applethorn

Lichenclan

long-haired dilute cream-silver mackerel tabby tom with amber eyes

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To say that Applethorn towers over his siblings, while technically true, isn’t saying too much. He stands a little taller than the average cat, but it’s not too difficult to be taller than a couple of runty sisters and his puny brother. Though not especially bulky, Applethorn’s plush fur lends thickness to his frame. That fur is a mottled mish-mash of creams and silvers - much lighter on the bottom of his body and darkening to varying shades as stripes get lost in the length of his fur.

A striking white streak extends from his nose up between his eyes as the centerpoint of a rounded face. Long sprays of silvery furs sprout from his ears. His eyes are a rich, deep amber, looking especially saturated when contrasted to the faded orange of his fur.

[135]

+ obedient, respectful, eloquent
/ observant, conservative
- brooding, arrogant, short-sighted

Applethorn is an obedient cat. When he was young, he followed the commands of his parents without question. During training, he followed his mentor’s orders exceptionally closely. These days, though, his fealty is given more to his mother as the head of his family rather than the leadership of the Clan that he doesn’t quite trust. That isn’t to say that he would treat his leader or deputy rudely. If nothing else, he at least knows how to act respectfully and that has done wonders to keep him out of trouble as he’s grown.

Applethorn has been blessed with a silver tongue. He always seems to know what to say and, sometimes more importantly, what not to say. Analytical, he knows when it’s most advantageous to keep his mouth closed. He watches his Clanmates quietly, observing them for ammunition he might need to use later on. He holds on to grudges, sometimes for seasons at a time, waiting for precisely the right moment to strike back.

Despite that, he sees himself as a protector, both of his family and his Clanmates. Call it cocky, confident or arrogant, but Applethorn knows that he is a skilled cat. He knows that he is both physically strong and socially graceful - a trait which promises to serve him well in LichenClan… at least with the way things used to be. Filled with stories of LichenClan’s greatness and the accomplishments of high-blooded families, he has found himself determined to uphold the values that now seem to be falling out of favor.

There is quite a struggle for Applethorn to see much further than his own muzzle in terms of long-term goals. He knows he wants to rise above his siblings as the new head of his family, but after that…? It doesn’t matter.

[296]

Applekit was born alongside three siblings, Dustkit, Hemlock-kit and Foxglovekit, under the shelter of the birch forest. His Clan and family had been displaced from their natural home by a deadly flood. From the moment he opened his eyes, Applekit was vying for the favor of his parents Pigeonheart and Caveflower. Having only one brother, he focused nearly all of his competitive efforts on Dustkit. After all, what glory was there in beating a girl?

Before too long, LichenClan was able to return to their cave. Satisfied that he was where he was meant to be as a LichenClan cat, Applekit hardly remembered the birches once they left. The retreating of the flood waters also meant the mooncave was once again safe. Despite the grim warnings of the Clan’s medicine cat at the time, her apprentice met the family to ensure the kits were properly baptized. It was the night of their baptism, gathered under the watchful eyes of the stars, that Caveflower first announced that one of the four siblings was to be chosen. One of them would be an heir, burdened with carrying on the family’s legacy and ensuring its survival. Applekit knew at once that he was meant to be that cat.

Apprenticed to Deadeye, Applepaw threw himself wholly into training. He gladly took any and every opportunity to show off his skills and prove to his parents that he was the most capable of his siblings. A favorite pastime of his quickly became antagonizing his brother Dustpaw. The hot-headed tom just made it far too easy to get under his fur, especially when it came to their apparent standing within the family or how he continually lagged behind despite being trained by the deputy.

Only a few moons into his training, his father Pigeonheart fell sick. Caveflower spent days at his side, tending to him, but the old tom only withered. He passed in the medicine den after a solemn goodbye from the siblings leaving Applepaw determined to grow into a tom that would make his father proud. He was sure that it was up to him to fill the place of patriarch that Pigeonheart had left behind.

Training under Deadeye was just what he needed to hone his skills. The tom was scarce with praise and made Applepaw work hard for any scrap of positive feedback, but he wouldn't have wanted it any other way. There would be no way for him to achieve his maximum potential with a soft or gentle mentor. His mentor picked up where his mother left off, educating him on the politics of the Clan and cementing Applepaw's traditional values despite the new views of his peers.

Applepaw sailed through his training, tackling every challenge that was thrown at him, eventually becoming the first of his siblings to earn his warrior name - Applethorn. His excitement was tempered with apprehension, though. Change and uncertainty plagued the Clan. Yarrowstar’s disappearance in the tunnels so soon after the disappearance of Briarfall was bad enough, but the mysterious death of Lilacmist would soon leave his Clan without a medicine cat. He is more determined than ever to prove that he can be the one that will lead his family through this.

It is clear that Quickstar's views are drifting from LichenClan's traditional values. He can feel the tension from his mother as well as other's in their social circle. Applethorn remains wary, uncertain about how all this radical shifting will affect him.

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