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“Can you run that by me… one more time?” Jinx asked, again.
Vi was laying on Mel’s and Sevika’s nesting grounds after she nearly fell asleep mid hunt. Mel wasn’t too bothered, though she was worried about Vi’s well-being, but Sevika was pissed.
Growling a warning “Watch it, spirit fingers!” before being escorted away by Ekko. Giving Vi a minute to nap.
Eyes still closed, barely snoring, Vi managed a quiet, “I accidentally gave Caitlyn a baby for our anniversary.”
Jinx had so many jokes, but she was more curious about—, “And how exactly did this happen?” She covered Isha’s head with her wing, “It needs to be the land before time friendly version.”
Vi was too tired to roll her eyes, though she managed to grin, “Well—,”
One week ago,
When it was that time of year again, it rained.
With the heavy rains brought even heavier floods. It always rained on the anniversary of their union. The time Vi patiently cleared a nesting ground for Caitlyn, wore her best leaves, and danced to woo her best friend into being mates. Now Vi wakes up every morning as the happiest carnotaurus. Just as she did this morning. She rolled over, nuzzled Caitlyn’s neck before licking it gently. Caitlyn barely moved, knowing she was the safest an apatosaurus can be; having wisely chosen a spot under a thick over growth tree, they were dry from the rain.
Allowing Caitlyn to rest peacefully.
Still and always, the carnotaurus thought while laying on Caitlyn’s neck for just a moment longer. The morning breeze was already waking the grass they nested on, the chirping insects, and even the singing birds.
Vi wished nothing but more relaxing days for her mate, “I’ll be right back.” Vi whispered before leaving their nest.
She stood at the edge of the thicket, glancing up; wondering if she’ll spot Ekko’s and Jinx’s nest. They tend to stay close by, though with Isha growing up on her own, those lovebirds tend to nest out of sight. Vi shivered as she stepped into the morning air and light drizzle.
With a hop to her steps, Vi ran around the jungle collecting Caitlyn’s favorite ferns and pebbles. She wore a pouch made from tree star leaves and vines. Something Ekko and Jinx came up with Mel’s help. Now Vi could shop around for berries, twigs, and juicy roots for her Big Blue wife. The carnivore was a strange sight as she leaned down, picked up a bundle of berries with her mouth and dropped them in the pouch. Though, as Vi collected the juiciest fruits and leaves, she also kept an eye out for something special. Caitlyn loves her pebbles (Not as much as Vi enjoyed collecting them) but it was their anniversary, so Vi made sure she never returned empty handed.
“Now I have to get that one thing for Cait.” Vi walked and walked until she smelt the water.
By now the morning light was shining through the high trees, illuminating the water and its higher shoreline. The jungle's main river. It was huge and wide with a deceiving calm appearance. If Vi wasn’t careful the undercurrents could probably sweep her away without Caitlyn to weigh her down. The large and heavy apatosaurus could walk through the currents like nothing. Caitlyn would spend hours in one place finding the perfect pebble to swallow, so it was only fitting for Vi to use the same effort if not more.
Tentative clawed feet stepped into shallow waters.
Vi used her toes to move the stones and ugly pebbles around, needing to find the perfect one. She didn’t want to waste too much time on this, but Vi also wanted the perfect one. Caitlyn deserved it.
Vi didn’t stay in the same spot as Caitlyn usually does, but her shadow shifted as morning came and went. Vi was able to catch a few snacks to pass the time, and when she returned to the river, something gorgeous caught her eye.
There!
The light from the morning star hit the waters just right, and something gorgeous caught Vi’s attention. She stepped further into the river and kicked around stones, hoping to see the pretty purple again. When she saw it, Vi ducked her head in the water and carefully placed the stone in her mouth. Since there wasn’t any room in her pouch for the stone, Vi carried it in her mouth.
Unknowingly repeating what her own mother had all those years ago.
Carrying a very delicate treasure in her mouth.
Caitlyn did her own decorating.
Vi returned to flower petals all over their nest. Extra leaves for Vi’s pillow and twigs to add to Caitlyn’s ever-growing collection.
Vi quickly hid the stone in her pouch, wincing when it crushed some of the better fruits and berries, “Cait! You’re here… and awake.”
Caitlyn perked up from her place in the nest, “I was waiting for you.” Tail lazily moving, body still tea, and eyes giving Vi that look that the carnivore is about to be devoured before bed time. Vi could hardly wait.
