Hornetflight

> *"If you really want to lead, you won't want to worry about what you could prove to yourself. You would be thinking about what you could prove to others."— Hornetpaw to Asterpaw*
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Template:The Four Clans cat template

## Appearance

Hornetflight is a black and white short-furred tom. His fur is longer near his ears, chest, paws, and tail, but mostly short, sleek, and glossy. He's mostly black with reddish undertones in the light, with white paws, tail tip, ear tips, chest, and snout (the tuxedo cat pattern). He has two dots of white above his eyes, and a spear-shaped marking on his forehead.

His eyes are quite rounded, and have pointed corners. They're yellow, with a more greenish tint towards the outsides, and flecks of gold towards the pupils.

Hornetflight has a tall, slender build. He's more lightweight and agile then muscular, and his long legs are good for running fast. His snout is angular and pointed, and his ears are long and sharp. His tail is long and thin, since his fur is short, with a tufted tip.

## Personality

- Intelligence is his most valued characteristic. He's clever, knowledgeable, observant and quick-thinking. He's the type who'll use big words and bash you in an argument like only an intellectual can.

- He often prefers to avoid physical confrontation, seeing fighting as a crude and ineffective way of solving differences. This doesn't mean he can't defend himself, as he worked extremely hard during apprenticehood, and continues to practice often. He's too smart to be unprepared for anything. His fighting skill depends more on speed, agility, resourcefulness, and reading an opponent than on strength. He's moderately athletic, but his long legs were built for speed, and he's not the most muscular.

- He's very diligent. He trains hard and learns quickly, and when he was younger, this set him ahead of other apprentices. He works hard to make his loved ones happy, and stops at nothing. However, he's often a little too diligent, and this can be his downfall.

- He believes he can always be better. In fact, he dreams of becoming a leader in the future. He has many of what he calls "theories", which are ideas for a better future that he dreams about, and hopes to someday begin.

- His ideas are a little bit rule-breaking, and he doesn't care about fitting into what is expected unless it benefits him. He often wonders what it would be like if there were no clans, which is why his loyalty isn't that strong to WindClan. He isn't afraid to challenge anyone that he feels is making a mistake. Oh, and he has a strong distrust of StarClan. He believes that even if they existed, they're unreliable and heavily flawed.

- He isn't reckless. He's not the type to jump into a plan without a strategy. But he's courageous and outspoken, and isn't afraid to challenge authority or debate a cat ruthlessly.

- It isn't easy to hurt him emotionally. He becomes cold and distant if you try, shielding him from letting words affect him. He deals with loss with a very logical mindset, and sees most emotion as useless. Only his loved ones can hurt him, and he will quickly cover it up with cold indifference, while he might be wrecked on the inside. He's very good at hiding his emotions, and this can make him seem somewhat robotic. He is no longer as easily offended as in his apprentice days, but will still debate ruthlessly with you.

- Stubbornness can sometimes be a good thing, as he firmly sticks with what is right, and what he believes in, such as his vision of a clan-less future and his lack of proper belief in StarClan. It's hard to change his mind, and his loved ones are the only ones that can really do it.

 - His formal, cold exterior makes it easy to miss that he is a somewhat kind cat somewhere in there, and will self-sacrifice willingly for the cats he thinks he can trust. His stubbornness makes this all the more true, since he will stop at little to protect the people he's close to. But if he doesn't know or trust you? He doesn't care about you, and will step on you to get higher. He's still rather cynical, and prefers to do things alone, especially if help is offered by someone he doesn't trust. Although he will take advantage of people if possible, he doesn't rely on them. The only exception to this is his small friend/family group. He's pessimistic about most things in the world, and believes that the future will only end up well if a huge change sweeps the clans.

 - He's gotten a lot better at talking to people throughout the years. He's a lot less egotistical and aggressive, and is able to stay calm under immense pressure. Brushflame, Sorrelfrost, and Gracklesong contributed to this. He's also a lot more perceptive towards people, even if he chooses to ignore what he sees. His group of friends also helped with this. He's gotten better at recognizing emotions, and understanding how to deal with cats.

