Stars V.2 • Catvent

[jay.]

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: jay. + 688591
↬ clan archive: the aurora borealis

↬ word count: 557 words
↬ prompt: The main piece of lore that I keep wanting to write up but never get the chance to has to be how the leader system works in my clan and, specifically, how the current leader abused the system and is illegitimately running the clan according to their customs.

In clan tradition it has been custom that the leader holds close the skull of the previous leader, as it is believed it will give them strength and guide them through their own leadership. With each life the current leader loses they engrave it into the skull, until their final life is up and they are buried alongside the skull. Once a leader passes the clan go into a state of mourning, closing themselves off from the outside world until nature clears up the bones of the previous leader, to which their skull will be removed and replaced with that of the leader who died before them. The cycle then continues, with the newly appointed leader taking the skull of the leader before them.
The clan, or at least before the current leader, didn't exactly have a "deputy" system - instead, cats would wait for their previous leader to give them a sign about who should lead the clan while they waited in mourning, as they believed it to be more sacred for their ancestors to have a say in who the next leader were to be. However, that is not what happened with the current leader, Badgerstar.
Badgerstar should not be leader, the way he obtained his leadership position was by plotting against and murdering the previous leader, waiting until they were on their last life before he took it away from them and staged it as an accident. Then, while the clan waited in mourning, he faked a sign from their ancestors, painting him as the next to-be leader. The clan, seeing nothing wrong with what happened and wanting to respect the wishes of their now deceased leader, happily accepted Badgerstar as leader.
However, as the stars had not appointed him as leader, he was refused his 9 lives, instead being stuck as a mortal cat with no connection to the stars. He, of course, did not inform the rest of his clan about this, instead faking deaths and neglecting to take care of the skull of the previous leader. He also, wanting to keep the power within his grasp of the clan, appointed a deputy, claiming that the ancestors had instructed him to do so. His deputy, Mantispetal, is extremely loyal to him, going out of her way to help get rid of any cat who may... disagree with their new policies.
At the current moment Clementinesong, Badgerstar's daughter, is currently fighting behind the scenes to dethrone her father. She has a feeling that something just isn't right and is secretly collecting a team of cats to help overthrow him. She has to be careful, though, as she is more than aware that her father will happily order for disloyal cats to be disposed of. She is fighting for her right to be leader, as she was the one the ancestors initially wanted to promote to leader. Whether or not she is aware of this is uncertain, but she feels a constant motivating drive to take the leader position away from her father, no matter the cost.

[Gallifrey]

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: Gallifrey + 63161
↬ clan archive: Rainclan

↬ word count: 123
↬ prompt:

I've been working on a theme with the naming suffix's realted to the purpose of the cat in the clan. Having them reference hidden meanings for the cat's skills and what they are good at. Briartuft for instance, Tuft would relate to his pelt, which helps him hide in the shadows and briars, Softbird, Bird refers to her agility and ability to "fly above the clan rules" since she's a medicine cat. Reedflower, Flower refers to his gentle heart and gift of telling beautiful stories. There will be many more hidden meanings as well, not just for suffix but also for varous words and place names. My clan uses names and accessories as a form of communication, to both their enemies and allies.

[Baobabel]

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: Baobabel 39277
↬ clan archive: SecludedGlade

↬ word count: 642 words
↬ prompt:

Deep in the forest, where the dry soil begins to soften and then squelch. Where the open floor grows crowded. Where the canopy struck with scattered rays of sunshine turns dense, dark, and shadowed. Where the playful songs of birds and amphibians turn sinister or silent. Where broad welcoming branches grow twisted and sharp. Where the fresh breeze gains a stench. Where clear crisp waters turn brackish and sour. Where grass turns to granite and bushes to brambles. Where prey and predators alike may enter but not return. In the area where no clan claims. This is the lair and domain of the forest walker/creeper/seer/speaker. (working on lore name)

Queens warn their kits to stay far away. Apprentices will dare each other to see who can go in the farthest before chickening out. And then pretend they don’t wake up with nightmares the following night. Warriors say they don’t believe in the legends and mask their terror when patrolling nearby and yet none dare to patrol inside or lay claim to the land. Leaders notice Starclan falls silent inside those woods and doesn’t seem to offer to give any guidance or warning pertaining to the place.

