An unexpected proposal

Haze and his mother Speckles had worked hard to help the Atlanteans, Haze helped because his mother did and Speckles worked hard to make them feel welcome as it was in her nature. The warmth they had expressed to the dome dwelling dinos had not gone unnoticed by their queen and they were called to a ceremony in their honour. They had heard whispers that there would be another joining the ceremony, someone who had been equally as helpful to the Atlanteans and was also being recognised for their efforts. 

“Mum, where are we going?” Haze asked as he followed behind his comically smaller mother. Her response was filled with love, “We have to go to the main hall, but on the way someone will be joining us I think.” She smiled back over at her boy, her eyes glistening with love and affection. Despite clearly not being his actual mother, the two shared a strong bond which could not be shaken by any hardship. The pair wondered who the other dino was that they were told would be joining them. Haze envisioned another carno and Speckles speculated it would be a cryo. 

As the pair rounded a bend in the jungle path they saw someone standing a few meters away, it was another cryo! Speckles quickened her pace, eager to meet this helpful soul that had earned a similar status as her and her youngster. “Come Haze, let’s go say hello!.” She said with enthusiasm as they moved toward the brown cryo just down the path. 

“...”

Toast had somehow been dragged into this whole Atlantis mess, mainly due to worrying for Brunhilda and Celena who had been down here more than anyone else in her polycule. She knew Brunhilda was naturally aligned with the dome dwellers, so her safety was no real concern, but she also couldn't let the worry go.
She was nervous, pacing back and forth as she was awaiting the other two she had been told would join her today. A fellow cryo and a carno, the guards had said. She was curious who they would be, she was not too nervous seeing as they shared a reason for being invited in the first place. Surely, only kind and helpful dinos could get this far, she thought to herself.

From around the corner, the two strangers appeared. She could see the cryo say something to the carno as they approached, and Toast eagerly awaited them so they would be within talking range, she didn’t want to seem rude by screaming.
“Hello! My name is Toast. Who are you two?” she asked with her kind, soft voice as they arrived. She was happy to see some friendly faces, hopefully they could get along well.

The guards had so far been rather kind to Toast, as she had been well behaved, and she even got to skip the prison sentence she had seen so many others have to go through completely. Partially due to her knowing Brunhilda, but mostly due to being helpful, she had been told. She was hopeful that these two had also had a similar, good experience.

“Have they been kind to you as well?” she asked them, first looking up at the taller, dark carno and then the pale, dark patterned cryo.

“...”

Speckles smiled warmly at toast, “Hello! My name is Speckles and this is my son Haze” She gestured to the larger dinosaur at her side as he looked at the ground shyly swaying side to side a little as a way of comforting himself. He wasn't very good socially and wasn’t too sure how to interact with the new cryo. “It’s lovely to meet you.” Speckles added as she looked at Toast, when she asked her question about their kindness Speckles threw her head side to side to indicate ‘sorta’. “For the most part yet, but I did have a short stint in Atlantean jail when I first came down here to explore, though that's in the past now.” She looked back to Haze encouragingly, hoping he would feel confident enough to speak on his own. 

With the support of his mother he spoke up, his voice soft and timid. A strange image for such a large and imposing creature, especially seems he was not fully grown and would become bigger and scarier when he had finished aging. “I had to dance for them.” He said shyly, looking away hoping no one would ask him to recreate the motions he had done that day with Agatha and Drift. Speckles gave a light chuckle, he had shown her and his sisters once he returned home and she thought the whole show was very cute.

It was apparent that despite being larger, Haze was still heavily reliant on the smaller cryo. Speckles seemed aware of the questions that likely raced around Toast’s mind regarding how she came to have a carno as a son, likely due to hearing the same questions over and over again. “I found him, lost and afraid. He needed someone, he’s a very sweet boy.” she reassured Toast that Haze would not be any trouble. 

“...”

Toast was very pleased to hear that they hadn’t been in too much trouble with the Atlantis inhabitants, she knew they could be very forceful. When Haze explained what he had to do to get through unscathed, Toast couldn’t help but smile, she could envision what it perhaps looked like but she decided it was best not to ask for him to display his moves, as he seemed young and nervous.
Speckles then came to explain how she became her mom, and it made Toast very happy to hear that others shared the kindness that had been shown to her as Deacon, an acro, had taught her how to survive on her own. He didn’t raise her, but he played a very important part in her journey to become independent.
“Isn’t it beautiful when we don’t let species get in the way of relationships?” Toast replied with a smile. “None of my partners are cryos, funnily enough. I guess I’m just a magnet for everything else.” she also chuckled.

