Step Right Up, and Win the Crown

The winter snow crunched softly under Hyperions feet as they carried him towards the welcoming, spread doors of the strange museum that had popped up overnight. The cold wind bit against his scales, but the press of yellow feathers again one side warmed him ever so slightly. Looking over, Hyperion couldn't help but feel some of his icy exterior melt away at the excitement in Solstice’s eyes. His mate was normally incredibly gloomy in the winter, the lack of the sun and warmth leaving him listless. For as much as it was themed around the moon, the festival still seemed to be boosting his spirits. Nodding at the oviraptor sitting at the entrance, the two plodded their way inside. A roaring bonfire kept the museum warm, and the chatter and excited whoops of various creatures merrily filled the air.

“Let's go this way!” Solstice suggested, pointing with an orange-tipped horn. “We didn’t get to explore over there last time.” Hyperion agreed, and the two were quick to take off. This part of the human building was full of old, mechanical beasts that had strange, flat planes going off their sides. Many had already collapsed, and the two styracosaurus were careful to weave around any obstacles. 

Soon, Solstice found his target- a game booth ran by a black and yellow Euoplocephalus. The booth was short, to make up for the owners lack of height, with various ring-like objects scattered on the top. A few prizes were scattered on a second booth, a collection of tickets and random human objects. “Welcome!” The other herbivore was happy to greet them. “Welcome to the ring toss!” She pointed at the various rings at the booth, where another creature was already looking over them. “Just try and toss some of those rings onto my back! If you can get them around my spikes, you win!”

Khan was tired of strangers appearing on the island, after the fiasco that was the arrival of the Atlanteans - well, you could at least understand where the storm clouds of rage thundered within him. But then again, Khan wasn’t an agreeable or a friendly character. In fact, he believed himself a king, mighty and forceful. Those who wouldn’t bow to his whims and fancies ought not to exist for very long.  

So here within the bustle of the Carnival, Khan was intent on making his feelings clear on the carnies- these strangers who invaded his part of the ‘woods’. Yet, before he had even acclimated to the noise, the male Utah was struck with shouting voices far and wide. “Step up! Step up!” Every booth seemed to call, each alluring other dinosaurs over to tempt fate. Who knew what these freaks were up to? Khan didn’t trust it a bit, however one particular booth caught his gleaming purple eyes - one where two Styra’s had decided to entertain. It wasn’t the Dino’s at the booth that drew his gaze, but a golden crown embedded with dazzling jewels that sat in the highest tier of prizes. A crown fit for a King. “Oh yes, that will be mine-“ Khan spoke under his breath, a crooked smile etching across his face as he approached. 

“Move-“ he spoke gruffly, raising his feathered arms as if to shoo them away, his teeth gleaming in the light just to be sure his point was made abundantly clear. Nobody was going to stop him from claiming his new heart's desire…especially herbi’s of all things. “I’ll be taking that, friend.” Khan practically hissed to the dinosaurs behind the booth, feathers bristling in excitement.  

Solstices feathers bristled once the utahraptor appeared, a hiss coming from his mouth. “Friend?” He almost snarled, the vicious tone dripping with every word. “Not a chance! That crown is mine!” Hyperion tensed at Solstices side, stepping forward and side eying the utahraptor. The orange herbivore was intimidating for sure, with his intense purple gaze and sharp horn heading ever closer. 

However, the tender of the game was quick to interrupt. “Please, please, friends.” The Euoplocephalus spoke, stepping forward between the two groups. “You both desire the crown, ay? Then win! Whoever can throw one of the rings around my back spikes first gets to keep the crown.” The herbivore gestured to a crack in the floor, a pile of various ringed objects beside it. “Just don’t step over that line, or you lose!”

Khan tensed angrily, a low rumble beginning to bubble in his throat as he prepared to put both of these Styra’s in their place! Yet, before he had time to even respond, the one hosting the game quickly intervened, offering them all a place at his booth to compete for the prize. Like Khan would ever stoop so low as to…. ‘Wait a second’ he thought, ‘if i dont win, ill just take that crown off of them after I've had a little late night snack’. 

The idea seemed to quell him for now as he cued up at the booth. “May the real King win.” Khan hissed, his voice a harsh mixture of honey and venom before focusing on the task at hand. Indeed it was a pretty straight forward game, not much to it other than a hint of luck and basic skill. No match for him, of course. He was a King! And Kings had to be good at everything. A silly carney game was easy pickings for a shiny new crown. 

Confidently he picked up one of the rings provided, it was light plastic, cheap and likely to bounce rather than ring around anything of use. However, Khan had the advantage of fingers. Those silly Styra’s would have to throw using their mouths - and they were unlikely to get very far with that. So, Khan now brimming with confidence went for his first throw, releasing the little ring like he was a natural at the sport - Yet, with a simple clack, clack, clack, the ring bounced and bounced until it rolled itself onto the floor. An utter miss. 

Hyperion snorted in amusement, watching as the right bounced on top of the Euoplocephalus’s blunted scales, rolling onto the ground. Solstice had a much more exuberant reaction. “Ha!” The yellow styracosaurus chortled, tossing his head in amusement. “You call that a throw?” He continued to cackle to himself as he lowered his head down, roughly picking a nearby ring up before flinging it. With a soft tink it rattled off the herbivore's spikes, falling onto the ground. Solstice growled in annoyance- ok, so maybe it was a little harder than it seemed…

Hyperion was up next. He quickly stepped forward, scooping his own ring onto the tip of his horn. He seemed a bit more careful than Solstice- but his shot also went wide, bouncing on the ground. The styracosaurus let out a grunt of frustration- seemed this was going to be a bit harder than they expected. At least it was a two against one- scanning over the rings, they had enough left for each of them to make four more throws- surely they would win this.

Khan just about went nuclear as the two styra’s began cackling at his miss. How truly vile, he thought, his claws wrapping around another ring as his brows furrowed more in pure competitive desperation. Khan couldn't loose to these guys now, his Pride surely depended on it. Yet, as he watched the two Styras attempt only for their rings to bounce aimlessly- Khan wasn't entirely certain such a feat was even possible…. 

“What kind of scam of a game is this anyway-” Khan growled under his breath, the painted utah's long feathered tail swishing from side to side in impatient fervor. The rings seemed too small, the spots to land the rings seemed too big, perhaps playing fair wasn't going to pay off after all. At least those Styra's wouldn't get the crown either. Khan could live with that. Yet, he had a couple rings left to throw, so who knows, maybe he'd get ridiculously lucky. 

Taking on a different approach, Khan tossed his next ring slightly to the side of his target, though this too, ultimately led to the same result- the irritating clack, clack, clack of the plastic off of the Euoplocephalus’s back before clattering to the floor again. 

They went back and forth for a while, but every shot missed. Eventually Solstice threw his head up in anger once the last ring tinked to the ground. “Ugh!” He huffed. “Horrid. Let’s find another game, Hyperion.” The yellow feathered styracosaurus stormed off, followed by his mate- who cast one last, intense glare at Khan before following. 

Hyperion gently slid his beak against Solstice as they vanished into the crowd. “If it's any reassurance… I do not think that crown was made big enough for our frills.” Solstice shot him a look, and the orange male sighed. “We’ll find a game more… suited to our skills.” 

Khan huffed indignantly as the final ring too didn't find its mark. A waste of time! And the crown still far out of his reach. For now. However, Khan was not below waiting around to see if some other dinosaur happened to win his coveted prize. The King himself would have to pay them a… friendly business… to claim what really belongs to him.