Botticelli is questing! Episode 1/25

A suitcase stands beside a window. The window looks out onto a winding road that leads through a forest. A forest that presumably ends, but the viewer does not know for sure, never having been outside of the forest before.

Botticelli is questing! Episode 2/25

Roxanne, a grey cat, had been born in the old house in the middle of a large forest. No one came to visit, and as the years passed, Roxanne found herself alone. Now, it was time to leave. There had to be more outside of the forest. At least, that is what Roxanne understood from listening to the few birds that came and went from the trees in the forest around the old house. With one last look at the only home she had known, Roxanne picked up her suitcase and walked along the winding road leading out of the forest.

Botticelli is questing! Episode 3/25

The trees were starting to thin out, and the morning sun was a welcome and warming sight as Roxanne made her way out of the forest. She had been thinking about which way to head and did not hear a voice calling her.

“Hello! Hi!” Botticelli called.

“Where did you come from?”

Roxanne stopped, slightly startled.

“Meow! Hello. I used to live in the forest.” Roxanne pointed back to where she had travelled from.

“I am on an adventure, I guess you could say. I think I am looking for a new home.”

Botticelli is questing! Episode 4/25

Another voice squeaked from behind Roxanne.

“A new home? Maybe you would like to live in the trees like I do. Here, you can have a cookie.”

Botticelli and Roxanne looked at the squirrel that had appeared.

“You live in a tree?” Roxanne asked. “Thank you for the cookie; I was starting to get hungry. A tree sounds interesting to live in. Can I see your house?”

“Sure,” said the squirrel, “It’s this way, follow me.” 

Botticelli is questing! Episode 5/25

“I hope you can climb a tree,” said the squirrel.

“Cat!” said Roxanne.

“Oh yes, I see the claws.”

Botticelli said they would wait below.

Roxanne and the squirrel climbed to where the little house stood on a sturdy branch high up in one of the trees.

Roxanne looked around, it was a fine house for a squirrel, but not quite right for a cat. Thanking the squirrel Roxanne went back down the tree.

Botticelli is questing! Episode 6/25

Botticelli was waiting with the suitcase. “How was the house?”

“It was cozy but not quite right for me. I shall continue on my journey.”

The squirrel handed Botticelli and Roxanne some more cookies, “For the walk, and good luck in finding your new home. Come visit when you can.”

Roxanne handed Botticelli some cookies.

“I would like to travel with you in your search for a new home if you don’t mind the company,” said Botticelli.

Roxanne nodded to Botticelli, “I don’t mind the company it has been a while since I had anyone to talk with.

Botticelli is questing! Episode 7/25

As the two walked Botticelli asked Roxanne questions.

“What made you decide to leave your old home?”

“I was the only one left, and I had never been outside of the forest where I was born. Birds would bring tales of what was outside the forest, and I spent days mulling over whether to stay or leave.”

Botticelli sensed some sadness and excitement from Roxanne and thought it best not to pry too deeply. It was a new beginning for the cat, and Botticelli was determined to help Roxanne find the best new home he could. 

Botticelli is questing! Episode 8/25

“There are so many types of homes,” said Botticelli, “Have you thought about what sort of home you want to live in?”

“I think I want to live where the sun shines. Not much sunlight reached the forest floor making it difficult to find a sunny patch to sleep in. Cats love to be warm.” Roxanne answered.

Botticelli looked at the suitcase Roxanne was carrying, “Should we find a place to store your suitcase?”

“No thanks,” said Roxanne, “It contains some memories and is not heavy.”

Botticelli pointed, “A bit further along is a lake, it will be a good spot to stop and rest.”

Botticelli is questing! Episode 9/25

Upon reaching the lake, Roxanne heard frantic splashing.

“Hello, Roxanne called out, “Anyone home?”

“No, no fish here, replied a voice.”

Roxanne thought she heard whispers that sounded like they were saying, cat.

Sitting to wash her face, Roxanne thought.

“Wait, I am not here to eat you. I like berries and cake and,” she did not get to finish her sentence.

“Cookies, do you like cookies?” a voice rang out.

“I like cookies,” said Roxanne and with that a fish peeked out from under the water and a few cookies were tossed out onto the grassy bank.

