Sometimes Koba wondered why Caesar held so much compassion for the vile creatures that tortured and caged apes for years. The bonobo knew Caesar was raised by humans but he also knew that they only saw him as a plaything, a pet. His human "family" practically threw Caesar away when he became inconvenient for them. Of course, Koba would never tell his leader the way he saw it. He knew Caesar was sensitive on the subject and generally did not speak of his past life before he freed the apes. In fact, not many apes in the village knew of Caesar's upbringing. This knowledge was only known by the Ape King's inner circle; his closest advisors.
These lucky few were now in Caesar's dwelling, sitting in a circle. The chimpanzee decided it wanted his meeting to be held within his home instead of their usual meeting spot on top of the boulder marked with the king's symbol. Koba assumed he chose to discuss the girl's fate in a more private setting because he wanted to hide the girl from the prying eyes of the apes in the village. Most of those eyes would no doubt have contempt and disbelief inside them; Koba was sure of it. Regardless of Two's age, she was still human and all humans were to be feared and hated. She would grow into an adult and become a threat.
Koba hoped Caesar would take that fact into account when deciding what to do with Two. He knew the alpha wouldn't turn away a helpless child regardless of its species. Koba just hoped he would chose well in deciding what her place would be among the apes. Would she become a pet or would she be treated as an equal? The scarred ape hoped it was the former.
The girl in question, sat in the center of the circle. She fidgeted as she looked around the room, her eyes wide as saucers. Two clutched onto her toy for comfort and Koba noticed Maurice eye the orangutan plush curiously.
Two was the first to speak. "A-are you C-Caesar?"
The child pointed at said ape her responded with a single nod of his head. "Name?" He asked, smiling as he pointed a thick finger at her. Koba frowned, he didn't want to know her. He believed she should be renamed if she was to live amongst them.
She answered, avoiding eye contact with the king but speaking proudly. "Marina Ashlyn Sanchez. B-but call-call me A-Ash." Now way was Koba going to call her that. She's will be Two to him.
At this Rocket grunted, shaking his head vigorously. "Name taken. Pick something else." Two looked confused then irked. Before she could reply, Maurice raised his finger to silence her while hooting reassuringly.
Caesar then asked, "Mother. Father. Call you that?" She shook her head.
"O-only papi di-did. Ma c-called me-me o-other t-t-things." She bowed her head as if ashamed of something. Again Koba frowned, wondering why two parents would call their child different names. He thought it stupid and would only confuse their child.
Caesar looked to Maurice to continue. "What she call?"
She looked at the orangutan. Her eyes filled with tears she refused to shed. "S-stupid. U-useless. A-a m-m-mistake." All the apes faces turned to sadness and they looked at Two with pity in their eyes. Except Koba who kept his usual angry look, but behind this façade he felt a twinge of sympathy for her. He was quick to shove it aside. No one showed him sympathy when he was called such names. It especially wasn't shown to him when he was being cut, slashed, and injected with liquid pain.
"She's seems to not wish to speak of her mother. It is best to change the subject." Maurice advised Caesar who nodded his understanding.
Surprisingly, Koba continued the questioning. "Where come from? Are there others?"
"Age?" Cornelia added. Her and Caesar's son, Blue Eyes was on her back. He peaked over his mother's shoulder, looking at the human fearfully. Koba was proud that his nephew was smart enough to know that humans were to be feared. All the young chimp needed to know next was that they needed to be hated as well. Koba would make sure to teach him that.
"A city ca-called Chicago, I-I think. H-hard to-to remember. No o-others." She cleared her throat, "I'm e-eleven."
"Where is mother?" Caesar asked. Koba was curious to know where Two's mother was as well. There was no sign that their was a third human living at Two's camp. Did she die?
Maurice didn't seem happy with his question but didn't voice his complaints. It was necessary to know. They needed to make sure she wasn't truly an orphan. The last thing the apes needed was a group of humans coming to rescue a child whom they think was kidnapped.
"Left. L-long t-time. I-I don't ca-care." Her brows furrowed and she looked upset. Caesar sighed, wishing he hadn't asked. Koba could tell it bothered Caesar to upset Two. The bonobo thought it stupid to do so but wouldn't speak that thought out loud. He would never disrespect the ape that freed him.
"Alright. My wife, Cornelia, will take outside. Go." He gestured for Two to go to Cornelia who was walking toward the exit. The Ape Queen turned to see if the girl was following. She still stood in the center of the circle, unsure if it was safe to follow. Cornelia hooted reassuringly while waving her hand, encouraging the girl over. After another moment's hesitation, Two followed the female out. Koba could tell Blue Eyes wasn't happy with this turn of events.
Once the three were gone, Maurice stated: "I know you do not intend to turn her away, correct?"
Caesar took a deep inhale before nodding. "It would be cruel to turn her away. She has no one else. She is not old enough to fend for herself."
"Who will look after her then? Not many apes will take in a human child." Rocket quipped, scratching the side of his neck. "I cannot. I have a son of my own. Tinker would agree."
"Rocket is right. What are we going to do with her? She has no place among apes." Luca stated with a chuff.
