Post by Whiskers on Feb 28, 2009 13:10:55 GMT -5
Gingerstar of Pineclan
I am strong... I am invincible... I am woman
Name
Gender
She-cat
Age
42 moons
Clan
Pineclan
Beliefs
Starclan? What Starclan? Oh, you mean those make-believe cats with superpowers in the sky? Pfft. If Gingerstar believed in that she'd have to hit herself upside the head. It's all a bunch of make-believe rubbish, as safety net for cats to fall back on. She sees it as a weakness to believe in Starclan and so she sees the other clans as... well.. weaker than her own clan.
And oh, she is one to take advantage of that. But she isn't intolerant. She keeps her own opinions to herself, unless a cat bugs her and tries to 'save' her. Then she'll snap at them very quick. She doesn't need saving-- she's the one thinking after all!
Family
Father- Redstorm- deceased
Mother- Lilyfur- alive (NP)
Apprentice
Badgerpaw
Kits
Sedgekit- dead
Mate/Crush
[None
Appearance
Gingerstar is, well, ginger. She has mounds of fur, all the strands long and thick, fluffy and healthy. They flow over her body and they just don't stop. Her pelt makes her beautiful-- and Gingerstar knows she's beautiful.
The ginger starts off light and pale, but darker stripes of red intrude on that, mostly on her back and neck, though stripes can be seen on her thighs and face as well. her tail is completely void of any thick banded stripes and it is mostly that pale ginger color that is the base of her pelt. Her tail is probably the fluffiest, most magnificent attribute of this cat and if she wraps it around herself she'll be all set for leaf-bare.
Her muzzle is white, as is her neck and chest. Her front legs are white while only the hind paws are white. White tufts protrude from her ears and elegant whiskers extend from her stout muzzle. A pink nose quivers innocently and distracts from her harder eyes.
Gingerstar is a very big cat too, even without all her fur making her appear large. She's not fat at all-- she's mere muscle and height. There isn't really anything lithe about this she-cat and she takes pride in every glowing inch of muscle and thickness that she has. Her paws are strong and large, with long, sharp claws extended half the time, just in case. Her legs are bound with strength, especially her hindlegs, and she uses that power to jump into trees.
Her eyes are liquid almond but rarely do they show anything but seriousness and hardness.
Personality
Gingerstar does not play around, does not take a break, and never takes a moment for herself. She's all about her clan, keeping her clan strong and healthy and together. She doesn't take time out to think of herself because there isn't really anything to think about. Gingerstar, unlike some cats, knows who she is and does not try to change the harder parts of her personality. If cats don't like her, too bad. She doesn't have time to worry about cats hating her. She, in all honesty, could care less-- even if they're in her own clan.
She's not here to be your friend. She's here to be your leader.
Because of this, cats think she has no heart or she just lacks the ability to show empathy. This isn't completely true. Gingerstar does feel. She's just amazing at hiding it and keeping it all tucked away somewhere. But she really doesn't know how to show empathy or concern... when she tries, she feels awkward. Gingerstar is just not good at comforting cats and so she prefers not to. If put in that situation, she's stumble through it and revert back to a bumbling kit who has no idea what is going on-- which is funny for her clanmates.
Oh yes, and Gingerstar is sexist. She's a huge feminist and because of past experiences, she doesn't like toms. She'll deal with them, she'll try to work with them-- heck, she'll appoint one as deputy based on their skills and skills only. But she is bias and it's less likely to happen because she doesn't trust toms and thinks she-cats are more level-minded. She will never take a mate, obviously, and most of the time, she'll just ignore them . This is probably her biggest flaw, and if she could get over her preconceived notions she'd be a much better leader for it.
She believes in fairness for all and doesn't really see herself as a 'leader' persay. She likes it when her clanmates speak up and say their own opinion. Soft-spoken cats have no place in Pineclan-- she likes cats with a spine who aren't afraid of anything, especially not afraid of what they're leader will say if she disagrees with them. Usually, Gingerstar will hear the cat out, if they have a well thought out argument...course, she'll usually side with the female, if she can. So maybe she's not as fair as she thinks she is.
Skills
Being leader, Gingerstar has excelled at many things, especially her fighting. Her large body and sharp claws make ripping through a cat easy and effortless. Fighting is instinctive for her as well, and she hardly has to think through her moves-- they just happen, blow after blow. It helps her work through her anger and emotion.
Hunting has also become over effortless, but her steps are heavy and so Gingerstar does have to pay extra attention while she hunts. She also grows bored or frustrated with the activity and so she often just quits half-way through.
History
Gingerstar was once in Forestclan. She was always skeptical of Starclan, and she was always a little serious-minded. But as a kit and as an apprentice, she was kinder, happier and treated all cats as equals. But then it happened.
She was Gingerclaw at the time, and she was excelling at her warrior activities. Young and fruitful, Gingerclaw's mind was set on doing the best for her clan. But one tom had something else in mind for her. He wanted her as a mate-- Gingerclaw didn't want to be a queen just yet. He pursued and she denied. Until...
He was larger, older and more experienced. It wasn't hard for the tom to hold Gingerclaw down as he got what he wanted. No matter how loud Gingerclaw yowled, no one came. The tom did his dirty work and then left her.
Everyone was shocked when Gingerclaw, devoted warrior, got pregnant.
Gingerclaw grew bitter and withdrew from her friends. She told no one of what happened no matter how often the other queens asked her who the father was. She would not say. She just say in silence as her hatred grew, blossomed, and evolved into a twisted hatred of all toms.
Gingerclaw had her one, tiny kit-- Sedgekit. It was just a moon or two later when she heard of what was going on... how Ravenstar was going to lead cats away.
