Redtail Rise The Drop

Likely everyone on the rise could hear the deep, hacking cough echoing through the pines throughout the night. Now the sound carried as Masquerade padded around the rise, pausing at intervals to succumb to what could only be called fits. There was a ceaseless tickle in the back of their throat, with the coughs as dry as they were harsh, and even many mouthfuls of snow did not remotely soothe it.

By midday, Masquerade’s chest and ribs ached with the persistence of it. They didn’t feel particularly poorly otherwise, though of course the affliction made it impossible to track prey or get almost anything else done. A cursory attempt to eat only set off the coughing even worse, leading Masque to abandon their meal and slink unhappily toward the rendezvous site, feeling wearier with every step.

Masque’s condition (nonspecific respiratory infection) is highly contagious! It’s totally optional but I encourage anyone who comes into contact with them to do a roll re: catching it. :)