Cat

A **cat** is a small, four-legged predatory animal.

## Characteristics

Every cat has paws on their legs, and fur on their skin. Cats have triangular ears that help them hear things around them.

## Uses

Cats are domesticated in some cultures as companion animals and to kill any creature that feeds on precious crops.

## In culture

### Gimbarish

Cats are popular animals in Gimbarish, owing to an old tradition where they represented the barn and home goddess Bastet.

### Marnos

Black cats are popular in Marnos: as an inversion of an Ardeschen superstition, black cats symbolise defiance against Fate and luck, and therefore courage. This also led to the black cat becoming a symbol of pilots in Marnos' air force. They have become one of three national animals of this republic, the other two being the red fox and the *akillon* bird.

The International Day of the Black Cat also happens to coincide with Marnos' independence day on August 17, making these mammals patriotic symbols: to celebrate their nation, Marnosyns clothe their cats with red-white-green clothes and suits, and place little flags along their sides. Some Marnosyns also teach their cats to stand whenever the national anthem is played.

Damaging a cat is a criminal offense in Marnos, as all cats (especially black cats) are considered national symbols. Some Marnosyns would beat up an offender for injuring even one stray cat, while many others would drag them to prison. The typical punishment for harming a feline in Marnos is the same as burning or damaging a national flag, being a fine of several tens of *narisai* (the local currency) or a prison sentence of a few days or a week.

### Vozolaz

In Vozolaz, likewise, cats are considered as auspicious animals like their counterparts to the north in Gimbarish. This is because cats kill rats, the most hated pests, so they are seen as symbols of divine justice and blessing.

Black cats are considered sacred to Zomjonor, while all other cats are considered bringers of heavenly favour, as an old legend stated that one cat accidentally invoked the Vozonid (or Gauvajut) gods, who blessed all cats under their protection. Whenever a black kitten opens its eyes for the first time, Vozonids believe that the house where the cat lives under will be granted a great blessing from Heaven.

Killing a cat is considered very unlucky, while helping or saving a cat brings great blessing. On the other hand, like other animals valued by the Vozonids, one unusual law punishes members of those species that kill their own young, including cats: mostly because the Vozonids were extremely disgusted by such a practice. One notorious incident during the early Sarmelonid Empire, in the reign of Audar I, involved several villagers killing a cat to punish it for killing a litter of kittens. For committing an abhorrent crime to Vozonid society, the cat's blessings are believed to be revoked, dooming the ignorant creature to the underworld.

In western Vozolaz, the day a kitten opens its eyes is considered as its birthday. It and every other birthday from the following years onward are celebrated with either a special meal or a toy; and the day a kitten is considered an adult is another excuse for throwing a party.

Vozonids also believe that keeping a cat as a pet, even a small feline, is more auspicious than having a thousand talismans or burning one hundred offerings.

### Porashon

The love and respect of cats, especially black cats, was spread to Porashon since its inhabitants adopted Sarmelonid norms, and it was syncretised when the nation converted to Hinduism by associating the animal with Devasena, consort of Lord Murugan; and by extension, Lord Shiva and Lady Durga, the Supreme Deities of the republic. This is in contrast to its western neighbour, Nevkreno, where cats were sometimes murdered recklessly in superstitious fear; but somewhat similar to Narivo and Sevestrana. In Narivo, cats are preserved because harming innocent animals is seen as disrespectful to Mokosh, while Sevestranians just find cats to be cute.

This has led to cats becoming associated with divine protection. Pictures of cats are displayed in children's rooms to ward off evil forces, with prayers to Kali Ma to invoke the protection of the Gods. Live pet cats are also invited to live near children, as this was believed to ward off evil.

### Malendor Supercorporation

In the Malendor Supercorporation, cats are associated with the goddess Freyja, the Star Goddess of good luck and fortune. Cats were foreign to the Novantirnas, having being introduced either occasionally from visits to Heaven or ultimately from first contact with the Freyrgardian humans (who also worshipped Freyja as one of their Vanir deities).

On Anchanok, a planet dedicated to the worship of the Star Gods, idols of Freyja on a chariot pulled by winged cats or lions are put up at every shop for good luck.

Cats are very popular in Rukthan, where the locals see the animals as adorable reflections of themselves.

### Bujan

Cats are very popular in the Kingdom of Bujan, most likely due to Vozonid cultural influence.

The earliest cats in Bujan were introduced by the Daizhouvians. Some escaped and became feral, while others became into commonplace pets among the Wonao peoples. Two native breeds in Bujan descended from Daizhouvian cats are the Bujanski Saeumo and the Larusæu. Sæumo cats are pale-furred, fluffy, playful, and loud, making broken meows. Larusæu cats (meaning "river cat" in Eosome) are mostly found in the northwest, being able to swim to help river fishermen catch birds and fish.

Although black cats are also considered auspicious to the Vozonised Bujanski Slavs, white cats are preferred by Wonaos because they looked more cute. In Wonao culture, black cats are considered to be better at swimming and they love water.

