#observations;

     Cloaked in the shadow of a gnarled grove she watched, unnoticed by the janitorial staff. They milled about, sweeping up the small bits of litter that had accumulated within the observation log in the quiet moments between feedings.

     It would be so easy, were it not for the barriers. A lunge, a roar, the thick crack of teeth snapping down-

     -but she is not in the mood. The scarred beast gave a dismissive exhale,  lowering her jaw gently on the bed of ferns that she’d come to call den. She did not have much capacity for thought--no, the higher processes of self-being were not present in her mind. 

—»It was still, in the quiet hours of pre-dawn.

     Stars flickered and faded, attempting for a few bare moments to shine through the overwhelming light of the steadily approaching sun, before slipping beneath a veil of murky purple. Beneath it all, the beast was anxious.

                                          Not for fear, no, but for impose of threat did she pace                                      her paddock. This was new. This was danger. This was                                                                                    c h a l l e n g e.

     A low rumbled spilled betwixt parted fangs, the rex scenting the air once more. It was undeniable.  There was another-an apex, top of the chain. Like her. The rex did not need intellect to recognize the thick scent blowing gently through the breeze.

     Parting jaws wider lo did she [ bellow, ] a tremendous,                  terrifying sound--for she was queen and ruler here.                 This was her land; even if she could not SEE the threat-