Chapter 4: Zippeau, Arguments and School
Walking back into the streets of Waterfall city, the boys and Marion passed threw the crowd of citizens, humans and dinosaurs alike. Marion had kindly agreed to give the boys a quick tour of the city.
"Wow…it's…it's just incredible is it" smirked David. "You'll get used to it" Marion quipped.
"I seriously doubt that" Jake interrupted.
"I don't understand how a place this big hasn't ever been found before, I mean it's not even on any maps" David asked curiously. "Are their no more mysteries left where you're from?" asked Marion.
"Well no, there's a lot of things we don't know about from are world" David admitted. "Yeah, like a cure to cancer or HIV, or for a cure to the stupidity for are current president (A/N: Take THAT Bush)" added Jake. "Please, I don't even want to hear about that guy," muttered Karl.
Entering one of the Mayan-like buildings her boys were shocked at the countless shelves of books and scrolls before them. "This is the ancient library of Dinotopia" Marion announced. "This is your library, it must be centuries old" gasped David.
Stenonychosaurus's and humans were either looking threw or climbing the ladders connected to the selves to search for books. "Look at these scrolls" David awed. He turned to Marion as he added, "I love to read some of them".
Marion merely smiled and said "You might find that a bit difficult seeing as how none of them are in English" "Oh" said a disappointed David.
Passing by another Stenonychosaurus, the boy's gave it an odd look as it was walking in place on what appeared to be a wooden prehistoric version of a treadmill while looking at a scroll. "What's he doing?" asked Jake. "Dinosaurs hate turning pages, they do there best thinking when their feet are moving" Marion explained.
The Stenonychosaurus glanced up from its scroll and said "Der taka malta". David, confused at its statement and unsure on how to respond, settled for nodding at the dinosaur before continuing to walk threw the ancient library.
At the same time David walked with his back turned eyeing the Stenonychosaurus, another Stenonychosaurus with light green scaly skin and yellow stripes on his back, bumped into David, causing the Stenonychosaurus to drop the scrolls he was carrying.
"Gosh, I'm sorry" apologized David. David expected a response but not an actual response as the Stenonychosaurus replied with a slight British accent "No, No, No, it's perfectly all right, it was completely my fault" (A/N: is his accent British, if not tell me in review or PM).
"This dinosaur can talk," laughed a shocked David. His brothers approached the dinosaur, speechless that it spoke to them in proper English as Marion said "Der taka malta Zippeau".
"Der taka malta Marion, David, Karl and Jake Scott right, and yes I can speak English and French, um Bonjour monomial" Zippeau said.
"Bonjour" David replied excited that he was having an actually conversation with a dinosaur. Zippeau laughed in response as he quickly added, "I can understand twelve major human and saurian languages and imitate many natural sounds, I was top of my class".
"So how many dinosaurs can actually talk," asked a grinning Karl. "Hmm, all of them" replied Zippeau.
"But very few learn to speak English properly if that's what you mean" Marion said answering the confused Karl.
"Very exciting to meet you boys, I just love mammals," Zippeau exclaimed as the boys laughed nervously.
Happy that the boys had already made a new friend but sadden that she would be leaving them for now, Marion spoke "I have to leave you now, I'm going to speak to the senate, goodbye".
As she turned to leave David called out to her "Well wait a minute, where are we supposed to go, where are we going to sleep" he asked concerned.
Marion gave David a apologetic look as she said "Oh I'm sorry, I thought you've been told, Zippeau here as kindly agreed to give you temporary accommodations at his home" Marion answered as she turned to leave again.
"You mean were staying with a din…" Karl started. "Librarian" Zippeau finished. "Uh right Librarian" Karl said nervously as four stood their uncomfortably.
Hours later, the boys found themselves in the home of Zippeau, rather fancy place in their opinion. Sitting at a table, and eating a unique salad with shiny utensils, the boys were grateful of their generous host, as at the same time from a small antique radio, some classic music played.
"This is so good" Jake said as he took another bite from his salad. "Not good Delicious" Karl said. Zippeau entered the dinning room as he handed a fork to Karl. "Very kind of you to put us up Zippeau" David thanked.
"Oh no, not at all, I find you very interesting species" Zippeau said as he sat next to the boys. "I just love the way you judge the bird, very quick reaction, and the way you eat with your little knife and fork, cutting up all the food first, I mean it's so funny" Zippeau laughed.
"So do you have a human partner" asked David. Zippeau seemed to hesitate for a brief moment before saying "I was partnered to Sylvia of the hatchery, but I never sought another after my summates death" Zippeau answered as he glanced at a picture of a young woman in early to mid twenties.
