Dino Dinner Date?

During the mid-afternoon at the hollow tree, Parker the Parksosaurus busies himself with some quiet reading in the living room. Reading has been the little dinosaur's favorite pastime, even before he was introduced to the concept of the book by Amber. Right now, Parker is reading from one of his favorite leaf scrolls about DinoIsle's local folk hero…The Brave Dinosaur! 

"And so…that is how the Brave Dinosaur, has saved the hatchling pterosaurs from the erupting volcano!" Parker chuckled as he finished reading the scroll. "Oh, it's so Jurassic Fantastic to read about my favorite hero." 

When he was done with the leaf scroll, the little dinosaur placed it back on the shelf and thought about what sounded good for dinner tonight for both him and his current tree guest. However, this was interrupted when Parker heard what sounded like harmonious humming coming from the bedroom. Feeling curious, the little dinosaur decided to head over there to check it out. There to his surprise, Parker saw that Amber seemed to be busy sewing up some of the flora she had collected during her time with the Paleo Pals.

"Hey Amber," Parker said getting the young lady's attention. "What exactly are you making anyway."

"Well…since it has been a few weeks since I wound up here on DinoIsle," Amber proceeded to explain. "I thought I might as well make myself some different attire, so I don't have to constantly wear my current set of clothes."

"I see," Parker understood, though he still felt confused about something involving Amber sewing up a set of clothing made of local leaves and flowers. "I don't understand why you humans feel the need to be clothed all the time."

"Well, unlike you dinosaurs," Amber proceeded to explain. "We humans live in a society that views clothes as a necessity, so I guess that the idea of having no clothing on while being around people can be…. a little embarrassing."

"Perhaps from the fact you humans have less fur than other mammals," Parker wondered.

"Something like that," Amber simply giggled.

"Fair enough," the little dinosaur shrugged. "If you need anything though, please let me know."

"Don't worry Parker," Amber sweetly replied. "I will."

So, Parker left Amber at her work as he proceeded to prepare dinner for later. As the afternoon turned into evening, the little dinosaur had just finished a plate filled with sliced stone fruit and sliced chestnuts that are served with a glass of homemade spruce beer for a beverage.

"I'm certain that Amber might enjoy this tonight," Parker thought to himself. "I know for a fact that I will."

As he placed the plates and cups on the table, Parker got caught by surprise when Amber came out wearing the new attire she made. The young lady's new attire is a strapless dress made from leaves and vines, with her hair worn as a side ponytail (tied with a smaller vine) and a magnolia flower adorning the left side of her hair.

"Well…," Amber wondered as she presents herself with her arms behind her back. "How do I look?"

"Uh….," Parker stuttered for a moment. "It looks…beautiful…just like you."

Amber blushed for a moment, but then sweetly smiled after hearing what the little dinosaur said to her.

"Thank you very much, Parker," Amber giggled. "That is very sweet of you to say."

For a moment, the two seemed to be locked in each other's eyes as if lost in a complete thought. For a time, the type of feelings Parker and Amber are developing for one another felt a little awkward. (Especially since they were two distinct species from two separate families in the animal kingdom), However, the fact that they were a dinosaur, and a mammal did not matter to them anymore as they continue to look at one another quite blissfully. But then, the moment quickly ended when Parker and Amber heard something outside the hollow tree. As they peeked outside, the pair felt relieved that the sounds came from a plated and spike tailed Stegosaurus as it feeds on a cycad stand nearby while a small flock of Dryosaurus stick close to the giant herbivore and feed on the scraps that the Stegosaurus left behind. Relieved that there was nothing to worry about, Parker and Amber proceeded to have their dinner.

"This is really good Parker," Amber said as she bit into a piece of stone fruit. "You've outdone yourself."

"I just wanted to return the favor after you made terrific breakfast a while back," the little dinosaur chuckled. "Anyway, how are your returning memories coming along?"

"A lot better than I expected," Amber replied before sipping some spruce beer in her stone cup. "I have been recalling a lot of things, such as the fact that I have two best friends named Kate and Emily and that I was once vice president of our high school's student council, and especially about my…"

All sudden, Amber felt a loss for words as she dropped one of her chestnuts and began to feel a sudden feeling inside.

"Amber?" Parker asked with concern. "Is something the matter?"

"I…think I just lost my appetite," Amber solemnly said. "Thank you for making dinner Parker."

Before he could ask more questions, the little dinosaur watched as Amber raced toward the bedroom with tears in her eyes. Feeling concerned for his sweet-natured human friend, Parker walked into the bedroom to see what the matter was. There the little dinosaur saw Amber on her nest-shaped bed crying tremendously.

"Amber?" Parker asked as he walked up to the tearful young lady. "What's wrong Amber, is there something that has happened in the past bothering you?"

