Ainsley heard rumors of a village deep in the forest that was made up of entirely tortoiseshell cats, and decided to investigate.
As she reaches the location, she finds a vast empty field and is greeted by a cat.

"Hello there! Welcome to the village!"
Ainsley asks the cat about the rumors. 002 says that the rumors are true, but a bit exagreated. Most of the villagers are tortoiseshell cats, but there are a couple exceptions. 002 asks her if she wants to join, to help build the village, as they all just got there.
Ainsley would be able to make many friends, and have a lot of fun building up the village and welcoming more tortoiseshell cats (and maybe some others).

Fig peeked his eyes open, the fur of a wolf barely visible through the bushes. The beast sniffed the air, it’s piercing yellow eyes scanning every corner of the empty clearing. Fig had set out that morning with not a worry in their mind. They had been sent out to gather resources and on their way to do so they had spotted a bright yellow butterfly. This has caused Fig to run after it, straying from the path he was meant to take. After a few hours of frolicking in the sun, they realized that the sun was starting to set and should hurry home before it got totally dark. Fig ran back to where they thought was the way home but… suddenly nothing looked familiar. It was then that they had heard the panting and slobbering of the wolf. As they cowered in the bush an awful thought filled their head. What if the wolf was too powerful? What if they didn’t escape? Long after the wolf had left Fig remained, cowering in the bushes until finally they drifted off to sleep…

Fig awoke to a not-cat staring at them, seemingly trying to figure out if they should help Fig, or leave them. When Fig awoke the not-cat smiled, well at least smiled as much as a cat can smile, and bags their tail. “Hello! Good to see your not dead! If it’s not too rude to ask, why did you choose to sleep in a bramble? Doesn’t seem too comfortable.” Fig was a bit too shocked to speak at first but finely mumbled out, “Who are you?” The cat tilted their head and responded.”I’m Moose!” Moose batted a ball of moss that sat nearby. “O-oh nice to meet you Moose! I’m Fig,” They sat up, shaking their head to wake themselves up. “Since you were on our territory,” Moose tilted their head to the side, “Where you perhaps coming late last night to try and join our village?” “What village?” Fig was confused, they hadn’t been meaning to go to a village. “Why h-mart of course! We got the name from a human store back on Earth!” “H-mart hmm?” Fig thought about it for a second before asking, “Would it be ok if I stay with you guys? I used to belong to a village called Rockville, but I have no idea how to get back!” Moose brightened up at the inquiry. “Why of course! I must warn you we are still quite small but every day we work to get bigger, and I’m sure everyone would be glad to have you join us!” Fig was hesitant at first, but they were glad to have a new home and couldn’t wait to meet everyone there.

Fig, despite being younger than xer sibling, was always trying to protect her. Ainsley was so innocent and nice that Fig couldn't help it! But... They're both adults now, and Ainsley can look after herself... She told xem that the way xe acted was getting too frustrating for her, and that she was leaving Rockville for good without xem.

Fig was heartbroken, sad that xe could make xer beloved sister so upset. Fig was so disappointed with xemself that xe desperately needed a change of scenery, and so, like xer sister, xe left xer old home.

After a long period of travelling through Nestor's Wood, xe came across a clearing with a delicate ring of toadtools surrounding what looked to be a town square. The clearing was quiet, but xe could see a young grey tortoiseshell and mink not-cat talking to eachother on a bench. As xe walked towards them, a peaceful feeling rolled over xem for the first time in a while, comparable only to when xe first entered Not-Earth.



Xe greeted the two not-cats, and after a pleasant chat, was invited by the lighter coloured cat, who was the founder of this village, to join them. Xe were glad to have a place they felt xe belonged.

Entering for Ainsley, they meet my ragtag adventurer quartet just as they set out on a mission!
Sorry for the long one btw lmao

As Ainsley put each paw forward, they thought about their home in Rockville, their parents, and their sibling, Fig. Though they would miss them all dearly, things in Rockville had grown too quiet for Ainsley's taste. Now that everyone is settled, they have to go to work each day, and there's not much change in the schedule, Ainsley found themself growing bored of life. A nomadic style would be a good change of pace.
Leaves crunched under their soft paws, along with the green perky stems of new nature growth. They flicked their tail, sniffing around.
Odd, they swore they'd just heard some chirping..
Feeling the air with their tail, they realized that whatever they heard had its scent hidden by the wind. Ainsley swung around just as three juvenile leaf dragons clambered down from their nest. They clearly thought Ainsley would be an easy first meal.
Which, to be honest, they kind of are. They didn't bring anything besides their claws and teeth for protection, and were all alone out here..

