Stars V.2 • Catvent

[néktar]

↬ catvent day: nine

↬ username & id: néktar + 217991
↬ clan archive: pondclan

↬ word count: 1029 words
↬ prompt:
guppyfuzz was only an apprentice when she lost her entire family, it was a seemingly normal day. she had brought her mother a mouse in the morning before she went out on patrol with her mentor — they chattered about softkit and flickerkit who were curled against their mothers soft orange fur. after nuzzling each of them equally she raced off to join her patrol. it went smoothly, her patrol surveyed the meadow on the south-eastern part of the territory, watching the young fox cubs bounce and yip about the tall-grass plains across the ravine.

they didn’t stop long — moving swiftly past the ravine they came to the other side of the little pools that surround the entrance of the camp. guppypaw could barely make out the entrance across the way though the movement of the water caught her attention more. the molly had to pry herself away and listen to her mentor speak about the edge of the southern part of the territory, it was the only entrance into the mountains though they would only have to travel there for emergencies. moments went by after their speech then guppypaw heard it, an agonizing yowl. one, then two, then more — the clan was alerting, her entire patrol whipped around fur standing on end, hackles raised and adrenaline coursing through their veins.

they couldn’t see what was happening inside the bramble covered walls and they couldn’t waste anymore time — her mentor was the first to move after what felt like forever. he raced across the mossy paths that separated the little pools, guppyfuzz was right behind him, matching him stride for stride. all she could think about was her family, the spring rain had destroyed half of the cover for the nursery she had planned on rebuilding it with her father after her patrol. her heart ached as it pounded in her chest, faster! she pushed herself harder.

her mentor cleared the way for the rest of the patrol to enter camp — the scene that met their eyes made their stomach turn. an alligator had slipped into camp, warriors were clawing and biting at its hard scaly back trying to lure it back out of camp by aggravating it. guppypaw’s mentor leapt into the fray hissing and spitting with claws unsheathed — she turned her attention to the nursery to her horror found it torn through, twigs snapped and bitten through — red dashed onto the roots of mother tree and the sand around the entrance. the molly stood their dazed, her head spinning with grief and her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. her vision flickered as she tried to turn her attention to the threat, the yowls around her sounding muffled and her paws shakily found their footing on the familiar sand under paw.

she couldn’t get a grip until she saw a figure approaching her quickly. it was her mother, a gash through her leg and deep pain in her eyes, she was screaming her name as she limped over to her, at the moment her nose met her eldest kit’s fur she burst into tears. guppyfuzz comforted her mother for a moment, her mind steadying as she ushered her into the medicine den where the elders and other queens were sheltering under the thick roots of mother tree.

without another thought the young apprentice let out a bloodcurdling yowl and hurled herself at the alligator, joining her mentor and now all of the warriors of the clan in attacking. pure rage fueled each of her movements, biting at the softer parts of the predetor she got it to bleed and after being thrown off for the third time she went for it’s face — blood boiling she slashed at it’s eyes, claws catching onto the exposed organ, hooking her claw she pulled it out as the creature thrashed, growling and snapping in pain. it finally found that it was outmatched, turning tail it made it’s way quickly out of camp. guppypaw still yowling after it, claiming a few more blows as it crashed through the bramble wall and slid back into the murky pools.

as her clanmates celebrated their victory she stood looking at the water, her breathing hitched and her whole body shaking. the adrenaline still pumping steadily, she dropped her head to her paws eyes wide and quickly welling with hot tears. throwing her head back up she left out a heart breaking cry — the rest of her clan stopped and assessed the aftermath many of them hanging their heads in shared grief. they had lost their newest members of the clan as well as a strong warrior.

guppyypaw’s mother was left with a shattered heart as well as a wounded mind, fogmeadow was still consoling her in the medicine den. guppy finally mustered the strength to move from her spot from in front of the crushed camp entrance. when she walked in sh saw her moth curled tightly against fogmeadow — before guppy could speak newpaw padded over to the younger molly her eyes filled with concern.

she spoke softly, “guppypaw.. i’m so sorry for your loss.. your mother, she’s not taking it well i will warn you. her mind is, frayed to say the least.” she mewed looking from her paws back up to the apprentice’s face.

guppy didn’t understand what she meant at the time but as soon as her mother laid eyes on her she brightened, her tears fading as she pushed away fogmeadow and coddled her kit.

