CavernClan; Refuge of the Unwanted

Frozen Ember has lived all his moons inside of the North Mire Colony. He has known the law since before he could open his eyes; the weak, the sickly, those dependent far beyond kittenhood, are burdens. These cats are called The Unwanted.

[cavernclanwcg]

The Birth Of Cavern Clan

Frozen Ember, born as she-kit Dawn Frost, has lived all his moons inside of the North Mire Colony. He has known the law since before he could open his eyes; the weak, the sickly, those dependent far beyond kittenhood, are burdens. And to cling to burdens, to keep The Unwanted alive, is to defy the will of The Mother. And to defy The Mother is to invite disaster for yourself and for everyone around you.

He watched it be brought upon his grandmother, Icy Ground, when he was but a kitten. She was cast out without complaint, sent to die without a single soul speaking up. It always ate at him that nobody even tried to stop it.

As a young adult, he began to see her in his dreams, glittering stars in her fur, and he told anyone who would listen of what he saw in those dreams.

Nine moons ago, Budding Daffodil, Matriarch of the North Mire Colony, proposed to the other two Matriarchs that the law be reformed and softened. What followed was the worst Coldwind in a dozen generations.

Countless queens and litters died of the cold and hunger, Budding Daffodil herself dying in disgrace not long after the disastrous season waned.

With her newly crowned daughter, Larkspur Bloom, taking the disastrous Coldwind as a divine warning, and the policy surrounding the exiles slowly but surely hardening into outright persecution out of resentment, the chance of reform is slipping away. And Frozen Ember, now 141 moons old, finds himself in the middle of a destiny he could have never imagined.

Contents Page

Pretty barebones for now. As the blurb suggests, this touches heavily on ableism, but also contains potentially triggering themes such as; Religious Trauma and Abuse, Child Death, Sexism (Misandry), inconsistancies because I am dumb, and most of all a very morally questionable cast of characters. This story is set in rural WA (Western Australia) in the 1940's. Every Moon will be broken up into four individual Quarter Moons.

- Moon Zero; Prologue (1) (2) (3) (3.5) (4) (5) (5.5) (6) (7) - Moon Zero: Full Allegiances (here) - Moon Zero Cavern Clan Allegiances References (here) Tidbits (Read the Prologue FIRST)

- The Territories (here)

[cavernclanwcg]

Very inaccurate and shitty guide to proportion and size in kitties 0-6 moons old

[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Full Allegiances

North Mire Colony 

"Tradition and Pride."

Matriarch 

Larkspur Bloom - sleek light tabby she-cat, 20 moons old.

Hunters (A generalist rank that encompasses most cats in a colony)

Sharp Wind - longfurred grey tom with dark tabby stripes, 25 moons old. (Littermate of Scattered Fog, sire of Down Feather's kits)

Scattered Fog - longfurred grey tabby tom with a heavily scarred tail, 25 moons old. 

(Littermate of Sharp Wind, father of Hollow Bird and Dappled Fox)

Tree Shadow - handsome reddish-brown tabby tom, 18 moons old. 

(Mate of Larkspur Bloom, Littermate of Shaded Flower)

Cold Sky - white and grey tom, 62 moons old.

(Half-brother of Sharp Wind and Scattered Fog, littermate of Harsh Rain, sire of Light Owl)

Harsh Rain - blue-grey long-furred she-cat, 62 moons old.

(Half-sister of Sharp Wind and Scattered Fog, littermate of Cold Sky, mother of Frost Spots)

Fallen Sun - fluffy-furred ginger tabby she-cat, 45 moons old.

(Older sister of Larkspur Bloom, mother of Light Owl)

Shaded Flower - lean grey and brown she-cat, 18 moons old. 

(Littermate of Tree Shadow)

Clay Pelt - shortfurred grey she-cat, 63 moons old. 

(Mother of Tree Shadow and Shaded Flower, Mate of Dark Root)

Moss Eyes - brown tabby she-cat with green eyes, formerly a housecat, 58 moons old.

Dark Root - muscular brown dappled tom, 57 moons old. 

(Father of Tree Shadow and Shaded Flower, Mate of Clay Pelt)

Little Marigold - small ginger and white tom with yellow eyes, 73 moons old. 

(Father of Larkspur Bloom and Fallen Sun)

Trainees (young cats in training to become Hunters)

Frost Spots - grey she-cat with large white patches, 10 moons old.

Light Owl - pale cream tabby and white tom, 5 moons old.

Hollow Bird - small black she-cat with a white patch across her back and one white brow, 3 moons old. 

(Littermate of Dappled Fox) 

Dappled Fox - lean ginger and grey spotted she-cat with white paws, 3 moons old. 

(Littermate of Hollow Bird) 

Nursery

Down Feather - soft-pelted light brown she-cat with a stump for a tail, 23 moons old. 

(nursing; 

Quiet Dusk - dark grey tom-kit with white paws, 1 moon old. 

Dewy Breeze - pale grey and cream tortoiseshell she-kit, 1 moon old.)

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Rocky Forest Colony

"Vigilance and Insight."

Matriarch

Light Oak - heavyset creamy-light-brown she-cat, 174 moons old.

Heir (The youngest daughter of the current Matriarch)

Aspen Shade - longfurred cream ticked tabby she-cat with green eyes, 45 moons old.

Hunters

Sorrel Leaf - long-legged pale brown tom, 119 moons old. 

(From Light Oak's first litter, sire of Gorse Bee and Weevil Nose)

Hazel Twig - skinny creamy-brown she-cat, 119 moons old. 

(From Light Oak's first litter, adoptive mother of Feather Fern)

Crow Tuft - shortfurred black she-cat, 30 moons old. (Foster sister of Little Thorn)

Storm Pelt - stocky blue-grey tom with brown eyes, 48 moons old. 

(Mate of Tall Hound)

Tall Hound - lanky black and white she-cat with yellow eyes, 35 moons old.

 (Mate of Storm Pelt, mother of Fading Sky, Mud Splash and Dawn Cloud)

Gorse Bee - lean golden-brown tabby tom, 62 moons old. 

(Sire of Dark Beetle, littermate of Weevil Nose)

Weevil Nose - light grey tom with a long snout, 62 moons old. 