Their conversation was cut short by an extra burly iguanodon who approached them, it was Kratti. Toast had only had a brief interaction with him before, and he was definitely the kind of guard to use his authority very relentlessly. He looked down at the three carnivores with a huff, he didn’t trust carnivores in the slightest, but he couldn’t deny them their honour solely because of that, as the queen would not hear it.
“It is time, follow me.” he rumbled, leading them towards the ceremony area.
Toast felt so small and vulnerable next to this spiked, scarred up beast. He had surely seen some sort of battle before, whereas Toast had always avoided major conflict to stay safe. His presence alone was intimidating enough for the cryo to want to crawl up and disappear, but she played along, tried to appear brave and strong.
Just as they entered the room, up on stage she could briefly spot Brunhilda walking off, and shortly after Celena waddled after. A weight lifted off her shoulders. Brunhilda was okay.. Hopefully they can see each other soon, Toast thought to herself before looking back to her company.
“Are you two as nervous as me?” she chuckled, her voice being slightly shaky.

“...”

Speckles smiled as Toast explained the dynamic of her relationships, she nodded in agreement. “Species should not be something that separates us, we are all the same on the inside.” She said, holding a clawed hand to her heart.

Haze nodded vigorously confirming he was indeed anxious about the whole situation, Speckles turned and wrapped her arms around his leg to comfort him. “It’s alright son, this is a good thing.” She smiled warmly and this seemed to soothe the gentle giant. She then turned to toast and offered the same warm smile. “It will be okay.”. Her voice was so warm and friendly it was hard not to feel safe with the motherly cryo around.

As the three followed behind the stern iggy they bunched up around Speckles, she didn’t mind as Toast stood close to her left and Haze walked so closely he brushed against her to the right. Kratti turned, rolling his eyes at the two intimated dinos and then glared at the calm and composed female in the middle. Her relaxed nature set him ill at ease, it was unnatural that such a small creature would be calm in the face of such an imposing force as himself. He snorted moodily but continued to lead them up to the stage they would be stood on. 

As the trio looked out across a crowd of mixed species, Haze moved in even closer to his mother, intimidated by all the eyes on him. “I’m scared.” He said meekly as he nearly stepped on Speckles causing her to shuffle over slightly moving closer to Toast. “You’re alright.” She whispered, placing a hand on his leg to comfort him. She turned and apologized to Toast after accidently bumping into her “Sorry love.” she said genuinely as she offered an apologetic smile. 

“...”

Toast wasn’t bothered at all that Speckles had accidentally bumped into her, everything felt so rushed and chaotic, it was more or less inevitable. Toast took a deep breath as she looked out over the crowd, everyone seemingly waiting in suspense. She then looked over at the mighty Queen herself, she was majestic, but also terrifying, especially as she rose from her seat and walked to the front of the stage, while looking down on the three carnivores.

“I thank you all, court members and guests alike, for attending this ceremony. It has been a long day, I am aware, but we must not let our spirits go down.” she said out loud before turning to look at the trio. “These three carnivores, despite being foreigners, despite being from the land above, have proven themselves to be worthy allies in these trying times.”

The crowd cheered slightly but Toast could barely pay attention as she looked up at the intimidating herbivore.

“Here in Atlantis, loyalty is everything. By being crowned today, you three plead to stand by our side in this invasion, you must assist in protecting Atlantis, and you must protect me. The Queen.” 

Toast could barely hear anything over her heartbeat. Invasion? She had to aid as they forced themselves into her own home to take over? She was starting to question what she had gotten herself into. This all sounded terrifying, all of a sudden. She instinctively also moved closer to Speckles for emotional support. My home.. My friends..

“...”

Haze also pressed in closer and Speckles found herself sandwiched in the middle as she peered up at the queen, though she herself was intimidated by the imposing sight of her majesty she could also not stand by while an outright war raged with her on the opposing side. Gulping down her fear she spoke in a strong and bold tone, she wasn’t sure if this would work but she had to try, for her family, for her friends and for everything she knew and loved on the surface. “Your highness.” She began pulling herself out of the sandwich and giving a respectful bow. “We are all honoured to be of service however, as we come from the islands and know the herds and packs I can assure you an invasion would lead to many losses, not only of my people but of yours too.” She looked past the queen to her followers. 

Queen Rhys contorted her face first in anger then annoyed curiosity. “So what do you suggest, mighty carnivore?” She said in a less booming tone as she curved her neck downward to better interrogate the bold creature before her. Speckles took another deep breath, now so deep in her decisions that she had to fully commit, “a peace treaty, it might take a little bit of time and there will be resistance but it will mean your people can coexist in peace on the surface, without war or fear of raids.” Though bold and out of line, the older cryos words were sensible, calculated and wise. Though the queen had no interest in admitting any of this she stood thoughtful for a moment, the tension in her jaw releasing.  “Very well carnivore… you have three days.” She said low and moderately threateningly causing the other two to squeeze against her even tighter. 

Speckles gave an uncomfortable smile as she took forcibly shallow breaths. As the queen turned to face her crowd the other two relaxed and released the pressure on the older female's sides allowing her to breathe easily again. The queen called out across the crowd, “The foreigners will first attempt to negotiate our safe passage, but be prepared for war!” Her voice was commanding and a cheer from the Atlanteans rang out. Speckles took a deep breath and looked between Toast and her son, she would need both of them if this was going to work.