“i’m so glad you’re here! have you seen redfeather or tallpaw?”

guppypaw felt a knot in her throat, “n-no.. i haven’t”

she stammered unwilling to speak of the massacre. her mother never mentioned softkit or flickerkit. fogmeadow further explained the state of her mother as she was tending to the apprentice’s wounds, the shaman advised her to keep the truth from her for fear of an episode — they would look after her in the medicine den and possibly even take her to the crystal cave. though for now guppypaw rested with her mother, her mind reeling from the travesty she was now burdened with.

[Izutsumi]

↬ catvent day: nine

↬ username & id: Fallendownut 932037
↬ clan archive: MeteorClan

↬ word count: 572 words + 1 drawing
↬ prompt:




Starclan was angry as it seemed.
The object glowed bright red as it slowly made its way to the camp. A meteor was what they called it. Hallowkit stood mesmerized, as the clan, panicking, scattered across the land, trying to find safety. At least thats how they stayed until Reine took them by the scruff and ran. She sprinted, and ran, and jogged, growing ever more tired yet ever more anxious. She placed a squirming Hallowkit down, to gather her whereabouts and take a deep breath. Panting, Reine looked back at the meteor. They were far away from it, and yet it was bigger than she imagined. Feeling as if she was about to collapse, she looked around, and found a small abandoned den. "Hey, kit, stay here until I can make sure this is safe, alright?" Reine said, trying to speak as gently as possible. Hallowkit nodded, watching as the meteor slowly fell. After checking the den for other animals, she called Hallowkit in, and they obliged. Reine went quickly to sleep with Hallowkit tucked tightly next to her.

Reine woke up in the early morning with a startle and a bad feeling. She nudged Hallowkit awake and told them to quickly follow them. Hallowkit groggily followed Reine out of the den, the scent of dew and dust on their nose. They only took a few paces out of the den, when the meteor finally impacted the clan's camp. A loud roar ripped through the landscape, the ground shaking in it's quake, the den collapsing. Hallowkit shakily breathed and shook in the moment of silence afterwards. Dazed, they looked at the ruins of the camp from on top of the hill they were on. Their trance was broken by Reine grooming the top of their head, her quivering as much as Hallowkit was. Hallowkit felt a prickling in their eyes, water clouding their sight, as they laid down and started to bawl. Reine curled around them, and started sobbing as well, cursing Starclan for punishing a clan who she didn't know had done much wrong. She promised to herself that she would protect this kit, no matter what.

It was much later in the morning when either of them had enough energy to start walking. Reine nuzzled Hallowkit up. "We should go to the stream so we can refresh ourselves," Reine said. Hallowkit nodded and they slowly padded to the stream that flowed across the clan's borders and into the almost unknown. They somberly drank, thoughts running through both of their minds. Reine sighed, "There's only one other place I know we can go, I've heard of a mixed clan of creatures just up this stream. I don't know if it's safe, but I don't think we have any other option." "Oh. Will my mom be there?" Hallowkit asked hopefully. "I..." Reine paused, unsure how to answer, "I'm sure she'll find us, and if not she'll be safe with the rest of the clan." This answer seemed to appease Hallowkit, as they started to pad upstream. Reine took one last look at the camp and hesitantly caught up to Hallowkit. They both pressed on until nightfall, taking a rest under the roots of a tree. The night was mostly restless, Hallowkit being the first to fall asleep, exhausted. Reine took one last look at the night sky before she dozed off, hoping for answers.
Yet, Starclan was nowhere to be seen.

[Whovian5EVA]

↬ catvent day: nine

↬ username & id: Whovian5eva 328762
↬ clan archive:Cats of the Desert

↬ word count: 246 words
↬ prompt: A flash of light so bright it burned Pinesnap’s eyes. The sound ripped through the air only a moment after. He felt the ground leave his paws as he was thrown into the air by the explosion. An explosion so terrible, had the heat not driven him from the burrow, he may not have escaped alive. His shoulder hit the ground hard, the dirt crunching beneath him his lungs filling with an accrid smoke. It all happened so quick he didn’t know what was happening.

