Nine Lives

Catherine was once the purest white cat and msot beautiful attendant of Cerridwen, a goddess of rebirth, transformation, and inspiration. However, the attendants are strictly dedicated to the orders of their master and must remain maidens forever.

Catherine on the other hand was smitten by her master's servant, Gwin. He was a hardworking boy, who dilligently works around, and is kind to the cats. Catherine would enjoy sitting beside him and having her back stroked. Unfortunately, Gwin accidentally consumed the potion that the goddess was supposed to give her son. He was terrified and immiediately transformed into an animal and fled but the goddess was enraged so she chased him and ate him. When Ceridwen became pregnant, she knew it was Gwin, and she was determined to kill the child when he was born. But when he was born, he was so beautiful that she couldn't kill him.

Instead, she sewed the baby into a leather bag and threw him in the ocean. Catherine was watching in tears as she was torn between saving the person she loves and defying her master. She discreetly followed her master and watched as Gwin was mercilessly thrown to the ocean. She immediately transformed into a fish and rescued Gwin. They traveled far for days and nights until she reached a shore of a small kingdom. She carefully laid the child on the shore where people could easily spot him so she hid and left when she made sure he was in good hands.

Upon reaching the upper realm, she was immediately chained and brought to the furious goddess. She was punished, stripped off her immortality, and was only given nine lives to live then thrown down to the mortal realm.

She vowed to follow Gwin's path even if he didn't remember her and to do so for the rest of her nine lives.

This story is loosely inspired by the Tale of Taliesin.