A.N. Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here's the next chapter for TWoF. We don't own anything.
Soundtrack: Heart Reflections by Brandon Fiechter/Lullaby of Silence by Zhenya Lubich
Hazel, along with the rest that came with her, all gawked at the stranger. Tropeognathus, the keel jaw. The large stature, the crestless head, the paddles on the beak, it was everything she read about. The only difference was this was larger than what the fossils depicted. Hazel wasn't surprised; it wouldn't be the first time she encountered a creature that proved the fossil records incorrect. Judging by the amount of scars and the dull color of the hide, this one was quite old. In her eyes, he (at least it looked like a male), looked to be almost the size of a Quetzalcoatlus, just being a scant few feet shorter.
The Tapejara, while wary of the stranger, kept their eyes on him while they continued their mating business. The large pterosaur didn't seem to mind the number of eyes that fell on him. He just went on to preening his wings, no doubt making sure they were pristine enough for him to carry him on the winds.
"Great Being on High, that is the biggest flyer I've ever seen!" Flia exclaimed.
Hazel shrugged. "Well there are much bigger ones, but yes, he's big."
"What!? There are bigger ones!?" shrieked the flabbergasted crested female, bringing a smile to the human's face.
"Oh yeah, there are," she said. Her reply left Flia practically speechless.
Daniel pointed with his thumb. "Do you think this guy's a nomad?"
Hazel did a slight head cock before strolling away from them towards the creature, much to the shock of the others. "Well let's ask him."
The rookie male with her just rushed after, clearly worried about what she was getting into. "Hazel, wait! We're not sure what we're dealing with here!"
As they walked away from the Late Cretaceous denizens, they couldn't help but watch the little scene before them with amusement. Flia was silently watching the first few moments, however it was Aeros that decided to speak up immediately.
"Oh yes..." he stifled his snickers with a wing over his beak, "she'll definitely keep him on his toes. He better be prepared to handle this one."
Flia playfully scoffed with a roll of her head. "I'm sure he will...perhaps. He could be good for her. Someone needs to reel her in when everyone else can't."
The red Pteranodon gave her a playful stare. "Are you saying you can't?"
The female gasped and scowled. "Agh! Of course I can!" she then softened with a solemn gaze. "I just...chose not to at this time. I wanted to give Daniel a chance to do that. If he is to be her mate, he needs to take every chance he can get. Though...before he came here, that was typically my job. Barring the start of this mission and while we're flying, he won't leave her side."
"Don't tell me Flia, are you saying you're jealous? You're afraid he'll take your place as Hazel's guardian?"
She once again shrieked in surprise. "Ack! No! No of course not! In fact, I welcome it. It will give me a break from having to constantly look out for Hazel. Though...me having to not be with her during those last couple of rescues was off-putting for me. I did feel useless then..."
Aeros chuckled, getting the attention of the off-put Flia. "Don't worry, Daniel's not replacing you in any way. In fact, if anything wrong comes up and he needs guidance about Hazel, you'll be the first one he'll approach. You'll both be looking after her, as well as everyone else we know."
"I...suppose so," she replied, somewhat reassured.
The narrow-crested male flicked a wing to remove some seawater that got onto him. He looked away to watch the females soaring above. "Now if only someone were to look after you..."
Flia snapped at him, curious as to what he said. "What did you say?"
"Nothing!" the Pteranodon quickly replied, trying to appear aloof. "Nothing."
Flia narrowed her eyes. She knew he said something. Whether it was a minor insult or something he was trying to get at, she didn't know. However, there was one thing that was for certain; Daniel has improved in his advances. It was going in the right direction. This whole mission was supposed to bring those two closer together.
However, it still remained to be seen with her and Aeros.
Flia started forward to catch up to the humans, who were already a good several feet away from them. Aeros followed close behind her, apparently he was too distracted in his thoughts that he failed to see her leave.
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"So we're just going to waltz up to that big pterosaur and talk to him? That's the plan? Aren't you worried about the sea of flamboyant crests here?"
"That's it, yeah," replied Hazel. The two of them weaved around an approaching female who was going towards a perched male nearby. "We'll be fine. Besides, the Tapejara are giving him a wide berth. They won't bug us."
"Whatever you say."
She then gave him a sly look. "Also, you managed to talk to a bull mammoth and an ornery female Elasmotherium. An old Tropeognathus shouldn't be an issue."
"That was different!" he raised his voice over a loud squawk of a male. "We weren't in the middle of a colony! It was a vast plain!"
"Colony or barren field, it doesn't matter," she rebuked. "If we can handle an introduction like in the Pleistocene, then this will be a cakewalk."
"He could still carry you off or push into the rocks, or-" he continued to voice his concerns.
Hazel rolled her eyes. As much as she appreciated (even liked?) him telling her not to go through with it, this was a chance they needed to take. "Then we'll keep our distance until we know it's safe to proceed."
They continued to approach the lone large pterosaur, who was busy preening his wings to even notice them. As they did, they passed by a pair of Tapejara that were...getting it on. Hazel went rigid for a moment and immediately looked away out of sheer embarrassment. She then covered her ears with her index fingers to try and block out the sounds of sexual ecstasy. Why in God's green earth did this gift of Prehistoric Speak have to be a curse at this time? Did they have to do it now? They could have waited!
She didn't look at Daniel, but she could tell he was equally uncomfortable. Looking back, she could see that Flia and Aeros were not far behind them. They too were trying not to pay attention to the amorous Tapejara. Thank goodness the other Tapejara were vocalizing around them to drown out a good amount of it. The two of them walked briskly away from the...event...to get as far away from it as possible.
They finally reached the lone Tropeognathus. They were a good few feet away from him, though they made sure they weren't anywhere close to the edge of the cliff. Due to the stranger's presence, the Tapejara had given him ample space, which proved to the time travelers' advantage as they used it. Hazel approached first, getting his attention by clearing her throat.
"Excuse me, do you think you can spare a moment?"
He gasped and raised his bald, beaked head. The slender head turned, those small blue eyes falling on the small group. Wary and guarded, he watched the human with interest.
