Submission (#5412) Approved

“Don’t run too far, darling!” The worried voice of his parents faded as Nico headed deeper into the lush vegetation of the oasis.

“I won’t, I promise!”, he chirped back, while crawling underneath a giant green leaf with dark blue veins. Fascinated, he called out for his Pomu, who appeared and already had the book Nico was searching for in its little paws. “Thank you!” Nico beamed at his Pomu, who thrilled softly and then disappeared back into the shadows. With the book between his teeth, Nico marched forward, wanting to explore more of all the different fauna and flora around him.

His family was traveling from Devara to Termina - crossing the hot sand desert that was Azha during the evening and night hours while resting during the day in the oasis. Only that Nico would rather use the time to discover new things.
He was looking for one particular plant he heard about before, one that was only growing in the oases in Azha; and not near the sand dunes, which were quite fun to play in, especially if there was a giant skeleton nearby to play hide and seek in - but that was not the point right now! The plant was described in the old plant book he was carrying around and when he finally spotted the giant flowers between all the other plants, he grinned and sat down in their shade to read up on them some more.

»The Oasis Lily is a plant with a striking appearance,and can only be found in Ahza. It requires specific surroundings to thrive in the desert and flourishes in areas with ample sunlight, as the plant relies on photosynthesis for energy production. The presence of an oasis or underground water sources nearby is essential for its survival. The plants deep-reaching roots tap into these water reservoirs, ensuring a steady supply of moisture.

The desert plant features a slender, flexible stem that stands at an average height of five feet. The stem is covered in a waxy, silver-gray bark, which helps it retain moisture in the arid desert and acts as a natural shield against the scorching sun, reflecting excessive heat and preventing the plant from overheating. The plant boasts an abundance of long, narrow, and delicate leaves that shimmer in shades of emerald green. These leaves have a feathery texture and are arranged in whorls around the stem, creating an elegant and ornamental display. Apart from providing shade to the stem, they also help reduce water loss through transpiration.
At the top of the stem, the Oasis Lily produces clusters of vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. These giant flowers showcase a breathtaking blend of fiery hues, ranging from deep oranges to golden yellows. They often produce a sweet nectar with potent medicinal properties. The nectar acts as a natural remedy for ailments common in the desert, such as dehydration, heatstroke, and skin irritations caused by the harsh environment. Local inhabitants often collect the flowers to prepare healing potions and soothing balms. 

Moreover, the Oasis Lily plays a vital ecological role by attracting and providing sustenance for pollinators like desert butterflies, bees, and birds. Its vibrant flowers act as beacons, luring these creatures and encouraging a diverse ecosystem to thrive in an otherwise inhospitable environment.«

Nico looked up from the plant dictionary and watched the soft and spindly leaves sway in the warm breeze. His golden eyes twinkled in the sunlight, while he listened closely. The leaves all around him rustled softly, like a whispering chorus, and the insects were buzzing loudly in the scorching afternoon sun, but there was something else… His ears perked and he grinned when he finally heard it - a soft brass sound was emitting from the flowers. When the wind was hitting the flowers just right, their shape actually produced a vibrating sound and Nico was delighted that he could actually hear it! 

“I need to tell Mom and Dad about this…”, he said to himself and wondered if his parents knew about this. Surely not, otherwise they would’ve told him about it and he wouldn’t have to rely on dusty old books to reveal all the secrets of Eyre to him. He yawned quietly and placed his head on his paws. This seemed like a perfect spot for a nap after all, with just the right background music to fall asleep to.