Hello there, this is a xenofiction centic blog I made because I wanted a place to share my writing process and ideas.
Main/Artblog: @alatoartsalot
Currently I’m working on the draft of a three book series called Aviary that focases on cats. In the future I hope to finnish the triology and move onto some other books I have planned. These include another story about cats, a story about a pelican, and one about a lioness.
I will also try to post about any xenofiction media I’m consuming at the moment.
🇺🇲 — In the eyes of the great beasts, the Oasis is nothing more than a cluster of trees surrounding a shallow, unremarkable pond. But to its inhabitants, every shrub, rock, and trunk tells a tale. From the colonies that constantly fight over resources to hidden places in the woods where mysterious things happen. And for an insect, traveling through these wild lands can be quite an epic journey. So, dust off your antennae and stretch your wings, because you’re soon to learn much more about this tiny world.
Green Sea: A vast field that goes on until it disappears into the horizon. Some believe there are other islands beyond it. But others say the Green Sea is endless, that the Oasis is all that is left of the old world.
Queendom of Aurora: Anthill of Acromyrmex subterraneus leafcutter ants, located beneath the old jabuticaba tree. Their territory extends from the trees to the south all the way to the Savage Rocks, bordering the Queendom of Alamanda. Crossing the tall grass is the termite mound of New Root.
Queendom of Alamanda: Large anthill of Atta sexdens leafcutter ants. Its extensive underground structure has taken over everything around an orange tree that stopped bearing fruit many seasons ago. All leaves have been consumed by the colony.
New Root: This is the newest colony of the Nasuti Empire, assigned to expand the empress’s dominion to the southern territories. Its structure and mud trails are still under construction and are constantly compromised by the local ant population.
Savage Rocks: There is nothing savage about the rocks themselves. The area gets this name from the colonies because of the dense population of other insects. Many build their burrows and look for food between the cracks. Most are not dangerous, but some may attack lone workers.
Silte’s Den: A strange structure filled with dirt. The walls are hard like stone, yet transparent and reflective, just like the pond water, leaving passersby confused and even slightly frightened.
Wet Crossing: This fallen tree was once the primary route for travelers wishing to cross from south to north through the Oasis, or vice versa. Its hollow trunk offered protection from winged predators, but now the territory belongs to the empire, and the termites are very selective as to who is allowed to pass.
Dragonfly Reeds: The reeds are not a popular choice among travelers for a reason. They are tall and close together, making it easy to get lost among them. And if an insect tries to climb or fly over, it will become prey to the dragonflies. This is their favorite hunting ground, and they are skilled hunters.
Mushroom Grotto: A hollow trunk in an advanced state of decay. The site is perfect for mosses, mushrooms, and lichens to grow and maintain moisture, even during the current rain shortage. It is very popular among insects, especially beetles that feed on fungi.
Spider's Mouth: Any small animal wandering near these stacked rocks covered in moss needs to be careful. This territory belongs to a tarantula, who built her lair under the rubble and covered the ground with silk so sensitive a single step is enough to awaken her.
Broken Bark: Old tales say that this cracked stump used to be the largest, most imposing tree in the Oasis, but what made it fall changes from version to version and from bug to bug. One thing is certain, this place has been the capital of the Nasuti Empire for so long, it feels like the termites have always lived here. The northern portion of the Oasis belongs to them, from the Wet Crossing to the rigid walls of the Cold Stone Nest.
Fallen Giant: The final resting place of a creature many believe to be the remains of a giant insect from the old world. The pale exoskeleton is severely damaged and partially buried in the middle of an open field, surrounded by an assortment of peculiar, flat, vertical stones.
Cold Stone Nest: All insects agree, this structure was not built by nature. It’s too tall, too straight, too stiff. Perhaps it is the ancient nest of the giant, or perhaps of some other being, far more terrifying and ancient. Regardless, bad things happen to those who dare to disrespect its imposing presence. Not even the termites dare to feed on its wood, no matter how much the scent tempts them.
