NT 1000 Surfing Competition
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Draiphin was excitedly unpacking her suitcase. LUTARI ISLAND! She couldn't believe that she was really here. After the Storm Curse had finally been broken, the Island natives were voraciously thirsty for outside world interaction and news. As part of the celebrations, a huge surfing tournament started tomorrow, sponsored by the prestigious Neopian Times. Surfers from all over the world had flocked to the island to participate; even some retired competitors engaged for the occasion. In total, the Neopian Times had donated $1 million NeoPoints to the prize pool, guaranteeing that the event would be worthy of their 1000th issue special headline. She glanced out the window of her cozy little hut and watched the water caress the shore. The sand was soft and smooth looking, after being buffeted by stormy winds and waters for generations. There were a few faint figures moving around dragging driftwood into piles to be reused for the upcoming events, and eventually, the bonfires planned as the event's culmination luau. She lazily sauntered to the doorway, and leaned on the frame, soaking in the warm sunlight. Looking towards the water, she saw a familiar figure on the beach, with his ever present roasting spit. She smiled to herself and started walking over to meet Zechire on the beach, when instead, she tripped over something long and warm.
Ouch!" She cried, as she had scra.ped her tail on something sharp. As she turned to see what hurt her, she saw a mutant eyrie glaring up at her."Well, that's one way to greet someone," he said playfully, "I'm Gryorp. What's your name?"
"I'm Draiphin," she replied, still rubbing her tail.
"Sorry I tripped you, I was testing to see if I could navigate the path with my eyes closed. Are you okay?" Gryorp asked.
"Yes, thank you, sorry for tripping over you… Why would you navigate a strange trail with your eyes closed? Isn't that a little dangerous?"
Gryorp giggled a little oddly, and said "Well, yes, but I LOVE dangerous things, really gets the blood pumping! I signed up for the surfing competition later, and can't wait! It'll be my first time on a board, and I have some crazy tricks planned."
"Oh, well nice to meet you, I hope you do well in the competition later, I'll also be there. But for now, I am going to go see my friend over there. Later!" And Draiphin rushed off, holding her tail gingerly.
As she approached Zechire, he waved in greeting and started preparing a helping of his famous Avian Roast for her. They chatted, and he looked over her tail, pronouncing she should be fine for later that day. As usual, her time with him helped calm her mind. She thanked for the meal and asked if he would be attending later; and he grinned and said he would be there to cheer her on. Draiphin headed back to her hut and finished putting her things away, and then headed to the pavilion to sign into the tournament. The boardwalk was full of contestants, observers, judges, and lots of kiddos and the excitement was palpable. Draiphin weaved her way carefully through the throng to the signup tent, and then had to wait in a longer than expected line. Resisting the urge to bounce in impatience, she focused instead on her goals for the tournament. She needed to place on the podium in at least two events to make up the costs of the trip here, then she still owed 20% on her latest gear purchase. As she finally got close to the tables; she looked over the events offered: pipeline, biggest wave, longest ride, "progressive" craft, longboarding, and Tricks and Maneuvers; and the Razzie, a category for the biggest wipeout.
She didn't have long to ponder, as the line suddenly moved her to the front and she had to choose. She was a little flustered; as she thought she had a few more minutes (what happened to those that were in front of her?!), but she successfully told them her full name, provided her passport for identification, and then chose 3 events she thought she could do well in. Then she was hurried off to the next tent for photography promo shots. Finally she was free to explore the boardwalk and take in the market sights.
Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Drakioned scarfing down several plates of delicious looking food and frothy drinks at one of the local vendors outdoor seating areas.
"I'd go easy on all that sugar if I were you," Draiphin teased.
Don't worry about me," Drakioned reassured her, wiping away the crumbs from his chin. "A little sugar is just what I need to get the blood flowing."
A few hours later it was time for the induction ceremony, and there was lots of talking, and photo taking, and schmoozing. Around 9:30 the surfers parted en masse to head off to sleep before the matches began the next morning.The next morning dawned with perfect surf weather and Draiphin couldn't help but feel a tingle of excitement from nose to claw. She prepared a quick breakfast, hastily ran through her hygiene, and rushed out the door. The other contestants were just as antsy as Draiphin was, and the holding area was full of nervous chatter. The group was awaiting the schedule to be posted. Finally the competition host came out and tacked up the schedule, then hurriedly got out of the way.
Draiphin was part of the 2nd heat, so had some time to waste. She saw that she also was competing against Aquaeia for the first event. Her heart dropped into her stomach. NOT HER! Always a snarky remark and an attitude to match.
