Home. Family. Future.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

Emily gave him a mischievous smile before quickly signing back. ‘I see what I can do,’ She said.

‘Good,’ Caesar signed, and smiled. ‘I think you are the beat one to help Charlie.’ 

Emily smiled as she hugged Caesar back. Calling him father made her feel truly at home again. She pressed her forehead to Caesars in return, letting the feeling of being home sink in.

Lake smiled too as she saw Caesar and Emily. Cornelius and Star, as well as Koba’s children, bounded over to the king and his human daughter, wanting hugs too.

Orchid smiled and accepted the fruit, signing a small thank you to him before eating it.

Lake noticed Charlie too, and smiled a little. She knew how smart Izzy was, and what the mare must be thinking of the obviously shy Charlie.

Emily looked over at Charlie and smiled. ‘I think so too,’ She said. ‘But Izzy right, he need say something.’

Lake watched Charlie squirm a bit, and saw him gently reach to stroke Smoke’s head.

‘If only Izzy could sign,’ Emily signed as she watched her horse. ‘It hard to teach how horses speak when Izzy is only horse with large knowledge of words.’

‘I wish Izzy could sign, too,’ Lake replied. ‘She is wise. Could give much help to shy Charlie!”

‘She’s helped me a lot in the past,’ Emily signed with a smile. ‘I sort of remember when Caesar and Koba first found me, Koba still not like humans and poked me with spear. Izzy yelled at him for doing so.’

‘Koba not like that any more, thanks to Emily,’ Lake signed with a smile. ‘You saved his children, and he trusts you now, sees you as family.’

‘True, Koba like an uncle now. Wonder how he react if I call him uncle Koba.’ Emily signed before laughing. She knew both blue eyes and ash would laugh, and ash would egg her into calling Koba uncle.

Lake chuckled. ‘I think he might like that,’ she signed. ‘Maybe try it and see?’

Emily chuckled and nodded. ‘Next time I see Koba, I call him uncle.’ She promised, thinking that ash and blue eyes would both get a hoot out of it.

Orchid looked thoughtful, then gently reached to touch Charlie’s face.

Emily smiled and inwardly ‘Awwed’ at the two. She looked at izzy and nodded. ‘You a match maker?’ She asked. 

Lake smiled. ‘Maybe she right… Izzy is wiser than many of us know.’

‘Of course I remember!’ Emily signed, happily greeting Ruby. ‘Good to see you again! Everything well? Koba behaving since I left?’

Ruby chuckled. ‘Koba still Koba,’ she signed. ‘He is good ape though. Happy with Stone, and good father to children.’

Emily gave a smile and ran her hand through her messy hair. Save for the braids that held the beads Cornelia gave her, her hair was looked like a bird had once tried to use it for a nest. If her mother saw this, Emily knew she would have a fit.

Lake smiled and gently chuffed at Emily.

Emily sat as still as she could as her hair was put back into order. As she did, she let her thoughts wander back home with her human family. Her own mother had taught her how to braid hair, and would enjoy helping her pull it back.

Several days had gone by since the move of Lake’s household, including Emily, into Caesar’s dwelling. Much had changed in a short space of time, including the beginnings of romance - not only with Charlie taking Orchid  as a mate, but with Lake taking a female bonobo - Ruby - as hers. There was a celebration being planned for the whole community to recognize both unions, and Koba had decided to get some early fishing in to add to the feast.

At the river, a young man and an older gentleman were chatting as they gathered water and fished.

Caesar frowned with alarm when he heard what Koba and Stone had seen, but then he remembered Emily’s news about the young man in the store.

Emily was a bit anxious. She thought she’d seen the last of the boy. But she did want to see what they were up to, and seeing a human with the apes would benefit the apes.

Koba watched as Caesar nodded, and he helped his king assemble a strong group of guards and hunters, including himself and Stone.

Emily gave a nod and grabbed her newly repaired spear, as well as the bow and three arrows she made on her travels. She took a breath before getting up on Izzy.

Koba felt a slight relief as he recognized Tyler, but he was still on alert as he did not know the others. Although neither of them appeared to be very dangerous-looking - an old man and a child - there could be other armed humans lurking nearby. As much as he had come to love Emily, he was far from being able to trust all humans.

Emily watched the group, feeling a bit annoyed that they were close to the village, but at the same time, curious. She remembered days when she, ash, and blue eyes would go fishing, and how she taught them the human way of fishing.

Caesar nodded. ‘If one of these humans know you, best you go, but apes should come with you. It was Koba and Charlie who were with you? Perhaps it should be them who accompany you.’

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

Emily gave him a mischievous smile before quickly signing back. ‘I see what I can do,’ She said.

‘Good,’ Caesar signed, and smiled. ‘I think you are the beat one to help Charlie.’ 

Emily smiled as she hugged Caesar back. Calling him father made her feel truly at home again. She pressed her forehead to Caesars in return, letting the feeling of being home sink in.

Lake smiled too as she saw Caesar and Emily. Cornelius and Star, as well as Koba’s children, bounded over to the king and his human daughter, wanting hugs too.

Orchid smiled and accepted the fruit, signing a small thank you to him before eating it.

Lake noticed Charlie too, and smiled a little. She knew how smart Izzy was, and what the mare must be thinking of the obviously shy Charlie.

Emily looked over at Charlie and smiled. ‘I think so too,’ She said. ‘But Izzy right, he need say something.’

Lake watched Charlie squirm a bit, and saw him gently reach to stroke Smoke’s head.

‘If only Izzy could sign,’ Emily signed as she watched her horse. ‘It hard to teach how horses speak when Izzy is only horse with large knowledge of words.’

