Haley was wracked with guilt from her outburst as soon as she reached the bottom of the tree and made it out of earshot, and so, her tensed shoulders slacked in shame. After two years of keeping quiet, staying in her place, and keeping her head down, Haley had exploded, and she was appalled by her brain's decision to do it in these trying times, and just like the others back in Caesar's home, she knew it was unlike her, just like she was sure her reasons were unclear. Apparently, in exhaustion, Haley gains enough strength to speak out, but her filter fails under her lack of sleep. Groaning at her own logic, she messaged her aching temples. Or maybe, she thought, she was just frustrated and on a short fuse, her recollection of Carver having reminded her about the fact that Koba was still avoiding and ignoring her. Whatever her reason, she could only hope that Caesar understood, even if he didn't know about the mud her relationship was slowly sinking into.

Thumping footsteps interrupted her deep contemplation and unwittingly allowed her tired body to gain some strength in the midst of friendly acknowledgment when she realized it could be no one except her friend, Luca, but then, as soon as the recollection of her insolence drew her attention again, her joy faltered and she sighed with indignation – she still didn't see how she did anything wrong, though. "On a scale of one to ten, exactly how mad is he?" She signed besides her with stiff and unsure movements, announcing her knowledge of Luca's arrival without glancing behind her, even if it was obvious with his heavy weight and hulking physique, given that they reveal his presence anywhere – she could even hear the wood shifting and creaking beneath him. He was more than twice her size, she knew, especially since she was smaller than the normal human, even with her bigger-than-average muscles, but whenever he loomed over her or caused the floor to protest, it succeeded in reminded her. She peeked over her shoulder for his answer, but only to scoff in disbelief when he answered, "Zero – Caesar worried."

"Of course he is." She tossed with her hands before she continued down from the tree and dropped onto the cliff in front of Maurice's school, gazing down at the stone platform ahead in the center of the village to study the carving in it. Like so few in the village, Haley knew the true origins of the styled diamond in the perfect circle, having seen Caesar through that same shape the first time she saw him, and more times than she cared to admit, it helped her to stare at it and remember her innocent years. "He never stops worrying; he did the same thing when we were young, always looking out for me like I'm a child – or worse, a fragile human child." Haley continued venting to Luca, who had followed her with each step, knowing she'd want to talk more, and watched him sit down beside her before she went on, "It's infuriating, but that's not why I spoke out – at least, I don't think." Her hands moved more brisk and annoyed, "I just don't want to face that man again! He's intolerable!" She could feel it rising in her again: the frustration, the rage… the sense of unimportance in the colony.

Luca grunted in agreement – unlike with the two humans who came back to the village earlier, he wasn't too fond of the violent human male. Mostly, however, it was because of the insults Carver had thrown at Haley. Luca may not have been the happiest ape in the troop about her relationship with Koba, but he knew Carver was out of line. In fact, Luca had more reason than most to hate the announcement Haley and Koba had made about their mating. Though a Gorilla's hearing is close to that of a chimp, even more so to a human's, their sense of smell is significantly stronger, and so, the two's intermingled scents felt like bile in the back of Luca's throat, but still he said nothing.

Yet, he forced his mind away from that and onto his strange inkling instead.

"Scared what Koba will do if Carver insults him more?" He guessed, and when he saw Haley stiffen, he knew he was right, "Always looks scared and careful around Koba, even with smile." It had been an observation he made a long time ago, and despite his silence over the matter, it terrified him for Haley's sake.

It wasn't intentional – blame it on her exhaustion again if you will – but Luca's words hit a mark that Haley's been trying to hide, even from herself, and made that sickening word-vomit push back up. "This observation coming from an ape that's never had a mate." She spat venomously, but immediately froze and felt her breath hitch when her words processed, her head quickly snapping to Luca in horror, just in time to see his prominent brows furrow and him gaze back out over the village, seemingly in intense thought about something. It wasn't that it was terrible for him to not have a mate, but she said it with enough poison that she was quickly disgusted with herself again – not to mention, she knew Luca was the one ape in the village that deserved a loving mate more than anyone, being as kind and considerate as he was. So unlike Koba, she found herself thinking. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that." She apologized quickly and sincerely, and released a defeated moan as she dropped her head in her hand, fatigue finally hitting her, "I'm just tired – the last few days have been too much. Really, I didn't mean it."

There was a long pause, Haley slowly growing anxious that her words had damaged between them what couldn't be repaired, but eventually—

"I… know…" She heard him grunt out, his voice so uncharacteristically smooth that it startled her upright with her jolt, especially with how deep it was, and made her blink up at him in disbelief – she couldn't believe it was her first time hearing him speak… or that he sounded like that. Then again, it perfectly resembled his gentle soul. Her stare, however, only made Luca tilt his head back almost bashfully, as if attempting to use his tall upper body to his advantage and hide his face from her view above his jaw. "Know Haley didn't mean it." He signed, rather having her see the depressingly unskilled signing of his thick, long arms and giant hands than hear him struggle to speak, his throat and tongue still foreign to the feeling of speech after he barely used it in the past ten years of being able to – if those few uses even counted as anything at all. Ironically, her focus was on something else entirely; rather, she was focused on the fact that he still uses the signs for 'valley' and 'meadow' together to sign her name. It had been a year since she told him the meaning of her name, but he never stopped with the unintentionally sweet gesture, and just like now, it always brought the hint of a smile to her face. "And Luca…" He continued, his movement jerky with hesitance, and paused for a few more moments before pushing on, "has mate – has mate in his heart."

Instantly, Haley's jaw slacked into a gape, her stomach dropping with what she assumed to be shock and bewilderment. He couldn't be saying, she thought in astonishment, oblivious to the fact that her previous turmoil has left her mind, just like Luca wanted. "You… like someone?" She breathed, her arms somehow numb from the shock of his announcement, making it impossible for her to keep up their tradition, and when she saw his frown increase, she knew her assumption to the meaning behind his words were correct. Still, that didn't help her process it – she never even considered that he already had love for someone and that was why he didn't have a mate. "Who?" She asked slowly, taking a leap of faith, but with a single glare from him, she knew he wasn't going to spill, just as she expected, which allowed her to ask something else instead, "Does she know? Why haven't you told her?" If anyone could 'get the girl,' Haley knew it would be Luca. Nevertheless, despite her presumption, she saw him shake his head.

"Mated with another." He explained, and although it was straightforward and without feeling, Haley could see the sullen expression hiding behind the stoic exterior. Oddly enough, however, Haley felt relieved about his situation, because it meant she wasn't the only one. How funny it would be if the target of his affections was Cornelia, Haley thought, but shook the thought away. Somehow, she knew that was not the case. Soon, it didn't matter anyway.

Haley's attention quickly glued to the small group of apes and two humans walking to the village gates, and not surprisingly, she heard Luca getting up to go with them. "Coming?" He asked and unintentionally forced Haley to move to her feet as well so she could look at him without straining her neck too much.

"No," She said, shaking her head with reassuring smile, "I should wait for Koba to return, maybe calm him down a bit when he hears the news."

With that, Haley slipped pass the Gorilla Guard's chief, giving his bicep an encouraging pat beside her head along the way, and made her way over to the clearing to create a new campfire for the night and to keep herself occupied, letting Luca get back to work and remaining as unaware as always to his loving eyes lingering on her with a sense of affection that no one else in the village could possibly match. She was just happy he was able to calm her down and return her to normal – she made a mental note to thank him later.

I want to update War Technicalities today, too, but no promises. Again, don't forget to leave those lovely and tooth-achingly sweet comments if you enjoyed this chapter and if you want to keep keeping me busy. XD