Merete stood under the shaded banks of a small pond with her eyes gently closed. There was a slow-moving stream nearby and a cool breeze in the air. She was surprised to hear from one of her children, Voshell, as he moved around as frequently as the wind; she hadn't seen him since he hit adulthood. What astonished her was to hear he had knocked up a mare and had children: two rambunctious fillies. Voshell was supposed to bring one of them today, mentioning something about gardening and odd tendencies. "How odd can she be considering how he is," she smiled to herself, eyes still closed.
As she waited, Merete decided to get more comfortable. A patch of water lilies was nearby, so she went to lie down nearby. Admittedly, she didn't have much experience gardening, but she did have a lot more patience, more than her son at the least. She watched the water lilies swaying gently in the water. She could at least give some advice.
When she heard hoof-steps nearby and the giggling of a child. Merete looked in the direction and smiled.
"Mother", Voshell exclaimed. "I'm sorry it's been such a long time." He stretched out his wings and neck. "There's just so much to see and do, and well, just create." His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm to his mother. With his muzzle, he nudged the young mare next to him. "I was hoping you could help Ouisa with her... interests."
Ouisa was a lovely young mare, tinier than even Merete. "Maybe those Flutter genes of Celebeat are just that strong," the blue mare thought to herself with a smile. "Voshell's wings are unique as is. Ouisa's is even more so." She stood up, gave Voshell a quick nuzzle, and went to do the same for Ouisa. "It's very nice to meet you, Ouisa. I am your grandmother, Merete. You can call me -"
Before she could finish, Ouisa went and excitedly nuzzled her grandmother. "GRAMMY," she responded before Merete could even finish. Ouisa's words spilling out of her mouth endlessly. "I'm so excited to meet you at last. Dad said you could help me with my mushrooms. He doesn't have any, neither does Sis, auntie, nor uncle." She turned her head and peeked onto Merete's back. "But it looks like you don't either."
Voshell chided Ousia. "Calm down, Ouisa. Mother - Grammy - may not have them herself, but she does have a lot of patience and that's necessary for plants to flourish."
Ouisa pouted at her dad before looking back at Merete. "Sorry, Grammy." She looked towards her rump where there were some mushrooms growing. "They've been there since I was little. They're... Mostly alive, I think. I've found out early on that they make you feel funny if you eat them. Dad tried them once... I don't think he's a fan." She grinned.
Merete looked at Voshell and saw how he looked like he wanted to vomit.
"Mother, I wouldn't suggest you try them," Voshell paused. "Ouisa just wants help or suggestions on how to keep them alive and growing. From what I know, she's the only one that enjoys them."
Ouisa flapped her wings and frowned. "That's not true! Others have tried a nibble and wanted to exchange other things for them! I didn't mind," she bit her lip. "But I was afraid that if others kept wanting them, they might disappear...?"
Merete walked around to Ouisa's backside and took a look. Oddly, the mushrooms looked happy being there. She wasn't sure what nutrients they were given from Ouisa or if they were just taking the mare's bodily nutrients to survive. She poked them slightly with her muzzle, feeling the bounciness of the mushroom, but avoided sniffing or biting the mushroom.
"Well, they seem fine so far. Have you been taking care of them," she questioned Ouisa.
The younger mare bit her lip. "I try to, but I'm not exactly sure if I'm doing enough. Some water here and there. What do I need to provide them?" Ouisa thought for a moment before continuing. "They haven't caused any pain when someone takes a bite of them. I've been afraid of pulling one off fully since they grow on me. Maybe I'm just not doing enough?"
"Hmm..." Merete thought as she looked over towards the water lilies. "See the water lilies over there? They have plenty of water and need a lot of sunlight and nourishing soil. Typical for flowers. Mushrooms, however, are different; they need nutrients, moisture, temperature/humidity, cooler environments, and some light."
Merete smiled at Ouisa. "Yours are most likely even more unique. There will not be another plant that works the same way as yours because they are a part of you.
Ouisa beamed as she listened to her grandmother. She had been feeling discouraged about who she was.
The two mares walked side by side with Merete leading her to the water, Voshell a little bit behind. Merete nudged Ouisa's wings slightly. "Your wings will allow you to scoop up some water and drip water over your mushrooms. The Spirits blessed you with those."
"We're not sure how she got those," Voshell remarked. "She's lucky since mine wouldn't be able to do what she does."
Merete nodded in agreement while Ouisa reached for the water with one of her wings. She folded them and dripped water droplets onto the mushrooms. "Now what, Grammy?"
"While some light is needed, mushrooms prefer some light with more darkness and humidity." She glanced at Voshell's wings and then back at Ouisa's. "Your father's wings are smaller so they can't do much in terms of folding, but yours are different. Try folding them closed and cover your mushrooms."
Ouisa followed Merete's instructions and looked back at her cluster of mushrooms. They were now shaded, so at least they could have darkness. "I don't know how humid it can get back there," she commented.
"That's okay," Merete explained. "They're most likely not the same as regular mushrooms. All your father and I can do is try and guide you. It'll take time to figure out what works and doesn't work for you and your mushrooms. You have the basics, now all you can do is try."
There was some hesitation for Ouisa, but she had been trying her entire life. She lifted her wing just slightly, looking at the shaded mushrooms. "Only time will tell me what you need and don't need", she nodded to herself. Ouisa looked at her father and grandmother with determination on her face.
"Thank you both. Dad for bringing me to meet Grammy, and Grammy for your advice." Merete stood on one side of Ouisa and Voshell on the other. They nuzzled her on each side lovingly.
Voshell spoke first. "We know you've got this. You most likely have more patience and dedication than me."
Merete laughed. "Don't follow too much in your father's path. Else, you'd probably lack the patience."
"Hey," Voshell grumbled, though he very much knew it was true.
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