Lesson in Fungi

Owl Creek - Wyoming

Perrine appreciated that the telekinetic didn’t try and lie. Then again, a telekinetic didn’t really need to. If any situation boiled down to the use of force, they would win; and any situation had the potentiality to end in force.

There was a long pause. Any chance to pinpoint Perrine was lost to the point it could have been assumed he had left. During that time Perrine was empathetically connecting with Cyrus, measuring his sincerity. Reassured and encouraged by his mouse friend, Perrine spoke again.

“Iz can zhow yoo hew getz saffe vater.” Perrine slowly emerged from behind a tree twenty two feet away. Cyrus would see his silhouette at first, hands up in peace.

“No trrooble pleaz. All friendz herrre.” He pleaded in good faith, apparently satisfied enough with how he felt about the man’s honesty and intentions.

Cyrus nodded his head at the man as he emerged. Cyrus was amused to see the stranger was actually a little taller than himself. He was obviously fit, and knew how to hold his own. Cyrus also began to tune into the idiosyncratic animal behavior around him.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir. I appreciate your assistance. My name is Cyrus Riddell, may I have yours?" He inquired, his voice was sing-songy and playful.

Perrine slowly made his way closer, keeping the creek between the two. He knew it wouldn’t matter at this point, but it felt the sensible thing to do. He left the crowbar at the tree. No need to give a telekinetic obvious ammunition.

“Yikewise.” He was now within illumination of the glow from the creek. “Pearwin.” He replied patiently and pointed to himself. Cyrus was a talker, probably able to monopolize the airspace with conversational artistry. Perrine preferred not to speak at all if given the option.

Without wasting time, he went to show the man what to do. The goal was to assist and then send the man on his way if possible. Perrine went to a nearby tree and demonstrated what to do.

He reached out for a porous fungi that was growing on the side of the tree. If Cyrus looked around he would see many trees near the creek had such growths on them. Perrine carefully ripped it off and brought it up to his mouth. He squeezed and what looked like water trickled into his mouth; about a cups worth. He then proceeded to suck on the mushroom, extracting what was left. Wiping his mouth, he explained. “Vater poizon due to algee. Tree wroots vip hon toxick vater an filtr. Fongi drew vater from tree an filtr agan. Mace safe too drwrink.”