Ice Age Anthology

Chapter Four: Introductions

Shira was curled up on a patch of grass. She was having trouble sleeping. She had spent so much time at sea that she was having trouble getting used to sleeping on dry land.

To pass the time, she reflected on the events of the earlier day. She remembered the moment when she was officially introduced to the rest of the herd. She remembered feeling nervous. She couldn't recall the last time she had felt so nervous. After everything that had happened, it was crucial to make a good impression. After what had happened with the last two groups she had belonged to, Shira wasn't sure she could handle rejection, no matter how unlikely the prospect was.

"Everyone, this is Shira." Diego told Ellie, Peaches, Louis, Crash and Eddie.

"We've already met." Ellie smiled. "Thanks for trying to help me out back there."

"No problem." Shira smiled back.

"Hi, I'm Peaches." The teen mammoth grinned. "Nice to meet you. You're the first sabre I've seen since uncle Diego here."

"Uncle?" Shira asked.

"Honorary, actually." Diego shrugged. "Manny insisted. He said it was the least he could do after I helped deliver her."

"Deliver?" Shira sniggered. "Oh, that's rich - midwife softie!"

"Ha ha, very funny." Diego retorted sourly. He then pointed in the direction of the opossum brothers "Anyway, these are Crash and Eddie."

"Hey." Shira nodded.

"A lady sabre, huh?" Crash smirked.

"Diego, you dog!" Eddie snickered, nudging the embarassed sabre.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Said the shifty-eyed Diego as he shoved Eddie away.

Chuckling at Diego's behaviour, Shira spotted Louis.

"And who are you, little guy?" She asked.

"Uh, w-well..." Louis stuttered, his eyes clearly focused on Shira's teeth.

"This is Louis." Peaches stepped. "You'll have to forgive him. He's a little shy around... strangers."

"It's okay." Shira sighed. "I get it. I'm a sabre. A pirate sabre. I understand if some of you don't feel comfortable around me."

"If Diego trusts you, we trust you." Ellie smiled. "Right, Louis?"

Peaches nudged Louis with her trunk. With that incentive, Louis looked up into Shira's eyes. Noticing the same nervous quality in them that his usually had, he relaxed.

"Right." Louis smiled.

"Thanks, shorty." Shira grinned, ruffling the fur on top of his head with her paw.

"I told you." Diego nudged Shira gently. "A herd looks out for each other. We stick together, no matter what."

"I think I'm starting to get it." Shira nudged him back.

Returning her mind to the present, the now-drowsy Shira looked over at Diego, who was sleeping not too far from her. Diego, who had offered her a place in this wonderful herd, a herd that had accepted her without a second thought.

"Thanks, softie." She whispered softly, before finally falling asleep.

To Be Continued...

(Ice Age and all associated characters are the property of 20th Century Fox and Bluesky Studios.)