Weary from a day exploring Meridell, you stop at a bar and casually walk through the door. You are greeted by a warm gust of air, carrying a musty scent that makes you feel as though it hasn't changed as fast as the world around it, like you've just walked in on a small peice of history. The large room is only lit by weak sunbeams cast through the dirty windows, and a few small candles on the tables. Only a few pets sit talking at the bar and tables, so you notice some of the employees are taking a break during the slow business.

You walk up to the bar and are about to order when you notice the woman behind the counter doesn't seem to notice you at all. You pause a moment to take in her features: she is a Draik, though you're not sure what color. The ripped wings lead you to suspect that she is a mutant, but you question whether she may actually be green, for it has been long since you saw a mutant pet with such a gentle and maybe even beautiful face. Her purple eyes are deeply concentrating on an old book in her claw, and her brown hair is let down over her shoulders. Her simple dress is no different from what most people in Meridell wear, but the crescent moon necklace she wears is something you take notice of.

Oi, Stark! See t' th' customer er th' boss'll have yer head!" a young man scrubbing the floor calls. Suddenly snapping out of her trance, the Draik suddenly is once again aware of her surroundings and she lets out a sweet little noise of surprise as her eyes come to rest on you. "My utmost apologies, traveler. I will see to it that such a thing does not happen again." Her voice is very calm and sweet, like a song. "What would you fancy?" she asks, and you suddenly remember that you were about to order something. "Oh... just some water, thanks." She gives you a strange look that you're not really sure what to make of before pouring you a glass of water and passing it to you.

You take a small sip and glance at the book she was reading, now tossed on the counter next to you. It's full of what look like potion ingredients, but you can't understand what someone working in a place like this would be doing with something like that... then again, she did give you a strange feeling to begin with...

Are you alright?" she asks. You look up to see the Draik, Stark the man washing the floors called her, staring deep into your eyes with a concerned -disallowed_word-image coming soon)

Kytoki is a pirate Zafara who also has some darigan characteristics. The reason for this is a temptation she eventually beat that slowly began changing her fur darigan. I don't entirely understand it, but she's proud of being part darigan... I suppose because she's proven that she's stronger than the pirate in her. Despite how different we are and how foolish she can be sometimes, I still think of her as a sister. We grew up together as the first two pets living in my previous home on Mystery Island... I don't see her as much as I'd like since she's always off sailing when I return from Meridell during my days off.

Lupin

Lupin is the biggest peice of idiocy I have ever known, which is really saying something considering his height. He has trouble understanding things that are too complicated and doesn't even bother trying to learn. He wants nothing more than to have a good time, I suppose a stereotypical Mystery Island native. Still, he has a good soul and never wants to cause others pain. He lives in such a naive world... I both am annoyed by how ignorant he is and maybe almost saddened that he thinks such a place exists... I wish it did...

Sashazumei

She can be as foolish as Lupin at times, though she is better in the fact that her personality has some depth. Despite how happy she can be I know that her heart aches when she thinks nobody is around and is free to let her emotions go. She's actually Kytoki's sister and died when Kytoki was still a baby. After falling to the ocean floor, a seakau used the blue crystal necklace she wears to keep her soul within her body. It was originally just to find out what happened, but Sashazumei refused to remove it once her purpose had been served. I think what saddens her the most is that Kytoki turned to piracy in her absence, for it was pirates that killed her and her parents.

Kork

Kork is a kind young Tonu who always tries to help when others need it. When I'm home and need potion ingredients, (at home there is a serious lack of them and I can't always bring all I need), Kork is the first to volunteer to get some. He is a rather normal pet with no extraordinary abilities who was somehow thrown into the mess of odd pets I knew growing up. I once tried teaching him magic because I felt he felt alone but the results were... less than satisfactory. I offered to teach him somewhere there weren't so many things he could set on fire, but he respectfully declined. I do hope someday he finds where he belongs.

~About Myself~

Well now, about myself... since a young age, I've always had a fasination with magic and the like. Apparently, Kytoki tried her hand at magic long ago but was never particularly gifted. After finding her old books, I began spending my time reading them until I became knowledgeable in the subject. When I inquired Kytoki about what she learned, I found that she had been able to learn fire abilities, but everything else she could never do. I learned her fire abilities, which are now the type of magic at which I am most capable.

Of course the beginner spellbooks she had eventually became useless to me, so I looked for work so I would be able to afford new books. My first job was at a tour agency on the island. While it was only a seasonal job and didn't pay much, I was able to afford the basic things I needed with which to train myself. I was still constantly looking for a better job, but it was hard to find. I finally was hired at a resturant through the reccomendation of Lupin, who has a job entertaining customers. Although waiting tables is difficult work, the resturant is a large tourist attraction, so my tips were often very generous.

I was now able to afford the best with which to train myself, still having some left that I was saving for the day I planned to move to Meridell. I had heard many pets who practiced magic lived there, and it was also right next to the kingdom of Brightvale, so I would have easy access to some of the best written resourses in Neopia.

Once I had enough, I traveled to Meridell to seek out a home and a job. Having had experience working in a resturant I decided that would be the best starting job and quickly found work here. I also found housing in a modest hut not far from here. Still, I continued to search for anything that would help me in my studies, as they had mostly been self-taught at that point. Eventually I came across an opportunity to be apprenticed to one of the mages living within the castle. Among them were the most gifted magicians in Meridell and many believe in Neopia altogether. They were highly influencial advisors and warriors, and to train under them would provide me with the training needed to one day hold their position. With high expectations on my mind, I passed a basic preliminary test and was admitted to apply for the position.

I took several tests afterwards and passed all the written ones with relative ease. My practical exams proved more difficult as, according to my examiners, my technique was 'unrefined'. Having had no professional training such was to be expected, but this was still a disappointment. I waited for a reply for several days and, through a miracle or pure luck, had passed. I was required to train a year before I could begin my apprenticship, and in my training I have learned much about not just magic, but a vast store of other information. In order to one day take such a high-ranking position, I must know about this world's past and present, after all.

I was able to move out of what had been home the past few months and moved into the castle. Here, everything was provided for me, yet I still decided to keep my job. Since my apprenticship doesn't pay, having money on the side is quite useful, for my needs and for those who remain back on Mystery Island... supporting as many pets as they do, they need help sometimes and I am happy to give it whenever need be."

Stark stops talking and you suddenly become aware of your surroundings, the motion of her arm cleaning out your now empty glass, the golden sunbeams of evening playing across your face. But with their warmth you become aware of the time, and how you have stayed far too long. As you think over staying a bit longer anyway to ask more about herself, Stark places down the glass and walks around the bar. "It seems my shift has ended..." she says dreamily to you while another employee silently takes her place. "It was a pleasure talking with you, but I must head up to the castle or I will be late. Do come back and talk with me some more one day." She smiles a sweet, innocent smile and tucks her book under her arm before heading out the door. A bell over the door briefly chimes in her wake, and she is gone.

~Adoptables~