"Huh...no claws, no tail, no wings, no sharp teeth...can't say I've seen the likes of you before," his voice was like that of the cliff itself, being beaten by the waves and the winds constantly. His age reflected his demeanor, as he probably had seen much on his travels. In Hazel's ears, it reminded her of an old timer from a Wild West movie.
"Yeah we're not from around here," she quickly answered.
"If you're here for this here spot, you'll have to wait a little. A few more wave crashes and I'll be on my way."
Hazel raised her hands to stop him. "No wait, we're not here for that! We just wanted to talk."
The pterosaur raised an eye ridge. "Humph...then speak quickly. Wind's pickin' up soon. Yours truly needs to get going."
The human glanced at her friends, making sure they were doing okay with the situation. None of the Tapejara had gotten close to them. Daniel and Flia watched her with worry in their features. She gave them discreet thumbs up from her side, letting them know everything was fine. She then noticed Daniel rushing towards her. She couldn't help but smile at his concern over her, even though she had this handled.
Gazing back at the large pterosaur, she went on with the introductions. "Alright then. Well, I guess we'll start with introductions. I'm Hazel, the guy here is Daniel," she pointed at him with her thumb, who in turn waved at the Early Cretaceous denizen. Afterwards, she pointed to the Pteranodons behind her. "The Pteranodons are Flia and Aeros."
She heard the sound of rocks clattering. Shifting around, she saw she was literally backed by two lanky bodies with large wings. The Pteranodons had leapt (or flew) up to them when she was doing the greetings.
"Windsor," was all the Tropeognathus said.
The elder pterosaur looked ahead. His eyes fell on something that caught his attention. Following his gaze, Hazel could see it was at the confused Aeros. Windsor strolled up to the young male, his winged arms shaking with each step from his weight. Hazel, Daniel, and Flia, sensing what was about to occur, parted away from the duo to grant them ample space. Hazel had to watch the cliff to make sure she wasn't too close to the edge, though it was easier said than done with the cliff face they were on wasn't even at all.
Aeros stammered and gasped as the elder male circled around him, inspecting his every being. Windsor muttered something under his breath. Whatever it was, Hazel could only guess. The elder picked and prodded at the red pterosaur, causing him to jump. Hazel could only giggle as she realized Windsor was doing the same thing Zulu did with Manju. The only thing was, this one seemed like a loner, so why would he want to analyze Aeros?
"Hm..." he used his little fingers to pull one of Aeros' wings, much to his shock and slight pain. He was almost yanked to the side. Had it not been for Windsor holding him up, he would have lost his balance. "Strong wings," he observed his torso and the rest of his body. "Seems like you've been eating well."
"Ah ahem...I suppose I have."
He went on to inspect the red Pteranodon. Hazel, and even Daniel as she had just noticed, did their best to stifle their snickers. Aeros, being the tough and maybe a little cocky flyer that he was, was getting a body inspection. Their amusement caught the attention of the suffering northern pterosaur and was met with a seething glare. The two of them had to school themselves as a result. Funny enough, Windsor didn't seem to notice the humans' reactions.
"No recent injuries..." he muttered. He finally returned to his previous spot to gaze at the two Pteranodons. His air of nobility, in his own way, had been reattuned. "You're a fine young one. Got some scars on you, but you clearly recovered from them," he gestured to Aeros, who had relaxed now that he was free of the little torment. Windsor's eyes then fell on the female next to him. "You should be honored to be courted by a strong lad. He'll do you good."
Flia raised an eye ridge. "Uh courted? Windsor sir, I'm afraid you are mistaken. He and I aren't-"
"We're not mates. Not yet," Aeros gawked when he realized what had come out of his beak. Flia stared at him as if he were another piece of fish to eat. He tried to look away from her, all while stammering to get a good reply out to save his hide. "Uh...not yet!? I mean, we will get there, but we have things happening, like priorities and-"
Windsor made a gravelly laugh at that. Despite being old and ragged, he had a sense of humor on him. "Ah the liveliness of youth. It's alright. I won't pry any further," he cleared his throat then looked back at the humans, "Now, what were you two going to ask?"
"Ah well, that's a bit complicated, so I'll start by asking what you're doing all the way out here," Hazel started.
Windsor's eyes narrowed. "Hm...well you ever seen a wanderer?"
"I've met a few," she replied, her thoughts drifting to several of the Residents she came to know, even those she considered part of her family.
"That's what I am. I go where the gales take me. Doesn't matter where or when. I just do. Not like I have purpose in it."
"You're a drifter," Daniel concluded. "You go wherever despite other people's judgment."
"Correct."
"You lookin' for a place to retire then?" Hazel said next, working on her persuasion with the large flyer.
He looked at her curiously. "Retire?"
"Yeah. Settle down, take it easy, spend your days resting peacefully, doing what you want. You're constantly traveling. Don't you get tired?"
He thought for a moment. "Hm...I do. What are you getting at?"
Hazel inhaled, thinking on her words before speaking them. "Well, we're offering a chance to finally achieve that rest. Don't you have a home to get back to?"
Windsor fell into contemplation. "Hm..."
"We know a place where you could settle down in. It's peaceful. Certainly not as noisy as this. And certainly no shortage of food and water either."
It took a moment for Windsor to answer. Hazel expected him to accept. He was getting on in his years. Even though he was a wanderer, it was about time for him to settle down. The beaches over at the Marine Sector would be the best place for him. Or he could go for the main part of the valley. There are lots of cliff faces there for him to nest. Surely, this would be an easy win.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
"That's a mighty fine offer...," he stepped towards Hazel, "but I'll have to decline."
Her eyes went wide. She thought back on her words. Perhaps she wasn't too convincing enough? This wasn't the first time she was tactfully declined.
"Decline? Why? Don't you want to live somewhere where you can spend your days in peace?" she couldn't help but ask.
"What's more peaceful than riding the wind?" he simply told her.
"Can't blame you there," Flia replied quickly.
"Really Flia? That's not helping!" she thought as she shot a glare at her friend.
"I don't mind not having a home anyway," Windsor continued, "Less to worry about."
"But-" she was cut off by Daniel, who placed a hand on her shoulder. He pulled her and stepped forward, as if to tell her he would handle it. If she continued on, she would only push their rescue target away or kick start an argument, if she said the wrong thing.
