Montgomery

A purebred fawn sepia Burmese tom with amber eyes and kink at the end of his tail

Monty is a medium-sized tomcat with a slightly muscular frame that notes a balanced body. He’s neither lean or overly stocky, with slender legs that taper down to his small, oval paws. A short, dense coat overlays his athletic frame, and carries the sheen of a coat in good health without any noticeable blemishes or scarring. Somewhat atypical of a Burmese cat, Monty has a fawn sepia coloration – a soft, beige covers most of his body, but darkens to slight sepia points on his face, ears, paws and tail. The sepia markings are subtle and gradient smoothly towards the points of his frame. Set upon his gently rounded, broad face and wedge shaped muzzle, sits a pair of round, amber eyes. The only distinction at a glance would be a kink in his tail, which curves the tip to the side, a genetic defect.

Monty has always been a naturally reserved tomcat. The type to be caught up in the small doings of daily life and taking in the world around him. His time in the antique shop and travels with Edward taught him to appreciate subtle details and the hidden meanings behind objects and people alike and is openly fascinated by humans and their accomplishments. He often pauses to study his surroundings, noting the quiet intricacies that others might overlook. This observant nature makes him perceptive; which serves him well in his newfound life more or less on his own.

Even as a young cat, Monty exhibited a calm demeanor and moves through his world with a quiet confidence. During his time with Trudy, he learned patience and found solace in routines, and though his world has since become more unpredictable, Monty adapts by staying composed. He’s not easily rattled and in stressful situations he maintains a steady presence.

Once Monty bonds with someone, he is unwavering in his loyalty. This sense of devotion runs deep; he was fiercely loyal to Trudy, and later to Edward, and even now, he harbors a faint hope that Edward will return to find him. Monty attaches his loyalty not to places but to people, which can make him wary of forming new bonds. Still, he remembers acts of kindness and repays them whenever he can.

Having once been accustomed to soft beds, warm meals, and a life of quiet luxury, Monty still carries a subtle air of refinement. He values cleanliness and has a practiced elegance in his movements but his time in the wilds has made him a realist, and he’s learned to accept life’s practicalities. While he would prefer pollock cuts or soft quilts, he will settle for scraps and an empty alley if that’s what survival demands. He might still offer a soft complaint, but usually tries to find the best out of any situation.

Monty’s early life with Trudy and Edward gave him an appreciation for stories, history, and interesting treasures – he can decipher human speech and thinks himself rather insightful when it comes to sensing whether or not humans are in a friendly or unforgiving mood.

Monty can be painfully sentimental and finds life a frequent reminder of the life he was forced to leave behind. He recalls the warmth of Trudy’s lap, his adventures with Edward, and the gentle rhythm of life he once had. This nostalgia sometimes makes him melancholy, especially on cold nights when he longs for the comfort he once knew. However his sentimentality also grounds him, reminding him of the kindness he’s experienced and strengthening his resolve to carry on. He often revisits familiar places, as if the memories alone provide comfort.

Monty is independent and often keeps to himself, but he deeply misses the bonds he once had. His reserved nature makes him hesitant to get close to other cats or people, but he still longs for companionship. He seeks out quiet moments of connection, whether by brushing up against a friendly human’s leg or quietly observing cats from a distance. While he’s not quick to form attachments, he finds comfort in the company of those he trusts, and he secretly yearns to belong again.

• Born in the Moon of Turning Leaves (2015) 074

[0-3 moons]

Monty was born in a prestigious showing cattery that specialized in cinnamon-based Burmese cats renowned for their striking amber eyes and elegant coats. His mother was a well decorated show queen, while his father came from a lineage of champions. However, Monty was born with a subtle kink at the end of his tail, a small imperfection that rendered him unsuitable for the show ring.

The cattery owners, though disappointed, recognized that Monty still had a charming personality and a desireable coat that would appeal to the right owner. Soon, he caught the attention of a woman named Trudy, an older, kind woman. She didn’t care about his show potential, only about his quiet warmth and companionship. Monty was sold to her, beginning the happiest chapter of his life.

[3-37 moons]

In Trudy’s home, Monty found himself adored and spoiled. She was a widow, her children grown and scattered, and Monty became her constant companion. He slept in her bed, enjoyed the softest blankets, and was treated to fresh, warm, and wet meals every day. He became her comfort in quiet evenings, as she would tell him stories about her youth, family memories, and the rich history of her old, creaky home. Monty loved her voice, the warmth in her hands, and the way she always seemed to understand him.

As the years went by, Trudy began to tire more easily, spending longer hours resting, with Monty faithfully by her side. Trudy passed away in her sleep. One day she just didn’t wake up – and Monty refused to leave her side.

[37-63]

After Trudy’s passing, Monty was left to her grandson, Edward, a young man with a curiosity for history, travel, and the remnants of the past. Edward ran a cozy antique shop and often traveled to collect pieces with unique stories, whether old maps, mysterious artifacts, or historical trinkets, most of which were clones of the original pieces. Monty quickly took to Edward, whose love for history reminded him of Trudy’s stories. Edward cherished Monty as a link to his grandmother and a trusted friend during long, solitary trips.

Monty was no longer a house cat bound to one spot as he became a companion in Edward’s adventures. Whether it be travel by truck, or by plane Monty was rarely left behind to wonder where his owner had gone off to. A wide traveled cat, Monty has been to the vineyards of Italy and the pastures of Scotland, but also travels quiet often around his home country. It was during one of these fateful trips, Monty was being carried by truck to meet Edward at the airport when the truck slid on the road during a rainstorm and collided with another car. The impact threw Monty from the vehicle, and he scrambled away, disoriented, into the unfamiliar wilderness.

[63-67 moons]

Where Monty arrived was near the village of Whitehart, off a beaten road. He was quick to discover that he was on his own and despite that he waited for Edward who never came – or at least hadn’t by the time he went on his way, desperate for shelter and a meal. He followed the scent and noises of townsfolk and came across the village where he met the regal Lelouch, who introduced him to Whitehart proper recognizing the cat’s pureblood lineage where Monty entertained his companionship and hospitality for some time before he decided to search for Edward.

Every time he went out to search, he would always come back disappointed. The trips became fewer and far between, and when he was out in the wilderness sometimes he came across other things. Other cats in the forest who identified themselves as clan cats, which included an old ginger tom north of the road named Honeyglow as well as a tom from ThunderClan named Bravesong. While those times he was met with friendlier greetings, he was rudely, and deliberately chased from ThunderClan borders a second time by a rosetted she-cat.

When he encountered a WindClan tom named Cloudflare, the tom had inquired if he had come from the farmhouse up north before escorting him from the border. A farmhouse where other cats gathered and shared their home – that sounded exotic and interesting enough for Monty.

• Fairweather Friends (23LN'20)

Gnome house inhabitant