As he awoke, trying to blink away the smoke. He squinted trying to figure out what happened… Where had he been… Blossomheart and the kits! They’d left the sweltering heat of the burrow not long before him! “Blossomheart! Are you okay!?” His breathing quickened, shortly interrupted by coughing from the awful smoke.
He crouched low to the ground trying to regain some air. And it was a tad clearer down here… He could almost see some orange fur… He hurried over and to his surprise it was Sandkit, tiny breaths curled from her mouth… Without hesitation he picked her up by her scruff as he continued his search for the others. “Pinesnap? Blossomheart?” He heard a sweet voice call from afar.
“Fernpaw!” He rushed over to the direction of her voice, and before long Blossomheart joined the crew carrying Pearkit as well.

With their home newly exploded, they truly didn’t know where they might end up next…
A new territory perhaps?

[changeling.]

↬ catvent day: nine

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

↬ word count: 1,183 words
↬ prompt:
i.
“Flash?” In the dead of the night, a hushed voice wakes the ginger Chrii as a nose nudges at his head. Flash struggles to open his eyes, exhausted, but finally squints to see Rattlesnake and unthinkingly stretches a paw out to cover hers.

“Wha’s up?” Flash’s voice slurs with sleep, but he does his best to give her his attention as she worries her claws in the fabric of the blanket that has slipped off both of them in the night. Rattlesnake starts to speak, then hesitates, glancing around with fear in her eyes that wakes Flash up fully and puts him on edge.

“Hey, honey, what’s up?” He asks again, firmer, and she leans closer until her muzzle rests on his paws and glances up at him.

“I think they know,” she whispers. His heart drops.

“What?! Who? How?” Flash hisses back, softening his voice halfway through as to not make her think he’s angry with her. She flinches anyways, shushing him.

“Don’t let them hear!” Rattlesnake gestures to the rest of the camp, sleeping as they should be at this hour. Then she shakes her head. “I- I have no clue how. But haven’t you noticed everyone’s been treating me differently?”

Flash had, honestly, not noticed, but thinking about it he does start to see it. The way the other cats glance at the two strangely when they walked past, the way Rattlesnake's friends had lately drifted away from her, and she moved towards only hanging out with Flash... hm. "I guess so."

"Yeah. And my mama talked to me, said I needed to be careful. She didn't say what this was about, but she said

"So everyone knows about our-?"

"Magic? I think so. At least, mine." Rattlesnake sighs and Flash moves his tail to rest over her body.

"What do we do? I mean, nobody's directly said anything yet, so maybe they're not planning to do anything soon?"

"Or they're hiding it."

"Yeah... stars above." Flash cant help the quiet curse that feels more like a prayer, even though he doesnt believe in anything. "Let's just hope that it stays like this. We'll be okay. Even if they do something, I'll be right here with you."

Rattlesnake turns her face to hide in the fur of his neck. "I hope so. I really, really do," she murmurs. Hope is not among the emotions in her voice, though.

ii.
The shouting has stopped, at least, though in its place is the wheezing breaths from having run too fast for too long. Racing-flame lets Rattlesnake-fangs lean into her side as the older girl heaves, struggling to catch her breath. She hates to make Rattlesnake-fangs keep walking in this condition, wants more than anything to let themselves both lay down and rest, but any stop could mean having to run further if they're found. Neither has said it yet, but they both know they're terrified and trying to keep a brave face.

The smoke hasn't left Racing-flame's lungs yet, but she could run further with much less effort. Rattlesnake-fang was caught in the fire for much longer, and her stamina couldn't compare to Racing-flame's magic. The ginger Chrii presses her nose to the top of her love's head.

"Breathe, Snake," she says, then falters at Rattlesnake-fang's glare. "Sorry, you're trying, I know. Just encouragement."

The gray tabby softens her gaze as her breath begins to return to her, slow but sure enough. Her face is still furrowed with all her feelings, and guilt has crept its way in and hasn't left her alone for a second. The two Chriin are quiet for a long time as they keep walking.

When daylight breaks the clouds, they finally settle down to rest. Rattlesnake-fangs looks and feels small as she lays with Racing-flame curled around her, head resting on her paws. She doesn't think she'll be able to sleep, not for a long time. The heat of the fire still licks at her paws, and her tired eyes can't help seeing flames in the dawning sky. She can't forget the dark look on her father's face as he turned into not her parent, but her leader, one who needed to deal with a criminal subject.

