also, I've visited some of Neopia's greatest wizards to see their spells and alchemy skills. I love to learn new things. Most memorable was probably Kauvara. She has a natural talent for potions. She is very wise in terms of alchemy and I'd love to visit her again sometime soon. and of course Fyora, with her magical items. No one has that kind of power, which I find very admirable.

     Me: Sounds great. How about Winter Starlight Celebration and Day of Giving? Do you have anything special planned?

     Taelia: Oh, I have a long list of neofriends who I send gifts to, and I like to give out all kinds of different snowballs or use my spells to create other cool icy magical items! As for Winter Starlight Celebration, I visit it. I love seeing all the neopians coming there for the holidays. To collect their advent calendar prizes which are very cool in my opinion. I sometimes love the items so much, I also collect them! Especially if they are snow or ice-themed. And since the snowager is hibernating, it brings a lot more people to Terror Mountain, because they aren't scared of him waking up and blasting people. After all, that's what he likes to do. And so our tourism booms and I get more questers, too! This is great because it means more spells to try out. Also, I think I already mentioned that I like winter games. There isn't quite nothing like it when a gigantic snowball rolls your way and you try to duck it, but it doesn't always work and so you end up snowballing downhill with it, which is pretty fun.

     As for Day of Giving, I like to surprise neopians so I sometimes like to hide books and neggs and other various items for them to find. It makes me happy to see them smile when they find the items I've hidden.

     This year I haven't got anything special planned, just a small bonfire near my hut, where we drink hot chocolate and eat cookies. I might try out a spell or two as usual. But nothing big this time. Everyone who wants to join us is welcome, of course. We have Inah the lenny from Super Happy Icy Fun Snow Shop bring his lovely foods and Kari the Negg Faerie promised to come and bring neggs for all. We got slushies, scratchcards. It's like our very own small celebration as another year comes to end.

     Me: Oh that sounds wonderful, I'll be sure to come and check it out! What about new year, any plans for that?

     Taelia: Well, to improve my skills of course! I get better with each quest I give, so hopefully I can reward my questers with some new items next year. I'd love to get better at my alchemy as well, maybe start making potions to help out neopets who don't like the cold. Maybe even take up sewing so I could make them all nice fluffy warm coats! I don't mind the cold, because I am used to it, but it can be dangerous to some neopets who aren't prepared. I'd love to help them out even more.

     Me: Well thank you for this lovely interview Taelia! I hope we see each other again, soon. Anything else you'd like to add?

     Taelia: Could you put an extra log on the fire on your way out? Thanks!

     The End.