Geeb and the Lokton Islands: Prologue

Geeb and the Lokton Islands: Prologue

"Yo, Geeb! You fuckin' cunt!" Travek shouted from the front of the house. "I got the mail!"
"Wait, really?" Geeb shouted back in excitement. He closed his Laroranch tab on the computer and ran downstairs fast as his tiny legs could carry him.
"Where is it?" He said, as soon as he ran across the house. Travek's wing waved to point to the pile of mail on the counter. "It's over there, happy digging!" She smirked and laughed, and got back to her guitar playing.
"Oh, *thanks,"* Geeb said, sarcastically. "Way to keep me in suspense."
Travek let out a giggle, and started strumming a tune.
Geeb started to rummage through the pile of envelopes. He was awaiting a letter from the head of Noralo's Nature Expeditions, the most famous company to discover new species of animals and islands. The company recently had a spokesperson to promote a contest about travelling to a newly discovered island in the middle of the Golin ocean known as the Lokton Islands, and Geeb had entered the contest that very day. He had prepared an entire essay of reasons why he should go (although he only needed a simple paragraph), just to increase his chances of winning.
After a good amount of magazines, coupons, and codes for the new Laromon Mystery Gift, Geeb lost all hope. It was already late for a message to be sent to the winner: it was supposed to be sent a week beforehand. Deflated, Geeb sulked back to Travek.
"So? Did you get anything?" She asked.
"Does it look like it? I'm not holding an envelope, dumbass." Geeb replied.
"Yeah, that's because.." Travek reached behind her and pulled out one more envelope. "..I'm actually holding it."
"What the fuck? Lemme see that!" Geeb snatched the envelope from Travek's wing and read the front of it. To his surprise, it was sent to him, and the stamp had the symbol of Noralo's Nature Expeditions.
"H-Holy shit-" Geeb stuttered in excitement, and started ripping the envelope open. "No fuckin' way, there's no way I won-"
Geeb took out the folded paper inside and opened it.
*"Congratulations, Geeb! You have won the Lokton Islands contest! Are you ready for the biggest adventure of your life?"*
*"You clearly showed your interest in the expedition, and we're proud to say that you're going to be the one to experience it!"*
*"However: You know what you're getting into here. This is a completely unknown island with creatures we haven't even discovered yet. You'll be tasked to record all the ones you can find and send them back to us (We'll give you credit, of course). This also means you're leaving your home, your family, your friends, everything. Are you up for the task?"*
Below the print was a blank line, awaiting a signature. Geeb squeaked in happiness and bolted to get a pen in the kitchen.
"Huh. Guess he won," Travek mumbled.
After getting a good pen, Geeb signed his name and folded the paper back into the envelope. Next thing to do was to meet the head of the company at the Noralo Docks in a month with that envelope.
"So, uh.. you won?" Travek poked her head into the kitchen.
"Yeah, I won," Geeb replied. "Was it not obvious?"
Travek snickered. "No, it was, I'm not blind. It's just that..." Travek's eyes started to droop. "I dunno what I'm gonna do now."
"Oh, fuck, yeah.." Geeb said, sadly. "Trav, I'm sorry. You know how badly I wanted to do this!"
"No, I know, I'm not gonna stop you," Travek said. "But..it's gonna be lonely without you. Ever since we met in high school, we've always done everything together," Travek's eyes started to water. "And now you're just going to some random island, with god knows what monsters there are ther-"
"Travek, please," Geeb interrupted her. "I'll be fine, okay?" His trunk raised toward his hat. "You're forgetting about the well-hidden arsenal I have here."
Travek chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I'm over exaggerating things," Travek flew to hug Geeb, who tried to hug back with his small legs. "Just tell me you'll be fine. And always keep me updated."
Geeb buried his face in Travek's feathers. "I'll be fine, I promise. I dunno about the updating thing, depends if there's service-"
Travek hugged tighter. *"Keep. Me. Updated."*
"Alright alright *fine!* Geeb said, spooked. "Stop crushing me!"
Travek lightened her grasp. "Geeb, I love you," she said.
"I love you too, Trav," he said. "As a friend, obviously."
"Yeah, duh, no shit." Travek replied. The pair of friends laughed, and the month flew by like it was nothing.