Wind howled across the land, making your ears feel as if they were about to freeze. Rain continued to pour, stinging your face, hands, and arms. Innocently buying some things to pamper your beloved pets, books, toys, food... All getting soaked in the bag they were in, you had never expected this. Oh yes, the Channel 77 NeoNews Had told you there would be a storm, but when have they ever been right? You silently scolded yourself for not listening, and looked distastefully at your surroundings. "Rain, nothing but rain! Thats all Spring brings," You scowled, shivering. "Any colder and it could be called hail!" Continuing your *lovley* stroll in the season, all that was on your mind was reaching home, putting on something dry then heating up a can of soup and curling in a blanket in front of your TV. What weather. Appealed by the thought of a warm bath and the heater on in your comfortable neohome, you stopped walking. Yes, a nice bath, blanket, soup, and music... Wait, music? You shook your head. But somewhere, a faint voice and soft tinkling sound could be heard. You tried to push the sound from your mind. Am I going mad? You thought to yourself. Possibly. This rain drives people crazy-- You stopped thinking in mid-sentence. Was it getting louder? Yes, it was.
Round and round and round....
You whipped your head around. Yes, it was getting louder! You panicked. But where was it coming from? The tinkling sound turned into a low hum. It sounded as if someone--or something, mind you--were playing an insturment. The hum stopped. So did the voice. Almost immediatly the rain softenend, then abruptly stopped. Of course! You had almost forgotten it was raining! But why...? Something far away moved. It sounded like it was slithering. Was it a Wadjet? Possibly. Or maybe a reptillor? You shuddered. Aren't they poisinous---
Howdy Do?"
Your heart almost leapt to your throat. You jumped, then painfully jerked your head in the direction of the voice. Losing your balance, you stumbled, and landed in an awkward position in the mud.
Sorry stranger, didn't mean to startle you."
You caught a glimpse of the creature. It was a neopet, at least. Or a weird one. It was a deep blue, with glittering scales and a bright yellow underside. Two big wings sprouted a little below it's neck, and spread out as a greeting. They had a small outline of a darker blue on them. And its tail--or still its neck, you couldn't tell, it hand no legs or arms--was curved into a hook. It bared its fangs, probablly what was intended to be a smile.
Er, hiya there, I'm Aquescies, nice to meet ya!"


.:.:.:.:.

Sooo, how'd you end up here, wandering like a miamouse in a feild of miamouse traps?" Asked Aquescies. She smacked her lips, as if the mere thought of a Miamouse sounded appealing. "Y-you don't eat them, do you?" you asked wearily, unable to bear the thought of a cute Petpet such as that struggling between jaws. Aquescies looked hurt, as if she couldn't imagine that either. "I'd never eat something alive like that!" she hissed. "I happen to like the cheese humans and Neopets put in thier traps." She rolled her eyes as if that settled it, then bared her teeth in a 'smile' again. She cleared her throat. "Now, really, what are you doing here?" She asked again. "Oh, I really didn't want to end up here. I got caught in the storm. Just went out to town to get some stuff and, well, I got sidetracked by the rain. It rained so hard I could barley see where I was going! and you know what else? I heard music, too! And the weirdest thing too! When it stopped, so did the rain, and--" Aquescies went into a fit of giggles. (Or hiss-giggles, due to the fact they sounded like "ssshahsshasha!".) "I know, I know, I was there!" She half giggled, half said. "Maybe I should explain some. You look as lost as a Spardel in a genious convention. C'mon then, out here is no place to talk. Too wet still. I'll bring you to my home! Its not much, but at least its warm. And anyway, any friend of mine is a friend of my owner! Right then, scurry along and lets go! its not far." Without hesitation you agreed, and though you were chilled to the bone,you let the thought of a warm bed, blankets, and possibly food drive you on.

.:.:.:.:.

After a few minutes of walking, a small, new neohome was visible. It wasn't the most impressive thing ever, but it was tidy. Coats of new paint were on the outside walls. A flower bed too, but a bit muddy. There was a "Welcome!" mat on the front step with a smiling mutant lupe, red koi, brown uni, and... What looked like a picture of Aquescies. Aquescies rang the doorbell, and a muscular uni opened the front door. "Hey there, Aquescies! And, oh! You've got a friend, come on in, its awfully wet out there." With that last sentence, she cast a playful look at Aquescies, then shut the front door behind you and your 'friend'. A brown-haired, short girl appeared from a doorway, with curly, frizzy hair and light brown eyes. She took one look at your wet hair, clothes, and soggy package, and laughed. She offered you a towel, which was soft and fluffy. You took it gratefully, and wrapped it around your shoulders. Aquescies waited patiently, and led you to her room, or lair, as she called it. "So, before I tell you anything, I need to know your name... er--,"
Call me guest."
Okay then! but let me introduce myself properly. I am Aquescies, you know that much--call me Aqua for short--and here are my stats, so you know.