First Growth

       Despite the Simmering Cauldron being nestled so far from Burrowgatory, the weather and ecological patterns differed little this far underground. The deluge of rain that set on just as the spring blooms loosed their buds was a refreshing return to the birth of a new year, and the ushering in of new life. As with all things, the cycle continues, and new mushroom growths had started popping up seemingly overnight, ready to recycle the passing of one year to the next. In the swamp, humid as always, the rain was less of a bane and more of a boon. Rain splatters against the willow trees’ leaves and branches created a soft chorus of this new season all throughout the wilderness, with the wind as its conductor. Sounds of chirping corvats and buzzing bimbles completed the harmony of the swamp, and it was with this backdrop that Selpie, Decay, and Altair began their first hunt.

      Though none of the three were the wiser to rain individually, this was their first year together as partners, finally allowing each the comfort and companionship of others. Sitting on the large wraparound porch of their cabin in the woods, the three watched over the marshes and the rain pattering down in waves.

      Selpie’s eyes full of wonder darted from place to place, eager to observe the natural world in order. Every curve of a branch or divot in the grass had a song unlocked by the beauty of nature, and Selpie’s goal was to transpose every verse. Decay saw these natural phenomena in another, more cautious way: everything out there had a reason to survive against all odds. What were the odds it would be part of that balance, the life and death of day? It clutched its ear close to its chest, breathing increasing. Altair’s hoof on its shoulder seemed to rouse it from its anxieties, as it turned to her with a thankful look. This was chapter one of Altair’s life away from Burrowgatory, and she had never truly appreciated nature for what it was before. But, seeing things through Selpie and Decay’s eyes had given her a new lease on life. The rain continued coming down in waves, as the three savored the moment. After a few minutes had passed, the brunt of the weather had stopped, with just a few sprinkles here and there. The clouds were lighter, allowing more ambient light to bring forth daytime to the flora of the swamp.

      Altair spoke first. “What’s the plan for today? Surely we won’t let this gorgeous backdrop lay unexplored?”

      Decay nodded, grabbing Altair’s hoof in their own. “I suppose that’s our invitation to see what lies ahead.”

      Selpie was being unusually quiet for once. Normally, they could never wrestle with their thoughts long enough to filter their speech, allowing every notion inside their head to spill forth verbally. “It’s so beautiful, I feel like we’d be tainting it by going out today.”

      “But we need food.” Decay said.

      “Oh! Yes, thank you Decay. Food. Yes, we do need food.” Selpie seemed to be snapped out of whatever thought they were so engrossed in. “So I think that this time of year, there will be quite a few mushrooms we can harvest fresh, super fresh, so fresh that you can taste the earth in them and feel your soul become one with the dirt!” Selpie laughed. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? Every year nature just knows what to do, it’s astounding! No work at all, plants spring up… I guess that’s why we call it spring, isn’t it? And then—“

      Altair cleared his throat. “Selpie dear, we won’t be able to harvest those mushrooms if we don’t go out there now while they still are fresh.” Decay gave the smallest hint of a smile.

      “You’re absolutely right! I’ll go gather everyone up so we can get started right away.” Selpie rushed into the cabin, ready to ask all of their imps for aid with the mushroom hunt. Altair chuckled as his partner ran, and squeezed Decay’s hoof. “So what’ll it really be like?”

      “It could be enjoyable, but it depends on if we find a good patch or not. The imps should be able to help with that.” Decay said. The two buns watched as a line of imps exited from the cabin, mostly “Selpie’s” imps (though they would never claim ownership of them), but a few of Altair’s loafkis also exited, along with Decay’s entire troupe. Selpie exited with three wicker baskets perfect for storing mushrooms in, handed two to their partners, then asked the imps to arrange themselves on the porch into foraging parties. As the imps all began to group themselves up, Selpie began offering suggestions as to the composure of these groups. Altair chuckled again and cozied up to Decay as the two watched their partner in their natural habitat, quite literally. After groups had been formed, Selpie led the imps and their partners into the border of the swamp and forest, where diverse growths were sure to be located.

