Rex King of Beasts

Hart was a bit relieved to be assigned to work alongside a Euoplocephalus. The typical pair up for a Oviraptor was another fellow Oviraptor- after all, their small and nimble bodies moved through the vegetation above ground a lot easier than that of the Iguanadons and Euos. That speed and dexterity allowed for more efficient and wide spread seed planting, so it only made sense.. Even if Hart had the feeling that it was also because Oviraptors were considered “Disposable” compared to Euos and Iggies. He dared not to say that part out loud though.

“It should be two day’s travel,” Lobo’s deep voice made Hart jump slightly,”We should be able to camp over night. Its not safe to move when its too dark out.”

“... Yeah, right… ” Hart said,”Of course.”

Lobo as a Euo had rank on him, so he dare not challenge the dinosaur’s words. Lobo seemed to catch onto this, as he turned his head to the side towards Hart as though to say something, but ultimately decided better against it. 

The duo stood next to each other as himself and Lobo was saddled up with more seeds for the cause. It was them and a couple junior Oviraptors whose first expedition would be today. Their beady eyes looking towards Lobo and Hart in admiration.. It made him nervous. He could remember his first mission to the surface when he was attacked by two pachies. He was probably about their size- not even fully grown- when he was sent onto the surface for the first time. Indignantly he thought about how he had never seen an immature Iguanodon or Euoplocephalus sent to the surface. He looked at Lobo out of the corner of his eye who seemed to be a more senior member of the Euos. Hart was still one of the less experienced Seeders but having been one of the first Oviraptors to do work on the surface despite his young age it made him amongst the most experienced. 

“Hart,” Lobo’s deep voice sent an uncomfortable tingle up his spine,”Have you been where we’re traveling?” He asked intuitively although when Hart turned to look at him his expression seemed to be hiding something.

“The outpost? Many times, it's one of the largest ones, which means we go there for supplies often.”

His words seemed to send a squee down the juvenile Oviraptors who excitedly danced around at the thought of their first expedition. It gave Hart a sense of eerie dread as he thought of the many close calls he had. Lobo seemed to pick up on this as he got up. 

Hart had turned towards the scampering teenagers about to attempt to give a scolding when a loud THWACK sounded from behind him. He literally jumped away sending little seeds flying as he turned around. Lobo had seemed to.. Slap the ground? Hart stared for a while, before a loud scampering sound came. 

What the…

Was all Hart could think before the frame of a grey creature padded around the corner. Even he seemed to be dawning the seed saddle bags which made Hart more than puzzled.

“What.. is.. THAT?!” Hart yelled as Lobo let out a hearty laugh.. The creature seemed to take this as an opportunity to go up to Hart and try to lick him.

“Thats Rex.” Lobo answered as he closed the gap between himself and the Oviraptor in front of him,”Hes my companion.”

Hart fought the urge to scratch or peck at the canine as it lollied and rasped its tongue across his feathers. It did not seem to care how freaked out Hart was or that the other juvenile Oviraptors were admiring it in awe.

“ITS SO CUTE!!!!!!!” One of them yelled which only encouraged the mongrel to go over towards them and start the same routine of licking as it did with Hart.

Hart, finally unfrozen now that the dog had changed targets, turned to look at Lobo with a baffled expression. The Euo in return shot him a weathered but cheeky grin. 

“What.. is.. Is that a dog? Like, an actual dog.” Hart asked baffled.

“Eeyup.” Lobo said proudly.

“... How?” Hart said as he stared at the brown creature as it was licking several of their companions,”And more importantly… WHY?”

Lobo chuckled some more before letting down another firm THWAP of his tail club into the ground. Immediately Rex retracted from the juvenile Oviraptor and made his way towards Lobo’s side obediently coming to a sit. Hart watched Lobo lean over and seem to ‘pet’ the dog gently with one of his side spikes.

“Not sure what happened to his family,” Lobo said as he continued to delicately pet the dog,”But he showed up at one of the entrances. Think some dinosaur ate his family and he ran deeper into the cave they were denned up in. Prob’ly squeezed his way through one of the many holes no dino could fit through. I just so happ’ned to be on guard and found ‘em and took care of ‘em.” He said as the dog wagged his tail enthusiastically. 

“Okay.. but that still doesn’t tell us WHY you saved the dog.” Hart said a bit repulsed and on the edge although some of the teenage Oviraptors had come over and started petting the dog with their more developed palms than Lobo’s spikes. 

“Simple,” Lobo said,”He’ll keep everyone safe. He has a great sense of hearing and smells better than any dino I know.” He said proudly,””Good with orders too.” 

“Don’t dogs eat.. Yanno… meat?” Hart asked as he slowly and cautiously approached the canine.

“He eats bats and a lot of the big insects from the jungle.” Lobo said as he nodded,”He’s been with me a couple of times on expeditions. He's an amazing alarm. Caught an alberto sneakin’ up on us once. Saved my life.” Lobo said as he turned to nuzzle Rex now.

Hart sat and watched the duo interact for a bit as everyone finally gathered their things fully and lined up to head out of the checkpoint and start their expedition. Lobo seemed to love that dog.. And it kind of seemed like that dog loved him too. Hart stared for a bit, and Lobo at least pretended not to see.

Damn.. I kind of want a dog… Was all Hart could think after so long watching. Maybe then I won’t be so jumpy.