Post by Egotistic on Apr 23, 2020 20:43:35 GMT -6
Iris that b- on stone bluff
Tribe of Floating Stones
black she-cat with white brindling and yellow-green eyes.
stone-guard
she-cat
29 moons
Appearance
Lacking in the gargantuan proportions often associated with one of her rank, Iris towers over none but more than makes up for it in overall bulk. For, where most she-cats enjoy a lighter frame, ones that offer longer limbs and sashaying gaits, Iris, instead, is more heavily endowed. Her legs are not long, but oddly short and compact, corded with sinew that compliments the broadness of her shoulders and wide, barrel chest. Similarly, the rest of her is of equal brawn, firm to the touch and rippling beneath her short, brindled coat. However, in contrast, her head seems oddly small, perched upon a neck thick as her own. It is perhaps the most effeminate trait she bears, the dainty muzzle and round hazel eyes softening the hardness found elsewhere and presenting a particular beauty to be unearthed by anyone willing enough to seek it out.
But it is her coat, not her build, that garners her the most attention. Close-lying, where once her pelt was a solid black, it had now begun to change and give rise to silver undertones—to peculiar white hairs that besmirch the black ones and give rise to an unusual brindled pattern. But it is not only in the composition of her fur that she has seen change—her skin is similarly afflicted, and where once the flesh was black velvet, a sort of the pink variety sprouts in its place.
What resulted in this change, no one is certain, but it bears similarities with her brother’s own affliction, if not a milder case.
But it is her coat, not her build, that garners her the most attention. Close-lying, where once her pelt was a solid black, it had now begun to change and give rise to silver undertones—to peculiar white hairs that besmirch the black ones and give rise to an unusual brindled pattern. But it is not only in the composition of her fur that she has seen change—her skin is similarly afflicted, and where once the flesh was black velvet, a sort of the pink variety sprouts in its place.
What resulted in this change, no one is certain, but it bears similarities with her brother’s own affliction, if not a milder case.
Personality
“It is our duty to defend the weak and the innocent…”
Known by many to be one of warmth and compassion, Iris is motherly to all that are close to her, be they kin or otherwise. In this way, she is capable of displaying deep levels of affections for those with which she has developed a bond, and as well the tendency towards protectiveness should ever their safety by threatened. This, in partnership with an abiding selflessness, has made her one who is not unfamiliar to sacrifice. Even during the worst of times for the tribe, she never faltered in that which she gave, known to have denied treatment when others were sick and give away her own rations to those who went without. Some would argue it is only natural for her to be as she is, having been trained to be a stone-guard, but in truth the root of her development stems from the sudden loss of both of her parents. After their departure to the afterlife, Iris shouldered the bulk of the responsibilities they left behind, filling the roles they left empty not only for her brother’s sake but for her own in hopes of filling the voice their deaths created.
Of course, she never could, in truth, replace them, but from this development came a fierce determination to aid others. Rare is it that she will deny assistance to those in need, and it is not uncommon for Iris to set aside her own priorities to help others. Neither does she view borders as an excuse to withhold help; should the opportunity present itself, she would even help her enemies with enough reason, maintaining a certain optimistic worldview and perception of others.
“…to fight honorably and obey our ancestors’ customs…”
In addition to her protective nature comes a certain tenacity that has allowed her to come as far as she has today. From the moment her training was entrusted to the stone-guard who later set the foundation for her views and values, she became infatuated with all he position implied and focused the full of her attention on upholding her duties, referring to it as a part of her ad the tribes customs that needed to be expressed. Such enthusiasm, in addition to her own resourcefulness and quick-wit, allowed her to overcome even the deficit of size.
“…so that those who are unable to do so might thrive.”
Despite still being inexperienced and young in her moons, Iris also displays a significant level of maturity and self-assuredness. Perhaps due to growing up so quickly in her parents stead or otherwise, she is level-headed where it counts and a stickler for morals, herself not flinching away from being vocal about her beliefs to speaking down to those that act against them. In this way, she is not above scolding others, even those who exceed her in rank and age, and is more than capable of speaking her own opinions and misgivings… even if they were not asked for to begin with.
