[CO1LD]

mark!~

Layout idea-
user +id:
Name: Skya
FAV dino: ceratosaurus (in honor of the isle and also its a cool heckin dino)
Close #2 spot: pegomastax

[sparklysatyrcat]

Mark!!

[zero.two]

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username. zero.two #743737
kalon name. Ace
kalon gender. male
prompt. 750 words about his favorite Dino, the Brachiosaurus






xxxxxxx─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: * Dinosaurs may be extinct from the face of the planet, but they are alive and well in our imaginations * :☆ﾟ. ───

xx Ace's eyes remained glued to the screen as he brought another piece of popcorn to his mouth. He could hardly focus on its buttery flavor as his heart began beating wildly, the harsh weight of impending dread pushing on his chest. He watched in horror as a familiar silhouette emerged from the smoke surrounding the body of water, the giant creature's panicked wailing sending chills down his spine. Suddenly, the popcorn Ace had been holding was forgotten and strewn across his living room floor as he snatched up the TV remote. Without hesitation, the young Kalon turned off the device; his free hand clasped around his mouth in awe. He sat in the dark silence for a moment, pondering the tragic scene he'd just witnessed and fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over his cheeks. Ace had been extremely excited to watch the Dinosaur movie, even counting down the days to its release. However, he hadn't expected a film about his favorite animals to end with heartache.

xxStill shaken from the unexpected twist, Ace removed the blanket from his lap and slowly rose from the couch. He placed the remote on the table before him and turned toward his bedroom, his hand slowly raking through his hair. With a slight shake of his head, Ace headed into the room and advanced toward his bed, suddenly drained from the huge rush of emotion. He plopped onto the soft material and rolled over onto his back, his hand reaching for the plushie beside him on his pillow. The toy was the same species as the Dinosaur he'd just watched come to a tragic end; a Brachiosaurus. He brought the plush close to his chest and squeezed it tightly, still feeling the lingering sadness from the movie scene. Before long, the young Kalon quickly drifted asleep, forgetting the disappointment of the film he'd so desperately waited for.

xxMorning came soon after he'd closed his eyes, and Ace awoke to dull sunlight filtering through the curtains of his room. The young Kalon was properly awake after a long stretch and another squeeze of his favorite plushie. He rubbed the remaining sleep from his eyes and threw his legs over the side of the bed with a groan. Ace sat still for a moment, the memories of the previous night returning, forcing him to remember the disappointment he'd faced. Instead of sadness, however, the only emotion he felt was anger. He couldn't believe his favorite Dinosaur had been left behind. Ace sat for another moment, brainstorming different ways to lift his spirits and forget about the events that transpired the night before. Suddenly, the Kalon jumped to his feet, a wide smile stretching across his tired face. He knew exactly what he needed to do to make himself feel better; go to the science museum.

xxAce pushed through the doors to the museum with a toothy smile, excitement fueling his body. He had been here countless times, yet always felt energized walking through the halls full of interesting exhibits. Ignoring the rooms filled with animals of the present day, Ace made a b-line for a large room at the end of a long hall. As he passed the threshold of this room, the simulated sounds of the extinct creatures filled his ears and lit up his eyes. There, standing tall right in the center of the room, was the statue of a Brachiosaurus.

xxHe led himself over to a small bench beside the giant creature and plopped down, his eyes scanning the informational plaque's surrounding him. He had read each of these many times before, but now it seemed more important than ever. He stared up at the magnificent creature, captivated by the realism of the extinct beast's figure. There was something so majestic and awe-inspiring about these gentle giants of the past. Their long necks and towering height made them a true marvel of nature, and Ace found that he could spend hours reading about them and admiring their fossils. He was always so grateful to his parents for introducing him to such wonders of nature and was proud to live in a time where Dinosaurs where such respected and researched animals.

xxxxxxword count: 700

[DoorKarmaQueen]

Dinosaur lover AND aceflux? JUST LIKE ME FR MARKKK

[Knickknacks]

username + id : knickknacks + 815546
name: rainier [french form of a germanic name, meaning "wise army"]
prompt: [750/750]

"My favorite is the ankylosaurus! They're big and strong, and have an awesome armored shell."


- - - - -


The entry hall of the school was too loud.

Rainier clutched the straps of his backpack, shrinking against an alcove by the wall, as though seeking shelter. Barely two steps through the door and he already felt like disappearing. The kids bustling around were all his age, he knew that- but they seemed so much bigger and more forbidding when all of them were strangers to him. He tried to comfort himself with the thought that this would change- he would get to know them, as classmates and hopefully friends- but that didn't stop his nerves in the moment. He gripped his backpack even tighter, shifting the weight off his shoulders, already sore from the walk to school. His new school.

Shutting his eyes, he allowed himself a deep breath. In, out.

My backpack is impenetrable. It is armored and strong, just like an ankylosaurus. Nothing can hurt me like this.

He released his grip on his backpack straps, reaching into his coat pocket to discretely squeeze the little stress toy he kept there. Shaped like a dinosaur, of course.

Another deep breath. He stepped away from the wall- but his back did not feel exposed. He was impenetrable.


- - - - -


"-and their tails! They've got this bony club that they used to ward off predators. Nothing that would hurt them can even get close!"


- - - - -


Sitting alone was fine. Really. Rainier didn't mind the quiet- or, as relatively quiet as a school cafeteria could be. He glanced up and frowned at what looked to be a food fight breaking out on the other side. He looked mutely on, taking another bite of his sandwich.

Classes had been fine- he had gotten to sit quietly in the back, apart from a brief introduction. Nobody had approached him with any sort of ill intent- having been braced for the worst, he decided he was fine with being ignored.

