Eventually the young foal woke, coddled by the fungi who’d kept her company. Her eyelids rose slightly and blinked a few times before her head slowly rose up to examine the world around. The head of the ‘growth’ did the exact same, rising in tune with the foal it watched.

She tried to get up, but was ultimately halted by a web of roots that entangled over her and kept her down- something the foal tilted her head at without much worry- only a simple frustration at the halting of her movements. Thankfully, only having gotten a few moments of sleep, the roots did not grow over her strong enough to keep her down even through her halfhearted struggling. She was freed without much effort and unknowing of the danger she was so close to being in, simply continued without worry.

As she shook and struggled free and eventually found herself standing again, so did the ‘foal’ that stood at her side. With a smile, the youngster invited her mirror to follow her, and with a smile, the mirror invited her to do the same- and they continued together with steps perfectly synced to one another.

She had no time to register the small creature that had wriggled its way on top of her and found a home in the fluff of her back.

Cracks and holes in the ceiling bore light down into the cavern as it opened up. Further from the dripping and flowing of water now, the ambience in this room was entirely quiet. Dust hung in the air in large clumps almost impressively visible, and each step brought more to the surface. Only after a few more steps in, did she notice that her friend had not followed her through. She looked back, questioning the figure who stood ominously in the darkness of the entryway who seemed to almost refuse to come in.

Perhaps it was because for a while now, the roots and fungi had began to grow less prevalent as they continued their journey- and the growth was nearing its limit of how far it could go from its home.

But the young foal did not understand.

— “well ! Okay, you just wait there and ill be right back”
She called, pointing with a hoof to the creature of which performed the same actions back.

With that, she turned her back on the growth and continued further into the room. Eventually, items come into view illuminated by the cracks in the ceiling and what little light poured on through. The remnants of a camp, put together roughly, stagnated in this exact spot for god knows how long. She couldn't make heads or tales of it, though.

As she examined the campsite, one thing caught her attention. A suit of armour, rusted and broken long forgotten, laid with his back against the wall, his head hanging low positioned right next to a carving of letters dug into the wall. “GALATEA” it spelt out. The child could not read, but something about those letters- that word, resonated deep within her being and ignited a want to know more.

She stared for a good, long few minutes, before her gaze settled once more on the humanoid armour that rested next to it. She looked to herself, then to the armour, and to herself again. What kind of creature wore this ? it didnt look like it could fit her in any lifetime.

Confused but satisfied, she turned her back to meet her friend who waited in the corridor, prancing back to where she’d last seen him- only to realise that… he was gone. Light panic bubbled in her gut, but it was quickly snuffed by the surprise of a soft thud right next to her as something hit the ground. She whipped around, and from her coat a trail of slime followed which she didnt even realise. It seemed that it had been slipping this entire time.

A small snail, sat nervously beneath her blue eyed gaze, staring up at her with only the purest intentions of wanting to come with. With a small paw(?) the creature practically begged to come along- and all that entered the foals mind at the moment… was how cute it was.

It must be kept.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚕𝚞𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚗𝚊𝚒𝚕 (?) 𝚓𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝙵𝚘𝚊𝚕𝚜 𝚓𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚢.