[Trade] Dog Days- 1

Being a hatchling in a world where everything was out to get you was scary. There was a reason that hatchlings stayed with their parents, and that those without parents rarely survived to adulthood. 

Rost didn’t mind the loneliness- at least, that's what he told himself. The Anteosaurus hatchling had been alone since he hatched from the egg, struggling out of the shell into a cold, unfriendly world. He was fine. Things were fine. Besides, Rost liked being alone- he was free to do what he wanted! Even if he went hungry and cold most nights, at least he was alive.

Rost had even picked up a few tricks on his own, like how to climb trees by watching racoons and other feral animals. It had taken him several attempts but he was now a professional at tree climbing, often escaping into the branches of nearby trees at the sound of any danger. And Rost was in a tree when his life changed.

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Rost sighed from his safe spot within the branches of an old tree. That had been a close one. The cryolophosaurus had almost managed to jump after him and had then attempted to wait him out before giving up hours later. The Anteosaurus was tired and sore, his claws and legs aching from digging into the branch and muscles burning. Still, Rost was cautious to come down. Maybe he would stay up here for a bit longer…

Rustling in the bushes made Rost tense up again, clinging to the branch to the best of his ability. Was the cryolophosaurus back? 

Instead, a small furry bundle stumbled out from the bushes, all excited energy. Rost blinked in confusion. A brown, dog like creature with short legs and a big head stumbled around. A black mask covered it’s face and chest, and white points stood out against dark feathers- fur? The strange creature rose its muzzle into the air, scenting the air before swinging its wide head towards Rost. Rost blanched. A wide grin spread across it’s blocky face as it bounded towards the tree, placing its large paws on the lower part of the tree. 

Rost felt his feathers puff up as he let out a low hissing growl, his back arching up like a cat. The creature seemed undeterred, opening its mouth. Rost prepared for angry growling, only for… words to come out. Almost worse.

“Another Anteosaurus! And you're my age! This is great!” The “Anteosaurus” continued to speak as Rost reeled back, almost falling out of the tree. “I've been tracking your scent for hours now! I have an especially good nose- well, all Anteosaurus have good noses, mine is just the best! I bet you have a good one too, but not as good as mine! You didn’t even know I was there!” 

Rost tuned out the non stop blabbing, head spinning. Anteosaurus? Is that what he was? Were they the same species? Curious now, he took a better look. The blocky head was similar to the one he had seen in his own reflection the few times he bothered to look. The sharp teeth were similar, the wide paws, the curved claws.

Rost was pulled out of his musing by catching a key word in the one side conversation below “...and then we can play and chase each other around and…” Play? Wistful thoughts of the few times he had had a chance to play tempted Rost- and that's when his sore muscles finally gave out. With a yelp his claws lost their weak grip and he slipping from the branch, and-

The next thing Rost knew was the feeling of a large snout nosing him and a voice that faded in and out. “...ok…..fall that…..how’d you even…..oh, you're waking up!" Rost groaned, opening his eyes to be face to face with the other Anteosaurus. He yelped, staggering back only to hiss in pain at the feeling of pain across his side. Ow. That would leave a bruise. 

The other Anteosaurus at least seemed a bit more careful, seemingly finally realizing that Rost was scared and toning it down a small amount. “It's ok! I won’t hurt you! I'm Patina!” The now identified Patina approached again, letting out a sympathetic sound as Rost winched. “Your lucky you didn’t fall from that high- I'm glad nothing is broken! How’d you even learn how to climb trees like that- could you teach me? I’ve just been hiding wherever I can when something scary passes by, and it sucks!” Patina pouted before facing Rost again. “I was going to ask you to play, but now you're too hurt.”

Rost had, somehow, relaxed from the non stop chatter from Patina. It was… nice to have someone to talk to, even if he hadn’t said anything back. “I'm Rost.” The tricolor Anteosaurus finally spoke, voice quiet and hoarse from a lack of use and the events of the day. “Would have said yes, but…that chance has passed.”

“Let me help you!” Patina blurted out. “It’s my fault you fell from the tree, it's only fair I help you get back to your den!” He scooted forward, head hitting the ground. The dark Anteosaurus gave Rost a sad look, which caused him to snort. It was a pathetic display- but he probably did need help.

“Fine.” Rost huffed, only to let out a hiss as Patina instantly rushed forward and almost knocked him over. “Careful!” Patina let out a soft huff in apology before leaning against Rost’s good side, allowing the tricolor pup to put less weight on his injured leg. 

“So, where’s your den? Do you have any family? Are they nice?” Almost as soon as they started moving, so did Patina’s mouth. Rost didn’t answer, focused on walking, but Patina’s chatter filled the air as they kept walking. Strangely, Rost wasn’t bothered by it. Ironically, he enjoyed it. After all that time of being alone and having nothing but the silence as comfort, for once another's voice was a comfort. Selfishly, Rost wished for it to stay with him. But that wouldn’t happen- right?