"Wow, how'd you score a babe like that" Karl asked obnoxiously. "God" David moaned. "Karl" hissed Jake. "Huh" said a confused Zippeau as he had never heard the slang from their world before.
"What" said a defensive Karl as his half brothers glared at him. "Babe, colorful language" Zippeau said still confused. "It's a spiritual union, I don't think you quiet understand yet" Zippeau said as he continued to stare at the portrait of his deceased partner.
"Nope, I'll never meet another like her…babe" he said, unsure of the slang…
Meanwhile at the same time, in the palace of Waterfall city, home to Marion and Waldo Syvill, Marion was entering the grand dinning room where her father, and one of the Dinosaur Senators were eating dinner.
"Der taka malte Almasaur" she greeted the Ankylosaurs. "Soups getting cold darling" Waldo said as a servant pulled a chair back and allowed Marion to sit in it.
A few more servants silently present a plate full of fruit before Marion as Waldo spoke "I though you spoke beautiful to the senate".
He paused as he took another bit from his meal before adding, "I couldn't believe that my little girl looked so grown up".
"The debate was very interesting, but the next meetings not schedule for another month" Marion said sadly as she was into politics.
"Well the dinotopian way, is the reasoned way, a good mind is a calm mind" Waldo said. Glancing up he quickly said to Almasaur "An yalda yasack Almasaur".
Almsaur stopped eating and gave a hearty thank you to Waldo. Waldo grinned as he motioned for another servant to present soup for him and his daughter.
"Father, this isn't the first time the sunstones have failed, and I've never seen Tyrannosaurs hunting in herds" Marion pressed, not to get too caught up in dinner.
"Perhaps the outer settlements are being attacked because the sunstones are failing," she said.
Waldo seemed to consider this idea, as motioned for the servants to stop brining food. "That's a very intriguing idea, I shall send out skybax patrols to confirm the reports before the next meeting" he announced as Marion nodded, glad her father had listened to her idea.
After dinner the boys were showed to their rooms, excited from the days events. They were all worn out, both physically and mentally.
There room had a chess table, three beds and some lights. "Wow" David said. "We are in the nut house," Karl declared.
"Yeah, I know but what a place, I mean it's just incredible" David said as he sat down on one of the chess table chairs, while Karl sat on the bed. Jake choose to stand.
"And all that talk about partners" David said. "Don't either of you find that creepy, I mean were talking about lizards here" Karl smirked.
"No, this is obviously some sort of utopia, where everyone lives in harmony," declared David. "Yeah, well there's no way I'm gonna be walking around with a lizard girlfriend" Karl argued.
David rolled his eyes at this statement while Jake spoke "Uh Karl when they say partners, I don't think they mean it by that way".
"Yeah well you know what I mean Jake, and for studying saurian, whatever that is you can forget it" Karl said. "Why do you always turn against everything before you even start it" David asked sincerely.
"Well what's the point when were going home" Karl shot back. "Oh, and how are we going to do that, I mean you saw what the razor reef did to our plane right" David said.
Karl's voiced deepened into anger and annoyance as he argued "You know the more I listen to you the more I think you want too stay here". "Of course I wanna go home but we don't know how to yet, so all I'm saying this that we should try to make the best of it" said David.
Angry that his half brother was obviously bent on staying, at least in his opinion, Karl turned to his younger half brother who had been quiet up till now and said "What about you, you wanna stay here too".
Jake looked down and thought over the question. He sighed before saying "I miss home too Karl". Karl smiled slightly that he had his Jake on his side.
His smiled went into a frown when Jake then said "But this place is so cool, that maybe we should hang around for awhile". Convinced that both David and Jake were against him, Karl stood up in half disgust.
"Neither of you want to leave, I can't believe it" he growled. "Think about it Karl, can't you see that something absolutely amazing has happened to us" David said trying to reason with Karl.
"No I think watching Dad die kinda ruined it for me" Karl said nastily. Silence followed before David mumbled, "You know I didn't mean that".
David then stood up and spoke "Well I know what Dad would say, he would say this is a great adventure, and we should be seeing things that no one has ever seen before".
"Maybe we should stay, just for a little while, see what life is like here," David said. Karl leaned in and hit a low blow when he said "Maybe that's because you don't have a life back home David, well I do and I want it back".
Done with talking, Karl turned and left the room. David just stood their, taking in Karl's last words hard. "David" Jake asked worried. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine" he mumbled.
"I'm sure he didn't mean that, he's just got a lot on his mind right now" Jake said trying too defend Karl but cheer David up at the same time. David lied down on the bed before muttering "Why does he have to be so stubborn".
