#silver stoats tail

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Heraldry

Heraldry - is about showing people who you are.

In England, it started in the later 1100s, when knights began to wear helmets, and they couldn't be recognised. So they began to paint unique combinations of colours, shapes and animals, called their 'arms', on their shields and banners. Only one person was allowed to use these arms. When people saw a knight wearing them in a battle or tournament, they could tell who he was.

It is the science and the art that deal with the use, display, and regulation of hereditary symbols employed to distinguish individuals, armies, institutions, and corporations. Those symbols, which originated as identification devices on flags and shields, are called armorial bearings.

Strictly defined, heraldry denotes that which pertains to the office and duty of a herald; that part of his work dealing with armorial bearings is properly termed armory. But in general usage heraldry has come to mean the same as armory.

The Colours of Heraldry

The 5 traditional colours are, with their heraldic names:

Red = Gules

Blue = Azure

Green = Vert

Black = Sable

Purple = Purpure

Plus the two 'metals':

Gold or yellow = Or

Silver or white = Argent

There are also 'furs', the most common being:

Ermine: representing the white winter fur of stoats, with their black tail tips.

Vair: representing squirrel skins, in blue and white.

If something (say a dog or badger) is shown in its natural colours, it's called proper.

Conventional representations of tinctures used when it is not possible to print the actual colors:

Heraldic Ordinaries

Ordinaries - the simple shapes used on heraldic shields, against a colour, metal or fur background. If you are making your own design, choose one of these main ordinaries:

Fess = horizontal stripe across the shield

Pale = vertical stripe down the shield

Bend = diagonal stripe

Chevron = like a house gable, pointing upwards

Cross = a plain cross

Saltire = a 'St. Andrew's cross'

Chief = bar across top edge of shield

Bordure = border round edges of shield

Pile = downward-pointing triangle

You can also divide your shield into two colours, either vertically or horizontally, or into four different-coloured quarters.

You don't have to use an ordinary, but if you do remember to never put a colour on colour or a metal on a metal. Try to remember this heraldic rule: colours don't show up well against colours, or metals against metals. This also applies to charges.

Heraldic Charges

Charges - emblems added to the shield, on the background, the 'ordinary', or both.

There can be one big charge, or several smaller repeated ones. Here are some of the common charges you could use:

Crosses - of many different types

Stars

Rings

Balls

Crescents

Diamonds

Flowers

They can be any colour, but remember never put colour on colour, for example a green star on blue, or metal on metal, for example a white flower on yellow.

Many knights also used animals as charges.

Animal Charges

Any animal - either one big one or several smaller - can be used as a charge. They can be shown in many different ways, for instance:

Rearing up (rampant) - like the lion and the hare in the pictures above

Standing (statant) - like the dog

For birds, with wings outstretched (displayed) - like the eagle

Walking along (passant) - like the other lion

If the animal is looking towards you, it is also guardant or 'on guard'. So the lion in the picture is passant guardant.

The ancient royal arms of England are 3 golden lions, one above the other, walking along on a red shield: or, in heraldic code, gules three lions passant guardant or.

Just to make things more complicated, lions passant guardant are also called leopards - but they don't have spots.

Choosing Your Animal

Animals symbolised different qualities. So for instance:

Lions = bravery

Dogs = faithfulness, reliability

Stags = wisdom and long life

Eagles = power and nobility

Badgers = endurance or 'hanging on'

You could also design your own animal charge.

For instance a cat, horse or other favourite pet.

Or you could choose a fabulous beast...

Fabulous Beasts

Though often used as 'charges', these fabulous beasts never really existed.

But some people believed they did, maybe because they'd heard about them in stories made up by travellers to distant lands, like crusading knights or merchant adventurers. Pictures of them also appeared in 'bestiaries', a popular kind of illustrated medieval story-book.

Here are some you could use:

Dragon: the earliest and most common fabulous beast, also used as a badge by Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Welsh. A brave and cunning defender of treasure.

Griffin: a combination of lion and eagle. Symbolises watchfulness and courage - and also guards treasure.

Cockatrice: a cross between a cockerel and a dragon, supposedly hatched from a cock's egg by a snake or toad. Could kill by looking at you, and symbolised protection.

Manticore or 'man-tiger': a fearsome man-eating creature with a lion's body, man's face, tusks, horns and a deafening trumpet-like voice.

Cadency

Cadency - the use of various devices designed to show a man’s position in a family, with the aforementioned basic aim of reserving the entire arms to the head of the family and to differentiate the arms of the rest, who are the cadets, or younger members.

Heraldic works in the 16th century refer to cadency marks as:

a label for the eldest son during his father’s lifetime;

a crescent for the second son;

a mullet (five-pointed star) for the third;

a martlet (a mythical bird), the fourth;

an annulet (a small ring), the fifth;

a fleur-de-lis, the sixth;

a rose, the seventh; and so forth.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References

[clover-warriorcats-main]

PART 2

PART 1

- Q -

Quailfeather (CotC)

Quailfeather (TBC)

Quailheart

Quailkit (WC)

Quick Water

Quickpaw

Quiet Rain

Quietkit

Quince

- R -

Rabbitear

Rabbitfur

Rabbitleap (SkC)

Rabbitleap (TC)

Rabbitstar

Rabbittail

Rage (Boar)

Raggedstar

Rain (AVoS)

Rain (DotC)

Rain That Passes Quickly

Rain That Rattles On Stones

Raincloud

Raindrop

Rainfall

Rainflower

Rainfur (SkC)

Rainfur (TC)

Rainleap

Rainsplash

Rainstorm

Rainswept Flower

Rainwhisker

Rapidkit

Rascal

Ratscar

Raven (AVoS)

Ravenpaw

Ravenstar

Ravenwing

Red (SD)

Red Claw

Redclaw

Redscar

Redstar

Redtail

Redthistle

Redwillow

Reed Tail

Reedclaw

Reedfeather

Reedshine (CotC)

Reedshine (MV)

Reedstar

Reedtail

Reedwhisker

Reena (KP)

Reena (Ro)

Ridgekit

Riga

Rileypool

Ripple Shine

Rippleclaw

Ripplestar

Rippletail (RC)

Rising Moon

Riverstar

Roach

Robinkit

Robinstar

Robinwing (RC)

Robinwing (SkC)

Robinwing (TC)

Robinwing (WC)

Rock

Rock Beneath Still Water

Rockfall

Rockshade

Rocky

Rook

Rooktail

Root

Rootspring

Rose (FQ)

Rose (TS)

Rosebush

Rosepetal

Rosetail

Rowanberry

Rowanclaw(star)

Rowanfur

Rowankit (ASC)

Rowanstar (CotC)

Rubblekit

Rubblepaw

Ruby

Rufus

Rumble

Running Fox

Running Horse

Runningbrook

Runningnose

Runningstorm

Runningwind

Rushpaw (BotC)

Rushtail (RC)

Rushtail (WC)

Rushtooth

Russetfur

Rust

Ryestalk

Ryewhisker

- S -

Sage (Lo)

Sagenose

Sagewhisker

Samwise (Dog)

Sandgorse

Sandstorm

Sandynose

Sasha

Scarlet

Scooby

Scorchfur

Scorchwind

Scourge

Scout

Scowl

Scrap

Scraps

Scree (Ro)

Scree Beneath Winter Sky

Screech Of Angry Owl

Scruff

Sedgecreek

Sedgestar

Sedgewhisker

Seedpaw

Seedpelt (FQ)

Seedpelt (MV)

Seedpelt (PC)

Seville

Shade Pelt

Shaded Moss

Shadepelt (AVoS)

Shadepelt (TPB)

Shadestar (Tiger)

Shadowsight

Shadowstar

Shannon

Shanty

Sharp Hail

Sharpclaw (SkC)

Sharptooth (Cougar)

Shattered Ice

Sheeptail

Sheer Path Beside Waterfall

Shell Claw

Shellfur

Shellheart

Shimmerpelt (BrS)

Shimmerpelt (CP)

Shine

Shiningheart

Shivering Rose

Shnuky

Shorty

Shredtail

Shrewclaw

Shrewfoot

Shrewpaw (TC)

Shrewtooth

Shy Fawn

Shyfrost

Shyheart

Silt

Silver

Silver Frost

Silver Stripe

Silverflame

Silverhawk

Silvermask

Silverpaw (BotC)

Silverpaw (TPB)

Silverstream

Skipper

Skyheart

Skystar

Skywatcher

Slant

Slash

Slate (DotC)

Slate (IH)

Slatefur

Slatepelt

Sleek Fur

Sleekwhisker

Slightfoot

Sloefur (RC)

Sloefur (ShC)

Smallear

Smallstar

Smoke

Smokefoot

Smokehaze

Smokepaw (SotC)

Smokepaw (TNP)

Smoketalon

Smoky

Smudge

Snail (Ro)

Snail (Sister)

Snail Shell

Snailpaw

Snake (DotC)

Snaketail (FQ)

Snaketail (PoT)

Snaketooth (RC)

Snaketooth (ShC)

Snapper

Snaptooth

Sneezecloud

Sniff

Snipe

Snipkit

Snookthorn

Snow (Sister)

Snow Falling On Stones

Snow Hare

Snow Tail

Snowbird

Snowbush

Snowdrop

Snowflake (KP)

Snowflake (Ro)

Snowfur

Snowkit (TPB)

Snowstar

Snowtuft

Snowy

Socks

Softpelt

Softwing

Sol

Songbird

Songleap

Soot

Sootfur

Sorrelshine

Sorrelstripe

Sorreltail

Sparkpelt

Sparrow (CotP)

Sparrow (Ro)

Sparrow (Sister)

Sparrowfeather (DF)

