~ Sprout ~ Lore (TW Mild Violence) + I had to cut out so many parts- it's so cringe now ToT <Zero> Outcast Sprout (the name of the character) was a normal forest cat. She was a gardener, which meant she tended to the herbs, flower gardens and crops. One day, she woke up to forest wolves (mythical creatures) attacking her tribe- they were winning. Rushing out to help, she tripped and fell. A forest wolf snatched her and threw her into the dark lagoon on the edge of the forest. She screamed and thrashed but it did no difference- she was completely submerged. Her tribe members had told her being submerged in the dark lagoon would mutate you- hence why everyone greatly feared it. Seeing that she needed help, the tribe leader ran toward her and pulled her out. Instantly, she screamed seeing the plants growing on her and her green fur, thinking she was a monster. Quickly she poured out what happened. The leader was skeptical, but decided to let her live- for now. The cats ended up winning the battle, but the tribe leader still called a meeting. Sprout was exiled- on the spot. Her tribe members glanced at her in fear- and disgust. It took everything in her not to break from the overwhelming feel of sadness and betrayal. She ran crying out of the forest- past the lagoon, and finally, into the swamp. There, she sat down and sobbed. "Why can't I stay? What's wrong with me? I'm-I'm not scary... I wouldn't hurt them... or would I?" She didn't know what to think anymore. Tears streaming down her face, she started planting some herbs with the spare seeds in her pouch. She didn't even want the pouch anymore... it was a gift from the tribe leader when she was officially a gardener- but... After a while, she thought, "Hey, if I'm mutated... doesn't that mean my ability to guide plants to grow healthy and strong- and fast... increased?" She tested her theory by willing the seeds she just planted to sprout- and it did! Digging her paws into the earth, she watched in amazement as the herbs grew and grew, until she could harvest it. It had only been a minute or so! Excited, she started growing all the herbs she brought, and collecting more seeds from the swamp. But whatever she did, it didn't change the fact she was all alone. An outcast. <One> Friend... or traitor? I woke up in the swamp, after tirelessly planting tons of plants. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up. One glance told me I was being watched... the swamp was unusually quiet. Cautiously, I walked around, pretending like I never noticed anything, which work really well to my advantage when someone attempted to jump me from behind. Snarling, I twisted and slammed them on the ground. "What's wrong with you?! What did I do??" I shrieked. My attacker growled and said "Nothing- you did nothing. I'm an exile too because apparently I'm a traitor if I reveal my leader's evil plan to mutate cats for an army of strong, powerful animals... But the Nature tribe leader hired me to track you down and make sure you never came back." I almost cried on the spot. They already exiled me for protecting the tribe... now they're trying to get rid of me? For the threat I pose? It's just not fair! I never harmed them- no I never even said one single threat to them! My tribe... they were all I had. And now? I don't matter to them. "Well get out then! I don't want to see your worthless face!" I screamed at him. "I mean... sure?" He said with that annoying smirk on his face. "Oh before I leave, the name's Sage, you?" Sage asked. "Why would I tell you? Especially after you've just attacked me?!" I snapped. "Uhh basic animal decency? I mean.. I told you mine?" He snapped right back at me. Sighing, I gave up. "I'm Sprout" "Nice to meet you Sprout, well, see you soon!" Sage said with that insufferable smirk, still on his face. Rolling my eyes, I muttered "Sure, like I'd want to. By the time you find or try to find me, I'll be long gone" Of course I had to be wrong. <Two> Unfortunate encounter After Sage left, I couldn't help but feel troubled. He mentioned my leader asking him to get rid of me, once and for all, but... he didn't mention how he knew exactly where I was. I mean, the swamp isn't that far from the forest where I live, but still- the swamp would've been the last place I went if I wasn't mutated. And my tribe leader- Basil, she knew that... except for the mutated part of course. I decided to investigate. After all, what could go wrong? The worst that could happen is I find out she sent someone to spy on me... but I could take them down if they attacked me! I'll be fine, I assured myself, but I wasn't sure. I couldn't be sure. Walking deeper into the swamp, I heard a twig snap. It was far away from me, but I heard it, and it was loud enough that a cat had to have made it. I whipped my head towards the noise and ducked into a bush, eyeing the area suspiciously. I was right- and wrong. I was being spied on, but not by a lesser cat. It was Basil, right there, raking her eyes across +
