31 Settling Down (1/2)
With Oli's help, a blueprint for a basic hut was created. Oli drew it up using a quill and ink that Vloz provided from his void choker and following the needs that Ania and Rathe provided.
They made dozens of copies and set out to see the other gorillas. In front of them all, Vloz presented their idea to build huts and showed the design when the clan cheered loudly. The gorillas started to run and gather all of the needed supplies listed on the blueprints.
Oli was shocked to see them so excited, not only to get their homes built but just excited in general.
”Are you curious why everyone's so anxious to build their homes?” Vloz could guess Oli's thoughts, ”They've been nomads for almost their entire lives. For them to settle down is already great, for them to have something permanent to call home means a lot to them. But what they're most excited about is to share their homes.”
”What do you mean?” Oli asked.
”Have you ever wondered why you were the only gorilla youth, Oli?” Vloz questioned.
”Well yeah, of course, I have.”
”It's because of a clan custom,” Ania interjected, wanting to explain it herself. ”Due to past experiences, only the clan's chief may have a child before the clan has claimed a territory and that's only if there is no current heir. All of them have been waiting for so long to start their families, so for them, this is a major change in their lives for the better.”
Oli smiled when he realized that the clan was going to grow soon and that he would no longer be the youngest. He wasn't the smallest gorilla thanks to him starting to grow into his father's giant build, but he was still picked on and treated like a child.
With other children running around, he wouldn't be judged for his youth anymore. Then he caught something his mother said and wanted to learn more. ”Mom, you said that this was based on past experiences, right? What had happened for this to become a custom?”
Ania froze, unable to say anything. Rathe hugged her from behind and said, ”It was about five years before you were born. At the time, there were almost a dozen little gorillas running around, including your late big brother.”
”Wait, you mean—”