Sparrowfeather (StC)

Sparrowpelt (SkC)

Sparrowstar

Sparrowtail

Speckle

Specklepaw

Speckletail

Spider (Lo)

Spider (Sister)

Spider Paw

Spiderfoot

Spiderleg

Spiderpelt

Spiderstar

Spike (Dog)

Spikefur

Spiketail

Spireclaw

Spiresight

Splash (KP)

Splash When Fish Leaps

Splashfoot

Splashheart

Splashkit (CP)

Splashnose

Splashpaw (TNP)

Splashtail

Splinter

Spotfur

Spotted Fur

Spottedleaf

Spottedpaw (ShC)

Spottedpelt

Spring Claw

Squirrel (CotP)

Squirrel (Sister)

Squirrelfur

Squirrelstar

Squirrelwhisker

Stagleap (TC)

Stagleap (WC)

Stalk Purr

Star Flower

Star That Shines On Water

Starlingfeather

Starlingwing

Stemleaf

Stempaw (ASC)

Stick

Stoat

Stoatfur (ShC)

Stoatfur (SkC)

Stone (DotC)

Stone (HJ)

Stone (Sister)

Stone Song (DotC)

Stone Song (PoT)

Stoneclaw

Stonefur

Stonepelt

Stonestar

Stonestream

Stonetooth

Stonewing

Storkkit

Storm (Ro)

Storm Clouds At Dusk

Storm Pelt

Stormcloud

Stormfur

Stormheart

Stormtail

Streak

Stream

Streamkit

Stretch Blink

Strike Slash

Strikestone

Stripekit

Stripes

Stripestar

Strong Pounce

Stumpytail

Sun Shadow

Sunbeam

Sunfish

Sunflower

Sunnypelt

Sunnytail

Sunpelt (Lion)

Sunpelt (SkC)

Sunrise (Sister)

Sunshine

Sunspots

Sunstar

Sunstrike

Susan

Suzy

Swallow

Swallowflight

Swallowtail (RC)

Swallowtail (WC)

Swampkit

Swankit

Sweetbriar

Sweetpaw

Sweetums

Swift (DotC)

Swift Minnow

Swiftbreeze

Swiftflight

Swiftfoot

Swiftpaw (TPB)

Swiftstar (Leopard)

Swiftwing

Swoop Of Chestnut Hawk

- T -

Tadpole

Tallpoppy

Tallstar

Talon Of Swooping Eagle

Talonpaw

Talonstar

Tangle

Tangleburr

Tanglepaw (RC)

Tanglewhisker

Tansy

Tansypaw (SkC)

Tawnyfur

Tawnypelt

Tawnyspots

Taylor

Teller Of The Pointed Stones (OotS)

Teller Of The Pointed Stones (TNP)

Tempest

Tess

Thistle (Ro)

Thistle (TC)

Thistleclaw

Thistleheart

Thistlepaw (CotC)

Thistlepaw (TNP)

Thistletail

Thorn (SkC)

Thorn That Grows In Cleft

Thornclaw

Thorntooth (Tiger)

Thrushpelt (TC)

Thrushpelt (WC)

Thrushtalon

Thrushwing

Thunderstar

Tiger Tail

Tigerstar (AVoS)

Tigerstar (TPB)

Timberfur

Tiny Branch

Tinycloud

Toad (Ro)

Toadfoot

Toadskip

Toadstep

Tom (ES)

Tom-Tom

Tommy

Tornear

Tree

Trout Fur

Troutclaw

Troutkit

Troutstar

Troutstream

Tulipkit

Tumble Leap

Tumblekit

Tuna

Turtle Tail

Turtlecrawl

Turtlekit (ShC)

Twig

Twigbranch

Twigtail

Twist

Twisted Branch

Tyr

- V -

Velvet (AVoS)

Velvet (SD)

Victor

Vinestar

Vinetail

Violet

Violet Dawn

Violetshine

Vixenleap

Voleclaw

Volestar

Voletooth

Volewhisper

- W -

Wafflepaw

Wanderkit

Wasp

Wasptail

Waspwhisker

Wavepaw

Weaselfur

Weaselkit

Weaselwhisker

Webfoot

Webkit

Webster

Wee Hen

Weedwhisker

Weevil

Wetfoot

Whiskers

Whisper Claw

Whispering Breeze

Whisperkit

Whistle

Whistlepaw

White Tail

Whiteberry

Whitebreeze

Whiteclaw

Whitefang

Whitestar

Whitestorm

Whitetail (StC)

Whitetail (WC)

Whitethroat

Whitewater

Whitewing

Whorlpelt

Wildfur

Wildkit

Willie

Willow Stream

Willow Tail

Willowbreeze

Willowclaw

Willowkit (CP)

Willownose

Willowpelt

Willowshine

Willowstar

Windflight

Windstar

Wing Shadow Over Water

Wish Stalk

Wishkit

Wolfheart

Wolfstep

Woodkit (RC)

Woodlouse

Woodsong

Woody

Woollytail

Wrenflight (SkC)

Wrenflight (WC)

- Y -

Yarrowleaf

Yellowfang

Yellowstar

Yew

Yew Tail

- Z -

Zack

Zeke

Zelda

Ziggy

[skyscratch-wc]

Skyfall AU Riverclan Allegiances: Into the Wild

Leadership

Leader: Stormstar - a large, muscular light brown tabby tom with a crooked jaw and pale green eyes. Originally a protector.

Deputy: Oakheart - a large, broad dark brown tom with amber eyes. Originally a protector.

Cleric: Mudfur - a heavyset, spotted dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes and a pale belly. Former protector.

Senior Warriors

Head Protector: Rippleclaw - a muscular black and silver tabby tom with green eyes

Head Hunter: Graypool - a lean dark gray molly with yellow eyes

Head Crafter: Petaldust - a heavyset dilute tortoiseshell molly with blue eyes

Head Collector: Chartooth - a skinny dark brown tom with protruding canine teeth and yellow eyes

Head Queen: Sunfish - a stoat pale gray tabby molly with amber eyes

Warriors

Protectors:

Duckwing - a lean gray cat with blue eyes

Deepclaw - a skinny black tom with a torn ear tip and orange eyes

Leopardfur - a broad spotted golden tabby molly with green eyes

Stonefur - a stoat pale blue-gray tom with blue eyes

Shimmerpelt - a skinny black molly with a glossy pelt and blue eyes

Orchidfur - a heavyset calico molly with amber eyes

Sentinels (a subset of Protectors):

Skyheart - a lithe pale brown tabby molly with green eyes and torn ears

Emberdawn - a lean dark ginger tabby molly with blue eyes

Hunters:

Beetlenose - a heavyset black tom with amber eyes

Mistyfoot - a lean dark blue-gray molly with blue eyes

Frogleap - a short gray tom with a striped tail and amber eyes

Mosspelt - a heavyset calico molly with blue eyes and a white chest

Timberfang - a large dark brown tabby tom with yellow eyes

Crafters:

Lilystem - a thin pale gray tabby molly with green eyes

Claybelly - a skinny dark brown tabby molly with amber eyes

Reedtail - a lean pale gray tabby tom with a long, dark tail with a tuft on the end and blue eyes

Orangeripple - a broad ginger and white molly with blue-gray eyes

Collectors:

Sedgeleaf - a lean brown tabby molly with a long tail and yellow eyes

Softwing - a heavyset yellow and white molly with amber eyes

Owlface - a thin brown and white tom with large blue eyes

Sharkstrike - a muscular gray and white tom with blue eyes

Current Mentors:

Stonefur, a protector, mentor of Shadepaw

Blackclaw, a protector, mentor of Shorepaw

Emberdawn, a protector, mentor of Silverpaw

Claybelly, a crafter, mentor of Icepaw

Timberfang, a hunter, mentor of Frondpaw

Apprentices

Silverpaw - a lithe silver and white tabby molly with blue eyes. Daughter of Stormstar and Willowbreeze (deceased)

Icepaw - a stoat dark brown tom with white forepaws and amber eyes. Son of Sunfish and Beetlenose

Frondpaw - a broad brown striped tabby molly with a white chest and green eyes. A foundling and former loner.

Shadepaw - a skinny very dark gray cat with amber eyes. Daughter of Lilystem and Reedtail

Shorepaw - a large dark brown tabby tom with yellow eyes. Son of Lilystem and Reedtail

Nursery

Queens:

Sunfish

Kittens:

Sunfish and Beetlenose's litter:

Vixenkit - a dark reddish-brown molly with a white-tipped tail and green eyes

Grasskit - a light brown tabby molly with a long, wispy tail and yellow eyes

Elders

Creekshine - a skinny long haired gray and white molly with blue-green eyes

Juniperpelt - a large brown tabby tom with a short tail and amber eyes

______________________________________________________________

Notes:

Name changes:

Crookedstar -> Stormstar (papa Shellfur went to bat for him against Rainflower)

Piketooth -> Chartooth

Voleclaw -> Duckwing

Blackclaw -> Deepclaw

Mallowfur -> Orchidfur

Loudbelly -> Claybelly

Dawnbright -> Orangeripple

Sedgecreek -> Sedgeleaf

Owlfur -> Owlface

Whiteclaw/paw -> Icepaw

Greenflower/paw -> Frondpaw

Heavystep/paw -> Shorepaw

Lakeshine -> Creekshine

Cedarpelt -> Juniperpelt

Carpkit (Leopard's sibling) -> Sharkkit, who becomes Sharkstrike

Gender changes from canon:

Voleclaw/Duckwing is non-binary

Loudbelly/Claybelly is a trans molly

Shadepaw/Shadepelt is non-binary

Additional notes:

Most name changes above were to make the names match their environment more-so than before. That and to avoid repeat-prefixes during the same time frame as much as possible.