"That's understandable," he gave a silent gesture to the flabbergasted Hazel. "Our new friend here needs more time. I suggest we give him some space," she frowned at that and resigned to the circumstances.
"Even if I did agree to come along," Windsor sounded again, "I don't got much of a choice."
"What do you mean?" Aeros stepped in, shocked by such a notion. "We're the rulers of the sky, lords of the wind. What sort of thing would subject us to bend our wings?"
Windsor was not at all fazed by the brisk remark. He slowly turned his head to gaze out at the sea. Hazel followed his direction for a moment and then kept an eye on him. "The kind we can't always control. I may be a wanderer, but even I have to return to the place of my hatching, though I have missed a few before. It's something I can't help. It's that time, you see. I've already missed the previous one. I don't think I can miss this one now. The urge is too strong."
Realization hit Hazel like a brick wall. "Your mating season."
He nodded. Windsor used his tiny fingers to point at the semicircle paddles on his beak.
"See these?" he gestured to the natural body adornments he bore. They were quite small on him but clearly noticeable to any other creature. They had lines going in arcs on the exterior, almost like tree rings. Unlike the rest of his beak, these ones were looking to be a slightly darker shade of brown. "See these? Already they're changing color. Once they're flush, then the time is nigh."
"I suppose that's a valid reason...so your hatching grounds are across the sea?" she eyed the ocean.
Fear and anxiety were tickling her insides like bugs crawling around. The continents were in the process of breaking apart. Ahead was the young Atlantic. Many dangers lay ahead for the large pterosaur, from marine reptiles, to scarce resting spots and...storms. Hazel couldn't help but shiver.
They spent days trying to find a Tropeognathus. Here he was, a golden opportunity for them. Despite him declining the offer for life in the Park, she had to tell herself it was because of his natural timing. They had approached him at the wrong time. Perhaps he will reconsider after his mating season.
She eyed Flia and Aeros, who still watched Windsor. Hazel could only guess as to what they were thinking. Her thoughts on Windsor's body clock, she thought about the Pteranodons with them. What was their mating season like? Do they even have one? Not once did Aeros or even Flia exhibit a sort of mating behavior. Maybe it all depends on when a female was in heat? She wasn't sure how often that was. Or they could be opportunistic and not have a set mating season at all? Either way, every pterosaur species was different.
Her eyes then fell on the ocean. She absently placed a hand on her stomach. She opened and closed her hands as adrenaline rushed through them. An open ocean crossing. This was going to be difficult.
She glanced at those around her. Daniel slowly moved his hand to grasp hers, stopping her from constantly grasping at open air. The clammy, yet strong grip he had startled her, but she welcomed it. It was his way of calming her. As he stared at her, she couldn't help but think he was trying to read her. The air he gave off she read as "are you sure about this?"
"We can't go back now. We've come too far," she silently told him.
Her eyes fell back onto Windsor. "Well that settles it. We can accompany you."
Windsor blinked. "What?"
"Yeah. The journey will be hard for you flying solo. But with a whole flock, it should be easier. If we fly a certain way, it'll reduce the amount of stress while in flight."
"How so?" inquired Flia, who bent down to be closer to her level.
"Well, back at home," she let go of Daniel's hand and made her fingers touch tips, creating a pointed hand gesture where they were slightly apart. She then pointed them forward to show the symbol she was trying to portray, "birds that are migrating tend to fly in a V-formation. They do that to lessen the strain in flight so the winds don't hit them as much, at least that's what I believe happens."
"That makes sense...I think?" Flia said, partially understanding the idea.
"Flying in formation...can't say I've ever tried that," Windsor pondered. "I'm more of a solo act. Still...I suppose we can try it. But why come along with me? There's nothing for you where I'm going."
Daniel raised a hand in a gesticulating motion before letting it rest. "We're just a couple of good Samaritans who want to see someone make it safely to their destination."
He eyed the two humans and the two Pteranodons present. His expression was near-unreadable. All Hazel could see was he was analyzing them. If this individual was solo for most of his life, then perhaps this may be the first time in a long time he was with others, and not for reasons like mating. She wondered if he had any friends, if any at all. This could be a new experience for him.
"Hm...well I can't say no to some kind strangers. Alright then. We'll set out-"
"Wait!"
The sudden exclamation brought their eyes over to another part of the cliff face. Two gusts from ahead had brought their attention skyward. Two black bodies with red paddle crests landed almost clumsily on the rocks. They were Tapejara, which brought the small group on guard. Daniel had pulled Hazel behind him as he got into a defensive stance. The woman couldn't help but blush a little at the gesture.
They were both a little smaller than Flia and Aeros, just a few scant feet shorter than them. One of them had a large crest, indicating a male. The other was slimmer and had a smaller crest, almost like that of a sail being retracted; definitely a female.
"Oh great, more of them. Listen, we've got no time for your ridiculous bantering, and Aeros will surely lose his voice over it," Flia flat out said, causing Aeros to yelp in offense.
"Hey!" he yelled. He took in a sharp breath and composed himself. "My voice is perfectly fine."
"Oh no! Lo siento, mi amor Amaya y yo are not here for that. No no, we are...eh, not like our neighbors," the male quickly answered. His tone was eloquent, with a Latino-esque tone to it. His mannerism reminded Hazel of Alex, the Alexornis that always accompanied Patchi and his family. The only difference was he was a little more suave. In fact, he was similar to that of Puss in Boots from the Shrek movies.
"Though if you do decide to fight us," Amaya, the named female, added. Her mannerism was similar to that of her mate, only she had a bit of sharpness to her. She sounded sweet, but if irritated, she would show her thorns, "we will not hesitate to try and push you all off this cliff."
"Calm yourself Amaya, we are not here for a fight," her mate reassured her.
"Yes yes, very well," the short-crested female rolled her eyes.
The male Tapejara smiled through his beak. His eyes fell on the big flyer. "You, big guy."
As Windsor watched the duo, he shifted in his stance when they did something that apparently he had not seen before. The Tapejara male surprisingly bowed in respect with his wings outstretched, with Amaya doing the same thing. They were literally kowtowing to him.
