The Queen Family: Overcoming Inertia

     Gimmer the Pteri planted her face into her pillow in an effort to ignore the display she had made around the plushie. It sat upon the collapsed velvet bag in which Flower had given the plushie as a present nearly two years ago. This was shortly before it came to life and introduced themselves as Seep. Velvet fabric strips hung from the short pedestal where they sat to just above the artefacts of the adventures Seep led them on. There were various prizes, photos, and letters, including The Banana Plushie commemorating their banana adventures. The trinkets from when they went to Maraqua and reeled in useless junk rendered useful through nostalgia. Photos of them exploring old venues in Faerieland, Tyrannia, and more places. And letters from the family, talking about memories with the sentient plushie, the vigour added to their lives, and letters mostly from Gimmer wishing for Seep to return to sentience.

     “Not long after last year’s Cup…” Gimmer murmured. “You said you’d be gone for just a month. I didn’t question it. A month… a year… You said just a month.”

     It was a sentiment that Gimmer once screamed into her pillow, which gradually morphed into its now quiet murmur.

     Still. It hardly made a difference to Gimmer. Even before, every year spanned into the next, each anniversary blurred. Most of her life was spent lounging in this house or tending to the shop. Some days she had spent in her bedroom doing little, and she was only pulled from her comforting yet idle safety at the behest of her siblings, or the rare gumption to find something else to do. It was the same now. What did it matter to her how long it was? It was a miracle she hadn’t gone grey.

     Gimmer turned in her bed to stare again at the plushie. “You always understood me. You made me go out more, and often joined me. And you reminded me that it could be fun, and more. But was it the fun, or your company?” She rested her chin on her wing. “...You were desperate to go sometimes; you didn’t want to linger. Were you hiding something? Running from the quiet? Are you… like me…?”

     Her reverie was broken by sounds of commotion from her siblings downstairs, along with footsteps coming up the stairs. Did they hear her? She wasn’t talking loudly. Though she was often grateful for the check-up, this time she braced herself for an intrusion in a moment when she would’ve preferred time to herself.

     Sure enough, the door opened…

     “Flower?” Gimmer tilted her head at the stoic Faerie Ixi who entered. Of all her siblings, Flower seemed to be the least involved in her woes. If it weren’t for her occasional token gestures, Gimmer would’ve thought that Flower didn’t care at all. Not that Gimmer had a good read on her in general, or knew why she was here at all.

     “You should come downstairs. It’s about the curse.” Flower said in her usual near-monotone. Gimmer thought she heard a hint of concern. But why?

     Gimmer planted her face back into her pillow. “Yes, another shopkeeper or place became grey. Obviously not Terror Mountain, or anyone besides the two--”

     “It’s not that. You need to hear this, and we need to talk about it.” Flower stepped towards Seep’s shrine. She tapped her front hoof at the plushie’s head before sighing. “Still near nothing.”

     “If they haven’t come before, they won’t come–” Gimmer paused. “Wait. Near nothing?”

     “...No, it’s just nothing. Sorry. Didn’t mean to get your hopes up.” Flower jerked her head. “Seriously, you need to come.”

     Gimmer groaned. She should get up. Flower wouldn’t insist like this if it weren’t serious. She strained to rise from the bed; not for any physical complications, she was simply beset by inertia.

     “Here.” Flower walked over to Gimmer and tipped her head beneath Gimmer’s wing to nudge her up. “You get started by starting. Walk a bit, it’ll get easier.”

     Gimmer huffed and rolled her eyes at Flower's shallow advice, but she got up with Flower's help. Maybe she was right, and Seep sometimes suggested it too, but it didn't change her frustration, the groaning in her joints, or the desire to immediately give up.

     Still, the two went downstairs, where their two siblings were arguing.

     “Brightvale just turned grey and you’re walking into the worst of it?!” Daydream the Faerie Bori said incredulously. “I know you can take care of yourself in a fight, but the curse.”

     “We’re at risk no matter what we do,” Indal the Darigan Peophin insisted. “So I’m going to do something.”

     “This isn’t just another diversion for you, is it?” Daydream asked pointedly.

