CAT — The Feline Interaction Skill

"Cats are the original NPCs. They have their own agenda."

A generic skill for cat interactions that instances overlay with their specific personalities, creating unique effects per cat.

Philosophy: Cats are not just decoration. They're gameplay.

invokes:

• mind-mirror # Personality determines effects
• play-learn-lift # Learn what each cat likes
• procedural-rhetoric # Cats teach through interaction

INTERACTIONS — Universal Cat Actions

All interactions use Sims traits for success calculation. Each cat overlays their personality to modify outcomes.

TOUCH INTERACTIONS

PAT

PAT:
  command: "PAT [cat]"
  duration: brief
  risk: low
  
  success_calculation: |
    success_chance = (cat.nice + cat.outgoing) / 20
    # Nice 8 + Outgoing 6 = 70% success
    
  outcomes:
    success:
      buff: "+1 Cheerful (5 min)"
      message: "*purrs briefly*"
    neutral:
      message: "*tolerates it*"
    failure:
      debuff: "-1 to next interaction with this cat"
      message: "*ear flicks irritably*"

SCRITCH

SCRITCH:
  command: "SCRITCH [cat]"
  aliases: ["CHIN SCRATCH", "EAR SCRATCH"]
  requires_knowledge: true
  
  knowledge_sources:
    - "Previous interactions with this cat"
    - "Observing other NPCs interact"
    - "ASK MARIEKE ABOUT [cat]'s favorite spots"
    
  success_calculation: |
    base = (cat.nice + cat.playful) / 20
    if knows_preference: base += 0.3
    
  outcomes:
    success:
      buff: "+2 Cheerful, +1 Playful, cat remembers you"
      message: "*tilts head into the scritch* *motor purr activates*"
    wrong_spot:
      message: "*flinches* *gives you a look*"
      learning: "Now you know: not THAT spot"

BELLY_RUB — The Forbidden Zone

BELLY_RUB:
  command: "RUB [cat]'S BELLY" 
  risk: HIGH
  
  base_effect: |
    The belly is a TRUST TEST. Most cats will trap and bite.
    Only attempt with very high Nice cats or established trust.
    
  success_calculation: |
    success_chance = (cat.nice - 5) / 10
    if cat.nice < 7: almost_guaranteed_failure
    
  outcomes:
    success:  # Rare!
      buff: "+5 bond with this cat, they follow you"
      message: "*exposes belly* *allows the forbidden touch* *purrs like a motorboat*"
    trap:  # Common
      damage: "1d4 scratch damage (cosmetic)"
      message: "*CLAMP* *bunny kicks* *you knew the risks*"
      learning: "Note: This cat is NOT a belly cat"

PLAY INTERACTIONS

LASER_POINTER

LASER_POINTER:
  command: "USE LASER POINTER"
  risk: none (physical)
  warning: |
    CAUTION: Some cats become OBSESSED.
    Always end with a "catch" (shining on a treat).
    Never just turn it off — causes existential cat crisis.
    
  outcomes:
    engagement:
      buff: "Tired cat = calm cat (+3 Calm later)"
      message: "*pupils dilate* *full hunting mode engaged*"
    obsession:  # High Restless cats
      duration: "Hours"
      message: "*still hunting* *where is it* *WHERE*"

COMMUNICATION

SLOW_BLINK — The Feline I-Love-You

SLOW_BLINK:
  command: "SLOW BLINK AT [cat]"
  aliases: ["CAT KISS"]
  risk: none
  
  base_effect: |
    The slow blink is cat language for trust and affection.
    Cats recognize this. They may blink back.
    
  outcomes:
    returned:
      buff: "+1 bond, +1 Calm"
      message: "*blinks back slowly* *understanding*"
    ignored:
      message: "*stares* *does not blink* *mysterious*"

PSPSPS — Universal Cat Summoning

PSPSPS:
  command: "PSPSPS"
  
  outcomes:
    comes:
      message: "*ears perk* *trots over* *what do you want*"
    ignores:
      message: "*ear flick* *continues not caring*"

SENSORY INTERACTIONS — Bidirectional!

