[Wet Bread]

username: Wet Bread
Link to thread: Rusted Daemons
name: Vivi
prompt:
The atmosphere in the forest was a lot like her stomach: seemingly vast, dark, and pretty much empty. Vivi wasn't sure how long she'd been trapped in these woods, but she did know she didn't have a morsel of food since she'd been placed here.

She was being punished, all for setting paw in a cave that she was apparently not supposed to. Vivi didn't even know that was a rule, but that didn't stop Bael from kicking her out of Rusted Daemons and banishing her to Leshy's Forest. Vivi didn't know much about the inner workings of Rusted Daemons, however she did know that you never wanted to banished to Leshy's Forest. Vivi knew one of the most important things there was to know: You don't eat the prey that runs here. The rumors said that any cat that ate the prey in this forest started to become one with the forest. Vivi certainly didn't want that. She saw the cats that had succumbed, they had plants growing as part of them and they no longer thought for themselves. In fact, they all attacked anything they came across, Vivi included.

Vivi was determined not to meet that fate. So she'd starve to death. There wasn't much chance of escape. The forest was huge and changing constantly. It was nearly impossible to find a way out. But it would such a disappointment to just die now. Imagine if she made it out of the forest and back to Rusted Daemons without any magic? Vivi would like to see Bael's face when she accomplished that.

Vivi climbed out of the small den she'd made her home for a short time. She had to hide from the creatures as much as possible. As her stomach rumbled loudly, Vivi let out a slight hiss. She felt so hollow inside, but she wasn't weak yet, she knew she could keep going. Vivi kept moving, having no idea how far she'd made it since she first entered the forest. It had ways of changing very quietly around you until you realized you were lost completely.

Vivi let out a startled meow as she tripped over a root and tumbled down a small hill. She was unable to gain her footing because of the leaf litter scattered across the ground and was forced to just roll and try to protect herself as much as possible. Once she reached the bottom of the hill, Vivi was relieved to discover she wasn't hurt, only to realize the cats of the forest had begun to surround her. Oh, she was certainly doomed this time. Vivi didn't consider herself so good of a fighter that she could stand up against so many opponents.

The cat closest to Vivi continued to inch closer and, in doing so, revealed to her that there was a pendant hanging from it's neck, tangled underneath all the bark. There was a faint glow from deep within the pendant, giving off the unmistakable air of magic. Vivi pounced on the cat suddenly, biting and gnawing at the bark attached to it until she could tug the pendant from around its neck. Vivi never used an artefact before. She could only hope it worked. Vivi dropped the pendant around her neck and focused on channeling the magic. All the cats around her froze in midair.

Vivi couldn't believe her eyes. She heard of time stopping magic before, but she'd never seen it in action. Vivi turned and ran away from the enemies. With the magic in the pendant, finding her way in the forest became much easier. She could stop time long enough that the forest didn't change around her every time she changed paths.

Eventually, Vivi did make it out, to her relief. As she collapsed in a nearby meadow (out of a mixture of hunger and relief), Vivi gazed down at her pendant.

"I'll have to hide you." she commented to herself. "I don't want anybody to know I used magic to find a way out after all." She needed to find a place to store the pendant and make her way back to Rusted Daemons, but first? She was going hunting.
[697 words]

[clouds-move-on]

Closed to judge.

[clouds-move-on]

The winner is Knickknacks! I love him lots. I do not like the way dude number 1 was looking at those knives. Protect your cats. I also like how the hunger thing came around throughout the form until completing with him getting to have dinner with the lady.

I'd like to give a runnerup to **Snowwhisper**! Let me know if you prefer duller creamy-brown tones or brighter creamy-red tones!

username: Knickknacks
Link to thread: Oakarch Court
name: Joseph Collier
prompt:

Joseph leaned against his cart of wares in what he hoped was a casual manner, trying desperately to ignore the growling of his stomach. Also the decidedly creepy air of the cat currently perusing his array of forged daggers and swords. Was it really necessary, the young smith wondered, to inspect every single one like you were planning who to murder with it?

The tall cat had been doing this for about half an hour now.

Joseph really, really wanted to take a lunch break. He had, upon arriving at the Oakarch Court, been promised access to food. His stand was currently set up in the main square of the Court, a stretch of sunlit stone on the forest floor. He could see the ancient tree trunks stretching up, up, up, covered in hollowed out halls and balconies and elegant walkways.

He wondered which one of them had food in it. At this, his stomach gave another pitiful rumble, loud enough that it caused his client to look up with a brief, tight smile, before going back to perusing the knives.

Joseph had assumed that the cats of the Court would be a bit more interested in the jewelry he'd had to offer. After all the effort spent making the intricate brooches and bracelets- not to mention the fact that the gemstones in them had cost him a steep fee- he couldn't help feeling a bit sad that his prettier creations weren't garnering more attention. Indeed, the courtiers he'd served so far had been just as, if not more, interested in the weapons he offered.

Great Oaks, this place was strange.

His stomach rumbled again, and just like that, Joseph was back to thinking about how hungry he was.

Joseph attempted to distract himself some more by counting the tiles making up the floor of the main square, and by watching the sun crawl across the sky.

It wasn't that long, in truth. But to his complaining, extremely empty stomach, it felt like an eternity. He would have left to get food long ago, if not for this customer. It would be bad form to leave one's wares unguarded and one's customer unattended, he reminded himself with a sharp little nod.

Finally, finally, the tall dark cat selected a wicked little dagger- try as he might, Joseph couldn't remember forging anything so obviously deadly as that- and departed with another chilly grin, one that made the fur on the back of Joseph's neck prickle.

And then he was gone, and Joseph breathed a sigh of relief. His stomach gurgled again, echoing his sentiment. The smith busied himself with rearranging his wares, taking a moment to curse his lack of foresight in not having a 'closed' sign- hopefully he'd be able to be quick, and wouldn't miss any-

"Hello there? Are you still open?"

...So close, Joseph sighed internally, peering up from underneath the flat top of his cart. Before him stood another customer- a cat that looked to be around his age, with dark eyes and an almost shy smile. That was unusual- all the courtiers he'd seen so far had breezed past with superior looks and practiced calm. This cat, though, looked every bit as awkward as he felt. It was refreshing.

Also, she was kind of pretty. But that was irrelevant.

"Yes," he blurted out, standing back up quickly. "How can I help you?"

"Um. Do you have any necklaces?" The newcomer asked, fidgeting with a clinking pouch of coins. "I kind of... lost one, and need a replacement before anyone comments on how 'woefully unadorned' I am."

"A necklace, eh?" Joseph said slyly. "You're not interested in a nice new murder weapon instead?" He waved his paw teasingly at the array of knives still on his table. The other cat gave a startled laugh, which made him feel absurdly pleased.

"I'm Irene," the other cat said abruptly, reaching a paw across to shake his. "Nice to meet you, oh hilarious blacksmith."

"You can call me Joseph," he said, suddenly feeling warm all over, though it was a brisk autumn day.

At that inopportune moment, his stomach growled again.

But the resulting lunch with Irene was worth it.

[700/700]

[Knickknacks]

!! Aaaah him! Thank you so much!
I swear he will be protected hhh

[**Snowwhisper**]

AHHhh Knickknacks, congrats! Your story was great, I really liked it, especially the ending! ^.^


And omg! Thank you so much for the runnerup! I think I'd prefer the brighter creamy-red tones!