Sea and Sand Spray

The sea spray was salty and cold against the rocks, stains and erosion from countless waves creating a curved pattern on the terrain. The stone was warm yet cold at the same time, swirling water sweeping in to pull more and more of the warmth away with every cycle. Perched on the rock pile, Thresher lounged. Dark teal scales scattered with darker spots would have made him nearly invisible against the rock, but the white pattern mimicking seafoam across his body made him resemble dark sea water more than simple stone. 

The sun was warm, but not hot. Thresher let out a low whistling sound as he rose to his feet slowly, unconcerned. Few creatures ventured out here, to the wide, warm beaches where sand stretched for miles. There was little food, few good opportunities; unless you could swim, that is.

With a splash the raptor dove, splashing into the water and quickly sliding his way through the water with a skill honed through much practice. Water pushed against him but his featherless arms were quick to cut through it, allowing him to smoothly cut through the water. Claws hooked around what Thresher had been aiming for- a clam, caught and held in hooked claws. Quickly the raptor kicked off the bottom of the shallow ocean, emerging from the water with a loud hiss. The shore wasn't far- it only took a few lashes of his tail before Thesher was standing, making his way to the sand as water dripped off his scales. 

The sound of shifting sand was what caught Threshers attention- quickly dropping the clam, he reared up in order to scan the surroundings. Nothing but sand, stretching far and wide in all directions. In the distance green foliage formed, a several minute run away. Nothing should be close- but something was.

Then, Thresher noticed it. Another dinosaur at the shore- smaller than him, scales the exact color of the sun warmed sand that surrounded them. The only part that did not blend in was the head- white and orange, silver eyes blinking slowly in confusion.

With a snarl the raptor darted forward, tackling the other into the sand. A shriek left the sandy creature’s beak as it collapsed onto the floor, but Thresher's foot on its chest quickly stopped its flailing. 

“Who are you?” Thresher bared his jagged teeth, taking a moment to observe just what was below him. The creature was similar to him, but… not. Instead of a long, elegant snout suited for catching prey, they had a small, round head that ended in a beak. Like Thresher it was featherless, small spikes scrapping harmlessly against him. The hooked claws were very similar to his own, but lacked the sickle claw all of his kind had. 

“A- a- Hippocampus!” The sand creature burst out, tail frantically flapping around in fear. “O-Oviraptor!” Feet kicked out as Thresher slid off, interest fading. Oviraptor. Smaller omnivores that had recently been released onto the land. Water from the tide flowed up around them, foam almost covering Hippocampus before he managed to struggle up. 

“So… Hippocampus. What are you doing here?” Thresher tilted his head, backing up to circle the oviraptor in a relaxed but still slightly tense motion. “I've heard rumors of your species. Most of them seem to prefer to sow chaos across the island, leaving strange plants in their wake. But you're here- the environment here cannot support much. If that's your goal, you are very much in the wrong place.”

The oviraptor shrugged a bit, scrapping at the wet ground with a claw. “I…I don't have any seeds to plant. I don't…” He seemed to struggle with words, as if not knowing what to say or as if afraid of giving something away. “Not my goal. I prefer the beach.” 

Thresher had little care for the problems of other creatures further inland. While others may have attempted to press and get more information, he was unconcerned. Let them figure out what was happening. “As long as you don’t bring any of those seeds here.” Thresher shrugged, before facing back towards the water. He hissed slowly- the clam was gone. Seems it had been swept back to sea. “Seems you made me lose my lunch.” Without looking back Thresher strode into the water, submerging himself before turning back as he heard footsteps follow him. 

Hippocampus blinked back, treading water besides Thresher. “You think you could show me where to find food around here?” The oviraptor was more than proficient at swimming, easily keeping pace with Thresher. 

“Huh.” Thresher stilled for a moment, thinking. Company… it had been a while since he had someone willing to swim alongside him. Even if it came in the form of a strange oviraptor. “Sure. Why not… if you can keep up!”