- He's a cat who believes that all lives are equal, so who lives simply comes down to survival of the fittest. Competition was evident in every part of a cat's life, so when it came down to life or death for both cats in a fight, which option would one choose? He'd try to talk it out first. He'd try his very best, but once reason is no longer an option, there's no reason to give his own life up for another cat who evidently wouldn't do the same for him.

- Hornetflight has gotten calmer and more logical over the years, as well as less dramatic and far more controlled.

## History

### Kit

Hornetkit was born to two loners near the two-leg place by WindClan territory. He was the only one of the litter that survived, and was left near the WindClan border. He was only two moons at the time, and was found by a patrol, then taken in. He didn't have many friends, and no parental figures at the time. He was rather sharp-tongued and skeptical, even at such a young age, and would often question the elders' stories. He never really treated warriors with the amount of respect he should have.

### Apprentice

Hornetpaw respected his mentor, Gracklesong, from the beginning. He was really his type, untalkative, and he never obscured the truth, which Hornetpaw admired. He trained hard, and became quite good. Gracklesong slowly started to seem like a father to Hornetpaw. He wouldn't let multiple deaths stop him, although they saddened him more than he showed. He often sneaked out of camp alone, one time getting caught by Cherrypaw and forced to bring her along. He made enemies with Stingpaw and Shimmerpaw, both of whom he detested at the time. He made friends with Brushpaw/flame, who he respected quite a lot because she taught him to think more sensibly about his skills. During a group training session, he sparred Dawnpaw and Shimmerpaw, beating Dawnpaw, and aborting the match with Shimmerpaw after she ran off to catch prey. He also gained a bad impression of Fidgetspark. Hornetpaw slowly began to improve both socially and emotionally. He spoke with a few cats, some with good impressions and some with bad. She returned Brushflame’s favor by comforting her about her disability and helping her with her exercises, and met Asterpaw when training alone. They hated each other immediately, and Hornetpaw quickly began to think she thought she was perfect. The two of them scented foxes, and after a short debate, Hornetpaw rallied the warriors, leaving Asterpaw in the territory. Hornetpaw returned with Brackenfur, and they planned out an ambush as Asterpaw took offense at Hornetpaw’s statements. Soon, Asterpaw stormed off. Soon after the fox fight, Hornetpaw's ceremony happened, and everyone he loved was there to support him.

### Warrior

Hornetflight moved into his new den, and talked to his friend Brushflame again. He realized he liked her, but he wasn't sure in what way. He built his friendship with a cat called Sorrelfrost, getting along with her quite well, and met Tigerfire along the RiverClan border. Shimmernose spoke to him, and they both apologized for their previous actions. He got to know Fidgetspark, although their interactions were awkward at best. He spoke to Brushflame again, soon after, and mentioned that Fidgetspark was not how he thought he was. He again met Asterpaw in the territory, and she insulted him some more. While Hornetflight was willing to forgive her last time because of her young age, he saw her as something else now, an arrogant but immature cat with plenty of ambition but not the capacity for it. However, he's gotten slightly better at remaining calm.

Soon, Brushflame came to him to settle what had happened between him and Fidgetspark. Hornetflight ended up figuring out her feelings for him, and when she confessed, he did too. Soon after, he ran into Gracklesong and told him what had happened between him and Brushflame. Then, he told it to Wolfstep.