Roxanne and Botticelli nibbled on the cookies while explaining that they were looking for a new home for the cat.

“I won’t be joining you in your water homes, said Roxanne, “It is too wet and the sunlight probably does not feel warm in the water. And why are these cookies not soggy?”

Braver now, other fish poked their heads out of the water.

“The cookies, oh they are so coated in sugar that the water does not penetrate them to make them soggy, we don’t like soggy cookies, though we love living in the water.”

Botticelli is questing! Episode 10/25

After conversing with the fish, eating more cookies and getting directions for a farm not far away, Roxanne and Botticelli said goodbye to the fish and took their leave.

“Maybe the farm would make a good home for you,” said Botticelli.

The sky was darkening, the night would soon be upon them and tiredness was settling in. It would be good to find a place to sleep.

Coming to a low wall, Roxanne looked up at the birds in their nest.

A robin nesting on a tree branch came to sit on the wall.

“Rumours are flying, haha, you won’t be able to live in a nest like we do, you probably can’t build a nest.”

“No, you are correct, I don’t think I could build a nest out of twigs and grass, and I would not like rain falling on me when I sleep.”

Botticelli is questing! Episode 11/25

Roxanne and Botticelli reached the farm as the moon rose. They could see a barn and a truck and hear the snores of animals but could not see much else.

“Should we sleep in the barn?” Asked Botticelli.

“If we are quiet and I know I can be quiet, let's see if we can find a small corner in the barn to sleep in until morning.” Roxanne replied.

They managed to enter the barn without making a sound, and curling up in a warm corner filled with hay they both drifted off into sleep.

Botticelli is questing! Episode 12/25

Clouds of mist formed in the darkness, a faint light hidden in that mist. Forms started to take shape, hard to catch hold of, but feeling important. Roxanne woke briefly. She had dreamed of someplace. The feeling was still with her. What was that, a tree; she was sure she saw a large tree, the faint outline of a mountain, so faint she could not be sure she saw it. At the heart of the dream was something she could not see but could feel calling to her. 

Botticelli is questing! Episode 13/25

“Wow! Good morning.” Roxanne awoke to a ring of faces peering down at her and Botticelli. “We are on an adventure to find me a new home, and thought this looked like a lovely place to stop and rest. Thanks for letting us sleep here.”

Roxanne nudged Botticelli, “Wake up, time to leave.”

“What? Oh, good morning; I slept well. Hey, hi all you farm animals. What’s for breakfast?”

“This is not a diner Botticelli, but maybe we can get some milk or some fruit.”

Roxanne and Botticelli were offered some milk, which Roxanne appreciated, and there were carrots and other vegetables from the garden and even some apples from last fall, plus cookies. The cookies baffled Roxanne, but this was a farm and farms were known for baking a lot of tasty food.

“I have something to tell you, but first, let’s head out.” Roxanne started to walk away from the farm, waving a paw at the cows, pigs, dogs and horses.  

Botticelli is questing! Episode 14/25

Once the two travellers were outside the farm, Roxanne stopped and turned to Botticelli. “I had a dream last night. I think it was trying to tell me something, but it was hard to see clearly. I remember a large tree, and I think there were mountains, but it is more the feeling; it felt peaceful and happy. I keep trying to remember more. Maybe if we head up nearer to the mountains.”

Botticelli took a moment to think. I know there is a city we will be passing soon if we keep in this direction, and then there is the ocean, and if we keep going past that, you can see tall mountains. You did not think staying at the farm would be a good home?

“A farm is a great place to live for many, or so I have read, but it was too crowded and noisy for me. I want to find a cozy place filled with sun, beyond that, I won’t know until I find it. 

Botticelli is questing! Episode 15/25

They arrived at the outskirts of the city. Roxanne knew the city would be no place she would like to live. “There are so many living here, and the buildings block out the sun, and it's noisy.”

Botticelli looked around. “I like the city, I come here often to buy things, see movies, and eat delicious food. Have you ever seen a movie before?”

Roxanne did not know what Botticelli was talking about.

"Let's go to the market and see what they have; we need some food to take with us, we don't have to stay long.”