A "foundling" is an abandoned kitten who is adopted into the clan

[lemnnshark]

If its not too much trouble, could you share the names of the newly added cats? ;u;

Sure!

Arc Shadow

Casper

Cleo

Croak

Dusk Smoke

Finch Song

Hopper

Grub

Hawk

Hunter

Kite Wing

Magda

Midge

Mist

Moth

Owl

Ripple Shine

Rust

Sage

Scooby

Scout

Silver

Snail

Snow Tail

Sparrow

Squirrel

Stoat

Trout Fur

Whistle

Willow Stream

Woodlouse

[dansnaturepictures]

Five of my favourite flora and fauna photos I took in May 2024, five of my favourite landscape photos I took in May 2024 and month summary

The photos are of; Red Grouse at Lochindorb, Red Squirrel at Dell Woods, Marsh Fritillary at Magdalen Hill, Azure Damselfly and sorrel at Lakeside Country Park, views at Strathdearn and Cairn Gorm, sunset at home and views at Magdalen Hill and Pig Bush in the New Forest.

May was another epic, packed and brilliant wildlife watching and photo month for me. Beginning in the midst of our sensational Scotland adventure many of the bird highlights of the holiday were about to unfold in May's early days seeing Black Grouse, precious Dipper, wonderful Golden Eagle, exquisite summer plumage Slavonian Grebe and Ring Ouzel with stars of the trip first seen inside April on the trip and before that enjoyed again such as White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, smashing views of stunning summer plumage Black-throated Diver, Pink-footed Geese, Red Grouse, Common Sandpiper, Goldeneye, Redstart and Willow Warbler. It was very busy for birds when we returned home to Hampshire this month with Swifts at a few locations, Garganey, Reed Warbler, Whimbrel, Garden Warbler, Hobby, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Roseate Tern and valuable chances to see Stone Curlew again on a guided walk added to my year list mixing migratory species I needed to see and stardust birds; another epitomising this the amazing times I saw Cuckoos this month in Hampshire a bird I heard so much throughout the Scotland trip it's always a privilege to see them and I had some breathtaking experiences with them. Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Sedge Warbler, Great Crested Grebes, Moorhen including chicks seen well with Greylag and Canada Goose goslings enjoyed a lot on patch at Lakeside Country Park and Red Kite were other stars across the month in what was a fantastic month of birds.

May is one of my busiest months of the year as I've still got plenty of bird species to look for and the butterfly season really gets going. It was an incredible butterfly month for me with dynamic and colourful species seen including Large White, Dingy Skipper, Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Grizzled Skipper, Painted Lady, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Green Hairstreak, Marsh Fritillary, Small Blue, Common Blue, Adonis Blue, quite early Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Orange Tip and Speckled Wood getting my butterfly year into a great place. It was a great moth month too with loads of species seen including The Streamer, Garden Carpet, Mint moth, Burnet Companion, Brown Silver-line, Common Heath, Common Carpet, Pale Prominent, Yellow Shells, Hook-streaked Grass-Veneer, elegant Mother Shiptons, Speckled Yellow, Silver Y and Five-spot Burnet seen.

It was a top dragonfly and damselfly month with some super species seen to get me started including Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Beautiful Demoiselle, Hairy Dragonfly and Broad-bodied Chaser and thrilling moments seeing my first ever Downy Emerald at Bentley Wood. It was a real awakening of beetles for me this month with Violet Oil beetle, Green Tiger beetle and Dor beetle seen in Scotland and at Bentley Wood for the green tiger and many Swollen-thighed beetles and Red-headed Cardinal beetles, Oedemera lurida, Cantharis rustica, Cryptocephalus aureolus, Common Malachite, Woodland Dor beetle, Black-striped Longhorn beetle and Garden Chafer enjoyed once home. It was a really good mammal month with Red Squirrel, Red Deer, Brown Hare (seen in Hampshire too) and Stoat seen in Scotland, Roe Deers seen nicely across the month, Fallow Deer and New Forest Pony foals and cattle at Lakeside charming seasonal sights.

It was a wonderful month of plants again with special flower species seen as they took over meadows and other areas including wood sorrel, coltsfoot, oxeye daisies, yellow rattle, buttercups, greater celandine, spurge, early purple orchid, common twayblade, white helloborine, common spotted orchid, burnt-tip orchids, speedwell, forget-me-not, yellow iris, eyebright, lousewort, wood avens, meadow crane's-bill, grass vetchling, foxgloves, crimson clover, red clover, white clover, black and spotted medick, comfrey, cuckooflower, tormentil, bugle, yellow pimpernel, silverweed cinquefoil, sainfoin, fox-and-cubs, mignonette, common rock-rose, hemlock water-dropwort and bird's-foot trefoil. I took in some mesmerising views and sky scenes this month. Have a good June all.

[realjoehours]

okay so star of the night wind clan allegiances because i just finished it! the main character in star of the night is Rabbitleap the medicine cat who’s soul is tethered to the spirit of a dead cat named Smallant who has no recollection of anything from their life. anyways why windclan you ask isn’t that the worst clan? and to that i say nuh uh windclan for the win!!

Star of the Night!Windclan Allegiances:

Leader:

Rootstar♂

A stoic pale ginger tom with darker accents on his tail, paws, ears and face. He has a tall slim tail and a cold blue gaze. He has a scar that run down his shoulder and across his left eye.

Deputy:

Ravenflight♂

A sturdy black tom with scruffy fur and forrest green eyes. He has white paws and a white tipped tail as well as a scar across his nose.

Apprentice: Finchpaw

Medicine Cat(s):

Rabbitleap♂

A fluffy white tom with large brown ears. They have a brown mask over their eyes and brown markings on his chin, muzzle, chest and as well as the top of his head. He has tranquil blue eyes and a speckled nose.

(Future) Apprentice: Magpiekit

Warriors:

Morningcloud♀

A broad and fluffy ginger tabby she-cat with soft orange eyes. She has a nick taken out of her left ear in two places.

Mistletoefoot♂

A thin dark ginger tom with a white belly, paws and muzzle and sleek fur. His eyes are a deep forest green.

Littlemouse♀

A small brown senior she-cat with a white belly and large round ears. She has a small nose and small hazel eyes.

Tigerberry♂

A lean silver tabby tom with darker swirls in his pelt. He has vibrant dark blue eyes.

Honeyfur♀

A cream coated she-cat with golden patches on her pelt and leaf green eyes.

Apprentice: Stoatpaw

Brairtail♀

A very fluffy brown she-cat with darker brown patches and amber eyes.

Badgerbelly♂

A short tom with a black pelt and three white stripes on his face. the centre stripe stretches down his back to his tail. He has green eyes.

Appreciate: Reedpaw

Thornjaw♂

A muscular golden tabby with sky blue eyes. He’s missing most of his right ear and has a scar across his shoulder.

Apprentice: Mintpaw

Dapplestorm♀

A dappled black and white she-cat with stormy grey eyes and a short tail. Her ears unusually curl outwards.

Cloudleaf♂

A fuzzy tom with a white pelt and hazel eyes. Both of his hears flop down.

Dawnfang♀

A pretty flame point she-cat with soft pale blue eyes.

Apprentice: Doepaw

Lightningfang♀

A white she-cat with short messy fur with grey speckles across her back. She has a large scar which run along her back and down her leg similar to a lightning strike. She also has two nicks in her left ear. She has wild yellow eyes.

Russetburr♂

A ginger tom with small round ears and a white muzzle. He has cool amber eyes and has a notch in his left ear as well as a scar under his left eye and a large scar across his chest.

Apprentice: Berrypaw

Heatherheart♀

A slender, tall brown tabby she-cat with gentle purple eyes and a speckled nose.

Foxfern♂

A small ginger tom with white front legs and small round ears. He also has a white muzzle and amber eyes.

Apprentices:

Finchpaw♀

A small young she-cat with a grey, brown tabby coat and grass green eyes.

Reedpaw♂

A young pure chocolate brown tom with amber eyes.

Mintpaw♀

A young black she-cat with white paws and blue eyes.

Doepaw♀

A young she-cat with a white pelt covered in brown patches and big dark brown eyes.

Stoatpaw♂

A long young tom with a brown and white pelt like a stoat. He has small dark brown eyes.

Berrypaw♂

A small pale ginger calico tom with sad blue eyes and large ears.

Queens + Kits:

Amberspots♀

A brindle tabby she-cat with a large ginger patches on her face. She has icy blue eyes.

Magpiekit♂& Frecklekit♀

A small black tom kit with white patches and a tall tail. He has a single green eye and the other is a blue.

A small brindle tabby she-kit with a black and amber pelt and green eyes.

Sorrelflower♀

A small calico she-cat with a short tail and hazel eyes.

Marigoldkit♀, Daffodilkit♂& Flurrykit♂

A tiny calico she-kit.

A tiny ginger tom kit.

A tiny pale ginger tom kit with a white streak down his back.

Elders:

Yarrowfang♀

An old calico she-cat with large black patches in her fur. She has one hazel eye and one green eye. She has a scar across her nose and one her back hind leg.

Dogmask♂

An old brown tom with shaggy fur around his face, muzzle and paws. He has grey hairs around his face and muzzle and is missing his left ear completely. He has dark brown eyes.

Newtstreak♂

An old ginger tom with dark ginger spots all over his pelt. He’s missing his back front paw with scarring in that area where no fur has grown back. He has lively yellow eyes.

Mothface♀

A very old flame point she-cat with large scars on her face, shoulder and back legs. Her whiskers are wrinkled and she’s missing both of her eyes.