(Littermate of Gorse Bee)

Flitter Wing - longfurred white she-cat, 94 moons old. 

(Mother of Gorse Bee and Weevil Nose)

Little Thorn - small brown tabby tom, 30 moons old.

(Foster brother of Crow Tuft)

Feather Fern - longfurred brown and cream she-cat, 19 moons old.

Trainees

Dark Beetle - small black tom with green eyes, 12 moons old.

Fading Sky - smoky grey and white tom, 10 moons old.

Mud Splash - brown spotted she-cat, 10 moons old.

Dawn Cloud - cream tabby she-cat with large white patches, 10 moons old.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Western Bay Colony

“Wit and Resourcefulness”

Matriarch

Quiet Hail - lean grey she-cat with hazel eyes, 82 moons old. 

Heir

Snowy Cliff - light grey and white she-kit with large ears, 1 moon old.

Hunters

Ripple Fur - blue-grey tabby she-cat, 28 moons old. (Mate of Jagged Stream)

Dark Moon - dark brown tabby tom with thick fur, 56 moons old. 

(Father of Furled Wing)

Reed Stripe - light brown tabby tom, 41 moons old. 

(Father of Snowy Cliff, Quiet Hail’s second mate)

Gannet Flight - White she-cat with dark grey paws and yellow eyes, 47 moons old.

(Mother of Cormorant Fur and Eagle Tail, mate of Lichen Spots)

Twisted Branch - light brown tom with a slight limp in his front-left paw, 42 moons old. 

(Littermate of Trembling Leaf)

Trembling Leaf - thin cream-coloured tabby she-cat, 42 moons old. 

(Littermate of Twisted Branch, Mother of Fawn Leap)

Fish Shimmer - white and light-grey tom, 54 moons old. 

(Sire of Bracken Tail’s litter)

Furled Wing - longfurred brown and white tom, 20 moons old. 

(Mate of Fawn Leap)

Cormorant Fur - tall and longfurred black and white tom, 18 moons old.

 (Littermate of Eagle Tail)

Eagle Tail - a brown tabby she-cat with a very short tail, 18 moons old. 

(Littermate of Cormorant Fur)

Jagged Stream - lean and muscular grey spotted she-cat, 37 moons old. 

(Littermate of Lichen Spots, mate of Ripple Fur)

Lichen Spots - short furred white tom with large grey spots, 37 moons old. 

(Littermate of Jagged Stream, mate of Gannet Flight)

Nursery

Bracken Tail - longfurred golden-brown she-cat, 51 moons old. 

(Eldest kit of Quiet Hail)

(Nursing:

Mackerel Pelt - white and grey she-kit, 0 moons old.

Minnow Shadow - grey tabby tom-kit, 0 moons old.

Pale Fry - white she-kit, 0 moons old.

Trout Thrash - grey tabby she-kit, 0 moons old.

Bristle Fern - fluffy brown tabby tom-kit, 1 moon old. (Littermate of Snowy Cliff) )

Fawn Leap - light brown dappled she-cat, 19 moons old. 

(Mate of Furled Wing, Pregnant)

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Cavern Clan

Frozen Ember - A pale grey and deep ginger speckled elderly tom, formerly of the North Mire Colony, 141 moons old.

Riverside Cane - Lean, brown tabby tom with blue eyes and a greying muzzle, formerly of the Rocky Forest Colony, 119 moons old.

Hemlock Root - A bulky grey ticked tabby tom with a white, owl-like face marking and white paws, formerly of the Western Bay Colony, 20 moons old.

Scarlet Tail - Very elderly white she-cat with a vivid red tabby tail, formerly of the North Mire Colony, 152 moons old.

Silver Cloud - A fluffy silvery grey ticked tabby tom with a white torso and upper legs, born a Housecat, formerly of the Rocky Forest Colony, 12 moons old.

Melting Snow - A dappled brown tom with stark white legs and green eyes, formerly of the Rocky Forest Colony, 10 Moons old.

Rose Petal - Creamy-red tabby she-cat with flowing fur, a thin frame, and deep blue eyes, formerly of the Western Bay Colony, 45 moons old. (Caring for:

Smoky Sky - Dark blue-grey tomkit with faint tabby stripes and kitten-blue eyes, formerly of the North Mire Colony, 1 moon old.

)

[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Prologue

Part Seven: The Cave

The incessant tapping of raindrops against the jagged rocks and crooked branches of the trees surrounding them on all sides, the air colder than it was a sunpace ago. The clouds above had grown dark and heavy far quicker than expected, bringing with it a cacophony of drips and taps and splashes from every direction.

Frozen Ember stood at the front of the loose formation, his fur slick with rain as he padded along, Scarlet Tail not far behind him, her tail whipping up a storm as she bristled against the damp air and cold raindrops.

Hemlock Root, the broadest of them all, carried Smoky Sky in his jaws, shielding the tomkit from the rain with his neck and chin.

Rose Petal was huddled beside him, eyes heavy and dark from sleeplessness, the tightness of her skin over her frame looser now, but no less alarming. 

Melting Snow, meanwhile, pressed himself to Silver Cloud’s side, drawing a series of irritated looks and hisses from the fluffy tomcat as the younger tom used him as a windbreak. 

Riverside Cane trailed behind everyone else, making sure nobody fell behind or got separated. His shoulders were tense and eyes still heavy-lidded as his gaze flickered between every cat in this fragile little group. 

They soon enough found relief under the mouth of a sand-floored cave, not very large, but enough to keep most of the rain off their fur. Rose Petal, who had just taken Smoky Sky from Hemlock’s jaws and now had him suckling, gently told everyone that the cavern stretched further, twisting and narrowing before opening up again, but nobody was eager to try and prod any further into the darkness on her word alone.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Riverside Cane inhaled sharply and stepped back into the rain, using his long, wiry whiskers to trace the smooth pebbles scattered around the edge of the stream. Once he was sick of the rain running down his back and soaking through his coat, he padded back to the others. “It’s hard to tell from afar, but these banks are very stable. The top layer’s hiding larger rocks and packed soil, so I’d reckon it’s been running this way a long time.”

Frozen Ember nodded, meowing to himself as much as everyone else. “I think this is a good sign, the stream drains into the other caves, so this one is fully dry all the way down. We could rest here, come on.” With that, he turned and slipped further into the gaping maw of the cave, his tail disappearing last down the bend of old, smoothed stone.