Caesar nodded, taking into account those two apes' opinions and questions. He looked at Maurice, waiting for what he had to say. "I would take her. She seems to have a fondness for my kind. But I cannot." The other apes hooted in confusion. They were sure the wise ape would take her in. Caesar was the only one who remained unreactive but he too was surprised.
Once they quieted, Maurice continued. "I cannot because my home is small. No room for growing child." He paused as if he was apprehensive about what he was going to say next, "I suggest Koba take her."
Koba bared his fangs with a growl at the orangutan, angered that he would even suggest such an absurd thing. Him? Raising a human child? Ridiculous! He guessed Maurice wasn't as wise as they all believed. Koba felt Caesar's hand on his shoulder. He met his gaze and instantly felt embarrassed for his hard reaction. He sat back down, his head bowed slightly. He apologized to Maurice who responded: "It is alright. I understand your dislike for humans but this one is a child. An innocent. She is no threat. Won't grow up to be one. With apes now. Will be good."
He continued, "Koba lives alone. Has no mate or children. But does have large dwelling. Room for one more. Don't you wish for the company of another there?"
Koba sighed. Maurice was right. The bonobo did wish he wasn't alone in his home but the ape hadn't had much luck finding a mate and was getting too old to do so. He knew he would never have a child of his own so maybe this orphan was his chance to have one? He wasn't so sure he wanted one that was human. It wasn't right. It was unnatural.
"No!" He growled out, teeth gritted as he signed. "She is not my responsibility. I've done enough by not leaving her to die in the woods. I may have found her but I want nothing more to do with her!" He was breathing heavily now.
"Koba. Please." Caesar spoke, "She has no one else." Koba looked into his eyes, what he saw was understanding and hope. Caesar knew why Koba didn't want to take Two in but he also hoped Koba would push those reasons aside and do what was right.
Koba hooted softly, defeated. "Fine. But if she becomes too much to handle, she will no longer be my concern."
Caesar gave the bonobo a warm smile. "Thank you."
Rocket gave a commending nod to his friend. Maurice made gurgle sounds using his throat pouch, catching Koba's eyes. "In time, you will come to thank me."
Luca huffed in amusement but Koba didn't find anything about this situation amusing at all.
Cornelia made sure to keep Marina close to her as they walked around the village. The Ape Queen did notice the stares the other apes were giving but one fierce look from her was enough to get them to mind their own business. She knew that the human girl was a bit shy, especially around many people and so she would do what she could to make sure the girl was comfortable.
Marina seemed like a smart and kind child. Cornelia wished she and Caesar could take her under their wing but knew it was impossible. They needed to focus their attention on Blue Eyes who was to become the next leader at the end of Caesar's rule. Being an heir meant he required more attention to be properly groomed into a great leader. Cornelia knew they wouldn't be able to make time for a human child.
Plus she didn't think the village would take too well to having a human as a member of the Royal Family.
After a bit more walking, the trio reached the gardens. Here the apes grew berries, potatoes, and other kinds of fruits and vegetables. At the end of the garden stood Cornelia's closest friend and wife of Rocket, Tinker. The female was with her own son, Ash, picking blueberries. Cornelia approached the two, hooting a greeting.
Tinker's eyes widened when she saw Marina. Cornelia was quick to explain. "Koba found her in woods. Orphaned. Caesar and rest are discussing what to do about her right now."
Tinker nodded in understanding but still taken aback. "Have any apes protested her presence?"
Cornelia shrugged. "I do not know. Maybe. I'm surprised Koba even brought her here. You know he hates humans the most."
Tinker hooted, agreeing with the queen. "I am surprised too. But relieved he did bring her. She safe now. What is name?"
"Ask her yourself."
Tinker cooed to the girl, who shied away from the chimp's gaze. Tinker held a hand to her chest as she spoke her name then pointed a finger at Marina. "You?
Before the girl could answer, Ash had bounded up to the girl. He screeched gleefully while pointing at the girl. He used his free hand to sign to his mother. "Can play? Can play?"
The two mothers smiled at the two year old. It pleased them to know that he didn't hold any prejudice to someone that wasn't like him or anything else he knew. It was good to be accepting. Blue Eyes whined as he watched his friend run circles around Marina. Cornelia looked down at him, smiling warmly. Her son was a rather timid and cautious, something she hoped he'd grow out of for his sake. Thinking it best he get some exercise from play, she pried him off her chest and set him on the ground.
She nudged him toward the other two but he refused to join them. Instead, he opted to hide behind his mother's leg. Cornelia sighed then signed to Tinker. "You think we have enough food for winter?"
Tinker shook her head. "Don't think so. I am worried it may be like before. Scared."
"Me too." The two sat down to watch the children play while eating a few berries. Blue Eyes stayed by his mother's side but watched Ash and Marina interact. Ash noticed he was watching and signed to him. "Come! Blue Eyes! Play!"
But he didn't. He stubbornly stayed put. Tinker and Cornelia pant-laughed as Ash marched up to Blue Eyes, dragging him by the arm to where Marina stood. They watched as Blue Eyes looked up at the human girl, his blue orbs wide with fear. He hooted softly before he spotted Koba behind the girl. The adult ape looked angry and that scared the prince who ran back to his mother.
Cornelia guessed Caesar had already made his decision.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hope you enjoyed!