Leafpelt♀

An old and skinny greyish brown tabby she-cat with darker stripes and white legs. She has leaf green eyes.

Others:

Smallant

A semi-translucent cat spirit with a dusty tan felt and a brown belly and muzzle. They have a small black nose and hazel eyes.

Sooty♀

A young pudgy she-cat with dark brown accents on her paws, tails, muzzle and ears. She has icy blue eyes and wears a light purple collar around her neck.

A former kittypet turned loner who resides on the edge of Windclan territory.

Relevant Deceased Cats:

Blacktail♂

An old tom with pure white fur and a pitch black tail. He had deep blue eyes and long whiskers.

Former windclan medicine cat.

Kestrelwing♀

A soft she-cat with light brown fur and darker spots over her pelt resembling a kestrel’s feathers. She had gentle amber eyes.

Former windclan queen and warrior.

[eclecticprincesswitch]

Only One Light To Follow

When: February 4, 2024 where: Artisklas Haarlem, the Netherlands

Species: American Mink (Amerikaanse nerts) Latin name: Neovison Vison Originates from North America – introduced to Europe, South America and Asia. Current status: Least Concern

Did you know: …It differs from Stoats and Weasels by it’s larger size and stouter form, which closely approaches that of Martens. It is similar in built to the European Mink, but sporting a longer tail. …The American Mink tends to only vocalise during close encounters with other Minks or predators. …It is the animal most frequently farmed for its fur – exceeding Silver Fox, Sable, Marten and Skunk in economic importance.

© Mouselemur Photography • Portegiesje Our work is copyrighted. Do not reproduce, copy edit, publish, transmit or upload in any way without our written permission. Send us a note or chat message if you want to use our work as a reference.

[wacastarofthenight]

HeatherClan Allegiances -

Leader:

Rootstar♂

A stoic pale ginger tom with darker accents on his tail, paws, ears and face. He has a tall slim tail and a cold blue gaze. He has a scar that run down his shoulder and across his left eye.

Deputy:

Ravenflight♂

A sturdy black tom with scruffy fur and forrest green eyes. He has white paws and a white tipped tail as well as a scar across his nose.

Apprentice: Finchpaw

Medicine Cat(s):

Rabbitleap♂

A fluffy white tom with large brown ears. They have a brown mask over their eyes and brown markings on his chin, muzzle, chest and as well as the top of his head. He has tranquil blue eyes and a speckled nose.

(Future) Apprentice: Magpiekit

Warriors:

Morningcloud♀

A broad and fluffy ginger tabby she-cat with soft orange eyes. She has a nick taken out of her left ear in two places.

Mistletoefoot♂

A thin dark ginger tom with a white belly, paws and muzzle and sleek fur. His eyes are a deep forest green.

Littlemouse♀

A small brown senior she-cat with a white belly and large round ears. She has a small nose and small hazel eyes.

Tigerberry♂

A lean silver tabby tom with darker swirls in his pelt. He has vibrant dark blue eyes.

Honeyfur♀

A cream coated she-cat with golden patches on her pelt and leaf green eyes.

Apprentice: Stoatpaw

Brairtail♀

A very fluffy brown she-cat with darker brown patches and amber eyes.

Badgerbelly♂

A short tom with a black pelt and three white stripes on his face. the centre stripe stretches down his back to his tail. He has green eyes.

Appreciate: Reedpaw

Thornjaw♂

A muscular golden tabby with sky blue eyes. He’s missing most of his right ear and has a scar across his shoulder.

Apprentice: Mintpaw

Dapplestorm♀

A dappled black and white she-cat with stormy grey eyes and a short tail. Her ears unusually curl outwards.

Cloudleaf♂

A fuzzy tom with a white pelt and hazel eyes. Both of his hears flop down.

Dawnfang♀

A pretty flame point she-cat with soft pale blue eyes.

Apprentice: Doepaw

Lightningfang♀

A white she-cat with short messy fur with grey speckles across her back. She has a large scar which run along her back and down her leg similar to a lightning strike. She also has two nicks in her left ear. She has wild yellow eyes.

Russetburr♂

A ginger tom with small round ears and a white muzzle. He has cool amber eyes and has a notch in his left ear as well as a scar under his left eye and a large scar across his chest.

Apprentice: Berrypaw

Heatherheart♀

A slender, tall brown tabby she-cat with gentle purple eyes and a speckled nose.

Foxfern♂

A small ginger tom with white front legs and small round ears. He also has a white muzzle and amber eyes.

Apprentices:

Finchpaw♀

A small young she-cat with a grey, brown tabby coat and grass green eyes.

Reedpaw♂

A young pure chocolate brown tom with amber eyes.

Mintpaw♀

A young black she-cat with white paws and blue eyes.

Doepaw♀

A young she-cat with a white pelt covered in brown patches and big dark brown eyes.

Stoatpaw♂

A long young tom with a brown and white pelt like a stoat. He has small dark brown eyes.

Berrypaw♂

A small pale ginger calico tom with sad blue eyes and large ears.

Queens + Kits:

Amberspots♀

A brindle tabby she-cat with a large ginger patch on her face. She has icy blue eyes.

Magpiekit♂& Frecklekit♀

A small black tom kit with white patches and a tall tail. He has a single green eye while the other is a blue.

A small brindle tabby she-kit with a black and amber pelt and green eyes.

Sorrelflower♀

A small calico she-cat with a short tail and hazel eyes.

Marigoldkit♀, Daffodilkit♂& Flurrykit♂

A tiny calico she-kit.

A tiny ginger tom kit.

A tiny pale ginger tom kit with a white streak down his back.

Elders:

Yarrowfang♀

An old calico she-cat with large black patches in her fur. She has one hazel eye and one green eye. She has a scar across her nose and one her back hind leg.

Dogmask♂

An old brown tom with shaggy fur around his face, muzzle and paws. He has grey hairs around his face and muzzle and is missing his left ear completely. He has dark brown eyes.

Newtstreak♂

An old ginger tom with dark ginger spots all over his pelt. He’s missing his back front paw with scarring in that area where no fur has grown back. He has lively yellow eyes.

Mothface♀

A very old flame point she-cat with large scars on her face, shoulder and back legs. Her whiskers are wrinkled and she’s missing both of her eyes.

Leafpelt♀

An old and skinny greyish brown tabby she-cat with darker stripes and white legs. She has leaf green eyes.

Cats Outside of the Clan:

Smallant

A semi-translucent cat spirit with a dusty tan felt and a brown belly and muzzle. They have a small black nose and hazel eyes.

Sooty♀

A young pudgy she-cat with dark brown accents on her paws, tails, muzzle and ears. She has icy blue eyes and wears a light purple collar around her neck.

A former kittypet turned loner who resides on the edge of HeatherClan territory.

[burstingstones]

Allegiances

•─────⋅☾ ☆ ❀•°•───────•

Pipestone Colony

Leader Piperhawk -- A ginger and brown molly with tattered ears and yellow eyes.

Second Stonesong -- A dark brown molly with teal eyes.

Historian Rootbuzzard -- A very pale golden-brown trans tom with splashes of white on his fur.

Healers Yarrowspeckle -- A very dark reddish-brown tabby molly with a spiky-furred tail. Yewleap -- A black and orange tabby trans molly with large pointed ears. Tansyfang -- A tiny gray-brown tabby molly.

Heart Keepers Flameheart -- A brown tabby molly with green eyes. Burningapple -- A light ginger and white trans tom. Blazemoth -- A bright ginger tabby tolly with tufted ears. Kindlingfeather -- A ginger colorpoint molly with hazel eyes.

Seed Sowers Sandshimmer -- A golden speckled molly with cobalt blue eyes. Mudstrawberry -- A handsome red tom with blue eyes. Dustantler -- A pale reddish-brown tom with a bent tail.

Trappers Runningthrush -- A gold and cream tabby tom with stormy teal eyes. Fogbreeze -- A long-legged orange tabby molly with enormous blue-green eyes (Nursing Cricket). Sunpounce -- A bright ginger tom with silver eyes. Talonsage -- A messy-furred golden tom. Sleekspring -- A short chestnut brown tabby molly. Snarlhound -- A creamy brown tom with tiny white dash on his chest.

Guards Shadeoat -- A brown and ginger tolly with big pale paws. Spottedswan -- A dark brown and cream molly with black stripes. Strikedeer -- A very dark brown and white tabby tom. Stonelake -- A tall crow-black molly.

Trainees Stoat -- A tortoiseshell tabby tom with a stumpy white tail. Chirp -- A nimble red molly with sky-blue eyes. Blossom -- A golden-brown tabby molly.

Kittens Cricket -- A sturdy ginger and white tabby tom.

Mentors Willowred -- A well-groomed rose-cream tolly with bright hazel-green eyes. Wingturtle -- An old golden tabby molly with a broken spine and purple eyes. Stemquail -- A mottled brown molly with blue eyes. Shimmergoose -- A white and brown tabby tom with an unusually long tail.

•─────⋅☾ ☆ ❀•°•───────•

Cloudburst Colony

Leader Cloudmackerel -- A long-furred silver tabby tom with tufted ears.

Second Burstfern -- A white and grey tabby molly.

Historian Rootstride -- A silver colorpoint tabby molly with orange eyes.

Healers Fernrusset -- A blue-gray tabby trans tom with a black tail. Thistlefrost -- A silver colorpoint tabby trans molly. Brackenlight -- A gray and white tabby molly with black streaks in her fur. Ferncedar -- A blind tortoiseshell tom.

Divers Frostflurry -- A curly-furred, cream and gray tabby trans molly. Foamflutter -- A gray-brown tom with silver eyes. Streamplum -- A black and dark gray tabby tom with copper eyes. Currentbird -- A dark gray tabby molly with enormous blue-gray eyes.