     Everyone understood. During Seep’s disappearance, Indal the Darigan Lupe had gone out for quite some time. When they returned, they were a Darigan Peophin. They didn’t offer any explanation besides “I just wanted a change.” It wasn’t their only foray into something new and strange with them. Sudden new hobbies, started and dropped. Adventures to other lands only to wander aimlessly. The Battledome challenges that they never felt in their heart. They said the same thing every time: “I just wanted a change.”

     Indal gave a frustrated shrug. “That doesn’t matter. This is bigger than me, and you know it.”

     “I know you can take them,” Daydream started. “But if you’re not careful, or if you go grey… you heard what happened to Jeran. What if he were in battle when it happened? What if you are?”

     No one missed Indal’s little wince, but they persisted. “These Voidlings could be related to the grey. And I can fight. If I can help investigate and stop this–”

     “I’m sorry, but can you start over completely??” Gimmer finally spoke up, her eyes wide.

     The other two turned to Gimmer, and then Daydream turned to Flower. “I said you didn’t have to bring her. We can’t do much about it.”

     “This whole curse is a big deal, and Indal’s about to go out and fight again,” Flower shrugged. “This is something we should talk about as a group.”

     Daydream tilted her head, scrutinizing Flower.

     Flower laid down on the floor of the kitchen and crossed her front hooves. “They’re straying out into danger, bigger than what we usually face,” she said passively. “Everyone’s taking action during the grey curse. If we’re going to be this chaotic, Gimmer deserves to know.”

     “It’s not so different with me,” Indal firmly insisted. “I still go on skirmishes. And this is important--”

     “No, seriously, I need you all to start over.” Gimmer put a wing to her face.

     “Ah, sorry,” Indal said. With the others’ help, they explained the situation. First, the things that Gimmer knew: the shopkeepers going grey, Meridell going grey, and essences appearing everywhere, which the group had taken turns to go out and collect.

     Then: “Today, the culprits responsible for the greying were spotted in Brightvale… along with strange void creatures–shades–that attack on sight,” Indal said.

     “I saw them,” Daydream said, looking askance with worry. “In fact, one buzzed me and got me. I’m still not strong myself, so I ran…”

     “You were attacked?!” Gimmer’s mouth was agape. That Daydream had come so close…

     Daydream idly nodded towards her leg, which Gimmer only now noticed had a bandage. “It looks worse than it is. I used some magic on it and covered the rest; it’ll be fine. Besides, I didn’t want to spend too much magic and materials when there are people worse off who are already overfilling the hospital.”

     “Hospital…” Gimmer felt herself losing her footing, and she grabbed a kitchen chair. “It’s really that bad? But if you got hit by those, then–”

     “I got lucky, it’s just a scrape. Seriously, I’m fine,” Daydream insisted. “But they’re fast. They’re so fast. And something about the way they stared at me, yelled at me to leave. I didn’t even get a good look at them. Didn’t have a chance to…” Daydream trailed off.

     “You needed to recollect yourself,” Flower noted.

     “If by recollect myself you mean left for home as quickly as possible, then yes,” Daydream said.

     “And now you’re here and not in that field. Still counts.”

     “Maybe, but…” Daydream shook her head. “I don’t know why I reacted that way. I may not be fully practised, but my magic isn’t useless…”

     “It’s sensible,” Flower said. “For one thing, unpracticed magic is either too weak or unpredictable. ...Seen it myself.”

     “And sometimes you just have to run,” Indal nodded.

     “And serious or not, it sounds like you needed the help,” Gimmer said. “You’ve helped so much. The least we can do is help you too.”

     Daydream was quiet for some time before giving a hesitant smile. “I guess so...”

     “But I can fight them,” Indal claimed. “And thanks to you, I know some of their strategies.”

     “You’re doing this for me?” Daydream gave a teasing look.

     “I’m doing this for anyone who could be affected by these Voidlings and anything to at least slow the grey curse. But I’ll claim a few in your name,” Indal smirked.

     “Awww, you’re the best bro-sis-sib.” Daydream fistbumped Indal.

     “The grey curse… Do you really think you can stop it?” Gimmer asked.

     “Me? No,” Indal admitted.

     “There’s something deep to it.” Flower said absently. “Those who have gone grey haven’t been able to change back. This’ll be deeper than just fighting Voidlings.”

