he sand beneath her paws was still somewhat hot, despite the fact that the sun was beginning to set. The sky was a clear lavender, the sun dipping lower and lower as moments passed. Currently, the trainee was searching for a water source. Most of the ones closest to the Moonlight Oasis had been compromised by now, leaving the Duneclanners to travel further and further to find drinkable water. Every now and again, she would part her jaw, scenting the for the moistened ground, to know she was on the right path still. 

Mottledpaw could only imagine what it must've felt like during the afternoon, when the sun was at its most intense and grueling. Thankfully, the tortoiseshell trainee thought with a sassy swish of her tail, she didn't have to deal with any of that mess. As a Nightwalker, Mottledpaw was, in her opinion, luckier than her Daywalker brother. Pipitpaw's lighter coat meant that he was the one getting stuck working and being awake during the worst of it while the rest of the family slept peacefully. 

Mottledpaw let out a huffy sigh as she scanned the surrounding area for any signs of an oasis again. She was incredibly thirsty and thought Mottledpaw was usually a patient cat, dehydration was not something to take lightly. Dear Ara, where are you hiding it ? She thought a bit snappily, her amber eyes shimmering in the dusky light. 

Just when the molly thought she might lose her mind, a flicker of movement caught her eye. Turning her head, she saw what she'd been searching for. A small oasis, with another cat already drinking from it. With a sense of relief, Mottledpaw made her way over nimbly. It was certainly hard to miss, a small patch of life in the otherwise barren territory. 

Slipping in alongside the other cat, Mottledpaw made a grunt of sorts in acknowledgement. Had it been any other Nightwalker, her greeting would've been polite and prim. But one look at the other cat told her that wouldn't be necessary. Upon a quick glance, Mottledpaw could tell the other cat was a Cursed. She gave a haughty sniff, but immediately went to lapping up the water at her paws. It wasn't very cold or fresh, but it was drinkable and her throat practically sung in relief as she drank.