Draiphin settled down on her beach blanket a little way away from the crowd to watch the first events, but she wasn't alone long… Aquaeia made her way over and started jabbering about her exploits over the past few months since they'd seen each other last. Bragging about this and that, Draiphin did her best to tune out her lisping and raspy chatter.As the latest wave hit the shore both Draiphin and Aquaeia stood up, rod straight… Gryorp had been doing a trick, and all eyes had been on him. A few moments later, it became obvious one of the other competitors, Drakioned, a Draik, had gone under the water and hadn't come back up for air. With the whole crowd as still as a group of rocks; the waves kept rolling in, the pieces of her surfboard finally washed ashore, and an official went over to pick them up. Tears started to well up in many of the crowd members' eyes; as they wondered what happened.
Gryorp stopped his antics immediately, and dived beneath the waves to look for the board owner. As if they were both poked, both Draiphin and Aquaeia both rushed towards the water and dived in, they were tossed around mercilessly by the torn waters, and pulled under and thrown about; but they swam and swam looking for the missing Drakioned.
Aquaeia spotted him first; but they all arrived at the same time, he was stuck under a broken piece of coral, her tail pinned. She didn't have long, the 3 rescuers took turns bringing her air from the surface, and other Maraquan neopets, a mutant flotsam, and a small plushie flotsam also joined in on the rescue of the stuck Draik. Finally the piece had been moved enough to pull his tail out, and Drakioned was carefully moved to the shore.
As he lay there, trying to return his lungs to function, he gestured to Gryorp, Draiphin, and Aquaeia —
"Thank you" he mouthed; and he closed his eyes. The medical team whisked him off the beach and into the medical tent.
The two flotsams who had assisted in the rescue, came over and introduced themselves as Honnalii the Mutant, and Sweetie the Plush. They made small talk quietly with the others while waiting to see what the Officials were going to do.
Over the loudspeakers came a somber voice "The rest of today's schedule is postponed, please keep the injured competitor in your thoughts." and the milling crowd dispersed. Draiphin collapsed on the sand and was numb. Finally Aquaeia pulled her up and together they went to Zechire's campsite and quietly awaited news.
After the sun had set; a small Techo walked past, carrying a stack of flyers. they simply read:
Drakioned the Marble Draik
Status: injured competitor
withdrawn from tournament;
transported to NeoHospital,
in recovery
— LI Prime Officials
All three heaved a sigh of relief, and thanked the Techo. He told them that the tournament would resume in the morning, and there's a courtesy curfew being placed into effect, so they should return to their individual lodgings. Nodding of heads, and quiet goodbyes followed; and Draiphin returned to her hut, where she fell into her bed and slept.
The next morning Draiphin shot awake to the sound of cheers coming through the window.
Oh no! I overslept!
She leapt to her feet, grabbed her surfboard, and sprinted for the beach just in time to see Aquaeia finishing her last trick, a leaping handstand off the board into the water with perfect dive.
"Next up, Draiphin," came the announcer over the loudspeaker. "Please report to the Official's booth immediately."
Draiphin jogged to the booth just in time to see Aquaeia walking away with a smug look on her face.
"I hope you'll be content with runner up," she laughed.
Draiphin ignored her and reported in with judges before making her way to the ocean shore where she dove in and began paddling out into the water.
She wished she'd had time for breakfast, or at least a coffee, all this rushing was seriously damaging her self confidence.
Just have to focus, she thought to herself, taking deep breaths in and out as she started to scan the water for the perfect wave. She continued swimming, feeling the ache in her tail from when she tripped on Gryorp the day before.
Then she spotted it - the perfect wave was rolling in. She quickly turned and paddled with the wave, gaining momentum as it came up on her, raising her higher until she stood balanced on the board. The wave was even bigger than she expected and from atop it she could see the whole beach of onlookers_ like tiny insects so far away. A calm washed over her as she settled in for her routine.
Draiphin didn't think, didn't plan, just went with the flow of the ocean wave as she spun and flipped on her board, performing one perfect trick after another. She found herself in the zone like never before, performing tricks with ease.
As the wave approached the store and began to crest, she performed one final dismount trick that consisted of a twisting triple front flip and hit the water headfirst. She emerged shortly thereafter, reflecting on the most perfect ride of her life when faintly she noticed the cheers of the onlookers coming from the shore. She had completely forgotten the competition!
As she swam to shore the scoreboard lit up as her name moved up to the very top, overtaking Aquaeia by half a point.
Ladies and gentle-pets, I present to you the winner of this year's Lutari Island Surfing Prime and recipient of the one-million neopoint prize from our sponsor
- the Neopian Times -
Draiphin!
She couldn't believe her ears as the announcer's voice said her name. She walked to the stage amongst cheers and applause. Even Aquaeia was there, standing on the second place position, clapping enthusiastically for her.
"Those were some great moves," Aquaeia said, offering her hand.
Draiphin shook it happily. "Thank you!" Then took her spot and hoisted the trophy high.