On the other end of the coin, however, Iris is not incapable of being domineering. For all her kindness, she is can also sometimes give in to a certain self-righteousness, and she is by no means incapable of possessing a nasty temper or ferocity when provoked. This, coupled with her own bull-headedness, makes her one who not easily made to back down when their ideals are in question, herself instead choosing to stubbornly relent where many others would bow their heads and stand down. Coupled with her keen sense of compassion, this gives Iris a strong (or as some might say inflated) sense of justice, leading her to run headlong into danger on more than one occasion.
Iris also does not take well to having her trust defiled and is guilty of holding onto more than a fair share of grudges, especially towards those who she feels betrayed her good intentions. The immoral, distrustful, and manipulative are those with which she does not mingle and will show an open aversion and scorn not often seen by her own tribe-mates. But that is not to say she is not able to forgive or accept when she is wrong in her initial judgment. Quite the opposite. Should one prove to her that they are capable of change, she will willingly accept them, though, depending on the offense, they may never recover their previous standing in her life or truly regain her trust.
Known by many to be one of warmth and compassion, Iris is motherly to all that are close to her, be they kin or otherwise. In this way, she is capable of displaying deep levels of affections for those with which she has developed a bond, and as well the tendency towards protectiveness should ever their safety by threatened. This, in partnership with an abiding selflessness, has made her one who is not unfamiliar to sacrifice. Even during the worst of times for the tribe, she never faltered in that which she gave, known to have denied treatment when others were sick and give away her own rations to those who went without. Some would argue it is only natural for her to be as she is, having been trained to be a stone-guard, but in truth the root of her development stems from the sudden loss of both of her parents. After their departure to the afterlife, Iris shouldered the bulk of the responsibilities they left behind, filling the roles they left empty not only for her brother’s sake but for her own in hopes of filling the voice their deaths created.
Of course, she never could, in truth, replace them, but from this development came a fierce determination to aid others. Rare is it that she will deny assistance to those in need, and it is not uncommon for Iris to set aside her own priorities to help others. Neither does she view borders as an excuse to withhold help; should the opportunity present itself, she would even help her enemies with enough reason, maintaining a certain optimistic worldview and perception of others.
“…to fight honorably and obey our ancestors’ customs…”
In addition to her protective nature comes a certain tenacity that has allowed her to come as far as she has today. From the moment her training was entrusted to the stone-guard who later set the foundation for her views and values, she became infatuated with all he position implied and focused the full of her attention on upholding her duties, referring to it as a part of her ad the tribes customs that needed to be expressed. Such enthusiasm, in addition to her own resourcefulness and quick-wit, allowed her to overcome even the deficit of size.
“…so that those who are unable to do so might thrive.”
Despite still being inexperienced and young in her moons, Iris also displays a significant level of maturity and self-assuredness. Perhaps due to growing up so quickly in her parents stead or otherwise, she is level-headed where it counts and a stickler for morals, herself not flinching away from being vocal about her beliefs to speaking down to those that act against them. In this way, she is not above scolding others, even those who exceed her in rank and age, and is more than capable of speaking her own opinions and misgivings… even if they were not asked for to begin with.
On the other end of the coin, however, Iris is not incapable of being domineering. For all her kindness, she is can also sometimes give in to a certain self-righteousness, and she is by no means incapable of possessing a nasty temper or ferocity when provoked. This, coupled with her own bull-headedness, makes her one who not easily made to back down when their ideals are in question, herself instead choosing to stubbornly relent where many others would bow their heads and stand down. Coupled with her keen sense of compassion, this gives Iris a strong (or as some might say inflated) sense of justice, leading her to run headlong into danger on more than one occasion.
