Submission (#3579) Approved

The heavy dust storms outside had slowly abated following the miasma receding a few days prior, and for the first time in months the morning sun shone down on the little oasis town unimpeded. A small kittom climbed himself up on the windowsill of his temporary home and tried to peer through to grime caked on the window pane. The fine white fur around his nose crinkled as a powerful sneeze caused him to loose his balance and fall backwards down to the floor below.

A look of determination set in within a serious purple gaze at Esper stared down the thin layer of grime coating the various portals to the greater world outside the small traveler’s quarters where he had been living for the past few months. This truly would not do! It was his duty and responsibility to leave this place as clean if not cleaner than when he arrived. It was still early and the days within the desert region of Ahza only grew hotter as the sun climbed higher into the sky. He best get started if he didn’t want sweat to turn the dirt to mud as soon as it touched his mostly cream colored fur. 

With some difficulty he set about the highest surfaces in the room first, wanting any filth that might escape the wrath of his mighty duster to fall to the floor before, and not after he went through the effort of sweeping. He pulled the cloth free from its place along the edge of the windows and doors with deft paws patterned a black with bright green/blue flames. He wiped down every horizontal surface he could find down to the smallest nook and cranny. Windows were scrubbed free, at least on the inside, of the fine coating of dust on the glass. Finally battled the broom much too large for his little frame and came out victorious with a spotless floor as his prize. His purple and white tail swished behind him with uncontrolled pride as he bounded towards the door to head outside.

Sweeping the dust pile over the threshold and off the doorstep, Esper covered his eyes with a raised arm as they acclimated to the bright light. Looking out at the town he could see other folks either sweep out the dust as he was or beating it free from rugs draped from freshly hung clotheslines. He grabbed a pot from the small shed beside his lodgings and headed down to the pool at the center of the ring houses. Washing and filling the vessel he returned back to his home away from home. 

Walking back in the little building he fetched a few rags before proceeding back out to the first set of windows. He could barely see inside through the tannish haze mirroring the sandy dunes just out of view of the houses. He was dreading this part of his cleaning venture but he would not know defeat. Esper dunked the cloth into the basin of water before wringing it free of excess moisture. Time and time again he scrubbed the stubborn grime until the water grew too cloudy to not leave streaks behind as he cleaned. He dumped and traveled to replace the water as needed, one trip turning to many before at last the last panel of glass stood before him. Sweat clung to the tuft of blue, green, and white fur he called just barely called bangs. With a final swipe only crystal clear remained before him. It felt good to see the place he had been lent in such fine shape both inside and out. Maybe he would stay a little bit longer. The people had only been kind to him and miasma season had hardly been the best of times to explore the deserts beyond this friendly oasis.