For a moment you watch as Tricia prepares a meal that to you looks like a giant feast. With surprising skill she slices a large variety of fruits and vegetables into more edible sizes using a large knife clenched between her teeth. Intelligence is one thing, using tools without hands completely another. She then swipes the finished product onto a large plater creating a mix of things, some of which you are unsure of being able to eat. When the silence begins to feel awkward, you let your curiosity spark and start asking questions.
"I always assumed triceratops to be social animals. I could be wrong, but you do look like you are missing a herd - or at least a companion."
Without taking her attention away from the task Tricia answers, "No, you are quite right. I did have a herd and a companion - even a beautiful son."
As the triceratops does not catch the hint to continue you are forced to enquire further.
"I see. What happened?"
"Well, we ran into some complications. Our previous settlement was attacked so we decided to search for another place to live. I, however, was wounded and could not keep up with the others so I eventually fell behind. It is just the way things are. I was a burden risking the survival of everybody else."
"Even your companion and child left you to fend for yourself?" you ask despite the grim turn of the conversation. Tricia fidgets uneasily, but dutifully continues working.
"My husband... didn't make it," she almost whispers. Your heart sinks deep and a strong feeling of compassion burns within.
"But, your son. Where is h..."
A heavy clang interrupts your question as Tricia drops the knife onto the floor. Her head droops as she fights off an outburst of grief then turns to look at you. You avoid her piercing gaze by dropping your eyes to the floor.
"Apologies," you mumble, "I got carried away."
The triceratops slowly walks over to you and gives you a gentle nuzzle, more for her own comfort than yours.
"It was night time. The horrible beasts ambushed us. There was screaming, the sounds of fighting and homes on fire. We were were cornered. My dear husband charged them in hopes of chasing them away, but it was exactly what they wanted. Several attacked me and our son from the sides. I tried to protect him, I tried. But they forced me to the ground and I fell unconscious. When I woke up it was all gone, they had not just killed what they needed. Everyone was dead. Throats ripped out and guts strewn across the ground. But the worst was to see my beloved..."
Tricia lost her voice to a heavy sob. You had heard enough and gave her nose a warm hug which she received with gratitude. Her breathing was heavy, but eventually relaxed as you soothed the tip of her snout with one hand. Finally, she lifted her head up and sighed.
"Thank you, little human. I haven't talked to anybody since then."
You nod as a sign of understanding.
"Anyway, I am pretty much done here. Would you like to settle down at the table?"
You glance at the low table in the middle of the room then return your look to Tricia. The table may have been low, but at your size it was still pretty high. Tricia gives a quick laugh at her own forgetfulness and grabs you by your collar again. The trip is short this time as you are immediately lowered onto the table. Tricia mixes up the exotic salad she has prepared before placing the large platter on the middle of the table just a hair's distance from you. She then settles down on the opposite end and gives the food a deep sniff.
"It is tradition among us triceratops that when a male and female eat together for the first time, the male chooses a treat from the platter and places it in the females mouth. The taste then determines the future relationship of the two."
"I never said I was male," you point out. Tricia sneers.
"It is pretty obvious. Now are you going to be rude and ignore the traditions of your host?"
"Well, you see, it is human tradition that the male lets the female choose the best pieces for herself. This represents the male's willingness to put his love for her before anything else in life."
"You made that up," Tricia laughs.
"Perhaps I did," you reply, "But the logic is sound, don't you think?"
Tricia agrees and decides to...   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
| Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
<<-- Previous · Outline  · Recent Additions © Copyright 2025 Illuminus (UN: illuminus at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
woooo has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work within this interactive story. Poster accepts all responsibility, legal and otherwise, for the content uploaded, submitted to and posted on Writing.Com. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author