Post by soot on Aug 15, 2021 18:45:30 GMT -6
merlintail
lichenclan
A willowy seal point she-cat with sky blue eyes.
warrior
cisgender female
(she/her)
(she/her)
forty-nine moons
Appearance
Merlintail sports a willowy build much like her eldest sibling. Lithe and nimble, with small paws. It is no surprise to any cat that she turned out to be a skilled hunter. Though, more in line with Ospreyfur and Patchstrike, she has a bit of height to her. Standing slightly taller than average, Merlintail is a gifted hunter by nature of her sleek features.
Her pelt is a dark cream with near-black points. She is almost a copy of her father, the same soft but dense coat. Perhaps a testament to her name and build, she bears very few scars. She has one nick to her left ear and a scar on one front foot where a torn claw had healed roughly. These are the ‘trophies’ from the skirmish that had led to her full name. In addition to those, she has a thin scar spanning from her forehead to left eyebrow, courtesy of Flashfang, and in memory of her former mate, she bears a narrow, left-leaning scar across her shoulder to chest, a notch in the base of her left ear and scratch above her nose. There is a scratch along her right side, from her run-in with Embersky at the border during her pregnancy. Perhaps worst of all though is the slash across her throat from where Blazingstorm nearly sliced it clean open during the great battle.
She sports a kind of prettiness that can only be likened to the sort of bird she is named after. Merlintail has a sharp face, reminiscent of her namesake, all edges and angles. This makes her stand apart from her family with their softer, unassuming round features. Her nose is black, blending into her maskesque markings. She shares the same triangular ears as her father, and her eyes are notably a paler sky blue than her brother’s. Normally her eyes twinkle with mischief, a sign she is clearly up to no good.
She moves with a fluidness that has come from moons of honing her skills. Though her impulsiveness means that fluidity is often accompanied by something which announces her presence before she intends it. Her voice is very singsong, often too amused to mean anything good. She smells faintly of honey.
371
Her pelt is a dark cream with near-black points. She is almost a copy of her father, the same soft but dense coat. Perhaps a testament to her name and build, she bears very few scars. She has one nick to her left ear and a scar on one front foot where a torn claw had healed roughly. These are the ‘trophies’ from the skirmish that had led to her full name. In addition to those, she has a thin scar spanning from her forehead to left eyebrow, courtesy of Flashfang, and in memory of her former mate, she bears a narrow, left-leaning scar across her shoulder to chest, a notch in the base of her left ear and scratch above her nose. There is a scratch along her right side, from her run-in with Embersky at the border during her pregnancy. Perhaps worst of all though is the slash across her throat from where Blazingstorm nearly sliced it clean open during the great battle.
She sports a kind of prettiness that can only be likened to the sort of bird she is named after. Merlintail has a sharp face, reminiscent of her namesake, all edges and angles. This makes her stand apart from her family with their softer, unassuming round features. Her nose is black, blending into her maskesque markings. She shares the same triangular ears as her father, and her eyes are notably a paler sky blue than her brother’s. Normally her eyes twinkle with mischief, a sign she is clearly up to no good.
She moves with a fluidness that has come from moons of honing her skills. Though her impulsiveness means that fluidity is often accompanied by something which announces her presence before she intends it. Her voice is very singsong, often too amused to mean anything good. She smells faintly of honey.
371
Personality
+ charismatic, well-meaning, opportunistic, perceptive
- mischievous, impulsive, cynical, indifferent
Merlintail means well. Really, she does. It just doesn’t always come out that way. She’s the kind to get into an argument and swear she’ll never speak to you again, then show up roughly an hour later with a wren, and honeycomb if she’s extra sorry. She genuinely does want to do right by her clanmates, but sometimes that is easier said than done. Merlintail is best described as a cat with her heart in the right place most of the time but who struggles to make the right decision in reality. Despite her having become distant during their apprentice moons, Merlintail didn’t hesitate to support Ospreyfur when she was picked apart by the clan gossips. Having been raised by two well-mannered cats, she is no different. A proper LichenCLan warrior, Merlintail respects her elders, assists without prompting and generally is seen as one of the ‘good ones’ when it comes to the ‘young punks’ of the clan. She tries to never take any of her pranks too far or get too rowdy if she can help it. It’s no question then, that she fell alongside Minnowstar-supporters. Sitting on the fence for so long has made her someone who has entered Yarrowstar’s reign with acute awareness and sensibility.
With a silvery way of speaking and coming from a decently-respected family, Merlintail stepped out from her siblings' shadows as an apprentice. She’s a naturally likeable cat, quick with jokes, level headed for the most part. She had many friends as an apprentice, and arguably, is the most well-liked of her siblings. Sparrowheart is fine, but he gets himself in trouble with his rambling and Ospreyfur is a fine, model warrior, but everyone knows she’s so aloof… Merlintail is…she toed the line just as much as her siblings, but good connections made all the difference in a post-Minnowstar LichenClan. Stemming from her mother openly favoring her older brother, Merlintail looked to others for that approval. After moons of settling for the tiniest of crumbs and being willing to bend backwards and thensome for cats who fed her validation, she has moved past such desires. Merlintail has grown jaded and cynical, looking hopeful (if skeptical) towards the new leadership of LichenClan.
