TheGroovyFeline's OCs @groovyinsects - Tumblr Blog

Pinned Post/About

This blog focuses on my insect oc’s, their worldbuilding, and whatnot. All my characters live in the same world, Insecta.

Originally I was planning on creating comics/full-length written stories for my characters, but that might change. I might complete some of my stories to get to that point, or I might just make random posts about them here, in a sort of story format.

As far as basic world building goes, Insecta is a group of islands inhabited by anthropomorphic, rubber-hose styled insects called “Toons.” It is perpetually in a 1930s aesthetic and function (however, elements from the early 1900s, 20s, and 40s are present as well). No one in Insecta knows exactly how the islands came to be. However, everyone knows that the early inhabitants of the islands had “toon abilities” (such as the rubber-hose traits 1920s-1940s cartoon characters possessed, like detaching limbs, arms and legs that can stretch and bend in unrealistic ways, creating objects out of nothing, etc.) Over time these abilities were lost, creating another mystery; how did these abilities disappear, and why? (another trait that Insecta’s inhabitants don’t possess is the ability to fly. I’m not sure whether I want it to be a “toon ability” that was lost over time or something the toons never had in the first place).

Map of Insecta

Even though these characters and stories are near and dear to me, at the end of the day they’re just for fun. I’m writing about what is interesting to me, which is 1930s cartoon bugs XD

McVee Mansion

Olive, a psychic, and her friend Betts, investigate a haunted and dangerous mansion deep in the woods. Takes place in Clement City.

The Strange Case of Pine Hollow

Othmer, a disgruntled designer, dreams of creating an elixir that will improve the quality of life for everyone in Insecta. (this one was partly inspired by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) Takes place in Pine Hollow.

Phantom of the Lighthouse

The lighthouse-turned-cabaret sports a rag-tag team of dysfunctional workers, along with a mysterious Phantom lurking in the walls… (this one is basically poto but. 1930s bugs in a lighthouse) Takes place in Clement City.

A Magician's Secret

Not much to say about this one yet, other than I've got drawings of these characters posted on the blog.

will update this post as I see fit!

#flappin my gums #pinned post #world building #insecta #mcvee mansion #the strange case of pine hollow #tscoph #phantom of the lighthouse #potl #a magician's secret #ams #group 5

The pattern I had made for this illustration (the one on the walls in the diner) was one I had made back in 2018 for a college assignment.

#insect #insect oc #insecta #1930s toon #1930s style #1930s #errol #marigold #tscoph #the strange case of pine hollow #I'm so close to finally having this story completed!#Just a few more illustrations to go. I can't believe how long it's taking me to wrap this thing up though. XD

The front door swung open. Errol, Claudette, and Marigold rushed to the foyer to see who had opened the door. Lightning sliced through the sky. The lamp light flickered off, and for a brief second the lightning illuminated the figure in the door.

#insect #insect oc #insecta #1930s toon #1930s style #1930s #tscoph #the strange case of pine hollow #claudette #othmer #marigold #errol

Marigold looked around the house, even the basement, but the house was empty. Wandering into the kitchen, she saw something tacked onto the door. She grabbed it, realizing it was a note Ottie had written. She skimmed over it: “Marigold: Cloyce left. I had to run an errand. I’ll be back later.” Marigold flipped the letter over, but that was all Ottie had written. Marigold murmured, “Errand? Where?” Stepping outside the house and staring at the sky, Marigold whispered, “Ottie, where did you go?”

#insect #insect oc #insecta #1930s toon #1930s style #1930s #tscoph #the strange case of pine hollow #marigold

from chapter 3 of Pine Hollow

#insect #insect oc #insecta #1930s toon #1930s style #1930s #tscoph #the strange case of pine hollow #othmer #errol

"Too busy to leave the shop for one short walk around town, huh?" Roscoe murmured, a hint of a smile on his face. Zinnia acknowledged his comment with a chuckle and a nod as she went from one plant to another, assessing each one with a careful hand and attentive eye.

"I can't leave, Ross. You know that," she responded, parting the leaves of a begonia plant, peering between the stems to check the soil. "Especially since I'm the only one working here at the moment. I have no idea where Cornelius wandered off too. He was supposed to be back twenty minutes ago."

Roscoe softly snorted, taking a long drag on his cigarette. "Cornelius isn't what I'd call a reputable employee," he huffed, casting Zinnia a sideways glance. "I can't understand why you don't fire him."

Grabbing a watering can, Zinnia began to give the begonia a plentiful amount of fresh water. "He's family," she stated slowly. "The only family I've got left."

Roscoe sighed softly. "That's what you always say." He crossed his arms, leaning against a faded doorframe. "He spends more time with those two oddball professors than he does with you at your shop."

Zinnia remained frozen in her spot, the stream of water now drowning the begonia. Roscoe was right. Her twin brother seemed to spend quite a bit of time with Nicolette and Wentworth. Not that there was anything wrong with that, she forced herself to think. She knew both professors! Not too well, admittedly, but well enough to... to... Zinnia furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to recall something about Nicolette or Wentworth, besides the fact that they both worked together at the local college in the heart of town. She shook her head, then looked at Roscoe with a smile, though it now felt forced.

"I'll talk with him," she chirped, "and get everything sorted out."

"Okay," Roscoe mumbled, nodding slowly. He tilted his head at Zinnia, his voice soft. "Well. I better get going then. I've got other deliveries to attend too."

Zinnia gazed at him. Memories flashed through her mind of her and Roscoe, dancing together under low lights, going on long midnight strolls, giggling and talking together about the future into the wee morning hours....

She shook her head. Those moments were practically from a different lifetime. She and Roscoe were better as friends.

She cleared her throat, surprised to see that the once dry soil of the begonia was now flooded. She set down the empty watering can and wiped her hands dry along her skirt.

"Be careful, Ross. I can't run this shop without my delivery driver!" she chuckled, half joking and half serious. Her words elicited a small huff of laughter from Roscoe, and he shook his head, grinning.

"Yeah. And I'll look both ways before crossing the street, I promise," he turned to leave, flicking one antenna in her direction. The two gazed at each other for a few seconds before Roscoe finally left the floral shop with a wave and a wink. Zinnia watched him go, standing alone in the silence of the shop. She sighed and glanced at the clock on the wall.

Forty minutes now that her brother was gone.

She resumed her tasks around the small store, flitting from one plant to the other, but not entirely focused on the chores at hand. After a few more minutes, and unable to quell the cacophony of thoughts in her head any longer, she strode to the front door, flipped the "Open" sign to "Closed," and hurried out of the building, forgetting to lock up. Cornelius was probably hanging around those two professors, she figured. Two folks who she didn't know much about in the first place. But that would change today.