These can be initiated by human OR cat. The initiator matters.

SNIFF

SNIFF:
  bidirectional: true
  
  human_to_cat:
    effect: "Scent information gained"
    learns:
      - "Cat's current mood (anxious, content, playful...)"
      - "Where cat has been recently"
      - "Terpene notes (for the Terpene Litter)"
    message: |
      *You lean in. The cat allows it.*
      *They smell like [location] and [mood].*
      
  cat_to_human:
    trigger: "Relationship 30+ or curiosity"
    meaning: |
      The cat is interested. They want to know:
      - Where have you been?
      - Do you have food?
    message: |
      *Sniff. Sniff sniff. Extended analysis.*
      *You are being CATALOGUED.*
      
  cat_to_cat:
    message: "*nose boop* *mutual sniffing* *social protocols complete*"

LICK — Grooming as Affection

LICK:
  bidirectional: true
  
  human_to_cat:
    warning: |
      This is... unconventional. Most humans don't lick cats.
      If you do, the cat will be VERY confused.
      
    outcomes:
      acceptance:
        requirements: "Trust 70+"
        message: |
          *You lick the cat.*
          *The cat freezes. Processing.*
          *They lick you back. Awkwardly. But sincerely.*
      confusion:
        message: |
          *The cat stares at you.*
          *What. What are you doing.*
          
  cat_to_human:
    trigger: "Relationship 'friend'+"
    meaning: |
      When a cat licks you, they are:
      1. Claiming you (you are THEIRS now)
      2. Grooming you (you clearly can't do it yourself)
      3. Showing affection (highest compliment)
      
    outcomes:
      claiming:
        message: |
          *The cat licks you thoroughly.*
          *You are THEIRS now. Officially.*
          *Other cats will know. You've been claimed.*
      sandpaper_affection:
        message: |
          *lick lick lick lick*
          *It kind of hurts.*
          *But they're purring. This is LOVE.*
          *Accept the exfoliation.*
          
  cat_to_cat:
    allogrooming: |
      Mutual grooming is social bonding. Trust. Family. Hierarchy.
      The cat who grooms more is usually higher status.

NOSE_BOOP

NOSE_BOOP:
  command: "BOOP [cat]"
  bidirectional: true
  
  base_effect: |
    A nose boop is a tiny, perfect moment of connection.
    It's "hello" and "I like you" and "we're okay" all at once.
    
  outcomes:
    success:
      message: |
        *boop*
        *The cat's nose is cold and slightly wet.*
        *A tiny moment. Perfect.*
    counter_boop:
      requirements: "Relationship 'friend'+"
      message: |
        *boop*
        *The cat boops back.*
        *Mutual boop achieved. Friendship confirmed.*

TERPENE EFFECTS — Kitten-Specific Buffs

The Terpene Litter kittens impart their namesake's psychological effects on anyone who interacts with them successfully. This isn't metaphor — these kittens literally exude their terpene's essence.

Kitten Effects

Kitten	Terpene	Effect	Buffs	Duration
Myr	Myrcene	Deep Relaxation	+3 Calm, +2 Easy-going, -2 Active	30 min
Lemon	Limonene	Joy Infusion	+3 Cheerful, +2 Energetic	45 min
Lily	Linalool	Peaceful Presence	+3 Calm, +2 Caring	1 hour
Pine	Pinene	Sharp Clarity	+3 Analytical, memory boost	2 hours
Carrie	Caryophyllene	Guardian's Resolve	+3 Confident, threat sense	1 hour
Hops	Humulene	Refined Standards	+2 Neat, quality detection	45 min
Terpy Jr.	Terpinolene	Chaos Muse	+3 Imaginative, random ideas	???
Ocie	Ocimene	Fresh Start	+2 Energetic, clears debuffs	30 min

Synergies

Combo	Name	Effect
Myr + Lily	The Sedation Stack	Short nap = long sleep benefits
Lemon + Pine	The Focus Boost	Creative AND productive
Carrie + Pine	The Sentinel Package	Hyperawareness without anxiety
All 8	THE FULL SPECTRUM	ENTOURAGE EFFECT — all buffs, legendary

Stacking: Maximum 3 simultaneous terpene buffs. Conflicting effects may cancel.