..Or so they thought.

"RAAWRG!" A tom noncat crashed through the leaves of a tree, landing on one of the leaf dragons and writhing around on the ground with it. "Pick on someone your own size!" He growled, biting the leaf dragon in the neck and shaking it around.

A bulky black-and-ginger noncat emerged next, two molly noncats behind them.
With a simple flick of the lead noncat's fluffy tail, the mollies leapt at one of the juveniles together. The black-and-ginger non-cat took on the third, and soon all three were sent scurrying away looking for an easier meal.
"Are you alright?" The bulky noncat spoke softly, looming above Ainsley
"Oh wow- I- Yeah! You guys were amazing!" Admittedly, Ainsley was a tad nervous. But these noncats came to save them, right?
"I told you that was the call of a young leaf dragon, Antlion! Not a forest hawk!" The cream molly chittered, bumping the large tom in the side
"Yes, yes. Either way, I'm glad we came. This young noncat could've gotten hurt."

"Oh, ignore them!" The first noncat that had come to Ainsley's rescue rolled his eyes, smiling gleefully.
"Whats your name, stranger? And what are you doing so close to Aphidwoolle Grotto?
Not mad or anything, just curious!" He said reassuringly
"I'm Ainsley. And, Aphidwoolle grotto? Never heard of it." These new noncats were so interesting.. and quite nice, too. Maybe potential new friends? Hopefully?
The ginger molly piped in "Thats our home. We're working on building it up, its no surprise you haven't heard of it yet."
A brand new village full of exciting adventurers? Count Ainsley in!
"Oh wow! Can I see it? I'm looking for a new place to call home that needs my help!" Ainsley nearly squealed with excitement
"More paws are always appreciated. We can go out adventuring another day." Antlion nodded
"GrrhH. Fine! I'll lead the way." The cream molly grumbled, trotting off with her head high
"Don't mind her, shes a bit moody. Heheh.
I'm Paprika by the way, the moody cream noncat is Bumblebee, the big guy is Antlion and the ginger is my best best friend Spicerack!
Now that you know everyone, lets get going before those leaf dragons decide they're ready for round two!" Paprika bounded off after Bumblebee, and the other two soon followed aswell
These new noncats were surely different than those at Rockville.. And different is exactly what Ainsley is looking for.
"Wait up!" They called, then ran after the group.

FINISH

(ajudjsasd helloo! i always love an opportunity to write so this giveaway sounds lovely ♡♡)



Gentle rays of sunlight bathe Ainsley's fur in calm strokes with each caustic step she takes against the rocky ground, stray strands of grass brushing against her paws softly. Sober winds sway the flower that stays tucked in her fur, a memento from the town she'd once lived in.

Rockville is now all but a distant memory from before her travels; a past she'll dearly love without question and one she's hesitant to disembark from. And yet, the pleasing promise of undaunted adventure runs through her veins — shining as if the faded stars hiding in the skies above. Thriving her to take each careful, mellow step into the village Ainsley had set her eyes on.



Envri is a village that's almost the polar opposite of the one Ainsley had spent her life in. High tides crash against one other, and Ainsley can hear their whispers of flowing water resounding from afar.

Winter still lingers over the outskirts of Envri in an icy serenade. It embraces the crystalline lake, looking lucent as a glacier, and the blossoming wildflowers in a coat of frost. Melting crystals drip delicately from the leaves with the splintering of daylight dawning over them.

It was always summery, back in Rockville. Fig, Sunshine, even Coriander — the thought of leaving them, of everything she'd grown up with, makes the hairs on her neck stand up.

It's only a small village. Hidden within the creases of forests and led by a rocky mountain path, the sunlight hugs Ainsley's fur as she makes her way outside of the cover of overlapping trees and into the village crevice where the smell of a bakery, homely and fresh, soothingly greets her nose.

"Hello?" She calls out, her voice quiet beneath the noise of a running stream.

For a moment, it's quiet — there are no voices, no sound but the distant water and the brushing of trees. But then someone calls out, their footsteps hidden beneath the ever-present white noise.

"You're a new face," they say, Ainsley's ears perking up at the voice.

Ainsley turns her body, with her head tilted faintly, studying the other's face: Ainsley is curious by nature, admittedly not the bravest of noncats, and yet the unfamiliar feline feels trustworthy in a way that warms beneath Ainsley's skin and settles her thrashing heartbeat. Thick, long fur; a canvas of white adorned by specks of grey, and lidded eyes that watch her eagerly. Tail fluttering, chin tilted up as their lips are tilted to a soft smile.