Melting Snow was quick to follow, eager to leave behind the wet air and rainfall, and so was Rose Petal, a contented smile on her muzzle as she carried Smoky Sky with her, the tomkit making that high, trilling purr of his.

Hemlock Root pawed at the soft, sandy ground, eyeing the overhang above warily. “Great idea. Let the mountain collapse and crush us in our sleep.”

An undignified snort left Silver Cloud’s short muzzle. “Oh my Mother, do you ever think of anything but death? Still your whiskers for once. This is solid stone, all the way through. Stone’s the oldest and strongest thing in the world. Have you ever tried to claw a rock? You’ll sooner tear out a nail than leave a single mark on it.”

“And how would you know, softpaw?”

Silver Cloud’s expression soured, the bridge of his nose wrinkling and ears tilting backwards, “It’s a figure of speech, foxbreath. No need to make it personal.”

“Enough spitting, you two.” Scarlet Tail grumbled, lifting herself onto her haunches with great effort. “Unless you’d rather sleep out in the rain, I’d advise you shut your mouths and choose a spot to nest.” With that, she plodded down the bend and into the cavern.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

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[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Prologue

Part Six: The Elder

The sun was barely peeking above the horizon and the mist hung heavy when Frozen Ember split from the others to find food for them.

With Smoky Sky now the equation, there was more food needed for this little group than ever before. He honestly hadn’t expected himself to be so calm about this, but at the very least it kept him in the right headspace to hunt.

The muddy lands of the mire were as busy as they could be on a mild Warmrain morning, wading birds splitting the crisp air with their cries and songs. The sound that Frozen Ember had woken to for every sun of his life. There was a lot of his old life that he already yearned for, and he couldn’t even imagine how much he was going to miss the things he had never given a single thought about.

He let out a steady exhale before beginning to sniff the still air. He had long learned to tune out the smell of the mud and rotting plants, searching for the specific dusty scent of warm feathers. It didn’t take long for the smell to reach his nose, prompting his whiskers to twitch once before stilling again. A lone swamphen was rooting through the muck, the striking blue plumage on its chest piercing through the mist, causing Frozen Ember to lick his muzzle in anticipation.

He only moved when its head was down and its beak was moving, as sometimes they were tricky and pretended to eat while actually scanning the surroundings, and moved his eyes firmly on the mud at its feet when it reared up. In those tiny, breath-long intervals, he began stalking.

As he crept closer, his eyes flitted across the bird, careful to never once let his gaze focus too much on one part. He’d been taught since kittenhood that prey can feel eyes on them as keenly as cats feel the sun on their fur.

Now no further than a fox-length away, the swamphen was still unaware of Frozen Ember’s presence. He could practically taste the rich meat from his crouched position.

His tail was held perfectly flat against the ground as he continually repositioned his hind legs, pressing into the soft soil, ready to pounce at any moment… when his left hindpaw found a tiny, brittle twig underfoot. The hen lifted its head, its prior foraging forgotten as its startling red eyes locked straight on Frozen Ember’s. 

He felt a surge of sharp panic run through his chest as he tried desperately not to immediately lunge for the bird. The nerve-wracking stare down lasted all of three seconds before something interrupted it; a flash of bright fur leapt from the grass on the other side of the swamphen, paws pinning the wings and swift jaws snapping its willowy neck in an instant.

"Wait! That’s mine! Give it back!” Frozen Ember bristled, yowling after the stranger. 

In response, the cat fixed him with a sharp look with their golden brown eyes before turning and bolting into the reeds, with the old tomcat following close behind.

As he pushed his aching paws to carry him faster, he caught sight of the stranger’s vivid ruddy tail, and launched himself forwards, grasping it in his claws. The prey thief yowled in alarm, and in less than a breath’s time, the two were face-to-face. 

The warming dawn air suddenly felt frigid as a stunned hiss escaped his lips. “Scarlet? What in the name of The Mother are you doing here? You were exiled moons ago!”

“Pleased to see you too, Frozen. It’s only been 2 moons, don’t tell me you forgot about me.” The ancient she-cat huffed, partly in annoyance, partly in surprise, flicking her tail behind her. “I was getting breakfast for myself, before you tried to shred my tail.” She motioned her forepaw towards the dead swamphen that now lay in the mud between them.

“Oh, Mother, I’m sorry, Scarlet Tail, I didn’t know it was you.” Frozen Ember dipped his head apologetically.

“Uh-huh. Sure. I’m sure you just-“ Scarlet Tail’s snide remark was interrupted by a fit of coughs and hacks. 

Frozen Ember gulped slightly, hesitantly offering his paw to the she-cat. “Listen. We didn’t really know each other in the colony, but I was exiled last sun.”

Scarlet Tail snorted, showing her mouth full of crooked and missing teeth. “Oh, how tragic. Woe is you, you poor, miserable creature. Watch the damned den, won’t you?”

“I’m not asking for pity, you mangy scrap!” Frozen Ember bit back, his tail trembling with frustration, seeing the civil option was going nowhere. “I’m asking, do you want to die out here in the mud, hacking your lungs out and drooling like a dog over every scrap of meat, or do you want to maybe, just maybe, live?”

Scarlet Tail blinked, seemingly shocked. Frozen Ember was about to backtrack when a surprising noise left the old she-cat, a laugh. Small and breathy at first, before rising in volume, becoming a guffawing cackle. “Oh, oh goodness! Why, when you ask so nicely,” Scarlet Tail blinked slowly, “How could I refuse?”

“Are you going to let me bring the hen to the group? And maybe pretend like I didn’t completely fumble this hunt?”

“Pfft. Absolutely not. I’m not letting you live this down ‘til I’m dead.”

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · Scarlet Tail

She-Cat

152 Moons

Rebellious

Good Kitsitter, Fast Runner

Stout, thick-furred creamy-white she-cat with a deep ginger tabby tail and golden-brown eyes.

Reason for Exile: Declining immune system, frequently ill.

Honestly the Matriarch was looking for an excuse to exile her because of her rebellious attitude and lack of conformity.

Formerly of North Mire Colony

Exiled 2 Moons ago

Glossary 

Watch the den - a phrase along the lines of “read the room”.

