The Paintbrush Society - A Spooky Introduction

      Since it was near Halloween, the group had prepared a special game for the occasion. Instead of the normal two-team variant, where each member would get a magic paintbrush to paint their opponents their own color, making them allies, this time, it was a more one-sided variant. One team would start off severely outnumbered, painted in Halloween colours and with matching brushes to their side. They would go around the asymmetric obstacle course and hunt down the other players to paint them into new allies.

      The Shoyru moved carefully, not wanting to lose so early. Of course, eventually all would be one, just in time for the big party, but everyone wanted to be the last pet standing. He looked left, then right, again and again in the maze of boxes they had set up. Left and right, again and again,

      until it could feel a cold splatter on its back – a surprise attack from above.

      Slowly, its yellow colouration changed to a fiendish red, as a crimson suit erupted seemingly from hammerspace. It crawled over the poor Neopet's head, and soon gave it a devilish look, pitchfork and all. And yet, it smiled, ever more so as the offender jumped down to meet its height. It was a Halloween Meerca, flashing a sharp-toothed grin.

      "Hehe, got ya! Should have just looked up for once instead of getting so worked up looking left and right like a broken toy."

      The now Halloween Shoyru chuckled, rubbing the back of its head, "Yeah, I honestly have to admit I just got really sucked up in the atmosphere of it all, and was too scared to actually move my head all that much." The two Neopets shared a chuckle, before getting to stalk out their next prey. Luckily, the Shoyru had seen something. "So... a buddy of mine walked by just a moment ago, how about we try to find her?" The Meerca just grinned fiendishly, and both Neopets nodded in agreement over who their next target shall be.

      It took the two a while, but soon they had found who they were looking for – it was a blue Kacheek, looking rather anxious, even more so than the Shoyru did beforehand. It was shakily holding a flashlight, but all movements were too quivering to truly illuminate anything of relevance, nor to truly move her any step forwards. However, despite this she was sure that she could see what was in front of her, if anyone came, she could simply bolt it the other way, no other member of the Paintbrush society was as fast as her.

      Thoughts became reality, as the Halloween Meerca suddenly came into view, once again jumping from the wall-like crates. The Kacheek indeed ran the other way, only to bump harshly into the Shoyru, cold paint splattered onto the escapee, making her squeal from the unpleasant sensation, before the draconic Neopet could even draw his brush. The situation resolved itself, as the Kacheek's fur went from blue to a sickly green, while two screws appeared on her neck, and a brown shirt neatly buttoned itself around her body. Two, luckily fake, scars drew themselves across her head and mouth, the latter not even preventing her from talking again.

      It took the Kacheek a moment to regain her composure, but once she did, she sighed, sad at having lost the game. To her fortune, the other two Neopets came closer, with the Shoyru putting an arm over her as an act of comfort. "Hey, don't be so harsh on yourself," it spoke, "you actually made it really far, pretty sure there is only two or three more left at this point." The now Halloween Kacheek gave a weary smile, still not quite recovered from her losing, yet appreciative of the consolation her friends were giving to her.

      "Come guys, let's see if we can find the last ones before the party", the Meerca then finished, wanting to move on in hopes of getting to paint the last pet standing before anyone else could do it. It seemed like a fool's errand with how long it took. Whoever was the last pet standing must have been incredibly sneaky. Five times did the group bump into other Halloween Neopets, all with rather mixed reactions and lots of paint being splattered about.

      Finally, what must have been more than a dozen Halloween Neopets had surrounded the final unpainted one. It was a Kyrii, and not just any Kyrii, but a high-ranking member of the Paintbrush society, and a top supplier for brushes as well as potions to the group. There was no doubt about it: he would not let himself get captured easily, even with overwhelming numbers surrounding him.

      However, he had one crippling weakness: an unquenchable desire to for dramatic monologues.

      "Haha!", the Kyrii exclaimed theatrically, "you fooooolish Halloweeners think you can capture me? Of all Neopets in the society, nay, the world, I am the fastest, most elusive-" yet before he could finish his spiel, the Halloween Kacheek had painted him right over his back. For a moment he flinched, yet then he chuckled, as the moon shone through the clouds for the first time this night.

      The Kyrii groaned and hunched over, acting as if he was in pain as a plaid jacket and set of pants appeared on him. Slowly, his fur grew ruffled and ragged looking, yet as if influenced by his very being, retained a roguish charm. Finally, he howled into the clear night sky, loudly and aimed at the full moon, as though to ask it for applause for his overblown acting.

      Now all were transformed, and it was about time for their Halloween party to begin. All were happily chatting away, except for one. It took it a moment, but eventually the Shoyru noticed a Cybunny. Its vampiric appearance would indicate it to be inclined to mischief and a lively nature, yet it seemed very reclusive, downright melancholic even. It held its glass off cherry juice pensively, not taking even a single sip from it.

      "Hey, are you alright?", the Halloween Shoyru asked, wanting to put a paw onto the other Neopet's head, yet stopping right before it reached. The Cybunny did not react for a moment, as if in trance, but then finally, its eyes widened. Realizing it was being talked to, it slowly moved its round head to the Shoyru, the motion seeming unnatural, forced even, as though it did not really want to move at this moment.

      "Oh I... I guess...", it finally replied, quickly averting its eyes again. That would not do, the Shoyru thought to itself. As much as it wanted to respect the other Neopet's boundaries, it was clear that something was off, and further investigation was needed.

      "It does not seem like it. You seem really down and uncomfortable, not a fan of big parties?"

      "It's... it's not that... I'm actually glad to have others around me..."

      "Really? You still seem like you're not enjoying yourself. If there is anything, then know everyone here is there to listen, we're all friends here." The Shoyru gave a warm smile, which finally led to eye contact being reestablished. They stared at each other for what felt like a minute, until the Cybunny sighed.

      "I just... don't... think I like changing form...", it admitted in a shameful tone, putting down its glass of cherry juice. Nearby Neopets overheard this and turned to face the two others. What may have seemed like shock at first was actually a concern, and expressions of sympathy. It was only the Shoyru close by that did not share this expression, instead of continuing to smile in an act of comfort. Eventually, the other nearby members joined in.

      "That's ok too," it then finally said, "We should all be able to look how we want. If you don't wanna join our games, then there is nothing wrong with that." "Well, you say that," the fluffier Halloween Neopet then retorted, "but don't wanna leave you, even with this, I like having you guys around me..."

      Suddenly, the Kyrii chimed in, "Well who says you have to join our games like this? There is plenty of organizational work going on in the back. You always helped organize brushes for us to use and were a big help to us all around. I'm sure we can find a safe place for you in our rows." It was by then that the Cybunny smiled as well. The idea of getting to organize all the ongoings of the society seemed very appealing to it, so as a result, it nodded in agreement with the offering.

      The Kyrii gave a full, gentlemanly laugh, "I am glad to hear that. Come, let us get you an emergency basic paintbrush, no need to keep you feeling uncomfortable." He and the Cybunny walked off, the latter now with newfound purpose and comfort, knowing that it did not have to hide anything from its friends.