‘I wish Izzy could sign, too,’ Lake replied. ‘She is wise. Could give much help to shy Charlie!”

‘She’s helped me a lot in the past,’ Emily signed with a smile. ‘I sort of remember when Caesar and Koba first found me, Koba still not like humans and poked me with spear. Izzy yelled at him for doing so.’

‘Koba not like that any more, thanks to Emily,’ Lake signed with a smile. ‘You saved his children, and he trusts you now, sees you as family.’

‘True, Koba like an uncle now. Wonder how he react if I call him uncle Koba.’ Emily signed before laughing. She knew both blue eyes and ash would laugh, and ash would egg her into calling Koba uncle.

Lake chuckled. ‘I think he might like that,’ she signed. ‘Maybe try it and see?’

Emily chuckled and nodded. ‘Next time I see Koba, I call him uncle.’ She promised, thinking that ash and blue eyes would both get a hoot out of it.

Orchid looked thoughtful, then gently reached to touch Charlie’s face.

Emily smiled and inwardly ‘Awwed’ at the two. She looked at izzy and nodded. ‘You a match maker?’ She asked. 

Lake smiled. ‘Maybe she right… Izzy is wiser than many of us know.’

‘Of course I remember!’ Emily signed, happily greeting Ruby. ‘Good to see you again! Everything well? Koba behaving since I left?’

Ruby chuckled. ‘Koba still Koba,’ she signed. ‘He is good ape though. Happy with Stone, and good father to children.’

Emily gave a smile and ran her hand through her messy hair. Save for the braids that held the beads Cornelia gave her, her hair was looked like a bird had once tried to use it for a nest. If her mother saw this, Emily knew she would have a fit.

Lake smiled and gently chuffed at Emily.

Emily sat as still as she could as her hair was put back into order. As she did, she let her thoughts wander back home with her human family. Her own mother had taught her how to braid hair, and would enjoy helping her pull it back.

Several days had gone by since the move of Lake’s household, including Emily, into Caesar’s dwelling. Much had changed in a short space of time, including the beginnings of romance - not only with Charlie taking Orchid  as a mate, but with Lake taking a female bonobo - Ruby - as hers. There was a celebration being planned for the whole community to recognize both unions, and Koba had decided to get some early fishing in to add to the feast.

At the river, a young man and an older gentleman were chatting as they gathered water and fished.

Caesar frowned with alarm when he heard what Koba and Stone had seen, but then he remembered Emily’s news about the young man in the store.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

Emily gave him a mischievous smile before quickly signing back. ‘I see what I can do,’ She said.

‘Good,’ Caesar signed, and smiled. ‘I think you are the beat one to help Charlie.’ 

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

‘Went good,’ emily signed, but then she lowered her head slightly as she continued. ‘Found a human… he not sick.. said his uncle is scientist… also said there a small human camp not far…’

Caesar frowned a little. He knew that his followers did not trust humans for the most part. He needed to find out more about them,

‘Yes, we spoke,’ Emily answered. ‘Said that his uncle was working on cure. was surprised to see Koba and Charlie. Made sure he not follow us.’

Caesar breathed a little easier to hear that Koba had not reacted with hostility to the human, and that these humans did not seem to mean harm to the apes. But he was, of course, still wary on behalf of his tribe who had suffered so much at human hands. The apes would have to be ready should this new group prove unpredictable. There were good humans, like Emily and Malcolm’s family…  but there were also plenty of bad ones like the Colonel… he had no way of telling yet what these ones would be like.

Emily nodded and started signing again. “Didn’t think seeing human would make me shake..’ She answered. ‘He not threaten, promised he meant no harm. Said didn’t know apes lived so close. Not know why I shake.’

‘I understand your feelings. I know you are more accustomed to apes now, and seeing a human after all this time may have been a shock.’

After thanking Lake for the meal, Emily took a bite before looking at Caesar to listen. She decided to guess what the elder wanted to say by reading his face.

‘All of you - my family,’ the king began to sigh. ‘You also, Emily - you are like daughter to me. I think family should all be under one roof. I would like you, Emily, Lake, Cornelius and Star, all to live with me. Cornelius is my son, and needs both father and mother. Lake, you have become his mother, so he will always need you. What you say - would you like to come and live in my home with me? All of you?’

Emily blinked, and a smile slowly spread from her face. She smiled at Caesar and nodded. ‘Would love to move in,’ She said excitedly. ‘Saw Caesar as father after he rescue me. Feel honoured to be seen as daughter.’

Lake and the babies also were eager to move in with Caesar, and the children were already scrambling into his arms.

Emily smiled brightly as she pressed her forehead against Caesars. It sent waves of warm happiness through her as Caesar called her and Lake his family. For the woman, it felt wonderful to be in a family again.

Caesar was overjoyed to have his family all together, and began to organize the move to his dwelling as soon as he could.

It didn’t escape Emily’s notice that Charlie was helping Orchid out every chance he got. It made her smile. She remembered Orchid from her Healing Days, she helped with Emily’s bullet wound when it was still healing over.

Caesar smiled as he saw Emily take her place in her new home.

Emily nodded and signed back. ‘Very comfortable. Missed being with the apes. Traveling for so long almost forgot how nice it is to have group to be safe in.’

Caesar waited till Charlie was looking the other way, and quickly signed:

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

‘Went good,’ emily signed, but then she lowered her head slightly as she continued. ‘Found a human… he not sick.. said his uncle is scientist… also said there a small human camp not far…’

Caesar frowned a little. He knew that his followers did not trust humans for the most part. He needed to find out more about them,

‘Yes, we spoke,’ Emily answered. ‘Said that his uncle was working on cure. was surprised to see Koba and Charlie. Made sure he not follow us.’