"I am Zephyr," he raised his head a little, but remained in his bowed position, "and this is my mate, Amaya. We do not know if you are staying or leaving. Either way, you have graced us with your presence and we would like to bask in it further."
"Come again, young one?"
Zephyr straightened himself, followed by his mate. "Lo siento. My amor y yo are big eh...admirers of anyone who is larger than us. We do not see many large flyers pass by our colony. Mostly because everyone here tends to shoo them away."
"Thought with this mating season on us," seconded Amaya, "everyone is too busy trying to...make eggs heh."
The two Tapejara giggled. While Windsor was not at all fazed by it, the same couldn't be said about the time travelers. Hazel and Daniel did their best to suppress their uncomfortable reactions, but it was their partners that had little success. They glanced at each other and then away out of embarrassment, their faces taking on shades of red (Aeros being redder). Upon seeing this, Hazel could only conclude that Pteranodons were a bit more conservative about it...maybe.
"When you majestically arrived, we couldn't help but flap our wings in glee," said the female Tapejara. "Ha, you should have seen Zephyr here go about earlier. He literally pushed someone into a blowhole!"
"It was an accident!" he retorted. "Besides, I never liked him anyway. It was funny seeing him be spat over the ocean though..."
The Asian female couldn't help but snicker, which caught the attention of Zephyr. "See? Even she thought it was funny," he remarked at the human.
It was at this time that Flia chose to step in. "Well, since you two are here, I suppose introductions are in order. I am Flia, that's Aeros," she gestured to him with a wing. Aeros merely waved before looking away. She then did the same to the humans, "and the humans are Hazel and Daniel." Hazel merely waved while Daniel did a two finger salute.
"Oh and that's Windsor," she gestured to the old pterosaur.
"Hola," Zephyr greeted. "Windsor eh? Such a majestic name, like a king!"
Windsor frowned, slightly opening his beak to show off his sharp teeth. "Ah knock it off with admiration. It's really cramping up on my space."
"Ah but of course! Tell us, are you going to stay for a while?"
"No. I..." he glanced over at the small group nearest to him, "we...were just about to leave." "Ah you're leaving? Aw...where, perchance, are you going?" asked the curious Amaya.
The Tropeognathus pointed at the ocean. "I've got someplace to be, and I'm already running late."
"He's got his own mating season on him and he needs to get a move on. We're just tagging along to make sure he gets there on time," Daniel clarified for him.
"Ah oh I see!" regarded the pterosaur with the large, paddle crest. He put his wings together as if he were trying to hint at another clue he was getting to. "If you ah...are leaving together...would you amigos, can I call you that? Would you amigos mind if we ah..."
Aeros scoffed, his tiny fingers massaging one part of his forehead. "Spit it out already. We really need to get moving. Ow!"
The red Pteranodon winced as Flia had elbowed/winged him on the side, which was followed up by a hushed scolding. That wasn't the only thing he received; Daniel had done the same and muttered to him "Manners". Once again, Hazel giggled.
Zephyr grimaced at that, but took no offense to it. "Lo siento. Windsor is eh...phenomenal that I cannot get my words out."
"Can we come with you all?" Amaya finally managed to reiterate for him. Hazel was starting to think they were fairly close before this mating period. Maybe they were childhood friends? Amaya could have flown straight to Zephyr during this season. It could be their first time, they don't look as big as the other Tapejara. They could be fresh out of their adolescent stage.
"Wait, what?" Flia uttered.
"Si si!" Zephyr went excitedly. "We'd like to come, that is, if you'll have us."
Aeros groaned and rubbed his side, having recovered from the mini bout with Flia. "We have our own reasons to go with him, but why do you want to go?"
"Colony life is boring for us. We've been waiting for an opportunity to leave this place and we were hoping to do so with a large wanderer. We both are fans of anyone who is bigger than us-"
"And can fly," the female with the small crest added.
"Si, and can fly. We want to see new places, even settle in a new spot along the way perhaps. We cannot do it ourselves. There are things that might get us, you see."
"Nearly everyone here is a pushover and we are not agreeable to them. We've been wanting to leave with a larger individual so they could show us around and well...si. We can find someplace new to live."
Daniel and Hazel eyed each other knowingly. They silently gestured to each other on who would do the honors. It fell on Hazel as Daniel allowed her with a wave forward.
"Well, we did give an offer to Windsor," the Asian female started. "We asked him if he'd like to come home with us after his mating season so he can 'retire'. There's a place for him, and any other flyer, that's very suitable. It's next to an ocean, there's lots of food and places to rest. Free of predators, save for the ones that live there but they know not to eat their neighbors."
This got the duo of Tapejara nervous. Windsor, while hiding his emotions rather well, only looked on in interest. Hazel could only guess he was trying to determine the real story.
"Ah, wait predators?" Amaya shuddered.
"It's okay, they're friendly, most of them anyway," Flia reassured. "We've lived with them long enough to know they won't attack. Besides, you'd hear it from us if something is wrong."
The black flyers glanced at each other. They turned around to converse privately. When that happened, Daniel turned to Hazel to ask her about it.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, asking them? They just came out of the blue."
Hazel shrugged. "Well why not? It's a good opportunity and with more members of this little Flock, it'll make traveling that much easier. The V-formation will be a lot bigger. Less strain in the flight."
He nodded, understanding her. "Alright then, I see where you're getting at."
After a brief minute or so, the Tapejara turned back towards them. Zephyr stepped forward and acted as the representative between the two. "We have thought about it and we have decided to abide by what Windsor wishes. We will follow where he goes."
The two humans stared at each other, with Daniel shrugging. They then looked up to Windsor for an answer. It came in the form of a shrug and a response.
"Very well. But keep up. I have no intention of slowing down."
"Not that we planned to anyway, heh," Hazel commented as she made her way towards Flia's back.
With their plan in motion, the two humans mounted their partners. They took their places on the cliff's face and waited. The gales around them picked up, aiming towards the ocean. Windsor was the first to jump and take off, his immense wings nearly encompassing the small group that flanked him. He angled up and off to the right, going towards the span of the coastline.
Following him were Flia and Aeros as well as their riders. The two of them flanked both of his sides. Finally came Zephyr and Amaya, who took the edges of the formation. The group took Windsor's direction and flew off after him, eventually creating the formation that Hazel spoke about. They soared the wind, leaving the rambunctious colony behind.
