Post by spottedfur on Apr 2, 2017 19:29:42 GMT
[Blacksky]
Black - for his fur
Sky - for his rank
[Clan: Waveclan] [Rank: Skywatcher]
[43 moons] [Male] [Demi-Pansexual]
[Description]
Oriental, medium-length, black furred tom with pale-yellow eyes.
[Appearance]
His fur is as dark as coal, though there appears to be a deep brown hue when under a certain light. His pelt is medium in length and has a soft silky feel to it. His coat is usually well-kept; noticeable in the glossy ripples that form as he moves. His slender body looks small, despite his lean muscles and his fine fur doesn't help much, though his long legs do give him height over many other cats. He has shockingly long and powerful pale claws sheathed within his small paws. His wedge-shaped head seems a tad small for his body, especially with the huge ears perked high on his head. His narrow muzzle ends with a small black nose and short white whiskers. His almond-shaped eyes are a pale-yellow color, though at times they may appear a dull faded green. His lithe spine lowers slightly toward his hind quarters and ends with a long, slightly-plumed tail. He has various streaks of white fur, caused by scarring, over his legs, face and chest.
[Personality]
Favorite food: water fowl
At first glance this feline seems reserved and mysterious, but he is actually very cheerful and talkative. He is open-minded and very honest, and even though he is the type to avoid conflict and confrontation he is also not the sort of cat to stay quiet when something has to be said. His belief in Starclan is not as strong as other cats within his clan; he even seems to want to avoid talking about it, and will focus most of his attention on what is going on in the world around him. He is not one to usually dwell on the past but he will often catch himself thinking about the memories he shared with his sister. He has a very relax set of morals, likely due to his open-mindset, and will not always look to them when making a decision. He has a great deal of cats who he is very close to and he holds them very close to his heart. He likes to consider himself an ally to any Waveclan cat and maybe even any cat in general. He is a very caring sort and takes his role very seriously, despite his almost whimsical nature. He loves to have a thick mossy nest with traces of lavender, and enjoys his peaceful rests, but he will hardly rest at all when the weather or seasons are looking ominous. At first sign of a threat he will instantly go up a tree and think out a plan of action when he is perched high enough; he is aware of his poor battle training but his mentor had constantly imprinted into his mind the importance of his safety and well-being... however he will not run from danger if he sees a clanmate in trouble. His hunting is average and he is particularly good at catching birds and small fish. He isn't very strong and his battle techniques are all over the place, but they are effective in their uniqueness and unpredictability. He is gifted in reading the subtle signs within nature, and he is able to sprint through Waveclan territory in any weather or season without fail. He knows the land very well and is knowledgeable in basic medical practice. When he is sleeping, he is always curled in a tight ball, and he is easily awoken by the slightest change around him. His greatest fear is that he will be all alone, with no one to call family.
[History]
Heritage: Morningfur was born into the clan but she didn't have much of a family and she didn't have a close connection with her mother; perhaps that was the reason for the detached nature that she quickly developed. Despite her looks and skills as a warrior, she wasn't very approachable and so she never really did take a mate... so when she showed signs of expecting kits, the clan was surprised. She never spoke of the father and no one knew who he could've been.
Kithood: In the early Winds season, Black-kit was born alongside his sister, both healthy and strong. The two kits grew fast and were happy and playful, but after a time they soon noticed that there mother was not as warm and loving as other Queens. At first they had thought it to be normal, but even they started to notice the looks they got; sympathy and worry. It wasn't as if they were abused in anyway, nor were they ever neglected, but Morningfur didn't seem to love them. Black-kit awoke one night to hear another cat speaking to his mother, and nudged his sister awake. He was too young to fully understand what was being said but it sounded bad...
"You are not fit to be a Queen or a mother." It sounded like his mother was being scolded. The voice was so cold and disapproving.
"I agree." She replied with her usual calm yet indifferent tone, and there was a short stretch of silence. Black-kit felt his heart twist in confusion and anguish... did she not like being their mother?
"... You are no longer permitted to have anymore kits. Should you do they will be taken away."
Black-kit was terrified. Was he and his sister going to be taken away? However his mother returned to their nest and laid next to them. He scrambled over to her and buried herself into her fur. Her only response was a careful sniff, to see if her kit was hurt or ill, and then she laid her head down. Black-kit didn't get much sleep that night.
