Dim light was still filtering through the half windows when she stopped working. She finished the chant, letting the soft invocation fall from her lips.

Carol sat back on her haunches letting her muddy hands rest on her thighs. The final planting was already taking hold. As she watched, a little cap pushed up through the soil. She waited until the color had flushed through the entire top of the hat. Scarlet faded into bone white spots, scattered over the entire top. She reached forward and patted the little head, being careful to not touch the dusty white spots.

“Welcome to Earth Prime little one. Let’s start on finding you some additional friends, yeah?

You are so welcome here, Amanita Fae. We have such work to do.”