Smokey

Even in the middle of winter, bugs still managed to survive; granted, in much smaller numbers, but some were stubborn enough to find warmer pockets of the island to nestle down into, only emerging in the warmer moments in between the storms of snow. Great for the bug eaters, less great for Sugarsweet. 

With his bright colors and sweet scent, the utahraptor was a common target for pesky bugs who attempted to nibble and bite at his thin feathers. Sugarsweet had tried many things to find relief from the constant bother- usually, dunking himself in water worked. Unfortunately, that was not advised during the winter, else the water would freeze to his feathers or get him sick. So instead, the utahraptor sulked. It was a warmer day of winter, with some grass even poking through the snow in large, sun warmed patches. Sugarsweet was out for a walk today, to enjoy the warmth- even if it came at the cost of a swarm of bugs buzzing around his head, drowning out the sound of birdsong and replacing it with the low drone of many tiny wings fluttering. 

Sugarsweet shook his head for what felt like the hundredth time today, waving away a cloud of bugs that fluttered too close to his head and sighing lowly. His claws itched to swipe through his feathers and dislodge the trespassers, but he knew more would just take their place.

The beating of wings- feathers, and much larger- dragged Sugarsweet from his irritated thoughts, his claws falling back down to his side out of surprise as a purple and orange blur dashed by, snapping at a few bugs. Most managed to escape, but the tapejara still ended up with a beakfull. “Mmm!” The tapejara chirped, snapping at the air a few times before turning to look at Sugarsweet. Orange and purple feathers gave her the appearance of fire and sparks behind a blanket of smoke. “Say, are you alright there? I've never seen so many bugs around a still living creature- and you look fairly healthy! Im Phoenix.”

“Sugarsweet.” The raptor grumbled back, irritably scratching at his feathers. “They like me, apparently- enough to find me even in the dead of winter. And usually I can just jump in a lake or river to wash em off, but the cold makes that impossible.” 

The tapejara clicked her beak for a moment thoughtfully. “Do you need assistance? I think I know a way to get them to, ehehe, buzz off.” When Sugarsweet nodded with great joy, Phoenix quickly took off with a chirp of “Be right back!”

It took a long few moments in which Sugarsweet swore the buzzing grew worse, before the bundle of feathers returned with a few sharp rocks and a bundle of dry sticks. With quick, energetic motions the tapejara settled down, scratching away grass to make a clear patch of dirt and placing the wood down. Sugarsweet watched in bemusement as Phoenix started gathering random, small pebbles to place in a circle, before placing the small bits of wood inside. “Help me gather grass!” Confused, the raptor did, tearing up clawfuls of the foliage around them. As it was winter, the grass was dry and fragile, getting caught in his feathers. 

Phoenix was quick to snatch the grass, piling it with the sticks in the center. She seemed satisfied after that, taking two stones in hand and turning to Sugarsweet. “Check this out!” The tapejara clinked together the two rocks repeatedly, the raptor watching in confusion. Sugarsweet was about to ask about the purpose, only for sparks to fly with one final click of the stone. Phoenix let out a triumphant cry as the grass below caught flame, the tapejara quickly blowing on it. 

“F-fire?” Sugarsweet squeaked in fear, stepping back as the flames grew within the little area Phoenix had made. Fire was naturally something to be scared of, but this tapejara used it like it was a simple tool! But… the warmth was a nice draw, especially in this cold- Sugarsweet found himself drawn closer and closer despite his worries.

“Fire!” Phoenix flapped her wings, stoking the flames and blowing smoke around. Sugarsweet coughed as a strong bit of smog hit his face, the scent and warmth unpleasant.

“You're not going to shove me in there, are you?” The raptor half joked, nervous.

“Haha! No, that's a thing my ex-mate does.” Phoenix moved past that statement easily enough. “The smoke will keep them away. There’s already less now, right?”

“Huh!” Sugarsweet hadn’t realized it just yet, but indeed- while some bugs were stubbornly lingering, most had been driven off by the smoke. “Thanks!” The raptor was quick to wave the rest off, before laying down to enjoy the heat on his side. The relief was enough to lure Sugarsweet to sleep, the flutter of wings announcing the presence of Phoenix in the nearby branches as they settled in for the night.