“What is this?” I glanced up from my squatting position over an oddly shaped plant.

“Hmm.” Jackal leaned down beside me. His dark brown gaze analyzing the flower curiously. “My guess is some kind of mushroom. But no name comes to mind. How unusual.” His eyes grew distant as he tried to place the name.

I giggled.

“Your the god of death.not flowers goof.”

He grinned playfully. A rare site for me.

“May I?” Will had moved behind him. Jackal stood, backing into a tree. Will crouched. His hand gently grazing the hot green surface. I scanned his face eagerly. Anything on Astrix was fascinating to me. “How interesting.”

“What?” I bounced anxiously on my legs.

“This plant is foreign to Astrix.” Will raised his hands. A scroll appeared, shimmering as words flew up on the page. To fast for me to read. The few gold words I did catch were strange names. None I recognized but I had a feeling they were different species. “Kyoun” passed, confirming this. “There is nothing here matching this fungus.”

“Cool!” I clapped, a grin brightening my eyes. “A new species?”

“That would be exciting. Except we must consider the effects this might have on the surrounding wildlife.” Will touched it again. Blue eyes glowing with light.

I loved hearing how much he cared for the Forest. A twinge of guilt flickered in my chest. I should be the one to do that. I was the heir to the Forest Territory after all.

“From what I can tell this fungi reacts just as those on earth.” Will pulled away. A quill appeared in his free hand before scribbling his findings.

“So is that a good thing?” I tilted my head. Anxiety thrumming in my chest.

“Yes.” Will beamed down at me.

I sighed in relief. Unaware that I was holding my breath.

“This type collects carbon, water, and other nutrients and feed them into the trees. As well as other plants.”

“Okay Google.” I teased. “Should we give it a name?”

“That is a great idea.” Will stood, scroll disappearing, and leaned against a pink tree. Glittering, pink leaves sparkled from high above. “Why don’t you decide.”

“Hmm.” I reached out, touching the soft, bumpy surface. The feeling reminding me of the foamy clay I’d used once at school. I had a feeling trying to sculpt with it would only end in pieces.

A humdra, green cockroach body, orange dragonfly wings, and features, flew up to me. I sat back, shooing it away. Once gone I realized there was a strange oder. I sniffed my hand, recoiling in disgust.

“Yuck.”

Will smirked. I giggled.

“Alright. Well…” Letters scattered through my mind. Random words formed and shattered as I searched for the right weird one to give it. My eyes widened when one in particular caught my attention. “How about amosapoo.” I smiled over at them.

“Interesting.” Jackal made a sour face.

Will chuckled.

“What is your inspiration?” His scroll reappeared. He scribbled the name down.

“You know how we eat ambrosia.” I asked. They nodded. Eyes glittering in awareness. “And it smells gross. So amosapoo!”

“Interesting.” Jackal chuckled softly, shaking his head.

“Very well.” Will grinned, writing more things down. “There. Amosapoo.”

I giggled. He couldn’t keep from smiling when he said it. His scroll dissolved then we continued on our adventure.