"I'd like to apply for adoption!"Username: Taxidea
Profile Page: ProfileBank Link: BankCoop Link: CoopChimkin Name: Mbizi
Prompt 1: Mbizi is the Shona word for zebra. Shona is a language of the Bantu people of Zimbabwe. Before Mbizi developed his luminescence, he was named for the zebra-like stripes that were his most prominent feature.
Prompt 2: Mbizi started life as a fairly uninspiring Chimkin. As a chick, he was chased out of the coop at five days old by his father who wouldn't allow for the potential for competition. Mbizi learned fast how to fend for himself, scavenging around coops for food or sometimes managing to catch an insect or small mammal. Mbizi was good at avoiding predators and older, larger roosters who might have challenged him, as his natural markings helped him to blend into the shadows of sun-dappled forest. As he grew, Mbizi became more curious about the world, often venturing deep into the forest and losing himself in the wonders he discovered. One day, while exploring farther from his usual pathways and hiding places, he suddenly found himself stumbling out of the forest. Mbizi stopped in his tracks, gazing at the strange landscape before him. He tried to dig his claws into the ground but found that whatever he was standing on was different than the packed dirt of the forest. Squinting in the unfamiliar direct light, he cautiously made his way forward toward the blue expanse. He tread carefully over the new terrain, making sure not to slip as the small grains slid beneath his footfalls. Looking behind him, he could see his own tracks leading back to where he had emerged from the forest's protection. When he reached the edge of the blue, he saw that it was not still as he has thought, but full of movement. Mbizi was scared at first, because the blue seemed to be trying to eat the land, but as soon as it would rush close to him, it would dash back just as quickly. The ground here was firmer and a little damp, and Mbizi enjoyed the soft
sh sh that the blue made. Cautiously, Mbizi moved closer, until a powerful force of the blue came up and covered Mbizi's feet. He waited, but nothing happened. He had expected pain, but instead he felt just like he had dipped his toes into a forest pool. Mbizi realized that the blue -- the big, endless blue -- was water. Gleefully, he stepped closer, dipping down to submerge his beak and take a giant gulp. He came up spluttering and spitting: the water was awful! The burn of salt ran down his throat, and he took several steps backward. Now feeling like he needed a long drink of proper water, Mbizi turned and made his way back to the forest. Just as he dipped under the brush, he glanced back, for he knew he would return. That evening, after ensuring he would not be thirsty for some time, Mbizi returned. The blue was now the same color as Mbizi, almost black in the night. He made his way down to where it lapped at the shore, and saw that there was something new in the water, something he hadn't seen during the day. They floated beneath the surface, pulsing with a brilliant light. Mbizi was entranced. He waded deeper and deeper until the water was almost to his beak. The lights glowed around him, tiny creatures that closely resembled the grubs that were Mbizi's favorite food. In a burst of excitement and hunger, Mbizi drove his beak into the water, pecking at the creatures. He was astonished to feel several wriggling in his beak and hurriedly swallowed. Mbizi spent the night feasting on these strange grubs, and when he was too full to eat another bite, he made his way back to the forest to sleep. The next day, Mbizi awoke to a terrible screeching. There were many Chimkins living in the forest, and they and Mbizi would often see each other or even forage in small groups, so it was not unusual to hear Chimkins talking to one another. But this screech was one of fear and alarm, and Mbizi was up in an instant, looking all around for where the danger lay. The screech came again, and Mbizi turned in it's direction to see one of the hens of the forest staring at him and trembling with fright. Mbizi took a step toward her, and the hen stepped back. Confused, he looked around but saw nothing. By this time, the screeching had drawn a few other Chims, and now they were all staring at Mbizi. Feeling more sure that he wasn't about to be eaten, Mbizi asked what was wrong. One Chim shook her head, speechless. Another just stared, eyes wide. The one who had been screeching was hiding behind an older hen that had joined the group. Meeting her eyes, Mbizi repeated his question. The hen looked at him with pity. "You've been changed," she said. Mbizi shook his head; he didn't understand. "You're g-g-glowing," was all she managed to say, before the group ran off. Mbizi lifted a wing to look and jumped. Where before there had been dark blue and white, there were now spots of glowing feathers just like the creatures from the strange, salty water. His claws pulsed with the same blue light that had so mesmerized him the night before. Mbizi felt frightened. Was this permanent? Would more change? He felt fine, but maybe this was a sickness that would slowly spread. And yet, he felt a small glimmer of something else. A sense of pride and wonder. The creatures had been beautiful, and maybe he now shared a small piece of that beauty. Fluffing his feathers, he began to strut as only a rooster can do. Within a few minutes, he sensed the presence of something stalking him. Mbizi dove into the brush just as he had always done, but the creature — a saber tooth cat — stared directly at him. With a sinking feeling, Mbizi realized that his luminescent claws and feathers illuminated him even in the shadows. He took off running, darting this way and that to confuse the predator. Without thinking about where he was going, Mbizi suddenly found himself rushing out of the forest and into cleared land. A human settlement! Desperate, he barreled toward the first dwelling he could see. The cat was closing in, but Mbizi heard the cries of the humans rise up around him as they saw the sabertooth charging into their home. With relief, Mbizi picked a small coop and dove inside. He was met by a flock of frightened Chimkin hens, but they thankfully allowed him to huddle down with them. Mbizi couldn’t see what was happening outside, but he heard the shouts of humans and the hissing and growls of the cat. Soon, the sounds of the predator grew faint, and Mbizi felt it was safe to venture back outside. He cautiously left the coop and began walking slowly around the human settlement. Everywhere he went, the humans stopped and stared, many pointing and speaking in hushed tones to one another. Mbizi heard one human whisper, “That’s the most amazing Chim I’ve ever seen!” He began to strut more proudly, but his heart was heavy, for he knew that his days of living in the forest were over. No longer would he be able to hide among the brush and shadows. He knew it was time to find a human who would treasure him for his unique feathers and let him watch over a coop of his own hens. Maybe, he thought as he made his way back to the coop he had his in before, he would even sire some chicks of his own. Mbizi would miss the forest, but he was also excited for this new adventure. He’d heard stories of what is was like to bond to a human, and his endless curiosity filled him with eager anticipation of what this next chapter would bring.
