Mireduck

**❝***Scars are just life's constant reminder that a mistake was made. There's no benefit and no advantage to having them. They're just there, plastered on you forever, serving as an announcement to the world that you fucked up somewhere down the line. The only thing that is given when you get one is a mental note to not do what gave you it again. It's called learning how to dodge one of life's attempts to kill you or screw you up, **not** strength.***❞**
— Mireduck to Spireslither, on the topic of scars making someone stronger —

## Mireduck

* Art
* Pixel

* Roleplay Info
* Clan Info
* Personal Info

### Apprentice/s

Krahpaw, Cherryfloat, Skipperpaw, Reclusepaw

### Themesong

Achilles Come Down

Intelligent and formidable, Mireduck is the deputy of ShadowClan. He is known for his stern and uptight nature, but also for having a streak of unpredictability. Though physically weak and seemingly unfit for certain tasks, the tom has a sharp wit and a ready mind, able to carve his way out of trouble with words alone.
Even with his notoriety for being uncompromising, quite a few cats respect him for refusing to allow foolishness to taint ShadowClan's ranks. He is often observed speaking in a highly ornate manner during important events or around strangers.

## **Appearance**

insert summary

 ★ **Scars:** Vertical scars across his left shoulder, patchy scar on the right side of his head, jagged scars over his right eye

## **Personality**

Mireduck can use different things to his advantage at any given time. If he needs to gather information on someone, he'll go about it in a subtle manner until bits and pieces of their character reach him. If there is prey that is difficult to catch, he'll use bait to lure them into a vulnerable position, ambush them from somewhere unexpected, or chase them into a trap. In a battle, Mireduck can keep his opponent on their toes; constantly looking for his next move. Mireduck is able to think and construct plans on the spot, though he much prefers taking time to flesh them out before utilizing them. He can create multiple plans pertaining to a situation and choose the one that will be of the most benefit or come up with one and attempt to make it work. His problem-solving skills are second to none, and if he's in a tight spot, others can trust that he'll find one way or another to get out of it unscathed. Mireduck doesn't trust most cats, even those from his own Clan. He believes they are all backstabbers, with some exceptions, and will turn on him if he gets close to them. This belief has made him antisocial and skeptical of others motives. In order to keep himself 'safe', he makes himself look as unlikeable as possible. Tying into his cynical side, Mireduck has a negative worldview. He always prepares for and expects the worst of a situation to happen. He is kept on edge, stiff and tense, whenever circumstances that can have a bad outcome arise. On the days that his pessimism get the best of him, Mireduck can be seen exhibiting nervous behaviours; notably keeping a blade or two of thick grass in his mouth to chew on or becoming more irritable than usual.

Mireduck believes that he should put himself first, above anyone else. Despite the fact that he truly doesn't want ShadowClan to fall into misfortune, and thus tries to tell his clanmates to be careful--which he does so in a way not most cats appreciate--his priorities lie with making sure he doesn't fall into misfortune first. He doesn't regularly think of other cats emotions or how they might be feeling, so he instead applies his own logic to them; 'suck it up and move on'. Mireduck's tone can change quickly at any given time. Many may think they've caught him at an opportune moment, only to find that Mireduck may be more moody than they expected, due to his ability to shield his emotions from others. He can change his expressions and the tone of his voice at the drop of a hat, and though these aren't due to true changes in his mood, they can be startling to most. Mireduck prefers alone time above all else. He can make time for cats and bare with social situations such as the Gathering since he is the deputy, but he by no means enjoys any of it. Whenever he has time to unwind, he is regularly found in Rabbithop Hill. As of late, however, he has been frequenting Shining Sanctum. In both his views and during conflict, Mireduck will stand his ground firmly and refuse to give it up. He has the skills to deflect arguments and throw them right back at his opponent, as well as use their own personality and views against them. In a one-on-one match of wits, some may find themselves hard-pressed to get any rebuttals in against him. Mireduck prioritizes honesty--though it is often brutal--and rationality over emotional displays and sugarcoating. As he would put it, Mireduck thinks with his head, not his heart.

 ★ **Neutral:** Antisocial, unyielding

## **Connections**

**BULLET KEY**

Individual bullets, creds, and format for bullet key found here.