Racing-flame rests her chin on Rattlesnake-fangs' head, pausing her thoughts. As if hearing inside her head, Racing-flame hums. "It's not our faults."

"It was my fault," she disputes without a second between.

"No, if anything it's mine for letting my magic get out of control to make yours more powerful. But it's not either of our faults because we didn't mean to make it happen, and we couldn't have predicted it."

"I should have better control over it than that. If I did that just because I was scared..."

"You didn't do it on purpose. And we just found out that we have magic like this anyways, how are we supposed to know how to control it? I wish it didn't happen, and I wish we didn't have magic, but you can't blame yourself.

Rattlesnake-fangs shakes her head. She doesn't want to fight right now, but she can't let Racing-flame go on thinking that she's innocent.

"Sure," she mumbles in response after a pause. She can tell from the noise Racing-flame makes that she doesn't believe her, but she says, "I love you. And we're in this together, you know." Both are quiet and try to sleep. The morning light keeps Racing-flame awake, but eventually she drifts off. Rattlesnake-fangs' mind won't let her.

iii.
"Elidi!"

A voice Racing-flame never expected to hear again rings through the center of the village. Other Chriin turn their heads and pretend they didn't hear it as the ginger Chrii whips around. He tries not to be too hopeful, otherwise his heart will be broken again, but--

There she is. Rattlesnake-fangs, looking much more battered and worse for wear than the last time they saw each other years ago, but there. Alive. Standing in Hsiin'al, the setting sun lighting her from behind. A cut drips blood down her side. New scars cross her face. Somehow, she still looks exactly the same as before. Racing-flame doesn't get any more seconds to think as he's catching her in his arms.

"You're okay?!" She cries, tears streaming down her cheeks as she refuses to pull away from him. He giggles, a bit manic.

"I could say the same! How-- how did you find me?"

"Stars, Elidi, it was hard, but I did it. After they took me back, they kept asking me about you. They finally realized I really didn't know where you are. But they finally gave me a chance to run, and I followed people's word on where you went. The thought that I'd see you again is all that got me through it. I love you."

"I missed you so much. I love you too. I'm glad you made it through," Racing-flame is crying now, too, but they're both so happy to see each other despite the tears. Rattlesnake-fangs hides her face in his neck. Even so far, they got each other through a really hard time.

[knickknacks]

↬ catvent day: nine

↬ username & id: knickknacks + 815546
↬ clan archive: knollclan

↬ word count: 605 words
↬ prompt:

Much of the clan assumed that if danger were to fall upon their clan, they would at least be forewarned. Maybe a dream from the ancestors telling them of something to come- or a befittingly ominous spell of weather that got them in the mood, gave them the sense that a tragedy was coming.

How wrong they had been- for when tragedy came upon them, it did so without warning.


- - - - -

"Something is wrong."

Claypaw's words were quiet, sitting dull and heavy in his mouth like a stone. Spiderstripe paused beside him, taking note of the way his apprentice's fur was standing on end. He lifted his head, sharp amber eyes scanning the deadened treetops, tail flicking as he surveyed the wood around them. It was too silent- the snow around them had muffled things, covering them all in a blanket of silence.

"You're right." His voice, normally so jovial, had gone quiet, ears laid back. "The birds have gone silent, and I smell-"

"Blood." Claypaw's voice was even smaller now. Spiderstripe pressed himself to the smaller cat's side, steadying him.

"I'm going to go take a look," he said, ducking down to look the red cat in the eyes. "You can come with me, or you can wait here, and I'll call for you."

"I-" Claypaw, normally so unflappable, looked nearly faint with uncharacteristic fear. "I'll come with you."

"Okay. Let's go." Spiderstripe's strides were long, kicking up snow in his wake as he tried to track the odd scent. Claypaw followed, trying to match his mentor's footsteps exactly.

They found her nestled in the curve of an overhanging tree root, pale fur stained dark with blood. The snow around her was a mess, kicked up and ruined, with no visible tracks besides her own.

"Oh, stars." Claypaw rushed forward, unthinking. "Finchpaw! Finchpaw, can you hear me?" He nosed at the fur of his fallen denmate, heedless of the blood. Spiderstripe stood stock still, tail quivering with anger-and fear-as he took in the young cat's injuries.