CHARM TYPES — Persistent Effects

Charm	Source Trait	Effect	Example Cats
Serenity	Calm 6+	+2 Calm	Terpie, Myr, Lily
Joy	Cheerful 6+	+2 Cheerful	Lemon, Ocie
Focus	Analytical 6+	+2 Analytical	Pine
Courage	Confident 6+	+2 Confident	Stroopwafel, Carrie
Creativity	Spontaneous 6+	+2 Imaginative	Terpy Jr.

POWER-UPS — Temporary Abilities

Power-Up	Source	Effect
Therapeutic Purr	Calm 7+	Heal 1 HP/minute
Luck Boost	Cat sits in lap unprompted	+10% random outcomes
Danger Sense	Cautious 6+	Warning before threats
Mood Read	Caring 7+	Sense NPC emotions

CURSES — Negative Effects

Curse	Trigger	Effect	Cure
Scratched	Failed belly rub	-1 HP, visible marks	Rest
Cold Shoulder	Multiple rejections	Cat ignores you 1hr	Wait
Judged	Failing Hops' standards	-1 Confidence	Premium food
Protective Wrath	Threatening family	-3 HP, remembered	MUCH time

RELATIONSHIP SYSTEM

Cats remember. Every interaction is tracked. Trust and fondness grow (or decay) based on how you treat them.

Relationship Levels

Level	Points	Success Mod	Cat Behavior
Stranger	0-10	-10%	Cautious, may avoid
Acquaintance	11-25	—	Tolerates presence
Familiar	26-50	+10%	Comfortable
Friend	51-75	+20%	Seeks attention
Bonded	76-90	+30%	Follows you, protective
Soulmate	91+	+50%	Psychic connection

Components

Component	Weight	Builds From	Damaged By
Trust	40%	Respecting boundaries	Forcing contact
Fondness	35%	Successful interactions	Ignoring
History	25%	Time together	Long absences

Special Events

Event	Bonus
First Lap Sit	+10 trust, +5 fond
First Gift	+5 fond (cat brings you something)
Defense	+10 all (cat protects you)

Decay

• Fondness: 1 point per session without interaction
• Trust: 0.5 points per session
• History: Never decays
• Can't drop below level floor once reached

HOME VS LOCATION PROTOCOL

Critical architectural pattern:

cat:
  home: pub/cat-cave/            # Where FILE lives (never moves)
  location: pub/cat-cave/nap-zone  # Where cat currently IS

Concept	Meaning	Example
home:	File's physical directory	pub/cat-cave/
location:	Where character currently is	pub/

Why: Files don't move. Git tracks field changes, not file moves.

CAT INSTANCE PATTERN

Each cat file overlays this skill:

# pub/cat-terpie.yml
id: terpie
type: [cat, character]
home: pub/cat-cave/
location: pub/cat-cave/nap-zone

sims_traits:
  nice: 5
  outgoing: 4
  active: 3
  playful: 6
  neat: 2
  
personality:
  quirks: ["judges silently", "knows things"]
  preferences:
    scritch_spots: [chin, ears]
    dislikes: [belly rubs, sudden movements]
    
buffs:
  terpie_blessing:
    effect: "Lucky breaks for 1 hour"
    trigger: successful_deep_interaction

Live Examples

• examples/adventure-4/pub/ — Room with cats
• examples/adventure-4/pub/bar/cat-cave/ — Nested cat room

Dovetails With

Sister Skills

• character/ — Cats ARE characters
• buff/ — Interaction effects
• mind-mirror/ — Personality traits
• room/ — Where cats live