     “But meanwhile, the Voidlings are still attacking. Maybe fighting them will keep someone else from being affected or hurt. Or buy time for the research.” Indal lifted a bag and turned towards the door. “So I’m going. The next ferry is soon.”

     Gimmer had no doubt that Indal could handle themself; they’d faced more dangerous foes. But it was more the grey curse than the Voidlings that she was worried about with Indal. And if people were getting hurt from this, if Daydream was the lucky one…

     ” And to Seep, this would be an adventure,” Gimmer thought absently. ” Something different and novel. Didn’t they seek those out?”

     Of course, this was more dangerous than Seep’s adventures. But even so, even then…

     “Oh, you’re back, great!!” Seep called joyfully from the bed of their hotel room in Altador. “Gimmer no longer has Sneezles!”

     “What. Are you? Doing?” Daydream asked slowly. She gestured at the empty containers of cures that she didn’t even recognize.

     “An experiment!” Seep bounced. “I’m sure you know about the bogus cures going around, claiming to cure things. And I thought, why not test them?! Multiple times for full data! And guess what! Turns out this one does cure Sneezles! Guess that one’s not a quack cure! Can’t speak for the rest of them, but--”

     “And you think it’s okay to run experiments on a sick Gimmer why?!” Daydream’s back fur bristled.

     “Daydream, it’s okay! I volunteered,” Gimmer interjected.

     “You… what?” Daydream eyes went wide. “You could be cured so much faster if they just got a magic cookie.”

     “I have that on standby!” Seep declared proudly, showing the cookie as proof.

     “Really, I did,” Gimmer said. “There’s real scams out there. Seep has been doing this for a while to try to find the fake cures from what’s real. I was just stuck here anyway, being sick and missing the Cup. So I thought, while I watched from afar, maybe I could help.”

     “...Gimmer, if they manipulated you into–”

     “They didn’t. Daydream, I don’t want to be useless, and I’m not hurt by these. I wanted to do this. I want to help. And honestly… I feel a lot better helping, and it’s not just because of the cure.”

     “It’s an informed risk!” Seep spun in place. “Sometimes that’s what makes the world go round!”

     ...Gimmer had nearly forgotten that. Of course, they knew of some things that would motivate them, those were just… lost in her brain in a heavy fog. Now Indal was taking an informed risk… It was her turn.

     “Indal, wait!” Gimmer called out, getting up. “I… I want to come with you.”

     ”What?!” Daydream exclaimed. “You can’t! It’s way too risky!”

     “You’re not trained,” Flower said. “You’d just have to be rescued.”

     “I’m not going to fight them!” Gimmer assured. “But if something happens, and you need help, I don’t want you to be alone. “

     “But the grey’s still spreading,” Daydream murmured. “Brightvale is grey, and you’re already...”

     “...I know.” Gimmer gripped her upper wing. It was true. The grey curse was part of the reason that Gimmer was holed up in her room recently. It could’ve been the reason that the others just let her.

     “Some who live in Meridell and Brightvale haven’t turned grey,” Flower suggested. “Maybe it’s more complicated than just being in the vicinity.”

     “That doesn’t make it less risky!” Daydream declared.

     Gimmer faced Daydream. “Even if I don’t step foot into Brightvale, I can still be in reach of Indal. If something happens to them, I could bring them to a hospital. Or advocate for them. O-or just talk to them. Something! Just…” Gimmer looked aside. “I just need to do something…”

     “You don’t have to do anything, Gimmer,” Daydream said. “It’s really okay.”

     “...No, it’s not.” Gimmer moved to face all of her siblings. “I know I spend most of my time in my room. I thought I was safer hiding here, so I wouldn’t get worse by the grey. But I remembered what it’s like to be out and help. And I’m not happier here. If I stay in my room doing nothing but feeling sorry while they’re in danger, then I may as well be grey. So if I’m not going to be happy either way, then let me at least help! Maybe that’ll even help me...”

     Flower’s mouth curved in thought, and she glanced towards the stairs.

     Meanwhile, Gimmer ran to catch up to Indal. “I can at least be some company, and be there on the sides for you. C’mon, let’s catch the ferry.”