Tempests Cloudwhisker -- A large sooty gray tabby trans tom with brown eyes. Stormharrier -- A Deaf silver and white molly with purple-grey eyes.

Trappers Crowstripe -- A smoky black tabby trans molly with a pale belly and one mismatched eyes. Jumpspider -- A strong creamy white tabby molly. Hopblizzard -- A light gray and brown tom with long, wild fur. Springelm -- A slim black and gray tabby molly. Brightjuniper -- A pure white tom with a dark muzzle.

Guards Strikeotter -- A light gray colorpoint tabby trans molly. Darkoak -- A heavily scarred black and orange molly with stormy purple-gray eyes (Nursing Petal & Partridge). Clawshiver -- A pale gray colorpoint tom with purple-gray eyes.

Trainees Mistle -- A scrappy silver colorpoint tabby tom with golden eyes. Pipit -- A grey molly with brown and white patches.

Kittens Petal -- A skinny brown tabby molly. Partridge -- A tall white and silver tabby tom.

Mentors Pathmoon -- A sleek pale pinkish-cream tom. Darkbadger -- A black and white tom with a missing eye.

•─────⋅☾ ☆ ❀•°•───────•

Other Characters

Wisp -- A scrappy white tom. Tomato -- A dull brown tabby molly with blue eyes. Honey -- A long-furred golden molly. Gene -- A small white and light brown trans tom. Luke -- A white and gray tabby tom with one missing eye. Myrtle -- A powerful ginger tom with mismatched eyes.

[pubz77]

Silver Stoats Tail A true classic and one of the most effective flies for sea trout and salmon. It's especially useful when fish are just nipping at the tails of flies with longer tails. Definitely one all sea trout and salmon anglers should have in their box.

[anxious-changeling]

GN Witch!Reader x Familiar!Crusaders (-Joseph)

We hope you enjoy this!!! We put a lot of love into it!

Avdol

His animal form is a Partridge Rock Chicken!

The only traits he carries from his animal form is small feathers dusting his cheekbones!

You met him while you were walking around Cairo and just happened to feel a pull towards a curtained area.

Following the pull you found yourself in front of a fortune tellers booth, a beautiful man seated behind a table.

With a kind smile he welcomed you to sit and have your fortune read, you could almost feel the electricity crackle in the air.

When he grabbed your hand it felt like lightning had struck you. You knew what he was and he knew what you were. A witch and an unbound familiar staring into one another eyes.

Still he amused you with a palm reading reading of coming good fortune and a lifetime of happiness. With a hint of mischief coloring his voice while saying the latter.

You proposed him the idea of him becoming your familiar to which he agreed after some bargaining. Such as what days he would be employed and what he could and couldn’t do!

He told you of his previous witch, a cruel woman named Enyaba, who would clip his wings so he couldn’t fly. A sad fate for such a beautiful bird.

In his chicken form he’s very cuddly and makes adorable cooing noises when you pet him.

He looks so cute when he falls asleep on your lap as you read from a grimoire you recently bought. Burrowing deeper into your warmth subconsciously as you idly fun your hand over his feathers.

He’s the perfect familiar and the perfect partner, attentive to your every need and attuned to your aura!

He’ll be your loving guardian against any spirits that may try to target you! Beings with malicious intent don’t stand a chance against him!

He specializes in fire magic and reading the auras of the world! Making him perfect for monitoring potions that are volatile!

He likes to show you all the little designs he can make with his fire magic. He loves even more the look of your face illuminated by his flames~

Has a fire elemental he calls Magicians Red that likes to follow him around! Going as far to take orders from him.

Once Magicians Red grows to like you it’ll lean down to let you sift your fingers through it soft head feathers!

Fully expect MR to join you and Avdol to cuddle! Personal furnace right there! Great in winter, intolerable in summer.

Polnareff

His animal form is a Stoat!

Carries his ears and tail from his animal form into his human form! When his hair is down it’s easier to see his ears since they aren’t covered up!

You met Polnareff while sitting in a local cafe, where he had approached you boldly to flirt. When he grabbed your hand to plant a kiss on the back, spark flew.

You could only stare in shock at one another before he grinned largely in joy! An unbound familiar finding a witch, what a lucky day!

You sat in the cafe for hours learning about one another, and eventually you extended the offer for him to become your familiar!

He accepted enthusiastically and thus you set off on your adventures!

He had a previous witch who he was bound to, known as Mariah, but she passed leaving him unbound for a long time.

He’s just as playful in his animal form as he is in human form, and enjoys rough housing with you! He likes to be tossed in the air and caught!

Likes pull pranks by hiding under furniture and farting out to nip at your ankles as you pass!

He enjoys being in contact with you someway, whether it be an arm over your shoulder or his head in your lap.

If you’ve been over working yourself on a potion he’ll whine loudly demanding your attention. He wants your attention but also knows you need a break.

He specializes in earth magic and spell casting! He is a vital help during long spell casting sessions as he helps balance you.

He’s a very affectionate and kind partner making sure to never overstep your boundaries!

Beware anything that sets its eyes upon you with malicious intent because he’ll make sure to tear them asunder.

Has a metal Gollum named Silver Chariot bound to him and it follows him everywhere, silently like a shadow.

Chariots emotions compared to humans is very muted, but if he feels affection for you he will hold onto you.

Chariot shows his affection through gifts and will often present you with flowers he’s found!

You make his bonded one happy which makes him happy! It also helps you’re kinda to him and give him gifts too! He cherishes every treasure you’ve gifted him!

Jotaro

His animal form is a Moray Eel! He’s also quite large for his species coming in at 6 feet long!

The traits he carries from his animal form are that his teeth are sharper than normal!

You met Jotaro while lazing in a secluded cove soaking in the sun. Charging a few crystals for an upcoming major spell.

You barely heard him enter but you did feel when he passed your rune barrier.

You had expected to see maybe a minor demon or a pixie, but not a hulking man who’s cold glare pierced you.

You both exchanged words as the adrenaline wore out, and you just waved him off so you could enjoy the sun without him.

He scoffed shouldering you as he walked past, electricity ran through you both. Like a live wire had hit your skin.

To be an unbound familiar this close to a witch could be dangerous when caught off guard in a secluded area.

So when Jotaro whirled around to bare his teeth at you, he was surprised to find you moving to sit back down. Didn’t you want to enslave him to you?

After a few hours of coexisting on the beach you break the ice asking questions. Sometimes he’d grunt in response or answer in rambling sentences. What an enigmatic creature.

You learned that his last witch had been a hideous woman named Midler. He had been wandering unbound for many years, ignoring every witch who begged to become bound to him.

Humming you told him that your homes open to him and left your address on the sands as you left for home. Faintly feeling blue eyes drilling into your retreating form.

Weeks later as you sat slouched over a grimoire taking notes, you heard someone pounding on your door.

When you answered the door you found yourself face to face with none other than Jotaro.

After sitting him down and going through the motions of being a host you began to talk.

He laid out his demands, days he could and couldn’t fulfill his duties, and his boundaries. You beamed at him while signing the contract agreeing to your partnership, kick starting a wonderful future!

It took a bit for mutual comfort to happen but in the end it’s well worth the wait!

Jotaro compliments your spellcasting style and is an excellent potion making assistant! Both of you taking your craft very seriously.

When your relationship takes a slow turn to partnership neither of you are surprised!

Jotaro isn’t much for outward displays but he does like to show his appreciation through gifts. He’ll drop a new griomoire he acquired in you lap saying it was an “accidental buy”.

If you’re sick he’ll call up his mother to get her soup recipes. He’ll complain as he does but you know he really doesn’t mind it.

He specializes in water magic and energy manipulation making it easier for him to control volatile spells! He’s also very proficient in drawing spell circles with near perfect precision!

Has a minor water deity named Star Platinum that always follows him around much to his annoyance.

While Jotaro isn’t affectionate Star very much is and makes up for Jotaro in that aspect!

Star will twirl you around gleefully and enjoys hanging off of you as you read or spell cast!

Both Jotaro and Star would tear apart the world with their bare hands to ensure your safety.

Kakyoin

His animal form is a Orchid Mantis!

He doesn’t retain any traits of his animal form in human form except for some pink dusted here and there!

You first met Kakyoin at your local library as you scoured the shelves for your favorite book.

As you went to grab the book a slender hand grabbed it first. Silently huffing you turned to swear at the thief but found yourself face to face with an interesting man.

He already started to walk away but you felt something pulling at your gut to stop him.

As you grabbed his wrist you felt electricity hum through you and his pupils expanded in surprise.

He tugged his hand out of your grasp and took long strides to the check out and out the door.

Well that’s one way to make an impression on a witch. You by instinct wanted to race after him but your gut anchored your feet as you watched him flee.

You didn’t run into him for many months, a careful unbound familiar who had no doubt been mistreated in the past.

You didn’t actively seek him out but it seemed that fate put its back into dragging you two together.

You found the strange man at your door one morning bloody and bruised badly. Hauling his lanky form onto your couch you got to work fixing him up.

Spell after spell you cast and even eased mild healing potions down his throat. Now all left to do was wait, so that’s what you did.

Curled up on your armchair with the newest grimoire to your collect you began reading. It took him a few hours but finally he began to stir.

He looked defensive as his purple eyes scanned your living room. Eyeing you warily as you slowly stretched from your arm chair.

As you explained what had happened and how you treated him the calmer he became. He also explained he just came to the closest house after he was attacked. A low level demon having gotten the jump on him as he slept.

You happily welcomed him to stay in your heavily warded home, which is near impossible to break into. He hesitantly took your offer and so began your journey with your new roommate!

