✦ Stars Catvent 2022

[Adamented]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: Adamented + 670829
↬ clan archive: [x] Gladewood

↬ word count: 411 words
↬ prompt:
Forbidden love is a "clan" thing Harja can't help to think and yet, even though the Wanderers differ so heavily from your typical clan life he finds himself in a situation he never could have expected. Harja hadn't the slightest clue who he would build a family with as he was growing up, with no others born of his generation really it left him awfully... alone, besides of course the time spent with family. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate his friends among the Wanderers or his family who have been loving and supportive, rather he felt this longing for more.

He'd misconstrued what kind of connection romantic love was.

Whenever Harja had heard about the adoration that formed between cats, it had been described in a magical, mystical way- one day you had no clue and the next you just... knew. He didn't get that sensation, it was gradual and he suspects the way he feels has been there much longer than he's realized. Or perhaps, he's felt this way all along. When he knew he felt something, he had no idea it could be the love and adoration he's always longed for, yet here he is now contemplating the difficulty of it all.

It started back when he was only a novice, merely training for the sake of it. Harja had to be capable so that he could provide for the other Wanderers and any they might come across that could need their help, he never expected this sense of indebtment to his mentor. He felt as though from the beginning he was sworn to her every word, to follow and obey and always, always to impress. Harja felt that if he didn't go beyond her expectation in every request he'd fade into irrelevancy, he needed to be the very best. Back then, the pale swirl-coated tom thought his only motivations were to exceed the default position of Gladehunter and become a Gladerunner, the more elite of the Wanderers. There was a higher precedent of expectation for those of that rank which is what he thought he wanted, but thinking about it... had it always all been for her?

Sitting high in the rafters of the barn, looking down at the maned molly of chocolate and golden dappled coat, he could believe she had charmed him that long ago. Responsibility had long ago turned into admiration, soon to shift to adoration. It was a matter of time, he supposed.

[Archaeopteryx.]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: Archaeopteryx. || 334452
↬ clan archive: Enurian

↬ word count: n/a (art)
↬ prompt:



Singingbug, Asphodelsong, and Singingbug's strider, Cholla, enjoying a winter campfire under the desert stars.

[Thani]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: Thani#509675
↬ clan archive:Pebbleclan

↬ word count: 000 words; n/a, for art!
↬ prompt:
Spiderstep Giving her mate Fallowheart some flowers on one of their outings hunting.

[canadianhowl]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: dascanadiansparkle + 523964
↬ clan archive: galactic skies

↬ word count: 371 + art
↬ prompt:
“Ahaha come on you ol sack of meat! I got something to show you!” Berryheart laughed upon being chased after a more annoyed Dragonfruit. The male just huffed as he tried to keep up until eventually stumbling and fell on his face… nah she wasn’t going to look back. He grumbled and used his wings to fly and catch up. Berryheart was already in the field waiting for the other to catch up. He did before stopping upon seeing how open and gorgeous this place was. How cliche but also amazing luck! “Wow this place is big! Heh what are we going to use this for anyways Berry…”

“Weeeell I think this is a great place to train and do practice fights! Look at how open this place it! We wouldn’t bump into anything again!”

“True… alright let’s try it out! A fight right here and now Berry one two three go!” And Dragonfruit immediately pushed her off and tried to lunge. Though she was quick and leapt out of the way to rebound and knock them over. The cat grunted and he charged again. Though she easily kept deflecting his attacks. She was way too good at this and eventually he froze upon when she pinned him.

“Now look at that ya old lizard! Guess you’re growing old.”

Dragonfruit had no words but… wow had she always been then gorgeous? Her fur shined in the sun’s rays behind her and… and

“Uhhhh whatever yeah whatever now get off of me!”

She laughed and did as told but not without another playful shove when he got back up. “Stunned huh? I never beat you that fast before! Ah whatever, you are just as strong as ever handsome.” Handsome now too? Dragonfruit felt his face flush a bit before they shook it off and went to scoot closer to her. She didn’t notice or she did. She didn’t mind and happily went to give him a playful bag of her paw. He took his chance and wrapped a wing around her, she didn’t budge. In fact she leaned against him.