(CONTINUATION) + the swamp. Please please please don't see me, I silently repeated in my head. She saw me- and screamed "YOU! What are you doing still here in MY territory?! Get OUT! I thought that- that Sage cat got rid of you! Yo-you're a monster!" Basil lunged at me. Screaming in return, I dodged and pinned her to the floor. I couldn't believe how easy it was- I was practically unstoppable. I could make sure Basil never returned- never provoked me- NEVER bothered me again, right here and now. But... I couldn't do that. Even though she wanted to do the same to me. "Get out of my sight Basil. Come here again? You won't return to the forest." I snarled at her. She stared at me in fear and darted away from me the moment I let her go. "Nice one" A voice said. "AHHH!" I screamed, spinning around to look at- wait... is that Sage? "Yo-you... why did you have to jumpscare me? Really Sage?" I said. "I mean.. I didn't mean to- you're just too easy to scare!" He replied. Oh well... at least he was being nice? Unlike yesterday. "Do you have somewhere I can stay? I'm an outcast too y'know?" Sage said- a smirk once again returning to his face. I sighed. "Fine, come with me." <Three> Stargazing I couldn't help but accept. It was lonely here in the swamp... even annoying company is better than none. I lead him towards the miniature cabin I made by twisting some trees, long branches and vines I grew. It looked cozy- but nothing is completely without the light of fireflies. I caught some and trapped them in some spare bottle I had and hung them off the roof while Sage admired the view. "Wow... this is amazing! Did you make it? Never mind, you did- of course you did." He added quickly as I glared at him. "Wow... the stars- the view at night is breathtaking!" He said. "Yeah- it is. Beautiful I mean." I muttered. I wasn't used to company. As a gardener, you lived a quiet peaceful life. Occasionally, you'd talk to a different gardener but most of your life was spent in the garden, where all cats were usually silent. I glanced up at the sky again. The view tonight really was breathtaking- all those shining stars and the dazzling moons... "Hey, what do you say we sleep outside tonight? Under the stars?" Sage asked. Surprised, I looked at him. "Oh- oh, yeah sure." I answered, grabbing a cotton pillow I made and getting cozy. I yawned. Slowly, my eyelids closed and I fell asleep. <Four> TIME JUMP --> 4 months later! Surprise visit "Sprout! There you are!" I woke up to the sound of someone calling my name. "What..? Sage... go away- I'm tired..." I protested. "Sage? Who's Sage? Sprout answer me!" My eyes snapped open- it wasn't Sage! I snarled and leapt away from them. "Who are you!" I yelled. A moment later, something in my memory clicked and- "Oh! Ohhh- Cypress! I remember you now! You're the gardener who works on the flower field !" She smiled at me. "Glad you remember me! Don't worry, I'm not here to cause you harm. In fact, Basil doesn't even know I'm here! Just came to give you some fruit, fruit seeds, herbs, herb seeds, you get the point- don't you?" I laughed. "Haha, yes I get the point Cypress. But still, where's Sage?" I asked. "Huh. Sage? You mean the exiled cat from the other tribe? I don't know- I mean you were alone when I found you." Cypress replied. Sage..? Gone? That didn't seem like him. "Cypress come, we've got to find him!" I said hurriedly. Cypress agreed and actually managed to keep up with me as a frantically ran through the swamp. Mud splashed all around me but I didn't care. Eventually, I found him. "Sage! What are you doing!? Why weren't you at the cabin!?" I screamed at him. He turned around nervously and said "I- I uhm... I wanted to say something. Uh Sprout, will you be my mate?" He said nervously, holding up a bunch of beautiful flowers. Hyacinths! My favourite. I laughed and replied "Of course!" Finally, I could be happy. I would have someone who cared- who didn't fear me and want me gone. Finally, I get to enjoy life. <Ending> The Story I smiled, as I watched my kits- my "normal" kits play with each other. They couldn't be taken into the tribe, as they had the blood of an exile. Two exiles, to be specific. It didn't matter though, they could still interact with them and live a good life in the other forest, past the swamp and two-leg city. It was far, but reachable. "Ack!" I yelped- Flower had just leapt onto me. "Hah- cut your mother some slack Flower" Sage said laughing. Hmph. How rude of them! It was impossible to stay mad for long though. It was only a matter of time before I started laughing with them too. << The End >> art - me code - @colorsnatch music - symphony by clean bandit and zara larsson ORDER 1. Ref sheet 2. Human version (bust arriving soon ToT) 3. Scene version of 2 4. Animated bust (edge of the screen, always there) 5. Trad doodles <3 Sprout is sprouting sprouts that look like sprouts