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[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Prologue

Part Five and a Half: The Nursery

Down Feather lay in the nursery, eyes still wet and reddened from her tears as her other two kits nursed hungrily, feeling her heart ache at the missing warmth against her side. 

She blinked away her tears as a mass of dark fur shadowed the entrance; her mate. Sharp Wind slipped inside, brushing aside the excited kittens as he sat beside Down Feather and gave her ear a reassuring lick.

Her face froze as a sleek light tabby pushed inside. Larkspur Bloom, the Matriarch. Larkspur blinked slowly, dipping her head in greeting. “Blessed evening, Sister Down Feather. I assume you’ve taken that kit outside of the territory?”

“Yes, Your Holiness. I did what had to be done.”

“Good. I’m pleased that you understand the necessity of this decision. The Mother is pleased as well.”

Down Feather let out a tired sigh and was about to curl up to sleep when Larkspur piped up. “However, Sharp Wind and I have spoken. We’ve come to an agreement, and The Mother is willing to concede tradition.”

Sharp Wind leaned into her ear, murmuring something that made her eyes go wide. “We can bring him home.”

Down Feather was scrambling over her words as she rose to her feet, “Wait, really? Oh, Your Holiness, thank you, thank you so much-“

Larkspur Bloom raised her paw to halt the queen as she frowned, a troubled look in her eyes. “No…Not like that, I’m afraid.”

“Then, then what are you saying?”

“I have spoken to the Mother, and she is willing to bend the usual law. Unwanted are usually not allowed to be buried with the Colony dead. But she can make an exception.”

Down Feather bit back a wail, letting out a muffled sound of despair. “I… please, Matriarch, he’s my son! You already-“

“*I* did nothing.” Larkspur Bloom’s eyes hardened dangerously. “This is the word of The Mother. And the word of The Mother is final. She was incredibly generous to let you bury that kit at all.”

“… Of course.”

Larkspur’s gaze softened, the young she-cat speaking softly. “The cold will take him overnight. At first light, you can go and get him, and we will hold the burial. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my right-paw-cat and I must inform the rest of the Colony of The Mother’s decision.”

Down Feather gave a numb nod, letting herself collapse onto the soft ferns of her nest the moment the two left, barely listening to the sharp meows of her kits.

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[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Prologue

Part Five: The Kit

The mud was cool and squelched between Melting Snow’s pawpads as he grimaced. Why of all places did Frozen Ember have them sleep in this dump? The mire was just wet and miserable as far as the young tomcat was concerned. 

He flicked his ear briefly at the light tabby trailing behind him, Rose Petal, who had appointed herself as his supervising adult. He grumbled under his breath, tail whipping behind him in wide arcs. “This sucks. I don’t need a kitsitter.”

“You know that isn’t why I’m here. It’s for your safety.”

“Ugh. Seriously, why should I care? My life is pretty much over anyways. I’m only here ‘cause otherwise Cane would worry himself sick.”

Rose Petal gave a patient smile as she padded alongside him. “Cane? You mean Riverside Cane? I’ve noticed the two of you are close. Are you family?”

“Pfft. Nah. I’m Storm Pelt’s son. But that old hairball acts like he’s my pops half the time.” Melting Snow snorted dismissively, stopping for a moment to paw at the mud. “I can tell he thinks highly of you.”

“Really? Last I checked, I was the most annoying cat in this clowder.”

“Don’t say that, dear. Be kind to yourself. You’re just young.”

Melting Snow rolled his eyes and was about to make a sharp retort when his paw nudged something warm and soft. He stopped, blinking as he peered down at what he’d almost stepped on.

It felt like a huge stone just dropped into his stomach as he caught the scent of milk and the dark grey lump, hardly bigger than his face, let out a shrill mew.

“Is that..”

“Meeew!” The little kitten cried out, clearly very unhappy at being woken up, the cold mud caking its belly and face.

Rose Petal practically shoved Melting Snow aside, whiskers trembling as she curled herself around the shivering kit. “Oh dear, oh dear. Calm now little one, I’ve got you.”

“Melting Snow, go get the others. This kitten needs help.” Rose Petal turned to Melting Snow, who was admittedly stunned at that moment. He nodded and bolted back towards the brush as Rose Petal began to clean the soaked kitten, all the while murmuring prayers.

She carefully licked away the muck from the kitten’s belly, drawing an indignant mewl from the little one. As she went to clean the kit’s tail and hind paws, she noticed that it was a tomkit, likely no older than a moon.

The tomkit was almost fully cleaned by the time Melting Snow returned, and was now letting out a healthy-sounding purr. 

At the prompting of Rose Petal, the kitten opened his blue eyes, blinking blearily at the cats around him with a soft sound. He took an unusually long time to take in his surroundings, blinking and craning his neck towards whatever he was looking at. 

Frozen Ember’s eyes widened, and his hackles raised as he stepped closer to see him. “…Smoky Sky?”

The kitten let out a small noise of surprise, blinking up at Frozen Ember. Rose Petal tucked him closer, “You know this kit?”

“Yes, he’s from the same Colony as me. There was rumour that his eyesight wasn’t improving at the same rate as his littermates… but I didn’t think it was true, or that it was this bad.”

Riverside Cane glanced between the gathering cats, “What do we do now? A kitten this young needs milk and we have no nursing queens.”

To much surprise, it was Silver Cloud that spoke up. “Actually… It’s not unusual for she-cats to start making milk if kits knead them. Even she-cats who’ve never kitted before.”

“But we need to hurry.” Rose Petal meowed, nuzzling the squirming tomkit. “He could starve to death if he doesn’t get milk in the next sun. I’ll knead my own belly when he’s asleep, but I’m not sure if that’ll make it in time.”

“Is it wise to even try? The kit might die anyways, and we’ll have wasted our prey and time.” Riverside Cane asked, not unkindly, but Hemlock Root bit back a hiss as his ears flattened against his skull. 

He spoke up, his scarred face unusually softened as he met Rose Petal’s eyes with confidence, “My father knows herbs. He once told me that raspberry leaf helps get milk flowing for queens who have trouble. We find them, and the kit lives.”

Frozen Ember nodded, ear twitching. “Then we find raspberry leaves for Rose Petal.”