Soon, Wolfstep came back to camp after being injured by Cherryfur, a ThunderClan cat. While she was getting healed, Hornetflight heard Runningbriar and Shadebriar conversing about the tension between the clans. He took this time to tell them about the flaws in the warrior code, and a theoretical future without clans. Hornetflight thought Shadebriar was a lot more openminded, Wolfstep was tentatively supportive, and he was a little disappointed at how firmly and immediately Runningbriar opposed him, if not very surprised. Later, he spoke to Brushflame again after a hunting trip, and quickly realized that she hadn’t eaten in two days. He was dismayed, even regretful that he hadn’t expected this, giving her prey immediately, and trying to help her eat. She grew annoyed, and told him that he didn’t know what he was doing, and should stop. He was deeply hurt by this, but instinctually covered up his weakness with anger. He snapped, promising her he would stay away, and criticized the way she was closing herself off. Brushflame coldly dismissed him. He ran to Cloud Lake, overwhelmed, and after a short stint of insanity, he settled down. He stayed away from Brushflame after that, lingering mostly in the territory for two days, until he finally returned. They settled things after that. Later, Hornetflight spoke to Sorrelfrost, and asked her about possibly surrogating.

At this point, his life had settled down somewhat, and he was content with his group of friends and loved ones. Hornetflight wanted the peace to last.

Soon, Sedgepaw was made his apprentice, and he was overjoyed.

Then, the rabbit sickness had to ruin everything. Hornetflight had a heated discussion with Cloudstreak over Twolegs and their medicine, and shortly after attended the birth of Sorrelfrost and Fidgetspark's kits. He had a much less heated discussion about the same topic as earlier, this time with Sorrelfrost.

Hornetflight's apprentice, Sedgepaw, had his warrior ceremony. Hornetflight was proud of the younger tom's learning, and attended the ceremony.

He found Dawnwillow dead on the shore, but didn't know her well, so wasn't very bothered. He began to socialize with the Poppyblaze litter, thinking that if he and Brushflame were to have a litter, he would need to be good with kits.

Shortly after, he found Dawnwillow dead of the rabbit sickness. Then, he found Asterpetal being murdered by a fox in the territory. He and Redflower killed the fox, and Shadebriar arrived to see his daughter dead. Then, they were visited by Brindlecloud and Leapfoot. Asterpetal's death disturbed him, but the StarClan visit disturbed him more.

He got his injuries treated, and had to stay in the medicine den for a while.

Soon after, Wolfstep took him on a walk and told him she would die soon. He was shocked and devastated, but hid his feelings quite well, taking the news. Later, he attended Wolfstep's deathbed, and comforted Brushflame. Shortly after, he met Sorrelfrost at Wolfstep's grave, and they had a talk about Wolfstep. Hornetflight attempted to help Wolfstep's loved ones recover from her death, including Puddlekit.

Then, Redflower became deputy, Emberstar died, and Redflower became leader. Hornetflight had respected Emberstar, although he never knew her, and he was a little annoyed by Redflower's luck at first, feeling that he wasn't ready for such a position. After talking to Redflower in a not-bad conversation, he decided he would wait and see before deciding anything. Soon after, Redflower assigned the open position of deputy to Gracklesong, a choice which Hornetflight had wanted. Gracklesong was a cat who would change things.

He shared a conversation with Goosekit, and told her about the tragedies that had occured in the clan recently. Soon after, Goosekit was made his apprentice.

Hornetflight taught Goosepaw the principles of hunting, right before Fidgetspark kicked the bucket. Hornetflight tried his best to comfort Brushflame, Sorrelfrost, and Goosepaw after his death, but he could only do so much, since his emotional skills were rather lacking. He himself dealt with the loss as he always did, and reasoned that excessive grief was useless. Shortly after, Goosepaw asked Hornetflight to teach her fighting, and he obliged, giving her the basics.

A few moons passed uneventfully. He hunted and patrolled, and spent some more time with Brushflame.

Then, one day, he decided to go and visit Puddlepaw. When he discovered that Puddlepaw was scared of fighting, he tried to appease his fear by telling him he needed to defend himself and his loved ones. This angered Puddlepaw, who assumed Hornetflight was telling him the lives of other cats didn't matter. Hornetflight, who'd genuinely been trying to help, was slightly miffed at Puddlepaw's sudden anger, but hid it, trying to clear up his stance on the issue, and assuring Puddlepaw that they weren't opposed on the topic, trying to calm him down.

