Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2019 19:56:24 GMT -6
cardinal perching on snowy branches
Tribe of Floating Stones
long-haired red tabby tom with pale yellow eyes
stone-guard
Tom
89 moons
Appearance
Cardinal, with his towering build and solid muscle, exudes the raw power befitting a stone-guard of the highest regard. His broad shoulders and thick limbs are a testament to years spent honing his skills. The sheer size of his frame is intimidating; he moves with a steady confidence, each step calculated and firm, as if the very earth acknowledges his authority.
Cardinal's paws, large and heavy, carry the might to deliver resounding blows in combat, leaving no question about his proficiency in physical encounters. The fortitude in his frame is matched only by the resolute stare of his bright yellow eyes, which scan his surroundings with an authoritative acumen.
Embodied by a flame incarnate, his coat burns bright in the light—an array of deep reds and bright golds intermingling across classic tabby markings. An expanse of skin, rough and calloused, mars his left shoulder—a stark, unfeathered patch where his pelt used to flourish before the searing teeth of coyotes tore it away.
Cardinal's posture is pure composure and vigilance. He stands tall and straight, never slouching, as if his spine were made of the strongest oak. His head is often held high, not out of arrogance but respect for his role and duties. His jaw is set firm, projecting a sense of unwavering determination. In repose, his expressions are controlled – a face carved from stone. He emanates a sense of being unapproachable, not because he is unkind, but due to an air of seriousness that surrounds him.
Cardinal's paws, large and heavy, carry the might to deliver resounding blows in combat, leaving no question about his proficiency in physical encounters. The fortitude in his frame is matched only by the resolute stare of his bright yellow eyes, which scan his surroundings with an authoritative acumen.
Embodied by a flame incarnate, his coat burns bright in the light—an array of deep reds and bright golds intermingling across classic tabby markings. An expanse of skin, rough and calloused, mars his left shoulder—a stark, unfeathered patch where his pelt used to flourish before the searing teeth of coyotes tore it away.
Cardinal's posture is pure composure and vigilance. He stands tall and straight, never slouching, as if his spine were made of the strongest oak. His head is often held high, not out of arrogance but respect for his role and duties. His jaw is set firm, projecting a sense of unwavering determination. In repose, his expressions are controlled – a face carved from stone. He emanates a sense of being unapproachable, not because he is unkind, but due to an air of seriousness that surrounds him.
Personality
Dependable
Cardinal exhibits a steadiness and strength of character that remains unwavering regardless of the circumstances he faces. His consistency is the bedrock of his actions — he remains reliable and unflappable, embodying wisdom that comes from a life rich in experiences and lessons learned. His protectiveness is innate, driving him to stand as a silent bulwark for the safety and welfare of the Tribe.He projects a sense of strength and solidity. He isn't easily swayed by emotions or hardships; instead, he weathers them with a fortitude that others can draw confidence from. His commitment to the Tribe's safety is absolute, and he serves as an anchor to his peers, especially in the face of danger or uncertainty. His best guidance is delivered through example, demonstrating what it means to be reliable and present.
Fiercely Loyal
Cardinal's loyalty is a defining facet of his character, an unwavering allegiance that stands as one of his most admirable qualities. He exudes a quiet strength, and while his exterior may appear stoic and unyielding, the underlying commitment he feels towards his tribe burns with a rare intensity. His strong sense of duty is unwavering, and his loyalty is not just metaphorically but literally proven to know no bounds.This dedication manifests in his actions and decisions—when the tribe calls, Cardinal answers without hesitation, regardless of the obstacles that lay before him. Whether it means crossing treacherous waters or navigating perilous terrain, his promise remains. It's a dedication that is deeply ingrained, one that, once given, is unbreakable and eternal.
His devotion goes beyond mere words; it is evident in everything he does. Cardinal's loyalty is the force that compels him to put the well-being of the tribe above his own, driving him towards acts of sacrifice that others might shy away from. He doesn't seek recognition for his deeds; for him, the greatest reward is the continued safety and prosperity of his tribe.
Survivalist
Cardinal carries an intrinsic reverence for the wilderness around him. He has dedicated himself to understanding the ebb and flow of the natural world, a skill honed over years of experience. He listens to the stories told by the rustling leaves, the murmuring streams, and the shifting winds with a sense of wonder and respect. In doing so, he gathers vital information about the weather, animal activity, and so on - to benefit and further safeguard his tribe.This self-imposed responsibility is much more than a hobby; it is part of who Cardinal is. He enjoys, in his own stoic way, sharing his discoveries and insights - whether it's teaching a younger cat to read the sky's omens or advising the prey-hunters of patterns in the game's movements.
