BARKSTAR: leader

[barkerr !]

done by dsb nola at flickr.

lets start here ,,

bark-kit / barkpaw / barkshadow / barkstar

defined lines ,,

male. [tom]

seasons past ,,

three years old. [36 moons]

those loyalties ,,

thunderclan.

a common title ,,

leader.

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a sideway glance ,,

handsome tabby tom with soft blue eyes.

the tiny details ,,

barkstar is a cat who, just by glancing at him, you can tell he is a proper tom. he isn't the largest in size, nor build, but what he lacks in the huge size and huge build, he makes up with personality. he is a rather lithe tom, so it probably wouldn't be surprising if he was part windclan down the path somewhere. with long, lean legs that end in rather large, steady paws, he still has a solid look about him, and usually with his head held high, it isn't always easy to point out just how thin he is. with a slightly more pointed face than some with large ears which seem slightly too large for his head, this tom doesn't really match what usual bulky toms and she-cats who lead thunderclan.

the 'bark' part of this tom's name obviously comes from his pelt, which is best described in layers. the base of his coat is a beautiful rich bark-brown, so it seems rather course in appearance, even if it is quite the opposite. the second layer is the main one, which is a series of thin, close-linging stripes. these almost represent a tiger's pelt, as they run down his limbs and grow to a darker point that runs in a darker stripe along his spine to the tip of his tail and forehead. he has a creamy light tan colouring across his belly though, and his chin is smudges white, like most tabbies. what stands out the most for this tom though, is his creamy soft blue eyes. they are almost icy blue, but softer, more like still, atantic water which is starting to frost-over.

really, this tom is rather handsome, which is only added to by his wild, untames gaze and slightly ruffled pelt, and the deep scar which runs down his left hind leg.

beyond the skin ,,

barkstar can be described as many things, and really, it depends on what cat you are asking what they'd think, as everyone has their own opinions, and this tom is one who accepts that. you see, barkstar is not like most leaders who has a different side to everyone, one for his clan, one for his friends and family and one for everyone else. no, this young tom views everyone equally and will behave the same toward almost eeryone, unless he has a defined reason behind his behaviour. to most though, there are a few words which really stand out to describe barkstar.

escentric or half-mad? ,,
this tom is one with vision and enthusiasum, and that's what got him to the rank he is. he can find interest and passion in even the smallest thing, and is quite a full-on cat to know and deal with, as he doesn't tend to know when to back down and let others get a breath. it is due to the fact that he believes in giving everyone a fare go and trying something new, that he can be called half mad though, as when it is tied into his enthuisaum, it is a dangerous mix for anyone who doesn't like changes. of course, this is the way the clan will move forward, and no cat has reason so far as to why they shouldn't just follow his crazy ideas and out-there solutions.

quick-witted and wise ,,
barkstar is far from being a dull chap, and his quick mind makes anyone willing to challenge him getting what they paid for, as he can be quite the cat to face in a battle of words and wits. always able to come up with quick-thought responces and usually and few sacastic jokes, he knows how to crack the ice or freeze it. but he is a general talent when it comes to weaving said words into something powerful, and knows what to say when someone is upset to make them feel better or how to made someone fall into self-doubt if the time ever came that he needed to use such a skill. he has a great deal of experience in the world, and isn't afraid to give others advice when they think they need it, and he isn't closed to anyone else's advice if they feel like sharing.

compassionate and kind-hearted ,,
it just isn't in this tom's nature to push away a cat in need, nor to deny anyone else the right to love those around them, so really, he is one of the most laid-back leaders when it comes to punishing cats who have had a forbidden romance. "to have to give up who you love for the sake of your clan is punishment enough," is his usual reply to questions asked on the subject. this tom though, has always loved having a family, and growing up in a supporting one and almost having his own, he has proved to be a cat who thrives when he has the support of best friends and close family around him. he is a natural father too, you only have to look at earthpaw to see this. he adores his son, and his only regret is that he couldn't fully love the young tom's mother, as their relationship was built simply on what was best for the clan at the time. but, as far as earthpaw knows, the two were lovers.

stubborn and serious ,,
although barkstar isn't the most talkative tom around, nor always the most funny, it is easy to see when he turns the other way and is serious about something, as his blue gaze freezes over and he has a much more defined pose. this tom, no matter how he won't turn away a cat in need and won't shatter a cat to the limit, he does not just give away his clan's territory or give up in a fight. barkstar is a stubborn cat and won't back down from any challenge, and defends his clan's borders with everything he has. he doesn't take kindly to joking around when there are important matters there, and everyone knows this well. he is a strong, wise leader, that in the end, will be all the better for thunderclan.

those roots ,,

mother; lionfeather, beautiful golden she-cat with blue eyes.
father; thorntalon, huge tabby tom with vivid amber eyes.
sister; mouseflicker, small brown she-cat with amber eyes.
first mate; sandswallow, sandy brown tabby she-cat with green eyes.
son; earthpaw, tabby tom with green eyes.

the plainest example ,,

"what's wrong, redbelly?" looking at the leader, bright amber eyes glittering in the semi-darkness, he sat down, wincing as he forced his leg to co-operate. lifting his head, the tom met the leader's concerned gaze, dipping his head slightly. "firstly, the daily report," he meowed, deciding it was best to get the basics over and done with. plus, it gave him extra time to really figure out how he was going to explain about his leg. "mountainclan are keeping to the new borders. a few apprentices have misplaced their footings but they've been tugged back before the patrols get there. prey's beginning to scatter, already, which isn't a good sign for leaf-bare." the deputy flicked an ear, the thought of ashpaw's limp body lying in the blood-stained battlefield flashing through his mind.

shaking his head the tom cleared his throat slightly with a cough, before continuing in a slightly rawer voice. "a few cats have noticed a weird scent at the far end of the territory, the corner that meets with treeclan. it's not one any of us are really familiar with." twitching his whiskers, the tom glanced down, feeling as though, with everything that was happening, he wasn't doing everything he could to keep his clan moving properly. looking up at the leader again after a few moments of silence, he sighed depply, flattening both his ears flat to his head before letting them half rise back to their previous position. head lowered slightly, he glanced up at willowstar. "my leg's not getting any better than what it was days after the battle. if anything, it's getting worse, and although no one has told me it's not normal, leopardfire's concerned glanced mean enough."

closing his eyes for a moment, he lifted his head as though he was trying to gain the dignity he'd currently lost. "leopardfire's out at the moment, but once she gets back, she's said she'll look at my leg, but, i've come to talk to you about it. if my leg isn't getting any better any time soon, or i need to sit still for a while, i think it would be wisest, with leaf-bare coming, if you found someone to replace me as deputy, temporarily i'm hoping, until my leg co-operates enough for me to continue serving my clan the best i can."

[barkerr !]

finished.

[♥Rösε]

Accepted!