Russetpelt of MeadowClan

[prowler.]

______________________

Name | Russetpelt

Gender | Tom

Age | 41 moons

Rank | Senior Warrior

Clan | MeadowClan

Beliefs| Russetpelt has always held a respect for that which is greater than himself. Brought up with the concept of StarClan as idols, he is a strong believer, yet of course has entertained the same questioning thoughts of any other as to whether or not they exist. He has reason to believe though, due to his "transformation" of late, that they do and highly respects the spirits. He finds the thought of starry ancestors in the sky a comforting thought and takes warmly to the idea that when he dies a warriors death, he will join his family and friends amongst the stars to watch over his remaining loved ones, guiding and protecting them.

Parents | Brownstripe (Father, NP, Deceased) and Maplewhisker (Mother, NP)

Siblings | Only kit

Other Kin | Cougar-ear (Uncle, PB: Prowl)

Mate | Littlewhisker (PB: Amber/Gingerstripe)

Crush | N/A

Kits | Not yet

Apprentice/Mentor | Mentor; Brownstripe (NP, Deceased). Apprentice; Elkpaw (NP, Deceased), Redfoot (PC), Stonepelt (NP, Deceased)

Appearance |

The first thing that will naturally strike you about Russetpelt is his pure size. The tom is ginormous and looks every bit a ruthless warrior of the wild. What lies beneath this is simply a matter of what you find when you talk to him. Behind this cat is hidden through a thick, chocolatey-rich voice of a homely, if lightly gruff, feline. The thing it might take a second glance to notice about Russetpelt's size however is that firstly, it's not all him - thick, long fur covers his body, making his already huge size appear even larger. After that, you must realize he is not simply a "fat kittypet", but his bulk is all pure muscle, rippling intimidatingly beneath his pelt and scarred flesh.

On his left ribcage lie three long claw-shaped scars that extend the length of his entire midsection, from a close call with a lynx. From the same battle, a star-shaped nick of a scar is directly beneath his chin. These are evident where fur does not grow, leaving the flesh a pasty silver coil in the light. Moving away from his battle scars, these major ones overshadowing the smaller nicks that score his body allover from old battles, you notice his fur once again. Aside from it's well-groomed silkiness, the sheer hue of his pelt is stunning. At the edges it is mostly comprised of black and silver, glittering under light's keen edge. But as the hairs travel upward to his more vital parts - around his face, toward his back and his chest, a vibrant red hue blossoms - his namesake.

Delicately lining his features lighter, a pale cream-white outlines his eyes and maw, even brushed lightly across his paws. Russetpelt's tail is long and elaborate, with a sweeping brush it's tones stripe between the russet hues and darker ebony tones. Evident across Russetpelt's body are traces of tabby heritage. Russetpelt's facial features are strongly masculine - from the heavy set appearance of his jaws to his bold cheekbones. Yet something more delicate lies there, indicating back to an oriental heritage also. On the top of his features lies a broad forehead, which, combined with long, snow-white whiskers, frame his enrapturing optics. With orbs of pure golden-amber, Russetpelt's eyes are far richer than any rare metal, utterly terrifying in their unrelenting colour and solid gaze, yet terrifyingly beautiful in their delicate perfection.

Russetpelt also is the owner of a bizarre, though light, celtic accent, heavy with it's pronunciation of words. His build is broad, tall and imposing, with heavy, large paws and solid legs, Russetpelt is purely designed with one obvious intent: war. He is built to fight and every aspect of him shows it, from honed, knife-sharp claws to lightly yellowed, razor-like teeth. Despite this however, Russetpelt comes across as a regal - yet somehow disturbingly rugged and rebellious. Undeniably, he is an extremely handsome tomcat, whom is perfectly matched with his equally stunning mate Littlewhisker.

Personality |

When you look at Russetpelt, the first thing that might come to mind is "impenetrable fortress". Now okay, he's not going to befriend you overnight - and if you meet on any terms except your birth, chances are you'll have difficulty getting close or beyond any of Russetpelt's mental barriers. Once you leap such barriers however, you may be surprised at what you'll find. Okay, so in some cases, maybe not - impatience, recklessness and the like are all cliché but totally accurate descriptions of Russetpelt. But Russetpelt also has a different side which he generally reserves for his friends, a good humoured nature, with a warm disposition and loving attitude. Russetpelt is a lifelong friend if you can get close enough to become one, but he will back you for life once you are there, through thick and thin.

