Out of the Desert p4 - rp
Tobi playfully jabs at Darius.
“Are you trying to outflirt me?” Tobi asks. He leans in to Darius’s ear.
“You can’t win,” he growls, adding playfulness to his voice.
Juliana sets the pot down in the hall.
“I need cups,” she shouts.
She sits down and turns to Zoya and the rest.
“This is where those who would eat, drink, or simply wish to stay dry would stay. This is also where we hold forum when we need to vote,” age says.
@justusapeshere
Darius smiled and leaned closer to Tobi, his eyes full of a come-hither look.
“I can try,” he said playfully.
Zoya nodded and smiled to Juliana.
“We can help you set things up if you like,” Zoya said. “I am glad that Cory seems to have found playmates! He seems to be fitting in well with the children of your tribe.”
Regis, the wise gibbon, gazed around the hall. “This is amazing!” he said, his admiration evident in the way he looked around him at the structure the apes were now sheltered by. “I have never seen such architecture as this. As we have mostly traveled from place to place, we have had to use tents to stay dry.”
@tobithechimp
Tobi grins at Darius.
“You are a feisty one,” he says.
Cookie approaches Tobi and hugs him from behind.
“We should go greet our guests,” Cookie says. Tobi wraps his arms around Cookie’s and smirks.
“Yes. I believe I just heard Juliana shouting for cups. Might have something to do with them.”
Juliana gives Regis a chuckle.
“What you see here was planned by our head builder, Cookie. He has extensively studied the way humans made buildings and has even figured out how to cut and lay stone. The foundation is made of stone cut to fit together, as is the pillars that hold the corners. Cookie is clever when it comes to such things. I don’t know how he does it. This hall is big enough to hold every chimp with room to spare. You see here,” she points upward, “these logs which jut out. These, chimps can rest on and saves space. This displays Cookie’s cleverness, as the humans would have never invented something like this.”
Darius grinned back at the handsome chimps, and went with them to help with whatever they might need him for.
Regis studied the architecture admiringly, and his wife Ruth also looked impressed.
“Perhaps some of our apes could learn to build houses like this,” she said, and the gorilla Frieda nodded eagerly.
“I would like to learn!” she declared.
@tobithechimp
Tobi and Cookie grab plenty of cups for the guests and head over to them.
“Unfortunately i would not be the one to ask. Cookie is the one who planned this. He is the one with the speckled face,” Juliana explains. She notices Tobi, Cookie, and Darius approching with cups.
“Oh, yes. I was worried that the cocoa would get too cold. I think it is still warm…” Juliana says.
“Cocoa. I wondered when i would get my next helping,” Tobi says with relief, as though he were beginning to get antsy.
“There should be enough for all of you to have some,” Juliana responds. She takes the cups and dips them in the cocoa. She hands the cocoa out to the guests and to Tobi, which Tobi gulps down. Cookie takes a few small sips with Tobi before he finishes.
“We will speak to Cookie later, then,” Regis said, and Ruth and Frieda both agreed.
Zoya smiled and helped Juliana hand out cups.
“I… for one, would prefer to talk to you more…” she said a little shyly to the female chimp.
The cocoa was very warmly received by the guess, who found it very stimulating indeed, especially Darius. He moved a little closer to Tobi and Cookie.
Juliana looks into Zoya’s eyes.
“You seem interesting. I’m sure we can talk more later,” she responds
Tobi grunts confidently, “I think they like it! The cocoa is a truly great drink! I think all of you will love it here! We have many jobs and pleasures. In fact, how are the storm preparations?”
“They are nearly ready. I hope this is a long one. The drums are out. All we wait for is the word” Juliana responds.
Tobi smiles and lets out a mighty hoot. This is followed by several others as the hall is filled with excited sounds. Drums begin thumping.
Tobi smacks the ground with zeal, beginning a lengthy display: jumping up the walls, pounding surfaces, clapping, swaggering, and much calling.
The hall lights up with high spirits as the inhabitants pour outside to enjoy the storm.
Tobi returns to his guests, hoping they were not scared by his display.
He says simply, “It has begun.”
A fire lights in his eyes, feeling the burn inside of his chest as uncontainable excitement rushes through him.
Zoya smiled gently. “I would like that,” she responded.
