Slug Cat

Backstory

Slug Cat was left at Sunrise Sanctuary in 2013. She was the only kitten born to a tourist's house cat, and the tourist had not planned on raising her. Sunrise had people who knew animals, regular food and plenty of shelter. The tourist convinced themself that someone there would give the kitten a home, then left without her.

The people at Sunrise fed the small tabby, checked her health and gave her safe places to sleep. They handled her enough that she grew comfortable around people. As a kitten she explored anything she could climb into, under or on top of. Boxes were useful whether she fit inside them or not. She learned which buildings stayed warm, which windows caught the afternoon sun and which people stopped working when she walked over and stared.

There were a lot of people at Sunrise, and they did not always know who had already fed the cat. Slug Cat figured this out before they did. Patience near the food area could turn breakfast into another breakfast. She perfected the expression of a cat who had apparently never eaten in her life. Eventually, Sunrise had a twenty-five-pound gray-and-black tabby.

Slug Cat remained capable of running, climbing and jumping. She became increasingly selective about when any of that was necessary. Food arrived, humans opened doors and sleeping spots changed as people repaired or added buildings. Then a wooden bridge went up beside the koi pond.

The koi drew her attention first. They were bright, slow-moving and unmistakably fish. Slug Cat sat at the edge and watched them beneath the surface. Catching one was probably possible. It also involved water. She looked at the fish. She looked at the pond.

The koi lived.

The bridge was the better prize anyway. Its boards warmed in the sun, the pond cooled the air in the evening, and from the railing she could see nearby paths without going anywhere. It became one of her regular sleeping places. People tried moving her at first. Over time, walking around the large sleeping cat became easier.

She liked people too, on her schedule. Slug Cat sought out attention, climbed onto whatever someone was using and appeared nearby when food was involved. She enjoyed being scratched and petted until the exact moment she no longer did. Then she left.

By 2026, she had spent thirteen years at Sunrise. The kitten somebody left behind had grown up with an entire sanctuary feeding her, keeping her safe and finding somewhere else to sit.

What drives them

At story entry

Independence · Very high

Slug Cat decides when she wants company and when she is leaving. Food and shelter may come from Sunrise, but her schedule remains her own.

Trust · Moderate

Slug Cat seeks out scratches and nearby company when she wants them. Affection ends at the moment she decides it should.

Nerve · Moderate

Slug Cat will run, climb or react quickly when it matters to her. Most problems get a pause first to see whether they are worth the effort.

Control · High

Slug Cat sits where she wants and waits for everyone else to adjust. People learned to walk around her sleeping place on the bridge.

Main bonds

• Kagen

  Kagen is Slug Cat’s favorite person. She notices when his routine changes, even if she sees no reason to make a show of caring.