Rift gave Amras a nod in understanding. There had been things that he had not wanted to talk about, things he had been ashamed of. He had no idea the extent of Amras's but decided not to push further, despite his aching curiosity. That would be rude. However, he was distracted by the magic the gryphon conjured.

Rift widened his eyes at the small hummingbird that floated off of Amras's claw. He crouched down to watch it carefully, enthralled. How did he do that? Rift had no idea, of course, that it was not real, only a thing of magic, so it was extremely exciting to see. "It's lovely," he breathed.

However, he realized that he was probably being rude having not addressed Amras and forced himself to look away from the small glowing bird. He stood back to his feet a few moments after the gryphon had said his name and dipped his head respectfully. "It's good to meet you Amras. I am Rift, the guardian of Eridanus and protector of all forests. I keep watch over this cave and bring life to the rest. Many forget the importance of the plants and flowers. But we would be dead without them."

He narrowed his eyes, almost as if to challenge Amras to deny him. He'd had enough of people thinking the plants as unimportant, trambling and destroying them and he had grown used to those that were not open minded. However, he reminded himself that Amras had said he was a researcher of magic. Perhaps he knew the magic of the forest as well. The bits of defensiveness on his face melted away. "You say you are a researcher of magic...have you learned of plant yet?"

Rift listened carefully, his ear perking up with interest. Did Amras know magic from all the elements? That was incredible! But, then he remembered the diseased-horse and the devastation he had caused and he became wary again. If Amras had the power to carry disease, then that was not good. But he had seen no evidence that he had any intention to do so, and that thought gave him enough comfort to let it go.

But there was still potential here. He said that there was little plant magic that he knew and Rift guessed that it was the photosynthesis that was turning his wings green, just as it was turning his own skin a green tone. There were still more things to learn. "I don't think its unusual. The tress know, they can understand and think, even if it is different from the way we know and understand and think. Perhaps they've given this magic to you for a reason. I do not know. But, if you'd like, I can teach you more. There are so many mysteries and wonders to explore within the forest, especially in its magic. I've lived here long enough to discover many of them. For example..."

Rift leaned down and touched his nose to the ground, releasing his magic from his ear into the earth. It quivered for a moment, but then did not move further. He blinked and looked up, slightly embarrassed. "Well, that was supposed to grow into a tree. But I guess it didn't work this time. Nonetheless, it can happen and I can do it."

Rift's tail twitched as Amras began to speak of their setting fire to dead branches. Perhaps they were no longer parts of living trees, but the gryphon was right to think that it would make him uncomfortable. He shifted his paws, not wanting to be rude and cut Amras off and was relieved when he changed the subject. He puffed out his fur with pride, remembering his display. Although his last spell had failed, he had still created a very large tree with some beautiful glowing mushrooms. He had brought such a beautiful token of the forest to the rest of the caves. And he was happy that Amras didn't mention his failure to actually move the tree anywhere.

As for what Amras requested of him, he thought for a moment, before his fur began to bristle as he realized what he was asking. "I can help you understand plant and fungus, but the element of disease is not welcome in this forest, unless you intend to only use it to cure. There was a creature in here spreading his plague and I'm still cleaning up his mess." He forced his fur to lie flat as he continued. "Plant and fungus magic are tied together. It is easy to learn the other once one is learned. I do know a spell of disease, but one that rids the world of it. I can help you learn either of these, if you wish."

When Amras pulled out the mushrooms, Rift couldn't help himself. He bunched his hind legs and leaped across the stream, landing at Amras's side. He leaned down and gave the mushrooms a small sniff. They were unfamiliar to him, having never grown them or seen them in the forest of Eridanus. However, after a few moments of inspection, in which he poked and sniffed and gave a small lick (which he spat out immediately), he thought that he had enough to go on. He tapped his paw on the ground and a small bunch of mushrooms sprouted where he touched. They looked similar to the ones Amras had but, upon inspection, Rift found them to be a little different. "Hm, no that wasn't right..." he muttered.

@Amras