It shouldn't really come as a big surprise that the Dinotopians who came to the comic convention received a lot of attention. Of course, Dinotopians drew attention wherever they went. Some of them were drawing more attention with the costumes they were wearing. "So...what comic are these outfits supposed to be from?" asked Sora. She and Yuki were wearing what could be called cavewoman costumes, though cavewoman swimsuits seemed more appropriate.
"Uh...I'm not sure," said Yuki, "Apparently a comic where a bunch of teens get sent back to prehistoric time and they had to adapt to survive. Something like that."
"You could at least come up with a better story," said Sora flatly.
"Hey, don't blame me. Old comics were really cheesy, " said Yuki.
"Yuki, I know why we're really wearing these costumes..." said Sora accusingly.
"Because it's fun?" asked Yuki. When Sora kept giving her an accusing look. "Ok, so I might want to show off for Zeke. Is that so wrong?"
"No, I was hoping I could get a little attention too," said Sora.
"So what's with the glaring," said Yuki.
"For coming up with a really pitiful story for these costumes," said Sora, "I thought you had more creativity than that."
"Most of my creativity goes into my costumes," said Yuki with a shrug.
"I think half the point of cosplay is knowing the character you're dressed as," said Sora, "Now let's try to come up with a presentable backstory for these costumes."
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Sometimes Heather just wanted to catch up with her old friend, Regina. She just wished that people would stop calling attention to the spinosaur and tyrannosaur that were there. "They keep expecting to fight over any little thing," grumbled Regina, "There's a lot more to Spinosaurus than being T. rex's arch-rival, which it wasn't at all."
"At least it won't be too much longer before that fight club opens and we can get this stupid match over with," said Heather.
"Are you planning on participating in the Animalian Games?" asked Regina.
"I wasn't really considering it," said Heather, "My mind has been on other things."
"Like you and Jeremy starting a family?" asked Regina.
"Missed the window for that," said Heather. She was a little disappointed that Jeremy didn't ravish her on Mardi Gras. But then again, she wanted the conception of their egg to be a memorable evening, not one where she was plastered. "Might be just as well. I'm not sure if me and Jeremy are ready."
"You and Jeremy seem to get along pretty well," said Regina, "And Jeremy's been looking after his little sister for years so he had experience. I think you'd make a wonderful mother."
"Well, that's sweet of you to say," said Heather, "But we don't have a big enough place to raise kids. And I'm not sure if have enough funds either."
"Are you kidding? You're hardly just eking by. Once Dinosaur City opens, you're going to get more and more popular. Finding a high-paying job won't be a problem for you," said Regina.
"Even if I'm a convicted felon?" asked Heather.
"I'm thinking people are starting to think less of you like a monster and more like the first Dinotopian," said Regina, "I don't think you've got to worry."
"Thanks," said Heather, "So are doing anything in the games?"
"Swimming," said Regina promptly, "I'm going to show everyone just how good a swimmer Spinosaurus is."
"There are going to be plesiosaurs competing against you," said Heather.
"I'd like to see more variety with the marine reptiles," said Regina, "Like Icthyosaurus or Mosasaurus."
"Don't say Mosasaurus," said Heather, "They'll want me to do an aquatic cage match with one."
"That's the dumbest thing I've heard today," said Regina.
"I'd say that's probably true, but the day's still young," said Heather.
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Sherry may be a cop and a Dinotopian, but that didn't mean she stopped reading comics. Of course, most comic reading was done online these days. And considering Sherry could easily tear pages by accident with her four-fingered hands, it was probably just as well. That said, she was rather excited when she heard this year's spring carnival was going to be a comic convention. She visited more than a few stands, run by collectors who have come to show off their impressive collections. Sherry was a bit surprised by how many she knew from online forums.
One particular collector, by the name of Trenton, was known for having a really large collection. Online, he tended to use avatars of comic heroes. In real life, he was everything one would expect from a comic book nerd: overweight, waxy skin, glasses, facial hair that refused to grow above his jaw. He tended to be a bit snobbish to people who only had a minor grasp on comics. But once you've proven you know enough, he was a wealth of information.
Sherry was able to engage him in a long conversation regarding TMNT comics as she looked over his collection. It included several Mirage comics that mainstream fans tended to overlook. "You know, you're very lucky to have a big collection," said Sherry.
"I'm not sure if the word 'lucky' really applies to me," said Trenton.
"Well, how many people would have such a big collection?" asked Sherry.
"Probably not a lot, but look what I've had to give up for it," said Trenton, indicating himself.
"You can't blame comics because you're, er, unkempt," said Sherry, "I'm sure a regular exercise regiment will help with that."
"I have slow metabolism," said Trenton, "I can't keep the weight off enough to matter. And I'll readily admit I'm lazy and eat bad food. I'm not going to look any better and look what I've got to show for my life's work."
"Er, I'm not really someone to talk to about for a midlife crisis," said Sherry.
"I'm 10 years too young for a midlife crisis," said Trenton, "I might be having one anyway. I just want a chance to really start over and do something meaningful with my life."
"Like what in particular?" asked Sherry.
"I'm not sure yet, but I hope to find out later," said Trenton.
It didn't really take detective training to know what Trenton was getting around to, even if Sherry already had that. "You're thinking of converting into an Animalian?" she asked.
"Dinotopian, actually," said Trenton.
"What kind?" asked Sherry. Trenton gave her a meaningful look. Sherry glanced down at herself briefly and said flatly, "Becoming a Triceratops won't make me immediately want to date you, you know."
"I realize that," said Trenton, "But a Triceratops wouldn't be a bad thing to be."
"Did you pick that because of your name?" asked Sherry.
"Actually, I've just always admired the noble Triceratops," said Trenton, "I'd sell my entire collection to be like one."
"I don't think you'd need to go that far," said Sherry, "I hope you'll have something more thought out before you change."
"I'm going to put all my thoughts into it," said Trenton.