Gray sat next to the pen, stroking Blue through the fence. While as a guest he would have wanted to see the raptors, heck, they were almost on the top of his list, he understood what Owen was saying about how the raptors didn't need all the shouting and picture taking and annoyances.
After the incident, Gray spent most of his time here. He loved the raptors. He was closest to Blue and Charlie, though all the raptors seemed to like him. They even seemed to accept him into their pack.
Unlike Gray, Zach spent a lot more time with the herbivores. He even got a job helping out at the petting zoo. He was a little more nervous about working with animals that could tear you apart at a moment's notice.
Gray however loved working with the raptors. He was around so much that he became an effective employee. Claire was a little nervous, though having experienced the raptors, she was a little less then she might have been.
Gray was shaken out of his thoughts when Blue prodded his hand a little. She chittered softly. "Oh yeah, its time for your treats."
Gray got the bucket of treats and entered the pen. The raptors ran up and all waited expectantly for their treat. "Scar. Omega. Wolf. Raven. Blue. Echo. Delta. Charlie?" Where was Charlie?
He felt some hot breath behind him. He hadn't noticed her. Wow, he was glad they were..safe? Were they really safe? They were around him, Zach, Claire, Barry, and Owen, but around complete strangers?
"Hi Charlie." Gray laughed a little, before giving her meat. Suddenly a flash of light, and clapping. Gray turned and saw a bunch of people standing outside the pen looking in shock and surprise. One man who looked official approached.
"Uh, son, where is your father?" He asked.
"Oh, Owen's not my dad, he's my aunt's boyfriend." Gray replied.
"What's going on?"
"I was just feeding the raptors. I do it every day." Gray answered. "You mean mr. Grady actually lets you in? With those savage beasts?" The official asked.
Savage beasts?! Was that all these people thought these animals were. Several growls erupted from the raptors, and Echo crouched down in a defensive position.
"They're not savage beasts! You just need to show them a little respect." Gray declared. The official looked surprised. "Do they um, do any tricks?" He asked.
Tricks?! What do they think this is, some circus?! "Well, they can find hidden food." Gray replied.
"Can you show us?"
Now? It usually took a while to set the whole thing up. "Not right now. Maybe another time. It takes time to prepare." Gray stopped, before remembering. "We do have them hunt pigs." Gray said.
"Could you show us?"
walked over to the pig pen, and pulled it open. A pig ran out, knocking him to the ground. The raptors immediatley gave chase. Gray and the audience watched in awe as the raptors split up, and maneuvered the prey into a trap. They were running it into the end of the pen to corner it.
Suddenly, loud squealing and snarling signalled the hunt was over.
"Well, I say it passes inspection." The official declared.
"What?"
"We were inspecting to see if it was ready to be viewed by visitors. Tell your uncle it passed." The official stated.