Archpaw

**Archpaw** is a black and white cat with amber eyes.

**Archpaw** was born as **Archkit** to Elkstride alongside her siblings Apricotkit and Sunkit.

## Appearance

Tall and sleek-furred, Archpaw is a lean black molly with white spotting that marks her belly, chest, and face into an asymmetrical blaze. She has long legs with one white forepaw, and a faintly angular face clearly influenced by her father's genetics set apart by round orange eyes from her mother's lineage. Though short, her fur is kept clean and well-groomed to suit the pride she takes in her appearance, from her ears to the tip of her long tail and she is rarely seen ruffled or dirty.

## Personality

Archpaw's family is one with high value in loyalty, with pride in their Clan, and that has clearly shaped her in her kithood. Even in her youth, she did her best to help clean the nursery and fetch prey for elders in exchange for stories of their best days. Warriors were to be treated with respect, higher ranks even more so, but StarClan deserves reverence and awe; something she has always expressed when the topic of her ancestors comes up. She believes deeply that every step her paws take is guided by her ancestors, that her fate is not a question but a line she must follow to the end if she is meant to someday join their ranks. To do so she honors the code with every breath and couldn't dream of ever willingly wanting to break it.

Of course, her youth is far from over—she's only just become an apprentice and already she seeks out the approval of her both father and her mentor. Logic is prided in her Clan but what young cat doesn't want to be told they've done well? That they've made someone proud? It makes rejection and disapproval sting more, makes her easy to discourage and wilt like a frostbitten flower under the glare of someone she wants to do right by.

She craves excitement, exploration, wonder, but can't seem to break away from her strict habits. It makes her restless, makes her always want to be doing something or another; to some it may look like she's hard working, but really she just can't seem to sit still without wondering what might lay in the territory or even beyond it waiting for her to discover it. It's a secret she hasn't told anyone, all of her staring over the territory and scenting a far-off breeze can be easily explained by watching out for predators and prey alike. Maybe it's something she'll grow out of. Maybe, with the right influence, it can be something she learns to embrace.

On the surface, Archpaw is the perfect example of what an EmberClan apprentice should be: loyal, logical, eager to learn, and observant. She works hard at even the simplest chores, is constantly alert for danger, prays quietly before meals, listens attentively to her elders. A prized apprentice, a worthy daughter with the grace and looks of her parents. Surely she'll be great someday.

Chores keep her busy, keep her paws active and moving so she doesn't daydream or wonder what lays unseen for her to find. Logic is expected of her, with her emotions squashed down behind an unemotional mask. Being alert means noticing what others might not, maybe a sign from StarClan, maybe something she could be the first cat to ever discover, maybe a distant stranger. Listening to elders means stories of their primes, the best and worst moments of their lives, things Archpaw will have to live up to in order to bring her clan and her family pride and honor.

She isn't perfect, she knows it, but maybe she can hide those imperfections under what she knows her family wants her to be: a good, loyal warrior.

Loyal, prideful, restless, and easily discouraged, Archpaw is only just starting to grow and who knows how she might change.

## Family**:**

**Parent:**
Elkstride (living, confirmed)

**Sibling:**
Apricotpaw (living, confirmed)
Plumrose (living, confirmed)
Sunpaw (living, confirmed)

**Aunt/Uncle:**
Fallowdust (living, confirmed)

**First Cousins:**
Kestrelfern (living, confirmed)
Oakbreeze (living, confirmed)
Smallsparrow (living, confirmed)
Straystar (living, confirmed)