ORIGIN

Ever since Quix had her coronation at Maji Walezi, she had been on the prowl for more adventures, fun experiences and a quest for expanding knowledge in a much more subtle way by picking up cues and signs along the way. She was extremely small and so snuck through the many stalagmite structures easily. Rugged rocks did not hinder her either. The lithe girl simply jumped over them with a hop and a skip, all the time with a wagging tail. The moss and lichen which draped over many plant life and rocks perked her curiosity but she didn’t stop to observe those. Bevy had sure taught her about plants and there were plenty of them back in Maji Walezi. If anything, Quix was subconsciously searching for something new and exciting to bring back home.

Just then, she heard the thundering of hooves. Pricking up her ears, the fennec fox turned to the source of the sound and was extremely dismayed to see a herd of deer larger than her coming her way. With a squeak and a shriek of terror, Quix dashed to the corner, jumped up and dived head-first into a bunch of bushes with a loud rustle. Soon, the herd went by her. The girl then pricked her head from within the leaes and looked around. Thankfully, all were gone. The scenery was back to a state of calm. With a sigh, she picked herself out of the bushes and licked herself over to remove stray bits. Then, she continued on her trail.

The girl attempted to observe the bacteria in the area, and so attempted to draw on her magic. The itty bitties appeared in her mind instantly – and she sensed bad bacteria drawing quick to her vicinity. Curiosity pricked the kit, and so she darted over like a streak of tan. “Makyna!” she exclaimed with delight and wagged her tail furiously as she saw the lioness digging into her meal. Ah, so it was her that sent the herd thundering over. Like a polite little fox, she gathered her paws and hopped onto Makyna’s back, then sat neatly on her with fluffy tail curling around her body. It’s simply lovely to see you today!” she yipped in delight and licked Makyna’s scruff in a friendly manner.

Quix was delighted by Makyna’s fur but more so by the wonderful greeting the older gembound gave her. She looked over at Makyna’s prey with curiosity. It was smaller than Makyna, but so much bigger than her. The girl let out a wide yawn, miniature jaws parting to reveal tiny teeth that gleamed fiercely like a predator’s. Her little face scrunched up and her eyes fell into two happy curved lines while she yawned, and when she was done, Quix closed her muzzle, shook her furry ears and licked her muzzle. The scent of meat wafted to her nostrils and she definitely wanted a teensy morsel! Bugs were tasty but meat was akin to the occasional sweet delicacy to her when she managed to nab one, and certainly none as large as this. “Thank you,” she replied Makyna brightly, her tail furiously wagging in delight. When Makyna tore open the belly, Quix gently launched herself off Makyna and back onto the ground. Scuffling close to the prey, tail wagging, the girl reached her little paws into the depths of the belly and gripped onto a shred of meat. She then retrieved her now bloody features and snacked and munched upon her meal with contentment. Every bite and crunch made it seem like she was winking. When she was done with the first morsel, the little fennec replied Makyna.

“Yes Makyna! Cancer daddy wanted to chew my ears off but I brought more friends to Maji Walezi! Oh oh and I help coordinate too!” She giggled and gazed upward at Makyna, her little feet tucked in politely and neatly. Just that one scrap of lion had satisfied the small eater. “How about you Makyna?” she asked the lioness with large, wistful baby blue eyes.

"Oh, really?” Quix yelped in surprise, rounded blue eyes honing onto Makyna’s face as she revealed herself to be part of Maji Walezi. Makyna then spoke about being Cancer’s girlfriend. The girl twitched her large ears and tilted her head, still gazing at the lioness. "What’s a girl-friend?” she asked innocently in awed, hushed tones. It seemed important! "Makyna, will I get to be coordinator and girlfriend too?” Her query was a very eager one. She wanted to be big and strong like this lioness! Everything seemed right. She had almost the same coloured pelt! Just maybe, she could be like Makyna! "I wanna be just like you. Big and strong. Then we can help Maji Walezi even more!” she grinned at the older girl, a mix of adoration and girl-crush bubbling up within her. Then, as though to emulate the lioness, she trotted back to the carcass and attacked it with renewed vigour and tried to chew off more than she could. Unfortunately, she latched onto some sinew that refused to budge beneath her tiny jaws and the girl felt herself tumbling backwards into Makyna’s legs. "Oops,” she laughed and looked up at the lioness.

The girl allowed herself to fall into Makyna’s embrace as she licked her. It made her feel all fuzzy and warm inside and she loved it. Thinking back that was how she had introduced herself, as being called Quix and liking hugs. Perhaps Cancer daddy should make that her job! It seemed to cheer on most gembounds considerably except for a few grumpy ones who, for some reason, did not have the energy to keep up with her. Quix looked at Makyna now, thinking about girlfriends and boyfriends. She frowned at Makyna as she tried to think hard about her own boyfriend. Boys were just other gembounds to her. Different, but … she hadn’t really come across ones that gave her special feelings. "I don’t have a boyfriend. All boys the same.” Yeah, who needed to think about that when she could zip around caves and have tons of fun! She then promptly forgot about the topic that was hard for her to grasp, even though Makyna had given her a better idea!

As the older lady filled her in on the details of what a coordinator was, Quix listened extra solemnly, then giggled. "Thank you Makyna,” she replied and licked her on the cheek. "Now I know Maji Walezi needs me!” It had been an insecurity of the girl’s that one day, this beautiful situation around her would be torn down and she’d be kicked out just because she couldn’t swim like Eeya, nor heal as well as Bevy, or even be as strong and tough as Cancer. But she loved her family and felt their love so strongly that all her thoughts were constantly combated by the support she got from the tribe.

Now, the fennec settled into a more pensive mood. "Say Makyna, why haven’t I seen you in Maji Walezi?” Now that she thought of it, how come she only met Makyna far away from pisces and not anywhere near it?

The fennec let out a little yawn and nuzzled into Makyna’s fur as the lioness mentioned that it was a long story. She looked at the older girl in anticipation, large fluffy ears titlting forward in eagerness what she’d say. As the story was recounted, Quix nodded along. She remembered that game! It had been fun with Bevy and Dark birbs before she promptly fell asleep in Cancer's pouch. Makyna continued on, and when she spoke of how Cancer had upset her special friend, the little fennec yipped, ”Special friend like special feelings?” Then, her thoughts turned to Cancer. Fat leopard! How dare he upset Makyna. ”Fat leopard does things without thinking,” she muttered and wrinkled her nose as she thought of her daddy. He was so lovely but Quix could be so disapproving of his antics sometimes! It was almost a love-hate father-daughter relationship.

The young girl had yet to hear of leon though. ”Who is Leon?” she asked Makyna as she snuggled deeper and settled herself in for the elaboration of the lioness’ bedtime story.