For so long, she was overlooked for mentoring because of her headstrong attitude which collided with traditional clan values set for she-cats. Merlintail was plucky in her youth, fiery. If there was a risk, she was willing to take it, if a whim comes to her, she likely acts on it. Honey isn’t all that common on the island, but Merlintail has developed a taste for it as an apprentice, and every now and again, she slips off to go find some. It’s a trait of her own that she likes to impart on her apprentices and children. She values the idea of risk-taking, of chasing opportunity. Her impish streak was something her parents hoped she’d grow out of. As it turns out, she did not leave it behind when she was apprenticed nor did she forget it when she was given her full name. Mischief has always closely lurked alongside her.
520
History
Born to Warblerflower and Patchstrike, Merlinkit was third in her litter. She followed Sparrowkit and Ospreykit, her older brother and sister. She bore a strong resemblance to her brother and father, both in looks and personality.
As children, she and her brother were thick as thieves, always getting into trouble and Ospreykit followed in their wake, coasting along while her two more outspoken siblings made waves. Merlinkit was always the one planting ideas in Sparrowkit’s mind, knowing he’d easily be on board for an adventure and Ospreykit was convinced easily enough. The trio had been a pawful and a half, that was for sure.
They were sheltered. Warblerflower had her way when Patchstrike wasn’t around. Her kits knew nothing of the ugly tensions rising outside of the Nursery, the growing unrest that had found its home in the heart of camp. Her baptism went as planned and she was back to playing with her siblings once more.
It wouldn’t be until their apprentice moons would they know the full scope of life in LichenClan under Minnowstar’s reign. Their ceremony was the first time they’d ever seen Minnowstar and her ferocity had made Merlinkit’s blood freeze. The she-cat was a force unlike anything the young kit had ever witnessed before. Starstruck by her, Merlinkit was named Merlinpaw, and in that moment when her leader called her name, she knew instantly that Minnowstar was not just a force, but one of strength and unwavering power.
Her mentor was the gaunt Falconfire. He played a key role in Merlinpaw’s development, heavily influencing her. He was passionate and outspoken, a fierce tom, worthy of his namesake. He cared little for rebellious cats and was largely active in the war. To the young apprentice, he was another study in untouchable power. Impassioned by his wisdom and attitude, Merlinpaw too, becomes an active participant in the war. She earns her full name after a skirmish alongside her mentor.
She does not know of the way her brother has been talking, too consumed in vying for Falconfire’s spare praise, she misses his newfound outspoken tongue. From what she does hear, she assumes he is simply not taking the adjustment to being an apprentice well. And to some extent, neither is she nor Ospreypaw. While her sister struggles with the sudden loss of innocence and ignorance, Merlinpaw struggles with her beliefs. She’s never believed in StarClan as passionately as her peers and it is beginning to be harder to hide.
Alongside her siblings, she is named Merlintail. Supposedly for her stealth and her quietness on her paws, lending to how she has become quite the hunter. She is thrilled to have her full name at last and pushes any dismay at its lack of specialness away.
Her confession goes quickly. Among other sins, like feeling occasionally envious of her brother for being the most loved kit, she flushes and admits that she once tricked a fellow apprentice into thinking that StarClan was sending signs in the form of oddly-shaped shells for a whole moon.
She steps from the pool, cleansed and joins her siblings. Her teeth chatter and she shakes from the cold, but by morning she shivers with excitement. A full warrior at last, the future is blooming with possibilities, her halfhearted belief buried deep in her chest.
When Ospreyfur is at the forefront of rumors, Merlintail supports her sister. When they eventually stop, Merlintail is relieved, almost selfishly. She does not let herself think anything more of it as she immediately goes back to training alongside her former mentor and being a quiet supporter of Minnowstar.
Roughly around her 30th moon, she reunites with her littermates and former peers after moons of near isolation. One tom in particular, was Wispfang. A sparked interest leads to a whirlwind romance which soon turns bitter and toxic. Then, just three moons later, Merlintail finds that all is not well as she is among those who are forced to confess their sins twice during Minnowstar’s mandatory confessions. The only bright side is when Merlintail is assigned an apprentice, Shrikepaw, and discovers she enjoys mentoring now that she has been chosen for the task.
Many moons pass under the harsh, oppressive leadership of Minnowstar and smothering ‘love’ of her mate. She thinks things can’t become any worse until Merlintail discovers she is pregnant. She gives birth to one son and one daughter. Shellkit and Harrierkit. She is a rather absent mother for most of their kittenhood, finding that motherhood was not a title she ever desired to hold. Merlintail grows bitter and finds refuge in the like-minded she-cats she finds. Sagefrost, Emberscorch. Even her own terrible mother-in-paw, Tidechaser.
