windy-is-here

[windy-is-here]

~ The Trickster Cat ~ Compelling, Enigmatic, Condescending ~

I said a bit ago that I had a Kooza/Cats crossover in mind and even if it was cursed I would draw it anyways, and here it is now, surprisingly uncursed, or at least, surprisingly satisfactory! I'll have to do some dance poses sooner or later but I'm happy with this as a start :3

I tried to keep the design true to both sources of inspiration. Some thoughts on the design under the cut:

There are some elements of the Trickster's design that translate pretty well to stage!Cats costumes, namely the smooth-limb effect of the Trickster's extra-long sleeves and flared pant legs compared with the Cats arm/legwarmers. It's something I really like about the traditional Cats costumes (and a big part of why Cats 2019's designs don't work)* and something I REALLY like about the Trickster's outfits, so it's great for me.

*For further expansion on the subject, @missing-sock-misto has a great breakdown of the Cats costumes here. The relevant part is this:

They help shape the limbs and invoke the feeling of fluff. Human limbs taper, especially at the joints: wrists, elbows, knees, ankles. The arm and leg warmers help cover this, because they’re thick, making them more like cat limbs, which are functionally tubes.

It's one of the first elements I noticed when I first watched the Cats stage show, and when started interrogating myself as to why I liked the designs so much, I realized its importance in "evoking felinity", as azerairis and missing-sock put it. There are a lot of Cats adaptations that, for some godsforsaken reason, get rid of the arm and leg warmers, and it's almost always a mistake. We're trying to make them look like cute cats, not like painted humans.

For the Trickster, why they have long sleeves and flared pant legs may not be as obvious, but they do still serve a visual purpose. They make the Trickster appear that much more ethereal and otherworldly. Everything about them is smooth and continuous - legs flowing into feet, stripes swirling uninterrupted across their body, movement lithe and serpentine - and that makes them seem inhuman, especially when put in contrast with the stick-like, stumbling, uncertain Innocent.

Other more minor elements also translate pretty well. For instance, the Trickster's makeup is already very exaggerated, as is their "hairline" (hat...line?), in a way that doesn't look out of place in Cats. They have stripes on their face, monochrome eyes, and the :3 kitty mouth. The stripes on their body were easy to translate as well. Honestly I didn't have to think over it as much as I expected LOL Except for the wig. Don't ask me how that works. I do think this design is maybe...too simplistic? Like I maybe could've incorporated some of the suit elements of their costume, cuz the Trickster does look kind of odd without their tie. But I wasn't going to give them a collar because pfffftbl lmao could you imagine. Maybe they could have something Skimbleshanks-esque for a top with some formality to it, though I'm not sure putting human clothes on a cat version of an unknowable trickster god person makes sense either LOL

[windy-is-here]

Cold behind the window

The water just stopped boiling in the kettle. Niran approached the kettle, humming to himself as he grabbed a cup and made himself some green tea.

He made his way to the living room and sat down on the couch, looking out the apartments window. Taking a sip out of the cup, he sighed. He suddenly heard the door open, a smile forming on his face, knowing who had just opened the door. He got up, placing the cup on the coffee table and making his way to the hallway.

"Welcome home, thī̀rạk."

Said Niran leaning against the door frame, smiling widely at his lover.

Baptiste looked behind him, grinning as he placed grocery bags down and took off

his boots.

"Good to see you aswell, mon amour."

He said, walking to Niran, giving him a small kiss on his lips.

Niran could only hum happily at Baptiste actions, warping hands around him and pulling him into a hug.

"My, you are cold.."

He told Baptiste with a smile, as Niran nuzzled into Baptiste hair.

"It's freezing outside."

Mumbled Baptiste into Niran's chest, returning the hug.

Niran turned his head to the window at the living room, seeing small snowflakes fall slowly from the evening sky.

"I bet, considering it is snowing outside."

Said Niran, fascinated with nature and its season. He sighs and starts caressing Baptiste hair.

Baptiste could only smile at his action before removing himself from Nirans grasp and pick up the grocery bags.

"No matter how much I would like to be in your embrace, I cannot let the food spoil."

Spoke Baptiste with a lighthearted tone. Making his way to the kitchen.

"Let me help you?"

Asked Niran, as he stopped leaning on the door frame and peaked his head into the small kitchen, giving Baptiste puppy eyes.

Baptiste looked back at Niran and his smile grew.

"How could I say no to your adorable demeanour."

Uttered Baptiste, placing the bags on the counter and making his way to kiss that pretty face.

"Of course you can, flè mwen."

Whispered Baptiste onto his lips, moving his hands to hold Nirans cheeks.

Niran only could giggle, before taking Baptiste hands and kissing them and walking into the kitchen to help Baptiste out with groceries.

Later they both shared a cup of tea while snuggled up in a warm blanket on the couch, enjoying the domesticy and warmth.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-

I WAS SO NERVOUS WRITING THIS AND POSTING IT SINCE I AM SURE THERE ARE GRAMMAR MISTAKSE AND ITS OUT OF CHARACTER..

Please speare me 🙏

BUT- I NEEDED MORE FANFICTION OF THEESE TWO SO I DID IT MYSELF, might do more since I love them... buttTtt I am afraid so :)

[windy-is-here]

GUESS WHO HIT LVL 50 LIFEWEAVER??

Oh, you BET, it was this guy👈

God I feel so happy-

I FRICKING DID ITTTT

[windy-is-here]

I drew the baby boy..

~▪︎●☆●▪︎~

NOooo I definitely don't love Lifeweaver and have the urge to protect him from any harm....

I JSUT FIND HIM AS A PURE BABY, MUST PROTECT and I shall give the lifeweaver community something aswell

Anyways I tried out a new artstyle in the middle of the night because school can wait 🪷

I will experiment with it and maybe post it

Windy out ~☆

[windy-is-here]

All I can say is, your welcome ;)

(I LOVE THIS BABY BOY TOO MUCH)