Kavre

Lorlin and Ibata (Sisters, NPCs)

## Application Sheet

Kavre was a glossy-black northwestern crow. She was the traveling companion (and only friend) of Iscah, a lone wolf. Kavre watched as their other traveling companion, Zinnia, was confronted by Iscah, who despised the younger she-wolf. A conflict between the two she-wolves resulted in Kavre interfering, trying to protect Iscah, and getting killed by Zinnia. Kavre was created and RP'd by Zoketi.

## Personality

* ***Selfish, Cunning, and Arrogant.*** Kavre is vaguely aware of how others may look at her, but in the long run doesn't care. She's all about herself: her needs, her goals, her life. Sure, she'll lend a talon or two for something, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have ulterior motives. She's always looking for ways to pull strings and place herself above everyone else. Reaching the top of whatever it may be has always been a desire, and she's stubborn enough to keep at it through even chaos. Naturally proud and dominant, Kavre will work to obtain what she wants whether or not it causes issues to someone else. Or, even, herself later down the road.
* ***Rational.*** Though her egocentric nature takes up most of her intent, Kavre is not usually out to get anyone unless they do her harm. Her manner of mayhem often does damage in a roundabout way. She is capable of caring for another, however; it just takes a lot of time and effort. Even then, if faced with choices, would she chose herself above all? Kavre has made decisions similar to this before, but she has never been close enough to someone to feel much guilt in picking her own wants. She may be purposefully avoiding growing attached to others: perhaps a fear of having to struggle with such choices?
* ***Finicky, Perverse, Spiteful, and Resentful.*** In general, Kavre delights in pissing others off, to a remedial degree. If she can bother someone else and get away with it, then by god she'll do it. She is snide and often sarcastic, using her words just as much as her talons and beak. Kavre also takes amusement in being disobedient. She has a tendency to hold grudges as well, and can grow jealous quite easily. Her thoughts will often succumb to burning anger until she fixes or removes the problem.

## Pre-Group History

Kavre was hatched on a crisp, clear morning, safe in a nest alongside her two sisters, Lorlin and Ibata. Her earliest memories were simply being pressed against her mother's feathers and being fed, chittering with her hatchmates for first grabs. Days passed and then her mother began to leave the nest more frequently - and another bird showed up to help feed: her father. At this point Kavre had made herself the dominant hatchling. She was extremely curious about what lay beyond the nest - and beyond their tree, too. Down was lost; Kavre eagerly pulled it out herself, impatient for sleek primaries for flight. At one point their parents didn't come back to the nest - it was time to leave. Out they scuttled, Kavre in the lead, half-fledged and thrilled for a taste of real life.

Zinti and Mhevor were nearby, naturally, awaiting to watch and assist their childrens' behavior. However, they often practiced when the adults weren't around (out finding food). Kavre was extremely independent and intent on learning by herself. She was rather bossy with her sisters - mean even - and boasted she would be the best flier. She was extra pushy with Lorlin, who grew only meeker in response to her sister's bullying. They were still making short tree-to-tree flights when Kavre dared Lorlin to fly to the nest - which was now a good distance away, barely in sight. Of course she tried, flapping off nervously. The other two watched her sink lower and lower until she dropped out of sight.

Hours passed. Their parents returned, beaks full of crawlies and flesh, to find two out of three fledgelings huddled on a branch. Kavre weakly explained that Lorlin had wanted to show off, be the best, and took off to the nest. Ibata didn't breath a word about the dare, and Kavre ignored the guilt in her stomach. Zinti and Mhevor took off to search and the two young were left in bitter silence. It was past dark when the adults appeared. Mhevor held a single, small feather. They didn't explain, but it was clear Lorlin had been grounded and taken by some animal.

A week or so later, Kavre and Ibata could fly well enough on their own, and their parents brought them for the first time to join the flock. Dozens of crows scattered among the trees; it was a startling sight for the younger birds. There were quite a few other newly-fledged crows as well, returning from nests where they'd hatched, and so it was only too easy to make friends. Kavre abandoned her sister for a couple of "cooler" friends, though she didn't think Ibata was likely to be that bummed to be rid of her. This new life was fascinating and Kavre spent as much time as she could away from her kin, learning still how to find food and act as a member of the murder.

The group had rough rankings and loose culture, but it was instantly intriguing to Kavre. A small council of older birds headed the flock, and beneath a number of experienced adults acted as guards and watchbirds, followed by the general masses and fledglings. The path to power was democratic; elected by strength and intelligence and naturally popularity. Thus, a chick of high rank parents was not guaranteed a high rank. Kavre set her sights on becoming a council crow: the power appealed to her like nothing had before. The council was superior and untouchable. Others bowed in their presence. Rumor said they'd met with hawks and eagles before - treaties and the like.

The was no way she'd get a spot on the council for years, though. And even then, if she hadn't made a name for herself... The idea of waiting was disheartening, to say the least. For the next few months she came up with countless ploys to attain both attention and grandeur, but they were often drastic and unreal. Eventually she lapsed and turned to strengthening bonds among her peers. For some time she was mostly content. It was only when a rift began to grow among the murder that things really took a turn for Kavre.

One of the more noble families was accused of illegal bartering to other avians; specifically owls, ravens, and other corvus. A huge number of birds were loyal to them, however, and thus a split occurred in the flock. Kavre was not aware of the details, but she observed with almost gleeful interest as the crows argued and accused one another, day after day. She was fascinated by the notion such simple problems could turn the entire murder on end. Giving into her curiosity, Kavre began poking around some more, intent on getting closer to the accused. She was all too good at acting meek and pressing for information, wheedling just the right amount and complimenting at the right time. Within weeks she'd gained far more knowledge than she'd expected, not aside from the fact that the accusations were correct.