It is not until after the great battle, where she nearly dies at the paws of a ThistleClanner, when Yarrowstar takes over does Merlintail feel any hope for the future of the clan. Though, it is not without a great cost. Her sister and parents are lost to the war, driving her closer to her only remaining kin, Sparrowheart.
She even finds more kinship in Tidechaser and former-outsider Birchsong after Wispfang is reported dead, leaving her alone and lost and grieving terribly. Merlintail finds comfort and understanding in the other queens, who begin to form a coalition under the new leadership.
At forty-eight moons, she receives another apprentice. Eelpaw. He is nothing like her first and she finds herself much more relaxed and eager to teach again.
904
As children, she and her brother were thick as thieves, always getting into trouble and Ospreykit followed in their wake, coasting along while her two more outspoken siblings made waves. Merlinkit was always the one planting ideas in Sparrowkit’s mind, knowing he’d easily be on board for an adventure and Ospreykit was convinced easily enough. The trio had been a pawful and a half, that was for sure.
They were sheltered. Warblerflower had her way when Patchstrike wasn’t around. Her kits knew nothing of the ugly tensions rising outside of the Nursery, the growing unrest that had found its home in the heart of camp. Her baptism went as planned and she was back to playing with her siblings once more.
It wouldn’t be until their apprentice moons would they know the full scope of life in LichenClan under Minnowstar’s reign. Their ceremony was the first time they’d ever seen Minnowstar and her ferocity had made Merlinkit’s blood freeze. The she-cat was a force unlike anything the young kit had ever witnessed before. Starstruck by her, Merlinkit was named Merlinpaw, and in that moment when her leader called her name, she knew instantly that Minnowstar was not just a force, but one of strength and unwavering power.
Her mentor was the gaunt Falconfire. He played a key role in Merlinpaw’s development, heavily influencing her. He was passionate and outspoken, a fierce tom, worthy of his namesake. He cared little for rebellious cats and was largely active in the war. To the young apprentice, he was another study in untouchable power. Impassioned by his wisdom and attitude, Merlinpaw too, becomes an active participant in the war. She earns her full name after a skirmish alongside her mentor.
She does not know of the way her brother has been talking, too consumed in vying for Falconfire’s spare praise, she misses his newfound outspoken tongue. From what she does hear, she assumes he is simply not taking the adjustment to being an apprentice well. And to some extent, neither is she nor Ospreypaw. While her sister struggles with the sudden loss of innocence and ignorance, Merlinpaw struggles with her beliefs. She’s never believed in StarClan as passionately as her peers and it is beginning to be harder to hide.
Alongside her siblings, she is named Merlintail. Supposedly for her stealth and her quietness on her paws, lending to how she has become quite the hunter. She is thrilled to have her full name at last and pushes any dismay at its lack of specialness away.
Her confession goes quickly. Among other sins, like feeling occasionally envious of her brother for being the most loved kit, she flushes and admits that she once tricked a fellow apprentice into thinking that StarClan was sending signs in the form of oddly-shaped shells for a whole moon.
She steps from the pool, cleansed and joins her siblings. Her teeth chatter and she shakes from the cold, but by morning she shivers with excitement. A full warrior at last, the future is blooming with possibilities, her halfhearted belief buried deep in her chest.
When Ospreyfur is at the forefront of rumors, Merlintail supports her sister. When they eventually stop, Merlintail is relieved, almost selfishly. She does not let herself think anything more of it as she immediately goes back to training alongside her former mentor and being a quiet supporter of Minnowstar.
Roughly around her 30th moon, she reunites with her littermates and former peers after moons of near isolation. One tom in particular, was Wispfang. A sparked interest leads to a whirlwind romance which soon turns bitter and toxic. Then, just three moons later, Merlintail finds that all is not well as she is among those who are forced to confess their sins twice during Minnowstar’s mandatory confessions. The only bright side is when Merlintail is assigned an apprentice, Shrikepaw, and discovers she enjoys mentoring now that she has been chosen for the task.
Many moons pass under the harsh, oppressive leadership of Minnowstar and smothering ‘love’ of her mate. She thinks things can’t become any worse until Merlintail discovers she is pregnant. She gives birth to one son and one daughter. Shellkit and Harrierkit. She is a rather absent mother for most of their kittenhood, finding that motherhood was not a title she ever desired to hold. Merlintail grows bitter and finds refuge in the like-minded she-cats she finds. Sagefrost, Emberscorch. Even her own terrible mother-in-paw, Tidechaser.
It is not until after the great battle, where she nearly dies at the paws of a ThistleClanner, when Yarrowstar takes over does Merlintail feel any hope for the future of the clan. Though, it is not without a great cost. Her sister and parents are lost to the war, driving her closer to her only remaining kin, Sparrowheart.
She even finds more kinship in Tidechaser and former-outsider Birchsong after Wispfang is reported dead, leaving her alone and lost and grieving terribly. Merlintail finds comfort and understanding in the other queens, who begin to form a coalition under the new leadership.
At forty-eight moons, she receives another apprentice. Eelpaw. He is nothing like her first and she finds herself much more relaxed and eager to teach again.
904
total wc: 1,795