**Optional Individual Bullet Key**
Used before bullets like crush, rival, enemy, sibling, family figure etc. to add more depth

  // On good terms
  // Biological

**Within ShadowClan**

 ★ **Ratjaw — Warrior —**
 ★ **Minkvenom — Senior warrior —**
 ★ **Pipitpaw — Apprentice —**
 ★ **Reclusepaw — Apprentice — add bullets mayhaps**
 ★ **Copperstorm —**
 ★ **Spireslither — Warrior — add bullets mayhaps**
add

**Outside of ShadowClan**

Mireduck and Mauvesnap are clear enemies, shown by their hostility for each other. Their relationship actually started off fairly friendly, with Mireduck frequently taunting and teasing the she-cat and Mauvesnap returning the gestures. They even had an agreed upon spar as both were curious about the other's strength. However, their friendly rivalry went into decline after Mauvesnap lied about Mireduck ambushing her when they had their spar. After learning about this lie, Mireduck became enraged. After a heated border dispute that happened when a patrol he partook in met a patrol Mauvesnap was in, the deputy declared Mauvesnap his enemy; going so far as to state that he'd rather see her dead than alive. The two have not seen each other, aside from catching brief glimpses at a Gathering, since their dispute, and it is unlikely Mireduck would not try to actually attack Mauvesnap if he ever came face to face with her again. Before they became enemies, Mireduck would call Mauvesnap 'Snapper'. He now only refers to her as 'Mauvesnap'.

**Family Members**

 ★ **Fleetgale — ShadowClan warrior —**
 ★ **Lakefern — ShadowClan permanent queen —**
 ★ **Frogbound — ShadowClan warrior —**
 ★ **Juniperkit — ShadowClan kit —**
Mireduck's deceased biological brother.

## **Connections - Cont.**

 ★ **Mireduck's thoughts on Ratjaw**
 ★ **Mireduck's thoughts on Minkvenom**
 ★ **Mireduck's thoughts on Pipitpaw**
 ★ **Mireduck's thoughts on Reclusepaw**
 ★ **Mireduck's thoughts on Copperstorm**
 ★ **Mireduck's thoughts on Spireslither**
 ★ **Mireduck's thoughts on Mauvesnap**
*"What a fool I was, for thinking I could ever have some semblance of friendship with someone from another Clan. You proved to me, Mauvesnap, that there's no such thing as "friends" when it comes to relationships in other Clans. Only inevitable enemies that plan to stab you in the back one way or another. Let's hope we never meet again outside of Gatherings. I can't guarantee our next meeting won't be your last."*

**Romance**

 ★ **Mireduck Expressing Love:** N/A

## **Backstory**

note to self: include more about briarkit, warblerkit, and sablekit in kithood section

