LEAFDAPPLE

REDWOODCLAN

Silver torbie she-cat with yellow-green eyes

Leafpaw boasts dainty paws and thin limbs. Her lithe frame is accentuated by her long, flowing fur. She stands at average height for a RedwoodClanner, yet when compared to members of the other clans she towers above them. Her pelt is silky soft, and kept well groomed. The bulk of her pelt is silver with tabby markings, splotches of red tabby are splattered across her front chest, right leg, and back left leg. Her face is silver save for the flame stripe of red which cuts down her nose and across her mouth. White covers her chest and stomach, and petite white socks are fitted on the tips of her four paws. Tufts of white fur stick up from the tips of her ears, while round orbs of yellow-green peer from the center of her face. A pale pink nose dots her face, so pale it practically blends into the ginger stripe on her face.

There are some who would title Leafpaw as the Sweet-heart of RedwoodClan. Her sweet nature knows how to please the cats around her and make herself like-able. She strives to establish herself as a a cat anyone can be a friend with. The thought that someone doesn't like her is Leafpaw's worst dream. 

Leafpaw is not the quiet, shy, sweet that some more timid cats are known for. Being raised without her parents, and with a temperamental sister Leafpaw learned over time that if she wanted herself to be noticed and listened to she needed to speak up. This has developed a vivaciousness in her. She is unafraid to insert herself into conversations, or strike up one with a stranger. She is playful, excitable, and friendly. She realizes that she is beautiful, and so teases and flirts with anyone who hints at being attracted to her. Sometimes she uses this to her advantage, charming a fellow apprentice into completing tasks for her if Leafpaw is displeased with the task at hand. 

Despite this manipulation, Leafpaw presents herself in a charming way. She plays the dutiful, obedient apprentice when dealing with older warriors. When she is with her fellow apprentices she makes herself amiable, friendly, and at times flirty. Sometimes an apprentice might think Leafpaw's flirtations actually mean she reciprocates their feelings, but she's made it clear she isn't interested in returning affections in that way.

Unfortunately, despite her efforts to make herself pleasing to everyone, there is always someone who is irritated by her more negative traits. At times she comes off as pompous. So use to having cats like her, she behaves as if everyone should like her. She is also considered prim and proper. Having built up her reputation as a friendly, vivacious she-cat, Leafpaw expects to be treated with respect - to a fault. Sometimes she is quick to take offence, especially if the other cat does not like her. She may be a lady, but she isn't afraid to fight.

Leafkit was born to what may be considered the most affectionate couple RedwoodClan had seen. Her father, Flametail, and mother, Frosteyes, were so in love with each other it was almost an obsession. Unfortunately, their love was a tragic one. Mere days before his two daughters were born, Flametail was killed in a battle. Frosteyes was heartbroken. She gave birth to Leafkit, but complications arose and a sickly Windkit came hours later. The queen was distraught. Not even the joy of motherhood broke through the ice that covered her heart. Her clan-mates tried to comfort her, but Frosteyes could not bare living without Flametail beside her. Her daughters were not even a moon old when she slipped from the nursery late at night and disappeared. When her body was found the next day, the warriors who could accept the truth knew the queen had ended her own life. The rest of the clan passed it off as an accident out of pity. But over time the truth becomes known. When the two kits were old enough to understand it was explained to them. A sad fact of their history they had to accept on their own terms and in their own ways.

After Frosteyes' death, Leafkit and Windkit were passed from queen to queen to suckle milk beside kits who were not their siblings. Leafkit was aware to some degree that something was different, they had no cat to call mother. Her earliest memories were of a shadow that smelled of sweet flowers and forest. As she and Windkit grew, she tried to connect with the only family she had. But Windkit's fragile nature as a young kit meant Leafkit was kept away. The queens in the nursery treated the ginger and white kit as if she was something that would break at the slightest touch. While Leafkit was able to play and tussle with the other kits, Windkit grew distant and aloof, shunned by her nursery mates. It wasn't until they were near their sixth moon that Leafkit realized the neglect she had shone her sister. 

Playing and talking with the other kits and members of RedwoodClan had taught Leafkit that if she wanted to be noticed, if she wanted others to like her, she had to make herself likable. So she began to use her charms to try and tame her unruly sister into a friendship. Perhaps Windkit had grown jealous of the ease with which Leafkit could make friends or go through life. Whatever the case, Leafkit was rejected again and again by her sister.

Finally they were named apprentices. Leafpaw began her training under the guidance of Curlycloud. Although Leafpaw only learned from Curlycloud for two moons, the silver-tabby warrior taught Leafpaw much. Her encouragement helped to hone Leafpaw's confidence, while her stricter nature kept Leafpaw from becoming a soft, spoiled, she-cat. However, one day Curlycloud revealed to Leafpaw that their time together would soon end - the warrior was pregnant from a mysterious father. 

Leafpaw was disappointed, but she did not wish for Curlycloud to feel as if she had failed as a mentor. Leafpaw had formed a great respect for her mentor, and out of that respect she pursued her studies with Shrewfur with the same care she had shone Curlycloud. For the past three moons Leafpaw has learned how to handle the differing teaching styles, learning the quirks and behaviors of Shrewfur so as to better please her. At times Shrewfur's inability to explain things well irritates Leafpaw, but she does her best to keep the thoughts to herself. Although Shrewfur is no Curlycloud, Leafpaw still appreciates what the warrior has been able to show her.

Unfortunately, over the moons of their apprenticeship, Windpaw and Leafpaw have grown further apart. Tired and frustrated by the constant rejection from Windpaw, Leafpaw has given up. While her heart still yearns for a relationship with her sister, she has come to accept that such a relationship will likely only ever occur in her dreams.