Medicine cats might be the only ones who venture in and even those don’t go too far. The healers that do go in are always sure to be respectful and leave little trace of their passing. They usually bring some form of gift or offering in exchange for whatever they take. A few think they’ve seen glimpses of the one who lives inside but they can’t be sure their mind isn’t just playing tricks on them in the spooky place. All can agree on the feeling of being watched though. Most cats don’t even realize that's where the healers get some of the rarest and most precious ingredients. The clan cats would likely try to turn down the medicine if they knew where it came from. Although some medicine cats with a penchant for storytelling continue to pass down the legends or tell what they’ve seen. No one knows how much to believe them.

No one is sure if something actually lives in that part of the forest or what that thing might be. Most think it's a powerful cat with unknown powers. Or at least a cat shaped being. No one knows where they came from, how old they are, or even really what they look like. It feels like the forest and the legend have been there as long as anyone can remember. It has always been a treacherous and avoided section of the land. Although several elders, when pressed, say they don’t actually remember the forest seeming quite this..unnatural. A few individuals and clans have proposed expeditions into the dark to try and find out once and for all (and maybe gain some territory). However, the plans are either quickly shot down or eventually fizzle out due to no one wanting to actually be the ones to step inside and potentially anger the being within. The others quickly console, saying that between the abundant predators and terrible plant life, the land in there would be awful to try to hunt in anyway, if there’s even any prey to be found.

Medicine cats aside, the more you want to go in, the more the landscape seems to push back against you. Shadows lengthen. Hawks cry. Snakes rattle. Thorns scratch. Tree roots seem to move to trip usually nimble feet. The floor is swampy mud interspersed with quicksand. The underbrush grows thicker until it’s so dense as to be impossible to go through. The canopy so full it blots out the sky so there is no moons, stars, or suns to guide you. A soupy fog rolls in so that you can't even see a cat length ahead.

No. The forest and it’s inhabitant don’t want you here.

[jpano96]

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: jpano96 + 250999
↬ clan archive: Cloud Clan

↬ word count: 177 words
↬ prompt: I've been meaning to create some lore regarding the creation of cloud clan. I know I want some mysticality around it, such as a cat seemingly made from the clouds that hang above the mountains near the clan.
This cat is ethereal, so any cats who may eyes on them always feel as if they are dreaming or hallucinating. They only come to those who need them, such as cats lost in the mountains or insurmountable obstacles. Strangely enough, this cat never shows up when cats visit the equivalent of a 'moonstone' nor does it appear in dreams. Seemingly the only cats who have seen this mysterious figure are those in peril or facing a impossible choice to make.

Thinking about making this cat so that it does have a history, maybe as a cat who used to wander the woods with their family (nomad cat?) and then meeting cats recently brought by two legs (like long long time ago). Maybe some romance? Like a Romeo and Juliet kinda trope. Romance. Betrayal. Drama. All the good stuff.

[Knickknacks]

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: knickknacks + 815546
↬ clan archive: salted stone

↬ word count: 510 words
↬ prompt:

I had previously been kind of stuck on what exactly I wanted to do with my second clan, salted stone. Knollclan, my first clan, fixates heavily on the interpersonal drama, family dynamics and overall social environment of the cats, and I wanted salted stone to- not not deal with or touch upon those things, but to be something a bit different and distinct.

At first I wanted it to be more of a political drama, with the conflict between a prosperous merchant city and a crew of pirates that they view as kind of below them in social status- pirating as a dirty thing that they don’t want to partake in. And I’m still keeping that, because I think it opens up a bunch of interesting story avenues- like, I have a few cats engaging in civil disobedience, a few struggling with the morality of following orders and what to do when their conscience conflicts with that- but even so, the city as a place felt a bit undeveloped.