From that point on he stuck very close to his mother, continuously telling her of his discoveries. One day he bounced over to her side.
"Mama! I think it's going to rain!" She glanced at him with a slow blink. After a pause she sniffed, looking to the sky. They had not been issued a warning.. and it didn't seem like the weather was about to change, but at that moment the wind changed and she caught a scent on the wind as a small raindrop landed on her nose. She looked back at her kit.
"How did you know?" She enquired in her usual voice.
"The ants! They're hiding. Last time they did it started to rain." With an excited squeal he turned and started to play with the gentle rain that fell softly around him. Without a word Morningfur got up and went to find the clan's Skywatcher.
Early-Moons: Blackpaw was given his apprentice name with his sister. He was nervous and anxious but he pushed through his feelings... for as long as he could remember he had felt the kindness and support from most of his clan, and with them all around him he felt encouraged to try his best. Unfortunately he was not very good. He struggled to keep up with his sister and was particularly bad at his combat training.
He loved all the time he would spend with his sister, even though he wasn't able to be her equal, but he was worried about his short-comings. He sought comfort in his frequent visits with his mother though she never did much, just being near her was enough for him, and it compelled him to approach many other clanmates; seeking advice and insight. He learned a great deal and was rapidly maturing. Soon he started to make remarkable progress through his training; using unique and sometimes surprising methods. Yet it still took him almost three moons more then his sister before he had received the approval of having completed his basic training.
He saw the Skywatcher often watching the apprentices, and there were times when he couldn't help but feel like she was focusing on him. Then one day a few cats - consisting of the deputy, the Skywatcher, a warrior and an elder - had gotten together to discuss a few things. And before he knew it, Blackpaw was called forth and he was stunned when they asked him if he wanted to be the Skywatcher's apprentice. He was too surprised to gather his thoughts and was given a couple of days to think it over.
He thought about his apprenticeship... He would always rush out at the first sniff of a storm and loved to watch it unfold all around him as it passed. He would often climb the trees to watch the clouds and marvel at how the changed. He sometimes spent late nights watching the stars with deep fascination. Once he surprised a warrior when he expressed his concern at how quiet it had gotten, seconds before the Skywatcher warned them of an approaching storm. When he thought about the things he could learn he was filled with so much excitement, but he couldn't shake his misgivings... it was such a huge responsibility... and if he took this role then he would have to be away from his clanmates most of the time.
When it came time for him to make his decision he accepted the role, and it wasn't long before he knew he made the right choice. His time spent acquiring the knowledge of his role had become the greatest memories of his life... despite how much he missed being in the clan and being with his sister most of all.
First-Season: During his apprenticeship, his mentor had become like a second mother to him, but despite this she was still very strict in her teachings. They would go on frequent patrols throughout the entire day; spending most of this time along the shores. He would sometimes find himself with the medicine cats and/or their apprentices, learning valuable skills in gathering. On his own accord he requested to learn basic healing practices; for he worried about his mentor, especially when he saw how the seasons were started to show on her.
He found that the nature-aspect of his training came quite easy to him. He learned about the weather and the depth behind it. He learned about the seasons, the clouds, the stars, the moon and the sun. He studied the tides, the sea and the land. He trained his nose to recognize many different scents, and became sensitive to the changes of the wind. He learned to listen to his instincts and was able to heighten them as well.
The hardest part of his training were the constant drills he was put through. His mentor stressed on the importance of being fast and sure-footed. She would place him at every corner of Waveclan's territory and have him run as fast as he could to the camp, where a volunteer was waiting. He was also put through challenging terrain, and was even given advanced swimming lessons. He was expected to know every inch of Waveclan's territory, regardless of the time of day, weather or season, and he was required master the art of navigation on top of that.
During his harsh training he wasn't able to spend very much time -if any at all- with his mother or his sister... and it hit him hard when he heard that she was chosen to be a Guardian. He had not been able to congratulate her or see her off... and now it seemed that he might not be able to see her at all in the future moons to come. He did what he could to distract himself, and poured everything he had into his training.