It took months of tip toeing around one another before he finally approached you with a deal. Very clearly and sternly laying out his boundaries and expectations.

You gladly welcome his into the bond, celebrating by making a nice meal! After many years you finally had a familiar!

He helps a lot to cover the areas you lack in and help mishaps before they happen! If one side of the spell isn’t reinforced he’s there working on it! Making sure it won’t backfire in your face!

In his mantis form Kakyoin is content in just punching on you as you go about doing what you need to! He doesn’t enjoy touch as much as others but enjoys your warmth!

Enjoys looking at the outside world from his smaller perspective, behind glass and wards of course can’t have a bird snatching him!

It takes a while for Kakyoin to allow himself to court you and at first he’s very cautious. Aware of your ever movement, but as he get more comfortable he opens up more!

He enjoys holding hands with you and resting his head in your lap as you read or watch tv.

Enjoys baking for you because he’s a horrible cook. He enjoys making a great variety of desserts and you are his personal taste tester!

If you become sick he’ll show how he can make a mean chicken noodle soup from scratch. The only dish he can’t mess up when cooking!

Is a helicopter partner when you’re sick, worried if he takes his eyes off of you he’ll miss something!

He specializes in air magic and has a keen eye for plant identification! Making him useful very useful when you go foraging!

Has a bonded nature spirit named Hierophant Green that follows him wherever he goes. They’re very attached to one another.

Hierophant will be very wary of you for a long time, but as he sees that you treat Kakyoin well it’ll win his favor.

Once Hierophant becomes attached there’s letting go, he’ll follow you everywhere demanding pets.

He lets off a strangely high pitched purr when you pet him and wraps around you protectively at home.

Hierophant and Kakyoin would sacrifice the whole universe to make sure you stay safe.

Holy shit that’s.. long. We hope you enjoyed and we bid you a good morning/afternoon/evening! A lot of love went into this piece :D

[moths-wc-aus]

Prefix Meanings - M

Mackerel - “A migratory surface-dwelling predatory fish.” A silver cat; A tabby; A spotted cat; A fidgety cat; A cat who is prone to wandering

Magnolia - “A tree or shrub with large, typically creamy-pink, waxy flowers.” A white cat; A pale cat; A thick-furred cat; A firm cat; A sturdy cat; A gentle cat; A kind cat

Magpie - “A long-tailed crow with boldly marked black and white plumage and a raucous voice.” A black and white cat; An intelligent cat; A vocal cat; A cat with a long tail

Mallard - “A common duck and the ancestor of most domestic ducks, the male having a dark green head and white collar.” A brown cat; A brown and white cat; A speckled cat; A skilled swimmer; A social cat

Mallow - “An herbaceous plant with hairy stems, pink or purple flowers, and disk-shaped fruit.” A small cat; A white cat; A grey cat; A blue cat; A brown cat; A black cat; A gentle cat; A kind cat; A delicate cat

Mantis - “A slender predatory insect related to the cockroach.” A slender cat; A small cat; A quiet / stealthy cat; A patient cat; A skilled hunter

Maple - “A tree with colorful autumn foliage and syrupy sap.” A red cat; A brown cat; An orange cat; A yellow cat; A sturdy cat; A sweet cat; A kind cat; A tall cat; A fluffy cat

Marble / Marbled - “Having a streaked and patterned appearance like that of variegated marble.” A marbled cat; A mottled cat

Marigold - “A plant of the daisy family, typically with yellow, orange, or copper-brown flowers.” A yellow cat; An orange cat; A red cat; A cheerful cat; A protective cat

Marmot - “A heavily built, gregarious, burrowing rodent, typically living in mountainous country.” A brown cat; A stout cat; A skilled tunneler; A social cat

Marrow - “A soft fatty substance in the cavities of bones, in which blood cells are produced.” A red cat; A yellow cat; A healthy cat; A resourceful cat

Marsh - “An area of low-lying land which typically remains waterlogged at all times.” A dark-furred cat; A quiet / stealthy cat; A calm cat; A temperamental cat

Marten - “A chiefly arboreal weasel-like mammal, hunted for its fur in many northern countries.” A brown cat; An orange cat; A black cat; A dark-furred cat with a pale chest; A slender cat; A mischievous cat; A cat with a long tail

Mayflower - “A name given to several plants that bloom in May, especially certain white ones.” A small cat; A white cat; A gentle cat; A kind cat; A delicate cat

Meadow - “A low open grassland.” A social cat; An open-minded cat; A swift cat

Mellow - “Pleasantly smooth or soft; free from harshness.” A calm cat; A gentle cat; A kind cat; A friendly cat

Merlin - “A small dark falcon that hunts small birds.” A small cat; A grey cat; A blue cat; A brown cat; A speckled cat; A tabby; A skilled hunter; A cat with great eyesight

Midge - “A small two-winged fly that is often seen in swarms near water or marshy areas.” A small cat; A dark-furred cat; A mottled cat; An agile cat; A social cat

Milkweed - “An herbaceous American plant with milky sap.” A tall cat; A spotted cat; A parental cat; A caring cat; A loving cat; A gentle cat; A kind cat; An attractive cat

Mink - “A small semi aquatic carnivore resembling the stoat.” A brown cat; A dark-furred cat; An aggressive cat; A territorial cat

Minnow - “A small freshwater fish that typically forms large shoals.” A small cat; A silver cat; A grey cat; An excitable cat; An energetic cat; A social cat; A loyal cat; A swift cat; An agile cat

Mint - “An aromatic plant, several kinds of which are used as culinary herbs.” A sweet cat; A charismatic cat; A friendly cat; A soothing cat

Mire - “A stretch of swampy or boggy ground.” A dark-furred cat; A quiet / stealthy cat; A calm cat; A temperamental cat

Mist / Misty - “A cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface, but to a lesser extent than fog.” A white cat; A pale cat; A grey cat; A quiet / stealthy cat; An observant cat

Mistle - “A small herb with scalelike leaves on reddish-brown stems and berrylike fruits; parasitic on spruce and larch trees.” A red cat; A brown cat; A white cat; An intimidating cat

Mole - “A small burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes.” A brown cat; A cat with small ears; A skilled tunneler

Monarch - “A large migratory orange and black butterfly.” A small cat; A black and red cat; A swift cat; A bold cat; A cat who is prone to wandering

Moon - “The natural satellite of the earth, visible (chiefly at night) by reflected light from the sun.” A white cat; A very pale cat; An attractive cat; A peaceful cat; An elegant cat; A cat with a strong connection to StarClan

Moor - “A tract of open uncultivated upland; a heath.” A cat with coarse fur; An open cat; A friendly cat; A social cat; A swift cat

Moose - “A large deer with palmate antlers, a sloping back, and a growth of skin hanging from the neck.” A very large cat; A brown cat; A heavy-set cat; An intimidating cat; An aggressive cat

Morning - “The period of time between midnight and noon.” A cat with great potential; An optimistic cat

Mosquito - “A slender long-legged fly with aquatic larvae and bloodsucking females.” A small cat; A slender cat; A long-legged cat; A dark-furred cat; A black cat; A brown cat

Moss / Mossy - “A small flowerless green plant that lacks true roots and grows in damp habitats.” A determined cat; A resilient cat; A cat with coarse fur; A cat with messy fur; A short-furred cat

Moth - “A chiefly nocturnal insect related to butterflies.” A small cat; An intuitive cat; A swift cat; A cat who is prone to wandering; A cat with a strong connection to StarClan

Mottle / Mottled - “Marked with spots or smears of color.” A mottled cat

Mountain - “A large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level; a large steep hill.” A very large cat; A wise cat; An intimidating cat

Mouse - “A small rodent that typically has a pointed snout, relatively large ears and eyes, and a long tail.” A small cat; A brown cat; A grey cat; A curious cat; A nervous cat

Mud / Muddy - “A soft, sticky matter resulting from the mixing of earth and water.” A brown cat; A dark-furred cat; A black cat; A clingy cat; A skilled builder

Mulberry - “A small deciduous tree with broad leaves.” A dark-furred cat; A red cat; A black cat; A brown cat; A slender cat; A sturdy cat

Mumble - “Say something indistinctly and quietly, making it difficult for others to hear.” A quiet / stealthy cat; An introverted cat; A nervous cat

Murky - “Dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist.” A dark-furred cat; A black cat; A mysterious cat; A quiet/stealthy cat; An observant cat

Mushroom - “A fungal growth that typically takes the form of a domed cap on a stalk, with gills on the underside of the cap.” A small cat; A soft-furred cat; A safe cat; A calm cat; A soothing cat; A wise cat

Myrtle - “An evergreen shrub which has glossy aromatic foliage and white flowers followed by purple-black oval berries.” A white cat; A black cat; A cat with glossy / shiny fur; A slender cat; A sturdy cat

[silversupremacy]

Final post for now abt the new ep I swear xD

Alternate version where they species scramble/their appearances match the host of the body more.

For ref silver spoon is usually a kitty dog hybrid, so Spoon!candle is a jackal/black cat cross Things of note: >Candle’s gemstones as charka gems; aka a collection of 7 gems that represent each of the chakras (yes they make a rainbow :)  ) >Split tail cat, she can split her tails into up to four! they split separate from each other, but she usually just leaves them at a partial split. >Kinda played with the concept of making her out of obsidian but I just kept thinking back to the “how to kill a geologist” video Candle!Silver is a stoat! candle is normally inspired by a red panda in my universe/style- and red pandas don’t have living family members in their class so I was kinda fumbling for a species but they’re kinda related on the tree to weasels and raccoons apparently. So yeah, stoat. Things of note: >Is shiny like those metallic bday candles you can buy >If he calmed tf down, his candle scent would be Oolong tea :)  >Was thinking abt the candelabra from beauty and the beast the whole time drawing this and desperately trying not to >flame is colored gold, no one really knows how this is possible because that’s not how light works but ok

[skyscratch-wc]

Skyfall AU Shadowclan Allegiances: Into the Wild

Leadership

Leader: Brokenstar - a thickset, heavily scarred dark gray-brown tabby tom with amber eyes, a crooked tail, and a flat muzzle. Originally a warrior in the protector sub-rank

Deputy: Blackfoot - a large, muscular white tom with black paws and ears. He has dark amber eyes. Originally a warrior in the protector sub-rank

Cleric: Runningnose - a small, skinny gray and white tom with amber eyes and a constant stuffy nose.