"It's my parents," Amber replied tearfully as she blew into one of the leaves she collected earlier.

"What about your parents?" Parker wondered. "Did…something bad happen to them?"

Amber sadly nodded, as she proceeded to explain what she had suddenly remembered.

"A while back before I found myself on DinoIsle," Amber explained. "My…mother and father went on a business trip to Monte Carlo, which is a place somewhere in Europe far away from here."

"So, you told me," Parker nodded as he began to understand. "Did something occur at this Monte Carlo place?"

"This happened just after they finished their business there," Amber replied. "When they decided to take a cruise before heading home…. the ship got caught in a terrible storm, and both my mother and father went down with them!"

Sure enough, Amber fell back into the bed crying. Now Parker could not stand hearing this sweet, kind, and caring young lady cry over the loss of members of her family so the little dinosaur knew that he had to brighten her spirits the best way he could.

"Listen to me Amber," the little dinosaur said in a comforting way. "I can understand why you are so upset, but the thing is…death is just a natural part of the circle of life. Eventually, we all join at the end of our time on Earth, if at least by our spirits rather than our bodies."

"But…I miss them so much Parker," Amber stated as Parker offered her his neckerchief to wipe away her tears.

"I know you do," Parker nodded. "And I am certain that you will always miss them, but if you remember what your father and mother taught you and keep in mind the fact that they loved you very much…. I am certain that they will always be with you in spirit. The least you can do for them is to continue in life."

Feeling moved by what the little dinosaur said, Amber began to feel a little better as she wiped away the last of her tears before giving the neckerchief back to Parker. 

"Thank you, Parker," Amber smiled at her saurian friend. "You truly have a heart of gold."

 Amber kissed the little dinosaur on the cheek which took Parker by surprise. The little dinosaur simply smiled at what Amber did.

"You know… we did have dinner to finish," Parker reminded his guest. "Shall we head back into the kitchen?"

"I believe we shall," Amber giggled.

Just as they walked back into the kitchen though, Parker and Amber were surprised to see Boulder was at the table eating a plate of chestnuts and stone fruit he prepared for himself. When the frilled dinosaur saw both Parker and Amber, he realized that he had a little explaining to do.

"Sorry guys," Boulder apologized. "I saw that you two were having supper and I was wondering if I could join you."

"I don't see why not," Parker chuckled as he shook his head. "We're always happy to have friends over at my tree."

With Boulder joining them for dinner, Parker and Amber finished their dinner. Afterward, the three went outside to look at the starry night sky.

"It is a beautiful night," Amber said as she looked at the constellations in the sky. "I can see Cygnus the swan up there."

"Is a swan a type of dinosaur?" Boulder asked the young lady.

"Well, I guess they are since all birds including swans are technically a kind of theropod dinosaur," Amber shrugged. "You know back home; Swans are sometimes considered a symbol of love when two of them are together."

"Oh really?" Parker felt astonished. "I'm guessing that swans are a bird species that form pair bonds."

"Indeed," Amber nodded.

"That's Jurassic Fantastic to know," Parker replied. "Anyway, perhaps tomorrow…the four of us could try helping you find a way back home to Maple Hill."

"You mean that Parker?" Amber asked while the little dinosaur nodded.

"What else are friends for," said Parker. "Anyway, it's not like you can just stay here for good while loved ones might be missing you back home."

"Thank you, Parker," Amber smiled sweetly.

"Don't mention it," the little dinosaur smiled back.

After looking at the stars for a while, Amber decided to brush her teeth and get ready for bed. So, she said goodnight to Parker and Boulder before going off to bed. As the young lady entered the tree, the two Paleo Pals remained outside as they continued to look up at the stars.

"You know Parker," Boulder realized. "I think I'm going to miss that sweet mammal when she leaves for home."

"So will I," Parker admitted. "But then again, it will not be fair to force her to stay here on DinoIsle."

"I know," Boulder solemnly replied. "Even still, have you ever wondered what if somehow…Amber decided to stay, even after she finds a way home?"

"Good question," Parker replied. "Either way, we still need to help Amber get back to this Maple Hill so she can be back with those that care about her as much as we do."

"You're right Parker," Boulder sighed when he decided to head back and rejoin his herd at the plains. "Well, goodnight, Parker."

"Same to you Boulder," Parker replied as the frilled dinosaur departed.

Once Boulder left, Parker thought about Amber and the possibility of never seeing her again after she left DinoIsle. This of course gave the little dinosaur mixed feelings about the current situation, though he knew very well that it would be worse if Amber could never make it back home to Maple Hill. So, as he walked inside to get some sleep, Parker prepared to help Amber find a way off DinoIsle through any means necessary.