#lobose

Lobose's first, and only assignment, was to be a companion for a xweetok named Milk Graham. Milk not only had to join a new family, but also had to reconcile her father no longer being an everyday presence and that no one in this new family was her age and all going through their own stuff. Lobose took the form of a Strawberry Zafara, and being a very mild-mannered boy just a year older than Milk, was a good choice, as it turned out Milk is kind of bossy. Lobose often went along with whatever she wanted to do, including having his name shortened to "Lobo".

Lobo was understood to be the playmate and neighbor of Milk by her adoptive family, and he lived across the street with a host family unaware of his real identity and situation. This was not the only oddity about him; he didn't really get modern references or jokes, seemed awfully wise for his years, and never went to school (he often went to libraries or even did bingo with old ladies when Milk was away). He seemed very self-conscious about "weird" things about himself like this, often asking "is that weird of me?"

As these things tend to happen, when one gets older and starts finding their own interests, Milk and Lobo naturally grew apart. When Milk went through middle school, she was able to find more friends with her own interests. As mentioned before, while Lobo was happy to listen, he just didn't get what Milk liked once it strayed from childlike games. In truth, Lobo's assignment was completed once Milk's father returned and she got more friends, but it was Milk herself who prolonged the assignment. Just because they didn't like the same things didn't mean she was going to drop her best friend.

But the longer Lobo stayed, the more lost he felt. Milk's assumption, not knowing his identity, was that Lobo had a life outside of her, but the whole reason he was in Neopia was for her. Without Milk, there was no reason for him to still be there, and no life to be fulfilled. One day, in Milk's second year of high school, she suddenly felt like she had forgotten something. Something very important.

She remembered she had a very close friend, but not his name. Her family figured someone had been there, but couldn't place who. Even the neighbors who had been his host family had not remembered ever having someone else in the house.

they’re from the Guardian Realm!!

This realm is inhabited by immortal neopets called Guardian Faeries. They are not born; Tutella instead creates neggs through magic in which they hatch (she really liked the Negg Faerie and decided she wanted in on that, too). As they are all immortal, age is measured through brain development, rather than years. The faeries live in this idyllic cloud society until they are given an assignment.

"Assignments" are the names given to Neopians who are in need of the company of a Guardian Faerie. Tutella selects faerie neopets based on potential compatibility, but it is completely up to the faerie themselves whether or not they wish to take on the assignment. They will take on a new form upon entering Neopia and will spend their time there on the assignment until it is eventually completed.

Completion of an assignment is never quite the same every time, but in most cases, it is considered complete when the assigned Neopian no longer has need for a Guardian Faerie. This can mean growing up, moving away, finding a lover or spouse, finding a calling, or any other method. In some extreme cases, it can mean cutting the faerie out of their life completely, or in tragic cases, death. There are also some faeries who never truly complete their assignment; they may maintain a lasting constant friendship, marriage, etc with a faerie without ever realizing their identity.

Upon completing an assignment, the faerie returns to their realm, and depending on the strength of their connection upon leaving, may leave without a single trace. The stronger the bond, the more the assigned Neopian will retain. The name will always disappear, but it is possible that an assigned Neopian could remember the name of their faerie and may end up summoning them themselves should they recall it. Otherwise, Neopians will typically remember that someone was there for them during that time, but will have trouble recalling a name, face, or specific conversations. Had the assignment not been completed amicably, they may not remember anything.

vomit / don’t ship / ok / cute / adorable / sexy / perfect / beyond flawless / hot damn / screaming and crying /i will ship them in hell