Inside the cat's skin
Thundercats Headcanons pt 1: Grooming.
pt1: Grooming (you're here)
pt2: Vocalizations
I don't know who might read this but I do need to get it out of my system.
Grooming is a fundamental part of Thunderans' life. Just like Apes, fixing each other's appearance is a way of bonding, wether it is via brushing their hair or fur, dusting off clothes, or just cleaning up a messy eater.
Scratching someone's scalp or just playing with their hair counts as grooming too.
It's common among members of the same household, specially in mother-child relationships, spouses and close friends.
Grooming is usually started by a light scratching to the other's arm, followed by a consent question.
This activity can last from a few seconds to half an hour. Since personal space is such an important thing for Thunderans, getting used to someone else's presence and touch is a crucial step in becoming well acquainted, though the amount of familiarity required between the subjects to start grooming depends on both their boundaries.
It is also a way of providing comfort. Caressing someone's fur stimulates their nerve endings in a soothing way, being the most sensitive spots, the scalp, ears, chin, face, nape, shoulder blades and upper arms. Usually accompanied by purring.
It is also considered as a form of intimacy and some Thunderans prefer doing it while naked because of the sense of emotional proximity it provides.
It's a normal thing to do when cuddling and as aftercare.