Caesar breathed a little easier to hear that Koba had not reacted with hostility to the human, and that these humans did not seem to mean harm to the apes. But he was, of course, still wary on behalf of his tribe who had suffered so much at human hands. The apes would have to be ready should this new group prove unpredictable. There were good humans, like Emily and Malcolm’s family…  but there were also plenty of bad ones like the Colonel… he had no way of telling yet what these ones would be like.

Emily nodded and started signing again. “Didn’t think seeing human would make me shake..’ She answered. ‘He not threaten, promised he meant no harm. Said didn’t know apes lived so close. Not know why I shake.’

‘I understand your feelings. I know you are more accustomed to apes now, and seeing a human after all this time may have been a shock.’

After thanking Lake for the meal, Emily took a bite before looking at Caesar to listen. She decided to guess what the elder wanted to say by reading his face.

‘All of you - my family,’ the king began to sigh. ‘You also, Emily - you are like daughter to me. I think family should all be under one roof. I would like you, Emily, Lake, Cornelius and Star, all to live with me. Cornelius is my son, and needs both father and mother. Lake, you have become his mother, so he will always need you. What you say - would you like to come and live in my home with me? All of you?’

Emily blinked, and a smile slowly spread from her face. She smiled at Caesar and nodded. ‘Would love to move in,’ She said excitedly. ‘Saw Caesar as father after he rescue me. Feel honoured to be seen as daughter.’

Lake and the babies also were eager to move in with Caesar, and the children were already scrambling into his arms.

Emily smiled brightly as she pressed her forehead against Caesars. It sent waves of warm happiness through her as Caesar called her and Lake his family. For the woman, it felt wonderful to be in a family again.

Caesar was overjoyed to have his family all together, and began to organize the move to his dwelling as soon as he could.

It didn’t escape Emily’s notice that Charlie was helping Orchid out every chance he got. It made her smile. She remembered Orchid from her Healing Days, she helped with Emily’s bullet wound when it was still healing over.

Caesar smiled as he saw Emily take her place in her new home.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

‘Went good,’ emily signed, but then she lowered her head slightly as she continued. ‘Found a human… he not sick.. said his uncle is scientist… also said there a small human camp not far…’

Caesar frowned a little. He knew that his followers did not trust humans for the most part. He needed to find out more about them,

‘Yes, we spoke,’ Emily answered. ‘Said that his uncle was working on cure. was surprised to see Koba and Charlie. Made sure he not follow us.’

Caesar breathed a little easier to hear that Koba had not reacted with hostility to the human, and that these humans did not seem to mean harm to the apes. But he was, of course, still wary on behalf of his tribe who had suffered so much at human hands. The apes would have to be ready should this new group prove unpredictable. There were good humans, like Emily and Malcolm’s family…  but there were also plenty of bad ones like the Colonel… he had no way of telling yet what these ones would be like.

Emily nodded and started signing again. “Didn’t think seeing human would make me shake..’ She answered. ‘He not threaten, promised he meant no harm. Said didn’t know apes lived so close. Not know why I shake.’

‘I understand your feelings. I know you are more accustomed to apes now, and seeing a human after all this time may have been a shock.’

After thanking Lake for the meal, Emily took a bite before looking at Caesar to listen. She decided to guess what the elder wanted to say by reading his face.

‘All of you - my family,’ the king began to sigh. ‘You also, Emily - you are like daughter to me. I think family should all be under one roof. I would like you, Emily, Lake, Cornelius and Star, all to live with me. Cornelius is my son, and needs both father and mother. Lake, you have become his mother, so he will always need you. What you say - would you like to come and live in my home with me? All of you?’

Emily blinked, and a smile slowly spread from her face. She smiled at Caesar and nodded. ‘Would love to move in,’ She said excitedly. ‘Saw Caesar as father after he rescue me. Feel honoured to be seen as daughter.’

Lake and the babies also were eager to move in with Caesar, and the children were already scrambling into his arms.

Emily smiled brightly as she pressed her forehead against Caesars. It sent waves of warm happiness through her as Caesar called her and Lake his family. For the woman, it felt wonderful to be in a family again.

Caesar was overjoyed to have his family all together, and began to organize the move to his dwelling as soon as he could.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

‘Went good,’ emily signed, but then she lowered her head slightly as she continued. ‘Found a human… he not sick.. said his uncle is scientist… also said there a small human camp not far…’

Caesar frowned a little. He knew that his followers did not trust humans for the most part. He needed to find out more about them,

‘Yes, we spoke,’ Emily answered. ‘Said that his uncle was working on cure. was surprised to see Koba and Charlie. Made sure he not follow us.’

Caesar breathed a little easier to hear that Koba had not reacted with hostility to the human, and that these humans did not seem to mean harm to the apes. But he was, of course, still wary on behalf of his tribe who had suffered so much at human hands. The apes would have to be ready should this new group prove unpredictable. There were good humans, like Emily and Malcolm’s family…  but there were also plenty of bad ones like the Colonel… he had no way of telling yet what these ones would be like.

Emily nodded and started signing again. “Didn’t think seeing human would make me shake..’ She answered. ‘He not threaten, promised he meant no harm. Said didn’t know apes lived so close. Not know why I shake.’

‘I understand your feelings. I know you are more accustomed to apes now, and seeing a human after all this time may have been a shock.’

After thanking Lake for the meal, Emily took a bite before looking at Caesar to listen. She decided to guess what the elder wanted to say by reading his face.

‘All of you - my family,’ the king began to sigh. ‘You also, Emily - you are like daughter to me. I think family should all be under one roof. I would like you, Emily, Lake, Cornelius and Star, all to live with me. Cornelius is my son, and needs both father and mother. Lake, you have become his mother, so he will always need you. What you say - would you like to come and live in my home with me? All of you?’