“What took you so long this time?”
Vi shook her head to clear her thoughts, “I uh—,” she bent over so the pouch could slide off, “...got you something,”
Upon hearing that, Caitlyn got up, “I got you something as well.” Before she reached for Vi’s gift, Caitlyn bent down to lick the corner of Vi’s mouth, “Happy Anniversary, Violet.”
The carnivore purred.
As they exchanged gifts, Vi saved the unique stone for last.
She ate the delicious soup Caitlyn made her. Laughing at how squeamish the herbivore was when handling grubs, but now Caitlyn was used to it. Vi spread the berries for her mate on a flat stone just as Caitlyn enjoys it. Her heart melted as Caitlyn inhaled everything in a single bite, even slurping the tree star.
“Mm, last berries of the season.” Caitlyn moaned while slurping the juices from the bowl, “I need to savor this,”
Vi licked her lips while watching, “Yeah. Save it,”
But it was time for the main event.
Vi cleared her throat as Caitlyn slowly chewed the leaves, “Caitlyn,” her voice cracked, “Ahem!” Vi bounced on her toes, “Close your eyes. I have something else for you.”
“Oh?” Caitlyn was a beautiful messy eater. She wiped her mouth with her tail, then went along and closed her eyes, “Please don’t let it be like last time,”
Vi snorted while rummaging through the pile of stones she hid, “It’s not. It’s better.”
“Better?” Caitlyn sounded more curious now, “You know, you didn’t have to get me so many things. You being here is more than enough,”
“Still. I enjoy getting you things.” Vi found the purple shiny stone and became like a giddy hatchling, “Okay, this is so perfect.” She picked it up with her mouth, confused when she thought she felt it wiggle.
Huh, weird.
Vi placed the purple stone then decorated it with the smaller shiny (though not as pretty) river pebbles. Once finished, the carnotaurus stepped away, “Okay. Open your eyes.”
Caitlyn opened them and immediately glanced down. When she spotted the stone she fell silent. Too quiet. Caitlyn stilled as she admired her gift. There was something so… perfect and unique about it. The apatosaurus nuzzled it with her mouth, tasting the parts of the river and history surrounding it. Caitlyn pulled away when she thought she felt it move, though she grinned, faintly. Then she nuzzled it again, closing her eyes to simply feel the stone against her face.
“Oh,” the apatosaurus whispered.
Vi wasn’t sure what to think of it. She nervously shuffled and rubbed her hands together, as much as she could anyway, “Cait?” Her claws dug into the ground,
Caitlyn didn’t look up, “Hm?”
“Do you like it?” Vi tapped her claws together, “Is this a good reaction, or do I need to go find something—,”
“Oh, Vi, I love it.” Caitlyn sounded so happy and shocked. “It’s perfect.” Her jaw trembled as though preparing to cry, “I didn’t think—,” she trailed off, overwhelmed with emotions.
Just a tad too emotional if Vi had a say. But who was she to dictate how her mate reacted? It is around that time of year again when Caitlyn would remove herself from the herd. Preferring to stay alone for long periods at a time, unless Vi was there. But this felt different and the same.
Vi knew she got Caitlyn a beautiful stone, but the quiet serenity that followed was curious, “Caitlyn?” And Vi needed to know what it meant.
Caitlyn had closed her eyes, still holding the stone ever so close. She blinked rapidly as though pushing down tears before glancing up at Vi, “I didn’t think we were ever going to be that. I didn’t know if I was ready, but now that it’s happening—,” She smiled warmly, “I’m ready,”
Vi stood there, very confused, “Ready for… what exactly?”
Caitlyn glanced down at her stone that was now visibly shaking, “It’s happening!”
Vi flinched and took a huge step backwards when the “stone” cracked and a tiny head poked out.
Small cries filled their nests.
Caitlyn was whispering things but Vi’s head must’ve been filled with water. All she could focus on was—,
To which Caitlyn nodded, “You gave me a baby! I’m ready to take this next step with you, Violet.”
“We have a baby.” Vi stated, plainly. Almost sounding completely emotionless.
But there was something pinching her gut and chest.
The stone (which was actually a lost egg) was nearly fully cracked and a tiny purple Elasmosaurus was wiggling her way out. Caitlyn quickly went to work, licking and cleaning their newborn. Each stroke down the tiny earned a hearty squeak in return. The baby wiggled and squealed endlessly.
