Hawkmoth

Hawkmoth was born to Twin Oaks, a colony of cats in a long abandoned suburban neighborhood, centered around two oak trees, intertwined like two eternal lovers. Guided by the symbolic trees, the cats of Twin Oaks believe that every cat is destined to be paired with another —a soulmate with whom they would forge a harmonious union. The colony diligently arranges perfect marriages, while those who remained single shared communal dwellings, devoting themselves to the colony by hunting.

Hawkmoth’s parents, Cinnabar and Pandora, were the model couple of Twin Oaks traditions. Even the great trees revered the pairing, blooming with catkins and acorns on the day of their wedding. The pair had six children, Hawkmoth being the last and sole child of their final litter.

As her parents busied themselves with the romantic pursuits of her older siblings, Hawkmoth learned to be alone from an early age. She grew to enjoy the solitude, learning and making her own judgements without the influence of the colony. As she grew, watching the hassle of romantic endeavors on the sidelines, she wondered and questioned why another half was to complete her if she was completely capable on her own. When the time came for her parents to finally devote their undivided attention to her to assist in finding her a suitable mate, Hawkmoth refused.

No matter how hard her parents tried to connect with her and pair her with suitors, Hawkmoth rebelled against the traditions. Every attempt to "save" her from a loveless life drove Hawkmoth further and further away, and she grew to disdain the expectations of Twin Oaks. Love in any form, in her eyes, became an empty pursuit.

Exhausting all her choices, her parents disappointedly agreed she could remain single, hunting for the colony. Originally content with the outcome, Hawkmoth soon found herself trapped in a cycle, devoid of purpose.

One day while hunting on her own, a goddess appeared on the horizon—a single goddess, no pair or other half after her trail. Hawkmoth stared out in awe, the world outside the suburbs almost calling to her. The tortoiseshell felt an unspoken connection, a gaze she swore was exchanged, before the deity vanished into thin air.

Now, Hawkmoth was ever so curious of the world out there and even more dissatisfied with the life she had in Twin Oaks. Her parents could see it too.

Tired of seeing their daughter so unhappy, Cinnabar and Pandora pulled her aside, near the great trees, attempting to convince her to find her other half again. Hawkmoth still refused, and an argument sparked between them. Her parents could not understand, too late to fix the disconnection between them and their little daughter. In a desperate plea, her mother posed a simple question: “Why are you like this?”

Hawkmoth froze, and suddenly, light bloomed from the sky.

Under the strange light, the three of them witnessed something strange, one of the great Twin Oaks suddenly bloomed and withered as if seasons passed within seconds. The colony was set into a panic, her parents included, questioning what it meant for one of the trees to wither so quickly. Ignoring all theories, Hawkmoth knew it had to be related to the god she saw on the horizon. Taking the withering tree as a sign, Hawkmoth finally left Twin Oaks that night, seeking a fulfilling life outside the suburbs, one she could find all on her own.

Ever since Hawkmoth was young, she has always been an incredibly independent cat, an unorthodox way of life compared to the colony she was born to. She is capable on her own and is proud of it. She yearns to become something more than the life her parents want her to lead back home and is willing to step out of her comfort zone if it will mean something to her.

Her distaste toward love, romantic or platonic, makes her keep her distance from others and she’s not easy to get to know. Hawkmoth does not view the world through rose-colored glasses and is determined to always remain levelheaded. When she does speak to others, she is not afraid to be honest when others are afraid of the truth.

However, Hawkmoth is independent to a severe degree, only relying on herself, even if it makes the task at hand even harder. She’s deathly stubborn in her ways and rarely trusts anyone beside herself. But past her independent spirit, there is immense self-doubt and insecurity, afraid of what people think of her —all of her, all her strengths and all her flaws. Although, perhaps deep inside her heart, she yearns for something to know her so well.