Of Blooms and Buzzing

The drier seasons have left some areas barren and dull. Most herbivores are used to spending long times with nothing but brambles and roots to chew. It usually doesn’t last long, given the islands are surrounded by masses of water and rainfall likes to come in welcomed waves. Recent cold showers of rain had been scarce but with those few came fresh greenery and juicy fruit in places that could hold the humidity. One could find blooming meadows and lush fields still- if one knew where to look.

Waddling behind the bigger herbivores the little pink fluffball of a parasaur bleeped and chirped in protest. Cozy didn’t want to walk and wander no more. Her tiny legs made the trampled path even more daunting to traverse in contrast to the adults who stride over sticks and stones unbothered. What was a pebble for some, for Cozy it was an obstacle she needed to climb or jump. Still wobbly legs carry her onwards, always following the very tail tip of the ones in front.

The adults seemed to pay her little attention at first but it was apparent they still kept a watchful eye over the noisy hatchling. Throwing their head over their shoulder just to see the child didn’t wander off, they acknowledged her sour mood but otherwise left the child with her own thoughts. They know how exhausting travelling must be for the young, but it was a little too soon to rest just yet.

“Just a little bit farther, rosebud,” came a sweet sing-song voice of one of the herd's adults. Cozy clearly wasn’t convinced - that wasn’t even her name - and continued her wails for attention, which were responded to with a mere chuckle and a few shaking heads of bystanders. They kept telling her how close they are, but this journey seemed endless! The soft pink coat of hers was already dusty from tripping over her own hooves. She was upset but it wasn’t only for the troublesome route they took. Plants were still abundant even in drier climates, but they tasted so awful, so dull, so plain! They still had green trees and shrubbery available, but for what when the things she could eat were either too hard to chew or bad tasting. She had enough of chewy tree bark, dry mushrooms, dirty roots and stringy blades of grass.
Cozy craved for something sugary sweet, sour, maybe even spicy! She’d love to have something interesting for once. Something new, something fun!

With that her complaints only grew more irritating to the tired herd. Attempts to shush her up or distract her little mind failed miserably.
“Cozy, please calm down. I know you must be tired,” another bigger herdmate nuzzled her side, almost tipping her over. “We’re almost there. I promise.”
The herd didn’t slow down and the beaten path only turned steeper. Cozy was conflicted if this was worth it. What if she stopped and sat down this very instance? Maybe she’ll be picked up and be carried there; she’s small enough for such. On the other hand she might be abandoned right there for being an annoying brat. Ah, no, this won't do.

Just a little farther, behind this hill. Cursed be her short stature. She hoped to stretch her neck out just a little further, a little higher, just to catch a glimpse of what’s ahead. She feels even smaller now that she tries so hard to grow, stand, and mimic the adults towering over her. She was still just a youngling after all. She couldn’t see ahead. It couldn’t be helped, she had to keep moving. Even making her opinions known in woeful cries has gotten too tiresome. The parasaur just wanted to get to the place that was promised to her. It wasn’t meant to be this far. The adults swore it was nearby again and again. Just a little trek. Just a little walk. But this little walk turned out to be a days-long journey of relentless waddling and bland food.

Then, the very moment the herd reached the very top of the hill- or the mountain as it appeared to Cozy- a sea of flowers greeted the herd with an onslaught of vibrant colours and sweet herbal waves of smells. The second the tiny Parasaur squeezed past the legs of the adults, she caught a mere glimpse of the colours ahead. She didn’t hesitate at the sight of such greenery, and yellows, and reds. As if she couldn’t contain herself, in an excited burst of energy she ran and stumbled down the hill, into the meadow of small flowers. Her spirit rejuvenated in an instant.
This is the first time Cozy has seen so many colours condensed in one place. She hasn’t seen many things just yet after all, but she already knew these very flowerbeds were her favourite forever no matter how short they may last.
The herd followed suit in their descent to the meadows, although in a calmer manner, making their way down to the juicy greens to fill up and rest. They were just as exhausted after all, especially with a handful of children in tow.

Jumping into the next best green patch of greenery, shoving her face in the bed of flowers, Cozy started munching on the first sweet smelling blooms without a second thought. She didn’t even realise she wasn’t the only herbivore rolling and feasting in the blooms. For the adults these tiny flowers were merely a soft spot to lay in and barely a snack of candy, but for Cozy these fresh meadows appeared to be a buffet of dreams. She just couldn’t help but take a bite out of every new colour, every new smell.

Her prior worries and annoyances melting away with each bite into the blooms, the baby para returned bleeping and chirping up a storm, but this time out of pure bliss. The daunting travels and past days left as nothing but distant memories. Cozy would merely indulge in running around the fields nipping and taking a bite out of each petal that happens to be in front of her rounded beak -

OUCH!

At first the tiny Parasaur didn’t realise what had happened. She put a single bloom into her mouth just when she felt a sharp pain that stopped her in her tracks. Stunned. Was the flower bad? Was this a harsh taste she didn’t like or maybe even poison? Did she overlook a thorn in these brushes? Before she could even consider continuing wondering about the cause, the pain didn’t soothe. It lingered and it took only a moment for Cozy to realise the increasing discomfort in her gums.

And so, she started her cacophonous yelling and crying out loud once again. A few of the adults in the herd groaned in annoyance as their promise of a moment of peace was broken up by another round of youngling complaints, while others were willing to investigate the poor child’s cries and hurry to her side. Cozy’s “singing” was well known as it appears, and not all respond to her anymore.

It took just a moment for her calls to die out, but not out of will. Her tongue and cheeks turned swollen and sore, freezing her in a defiant blep. She could still breathe, lucky enough, though speaking was nigh impossible now.
The pain too didn’t seem too bad no more than initially, although she deemed her state more than uncomfortable.

Having an unhappy look on her now very round face, the herd-mates checking on her practically circled her.
No clear wounds or predators in sight, they only needed a glimpse at Cozy to laugh the situation off.

“Oh, my! Cozy, did you eat a bee?”,an elder looking para questioned her, clearly suppressing a chuckle.
“You look like a sweet berry!” A younger herbivore laughed out loud. ”So round. So cute! Aw, you’re so angy!”
Another face observed the little para, clearly more concerned: “Poor child, please pay attention to what you eat. Insects can sting! Some might even be poisonous! Slow down when you’re eating, please.”
“Now, now- Don’t scare her!”
The circle of concerned and half-amused herd-members turned their attention to each other, as they started bickering and chatting among themselves, keeping on commenting on this small incident.

Oh! Remarks, comments and lectures! That’s totally what she wanted to hear now sitting on her hind - mood ruined. The sting was now simply annoying.
How is she supposed to eat these tasty flowers and lush grasses now? What a turmoil.

Looking down at her hooves, she noticed the half chewed flower she spat out- and among it the culprit! A tiny bug, yellow and black. A simple honey bee, left dead on the ground, dropped alongside the bloom it initially sat on.
Feeling the grasp of lust for well-deserved revenge, Cozy huffed and stomped her hoof on the bug corpse. Serves it right. How dare it come between her and her food. She simply can’t stand bugs, especially mean ones like this one!
With her mouth swollen shut, she could only wait it out now and listen to the constant comments of the herd and strangers around her.