"Woah! It's huge!" Nikoru yelled, as soon as Abby's Neohome (where they would be staying until Niki's application was considered) came into view.
"I've spent months of construction and NPs on the thing, and we all love it." Abi-chan's voice held a note of pride.
"Are your pets there?"
Nikoru got her answer as she opened the door, allowing Jadejei the Fire Lupe to knock both of them to the ground with a howl of welcome. Inside the room, Nyasesui the Desert Aisha stretched and sauntered lazily over, Egyptian trinkets clinking as she purred "Welcome back, Abi-chan. Who have you brought here today?"
Farther back, in the kitchen, Mareu, Abi-chan's constantly ravenous Faerie Cybunny stopped stuffing his mouth with a cookie and bounded into the lounge, leaping on top of Abby's chest with a shout of "HEY, GUYS!"
"Hey, you four rascals, I'm glad to see ya!" said Abby happily as she rubbed behind Nyase's ear. "You remember the Nikoru-chan I was forever telling you about?"
Nikoru looked up from her half-sitting position on the floor, with a slightly dazed "Hi."
The three pets crowded around and helped her to her feet, leading her to sit on the sofa – a Kauvara sofa to be exact.
And through it all, Shousha had awoken, his huge eyes swelling to their widest as he beheld the three Neopets in front of him. He squeaked and immediately jumped onto Jadejei's back, balancing precariously and giggling. Nikoru managed to catch him before he fell. "Hey, be careful, will ya, Shou?"
Abby, ever the gracious hostess, helped Nikoru get her bags to the guest room. Less than five minutes later, Mantasiulle (Abby's Starry Peophin) called "Dinner!"
The meal was a happy affair, the food was good, and everyone was content. Nyasesui's comment that Shousha ate more than Mareu and Mantasiulle combined was taken in good stead by everyone at the table.
And then, it was time for bed.
A few minutes after the lights in the house had gone out, Abby was still talking to her best friend as they discussed Nikoru's plans for the next day.
"Koru-chan, since you're getting your neohome tomorrow, why not get some food and furniture first?"
"Hmm…Yeah, sounds like a good idea. I'll
head off to the games early tomorrow, ne?"
"Hai, it's a good idea to have more than just 250 neopoints, 'Koru. Try the Meerca Chase and Pterattack games tomorrow…you seemed pretty good at that kind of thing back on Earth."
"Hai, hai. I'll try my luck and be back in time for lunch. Then it's off to see the new neohome…how did you get such grand NPs, anyway? Enough to have this?"
"Let's just say it takes time, patience and a lot of luck." Abby smiled and got up from the bed. "Oyasumi nasai, Nikoru."
"Oyasumi nasai."
The door closed, and after a few minutes of peaceful thinking – what kind of furniture, what food to buy, whether her new pet – she glanced fondly at Shousha, napping soundly on her pillow, next to her head – would like her ideas.
Then she slipped of into sleep, laced with tantalizing dreams of her future in Neopia.
*******
A/N: Maybe you're questioning my use of Japanese terms in this ficcy. Well, I am not Japanese myself. It just seems to fit so well, and besides, Shousha fits! ^_^ I'll have the next chapter up soon! Goddnight all!