Both cats jumped as she let out a rattling wheeze.

"She's still alive," Claypaw gasped, his eyes shining with tears. "We need to get her back to camp."

Spiderstripe strode forward, sinking into a crouch.

"I'll carry her," he said. With trembling paws, Claypaw hurried to obey.


- - - - -

Finchpaw lasted through the trek back to camp. As soon as they were within yowling distance, Claypaw dashed ahead, calling for help. They were met at the camp entrance by Squirrelhop, eyes wild with fear as he saw his daughter's bloodied fur. Coppersight followed closely, eyes hollow as he took in his apprentice's wounds. And then finally there were Dawngaze, jaw full of herbs, and Sagespot, telling everyone to make way, to bring her into the den.

They waited outside, unknowing of time, hoping for news, dreading it.

Claypaw leaned against his mentor, fielding questions from the other frantic apprentices.

Coppersight and Squirrelhop sat silently together, eyes boring into the ground. Neither moved. Neither spoke. Squirrelhop's tail twitched. Coppersight's shoulders shook.

Dawngaze emerged, every part of him seeming smaller, telling them in a hollow voice that she had not made it. Had not survived her wounds.

And as the clan took up the funeral cry, wailing their grief to the stars, Spiderstripe sat still. Thinking.

He thought of the wounds scored across Finchpaw's pelt. Remembered her alive, streaking around on patrol, teasing Claypaw and laughing. Remembered that her naming ceremony had been only days away.

Realized that her wounds had been claw marks. Realized that it had not just been an accident- that Finchpaw had been murdered.

And Spiderstripe's blood ran cold.

[polaris.]

↬ catvent day: nine

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

↬ word count: 544 words
↬ prompt:

in the frost-kissed realm where the the aurora borealis resided, winters were never a gentle affair. the biting cold and perpetual snow were familiar adversaries, but one fateful winter, an unprecedented storm descended upon their territory, testing the limits of their resilience and forcing them to swiftly adapt to the unforgiving weather.

the first snowflakes fell like delicate promises of the imminent storm, and the clan, already accustomed to the harshness of their surroundings, braced for the impending challenges. however, as the days passed, the snowfall intensified into a relentless tempest, sweeping through the towering pines and leaving behind a pristine yet treacherous landscape.

the cats of the aurora borealis found themselves in the grip of a winter more severe than any they had faced before. the storm raged with unyielding fury, burying their familiar trails and hunting grounds beneath layers of snow. the icy winds, sharp as the claws of a seasoned warrior, howled through the trees, chilling even the hardiest of fur.

with prey scarce and the cold cutting through their thick pelts, the clan's hunters faced a formidable challenge. the once-lively forest turned into a silent and frozen labyrinth, where the warriors had to adapt their hunting techniques. the cats, usually agile and stealthy, had to navigate the snow-laden terrain, their paws sinking with each step. the snow-covered ground muffled their movements, turning their usual grace into a struggle for survival.

as the storm raged on, the cats of the aurora borealis were forced to rethink their strategies. they gathered in huddled masses, their breath visible in the frigid air, to discuss new methods of hunting and sheltering. clementinesong, stepping in for her ever-absent father's care to lead his own clan, called upon the wisdom of their elders to guide them through this unprecedented hardship.

the clan's healers worked tirelessly to find herbs that could withstand the cold, providing relief to those who succumbed to the bitter chill. sick bays were established in the heart of the camp, a stark contrast to the usual bustling activity. the cats, though weakened, clung to each other for warmth and support, their spirits unbroken despite the relentless assault of winter.

in their struggle for survival, the aurora borealis faced another unexpected challenge: rival clans seeking to exploit their vulnerability. the harsh winter served as a battleground, not only against nature but also against those who saw an opportunity to weaken their adversaries. the warriors, though fatigued and hungry, stood united against external threats, their commitment to defending their territory unshaken.

yet, amid the desolation, a glimmer of hope emerged. the cats of the aurora borealis, forced to adapt to the unforgiving weather, discovered newfound strengths within themselves. bonds forged in the crucible of adversity grew unbreakable, and the clan's collective spirit burned like a beacon in the coldest of nights.

as the storm finally began to relent, the aurora borealis emerged from the winter battered but unbroken. they carried the scars of their hardships, a testament to their endurance and adaptability. the experience reshaped their perspectives, teaching them the importance of unity and innovation in the face of nature's relentless trials. the clan, once again, stood strong beneath the dancing lights of the aurora, ready to face whatever challenges the changing seasons might bring.

