[Trade] Tasty or Toxic ( Foraging )

Tasty or Toxic ( Foraging )- RadicalRyuu

Writing by: Lil Monster

Da gallery: https://www.deviantart.com/xxinsanenightmarexx/gallery

Word count: 1,000+

Dino’s Included: Fiend (2329) , Perseus (1153), Eli (828)

With the spring in full bloom on the island, the plant life that was once buried in snow during the winter months had blossomed into vibrant colors and strong smelling aromas which most herbivores couldn’t avoid. With most out now foraging it was safe to say if you knew what to look for you had nothing to worry about but some herbivores weren’t aware of the toxic plants that hid with the good ones and it was a learning experience for most of many.

Deep in the forest the sound of footsteps crushing against the foliage that littered the ground echoed sending tropes who rested at the top of the canopy flying off due to the noise.

“Perseus wait up you dome head, don’t eat anything yet!” A loud bellow came from behind the multi colored pachy who went by the name

of Perseaus, Fiend and Eli were taking their time and the much faster and agile Pachy was eager to get to forging.

The small group of herbivores had been out before together but every year after the melt they would

Join once again and get some well deserved greens, and knowing Eli and Perseaus the two were quite new to the whole thing which drove fiend crazy. 

“oh come on Fiend, he ate the wrong thing last time it always happens and besides he was fine after” the much smaller sty said softly who went by the name of Eli, as she slowly looked around taking the 

Greenery in. 

They had been walking for awhile and Fiend knew just the best spots to forage when spring came around and they were getting close, walking past vibrant and bright plants. Up ahead Perseus made sure to walk up to every plant and sniff nibbling on leaves as he did blocking out the much larger stys complaining, she was always like that it didn’t matter what you were doing and besides he was confident enough to forage on his own or so

He thought.

“I’m sure all of this is safe, what did the old loser say to watch out for?” He mumbled to

Himself letting out a honk at his own jokes, trotting along the pathway as he fluffed his feathers out.

Spotting a plant that bloomed bright pink flowers and hung from them were lush purple

Berries and Perseus was quick to get to eating before Fiend and Eli had caught up to him.

Eli had gone foraging herself when she was much younger and was taught what was safe to eat and what was considered toxic by her elder herd mates so she knew what to look out for, so she stopped eating and munching on various plants even the spikey ones but she knew her way around to making sure how to eat them safely.

Fiend wasn’t to far behind as she snorted looking at various plants and foliage turning her nose up to one she didn’t think were safe and eagerly ate others that she knew about, but the large sty came to a stop when she wandered upon the same berries Perseus had eaten and she was unsure about them, they didn’t smell toxic but they sure looked like it.

“Hmm these are new, never have seen them blooming before” she rumbled to herself pressing her beak up against the plant as she sniffed them, Eli watching intently from behind her.

“You think they are safe, also where did dome head go I haven’t heard him for awhile” she said, stepping up to inspect the berries herself. It was a uneasy feeling but the two decided to indulge in the new found plant besides the berries were delicious but they did well masking their potent toxic juices behind a sweet taste.

“ these aren't bad, good find Fiend” Eli said as she chewed them off the branch but was soon after noticing her tongue and beak had become numb and felt funny, and it seemed like it was effecting Fiend as well who was shaking her head as her sight went double.

Perseus had already felt the effects of the berries as he stumbled trying to make his way back to Fiend and Eli who were just feeling the berries as he came through some foliage and flopped on the ground “ Don’t eat the berries they are toxic I think” he mumbled before looking up at Fiend and Eli who looked at one another wide eyed.

“I told you Perseus not everything is edible” Fiend said feeling wobbly on her feet, as she looked around to find water to drown out the effects for the three the only problem was getting there.

“We need to find water let’s go Eli, I’ll grab Perseus” Fiend said as she leaned down and picked him up making sure he was snug between her horn and her frill as she shook her head trying to stop the double vision from the berries.

“ I think I hear something this way, or it could be the berries talking” Eli said trying to not to let out a giggle. Besides they weren’t dangerous it seemed it provided a bit of a buzz from nature. The trio made their way as they finally approached a small stream that was off their path a bit and Fiend couldn’t be happier seeing the blue water as she rushed over tossing Perseus in which caused the Pachy to let out a sigh of relief.

“Next time tell us before you do them” Fiend said as she gulped down water to null the effects, which Eli joined beside her but couldn’t help but laugh at the two.

“Well next time those are on the list of do not touch” Eli said before sitting down and letting out a relaxed sigh as she felt the effects of the berries coming down and it seemed like Fiend and Perseus were also feeling like normal as the three relaxed in the stream water with full bellies and now off the toxic contents from the purple berries.

It was a learning curve all herbivores had to learn , big and small but at least they are some fun doing it. There is always a tasty side or a toxic side.