Melancholic
Cardinal's melancholy is an undercurrent in his existence. It's the quiet sadness that sometimes dims the light in his eyes, a result of his losses and the weight of his past. His nostalgia for times and cats long gone can cloak him in introspection, often leading him to seek the solace of quiet places where he can commune with the ghosts of his thoughts under the wide, watchful sky. This quiet sadness is seen in the way he sometimes hesitates at places within the territory that hold the ghosts of memories, in the wistfulness of his gaze, or in the lingering pauses between his spoken words.Self-Reliant to a Fault
Cardinal's fierce independence is both a strength and a flaw. His reluctance to depend on others leads to a tendency to tackle problems alone, even when sharing the burden would be wiser. This self-reliance can make him a solitary figure within the Tribe, working tirelessly yet distancing himself from the communal support. Driven by a profound sense of duty, he often takes on more than he can manage, prioritizing the needs of the tribe over his own. This leads to moments where he experiences stress and exhaustion as he attempts to meet the high standards he sets for himself, intensified by the pressure to make up for his past absence.History
Cardinal, born to Nettle who Blooms without Color and Coyote who Bays at Moon, was marked by adversity from the start. Raised under the protective but stifling care of a mother whose detachment would define much of Cardinal's early life, he grew to be both strong in body and guarded in spirit—a necessity when facing the harshness of winter and the chill of his mother's demeanor.
Loss visited early when Coyote succumbed to illness, fueling a bitterness in Cardinal that his mother's eventual abandonment would only stoke to a fiercer blaze. He felt her absence deeply when his brother Loon fell to sickness, and her departure seemed an irrevocable breach of trust. Cardinal's anger became his armor, his constant companion as he matured from mourning kit to fiery to-be.
As a stone-guard, Cardinal channeled his anguish into strength, gaining a reputation for his fierce temper and fearsome prowess in battle. Yet, it was Wildflower that Grows Freely who ignited a different kind of fire in him—one that burned with passion and, for a time, soothed his inner turmoil. Their estrangement, however, and her affection for another would only reignite his smoldering ferocity.
The plague of coyotes that battered the tribe would change him once again. Cardinal's valor led to a near-death encounter that unbeknownst to all, swept him away from the life he knew. His years of absence and struggle on an alien shore served as a crucible, forging him anew. The physical scars he bore bore testament to his relentless will to live and return to the tribe that had shaped him.
Upon rejoining his tribe, Cardinal discovered a reality riddled with deception and betrayal. The landscape of his home had shifted in his absence, with Blackbird's death—a loss that hollowed him—and Fog's trials as the new Teller layered new complexities onto his burdened soul. It was the newly minted strength in Sunrise, another bond from his past, and the blossoming connection with his niece Song that reminded him of the ever-evolving nature of kinship and his duty to protect and serve.
Now, as Cardinal reassumes his position among his tribe, his grief-laden silence over Blackbird's passing obscures a heart still loyal, still vigilant. His devotion to Fog, his readiness to defend the tribe against usurpers like Sumac, showcases an undiminished commitment to the codes of his ancestors.
Loss visited early when Coyote succumbed to illness, fueling a bitterness in Cardinal that his mother's eventual abandonment would only stoke to a fiercer blaze. He felt her absence deeply when his brother Loon fell to sickness, and her departure seemed an irrevocable breach of trust. Cardinal's anger became his armor, his constant companion as he matured from mourning kit to fiery to-be.
As a stone-guard, Cardinal channeled his anguish into strength, gaining a reputation for his fierce temper and fearsome prowess in battle. Yet, it was Wildflower that Grows Freely who ignited a different kind of fire in him—one that burned with passion and, for a time, soothed his inner turmoil. Their estrangement, however, and her affection for another would only reignite his smoldering ferocity.
The plague of coyotes that battered the tribe would change him once again. Cardinal's valor led to a near-death encounter that unbeknownst to all, swept him away from the life he knew. His years of absence and struggle on an alien shore served as a crucible, forging him anew. The physical scars he bore bore testament to his relentless will to live and return to the tribe that had shaped him.
Upon rejoining his tribe, Cardinal discovered a reality riddled with deception and betrayal. The landscape of his home had shifted in his absence, with Blackbird's death—a loss that hollowed him—and Fog's trials as the new Teller layered new complexities onto his burdened soul. It was the newly minted strength in Sunrise, another bond from his past, and the blossoming connection with his niece Song that reminded him of the ever-evolving nature of kinship and his duty to protect and serve.
Now, as Cardinal reassumes his position among his tribe, his grief-laden silence over Blackbird's passing obscures a heart still loyal, still vigilant. His devotion to Fog, his readiness to defend the tribe against usurpers like Sumac, showcases an undiminished commitment to the codes of his ancestors.