In addition to that, I had hints of a mythological aspect to the world that I hadn’t properly developed- one of my cats in this clan, Pearl, is a bit of a “mad prophet” type- but I never established what she was a prophet for, or how it would be regarded as madness/an affront to whatever kind of spirituality is predominant in this world. I think pantheons are always a fun and interesting story device, but I wanted whatever religion/belief system I set up for these cats to be something a little different than that- and what I’ve settled upon I have really really been excited about!

As far as gods/actual divine beings, in the world of salted stone there is generally regarded to be only one: the All-Maker. So predominant culture is largely monotheistic- but worship of this creator is obscured by the fact that they don’t directly reveal themself to catkind often. The kind of “go-between” for the creator and their earthly realm are these figures called “exemplars”- Looking at modern religious practices they’d probably be most closely equivalent to Saints, or to legends of demigod heroes in greco-roman mythology. The Exemplars are basically- cats who, in their mortal lives, exemplified a virtue that the All-Maker values, or lived a life that attracted their attention/made them proud. Following their death, then, these exemplars are granted a fragment of power, and the ability to descend back to the earthly sphere to interact with those who follow along with the same value that they were ascended for.

So it’s like. A pantheon without a pantheon- there’s one god that is overall prayed to and actually worshipped, and then these folk hero/demigod-style beings through whom the living world can gain a greater understanding of the All-Maker and receive help from them without being overwhelmed by their divinity. I’m still nailing down some of the exact features/specifics, but I think this is a really really fun start to developing the culture in this world a bit better (:

[literal.swag.]

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: literal.swag. + 1047454
↬ clan archive: wayward

↬ word count: 894 words
↬ prompt:

periwinkle danced against a softened turquoise stage as distant humming in her veins lured the she-cat deeper within thick folds of the forest's foliage. behind her plodded a small dragon, coat of a winter storm, hesitant in their steps. the duo had ventured the painted pastel lands of Moraia more times than some others would like. she could not help the quiet thrum of the forest, deep within her bones. there was something there, within the forest, that she was connected to and had yet to find. it was magnetic, her and the forest. the deeper she went, the stronger the vines wrapped around her heart. stepping across the threshold stole the heaviness from her shoulders, the ache from her chest. the forest was a puzzle, and she was the last piece. tendrils of her soul seeping from her paws and settling easily into its home.

today was different though, the vibrations of her veins a bit stronger, the humming of the pull a bit louder. the horizon’s marigold streams a bit brighter, its touch a bit warmer. twittering songs of the birds a bit louder, urging her onwards in her journey. gentle but steady, the wind faded across her back and under her paws, nearly carrying her in. she was determined this time, her steps sure and steady, she will find what calls to her. the only factor against this trek was the resemblance of a rabbit beside her. his small voice rang in her head, their telepathy strong. “ami i’m not sure we should be going this deep into the forest. we haven’t ventured this far before, we don’t know what’s out there.”

the muted light she-cat simply rolled her eyes, this was the one place her chest was needled with worry. “it’ll be fine shu, there’s nothing out here that we wouldn’t be able to handle. besides, there’s nothing dangerous in this forest.”

“how do you know?” concern laced his inquisition.

“‘cause i can feel it.” her words were as sure as the steps that carried her onwards. the waves of worry rolled flimsily off her back. his confusion was palpable. while they had been connected since before either were born, it was the one facet she had kept to herself. no one knew of how she and the forest were one, of how she was only happy when leaves were tangled in her fur and twigs beneath her paws.

while his steps were uncertain before, they had stopped altogether now. “what do you mean you can feel it?” with a frustrated huff, amphrite paused beside her small companion.

“i can feel the forest, shu. i can feel every step you take, every root beneath the soil, every brush of the wind between the leaves. it’s like there’s a heart to the forest and each beat calls to me, soothes me, welcomes me in.” her words were quiet but certain. it had been a topic long plaguing her mind. she knew what she would find when finally allowing herself to be stolen by the emerald fronds; her purpose.

disbelief passed over his round slender features as her words sat heavy in his mind. yet, slowly, he let his skepticism fall, fought back by the depth of their trust. he could feel her sincerity, see strength behind her words. “okay. i believe you. but we’re leaving if i sense any danger. i’ll drag you out of here by the ear tufts if i need to.” an airy giggle sliced easily through the quiet tension between them.