Feeling Angry and Betrayed that his half siblings did not want to leave like he did, Karl walked out into the streets of Waterfall city. Night had come, and the streets were not as crowded as before.
Not knowing what else to do, Karl decided to settle for a walk around the city to calm himself.
At the same time, Marion and Waldo watched people pass by from their balcony.
"Ah before your grandmother Oariana died, she gave me this" spoke Waldo as he took out an envelope.
"She said it wasn't to be passed to you until after your eighteenth birthday," explained Waldo.
Handing it to the skeptical Marion, she asked, "What is it". "Open and find out" Waldo said happy at his daughters enthusiasm.
Opening the card, Marion found three letters embed on the card within. "What does it say?" asked Waldo.
"Find the light," answered Marion. Waldo nodded as he then took out a small black box from his robe. Marion, excited opened the box, revealing a small but powerful shiny light.
"A sunstone" Marion said happily.
"This was her greatest treasure" Waldo explained. "The explorer Arthur Denison found it and gave it to her nearly a hundred years ago" he finished as Marion put the sunstone necklace around her neck.
"It's almost perfect" Waldo said smiling. "Apart from the prime sunstone, I've never seen it's equal, Oariana knew you were special, even as a baby" Waldo continued.
Sighing deeply, he prepared himself inwardly to ask his daughter the most important thing at hand. "Marion, I would like you to lead the sunstone parade next week," he asked.
Overcome with love from her father, she nodded happily saying "Oh father that would be the greatest honor".
Waldo smiled again as the two briefly hugged one another before saying "I tell you my dear, there is nothing that could make a father prouder.
Karl had been watching this even from the streets, and felt envy for Marion as she had her father, while he did no longer did. "She's very nice to look at isn't she" asked Cyrus who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
Karl whirled around too see Cyrus standing there grinning. "Don't let the Mayor catch you staring at her like that, he'll run you out of town, he's not for the likes of us common people" said Cyrus.
Walking down the streets, Karl confessed, "I was just having a look around". "Of course you are, who wouldn't on a wonderful night like this" Cyrus said cheerfully.
Changing the subject, Cyrus then said, "Oh Karl, I hope you don't mind me saying this but those brothers of yours, bit of an odd sort aren't they".
"Were only half brothers, we've never really been that close, at least me and David, Jake on the other hand seems more outgoing then him" Karl said honestly.
Silence followed as they walked until Cyrus stopped and gave Karl a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry that your fathers gone" said a sadden Cyrus.
Karl nodded, keeping his emotions about Frank Scott bottled up. "Yeah so am I?" he said.
"I'll be saying a little prayer for him tonight if that's alright with ya" asked Cyrus. "Sure" Karl said.
"Why don't you call me at the shop sometime, whenever you get tired of the scalies trying to change you" Cyrus said as he walked off. Karl watched him leave silently, slowly starting to consider Cyrus a close friend.
Morning once again, Zippeau informed the boys too meet him at the ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MAMMALS school after breakfast. Casually strolling across the bridge, David stopped when a man greeted him.
"Breath deep" the man said. "Seek peace" David responded. The man smiled as he bowed to David while David nodded back before continuing on.
David grinned at Jake who was grinning back while Karl looked at the two creped out. "I can't believe you just said that, seek peace" he said annoyed.
"You give me the creeps" he said creped out. "Karl grow up it's a greeting" David said now annoyed.
The boys spotted Zippeau standing in front of the building with the words ACADEMY FOR YOUN MAMALS etched on it.
There were ten children between the ages of six to nine repeating some of the codes that Zippeau asked them to repeat.
"Others first self last" Zippeau said. "Other's first self last" repeated the children.
"Do one thing at a time" Zippeau said. "Do one thing at a time" repeated the children.
Noticing the boys approaching, giving various looks at him and to the children Zippeau pointed and said, "Ah these are your three new classmates David, Karl and Jake.
"Breath deep David, Karl and Jake" greeted the children. "Seek peace" greeted David and Jake who both had looks of amusement on their faces while Karl had a look of shock.
"No way, I'm not staying here, this school's for little children," complained Karl. "Then you should feel right at home," joked David.
"Yes, it's a beginners class," explained Zippeau. Karl shook his head as he turned to leave. "Forget about it Zippeau.
Not wanting Karl to go threw Dinotopia without learning how to speak Saurian, Zippeau quickly spoke "I though you would be delighted, visiting tutor in this class is your traveling companion Marion".
Karl raised an eyebrow at this. "Really" he said.
Der taka malte: Means Good evening Der taka malta: Means Good Day An yalda yasack: Means how is your food