Innocence?

“Who are you?” Boreal asked first, before almost smacking himself with his tail. Oh yeah. The oviraptor had already introduced himself. Huffing, he tried again and ignored the mocking growl from Glory. “You're an oviraptor, correct? I didnt know there were more of your kind out there. The only oviraptor I have ever met was Magpie, the shopkeeper. Do you know them?”

The oviraptor, Pokie, cocked their head, and Glory took a moment to observe them herself. Pokie was small, smaller even than Flurry (who had, thankfully, taken a moment to quiet down and observe what was going on). The oviraptor was a light blue-grey, darker grey over their back with streaks of black going down their sides in a brindled pattern like raindrops. Covering her crest and back was a blanket of white, bright as fresh snow. Bands of the same color covered Pokie’s tail and legs. But the most curious part were the strange, red markings on the oviraptors wings, tail, and face. While one might have assumed they were dimorphic markings, they were unlike any dimorphic markings Glory had ever seen. In fact, they seemed to be… smudged? Like they were simply painted on.

However, before Glory could ask her a question, Pokie lifted her head and chirped. “Other oviraptor? Are they also here on our glorious mission?” 

“...Mission?” Boreal tilted his head in confusion. “What mission? I've never heard Magpie mention a mission. He’s been around for ages, long before anyone can remember. Unlike you. Are there others with you?” Boreal had to resist the urge to bare his teeth ever so slightly. That did not sound good. A look from Glory reminded him to be patient. This was getting more and more strange.

Pokie seemed confused at the overwhelming amount of questions, shaking their head ever so slightly and sending the feathers fluttering. Flurry let out a quiet gasp, attempting to mimic the behavior and hissing quietly when her feathers did not flutter nearly as much. 

“Our glorious mission!” Pokie peeped, the words seeming too cheerful to be real. Opening their beak, they suddenly started hacking and coughing- sounding similar to a mammal with a furball. Glory stepped forward, concerned, as Boreal stepped back a whole foot and dragged Flurry with him. Was it infectious?

Their fears were abated when a small pellet fell from Pokie’s mouth, landing on the grass with a soft thud. “Our glorious mission!” The oviraptor stated again, gently picking up the pellet in their long claws before holding it out. The three albertosaurus leant in, spotting a collection of small objects in the omnivore's hand. Seeds. “It is our most important mission to spread the seeds! We oviraptors are the best at gardening and planting! Would you like to see how we do it?” Pokie looked up, big pathetic eyes more passionate than Boreal had ever seen them in this whole conversation. 

“Yeah, yeah, thats great.” Glory butt in, attempting to steer the conversation back on course. “But who gave you this mission?” Boreal and Glory’s minds were racing. They were so close to figuring out what was going on… or at least a big part of it.

But Glory’s blunt message had the opposite effect of what they wanted- instantly, the oviraptor got nervous and flighty. Pokie crouched down nervously, pulling her feathers in. “You… don't want to learn how to plant?” They asked meekly, looking like they were about to cry. Glory sent a panicked look at Boreal. Fuck.

It was Flurry who ended up saving everything, this time. Finally able to push past Boreal the little hatchling ran forward enthusiastically. “Of course!” She practically screamed, racing close to Pokie and putting her head down to look closely at the seeds. “I would love to plant with you, my friend!” 

Pokie beamed, her mood suddenly doing a 180 from fear and sadness to pure, hatchling joy. “Yes, yes! Let me show you, let me show you how to garden!” 

Boreal sighed, stepping forward to remove his troublesome progeny before he was forced to endure five hours of watching plants grow- only for Glory to tug on his tail. “Wait!” She hissed lowly, gesturing with her head for Boreal to step back a bit. With a sigh he followed a few steps away, putting his head next to Glory to talk as lowly as possible.

“This may be a good thing.” Glory spoke first, barling past as he opened his mouth to speak. “We can see how they plant these seeds, and get a better understanding of just what is happening! And then we can check back later, and see just want plant grows from these seeds- and if it matches the rumors.”

Boreal sighed. “Why are you always right.” He nudged against Glory affectionately, before turning back to where Flurry and Pokie were. They had moved on to digging, with the long, dexterous fingers of the oviraptor making it an easy job- Flurry, on the other hand, was struggling to dig. Boreal couldn't help but snort in amusement as Flurry stood proudly over her little burrow, dirt covering every inch of her underbelly. 

“Good, good!” Pokie was looking over what Flurry had dug proudly, before cupping the seeds and pushing them forward into the hole (seemingly having realized Flurry might crush them if she pushed them in.) “Now, cover them back up with dirt! Make sure you pack it in firm.” Clumsily, Flurry used her snout to push the dirt back into the ground. Well. That was one way to do it. 

Flurry sneezed loudly, shaking her head. It was Glory’s turn to laugh now- the hatchlings once snowy feathers were now a dusty brown. “Someone needs a bath.” She whispered to Boreal. 

“Well done!” Pokie clapped joyfully, sending dirt flying. “You would make a great planter for our great mission!” Boreal and Glory stiffened, sending each other glances as Flurry cheered. They had almost forgotten- something was still wrong. This mission was nothing innocent- it was something they would have to put a stop too. Pokie had helped, perhaps unwillingly, but the two albertosaurus couldn't help but wonder; just how much did they understand?