Emily blinked, and a smile slowly spread from her face. She smiled at Caesar and nodded. ‘Would love to move in,’ She said excitedly. ‘Saw Caesar as father after he rescue me. Feel honoured to be seen as daughter.’

Lake and the babies also were eager to move in with Caesar, and the children were already scrambling into his arms.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

‘Went good,’ emily signed, but then she lowered her head slightly as she continued. ‘Found a human… he not sick.. said his uncle is scientist… also said there a small human camp not far…’

Caesar frowned a little. He knew that his followers did not trust humans for the most part. He needed to find out more about them,

‘Yes, we spoke,’ Emily answered. ‘Said that his uncle was working on cure. was surprised to see Koba and Charlie. Made sure he not follow us.’

Caesar breathed a little easier to hear that Koba had not reacted with hostility to the human, and that these humans did not seem to mean harm to the apes. But he was, of course, still wary on behalf of his tribe who had suffered so much at human hands. The apes would have to be ready should this new group prove unpredictable. There were good humans, like Emily and Malcolm’s family…  but there were also plenty of bad ones like the Colonel… he had no way of telling yet what these ones would be like.

Emily nodded and started signing again. “Didn’t think seeing human would make me shake..’ She answered. ‘He not threaten, promised he meant no harm. Said didn’t know apes lived so close. Not know why I shake.’

‘I understand your feelings. I know you are more accustomed to apes now, and seeing a human after all this time may have been a shock.’

After thanking Lake for the meal, Emily took a bite before looking at Caesar to listen. She decided to guess what the elder wanted to say by reading his face.

‘All of you - my family,’ the king began to sigh. ‘You also, Emily - you are like daughter to me. I think family should all be under one roof. I would like you, Emily, Lake, Cornelius and Star, all to live with me. Cornelius is my son, and needs both father and mother. Lake, you have become his mother, so he will always need you. What you say - would you like to come and live in my home with me? All of you?’

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

‘Went good,’ emily signed, but then she lowered her head slightly as she continued. ‘Found a human… he not sick.. said his uncle is scientist… also said there a small human camp not far…’

Caesar frowned a little. He knew that his followers did not trust humans for the most part. He needed to find out more about them,

‘Yes, we spoke,’ Emily answered. ‘Said that his uncle was working on cure. was surprised to see Koba and Charlie. Made sure he not follow us.’

Caesar breathed a little easier to hear that Koba had not reacted with hostility to the human, and that these humans did not seem to mean harm to the apes. But he was, of course, still wary on behalf of his tribe who had suffered so much at human hands. The apes would have to be ready should this new group prove unpredictable. There were good humans, like Emily and Malcolm’s family…  but there were also plenty of bad ones like the Colonel… he had no way of telling yet what these ones would be like.

Emily nodded and started signing again. “Didn’t think seeing human would make me shake..’ She answered. ‘He not threaten, promised he meant no harm. Said didn’t know apes lived so close. Not know why I shake.’

‘I understand your feelings. I know you are more accustomed to apes now, and seeing a human after all this time may have been a shock.’

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

‘Went good,’ emily signed, but then she lowered her head slightly as she continued. ‘Found a human… he not sick.. said his uncle is scientist… also said there a small human camp not far…’

Caesar frowned a little. He knew that his followers did not trust humans for the most part. He needed to find out more about them,

‘Yes, we spoke,’ Emily answered. ‘Said that his uncle was working on cure. was surprised to see Koba and Charlie. Made sure he not follow us.’

Caesar breathed a little easier to hear that Koba had not reacted with hostility to the human, and that these humans did not seem to mean harm to the apes. But he was, of course, still wary on behalf of his tribe who had suffered so much at human hands. The apes would have to be ready should this new group prove unpredictable. There were good humans, like Emily and Malcolm’s family...  but there were also plenty of bad ones like the Colonel... he had no way of telling yet what these ones would be like.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

‘Went good,’ emily signed, but then she lowered her head slightly as she continued. ‘Found a human… he not sick.. said his uncle is scientist… also said there a small human camp not far…’

Caesar frowned a little. He knew that his followers did not trust humans for the most part. He needed to find out more about them,

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

Izzy nodded at Koba before nosing the letters again. “T H A N K. C O B A. E M. N E E D. O W N. K I N.”

Koba smiled at Izzy, and signed to her next.

Izzy nodded, loving that this was working. “E M. S C A R E. N E E D. P U S H.”

Koba nodded, and looked at Charlie to see his reaction. The old warrior had suspected that this might be the case, but it was imperative that Charlie get what the mare was driving at. Emily was more likely to listen to another youngster, and she seemed to have formed quite a friendship with Charlie. If Koba was to start giving her advice, she might take it as someone older trying to interfere.

Izzy gave several quick nods. That’s what she hoped to hear!

Koba nodded. ‘All need kin. Emily young, may want own babies one day. She can’t find mate among apes,’ he signed, a worried frown creasing his face.

Izzy gave a nod at hearing his answer. The young always seemed to listen to each other more than their own elders.

Caesar arrived at Lake’s dwelling before Charlie could set off there. He had much to discuss with Lake and her family; namely, that he wanted her and the white-tails to move in with him,  Cornelius was still his son, after all, and he would not expect Lake to be his mate even though she was the honorary queen. She was too loyal to Blue Eyes still, and when the day came for her to pick another mate, if she wanted that, she would need someone younger.

Emily was sitting with Little Star and Cornelius, sharing another old story she remembered from childhood. She smiled at Cornelius started attempting at making shadow puppets with her, but looked up as Caesar entered.