“Yknow it’s about time your pride was set aside and you made a move-“

“… wait you’ve been waiting this entire time?!”

[coffee.berry]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: coffee.berry, #1008279
↬ clan archive: Peaceclan

↬ word count: 413 words <3
↬ prompt:


Hazelpelt yawned as she returned from her morning patrol. She was tired and couldn't wait to eat some eggs
for breakfast. She laughed to herself - she'd discovered the egg, and it had quickly become many cats' favourite
food (including her own).

As she walked to the Kitchen (that's what Peaceclan called their fresh-kill den), she thought about Oakspeck.
Oakspeck was Hazelpelt's crush and they often teased each other a lot. She remembered how she'd seen
her and Oakspeck as mates in the future. She often tended to daydream about that and make up names for
her and Oakspeck's future kits (if what she'd seen was even true).

Until now, she'd come up with "Dawnkit", "Mousekit" and "Eveningkit". Hazelpelt was beginning to come up with
new ones, when she was interrupted by Oakspeck himself, who leaped in front of her, nearly making her faint.
Hazelpelt scowled. "Oakspeck, was it absolutely necessary to scare me for my attention?"

Oakspeck nodded. "You're ever so hard to get the attention of." he said, trying to speak in a fancy way.
Hazelpelt couldn't help but snort. "Okay, I'm listening. What is it you wanted to tell me?" she asked, her voice
suddenly serious. Oakspeck was wagging his tail frantically. Hazelpelt knew he only did that when he was
nervous. He took a deep breath, and his tail stopped wagging.

"Uh.. so, I wanted to tell you that a cat told me there's going to be a full moon and a meteor shower tonight."
Oakspeck said, suddenly becoming very interested in his paws. Hazelpelt signaled for him to go on. The tom hesitated,
and Hazelpelt quickly figured out why. She'd once made fun of him for stargazing, by saying "Getting ready to wish
upon a star, are you?" She recalled how he'd quickly covered his embarrassment with a joke.

"Listen, Oakspeck. If this is about your stargazing.." Hazelpelt said, and Oakspeck's face flushed. "That 'wish upon
a star' comment was just a joke - I love stargazing, and if you don't mind, I'd love to come and see the full moon
and meteor shower with you." as Hazelpelt told Oakspeck this, the tom relaxed.

"That's great." he grinned. "We'll meet at your den in twelve hours, okay?" he nudged her shoulder playfully.
Hazelpelt laughed and nodded. Her dreams were coming true. "Twelve hours."

[ArtMajor]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: ArtMajor + 639839
↬ clan archive: blep

↬ word count: n/a for art
↬ prompt: mochaswirl and stainedfeather cuddlin in the snow x3

[craig?]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: craig? 629149
↬ clan archive: https://toyhou.se/Almondclans/characters/folder:2689362

↬ word count: n/a
↬ prompt:
Parkbark and Squashstep are visiting the park to watch the snow fall.

[kennymcnenny]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: kennymcnenny + 985228
↬ clan archive: Howling of the Seas

↬ word count:
↬ prompt: 1.069 words
Lion's Mane shifted nervously from paw to paw as he waited on the small outcropping of sand. It was a nice little area, peaceful and secluded, he was hoping that Angler Fish would follow through with his promise and would meet him at the spot that he had chosen. He had finally worked up the courage to confess to his friend- his best friend really, though his sister thought that he was being ridiculous. Angler Fish was so stoic and distant from everybody, only talking with the captain or commanding sailors. But Barracuda didn't see Angler the way Lion did, how patient he was with his daughter, how he cared for the crew in his own way, and he knew that the captains could see it too- that's why Angler was chosen as the Second Mate of the ship.
Watching Angler interact with his daughter, Haddock, was what made him first start falling for the other cat. Angler was so caring with her, doing his best to be a good father despite his responsibilities taking up a lot of his time, teaching her what she needed to know, and spending time with her every chance he got. Lion's Mane couldn't help but offer to help with Haddock though, it was clear how tired Angler was when you looked for the signs. And over time, as Lion helped take care of Haddock when Angler was busy, he got to know Angler more than anybody else ever had. Angler was funny in his own subtle way, and he knew how to make Lion laugh. He was kind, but he felt that he needed to put on a show in front of the crew, but Lion made sure Angler knew that he didn't have to put on a show in front of him. After that, it wasn't long before they became best friends, and Lion's Mane fell in love.