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The group had been flying for days. Three days? Four days? Hazel couldn't recall how long they've been at it. The days were melding together. The days were the same; wake up, have breakfast, fly north, rest for a bit for lunch, then fly until sunset. According to Windsor, the ocean crossing won't happen until they reach a certain point in the "northern land", which in human ears means North America. Using deductive reasoning, and a spare map that Nigel lent her, they were aiming towards the tip of North America. For the whole time, they've been "island hopping" over what would soon become Latin America.
Thanks to Hazel's guidance, the Flock was able to maintain their V-formation. The idea was simple; the leader would fly slightly above the others, with the rest doing the same. This would reduce the wind resistance on them. Then, when the leader got tired, they would switch places so another would lead the Flock. Of course, Windsor was the navigator as he knew where they needed to go. He told them all which direction to take and they all followed. Because they seldom flew directly into the wind (not that they needed to for this part of the trip), the downward part of the formation was easier to fly in. One side of the formation ended up a little more stretched at times. Besides saving energy, another benefit of flying in V formation was to keep track of everyone in the group.
It was a new experience for them all. Daniel and Hazel never experienced it before for obvious reasons. The pterosaurs were also solo flyers so this was a new concept to them. They were quite pleased with the results and agreed they should do this formation more often when on long flights. Windsor admitted it was good for him.
Hazel's anxiety was at an all-time high. Due to her fear of the open ocean, she's had trouble sleeping properly. At most, she would only get about four hours before snapping awake at the sound of waves breaking. That also affected her riding capabilities. Flia had to urge her to rest while they were flying, a task that was easier said than done. Every movement Flia made only made Hazel wake up in alert, only to find it was just a little gust or a slight turn. She would only be able to get a few minutes rest at best while on Flia's back.
Because of Hazel's sleeplessness, they were forced to spend a whole day resting. They were only a half a day's flight till the southern tip of North America. Windsor kept arguing that they could keep going, only for the younger flyers to point out that he needed rest too. His flight pattern had become shaky, and like Hazel, he too had little sleep due to the oncoming mating period. In the end, Windsor was forced to agree. Any more strain and he wouldn't make it there.
Speaking of Windsor, they could see changes in him. He was becoming more fidgety by the day. His crests on his beak were getting darker. Where they were once pale, they were now taking on an orange color. He mentioned the younger the male, the redder they are. But due to his age, the color has been fading.
They chose a short stretch of beach that was connected to a forest in the back. Hazel had slept on her sleeping bag the whole time while the others made their own preparations, save for Windsor as he slept too. Unlike the other days when Hazel slept on the cliff faces, the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach were more relaxing. They lulled her to sleep easily. Where once it had been mid-afternoon, it was dawn when next she awoke.
Now rested and with a clearer mind, Hazel was ready to continue on the flight journey. Daniel had given her the rundown of what happened while she was asleep. Other than him and the others keeping watch, he had gone back to Prehistoric Park to restock for both of them. The staff had their supplies ready so it was an easy switch. While he was getting their supplies, the Tapejara had taken an interest in what lay on the other side of the portal. The green valley had intrigued them. The waterways that ran through the valley brought a clear promise of food and the multiple cliffs and mountains offered plenty of places to nest. However, their opinion still lay on Windsor's decision. The Tropeognathus also showed interest in the portal, but only slightly. He said he would still consider the offer of life in the Park.
The flight wasn't always strenuous. There were times when it was enjoyable. Windsor, being an experienced traveler, had seen much over the years. Zephyr and Amaya, and even Zeros and Flia were all intrigued with the stories he regaled them with (due to Zephyr prodding him to tell them stories). Well, in Zephyr's words, he wanted to commemorate his union with Amaya with Windsor telling them stories. He told them many tales, from his daring escapes, to the times he traveled inland and came across "long-necks". One time, he nearly died in a desert because he got lost. Flia shared stories of her past migrations with the Valley Herd, especially on the most recent migrations. She also included the time she and Hazel went to the Salt Plains in the Late Jurassic. Desert living was not agreeable to them; it was a miracle they both survived those ordeals.
There was one tale that the group found a little too...fantastical. He told them he was wandering around the northern land, North America, waiting for the time when he needed to migrate for his mating season. He was minding his own business in the air when something had knocked him away in the air. He had quickly caught himself from falling, but when he looked at what had attacked him, he couldn't believe what he saw. There were two large creatures, larger than even him. If they could get close to him, they would eclipse his form in their wings. They had horns on their heads too. These beings, whatever they were, breathed the sun's light to set all beneath them ablaze.
The small group laughed it off, but it was Hazel that remained puzzled. That was too tall of a tale for her to comprehend. She asked if he ate anything weird earlier that day or if he had rested enough. He told her he couldn't recall it as it was several years ago. He didn't linger long due to his fear of getting attacked again. Hazel merely dismissed it as a hallucination from him not resting enough or him eating something weird.
It was another day (or was it two?) when they were over the coast of what would become South Carolina. It was just another day of flying when a familiar, yet unfamiliar, sonorous call brought their attention ahead. Flying ahead, they came across a mass of gray, black, and white. It was a herd of individuals of all ages. Youngsters played off to the side or joined the adults in the middle. They were quadrupedal, but converted to a bent-over bipedal stance when they ran.
Hazel looked closely. They may be high up, but she could make out a faint spike on their hooves. Her insides filled with excitement, she relayed to the Flock that they were looking at a herd of Iguanodons, well, another species of them. These ones were vastly different from the ones they came to know over the years. The ones from the Valley herd mainly traversed on all fours, with them going on two legs when they needed to get a good vantage point or if they needed to reach up for something. Then there was their obvious appearance; these ones were quite stocky, in a similar scale to the late Bruton.
Flia was quite awestruck as they flew over them. Hazel had to let her know that Iguanodons (and their relatives) were among the most successful dinosaur species to dominate the planet. There were many different species of Iguanodon, with their friends and the members of the herd being just one species. Being so successful, she wouldn't be surprised if they came across another species along the way.