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🇧🇷 — Aos olhos das grandes bestas, o Oásis não é nada mais do que um aglomerado de árvores ao redor de uma lagoa rasa e insignificante. Mas, para seus habitantes, cada arbusto, pedra e tronco conta uma história. Desde as colônias que disputam constantemente por recursos até esconderijos na floresta onde coisas misteriosas acontecem. E para um inseto, atravessar essas terras selvagens pode se tornar uma jornada inesquecível. Então, limpe suas antenas e estique suas asas, pois você está prestes a aprender muito mais sobre esse pequeno mundo.
Mar Verde: Uma vasta plantação que se estende até desaparecer no horizonte. Alguns acreditam que existam outras ilhas para além dela. Mas outros dizem que o Mar Verde é infinito, que o Oásis é tudo o que resta do antigo mundo.
Reino de Aurora: Formigueiro de formigas-cortadeiras Quenquém-caiapó, localizado na velha jabuticabeira. Seu território se estende desde as árvores ao sul até o Rochedo Selvagem, onde faz fronteira com o Reino de Alamanda. Atravessando o capim alto, chega-se às terras dos cupins de Nova Raiz.
Reino de Alamanda: Grande formigueiro de formigas-cortadeiras Saúva-limão. Sua estrutura subterrânea é extensa, ocupando os arredores de uma laranjeira que há muitas estações não produz frutos. Todas as folhas foram consumidas pela colônia.
Nova Raiz: É a mais nova colônia do Império Nasuti, encarregada de expandir o domínio da imperatriz para os territórios do sul. Sua estrutura e trilhas de barro ainda estão em construção e são constantemente danificadas pela população local de formigas.
Rochedo Selvagem: Não há nada de selvagem nessas rochas em si. A área recebe esse nome das colônias devido à alta densidade populacional de outros insetos. Muitos constroem suas tocas e procuram por comida entre as rachaduras. A maioria não é perigosa, mas alguns podem atacar operárias solitárias.
Toca da Silte: Uma estrutura estranha, preenchida com terra. Suas paredes são duras como pedra, mas também transparentes e reflexivas, assim como a água da lagoa, deixando quem passa por ali confuso e até mesmo assustado.
Galho D’água: Essa árvore caída já foi a principal rota para quem desejava atravessar do sul para o norte do Oásis, ou vice-versa. Seu tronco oco oferecia proteção contra predadores alados, mas agora o território faz parte do império, e os cupins são muito seletivos quanto a quem permitem passar.
Juncal das Libélulas: Há uma razão pela qual o juncal não é uma escolha popular entre os viajantes. Os juncos são altos e crescem próximos uns dos outros, tornando fácil se perder entre eles. E se um inseto tentar escalá-los ou voar por cima, será atacado pelas libélulas. Esse é o seu local de caça preferido, e elas são excelentes caçadoras.
Gruta dos Cogumelos: Um tronco oco em estado avançado de decomposição. O local é perfeito para que musgos, cogumelos e líquens cresçam e se mantenham úmidos, mesmo durante a atual falta de chuva. É muito popular entre insetos selvagens, principalmente besouros que se alimentam de fungos.
Boca da Aranha: Qualquer pequeno animal que passe por essas rochas empilhadas e cobertas de musgo precisa ser cuidadoso. Esse território pertence a uma tarântula, que construiu seu covil entre os escombros e cobriu o chão com uma seda tão sensível que basta um único passo para despertá-la.
Casca Quebrada: Contos antigos dizem que esse toco rachado costumava ser a maior e mais imponente árvore do Oásis, mas o que a fez cair varia de versão para versão e de inseto para inseto. O que é certo é que ela tem sido a capital do Império Nasuti por tantas estações que parece que os cupins sempre viveram ali. A parte norte do Oásis pertence a eles, desde o Galho D’água até as paredes rígidas do Ninho das Pedras Frias.