That’s when it finally hit Vi.
She began to panic, “She needs water!” She shouted, spooking the baby.
Vi took off running.
It was raining again but it didn’t matter. She was a mother now! Vi ran all the way down to the river and began picking as much clay as possible before running back to the nest.
Vi dug a hole in their nest.
Making sure to pack clay as tightly as possible. Then ran back to the river to fill her mouth with as much water as possible. Vi must’ve ran back and forth until her legs were shaking.
Caitlyn was patiently waiting with their baby, “She must be hungry as well.” Their purple baby was resting soundly in the puddle of water Vi had crafted for her.
Vi was already thinking ahead. She dropped a handful of grub next to the puddle. Dead and ready to snack on when their baby wakes up. She collapsed next to Caitlyn, “Should be enough for a day or two.”
“What about you?”
“I already ate by the river,” Vi answered. Eyes drooping but too excited to finally enjoy her daughter. “We have a baby,”
…by accident, but that’s a small detail Vi will have to explain at another time.
Caitlyn was reaching up to snack on the leaves that hung low over their nest, “We have a daughter,” She replied, quiet excitement. She curled herself around Vi and the small puddle with their daughter. “What should we call her?”
Vi thought about it. She glanced around their nest, remembering how her own mother named her. The wild flora that grew next to their nest that Caitlyn enjoys to admire rather than eat, “Lavender,”
The apatosaurus hummed her agreement, “It’s beautiful.”
But newborns were a lot of work.
Vi didn’t let Caitlyn leave the nest without their newborn. Not after Lavender seemed to emotionally imprint on the giant dinosaur. So Vi rose before the morning sun, hunted for grub and leaves for her ladies at home before hunting for herself.
This went on for a week until exhaustion finally hit Vi.
She aimlessly wandered the jungle, following the familiar scents though too fatigued to realize it was Mel’s and Sevika’s.
Vi tripped over Sevika’s thick tail and face planted in their nest.
“Watch it, spirit fingers!”
Mel gasped in shock, “Violet! Are you hurt?!”
“She’s about to be,” Sevika growled before stomping over to the carnivore, “What’d I say about not coming over here during our nesting time?!”
Vi groaned, blinking her eyes open, “...baby,” she mumbled.
Mel smiled sadly, “Not yet,”
Sevika’s breath was visible. She stomped the ground next to Vi’s head, “If you interrupt our nesting days one more time—,”
That’s when Jinx Isha and Ekko showed up. Hearing the commotion.
“Hey!” Ekko flew down and landed on Sevika’s head, “I spotted a sharptooth. I may need your help.”
Sevika stood still while Mel licked her cheek, before angrily shuffling away with Ekko.
Jinx landed by Vi’s head, inspecting her sister for injuries, “What happened to you?”
Vi snored, trying to get up, “...need to feed my baby,”
“Caitlyn?” Mel asked,
“No. Our baby,”
The herd fell silent.
“Can you run that by me… one more time?” Jinx asked, again.
Caitlyn was beaming as her herd showed up with Vi, “Hey,”
They have temporarily moved to a cave with flowing water. Something perfect for Lavender to swim and dive in. Vi appeared a little tired but more energized after Jinx gave her some juicy raw meat.
Mel cooed when she saw the baby, “Oh, Caitlyn. She’s beautiful.” She laid down next to her friend,
Lavender had a lively personality. No shyness from her as she jumped out of the water, let Mel sniff her, before wiggling her way back into the water. Isha stood behind Jinx as they observed the newcomer from afar.
“Wow,” Jinx took a tentative step closer, “She has your eyes, fat hands,”
That earned a wide smile from Vi, “Really?”
“She does,” Caitlyn confirmed, “She has your bravery as well.”
Vi leaned down, pressing their faces together, “Well, she has your beauty,”
“She has your laugh,”
“She has your cute toothgap,”
“She has got to be around other dinosaurs besides you two,” Jinx grumbled, leaning down to sniff the newborn. She stretched her wing just above the water.
Lavender jumped up and snapped at her.
Vi and Caitlyn gasped in shock.
Mel stepped back.
While Jinx grinned wickedly, “She bites!” she cooed while leaning lower, “She’s perfect. Hi! Welcome to the most chaotic herd there is, kiddo.”
