Challenge #00657 - A292: Fascinating in Retrospect
T’reka meets an amorous cassowary. Hilarity ensues.
Boo boo boo…
T'reka looked up from her lunch to discover a giant in the clearing. Were it not for his solidly blue-black plumage, he could easily be mistaken for a male of her own species. But he was clearly more dinosaur than Bird.
The cranial capacity was a dead give-away.
He was puffing himself up. Engorging his wattle and showing off his plumage whilst saying, Boo boo boo.
Lonely she may be, but not that lonely.
T'reka discretely checked her HUD, and found that none of the humans were anywhere within hearing range of her distress call.
The saurian bird stepped closer, revealing talons that could tear her to shreds. This was most definitely a bird from a death world.
She could not run away. Not along the ground. Those long legs would easily catch her if he chose to pursue.
Boo boo boo…
Obviously, she did not know how to, nor did she want to, reciprocate his attentions. And further good news, his display involved circling.
Calling for help would be pointless.
Boo boo boo…
Running away along the ground would be pointless.
A vigorous display of aggression may encourage a similar response from him.
Therefore, the only way to go was up.
T'reka abandoned her food and scurried up the nearest tree as fast as she could scramble. The giant on the forest floor startled away for a handful of seconds and then investigated her lunch box.
One small sacrifice for science.
Belatedly, T'reka began taking notes into her lifecorder.
“Subject is a previously unseen bird, presumed evolved over introduced. Subject mistook me for one of his species’ females and initiated what I must assume to be a mating display…”
*
Susan was laughing behind her hands. So hard that tears spilled from her eyes.
“I am not understanding this display,” said their scientific guest.
“On one hand, I’m amazed we have cassowaries,” chirped Kori. “We haven’t finished clearing terran biota for this planet. On the other hand… in retrospect… it’s funny.”
“I’m sorry,” Susan squeaked. “I keep imagining it…” and with a snort, she returned to her peals of hidden laughter.
T'reka sighed. This was the disadvantage to the question, How was your day?
[Muse food remaining: 38. Submit a prompt! Ask a question! Buy my stories!]