Many aspects of Russetpelt are fairly typical and portrayed evidently through his appearance however. A fierce, unforgiving enemy, Russetpelt is the sort of cat that leaves an unforgettable impression once you first meet him. Loyal til the end and brave in the face of all dangers, Russetpelt is possibly one of the most courageous, genuine cats you will meet. Never one to play with social mindgames, Russetpelt would much rather judge you on what you do, before deciding if he wants you "on the team" or not. He is a bit of a temperamental cat, frequently swinging between being a social butterfly one moment then the most antisocial feline you've ever seen.

An unpredictable character at the best of times, Russetpelt is the sort of cat that was always a little arrogant and immature in his youth and this has regrettably followed him - if albeit to a lot smaller a degree - into adulthood. He will never ever turn down a challenge, which has many times got him into severe trouble - but at the same time he works like a bit of a maverick: Russetpelt has never lost. He is extremely proud of this and likes to uphold such a flawless, impressive record. A bold character, Russetpelt is extremely protective and territorial, keeping those he is closest to extremely safe and looked after. He's not one to accept absolutely any excuses for "oh I didn't see the border" and the like. He thinks it may be their mistake, but it definitely won't be his.

Impatience means that though Russetpelt's experience and natural talent makes him an excellent teacher and mentor, he requires an extremely apt, quick-learning apprentice to keep up. Thus goes with most company he keeps, as Russetpelt hates wasting time. With a lightning fast mind and easily riled temper, Russetpelt can think of several solutions to a situation within moments and will almost always go with the most will-do active or aggressive-defensive solution to a problem. He is however generally well-meaning and a shining example of warrior practicality, if he does have his youthful ways of stubbornness about him.

Skills |

Ask any cat in MeadowClan and they will tell you that Russetpelt is perhaps the most dedicated, ideal warrior. But that doesn't really tell you much about the strengths and weaknesses of his style. In truth, he is a warrior, built for fighting, be it defensive or aggressive. Through lots of practice and experience, he is a master of the hunt, though he is not the speediest he has an excellent strategic mind. Never caring for a peaceful life, not that of a Medicine Cat or otherwise more scholarly cat, Russetpelt respects other lifestyles, but wouldn't trade his for the world.

An experience warrior, nothing phases Russetpelt, be it a mountain lion roaring in his face or a shrieking queen. His fighting skill is beyond advanced and he is known to be a formidable, terrifying opponent - he never backs down from a challenge and has never been known to loose either. On the side of diplomacy he would rather do than talk and therefore would rather leave negotiation to Littlewhisker. His ability to lead is superb but he shows absolutely no wish or ambition to ever make use of this natural talent. Dislikes water.

History |

Russetkit was born in ForestClan to a young couple; Brownstripe, his father, was a respectable yet fairly inexperienced warrior in the clan, hotheaded and reckless, he was determined to prove himself to the clan. Maplewhisker, his mother, was an unlikely match - passionate, slightly naive, but ultimately extremely loving, caring and kind - yet somehow she had fallen for the rugged good looks of Brownstripe, by any means, a lucky tom. His father was longhaired and dark brown in colour, with darker slashes down his sides, whilst his mother sported a short, spotless red pelt, both had gleaming amber eyes. It was a time in which many cats were born into ForestClan and though he was an only kit, he was generally overlooked by the entire clan purely for this fact alone.

His kithood loneliness however was not to last long when he encountered another kit when he was just four moons old. Her name was Littlekit and she was three moons old. Little did they both know (harharhar, excuse the pun e.e), they were to be lifelong friends. Russetkit, in his young naivety, was never to know much about his father, for it was shortly after his meeting Littlekit that Brownstripe perished when battling rogues away from the ForestClan borders, defending his loved ones and proving himself a brave warrior for evermore. Russetkit was often said to look similar to his father as he was born so healthily, he was large, like Brownstripe, with thick, long fur and piercing amber eyes. It was two moons after meeting Littlekit that Russetkit undertook his apprenticeship ceremony.

The next half-moon seemed the toughest - Littlekit was too young to join Russetpaw on training sessions and patrols, but luckily for Russetpaw, he quickly made fast friends with another apprentice - Cedarpaw. The other tom was just two moons older and shared a similar sense of humour, so the two hit it off right away. Once Littlekit did become Littlepaw and join the two, she fit right in straight away. It wasn't long before the three became renowned for their antics, though all skilled apprentices, being slightly mischevious and liking to think a little "outside the box". Cedarpaw always showed the most ambition, whilst Littlepaw was the sensible one and Russetpaw the one that got in trouble the most. But that was how they were - and that was how they loved it.

