Petalshade

Lichenclan

tall, dilute calico molly

- Long-limbed with a willowy build, Petalshade is tall and lithe. With muscles well-shaped from frequent swimming, she appears a little more padded-out, as opposed to the perhaps gangly appearance she would otherwise have. Whilst her height perhaps gives her a slightly intimidating edge, especially when combined with the perpetual dagger-stare she seems to adopt, she could not be described as "large" - she still appears somewhat thin, even despite her exercise.

- Petalshade's pelt is relatively typical to the Lichenclan stereotype, being medium-length, feathered and resistant to water with a dilute calico patterning. She is particular about keeping it well-groomed and vibrant (or, well, as vibrant as she can these days - being well into her warriorhood, the moons are beginning to add up). It is soft to touch, and a little thicker-layered around her neck.

- Her face is rather angular, a somewhat middle ground between rounded and triangular. Her ears sit rather wide-set, and her deep orange eyes have a definitive almond shape to them. Long whiskers frame her muzzle rather gracefully, and her nose is marbled.

+ If one word could describe Petalshade, the word that might jump to some cats' minds would be "disciplined". She sticks very closely to her ideals and to the rules, traditions more like laws in her mind. To Petalshade, the biggest crime to a cat's mind is to be weak of will; hence, one must know their ideals, know the rules and devote their life to strictly adhering to both. After all, the rules are there for a reason, and if you stand for nothing, you are not worth the legs you stand upon.

+ Everything that Petalshade does is thought through thoroughly, with contemplation towards every aspect of what it will affect. Does it adhere to the warrior code? Would it please Starclan to take this path? What are the consequences? Of course, no cat's judgement is absolute, only Starclan's judgement is above anyone else's, but Petalshade prides herself upon being a scrupulous molly, only doing what would best please her ancestors - and repents frequently decisions that she deems have turned out unfavourably in the eyes of Starclan.

- Unfortunately, Petalshade's over-devout nature and strict belief system lead to a self-righteous, narcissistic nature. She believes herself to be better than those that show even an ounce of doubt in their loyalties, especially repeat offenders who obviously cannot be saved. Obviously whilst she is no medicine cat, she believes that her rigid adherence to Starclan's laws and her incessant desire to please them through her every action grants her a higher connection to the powers that be than what would be given to any other warrior. Hence, she can inwardly be rather haughty and piteous of 'less pious believers'. She rarely lets it slip, however - boastfulness is, after all, a sin! Although it should be noted that she will often outright refuse to give her time to those more outspoken about their doubts and/or lack of belief, and if she doesn't, then it's often only to attempt to "save" them.

- Petalshade has a tendency to be rather domineering the moment an opportunity arises for her to preach, and she does so often. It's rather difficult to stop a conversation with her somehow, at some point, turning towards Starclan. She can tend to be rather inconsiderate and high-handed when she decides someone is due a lecture on Starclan's power and authority, and is very stubbornly narrow-minded about the topic - or, well, any topic she has opinions on in general, which tends to be every topic available.

When Flowerfrost fell pregnant, the first thing she did was leave her mate to raise the impending litter alone. Being famed for her strict nature, no-one was surprised that she didn't want the litter's father to meddle in their upbringing. When her single kit was delivered, and she was named Petalkit, it became clear just what she intended to do - raise her daughter in her own image.
Petalkit, as a youngster, was talkative, playful and confident - every one of these a vice in Flowerfrost's eyes, Flowerfrost herself being perhaps the more extreme embodiment of Lichenclan's stereotypes. Thankfully for her mother, Petalkit was also innately obedient, and thus, malleable. It was for this reason that it was almost as soon as Petalkit found her voice that she seemed to lose it.

"Mother says I can't talk to you anymore. Mother says sinners need to repent rather than continue to engage in frivolity."

It perhaps didn't help much when Flowerfrost knuckled down on her teachings when she became an apprentice. She would ask for reports on what Petalpaw's mentor had taught, picking over each lesson and deciding which to instruct her daughter to discard. Petalpaw grew to despise this about her mother, ultimately deciding that she knew better, finally deciding that she could form her own opinions about things around halfway through her apprenticeship when the damage was already done.
Her mother joked about her daughter's newfound, black-and-white opinion system, saying it was straight out of Redwoodclan. But most other warriors already saw just how much of a clone Petalpaw seemed to be.

Whilst she never openly rebelled against her mother, upon earning her warrior name, she separated herself from Flowerfrost's constant reports and went her own way. She still retains the beliefs instilled in her for her entire life, but not because of her mother's influence - instead, she retains them by her own choice. Ultimately, all her mother managed to teach her during her apprenticeship was how to be firm, too firm, in her decisions and her beliefs, and this stood true until Flowerfrost's recent death as old age took it's toll.

She is still similar, too similar, to her mother, but somehow more of an extremist than Flowerfrost could ever be. Only those closest to her could possibly hope to bring out the qualities she had in kithood once again - and no-one has succeeded thus far.