Gigante Caído: O último lugar de descanso de uma criatura que muitos acreditam ser os restos mortais de um inseto gigante do antigo mundo. Seu exoesqueleto esbranquiçado está gravemente danificado e parcialmente soterrado no meio de um campo aberto, repleto de estranhas pedras planas e verticais.
Ninho das Pedras Frias: Todos os insetos concordam, essa estrutura não foi construída pela natureza. É alta demais, reta demais, rígida demais. Talvez seja o antigo ninho do gigante, ou talvez de alguma outra criatura, muito mais aterrorizante e ancestral. Seja como for, coisas ruins acontecem com aqueles que ousam desrespeitar sua presença imponente. Nem mesmo os cupins ousam se alimentar de sua madeira, por mais que o cheiro os tente.
I have to admit that I also have a problem with certain comics that try to be “mature.” Especially when they use a style that feels too cartoonish and childish for the kind of plot they’re telling.
There are stories like that in other media, such as Unicorn Wars, but in that one it’s used as a contrast, by having the “adorable little bears” doing horrible things (and anyway, the style is also more unique and stylized in a way that still feels matureit’s not just copying 1:1 the Care Bears style or something like that). In most of these comics, it’s a case of “this is my style.”
I’m sorry, but it’s hard for me to take a story about sexual abuse, murder, and genocide seriously when I’m looking at sparkly cats with huge, bulgy uwu eyes, anime haircuts and pastel colors. There are cases like Jumalanpelko where, even if the art is more "simple" and the cats look “cute,” the style is much more unique and still manages to feel mature enough rather than just ridiculous.
Moreso of a nitpick of mine. I get that many artists took inspiration from some obvious fonts and such, but uhm maybe not always fits with "certain" vibes you know?
Critiqueing a indie comic mad by one person and comparing it to a production animated by a whole team just seems antithetical to me. The comics on comic fury arn’t being made as a full time job, they’re passion projects, and one page takes a lot of time to make. The reason they’re mostly cartoony is because 1) the artist probably isn’t going to change their whole art style for a comic which would add to the difficulty of producing it and 2) the more realistic you draw the longer you draw for. Do you people want to get 10 pages a year because that’s how you get 10 pages a year. Unicorn wars was made by a team of people being paid a fair wage for their work. Online comics are made by one or two people who are paid through inconsistent donations. If the art style bothers you so much you can’t interact with any deeper themes in the story your just on par with older people who can’t relate to cartoons because ’they arnt real’
Hot take regarding WAC: I feel like exploring ABDL kinks in cat fiction, especially when a lot of kids follow the comics (you know they won't heed warnings), is a tad weird. Like I am all for people doing what they want, but when the relationship never looked romantic of any kind, it's really weird it came out of the blue.
Especially when said characters rope in a child in the story. I wish it had been mentioned earlier on because I had believed the two were actual mother and son.
Don't get me started on how the abusive gay relationship is a stereotype. Big burly guy abuses the effeminate small guy. We've seen this millions of times on yaoi AO3 and written better.
It is not the authors fault if kids online don’t heed the clear warnings. You could say literally the same thing about porn. And in fact people do! Which is why in order to view most porn sites in Texas you have to show your ID. Or, just have an easily installed vpn because guess what if a kid with unrestricted internet access wants to see something theres not much you can do about it. I swear I thought that people realized that “Think of the children!” Was dumb as hell already. “Like I’m all for people doing what they want” it really sounds like you arn’t.
Also “abusive gay man” stereotype??? You realize that ‘stereotype’ applies to literally every more ‘masculine’ side of a relationship? Do you think that butch lesbians dont get stereotyped that way too? Or even just dudes in hetero relationships? If your source for that is gay porn on AO3 then it’s no wonder you’ve seen it a million times.
