Stars V.2 • Catvent 2024

[kyeza]

↬ catvent day: twenty

↬ username & id: kyeza 803669
↬ clan archive: here!

↬ word count: 320 words
↬ prompt:


four distinct sets of pawprints trail behind each other, mingling in the fresh snow. it was colder now, with the sun not yet up in the sky, though it had already begun to peek through the frosty treetops and snow-laden, leafless branches. the early morning chill lingered still, frosty breath of the cats passing through painting little puff-clouds in the air.

they were headed away from camp, the din of early risers and market-goers fading into a distant, steady hum between the birdsong and crunching snow. they tread forth through frostbitten woods until the trees become sparse and the forest floor drops off into a rocky incline. the river was frozen over—and had been for a while now, really, the ice thick enough to easily hold a grown adult's weight—perfect for the children to play on.

the littlest of the four darts out from behind the rest and springs off the edge of the rocky shore, landing on the ice with an echoing thud. "mom, mama, are you coming?!"

the adults turn to each other, a knowing look shared between them. "you go ahead, dear," the sweater-adorned one murmurs, giving the other a quick kiss.

"are you sure, sage? i don't mind—"

a snow-tipped paw covers her mouth, hushing her before she can protest. "go on, go have fun. you deserve it."

satin lets an adoring grin cross her features before casting a soft glance in her other daughter's direction, then turns to wander over to the ice herself. meanwhile, sagebrush settles into the snow beside her oldest daughter. the metal of her wheelchair is cold to the touch, frozen from the winter weather, but she pays it little mind. silkstep smiles at her tiredly and rests her head on her mother's shoulder, a resigned sigh leaving her body in a tiny huff sage wasn't even sure she realized she'd let out.

"maybe we could build a snowman instead, dear?"

[néktar]

↬ catvent day: twenty

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

↬ word count: 478
↬ prompt:
wolfstride found himself waking up early, much earlier then he usually does. next to him lay his mate, curled in a tight ball, her curled fur tangled about and her face half covered by her tail. elf’s little snores made her pink nose twitch. wolf couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming feeling of love and adoration for the small molly.

the sun had yet to show its brilliant face, the stars still danced above the snow heavy clouds. the tom nudged his partner awake, nuzzling into her soft cheeks as she yawned and stretched.

“good morning wolf.. why did you wake me?” she looked at all of the sleeping guards that surrounded her. “oh! did i sleep walk here again?” she murmured half to herself while feeling her ears getting hot. wolf offered a gentle nose touch to her ear, “yes but that’s okay, no one minds really.” the guard purred deeply as he spoke. “come now let’s get ahead of the sun.” just as he finished speaking he was on his paws and out of the den. his russet fur expanding as he cold seeped into his skin.

elfgiggle was right on his heels, offering a small squeak of defiance at the icy breeze. the mountain blocked most of the cold but it still wrapped around the edge and flew right through camp. wolfstride trotted out of the entrance, acknowledging sandripple and wildcry with a swift nod as elf bounded out after him, giggling as she chased her mate’s fluffy tail away from camp.

they slowed down as they got further from earshot of the guards, they pressed their sides together and let their paws tread over one another as they began to talk softly to one another. the first few flakes of snow began to drift down from the darkening sky, he lifted his head and smiled. the white molly was beside herself with excitement, she began to pick up the pace. “come on! let’s get to the lake and watch the snow fall into the water!!” she meowed with gusto, her little legs stretched out in front of her as she raced down the mossy pathways. kicking up greenery, the activity keeping her warm as she heard wolf’s heavy paw thumps right behind her. she couldn’t help but squeal with exhilaration from the play chase.

finally they reached the lake just as the sun spilled over the mountains, the snow glittering and the lake sat silently with a thin layer of frost over the top. wolf pounced onto elf as she slowed near the lakeside, he nibbled at her ears and paws as she tried to bat him away. unable to hold her laughter, joy twinkling in her eyes as he let her up. the two spent the rest of their day chasing eachother about and making snow angels as the snow came down heavier.