Senior Warriors

Head Protector: Clawface - a scarred, stout brown tabby tom with yellow eyes and a flat muzzle

Head Hunter: Scorchwind - a lithe, ginger tabby tom with yellow eyes

Head Crafter: Boulder - a skinny silver tabby cat with blue eyes. Former town rogue. Also serves as a tanner.

Head Collector: Mousewing - a small, long furred black tom with yellow eyes

Head Queen: Hollyflower - a broad, black and white molly with yellow eyes. Also serves as a hunter.

Warriors

Protectors:

Dogstep - a large, muscular gray tabby tom with white forepaws and amber eyes

Blizzardwing - a short, speckled, mostly white tom with green eyes

Flintfang - a lithe thick-furred dark gray tom with yellow eyes

Russetfur - a stoat dark ginger cat with green eyes. Former rogue.

Deerfoot - a skinny light brown tabby tom with yellow eyes

Stumpytail - a heavyset brown tabby tom with amber eyes

Cinderfur - a lean gray tom with orange eyes and a flat muzzle

Tallpoppy - a lithe light brown tabby molly with green eyes

Hunters:

Darkfeather - a lean black molly with blue eyes. Currently in the nursery caring for her's and Brokenstar's litter.

Hollyflower

Tangleburr - a stoat dilute tortoiseshell molly with amber eyes

Rowanberry - a heavyset cream and brown molly with a flat muzzle and amber eyes

Newtspeck - a small calico tabby molly with amber eyes

Crafters:

Fernshade - a lean tortoiseshell molly with yellow eyes. Currently in the nursery caring for her's and Dogstep's litter.

Nightpelt - a stoat black tom with nicked ears and yellow-green eyes. Serves as the tanner.

Brightflower - a heavyset ginger tabby molly with a flat muzzle and amber eyes

Collectors:

Nutwhisker - a broad brown tabby tom with a flat muzzle and amber eyes

Ashheart - a lithe pale gray molly with blue eyes. Currently in the nursery caring for her's and Cinderfur's litter.

Current Mentors:

Stumpytail, a protector, mentoring Brownpaw

Boulder, head crafter, mentoring Wetpaw

Clawface, head protector, mentoring Littlepaw

Flintfang, protector, mentoring Badgerpaw

Blizzardwing, protector, mentoring Volepaw

Apprentices

Mirepaw - a stoat brown tabby tom with amber eyes. Son of Newtspeck.

Dewpaw - a heavyset gray tabby molly with yellow eyes. Son of Newtspeck.

Littlepaw - a very small, slender brown tabby tom with bright blue eyes. Son of Newtspeck.

Volepaw - a lithe light brown tom with yellow eyes. Son of Featherstorm and Blizzardwing.

Dawnpaw - a muscular pale ginger tabby molly with blue eyes. Daughter of Featherstorm and Blizzardwing.

Badgerpaw - a small black and white tom with blue eyes. Son of Wolfstep and Fernshade.

Nursery

Queens:

Ashheart, Fernshade, and Darkfeather

Kittens:

Ashheart and Cinderfur's litter:

Lichenkit - a dilute tortoiseshell molly with amber eyes

Quietkit - a dark gray tom with blue eyes

Rubblekit - a mottled gray tom with amber eyes

Fernshade and Dogstep's litter:

Pinekit - a small light brown tom with green eyes

Whitekit - a black and white tom with yellow eyes

Darkfeather and Brokenstar's litter:

Blossomkit - a black and white molly with blue eyes and a flat muzzle

Bogkit - a dark gray tabby tom with yellow-green eyes and a flat muzzle

Elders

Poolcloud - a lean pale gray and white molly with blue eyes

Featherstorm - a lanky dark brown tabby molly with yellow eyes

Sootpelt - a thin gray tom with green eyes

Exiled Members:

Yellowfang - a heavyset, scarred dark gray molly with messy fur, a flat muzzle, and amber eyes.

______________________________________________________________

Notes:

Renamed Cats:

Ashfur -> Sootpelt

Darkflower -> Darkfeather

Wolfstep -> Dogstep

Swampkit -> Bogkit

Turtlekit -> Lichenkit

Oakkit (Oakfur) -> Pinekit

Brownpaw -> Mirepaw

Wetpaw (Wetfoot) -> Dewpaw

Gender Changes from Canon:

Wetfoot/Dewpaw is now a molly

Boulder is non-binary

Russetfur is a demi-girl/gnc

Additional Notes:

Darkfeather and Brokenstar are not mates in a loving sense, Darkfeather wanted the prestige and Brokenstar wanted heirs. This is a honor siring/pairing and not a love match.

[identityarchitect]

Do you mind sharing about Starfallverse? Your OCs are very interesting! I love it whenever you tag a post with one of those guys.

ABSOLUTELY I LOVE TALKING ABOUT THEM

(edit 27/04/2023 this & the post linked here are WAY outdated u can find a more accurate post here)

here is a post where i talked about them at great length but there are some additions to be made! under the cut bcs. long

mages are now called warlocks! and there exist things called Nature Spirits. they're basically like. hm. the culmination of a particular area of land with plants + animals in it. they're almost like representatives, although that isn't quite right. nature spirits are very powerful and their magic is a different thing from most magic so they're unaffected by the starfall. mostly wizards interact with nature spirits.

nature spirits don't have names, and are instead named based on the area they formed from. they also have informal nicknames. they have a human form, and an animal form. there is always something distinctly wrong about them, when they're in animal form.

sometimes it's obvious. a duck with cat's eyes. a deer that grins with a mouth full of human teeth as you raise your hunting rifle; it doesn't turn tail and run, it doesn't make a sound, it just grins at you knowingly. a rabbit with two sets of ears. a fox covered in fungi and mushrooms, rolling itself in beds of spores.

sometimes it's more subtle. you stare and stare and stare and your mind is dead set on the idea that that is not a stoat, whatever it is it cannot have ever been a stoat, parading about the thought of one, like the fleeting memory of a dying man's first hunting trip. it simply stares back at you, unafraid. why would it be? it's not the prey here.

some nature spirits are:

kif

-

The man sighs, a staticky otherworldly quality to it. You stare up at him as he pinches his nose bridge. His appearance was sudden, and you'd fallen. Interestingly, his hair is split down the middle, one side a light blonde and the other a deep black, like the night.

"Offering?" he says. You shake your head, mutely. The wisdom is always to never speak a word to nature spirits. They'll twist it around, rile you up, use your intelligence against you.

He sighs again, shakes his head. The moon earrings make a light, jingling sound as they move through the air, akin to bells.

"Okay, fine. Whatever. Just - just go. I'll let you go this time, just don't kill anything. Leave everything as you find it."

And then he's gone, and a raven left in his place. It stares at you for a few moments, and then flies off. You get out as quick as you can, but mainly out of gratitude rather than fear.

-

he's very cool! one of my favourites. very homoerotic with The Wizard Graceira, and has known Graceira (as in, the entire wizarding Name and not the current Graceira) for a long time.

rabbit ma'am

-

She observes you like a hawk, ears straight up. It's unnerving, and you don't move. She looks.. curious, in a distinctly cruel way. A cat catching sight of a vole.

"Hello." she says. Her voice is soft, like those leaves covered in fuzz, or like caterpillars. There's also something distinctly wrong with it, like nettle stings, but.. different.

You reach into your pouch of coins, carefully, not taking your eyes off of her. Feels like she's waiting for an opportunity to pounce. You hold out eight silvers to her, and she examines them.

"Mm, I see," she trills, "Then you'll be on your merry way."

And then she's gone, along with those silvers you offered.

You travel through the night to get out of these woods. It feels like she's following you, waiting for you to slip up.

-

she's very dangerous, and sharp. her animal form is a rabbit with two sets of ears.

wound guy

i don't actually know much about him! his neck is cut open and it'll never heal. his animal form is like a mix between an axis deer and a chinese water deer, bigger than a normal deer and with moss all over his back. he's weird, but i like him

also, there are now two groups; The Congregation of Colleges, a collection of warlock colleges and general schooling organisations. they have a high monopoly on what sort of magic is taught to warlocks. the congregation is headed by an individual known only as The Delegate, who i currently know very little about, but i know they have ulterior motives.

then there's The Lunar Council, headed by The Grandmaster Of The Stars. the current Grandmaster is a wizard named lusara. she is.. very out of her depth, and constantly tired.

thats pretty much it :]

[ellaofoakhill]

Oak and Stone, Part Two

Oak and Stone was a bustling town, with fey and creatures briskly going about their business. There were mice like Jasper here, as well as voles, weasels, ground squirrels, tree squirrels, stoats, a few bats, and many other creatures Ella knew.

As well as a few she didn’t.

Creatures like the lizards Ella had encountered on Gaea, or a bit more commonly on Fey. But no lizard she’d heard of had four arms. The smallest of these was a head taller than her. Tusks twisted down from their jaws. Their bodies were a uniform grey-brown or mottled green, with frills on their jaws and crests on their heads, which many had painted or tattooed or pierced with rings and studs. According to Meline, they called themselves drakles, and most of those in Oak and Stone were sailors.