Botticelli is questing! Episode 16/25

At the market, Botticelli bustled around collecting food, including a good selection of cookies, and talking with the vendors. Roxanne was amazed, there was so much food on display and everyone seemed happy and busy. There were musicians playing music, and animals on bikes, skateboards and scooters. Roxanne thought it was important to live where you felt comfortable and felt the city was far too lively a place for her but she did enjoy seeing all the others having a good time.

Botticelli is questing! Episode 17/25

Roxanne went to look for Botticelli and thought she saw him across from the market. Trying to cross the road as the cars whizzed by honking and beeping set Roxanne’s teeth on edge. Finally she was able to cross and meet back up with Botticelli.

“If you are done shopping I would love to leave this city and find a quiet place to rest,” said Roxanne.

“All done shopping, sure, let’s go. You look worn out.”

Botticelli is questing! Episode 18/25

Botticelli and Roxanne left the city. Roxanne was glad to get away from the noise and bustle of zooming cars and loud music.

“Have you ever thought of living underground? The moles and some gnomes love it.” Botticelli looked closely at Roxanne.

“Underground? It would be damp and smelly. Though the dark does not bother me, I think it would not suit someone who loves the sun.”

Botticelli pointed below where they were walking; there is a mole home below us, and look, a few moles are on the surface, why not go ask them if you can see what their home is like?”

Botticelli is questing! Episode 19/25

Roxanne climbed carefully down into the mole tunnel. She had no problem seeing in the dark space, and the first thing that she noticed was how dry it was. She had thought it would be damp, but it was pleasantly warm, clean and dry. There was not a lot of space but then it did not look as if the moles collected much furniture.

Roxanne thanked the moles for allowing her to see inside their home and for the cookies they had given her. Cookies are becoming a regular thing. I wonder if it is some sort of celebration.

Botticelli is questing! Episode 20/25

Botticelli turned to Roxanne as they were walking through a meadow. “Do you remember I told you we would see the mountains once we reached the ocean? Well, we are almost there. I have heard of animals that live in the ocean, but there is more than that. There are special homes built below the waves.”

“I would not mind seeing them, but I don’t think living in the ocean, even in a special home, would work for me. Cats like to drink water and we can swim, but having wet fur makes us miserable.” 

Botticelli is questing! Episode 21/25

“Wow! I had no idea the ocean was so vast,” said Roxanne, “Boats, there are boats on the water, do animals live on those boats?”

“Some boats are for working on and yes, some boats are for living on. Life on the sea is exhilarating for those that love water.”

Botticelli is questing! Episode 22/25

Some of the ocean residents, who lived beneath the waves, offered to show Roxanne their homes. Diving to reach the homes was slightly unsettling for Roxanne, as cats do not belong beneath the water. But once inside one of the homes, she was quite taken with all the colours below the waves. "Cozy" is not quite the word Roxanne would use to describe the homes, and the light levels were too low to keep a cat happy, but she was glad she had seen how some animals liked to live.

Botticelli is questing! Episode 23/25

Botticelli and Roxanne had been walking and chatting, not paying much attention to their surroundings. The mountain path was gentle and the day was warm, so they took their time and enjoyed learning more about each other. Suddenly Roxanne stopped and breathed in deeply.

“This is it. My dream.”

Botticelli is questing! Episode 24/25

“Look at how beautiful this is. Grass and flowers, the sun is streaming down, trees for shade with those glorious mountains framing it all. The cottage looks perfect. I can’t wait to look inside.”

Roxanne and Botticelli raced to peek into the cottage. There was a fireplace to warm the house during the colder months. The walls were solid and draft-proof. Everything that was needed to make a cozy home was here, in this little cottage far removed from noise and bustle.

“The best thing is the sun,” said Roxanne.

Botticelli is questing! Episode 25/25

Roxanne handed Botticelli a painted egg. “Thank you for coming along with me on my journey. I was not lonely and I learned a lot about how others live. A home is where you feel safe and comfortable, where you can be yourself and shut out the world or invite a few select friends to spend time. A home is an extension of yourself. This is my new home and it is perfect.”

The two friends walked into the house, put the kettle on and relaxed with some cookies.
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