You awaken, a bit
groggy, in a dark area. A bit disoriented, you wonder if you're back
in the Void. No such luck. You blink as someone opens a door,
carrying a tray with something on it that smells quite good. Looking
over at you, the person smiles, and says in heavily Irish-accented English,
"Ah, good, you've wakened." The person gently sets the tray down
on a small table, then moves over to a wide window, opening it to reveal
a bright, sunny day, so you figure you weren't out for very long.. Unless
it's the next day... Taking your chances, you sit up, and find yourself
in a round bed, shaped somewhat like a large nest, filled with soft blankets
and comfortable sheets. Almost regretful to climb out of the immensely
comfortable bed, you find it is the best thing, and head over to the table,
assuming the food is for you. By this time, the person,
who you now see is an elderly woman with a kind face, has finished with
the windows and is coming back to check on you, "Did you have a nice rest?"
Nodding, a handful of the nuts she brought already in your mouth and being
chewed, you glance around the room, a rather home-y, if antiquated, place,
full of little trinkets and simple wood carvings that make it a very comfortable
place. A chance look through the window tosses you a surprise-- Large,
lumbering beasts outside! Eyes widening in shock and mild panic,
you stand and move over to the window, the old woman watching you, but
not hindering your investigation. Reaching the window, you peer out,
and see maybe twenty or thirty of the insanely large beasts plodding around
on the grasslands surrounding the house you're in! There aren't even
any chains on them, not that a chain could hold them anyway, but they roam
free! Looking back to the woman for explanation, you turn just in
time to see a child-sized lizard-like creature walk through the door, on
two legs, with enough purpose of stride as to tell you that it really believed
it belonged there. Seeing your utter surprise, the woman realizes,
"Oh, I'm sorry, you aren't from here, are you?" Turning to the lizard,
she murmers softly to it, and you catch a few words, "Please.... ... alright...
... .... Dolphinback... ... ..later.." The lizard eyes you curiously
a moment, then turns on a heel and makes its way back through the door.
The woman nears you and gently places a hand on your arm, "It seems you
will be experiencing many surprises as you stay on here." Gesturing
back to the door, she continues, "She, in case you were wondering, is an
Ovinutrix. A dinosaur." Taking a breath, as if expecting you
to say something, she continues when you don't, "And this island is Dinotopia." Watching for your reaction,
or to see if you even recognize the name, she offers you some juice, which
you gratefully take, it's been a long day, after all. Speaking again,
she eyes you curiously, "Most Dolphinbacks don't react as... Calmly as
you are. It is a big surprise to most, to suddenly be surrounded
by dinosaurs, since most people believe that they went extinct millions
of years ago." Taking a seat at the little table, she gazes at you
in thought, "But perhaps... Tell me, did you come to us from Vanetin?"
Nodding your head intently, there's a name you recognize, she nods in comprehension,
"Ahh. Well, that's an explanation then. She must have taken
you through the, now what did she call it? Ah yes, the Void."
Leaning forward, her eyes bright, she asks, "What's it like there?"
Before you can answer, though, she sits back and shakes her head, "No,
no, don't tell me. I have no intention of leaving Dinotopia anyway."
Rising and wiping her hands on a small towel draped over her shoulder,
she nods to you, "Well, as she probably told you, feel free to explore.
I imagine you'll find the way back to the Void if you go back to the beach;
It's only about a kilometer from here, and I'm sure you could get one of
the dinosaurs to take you if you're still tired." Moving towards
the door back to the hallway outside, she turns, "Or you might want to
explore the island some. There is so much to learn here, and so many
marvels.." Her voice trails off as she gives a fond smile.
Raising her eyebrows to you, she adds, "My name is Miali, by the way, in
case you get lost here at the Hatchery." With that, she goes through
the door, leaving it open behind her. You watch after her, munching
on a few more nuts, then you realize that there isn't any meat or milk
or eggs in your breakfast.. Well, she /did/ say this was a Hatchery;
Hatching means eggs, right?