What most surprised Ella about this place—unknown beings were really to be expected—was the abundance of elves. Well, relatively speaking; abundance was not a word that fit well with elves. But there were more of them here than Ella had ever seen outside of Fey. To be fair, impeccable manners and upturned noses aside, elves were known more than anything for their love of the sea. And the sea Oak and Stone did have in abundance.

Meline showed her down to the shipyards, where vessels from across this world—the drakles called it Nidd—docked and unloaded their goods. These went to the seaside market, a paved square by the water with a stream running through. The stream allowed smaller boats to paddle or pole into town and drop their goods right by the stalls.

There were fabrics Ella had never seen, some softer than velvet, others smoother than silk, still others so strong Ella’s knife couldn’t cut them; according to Meline, those needed crystal-edged scissors to cut into shape. There were spices alien to Ella’s nose and tongue, including one somewhere between lemon and banana that she particularly liked; Meline laughed at the incredulous delight that flashed across Ella’s face when she tasted it. There were strange rocks and shells, scales shed by massive beasts, and gems that seemed commonplace here which Ella had only read about. There was a wood here, one a fairy could mould with her bare hands while it was green—or, more accurately, orange—and once it seasoned became like fairy silver. Ella shaved the hair from her arm with a knife made from it. There were metals as well—the mayor had banned the import of iron for all but a few specialized purposes—but this claywood, as it was called, was so easy to work hardly anyone used any metal not found as a nugget.

The moonbeams were strange too. Nidd had four moons and two suns, and each moon made beams different not only from Gaea’s moon, but from Nidd’s other moons as well.

Beyond the market were shops. There was a shop bordering the market that sold crepes filled with berry and honeyed cream; Ella laughed at the white moustache on Meline’s upper lip. Another sold kebabs of sweet and spicy fruits, of roots savoury, sweet, and spicy, and of the spiced meats of different fish and insects, or whatever the equivalent was here.

There were shops that sold fine berry wines, cordials, and ciders, and shops that sold candied chocolate mixed with granules of nuts and dried fruits. There was stronger drink as well, but Ella had hardly more than a sip of a spiced liqueur that made her fingers and toes tingle. Too much made a fool of anyone, and Ella was in a town she didn’t know, in a world she didn’t know, surrounded by fey and creatures she didn’t know.

And Meline knew a great deal about this town in another world. Many shopkeepers and stall-owners in the market waved or greeted her by name, and she knew not only them, but their families, and how business was doing. And she presented it all masterfully.

After they were quite full, Meline led Ella across the bridge and out of the square. Ella had heard the sounds of industry from this section of town for some time, but she suspected Meline had been building toward this.

Ella worked a wide variety of metals, woods, and some fabrics, but would have freely admitted her grasp of other materials was lacking. She saw a water fairy weaving six different materials into one cloth, a mole and a frog setting gemstones into a brooch, a squat, spiny

local—they called themselves ekidnes, according to Meline—throwing a clay pot, and a squirrel blowing glass.

Meline led Ella around a corner, and Ella’s fingers thrummed to the melody of hammer on metal. A shop with a sign depicting a hammer and anvil drew her. Beneath a slate lean-to, a drakle so green he was almost yellow held a bronze bar in two pairs of tongs while his upper arms operated a hammer and punch. Ella watched as he twisted and worked the cherry-red metal into a whorl of vines and leaves. He’d already finished the central portion, which had what looked like three vines braided around each other. He had two trays of tools in easy reach, and the fluidity and precision with which he picked up and set down tools—hardly taking his eyes off his work—gave Ella to know this drakle might have plied his trade as long as she had.

Finally he set the piece on a frame and stood, reaching for the ceiling. His crest and frills were bright red. He wore a thick apron, and heavy trousers with a third leg for his tail. He wore a grey sleeveless shirt with two wide armholes.

His eye wandered in their direction. “Ah, Meline,” he said, stepping out from under the awning, “good to see you again.” He had a thick, unfamiliar accent, with something of a lisp.

Meline went forward and took his hands—well, two of them, anyway—with a bow. “And you, Art.” She turned to Ella. “Ella, this is Arthur Bronzemonger, the best metalworker in Oak and Stone.”

Ella bowed. “It’s always nice to meet another of my kind.”

Meline turned back to Art. “Art, this is Lord Ella of Oakhill. She recently did me a great service, and to repay her I’m showing her around town.” She lowered her voice to a stage whisper. “Her smithing might give you a run for your money.”

Art raised a pair of scaly eyebrows as he took Ella’s hands and bowed. A forked tongue flicked out of his mouth. “You smell of metal, charcoal, and wood—mostly oak, but also willow and poplar—but you have overlaid it with lavender.” Ella reflexively moved back from the tongue. Art’s eyes widened, and he sucked it back into his mouth. His frill reddened more. “Forgive me. Fairies are new to Nidd, and your ways do not always come easily.”

“I could forgive a smith of your caliber far worse than a small eccentricity,” Ella said. She felt a flush creep up her neck. “Could you… would you honour me by showing us around your forge?”

Art’s eyes gleamed. “I would be delighted to show another smith my work.”

“Then lead on, good sir!” Ella said.

Arthur reached for a clay pitcher by a sturdy door leading into what was probably his house. “Would you like a glass of ice water?” he asked. “Smithing is good work, but hot.”

“How do you keep your ice?” Meline’s ear-points wiggled. With interest, as far as Ella could tell.

“Carters bring the ice down the mountain packed in crates with sawdust,” Art said as he opened the door to his cellar and hopped down. He came back up with several finger-sized chunks of ice, dropped one in each glass, and put the rest in his pitcher. “and I put it in my ice

box downstairs.” He took a long draught from his cup. Ella noticed his frill start to pale. “You can also have a water fairy freeze some water for you. But the genuine article tastes better. Now,” he rubbed two of his four hands together, “let me show you some of my projects.”

Hanging from the ceiling was a bronze-bladed scythe. On two hooks on the far wall were a pair of axes, one with a silver head, the other copper. Tools of various kinds hung on the wall, including a number Meline was unfamiliar with; the only one that stumped Ella turned out to be a set of scale clippers. A pair of silver shields shaped like gigantic scales intrigued her.

Art, unsurprisingly, proved a fount of knowledge regarding his craft. There were a few points he was unable to clarify for Ella, though she suspected this was due more to a slight want in his vocabulary than a lack of understanding. He’d no trouble making silver and gold as hard and strong as any fairy.

“I have a question,” Meline said, as she examined a set of caterpillar shears. Art and Ella both raised their eyes from the minutia of a serpentine-handled camp knife (which had a blade below the municipal length limit).

“What is it?” Art said.

Meline looked around the shop. “You have a lot of high-quality items here.”

Art’s eyes lit with understanding. “You are wondering how, in a busy port town, I keep thieves from walking away with my wares.” Meline nodded. Art looked between her and Ella. Ella felt her own eyes widen as a thought occurred to her.

“We’ve just met,” Ella said, “so I understand if you’re uncomfortable talking about the security of your forge. I don’t tell strangers about mine, either.”

Art smiled; Ella hadn’t realized a drakle’s grin split its head in two. He gave a coughing, raspy laugh. “From anyone else, I might have taken the question amiss.” He shook his head. “I will not go into details,” he lowered his voice. “But it stems from my kind being dragonkin.”

Ella felt the blood drain from her face. She remembered from long ago the whump of colossal wings, a roar that shook the bowels of the world, a column of flame so hot it burned white. A pair of eyes larger than she was, a five-part pupil so huge it could have swallowed her, slamming shut as the flame poured out. And a voice, so deep Ella felt it in her bones, howling fire and blood.

“Ella?” She jumped at Meline’s touch on her shoulder. Judging by her and Art’s concerned looks, she’d been elsewhere for a while.

She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” she said, handing the knife back to Art. “Dragons have occasionally wandered into Fey.”

“And massacred and extorted everyone they could, I would guess?” Art asked. Ella nodded. “It is good to know, I suppose, that they are consistent.” Art hung the knife back on the wall. “They have been exacting the same cruelty on us since before our most ancient writings.”

He refilled their cups. “I have set foot beyond Nidd thrice in my life. Once to visit Gaea and learn a special technique for forging steel.” He held up a hand. “I have not used it in Oak and Stone, if anyone asks. Twice I visited Fey; yes, I visited your home world. Once when I was

still in my father’s care, and much later with my wife.” He sipped his water. “And it seems to me both worlds are less wild than mine. Though still full of dangerous creatures, I’m sure.

“Dragons are the worst, though wyverns and drakes are plenty vicious. Wyrms cause serious problems, though they usually stay deep underground. Sea wyrms are actually good to deal with; we give them baubles," he gestured to the silver shields, “and they leave our fishing vessels in peace. And the lung are kindly creatures.”

Ella leaned back. “So… this is where the lung come from?”

Art and Meline both stared at her. “I mean, yes,” Art said. “But they are rare on Gaea, much like the dragons, yes?”

Ella nodded. “I saw one once, shortly after I left Fey.” She sipped her water. “It danced on the clouds, even though it had no wings. And it conjured rainclouds as it danced, weaving in the sky like a glittering ribbon.”

She met Art’s eye. “They’re so different from dragons, I never made the connection before.”

Art shrugged. “Understandable. Take away the long bodies and scaly hides and there is hardly any similarity.” He looked at his own scaly hide. “But kin we all are.”

Ella did not ask which drakles were closer to, dragon or lung. Maybe they didn’t know. Either way, it seemed an unpleasant topic.