A New Faerieland

     Queen Fyora has largely remained silent about the rumours and has forbidden anyone from travelling to this new rock without her express permission. When I asked about why that was, she released the following statement: “There is a light faerie there named Lucia. For reasons unknown, her home was not affected by the fall of Faerieland, but she also just awoke from deep slumber. Out of respect for her and her friends, I ask that nobody visit her at this time. I’ve put a barrier spell around it so only authorised personnel may enter. Please understand that the poor faerie needs time and space.”

     Still, the news of this land has some faeries excited. While many of them are on board with Fyora’s plan to remain on the ground to allow them to have closer relations to other Neopians, along with not wanting to rebuild Faerieland again, some faeries were unhappy with that approach. Those faeries wanted to restore Faerieland back into the sky, but none of them had the means to do so.

     “I just feel like Faerieland belongs in the air. We could certainly make it easier for other Neopians to visit us, but us faeries are sky-dwelling folks,” said an air faerie who didn’t want her name on the record. It remains clear that the issue is still a touchy one with many faeries not wanting to speak publicly. Many of them don’t want to proclaim their opposition to their queen’s stance so boldly.

     In a recent Faerieland Census Report, we noted that the fastest growing demographic now with Faerieland on the ground. Polling shows that 90 percent of Neopets prefer Faerieland on the ground. Only six percent of the Neopets responded that they wanted to have Faerieland back in the sky, with the rest undecided.

     We should mention that Faerie Pets make up 60 percent of the Neopet population in Faerieland. Flight capable non-faerie pets make up 20 percent and flightless pets make up the remainder. Of flight capable pets, 72 percent of them favoured keeping Faerieland on the ground.

     So, our crew caught up with Marla, a Faerie Scorchio at the central fountain in Faerie City and asked her about her thoughts about the new land in the sky.

     “Well, hmm… I did enjoy Faerieland in the sky, but I also met a lot of good friends on the ground. It was a hassle to get them rides into Faerieland sometimes when they wanted to see where I lived. So, I think having it on the ground is more convenient. That said, I don’t know why we can’t have both?” she said.

     We then asked other pets in the area and a few of them said they weren’t sure if the land up in the sky was real and thought it was just a very thick cloud. As we turned to go interview others, we noticed Naia swimming in her fountain so we stopped to ask her for a water faerie perspective. As I flew my wingchair to the end of her fountain and landed, she swam up to me.

     “Oh helloooo, my dear, sorry, I’m not open for quests!” she said melodiously, surfacing from the pristine waters of her fountain.

     “No, no. We just wanted to ask about your thoughts on the land in the sky that just appeared. Do you think Faerieland should be rebuilt in the sky?”

     The Fountain Faerie thought for a moment.

     “Well, look at this perfect, large fountain I designed here. It’s truly remarkable. And I’ve been able to get a nice clean water supply on the ground more easily. I do miss the land in the sky where I had to rely on a condensation spell to fill my fountain. The downside right now is people keep hounding me for quests especially with those fortune cookies out there. It’s not that I don’t want to give quests out, I just need a break from using all of my magic. You understand right, dear?” Naia said.

     “But yes, I have heard of this mysterious land above us and I heard the light faerie there possibly used to be friends of Xandra,” she continued.

     “Who did you hear that from?”

     “My sisters tell me the latest gossip.”

     “Ah, but what do you make of that then?”

     “Nothing really, she can be friends with who she wants. Just thought it was interesting,” she replied, closely examining the rainbow in her fountain.

     “Is something wrong with the fountain?”

     “Oh, no. Did you want to be painted a specific colour?”

     “No, I like being a Blue Lupe.”

     “Sure, you just be you. But, do let me know if you want to be painted a particular colour, only after you’ve done a quest for me, though,” Naia offered.

     “Thank you for your time.”

     “Not a problem. Later, dear.” She then disappeared into the waters with barely a trace. However, we still heard her humming a beautiful tune.

     After visiting Naia, we decided it would be imperative to get an opinion from the Faerieland business community, so we stopped by the Faerie Foods shop.

     Jo, the earth faerie shopkeeper was busy serving a group of guests several helpings of Bacon Belly Buster.

     “Karla, can you get the next table? Seems like we have guests from the Neopian Times,” Jo said to a Faerie Kacheek assistant.

     “Hello Geo and company. Here, pull your wingchair up here. I’ll move this seat for you. Can I get you all anything?“ Jo asked.

     “Well, just some Delicate Faerie Nachos for us to share, but we’re not here for the food,” I said.

     “Faerie Nachos!” she said loudly so the crew could hear. She then turned to us. “Ok, what’s this all about?”

     “Have you heard of New Faerieland?”

     “Yes, of course. It’s the land above us,” Jo began as Karla swiftly brought in the Nachos and set them on the table. “A former assistant of mine is starting up a food place there. Jorett, he’s a Purple Lupe. Haven’t had a chance to check up on him but his reports to me show that construction on his place is almost done.”