Iris also does not take well to having her trust defiled and is guilty of holding onto more than a fair share of grudges, especially towards those who she feels betrayed her good intentions. The immoral, distrustful, and manipulative are those with which she does not mingle and will show an open aversion and scorn not often seen by her own tribe-mates. But that is not to say she is not able to forgive or accept when she is wrong in her initial judgment. Quite the opposite. Should one prove to her that they are capable of change, she will willingly accept them, though, depending on the offense, they may never recover their previous standing in her life or truly regain her trust.
History
Their coming into the world was proceeded closely by a most unusual event. A long-gone she-cat borne in the night with naught to her but a name and blessings. Yarrow on the Hill, she called herself, and when she slipped into Branch of Fern’s birthing den, it was her who helped the queen in birthing her son and daughter. Unto them, she granted each a name: Creek that Breaks the Stone and Iris that Blossoms on Stone Bluff. And with each name came her own prayers, of prosperity and guidance to lead them through their lives. To some, it was a bad omen, to be named by one other than the teller, but the matter died as quickly as it was birthed, gone as quickly Yarrow’s own life as her old age took her to the ancient tribes hunting grounds.
In the proceeding moons, the events of their birth were seemingly forgotten. Neither grew to be cursed, their only affliction being that the body—to grow like weeds into strong and promising members of the tribe. Iris quickly began to display her own natural cunning, not only in her sparring with her brother but in tongue as well. There were few she could not twist to her will, as charming a creature as she. As for her brother, Creek, while smaller than her, more slender and long of limb, grew to be agile both of body and of mind. Very little escaped him without first being questioned, and he became known for his incessant question. Iris, however, was never so curious. Hers was a simpler ilk, and she delighted in old elder tales and moss balls with a kits typical fondness.
In their kithood, they only continued to grow, becoming the pride of both mother and father… although neither could cease their worrying on what names received as theirs pertained to the future. And so they would continue to wonder, their questions unanswered even by the teller and their ancestors in the sky above.
When the siblings reached their twelfth moon, the passed into training together—Iris granted the honor of training under a stone-guard by the name of Thunder in the Night, while her brother began his training under a prey-hunter by the name of Talon of the Crow. Their destinies set in stone from then on, Iris took to her draining as effortlessly as a duck to water. Though small, she was quick, and with time and ceaseless training, she began to develop, to grow more heavily endowed with muscle until she bore as much strength within her body, small though it was, as any other to-be training alongside her. Similarly, too, did she take to stone-guard custom, herself finding a certain kindredness in protecting her tribemates while also relishing in the teachings of mending the island on which they lived. With time she became efficient in both things—as well-versed in matters of tooth and fang as that of earth and toil.
But while Iris’ training progressed and she sunk gradually into her new life, she became quickly aware of a change in her brother’s. His fur, once solid black, had begun to change in a way unseen before, giving rise to great blotches of white of which no poultice seemed able to reverse. What it meant, few knew, but the teller was quick in easing their minds. Still, it did little to ease the murmuring of the clan, and in time some began to whisper again of a certain elder by the name of Yarrow.
Born with the dead… no worse luck.
With neither knowledge or recollection of such an event, Iris was left with nothing but her own thoughts and misgivings. But with Creek remaining healthy, she did not question the teller further, only fell back into her duties.
But the peace she knew was but a temporary thing, and with the coming of leaf-fall came, too, a malignant sickness. Without warning, it struck them, taking many lives in the process. But worst of all was the loss of her mother and father. Both hit with an unshakable cough, Iris watched over both of them, bringing them prey to eat and water-soaked moss from which to drink until their strength waned, and the light in their eyes grew dim. She slept between them as their bodies grew cold, and when the morning came, and their death became known, the whispers began.
But rather than surrender herself to the gossip that tailed her, Iris only returned to her duties as she had before. Only in this return, she drilled herself with a new, unrelenting drive. Steadily she grew stronger with each passing day, distracting herself from the grief she felt by helping others and drowning herself in her training.
The proceeding events, to her, are primarily a blur. She remembers little except her training, of shouldering her grief and soothing her brother—her only consistent accomplice through the worst of it. With him, the whispers were far off and forgotten things, and though she offered him much in the way of comfort, she felt soothed by his presence alone, him being the last real family she had left, and one who understood her better than any other. However, when Creek, too, was stripped from her, she was left to complete the rest of her training alone—herself focusing on her duties as a stone-guard while her brother, called before the tribe to train under the teller, became engulfed in his new responsibilities.
