Meanwhile, Anna's group had finished their dinner and were finishing the treesweets as they remained where Mr. Threehorn had instructed Cera to stay.
"Things are really quiet here when there's no trouble," Anna spoke up after swallowing a bite of treesweet.
"Really? Is it noisy back where you live?" Cera asked before she picked up another treesweet in her jaws.
"Oh, yeah. Quite noisy, actually," Anna replied before she glanced at Tricia, who was curled up next to Cera. "Hehe, looks like someone got her belly full."
"Huh?" Cera uttered as she looked at Tricia, who was sleeping soundly. "Hey, you're right."
"I do not think I would like to live anywhere noisy, oh no no no," said Ducky before she worked on another treesweet.
"Actually, I think you'd get used to it. Humans have much more sensitive hearing than dinosaurs, but dinosaurs have much better vision than humans," Anna replied before she finished up her treesweet.
"I think you said you have much more sensitive hearing than that of an average human, you did you did," Ducky pointed out.
"Yup," was all Anna said before she started on another treesweet. Ducky then turned to Cera.
"She heard me earlier when I snuck up behind her. I did not even make a peep, no no no," Ducky said in a surprised manner.
"That's hard to believe," Cera cracked as she rolled her eyes, referring to Ducky not making a peep. Ducky caught on a few seconds later, and gave Cera a hurt look.
"But it is true! I did not make a sound, no no no!" Ducky replied in a frustrated fashion.
"Shh! Enough of that. Tricia's sleepin'," Anna interrupted the two, hoping to prevent a confrontation. "What she said is true, Cera. Would Ducky make things up?"
"Uh, no," Cera whispered as she glanced at the ground in shame before she looked at Ducky. "I'm sorry, Ducky."
"It is okay, Cera," Ducky whispered back, but was obviously still offended. She looked like she was about to cry. Anna noticed, and scooped Ducky up.
"It's okay, Ducky," Anna whispered as she gently held the little swimmer close. Cera watched them, and she felt even more remorseful.
"I really am sorry," Cera spoke up. Anna looked down at her.
"I know. I believe ya, Cera. It's just, I know what it's like to be made fun of. It really hurts a person," Anna replied.
"I know, I know. I hate being made fun of myself, and I was not being nice earlier," said Cera.
"Feel better, Ducky?" Anna asked as she held Ducky in front of her.
"Yes, I do. Thank you," Ducky sniffed as Anna set her down next to Cera.
"So, you mean to tell us you've been made fun of before?" Cera asked.
"More than that. I was bullied and teased, all through my childhood," Anna replied.
"Ooh. For what?" Cera asked.
"For being different. For being myself," said Anna.
"That was the reason those rockheads were mean to you?!" Cera asked out of surprise. Anna nodded, and Cera looked at the ground again as she thought about how she had treated Anna when she first showed up. She then looked up as she stood then stepped up to Anna.
"Look, I'm sorry about how I acted when I first met you. I did not know..."
"It's okay, Cera. Really. What I told ya about happened when I was a kid. Folks don't mess with me now. I guess it's 'cuz I know how to stand up for myself and fight back now. You're lucky, ya know. I would've normally waited for the person to hit me, and then I'd kick their tail, but not only do I not hit kids, I also do not hit those I like, including yourself," Anna said before she reached over and patted Cera on the back. "You're okay, Cera."
"Thanks, Anna. Now I know we're on good terms," Cera said with a smile.
"We already were. I don't like holding grudges," Anna replied as she looked up at the starry sky. "Say, isn't it getting late?"
"Yeah, and I hope Daddy comes back soon. I don't wanna spend the night here," said Cera.
"Well, at least we would have someone to look out for us, yes we would," Ducky giggled. Cera looked at Ducky and nodded in agreement before she returned to Tricia and curled up with her.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Cera said with a yawn. Just then, Cera shivered.
"Hey, come over here," Anna said as she patted the ground next to her right leg. Cera got up and carried a sleeping Tricia with her nasal horn. After she set Tricia down, she curled up next to her, and Anna wrapped her tail around the two sisters. Ducky let out a big yawn, and joined Cera and Tricia.
"Thanks, Anna. I bet your children are very lucky to have you, yep yep yep," said Ducky.
"Actually, I have no kids," Anna replied.
"Really? I thought you have kids, as motherly as you seem with us," said Cera.
"Nope. No kids, no mate. I've never mated, to be honest. I'm just very maternal, like Ducky," Anna explained.
"Well, I hope you find a nice mate one day and have some kids. You'll do well with them. Good night, everyone," Cera yawned just before she fell asleep.
"Good night, Cera," Anna and Ducky replied.
"Anna?" Ducky called in an anxious fashion.
"Yeah?" Anna replied as she looked down at Ducky.
"Will you be sleeping, too?" Ducky asked.
"Nope. I'ma keep watch over you kids until your folks come," said Anna. "Why? Are ya scared or somethin'?"
"A little, but I am okay now. Good night," Ducky said in a sleepy manner as she fell asleep.
"Sleep well, y'all," Anna said as she kept watch over the children.