In Russetpaw's family-life however, Maplewhisker still grieved for her lost mate, despite the lack of devotedness that Brownstripe had truly shown in life. Brownstripe's living brothers however were a slightly different story. One of them, Lionface, showed little to no interest in his brother's short-lived romance and resultant family, having his own bundles of joy to deal with. Palefur, the slightly older of the three, however, was a different matter. Having no kits or otherwise responsibility, he helped Maplewhisker where previously only Brownstripe would've - he became like a foster-dad to Russetpaw. Three moons later, however, horrible news of Lionface's imminent death took Palefur's attentions away, to the younger litter of his brother and once more, Russetpaw was left fatherless. Oh but the fun, far too much fun to care about family woes like that!

It was fairly obvious to the clan that there could not be several separate ceremonies for the three best friends. And so they all recieved their names together - Russetpelt, Littlewhisker and Cedarclaw. It didn't take long after their ceremonies for two of the three to experience something entirely new - and entirely beyond friendship. As Littlewhisker and Russetpelt discovered they had deeper feelings toward each other than previously anticipated, they began a process of rediscovering themselves within each other - they became mates. As they went through the routine, Cedarclaw instead had turned to politics. He watched the workings of the clan with fascination and when his foster-father and the leader of ForestClan, Elkstar, died, he was in uproar.

Immediately sceptical of any predecessors that were not himself, Cedarclaw watched as deputy Brownfang became Brownstar and leader of ForestClan. What came as absolutely no surprise to Russetpelt and Littlewhisker, but was to everybody else, however, was the choice of Deputy - Cedarclaw himself. To them and those that knew him well, it was obvious despite his youth that he was more than capable, with ambition in the heaploads. To some others however, the decision was not so warmly accepted - he was yet still so young in comparison to some of the other warriors! Still, moons passed and Brownstar proved himself an dispassionate leader, not truly valuing the warriors that supported his policies. Amongst those that disproved such policies was Cedarclaw himself.

It did not take long, however, under this new reign, for Russetpelt also to gain his first apprentice - Stonepaw. After many moons of discontentness, Cedarclaw confided his doubts within Russetpelt and Littlewhisker. The two, knowing full well the sort of jealousy-toward-couples that Cedarclaw felt, kept their relationship fully professional whenever around him and even at this meeting, so early on, told him only that they would - both - be fully behind him, whatever he decided. It was then that Cedarclaw decided to split from ForestClan and with the backing of Russetpelt and Littlewhisker, the three, along with several determined and likeminded warriors, left ForestClan and formed MeadowClan.

Amongst those that followed the three were Stonepaw, Russetpelt's apprentice, Maplewhisker, his mother and his now last remaining uncle, Palefur, who had not made much more of a presence since Lionface's passing. One of the first things to be decided upon the forming of MeadowClan was the Deputy. Despite their closeness to the newly appointed Cedarstar, Russetpelt had made his view of Deputyship clearly known. He considered it like slowly poisoning oneself and though he would serve his clan to the best of his ability as a warrior, he would be gone the first moment the title "Deputy" was shoved his way. Littlewhisker, though not so strongly wordedly, held a similar point of view. And so it was with a heavy heart that Cedarstar appointed a young, capable warrior by the name of Bramblefang Deputy.

Two moons passed and the first apprentice was to become the first newly-named warrior of MeadowClan. This honour went to Russetpelt's own Stonepaw. So when the ceremony was held, he raised his chin high, proud of the work he had done in helping bring such young talent to the height of strength for MeadowClan. As his apprentice took on the name Stonepelt and the warrior title, Russetpelt felt only pride, though mixed lightly with sorrow that the period of training was over. He had unusually proven himself a naturally born teacher. Just one moon later, Cedarstar had already spurred new youth into Russetpelt's capable paws - he was to mentor himself a second apprentice by the name of Elkpaw.