Orange tabbies are also considered blessed in Wonao culture due to their resemblance to tigers, a sacred animal in Wonao religion.

#### Foreign influences and relations

In Bujan, there are around 879 cat cafes all over the island's provinces, but none of them served beef because it was seen as "not a cute food". The 880th cat cafe that did serve beef, the first of its kind, was themed after classical Ardeschen culture, so it was frequented by very "formal" gentlemen. This one, the Mutton Chops, was located in Buron.

Toluduri, a southerly nation united with Bujan, has around 300 more cat cafes, making it have the most amount among the Five Realms. Cats are also very popular in Toludurian culture, and orange tabbies are the most preferred for being more active.

The Year of the Tiger, a part of the Pinogunian calendar that happens every twelve years, is also used to celebrate cats in general. The Pinogunian New Year, held on October 1, became Bujan's own Cat Day. During Zvestarid times, the date was formerly on October 6, in honour of a Wonao legend about a cat who leaped to heaven for a thousand and six (1,006) times. At the thousand and sixth and final attempt, the cat rose as a tiger god. Henceforth, the number 1,006 became a lucky number, representing determination, courage, and accomplishment being rewarded by Heaven.

In Bujan, Saturday is sometimes known as Mæutredan, and it is celebrated with pampering pet cats with trips, fashion, and toys; or cat-themed art. The slang word is made of "mæu + Vetrædan", "cat + Saturday" = "Caturday". The same practice was spread to Sevraeja, where cats became associated with the national god, Stribog, the lord of Saturdays, the winds, and the seas.

#### Halloween in Bujan

The Terran festival of Halloween has been reappropriated by the native Bujanski due to its colourful decorations and black cats. As a result, since independence onwards, black cats in Bujan became symbols of independence and the defeat of evil.

Halloween, for its association with beloved cats, became known as Black Cat Day, completing October as the Month of Cats since the first day of the month is a traditional festival in honour of all cats in modern Bujan. It is not a great national festival in the scale of Independence Day or a royal coronation, but national symbols were incorporated into local Halloween celebrations, such as the colour blue and Ontemazei heroes. They also represent redemption, because black cats were rescued by Bujanski resistance members from being killed by superstitious fanatics or demon-worshippers, and then kept by happy families as though they were children.

Later, as cultural symbols of Bujan, black cats were also used as symbols for groups fighting against the killers on the July massacres.

### Heronoja

Heronoi love cats because they find cats, especially street cats, to be very relatable. Cute and beautiful, but forced to survive in a harsh world that would hate them.

## In the Collectionverse

The website Suffr was originally meant to be a place where people vent their frustrations and for emo fans. Over time, many of these formerly sad people were able to recover, so in their glee they instead turned it into a place full of wholesome and uplifting content. Among the most popular tags in Suffr is "fluffy cats".

## List of breeds

### Real world

* Maine Coon
* Bengal
* Persian
* Siamese
* Russian Blue
* Egyptian Mau
* Ragdoll
* Turkish Van
* Angora

### Rabydosverse

* Kanynnas (Maine Coon, Nolworra)
* There are twenty-seven breeds of black cats in all of Marnos, varying in fur texture, body strength and weight, speed, and personality.
* Artonjos (Marnos)
* Milanxar (Marnos, black cat)
	+ This is the national cat breed of the Republic of Marnos.
* Bälax (Marnos, black cat)
	+ This is a fluffy cat breed.
* Asonvjos, "Rain Cat", "Perkunas' Child" (Marnos, black cat)
	+ This breed of cat located along the southern rivers loves to swim and bathe itself with rainwater.
	+ Its love of thunder made it another patriotic symbol, representing courage and making it associated with the thunder god Perkunas.
* West and East Gimbarsian Meu (Egyptian Mau, Gimbarish)
* Bujanski Sæumo (Ragdoll, Bujan)
	+ A very fluffy cat breed. Known for its playful and affectionate attitude to humans, its pale fur, and its broken-sounding meows.
	+ "Sæumo" literally means "a cat" in Eosome, one of the native languages of Bujan.
* Larusæu (Maine Coon, Bujan)
	+ Black and dark-furred cats with fluffy fur. This breed of cat from northwestern Bujan was used by fishermen to catch fish and birds, hence the association of black cats with water and hunting in Wonao culture. The black fur may be an evolutionary trait that allows the cat to ambush its prey from tall plants and deep water.
	+ "Larusæu" is from the Eosome words for "river cat".
* Kindāræn (Bujan)
	+ A breed of orange tabby cat.
	+ Considered to be like a small tiger due to its striped fur, making it closer to the gods.
	+ Often seen wandering in some temples.

## Notable felines

### Rabydosverse

* K'aeparjoz - Zannoz's pet cat.
* Choronij - Paxoti's affectionate pet, a black-furred male cat. He gets on her father's fishing trawler to eat some of the fish she caught.
	+ He is from the Larusæu breed, one of two major cat breeds native to Bujan. This could explain how come he can swim well.
	+ Choronij was a stray kitten that was adopted by Paxoti's family.
	+ Choronij's name literally means "black[-furred]".