Caesar smiled and embraced Emily and the children, and also Lake who came over to take the children off Emily’s feet. It was their feeding time, and the young queen would also prepare food for Emily and Caesar.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

Izzy nodded at Koba before nosing the letters again. “T H A N K. C O B A. E M. N E E D. O W N. K I N.”

Koba smiled at Izzy, and signed to her next.

Izzy nodded, loving that this was working. “E M. S C A R E. N E E D. P U S H.”

Koba nodded, and looked at Charlie to see his reaction. The old warrior had suspected that this might be the case, but it was imperative that Charlie get what the mare was driving at. Emily was more likely to listen to another youngster, and she seemed to have formed quite a friendship with Charlie. If Koba was to start giving her advice, she might take it as someone older trying to interfere.

Izzy gave several quick nods. That’s what she hoped to hear!

Koba nodded. ‘All need kin. Emily young, may want own babies one day. She can’t find mate among apes,’ he signed, a worried frown creasing his face.

Izzy gave a nod at hearing his answer. The young always seemed to listen to each other more than their own elders.

Caesar arrived at Lake’s dwelling before Charlie could set off there. He had much to discuss with Lake and her family; namely, that he wanted her and the white-tails to move in with him,  Cornelius was still his son, after all, and he would not expect Lake to be his mate even though she was the honorary queen. She was too loyal to Blue Eyes still, and when the day came for her to pick another mate, if she wanted that, she would need someone younger.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

Cornelius squealed with excitement and signed, ‘Yes, yes!’ although he was probably really too young to remember, Lake thought, smiling again. He would have liked to remember the stories, as Lake did - she remembered them very well. Little Star did not understand what Emily was saying, but she was a smart little ape and was fascinated by everything the human and her mare did.

Cornelius and Star watched with wide eyes, enthralled by the story, and Lake listened and watched for a few moments too before she resumed preparing breakfast. The young queen remembered the stories from the last time Emily had been in the colony, and it made her happy to see her human friend bringing joy to young apes once again.

As Emily told the stories, Izzy stepped out to eat her own breakfast, nickering in greeting to the apes before boxing the hay and water. It wasn’t long before she heard hoof steps and looked up, curious as who was approaching.

As the apes and human finished their breakfast, the apes who had ridden in stabled their horses and then made their way to Lake’s hut.

Emily was helping clean up the breakfast when she heard Izzy’s whinny of greeting. She looked up just in time to see Cornelius scamper out of the hut to greet his father and uncle.

Caesar and Koba greeted their human friend with smiles, and took turns to press their foreheads against hers, then greeted Izzy, Lake and the babies. Cornelius was already scrambling into his father’s arms and Star was reaching out and chirping to her grandfather and uncle.

Caesar smiled and nodded. ‘Lucky he found you, we are happy to have our friend back.’

Emily nodded in answer with a warm smile. ‘Tired headaches, they come and go since I’ve been traveling.’ She signed, trying to play it off smoothly, but the headache only got stronger, to the point her vision blurred. She blinked and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, but it didn’t help.

Hooting with alarm, the apes surrounded Emily and carried her to a bed of pelts towards the rear of Lake’s hut. Koba and Lake ran to get soothing leaves to lay on Emily’s forehead, Star clinging to Lake’s fur and whimpering.

Izzy has poked her head into the hut, wishing she was pony sized to fit inside and be with her rider. She knew something was wrong! She should have let her rider sleep! But if her bleeding nose was an indication… she doubted sleep would have helped.

Koba and Lake placed their leaves on Emily’s head and stepped back, watching in worry, ready to help at any sign of distress. But Emily still seemed unconscious… Caesar clung gently to her hand, seeming to be trying to will their human friend to come back to them.

Eventually the dizziness subsided a bit and Emily felt herself slowly waking again. It felt like before, when Caesar and Koba found her in the mud with the bullet wound in her shoulder. She could hear Izzy pacing outside, but the hand was still there.

Koba went outside to soothe Izzy, and to let the worried mare know that her beloved rider was recovering. Caesar continued to hold Emily’s hand while Lake signed to her human friend.

‘My… nose?..’ Emily sighed, a worried look coming over her face as well. She lifted a hand carefully inspected her nose, pulling her hand back to see blood on her fingertips. She stiffened as she pressed her lips together, she couldb be sick! Not now!

Baby Star gave a whimpering cry as her mother gasped, and Cornelius flung himself towards Emily, whimpering also. Caesar gently squeezed Emily’s hand.

Emily tightened her lips for a moment, even if a stubborn tear or two escaped her eyes. She knew the apes would take care of her.. she was glad for that.. but as before, she didn’t want to be a burden.

Cornelius snuggled close to Emily and Caesar squeezed her hand gently.

Emily listened to Caesar, smiling at hearing him call her family. If Cornelius wasn’t in the way at that moment, she would have hugged the ape king. ‘Thank you Caesar.. glad to have home, and family..’ she told him, using her free hand to wipe away stray tears.

“You will always be family,” Caesar whispered and lightly squeezed Emily’s hand.

Koba tried a small smile at Emily’s signs.

Emily held both children close, careful to not mess up their fur with her nose. It was the best hug Emily could ask for.

“Come on, babies,” Lake whispered as she gently picked up Cornelius and Star. “Emily need… one hand to sign, at least.” 

Emily smiled as the youngsters reluctantly let go of Emily and went back to Lake. ‘I not mind.’ Emily answered. ‘Always likes hugs..’ she looked at Caesar and offered a small smile. The thought crossed her mind on calling him father since he seemed to be her adopted father. But she decided to ask later, when there was less of an audience.