"I am," Ainsley affirms, her tail flicking side to side absently. "This is Envri, isn't it? I'm looking for somewhere that'll give me a challenge. Somewhere new to stay, if only for a little while..."

The feline takes a step forward, and mirrors the tilt of Ainsley's head. "It is," they say, voice gentle. Sounding as warm as they make Ainsley feel. Familiar in a way, even as it's foreign. "Sounds like you'll enjoy it here, then. There are still some parts of the mountains here unexplored, I could guide you through them sometime."

Ainsley lets out a breath she didn't realise she was holding. "That sounds perfect," she says, meaning every word. Feeling as if she belongs, and ever-grateful for it. "Maybe I could be staying here for longer than I thought then, huh?"

"We'd love to have you," they beam. Their tail sways softly, and they walk closer to Ainsley. "Name's Rinya. I'll show you around, and you can see for yourself!"

Hello! This short story is for Ainsely who keeps her name and pronouns.
————
The cold winds brushed up against her fur. Her short curled fur didn’t help fight against the cold, making her expedition worse. The weaved bag that slumped over her shoulder slipped; a single wrong move would cause it to fall.

Ainsley had traveled far from her home, searching. As a small bean her village care-takers mentioned that going far into the woods was a death sentence. Evil spirits coming to whisk away any not-cats that stepped a paw away from their comforting home. Her sibling; Fig is always brave. Going far into the woods for sport, happy to see Ainsley again

That fateful night burned into Ainsley’s memory, overshadowing and burning her joyous memories. Fig didn’t come home one night, Ainsley’s mother, Sunshine simply shaking her head and patting her paw onto Ainsley’s head. Each night after that a chilling voice called to Ainsley, speaking it’s sorrow’s to the wind. The voice tainted Ainsley’s sleep and eventually she gave into temptation and she spoke back to the keening voice.

Ainsley’s ears flicked at the sound of a chilling yet calm voice. One soft as snow but pitched. They left me, it said keenly. Ainsley tilted her head and mewed a response. “Who did?” Almost as if the world responded for the creature, the winds rushed into Ainsley’s face. Putting out an already fading candle. The wind hollowing and speaking. A single word spilled out of the mess of speech. “Them” it slurred. Ainsley, walked off her porch and looked to the clouded night sky. Her eyes widened in amazement, the wind was speaking to her. Seek them and I shall grant you a wish. The wind brushed up against Ainsley’s fur. Before she reluctantly nodded. “Where are…them?” She cocked her head. The wind calmed for a moment. “Far, go into the forest I’ll guide you”.

Ainsley’s mind was clouded with doubts and regrets; no goodbyes given to her fellow villagers in Rockville. She wanders into the new snow-fall. The wind pushed against her fur.
——
That was weeks ago; the wind still pushed her far, her legs hurt. Finally she collapsed. Bag now eaten up by the snow.
Weakly Ainsley wrapped her tail around her bag bringing it closer. As an assumed punishment the wind shrieked, pushing dead leaves, twigs and snow around. A start of a tornado that would sweep Ainsley up and make her regret everything.

But it calmed, the world feeling warm and fuzzy as she looked up to see ginger and white cats staring at her open eyes. A voice called behind them and another cat of similar color ran up. Trailing after the first one like the south ran after the north. Ainsley looked up and something in their eyes glistened.

She blanked after that

All she can remember was waking to cream watercolor cat who smiled and reassured Ainsley she was safe.

Ainsley found her home nicely in The cavernous home of the cats. They told her about their adventures through the forest that resulted in many injures. But whenever Ainsley would mention her travel stories. She would be sushed by the wind pushing against her fur and letting out a hiss.

She still spoke to the wind; but it was silent ever since.

(Sorry for the kinda long one :/)

this seemed like a neat lil challenge, always enjoy an opportunity to write! ^^





Ainsley slowly slunk through the undergrowth, keeping her paws light on the crunchy snow underpaw.
She’d been on her own for a couple days now, having moved on from Rockville in search of adventure. Her family was nice, sure, but she’d gotten somewhat tired of seeing the same faces over and over again.
She needed something new. A palate cleanser.

And ahead seemed to be exactly what she needed.
The sounds of not-cats scurrying along the path had alerted her, and she’d been following whoever they were since midday. Now, the sun was setting, and Ainsley was ready to meet them.
Seemed Nestor may have had other plans though, as when she was about to step out of cover to say her hellos, a not-cat came crashing through the brush, barreling right into her.
The breath was knocked out of her chest as she and this stranger tumbled through the bushes. After a few moments, the weight was lifted from atop her. Scrambling to her paws, she now faced four not-cats.



