The Show

The jungle was hot, hot beyond anything that Bassoon had felt before. The overgrown foliage trapped the heat beneath the trees, and the massive amounts of water that came from them being underwater made the air extremely humid. Humid heat was the worst, the tapejara was quickly learning. Panting, the flyer let himself collapse in the cool mud with a groan. While far from cold, it was warmer than the actual jungle was. 

Snowshoe looked down at the tapejara with pity and slight amusement. The oviraptor had grown up in this jungle, and because of that was used to the overwhelming heat and humidity. “Its not that bad!” She chirped, nudging at the tapejara with a wing. She then looked to the third member of their party. “Its not that bad, don’t you agree?”

Speckles shook her head, it was warm but her lack of feathering made it tolerable. She wouldn't make this her home but she could tolerate it for the time being and for the purposes of an adventure. She leaned down to nudge Bassoon’s crest. “I could carry you for a while so you don’t overheat.” She said kindly as she lowered herself down to the ground. Indicating for Bassoon to climb aboard. 

“Please!” Bassoon gasped, miserably bat-crawling his way onto the cryolophosaurus’s back. He flapped over her back, wings acting as some form of shading- not that much shading was needed in the jungle. “There should be some of those… what were they called? Up ahead soon. There’s some footprints.” Snowshoe looked at the ground. Yep. Those were footprints- too big for her or Speckles feet. 

With a slight smile she slowly rose to her feet, careful not to tilt too much for fear of dislodging her new backpack. Once standing she looked over her shoulder to assess if Bassoon was secure before walking over to Snowshoe. She pressed a foot into one of the prints looking down at how her outspread toes struggled to fill the impression. She could feel Bassoon peaking over her shoulder to get a look too. “Snowshoe… What made these tracks?” Speckles asked hesitantly as she looked over to the Oviraptor. 

The oviraptor hesitated for a moment. “Well… its not a carnivore?” When the cryolophosaurus gave her a bland glare she lifted her arms in defense. “They’re called Euoplocephalus!” She squeaked. “I've never seen anything like them in the world above, its hard to explain what they would look lik-” she was cut off by a gruff voice.

“Halt!” The trio jumped, Bassoon almost sliding off of Speckles back, as they turned to see a… rock? Amble up to them? Grey and white, covered in tiny white spots on his back. Some kind of manmade helmet was around his head, giving his already spikey body even more spikes. “Who goes there?”

Snowshoe jumped in between the two groups, arms spread out. “Talos!” She squeaked. “I wasn't. Ah. Expecting to see you here!” 

“Its my job to be here.” The Euoplocephalus responded, casting a wary glance over Speckles and Bassoon. “Who are your companions? You know you're not supposed to bring anyone back from the surface world.” 

“Ah-” Snowshoes mind raced as she stuttered, trying to come up with an excuse for why they were coming all this way. She really couldn't tell him the real reason they were here. “I brought them with me in order to- to- help take down some of the carnivorous plants blocking the important area! Yes! You know theres only so much our small sizes and your tails can do! So I went to get some bigger teeth in order to help us take some down!” She sent looks back at the other two, begging for them to play along.

Bassoon got the message quickly. “Ah yes, I am Bassoon! Famed plant killer! I am an expert at reaching plants that are high up, for as you see, I can fly!” The tapejara flapped his wings a few times to showcase the point. Speckles puffed out her chest proudly “and I am Speckles, teeth of iron, able to prune the most stubborn of plants!” She said, baring her teeth. 

Talos huffed and eyed the two newcomers cautiously, “Well, let's see your work then.” He said sceptically. Speckles threw a concerned glance back to Bassoon who gulped nervously. Snowshoe chuckled hesitantly gesturing for them to take action. “Yes yes! Show him!” She said, trying to keep her voice stable. Speckles went first trying to seem confident as she approached a particularly thick vine chomping down on it she twisted her head and ‘snap!’ The vine broke loose dropping to the ground, a bitter tasting sap filled her mouth however she forced a grin so as not to raise suspicion. 

Bassoon was next, standing up on Speckles’s back he flapped twice, sending mud flying in all directions narrowly missing Snowshoe, a large blob landing in the center of Talos’s helmet. Snowshoe rushed over nervously wiping the mud away apologising as she did so. Talos responded with an irritated huff. 

The tapejara began to flap again lifting himself up and into the air. He fluttered around somewhat awkwardly in the cramped space perching himself on a branch where a particularly thorny vine coiled itself around. Moving himself close he began to peck at the vine making short work of it. Once he had severed it, it fell dramatically toward the pair on the ground, catching itself on another branch it swung inches above Talos’s head. Bassoon then descended skillfully landing on the cryolophosaurs back.

Talos stood silent for a moment in thought. He exhaled heavily through his nose, sounding like a bull about to charge. Snowshoe prompted him, “well…can we continue our work?” She asked, her voice wavering slightly. There was a moment of silence before Talos spoke. “I see they are well versed in the ways of plant control. I suppose I could make an exception… Just this once.” He said gruffly and with that he turned and trundled off onto the jungle to continue his patrol.

All three let out a sigh of relief, Bassoon flopped himself back down on Speckles’s back. Speckles began to chuckle nervously which turned into a full blown laugh,the other two looked at each other then joined in. All laughing with relief, their little show had been successful. Once they had settled it was time to press on… Deeper into the jungle.