[feather ']

↬ catvent day: twenty

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

↬ word count: 287
↬ prompt:

pomeloprickle and pearprickle went out on a winter adventure. it was snowing a lot and they both had snowflakes in their hair. pomeloprickle bought two bags of jellybeans and exactly 14897 snowflakes trapped in a jar. she wasn’t quite too sure what the use of snowflakes in a jar would be, but she brought it along just in case. pearprickle brought a leather sack filled with a roll of duct tape, a bottle of glue, and two flashlights. he had an angry scowl written on his face and stopped aggressively across the frost crested landscape. pomeloprickle was quite clueless but followed after him; pearprickle’s intention was not to go on an adventure, but rather to have some peace and quiet in the woods. however, the nosy pomeloprickle decided to follow along with him since… well…. since she wanted to. and once pomeloprickle had an idea, there is no point in trying to stop her— even if her idea is quite flawed. while on their trek in the woods, suddenly pearprickle disappears right before pomeloprickle’s eyes. pomeloprickle is clueless and eats a jellybean in serious thought, attempting at her toughness. but the moving shadows in the woods of creepy monsters make her a little agitated… she starts to scream a lot.

pearprickle turns on the flashlight, revealing that the shadows was all just him. he laughs and mocks pomeloprickle for being such a scaredy cat. in her moment of weakness, he scoops her up and puts the duct tape on her mouth to make her stop talking. he also puts some glue in her hair for good measure since he needs vengeance for her yapping.

in the end the two go home and pomeloprickle plots her next move.

[Vivika]

↬ catvent day: twenty

↬ username & id: vivika + 966947
↬ clan archive: azeryn

↬ word count: 365 words
↬ prompt:

the ink of the darkness shivered against his skin.

a rippling chill that pressed against him, insistent, as if they were intent on making him their own. and perhaps they would claim him. perhaps they’d seal his fate with their mark, the burn of a tattoo kiss against skin. permanent and irrevocable. perhaps the darkness would consume him, their bony fingers sinking until rot bloomed in all its bruised and bloodied shades against his flesh. until decay came for him in all her ghastly glory and found him wanting.

and who was he to deny anything? even if he could, even if she came for him right now, she would find a worm. a scrawny worm crawling on his belly through labyrinthic tunnels of frozen dirt, choking on shadows and sins of a past life. a pathetic creature begging for another day to live. if he were decay, he would shrivel himself on the spot.

… and would you not deserve it? sins stain, little one. or have you already already forgotten about—

his heart thrummed against his chest, a frantic songbird choking upon the notes of a death chant. everything within him ached, soul to sternum and to the soles of his weary feet, but he pressed on. there was no turning back. only forward. the only play on the chess board, the only card left in the deck.

“i’m not dying here.” a whisper into the darkness, insistent, as if speaking intent could make it reality. “i’m getting out.”

because beyond the darkness was daylight. the watercolored ribbons of periwinkles and roses gilded under wings of striking gold. somewhere out there was the burn of crisp morning air, the sharp scent of evergreens and pines, the melody of a thousand songbirds and the deep bass of stone tumbling against stone. he would feel the roar of the gales, the pinpricks of falling snow, the thunderous heartbeat of a winter storm one more time. and then again and again and again.

someone beyond this cruel, heartless moment was life. unforgiving and unapologetic in all its twists and turns, fates and fortunes, but it was life. and he wasn’t going to lose it just yet.

[Derpy.]