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Smoky Sky

Tom

1 moon

Self-Conscious

Lover of Stories 

Dark blue-grey tomkit with faint tabby stripes and blue eyes.

Reason for Exile: Short-sightedness

Formerly of the North Mire Colony

Exiled 3 minutes ago, was carried to the border by his mother.

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[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Prologue

Part Four: The Dunes

“Uh, Frozen Ember? I need to make dirt.”

Frozen Ember’s ears swiveled and he turned to face the young tom trailing behind him. “Really? Out here?”

Silver Cloud nodded sheepishly, “Yeah, I need to go.”

“Alright, but don’t go far. We’ll wait for you by that tree up ahead.” 

Melting Snow groaned softly in annoyance, but was quieted by a pointed look from Riverside Cane.

Silver Cloud nodded, his fluffy tail upright like a beacon as he pushed through the spiny brush and onto the sandy dunes. The sand was warm and slipped from under his paws, making it difficult to stand still as the rest of the group moved on ahead.

Trying to keep balance on the shifting surface, Silver Cloud barely saw the heavy grey shape barreling towards him from his left side, barely able to tear himself through the slipping sand fast enough to dodge the charging flurry of teeth and claws.

Half-not-thinking, Silver Cloud swiped at the tom’s face, not doing anything on account of his lack of claws, but kicking up a small spray of fine sand into the attacker’s eyes, which sent him reeling.

“By the Mother! It’s not my fault you look like a fat possum, you grimy fluffball!” The muscular tom hissed, nose twitching as he rubbed the sand from his olive-tinted eyes. Now that both were still, Silver Cloud could see the way the tomcat’s pelt clung to his ribs, and despite being twice Silver Cloud’s size, he took much longer to catch his breath. 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Greathunger.

He had heard of it before, in the hushed discussions of the last Coldwind, when the prey stores were already running thin and the rain had ruined the emergency supplies. Some of the older cats had almost starved to death to keep the nursing queens fed. Crow Tuft and Raven Beak’s parents ended up succumbing to it when they gave too much of their share to their expecting daughters. Even then, with the most prey being given to the queens, it wasn’t enough; Hornet Stripe and Raven Beak didn’t last the season, the kits growing inside them too much to handle along with Greathunger, and Crow Tuft lost her litter to it, the kits born still and cold.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Having gotten the sand out of his eyes, the burly tom huffed and turned to leave, ignoring Silver Cloud calling out to him. “Hey! Where do you think you’re going?!”

The muscular tom ignored him, padding off as Silver Cloud chased after him. After scaling a short dune, the tom stopped in his tracks. Silver Cloud skidded to a halt beside him, about to chew him out, when the cat downhill caught his eye.

A skinny she-cat sat at the edge of a tide pool, eyes following some kind of invisible movement in the empty water as her tail flicked behind her. Silver Cloud was about to say something when the she-cat lunged into the pool, splashing the water wildly with her outstretched paws. “No! No!”

The mystery tom slid down the dune to the she-cat, now sitting drenched in the shallow water. “Are you… alright, Rose Petal?”

“The fish got away… I swear I had it.” Rose Petal whined with her gentle voice. Then, she blinked, looking up with a mortified expression, “Wait, was I imagining it? Hemlock Root? Did you see the fish too?”

Those names felt oddly familiar to Silver Cloud, likely from his time near the gossip circles. He remembered something about a big scandal going around when he first joined; A mother and kits were found dead. An older son of the she-cat who insisted that it was murder. That Quiet Hail was hiding something. Something along those lines. He didn’t really pay much attention to chatter.

“… You weren’t supposed to leave the brush. It’s dangerous out here.”

“Oh, by The Mother. I’m so sorry. I just, I swear I saw fish scales in here.”

Silver Cloud tried not to intrude, he really did, but a gnat decided to fly up his nostril, and sent him into a coughing fit, unintentionally drawing both cats' attention.

The grey and white tom narrowed his eyes, flexing his short but sharp claws. “Why are you still following me, Kittypet?”

Silver Cloud puffed up at the insult, hissing indignantly, “Wha- You tried to eat me!”

Hemlock Root’s muzzle scrunched up as his fur bristled, baring teeth as he snarled. “Just because you look like prey to a starving cat doesn’t make me a Flesh-Eater, you hollow-headed furball!”

“Me? Hollow-headed?” Silver Cloud scoffed, “That’s rich coming from a brute like you!”

“Brute? Do you have the slightest idea who you’re talking to, kit?” 

“An idiot that almost killed me while I was trying to make dirt?”

“Why you little... Let’s see how smart you are when your brains are splattered on the rocks- “

“ENOUGH!”

Both of them were taken aback by Rose Petal’s outburst. She was squeezing her eyes shut tightly, ears pinned back against her skull as she wailed out, “Stop it! Both of you!”

With one last hiss, Hemlock Root backed off, retreating to Rose Petal’s side with an apologetic look in his hard eyes. 

“Please, just stop it. Stop fighting.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just-“ 

“We haven’t eaten since last quarter moon, yes, yes, I know.” 

“Are you sure we can’t go back to the beach? I could at least swim to some of the islets and grab us eggs, hatchlings, something.” 

“No, they’ll kill us on sight, remember? We can’t take that risk.” 

“Right, right. So much for ‘Motherly Love’.” 

“Don’t say that, Hemlock. This is what The Mother wants, and The Mother loves us, no matter how cruel her will might seem-“

Hemlock sighs, glancing at his sister-figure’s thin frame and jutting ribs. “I don’t care. I’ll keep trying to keep us fed as long as I can.”

Rose Petal frowned, blinking up at Silver Cloud. “Go. Please, child. Run along now. This is not something for you to worry about.”

Gulping, Silver Cloud comes up with a half-lie on the spot, not exactly comfortable with leaving these cats to starve to death out here, no matter how he met them. “I respect your choice, kind stranger. But, uh, I have a friend. And this friend, he’s been exiled as well. He’s beginning to... doubt The Mother.”

“Oh, that’s terrible, child.”

Giving a stiff nod, Silver Cloud continues, “Well, Rose Petal, I think your name was, I was hoping that having a devoted believer like you would help my friend.”

