Akili of Arkouda

Akili

HEIGHT: 3.1 ft
WEIGHT: 230 lbs
VOICE OVER: Anika Noni Rose
ONE LINE DESCRIPTION: a giant panda with green eyes

Akili is rather on the larger side in comparison to her species like her parents were. Underneath her thick black and white fur are her strong muscles, which she gained primarily by climbing trees. Her emerald green eyes stand out the most in her body. 



Akili is one of the animals who often get overlooked. She doesn't say much as she's more of a listener than a speaker. Anyone is welcomed to talk to her. As long as they aren't rude or arrogant. Even though she is confrontational, she is great at ignoring. The bear is good at appearing that she's listening (keeping eye contact) without actually doing so. However, that doesn't mean that she would tolerate anything. What many individuals don't realize is that she has a low temper. Once someone infuriates her, she would let them have it. 

This bear is also very sensitive. It is easy to hurt her feelings, but she often tries to hide it. She is also tries not to offend anyone, unless they make her upset. While Akili doesn't mind being alone, she would welcome anyone who wants to hang around her. At first glance, she appears to be quiet and polite. However, she is compassionate, playful, and sweet. She would be one of the first animals who would lend a paw to someone in need. If she doesn't dislike them, of course. 

Akili is has a lot of lazy moments. When she is not doing her tasks, she likes to take naps on trees or eat bamboo. Running or jumping around isn't her favorite activity. She isn't a fan of fighting or killing others. Hence the reason why she only eats vegetation and avoids bloody actions. She finds helping others more fulfilling. 

While she isn't completely closed off, it takes a little while to gain her trust. She keeps moments of her past hidden as it does put her in a negative light. Additionally, she isn't naive. Akili is aware that not everyone in the world have good intentions or good in general. 


LIKES: eating; napping; listening to others; seeing others happy; great stories; foraging; healing
DISLIKES: being bossed around; others interrupting her naps; arrogance; lies; fighting; discussing her past
SKILLS: tracking; healing; climbing; swimming
FLAWS: fighting; hunting; easily offended; 
DREAMS: having a best friend; 
FEARS: losing access to food; being in war; losing a loved one; her secret coming into light & seeing her mother again



Akili and Lola were born in the outlands. Her parents, Laila and Kiess, lived alone. Their families died due to disease, making them the only survivors. For the most part, the daughters lived a simple life. At one year old, things started getting complicated. One day, the cubs tried to sneak up on their parents. They saw something they would never forget. Their father struck their mother. He was physically abusive to their mother. When the offspring was around, everything seemed to be perfect. The parents seemed happy. But it was actually the opposite. Being old enough to recognize the wrong in the actions, they wondered how long that had been going on. Lola, the daddy's girl, was very much hesitant to ask her parents. She didn't want Akili to get involved as well. Being a mother's girl, Akili didn't want to comply. Lola warned her that if they said anything, then everything would get worse. Fearing that, Akili finally headed to the warning. 

The following year was rather uneventful, besides the growing concerns of abuse. During that time, Lola was learning battle tactics from her father. Akili focused more on healing with her mother. Every other day or so, Lalia would slip up and mention pieces of Kiess' abuse. Over time, Akili grew resentment towards her father, but didn't know what to do about it. She wasn't a great fighter. Since her father grew apart from her, she figured he wouldn't listen to her. But she still made an effort. The night she spoke about the abuse, her father asked if Lola knew. Akili lied and said no. Then, Kiess threatened to kill her and Lalia if Lola found out. While Akili questioned his thought process, she took the threat seriously. 

Over time, having Kiess around affected Akili's mental state. She kept thinking about the threats. One day, Lola ran up to her sister, claiming that her father is having an affair. Was Akili surprised? No. Was she upset? Yes. He could have left them alone and left with his lover. But instead, he lingered and continued to inflict harm on their mother. During the conversation, Lola told her sister of her plans to confront her dad about his abuse towards Lalia. Even though Akili asked her to reconsider, her sister didn't budge. 

"Why are you going to stay quiet about this? Do you think our mother's abuse is okay?" (Lola)

"No! I don't think it's alright... You are only doing this now because you heard of the affair. I thought about confronting him about a year ago!" (Akili)

"You fool. All you do is sit on your ass and sulk." (Lola)

Lola stormed off in search for her dad. She didn't return. A couple of days later, caught her father sneaking into the den. Lalia was asleep, tucked into the deepest corner of the cave. When the male noticed Akili was up, he complained to her about a stomach ache. That's when an idea came upon her mind. The daughter asked him to sit tight while she combined some herbs. She included parsley and mixed the deadly nightshade roots and leaves. The smaller panda placed the herbs in front of her father and waited patiently as he ate them. 

"Where is Lola?" (Akili)

"She's gone?" (Kiess)

"Where?" (Akili)

"Does it took like I know?" (Kiess)

"How do you know she's gone?" (Akili)

"I saw her walking far from here." (Kiess)

"And you didn't ask her where she was going?" (Akili)

Soon, the father became enraged and started ranting about how this family ruined his life. Stating that if Lalia died before her pregnancy, he wouldn't be so unhappy. In the midst of his angry speech, he started crying in pain and cramping. He was dead moments later. When Laila woke up, she was distraught. Her mate was dead in the den. She asked Akili about him, and her daughter explained everything, including the abuse and affair. Despite all of the truth, her mother regarded her as a murderer and asked her to never come back again. Suddenly, Akili felt guilt even despite the fact that she saved her mother's life. She ran away from home by sunset and never came back. Months later, she decided to join the Arkouda dynasty, leaving her past behind. 



MOTHER: Lalia (alive)
FATHER: Kiess (deceased)
SIBLINGS: Lola (sister/alive, presumed to be dead)
OTHER FAMILY: N/A


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