### Rinnarverse

* Dodgeball - an affectionate male orange tabby who followed his owner into the futuristic, dystopian Rinnarit Republic.

## In other languages

* Vozonid: *ailoz*
* Marnosyn: *gantos*
* Bujanski: *mæu*
* Eosome: *sæulo*, *stæu*, *sæumo*
* Hiriwan: *ngengeri*, *ngeru*
* Rukanian: *kit*, *kitka*
* Sevraejan: *kjotso*
* Pinogunian: *neko*
* Heronoi: *g'aita*
* Siangwaanian: *yèw*

## Trivia

### Real world

* Shashthi, one of many Hindu goddesses who protect children (alongside Kali Ma), rides on a black cat. She is also considered as the consort of Lord Murugan, one of the two sons of Lord Shiva.
	+ Honouring Her ensures Her protection and gifts to children. Treating cats with respect is also a way to honour Shashthi Devi.
	+ In Bengal, Her black feline is also worshipped alongside Her.
* In the Vietnamese and Gurung calendars, the cat is the fourth animal for every fourth year of a cycle, instead of the rabbit. The "Year of the Rabbit" is henceforth the "Year of the Cat" in those cultures.
	+ Since tigers are basically big cats, the "Year of the Tiger" may be considered as the "Year of the Cat".
* In Norse mythology, Freyja is depicted to ride on a chariot pulled by cats.
* In Japan, the Flohwaltzer tune is associated with cats, as it is called "Neko Funjatta" (I stepped on a cat). In Russia, the same tune is associated with dogs.
* Cats are popular animals in some countries, like Ukraine, Japan, Malaysia, and Russia.
* In Ukrainian folklore, the cat was believed to have supernatural properties, as in one legend, a cat ate and killed a demon.
* The most popular names for cats in Russia are Pushka, Vas'ka, Barsik, Murzik, Syema, Ryzhik, Kuzya (male); and Marusya, Alisya, Musya, Sonya, and Masya (female).
* One novel used in Japanese schools is "I am a Cat" (吾輩は猫である, Wagahai wa Neko de aru), which depicts a very arrogant cat in a middle-class home. The title uses an archaic form of Japanese grammar to mock the cat's arrogance.

### Rabydosverse

* In Marnos, the Flohwaltzer tune is very popular: it is known locally as "The Cat's Pirouette" (Labynda Gantosyn), "Cat Spinning" (Gantos Virijōns), "The Cat March" (Drantas Gantosyn), or "My Cat Is Drunk" (Gan-däto Pryxan). It is often associated with the country's beloved cats, and is used to celebrate a cat's birthday. It is also a drinking song sung every Independence Day.
	+ The theme is also very popular in Bujan, where it is also associated with cats. It is known as "My Cat Crawls Against My Leg" (Nov Mæu Polzitǐ Abo-Nōge), or simply "Polzoge" (crawl against my leg).
	+ Some train stations in Wonao-majority areas play this song as a jingle whenever the train arrives, because it celebrates the tiger (a "big cat") as a symbol of Wonao culture. Or simply, due to the popularity of felines in Wonao culture.
* Caturday is a popular festival where Internet users show pictures of their pet cats, as it comes from the words "cat" and "Saturday". In Russian internet slang, "Caturday" is called Subkota (Субкота, made of Суббота + кот - Subbota + kot, "Saturday" and "cat").
	+ In Bujanski, this can correspond with Mæutredan (Мѣутредан), made of mæu + Vetrædan (cat + Saturday). Saturday in Bujanski is named after the word for "wind", as it is consecrated to Stribog, the wind god, so Caturday art in Bujan may depict cats flying kites, hang-gliding, or wind-sailing.
	+ Saturday's association with Stribog, the national god of Sevraeja, is why Caturday has become popular there. Cats were later associated with the Wind God, so Saturday cards also depict cats riding on dragons.
* The Bujanski word for "cat" is "mæu" (мѣу in Common letters). It resembles the Thai word for "cat", "maew" (แมว).
* The 1006 number in Wonao culture and its association with cats was influenced by fanart of Huggy Wuggy as "Experiment 1006". The number actually belonged to another monster, a claw-like being; while Huggy himself is Experiment 1170.
* The Wonao legend of a cat leaping to Heaven as a tiger god was also based on a Chinese legend, where fish jump up a waterfall and turn into dragons.
* In Chinese religion, the White Tiger (Baihu, 白虎) is one of four heavenly animals among the stars. It represents the west, military, and warriors.

### Others

* The author's favourite cat breed is the Maine Coon, because it is very fluffy. His love of Maine Coon cats was influenced by looking at pictures of Huggy Wuggy the monster, which he thought looked like a Maine Coon cat.

## Gallery

Paxoti hugging her pet cat after punching a bag.Paxoti and her cat again."Happy Caturday", a greeting card in Sevraeja.People in Arienai carve round lanterns with the faces of cats to celebrate the New Year.Choronij the swimming cat at the right, wondering why his owners are so loud.

## See also

* Dog
* Araukoz