      “So you’ve pretty much embraced the new land?” I then sampled some of the nachos.

     “How did those turn out, by the way?”

     “Delicious as usual,” I replied.

     “Well anyways, I feel that folks living there shouldn’t have to travel for good food. Plus, it would be great to have the additional revenue once people move up here more. As an earth faerie, though, the ground here is pretty nice. Flo might have a different opinion about that, though.”

     Flo, also known as Florence, was the air faerie who owned the furniture shop across the street. She was busy dusting off some Light Faerie Lamps when we dropped by. She floated over to us.

     “Oh, hello, Geo was it? I know you’re that reporter for the Times. How may I help you?” she asked.

     “Have you heard of New Faerieland?”

     “Yes, isn’t it exciting to have land floating in the sky again?!” Florence exclaimed.

     “So it looks like you’re very familiar with it. Does that mean you wish to be there instead of here?”

     Florence took a look out her window and then back at us.

     “Well, I do see some merits with being in the ground. I’ve gotten more business, and I’ve enjoyed it more than I thought it would. I’ve made many good Neopet friends on the surface. So I don’t think all of Faerieland should be up in the air. But I’m not complaining about new land being created in the sky. I am an air faerie after all!”

     As we turned to leave, we notice the Grey Faerie standing there, surveying the shop for some furniture.

     “Baelia?” I asked.

     “Who said my name?” she said, looking around and then making eye contact. “Oh it’s you.”

     “Yeah, it’s me. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

     Baelia seemed a little apprehensive at our request and then folded her arms defensively. “Well, it depends on what you’re asking.”

     “Well, have you heard of New Faerieland?”

     Baelia nodded slowly. “I guess so.”

     “Do you think you’d move there?”

     Baelia shook her head. “No, you know I have a job keeping the Hidden Tower organized, so I’d want to keep doing that.”

     She then eyed our Pink Nimmo note taker, Fiona, suspiciously as she scribbled some notes. I then tried to diffuse the situation with another question.

     “Ah, how is working for Queen Fyora?”

     Baelia quickly turned back to me.

     “Oh, well her majesty has been kind to me. So I guess that’s going well. It’s something to do every day. Her majesty suggested that having that would be good for me. I tend to agree.”

     As we tried to ask more questions, we were interrupted by a familiar voice and our crew grimaced as she spoke.

     “Baelia, are these folks bothering you?” it said.

     Baelia looked behind us and shook her head.

     “Oh hello, Uhh… Queen Fyora. Not really.”

     “Geo, I heard you’ve been asking Faerielanders about New Faerieland.”

     I began to shudder and the rest of the Neopian Times crew began slowly backing away, leaving me seated in my wingchair to face Fyora’s wrath. The look on Fyora’s face showed she wasn’t too pleased.

     “Y-yes, Your Majesty.”

     Fyora folded her arms and glared sternly. She then floated closer to us.

     “You certainly know when you are in trouble. Do you think calling me ‘your majesty’ will absolve you of my displeasure?”

     Our Neopian Times crew began hastily packing up their things while I began to sweat profusely as the Faerie Queen approached, despite knowing of her kind and gentle demeanour. Fortunately, she softened her glare as she got closer.

     “N-no, y-your… I-I mean Fyora,” I stammered.

     “Look, I know you’re doing a great job pursuing this story, but I don’t want Faerielanders thinking they could just move to New Faerieland right now. The poor light faerie still doesn’t have her memories, and she’s working herself too hard. She’d build a house for anyone that moves there, and I want her to take a break from all that.”

     “We-We understand. I apologize on behalf of the Neopian Times,” I replied.

     Fyora’s stern look melted into a slight smile. She placed her left hand softly on my shoulder and a warm, calming pulse ran through me. She leaned against my wingchair casually and spoke softly.

     “You can be at ease now. I just wanted to make myself clear, that’s all. But as for the information you gathered, I don’t mind it getting into the Neopian Times, but please make sure everyone realises New Faerieland is not ready for tourists or new residents.”

     “Yes, Fyora,” I replied, as the entire crew and I saluted the Queen.

     “Good, glad that is clear.” Fyora then turned to leave.

     “Uhh, Fyora?” I asked.

     She turned back and smiled sweetly at us.

     “Yes, my dear?”

     “When do you think New Faerieland will be ready?”

     Fyora shook her head. “I cannot give you a date. It’s up to the mayor up there. As I said, she’s very busy with building things there so please just hang tight, ok? I’ll be sure to have her invite you to visit when she is ready. Sound good?”

     “Uhh… yes Fyora.”

     “Thank you, I appreciate it.” Fyora nodded and then she and Baelia began heading back toward the Faerie Castle. The two appeared to be discussing dinner plans and some faerie gossip as they faded into the distance.

     Thus, we stopped asking around about New Faerieland due to the Queen’s request. Unfortunately, that means our interviewing of residents got cut shore as we decided to respect the Queen’s wishes. But rest assured, we will immediately bring updates should New Faerieland be open for residency and tourism. Please stay tuned for further coverage on this story!