Rose Petal’s soft eyes narrowed, as if she knew what he was trying to do. “Are you asking me to come with you?”

“Yes.”

“… Very well. I will follow you, child.”

Hemlock blinked, mouth agape for a moment, “Rose Petal! How can we trust him?”

“There is no harm in it, is there?”

“…”

“Exactly. Little one, bring me to your friend.”

Silver Cloud tilted his head towards the burly tom, Hemlock something, he couldn’t be bothered to remember. “And what about you?”

“Where she goes, I go. I’m coming with, whether you like it or not, furball.”

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · Hemlock Root

Tom 

20 moons 

Fierce 

Formidable Fighter, Clever 

Bulky grey tom with short fur and olive green eyes, a large white owl-like face marking and white lower forelegs.

Has a scar on the bridge of the muzzle and thigh of his right hindleg.

Reason for Exile; Attacking a fellow Colony Member, treason, incredibly volatile temper and intense emotional outbursts  Formerly of Western Bay Colony 

Exiled 1 Moon ago.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · Rose Petal

She-Cat 

45 moons 

Compassionate 

Great Mediator

Creamy-red coloured tabby she-cat with soft, medium-length fur, a white chin and belly, and ocean blue eyes 

Reason For Exile; Frequent and vivid hallucinations of many kinds, inciting unrest, slander against the Matriarch and her Daughter

Formerly of Western Bay Colony 

Exiled 1 Moon ago.

Glossary

Moon - Full lunar cycle; roughly a month.

Quarter Moon - A quarter of a Moon, 7 suns; a week.

Flesh Eater - A cat that eats cat meat; a cannibal.

Greathunger - Malnutrition or Starvation

Coldwind - Winter, the coldest, windiest and most poor-of-hunting season

Fullprey - Spring, the most beloved season for its mild weather and plentiful prey

Brightsun - Summer, the hottest and most deadly season

Warmrain - Autumn, hailed by cooling temperatures and plenty of heavy rain. It is currently early Warmrain.

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[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Prologue

Part Three And A Half: The Argument

“You can’t do this, mother.”

“I can, and I will.”

Riverside Cane’s wrinkled face scrunched up in a grimace as he tried to talk sense into Light Oak. “Please. Those two, Silver Cloud, Melting Snow, they are barely grown cats. Can’t you give them another chance?”

The elderly matriarch huffed quietly at her son, tail flicking behind her. “No, I’ve given them more than enough chances. They’ve proved themselves disruptive to the colony. And with the sign we witnessed this sunset, it confirms that they are a danger to us. They must go.”

“You’re just going to cast them out? How will they survive?”

“…”

“Please, mother. Think of what you’re doing to them. These kits have never gone a quarter moon without a full meal, never felt Coldwind’s bite outside their nursery moons, and you are going to throw them to the wilds to die?”

Light Oak’s greyed muzzle wrinkled in annoyance. “I have to, my boy. It is the will of The Mother. We cannot keep having this discussion every time this happens.”

Riverside Cane felt his eyes water as he broke out in a hiss, ears flattened against his skull. “No! No it isn’t! This is your will, Light Oak! Can’t you see that? They are just kits, they will mature, they will grow to be better, if only you let them! Silver Cloud isn’t trained! All you’ve let him do for the past eight moons is play with the kits and do chores! He doesn’t know how to hunt, much less defend himself! And Melting Snow! That boy is too reckless, too spirited to know his limits!”

Light Oak growled lowly in response, “Even my own son cannot see the necessity of my actions. The cat that was supposed to support me no matter what.”

“I do support you, mother, I do! But can’t you see that this is madness?! You are sending these young cats to their deaths over dark clouds and early frosts!”

Her hackles rose, fur prickling as she spat, “See, this is why Sorrel Leaf is my favourite son. At least he wouldn’t betray me! My decision is final, boy, and you need to remember your place here.”

Riverside Cane grit his teeth, meeting Light Oak’s eyes with unflinching hardness. “If you banish them, mother. I will go with them. And I will not return.”

Light Oak dug her claws into the soft earth, glaring venomously. “You wouldn’t dare…”

“I would.”

She huffed, turning away with flattened ears and her tail sweeping behind her, “I cannot believe you! Throwing away your life for those outcasts, for two cats that will grow into dangers for us all! Have you no pride for your bloodline and your colony?”

“No. No I do not. I cannot find anything to be proud of in a colony that sends their young to die. The Mother promises safety and belonging to all of Her children, why are these kits any different?”

“Don’t you dare bring The Mother into this!”

“Then why did you invoke Her name if She is not privy to this?”

“The Mother does not hold mercy for those who do not deserve it.”

“And these kits don’t deserve mercy? Is that what you’re saying? That they deserve to die?”

“Maybe it is, but it is well in my right as Matriarch to drive out heretics in accordance with The Mother's omens.”

“They are not even adults, mother!”

“Letting them stay will endanger us all! Remember what happened last Coldwind? The cats that starved, the broken families, the litters and queens lost? It will happen again if we are lenient with the Unwanted, if we neglect the signs!”

“Why can’t there be another way, why can’t The Mother love and nurture regardless, why can’t our colony live without fear?!”

“Because there cannot be another way!” Light Oak snarled, fur puffed up as she wrenched around towards her son. “It is what The Mother demands. Even She cannot be solely giving and benevolent. She is warning us, and we must listen.”

Light Oak took a deep breath, and turned away, letting the fur on her haunches fall flat again. “Go on then, go huff and growl and drag your tail ‘till the night becomes too cold. Just don’t stay out too late, you’ll get lost.” Riverside Cane was about to duck out of the den when Light Oak stopped him with a flick of her tail. “Oh, one more thing.” “Yes, Mother?” “Please, don’t take this personally, dear. I know it's hard, it always is, but it’s necessary. I do this because I love you. You know that, right?” Riverside Cane clenched his jaw, forcing himself to nod.

Light Oak folded her paws, her eyes now fully soft and her voice a soft croon, “You know that your little sister is soon to inherit, we both know it. I want you to be by my side when-“

“Goodnight, mother.”

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

“Riverside Cane? Does The Mother still love us?” 

“Of course She does, Silver Cloud. She always loves Her children. It’s just that… Light Oak can’t see that right now.”  Seeing the uneasiness on the young tom’s face, Riverside Cade gave a brittle smile. “She’ll come to her senses soon, I promise. Then, we can go home and it’ll be like nothing happened at all.” 