‘We can look for herbs,’ Caesar signed. ‘Do not know if there is cure for sickness but I have hope. We will do all we can to help Emily.’ He smiled reassuringly, knowing that this human girl who was like a daughter to him was strong and courageous.

Emily straitened a bit at hearing it wasn’t Caesar’s scouts in that area. ‘East, day and a half ride. There’s opening to canyons there. Izzy and I not go in, Izzy not recognize that ape smell.’

Caesar considered Emily’s words carefully. That was an area his own apes seldom ventured to.

Emily bit her lip. That was the hard part, seeing how similar the apes tracks here to each other. She thought for a moment before answering. ‘Chimpanzees.’ She signed. ‘They much smaller than gorilla.’

Caesar was thinking hard indeed - this information could mean any number of things. These strange apes - these chimpanzees, possibly bonobos also -  could either be friends in need of the colony’s help or potential foes who would not want to share the territory, possibly even remnants of the group of traitor apes who had turned against Caesar during the war.

Emily thought for a moment, picturing the tracks as she saw them. ‘3 at least.’ She said. ‘No more than a… a fishing group’ she hesitated on mentioning the fishing group, remembering that she was the last of her fishing group.

Caesar nodded slowly, seeing the sadness in Emily’s signs and feeling it himself, for she was speaking of his son Blue Eyes and his son’s best friend Ash, a young ape who he had regarded as his honorary nephew.

Emily gave a nod, always eager to help the apes any way she could. She wondered if that was because her own kind had done so much harm to her that she couldn’t trust them like she did the apes.

Caesar nodded and smiled.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

Cornelius squealed with excitement and signed, ‘Yes, yes!’ although he was probably really too young to remember, Lake thought, smiling again. He would have liked to remember the stories, as Lake did - she remembered them very well. Little Star did not understand what Emily was saying, but she was a smart little ape and was fascinated by everything the human and her mare did.

Cornelius and Star watched with wide eyes, enthralled by the story, and Lake listened and watched for a few moments too before she resumed preparing breakfast. The young queen remembered the stories from the last time Emily had been in the colony, and it made her happy to see her human friend bringing joy to young apes once again.

As Emily told the stories, Izzy stepped out to eat her own breakfast, nickering in greeting to the apes before boxing the hay and water. It wasn’t long before she heard hoof steps and looked up, curious as who was approaching.

As the apes and human finished their breakfast, the apes who had ridden in stabled their horses and then made their way to Lake’s hut.

Emily was helping clean up the breakfast when she heard Izzy’s whinny of greeting. She looked up just in time to see Cornelius scamper out of the hut to greet his father and uncle.

Caesar and Koba greeted their human friend with smiles, and took turns to press their foreheads against hers, then greeted Izzy, Lake and the babies. Cornelius was already scrambling into his father’s arms and Star was reaching out and chirping to her grandfather and uncle.

Caesar smiled and nodded. ‘Lucky he found you, we are happy to have our friend back.’

Emily nodded in answer with a warm smile. ‘Tired headaches, they come and go since I’ve been traveling.’ She signed, trying to play it off smoothly, but the headache only got stronger, to the point her vision blurred. She blinked and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, but it didn’t help.

Hooting with alarm, the apes surrounded Emily and carried her to a bed of pelts towards the rear of Lake’s hut. Koba and Lake ran to get soothing leaves to lay on Emily’s forehead, Star clinging to Lake’s fur and whimpering.

Izzy has poked her head into the hut, wishing she was pony sized to fit inside and be with her rider. She knew something was wrong! She should have let her rider sleep! But if her bleeding nose was an indication… she doubted sleep would have helped.

Koba and Lake placed their leaves on Emily’s head and stepped back, watching in worry, ready to help at any sign of distress. But Emily still seemed unconscious… Caesar clung gently to her hand, seeming to be trying to will their human friend to come back to them.

Eventually the dizziness subsided a bit and Emily felt herself slowly waking again. It felt like before, when Caesar and Koba found her in the mud with the bullet wound in her shoulder. She could hear Izzy pacing outside, but the hand was still there.

Koba went outside to soothe Izzy, and to let the worried mare know that her beloved rider was recovering. Caesar continued to hold Emily’s hand while Lake signed to her human friend.

‘My… nose?..’ Emily sighed, a worried look coming over her face as well. She lifted a hand carefully inspected her nose, pulling her hand back to see blood on her fingertips. She stiffened as she pressed her lips together, she couldb be sick! Not now!

Baby Star gave a whimpering cry as her mother gasped, and Cornelius flung himself towards Emily, whimpering also. Caesar gently squeezed Emily’s hand.

Emily tightened her lips for a moment, even if a stubborn tear or two escaped her eyes. She knew the apes would take care of her.. she was glad for that.. but as before, she didn’t want to be a burden.

Cornelius snuggled close to Emily and Caesar squeezed her hand gently.

Emily listened to Caesar, smiling at hearing him call her family. If Cornelius wasn’t in the way at that moment, she would have hugged the ape king. ‘Thank you Caesar.. glad to have home, and family..’ she told him, using her free hand to wipe away stray tears.

“You will always be family,” Caesar whispered and lightly squeezed Emily’s hand.

Koba tried a small smile at Emily’s signs.

Emily held both children close, careful to not mess up their fur with her nose. It was the best hug Emily could ask for.

“Come on, babies,” Lake whispered as she gently picked up Cornelius and Star. “Emily need… one hand to sign, at least.” 

Emily smiled as the youngsters reluctantly let go of Emily and went back to Lake. ‘I not mind.’ Emily answered. ‘Always likes hugs..’ she looked at Caesar and offered a small smile. The thought crossed her mind on calling him father since he seemed to be her adopted father. But she decided to ask later, when there was less of an audience.

