Day and Night

Spring was just around the corner, and love was in the air on the two islands. All across the land animals were emerging from their den full of energy and ready to court and find a mate after the long and cold winter. The same was true for the more prehistoric creatures on the island. Across rolling hills and mountains the loud calls of parasaurolophus echoed as they danced and flaunted their bright colors for others to notice. Interested suitors gathered at the edges of these displays, encouraging them on with snorts and coos. Styracosaurus clashed in a brutal power struggle, crests bashed together in a brutal battle in order to show their superior strength. Pachychephalosaurus raced each other throughout rocky terrain, searching to find a mate to spend the season with- or for some, the rest of their lives.

Carnivores were much the same in the fact they were searching for a mate of their own, although their methods were quite different. Hulking acrocanthosaurus made prize kills in order to attract a mate, showing off their hunting prowess and ability to provide. The usually vicious carnotaurus gathered in wooded areas to perform elegant dances, or as elegant as one could be. 

For Nebula, the option was a bit harder when it came to finding a mate for the season. She had already crept away from her pack in the early mornings as they fell into slumber, leaving behind her overprotective father and brother in order to wander the cool morning. While she was happy with her pack, part of Nebula wanted something of her own- her own legacy. So she had been searching the nearby lands for something- someone. She remembered the stories her father told her and her brother of their mother, and their moonlight meetings. Was it so surprising she wanted something like that for herself, then?

So every morning she would sneak away, venturing from the edges of her packs territory to listen for any potential suitors. Cryolophosaurus were fickle creatures when it came to courtship- courting was quick and simple, and pairs rarely stayed paired up for more than a single season before splitting up back onto their own path, leaving their surviving offspring to either join up with one of them, or to go off on their own. Some did not even pair up for that long, splitting before the eggs were even laid.

Nebula had already seen a few cryolophosaurus pass through, but none of them were what she was looking for. Some were already paired, and the few that were not had no interest in her when she approached. Nebula huffed softly as she scented the air, snapping her jaws slightly. It seemed luck was on her side today- the scent of another of her kind was not far off, and scanning the ground she spotted a single pair of footprints. Good- just a single. That meant there was hope. Taking off at a brisk jog, Nebula continued to track the footprints, following them as they bobbed and weaved throughout the forest. The path was fairly unclear, as if the other was just wandering with no clear direction in mind. 

Eventually, thanks to her brisk pace, Nebula caught up to the others trail. Spotting movement ahead she crouched down, slowing her approach in order to get a better idea of just who she was stalking. Peeking her head out of the bushes, she stalled for a moment as yellow filled her vision. Blinking, she peeked again. Yes, that was a bright yellow cryolophosaurus.

The yellow cryolophosaurus was happily drinking from a small pool of water, eyes focused forward and seemingly completely unaware of Nebulas existence. His hide was bright and as light as the sun itself, with darker markings under his chin and on the tips of his body. His hide was near spotless, with no visible scars or wounds across his body. The male seemed in good health as well- not too skinny, and clearly capable of getting his own food. Yes. He would do well- if Nebula managed to woo him.

Letting out a soft hiss to show her presence, Nebula slowly rose from the bushes, walking forward with long, slow steps in order to show off her bright, multi colored hide. The yellow male froze, looking up at her mid drink. He didn’t seem aggressive at least, or scared. That was good. 

Slowly stepping forward in a very wide, slow circle around the other male, Nebula did her best to show off the unique purple, blue, black, and white markings swirling around her hide, the bright colors showing off her own health and worth as a hunter. The yellow male cocked his head, seeming interested as he stepped forward and let out a careful growl. Nebula responded in kind with her own growl, slowly drawing close and closer. The male did not back away as she stepped close enough to brush their tails. 

The male let out a coo before bowing his head down, showing off the crest that rested on top of his head. After a moment he raised his head back up towards the sky, bobbing up and down in a dance known only through instinct. Nebula cooed back, watching his movements carefully as she circled him again. It was an intricate song and dance as the two tested each other's receptiveness. Pleased with the dance so far, Nebula decided to advance it onto the next stage. Suddenly breaking from the dance she darted off into the forest which they came from, letting out a loud roar as she ran. After a startled moment the male whipped around the took chase after her, following her bobbing and weaving through the forest with ease. He was certainly swift- in fact, he was even swifter than Nebula and he quickly overtook her. 

Letting out a startled yelp Nebula slid to a stop seconds before she crashed into the male, shaking her head in a daze. The yellow male cooed, gently nudging at her to check that she was ok. Nebula huffed softly, taking the opportunity to nose back against him. Well, despite his bright colors, he was worthy- although she shuddered at the thought of her family's reactions if her offspring came out that yellow.