Lion's Mane was pulled out of his thoughts as he heard a quiet cursing and the shifting of sand. He looked up to see Angler skidding down the small bank that led down to the beach. Lion sighed in relief as he hurried over to meet his best friend, smiling as Angler stopped in front of him. "Angler. I'm glad you could make it. I know today must have been busy, with the festivals starting." Lion said, tail flicking as he moved back, gesturing for Angler to follow him as he walked towards the shore. He could hear the sounds of Angler walking through the sand behind him.

"Don't worry about it, Lion's Mane. Getting away from everybody for a while to see you is always worth it." Angler meowed, catching up so they were walking side by side. Lion paused for a moment at Angler's words, flustered as he nearly stumbled over his paws, missing the way Angler was smiling as he did so. They eventually stopped as they reached the shore, and Lion sat down, resting his tail over the top of his paws, watching as Angler sat down next to him.

"So.. You said you needed to talk to me. Did something happen? Are you aren't able to watch Haddock during the day anymore? I know that the officers have been assigning some of the sailors more tasks, with the festivities going on." Angler spoke quickly, meeting Lion's gaze for a moment before looking away, staring at the sand next to the two of them.

"No, no nothing like that! Haddock has been amazing, she's growing so fast, and it's been fun watching her. She keeps my days interesting. It's.. It's about something else. This is harder to talk about than I thought it would be." Lion muttered, tail-tip flicking as he stared out at the ocean for a few moments. The sun was starting to set, it looked beautiful. Lion had planned this perfectly, a confession at sunset. He was a sucker for the cliches.

"Ah. Lion.. You're not very subtle, are you?" Angler asked, leaning into Lion's side. Lion startled, staring down at Angler in shock, more than a little nervous. Angler obviously noticed the way Lion was looking at him. "Lion, I know, you really aren't that subtle. But I think it's sweet. I like you too, Lion. I have for a while now. Which is surprising, I've never felt like this for.. for anybody, really. But here you are."

Lion stayed silent for a few moments before turning to gently press his nose to Angler's forehead, which seemed to surprise the other cat. "I guess I'm not very subtle, I never have been. It certainly makes it easier when you already know what I was trying to tell you. So, you're okay with it then. What.. What does that mean for us now?" Lion asked, looking at his paws for a moment before looking at Angler again.

"Not sure. Things probably won't be very easy if we try for a relationship, with how busy I am, and with Haddock.. Moon mother above, this will be hard to explain to her. But it's worth it. You're worth it, Lion. You make me so happy. Between you and Haddock, I've got to be the happiest cat alive." Angler meowed, gently pressing their foreheads together, their tails twining together. "What do you say, Lion?"

"Everything it takes is worth it if I get to have you and Haddock in my life." Lion said softly, licking Angler's cheek a few times, smiling at Angler afterward. "We'll figure it out, everything. I want a relationship with you."

"Yeah?" Angler asked, looking hopeful as they met eyes.

"Yeah." Lion nodded, laughing softly as they leaned against each other again. Lion stared at Angler for a few more moments before turning to look out at the see and the sun setting on the horizon. It certainly didn't go how he pictured it, but at least he got the outcome he was hoping for. Angler, the chance to try and have a relationship together, the chance to be a real family with Haddock.

"I have.. No clue how to tell Haddock about this, about us." Angler said, laughing breathlessly as he watched the ocean with Lion, shaking his head slightly.