The cocoa was indeed a hit with the visitors, and Darius in particular, who was posing himself even more flirtatiously as he agreed that he was sure his tribe would love it there. And he was extremely impressed by Tobi’s display, watching raptly.
Little Cory felt slightly nervous when the rain began to come down, but the excitement was contagious and he started to forget his fears. He added his little yeeps to the exhilarated hoots of the young chimps.
@tobithechimp
The fire in Tobi’s eyes flares steadily. He swaggers toward his guest and claps firmly.
“The festivities are off to a good start,” Tobi says, “Who wants to get out ine the rain? The symbolism is very meaningful to us. In you is fire, earth, air, and water. When you dance, you fight, you display, your fire rises. It begins to grow. When you do so in the rain, the water brings balance. The water makes mud, and the air inside you is additionally balanced by the mud around your ankles, your legs, your hands, your loins, and anywhere else you get it. The mud roots you to Earth as the air inside makes you feel light. The whole of a rainstorm brings your entire being into balance. So, who wants to get out in the rain?”
The guests listened, fascinated. This tied in very well with their own beliefs about the earth and the forces of nature needing to be balanced!
All of the newcomers trooped out into the rain, some holding out their hands to the raindrops, some uttering delighted sounds and displaying. Frieda called out to the storm-clouds and beat her chest, ever the posturing warrior.
Little Cory was delighted, and did not even scream as he usually did when the first thunder-clap sounded. He pounded the ground with flat palms and yeeped as he had earlier when watching Juliana.
@tobithechimp
Tobi hoots and runs out into the thick of the festivities, followed by Juliana. Cookie stays behind with the guests.
“I hope Tobi does not get into a fight. I worry about his mental health when it comes to violence,” Cookie voices. He glances at Freida: the big imposing gorilla, and worries about how Tobi would end up if they end up getting into it.
Zoya followed Juliana out into the rain and twirled in a strange dance, holding out her palms to touch the falling raindrops. Darius ran out after Tobi, calling each time the lightning flashed and started turning somersaults as the white-tails had earlier.
Frieda saw the chimp warriors approaching and beat her chest in a show of play-bravado at them. Una stood near where Cookie was, and watched her, slightly concerned, and hoped that any fights that developed would be play-fights only and not serious ones. Some of the chimps looked quite fierce, and Frieda was immensely strong! Una did not want anyone to get hurt, either the gracious hosts or her beloved mate.
@tobithechimp
Tobi dances furiously to the pace of the drumers. His fire tempered by the rain, he dances and displays in a show of true harmonious vitality. He seeks out Frieda and dances with grace and power, urging her to b show him hers.
Cookie looks at Una, unsure of what to say. The festivities are nice but he always feels out of place around this many others.
Frieda, too, danced with strength and beauty, challenging Tobi with her movements to show his skill in the dance, and what feats of athletic magnificence he was capable of.
Una gave Cookie a small smile as she watched the dancers in the rain.
“They seem to be having fun, especially Tobi and Frieda with their warrior moves,” she said. “I, however, have a more peaceful nature… I’d rather stand aside and watch.” Regis and Ruth.,standing nearby, nodded in agreement.
Zoya’s dancing was also graceful, and very sensual as the raindrops spattered her fur; she was trying to attract the attention of Juliana with the motions of her hands and her slim hips.
@tobithechimp
Tobi watched Frieda dance. He pounds the ground and playfully jabs at her. He grins widely.
Cookie looks ahead at Tobi.
“I am not the warrior Tobi is. I am a builder. I make things like the hall, but i have bigger hopes in mind. I do. Not know if i will be able to build them.”
He looks on at the others. Juliana is dancing And displaying close to Zoya. The drummers remain focused, their faces being lit up by the covered torches and campfires around. He wish he had it in him to be near Tobi like this but he does not feel comfortable in crowds like that.
Frieda uttered playful challenges to Tobi and beat her chest again. Zoya displayed and danced in response to Juliana’s movements and gave come-hither calls to the beautiful female chimpanzee.
Una, Regis and Ruth nodded to Cookie in agreement at his words.
“I would like to help you build things.” Regis said. “Perhaps our people can help you build these structures you have in mind.”
@tobithechimp
Tobi mimics the displaying behaviour of the gorilla and beats hus chest. He crouches down and tackles Frieda, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“It would be nice to have a few extra people to help,” Cookie days. He looks at Regis, “you look like you can handle a tree even better than a chimp. You could help set pulleys in even higher places.”
