The Babysitters Club

“You’re telling me you don’t have nannies?” Doe stared at the iguanodons before her, perplexed at such a concept. Within the herds of parasaurolophus ‘nannies’ were incredibly common, a trusted and seasoned herd members tasked with guarding the young while the parents were busy. The thought of not having such assistance despite being surrounded by herdmates didn’t sound very… Caring. Especially in a jungle such as this there were so many dangers which could befall a little hatchling should they wander off on their own… Her gaze wandered to Eira who was already sniffing at the splotched tan calf. However the calf was trying desperately to hide behind Arabella’s white socked leg.

Arabella bristled, drawing herself up high to loom over Doe. However, Doe was not intimidated. She was a seasoned cow, and while she was no bull, had clashed against many opponents and she was also an exceptionally large parasaurolophus. Fortunately, Arabella was not that much larger than Doe herself.
“Look. We can watch the calf- No. We will watch the calf, maybe it’ll teach your herd the value of such positions.” Doe snorted as she evened Arabella with a steady glare, icy blue meeting earthy brown in unwavering determination.  Arabella held her gaze for an impressive amount of time before buckling, giving a snort of defeat as she turned her body towards the cowering calf behind her.
An orphan if Doe had to guess… Like Eira.
Perhaps the two would get along, maybe even relate to each other.

“Dione, you’ll be okay-” Arabella attempted to soothe the calf who squirmed and grunted in discomfort as her… Guardian? Tried to nudge her closer to Eira and Doe. Her big blue eyes were wide, pupils dilated and legs quivering as she stared up at Doe’s larger form. She was clearly terrified. Doe wasn’t sure if it was her size or the… Apparent strangeness that she undoubtedly posed for the calf, perhaps a sense of uncanny valley due to how alike but how different they appeared. Arabella, for what it was worth, ducked her head down and into the calf’s side. Nuzzling her and cooing something softly to the young one before pulling away, and while casting one wary look back at Doe, began to trot off to attend to whatever court business she had been summoned for.

Once she was gone, there was a soft creak- startling the poor calf once again. This time causing her to scramble into the nearest bush, shaking it with the force of her poor trembling body. However it wasn’t some monster or beast that emerged from hiding it was… Cinnamon. Once more covered in dust that turned her ginger coat an off shade of gray. She shook her feathers, sending clouds of soot colored dirt dust into the pristine humid air of the biodome. No doubt it would be filtered out soon enough.
“She gone?” Cinnamon spoke softly, seemingly unaware of the calf she had just startled into hiding.

Doe stared for several moments before nodding with a sigh. She was about to approach the calf’s hiding spot, however it seemed that Eira was already on it… The down covered chick was creeping slowly into the bush, blue-green feathers a stark contrast against the lush greens of the bush and surrounding greenery.  

“...I’m sorry if we scared you.” Eira whispered softly, body tucked against the grass. Attempting to appear smaller despite her already small size in comparison to the larger calf.

“S’okay-” The calf sniffed, shifting nervously on her haunches as she eyed Eira. She was so different from the other calves Eira had seen tailing their mothers among the court.

“Whats your name?” Squeaked Eira, tilting her head and fluffing her feathers. Appearing softer, rounder. Perhaps that would help the calf relax? Eira watched as the calf transfixed on her feathers, curious… She hesitated, then shifted closer. Reaching a tentative front leg out to brush her the feathers curiously.

“Dione…” The calf answered softly, body relaxing as she stroked Eira’s feathers.

“I’m Eira!” The chick chirped excitedly, Dione was such a lovely name… She pushed her thoughts back on track. “Doe and Cinnamon aren’t going to hurt you. Especially Cinnamon, I think-” She paused to giggle. “I think she’s more scared of you than you are of her!”

Dione gave Eira a baffled look before giggling quietly, “Really???” and when Eira nodded, the two giggled again. This time together.
After several minutes of giggling and squeaking in delight, the two emerged from the bushes.

Cinnamon relaxed when Eira and the calf finally emerged from the no longer trembling bush. Though the calf looked slightly more relaxed, she remained close by Eira. Still nervous of the new adults, not that Cinnamon could blame her. Surely she had been just as anxious as a calf when around strangers. Surely. A shift of discomfort from the approaching calf caused Cinnamon to do the first thing she thought of, lay down while carefully tucking her limbs under herself. Letting herself become a simple, yet temporary, ball of fluff. The frizziness from the humidity aiding the illusion of dense feathers. Anything to appear less imposing to the poor little one…

Eira was the first to speak, looking up at the calf before looking back at Doe (who stood patiently next to Cinnamon) and Cinnamon.
“This is Dione!” She chirped excitedly, much to the discomfort of the calf. Cinnamon opened her mouth to awkwardly greet the young one, but was interrupted by Cinnamon’s soft rumbling voice.

“Hello Dione,” She spoke softly while lowering the front half of her body closer to the earth in crouch, grazing her large crested head affectionately against Dione’s small body. “I am Doe, the nervous one is Cinnamon and obviously you’ve met Eira.” Her tone was achingly sweet and gentle, which seemed to help Dione relax despite her surprised staring.

Dione nodded slowly and Doe smiled sweetly while she settled herself to lay next to Cinnamon. “Why don’t you two play? We’ll just watch for now. But we’ll nap when the sun reaches its highest point, alright?”
The calves agreed with chirps and squeaks of delight. And just like that they began to bounce and bound, turning the small clearing around them into their personal playground. All the while beneath the watchful eyes of the two adults. By the time the sun reached its highest point, the two youngsters were thoroughly exhausted. Clambering back to adults with yawns and stretches. Much to their surprise Dione, despite being so anxious earlier, laid and nestled close against Cinnamon. Snuggling into those soft and warm feathers while Eira settled next to Dione, placing her delicate crested head upon Dione’s back.

Perhaps the court would be pleased enough with their performance as nannies or babysitters that they would consider such a role within their own court.