Thawing

Spring was here, and winter was over. Many creatures signed breaths of relief, dinosaur and mammal alike. Finally, The longest, harshest, coldest season was older. Many had died, large and small, carnivore and herbivore from varying reasons- lack of food being one of the big ones. Plants were shriveled and lacked needed nutrients, and carnivores felt the effects from the herbivores they ate. All were glad that the cold was over and the flowers had bloomed. Well. Most were glad that they had.

A small family pack of albertosaurus living within an evergreen forest were not part of that most. The pack consisting of Boreal, Glory, and their daughter Flurry were adept winter hunters. Their pale feathers and scales allowed them to blend into both the snow and the dappled shadows cast by the trees. Unlike most other carnivores, they thrived in the long, cold, dark winter. Many herbivores would seek out their boreal forest for cover and the chance of finding food or even consuming pine branches out of hunger. Then, before they knew it, they would fall prey to a devastating sneak attack. However, needless to say things would be different now that it had warmed outside, with food sources being more abundant outside the forest than inside it.

Boreal was the one to decide, finally, that it was time for them to venture out of the forest and explore the world around them. Cautiously he stepped out of the forest, hissing ever so slightly at the bright sun- something that rarely reached too deep into the forest because of the thick cover of trees. Shaking his head he growled ever so slightly in displeasure- he did not enjoy spring. The scent and colors of the flowers sprouting everywhere made his head spin, causing him to cough and hack as he tried to get the scent of the flowery perfume out of his nose. Grumbling, Boreal scratched at his nose. He wished winter was back already.

Glory stepped out alongside him, her scruffy feathers snagged with many pine needles from the months spent within the forest. Letting out a low grumble she shook her feathers out before inhaling. Unlike her mate, she was much less winter dependent- her feathers were a mottled mix of grey and brown, allowing her some survivability in multiple environments. The sweet scent of flowers didn't bother her either, fitting as she herself was named after a flower. 

Flurry was the last to exit the forest, cautiously scenting the air as she crept forward on unsteady legs. Still a juvenile, Flurry had been born in the beginning of winter and had yet to experience warmth from anything but her parents so far. Curious, she blinked up at the sky in awe. While she shared most of her fathers coloring, it seemed like she inherited her mothers openness of the spring weather. Letting out a soft squeak she trotted forward, leaning down to sniff the soft grass that brushed her feet. There was very little grass in the forest- most of the ground was made of hard dirt and rock, with the little grass that grew being thin and dry. 

Several small flowers within the grass caught her attention too. Bright yellow and bright white puffballs, they were unlike anything she had ever seen before in the drab forest. Snapping her little teeth she nipped at one of the puffballs, only to break into coughing as it exploded in her mouth. Each cough released a puff of small white seeds that floated away, and it took quite a few coughs before it felt like all of the little things had finally escaped Flurry. 

A gentle nudge had Flurry looking up from where she had collapsed onto the grass, looking into the concerned eyes of her father. Boreal looked at his daughter worriedly, before turning his gaze to the flowers that had caused her coughing fit. Letting out a loud growl he stepped forward, stomping his feet down onto them. A puff of white seeds flew upwards after his stomp, however as he lacked fur failed to stick onto Boreal. Letting out a pleased huff, Boreal turned to the rest of the flowers and started stomping on them as well.

Glory carefully nosed her daughter, chuffing gently as the hatchling threw the last of the flowers up. Her daughter was unharmed- but that would teach her a lesson about eating any new thing she found. Looking up, she watched her mate stomp around on the flowers with a huff of amusement. Well, at least he was getting some enjoyment out of this. Gently cooing, Glory gently placed a flower she had grabbed onto Flurry’s feathers. This is what feathers are for- not eating.

Curious, Flurry swung her head around to look at the flower on her back. The bright yellow was a lovely splash of color against her blue. Boreal finally returned to them, a pleased grin on his face as he laid down against Glory. Together the family huddled, enjoying the sun and the company they had- even if they missed winter, it would come again.