Well met, stranger

AberrantKapro | Wesker, Smelt

Wesker, a brown, bald utahraptor whose midline was black, made his way across the sandy dunes. Next to him was another utah, a crested female by the name of Smelt. She was also brown with a toasty caramel coloured midline and outline. 

While they weren't exactly close, they did occasionally meet up to hang out, as acquaintances do. 

Smelt had recently seen many other dinosaurs trying out coconuts, and had been curious about them ever since the first time she saw it, so she had asked Wesker a few days ago if he would like to join her for a coconut harvest when the weather was pleasant, which he had agreed to. While he wasn't necessarily super interested in the coconuts themselves, he saw it as a reason to get out of the city and get some change of scenery to ear his head. Plus, he enjoyed Smelt’s company, for the most part.

The only peeve he really had with Smelt was that she was way too kind to everyone. Wesker himself was more reserved and neutral to strangers, you never know who you can trust after all. 

The two utahs soon made their way to a palm, full of ripe coconuts. They both took turns trying to climb the tall, lanky tree to get them down, but it proved much harder than they had anticipated. 

“How do you reckon everyone gets them down if they aren't super tall or can fly?” Smelt scoffed, disappointed that she couldn't try a coconut then and there. 

“Should we try shaking the tree? Might wiggle one loose.” Wesker suggested with a hesitant laughter, he wasn't sure it was going to work but he figured it was worth a shot. 

They positioned themselves facing each other and grabbed the trunk, doing their best to sway the palm tree back and forth in an attempt to make the hard husked drupes fall. 

317 words

SollyRaptor | Sliver

Sliver wasn’t exactly sure what she expected when visiting the beach, but it wasn’t two deep brown Uthas trying their best to jostle a tall palm tree. She expected dinos going for a swim, basking in the sun, or digging for shells and mussels, but that wasn’t what she saw. Her soft yellow head tilted this and that way as she observed the strangers from between the dry grasses on the small dune she stood on. Their attempt appeared futile, but maybe they were onto something.

Looking between the two, up at the tree’s bounty just shy from being shaken loose, and back at them, she decided she had nothing better to do. She didn’t get why they did what they did, coconuts didn’t appear tasty or nutritious to her, but she already got sand stuck between her brown feathers and pale claws, and the salty breeze clinging to everywhere else.

Approaching with unhurried steps, making no attempt to announce herself nor sneak, she eventually came to a stop just steps away from them. Once again, looking between the two Uthas, she spoke up without introduction or ceremony. 

“What are you two doing?” Her voice came as a mix of curiosity and utter amusement.

(204 words)

AberrantKapro | Wesker, Smelt

As the stranger started speaking, Smelt, who had been too focused to even notice her approach, got startled and accidentally smacked her face against the rough tree trunk, causing the palm to shake just enough for a coconut to fall down. However, the coconut seemed to be out for blood and landed right on top of Wesker’s bald head. Never in his life did he expect to be taken out by a coconut, but here he was, seeing stars and he flopped down in the sand for a moment. 

In a panic, Smelt briefly looked at the stranger to acknowledge her presence, but then rushed over to Wesker and bent over the comically collapsed utah, with the culprit coconut parked gently in the sand next to his head. 

“Are you okay!?” Smelt exclaimed, utterly shocked over the whole thing. 

Wesker uttered something inaudible before rolling over from his back to his side and with wobbly legs slowly stood up. 

Smelt looked back over at the feathered stranger, seeing as Wesker seemed fine enough, and proceeded to introduce herself. 

“I am so sorry about that, I've just seen so many others enjoy coconuts that I figured I'd give them a try too! I'm Smelt and he is Wesker.” the crested female said as she pointed towards her dizzy acquaintance. “Would you like to try some too? And what's your name?”

Wesker looked over at them, but instead of seeing just two utahs, his vision shifted between four to six. His head hurt, so striking conversation was not on his radar right now. Thinking about it, he could barely make out what they were saying. He shook his head slightly in an attempt to fix his dizzy head and blurry vision. He almost stumbled and fell again, but managed to regain balance just in time. 

Annoyed by the drupes assault, he grabbed it and cracked open the green husk with his string talon, and within a brown, hard ball was revealed. This one was a bit tougher to crack, but eventually even the brown layer caved to his sharp claw. 

Happy with himself that he got his payback, he looked over at Smelt and the stranger. It was just the two of them he could see, now that his vision was restored. 

“Here is the coconut you wanted, Smelt.” Wesker sighed and sat down, mentally preparing to converse with the two of them. He wasn't antisocial by any means, but unexpected encounters did take their toll on his energy. 

