Chapter One
The Dancer
"Hurry up, Ilona! We don't want to be late!"
It was a bright sunny day in the Kingdom of Meridell. A twenty-year-old Yellow Kougra bounded toward the marketplace, her long black hair flying behind her as she ran. The beautiful Aisha named Ilona followed. Her light brown fur looked very pretty when the sun shone on it.
"Vanessa, can we rest for just a minute?" Ilona asked, exhausted from running. The Kougra, who was named Vanessa, skidded to a halt and turned to face Ilona. "Come on, Ilona," she said, "Do you want to dance or not. We need the money we make."
"And who says no one will stop to watch me?" Ilona asked, tossing her long curly red hair. Vanessa smiled. "Well, come on, then," she said, still smiling. Both girls began running toward the marketplace again. They were sisters. Vanessa was one year older than Ilona. Vanessa had noticed that Ilona had a talent in dancing. Vanessa also noticed that most people would stop what they were doing immediately to watch Ilona dance. Now, Vanessa and Ilona would go down to the marketplace three times a week. Vanessa would play a song on her flute, and Ilona would dance to it.
The girls reached the marketplace to find that a crowd had already gathered around the spot Ilona usually danced at. Vanessa sat on the edge of the fountain and began to play a song on her flute. Ilona pulled out her tambourine and danced. All the Neopets watching were mesmerized, like her dancing was hypnotizing them. Unknown to her, a cloaked Lupe was watching her every move. His face was hidden by the black cloak's hood.
Ilona ended her dance and bowed. The Neopets cheered and threw flowers at her feet. Almost all of them put lots of gold coins into the bowl Vanessa was passing around. Once the crowd cleared up, Vanessa and Ilona started making their way back to their house, counting their Neopoints. "I'd say we made about 10,000 NP today," Vanessa exclaimed. "Wow," Ilona replied. Their house came into view. Vanessa opened the door and stepped inside. "You're becoming more famous by the day, Ilona," Vanessa said, putting the bowl down on the counter. "I guess you're right."
Vanessa opened a cupboard. "I used some of the Neopoints we made last week to buy you something," she said. Vanessa put a brightly colored box tied with a big red ribbon in front of Ilona. "Thanks, Vanessa," said Ilona. She opened the box. Inside was a beautiful golden necklace. The diamond on the necklace completed the masterpiece. Ilona gasped in delight and put it on. It sparkled in the Sun light that was pouring through the window. Ilona hugged her sister. "Oh, Vanessa! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
"I thought you might like it," Vanessa replied. "I'm going to go practice my dancing," Ilona said, then disappeared into her room.