Riverside Cane gave the younger toms each a lick on the forehead. “I won’t come back without you two. And she wouldn’t… she wouldn’t let her own son die. She wouldn’t abandon me. She loves me.”

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[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Prologue

Part Three: The Gulch

In a small dip in the craggy terrain, three cats; an older tomcat and two younger toms, sit in a semicircle, faces restless and paws frozen in place. The youngest of them, Melting Snow, nudges the wiry tom, who can’t stop trembling. “Hey, are we going to catch something soon? We haven’t eaten since sunrise.”

The long-furred tom, Silver Cloud, spoke softly. “Stop it, Melting Snow. He’s stressed enough without you giving him a headache.”

"...Sorry. I just... How am I supposed to..." 

"You miss Tall Hound. You miss your mother, already, don't you?"

Scoffing lightly, Melting Snow kneaded the ground with his paws. “Whatever. Can I at least go try to hunt so we don’t starve?”

The older tom barely looked up from his seeming staring competition with the soil, but nodded ever so slightly. Melting Snow puffed out his chest in triumph, about to run off when Silver Cloud interjected, “Uh, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“What? Really?”

“I mean, going out alone in the forest is a death sentence, you know? With the dingoes and the dappled pythons and the-“

Melting Snow dramatically rolled his eyes and meowed with much annoyance in his voice, “Blah blah blah, yeah I get it. But, and hear me out here; I’m. Super. Hungry.”

Silver Cloud sighed, shaking his fluffy face, “I get that, but you can’t go out on your own. I- I can’t hunt-“ He gestured to his own paws, “- So we should probably camp out here til Riverside Cane’s feeling better, then you two can go out and get us food.”

“Uhh, are you joking? We’re just supposed to sit in this gross hole in the ground for Mother knows how long?” Melting Snow starts complaining again, and just as Silver Cloud is about to step in and tell his friend to shut up, a voice from behind interrupts. “Hello? Is anybody there?”

Frozen Ember emerges from the brush, shaking twigs and bits of leaves from his fur as he looks over the three. “Ah, hello there. I couldn’t help but overhear your argument. Are you exiled as well?”

“What does it look like, you mangy hairball?” Melting Snow huffed, ignoring the sharp glare sent his way from Silver Cloud, “You think we’re in this dank, smelly old ditch for fun?”

Frozen Ember chuffs slightly, seemingly amused at the young tom’s snark. “Course not. I’m Frozen Ember, pleasure to meet you.”

Silver Cloud spoke up, bringing up one fluffy forepaw to his face to clean it as he talked. “Well, the rude one’s Melting Snow, I’m Silver Cloud, and the beanpole of a cat over there is Riverside Cane.”

Riverside Cane’s ear flicked and an incredulous look overcame his face, “…beanpole?”

Frozen Ember descended the small slope, coming face to face with the three cats. “Well, I was wondering if perhaps we could travel together for a few suns.”

Riverside Cane blinked in disbelief, piping up for the first time in hours, “What? And why in the world would we do that?”

“Well, I’m not a half-bad hunter myself, and I reckon if you lot are exiles like me, there’s no harm in you tagging along for a while.”

Melting Snow and Silver Cloud perked up at the prospect of finally eating, and they immediately rushed over. “Really?” “You promise?” Frozen Ember chuckled warmly, “Why, yes, of course, young ones. I’m a cat of my word, I’ll have you know.”

Melting Snow turned back to Riverside Cane, eyes gleaming, “Can we go, can we go? Please please please…”

The tall tomcat stifled a sigh and let his eyes wearily flicker over Frozen Ember. “I don’t know. I don’t trust him.”

Silver Cloud huffed, stretching his stiff legs, “You want to stay behind and get eaten? Fine by me.”

Riverside Cane opened his mouth to object, but closed it just as quickly. "Okay. I'm coming with you."

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Silver Cloud

Tom   

12 moons  

Calm   

Clever  

Long-furred pale silver tom with faint stripes on his face and tail, as well as deep blue eyes with a white torso and upper legs.

He is declawed.  

Reason for Exile; divine omen interpreted as him being a danger to the colony      

Formerly of Rocky Forest Colony

Exiled 2 days ago, cannot walk for long periods of time without frequent breaks due to the pain his declawing causes him.

Born as a House Cat, joined the Rocky Forest Colony at 5 moons old

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Melting Snow

Tom   

10 moons   

Bold   

Aspiring Hunter, Never Sits Still   

Dappled golden-brown tom with a white underside belly and lower legs and mossy-coloured eyes.

Reason for Exile; divine omen interpreted as him being a danger to the colony    

Formerly of Rocky Forest Colony Exiled 2 days ago

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Riverside Cane

Tom   

119 moons   

Nervous   

Valuable Insight, Good Hunter   

A lean and tall earthy-brown ticked tabby tom with pale blue eyes, a narrow and long greying muzzle, and a white tail tip.

Reason for Exile; Voluntary exile in protest against the exile of Melting Snow and Silver Cloud.

Hoping that Light Oak will allow them all back any sun now

Formerly of Rocky Forest Colony

Exiled 2 days ago

Glossary

Dappled python - A large python with dappled scales, specifically the southwestern carpet python. 

Sun - Day, considered to begin and end at each sunrise.

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[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Prologue

Part Two: The Exile

He knew this time would come eventually, ever since his old bones began to ache and he couldn’t quite keep up with the younger cats, but he wasn’t expecting it so soon.

Not knowing what else to do, he wanders south for a few sunpaces.

He cannot afford to stay put. After next sunset, if he’s found on the Colony’s land, he’ll be killed.

As the sour scent of the moor turns mild, and the marsh gives way to the rocks and spindly trees, Frozen Ember gives one last mournful glance towards the land on which he was born, the land where he was raised, where he found his calling, where his parents were buried, where his sister succumbed to sickness, and where his little brother, just six moons old, was sentenced to the same fate he was now faced with.

And much like his brother, the second the Matriarch’s eyes held no warmth when she looked upon him, he was as good as dead.

Of course, for their own kits or loved ones, Matriarchs were more than willing to look away or ‘pardon’ them when they otherwise would have been driven out.