417 words

SollyRaptor | Sliver

“Oh, uh,” she stammered, as she was taken aback by the turn of events. Did she cause this? The trajectory of the falling nut was impeccable to hit him square on the noggin. There was the urge of an apology itching at her throat, but seeing the bald raptor come to his senses and immediately busy himself dismantling the culprit of his headaches, she turned her attention to Smelt. 

Shifting on her legs, with her feathers just a little ruffled, she blinked hard to disband the lingering surprise. Sweeping her sky blue eyes over the raptors, she repeated after her. “Smelt and… Wesker.” With a nod, she memorised the names and faces and offered her own in return. “Nice to meet you two. My name’s SLiver.”

There was no annoyance as she spoke her name, but there was extra emphasis on the L, as her voice lingered on that note just a second longer. There seemed to have been history of people calling her SiLver one too many times before, but she didn’t linger on it.

“Coconuts, huh?” Her head angled up at the tree’s crown again, where one or the other coconut remained. She let out a light chuckle before shaking her head and looking Smelt in the face. “I am honest, I can’t imagine it to taste good. Plant things. But I am willing to try! Can’t let it go to waste, right?”

Sliver offered a lighthearted smile. Maybe it was guilt keeping her here, or she was actually compelled to see what the fuss was about, and if it was worth it. She can’t just leave after saying hi and distracting them from their endeavours. Leaning a little to look past Smelt, glancing at her companion instead, she mulled it over. Wesker seemed a little distant, and it’s only fair she made it up to him, even if it’s just by sticking around.

(316 words)

AberrantKapro | Wesker, Smelt

Smelt was very pleasantly surprised that the fellow utah actually accepted her invite, considering what was on the menu. The stranger also made her name known, Sliver. Smelt wanted to ask why she put such an emphasis on the L, but also didn't want to intrude, so she refrained from asking. 

Wesker couldn't help but assume that Sliver and Smelt would get along well, they seemed to have similar energy and joyful take on life. It did make him happy to see others enjoy themselves, seeing as he didn't express much emotions himself.

He shoved the split coconut through the sand and stopped it in front of the two females, he had little interest in trying it himself, besides licking the coconut milk off of his talons. The taste was weird and unlike anything he had ever tried before. Not necessarily bad, but definitely not something he'd want to try again. 

Smelt, on the other hand, enjoyed what she tasted as she started drinking up the little milk that was left from it being opened. She started digging into the much softer flesh of the coconut with her curved talons to get some pieces out. The consistency was extremely weird to her and she almost recoiled in surprise at first, but she kept chewing and ultimately decided that it was, indeed, a nice treat. She looked over at Sliver, curious about her opinion on the flavour. 

“What do you think? Wesker seems highly unimpressed!” Smelt giggled. 

Wesker huffed a bit, slightly offended that Smelt had learned his body language so well that she could tell stuff about him, despite him trying to hide things. It was both anxiety inducing but also slightly relieving, in a way. To have someone that understands you. Maybe they were closer than Wesker would have liked to admit, after all. Maybe he had softened up. He wasn't sure. 

Despite being uncomfortable with social situations, he decided to get closer and maybe at least try to be friendly towards the stranger. Sliver, he recalled. 

“What brings you to the beach?” Wesker asked Sliver in an awkward attempt to start a conversation. 

Glancing over at Smelt, he could almost see her eyes sparkle in excitement that he was trying to socialise without her forcing him to get out of his comfort zone, she was proud. Wesker pretended not to see in an attempt to stay focused on the conversation. 

402 words

SollyRaptor | Sliver

Sliver took the half offered to her and, settling down to sit in the shade, she placed it between her palms. The look on her face was sceptical at best, but eventually the intrigue won over. Lapping at the insides, the milk tasted oddly creamy, but as if watered down, with a sense of sweetness she wasn’t used to. Glancing over at Smelt, who started scraping at the whites of the coconut to carve some pieces out, she eventually did the same. Scratching at the fruit’s flesh, she took a small piece in her mouth and chewed on it. The way the coconut got stuck in her teeth was irritating, but the taste wasn’t half bad for what she expected. It was fatty and a weird kind of sweet.

“Oh, wait,” she muttered and chewed some more on the bit of white coconut flesh. “I think I like it.“

It wasn’t the most enthusiastic declaration, but Sliver seemed surprisingly pleased by the texture and taste as a subtle smile crept onto her face.

Her smile grew a little wider at Wesker’s question, which she was quick to answer. “I live in the forest, but I like to visit the ocean once in a while. I think I like the sound of the waves. Oh, and chasing the seabirds. It’s fun. How about you two? Was the talk about coconuts being good that enticing to try it out?” She let out a chuckle before absentmindedly digging her claws into the coconut again.

