This section of the dungeon was, to say the least, gorgeous. Shion stared in wonder at the tall mushrooms growing on the walls, and he poked them with his nose, giggling when they lit up and powder tickled his nostrils. He sneezed, and stepped back from it, freezing when he felt something give under his hoof. “Ew, what was that?” He said to himself, and looked down, hearing harsh screeches that sounded tiny and adorable, to his own ears. He couldn’t see well, until a pixie flew toward his face, and smacked him on his cheek, making the poor horse even more confused.

“My garden!” The pixie chided, hands on her hips, “How dare you? Do you have no consciousness? No care for the efforts of my family? This was my garden, my magnificent work, over years I have poured dust and tears into this, I have gone into debts!”

“Sis… that’s a bit exaggerated.” A plump pixie flew beside her, his hair hiding his shy eyes. “He surely… didn’t mean it?”

“Huh.” Shion breathed out, “You two are so cute. Is that a hairpin?”

The orange pixie’s eyes went wide, and she twirled a lock of hair around her finger, nodding. “Hm… Yes, it’s a gift from my little brother. Thank you - now you need to repair my garden!” She pointed downward, and Shion glanced down, flinching slightly. Okay, fine… He guessed it was his fault, he had barely paid attention. Other pixies flew, chattering animatedly, and some promised the orange pixie to help refurnish her garden. It took a while for the horse to be able to repair her garden, and when he did, he beamed in delight, watching the pixie test out her garden with a nod.

“Great job.” She told Shion, and then, she reached to take a flower, kindly putting it in Shion’s hair, “You’re forgiven, but the next time this happens, I’ll make you build an entire palace in my name!”

Shion was a bit shocked but, numbly, he nodded. In life, you do not argue with pixies, and thankfully he came out with no scratches… As he said his goodbyes and walked away, the brother tugged on his sister’s sleeve. “Why were you so nice to him?” He questioned, and saw his sister smirk.

“Because he inhaled some of the poisonous mushrooms. He’s going to be sick later…” She started to crack up while flying off, and the other pixie watched her go with a shocked face. Oh. Oh, dear. Worried, the pixie flew after where Shion went, and he kept a look-out, seeing that at first, the horse was fine - until finally an hour later, just around the corner, Shion was starting to feel woozy.

He slumped, and slid against the wall, legs awkwardly tucked as he breathed in and out. He felt… strange. And his nose was itchy. He started to sneeze, many times, and the next moment, his stomach rolled before he held back the urge to puke. What was happening? Did the pixie curse him? A bad spell? His question was answered by a pixie coming by, and flying toward him while clutching a satchel.

“I’m so sorry!” The pixie mumbled, “Here, eat these.” He stuttered, and the horse took the herbs he was given, grimacing when the taste hit his tongue. “Please eat. You inhaled some poison earlier… My sister planned to let you ‘ride it out’ as she called it.” He ducked his head, awkwardly.

“I’m sorry too.” Shion whispered, “I didn’t know about the… Oh, I already apologised earlier, but thank you, seriously. Now, I think I’m going to puke so please stand clear of the way.”

“What?”

…

A few minutes later, the pixie sat on Shion’s hoof, calmly patting the trembling horse. “I’m never, ever sticking close to mushrooms again.” Shion swore, “In fact, I’m never sticking my head against anything.”

“Sure, sure.” The pixie replied, “Are you okay now?”

“Nope.” Shion whined, “I am so not!”

After a while, Shion did feel better, and the pixie stayed with him all the while until finally, it was time for Shion to leave. Shion asked the pixie for his name, and upon learning it, he declared they were best friends for life. The pixie held back from replying, quickly waving off the horse. Shion trotted off, feeling now healthy again. What a… good… day? Or something.