Another quick observation and they noticed a lumbering object that stuck with the herd. It wasn't an Iguanodon. It was covered in spikes of varying sizes and underlying plates. Due to the body stature from above, plus the lack of a tail club, Hazel concluded it was a nodosaur. More specifically, it was a Gastonia. It wasn't uncommon for certain creatures to travel with other herds. It was usually a symbiotic relationship. This nodosaur had protection in a herd while it also helped bolster its defense. It was rather slow moving due to the armor. Its true reason for being with this herd was anyone's guess. However, its presence had attracted a number of the youngsters trying to get its attention.
Due to them being on a deadline, they couldn't linger around to observe them much longer. They decided to fly over the noisy herd and move on. The herd below no doubt were on their way to greener pastures, or even a Nesting Ground of their own.
Their trek came with its own dangers. During one of their rest stops, they were ambushed by a small pack of lithe carnivores. Hazel had no time to discern what they were as they came attacking their designated campsite. Their supplies were attacked, with them mainly going after Daniel's stuff. Hazel's stuff was surprisingly spared. The flyers managed to chase them off. Upon inspection of Daniel's supplies, they had gone after the fish in his cooler. As it turned out, it wasn't closed properly, so the predators smelled it. This caused them to be delayed once again for them to restock. The Park had no shortage of spare bags thankfully. They had also not come across any marine reptiles or large carnivores.
They did encounter a small flock of pterosaurs that were once again trying to get at the fish they had recently acquired for their next leg of the trip. They managed to fend them off while they were flying. A few aerial twists, quick moves, and snaps of their beaks, plus the humans defending in their own way and that sent them flying off. Their bags suffered minor damage, but none of the food was taken.
They finally reached the designated spot on their flight, the place they will take off before making for the "land beyond", the islands that will one day become Europe. It was a rocky outcrop, much like the one the Tapejara came from. The only difference was there were no noisy pterosaurs around. There were a few plesiosaurs resting on some rocks nearby. They made some low coos and bellows, but other than that, they weren't bothersome to the group.
They had dinner that evening. Daniel and Hazel had a generously packed meal of spam and rice, spam musubi. It was an item that the chefs don't normally make, but Daniel made a special request for it. He must have paid them for it. They also had sliced persimmons and salted egg with tomatoes. To Hazel, it was refreshing to have something from her heritage.
Having fished earlier that day, their spare coolers were already filled with the prey. Due to Zephyr and Amaya's addition, Hazel and Daniel felt it wouldn't be fair to leave them and Windsor out. They would work together with feeding them as well. This way, it would prevent anyone from getting too close to the ocean surface, thus minimizing any sea monster attack. According to Windsor, the open ocean crossing won't take more than a day, but even they needed to be careful.
After dinner, Hazel and Daniel sat together to stare at the sea. The man had refilled their spare thermoses with tea, an herbal mixture. They observed the ocean, the young Atlantic, which they will cross on the morrow. Hazel had tried to sleep earlier that evening, only for hunger and the anxiety regarding the crossing to endlessly prod her. She wrapped herself in her sleeping bag, which she unraveled to create a large blanket. Had it not been for the looming migration, this would have been a unique vacation spot for her. She couldn't help but admire the clear navy sky with the moon hanging low, as well as the cawing of small pterosaurs down the coast and the rolling waves.
"It's beautiful tonight," she offhandedly said.
She sensed Daniel's eyes falling on her.
"From here, the ocean looks so big. But if what Windsor is saying is true, we'll be in Europe by late afternoon tomorrow. And we're at the tip of the North American continent no less. Well, I'd say it's near the tip, heh."
He took a sip of his tea. "What do you think we'll encounter on the journey?"
She thought for a moment. "Hm...considering we're about to fly over a growing ocean, we'll see lots of fish, some other migrants, if we're lucky or unlucky depending on how you look at it, a marine reptile or two," Hazel shuddered. "Still, I wish we didn't need to go through the ocean. I'm quite happy just staring at the ocean from here."
The man looked at her inquisitively. It only took a moment for him to develop an answer.
"Hazel, we already know how you're feeling. You're scared of the ocean because of what happened to your father."
The woman set her thermos down and balled her fists. That wasn't news to them. However, to not complicate things further, they decided to keep Hazel's fear from Windsor and the Tapejara. They had to come up with some excuses to explain her sleeplessness, the main one being her keeping a vigilant lookout as a scout (thanks to her prior experience to that). The last thing they wanted was an argument to arise regarding the migration when they already agreed they would assist, or even them getting left behind. Still, she couldn't help but feel ashamed of her weakness.
Daniel exhaled. "We've already been over this. Look, there's nothing wrong with being afraid of the ocean. There are lots of people with that fear. Those reptiles won't get at us."
She let out a seething breath, her anxiety rising again. "Daniel, my dad died out at sea. From what I know, he was caught up in a big storm and they never found him. I'm not scared of the ocean only because of giant sea monsters, that's already a given fear for anybody, me included. I'm scared of dying out there because of some big storm like a hurricane, or some strong wind that blows us off course, or accidentally falling off and getting sucked into a whirlpool. Well, that last one may not exactly happen but it's the open ocean so anything can happen. So there..I just," she hugged her blanket tighter, "don't want to end up like him."
"You miss him," was all Daniel said. Hazel confirmed with a sorrowful nod. "Hey if you feel strongly about it that much, we don't have to go. I'm sure the others will understand. We'll figure out a work-around."
"We made a promise, and we're keeping it. A work-around will require a lot of planning and we're already running out of time."
"Well don't worry," Hazel felt a warm hand on her shoulder, which was then followed by a gentle squeeze. Her gut and cheeks flared hot as the man she came to know the past several weeks got closer to her. She did her best to not make eye contact with him, only for herself to stare into those gorgeous eyes of his, eyes that she could stare at for eternity. "We're not going to let you die out there. And so long as I live and breathe, no man or beast or part of nature will harm you, because I'll protect you."
She struggled to get the proper words out. This was it. This was what she was waiting for. Her doubts melted away with those very words. Gifts and little actions here and there are one thing, but it was this little confirmation that checked off her expectations. A man can be big and strong, cunning and compassionate, or warm and funny. But the fact that they would be there to help them when they are in need, that was what she wanted. She didn't care about how they looked. To her, good looks were a bonus. She admired intellect, someone who would do the right thing for others, and be there when they need them the most.
Hazel smiled. He had done it.
"Thank you...that..." she stifled a sniffle as tears began to form, "that makes me feel better. And, since we're at it, I'll make sure nothing hurts you too."
Daniel nodded. He sighed longingly and stared at the ocean. More waves crashed against the rocks. The plesiosaurs below craned their necks towards their bodies as they drifted off to sleep. The cawing on the coast had died down.
"Listen, there's something I've been wanting to get off my chest. I know you're aware of it, but...I just really need to tell you."
The Asian felt her left hand go rigid. The tickling sensation flowed through the veins, as if little insects were crawling under her skin and there was nothing she could do about it. That feeling, it was an annoyance, a sign. Curse her empathetic existence. It always happened whenever she was with someone she had...feelings for. She knew what was coming. But whether it would lead her to something good, or yet another downfall, she did not know. She prayed she would be prepared for whatever would come.
"Remember...back when we rescued Tethys and she was trying to capsize us?" he started. "And when you were trying to get close to me? Then we had that huge misunderstanding?"
She tightened her fist again, the adrenaline just kept rushing. "Yeah...that. Look, Chris and I are just friends, nothing more," she looked at him, trying to hide her pleading expression. "The moment he and I fall for each other will be when pig's learn to fly."
He smiled for a moment. "Then, that time you fell overboard and were about to get eaten by Tethys, I jumped in to save you. I just...couldn't bear to see you hurt."
"Oh shit...he said it. It's coming!" she screamed in her mind. Out of respect, she stayed quiet to let him finish.
His face transformed from reserved to heartfelt in an instant. "And then there were subsequent times after that where you leaped into danger without a thought. Every time you did, I get so scared. There's also that time we were trying to rescue Lilith and we got chased twice during that rescue. You goaded her on and she was this close to eating you!" he did a pinching motion with his fingers. He raised his voice after that. "I'm sorry to say this, but you can be reckless and it just...my heart just feels like it's going to break every time you do that and it's torture! Then there was that time with the Gorgonops, and then the rescue in prehistoric Poland!"
Daniel sighed, taking a moment to calm himself. Hazel couldn't help but feel ashamed. She did all of those and worried him. They were her, trying to do what she thought was right, only to make him suffer in the end. She wanted to cry for what she had done, but forced herself not to out of respect and preservation for them both.
"Then there's how you are with everyone around you, especially with the Residents. You just...connect with them. Even when we just met Windsor and his little fans."
"What are you saying?" she asked calmly. Deep down, she knew what was coming. She was in this situation before. She felt like she was a pterosaur, ready to take off. Before her was the ocean expanse, below her feet was the towering cliff. To her, she felt like whatever was about to come would carry her on the wind, or she would fall to her death.
He opened his mouth. She waited for the gale that would come and carry her away, or the fall that would take her.
"What I'm trying to say is..." he took a breath. "Hazel, I'm in love with you."
She felt her heart stop. The adrenaline coursing through her hand also ceased. Her mind went totally blank. Where were the plans she came up with? What is she supposed to say now!? He just said it! It was like her whole thought process just stopped! How is she supposed to bounce back from this!? On the outside, her expression was of mere shock. She struggled to get any words out.
"I know what I said before," he said, picking up from where he left off. "What happened then was a misunderstanding, and I will admit, I needed time to think about it too. Well, I have. And I've never been more sure of it than before."
She felt a weight lift from her. She lost her contingencies in her mind. Hazel did the only thing she could do; move forward. Work with her feelings, work with what she has. She knew this feeling all too well. Before, she told herself she would make her judgment about him. She would see if he was worthy. Now, he has proved his worth. And apparently, she was worthy of him.
However, there were things she also needed to get off her chest, now that they reached this point.
"Daniel...back when we were on that boat, before we saved Tethys, there was a reason why I was trying to open up to you. It's not just because I was trying to be friendly," she released her blanket, letting her fists relax. "I'll be honest…I haven't been very responsive towards you when you've been approaching me…because I needed to be sure that you wouldn't..."
Hazel took in a sharp breath. The memories of the past came to her. The joy, the pain, the good, and the bad. But what stuck out to her the most was the worst moment.
"I've been trying to protect myself from getting hurt again," as she looked at him, her tears fell from her eyes. Her voice broke as she told her story. "The last one I was in...Daniel, it was my 16th birthday. I was having dinner with people, and my sister was there, but he...I got a text. Someone spotted him nearby, but I was told I wouldn't like what I would see. I found him in another restaurant. He was with someone else."
She raised an arm to wipe the tears away, however, she could not stop herself from sobbing.
"Everything he and I shared, it was for nothing. I promised myself from then on I would never let any other man get close to me. But then...then I met you. I started getting those feelings again. I was trying to brush them off, ignore them, all because I didn't want to go through that same pain again! I tried so hard to not think hard on it, but I just couldn't. As time went on, I started to learn more and more about you. I started to become more sure about you."
She sobbed again. Her face was buried in her arms and she brought her knees closer. With the story now out, it felt like an old wound had reopened. She believed in someone, only to find out she was lied to and cheated on. The other relationships she was in were also terrible, but this last one was the worst. Not just because her birthday was ruined, a person can only be 16 once. No, it was because of that very heartbreaking moment that she told herself she would never be good enough for anyone. She told herself she was only wanted because of her looks, not because of the rest of her. That girl she found with her ex in that restaurant looked a lot prettier than her. Long, brown hair with pink highlights, heavy eye makeup, and a skimpy dress. That girl looked like she could pass as a supermodel. Hazel was nothing like that.
She became suspicious of any boy that approached her. She turned down anyone she felt was deplorable. Hazel did what she could to protect herself. She viewed every boy trying to vie for her company as someone trying to use her to satisfy their desires. That's how it's been for years.
Well...she did it. She told him her secret. If he said he loved her, would he still love her regardless?
She felt the hand return on her shoulder. However, instead of a gentle squeeze, she felt herself being pulled closer to him. Her rump felt dragged because of the rocks. To accommodate the terrain, she moved herself towards him, until her head rested on his chest. The side of his face rested on the top of her head, the two of them tight in an embrace.