Frieda chuffed delightedly and stood her ground at Tobi’s tackle, grasping at him too and spinning around in a mock-fight, uttering growls of pretend aggression.
Regis smiled modestly. ‘I would really like that,’ he said.
‘I would like to help too - that sounds a fascinating skill to learn,” Reuben said. Like most orangutans, he did not care to be out in the rain, but he did enjoy swaying to the beat of the drums, and Cookie’s talk about building was very interesting indeed.
@tobithechimp
Tobi wraps tightens his grip around Frieda’s hip and plants one foot in the ground. With his other foot and one of his arms, he brings up Frieda’s foot in an attempt to lay her on the ground.
“What I want to do is set up water mills so that we may have a more efficient way to ground up our wheat and corn. If we can grind them more finely, they make better taco shells and bread. I’ve also wanted to create a windmill for the same purpose but… I do not know these things can be done,” Cookie explains
Frieda managed to keep her footing and tried to lift up Tobi, but he was too strong for her to overpower. She was very impressed with his strength and fighting prowess!
Zoya danced flirtatiously towards Juliana, while little Cory and the chimp white-tails began to put on mini-displays of their own.
“A water mill!” Una said excitedly. “And a windmill - I am sure our people could help yours build them! I would love to learn to make the delicious bread you have here.”
@tobithechimp
Tobi lifts Frieda’s leg up and throws all his weight into pinning her to the ground.
“We only have flat breads. We cannot make our bread fluffy and full of air like the humans were able to do. Our flatbreads are for the purpose of wrapping meat and vegetables inside. Perhaps you know how to make breads like the humans did?”
With a roar of mock-rage, Frieda flipped the pin and tried to push Tobi’s shoulders to the ground in a wrestling move. Zoya heard the play-fight and smiled, but her gaze was mostly for beautiful Juliana.
Una was excited by any talk of cooking, which she loved.
“I know how to make fluffy bread, I have the recipes - but we would need an oven like humans used to use,” Una said to Cookie. “Although human machines don’t work any more, I have an idea to make a structure that might be able to cook bread the same way. Perhaps we could try to make one.”
@tobithechimp
Pinned down by Frieda, Tobi bursts into laugh-grunting. He jabs Frieda’s chest and nips her neck. He should have known better than to put himself in such a vulnerable position with such a large sparring partner.
Juliana laughs at the play-fighting. She looks at Zoya and wraps her arms around Zoya and pats her hand on Zoya’s head.
“We have stone ovens here, but we usually make our tortillas on a pan or hot stove. We use the ovens to bake them into shells. We have baked thicker breads before but they are never fluffy,” Cookie responds.
Frieda pant-laughed, and tried to jab and nip Tobi back. For a smaller opponent, he was quite the fighter and a challenge to spar with! She was quite enjoying their mock-battle.
Zoya smiled, blissfully happy, and gently nuzzled Juliana. Cory and the other white-tails had started knuckle-walking in a circle, trying to imitate bird-calls as the rain made jewel-like droplets on their fur.
“There is an ingredient that makes the bread rise, according to Reuben’s books,” Una said. “Sometimes potatoes can be used to make it. And you have those, I think… as do we.”
@tobithechimp
Tobi slides out from under Frieda and sits up and bumps his head against hers.
“That was fun. I’d love to see you in battle, with a weapon. You’re a bigger challenge than I took into account,” Tobi says.
Juliana stands and scans the crowd. She looks up to the sky.
“I believe the storm will be letting up soon. Above the clouds, the sun begins to set,” she says.
Cookie is intrigued, “What is this ingredient that makes the bread rise?”
Frieda smiled at Tobi.
“I enjoyed that, too, she said. “Next time we should try sparring with weapons. You’re quite the strong warrior!”
Zoya affectionately touched her forehead to Juliana’s, and at Juliana’s pronouncement the white-tails halted their game and looked up at the sky in wonder.
“Reuben’s books call this ingredient “yeast”,” Una said to Cookie. “There are several ways to make it but the easiest, I think, would be for us to use potatoes which are readily available.”
@tobithechimp
Tobi stands up and looks at Juliana, then follows her eyes to the sky.