Hornetflight met with Redstar to discuss Gracklesong's plans. Shortly after, he met Puddlepaw again, who started the conversation off by yelling at him. Hornetflight aLMOST lost control and rolled his eyes, but they then settled the disagreement and began to discuss their plans. Hornetflight met Puddlepaw again later, while he was building a trap holder.

Hornetflight spoke to Lynxwander at camp, and they had a short but interesting conversation. He met Patchbriar while he was wandering along the RiverClan-ThunderClan border. They shared a conversation about diseases, and agreed to meet again.

Hornetflight met Mallardripple at the border, and they had a short conversation, in which Mallardripple told him why he was in ThunderClan- to treat Sunstar. Hornetflight returned to camp and told Brushflame, spending some time with her. He attended the gathering shortly afterward, meeting a few cats and running into Mallardripple, who was searching for Puddlepaw.

Hornetflight then met Patchbriar at the WindClan-RiverClan border again, and had a conversation with her, their friendship growing somewhat. He found out about Puddlepaw's status through the conversation. When he got back, he told Sorrelfrost in a conversation with her. Soon, Mallardripple returned, and ended up in a panic attack after hearing about Puddlepaw.

Hornetflight and Sorrelfrost visited the medicine den, and they and Brushie had a discussion about the surrogacy issue. Hornetflight had doubts, but agreed to it.

Soon, the kits were born, and Hornetflight found himself having to divert much of his attention to them. Not being the type who would be a particularly good parent, he struggled, and spoke to Sorrelfrost for help.

The kits became apprentices, and Brushflame went missing. Hornetflight followed her scent into the territory, where it mingled with that of Twolegs and grew indistinguishable at the Thunderpath. He blamed himself for the loss, and for the first rememberable time, cried.

While he mourned at night somewhere in the moors, Mallardripple ran into him, scaring him. But the medicine cat seemed to also be in a state of crisis, and didn't notice Hornetflight's own grief.

Hornetflight remained in a terrible state for the next period of time and avoided almost everyone. When he slipped back into camp for prey, Gracklesong noticed him, and the two had a short conversation. The old deputy's advice somewhat restored Hornetflight's strength, and he resolved to stop mourning.

He had a conversation with Carnationpaw. Their exchange started off awkward, but Carnationpaw expressed genuine concern for Hornetflight. He also had a conversation with Juncopaw, who seemed to hardly have changed. Then, he ran into Sorrelfrost. She had been avoiding him, so their conversation was rather odd, but they mourned and found solace in each other.

Then Sorrelfrost died. Oof. Hornetflight hadn't been in camp when she had been found dead, but he could hardly bring himself to see the body. He had just gotten over Brushflame, and this really broke him.

Then, Lavenderpaw died/was deleted.

Hornetflight's state worsened. He remained a depressed, tired wreck (aka me being inactive). As his kits' warrior ceremonies rolled around, and he sat there watching them take their vows, he realized how they had let the deaths push them forward, while he had gotten caught in grief. Something in him came back to life at that moment, and he laughed at himself. There was so much left to do.

Slowly, Hornetflight recovered. He began to talk more to Gracklesong and his kits, clinging to the relationships he had left.

He began pushing himself to socialize. When he encountered Redstar upon returning from a hunting trip, he had a conversation with him. He also went hunting with Skunkstripe.

One day, Hornet was going on a walk when he found Gracklesong and Redstar lying bleeding in the rain after fighting a fox. He ran to Gracklesong, and they thanked each other for everything they had done before Gracklesong died.

Hornetflight was able to grieve somewhat healthily this time, knowing Gracklesong would have wanted him to continue his life.

Later, Juncocrash died. \*and at this point i got super busy and unmotivated and stopped roleplaying AHAHA\*

We'll just say Hornetflight got pretty lonely. He didn't really interact to any new cats, so he was alone for the most part. Illness struck him a few times and he wasn't very physically fit during this time, explaining his (my) inactivity. He has had a lot of time to contemplate things, and he gets wiser as a result.

