(Un)Natural Hybrids

A New Dawn

Roberta noticed something.

Her mate was staring at her far more than usual, of late.

Indeed, the Bull's emerald, crocodilian gaze lingered upon the brown hued female far longer than one would be comfortable with-had there not been a level of trust, that is. The Spinosaurus would often stare, barely blinking, as if deep in a trance akin to a torpor. But Roberta knew her mate was not sleeping-for sleeping standing up would be most uncomfortable, much less with one's eyes open.

No, he was very much awake when his gaze fell upon her. Nublar's Tyrannosaur would certainly feel threatened were it any other large predator staring upon her quite so. Roberta did not understand why he did this.

When she would look upon Sorna's Spinosaurus, his vivid green eyes would always be looking back.

Always.

At first, Roberta was unsure her mate was actually there, he was so still. Upon warbling her head to get a better imagine-he indeed was. But her mate was quiet. It was odd.

Normally when the Spinosaurus faced her, he would greet her with a serpentine purr riveting deep from his throat, or a low trill in call, or even a poke or nuzzle of his more narrow snout against her broad one. No. Not this time. The Bull was absolutely silent, his jaded eyes transfixed upon Roberta's golden eyes, glistening in light from the early dawn's rays.

A low, guttural rumble quietly gurgled forth from Roberta's throat, her head still warbling ever so slightly, attempting to better see her still mate. The female's broad head upon her thick, muscular neck then turned upwards towards the newly birthed sky pained with pinks, yellows and oranges of the new day, nares flaring.

Sorna's apex predator was there...she could smell his musk...but yet-why was he so still? Was he sick? The earthen hued Tyrannosaur was unsure, and a second soft grumble from her throat escaped her in worry. Roberta's short, muscular forearms clenched and unclenched in concern, as if the female was debating on what to do, or simply trying to relieve some physical anxiety. A muscular leg shifted backwards, causing three black, thick claws to uproot and till the earth.

Nublar's reigning Queen then ushered a soft, almost crooning call in fret before turning her massive head, then the rest of her body, away from her mate and towards their nest. Roberta's lumbering form moved towards the mound of compost that housed their eggs-the nest itself a compilation of dirt, grasses and various foliage torn and uprooted form the ground. While normally the Tyrannosaur's footfalls were heavy and causing the earth to thunder and quake, Roberta's stride was much more cautious, hesitant, even, or more so slower in gait than normal. It was as if she did not want to disturb the incubating eggs inside.

Even when choosing to lay down beside the nest, Roberta took care in lowering her great form just so slightly against the heap of compost, as if she were fearful her massive size would cause harm. Belly pressed against the cool grasses slick with morning dew and earth not yet warmed from the sun, Roberta turned her massive head to face the nest, as if simply turning her gaze away would endanger her precious young. Unwavering, her amber eyes dared not leave the mound of dirt and plant, short arms clenching and releasing, clawed fingers tilling the earth.

If a Tyrannosaurus, in all its savage ferocity was ever anxious and worried-Roberta was certainly one such specimen.

The Bull briefly looked towards his mate and nest, an arm raising as taloned fingers scratched his jaw. The Spinosaurus released a low hiss, which grew into a soft trill towards the Tyrannosaur. His call remained unanswered, for Roberta did not rise. She was not leaving her nest.

Clawed arm falling down at normal position, Sorna's King snorted, turned his head away from the direction of his mate, and then his body. Footfalls heavy and nimble, the Bull began to meander off to hunt.