Letting out a breath of amusement, she looked between the two brown Uthas and chewed on a question before spilling it out. “Do you think you’d be up to getting some more? I am happy to help. Maybe with fewer casualties.”

(292 words)

AberrantKapro | Wesker, Smelt

Smelt was delighted that Sliver, too, enjoyed the coconut flavour. It likely wasn’t something she’d bet out of her way to eat often, but perhaps they could make it a tradition to come out here once in a while to get some. Besides, Wesker needed to leave the city more often in Smelt’s opinion.

Wicked nodded as Sliver answered his question. Most other dinos he came across lived out in nature, city dwellers like himself weren’t that common to his knowledge, at least not from his side of the city. Sliver also returned the question, and Wesker chuckled a bit.

“Well, that is true for Smelt. She always wants to try anything she hears is delicious, whether it’s meat or some wicked root. I guess you could call her a bit of a foodie.” Wesker replied as he looked over to Smelt, who was nodding enthusiastically in agreement to his words.
“I want to try anything I can! I think food and culture is super interesting. Do you live on your own? In a village or a tribe? Wesker is a lone wolf in the city, I just kidnap him out here from time to time so he gets to experience more of the island.” Smelt giggled. “I myself live on my own in an abandoned little cottage.”

Not long after, Sliver asked if they’d be willing to get more, and both Smelt and Wesked couldn’t help but laugh at her less casualties comment.
“I don’t see why not.” Wesker said and got up on his feet. “One of you will have to be on top though, I refuse to get another one on my head.”

Smelt did her best to hold her laughter in. “Shall we?” she asked Sliver and gesticulated towards Wesker’s back, inviting her to climb up first.

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SollyRaptor | Sliver

Sliver nodded along and flashed a grin she couldn’t quite hold back when Wesker called Smelt a foodie. She can only imagine the limit to her enthusiasm, if there’s even any, considering she’s willing to kidnap another of her kin just to get him out into the wilds sometimes.

“I am not exactly on my own,” she then started to explain her own living situation. ”There are other raptors and that ‘Matriarch’ who owns that part of the woods. She’s more of a boss to me than an actual leader. I don’t think we’re much of a pack, but it’s best to just do as she says.” She lets her wings rise and fall back down in a vague shrug. “It’s actually pretty chill, and there’s enough food around that there’s no in-fighting.”

Before it got to technical or personal, she let out a short snort and continued with the topic at hand. “Anyway, I am happy to get away from that at times. Breathes easier. I can go and lie in the fields or play in the sand. Or eat some coconut, apparently.”

She eyed Wesker for a moment, before showing her teeth in a wide grin again. Dropping the now-empty shell of the coconut, she rose to her feet and trotted close. “Sure, let’s stack! Three of us should be enough to reach those stubborn nuts, for sure.”

Who knew she’d be part of a Utha ladder just to get some hard fruit down today? It’s the fun part of her little journey she suddenly deemed more exciting than rolling on the beach or splashing in the salty waves. With one practiced hop, she balanced on top of Wesker, careful to keep her sickle claw away from his coat.

“When in doubt, we can use the coconuts as weapons later,” she jested from her perch.

(307 words)

AberrantKapro | Wesker, Smelt

Wesker braced as Sliver jumped up on him, not because she was heavy, but because he wanted to make sure she didn't fall. Smelt followed suit after chuckling at Sliver’s weapon comment, and climbed on top of the two of them and ended up reaching the scrumptious coconut with no issue. She managed to wiggle it loose and swiftly jumped down with it, cackling with joy. 

“This has been so fun!” Smelt rejoiced as she started cracking the coconut husk. “Thank you so much for tagging along today Sliver, I'm glad we met.” she said with a smile. 

“I am happy we met as well.” Wesker also added as he once again sat down to observe the two ladies enjoying the coconut. Smelt offered him a little piece, but he declined. 

Slowly, the sun started setting and going home would be next on the schedule. 

“You're always welcome to drop by if you find my cottage!” Smelt said to Sliver.

“Surely Wesker wouldn't let you suffer in the cold if you manage to find his place either.” she added after and laughed. 

Wesker nodded. “Though I will say that I don't enjoy too frequent visits.” he added, just to be safe. 

The three raptors parted ways as the sun was setting. Wesker was surprisingly happy with how the day turned out. Maybe company wasn't always so bad, he thought as he looked back one final time to make sure they were making their way home safe, before slipping away through some thick brushes to head towards the city. 

258 words