Post by Celestine on Dec 20, 2022 0:57:17 GMT
Zephyr
Zephyrgaze Solitary Ex-Kittypet 41 Moons River Moon 2018 Gib Nonbinary (they/them) Pansexual |
Appearance
a seal lynx point with light blue eyes.
Zephyr is a medium-sized cat with a relatively average build, although slightly on the stockier side. Their hind legs are stronger and a little longer than their front legs, giving them more drive for leaping and running, and they are quite agile. They are rather fluffy with a semi-longhaired double coat that is water resistant and quite thick in the cold season, keeping them warm in very low temperatures. Unfortunately, they struggle more than some cats with heat due to this very insulating coat.
Zephyr is mostly a mix of white and light brown, darkening at the points. Their legs and face are grey-brown with seal lynx markings, while their tail is mostly a solid dark brown. Zephyr's nose is a black-bordered dark pink and all four paws are socked with white. Their eyes are a very pale blue, and their ears are faintly tufted.
Born a male and neutered during their fourth moon, Zephyr's scent may be slightly strange to wild-born cats with little to no kittypet exposure.
Personality
Zephyr is and always has been a noticeably curious and open-minded cat. Above all they value information and learning from both subjective and objective approaches. In their eyes life is a journey of constant learning and new experiences, and they are well aware they could never claim to know everything. They believe that it is important both to try and relate to what you learn and to empathize, while also keeping in mind what facts you do and do not know before making a judgement. Mistakes and failures are to be valued and learned from, but not taken as a signal to stop trying.
Unfortunately, no matter how well-meaning their open-mindedness and encouragement can be when it comes to everyone trying new things and learning what they can, this can lead Zephyr to forget that some cats are just not physically or mentally able to do certain things. Even with the best of intentions, brushing aside someone's limitations can be just as detrimental as not encouraging their capabilities.
Part of Zephyr's focus on learning and bettering themselves links with their observant and resourceful ways. Having had to find various ways to sate their curiosity or get out of a difficult situation, they have developed a watch, listen and learn strategy for many situations. In this way they learned many tricks from twolegs to imitate, and managed to figure out some hunting techniques that kept them fed. To them knowledge is power, far more than brute strength and stealth attacks, although they have no intention to use their knowledge to harm others. In fact, Zephyr is generally a pacifist, or at the very least a peacekeeper.
Beyond learning, another crucial value for Zephyr is family, blood or found. They are very loyal and can sometimes be single-minded in that loyalty. They may not be aggressive or overly impulsive, but there are some lines they could be pushed to cross if their kin are under threat. Zephyr may not accept a cat as kin quite as readily as they once did, but friends are still of value to. They will always strive for their friends to feel appreciated as well as to stay educated and may fret or try to prove themselves worth keeping around if they feel the relationship is slipping.
One thing that will often cause Zephyr's more extraverted and open-minded nature to recede is the topic of their former family, or their strange condition. Being unable to understand what is happening to them and having been thrown allegations of being crazy in reference to their hallucinations, they can be prone to worrying that others may use and abandon them or not see them as a cat when these topics arise. Although they avoid aggressing or snapping, they will generally skirt away from these conversations or try to change the subject.
Unfortunately, no matter how well-meaning their open-mindedness and encouragement can be when it comes to everyone trying new things and learning what they can, this can lead Zephyr to forget that some cats are just not physically or mentally able to do certain things. Even with the best of intentions, brushing aside someone's limitations can be just as detrimental as not encouraging their capabilities.
Part of Zephyr's focus on learning and bettering themselves links with their observant and resourceful ways. Having had to find various ways to sate their curiosity or get out of a difficult situation, they have developed a watch, listen and learn strategy for many situations. In this way they learned many tricks from twolegs to imitate, and managed to figure out some hunting techniques that kept them fed. To them knowledge is power, far more than brute strength and stealth attacks, although they have no intention to use their knowledge to harm others. In fact, Zephyr is generally a pacifist, or at the very least a peacekeeper.
Beyond learning, another crucial value for Zephyr is family, blood or found. They are very loyal and can sometimes be single-minded in that loyalty. They may not be aggressive or overly impulsive, but there are some lines they could be pushed to cross if their kin are under threat. Zephyr may not accept a cat as kin quite as readily as they once did, but friends are still of value to. They will always strive for their friends to feel appreciated as well as to stay educated and may fret or try to prove themselves worth keeping around if they feel the relationship is slipping.
One thing that will often cause Zephyr's more extraverted and open-minded nature to recede is the topic of their former family, or their strange condition. Being unable to understand what is happening to them and having been thrown allegations of being crazy in reference to their hallucinations, they can be prone to worrying that others may use and abandon them or not see them as a cat when these topics arise. Although they avoid aggressing or snapping, they will generally skirt away from these conversations or try to change the subject.