[nindroidzane]

↬ catvent day: nine

↬ username & id: nindroidzane + 996925
↬ clan archive: frostclan

↬ word count: 703 words
↬ prompt:

“Littlefog,” Huckleberry’s voice drifted into her mother's den - no, her den, now - as she'd come to expect every day. “You can't stay in there forever.”

Littlefog curled tighter on herself, tucking her nose beneath her tail and flattening her ears, as if that would block out the sound of his voice. She didn't respond. If she was lucky, he'd give up and go away.

She wasn't. A soft crunching of snow drew closer and closer into the den, until she could just barely feel fur brushing her own. She didn't look up, though. She didn't want to talk.

He didn't speak, either, to her surprise. Huckleberry was usually more of a talk your ear off until you feel better kind of cat - whether it was supportive or distracting nonsense. That was how it had been the entire past moon.

This was… different.

Despite herself, as time tredged on and the cat beside her stayed unwaveringly silent, Littlefog’s curiosity got the better of her. She moved her tail slightly, in a way she hoped he wouldn't notice, and peeked up with just one eye.

Oh.

“Leafshade.” She murmured. It came out quieter than she'd intended. She wasn't sure the last time she'd spoken.

Leafshade looked down at her, as if she hadn't noticed her look up. Knowing the old cat, she definitely had.

“Hey, kit.” She rumbled gently, eyes warm and sympathetic. She stayed still where she was, tail wrapped around her flank, only close enough that it brushed Littlefog's side.

Littlefog blinked, hesitant. It wasn't the first time Leafshade had come to see her, but if her perception of time hadn't slipped too far, it was the first time in a while. Her quiet, gentle gaze was so familiar, so comforting. Littlefog almost felt herself slipping back into that warmth.

But that might hurt even more. She clenched her claws, shoving her face back under her tail so forcefully her nose felt the cold shock of snow.

It was quiet again, but Littlefog couldn't appreciate it with the hammering of her heart in her ears. She wondered when Leafshade would leave. Dizzily, she wondered if she ever would. She was way more patient than Huckleberry.

“I know it hurts.” Leafshade spoke, eventually, voice hushed like the breeze. Littlefog froze up.

“I miss her, too.”

Littlefog would've liked not to react. Stay frozen, like a lump of ice in her mother's nest. Maybe Leafshade would've given up and left. Maybe everyone would've given up on her for good.

But she couldn't help the way every hair on her pelt spiked up, or the way her claws dug violently into the snow, or the way it seemed she’d started shaking harder than the first time she fell into the lake.

She still didn't look up, keeping her muzzle firmly, stubbornly buried under fur and snow. But Leafshade didn't need to see her face to know she'd won.

Littlefog heard the snow shifting before she registered Leafshade laying close beside her, or the tail wrapping around her flank.

But, although Littlefog waited for it with clenched teeth, she didn't say anything more. They laid in silence, and Littlefog allowed herself to feel the warmth of her fur, to relax just slightly as she felt Leafshade’s steady breathing. To feel something she hadn't felt in over a moon.

At some point, right as Littlefog thought she might drift off to sleep, she felt something smooth and round prod against her paws. Slowly, she lifted her head from her fur, peering down at the object with blurry eyes.

An egg. Leafshade had brought her an egg.

Littlefog felt her breathing stall, and she turned to Leafshade, re-focusing eyes wide.

Leafshade was looking at her, her own eyes full of warmth and pain and knowing and hurt.

Littlefog hesitated. She glanced back to the egg, and back to Leafshade.

This time, she buried her muzzle into Leafshade's fur, warm and comforting and familiar. And it did hurt. Because it was just the way things used to be. Because it wasn't her.

But it melted away some of the ice, too. She wasn't alone, and she never had to be. Her mother had made sure of that.

