Tinted Grotto
This semi-deep cave seems to be fairly lit upon your first glance at it, but something is strange about the light it emits. You step through the bushes with a rustle and come closer to the massive cave entrance. As you peer up you notice it's mouth is wider at the bottom then narrows out to a point at the top. A whole herd of bison could probably run through it without ever scraping themselves on the wet rocky sides. You shiver a little at the change in temperature, as the sun fails to touch this shaded grotto and the creek trickling water into a large pond has made this spot a cool sanctuary contrasted from the surrounding summertime Mediterranean landscape. Your paws slosh through the creek as you enter the cave, long tendrils of Ivy and roots looming over you with a calming stillness. The air is damp and cool inside, but not stale, the rich growth of foliage providing your lungs with crisp oxygen. A glimmering light focuses you back in time; the light which lured you here in the first place. It's surreal green hue is shining over huge mounds of rock and soil, beckoning you further into the cave. You look back toward the mouth of the grotto, trills of sunlight spotting the pool of crystal clear water. Nothing but the sound of the trickling creek and twitting birds, you assume you are the only one here at the moment, so you see it safe enough to keep going further. You need to know what is emitting this strange, otherworldly light. You climb through the rock formations that crop a den from which the light glows, and suddenly a stranger's smell fills your nose. You ignore the smell, though, because before you is a brightly lit cavern of...mushrooms? Strange, glowing mushrooms. So this is what makes this cave glow. You sigh with relief, happy to confer there is nothing paranormal about this cave.
"I see you have discovered our magical fungi friends."A light and airy voice jolts you out of your trance and you spin around to find another wolf, her beautiful golden coat seems to glisten in the effervescent glow of the cave. Her younger apprentice is giggling at your shocked expression. "Now, Onnolee, please do not laugh at our guest." The adult wolf scolds the adolescent.
You smile after a sigh of relief passes your muzzle. You introduce yourself and apologize for your wandering. You weren't aware someone lived here. "Magical...fungi..?" You tilt your head.
"Oh, it's quite alright. You wouldn't have been allowed into this territory if our alpha thought you to be a threat." She explains punctually. "It's nice to meet you. I am Makya, our pack's herbalist- and this is my apprentice; Onnolee." The apprentice smiles at you sheepishly and sings a hello to you. Makya seems pleased at her politeness and shifts her attention back on to you. "Yes! Well, it's not really magical. The pups call it that because of it's unique ability of bioluminescence! Few fungi possess this trait, and this one is particularly good at it. I suppose that's why you're here, yes? To witness is magnificent glow?"
You perk your ears in interest and nod, asking if it would be alright to stay a bit longer and learn some more about the glowing shrooms. Makya seems absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to talk your ear off, beaming as she explains everything about the prized mushrooms and why Halona has such a fondness for them.
"We call them Bittercaps. I've stayed here and tended to them for years.....They're not very good for eating, hence their name; they're quite bitter-tasting. We use them as a styptic to staunch bleeding and for ceremonies..."
Hours seem to pass as the three of you converse and enjoy each other's company. It's only until a howl erupts from outside the cave that you realize you stayed for quite too long. You hurriedly excuse yourself and thank the two wolves for their welcoming nature before meeting back up with your packmates, a smile still planted on your face and a satchel of green glowing herbs on your back.