     “...Let me come with you too, then,” Daydream stepped forward. “If you’re not going to be on the battlefield, then you’ll be by yourself. I could be company too?”

     “Whatever you two want, but we need to go if we’re going,” Indal said. “Flower, you coming too?”

     “...Later. I’ll catch up,” Flower said absently, staring at the stairs.

     Indal quirked an eyebrow, but nodded and went for the door. Daydream looked back and forth between Gimmer, who was quickly filling a backpack with snacks and supplies in reach, and Flower, who had begun to climb the stairs.

     “...Ah, right, we could use supplies, couldn’t we?” Daydream scratched her head. “Why don’t you go ahead, and I’ll stay behind to gather them. I can catch the next ferry. Can you give me the landmark where you’ll be?”

     “I didn’t think that far ahead…” Gimmer admitted.

     “There’ll likely be medical tents near the border,” Indal pointed out.

     “Right!” Gimmer nodded. “Even if you’ll be fine, I can wait for you there, and help in the meantime.”

     Indal smiled.

     “...Sounds like a plan,” Daydream said with her own smile. “I’ll gather some extra supplies then. Maybe also some of Seep’s weird cure that actually worked. I don’t expect it to come in handy, but who knows? It could work on the grey curse.”

     Gimmer surprised herself with her own laugh. Has it really been so long since she laughed? “Hey, maybe Seep’s science accomplished something more!”

     Gimmer waved before hurrying to follow Indal. She found herself strangely lighthearted. Going even near a battle was a scary prospect, and she was worried. But Indal was a trained fighter, and had rougher experiences; if anyone in the family could come out of that situation victorious, it’d be them. And they’ve been bored, just like her. But maybe they should’ve been bored together. With a shared goal, she felt motivated, and energetic even…

     Ah, Flower was right. She remembered now: This is what happened when she moved when she didn’t feel like it. Now she felt ready to push on.

     ***

     Daydream reached the top of the stairs and she glanced down the hall, just in time to glimpse Flower’s back hoof as she entered Gimmer’s room. Just as she thought. Daydream murmured a small spell, and the vibrations around her dulled. Flower was quiet and had good hearing; Daydream needed all the help she could get for this. She snuck down the hallway towards Gimmer’s room.

     “...She’s acting out,” came Flower’s voice from Gimmer’s room. “She’s either glued to the bed or taking on too much, no in-between. You couldn’t help balance her better?”

     Daydream paused just outside the door.

     “She took a lot of lessons from you. But you still left her. You only said a month.” Daydream was surprised to hear a slight edge in Flower’s tone. “If you claimed to have so much fun, then why stay away?”

     Flower paused, then her voice grew ominous. She began reciting a string of words that Daydream couldn’t make out…

     No. They weren’t words. But they weren’t any spellwords that Daydream knew...

     “...I thought so,” Flower said. “Did you think I didn’t notice you sneaking around? Did you think I couldn’t see the slight movement of your eyes? I can see you.”

     Silence.

     “Don’t bother. I know you’re there. Gimmer’s push is all well and good, but she really shouldn’t wait for a war to spring into action. You’ve helped her before. Why are you hiding now? Why won’t you talk?”

     “…Honestly, I just don’t know how to approach it,” came a voice.

     Daydream peered into the room, just in time to see the sentient Shadow Cybunny plushie hop from their podium to the ground before Flower, then pace in a circle.

     “I don’t know how to explain it. I know I’ve been gone too long. And I’m sorry. I… Let’s say I got stuck. Still kinda stuck. It took me ages just to reach here at all again.”

     “...Hm, they were right.” Flower murmured thoughtfully.

     “Then time went on, you all got more upset, and I wanted to show myself but I just didn’t know what to say. What wouldn’t make it worse? I… honestly thought you’d just move on. Like you could all move on before.”

     “Are you kidding me?” Daydream murmured under breath, far below a whisper. There was no chance of being heard.

     “Do you think we’d moved on?” Flower asked pointedly. “Try telling that to Daydream. Who may as well come in; I know you’re there.”

     Daydream froze. Then she sighed and entered the room. “You heard me?”

     “Heard…? No. I just knew you were there. What did you say?”