excitement laced her tone. “fabulous! let’s get a move on.” their travels recommenced with the roll of shu’s beady eyes and a light skip of the splatted turquoise she-cat. deep amber fanned across the land as the sun settled deep within the horizon by the time the duo stumbled into a clearing. the buzzing in her bones reached a peak as her bicolored gaze fell on rippling deep violet. her frame was alight with excitement; this was it. her body screamed at her to get closer as the iridescence swamped her consciousness. she did not realize her instincts had carried her closer until shu’s pinprick fangs dug into the tip of her tail. before her laid an expansive pond of rich hues clashing like the breaking of comets across the stratosphere. shades of wine and indigo and muted magenta danced in iridescent swirls of the breeze across the surface. it was alluring. yet there was something else there, something deeper, hidden on the bottom of the heart of the pond. and she needed to know where it led.

amphrite did not give shu the grace of a warning before scooping him up and plunging into the hidden depth. after a few sturdy strokes of her paws through the water, the duo emerged on the other side; unharmed and free of the effects water should have had. the she-cat clambered over the stony lip before releasing her companion from her clutches. his animated words fell on deaf ears as she rested her gaze on the soft rosy one of the dilute she-cat before her. wings of butterflies seared across her chest and cotton doused in nerves filled her cheeks as she stumbled over her words. “hi, i’m amphrite and this is shu. where are we?”

[changeling.]

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: honeyfinnz + 756856
↬ clan archive: hsiin’al

↬ word count: 1,115 words
↬ prompt:
THERE IS SO MUCH LORE AND SO MANY RELATIONSHIPS I WANT SO BADLY TO EXPAND ON… but ever since they were added to my group i’ve been DYING to develop Coast-pearl and Burning-shadow’s enemies-to-lovers arc more!! So yippee, exploration of a big step they make towards the lovers side :3

Coast-pearl is just a tiny little bit frustrated with xyr emotions right now. See, xe and Burning-shadow have been fighting nonstop since the tortie joined the group. The two of them just don’t get along, and any attempts made to forced them to be civil either fail or don’t last very long. They’re just not made to be friends, and letting them near each other is a forest fire waiting to happen.

That’s not why xe’s feeling a disconnect between xyr brain and heart, though. No, the actual problem is this: a week ago, Coast-pearl and Burning-shadow got into a fight; not unusual on its own, but this time, claws and teeth were unleashed. They both ended up in front of the frankly exhausted Firefly-flitter, the cat most commonly having to deal with their spats.

”What is with you two?” The torbie spat, tending to the large scratch along Coast-pearl’s cheek. She had yelled at Shimmering-sand to help out, since Coast-pearl and Burning-shadow clearly couldn’t be trusted too close to each other, and the fawn cat was patching up the nasty slashes along Burning-shadow’s flank a little ways away.

Both Chriin began speaking, but neither got past their first syllable before Firefly-flitter cut them off with haste. “Don’t answer that. I don’t want to hear more of it.” Her voice was so very worn. The poor woman definitely deserved her bit of annoyance, especially after trying to keep a light-hearted tone so many times while separating them, but Coast-pearl still found xemself resenting her mood. It’s really not my fault, xe didn’t voice.

After that, Firefly-flitter had sternly sent them off to the Vrea, who seemed entirely unsurprised and still so annoyed to see the two of them for what had to be the fifth time. Little-pigeon had sighed loudly as she looked them over, both coated in leaf bandages and herb poultices and hardly managing a respectful glance her way as they kept throwing glares at the other. “Coast-pearl, Burning-shadow, I don’t want to see either of you within a foot of each other unless it is an absolutely necessity until i think you’re capable of breathing the same air without throwing a fit,” She had ordered. Burning-shadow had huffed, hissed ”Fine by me,” and stalked off before Coast-pearl could even begin to think of some clever response in return.

And now it’s been a week. As much as Coast-pearl hates to admit it- is extraordinarily confused by it, even!- xe would painfully admit: xe misses that idiotic furball. Something in xyr chest is stinging, upset by the time apart, something xe can also feel a little bit of when Burning-shadow is nearby. It normally gets buried under xyr immediate and intense feelings of hate, so xe never stopped to think about it.

