Post by ashstrike on Jan 26, 2015 19:43:17 GMT
Ashstrike
PERSONALITY Reserved, professional, and loyal. That is usually the first impression Ashstrike gives to new acquaintances and those that do not know him well. Not to say these things are not true. They very much are. Ashstrike strives to be the ideal warrior and what one expects from a warrior. The muscular gray tom serves his clan with a sense of dignity and honor, following directions from his deputy and leader and upholding the warrior code as well as his warrior ancestors. More lies to the tom though. Underneath a quiet, reserved exterior is a honed, cunning mind watchful and observant of the things around him. Ashstrike is no fool, demonstrating a tactical personality capable of problem solving and thinking easily on his paws. The tom is good at reading the intent of others through what they say and do and may act on it if it is appropriate for him to do so. More often than not though, the Shadowclan tom just contently observes recording everything in his mind. If one manages to become a friend to Ashstrike, he is usually a friend for life. The tom is very supportive of those he cares about, and is the type of friend who would not only comfort you, but also tell you how things really are. His loyalty is strong, both to his clanmates in general and those close to him. When with someone he is comfortable with, he can be surprisingly warm, affable, and kind. He is not the kind of cat to make quick judgements on a person, and does not judge on the circumstances of one's birth. However, he does have a darker side to him. Despite his composure, Ashstrike's past HAS left its mark on him. Underneath all the honor and loyalty lays more sinister feelings buried but still present. Due to his past, Ashstrike still holds a lot of resentment and anger, and his vindictiveness has never gone away. He holds these things back now, and is good at doing so, but not all of it has vanished. Overall though, Ashstrike is a determined warrior who takes pride in his clan and in his fighting skills. HISTORY Ashstrike's birth is shrouded with conspiracy and speculation that would end up becoming a black mark that would follow him even to his adult life. Originally very much in love, the Shadowclan warrioress Crowpelt and the burly tom Blackthorn's relationship slowly disintegrated as the moons went by and their first litter of children were apprenticed. Their arguments were a source of much drama and gossip among clanmates, and a falling out was almost certain to occur. It did, and the two cats left in anger and resentment. A week later, a handsome rogue tom with piercing blue eyes set up camp near the borders of Shadowclan. Charming and having no interest in stealing prey meant that his presence was somewhat tolerated the few days he was in the area. Crowpelt often found her border patrols and hunts going by his secluded den, and when she had free time, they would often converse. Flirtatious and smooth, the tom left a profound impression on the lonely she cat before he continued his travels. A week later, the female tabby learned she was pregnant. Unsure if the kits she was carrying were the loner's or her previous mate, Crowpelt opted to hide the pregnancy as best as she could. Most of the toms in the clan did not notice, but the older shecats and queens speculated the cause of her weight gain and solitary walks. One day on these walks, near the border of Shadowclan and Riverclan, Crowpelt went through labor. Hiding in a clearing surrounded by a thorny thicket, she gave birth only to realize the first two that were delivered were either weak and dying or were still born entirely... Save for one little black male, whose cries were strong and powerful. She laid with the kitten for a while outside the territory before returning to camp a couple days later. The appearance of this kitten shocked the clan, but at Crowpelt's insistence she declared that he belonged to her previous mate Blackthorn, who shared a somewhat similar pelt color with his apparent son. Although at odds with his mate, he decided to accept it as his own, naming him Ashkit after the color of his fur. It wasn't until a few days later when Ashkit opened his eyes that Crowpelt was filled with dread and Blackthorn with contempt and anger. The eyes the kitten bore were an icy blue, an almost mirror reflection of the loner who camped outside Shadowclan's borders not too long ago. Although there was no definite proof, no one from Crowpelt's family nor Blackthorn's bore such piercing eyes. The allegation was that Ashkit was half clan, born from a roving outsider with no loyalties and a Shadowclan she cat who could not handle her desires. Unable to discount the fact that she mated with the loner before he left, many cats assumed the actual truth that Ashkit was half clan and many treated him in the expected way as such. Innocent to the world and not comprehending the consequences of his birth, Ashkit grew up with a mother who did not show love or affection outside what was necessary for him to survive. The older warriors sneered at him, and many fellow kits and apprentices taunted or shunned him based on what their parents said. Once uncomprehending and defensive, Ashkit quickly became angry and spiteful, picking fights with others and holding unhealthy grudges against everyone in his clan whether they deserved it or not. Ashkit's behavior only made the problem worse, reinforcing the views of those who judged him and pushing away the ones who wanted to help him. It wasn't until his apprenticeship that things changed. Most warriors either secretly or openly put down the notion of ever mentoring the half clanner. Despite the impressions of peers for taking on the shamed addition to the clan, the kit was obviously bitter and difficult to get along with. No one seemed up to the task, but and wise and elderly warrior by the name of Marshtalon willingly volunteered to take Ashkit in, an act that shocked many. It was not easy at first, but Marshtalon expected that much. The newly dubbed Ashpaw held contempt for the older warrior, and openly rebelled and complained when he could get away with it. Marshtalon was a patient mentor though, disciplining the younger tom when required but never too much and never out of passion or anger. When Ashpaw did something right, Marshtalon praised him, and as Ashpaw opened up to the veteran warrior the defenses the icy-eyed tom had built up came crumbling down until Ashpaw begged Marshtalon for support and love. Marshtalon had no hesitance in doing so, and Ashpaw grew to see Marshtalon as the father figure he never had. As he continued training, Ashpaw grew in skill, confidence, and discipline until he started to leave an impression on the clanmates around him. Many were amazed at the change in attitude and skill he showed, and although many made sure to tell him he wasn't welcome, Ashpaw slowly learned to tune them out. He wanted to be a warrior, and no one was going to tell him otherwise. One day while Ashpaw, Marshtalon, and another warrior were on a hunting patrol, they heard the sounds of battle between near the Thunderclan borders. Previous moons, tensions had been on the rise between the clans and it seemed now that it had exploded. Ashpaw and the rest of the hunting patrol rushed to the aid of their Shadowclan brethren. The fight came quickly, and during the battle, Ashpaw saw a Thunderclan apprentice among the throng. Attempting to pick a fight with someone more of his equal proved to be for naught. A young Thunderclan warrior stepped up instead, and the young apprentice was forced to fight someone older, more experienced, and larger than he was. Ashpaw had no choice, and used every technique and strategy he could think of to hold the tom back. Although not winning by any stretch of the imagination, he wasn't losing either, and both enemy warrior and apprentice found themselves becoming matched before the battle was called off and the warriors retreated to the sides of their borders. Ashpaw earned his face that day from the Thunderclanner, but to the pride of his mentor, he earned something else as well. For his skill in battle, Ashpaw was given the warrior name Ashstrike. For several moons after, the Shadowclan tom would serve loyally. It was also during this time that Ashstrike's father was killed by a large dog and Crowpelt became an elder. Unfortunately, no one can live forever. During a hard leaf bare Marshtalon caught green cough that became white cough. Passing away in illness, Ashstrike was very guilt stridden. Waiting out in mournful vigil for about a day, Ashtrike eventually returned to his warrior duties, determined to live up to the ideal his mentor had. It has been that way ever ever since. |
created by Lilith of Adoxography
