συя ғαмιℓү, συя нσмε
kobafightforape:
Koba had to bite back so many chuffs of laughter at the children’s adorable antics! He knew this was a serious occasion for both Blue Eyes and Maya, a rite of passage. A sign that they were moving away from the innocence of babyhood and towards becoming the leaders they would someday be in adulthood. They still had a long way to go, of course, but these white-tails had taken their first steps toward being productive members of the troop.
‘Yes, you shall keep your spears, my skilled little fisher-apes,’ the bonobo signed, keeping his face serious even though he had a twinkle in his eye. ‘And in the future there will be plenty more fishing trips – maybe even other young ones, like Ash and Shabani, and Leon and Ima’s daughter Iwani, can come with us. Perhaps we can even have other adventures. I could teach you how to hunt small game such as rabbits, or perhaps we could go with the gibbons to forage for birds’ eggs. That is always very exciting!’
Of course, Koba did not mention the big game hunts for elk and deer, and occasionally, bears. Those were far too dangerous for the likes of Blue Eyes – it was an adult activity in which even the strongest apes could be injured or killed – and Caesar currently did not allow even full-grown females to go on these very perilous hunts, although this rule was frequently met with considerable argument from some of the feistiest females. In the king’s eyes, since females were the bearers of young, their lives were much too precious to risk. Koba himself would have been willing to train any female who showed enthusiasm and aptitude as a hunter of large game, since there were quite a few females who had considerable skill in fishing or hunting smaller animals. But even he hoped that his own daughter Maya would not show interest in that particular pursuit, at least not for a few years or so.
The trio of successful fishers soon moved away from the pool and woods and before they knew it, had arrived back at the village. Koba gave a loud call of greeting, and apes rushed out to see what all the commotion was. At the head of the group were Cornelia and Etumbe, eyes shining with pride at what their children had achieved.
‘All these fish, for us? How wonderful!’ Cornelia signed as she smiled at her son and niece.
@exoduswounds
Blue Eyes could have done a backflip out of excitement at the confirmation that they could keep their spears! If he hadn’t been carrying his fish, of course. That was more important! But only just, because the news of more fishing trips – with their friends, even! – and someday, hunting, was just about enough to make the little chimpanzee child scream with overwhelming elation. Those were all activities that the grown-up apes indulged in! And if there was one thing that was perhaps more important than most others to a little ape, it was the thought of being an adult one day, getting to do the things that the apes they looked up to partook in.
The sight of Cornelia and Etumbe sent Blue Eyes into a half-hopping bipedal gallop, fish held to his chest as he gave little hoots, and clumsily attempted to bring his hands to his chin to sign despite the load which they carried.
‘Mother! Mother!’
The white-tail extended his long arms over his head to hold the fish closer to her, nearly vibrating with excitement. But it didn’t last long before he had lowered his arms so that he could sign again.
'We catch fish! Koba give us spears! Koba say we hunt rabbits, find bird eggs!’
It was all a bit much for such a young chimp, and despite having burned so much energy fishing and traveling, Blue Eyes was bouncing on his heels. He was so proud, and so happy, so looking forward to the days where he could do more fishing. Start hunting, too… As far as he was concerned, he couldn’t grow up fast enough. But that didn’t mean that he was above reaching out his arms to Cornelia with puckered-lipped chitters in the hopes of being picked up and held. It was a bit overwhelming, all of this. And whether he cared to admit it or not, Blue Eyes was still a young child.
'Father be proud?’
He asked, once nestled against his mother’s chest with his fish tucked into his lap.
| @kobafightforape |
Koba really had to struggle not to laugh at the white-tails’ almost manic excitement. He had never seen Blue Eyes and Maya so bouncy, showing off the fish they had caught to their very proud mothers, and to the king himself, who also was obviously very proud of both the young prince and princess.
Cornelia scooped up Blue Eyes into her arms, fish and all, and Etumbe did the same with Maya, and it was the sweetest thing in the world to see both mothers hugging their little ones while doing their best to admire the fish and the spears that Koba had promised to strengthen for them.
Other apes were also clustering around, looking very impressed indeed, for this was a very big moment for the royal children. They were no longer just pampered babies, but well on their way to becoming an integral part of ape society. Some day they would have the responsibilities of full-grown apes, and although part of Koba wished they would always be such adorable children, he did look forward to guiding them and teaching them more skills as they grew.
Cornelia and Caesar were making quite a fuss of the little prince, and Koba and Etumbe did the same for a no less ecstatic little Maya. She was bouncing and chattering, signing so fast that it was hard to keep up with her. Koba’s eye roved from one child to another, and his heart was almost bursting with love.
Finally, when things had calmed down a little, Koba began to sign to Blue Eyes and Maya.
‘I will cook fish for everyone now, and make sure I cook each of yours separately, so that only you eat the fish you caught. There are plenty of fish I caught for everyone else. Tomorrow I will help you to make the fishing spears strong and to carve them so that everyone will know that they are special, and that they belong to you.’
@exoduswounds