[ethium]

↬ catvent day: nine

↬ username & id: ethium + 879455
↬ clan archive: elmclan

↬ word count: 645 words
↬ prompt:

The sun was rising in the east but there was no warmth in this clearing. Wrenclove ran, racing the impending daylight and a fate she knew had already come, her paws bounding across the dark wilderwood. She could hear her mate following close behind her, but could not hear him over the sound of her own heart and her whispered prayers. But her gods turned their ears away, and as she stumbled into that cold clearing, her tears fell for a foolish brother.

“Eid-” She choked and turned away at once. Unable to stomach the mangled sight of her brother. She heard Redarys stumble in after her, and grow still at the sight.

“Oh, Wren.” The great cat stood there, looking at her brother’s body. Taking in what she could not.

“I was too late.” Wrenclove sobbed. Redarys moved for her, his great tail wrapping around her, pulling her close. She broke there, strangled sounds coming from a she-cat who had buried too many in one lifetime. Absurdly, she was reminded of when Doestep had fallen with the fox. Of how their bodies had broken the water and plunged into the abyss. Maybe she was plunging into the abyss, too.

She was struck with a moment of horrible clarity. “We can’t even bury him.”

Redarys regarded her silently, his eyes filled with empathy. “We can, we will.” Wrenclove shook her head. “Lilith owns Elmclan now, she owns the tree. He’ll never see our ancestors-” Redarys shushed her, licking the top of her head as a mother might soothe a distressed kit. “We will bury him my way, she has no claim on my lands. He will run with the pack, as is his right. He will chase the sun and run in the ancient fields among my kin.” Wrenclove’s throat bobbed. She did not trust her voice, so she only nodded, submitting to his plan. Redarys returned his eyes to Eiderdweller.

“Why look?” Wren peeped. “It is the last honor I can give him. He was trying to do what was right, foolish as it may have been. He did not deserve to die this way, but I can honor him with this. I will not shy away from his choice.” Wrenclove slowly turned to look too, her eyes welling with tears as she moved forward, approaching her brother.

From this angle, Eiderdweller might have been sleeping. If she wasn’t so keenly aware of how still he was, or the horrible wounds he bore. It spoke of a fight he had always sought to earn. But this was not your fight alone brother…. and now there would be no fight at all.

“What will we do about Lilith?”

“Another time, love.” Redarys purred gently. “She will be less aggressive now that she believes she’s circumvented the prophecy.”

“Hasn’t she? Doesn’t this mean she’s won?” Redarys did not answer her. Wrenclove stared into her brother’s glassy eyes in silence and then reached out, closing them. He would not know a world of suffering anymore.

After a long moment, Redarys spoke. “I’ve summoned some of the pack to help us transport his body. Others will begin preparing the ceremony.” He was gentle, but Wrenclove understood his meaning. They could not loiter in the ancient witch’s domain long, lest she end up like her brother. Wrenclove nodded, stepping away. Redarys was already moving, putting distance between the two of them. Giving her time to say goodbye alone.

“Goodbye, my dearest brother,” she pressed her nose to Eiderdweller’s cold coat. “I will see you again, and that witch will pay for all she has taken from me.” Wrenclove rose, her eyes narrowing as she stared off in the direction of elmclan’s camp.

Too many had been lost in that witch’s pursuit. No more.

The gods watched that mourning sister, as she clawed her pawpad and promised blood.

[Thani]

↬ catvent day: nine

↬ username & id: Thani 509675
↬ clan archive: Central Realms

↬ word count: 605 words
↬ prompt:

It started when she was a kid. She never got to truly experience her childhood...not in the eay that kost kids got to. Running around with the local children, making up games and getting into trouble. Playing dress up and make believe. Instead she was being taught to read, learning how to be a proper lady. Learning to sew and how to speak properly to those in higher social standings.

"Mom can Elena come out to play with us today?" a young Olivia would beg, as elena stood there hopeful that today would be the day. After all her siblimgs got anything they could ever eant...anything they ever asked for.

"Not today my sweet, you know she has her lessons all afternoon and a dinner to prepare for later. Now off you go. And stay out of trouble!"

Being the eldest meant she hd to set an example for her siblings. She had to be perfect and poise at all times. She had to know what to say and what to do at every oppurtunity. She felt like she had to be perfect....and so she tried.