↬ catvent day: twenty

↬ username & id: Derpy. 918438
↬ clan archive: here

↬ word count: 400
↬ prompt:

it was saturday morning and not a creature stirred in the town. all was quiet and all the cats were fast asleep, being as though it was 8 in the morning. felix, on the other hand, was wide awake, peering outside of his snow-frosted window. the ground was covered in a white blanket of snow along with the roofs and other objects that sat outside. it looked breathtaking! and he would be the very first to be out there playing in the untouched snow!!

without waiting a second longer, felix ran out of his bedroom, through his living room (while tumbling over things down in the process) and out the wooden door. the wind was not that cold, but still cold enough to cause felix to shiver a bit at the air around. the snow looked even better when he wasn't looking at it through a window. he took a deep breath, taking in the bitter but fresh air that made his fur tingle with excitement. winter would forever be his favorite season...

the cat hopped and jumped around, kicking up snow and sending it flying into the air. after about 10 minutes of him throwing snow around everywhere, felix fell onto his back and let out a content sigh. if only this could last forever...

somewhere in the nearby bushes, a rustling sound could be heard and felix perked up, eyes wide in alarm. who else was out here right now?

out from the bushes emerged a... cat! well, not a real cat apparently. it looked like.. some sort of.. snowcat? it had a body of snow and wore accessories. but the most important thing, it was alive!
felix, still in shock at what he was seeing, simply sat there in the snow staring at the snow creature. the little pieces of coal that made the snowcat's mouth twisted into a joyful smile before it kicked snow up at felix. shooken out of his shock, felix decided to throw snow back and it evolved into a snow fight. snow flew around everywhere and the cat and snowcat had so much fun together.

soon, it was time for the snowcat to go before cats started waking up, and they bid each other goodbye.

when the snowcat was out of sight, felix said aloud to himself, "what a nice fellow. i hope to seem 'em again soon and have more fun!"

[literal.swag.]

↬ catvent day:

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

↬ word count: 63
↬ prompt:
my cats took a biochemistry exam today, they came either my to take my biochemistry final. my final final for this semester so now them and me are free for the winter!! so def a winter adventure and bonus adventure winter is that it was snowing as they drove my car with me to pick my nanna up for the airport for christmas 🥰

[faelyn]

↬ catvent day: twenty

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

↬ word count: 335
↬ prompt: tucker’s mouth dropped open and his tongue lolled in dismay :o what?! vio was outside… again! he was out in the freezing cold and for what?? tucker squinted into the distance but it did little to make the scene clearer. there vio was, digging at... something? he wasn't too sure and tucker was determined to find out :)

tucker trounced on the powdery snow and shivered... gods was it cold! he harrumphed as he came to vio's side and peered at whatever vio was doing. he was digging up snow?!?

"why are you digging up the snow?"

vio let out a little grunt, face impassive as his paws clawed at the dirt. "you can go inside, tucker." he paused, giving tucker one of those irritatingly reassuring smiles. "i can handle this."

"handle what?" tucker tilted his head. "are you hiding a body vio? if you are, you can just say so.... i'm sure i can i can help!"

then tucker saw something strange- vio stiffened! or maybe he imagined it...

"no, no, no." vio shook his head emphatically. "i'm not hiding a body, tucker. that's ridiculous!" he let out a mildly irritated sigh. "i'm just digging some onions up you know? we need them for our stew today."

"ohhhhhhhh...." tucker chuckled. "y'know really got me thinking you were actually hiding a body!" he grinned. "that would be the craziest thing haha!"

"yeah, crazy."

then, tucker smelt something. it was foul! it smelled like rotting flesh and the metallic stench of.... blood. tucker's mouth went dry and blood roared in his ears as his eyes went to the bulbous sack nearby.

it couldn't be. but tucker knew instantly.

"by the gods, vio!" tucker's voice was shrill. "gods- you did it vio! you actually- you actually killed someone!"

"what are you talking about tucker?" vio frowned, but tucker could see the tension locked up in the way he stood. "you aren't actually serious... this is absurd!"

tucker launched himself toward the bulbous sack, ripping the sack open.

[SkywardtheDragon]

↬ catvent day: twenty

↬ username & id: Skywardthedragon 935233
↬ clan archive: Company of Fools

↬ word count: 527
↬ prompt:


The unusually cold winter gave Emb terrible memories of its time in the Frozen Wastes. They settled deeply in its stomach like the ache it once got from eating two plates of fried mochi.

