Winds whipped around towering, bowing mushrooms. The stench was simple but musky, the spores creating a slight fog. Junima looked upward to the sky, taking deep breaths of the musky air. "It's good to be back."

"It smells awful." Dixie's nose was scrunched, disgust clear. Junima rolled her eyes, glancing to Melonhorn. The armless Tsab was rubbing his face with his front paw, itching.

"I might be allergic," Melon muttered, his eyes watering. He glanced up at Juni with an apologetic look. Apowai snuck up behind the Tsab herd, suddenly popping forward with a shout.

"Boo!"

"Good Gods!" Dixie shouted, jumping and fuzzing up in surprise. She swiped at Apowai, anger bubbling in her throat. "Why in the world would you do that!?" She batted at his ears, the belemoid barking with laughter.

Apowai's laughter was obnoxious, "You should see your face!" He pushed past the younger pair, approaching Junima. "'Ello Juni! What's on the docket today?"

"Simple mushroom picking my friend. Shall we begin?"

"Let's!"

The troop pushed through the fungal undergrowth. Each step shifted the mycelium rich dirt, triggering puffballs and other similar species to release their spores. Melonhorn's nose ran, dripping down his face. Mushrooms bowed at the steps, drooping and rubbing against their furred sides, leaving streaks of spores and dust. "That'll never come out," complained Dixie, groaning as her black pelt was marked with white.

"Yeah it will, don't be dramatic," Juni rolled her eyes in disbelief. She took a sharp turn to the side, leading down a hefty hill. A slow river trickled down the little valley, the sound gently echoing around the tall slow-waving stalks. "Come here, let me wash it off." She urged Dixie to sit. Juni took a handful of water, gently wetting Dixie's pelt. Apowai watched intently, curious. He didn't have hands like the Tsabs, their dexterity intriguing to him. He took a glance up at Melonhorn, who was in a similar vein. "See? Easy."

"It's still gross that your trees and bushes shoot out dust…" Dixie muttered, slowly standing. "Thanks, though."

"They're mushrooms, not trees," corrected Melonhorn, shaking his head to flick snot from his face. Apowai jumped back, dodging a flung booger. "Besides, it's not dust, either. It's spores. It's how they reproduce."

"Thanks for the bio lesson, Melon, totally needed that." Dixie shot a look, scowling. She fluffed up her fur, shoving past Juni and crossing the river. "Can we just get this over with?" Junima huffed in disbelief, tail thrashing. She stood, scratching at the mycelium rich floor with her claws.

"You're a brat, you know!" Juni called out, crossing her arms. Apowai shrugged, sighed, and walked over to her.
"Come on…" Apowai took the lead, trotting after Dixie. It wasn't long to catch up, Dixie paused at the top of the hill staring down to the fields of mushrooms down below. "Whoa…"

"Just when I thought it couldn't get worse," Melon muttered, ears folding down. His nose dripped more, and he huffed a snort. Apowai snickered, sliding past Dixie and padded down the hill. He paused to examine each notable stalk. Melonhorn followed soon suit, keeping his head up to avoid the spores as much as he could. Dixie crossed her arms, scowled, and followed.

"Watch for poisonous ones," called Juni, quickly trotting down to meet Apowai. She began to examine and point out the exact species they should avoid. With careful plucking, they filled up Apowai's pouch quickly.

"Think this'll be enough?" Dixie was clearly wanting to leave, shaking her paws to try to dislodge some of the new white dust decorating her feet. "Please tell me it's enough."

"It's enough."

"Thank the Gods."