Let It Grow

Hart had become one of the more higher ranking seed sewers since the launch of the invasion top side from Atlantis. Still, he didn’t exactly feel confident in his role as a “senior seed sewer”. He especially didn’t as he turned around to view the two ‘new recruits’ that was suppose to be accompanying him topside. 

“Names Slate,” The tall sucho said as he shook his feathers,”I came to assist with uh.. the seed sewing.” He said a bit mumbled as he looked over at the carnotaurus next to him. 

Blue wasn’t sure how she had ended up here at this encampment - but she knew where she was trying to get. She wanted to see the home world of these dinosaurs, even if that meant signing up for one of these seeding sessions. She figured at least - in the event that the Atlanteans did take over the islands - assisting with some seed planting would give her a better understanding of the jungle environment they were doomed to experience. 

“Names Blue,” She said as she looked down at the puny bite-size Oviraptor,”I’m here because I want to get a better understanding of the seeds you plant. If the entire topside is going to become jungle some day I might as well get familiar with everything now.”

The sucho paused, looking over at the carnon with a surprised expression. 

“That’s a lot smarter reason than mine,” He admitted,”I just think Iguanadons are scary and would rather not be eviscerated if they take over.”

Hart stared at the two carnivores. They both seemed to be in their own way fearful of the Iguanadons… something that Hart honestly could relate to, but he was pretty sure his fear of them and their fear of them were different. Hart’s fear came from a societal expectation where the wrong tone could mean punishment if you spoke poorly to a court member.. Blue and Slate’s came from a fear of the unknown. He supposed he understood that since he felt a similar experience being topside, but he wasn’t sure how much he could trust either of them. 

“Well, in the good news, the only thing that might kill you today is other topsiders and maybe the occasional nasty look,” Hart said with a half hearted chuckle,”Don’t let the other dinosaurs bother you if you catch them staring. We don’t get a lot of uh.. topsider volunteers, let alone uh… “ Hart paused as he looked at the sharp teeth of the two dinosaurs in front of him. 

“Let alone what?” Blue asked sassily raising a brow which made Hart shuffle a bit uncomfortably. 

“Carnivrous topsider volunteers.” Hart concluded before he started to walk forward towards the packing stations. He didn’t like how the blue carno was staring at him. 

“Well, you don’t have to worry about me.” The sucho said as he started to trail after Hart,”I mostly eat fish.”

“Mostly?” Hart asked as he turned his head to look over his shoulder at the sucho who was following diligently behind - Blue meanwhile already seemed to be lagging. 

“I do eat the occasional.. Yknow, carcass? Mostly it’s if an atopo or a aristo died and washed ashore.” He said as he waddled along,”I don’t really enjoy hunting living Dino’s. Much easier to scavenge or just eat fish.” He said as he joined Hart next to the packing station. 

“You’re lucky you have the choice,” Blue said as she finally caught up- her expression soured,”There’s not always enough mammals on the island to make up for a large dinosaurs diet.’ She said nonchalantly,”You do what you have to do to survive. 

Both Hart and Slate seemed to get uncomfortable at the Carno’s words. 

“You.. probably shouldn’t admit to that around Atlanteans.” Hart eventually said as he looked at Blue,”Carnivery is.. I’ll be honest with you both, it’s looked down upon as barbaric. I know you can’t help it, but the expectation would be you eat mammals or Slate eating only fish and carrion.” Hart said as he turned towards Slate and flashed him a warm smile,”Seems you already have that down though, huh?” Slate smiled back at him awkwardly. 

“Anyways—“ he said as he gestured towards the seeding station,”These are seed bags. They’re woven down under in Atlantis by Ovis using some of the thatch the jungle trees provide us. We’ve special woven some large ones but of course we didn’t have your measurements so you’ll have to excuse if they’re loose fitting-- just fit your head through here—“ He said as he put his head through his own pack,”Snd tuck your arms behind the other strap so it’s comfortably on your chest.”

He watched as both Blue and Slate put their seed sacks on although he did watch Blue struggle a bit with tying the seed sack around her torso. 

“So, what sort of seeds are we planting?” Blue asked eventually after settling her sack on. 

“Were planting jungle tree saplings specifically-“ He said as he gestured with his talons,”I know neither of you have been to Atlantis but they’re thick trees that grow sometimes so high they touch the top of the dome—“

“What kind of environment do they thrive in?” Blue asked, opening her flap to take a look at some of them,”Humid? Warm? I assume by the use of the word ‘jungle’ at least.”

“That.. sounds about right.” Hart said as he nodded quizzically,”Do you know a lot about seeds?”

“I know a lot about a lot of things,” Blue said guardedly before she paused,”I.. like to plant. Just.. in my spare time. It doesn’t do much for me. I can’t really eat any fruits or vegetables but I like to watch the flowers bloom.” She said as she seemed almost embarrassed,”I don’t have an established territory so truth be told it’s usually just pollinating something, leaving, and maybe getting to see it again before it dies in the winter cold.” 

Hart and Slate stared at her before Slate finally spoke. 

“That’s very sweet,” He said calmly and almost affectionately.

“— And useful,” Hart interjected,”What else can you tell me about the seeds environment up here?”

Blue seemed hesitant for a second - she certainly wasn’t use to other dinosaurs asking about her strange planting hobby.. and she especially didn’t fully trust this Oviraptor yet, but with a cautious motion she started to walk forward. 

“It would be easier to show you both than tell you.” She said as she began to walk along the path towards their planting designation.

“While we’re at it I can probably tell you a bit about aquatic plants,” Slate said enthusiastically as he turned towards Hart and smiled again. 

“I’d like that, if you both don’t mind.” Maybe these topsiders weren’t all murderous carnivorous heathens after all… ?