The sound of footsteps approaching made him sigh. He had spoken too soon.

"Hey, new kid!" A loud voice. A stranger approaching- and behind him, a crowd of his friends, watching.

Rainier glanced over his shoulder, leveling the fiercest look he could at the intruder. The other kid halted in his tracks, grin sliding off his face, looking uncertain.

That's right. I'm as strong as an ankylosaurus. If I had a clubbed tail, I'd be swinging it around in warning right now.

Ranier stared. The other kid stared back.

The other kid retreated.

Rainier returned to his grazing- ahem, sandwich.


- - - - -


Passing back through the entryway of the school, this time, made his shoulders sag with relief. First day done. He just had to walk home- and he knew the way, remembered it clearly from this morning- and he would be away.

He made it two steps down the stairway before he was interrupted again.

"Hey! New kid!"

It was the kit from earlier, waving him down. Rainier stopped, ready to warn him off again if need be.

"Hey, no need to look so tense!" The other kit laughed nervously. "I'm, uh- sorry if you got the wrong impression earlier. I wasn't trying to cause any trouble. I know my friends seemed a bit rowdy, but- honest! We just wondered if you'd wanna study with us! We've got a study group for science meeting tomorrow, and- yeah, that's all. You don't have to say yes." With an awkward little wave, the other kid turned to go.

"Wait," Rainier said. "I- I would like to. Thank you." Shrugging in the face of the other's answering smile, "Sorry for being so standoffish earlier."

"It's alright." Another grin. "See you tomorrow?"

Rainier nodded, and found himself smiling as he made his way home.


- - - - -


Curled in bed, Rainier hugged his ankylosaurus plush tighter with one arm. The other hovered over his phone screen, over the friend request he had received from his classmate.

He had been so concerned with being under attack- and in spite of that, they had been kind to him. Maybe this school wouldn't be so bad. And maybe the Angry Glare didn't have to be his first response the next time someone tried to say hello.


- - - - -


"But the best thing? Ankylosaurs ate plants! So even though they were so strong, they didn't have to go after or hurt others unless there was an actual threat. They're strong in the best way, because they don't have to throw themselves around to prove it."

[Lex.]

user + id;; lex. 959439
name;; Bernissa [named after the Bernissartia, the smallest prehistoric crocodile!]
prompt;; res w/ ibermesornis !

[Toxic Wolf]

Username: Toxic Wolf
name: Lumi (Finnish origin meaning "snow"!)
gender: Female

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Prompt: Nanuqsaurus ("The polar-bear lizard")

Lumi’s fondness for the Nanuqsaurus, lovingly dubbed "Nanook," comes from the unexpected nature of this polar dinosaur's existence. In a world dominated by images of dinosaurs dwelling in steamy jungles or vast plains, Nanuqsaurus stands out as a fascinating exception. Its adaptation to the harsh Arctic conditions defies common perception and created a special place in her own polar heart.

She grew up in a small village in the Arctic continent, so the snowy landscapes and harsh temperatures in which Nanook once lived have also been her own. Few creatures can survive there, and even fewer choose to stay, which gives her a sense of connection with the dinosaur. Her grandfather was a paleontologist. She remembers him as a man with many stories of dinosaurs and even more silly jokes, always able to bring some warmth to cold nights. One day, he brought her a fossil he had found in the icy mountains. It was well preserved and encapsulated in ice, so she could see the entirety of it - part of the spine of a Nanuqsaurus. So young, Lumi was unable to say the full name. She could only call it Nanook. He told her stories of it, some real but most probably fictional. Yet Lumi never really stopped thinking of it after. A dinosaur, that lived maybe exactly where she did! “I want to meet it,” she had said. He had laughed and wished her luck with that. “Maybe some scientist in the future will do it, little one,” he said.

Lumi became that scientist. She studied bioengineering, specializing in genetic reconstruction with influences of paleontology. Then, together with a team of archeologists, paleontologists, conservationists and other specialists, she started the mission of gradually and sustainably reintroducing extinct wildlife to the world together with her team. Their base is in her village, and each new polar species is gradually introduced to the climate. Her favorite of these projects, however, is the revival of Nanook. They managed to extract enough DNA from the fossilized spine to create an egg. It has taken months, and it is under constant observation. Lumi visits it most days, and sometimes, she swears that she can hear movement in there.

Lumi believes that Nanuqsaurus was the original master of "igloo-building." With its razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws, Nanook could swiftly carve through the thick ice and snow, creating cozy dens to shelter from the bone-chilling cold. Inspired by this, Lumi often incorporates igloo-like structures into her field camps during polar expeditions, paying homage to Nanuqsaurus and embracing its resilient spirit. Lumi also playfully imagines Nanook as the unofficial guardian of the Arctic, ensuring that the region's delicate ecosystem remains protected. With the current challenges of climate change, she thinks this will be much needed, and sees quite a bit of herself in the protector-esque image of Nanook.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

[Mnemosyne]

username + id: Mnemosyne & 249050
name:
prompt: res w therizinosaurus

[snowdrake]

hello hello! just stopping by to tell y'all I'll have this judged within 3 days! a lot has happened lately and I just wasn't able to keep my head on art stuff and everything related. some of you may know what was going on. I'm doing better now though, and I'm finally back on working on this comp and all nursery batches! :>

[snowdrake]

hey I again, I'm here to announce the winner for this comp!

first off, HMs will go to zero.two and Toxic Wolf! I really liked your entries and the work you put into them!

and the winner is Knickknacks! I absolutely adore your story, it kind of reminded me of myself since I have been struggling with social anxiety my entire life. the way they are coping is just so adorable and relatable! take good care of rainier! :>