Open Territory WC Let's do some living after we die || Dust bath

[Merrystalk Merrystalk]

—————————————— Dreaming along in a pace you'll understand. ✦

For the turn of leaf-fall, it was surprisingly dry, and to admit Merrystalk was more than glad for it. The sprinkling of rain as of late had left his pelt feeling awful. It stuck up awkwardly, and the longer he ran on the moors, the harder it was to ignore it. While he shared tongues with his clanmates, sometimes it just wasn't enough to make his pelt feel new again. So as he often did, he ventured out into the moors looking for something very specific, being tailed by a familiar face.

It wasn't far from the camp that he found precisely what he sought, divots in the ground, likely from the huge beasts of the moors carving the ground with ease. But over time, they filled with fine dust that rolled across the prairie in strong winds. To most cats, it seemed a hazard; one strong gust and you'd have pawsful of dust, making it impossible to see. But Merrystalk favoured these as a dust bath, of sorts.

He finally turned and smiled down at Whisperpaw. It was a peculiar little thing, but enough so that his own strange behaviours were never given a weird look if he was about. The gale guard motioned to the dust hole with an inquisitive look. "Ya' ever seen a horse rollin' 'bout in the paddock?" He questioned with a chuckle, remembering a peculiar memory of his youth. "First time I saw it, thought the poor lady was afflicted with somethin', nearly ran to get the twolegs' attention."

Merry padded ahead, stepping a paw into the dust as a plume flew into the air that tickled his nose. "Turns out, they do it 'cause they can't groom their pelts or itch themselves. Ain't got no paws." After watching it for that first time, it was obvious how much more content the beast was after.

While he could reach most of his pelt himself, and the help of those he loved, any inch of his pelt could be cleaned. Nothing seemed to make him feel as refreshed as rolling about in the dust. He would get odd looks from cats not familiar with him at the barn, but that wasn't something he was bothered about.

"'nd y'know. I ain't no horse, but sometimes takin' a lesson from the critters we live 'bout serves us just as well." He smiled, warmly. With that, the tortie contentedly flopped in the dust-filled divot as a plume rose all about him, rolling about as thin, greyish-brown dust clung to his fur and scattered about the place.

— And it's harder than you think,

Telling dreams from one another. —

• Tagging @WHISPERPAW
• 
  Merrystalk
  ✦—Windclan Gale Guard | 31 Moons
  ✦—He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A skinny, tortoiseshell cat with bright green eyes and pelt speckled with hay.
  #9D6E46

 

[WHISPERPAW]

Whisperpaw trudged just behind the taller feline, with a hop to his steps and a sleepy smile gracing his face. The Leaf-fall air felt dry to the pale apprentice; he was quite joyous with the drops of rain, as of late that had sprinkled here and there. However, it was a hassle to clean his longer coat (a little jealous of his short - furred clanmates).

It peered from behind Merrystalk, it's plumed tail twitching across the grass stalks as it leaned forward. Rosy eyes slightly wide- not too much to hurt it's sensitive sight. It... It looked like a hazard case, most likely from the huge beasts that roamed the moorlands, as well as the cats that now lived there. Dainty paws cautiously walk until it is next to the Moor-runner, staring at the dust hole. An ear twitches at the question the other asked it, he looked up with a hum.

"It has seen the horses, not much... Whisperpaw thinks they're cool."

It breathes out, in a dreamy way. He widened his eyes slightly at the little tale of Merrystalk's youth.

The bird - framed apprentice follows after his clanmate with a blink, stopping at the dust hole. When the other put his paw into the hole, Whisperpaw felt the dust tickle his nose, causing him to wrinkle his nose slightly. He lets out a small sneeze, lifting and rubbing his nose with a paw. Too dusty! Angling his ears at the information flowing through his ears, he felt the ends of his coat lift on end.

"Really?"

He lets out worried gasp leave him.

"Whisperpaw couldn't imagine it..."

The apprentice watches at the tortie flopped into the hole, squeaking in fright. Closing his eyes tightly as the large plume of dust rises into the air. Dusty! He promptly sneezes away the dust that was drifting into his face. Whisperpaw shakes his head– before peeking over the hole at the now dirty Merrystalk.

"It asks, is it fun in there...?"

The creature softly questions, ears perking forward. Stretching a pale forearm batting at the holes walls, watching dirt crumble beneath the action.

ooc.

so late ;w;

︶꒦꒷ (ㅅ´ ˘ `) ⊹ . ݁˖ .

(

THERE ARE FASCINATING THINGS TO EXPLORE.

) ‧₊˚⤾⊹ .ᐟ

WHISPERPAW

╱ WINDCLAN APPRENTICE.​

a smaller-than-avarage petite albino feline, with flowing - like plush ivory fur upon it's bird - boned frame. paired with dusty, hues of pink sparkling with curiosity about the world around it. his tongue speaks upon riddles dripping from his maw, as the dust coat his paws.

➢

NONBINARY ; HE / IT ; CURRENTLY 13 MOONS OLD & AGES EVERY 3RD.

✿

questioning / single, not actively looking — mentoring none.

✿

thoughts ; "Speech, E7CCCC" ; attacks only

✿

may powerplay minor harm ╱ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted

✿

smells like water lilies & an undertone of wild strawberries

✿

— all opinions are ic

speaks in third-person. refers to himself as his name and the pronouns he uses.

— biography / @ on discord for plots
— penned by calzone

 

[Silentstep Silentstep]

Silentstep, 36 moons || Windclan || Tunneler
A fawn tabby with brown and white speckles.
She has a friendly demeanor, yet overshadowed with oddity.

Tagging - @Merrystalk and @WHISPERPAW

---

Silentstep carried her paws over to one of the divots. It was another fine day of accomplishment for being a tunneler. Clearing out burrows, investigating new paths in hopes to expand their systems for hiding or routes for travel. And now..It was time to use this spare time being in more dirt! Sure, she was already covered in a layer of it from being in the tunnels...but THIS was different dirt! Meant for cleaning!

She recalled a memory, seeing a group of sparrows out and about during a patrol once, flapping a dust of dirt onto their backs. And had thought to herself needing to try that one day...Now, after a few attempts she tried it with herself, it became a habit.

Before going down a divot, her ears capture the sounds of voices singing in the air. In curiosity, Silentsteps eyes wandered over to the sound...and upon a quick glance...oh! It seems that two other cats are here too! Well...she wouldn't want to disturb them, so it'd be best to keep a distance.


The She-cat began to skid down the dust-filled hole, creating a powder of dust scattering through the air. And crouched low to then flopped on her side, making a cloud of dirt. She would wiggle her body, get up, and repeat. Already she could feel her fur becoming silky soft again, with the help of the dust.

...Despite, not wanting to make a commotion...the rising dust that dispersed in the air from her bath didn't quite help.