Russetpelt was 38 moons of age one day when he was out patrolling with Elkpaw, Stonepelt and Maplewhisker, it was leafbare and the weather was harshly cold when a blizzard whipped up from nowhere. Desperately seeking refuge, the patrol retreated to an abandoned den of sorts amongst the meadows. It was only then that they realized their mistake - the said abandoned den housed a pregnant female lynx, fiercely protective, she struck instantly. Russetpelt was the first to meet her head on, fiercely he slashed her twice before she landed a crippling blow down his left side, leaving three long gash marks down his side and throwing him well clear of the commencing battle. While he was left aside and stunned, Russetpelt's mind swam while he heard a sickening crunch as his apprentice, Elkpaw's, ribs caved in under the lynx's paw, a fatal blow which was over all too quickly.

As he stumbled to his paws, Russetpelt pounced only too slowly as Stonepelt tried to fight off the lynx, but was backed into a corner too late realizing his mistake as the lynx's teeth sunk into his shoulder and clenched, breaking his shoulder and painfully ending his life. Russetpelt's pounce onto the lynx's shoulder drew the lynx back from the final remaining cat - his mother, Maplewhisker - who spat and scratched back as valiantly as any of the others. The lynx threw Stonepelt's tattered body away and turned to face his remaining opponents, Russetpelt jumping back as he and Maplewhisker began an oldschool method of teaching back from their ForestClan apprenticeship days. Cat and mouse. One would feint and drag the lynx's attention to themselves as the other would strike. This continued and before long the lynx was bleeding heavily when the lynx managed to strike Russetpelt a glancing mark on his chin, before it could react further however, Maplewhisker had clawed it fiercely on the behind and it hesitated. After a second moment, it shrank back, before turning and sprinting out and away from the den. Russetpelt allowed himself to collapse with fatigue, his side was bleeding heavily and the blow had caught him offguard and left him dazed, he raised his head grimly and spat blood onto the floor, looking out at the devastation he met his mother's sorrowful eyes - both knew they were lucky to still be alive.

When they were found and returned, they were celebrated as heroes, but Russetpelt felt no victory - he had lost his old and current apprentice and in so, two dear friends, though not his best. He became a different cat, talking only in hushed, brief tones to Cedarstar and Littlewhisker. The Medicine Cat acted quickly and was able to patch up Russetpelt's wounds without too much remaining evidence - just three long, silver slashes of scar-tissue down his side and a silver nick on his chin. Really, he had been lucky. Maplewhisker, after a pause, took this time to retire to the elders den, ageing gracefully in a sense. Time passed slowly, but Russetpelt still remained withdrawn, antisocial, cold to the world for it's cruelty. He spoke only briefly at Clan Meetings, when previously he had been the hearty, booming voice that commanded discussion, supporting Cedarstar in Clan upkeep as well as any Deputy might.

One further moon passed before Russetpelt had a dream. In this dream he was with StarClan and there before him were several cats of old - Brownstripe, Lionface, Stonepelt, Elkpaw and Elkstar. In the meeting his father expressed pride, as did his uncle Lionface, who asked that he protect Russetpelt's cousins and in so, his children, in his absence. Stonepelt and Elkpaw told him to live life to its fullest, as he himself had taught them and not to dwell on what could've happened, they were happy with StarClan and they had all fought valiantly. Elkstar was the last to speak, he told him that Cedarstar needed him there, be it as a friend or more, whichever, he should never falter as he did so now. To that end, he departed back to the real world. He awoke unsure of if the dream was real, but was nevertheless a changed cat.

He became his old self, if a little temperamental, there for his family and friends and prepared to serve the clan as best he could once more. It was then that Cedarstar requested that Russetpelt honour the clan just once more - Palefur was becoming too slow and old to complete the training of his apprentice Redpaw, yet the old cat would knowingly only submit the training of Redpaw to one of his own kin. Russetpelt almost refused, before he remembered Elkstar's words and, reluctantly, accepted the duty. He taught Redpaw swiftly and with, at first, a detachment, but it was expert in the way they trained, fast and skilled and it was not long before Redpaw was a fully fledged warrior within record time. Right on time for his ceremony, his training was completed and Russetpelt let himself relax at last as he watched his latest friend become a warrior - Redfoot.

Russetpelt has lately been turning his affections back to his best friend Cedarstar and mate Littlewhisker, trying to make up for his previous detachment in the only way he can - through love and dedication. Russetpelt remains a formidable foe and loyal warrior within MeadowClan, with steadfast belief in his clan and ancestors, he would do anything for his clan.

______________________

[/blockquote]