‘We can look for herbs,’ Caesar signed. ‘Do not know if there is cure for sickness but I have hope. We will do all we can to help Emily.’ He smiled reassuringly, knowing that this human girl who was like a daughter to him was strong and courageous.

Emily straitened a bit at hearing it wasn’t Caesar’s scouts in that area. ‘East, day and a half ride. There’s opening to canyons there. Izzy and I not go in, Izzy not recognize that ape smell.’

Caesar considered Emily’s words carefully. That was an area his own apes seldom ventured to.

Emily bit her lip. That was the hard part, seeing how similar the apes tracks here to each other. She thought for a moment before answering. ‘Chimpanzees.’ She signed. ‘They much smaller than gorilla.’

Caesar was thinking hard indeed - this information could mean any number of things. These strange apes - these chimpanzees, possibly bonobos also -  could either be friends in need of the colony’s help or potential foes who would not want to share the territory, possibly even remnants of the group of traitor apes who had turned against Caesar during the war.

Emily thought for a moment, picturing the tracks as she saw them. ‘3 at least.’ She said. ‘No more than a… a fishing group’ she hesitated on mentioning the fishing group, remembering that she was the last of her fishing group.

Caesar nodded slowly, seeing the sadness in Emily’s signs and feeling it himself, for she was speaking of his son Blue Eyes and his son’s best friend Ash, a young ape who he had regarded as his honorary nephew.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

Cornelius squealed with excitement and signed, ‘Yes, yes!’ although he was probably really too young to remember, Lake thought, smiling again. He would have liked to remember the stories, as Lake did - she remembered them very well. Little Star did not understand what Emily was saying, but she was a smart little ape and was fascinated by everything the human and her mare did.

Cornelius and Star watched with wide eyes, enthralled by the story, and Lake listened and watched for a few moments too before she resumed preparing breakfast. The young queen remembered the stories from the last time Emily had been in the colony, and it made her happy to see her human friend bringing joy to young apes once again.

As Emily told the stories, Izzy stepped out to eat her own breakfast, nickering in greeting to the apes before boxing the hay and water. It wasn’t long before she heard hoof steps and looked up, curious as who was approaching.

As the apes and human finished their breakfast, the apes who had ridden in stabled their horses and then made their way to Lake’s hut.

Emily was helping clean up the breakfast when she heard Izzy’s whinny of greeting. She looked up just in time to see Cornelius scamper out of the hut to greet his father and uncle.

Caesar and Koba greeted their human friend with smiles, and took turns to press their foreheads against hers, then greeted Izzy, Lake and the babies. Cornelius was already scrambling into his father’s arms and Star was reaching out and chirping to her grandfather and uncle.

Caesar smiled and nodded. ‘Lucky he found you, we are happy to have our friend back.’

Emily nodded in answer with a warm smile. ‘Tired headaches, they come and go since I’ve been traveling.’ She signed, trying to play it off smoothly, but the headache only got stronger, to the point her vision blurred. She blinked and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, but it didn’t help.

Hooting with alarm, the apes surrounded Emily and carried her to a bed of pelts towards the rear of Lake’s hut. Koba and Lake ran to get soothing leaves to lay on Emily’s forehead, Star clinging to Lake’s fur and whimpering.

Izzy has poked her head into the hut, wishing she was pony sized to fit inside and be with her rider. She knew something was wrong! She should have let her rider sleep! But if her bleeding nose was an indication… she doubted sleep would have helped.

Koba and Lake placed their leaves on Emily’s head and stepped back, watching in worry, ready to help at any sign of distress. But Emily still seemed unconscious… Caesar clung gently to her hand, seeming to be trying to will their human friend to come back to them.

Eventually the dizziness subsided a bit and Emily felt herself slowly waking again. It felt like before, when Caesar and Koba found her in the mud with the bullet wound in her shoulder. She could hear Izzy pacing outside, but the hand was still there.

Koba went outside to soothe Izzy, and to let the worried mare know that her beloved rider was recovering. Caesar continued to hold Emily’s hand while Lake signed to her human friend.

‘My… nose?..’ Emily sighed, a worried look coming over her face as well. She lifted a hand carefully inspected her nose, pulling her hand back to see blood on her fingertips. She stiffened as she pressed her lips together, she couldb be sick! Not now!

Baby Star gave a whimpering cry as her mother gasped, and Cornelius flung himself towards Emily, whimpering also. Caesar gently squeezed Emily’s hand.

Emily tightened her lips for a moment, even if a stubborn tear or two escaped her eyes. She knew the apes would take care of her.. she was glad for that.. but as before, she didn’t want to be a burden.

Cornelius snuggled close to Emily and Caesar squeezed her hand gently.

Emily listened to Caesar, smiling at hearing him call her family. If Cornelius wasn’t in the way at that moment, she would have hugged the ape king. ‘Thank you Caesar.. glad to have home, and family..’ she told him, using her free hand to wipe away stray tears.

“You will always be family,” Caesar whispered and lightly squeezed Emily’s hand.

Koba tried a small smile at Emily’s signs.

Emily held both children close, careful to not mess up their fur with her nose. It was the best hug Emily could ask for.

“Come on, babies,” Lake whispered as she gently picked up Cornelius and Star. “Emily need… one hand to sign, at least.” 

Emily smiled as the youngsters reluctantly let go of Emily and went back to Lake. ‘I not mind.’ Emily answered. ‘Always likes hugs..’ she looked at Caesar and offered a small smile. The thought crossed her mind on calling him father since he seemed to be her adopted father. But she decided to ask later, when there was less of an audience.