Carefully, xe pulls xemself to xyr paws, gingerly pressing xyr front left foot to the ground while it’s still aching from the fight. Xe just needs fresh air, probably. Xe lets xyr body take them from the village to spirits-knows-where, the moonlight xyr only guide. As long as xe can just have time to think, or something. Whatever will fix xem.

Xe finds xemself laying on a tall stone in the meadows surrounding the village, half watching as guard and half letting the ruffling grass distract xem, when there’s a soft sound of pattering on stone behind xem. Coast-pearl doesn’t turn at first— this late, the steps are either prey or another village resident, xe reasons, and xe isn’t too bothered about either. It gives the Chrii behind xem more of an advantage as a paw comes up to cuff xyr ear. Coast-pearl snaps xyr head to the side, prepared to give whoever this is an earful, when- oh.

The curly-furred, red-eyed face of xyr rival greets xem with a wry smile. “Miss me?” He chuckles. The words in Coast-pearl’s throat die quickly and xe forces xyr gaze to return to the field in front of xem.

“O-of- of course not.” One of xyr finer lies, truly, the stutter and helpless look on xyr face really sells it. Though xe’s not looking at Burning-shadow anymore, xe can tell the torbie still has that smile on his face as he steps closer and sits beside xem.

“Little-pigeon said we can’t be near each other, you know,” is the next stupid thing that falls out of Coast-pearl’s mouth.

“Little-pigeon says we shouldn’t fight, and yet you always get so worked up when I’m around…” Burning-shadow teases. Coast-pearl bristles in response.

“‘Cause you always start it,” xe snaps.

“Oh, come on.” She rolls her eyes, but offers no further argument and glances forward, away from xem. Wait, that’s strange. There has to be something wrong with her, right? She never lets herself lose an argument. Coast-pearl’s brow raises in suspicion, glaring at Burning-shadow as if that’ll magically reveal answers to xem somehow.

Xe finally bites the bullet and ask, “What’s wrong with you?” Burning-shadow snaps their attention back to Coast-pearl.

“What? Nothing’s wrong. Though I understand that you may be projecting— it must be heartbreaking not to have me in your life.”

“Oh, shut up! You’re deflecting.”

“Because you’re pushing, my dear. There’s really nothing going on, so I don’t know what you want me to tell you.”

Coast-pearl gets to xyr paws, refusing to flinch even as pain shoots through xyr injured foot, and faces Burning-shadow. “The truth! You’re not taking all the chances to argue with me like you always do! Something’s wrong with you and it’s weird!”

“Why are you so worried?” Burning-shadow snaps back. Coast-pearl only glares at him, stubbornness activated. It’s a standoff until the torbie averts his eyes, and that’s when Coast-pearl knows something must be deeply off. His jaws works for a second, and then he’s taking a step back.

“Maybe I’m missing you,” she admits, so soft xe wouldn’t have heard if not for their closeness. Xe freezes. Xe’d thought… maybe she’d gotten word of a loved one’s death, or had a falling out with one of the many Chriin she made friends with, or had gotten rejected harshly…. Not this. Part of xem says to tease her, but the words die in xyr throat, and xe can only give a wide-eyed stare.

It’s evidently been too long, as xyr rival turns with a swish of their tail in xyr face. “This is dumb,” they say, voice harsh as they pad off. Coast-pearl has no idea what to do with the instinct rising in xem to chase after them and demand an explanation or promise of some sort, nor with the panging of xyr heart with each step, so xe does nothing but watch them leave.