It wasn't until his very first season had past, did his mentor explain to him why she was so relentless in his training and why she had let it carry on for so long. She didn't expect to last much longer and she wanted to be sure that he was ready to take her place. When he was 25 moons he was granted his full title as Skywatcher, but he felt more apprehensive then proud... for it meant that he was ready... ready to take over his mentor. The idea of her approaching death hung heavy on his heart.
Seasons Past: He took over most of his mentor's duties, while he encouraged her to focus on her health. He got together with the medicine cat and apprentice and together they constructed a routine. He found a wonderful spot, beneath an old tree very close to the river, at the edge of the forest facing the direction of the sea, and constructed a fine den for the both of them. He would make sure that she got the very best prey that could be offered, and he had her take many sunbaths and trips to the medicine den.
Yet despite all of his careful planning he woke one early morning to find his mentor was gone. He leaped out of the den, but didn't have to go very far. It seemed that the old she-cat had sensed her approaching death and she had moved herself to he edge of a tiny cliff, jutting slightly over the river. There she laid, watching the sea and the tide as she passed; performing her duty till her last breath.
Blacksky stared at his mentor's body, her pelt streaked with the beautiful colors of the rising sun, a gentle breeze sending soft ripples along her fur. There was a tranquil look to her. But the beautiful sight before him was also a horribly painful one, and it broke his heart. With more strength and determination then he thought he possessed he carried her back to camp, where she was mourned and prepared to visit the Guardians.
As he watched her leave he raced out of the camp, filled with so much pain and anguish. He threw himself into the den he had shared with his mentor and there he succumbed to unimaginable sorrow. Then he felt someone lay beside him and turned to see his mother settling into the nest. There were no words passed between them and they remained like that for some time. Remembering his role, he dragged himself out of the den and with heavy paws he went to sit where he had found his mentor, with his mother never leaving his side. He could only bring himself to stand vigil, sensing the world around him. When night fell he turned to his mother and buried his face into her neck. With that they parted ways; she returned to camp, and he went out on patrol.
Since that day he had recovered from his lose very well, and carried out his role, but now he took it upon himself to visit the camp whenever he could. Only a few moons had passed since his mentor's death, did Blacksky detect an approaching storm. He warned the clan and by the next day, the storm had passed and all was well. Since then he would noticed a young apprentice watching him, and recalled how Sorrelpaw had watched him and his mentor when he was a kit. He felt possessed to speak with the Warriors and heard that Sorrelpaw was a very talented and an outstanding apprentice, despite his tendency to become distracted during lessons, which were happening more frequently. He started to watch him and saw his potential first paw. He started to approach him directly and taught him a few basics in weather reading and navigation. He saw his eagerness to learn, and how easily he retained knowledge, and he had observed him as being very sharp independent. He was certain he had found himself an apprentice.
The tom was nervous at the idea of taking on an apprentice and wondered if he was capable enough, but he reminded himself of his duty and what the clan needed. The clan would need him as the next Skywatcher, he could not deny them of that. He voiced his opinions to the warrior in charge of Sorrelpaw, as well as the deputy, and consulted with an elder. He hoped they wouldn't be displeased that he was going to be taking a potentially great Warrior from them. He took no mind of Sorrelpaw's past; it meant nothing to him. He was granted his apprentice.
He thoroughly enjoyed training the young tom and they developed a unique bound. He gave his apprentice a certain amount of freedom throughout their training, but the relaxed lessons progressed swiftly all the same. He was watching a very capable Skywatcher develop right before his eyes. Then one day Sorrelpaw told him that he had come to realize that he was actually a she-cat, not a tom. He was taken aback, for he had never expected to hear that, but he fully accepted her none-the-less, and why shouldn't he? Her gender didn't matter to him; in his eyes gender did not make the cat who they were.
It wasn't long ago, that Sorrelpaw proved herself ready to receive her full name, and he never felt more proud before in his life.
[Relations]
Mother: Morningfur Father: Unknown
Sister: Whitestone
Grandmother: Beescale
Aunt: Duskwhisker Uncle: Volenose
Cousins: Greyscale (female), Redcloud (male)
Mentor: Mottlesky Apprentice: Sorrelsky
[Genetics]
Black base (long-haired) coat. Carries: chocolate, dilute, white-spotting, and (mackerel) tabby.
[Lineage]
Mother: Oriental, Abyssinian, American Short-hair.
Father: Norwegian Forest, Turkish Van, American Short-hair.