"I know how you feel, about being insecure," Daniel's tone took on a calmer, but more sorrowful turn. "Long before I came here, I was with someone. We were in college together, training in the ROTC."
She looked at him, stunned. His face plastered with something she had not seen on him before. Sadness.
"You were training for the military?" was the only thing she could get out. She wanted to ask more about this...other person, but did not want to press onto that subject in fear of creating complications.
He nodded. "Yes."
"That's why you're so good at fighting, among other things. I never knew..."
"I knew other girls, but none like her. We were inseparable," Hazel felt her heart tug at the mention of this...previous woman. "One day, she left to go for training in the Middle East. She never returned."
The man shed a tear and wiped it away with his free arm. His voice broke as he continued his story. She had never seen him like this, and it broke her.
"It was an ambush. Her regiment was caught in the crossfire. When I heard the news...it broke me. I promised myself I wouldn't get into another relationship."
"You were trying to spare yourself the pain."
He nodded. "Same as you. And then...you came along," that smile that she came to know returned. Hazel felt her heart become lighter. "You're smart, you're headstrong, you're a good fighter, you know things even I didn't know about, and that's just the tip of the iceberg."
She felt a strong hand caress her cheek, one of the fingers wiped a tear away. She was gently pulled up to gaze at a loving and warm face.
"You've been hurt. So have I," he said, having recovered from his emotional bout. "We both thought we could carry on without meeting someone else, but then we met. And now, we're both sure of it. Hazel, I love you. I want to be there for you. What happened before is over and done."
"I was told that before..." her reply came with the pain from before. "What if something happens? I'm not that pretty. I'm...not the most normal girl in the world, you know."
He pulled her a little closer, until their foreheads practically touched. His warm skin touched hers, easing it from the breeze that had just arrived. His fingers once again stroked the side of her face. "I don't care. I've always liked different."
"Daniel-"
It was at that moment Hazel felt something warm on her lips. The feel of it as well as his warm touch entranced her. She fell under his spell, a spell that she tried to protect herself from but couldn't. She had failed. He stroked her cheek again, and she leaned in, her hand on his cheek as well. Deep down, she felt was making a mistake. But how can it be when this very moment feels so right? The world around them can be as chaotic as it can be, but here, with him by her side, everything felt right.
The gale had come. She was riding the wind, off to lands unknown. Hazel knew that this huge leap could also mean a giant fall. She shouldn't be doing this. This was supposed to be business.
And yet, it turned into something else. She and Daniel connected. Yes they fought, yes they scared each other, and yet they bonded. They completed each other. They were...one.
When Daniel separated himself, Hazel felt her heart ache. She yearned for that feeling again. Those beautiful eyes she was staring into and that handsome, gentlemanly face...she was under his spell. And she loved it.
"Let's stop fighting it," he lovingly said. "Live in the now. Whatever comes, we'll face it, together."
She smiled, her cheeks blushing once again. "I'd like that."
Their lips connected again. The rush of emotions they felt drove them mad. Hazel wrapped her arms around him and gently pushed him down, his back now on the sleeping bag he sat on. Their fingers interlocked, their minds rushed with passionate euphoria. They didn't care that they were not in the 21st century. They didn't care if anyone passed by them. This moment was theirs alone.
Hazel separated for a moment to gaze into those beautiful eyes again.
"I love you, Daniel."
He smiled and their lips touched again.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Daniel stroked the back of Hazel's head, her jet black locks gently caressing down his fingers. Her body, while tiny, was warm thanks to his. Her scent smelled of sun and ocean. The little sounds she made were light and small. They were adorable to his ears.
He didn't hear the voice of doubt. His mind was silent. There was no voice telling him to stop. If there was one, it was being blocked by the passion he and this woman were sharing. Daniel didn't care. He loved her, and she loved him back. She was the piece that was missing from him. A hole that he thought would never heal has been filled. And it was this woman he vowed to watch over, to protect until his dying breath.
It was funny how Fate plays. They had met in a city, where he was trying to find the vehicle leading to a hidden sanctuary. Even funnier, she didn't recognize him from the start. Hazel was the daughter of one of the Park's founders. She was a person of interest.
"No. Not this time," he told himself. "She is the light of my life."
After their moment of passion, Hazel relaxed on his chest, her arms resting on his sides. Her face pointed at the ocean. The quiet breaths she emitted and the lack of words told him she must have fallen asleep. He gently stroked her neck and back before carefully maneuvering her to his left side so she could rest better. He then draped her sleeping bag over her to protect her from the cool breezes. The light of the moon softly illuminated her body.
"Goodnight baby girl."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As the humans shared their passionate time, they had little idea they were being watched from afar. Windsor, Zephyr, and Amaya had retreated away to rest, as well as at the behest of the Pteranodons. Aeros was the one that started it, with Flia supporting his idea.
Now, the two lone flyers that were perched on two boulders looked upon their work, a triumph thanks to their efforts.
"I'm so proud of them..." Flia held back a joyful cry.
"We are so good," Aeros seconded with a chuckle.
His response came with a sly look from the female. "You really do care for Daniel."
"Well, he's my partner...and my friend," he proudly said. "Someone needed to get him in the right direction."
Flia smiled. "And I like that. Someone who can be there for their friend and guide them through thick and thin," she then leaned in closer to him and replied to him in a whisper. "That's what I want in a mate."
Aeros made a soft gasp. He quickly turned to her, her expression in a suggestive manner. If he could tell, he may have taken on a redder shade than his own.
"Flia, did you just-"
"The night is beautiful. What do you say we go for a late night flight?"
It took him a few moments when he finally figured it out. Smirking deviously, he agreed.
"You know, I couldn't agree more."
The two of them took off and soared in the night sky, reveling in the peace and quiet they've gotten. They may be from different worlds, but some things they found weren't so different. They performed loops, somersaults, and tricks. Aeros at one point had hung back, disappearing from Flia's view, only to reappear right above her to quickly crane his neck over hers. She did not fight it and returned the gesture.
Tonight, the sea, the sky, and the stars witnessed the union of new souls.