History
Mother: Unknown
Father: Unknown
Littermate: Tempest
Temporary Housemate: Delphi
Father: Unknown
Littermate: Tempest
Temporary Housemate: Delphi
Zephyr's early memories are faint and patchy, consisting of a vague recollection of their mother's warm milky scent and rumbling purr. They are not quite sure if they had only one littermate or perhaps more, but it did not matter in the end. Found near the neighbor's garden shed, they were given alongside their littermate to a twoleg couple and that was that. So young and provided with milk and a warm nesting box, it was not hard to adjust to this new way of life.
Aware only of the life they had, growing up alongside their littermate with the twolegs was pleasant. They were cared for, sheltered and never had to worry about their next meal. With eyes and ears open there were many strange and wonderful things to explore, and the twolegs even gave them names. Zephyr and Tempest. Zephyr learned quickly that whenever this name was said, it would mean good things. It was not hard to get them to respond to it.
Zephyr grew up a rather curious and eager young cat, while their sibling Tempest was far more laid back. It was ironic, considering their names. Ever eager to stimulate their minds, the twoleg couple would often try to teach the siblings new tricks or introduce new things, receiving somewhat mixed reactions. Ever eager to learn and admittedly enjoying the loving and treats a good performance got them, Zephyr was quick to investigate or play trial and error. Though less interested, there were even times Zephyr managed to coax Tempest into it; with the help of the twoleg's treats, of course. Zephyr often took this as a win, pleased with Tempest's engagement.
Zephyr had their first seizure, to their knowledge, around their twenty-fourth moon. There was the occasional odd experience before then, but from there things seemed to take a turn. Zephyr would have moments of confusion and disorientation that scared them, as well as a varying degree of hallucinations. Sometimes these would be voices or figures that they knew, other familiar imagery, or completely unfamiliar things. While their collapses and convulsions terrified their sibling and worried their twolegs to no end, Zephyr typically awoke from these with no knowledge of what happened beyond their own disorientation. The scariest part of these bigger seizures for them was when they would sometimes lose their vision.
Zephyr was taken to the vet frequently following these seizures, be they convulsive or simply showing outwardly strange behavior, and occasionally they had to stay overnight. After a few visits their twolegs began giving them these strange pellets, which they tried to reject at first, but after a while began to realize they were helping. Zephyr hallucinated or woke up exhausted and disoriented less often, and even Tempest was much calmer. Following this realization, although they weren’t fond of it, Zephyr would often take the tablet willingly, eating it themself rather than needing to be forced. Despite their strange condition, Zephyr was still a lively and curious cat most of the time.
Unfortunately for their twolegs, there was only so much that toys and tricks could do to satisfy Zephyr's desire to learn and explore. As a sense of normality returned, they spent more time observing their twolegs, learning how to open doors and access cupboards. It was not easy to pick up the tricks they used on their high handles with their strange paws and apply it to a cat's small figure and short toes, but it was thrilling whenever they made a breakthrough.
Eventually these habits lead to the twolegs building them something they called a "catio", and although they did not know what that was supposed to mean, Zephyr was thrilled with the slight exposure to the outside world. With the new scents and sounds, even barricaded by a strange, netted material, Zephyr settled down a little. They were enraptured by the birds and the insects flitting by, and the exotic sounds and scents of what lay beyond familiar walls. Unfortunately, even this could not sate Zephyr's curiosity of the world beyond for long.
Only a couple of moons after their "catio" was built, Zephyr met an outside cat curious enough to approach. Delphi. Although the stranger was nervous at first, Zephyr's curiosity and eagerness to learn about her more free-roaming life settled her nerves. From awkward introductions of names and pleasantries to tales of adventure and discoveries, the pair were quick to bond as friends. As the days trickled on, however, Zephyr's wanderlust only grew, and the netted veil dividing them became a source of frustration. The time had come to put their tricks to the test.
Having spent some time studying their twolegs on the occasion one would enter from the outside, too large to fit through Zephyr's little doorway from the den, Zephyr had learned a lot about the latch. It was placed on the outside, a little awkward for the male twoleg to slip his large paw through the gap next to it to open, but likely a measure in hopes Zephyr would not figure it out. Underestimated again. It took plenty of trial and error, but eventually Zephyr managed to coach Delphi through opening it from the outside. Zephyr unfortunately could not find the right angle from inside, but Delphi was an amazing climber. Lessons were certainly in order.
With a personal curfew of the next sunup at the latest, Zephyr set off with their friend. There was much exploration to be had, a couple of cats to meet, an admittedly unsuccessful hunting lesson, and a strongly insisted climbing crash course, before the unwitting choice that would change Zephyr's life was made. After a day of learning and fun, one last trip was in order: discovering Delphi's home. That was a mistake.
The life of Delphi was admittedly quite different from theirs. Her twolegs mostly left her alone, and while they fed and cared for her, she was allowed to wander as she liked. This seemed the best of both worlds in Zephyr's eyes, and they were eager to compare homes. Unfortunately, what started out as an innocent tour turned into chaos. Twolegs made strange noises, Zephyr was cornered into a room away from their friend, and the door was shut. Trapped.
