SPARK THAT KINDLES THE FIRE && M156 && ROOTCLAN

[beatae]

Spark that Kindles the Fire (Sparkfire) Male 156 Moons (13 years) Heterosexual RootClan Elder Quote/Saying Genotype (optional) Appearance Sparkfire is a frail, old tom. His age is clear across his body. Long, white fur that used to be spotless and well kept is now knotted and brittle. His spine is visible and some days his ribs if he forgets to eat too often. Eyes, once a light, warm caramel shade now clouded with blindness, but still hold their cheery, loving gaze. His has a bright pink, pushed in nose and long whiskers that bend in any direction. The reasoning for his flat-face is unknown, as his parents did not have it, but seemed to simply carry the trait. Sparkfire is most commonly identified from his long, fluffy white tail, always collecting sticks and leaves. Personality Sparkfire is conveniently as his name suggests, a lively cat. He is incredibly chatty and loves to ramble on about anything and everything. He is used to getting lost in conversation and realizing mid-sentence that his conversational partner has left. His age has not held him down from his upbeat personality and loves being involved with all Clan activities. Sometimes when he feels extra confident he will try to 'hunt', sometimes comes across forgotten buried prey, and returns with it claiming it as his own catch. Sparkfire unfortunately suffers from feline dementia. He has moments, sometimes days, where he believes he is back when RootClan was still a tribe, and his son was still either a to-be or young hunter. During these times he can be very out of character, calling others names of those who have since passed. (e.i. he calls Blackmoon Peak, his fathers name) He is easily disoriented and afraid of never being accepted in the Tribe of Endless Hunting because they turned away from their tribe lifestyle. In these moments he can become aggressive in his confusion, begging to see his son to make sure he is okay History Sparkfire's history is a long one, as he has lived through many battles and hardships. His life began as the product of two loving mates, though his father perished due to an unknown illness. A mysterious lump had formed on his side one day and slowly became weaker and weaker from it. He was able to see his kits born and lived two days after their birth, but Sparkfire doesn't remember him at all. He had two younger sisters, and an older brother, Oak that Stands Strong, who was already a hunter when he was born. Always very close to his family, Sparkfire became close with all of them. His father figure was lacking, but he had his older brother to guide him when he felt lost. It was clear that the bond between them was strong, as the Firstspeaker granted Sparkfire to Oak to mentor. They hunted well together, always expecting the others next move and working fluidly. The time came for them to become a hunter, but not without a quest. Sparkfire would hunt on his own and be evaluated by Firstspeaker herself. Oak of course came along to watch, excited to see Sparkfire's quest. He was ambitious, going after an eagle that had been sighted for weeks. It was as if fate that he come across it. He was led to its nest by stalking it down, waiting patiently for the eagle to return. Foolish, as the eagle had clearly led him there to ambush the to-be. Sparkfire would have been in its talons if not for Oak, leaping out from the tree's branches and clinging to the bird. They both plummeted to the ground, and Oak died from his injuries later that night. Sparkfire's training was put on hold temporarily before Firstspeaker assigned another quest, this time directing them away from the eagle's nest. Instead Sparkfire had proved himself by catching a wild hare and defending himself against a small adder, bringing home both for his Tribe to eat. Now graduated to the rank his brother once held, Sparkfire did the best he could to keep him proud. Moons passed slowly as he still grieved his loss. The sudden presence of a she-cat, Feather that Falls in Grace, was a surprise. She offered herself as a friend to listen and mourn with, as she had also lost her own sister not long after. They grew close together and it came to no shock when they announced themselves as mates to Firstspeaker. They were blessed with a single kit: Peak that Touches Sky. Sparkfire became soft with gushing love and adoration over his first and only kit. Raised with a good head on his shoulders and strong beliefs, just as he was. When it came time for his mother to retire, Sparkfire knew it was coming for the time she ascend to the Tribe of Endless Hunting. He brought Peak with him to learn from her how her life would be after she died. It was a bittersweet moment, but Sparkfire felt his connection with his mother strengthen. It was not long until she passed peacefully. His life took another turn when a sickness spread through camp via diseased rats nesting in the territory, infecting prey. His youngest sister was one of the infected and didn't make it through the sickness, becoming one of the many that died from it. His only sibling left was later maimed from a fox and retired early to the elders den, filling the nest their mother had just left. When Peak became a hunter, he was aware of his son spending more time with one of his denmates during their to-be training. He retreated to Feather's side to talk to her, only to find out they had already told her of their mate status prior. Thus, Sparkfire learns he is terrible at keeping secrets, and everyone else is aware. His grandchild is soon born, and Sparkfire feels elated. While Peak is out hunting, Sparkfire offers himself as a kit-sitter. The bond between him and Black of Moonless Night grows stronger. Devastation occurs when suddenly Peaks body is returned one day, having drowned from saving a to-be in the rapids. His son gone, he keeps close to Blackmoon. More time passes, and slowly but surely the other hunters begin to notice Sparkfire's memory fading in and out. Some days he is sharper than a hawk, others he is bumbling about and confused. Firstspeaker gently directs Sparkfire to the elders den, which he begrudgingly agrees. Feather soon joins him after she finds her joints beginning to ache more often. No time is wasted for more trouble, it seems. Humans come to the ruins with their loud, stinking monsters. Removing the grounds they held sacred. Sparkfire runs with the crowd of tribe cats, trying to help Feather keep up. She falters repeatedly, begging Sparkfire to continue without her. The last he sees of Feather is rubble falling above her body and a cloud of dust. He finds Blackmoon with a kit and follows after him, several emotions trying to take control at once. The time they spend traveling is long and grueling, especially having to come to terms with the lost of his love. His denmates. His friends. When they reach the Clans and settle into a Clan lifestyle. He disapproved but kept his mouth shut, simply glad to be alive after it all. Then the rats come. Then the blindness comes. It seems to be unending, their hardships. He only hopes the peace lasts after their misfortune with rats, keeping close to his remaining family. Other -- Paternal grandfather to Blackmoon -- Completely blind in both eyes -- Suffers from feline dementia