Speaking of which, what makes a magical mortog... magical? Are they pets under a curse from Sophie the Swamp Witch? Does Kayla create potions that are used to transform princes and princesses into petpets? Maybe it's just that some mortogs are magical (no curses, spells, or potions needed) while others aren't. Who knows? But, perhaps even more importantly, what about all the (now ex-) mortogs who have been kissed into "royalty?" Where do they go once the round of Kiss The Mortog is over? It's hard to say what happens to all of them, but there is one pet...

- - -

"Ulch, I felt all slimy, thanks!"

A delicate-looking speckled Ixi stood before me, dressed up as if he were Meridellian royalty. Perhaps he was. Considering he had been a slippery green petpet only moments earlier, how was I supposed to know? Either way, I had just earned one hundred neopoints and was ready to carry on with my day. Turning away from the Ixi, I accepted a bag the funny-looking game runner was offering me, listening to the satisfying sound of clinking neopoints. Readying myself to head down the path away from the mortog pond (intent on catching a game of Shapeshifter), I was interrupted by a hoof prodding at my leg.

"Which way to the castle??"

The speckled Ixi (mortog? prince?) had bounded up to me and was apparently waiting eagerly for me to take him... "to the castle." Oh, dear. I waved my hands, trying to shoo him away. Unfazed, the little guy only continued to stare at me anxiously. I told him I didn't have a castle. Which was true, my neohome might be here in Meridell, but it was hardly the luxurious abode many people seem to imagine when they think of Meridellian living. Still, the Ixi only shrugged daintily and edged closer to me. Realizing I wasn't going to be able to make him leave by telling him to, I decided to just ignore him.

Shapeshifter, Merifoods, Meri Acres Farm, Cheese Roller, Illusen's Glade, and even a stop at a mysterious symol hole; the speckled Ixi stubbornly followed me all over Meridell. Finally, I faced him and asked if he had anywhere to go. Like a home, or something. Shaking his head for a "no," he lay down and nuzzled his face against my boots. Cute, I admit. After a few moments, I made a decision. I was going to keep him. Nudging his head away from my boots, I told him to keep following me (not that I had to; he would've done it anyways). A mile or so down the path I stopped at a quaint little house. My neohome. Opening the door, I stepped inside, quickly followed by the Ixi, who proceeded to wander about the hallways and rooms. After the house had been thoroughly explored, he hopped atop the green antique couch in my living room. Snuggling up among the cushions, he yawned one last thing before falling asleep.