Fish and Rainbows

Deep in the thickest forests of the prehistoric ridden islands was a clear blue pond. Water drained down from a nearby mountain, spiraling downwards in a long waterfall that cast its water into the crevice below. This water hole had become a favorite spot for many over the years, its peaceful location serving as some sort of neutral grounds between the creatures who inhabited the forest. Here, anyone could drink peacefully. 

The bustles rustled, a yellow and white snout slowly pushing its way through the leaves. A yellow crest emerged, a long dark neck leading to a slim yellow body. Cryolophosaurus. Her hide was bright yellow, almost unnaturally so. Lighter speckles covered her body, making her appear like the sun in the night sky. A pleased hiss sounded as she pushed her way out. Apis sniffed the air, catching the scent of something she had missed before. Beneath the earthy smell of wet, growing plants and soil and wet stone was the scent of another cryolophosaurus. 

Curious, Apis scanned the area. There was no sign of another of her kind. Stepping forward, she managed to find a pair of footprints within the thick mud- about her size, maybe a bit smaller. Another adult, then. But where had they gone?

A low call caught her attention. Raising her gaze up, Apis gasped. In the pond, there were multiple pillars of stone that had formed from a mix of erosion and rocks falling from the mountain. Atop one of the piles was the other cryolophosaurus. Warm amber eyes blinked down at Apis in amusement, a small snort escaping the other. The other cryolophosaurus was like the inverse of Apis- instead of a colorful body and duller points, the other had a white body and tropical colors across the rest. Dark black markings like inkblots covered her body, bright pink ending in a black head. The other cryolophosaurus preened for a moment at the attention, before quickly jumping down into the water in an elegant dive. With a startlingly small splash, the colorful cryolophosaurus vanished under the surface.

Apis stumbled over her feet as she ran, peering at the surface of the water anxiously. Where had the other gone? The water was fairly clear, but all the light and shadows reflecting on it made it hard to tell just what was fish and what was dino.

With a shriek Apis stumbled as the other cryolophosaurus burst her head out of the water, fish clenched tight in her teeth and an easy smile on her face. Water ran down her body as she pulled herself up onto the bank, shaking out her hide. Apis was too stunned to even move as the water hit her, blinking in shock. “H-hello?”

The other female turned to her, an easy smile on her face as she dropped the fish onto the dirt between them. The fish was just as colorful as she was, but Apis couldn’t look away from the cryolophosaurus in front of her. 

“Hello there.” The other female purred. “I haven't seen you around here before, in this neck of the forest.” She cast a look around the forest, letting out a low sigh. “It gets quite boring around here- been a while since I've seen someone as radiant as myself.” She winked back at Apis.

The yellow cryolophosaurus shook herself off a bit. Get it together. Get it together! She smiled back shakily. “Yeah. Uh.” She swallowed. “Im new in the area. I've been traveling for a while and figured this was a nice place to stop.” Apis finally managed to tear her gaze away from the other, casting it across the water once more. It was sparkling back at her, almost as if it knew what she was thinking. “I'm Apis.” She finally offered, looking back. 

The other seemed pleased, her lips pulling back into a pointy, shiny grin. “Well met Apis. I am Dead Bite.” She winked. “You can just call me Bite. Would you like to try some of this?” She nudged the fish with her foot.

“Are you sure?” Apis worried, sniffing the fish again as she grabbed it in her claws. It was. Wet. And squishy. 

“I already ate earlier.” Bite responded, letting out an encouraging purr. “Ive had plenty before, do not worry. They are tastier than they smell.” 

Slowly Apis took a bite, chewing with a thoughtful expression. It was… interesting. By far not the worst thing she had eaten. The bones were easy enough to break through, and the scales added interesting texture. “Not bad.” She responded diplomatically, feeling her heart lighten at the other's proud smile. “Do you fish regularly? I've never even seen another cryolophosaurus swim before.” Apis shivered a bit. She had grown up somewhere high and dry- the idea of so much water was unnerving. Rumors had reached her before of a much larger, deeper area of water that stretched on and on. Apis had made sure to go in the opposite direction of it- she rather stay far away.

Bite nodded happily. “Yes!” She puffed out her chest. “I was the best swimmer in my clutch. We were all taught at a young age how to swim and fish, but mother said I had natural talent.” She bragged, before pausing and looking at Apis with a more thoughtful look. “You know, I could teach you to swim if you want.”

Apis paused. It was the excuse she didn't know she was looking for to stick around. “I-Ive never swam before, it would take a while to learn…” she stepped forward.

“That's ok, I'm a great teacher.” Bite smiled, mimicking Apis’s action and drawing ever closer. 

“Seems like you're just trying to get me to stick around.” Apis teased, moving close enough that with the next step they would crash into each other. “You offer to teach every other cryolophosaurus to swim?

Bite smiled wickedly. “Only the pretty ones.” Apis blushed, finally taking the last step forward that was needed for them to touch heads. Seems she would be picking up a new skill…