The head of the group, a calico, tilted his head curiously at her.
“I knew I smelled someone! Who are you?”
Ainsley raised her tail happily at his friendly tone, “Ainsley! From Rockville. I’ve been looking for a new home, if you don’t..” She trailed off, blinking at two of the other not-cats.

A ginger tabby seemed to be scolding a smaller, tan tabby, swiping a paw over their ears.
“Come on, Pounce, you know better than to run blindly into the woods! You don’t know what could be in there! Rats, spiders, grapevine deer-
“Yael,” The tan tabby, apparently Pounce, snickered, “Don’t you know how to have fun?”
“Fun? Fun isn’t charging head-first into danger!”
“Yes it i-“

“Okay! That’s enough from you two,” A white and brown not-cat stepped between them, then nodded at Ainsley and the calico, “Sorry, they’ve been bickering since sunrise.”
“It’s okay. Ainsley, was it? Nice to meet you, I’m Finchbird.” The calico smiled stepping forward to touch noses with Ainsley, who happily accepted the gesture.
“My companions here are Pounce, Yael, and Nevada.” He pointed his tail at the not-cats as he spoke. Ainsley waved her own tail in greeting.

“You said you were looking for a new home?” Finchbird asked softly.
“Yep. Rockville was getting a bit too.. Boring? It feels wrong to say that, eugh.” Ainsley stuck out her tongue as if trying to rid herself of a bad taste. Finchbird purred.
“It’s alright, I get it. You could join us if you’d like! Our village is The Bird’s Nest, just over yonder,” It pointed its tail down the path the group had come from, “Silky, Summer, and Rook would love to meet you!”

Ainsley was almost bouncing on her paws with excitement. She’d really gotten lucky, on her first try too! The Bird’s Nest seemed like a friendly place, if the bond between this rag-tag adventure group was anything to go off of.
“I’ll join you.” Her voice almost faltered from pure joy, eyes shining brightly.

“Great! We should be getting home then, get you settled in.” Finchbird nudged Ainsley’s shoulder with his nose before turning to call the others to attention.
The walk home was long, it was nearly midnight by the time they arrived at the village, but Ainsley couldn’t be happier. Even in the dark, the place was warm and inviting. Three cats, presumably the ones Finchbird had mentioned earlier, laid bundled in a pile near the center of the snowy clearing. Pounce, Yael, and Nevada were already making their way to join them.

“Welcome to the Nest, Ainsley.” Finchbird smiled before padding to join his not-cats in their rest.
Ainsley had truly found somewhere new to belong. She skipped to follow the other cats with a bounce. in her step and her tail held high.





finch | he / purr

Ainsley's ears twitched back, settling upon the top of her head. Her tail lashed once, twice -- not out of irritation with any other not-cat, but with quiet consternation at herself, because she had gotten lost, and no not-cat can help but be at least a little irritated when they've no clue where they are.

A soft breath left her. Her head craned down. Ainsley focused on the frost between her paws, the crackling underfoot, which brought her back to ... well, herself.

Another breath.

"I can do this..."

Part of her lamented ever leaving Rockville; what had she been thinking, stepping from her home? Her tail flicked again. She worried over Sunshine and Fig in her head -- Coriander, too. What had she been--

From behind her, the popping of ice. The patter of paws on rocks.

Ainsley spun, fluffing up despite herself, and in response she heard a deep laugh, hearty and full, the kind of laugh that set her at ease with its sheer friendliness. She thought, fleetingly, of a bonfire, and the warmth to be found there.



The stranger was big, and scarred; a fighter, despite their ordinary bearing. Their size didn't make them swagger about or behave rashly. Instead, they held a plainness to them that Ainsley found endearing. She hummed softly and tilted her head, relieved to find the cat was not combative.

"Who's that, then," said the stranger, striding forward with impressive speed, a half-smile curling up their lips and showing their teeth in an awkward but not threatening way.

"I-"

A clearing of her throat.

"I'm Ainsley."

"You alright, Ainsley?" The not-cat rumbled, and Ainsley found herself speaking quickly:

"No, well, no, I mean, yes? I-- I got lost. I've always been surrounded by Rocks and I was just curious, you see, and I'm--I-"

The large not-cat shook their head and smiled again. "I've got a place. My friend, Vanya, they lead it-- 's called Secondpoint. 's that the sort of place you'd like to see?"

Casual. Drawling. Like this was nothing at all for them, offering to let a stranger into their life. Ainsley puffed up just enough to stand at their eye level.

"Of course it is!" She chirped. "Secondpoint-"

"'s small, still. 's just five'a us. But you'll like it, maybe..."

And of course, she followed.