"I miss hanging out with you, Elena...you are always so busy"

"I know sister, I know. Have enough fun for the both of us okay?"
The only true freedom Elena had was the quiet moments at night when the rest of the castle fell into a slumber. She would sit at her easel and paint for hours, at the exspense of her own good nights rest. She would paint flowers from her garden, and things she has never seen but long dreamed about. Gorgeous mountains and expanding oceans, she was sure the ones she painted existed somewhere and she was determined that someday she would find them.

Her mother caught on to her late night paimting hobby, evident by the bags under her eyes that began to develop over time. At first her mother was okay with it but then, she wasnt. One night Elena retreated to her room to find that her Eisel and all her painting supplies were no longer there. She suspected that her mother had confiscated them, knowing it was probably her own carelessness that led her to this point. She should have been more mindful of her sleeping habits...

"Mothere did you move my supplies?" A vain attempt in getting information, a question she already knew the answer to.

"I gave them to your sister, Eloise. She's young and needs a creative outlet. Much more suitable for her than you. Don't you agree?"

It was always like this. And at some point Elena just gave up. She became a shell of of who she used to be. A puppet of sorts. Someone who could be molded to fit any event, any dinner..anything. Anythign her mother wanted her to be. Her aspirations, her goals...her dreams. Long since faded into a blackness that now surrounded her very being. Sure, to someone who did not know her, she looked fine. Refined and propoer and perfect. To those that paid attention they could see the darkness, the depression that was slowly eating away at her with every breath she took.

She knew if she rebelled she would not get far. That perhaps even if she did her younger siblings would face the harsh critism and life that she has had to endure. She could not let that happen, she would not let that happen. And so she continued to live like this, for their sake. She continued to face these hardships, and the truth that she would never be truly happy. No until she could leave this place.

[Archaeopteryx.]

↬ catvent day: nine

↬ username & id: Archaepteryx.
↬ clan archive: Enurian

↬ word count: 568 words
↬ prompt:


The world turned.

Despite all the progress of the ferraen many things remained the same from when they first set paw on land, guided up from the seafoam and salt, standing in awe as they took their first breaths of sentience. Some things were rooted not in sand and waves but in bedrock, basalt and gabbro standing strong against the tides of history. Though the ferraen rose, they never forgot where they came from, refusing to betray the circumstances of their birth. Their species had always been an isolated one, eons ago, before they knew how to be Awake and their only worries were the ocean currents and whatever lay in those depths, and so as they spread across the land, took up farming, learned to shape the world to their ideals and beliefs, they never strayed from those first knowings. No matter what may happen in this world, a ferraen was always, first and foremost, loyal only to themself. There was simply no other way to live.

But there had always been an underlying current. A prophecy, reverberating from a time when the gods had been more forthcoming with their guidance, still echoing all these eons later. Time and interpretation would warp meaning and cadence but it always had the same heartbeat. A living thing, almost, breathed into life by the many who would hear it in the breeze, wake up to visions and read it in the smoke signals.

There would be a cat. Fur the same color as the seafoam they emerged from, mottled with the rusty red of the cliffs they first saw taking their first steps onto land. A cat embodying the roots they had come from, a reincarnation of those first dreams their ancestors had ever had.

And there would be a Calamity. A Great Dying. A New Morning or an Upheaval. A Change, interpreted in a million different ways, that would shake Enurian to its roots and nothing would ever be the same ever again.

The dreams of the old would have to sacrifice itself to keep the tides of change at bay.

And so when a kitten was born with sea-gray and clay-red fur, those who knew him vowed to keep their mouths shut. Raising him with the knowledge that he would become a hero and save the island, without any mention of what that heroism would entail. Or the millions of interpretations that could mark this as a change and not as a death march. Raising the kitten to become a martyr, willing to sacrifice him to maintain a status quo. For the good of all.

Except—of course, he found out. That he was raised as no more than livestock meant to be slaughtered. He stole the tapestry personifying his very death and ran away, vowing to never do as he was meant to.

Across the world, a rare group of ferraen working towards a common goal breathed life into a new god, helpless as it changed their very forms before disappearing, set loose into the land. A thing incomprehensible to all, a shapeshifter, a thousand forms and none of them quite right.

Of course the two would meet. It was always meant to be.

But Breadcrumb stared a new morning, a Changing of Days head-on, tapestry of these very events billowing tattered in the cloak clasped around his neck.

A new day rose and the world turned.