The storm must be ending soon. How disheartening. Tobi does so love storms.
“Juliana must be sensing that the storm is ending soon. Such a shame. This really was a short one,” Tobi says to Frieda.
Juliana holds her hand out.
“Let us dance while we can,” Juliana says.
Cookie cocks his head and grunts.
“I have read of yeast in books but i have no idea what it is or how to find it,” he explains
Frieda smiled.
“I am sure there will be more storms, and we can still spar whenever we feel like it. I would love to learn more about how your people train with weapons.”
Zoya shyly took Juliana by the hand and smiled. “I would love to dance while we still can. Look, the children have started their game again!” she said joyfully.
Hearing Cookie and Una discussing yeast made Reuben perk u[p. “If you like, I can show you the part of my recipe book where it talks about making it from potatoes. We have plenty of those,” he offered.
@tobithechimp
Tobi smiles widely and twirls around. He punctuates his spin with a clap. These newcomers bring him joy and an element of novel to the group. Even if they do drink poison….
Juliana smiles and takes Zoya’s hand, leading her over by the drummers, where they can feel the beat in their hearts more fiercely.
Cookie simply grunts in response, to intruiged to interrupt the budding topic.
Darius noticed that Tobi had finished sparring with Frieda, and danced near to Tobi, flaunting himself a little as the drums kept beating
Zoya too was enjoying the dancing, holding Juliana’s hand gently and moving with her and swaying her hips with passion to the drumbeats also.
“I have some of my books here with me in my bag,” Reuben said to Cookie. “I will look and see if one of them has the potato yeast recipe in it.”
@tobithechimp
Tobi notices Darius sidling up to him and grabs Darius by the hips. He pulls Darius close and nips at Darius’s face.
Juliana swings Zoya’s arms back and forth, while slowly leading her to spin in a circle. She laughs enthusiastically while she has a great time vin what is left of the storm.
Cookie remains silent and leans in to listen to Rueben.
Darius uttered a soft yeep and pressed closer to Tobi, delighting in the chimpanzee’s strength.
Zoya, meanwhile, enjoyed her dance with beautiful Juliana, uttering happy yeeps of her own. Rain droplets glistened from her fur like jewels, and she felt such joy to be dancing with such a desirable female.
Reuben took out the book from his bag and studied it for a few moments, leafing through the pages.
“Yes, this is it!” he declared, and held the book out to show Cookie.
@tobithechimp
Tobi slides his had up Darius’s torso, up his arm, and intertwined their fingers together. He leans in.
“Have you ever danced before?” Tobi asks
Juliana laughs and claps enthusiastically.
“Dance Zoya, dance!”
Cookie takes the book and inspects it. He opens the book to the first page and looks through the table of contents. He flips to the part relevant to what they are taking about.
In the middle of reading he asks, “Can this be used on our sweet potatoes?”
Darius smiled, his sensual movements imitating Tobi’s.
“Not for a long time, but I like it,” he purred.
Zoya danced wildly and joyfully, making her movements as enticing as possible for the beautiful Juliana.
Reuben nodded and smiled eagerly at Cookie.
“I am sure we can!” he said eagerly. “Any starchy vegetable like that should work, and your sweet potatoes would give it a lovely taste.”
@tobithechimp
Tobi slowly leads Darius im stepping to the side.
“I have not danced in many years. Other apes do not know how, they never learned how. They show passion in other ways,” Tobi explains. He lifts Darius and spins him around.
Juliana watches with joy in her heart. She enjoys knowing that she can cause someone to feel such a way. She sits and hoots im excitement.
Cookie continues reading.
“And do you ferment the potatoes?” He asks as he reads
Darius whirled in joy and moved back towards Tobi, hips swaying gracefully.
“I love the way you dance,” he said, and swayed closer.
Zoya swayed her hips sensually too as she danced for Juliana.
Reuben nodded to Cookie. “Yes, we do. I am sure the same process will work with your sweet potatoes.”
@tobithechimp
Tobi strengthens his grip on Darius's waist, pulling him into a tighter embrace as he spins slowly.
"I never learned how to dance like the humans do very much, but i saw them do this a lot. This is actually the only dancing i know."
Juliana claps her hands together for Zoya and invites Zoya to sit with her.
"When did you manage to do this first?" Cookie asks