[feather ']

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: feather ' + 979911
↬ clan archive: xxx

↬ word count: 501 words!
↬ prompt:

'' where are you going this time, boss?'' a firm paw rested upon her shoulder. hazy blue eyes cautiously spying her through the gloomy darkness, ''i hate to break it too you, but you look terrible– you look tired.''

she raised her chin up, silver hood falling onto her shoulders, ''is that supposed to insult me?''

he raised an eyebrow, ''i have no reason to insult you, boss.'' a soft chuckle trickled at his throat, ''but, what are you doing… awake at this hour.''

she pressed her fangs tightly together, ignoring the darkness threatening to cover her. '' it's business.'' she shook her head, '' you know… the regular thing.''

he squinted at her. pressing himself closer against the metallic door. '' the regular is you getting severely injured, destroying our airplane, and nearly dying. you're not going anywhere.''

you're not going anywhere.
you're not going anywhere.
you're not going anywhere.

the words endlessly echoed within her ears, repeating, again and again. as if trapped in a loop. she shook her head, desperately trying to empty the words out…. but yet they still continued… again and again. rattling through her skull.

you're not going anywhere.
you're not going anywhere.
you're not going anywhere.

she slammed her fists against the metal walls. again and again. the loud voices beginning to burst into wildfires. that spread across every world. contaminating everything in green sticky goop.

she had to get out of here somehow.

neon colors popped at the back of her eyes, sending every possible shade into bright pinks and yellows. a scream burned at the back of her throat, desperation tearing within.

before it faded at his silent words.

down.
down.
down.
into nothing.

''are you okay, boss?'' those pale azure eyes danced at the corner of her vision, gentle compared to the swirl of neons that suffocated her. ''are you feeling alright?''

''i don't know.'' she shivered, pulling her cloak tighter around her. ''i don't know whatever just happened.''

a frown curved on his muzzle, '' i think the answer is that you need to find littlepuddle.''

she shook her head, a frown curling on her features, ''what? who is that? i don't–''

but those eyes didn't look at her… it looked beyond her.

she spun around. watching as a tom chattered away breathlessly. she waved her paws in the air. trying to catch… someone's attention. anyone's attention.

but no one looked at her.
she was nothing.
she was invisible to everything.

absolutely everything.

she closed her eyes, everything blurring. wishing for that neon madness to overtake her. so that nothing like this could come close.

and it did. a mysterious glowing burning at the back of her eyes.
shifting, spinning, twirling, around and around.

until she couldn't see anything else. except the flood of neon colors against her eyelids.
and at last. she felt peace. peace.

a twisted peace, filled with the melodies of screaming. and wishing for some way to come out. but it was better than being a cat. that didn't even exist. '

[faelyn]

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: faelyn #967122
↬ clan archive: faerie

↬ word count: 554
↬ prompt: [featuring tim and lio]

the evening had tarnished reality with rose-gold hues and deep-set violet, painting the sallow light the cabin with streaks of kaledscopic watercolor. aromas of vanilla and a barely tangible sweetness hung heavy in the air, utterly alluring as he wandered close.

“hello?” the salty kiss of stardust shores and melancholic sea breezes clung to each of his rosewood curls, a clear indication of who he was. a pirate. endlessly reckless and crude, tales unfurl with colorful depictions of their ships. such ships that brimmed with endless stocks of honey wine and ale.

beneath the terracotta kiss of a dying lantern, a single ebony shadow stumbled from the dark. “ah, not you again.” her nose was delicately wrinkled and her eyes… her eyes were illuminated with the furious bite of loathing. “you pirates always think you can trample over us lesser folks and--”

“please señora.” the songbird rasp of his voice was evident in the evening hush, unfurling for what seemed like a millennia. “i have only come to bring a friend your renowned dish.”

“renowned?” a scoff bloomed upon her lips as wrinkles adorned her features, withered by the presence of a tight-mouthed scowl. “oh you can stop with the flattery, pirate. you can go back to your ship.”

“i’ll pay double.”

“triple.”

liquid scarlet and a frenzy of fury enthralled every vein he bore, the sheer rush of it almost unbearable as a barely tangible croak flourished across his lips. “deal.”

gossamer and spun sugar sprung to life upon the little copper pan, each milky freckle of sugar had morphed into breathtaking strands of golden in a matter of moments-- caramelizing upon the lavender flesh of taro. ribbons of evening light flowed across every crevice, embellishing each honeyed edge with shades of citrus.

“hand over the gold, pirate.” her voice was sickeningly sweet, laced with traces of mockery and the beginnings of howling laughter. “you can have your renowned dish.”


