My Little Bird | Blue Eyes (Under minor grammatical editing)

Chapter 12

----two weeks later----

My life has made an enormous change since my last day in the city. Instead of waking up on an old, slightly creaky bed in a moldy room, I woke up on a squishy, comfy hammock filled with moss and thick furs and soft pillows. And instead of trudging through post-plague high school five days out of the week I was out playing with children, talking with Blue Eyes, and Ash, helping Lisa out with the horses, or in the healing hut listening in on the Obas lectures given to the apprentices. And instead of hoping a new shipment of food would be delivered soon so I wouldn't have to conserve so much at every meal, I could eat with Caesar's family.

Haze and Harley have been introduced, and now they're best of friends. They did everything they could together, which included finding out who could get into more mischief. It's a tie. My life with the colony has been wonderful, but I'm still at a bit of a delicate stage. Blue Eyes has been teaching me how to read ape body language, as well as helping me understand the apes more modified ways of signing, and I think my awareness has been helpful in getting the part of the colony that wasn't as fond of me won over. Though I still got looks filled with disdain and annoyance, though I tried to listen to Lisa's advice and not let it get to me. Nobody likes everybody, as she said. Not a bad saying either.

My wardrobe has been altered too, more suited for living in the wilds. I still have the outfits I brought along, but I've made new ones too. On the warmer days, I had a shirt that exposed the skin on my belly button, my scars peeked out from under the hem, as well as a doe skin dress that made me feel like Pocahontas. I had also made a pair of pants (with a little more difficulty) that ended at my ankles. Somehow, I even fashioned a pair of ankle high moccasin boots. Don't ask how, it took time and practice and a boat load of patience. For colder days, I had another pair of pants, and a jacket, though I had yet to perfect the warmth sealing parts of sewing jackets and preferred to use the jacket I had brought with me. I liked how I looked, I felt like I was really living like my ancestors. You know, if Cherokees lived with four different species of ape.

The clothes were comfortable and easy to move in and I found that they helped me blend in with the forest surprisingly well. Speaking of blending, Maurice had asked me during breakfast this morning if I could show how my bow worked. I quickly agreed, happy to be reunited with my favorite piece of craftsmanship. So now, I was at the horse pasture, whistling for Zira so we could get into the woods. The gorgeous mare trotted up and I opened the gate, taking hold of the reins hanging under her head. The reins were made out of elk hide, braided together several times to strengthen the ropes. She nickered in greeting and I rubbed her neck in return.

"Hey girl. Ready to head out?" I said to her as she leaned her head foreword, lips flicking at my nose. I gave her a quick kiss between her nostrils as I lead her to a rock that I often used to mount her. She knew the drill and I didn't need to gesture for her to stay as I climbed up the rock. I climbed onto her back and guided her toward where Blue Eyes, Caesar, Maurice and Rocket were waiting, mounting steeds of their own, with three extra horses with them. I nodded in greeting and noticed my bow in Maurice's hand as well as my quiver but I said nothing. I would let them decide when they wanted me to demonstrate.

We rode out of the village and quickly down the slopes leading up to the village. I had to keep my hold on Zira taut, for I could feel how much she wanted to gallop at full speed. Zira could get easily excited, and she loved to run. She could never have been a race horse, she was too strongly built, but given the opportunity, she would fly. I slowed her to a brisk walk as we reached the foot of the slopes, patting her neck to try and calm her down. Though she stayed at my desired pace, she lifted her hooves high at each step with her impatience. Zira grew annoyed with the slow, steadiness of our traveling and reached her head out to nip at the hind quarters of Rocket's mare. The horse let out a surprised yelp and both the horses' ears turned backward.