Tolerance

She didn't exactly have a commensalism relationship with him, but not one of latent rivalry either, rather it was one with a simple rule: Just don't get in each other's way. Patagonia's pack avoided entering Ceedri's territory and vice versa.

 

Still, she did it anyway. She cautiously enters the fissure zone, where the high rock formations that create vertical and solid walls cut the freezing wind of the storm, which was good.

 

The Utahraptor moves stealthily thanks to the pads of its paws, she heads with silent steps through the hostile territory in search of a crack large enough for her. There was a crack naturally carved into the wall thanks to the climate, time and seismic activity, she briefly sniffed the entrance in search of some trace belonging to the Cryolophosaurus. Her investigation was interrupted when she's surprised by a cold gust of air that even seems to move her from her spot, forcing her to stop. Without thinking much more, she entered the crack in search of refuge.

It wasn't long into her exploration that her suspicions were confirmed. The Utahraptor could see the variety of black and white scales that covered the Cryolophosaurus while it was in a state of drowsiness. Both are aware of the other's presence but unlike the other times, it didn't go after her to scare her away from its territory. Patagonia didn't question it much and looked for a place a little far away from it to lie down on the ground, without taking her attentive gaze off the other.

 

It was when him settled a little in its place that she could notice a sleeping presence next to him, just as lethargic as he was. Unlike Ceedri, this new guest was covered in feathers. Too many feathers. She feels that this other Cryolophosaurus doesn't seem to have noticed her presence.

 

"Or maybe it has?" She asks herself as she tries to capture its scent or get a good look at its appearance.

 

Ceedri's just laying peacefully. The white Cryolophosaurus looked at her for a moment longer, giving the impression that he knew exactly what she was thinking, then he lowered his head to sleep again and the Utahraptor could see the figure behind him better.

 

The new guest was a light brown Cryolophosaurus with a dark gradient extending from its head, limbs and tail towards its body. One particularly striking mark caught her attention when she saw it, it had an oval shape of white feathers adorning the side of its face. Somehow his presence kept her somewhat bewildered, unlike Ceedri, in a sense, this one is a complete stranger to her. She also has no memory of having seen him before.

“Where did him come from?” She had no idea how he would react to her presence. She also found it strange to see Ceedri so… tolerant of another living being.

 

The hours went by and the total darkness of the night took hold, the dinosaurs still lay in their lethargy but alert, there was the occasional low growl of warning that added to the sound of the snowstorm outside. Patagonia had settled down in such a way that she was curled up on herself, ruffling her feathers to make a ball and conserve her body temperature. The two Cryolophosaurus, on the other hand, were a little more relaxed, sleeping together, with some of their legs stretched out and covering each other with their tails. The night passed without incident until the darkness of night was slowly replaced by the light of dawn. The storm was still going on but not with the same intensity as the day before. She looks at the two Cryolophosaurus once and leaves the cave as quietly as possible, mostly to avoid problems with them and her own pack, surely Magallanes must be already looking around to scold her.

 

As soon as she left, both Cryolophosaurus raised their heads in her direction, making sure she had left and then they looked at each other.

 

—You can let me go now. I won't go.— Ceedri tells him somewhat listlessly and grumpily.

 

—I know. I just wanted to make sure.— Tatsu headbutts him near his snout.

The Cryolophosaurus had spent the night awake next to her. With Tatsu preventing Ceedri from showing any aggressive behavior at all times. He was not bothered in the least by the presence of the Utahraptor.

 

—I try to make sure that her pack doesn't get close to this place. Many have perished due to accidents and carelessness due to the terrain.— Ceedri says while still watching how some rebellious snowflakes enter the crack due to the force of the wind. Although it didn't reach where they were lying on the ground. —I don't like them. But I don't want more unnecessary losses either.

 

—I don't think those elusive ones are so naive as to fall into a crack or something.— He settles down again lowering his head. —And I didn't think I saw that you disliked her. Maybe she reminds you of someone?

 

—The truth is I don't know. I just want them away from here. This place is very inhospitable.— He shakes his heavy neck a little to get rid of the feeling of the cold and settles back down next to him. He couldn't deny that he liked his company, so he would be willing to follow his advice, after all. He had to start trusting others. He exhales through his nose and settles even closer to him. There were still several hours left in which the storm would continue, they would wait for the sky to clear up to go and sunbathe on the cold day.