She would do anything to get away from Forestclan, from him, and from everything else that haunted her. Despite the other queens pleas for her to stay with her kit, where he would be safe, she ignored them.
It was no surprise that Sedgekit died on the journey.
Gingerclaw felt relieved and because of her relief, she felt guilty. Gulity for wishing her own kit dead-- she couldn't express any remorse over his body and her clanmates looked at her, puzzled by her stoic reaction. No matter how hard she tried, she could only feel freedom and happiness and guilt for feeling happiness. The guilt ate her up inside and again, she pulled away from the other cats.
Her reaction made other cats think that she had purposefully starved her own kit. When they arrived at their destination, Gingerclaw had been alienated by all her old friends. The bitterness, the guilt, it all came together and hardened her. If Gingerclaw ever had a hope that Starclan was real, it vanished. If Starclan was real, they would be kinder then this. If Starclan was real, they would have saved her kit and made her a better mother. But, Starclan was not real. This, Gingerclaw was sure of.
She pulled away from Forestclan, declaring her independence. She decided the best thing to do was form a new clan. This clan would be made of the best cats, cats who were smart, strong and loyal no matter what. She didn't want this clan to depend on Starclan for their strength-- she didn't need the nine lives either (and she just thought that was some whacked-up rumor by now.) What she needed was skill.
Most of the cats from Forestclan didn't trust her, but a handful came with her, intrigued by the idea of a rational group of cats. With these few cats by her side, she campaigned, watching rogues and consulting with the cats who came with her. Together, they invited cats to join who they thought would make the clan strong. It wasn't long until the word spread of the great Pineclan. Cats flocked toward the scene.
Gingerstar, at first, was hesitant to just let anyone join. She still talked to the council of cats every time a cat approached her, but as time went on, she grew a bit more independent. She is still hesitant to let anyone in of course-- she doesn't want Pineclan to be corrupt and is determined to show that her clan can have morals without having a belief in Starclan.
Roleplay Sample
"Gingerstar... can I... talk to you?"
Gingerstar's ears swiveled back but her head did not turn. She knew the voice well, and if that wasn't enough, then the scent confirmed it. "Of course, Shrewstep."
The light brown tabby she-cat padded slowly and hesitantly until she was in front of Gingerstar, her head bowed in respect and her paws turned inward. Her entire stance shouted fear of some sort. Gingerstar stood slowly.
"Is something wrong, Shrewstep?"
"I..." The warrior stopped and looked away.
Gingerstar was shocked-- Shrewstep was scared of her reaction to some news, wasn't she? This knowledge sent sudden disdain of the she-cat through Gingerstar-- after all, she had taught Shrewstep herself. Shrewstep, usually, did not act like this-- Gingerstar took special pride in the bold, talented she-cat who would only continue to grow in her skill.
"Say what you need to say!" Gingerstar meowed, harsher then she had intended. She backpedaled quickly and took a few deep breaths to calm herself. "Please, Shrewstep. You know I'll listen with open ears.
Shrewstep nodded and looked back toward Gingerstar. "I know you are thinking of me for deputy, Gingerstar. I am honored and I know I would do a fantastic job-- you taught me after all-- but, I do not want this. I am in love with Volefur, Gingerstar. We plan to have kits soon. Being deputy would hinder that."
Gingerstar recoiled, shocked by this. Volefur? That... that insolent tom who would rather crack a joke than do his duties? Why would a cat like Shrewstep-- loyal, brave, beautiful and young-- waste her youth on him? "You're already giving up your career for a tom?" She demanded. "Shrewstep, you said it yourself-- you'd do a fantastic job!"
"But Volefur loves me and I love him. I do not have the ambition to lead, Gingerstar. I am satisfied with being a warrior. Nothing more and nothing less." Shrewstep meowed in a level voice. "Try to understand... your path is not mine."
Gingerstar's tail lashed in annoyance but she knew that she couldn't force the young cat to be deputy. Shrewstep was taking her life into her own paws and for that, Gingerstar admired her. But she couldn't believe that it was for a tom and kits. Slowly, Gingerstar nodded, accepting Shrewstep's decision. "Your kits will be fine warriors. The clan will be lucky to have them."
Shrewstep purred and touched her nose to her leader's in gratitude. "Thank you for not getting upset with me, Gingerstar. You know how I hate to disappoint you, my friend."
Gingerstar's eyes softened. "You could never disappoint me... though this path is one I do not understand, I know that you're thrown your heart into it... you'll be the best mother I know. But now I have a problem. You were the perfect candidate for deputy-- who shall I choose now?" Gingerstar sighed.
"I know the clan though I or Falconclaw would make a good deputy. They would be happy if Falconclaw was chosen," Shrewstep hinted.
"But is he not too rash? He relies so much on his gut, I'm afraid he'd rush into battles without thinking it through."
"Falconclaw does rely on his gut and that is why we trust him so much-- it would unite the clan. With his heart and your mind, we'd be unstoppable. And he does so admire you, Gingerstar, you'd have his undying loyalty."
Gingerstar considered this before nodding. "The clan loves him, he is skilled and he would bring balance to my leadership," she admitted almost grudgingly. "And since he earned your own recommendation, there's obviously something to him."
Shrewstep thanked Gingerstar again before bidding her leader good-night. The young she-cat bounced away-- most likely to go speak to her love and tease Falconclaw with the news. A bittersweet smiled tickled Gingerstar's muzzle.. Yes, Shrewstep would have been a wonderful deputy... but her heart was happy with Volefur. Who was she to take that away?
Gingerstar turned away from the night and padded, alone, to her den.
We have a cbox again and we're opening the place up as a closed, members only rp