Alder-root

redwoodclan

large long-haired ginger tom with pale green eyes

Large and in charge, this tom is massive in size. But his muscle tone is defined, but not bulky. His size is determined more by his long pelt and height than his actual mass. His fur isn't silky and form fitting. It's dense and rugged. But kempt just enough to appear as if his fur flows off his spine like water. The density and length of his fur creates an impressive mane crowning his chest. His tail habors the same compliment, bushy and proud along with the rest of his body.

Speaking of his body, this boy is a bright ginger, a vivid distraction from the muddy hues of nature. He is decorated in dark classic tabby stripes that serve more like patches in how much surface area they cover on his flank. His attention stealing markings end at his tail and legs, the transition striking due to the contrast in tone. Aborbing the most recognition has to be the whites delicately placed on the toes of his right paw, his tail tip, and streaked over his chest.

His muzzle sticks out of his face in no unique way. In fact, his face generally is pretty average, lacking any striking characteristics or sharpness. It's his big eyes that really draws you in. With a gentle green tint and an expressiveness that never falters, his gaze is definitely the show stopper of his entire appearance (unless you have a thing for gingers). The only other things to note in reference to his head is his dark peach colored nose (his nose is a little big, but don't bring it up, he's self conscious about it) and the nasty nick in his left ear.

flirtatious//

This tom never knows when to stop when it comes to trying to slick talk his way out of everything. And flirting is just an easy pass time as a result of this practice. In fact, he can say anything to make your heart melt. But commitment isn't a term he has learned yet. Going past flirting is a death sentence if you want to find this tom tolerable. So maybe it isn't too keen of an idea to do anything but ignore any advances this sleezy cat makes.

charming//

Given his silver tongue with the ladies (and gentlemen if feminine enough) it would imply his charm levels are off the charts. That implication would be correct. His charm is a recipe with confidence, wordplay, and a honey coated voice being the ingredients. Lies are salted in for extra flavor. It's the biggest reason his controversy is focused on whether hes loved or hated, never in between.

rude//

It might not be intentional, but this warrior can come off as very rude. He's just cursed with a mouth that has no lock, giving his mind free range to say whatever free floating thought it might catch without even the cheapest filter. Thanks to this horrible faulty wire in his brain, some things he says can be hard to rely on, for it might just be some words he spat out just because that's how he was thinking in that moment. He never tends to mull on his next move in anything, so expect inconsistency and brash behavior. With this blunt honesty and no verbal filter, it would be surprising if he didn't come off as a little rude sometimes.

protective//

Growing up with siblings in such a positive light was in no doubt what saved this tom from being a selfish cat. Alder is willing to do about anything for the safety of the cats he cares about. It might not be a lot of cats he feels this genuine about, but reaching that level will grant you one of the most loyal body guards. He isn't afraid of a few claws when it involves backing up a valuable bond.

overconfident//

Confidence is usually considered a good thing, but with Alder it is definitely a downfall due to his overabundance of it. His cocky attitude in life has driven him to make many easy mistakes, and even sometimes completely oblivious. He has the smarts and keenness to be an intelligent cat, but he doesn't allow himself to be, relying on his own pride instead of any kind of awareness. Headstrong is also a good term to use.

benevolent//

As much as he tends to project unlikable vibes, he genuinely wants the best for his Clan and his clanmates. He tries to do what he thinks is right as much as he can (and what his pride allows him) and being a hero is definitely a job right up his ally. He may not be the most shining example of a good cat who does the right things, but his heart is in the right place.

short tempered//

This ginger tom has trouble keeping a cool head. You won't catch him in a consistent bad mood, but you can always bet that if you find a trigger that pisses him off, you can guarantee that you will get yelled at the same way every time. And trust me, this cat has a lot of triggers. It's hard to hurt his confidence, but it's easy to cause an argument over some disagreement or even a miscommunication.

Named from the red flowering on birch trees (flowers and plants seemed to be the theme their parents found peace towards) Alderkit was the fine son of three kits, Indigokit and Wisteriakit making the trio. Alderkit was one of the biggest instigators, fully at fault for many of their overly ambitious adventures.

It was mainly an excuse to escape from the nursery, acutely aware of the failing relationship of their mother and father. He envied normal parents, and thought that the more independent he could be, the more he didn't have to recognize the fear of their parents splitting up and abandoning them in the flurry.

Aside from that, kithood passed by like an easy breeze. It wasn't until his apprenticeship where, for the first and only time, he questioned himself and his confidence. Icepaw had been introduced to him through his sibling Indigopaw. And ever since that day, Alderpaw had an enormous crush. No matter how many cats Alderpaw flirted with, the practice wasn't enough to gain the courage to even talk to Icepaw.

Despite this, he was constantly trying to at least gain her attention other ways, whether by hauling in big catches to camp, stretching over dramatically near her, or loudly bragging for her to overhear about his accomplishments for the day. But instead of getting her, he got everyone else, so his flirt practice began. With his eyes constantly on every potential victim, training was frustrating for his mentor, but Alderpaw's quickness to learn made up for the distraction. 

Root. When given the suffix, he could only guess that it was a not so subtle reference to his core, or roots of his hearr, being much more humble than his exterior. His potential definitely wasn't external. When he became a warrior, this one girl he missed became his biggest regret, having to watch from the sidelines as she flirted and teased, eager to get a taste himself. But things turned out worse when the tragedy happened: his father dying. To be honest, this was a difficult thing for him to deal with, not because he cared deeply for the cat, but because he felt betrayed by his father for seperating with his mother and he was never able to verbally address that.

He had always wanted to, but after he got a new lover, it had been the final straw to break Alder's trust permanently. It had been inevitable for his parents to split apart. But so soon after to find another cat like his mother and move on like their relationship never existed? It felt wrong. So maybe there was some sort of destiny in him dying. Nevertheless, he would make sure a similar fate didn't befall his siblings or mother.

And that included from Lichenclan. Not being a religious soul himself, the war with the unpredictable clan was especially enraging. If it were up to him, he would chase the entire clan of crazies out of the islands. Reign their terror somewhere else. But his sister Indigo has softened his view to only the leader, recognizing that not the entire clan feels the same way. Nonetheless, the nick in his ear from one of those bandits has given him a daily reminder to return the favor.