It was incredibly windy outside the cave Oskar and his family called home. The second he'd stepped out into the open, his hair was swept back and upwards, and he was forced to squint against the breeze. No wonder Mother hadn't wanted them to venture outside without being careful. The winds felt like they would sweep him off his feet already (and that was here where the winds weren't as strong).

But he'd decided he wanted to play somewhere else today. Sitting in the same cave with his sister and mother was growing so boring. Especially when he could occasionally hear what was outside. The noises of Monoceros so rarely quieted for long.

And, once he got used to it, the wind felt nice. The warm air brushed against his face, tussled his hair; it had a wonderful feeling of freedom, weightlessness and excitement. As if he could be swept up and fly on the winds and elation alone. He had to cover his mouth with a chubby palm as he giggled at the thought. Oskar knew he had to be quiet or he might get caught and be in trouble for sneaking out without telling anyone.

He knew he wasn't supposed to sneak away, but how could it be naughty when it was so fun. Not to mention he could get away from his sister for a while, because she was super annoying, always just doing things! Ugh! How unreasonable!

Naturally, he'd brought his emotional support wooden horse, Pinkdreams, with him. The painted pink horse's mane and tail were also billowing in the winds from her clutch between Oskar's tummy and crooked elbow. She wanted to see the world just as much as he did! It would be awful to leave her behind while he went on this adventure himself.

So, off they went, keeping the entrance to home in sight as they toddled into the open. Only to stop a few feet away and crane over to watch a green crawler as it made its way across the dirt; no doubt in search of minerals, but Oskar didn't know that. So he popped a squat and watched the insect with rapt interest. His brows furrowed with all the concentration of a businessman overseeing operations.

Thick fingers reached out for the crawler. Oskar had decided that this little creature would also be their friend and new play mate. It didn't yell or wake him up unlike his stinky sister. Therefore, it would be the perfect new addition to this family.

However, when he tried to clasp the insect within his grubby palm, it wriggled and then fell out of said grip. Landing harmlessly on the dirt below before skittering out of sight under a rock. "Oh." The little noise of disappointment slipped out before he had a chance for his baby brain to catch up.

With a huff, Oskar lowered himself, all six limbs on the ground (Pinkdreams carefully propped up against the side of the rock) as he laid his head onto the floor. Attempting to peep under the rock to see where his new friend had gone proved fruitless. His head was simply too big and around, and the crevice to small and close to the ground.

"I'm sorry-- I won't hurt you. You can come out." Oskar tried to reason with the lesser, however it didn't seem interested in his words; and didn't come back out from its hiding spot. With a huff, Oskar righted himself back into a squat, Pinkdreams tucked securely back under his arm. What do leggy things like? He pondered, idly scratching his chin with his free hand. It liked this rock-- Maybe it would like more rocks.

Toddling away from the rock, he began crouching and inspecting different piles of rocks. His lips set to a slight pout as it he took to his work with all the seriousness of a salaryman attending his day job. Oskar brushed other rocks away, deeming most of them 'boring monoceros' rocks. The same as those that surrounded him on all sides and tunnelled the winds. Those ones weren't cool, he saw them every day! Ugh!

It was pushing aside a small pile that had built up from the winds that he found something interesting. A clay-like rock that almost crumbled when he reached for it. It held its shape nicely and was a good orange colour, he decided. His crawler friend would like this one because soft foods were always the best! Like bread and meat! And not nasty vegetables!

Clutching his find in his hand, holding it close to his chest, mirroring his hold on Pinkdreams, Oskar returned to where he'd last seen the crawler vanish to. "Hello?" He called, lowering himself to attempt to peep under the rock once more. "I brought you a really nice present! Look!" He placed his find gently besides the rock's crevice. The lesser would see the far tastier rock and want to be his best friend forever, just like the stories Dip told. He knew it. He just had to be really kind to it...

+1

Oskar waited. And waited. And waited some more. He wasn't certain how long he waited until he grew restless, but the crawler did not re-emerge to accept his offering. Even when Oskar laid flat on the dusty ground to search for the crawler, he couldn't find any sign of it!

Why didn't it like his gift? Oskar sighed as he retrieved the orangey mineral. He thought it was very pretty. Idly he wondered where the colour had come from. If there was more. If they had rocks the same colour as him. He looked down at his little lizard legs and hummed.

Tucking the nice colour rock into the opening of the home cave for safe keeping, he sat back for a moment. Perhaps he'd ask Mother Dip about it, Mum knew everything! Though, she may scold him for sneaking out, Oskar puffed. Why was it so difficult to find answer about anything?

Instead, he'd simply set out to find his own rocks! That was a perfect idea! So back to the rock piles he went. Chubby hands grasping and moving pebbles about under Pinkdream's careful supervision. He even turned them over to check their undersides for coolness; but it seemed this search was much less fruitful.

In the end, he found a single, smooth, grey pebble that fit neatly in his fist. Not useful for anything but Oskar hadn't known the last cool rock had a use beyond being a cool rock either. So, this one was just as exciting.

Oskar leaned down to hold the pebble against his scaly legs. After a moment of careful consideration, he deemed it not the same colour as him. Which made this pebble significantly less cool. With a sigh, he places it in the middle of the opening he was exploring. Could rocks change colour? Oskar considered the question carefully, he'd seen metals change colour in the forge but doubted he'd be allowed to toss his pebble into it.

With a grumble this new pebble joined the ochre in his safe spot. "Why's it all so boring?!" The child lamented. "It can't be all boring otherwise it wouldn't be not allowed." Oskar reasoned to the ever attentive Pinkdream. Who, as we know, was an exceptional listener.