[Trade] Currying Favor Amongst Predators

The morning air was fresh with the smell of prey and Pigeon, a black and white striped Utahraptor, was already on the hunt. Her head was down and her tail was held higher, giving her this arrow-shape as she jogged through the jungles to find her quarry. The humans who had died off many years prior had left some of their delicious livestock behind to fend for themselves. The quarry Pigeon was hunting now was just some doll sheep. A cute, fluffy little creature that tasted so delicious when caught fresh. As she was running after this sheep, in the corner of her eye she spotted a few smaller bird-like creatures and slid to a stop. One was a tiger-striped black, one was a green and yellow with a red face, and the last one was a pale mint color with some boney looking white markings and dark sunspots. Pigeon cocked her head at this off trio and watched them struggle to hunt the doll sheep she had been after. Perhaps, I should teach them to hunt better. She thought to herself before charging at the trio of Oviraptors. 

Tiiker and Bone both stopped and turned to face Pigeon. Paradise was still trying his best to attack the doll sheep, but was soon toppled over with an exaggerated sigh. “I could teach you to hunt better.” Pigeon offered them. 

Tiiker and Bone chirped at each other before glancing at the bigger raptor with a nod. Paradise grumbled and rose back to his feet. “Fine, but take these two with you to hunt.” He spoke quietly. 

Pigeon nodded her head and glanced at the two smaller raptors. “Right, you two follow me.” Tiiker and Bone chirped their acknowledgement and fell in step with the black and white raptor. The two Oviraptors followed Pigeon 's body language like a trained raptor pack. 

“First step, is to stalk your prey.” She instructed to the two raptors who nodded their heads. Boneice’s spiked body made her easier to camouflage with the leafy foliage while Tiiker’s striped feathers made him easier to hide in the shadows. The two took different sides to surround the doll sheep while Pigeon took up the rear and flanked the sheep from the back. 

With a flurry of spikes and feathers, the trio launched their attack. Pigeon went high while the two smaller raptors went low. Bone nipped at the legs while Tiiker went for the throat. Pigeon jumped high on to the back. This doll sheep had no idea what flurry had been unleashed up on it as it bayed out in shock and fear. 

Soon the sheep let out a wet and guttural groan as the very life was leaving its body. Blood pooled from the throat where Tiiker had bitten it, and small splotches of blood were found on the legs. The back of the sheep had been torn with blood slowly leaking from where Pigeon raked it with her talons. The three stood there, proud of their successful kill. Pigeon chuckled while watching the two hungry raptors licked their beaks. “Why don't we take this fresh sheep back to Paradise for dinner?” She suggested. 

Bone and Tiiker chirped and both grabbed a side of the sheep to help drag it back to where Paradise was waiting. Pigeon helped the other two drag their quarry back to the small spot in the jungle where Paradise was still waiting for them. The sheep was dropped in front of his feet like an offering. 

“We should gather more food before we feast.” Tiiker suggested. He glanced around before taking off to find some berries to help accent their sheep meal. 

“I'll go find us some seeds and nuts!” Bone chimed in before taking off herself. Pigeon sat next to Paradise and added some small rodents she had caught to the pile. 

Tiiker ventured a little deeper in to the forest to find some berries. He managed to collect blue, black, and raspberries that were naturally growing within the area. He returned with the finds and generously added them to their meal pile. 

Bone hadn't gone too far but did manage to get herself into the trees. She found herself a bunch of different kinds of nuts. The easier ones being almonds and coconuts. Returning, she dropped her own finds into the pile with pride. 

Pigeon looked over their growing pile of food and shrugged. She was mostly a carnivore, but at least the three Oviraptors would get a balanced omnivorous diet from all the stuff the other two were dropping and offering to Paradise. 

Paradise inspected their offerings in the pile and nodded his own head approvingly. “These offerings will suffice for a good meal. Let us all feast together as friends this day.” He announced to them happily before grabbing one of the rodents and ripping it open. 

Tiiker grabbed some of the nuts while Bone used her beak to crack open the coconut for the contents within. Pigeon was already ripping the wool off the sheep to help portion out the meat among the other three raptors. 

“A meal shared is a meal best had.” Pigeon spoke up with a smile while handing Pigeon a portion first, then Tiiker, and Bone last. Once everyone else was given their fair share, she chowed down on the remaining meat of the doll sheep. 

Tiikerikkakku handed Paradise some of the berries he found and made sure the raptor was given equal amounts of all three types he had brought. He handed some to Bone before he ate some himself. 

Boneice grabbed chunks of the coconut and gave some to both Paradise and Tiiker. She even handed them both some of her other nuts like the almonds. It was clear she was a fan of the crunchier foods than the softer berries. While she did eat her portions of sheep, she was quick to turn back to the meat of her coconuts.

The group shared the meal among each other, each having brought Paradise something in the pile. Paradise had made the choice to share what they gathered and no one went hungry that day. “This meal has filled our bellies and brought us closer together.” Paradise told the Utah Raptor. “Had you not helped the other two to hunt, we would not have had this sheep to share. You have my gratitude.”

“They are both excellent hunters when led in a straight line. It was then who brought extra nutrition from the berries and nuts they gathered. I just helped hunt the sheep.” Pigeon responded humbly. “The rodents were an easy catch along the way. I am pleased you have enjoyed the meal.”

“That is true, they equally pulled their weight to help fill our bellies with this meal.” Pigeon agreed before thanking the other two in turn. Tiiker and Bone both looked quite proud of themselves as they indulged in the shared meal. “You two sure have grown these past few months. You should be proud of yourselves this day for coming forth and bringing me this meal.”

Paradise seemed to favor the smaller rodents and berries, but the coconut did hit the spot as well. Tiiker favored the sheep and raspberries while Bone liked her nuts and coconut. They all ate their full contentment before separating and going their own way back to wherever they called home.