#faerieland

Nothing could beat a sweet treat after exercise. For two Faerieland players, Faerie Foods had become a post-practice tradition, and the Earth Faerie in charge knew them by name and order: Strawberry Faerie Sundae for Whimsi and Dark Faerie Sundae for Delma.

“Kakoni, he’s our team captain, he was telling me that sometimes I get too tied up in talking to the refs! But the refs are so interesting, and I think it’s too bad people only ever yell at the refs. So to get to know what refs are like, I read the rulebook!”

Delma watched the shopkeeper’s eyes lose focus as Whimsi kept talking. They had already received their sundaes, but with no one else in line, the Earth Faerie had no way to politely turn the chatty Vandagyre away. They were, yet again, her only patrons.

“Apparently,” Whimsi continued, totally oblivious, “there’s an archaic off-sides foul that most tournaments have ruled unnecessary!”

“Whimsi,” Delma softly interrupted. “Your sundae…”

“Oops!” Whimsi said, licking the strawberry sauce from her feathers.

With that momentary pause, the Zafara guided her talkative teammate out of the shop and back into Faerie City. Lately, the place had begun to feel so… empty. Fewer faeries in the shops and parks. The few they did see out walking were clearly focused on a destination and hardly made eye contact with any of the Neopets they passed.

When the world was in chaos, Fyora’s faeries got busy.

Whimsi was halfway through reciting the Yooyuball rulebook when Delma spoke up.

“Everyone’s so stressed here.”

“Mhmm! And busy!” Without missing a beat, Whimsi switched to Delma’s topic and dropped her own. Delma appreciated that about her friend; while Whimsi certainly talked enough for the two of them, she always made room for the words Delma did care to share.

“I know their work is important, but the faeries could use something fun, something to take their mind off things,” Delma continued, thinking out loud. “They might not know it but… they could use sports. And honestly, the team could use some enthusiasm in return!”

Whimsi scrunched her face, evidently experiencing a brain freeze, but held up a wing to speak once it receded. “I don’t know if the stadium could get any louder than last year. Didn’t you hear all the pretty bells our fans were ringing? It was magical!”

“True, but… how many faeries do you remember seeing in the stands?”

“Hmm. Maybe just the Fire Faerie? The one who plays Gormball?” ` “Exactly. And she was cheering for Virtupets.”

After the last Cup, the team had felt proud of their higher placement. But returning home, there were no parties, no celebrations… they’d hardly received “congratulations” from the shopkeepers who knew they played for Team Faerieland, Faerie Foods excepting.

“We have the unique ability to give faeries something—or someone—to root for, with lower stakes than ‘the end of the world.’ If we can just get their attention… maybe for an exhibition match? I think we’d find some new fans who’d be excited to cheer us on.”

Whimsi gasped and nearly flung her sundae. “I know JUST the faerie!”

The Vandagyre flew off, and Delma followed. They left Faerie City, passed over clear springs and verdant fields, and arrived at a colourful wheel and the Light Faerie who ran it.

“Hi, Whimsi!” Vivianna said, waving cheerfully as they landed. “Here for a spin?”

“Not quite! Here to see if you could drum up excitement for Delma’s wonderful idea!” Whimsi lifted a wing, presenting Delma in dramatic fashion. “Go ahead, tell her!”

“We want to play an exhibition match, here in Faerieland,” Delma said, “for… fun.”

Agh, Delma thought, that would’ve sounded so much more exciting if Whimsi had explained it.

But somehow, the Light Faerie lit up, pumping a fist in the air. “Oh my Fyora, I LOVE that! I could make flyers, if your team could put them up! Then we could get Delina to craft some cosy bleachers—you’ll need more seating at your practice pitch. And and and! We can tap the Employment Agency to gather event volunteers!”

“Oooh, yes! And if we could get a certain big name to show for the match,” Whimsi said, gesturing to Delma’s melting Dark Faerie Sundae, “who could resist coming? We can set up a dark throne on a nearby bluff and maybe, just maybe…”

“Do you really think she’d show?” Delma’s eyes went wide. Jhudora had always been her favourite of the famous faeries—she wouldn’t have dreamt of inviting her.

But Vivianna was tapping her chin, deep in thought. “I think we could pull some strings,” she said. “We all need a break from work, after all…”

“FLYER LOCATIONS,” Whimsi started, listing ideas on her feathers. “Faerie Foods, Bookshop, the Healing Springs—OH! The Discarded Magical Blue Grundo Plushie of Prosperity, of course!!”

“I’ve always wanted to go to a game myself,” Vivianna continued. “The Wheel of Excitement just gets busy sometimes. But that’s hardly an excuse! I miss being around other faeries and Neopets—and from what Whimsi tells me, there’s nothing like a good game of Yooyuball to bring a community together.”