"I don't know either, gods above. We'll figure it out though. I know we will. We're a team now." Lion meowed, wrapping his tail around Angler. "I love you."

"I love you too, Lion."

[Griff]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: Griff 254592
↬ clan archive: Clan Ember

↬ word count: 221
↬ prompt:

Clan Ember had a small but very rapidly growing problem on their paws: Blossomcrown, their medicine cat, was pregnant. And it was at the next Clan meeting it was to be discussed, and everyone braced for the worst. After all, was not such a thing considered taboo, forbidden? "I will leave, if that is your wish," Blossomcrown told the clan. "I will not say who the father is, as he still has a future here and-"

"I will not let you stand alone," Crowcall hissed, walking up beside her. "It was me. I am the father... and I love Blossomcrown with everything I have. Love should not be shunned, she has enough love for everyone here!" The entire clan started to speak, before Emberstar considered something.

"It might make me in trouble from Starclan... but I cannot condemn love. It is precious and... so very rare. We should welcome this new family into our Clan, nurture them, and show them the love their parents have always shown us. So sorry, you're all stuck with Crowcall a bit longer. And Blossomcrown? Just... show us the same care you always have. We'll help you as you have helped us."

The pair looked at each other, their love no longer a secret, and leaned against one another finally at peace. At least for now.

[Plushbunny]

↬ catvent day: ten

↬ username & id: Plushbunny + 858001
↬ clan archive: BlizzardClan

↬ word count: 1338 words (help this wasn't supposed to happen)
↬ prompt: winterbourne and basalt were sitting together, under the starry night sky.
“do you think I’ll ever be able to use my magic properly?” basalt asked, somewhat sadly. “of course!” winterbourne replied, “i believe you can do anything, with patience and practice.”

basalt sighed. their pelt was mottled two different coats, one dark with glowing purple patches, and the other a warm gold. one glowing purple eye, one natural blue eye. while stunning, it was like a curse…while their purple coat was unnaturally full of magic, their gold coat wasn’t at all. this caused their magic to be too unbalanced to use without immense, power-draining, concentration, and that was upsetting.

“don’t worry about it too much, I know it’ll just take time, once you have it figured out, I bet you’ll be stronger than anyone else! besides, you’re just as great either way!” winterbourne reassured. basalt knew he was right. surely they’ll get it eventually. they pressed themselves against winterbourne’s monochrome grey fur and purred. he wasn’t magic like they were, but he understood. he was supportive.

They sat like this, watching the stars, until they suddenly heard a loud yowl.

winterbourne and basalt thought they'd be together forever. they'd win this battle together. they'd live their full lives together, and be together in starclan. unfortunately, that's not how any of it went.


the demons were attacking the clan. they had staged the biggest attack the clan had seen, and only the magic cats were any amount of prepared. shiny, powerful rainbow cats and soft (but no less talented) natural cats vs sharp, grim, dark cats for what seemed like forever.
the battle had entered the dark forest. basalt had been separated from the rest in a battle against a sleek black and red cat. slashing their claws at the dark cat, it seemed like they were winning... like the demon would retreat, just maybe... but they hadn't been paying enough attention.
the demon had purposely, subtly, backed them into a corner, which basalt realized when they jumped back and bumped into a wall behind them... they were against the base of a sheer cliff. "you'll never win!" they hissed, "together we're stronger than you! my clan is prepared for this, you can't stop us!"


the demon laughed. "i see only one of you. and we far outnumber you and your clan!" basalt stood, preparing an attack, but with that she disappeared... and several more demons appeared. basalt simply hissed, stood their ground, and began preparing their magic with all their power. it may fail more often than it works, but, surely, they hoped, it would work now.