After this point, Hornetflight resolved to improve socially. He began to talk to other cats and befriended a younger tom called Badgeroak. They conversed about the nature of the clans, and Hornetflight taught Badgeroak about the history of WindClan.

The Great Flood happened. Hornetflight's health had already been failing for a while, and the wet ocean air led to a string of illnesses. WindClan landed in a desert area, and as he struggled to settle in physically, Hornetflight knew his strength was failing. He never quite regained his health. Perhaps he knew his death was coming, but some part of him didn't care anymore; so it would come. What use was it fighting?

Hornetflight was calmer towards his last moons. He maintained his solitude, but if you looked closely, his sharp yellow eyes had softened.

He passed away at the age of 136 moons, as one of the oldest cats in the clans. As he felt himself fading and his gaze dulled, Hornetflight wondered where he was headed. Would his loved ones be there?

RIP 9/29/2022 6-136

## Relationships (from oldest to newest)

* **Gracklesong [deceased] (@SilverScarf) [mentor, somewhat a father figure]** You're one of the cats I trusted and respected the most, and possibly the most intelligent cat I knew. I always looked up to you and tried to use what you've taught me. There's no way I would be the cat I am today without your guidance.
* **Brushpaw/flame [missing for now] (@Rook-s-Feather) [mate]** It's amazing the effect you have... had on me mentally. It's rare for me to feel an emotional connection to a cat, but I let my guard down around you. I admire your clear-headedness, your intelligence, and your kindness. I've finally gotten over your death, but I'll never forget you, that's for sure.
* **Stingpaw/Blazepaw [deceased] (@StormStar1515) [old enemy]** Of course, I hated you as an apprentice. I thought you were egotistical and rude. It was only after you left that I began to think about you in a more logical light, and regretted my actions. You taught my arrogant apprentice self a valuable lesson, and I thank you for that. I can forgive you now. We both went our ways, and hopefully both of us have forgotten our incident. It isn't important among everything else in life.
* **Shimmerpaw/nose [deceased? idk what happened to her] (@Flower\_Sky) [acquaintance, former enemy]** You were a lot like Stingpaw in the beginning. But it seems like you've changed, and I respect that a lot. Perhaps we can rebuild our relationship. At any rate, I can appreciate someone who admits their mistakes. Maybe I should do the same more often.
* **Asterpaw/petal [deceased] (@Maple\_Shade48) [acquaintance]** You needed to learn to accept advice. You were ambitious, but not fit to become a leader of any kind. You reminded me of my own apprentice self, though... I wonder if I was too harsh in my conversations with you. I never really got to know you. Maybe you were a good cat underneath your pride. But now I'll never know if I misunderstood you or not. Your death was the first one I witnessed. It was... bloody.
* **Sorrelfrost [deceased] (@Lark06) [friend]** You were a smart cat, and a good friend. Open-minded, too, and willing to have a good debate. I respected you for your intelligence and kindness. You were one of the cats I trusted most... now you, too, have left me.
* **Wolfstep [deceased] (@xPhantomSongx) [friend, adoptive mother-in-law]** You were such a great cat, one of the best I've ever known. Brushflame wouldn't be the same if you hadn't adopted her, and your death was the first real loss I ever suffered. It's... not as easy as I used to think. I'll never forget you, and what you've done for me.
* **Fidgetspark [deceased] (@pangolinsareawesome) [friend]** You were a good friend- kind and good with cats, and you were there for Sorrelfrost and Brushflame when I wasn't. I've trained your daughter the best I could, but I know that isn't enough to repay you.
* **Sedgepaw/fire (@Thymeless) [former apprentice]** You're enthusiastic and hardworking. I can respect your spirit and eagerness to learn. I taught you everything I could, and I hope you succeed in whatever you seek to do.
* **Redflower (@Raiini) [acquaintance]** You're a smart cat, and I agree with your choice of Gracklesong as deputy. He was my mentor, after all. But I won't give much of an opinion on you until I see how you do in a leadership position. You /are/ extremely lucky, I must say, to shoot from warrior to leader in such a short time. Are you a good leader? We'll see.
* **Goosepaw/flurry (@CopperCoral) [apprentice]** You're smart and eager, just as Sedgefire was. I have no doubt you'll do well as a warrior, although I am interested to see how your father's death will motivate you. We suffered through that loss together.
* **Puddlepaw/spirit [deceased] (@----Evergreen----) [ehh their relationship status is a little weird]** While we didn't get along while you were alive, you seemed quite intelligent. I'm glad you took my advice and became a medicine cat. Perhaps I should have made some attempt to understand you better, but you, like everyone else, are now dead.
* **Mallardpaw/ripple (@-\_AnnieWithAnIE\_-) [acquaintance]** You're a good medicine cat, despite being rather nervous, and although I don't know you that well, you're Brushflame's adopted sister, so I suppose we're related. I admire your dedication to helping Sunstar. It really shows that you don't go by clan biases.
* **Patchpaw/briar [deceased] (@-astrophiile) [friend]** You seemed quite intelligent, and was overall an interesting cat. You were also a good source of information about RiverClan, and it's always enlightening to talk to cats from other clans. I wish I had gotten to know you better... so many things happened, and I neglected to meet up with you.
* **Juncokit/paw/crash [deceased] [son]** You reminded me so much of myself: strong-willed, ambitious, sharp-tongued. You made me so proud. I miss you, Juncocrash.
* **Lavenderkit/paw [deceased] [daughter]** never roleplayed lol
* **Fallenkit/paw/nettle [not sure, i think dead/deleted] [son]** also never roleplayed uM
* **Carnationkit/paw/puff [son]** You're intelligent and intuitive about other cats' feelings. I couldn't respect that more. You were able to help me at times where nobody else could. I can always count on your advice when I need it.
* **Badgeroak (@Tokyo\_Snail) [friend/acquaintance]** You're a very clever young cat- naturally curious and eager to learn. I enjoy your company, and I hope to get to know you better.