Nobody else was quite satisfied, either, except for Blizzard (who Emb was sure had some snow leopard blood or something). Their home base turned into a blanket fort over a cuddle pile, with only one or two cats reluctantly leaving at a time to use the latrine or get something to eat. (Luckily for everyone, Blizzard covered the obtaining and cooking of food; though not good at most meals other than sweets, they were edible, and required nobody else to leave the blanket fort for more than the few minutes required to eat.)

Ice and hail struck the roof, but nobody cared. Everything was fine down below.

…Except some cat had to ruin everything by going “Gee, it sure is boring around here.”

Emb knew many codified spells, but that one phrase (and others like it) was a spell anyone could cast to make the situation immediately worse.

And worse it was, because as soon as Blizzard came back from getting groceries, she shouted, “FROST GIANTS ARE AT THE NORTHWEST OUTPOST!”

Reedy lifted mleir head, and immediately dropped it back down. “And why should we leave our cozy blankets fur that?”

“Well, I’m going to help the guards once I get all my supplies, and you guys can come or not, but if you don’t, and I die, I’m cursing you all.”

“I can accept getting cursed. I’m not leaving my bed,” Reedy huffed.

“Well, fine then! Anyone here have a conscience and want to help?”

A couple of cats crawled out of the blanket fort for long enough to raise their paws. Emb joined in, even though it really would not like to. Perhaps Blizzard’s un-passionate plea got to it somehow.

“Alright. Cadence, Emb, Smokey, Beechbreeze, you’re coming with me. Caracat, I’m pressing you into service even though you didn’t volunteer.”

Caracat grumbled but reluctantly left the safety of the blankets.

“Now, everyone get your gear and line up to go! The quicker we defeat these guys, the quicker we get back into the blankets!”

—-

Emb was relieved to discover that the Company wasn’t the only group of adventurers to stop this menace. The other adventures varied in species, from a goliath duking it out fist-to-fist with one of the smaller giants, to a pixie in a miniature winter coat throwing thorns like darts. The raiding party of giants was of a worrisome size, and accompanied by a winter wolf pack, but already Emb could see the effects of casualties on their side. Giant corpses aren’t exactly subtle, after all.

Blizzard directed them to one of the frost giants, sneaking away from the fray to break in another way, and they attacked. Caracat and Beechbreeze rushed in to strike at its legs, only to dart away before they could be attacked in return. Cadence offered support with a haste spell, while Emb and Blizzard focused on casting powerful spells to shred through the giant’s defenses. It went down in no time.

[faelyn]

as soon as the cats finished their tales, the tree began to glow! thanks to the hardwork of all the storytellers, the tree was beginning to come back to life! <3 all around you, whoops and cheers went up as all the cats clamoured to take a closer look at the tree!

ribbit. ribbit. ribbit. you turn and see a rotund, yet charmingly green, face. it was a frog! :o you tiptoe closer and squint. you think you see something! before the frog could hop back into the little mud puddle a little ways ahead, you snatch it up, holding it close to your face and as you looked closer, you could see a little red ticket!

all users above has successfully completed a catvent prompt and has earned +1 raffle ticket! check out the catvent archives throughout the event to see which minigoals you've completed!

the following users earned +1 additonal raffle ticket for writing over 250 words or art equivalent!

TaffyYellow
0Zero0
Hazelfang
Baobabel
Embergleam
feverrr
crexmii
BingoDingo03
Whovian5eva
dimi.
jay.
SushiFoxx
Kazin
kyeza
néktar
feather '
vivika
Derpy.
faelyn
Skywardthedragon

[faelyn]

welcome to day twenty-one of catvent! and.... it looks like the tree is completely restored thanks to all your stories!!

one of your cats finds themselves caught under the mistletoe! who do they wish to be there with? (credit to allynabean) ©

****this is a short prompt!

Code: Select all

[b]↬ catvent day:[/b] twenty-one

[b]↬ username & id:[/b]
[b]↬ clan archive:[/b]

[b]↬ word count:[/b]
[b]↬ prompt:[/b]