One evening, Kavre was invited on a flight with her new friends. She'd become quite close to one of the younger females, daughter to the most elite guards in the flock. The two gossiped and preened, sneering at those beneath them. Tonight, though, they were quiet and obedient, following a small group of the nobility out of range of the rest of the murder. They alighted on a branch and out stepped a strange brown-feathered bird, taller than anything Kavre had ever seen: a great-horned owl. Her hooting voice was musical and far different than the cawing squawks of the crows. She spoke with the older adults, but Kavre and her friend Nienet listened from a branch over. The latter had been here before; she knew what her parents did. This was Kavre's first experience.

The crow family had been trading and allying with these birds unnoticed for generations. In return for immunity from mobbing and whispers of plans known only by the council and the elite, the owls granted safe passage at night and secrets of their own. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Kavre realized she had more than enough proof to turn the family over. Almost subconsciously, she collected a discarded owl feather, stowing it among her own. When the small group returned, casually shuffling into place among the flock, Kavre pondered over her course of action.

Kavre realized that with this proof she could possibly attain that which had been impossible before. But in doing so it would cost her the friendships and trust she'd gained. Was it worth that? She made up her mind and a day later sought out one of the council members. Pulling out the feather, she began to explain, but the elder crow cut her off with a screech. "Traitor!" She was snagged by her talons and carried up to the branch where the rest of the council sat. A barrage of questions, and Kavre's fear betrayed her. She admitted to traveling with the others to see the owls, and her protests at 'not being part of it' were dismissed.

A trial was set up, and most of the trading family was gathered; names dropped by Kavre. They were encircled by the guards. The rest of the flock watched from surrounding trees, and the council sat just behind. Kavre could feel the resentment, not only from the entire murder, but the once-friends she'd horribly wronged. She caught Nienet's eye and was given an obscene head twist ("I'll-rip-your-head-off"). As the council began the trial, Kavre could only sit hunched, realizing she'd lost everything in this one moment, with one poor decision. She barely listened to the charges, but jerked as the sentences were read. Each crow was to be exiled and one talon removed as proof of their treachery. A universal symbol ; no other flock would want a Sevenclaw.

Kavre didn't make a sound as they tore off one toe, and simply shuffled back to watch the others receive the same. Then they were barked at to leave. Kavre took off at once. She knew she'd be targeted by the others, but she didn't expect the whole flock to rise up and help chase. The crows jabbed at her, tugging feathers and pecking flesh, only enough to wobble her flight. However, the mass of birds meant she lost the other traitors in the chaos of flapping wings and screeching caws. She flew hard and fast once they let up and didn't look back.

Days passed in blur as she traveled, intent on placing herself as far as possible from her flock and the other exiles. When she had worn herself to weariness, starved and bedraggled, she perched on a rock in a river and contemplated simply dropping into the water. It was then she spotted a wolf on the other side. Or, what she assumed was a wolf from what she'd been told, as this was her first time seeing one. Tall, greyish in color, elegant and bright-eyed. Curiosity aroused, Kavre found her will again, and set on cleaning herself up and hunting. The next few days she spent watching the wolf. She lived with a group; many colorful pelts that made Kavre almost jealous, which she'd never really felt before. She'd never been unsatisfied with her sleek, shiny black feathers til now.

Kavre focused on the first wolf, however. She'd only been stalking for a week or so when she saw the canine pounce on one of her brethren and pull the life from his body. Oh, but she was clever, she turned her murder over to a bear's paw. Kavre was impressed and intrigued. She couldn't understand what was going on, not from the outside, but she was thrilled by the mystery. The she-wolf met with her golden friend, but they seemed to clash. The other fled. Kavre followed. Betrayal? She couldn't hear from the skies. Her eyes caught the grey wolf hiding, then running. Kavre followed, and after a bit, realized the wolf was leaving. She'd made a mistake and was running away. She was *just* like Kavre.

The similarity burned in her chest. She sought out the she-wolf after a few days, alighting nearby and elusively explaining what she knew of the other, then sharing a bit of her own tale. A show of her torn claw, an offer to be the wolf's eyes above. Crows were not her friends anymore. Perhaps she could trust this wolf, who was like herself, yet different. Iscah agreed. The two didn't spend each moment together, but Kavre always returned to her, tossing banter and stories and the whereabouts of herds in return for a taste of the kill and company. A strange partnership, but it worked, and Kavre's loyalty grew.

## Group History

For a while, Kavre observed Iscah, and traveled with her. Kavre was keenly interested in Iscah's interactions with a young she-wolf at the borders of the pack, Vale. Zinnia was chipper and intrigued by mysterious, flirtatious Iscah, and Iscah decided to use Zinnia as a way to learn about the wolves of Vale. Kavre knew it was all a ploy, and was mildly alarmed when, some weeks later, Zinnia declared her love for Iscah, and Iscah agreed to let Zin travel with them.

Kavre knew it wouldn't go well.

Still, she had her own issues to deal with. She got into a confrontation with a tiny, annoying shrike named Lanius. The pair were almost snatched by a wolf in the midst of their squabble, but fortunately, both survived the encounter - though not without cursing one another out!

The longer they traveled with Zinnia, the more worried Kavre got that Iscah would snap - and one day, she did. Iscah cruelly told Zinnia that she *despised* their younger traveling companion, and Zinnia, heartbroken, lashed out to attack Iscah. Kavre dove to intercept the attack, and it was devastating. Kavre felt something inside break, and realized she was dying. She lay on the ground between Iscah's paws, and Iscah swore to get revenge on Zinnia for the crow. Kavre died there.

## Trivia

* She is missing the innermost toe on her left foot.

## Quotes

* "ROTTEN EGGS!" (a Kavre curse, *Angry Birds*)

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* Zoketi's deviantART Gallery