Cat Companion
Duncan's warm, blue eyes watched Shiv stride boldly along the quay, one arm uplifted and waving greeting toward him and the Wolf's Folly, the other holding tightly to the parisol that kept the bright, late spring sun off of her delicate skin.
There, too, was Rumpus -- her cat companion -- trotting along at her side. Duncan could see the feline mouth moving as xe pranced in an enthusiastic cadence, but could not hear the song. He could, however, see the way that patterns of light and dark rippled across the feline body, the striking pattern of xer orange fur rippling and billowing like the dappled play of sun through a forest canopy. It was a pattern that xe only displayed for Duncan when the Wolf's Folly sailed into port.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Cat companions are medium-sized (about 18-24 inches at the shoulder, 36-54 inches long including the tail) quadrupedal mammals of the feline genus. They are long in the legs and lean in body with triangular ears that sit atop the oval head. The ears may or may not be tufted, as might the chin, the tip of its tail (only in long-tailed breeds), and/or its elbows.
As with other domestic felines, cat companions are born with a variety of descriptions from long or short furred, to the color and pattern of the fur, to particular tuftings, fullness of coat, and other distinguishing features. Eyes may be round or almond in shape, but are always in pale, cool hues such as sky blue-white, seafoam green, butter yellow, soft lilac, or misty-day gray.
The fundamental differences between a cat companion and other cats of similar size within the genus are its intelligence and imagination. Kits raised in a household that communicates through spoken language will learn a fluent understanding of that language, just like any other child. Furthermore, kits will develop their own way of communicating with their bipedal companions, based on verbal cues, mimicry of cadence and tone, and even the occasional formation of words such as "now," "mama," and "mine."
In addition, cat companions have an epigenetic camouflage that gives them the ability to change the shade (though not the color) of their fur, creating different moving patterns of stripes, spots, or other shapes across their bodies. They do this as camouflage, for communication, and often as an emotional expression such as when surprised, happy, or angry. They also make use of this unusual ability when performing.
Genetics and Reproduction
Genderless, cat companions reproduce through parthenogenesis; that is, single-parent reproduction. Upon reaching maturity, a cat companion who has made the decision to procreate will begin growing a second tail. As the tail forms, its hormones rebalance and produce fertility in the cat companion's reproductive pouch. The fertile pouch produces a self-fertilized egg by signaling fertile mRNA to deconstruct, jumble around, and reform into a new, random combination.
The median gestation period is 22 weeks (19-25 weeks), after which time, 1 or 2 kits will emerge from the pouch. Two kits are very common and happen in about half of all births. Newborn kits are typically 6-8 inches long and are born without tails. They are at the smaller end when they are born in pairs, and larger when only 1 is born.
The second, vestigial tail, there to help the cat companion maintain its balance with the rapid growth of its reproductive pouch, falls off immediately prior to giving birth.
Cat companions have a free-form epigenetic structure that makes it nearly impossible to predict breeding patterns in regard to coloration, patterning of fur, etc. Because of this, when 2 are born together, they are not twins and usually do not even resemble each other. They tend, however, to grow to be around the same size as their parent, usually within 10% of the parent's adult size.
Growth Rate & Stages
Cat companions have a lifespan similar to their people or even longer, and it is not unknown for a single companion to remain with a family for several generations.
A kit's tail will develop within the first few months as it learns stability, pouncing, and leaping skills from its parent. It will reach its adult size between 8-10 years old, and reproductive maturity within 2 years of adulthood. This only marks when it is capable of beginning a reproductive cycle.
Ecology and Habitats
As domestic animals, cat companions prefer to live with people, and will usually bond strongest with one person. A cat companion will prefer to share a bed with its favorite person, but will also accept having its own bed. While cat companions prefer similar temperate conditions as people -- not too hot, not too cold -- their fine, multi-layered coat allows them to survive in extreme temperatures from -40 - 115F.
As an intelligent, cultured species, cat companions understand that biological waste is dangerous, and they appreciate the value of indoor sanitation. They will therefore avail themselves of the same drop-sewer facilities as their people.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Cat companions are omnivores, and prefer hunting and foraging for their own food. They will eat small mammals (such as mice, squirrels, rabbits, birds), fish, insects, nuts, berries, seeds, and the occasional leafy green thing.
As hunters, cat companions are skilled, silent, and deadly, like other members of the genus. Their excellent low-light vision and superior hearing allow them to track prey, and their incredible muscle reflex speed means that when they launch a pounce-type attack, they rarely miss the mark. A death blow might consist of a clamp-and-shake to break the prey's spine or a pounce-scoop-chomp to break through a crunchy exoskeleton.
Behaviour
Unlike all other members of their genus, cat companions have imagination and artistic culture. This includes original dance, painting, and musical composition. And while cat companions lack a written language, they still prove to be very capable storytellers through their use of movement, rhythm, and vocalizations. Some are even skilled at the particular style of comic mimicry where a cat companion will mimic the legendary antics of one of the cat companions of heroic folklore.
Cat companions are exceptionally intelligent, sensitive, and caring creatures. Cat companions prefer to accompany their favorite person, and will often find a way to make itself useful while going about errands, work, chores, etc.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
As hunters, cat companions rely on both hearing and sight. Their large ears allow them to hear the scurry of a mouse over a carpet, or an owl's hunting swoop. Likewise, their large, lambent eyes gather even the softest starlight and magnify it to allow them excellent near-dark vision. Like most mammals, however, they lack the ability to see in total darkness; they require some light, however faint.
Beyond this, their sense of smell is also particularly keen, as like other cats, they use scent markers to communicate with each other by rubbing and clawing. Unlike other felines, cat companions recognize that spraying is not an appropriate way to treat a home; though they may spray when traveling along an unfamiliar route to help mark their way back home.
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