## Quotes

**"I think that says more about your lack of intuition than about me."** Hornetpaw to Stingpaw

**"As unintelligent an answer as I would have expected from any other apprentice."** Hornetpaw to Cherrypaw

**"I see no reason to sugarcoat your answer to make me feel better, if that is what you are trying to do."** Hornetpaw to Fidgetspark.

**"If you really want to lead, you won't want to worry about what you could prove to yourself. You would be thinking about what you could prove to others."** Hornetpaw to Asterpaw

**"I can understand that he'll be dejected after your rejection. But if he treats you differently after this, that will just be proof that he doesn't deserve you."** Hornetflight to Brushflame about Fidgetspark

**"Promise me you won't push me away? The most you can do for me is let me love you."** Hornetflight to Brushflame

**”You weren’t a monster. You aren’t one." “Then why do I feel like one?”** Brushflame and Hornetflight

**"You may have misinterpreted my indolence. Lying in camp and observing the activities of others is a typical activity, at least for me."** Hornetflight to Cloudstreak

**"Ignorance is the clans' biggest fault. None of the higher-ups /really/ know it all. I mean, look at the subject of two-legs. We're totally in the dark, and StarClan has never bothered to lend us any of their 'divine wisdom'."** Hornetflight to Cloudstreak

**"We are so small. So insignificant. So ignorant. Grains of silt in an Endless Salt Lake." He looked at the sky. "But that too is beautiful in a way. Knowing that we, nevertheless, are alive and conscious, and may do and change whatever we please, at least on our plane of reality."** Hornetflight trying to cheer Sorrelfrost up, at Wolfstep's grave.

"**A cat, no matter how they behave, will make enemies eventually. There's always someone who will oppose you."** Hornetflight when talking to Patchbriar