Also wanna return to this rq to say that anon doesn’t even know what kinks theyre talking about. ABDL stands for Adult Baby Diaper Lover. Condor doesn’t act like an infant or wear diapers (Obs bc theyre feral cats). ABDL is also its own kink. It’s not a blanket term for any kind of kink related to age dynamics. Like wise mommy kinks are also their own stand alone thing.
A lot of my vegetarian friends don’t get why I still eat meat even though I mostly eat vegetarian with just occasional meat when left to my own devices and at the end of the day it’s because I just don’t have the same moral issues involved with killing animals that they do.
Yes I love animals. I don’t love them because they’re cute and I feel bad for killing them though. I love them as part of the broader ecosystem. I respect them. Probably more than they respect me, because at the end of the day I know that a chicken wouldn’t hesitate to eat me if it had the means and I don’t see why I shouldn’t strike first.
friend of mine recommended a video essay that's like 5 hours long about why it's currently a whole Thing for fascists to claim they only eat meat and demonize vegetables etc etc, and it's genuinely quite well researched in many places and contains some fascinating history and has made me feel very weird about my status as an adult who enjoys drinking milk. but I've not finished it and I genuinely don't know if I will because at one point the ol' "you can't say you care about animals and also eat animals" chestnut got dropped by the white vegan essayist and it put such a bad taste in my mouth that I had to leave instantly
like idk man it just feels genuinely parodic to dedicate hours to analyzing how foodways have frequently been used as white supremacist propaganda and then casually toss out an argument that pretty invariably demonizes indigenous hunting practices with 0 regard for traditional knowledge and land stewardship guiding those practices
Every time I hear a white vegan say that I want to throw the rubble of the Klamath Dams at them.
The largest dam removal in U.S. history. So successful that the salmon that haven’t run freely in the river for literally over a century came back the next year. Not steady progress over a decade as expected, the very next salmon run they came home. No one alive saw salmon in that river outside the hatcheries kept by native’s tribes and the Department of Fish And Wildlife scientists desperately trying to save them. One of the activists who helped bring the suit spoke of their dying grandmother making them promise to bring the fish home, and they didn’t know how that was possible, but they spent decades doing it.
The legal basis for successfully suing the power company who owned the dams was Indigenous treaty rights to eat the fish. Eating the fish was the one thing in a century that succeeded in being a clear and legally binding right that superseded the desires of white capital and industry. I have been going to the public interest environmental law conference off and on for 20 years where a lot of organizing for Undam The Klamath happened. I’ve heard updates about every legal tact they tried as they happened, and they tried everything.
There are healthy, thriving salmon, trout, and lamprey in a rewilding and recovering Klamath River right now as a direct result of Indigenous people eating them. Of their legally binding right to eat them. They sure as fuck care more about those fish than any white vegan ever could. They are salmon people that the Creator sent Salmon to feed, while charging the People with protecting and stewarding them. It’s not possible to learn about salmon and trout in the Pacific Northwest without learning this, and it’s unambiguously racist to dismiss this symbiotic relationship.
The white vegans are trying to get all hunting and fishing banned in Oregon, and that’s quite possibly the single most catastrophic thing that could be done to the animals here because we killed off all the major predators of creatures like deer and without anything hunting them their numbers will explode, eat all the vegetation, destroy the ecosystem, and then die along with everything else in that failing ecosystem. Controlled hunting of deer is vitally necessary for the deer to survive. This is something Native people know, but patronizing racist savior-complex white people refuse to listen to.
I have a whole collection of Oregon’s Public Broadcasting’s documentaries about Klamath River or the larger story of fish and people in the region. If you watch nothing else, watch Klamath Dams Are Coming Out, First Salmon Ceremony, After The Dams, and First Decent (Native made). It could not be clearer that the salmon are being protected and nourished by the people who eat them, and that stewardship is a massive part of their creation myths. But it contradicts political vegan dogma so they don’t listen.
#also do you have any idea how much conservation is funded by people who want to eat those animals#at least in the us anytime someone buys ammo or hunting equipment or hunting licenses that money goes directly to state wildlife agencies