‘We can look for herbs,’ Caesar signed. ‘Do not know if there is cure for sickness but I have hope. We will do all we can to help Emily.’ He smiled reassuringly, knowing that this human girl who was like a daughter to him was strong and courageous.

Emily straitened a bit at hearing it wasn’t Caesar’s scouts in that area. ‘East, day and a half ride. There’s opening to canyons there. Izzy and I not go in, Izzy not recognize that ape smell.’

Caesar considered Emily’s words carefully. That was an area his own apes seldom ventured to.

Emily bit her lip. That was the hard part, seeing how similar the apes tracks here to each other. She thought for a moment before answering. ‘Chimpanzees.’ She signed. ‘They much smaller than gorilla.’

Caesar was thinking hard indeed - this information could mean any number of things. These strange apes - these chimpanzees, possibly bonobos also -  could either be friends in need of the colony’s help or potential foes who would not want to share the territory, possibly even remnants of the group of traitor apes who had turned against Caesar during the war.

The search for Roots || Rp with @kobafightforape

Cornelius squealed with excitement and signed, ‘Yes, yes!’ although he was probably really too young to remember, Lake thought, smiling again. He would have liked to remember the stories, as Lake did - she remembered them very well. Little Star did not understand what Emily was saying, but she was a smart little ape and was fascinated by everything the human and her mare did.

Cornelius and Star watched with wide eyes, enthralled by the story, and Lake listened and watched for a few moments too before she resumed preparing breakfast. The young queen remembered the stories from the last time Emily had been in the colony, and it made her happy to see her human friend bringing joy to young apes once again.

As Emily told the stories, Izzy stepped out to eat her own breakfast, nickering in greeting to the apes before boxing the hay and water. It wasn’t long before she heard hoof steps and looked up, curious as who was approaching.

As the apes and human finished their breakfast, the apes who had ridden in stabled their horses and then made their way to Lake’s hut.

Emily was helping clean up the breakfast when she heard Izzy’s whinny of greeting. She looked up just in time to see Cornelius scamper out of the hut to greet his father and uncle.

Caesar and Koba greeted their human friend with smiles, and took turns to press their foreheads against hers, then greeted Izzy, Lake and the babies. Cornelius was already scrambling into his father’s arms and Star was reaching out and chirping to her grandfather and uncle.

Caesar smiled and nodded. ‘Lucky he found you, we are happy to have our friend back.’

Emily nodded in answer with a warm smile. ‘Tired headaches, they come and go since I’ve been traveling.’ She signed, trying to play it off smoothly, but the headache only got stronger, to the point her vision blurred. She blinked and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, but it didn’t help.

Hooting with alarm, the apes surrounded Emily and carried her to a bed of pelts towards the rear of Lake’s hut. Koba and Lake ran to get soothing leaves to lay on Emily’s forehead, Star clinging to Lake’s fur and whimpering.

Izzy has poked her head into the hut, wishing she was pony sized to fit inside and be with her rider. She knew something was wrong! She should have let her rider sleep! But if her bleeding nose was an indication… she doubted sleep would have helped.

Koba and Lake placed their leaves on Emily’s head and stepped back, watching in worry, ready to help at any sign of distress. But Emily still seemed unconscious… Caesar clung gently to her hand, seeming to be trying to will their human friend to come back to them.

Eventually the dizziness subsided a bit and Emily felt herself slowly waking again. It felt like before, when Caesar and Koba found her in the mud with the bullet wound in her shoulder. She could hear Izzy pacing outside, but the hand was still there.

Koba went outside to soothe Izzy, and to let the worried mare know that her beloved rider was recovering. Caesar continued to hold Emily’s hand while Lake signed to her human friend.

‘My… nose?..’ Emily sighed, a worried look coming over her face as well. She lifted a hand carefully inspected her nose, pulling her hand back to see blood on her fingertips. She stiffened as she pressed her lips together, she couldb be sick! Not now!

Baby Star gave a whimpering cry as her mother gasped, and Cornelius flung himself towards Emily, whimpering also. Caesar gently squeezed Emily’s hand.

Emily tightened her lips for a moment, even if a stubborn tear or two escaped her eyes. She knew the apes would take care of her.. she was glad for that.. but as before, she didn’t want to be a burden.

Cornelius snuggled close to Emily and Caesar squeezed her hand gently.

Emily listened to Caesar, smiling at hearing him call her family. If Cornelius wasn’t in the way at that moment, she would have hugged the ape king. ‘Thank you Caesar.. glad to have home, and family..’ she told him, using her free hand to wipe away stray tears.

“You will always be family,” Caesar whispered and lightly squeezed Emily’s hand.

Koba tried a small smile at Emily’s signs.

Emily held both children close, careful to not mess up their fur with her nose. It was the best hug Emily could ask for.

“Come on, babies,” Lake whispered as she gently picked up Cornelius and Star. “Emily need… one hand to sign, at least.” 

Emily smiled as the youngsters reluctantly let go of Emily and went back to Lake. ‘I not mind.’ Emily answered. ‘Always likes hugs..’ she looked at Caesar and offered a small smile. The thought crossed her mind on calling him father since he seemed to be her adopted father. But she decided to ask later, when there was less of an audience.

‘We can look for herbs,’ Caesar signed. ‘Do not know if there is cure for sickness but I have hope. We will do all we can to help Emily.’ He smiled reassuringly, knowing that this human girl who was like a daughter to him was strong and courageous.

Emily straitened a bit at hearing it wasn’t Caesar’s scouts in that area. ‘East, day and a half ride. There’s opening to canyons there. Izzy and I not go in, Izzy not recognize that ape smell.’

Caesar considered Emily’s words carefully. That was an area his own apes seldom ventured to.