In time, she did become a full-fledged stone-guard, just as her brother rose to become the tribe's new teller. Siblings though they may be, even Iris acknowledges the difference between them, but that has not stopped her from looking after him… and after the rest of the tribe.
In the proceeding moons, the events of their birth were seemingly forgotten. Neither grew to be cursed, their only affliction being that the body—to grow like weeds into strong and promising members of the tribe. Iris quickly began to display her own natural cunning, not only in her sparring with her brother but in tongue as well. There were few she could not twist to her will, as charming a creature as she. As for her brother, Creek, while smaller than her, more slender and long of limb, grew to be agile both of body and of mind. Very little escaped him without first being questioned, and he became known for his incessant question. Iris, however, was never so curious. Hers was a simpler ilk, and she delighted in old elder tales and moss balls with a kits typical fondness.
In their kithood, they only continued to grow, becoming the pride of both mother and father… although neither could cease their worrying on what names received as theirs pertained to the future. And so they would continue to wonder, their questions unanswered even by the teller and their ancestors in the sky above.
When the siblings reached their twelfth moon, the passed into training together—Iris granted the honor of training under a stone-guard by the name of Thunder in the Night, while her brother began his training under a prey-hunter by the name of Talon of the Crow. Their destinies set in stone from then on, Iris took to her draining as effortlessly as a duck to water. Though small, she was quick, and with time and ceaseless training, she began to develop, to grow more heavily endowed with muscle until she bore as much strength within her body, small though it was, as any other to-be training alongside her. Similarly, too, did she take to stone-guard custom, herself finding a certain kindredness in protecting her tribemates while also relishing in the teachings of mending the island on which they lived. With time she became efficient in both things—as well-versed in matters of tooth and fang as that of earth and toil.
But while Iris’ training progressed and she sunk gradually into her new life, she became quickly aware of a change in her brother’s. His fur, once solid black, had begun to change in a way unseen before, giving rise to great blotches of white of which no poultice seemed able to reverse. What it meant, few knew, but the teller was quick in easing their minds. Still, it did little to ease the murmuring of the clan, and in time some began to whisper again of a certain elder by the name of Yarrow.
Born with the dead… no worse luck.
With neither knowledge or recollection of such an event, Iris was left with nothing but her own thoughts and misgivings. But with Creek remaining healthy, she did not question the teller further, only fell back into her duties.
But the peace she knew was but a temporary thing, and with the coming of leaf-fall came, too, a malignant sickness. Without warning, it struck them, taking many lives in the process. But worst of all was the loss of her mother and father. Both hit with an unshakable cough, Iris watched over both of them, bringing them prey to eat and water-soaked moss from which to drink until their strength waned, and the light in their eyes grew dim. She slept between them as their bodies grew cold, and when the morning came, and their death became known, the whispers began.
But rather than surrender herself to the gossip that tailed her, Iris only returned to her duties as she had before. Only in this return, she drilled herself with a new, unrelenting drive. Steadily she grew stronger with each passing day, distracting herself from the grief she felt by helping others and drowning herself in her training.
The proceeding events, to her, are primarily a blur. She remembers little except her training, of shouldering her grief and soothing her brother—her only consistent accomplice through the worst of it. With him, the whispers were far off and forgotten things, and though she offered him much in the way of comfort, she felt soothed by his presence alone, him being the last real family she had left, and one who understood her better than any other. However, when Creek, too, was stripped from her, she was left to complete the rest of her training alone—herself focusing on her duties as a stone-guard while her brother, called before the tribe to train under the teller, became engulfed in his new responsibilities.
In time, she did become a full-fledged stone-guard, just as her brother rose to become the tribe's new teller. Siblings though they may be, even Iris acknowledges the difference between them, but that has not stopped her from looking after him… and after the rest of the tribe.