As Lavender quickly grew, so did her appetite—,
…for lively things.
Good thing her mother was also a Carnivore. Expect one minor issue: Vi’s never hunted in water before. So their entire herd watched as Vi tried to fish for her daughter. Caitlyn and Mel were laying on the shore while Jinx, Isha, and Ekko were perched on a low branch.
Isha would point to the water, “Here come another one!”
Jinx scratched her feathers, “If fat hands manages to catch that behemoth it’d be enough for meat for all of us. Too bad Vi can’t fish for shi—”
“I can hear you!” Vi shouted, “Can you let me focus?!”
Jinx snickered, “If you were actually hunting we’d be eating dinner by now.”
“Whatever,” Vi stood waist deep in the water. “Maybe I should try another day,” She ignored Jinx for now. It was typical of her. But Vi was too embarrassed to turn around and face Caitlyn after all her failures so far. But as she glanced down at her daughter, the baby dino was glancing up at her mother, eager to have their first hunt together.
Lavender was still in her pouch, though holding onto the edge leaning over to also watch the fish swim by. “That one?” Lavender eagerly pointed out.
But by the time Vi snapped at the water, the fish was long gone. Jinx’s loud cackling just damaged Vi’s pride. A land carnivore was too slow for something so simple. Vi grumbled, “I can’t do this.” Lavender was giving her hope, “I can do this.”
Vi thought of something. She tapped the side of the pouch, “Do you trust me?” Lavender splashed the water from wagging her tail in excitement.
On the shore, Caitlyn felt anxious, though not for the reasons Vi would assume. Caitlyn leaned closer to Mel, “Perhaps if we all weren’t observing this delicate moment with our daughter, Vi wouldn’t be so—,”
“Frustrated?” Mel offered, smiling.
“Distracted,” Caitlyn wore her own. “Vi’s been wanting to have this moment with Lavender and I thought—oh my goodness!” The ground visibly shook as Caitlyn quickly stood up the moment Vi dove under the water. “Vi!”
Mel got up, though not as panicked, “She’s alright, Caitlyn.” But Caitlyn was already running into the water.
Jinx flew down, “I’ll follow them!” She shouted before taking off.
Caitlyn and Mel quickly followed.
The currents must’ve been strong as Vi ended up way down stream. The water turned violent from the carnivores splashing around. When Vi surfaced she had a huge deadly fish in her mouth, smiling the whole time.
Caitlyn jogged into the water, sliding in the mud, “I can’t believe it, you did it!”
Vi felt cocky, “Mhm,” mouth still full of the giant fish.
But Caitlyn and Mel were kneeling pouch-level. “You caught your very own fish!”
Vi glanced down and there in her little water pouch was Lavender swimming around with the tiniest fish in her mouth. Smiling at Vi the whole time. Vi dropped the fish to say, “Look at you, lil hunter. I’m so proud of you.”
Lavender was vibrating with excitement.
Back in their temporary cave, Caitlyn and Vi laid side-by-side while they watched Lavender sleep.
Laying in a shallow pool, Lavender rested soundly.
Vi licked Caitlyn’s cheek, “First big hunt deserves a big nap.”
Caitlyn hummed, remembering something. “I didn’t realize how young you carnivores are when you learn to hunt. yourselves. My mother always fed me, and she mostly would still be doing that if she were here. When we first met, you were hunting dragonflies. Only a hatchling.”
Vi nodded, “I remember.” She cuddled closer to Caitlyn, “It was my first time out of the nest and I ran away from Vander.”
“My herd remembers that incident,” Caitlyn nuzzled the water Lavender slept in. Gathering all the scents surrounding it, “They hated the thought of a carnivore in the herd. At least, until Grayson set them straight.”
Vi chuckled, “Good thing we branched off and made our own herd. Now we can do what we want.”
Caitlyn stilled for a moment, heavy in thought. Vi sensed it and bumped her with her nose, “What’s on your mind, big blue?”
Caitlyn shook her head, “How do you think we have with Lavender before goes off on her own?”
Vi, too, fell silent at the question. But she was the voice of reason, “Let’s not think about that, Cait. Let’s enjoy our family right now.”
“You’re right,” Caitlyn fully laid down, her long neck curling around the puddle and Vi.
Lavender barely made a noise while she slumbered through the whole night.