✦ ✦ ✦


little halos of honeysuckle and lemongrass enthralled every edge of the lonely little cabin, greeting him with shades of clotted cream and buttery egg yolks. the autumnal charm of october had begun slip away, dwindling into the ashen greys of november, whose bitter breath was all too tangible as he tapped on the cabin door.

“lio? you home?”

there was a shuffle at first, a single sound that seemed to crystallize in shades of ebony as a soft grunt captivated every thought within his ivory skull.

“lio?”
the door swung open.

“since when did you become so impatient?” citrus curls had enthralled the dark, utterly scintillating as a grizzled face illuminated the doorway. “can’t even give an old folk a little extra time? these knees don’t work the same anymore ya know?”

“well… i would hate for your favorite dish to get cold.”

“my favorite dish you say?” those citrus curls seemed to tilt ever-so slightly as lio leaned in closer. “don’t tell me you got it from ruri.”

“i might’ve… yeah.”

“oh my stars!” lio’s eyes widened. “you dealt with that menace of a shab? you should’ve saved yourself the trouble.”

“it was only right to treat my old man, you know?”

a resonant guffaw flourished upon lio’s grizzled features, utterly ravishing in the hush as his chest heaved with laughter. “alright alright… come inside, tim. i have some noodles for you.”

[Plushbunny]

↬ catvent day: two

↬ username & id: Plushbunny + 858001
↬ clan archive: Serengeti Syndicate

↬ word count: 621 words
↬ prompt: animorphs! serengeti syndicate is developed on things like worldbuilding, relationships, and daily life rather than a storyline, so there's lots of facts about them!

in the world of serengeti syndicate, several species of small wild cats have their own type of special power. the power to shapeshift/animorph into other species of animal has been inherited from the ancestors of the domestic cat (the african wildcat), and while the majority of cats in the group have this ability, not all cats do. most fully domestic, non-feral house cats (especially purebred) don't seem to have the ability to animorph. the reason for this is because these powers are genetic and can usually only be passed down from a parent with the ability.

though a cat may not be able to shapeshift from birth, their animorph is already within them from the moment they're born, and is most likely to be a species native to their birth continent and biome, to maximize adaptation to the environment they live in (though animorphs from other areas of the continent are common). their animorph species is also more likely to be from the same family of animals as one of the parents (a cat with an antelope animorph being more likely to have a kit with another species of antelope as an animorph rather than an unrelated animal like a leopard), but they can be any species, with the exception of another domestic cat (this does unfortunately include a chance of having mismatching animorphs, like a polar bear in the desert). there is a myth that cats can be born with prehistoric animorph species as well, but this is yet to be proven.

the powers of other wildcat species may be passed down to domestic cats through hybrids (a bengal cat may have elemental powers, for example, from their wild cat ancestor), and a cat may even have two powers at once, such as an animorph and element, but this is rare. using powers also takes energy, so a cat with two will usually focus on only using one at once. no cat has ever been known to have three or more powers.

a cat will almost always resemble their animorph species in some way (coat color, build, tail length, etc), which gives some insight into what their species will be. a cat's job is usually based on their animorph: a lion who is a hunter, a tough animal like an elephant as a defender who protects the group, a primate or a rodent as a crafter due to having hands to work with. a cat with no animorph can still have any job, though they are usually hunters. all cats in their true cat form can hunt, and no cat is deemed more powerful than another, all cats are treated equal regardless of any power they may or may not have. cats with animorphs are capable of eating the same things as their animorph species, such as a cat with an herbivore animorph who can eat plants. serengeti syndicate has stores of various food types.

a cat's animorph will reflect the cat themselves. it will be the species equivalent of the cat's current age, will show any scars the cat has in the same place (and vice versa), etc. this can be used as a way to identify the cat while in their animal form. cats will also have the unique variations in their species, like the unique stripes on a zebra. they can also communicate with real members of their animorph species.

(extra: a cat with a fully aquatic animorph can only shapeshift while in water, but ending up on land is not an issue because they can just shapeshift back into a cat)