Alrighty my faithful fans (all three of you), here's the fourth installment. Sorry it's a little short. The next one will be up soon. Thanks for your patience!
Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Dinotopia, James Gurney does. However, all characters and Seabreeze Farm are mine.
My time at Seabreeze Farm was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I spent two weeks laboring beside the Spyri family and their saurian helpers in the lush fields, learning about this strange land with help from both humans and dinosaurs. Parts of my twenty-two year old mind wanted to argue that such a place as Dinotopia couldn't possibly exist, but its hard to call something a fantasy when you are riding on the back of a parasaurolophus or settling an ankylosaurus into a plow harness. Every day brought new adventures and new wonders for me to witness. My time with the Spyris flew by, and before I knew it, I was close to beginning my journey to Waterfall City. I was saddened at the thought of leaving the first and only friends I had made since arriving, especially young Otto, who despite our age difference had become my constant companion.
It was the evening of my last day at Seabreeze Farm. Otto and I strolled around the fields in silence, content to just watch the wind play across the grass. Otto was an energetic youth, and in my first days had shown me everything about the running of the Farm. His cheerful, friendly demeanor had done much to dispel my initial shyness around the residents of Dinotopia, and with his help, I got to know the saurian members of the Spyri family. The sun was setting gloriously in the west, painting the sky in hues of red, orange, yellow, and purple. It was a bittersweet sight, symbolizing the end of my last day here. Finally, I spoke.
"I'm really going to miss you Otto. And I'm not just saying that. It's going to be really lonely in Waterfall City without you around balancing buckets of water on my door to soak me." Otto grinned at the reminder of one of the many tricks he had played on me during the course of my stay.
"Hey, how am I supposed to get along without you around to show me new pranks? That whole 'short sheeting' thing was a good one," Otto replied gleefully. I merely smirked. We walked back up to the house, ready for a good-bye dinner prepared masterfully by Beatrice.
**********
When it finally came time for me to ride to Pooktook to meet up with the caravan traveling to Waterfall City, my departure was one of tears, many hugs, well-wishings, and a showering of gifts, including a new set of Dinotopian style work clothes from Beatrice, a carving knife from Otto, a wooden maiasaur figure from Lucas, and a basket full of treats from all the dinosaurs. In a wagon pulled by Gentleeyes, the kindly female triceratops, and with Lucas and Otto beside on the wagon seat, I waved good-bye to the residents of Seabreeze Farm as we made our way to Pooktook.
The trip was a silent one, the only noise being the steady plodding of Gentleeyes' feet. Soon, I could see the city in the distance. Pooktook was an astonishing place, a riot of different building styles and bright colors. I drank in all the sights, impressed and awed by what I saw. We reached the sauropod barn on the outskirts of Pooktook from which I would depart in caravan to Waterfall City. The wagon halted in front of the barn. Inside, beyond the large open doors, I could see the towering figures of brachiosaurs, decked out in metal armor with giant saddlebags or baskets attached to their backs. One of them had what appeared to be a wheelless carriage strapped in place of a bag or basket. I climbed down from the wagon seat. This was it.
I gave Gentleeyes one last pat before helping Lucas and Otto haul my things up on a platform, and towards the waiting brachs. My possessions were stowed quickly on the back of the young male brachiosaurus whole presumably I would be riding, I was left standing with Lucas and Otto on the boarding ramp. Lucas nodded at me, he wasn't much for talking, and made his way back towards the wagon, giving Otto and me time to say our good-byes. We looked at each other, much as we had when I had first woken up in the infirmary, not saying a word. I didn't know how to voice how much I owed to him and his family, how much I would miss the Farm, their kindness, his pranks, and the smiling faces of the Spyris. The words of gratitude stuck in my throat, so I said the only thing I could. It seemed oddly appropriate.
"Breathe deep Otto," I almost whispered.
"Seek peace Robin," Otto replied gently, smiling.
We hugged then and clasped arms, our farewells over. Otto turned, and without looking back, made his way from the platform in the direction of Gentleeyes and the wagon. I returned to the carriage, alone except for the brachiosaurus on whose back I sat. Excited and more than a little scared, I waited for the beginning of my journey.
Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Dinotopia, James Gurney does. However, all characters and Seabreeze Farm are mine.
My time at Seabreeze Farm was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I spent two weeks laboring beside the Spyri family and their saurian helpers in the lush fields, learning about this strange land with help from both humans and dinosaurs. Parts of my twenty-two year old mind wanted to argue that such a place as Dinotopia couldn't possibly exist, but its hard to call something a fantasy when you are riding on the back of a parasaurolophus or settling an ankylosaurus into a plow harness. Every day brought new adventures and new wonders for me to witness. My time with the Spyris flew by, and before I knew it, I was close to beginning my journey to Waterfall City. I was saddened at the thought of leaving the first and only friends I had made since arriving, especially young Otto, who despite our age difference had become my constant companion.
It was the evening of my last day at Seabreeze Farm. Otto and I strolled around the fields in silence, content to just watch the wind play across the grass. Otto was an energetic youth, and in my first days had shown me everything about the running of the Farm. His cheerful, friendly demeanor had done much to dispel my initial shyness around the residents of Dinotopia, and with his help, I got to know the saurian members of the Spyri family. The sun was setting gloriously in the west, painting the sky in hues of red, orange, yellow, and purple. It was a bittersweet sight, symbolizing the end of my last day here. Finally, I spoke.
"I'm really going to miss you Otto. And I'm not just saying that. It's going to be really lonely in Waterfall City without you around balancing buckets of water on my door to soak me." Otto grinned at the reminder of one of the many tricks he had played on me during the course of my stay.
"Hey, how am I supposed to get along without you around to show me new pranks? That whole 'short sheeting' thing was a good one," Otto replied gleefully. I merely smirked. We walked back up to the house, ready for a good-bye dinner prepared masterfully by Beatrice.
**********
When it finally came time for me to ride to Pooktook to meet up with the caravan traveling to Waterfall City, my departure was one of tears, many hugs, well-wishings, and a showering of gifts, including a new set of Dinotopian style work clothes from Beatrice, a carving knife from Otto, a wooden maiasaur figure from Lucas, and a basket full of treats from all the dinosaurs. In a wagon pulled by Gentleeyes, the kindly female triceratops, and with Lucas and Otto beside on the wagon seat, I waved good-bye to the residents of Seabreeze Farm as we made our way to Pooktook.
The trip was a silent one, the only noise being the steady plodding of Gentleeyes' feet. Soon, I could see the city in the distance. Pooktook was an astonishing place, a riot of different building styles and bright colors. I drank in all the sights, impressed and awed by what I saw. We reached the sauropod barn on the outskirts of Pooktook from which I would depart in caravan to Waterfall City. The wagon halted in front of the barn. Inside, beyond the large open doors, I could see the towering figures of brachiosaurs, decked out in metal armor with giant saddlebags or baskets attached to their backs. One of them had what appeared to be a wheelless carriage strapped in place of a bag or basket. I climbed down from the wagon seat. This was it.
I gave Gentleeyes one last pat before helping Lucas and Otto haul my things up on a platform, and towards the waiting brachs. My possessions were stowed quickly on the back of the young male brachiosaurus whole presumably I would be riding, I was left standing with Lucas and Otto on the boarding ramp. Lucas nodded at me, he wasn't much for talking, and made his way back towards the wagon, giving Otto and me time to say our good-byes. We looked at each other, much as we had when I had first woken up in the infirmary, not saying a word. I didn't know how to voice how much I owed to him and his family, how much I would miss the Farm, their kindness, his pranks, and the smiling faces of the Spyris. The words of gratitude stuck in my throat, so I said the only thing I could. It seemed oddly appropriate.
"Breathe deep Otto," I almost whispered.
"Seek peace Robin," Otto replied gently, smiling.
We hugged then and clasped arms, our farewells over. Otto turned, and without looking back, made his way from the platform in the direction of Gentleeyes and the wagon. I returned to the carriage, alone except for the brachiosaurus on whose back I sat. Excited and more than a little scared, I waited for the beginning of my journey.
