Recognition

I don't own Neopets. Kaminkara and Tessacaroline are fictional, but Avie, 'Stat, and the unnamed Usul and Acara-- Mem and Laurrie-- at the start of the story are real. Look me up.

"Goodbye, Kamin. Good luck." A blue Eyrie in a checkered apron threw her wings and paws around the young Acara in one final hug, nuzzling her beak into what she evidently thought was his shoulder.

"That's my ear, Avie," Kaminkara complained. "Stop it."

"Kamin! Where are you?" A Camouflage Kougra rushed in towing a small suitcase in a wooden cart. "I've brought your stuff. Are you ready to go?" Glancing around, he dashed out right in front of Kamin's nose.

"I'm here, 'Stat," the Acara called. "Thanks. I'm about ready, I think."

The Eyrie, holding a smaller red Acara and a little Usul in her wings, was still waving one forepaw madly as Kamin followed the Kougra down the drive. He was going to miss this little house, but he'd always known that he would have to leave someday. Now, it didn't feel like a parting so much as a dream, something that was happening to someone else entirely.

It was after noon when the Kougra and Acara arrived at the main gates of Neopia Central. "Stay close to me," 'Stat told his companion, giving the cart a sharp tug. "Not that I'll know whether you are or you aren't, but I don't want you to get lost."

They walked through the crowded city, the suitcase in tow behind them. The Plaza shone in the afternoon sunlight as they made their way past the Music Shop and the Hospital. Eventually, their destination came into sight; a tall building with a brown-tiled roof, standing out by its dullness amongst the sparkling shops and bright flowerbeds. Despite himself, Kamin couldn't help shuddering as they stepped through the door into the white-lit front office.

"Hey, Misery-Boots," 'Stat greeted the Techo at the desk cheerfully. "Any sign of the girl I'm meant to be meeting here?"

In response, the doctor so addressed merely waved one claw towards a young woman sitting in the corner. Kamin's heart skipped a beat as he saw the mousy-haired girl with a collar and lead lying in her lap.

"All right. I'll need the two of you to sign the relevant forms," the Techo nodded, gesturing for them to approach the counter. "For you, 'Stat, a disownment form, and an adoption certificate for you, miss TessaCaroline."

The human girl scribbled furiously, before handing the form back across the counter. A moment later, a Kougra paw reached forward with the other document filled in and signed.

"All in order," the Techo nodded, and reached over to lift the collar from Kamin's neck. The next moment, his pen scribbled a signature on the certificate, and the girl stepped forward to tie her own collar on the young Acara.

"There, that went fine," 'Stat smiled. A hint of a tear glistened in his dark eyes; he'd once told Kamin that the departures were always the hardest. "See you around, kid. You've been a great pet to have around." Pushing the suitcases off the trolley, he jumped aboard it and was gone.

"Hey there, Kamin," Tess grinned, running a hand over where she guessed his ears to be. "Ready to come home with me?"

The house was still and quiet. A faint smell of flowers touched Kamin's nostrils as he entered the front room; it was clear that someone had been cleaning rather recently. He'd been told about this Neohome when Tess came to visit him, of course, but it was nice to see for himself.

"I thought you'd appreciate an afternoon to settle in," Tess told him awkwardly. "So I waited until my pets went away on holiday for a few days. They'll be back tomorrow morning, and I can introduce you properly."

Kamin explored the rooms, cautiously at first, then with more confidence. His paws slipped on the staircase as he climbed, but Tess was there to help him up.

"Your room's on the second floor," she smiled. "It's got a bed in it already, and a desk… everything except a mirror, really, and I guessed you wouldn't be wanting one of those."

Delighted with everything he saw, Kamin ran from room to room with the energy of a springy toy. At last, he was starting to come to terms with the fact that this was not a dream, but his real, true home. His foster parents had chosen right when they'd picked Tess as Kamin's new owner.

As he lay by the window in his bedroom, the Acara saw the sky darkening outside the Neohome. It had begun to rain, and a heavy wind whipped at the glass.

"C'mon, Kamin," Tess called. "Do you know how to play Neocheckers? I'll show you if you want."

Happily, Kamin ran off to play with his owner.

"I don't know what I'll make for dinner," Tess reflected as she tidied away the checkerboard. "All the recipes I know are for one human and three pets, no good for just the two of us. Let me see."

Kamin fetched a pan from the cupboard, anxious to help. Tess giggled. "Oh, it's so funny to see my saucepan floating around like that! Thanks, Kamin."

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Tess smiled. "Won't be a minute, Kamin."

The storm was heavier now. As the door opened, Kamin felt a gust of cold wind blow through the house.

It seemed hours before Tess returned. At last she came, not the lively, enthusiastic young woman he'd been with all morning, but anxious and unhappy. Setting the saucepan back in its place, Kamin ran to her, wondering what could be wrong.

"That was a message from Terror Mountain," Tess told him, absently stroking his soft fur. "The storm's been a lot worse there, and some of the buildings have been blown down on the north face. That's… where the Mountain Lodge hotel is."

"Where your pets are?" Kamin asked gently. Tess nodded.

"I have to go, Kamin. I have to see if they're all right." She picked up a warm jumper from the clothes-basket, pulling it over her head. "Get something to eat from the kitchen. Don't worry if I'm not back by tomorrow morning. Terror Mountain's a long journey in a storm like this."

"Take me with you," Kamin pleaded. He didn't like to be left alone on such a dreary night. It made him think too much about the past, and the time before he became one of Avie's foster pets.

"You'll be fine here." Tess grabbed her rucksack and ran down the hall, slamming the front door behind her.

It was dark, and Kamin was alone in the empty house. All at once, his past nightmares seemed to come back to haunt him.

"Tess!" he yelled after her. "Tessacaroline!"

I have to bring her back, Kamin thought dizzily. For some reason, his thoughts were muddled and he couldn't seem to think logically or clearly. If she doesn't come back now, I'll wake up and find it was all a dream. I'll be back in my little room at the Adoption Centre, with no-one but that Techo to take care of me.

Opening the window, he screamed his new owner's name into the night.

"Tess? TESS!"

There was no answer.

The tiredness of the day seemed to catch up with Kamin. Still hoarsely whispering Tess's name, he felt his paws slip from the windowsill as he fell into the soft cushions of his owner's comfortable armchair. He didn't remember falling asleep.