But Larkspur Bloom? Despite taking the mantle only 3 moons ago, she had long disdained Frozen Ember for much of everything; who he is, how he lives, what he’s done in the past, even for what he sees and speaks, and he could imagine she held no mercy in that cold, vain heart of hers for cats like him. 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Frozen Ember 

Trans Tom 

141 moons 

Righteous 

Valuable Insight, Good Teacher 

A pale grey and dark ginger rosetted tortie with hazel eyes, an unusual ring of dark ginger fur around his neck and a torn right ear.

Reason for Exile; arthritis, heresy

Formerly of the North Mire Colony

Exiled 1 Hour Ago

Glossary

Sunpace - Roughly an Hour

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[cavernclanwcg]

Moon Zero: Prologue

Part One: The Sermon

Since a time long forgotten, hundreds of generations ago, the rule of the Matriarch was absolute. She is the one chosen by The Mother, bringer of life, and the almighty creator of this world. The one thing standing between order and oblivion. The guiding light of mortal cats.

“Our Mother, divine above, hear the prayers of your kits…”

And once The Mother has called for a Matriarch to join her in the blessed afterlife we call the Above, her youngest she-kit will be blessed with the mantle. And so shall her daughter, and her daughter’s daughter, and her daughter’s daughter’s daughters for time eternal.

The unbroken chain of mother and child is the most sacred of all; and the she-cats alone carry divine blood in their veins. So long as the Matriarch’s blood reigns, The Mother shall bless her people and her land.

“Blessed above all is your name and blood that we dedicate our lives to…”

However, The Mother also demands sacrifice for her benevolence, else rain and prey will not come…

“Guide our paws to good hunting and safe kitting, just as you have our ancestors before us…”

And thus, the Unwanted; the different, the disfunctional, the broken, are cast out to die.

“And shield us from the evil of heresy and the temptation of dissent.”

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[cavernclanwcg]

I have fixed up the Clangen file, now I just need to power through the last 5% of the prologue that need to be rewritten.

It’s tough, I’m sick and New Vegas has me in a chokehold for the foreseeable future lol

[cavernclanwcg]

Budding Daffodil, North Mire’s Matriarch, returned to camp one evening and placed a strange kitten beside her youngest daughter, Larkspur Bloom.

At first light, Budding Daffodil presented her to the Colony, proclaiming the circumstances of her discovery; the ground strewn with the unburied and the smell of sickness clinging to the dead like a second skin, a single healthy she-kitten found alive, to be a divine message from The Mother.

Clearly, this kit was blessed despite being born among heretics, chosen by The Mother to be raised alongside the Matriarchal bloodline. Despite her vehement protests, Rootkit was renamed Orchid Petal in a grand ceremony, and was formally adopted by Budding Daffodil and her mate, Little Marigold.

From that day on, Orchid Petal was integrated with the rest of her new family; her older sisters Fallen Sun, Jasmine Whisker, and Blazing Strawflower, her younger sister Larkspur Bloom, and her older brother Bluebell Fur. She was rigorously trained in the ways of power in the Colony, on how to gain it, how to use it, and how to keep it.

She learnt quickly that a silver tongue and a few well-placed gestures of kindness goes farther than any show of force can, but force is sometimes necessary to keep dissenters in line. She also gently, carefully had her idea of being “StarClan’s Favoured” shifted into being “The Mother’s Favoured”.

She was among the most opposed and outspoken against Budding Daffodil’s later attempts to soften the laws surrounding the Unwanted.

After Jasmine Whisker and Bluebell Fur died of Greencough, and Blazing Strawflower died of hunger in the same terrible Coldwind, Orchid Petal and Larkspur Bloom grew very close.

When Budding Daffodil died of stress and prolonged sickness, and Larkspur Bloom took the position of Matriarch, Orchid Petal was her younger sister’s biggest supporter and advisor.

Timeline:

Adoption and Renaming: 3 moons old

Budding Daffodil suggests reform: 13 moons old

The worst Coldwind in generations: 15 moons old

Budding Daffodil’s death and Larkspur Bloom’s ascension: 21 moons old

Moon Zero of Cavern Clan (You are Here): 24 moons old

@rooted-clangen

[rooted-clangen]

Thought it would be fun to do another YCH for our silly little traumatized kitten!! <333

I like to imagine this as an AU where, shortly after everyone dies in moon 3, Rootkit is found by your OC! If you include a little about how they'd care for/where they'd bring her/etc maybe I'll even doodle an AU version of adult Rootriver..... teehee

Please @ me and tag it with #aurootadopted !! PSD AND PNG FILES HERE!

[cavernclanwcg]

Might do multiples while I procrastinate ;P

[cavernclanwcg]

Chert and her young pup Amber were drawn to the scent of rot and sickness, hoping for an easy meal. After filling their bellies, they found a shivering cat-pup (kitten) hiding in a bush! Amber immediately took to the cat-pup and refused to leave her behind, so Chert reluctantly took the cat-pup in, calling her Jasper after the Stripy Jasper (Zebra Jasper).

Jasper was raised as Amber’s littermate and best friend, taught Dingosong and the Dingo ways, defended fiercely by Chert well into adulthood, and even when Amber eventually decided to leave the den, Jasper followed. To this day, it’s said that you can see a dingo padding beside a small cat with wild eyes and tangled fur, barking and whining at each other.

[everclan]

Do you accept sassy old women? Scarlet Tail seems more interesting in knocking Guststar’s little label off the desk, but believe me, she wants in.

TEEEHEEEHE!!! Oh this one DELIGHTS me!!!! Her trying to knock the wee label thing off the desk is PERFECT!!!

WELCOME ABOARD SCARLET TAIL!!!!

*opens a tin of sardines* pspspspsp

[rooted-clangen]

Thought it would be fun to do another YCH for our silly little traumatized kitten!! <333

I like to imagine this as an AU where, shortly after everyone dies in moon 3, Rootkit is found by your OC! If you include a little about how they'd care for/where they'd bring her/etc maybe I'll even doodle an AU version of adult Rootriver..... teehee

Please @ me and tag it with #aurootadopted !! PSD AND PNG FILES HERE!

[cavernclanwcg]

Might do multiples while I procrastinate ;P