Challenge #00662 - A297: Bad Instincts

The most ridiculously evolved trait of a human: The itchiness of newly healed skin.

“This area is almost finished repairing. I now have the unbearable urge to claw at it.”

The human in the next bay was rubbing at her bandages. She was rubbing with her knuckles and grimacing.

“Most people use talon for scratch,” said Pu'rii, edging a little further away from the human. Well. As far as she could get on a not-so-spacious hospital bed.

“Digging in bad. My skin, irritated make-for heal.” An anguished grunt. “Almost heal, make itch. Itch make want scratch. Scratch make new wound.”

Pu'rii boggled. “Why is having itch?”

“Long ago? Not so clean. Itch make for make certain no dirt.”

Ah. Vestigial instincts. “You is not removing from genes?”

“Some try. End result not good.”

Thinking about that very brief summary kept Pu'rii awake, long into her usual sleep cycle. When would she ever learn to not ask too many questions?

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