winterbourne was lost. the last thing he knew, glowing magic cats and demons using all their might to outpower each other with magic and win. that had resulted in a massive explosion, and all the cats were scattered. but the battle was over. they had won, right?
whatever the answer was, he was completely lost. he was back in the real world, on earth. but he had no idea where he was. and so he had no choice but to set out, in some direction, in the snow covered, lonely, frostbitten winter where everything looked exactly the same.
but, caught in a fierce blizzard, he never made his way back.


he vowed this would never happen again. no one would ever be lost in the snow again. for what felt like forever, as a ghost, he wandered the frozen world as a self proclaimed search and rescue cat, saving and guiding and being company to any lost cats he found. this was all temporary of course, he'd get them back home, and set off on his own again.

eventually he had forgotten his past… now he was just winterbourne, the one who disappeared during warmer months and reappeared during colder months, just like his namesake. the one who was a mysterious, unknown hero to other cats.
after he saved snowpaw, he decided to stay around BlizzardClan’s territory. this was possibly the best decision he could have made.

the next winter, when the world was beginning to freeze over once again, he was awoken by a rat. not your average wild brown rat…this was a different rat. A white and gold rat, of the colors you would only see on domesticated rats. and what was it doing here, when it should be preparing for winter in its nest?
at his movement the rodent ran off, gone within the blink of an eye but leaving a clear trail through the deep snow. he followed the trail, which led across the whole territory, and ended outside a cave in the mountain that marked the edge of it. stepping inside the cold, icy cave, it was dark at first…but as he ventured in, he quickly noticed massive, glowing spikes of crystals of various colors, many much bigger than he was, standing out from the dull stalagmites. but there was nothing else in here.

or so he thought.

“WINTERBOURNE!” an excited voice echoed through the cave, and before he knew it, there was a cat, a blur, jumping at him. he felt the cat pass through him as a rush of energy, but they did not collide. “is it really you? i never thought i’d see you again!” and as he turned around, he saw them.

it was basalt.

“what happened? did you make it through the battle? who won? is everything okay out there?”
winterbourne hadn’t thought about any of this for..how long? he’d really just forgotten in his quest to rescue cats…this combined with the shock, and he had nothing to say. basalt stepped back and waited for an answer, a concerned expression on their split face.
“I made it…” he said slowly, “I don’t know if anyone else did. we were all separated. but I’ve never seen anything like the…demons…since.” he sat down next to basalt, who, in an attempt to comfort him, sat next to him as well, as if they were not ghosts, spirits, as if they were still the same as they were before the battle, as if they could still share their warmth like cats did in the harsh cold.

“what have you been doing this whole time? how long have you been here?” winterbourne asked. basalt, once again excited, jumped up. “.oh, don’t worry about me!” they said. “I’ve had my friends, the rats. they’ve been with me since the beginning! we keep each other company and we’re the best of friends. I’ve even named them all! would you like to hear their names? or…that’s something for later. I can show you around, too! this is the ancestral cave of the magic cats, did you know that?”
“really? that’s-” winterbourne suddenly noticed the rats occupying the space around them…how hadn’t he noticed? he recognized the white and gold one as it cautiously approached once again. “that one brought me here,” he said. “that’s moonstone!” basalt explained, almost immediately, “my messenger, he must’ve known it was you!” they leaned against winterbourne, or, as best as you can, when you both tend to phase through things.

“winterbourne, you’re blue!” basalt exclaimed, and winterbourne looked at his stardusted transparent pelt. had he not always been that color? it’s all he remembered. “That’s how I’ve always been,” he meowed, confusedly, “I’ve never been any different.”
basalt hesitated, considering mentioning how it could’ve been the demons, or starclan…but decided against it and continued. “well, it doesn’t matter, we’re both here and we’re both okay. we can live here together now, you and me, and we have nothing to worry about anymore. I love you, winterbourne.”

and, despite all his confusion, winterbourne loved basalt too. they had a lot to catch up on, and things they really needed to remember, but they were both here. winterbourne didn’t know basalt hadn’t won. basalt didn’t know winterbourne would be gone by spring, but that was still moons away, and didn’t matter quite yet.

even if it took 18 years, it had all worked out, after all.