     Daydream shook her head. “Nothing important. Except for the implication that you just came to us, had your fun, and then abandoned us. Don’t you think we’d had enough of that? Like from the one who raised us? Same old story!”

     Seep winced at Daydream’s shout, then collapsed to the ground. “I know, and I’m sorry. I know that haunts you, and you have every right to be angry.” They pressed their left cheek to the ground. “That’s why I never challenged you. You’re not wrong to be mad, and I didn’t want you to feel wrong.” They faceplanted onto the floor. “I didn’t want to stay away. It’s just… been weighing on my mind. Like a fog. I didn’t know how to come back. Or what to say. I’m stuck on that. ...I know, I know. That’s on me. I’m sorry.”

     There was a brief pause.

     “...How long did you know, Flower?” Daydream asked.

     “Longer than I needed to,” Flower admitted. “There were hints. I didn’t know the best action. But once I heard what Gimmer was thinking, I realized this could spiral further. I needed to try something now.”

     “With a spell? I didn’t know you did magic.”

     “...We all have some spells, doesn’t mean anything,” Flower shrugged. Before Daydream could press, Flower addressed Seep. “You don’t need to have words or be happy to be a part of the group. They’re just upset that you’re gone. Just be there. Gimmer will appreciate that alone.”

     “...Yeah,” Daydream agreed as she looked away with a frown.

     Seep pondered, then flopped onto their back. “You’re right. Is it okay if I wait till they get back though? I’ve never heard her so fired up. And I basically had nothing to do with it! It’s wild, and I love it.”

     “You love her getting into danger?” Daydream glared.

     “She won’t.” Seep rolled back and forth. “She knows what not to do. She’s taking good realistic action, and I wanna encourage that.” Seep rolled onto their stomach and sat up. “We can be sure. Let’s go after her. You were looking for supplies? How about my medical stash? The reliables! Here, I’ll get them!”

     Seep hopped off, and Flower followed. Daydream gave a pointed look to Flower, a question burning in her eyes.

     Flower met Daydream’s eyes, then turned away. “I have supplies of my own too. I can lend some.”

     Daydream frowned and followed. Seep leading the family on, Gimmer and Indal acting out, and Flower… being secretive as always, but this felt deeper. What were those non-words, and who was the ‘they’ she mentioned…?

     Daydream sighed gruffly. One mystery at a time. Right now, important things were happening, and she would help Gimmer help Indal help Neopia. That was significant enough.

     ***

     Fighters and Brightvale citizens alike came to the medical tents in droves. Some were injured by the shades who were still attacking the populace. Others had come newly greyed, and were injured by the Voidlings or unable to move to safety without the help of those brave enough to rescue them.

     Every newcomer went through triage. Some were sent further away to a refugee camp, others needed immediate treatment. Then there were those in-between, who could wait a while for treatment or a bed. Gimmer was tasked to bring refreshments or first aid supplies (for self-treatment) to volunteers or those waiting outside.

     Gimmer had cleared her tray, but paused to look at the distant busy battlefield. Indal had not returned. Reports of the Voidlings’ strength and Torakor’s leadership had her suspect that Indal was okay for now. But so many more were coming in. And the shades were numerous and relentless. Indal and others were strong, but what if they never stopped? What if they came here? She was just one Neopian, who had never done strenuous work. She was glad to help and keep working for now. But what if she couldn’t keep this up…?

     “Gimmer!”

     Gimmer turned to see Daydream waving. She and Flower carried hefty backpacks, and…

     “Seep?” Gimmer tilted her head.

     Seep jumped from Daydream’s shoulders. Gimmer dropped her tray.

     “I’m here.” Seep approached sheepishly. “Those two got me and rightly called me a jerk. So I came. First, I’m really sorry for–”

     Gimmer ran forward and pulled Seep into a deep embrace. “You’re really back?”

     “It’s complicated. But I’m really back.”

     Gimmer sobbed. “That’s good enough for now.”

     They held the hug for what felt like forever. Eventually, Seep pulled back: “So we’re playing caterer? Fantastic! Let’s be good waiters. And during refill runs, you can fill me in on all that I’ve missed!”

     Gimmer croaked out a laugh. “You didn’t miss much.”

     “Sure I did. I missed you.”

     The End.