      The horde traveled for several minutes, with Selpie inspecting various trees and patches of earth for clues. Every so often an imp would give a cry of recognition or excitement, leading the group onto a new path. Eventually, they came to a clearing of trees with freshly milled dirt in the middle. A gorgeous smattering of mushrooms was arranged all about the clearing, with some even growing from trees. Chanterelles, morels, porcini, hen of the woods... It seemed like the tastiest varieties of mushrooms all stemmed from this one clearing, and the trio could barely believe their luck. Many imps chirped with glee, as several groups began to flock to the clusters to harvest them. Selpie smiled at their friends all working diligently to make their evening meal a pleasant one.

      To Decay and Selpie, they had truly hit the jackpot. Altair's eyes were not yet accustomed to the finer details of foraging and as such, they only saw the mushrooms for their natural beauty amongst the loam and debris of the forest floor. "So, how do we begin?"

      "Selpie usually uses their claws to dig the mushrooms up from the ground, but I prefer a cleaner method." Decay rifled through its basket to produce a small paring knife. Altair followed suit, and watched as Decay looked around before it found a suitable cluster of morels. It gingerly gripped below the cap of the mushroom and carefully cut the stem just above the ground. It examined the mushroom, gave it a good sniff, and then placed the sample into the basket. "It's best to be sure the cap is fully grown and free of any damage or disease. The smell should alert you if it's not safe to eat. Then, cut the stem right above the ground, so it can regrow in the future." Decay gave a slight smile. "That's all there is to it. We are quite lucky we've found this clearing, it seems almost... magical." Decay fetched its sketchbook from the basket and sat down, beginning to pen a drawing of its current environment. Altair gently rubbed its head before venturing away to harvest their own mushrooms.

      Selpie had settled in the middle of this mushroom ring, and seemed overjoyed in their good fortune. Every few moments an imp or two would approach them with their finds, and Selpie would gather them and arrange them in their own basket. Their black furdin Jera was settled in their lap, sleeping peacefully. "That's wonderful Eng! Make sure you don't hold the cap too firmly or you'll damage it, and then it'll be more difficult for us to cook it tonight! I think we should make either a stew or stir-fry, these puffballs will make a great garnish too! Or we could do some sort of side..." Their eyes trailed up until they saw Altair with an empty basket. "Oh, Altair! Did Decay show you its ways? I think I have better foraging instincts than it does, but it always picks the better tasting mushrooms, I need to unlock their technique when we hunt in different areas!"

      Altair brushed aside Selpie's bangs and kissed their forehead, making them blush and the stars around them twinkle. "It did indeed show me, but I was going to ask you where the best place for me to begin would be?"

      Selpie scanned their surroundings and noticed a small outcropping to the south that was yet untouched by bun or imp alike. "Over there looks wonderful to me! This whole place is so enchanting. I think I read that if the mushrooms grow in a circle like this, it's called a 'fairy ring'? I'm not sure what a fairy is or what it has to do with mushrooms, but I'd love to figure that out sometime! Maybe a fairy could make our garden grow too!" Selpie chattered away, and Altair smiled and nodded, moving to the area they pointed out. Finding a small patch of chanterelles, they carefully followed the steps Decay had laid out, however rough their first few mushroom cuts had been.

      The three spent several hours in this beautiful clearing, until the crystal light began to change from blue to orange, signaling the end of the day. They left plenty of mushrooms to harvest and regrow for the next time they ventured out this way. Baskets full of treats and prizes, Selpie orchestrated the imps back into a line, and they began to head back to the Simmering Cauldron. Altair looked over Decay's sketchbook, and their drawing had a haunting beauty to it, as though the meeting of nature and the end of the day had created a different reality where time stood still in the face of life and death. He turned and kissed Decay, which startled them at first, until they reciprocated the affection.

      "I'm constantly amazed by your work, my love. The way you see this world... it's unlike anyone I've ever known."

      Decay turned away. "I just... capture things through my own lens, I suppose."

      The two's tails entwined as they continued down the path home. Another beautiful day in the natural world reinforced the meaning the three buns had found in their life together: being one with the earth, and letting their souls fly free of burden was truly the gift in life that they each needed.