Prison soup

The sound of heavy footfalls echoed throughout the prison area as two iguanodon guards observed the highly vegetated chamber within. Turning to one another they spoke briefly “so how long has it been since they’ve been locked up now?” Said the first of the guards. 

“Today would mark their twelfth light cycle in confinement.”

“And they still haven’t fessed up to why they're here!?” Said the first in shock. 

“It’s not that… it’s more their explanation simply makes no sense? Who in their right mind would trek this far into our great queen's land for something as abundant as plants? And with claws like those! there's simply no way that could be the truth… could it?”

As the duo of iguanadons spoke; initially sleeping, the large frame of the being in question began to stir.

His mind fading into consciousness, the large dinosaur stretched out his front forelimbs. Three massive claws on each hand he’d flex each slowly before arching his back in a deep yawn. 

Bereft of any plumage, yet still colorful in their own unique way. This was “Tonic”. Soft light green in color, His scales were covered in a vibrant variety of patterns and markings, each ranging in the different shades of purple and green that made blending into jungle environments a breeze. 

Only… that doesn’t exactly help much when the first thing you do when entering a strange new land is go walking right up to the very dinosaurs you should have been cautiously hiding from.

Apparently asking for directions to the nearest flowerbed nets you jail time around here.

Opening his tired eyes, Tonic would quickly notice he had “company” at the cell's entrance. Seeing the potential for conversation Tonic sprung to his feet and ran to the gate of his cell. 

Much to the dismay of the guards who leapt back in surprise upon seeing their prisoner so happily run to greet them. His arms flapping around in excitement he’d accidentally cause his claws to collide with the bars as he jumped at the opportunity to speak with his newest “friends” again.

“Oh you have no idea how happy I am to see you both! I’ve been dying to know what this delightful little plant I found in my cell was!”

Not being accustomed to this sort of welcoming attitude by a prisoner, the first and youngest of the guards was shocked to say the least.

He’d then glance to his senior and whisper with a confused expression to the man “Maybe he really is just here for plants?”

The second and more experienced guard would chuff in frustration “What are you talking about... There are all sorts of plants in your cell. Please, just get away from the bars…”

Hearing this, Tonic would compose himself somewhat having assumed he likely spooked the duo with his excitement. Taking a step away from the bars the large therizinsaur would let his arms come to a resting position so he wouldn’t accidentally slash towards them again.

 “Here I’ll go grab some of it!” 

The “cell” that Tonic had found himself imprisoned in, seemed to have been at one point a large storage area of sorts for an even greater building. Only now, due to the lack of human care. The facility and the environment within the chamber has been altered to create a faux greenhouse effect in the room.

Light that drifts in from the cracks and holes in the ceiling provides a perfect environment for plants in area to essentially reclaim

The space. But for dinosaurs looking to imprison another?

This was practically a perfect Jail.

Too perfect… 

Because when Tonic ran back to the gate, with a small curling purple flower in his beak. The joy radiating off the strange looking therizinosaur was practically palpable.

As Tonic set the unique flower at the base of the bars, he yet again seemed to find more energy to talk with, despite having been imprisoned for the last twelve days.

“This is the plant! There aren’t that many in here with me but they're delightful! The purple hue, oh and that taste! I just have to know what these are so I can try and find more later. They’ll be great in my soups!”

The guards would stare down at the flower in utter confusion before giving a bewildered glance to each other.

 “You know, now that I think about it, would either of you like to try some? I’d just need a few things to make it” Tonic beamed.

The second guard would slowly blink as his brain processed what was just asked of him. 

“…You know what? Sure. If you make me some soup I’ll even let you go”

Turning to face the second in shock, The first spoke out in surprise “But sir what abou-?!” Before having his mouth covered by the second.

The depleted looking older guard whispered to keep Tonic from hearing. 

“I can’t do this anymore.”

“What do you mean you can’t do this anymore?”

”I mean! I have been trying to get a confession out of this fool for days now, and he's just as cheerful now as he was over a week ago! I mean just look at him!”

The first guard would turn back to see that tonic was now observing a bug that seemed to have landed on the flower he brought over. He looked completely and utterly enthralled with the sight.

“Touché, but what if he’s actually just a really good actor and tries to hurt the queen?”

The older second guard would set a forelimb on the first’s shoulder before replying. 

“Then we will catch him again before that happens… but as it stands I can’t take anymore of this…” 

“I fear at this rate he will break my will before I can even test him. He is going to outlast me” Said the second with a dreadfilled tone.

Turning back to Tonic the guard would simply ask “What do you recommend…?”

To describe the sheer joy came upon Tonic's face as he heard that question would do a disservice towards the moment, As what soon followed was a barrage of information about the various soups at his disposal as well as their various health benefits.

A decision eventually made, Tonic was supplied with a large variety of herbs, tubers, and gourds. Many of which the excitable Theri immediately began getting to work upon. His massive claws getting to work upon the veggies like he had done this hundred of times before. His hands crafting the very substance that would come to grant his freedom, Prison soup.

Vibrantly green, with bits of scattered wildflower petals mixed within. Tonic offered the guards a simple meal that he felt represented the very core of his being, and laid it before his captors at the bars of his cage.

Seeing that he had in fact created a soup, So too did the duo hold up their end of the bargain. Granting tonic his freedom.

After the departure the duo returned to the cell block and simply stared at what the strange therizinosaur had made for them…

“So, are you actually gonna eat this stuff Sir?… SIR!”

By the time the younger of the two guards had asked that the first had lost all sense of composure he once maintained and groaned out in relief

“I don’t even care about the soup, he’s finally gone!”