**Kithood**
* Mirekit is born frail and weak due to his mother's unintentional negligence to her health during pregnancy alongside his siblings Frogkit and Juniperkit. Thorntongue, their mother, tries to make up for this, but is unable to save Juniperkit, who dies the next day.
* Grieving over her loss, Thorntongue is soon rendered unable to care for her remaining kits--and is stuck in the idea that they will soon be dead as well--so Mirekit and Frogkit's father, Fleetgale, puts them in the care of a permanent queen and good friend of his named Lakefern so he can focus on tending to Thorntongue. As they are brought to the nursery and placed in the care of Lakefern, two of the kits the permanent queen has already adopted--Briarkit and Warblerkit--express jealousy seeing the new kits.
* As they grow in the care of Lakefern, their personalities become a bit clearer. Mirekit is a reclusive, more timid kit that contrasts his more bold, empathetic older sister Frogkit, but he also shows a keen cleverness and observance skills.
* The two kits become officially acquainted with the other kits Lakefern is caring for; Briarkit, Warblerkit, and Sablekit. Off the bat, Briarkit and Warblerkit are less than pleasant, but play off an innocent facade whenever Lakefern is in earshot. Sablekit, though more mellow than her adoptive siblings, is also wary of Lakefern's attention towards Frogkit and Mirekit.
* A month or so passes, and Thorntongue has recovered enough to walk--though shakily. Overjoyed that his mate has become stronger and that his kits are also thriving, Fleetgale makes the decision to tell Thorntongue that Mirekit and Frogkit are still alive and attempt to have her meet them so she can finally resume motherhood. However, in the meantime, Mirekit and Frogkit have completely adopted Lakefern as their mother.
* At the nursery, Thorntongue finally gets to meet her kits, but the reunion doesn't go as Fleetgale planned. Mirekit and Frogkit are confused at the presence of the thin and ragged-looking she-cat that appears through the entrance, and are even more perplexed when Fleetgale tells them she is their mother. Frogkit is the first to nervously huddle against Lakefern and ask who Thorntongue really is, and Mirekit--quick to look to his sister for guidance--follows suit; both of them refusing to step near to their real mother.
* With her volatile personality and weakened condition, this sparks heartache and eventually anger in Thorntongue, who makes an attempt to attack Lakefern for 'stealing her kits'. Fleetgale prevents any serious injuries to either of the cats, but the situation is irreparable as Frogkit and Mirekit cry and begin to call Thorntongue a monster. The words are too much for Thorntongue to hear and, feeling ultimately defeated, she leaves the nursery and drags herself back to the medicine den.
* Fleetgale tries his best to remedy things and help his mate through the rough time once more, but Thorntongue eventually succumbs to her heartbreak and weakness. After this happens, Lakefern takes over the care of Mirekit and Frogkit as their foster mother.
* Fleetgale begins to spend less and less time around the nursery, hating the intrusive thoughts that blame his kits for Thorntongue's death whenever he visits them. Mirekit and Frogkit are confused by this, but Mirekit is soon the first to come to the conclusion that Fleetgale doesn't care for them anymore. Lakefern refutes this, but the kits now have seeds of doubt planted in their hearts. The pair only let the idea bother them for a small amount of time as word that their apprentice ceremony will be held soon, but it lives on in their subconscious.
* On the day of their apprentice ceremony, Mirekit finds himself in a panic, suddenly conscious of all the cats in the Clan and what they might think of him. He refuses to come out of the nursery, worrying that because their father 'doesn't like them' and that Lakefern isn't their real mother, they'll be ridiculed. With the help of Frogkit, who cuddles up to him and goes on about how great they'll be during their apprentice ceremony, and Lakefern, who speaks soothingly and tells Mirekit the Clan won't care about his and Frogkit's circumstances and that Fleetgale is merely busy, Mirekit eventually snaps out of it, though his reluctance to follow through with the ceremony is still present.
* Mirekit, Frogkit, and three other kits named Briarkit, Warblerkit, and Sablekit become apprentices at the ceremony; earning their apprentice names and being dubbed Mirepaw, Frogpaw, Briarpaw, Warblerpaw, and Sablepaw. Mirepaw's assigned mentor is a she-cat named Brimfall and Frogpaw's assigned mentor is another she-cat named Butterflysweep. Unlike what Mirepaw originally thought, the ShadowClan warriors never bring up anything about his and Frogpaw's circumstances, but the sensation that everyone is watching his every move sparks an uneasy and nervous feeling that makes his skin crawl.

**Apprenticeship**
* On his first training session, Mirepaw catches on to Brimfall's demonstrations quite quickly, his efficiency even being praised by the steel-faced she-cat. The praise makes Mirepaw's confidence swell, and he later tells Frogpaw all about it. Frogpaw is enthusiastic and also praises her younger brother, but Briarpaw and Warblerpaw show clear jealousy and dislike that the timid Mirepaw is doing so well and showing potential to become better than them. After their attempts to haze Mirepaw being thwarted by Frogpaw's protective and loving nature towards her brother, Briarpaw and Warblerpaw begin to scheme of ways to delay Mirepaw's training sessions so he fails his warrior assessment.

**Warriorhood**
* a timeline of the character's warriorhood

## **Trivia**

* **RiverClan:** Frog-feet
* **WindClan:** Hare-brains
 ★ **Fact #3:** Mireduck doesn't necessarily "hate" the other Clans. He has a general distrust for his own clanmates who he is not well acquainted with, and this is amplified towards cats of other Clans, who he doesn't even know at all. Since he has no idea of where they might have come from (unless they were previously in ShadowClan) or how they personally operate, cats from other Clans are seen as threats to him. He has no trust for them, and this distrust blooms into hostile behaviours and speech that are more intense than those he expresses with his clanmates.

## **Gallery**

Art by Rosemallows on AGRWplaceholderplaceholderplaceholder