Delphi's twolegs were smart, quick, and cautious. All the things Zephyr should have been. After leaving them alone for the first day, Zephyr was taken to the vet the next — apparently it was far more important to rub them all over with a strange object than to take them home. From there, the twolegs treated them well and were good at taking signals to give Zephyr space but were oblivious to the signals from both cats to just let them go. It was a wonder how twolegs could have such selective intelligence. If they were blind enough to Zephyr's clear desire to leave, how were they still smart enough to cat-proof every possible exit?
Unfortunately, this selective intelligence had another downside. Without their medicine, Zephyr's seizures became more frequent than they had been in moons, leaving Zephyr antsy and skittish. Whenever they experienced those warning signs, they would find a place to hide. The twolegs left them alone, and if they saw anything, it was never enough for them to get their medicine back. Zephyr had to face the fact that either they got used to their reality and sporadic non-reality, or they would need to escape as soon as possible.
After a half moon kept contained despite their communicated distress, Delphi managed to convince them to just play nice and act calm after one of their monitored hangouts. Supposedly, when Delphi was first brought into the home, they kept her shut in until she was calm and felt at home, then they introduced her to the cat door. Perhaps if Zephyr tried to show the same signals, the twolegs would let them outside? It was worth a try. And so, when their hallucinations and disorientation did not push them to hide and defend, they would explore the home when permitted, allow the twolegs to pet them, eat in their presence, and groom or nap with Delphi.
Despite themself, Zephyr began to enjoy this new den. But it wasn't home, it never would be. Beyond the calm moments, Zephyr was taunted with mixed messages and the constant reminder of Tempest's absence. While Delphi would occasionally try convincing them to stay, Zephyr's hallucinations would give them reminders of what — who — they were missing. From flickering glimpses or familiar sounds to the haunting image of Delphi morphing into a warped and flickering version of Tempest.
Finally, the day Delphi had predicted arrived, and the twolegs showed Zephyr to the cat door. Together with Delphi, Zephyr made their way back to their old home, only to find that the scent of their twolegs and Tempest had faded. To make matters worse, the den had new twolegs, and the small territory was guarded by a dog. Delphi tried to convince Zephyr to come back to her home, but they were single-minded. Surely their twolegs would come back for them. They would wait.
And wait Zephyr did. Observing other animals and learning how to hunt for themself, they waited not far from the home, making sure to keep out of reach of the dog. At first Delphi kept trying to convince Zephyr to come back, but Zephyr was stubborn, and eventually she gave up. In the time that followed, Zephyr's hallucinations began to deliver the same message, until they began to slowly accept it. Their family was gone; no one was coming back for them. It was time to move on.
Other
Condition: Epilepsy
Description: Focal onset seizures are a more common type of seizure for Zephyr, occurring generally at least once a moon. These can occur alone, but more often they present in the aura phase of a generalized seizure, acting as a warning. These seizures typically present outwardly with staring, dilated pupils, and unusual head or eye movements. From Zephyr’s perspective, they often experience visual or auditory hallucinations during this time, from flickering shapes or buzzing sounds to more complex figures and voices, alongside numbness or tingling sensations. Zephyr is mostly aware during these seizures but slightly less rooted in reality. They usually last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, and can precede a generalized seizure by a few seconds to an hour.
Generalized seizures are more noticeable to observers and often progress from the focal aura to disorientation, confusion, and then unconsciousness. Following the collapse Zephyr will typically display erratic flailing or paddling motions of their legs and tail while their head is drawn backward. Despite being unconscious, Zephyr may vocalize in yowls or growling and stare vacantly. These seizures normally last less than five minutes and are followed for a period from minutes to hours of disorientation, confusion, and sometimes temporary blindness.
Description: Focal onset seizures are a more common type of seizure for Zephyr, occurring generally at least once a moon. These can occur alone, but more often they present in the aura phase of a generalized seizure, acting as a warning. These seizures typically present outwardly with staring, dilated pupils, and unusual head or eye movements. From Zephyr’s perspective, they often experience visual or auditory hallucinations during this time, from flickering shapes or buzzing sounds to more complex figures and voices, alongside numbness or tingling sensations. Zephyr is mostly aware during these seizures but slightly less rooted in reality. They usually last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, and can precede a generalized seizure by a few seconds to an hour.
Generalized seizures are more noticeable to observers and often progress from the focal aura to disorientation, confusion, and then unconsciousness. Following the collapse Zephyr will typically display erratic flailing or paddling motions of their legs and tail while their head is drawn backward. Despite being unconscious, Zephyr may vocalize in yowls or growling and stare vacantly. These seizures normally last less than five minutes and are followed for a period from minutes to hours of disorientation, confusion, and sometimes temporary blindness.