Redtail Rise And I felt his blood pour fast and hot,

A few early leaves crunched as they wriggled about in the grass, releasing that quintessential autumn fragrance of sweet dry rot. Something about that smell really enticed them, prompting Masquerade to snort happily as they continued rubbing themself on the ground.

They no longer paid much attention to Riley—sparing only a cursory, pausing glance when he sprawled nearby—but gave themself over fully to this dust bath of sorts. They were even prepared to roll onto their back to spread the scents and textures all over their body properly when something tickled in their nose.

Masquerade sneezed once, twice, thrice, their entire head kicking with the force of it as they rolled partially onto their belly, weight supported on their elbows. One, two, three more sneezes burst from their ruddy muzzle. They totaled near twenty by the time they ceased.

Eyes watering, Masque blinked at Riley, then chuckled and slithered toward him in the grass. Well, their front end crept toward him but their hindquarters remained stationary so that the Ulfr stretched out to their full length. It was rather impressive and entirely silly, their long tail kicking upward and then drooping at an angle that made it look broken as they huffed a few halfhearted snaps near his chin.