Backstory


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2 years, 4 months ago
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A backstory / introduction / starting point

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The golden sun beats down on the summertime savanna. But the heat is no issue for Makiki as he

stretches and yawns. His voice, deep and rumbling but inviting all at once, thrumms into the thick air.

His large body covered in sandy fur and unusual stripes, it soaks up the heat of the rock he had been

napping on. It felt very nice, like a sauna is for a top athlete resting from a hard days work. But now it

was getting just a little too hot and it was demanding him to move. So, it is now time to move on. He

shakes his large, fluffy mane as he yawns and stretches again before looking over the side of the rock,

his gaze half-lidded from lingering tire.

The body of the antelope is resting on its side. Perfectly still, Makiki looks at it for a while, licking

his chops with a deep smirk.

“What a lazy bum,” he says, claws scratching over his chest. His melodious voice must have stirred

something, because the antelope soon raises its head and yawns as well.

Makiki chuckles and flops on his belly, staring at his friend. He can linger for a little while longer

here.

“About time. I've been awake for hours,” he says, his tone jokey and friendly without even an ounce

of demean.

“Come on, now. We all know that's not true,” the antelope says as she gets onto her feet and bounces

around a little bit to get the blood moving.

He snaps his fingers in false derision.

“Damn it all. You got me again. However can I fool you?”

She chuckles and wanders closer to the nearby watering hole for refreshment.

“It's such a shame you have to leave, though. I wish you could tell us why. A lot of the creatures are

gonna miss you.”

Makiki sighs and slides off the rock to join her for some water as well. A pack is leaning against the

bottom of the rock, large enough to carry food.

“Yeah, I know. I shouldn't be too long, though. Who knows. Maybe I'll come back with some

amazing stories to tell. This place I'm going to... it's supposed to be pretty incredible. I'm actually quite

excited.”

They share the libation and lock gazes. Makiki was no romantic, nor was his herbivorous friend, but

he could not deny in that moment that she is quite lovely. He was going to miss her companionship.

But many things are friends to him, and Makiki enjoys every friend he can ever make. His standards

are somewhat high, but if one meets them, they tend to stay in his good graces. Such loyalty is valuable

on the savanna he calls home and everybody knows that.

The antelope smiles at him as he goes toward his pack, concerned but happy for the lion all the

same.

“I'm sure you will. You have a safe journey, Makiki. Send back postcards, okay?”

Taking up the bag full of food and other bare necessities, the lion nods and salutes her before

heading east.

“I will. You take care of yourself!”

With that final farewell, Makiki hikes toward the great unknown beyond his savanna, wondering

what the next day could bring.