◉ BIRTH

Cardinal was born into OrchidClan, previously named Russetkit by his parents, Redriver and Appleflight. His parents were a diverse pair, sticking out amongst the rest. His father, Redriver, was a very mysterious, secretive tom, while Appleflight was a delicate and brittle feline with a good heart. A cold-blood and warm-blooded pair. Russetkit was born alongside Volekit and Mottledkit, who he quickly grew fond of as his siblings. As soon as his eyes were opened, he was quick to enjoy a brief tussle and roll with his siblings. Volekit, his brother, was the one he typically stuck around, considering Mottledkit was always off with other kits. Russetkit was hardly interested in baring a relationship with his siblings, being despondent to the world, almost lost in his feelings.
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◉ KITHOOD

Around three moons, his father, Redriver, had decided to have a short talk with the tom, explaining that friendships will be meaningful in the future, as loneliness and misery can come from significant independence. The tom's freedom was unbearable to witness to his parents, wanting to see their son flourish and become a respectable, dutiful warrior. Russetkit quickly retorted, complaining that he didn't want friends and couldn't see himself making any. Redriver would scowl and occasionally bop him on the crown when no one was around to see. Russetkit didn't appreciate his father's actions toward him, wishing he could do more. Russetkit's kittenhood was not the most remarkable thing, as his father had to knock sense into him literally, which didn't work all that well. Friendships wouldn't ever become easy for Russetkit as he aged. He didn't enjoy the nursery very much, slipping out of it as much as he could, even though it occasionally caused some scolding when escaping at the wrong times. Redriver would be the one to mostly scold him, leaving a few bruises now and then. At five moons, Russetkit began to wonder why the other two were never punished, starting to learn what the feeling of anger was.

◉ APPRENTICESHIP

Russetkit had been excited about his apprenticeship, wondering who his mentor would be. The tom wasn't keen, as his kithood stressed him beyond belief. Russetkit was renamed Russetpaw in honor of their apprenticeship, being assigned to Yewbelly as his mentor. Yewbelly was a battle-scarred she-cat, about fifty moons or so. She was an excellent fighter, excelling in just about anything she learned. Yewbelly was a snarky feline, precise with every task she accomplished. Russetpaw felt his mentor would be challenging to please, and he certainly wasn't looking toward attempting to do so. The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint his mentor, but how hard could it be? He'd have to find out for himself. After all, his parents wanted him to establish a successful life. But what if that's not what he wanted?

The first day of training wasn't too tricky, as it was just a questionnaire about himself and the rundown of the territory. Yewbelly practiced this for a few days, getting to know her apprentice and ensuring he understood the environment well. By the first week, Russetpaw knew the territory as if he's been alive for various moons as a senior warrior. The russet feline was trained to track down Yewbelly within the vast establishment within minutes, failing the first few times he attempted. Yewbelly counted everything, taking notes in her mind about her apprentice. Russetpaw was being broken down, and he hadn't even known it. Yewberry was intense. Her gaze always sent a shiver down Russetpaw's spine. The tomcat learned how to track quickly, that skill coming naturally to him.

Russetpaw's following focuses were agility and stamina. Yewbelly was sure to keep Russetpaw on his toes' training him to be kicked amongst rocks sticking out from the Delta River's streams. Despite slippery rocks, Russetpaw learned to maintain sturdy posture and positioning while leaping from rock to rock. He imagined this would come in handy and make leaping from branch to branch in trees easier. What's more challenging than jumping upon mossy and algae-covered rocks? Who knew? Russetpaw enjoyed the training, though was quickly exhausted, finding Yewbelly's drills exhilarating. He never complained, though, which impressed his stern mentor. Yewbelly was always surprisingly stunned and impressed with Russetpaw's work and efforts.

During Russetpaw's apprenticeship, he showed disinterest in any affairs, whether in the direction of friendship or love. The tom didn't have a concept of love, thinking it was ridiculous to fall in love, especially when the feelings didn't reach him. He would keep to himself, typically minding his business within the clan. He would find himself growing bored of conversations with other apprentices, quick to leave them if he grew bored. This concerned his parents, especially his mother, Appleflight. His mother would force him to find friends, scolding him if she noticed he sneaked away. This would frustrate Russetpaw, making him feel a bit enraged. Occasionally, these bursts of anger would cause fierce arguments between the tom's mother and the apprentice himself. These arguments between him and his mother would utterly piss off his father, Redriver. With this came more punishments, as the whacks only became more arduous and caused more physical pain to the young tomcat. Occasionally, his father would make him skip meals for being "an insensitive little brat."

When Russetpaw was around ten moons, he had started to spend more time around other apprentices with the force of his mother on his rear. Russetpaw had barely begun to make a few friends (more-so acquaintances), but none of them interested him further. One evening, Russetpaw snaked away from camp, finding himself at Willow Stream. There, an unfamiliar aroma struck his nostrils; who he ran into wasn't a OrchidClanner. The she-cat was a young Abyssinian that appeared to be a loner. Russetpaw couldn't help but smile, feeling bashful upon seeing such a pretty cat. He hadn't been interested in anyone until he bumped into her, quickly jumping into a conversation with the loner. They had begun to converse, asking questions to one another. This loner's name was Goose, a unique and silly name for a cat. The way his heart skipped beats when he gazed over her was a new feeling he would grow to adore.

After some time, Russetpaw would offer a goodbye and return to meet again sometime. This started for moons, even until Russetpaw was named a warrior at thirteen.

◉ WARRIORHOOD

The two would take turns explaining what their lives were like. Goose would sit back and remark about how lame and constricting the clan life sounded, making Russettalon more interested in what it was like outside the clans. He wondered if he would feel freer, not having to deal with doing duties and following the rules of a leader. He wished he could pursue his own rules, not wanting to oblige a leader. It didn't suit him. More in this age, Russettalon grew curious and uncertain about his father's intentions. Something seemed off about Redriver. It hadn't made enough sense for Russettalon to put the pieces together, so he decided to let it go. Russettalon continued to meet Goose, the two becoming open and close, eventually to the point where Goose's belly was going to drop. Russettalon was going to be a father to a loner, yet he was still a part of the clan. Goose wasn't ecstatic, considering Russettalon had yet to leave the clan. His fear of going was due to the fact of disappointing his parents. He feared being beaten by his father. As he aged, the beatings only grew worse, as his father would occasionally leave scars. It was as if he wasn't ready to let go of the clan life, but then again, he figured he'd be free if he left. Russettalon wasn't sure of what to do yet. He was happy with his current life but stressed because of living in the clan with his abusive parents and loving a loner, which was technically a forbidden relationship. He wasn't sure what would happen if he was caught. He was petrified.

Goose and Russettalon had a very yin-yang relationship that balanced out quite well. Despite his possessiveness, Goose hadn't minded it much, as her obsession with physical affection fit well. The two were a very close, physical couple, sharing tongues and keeping close to each others' flank when around one another. The way his relationship had been would form out his possessiveness even more as he aged, and his next relationship would probably be more possessive than he was with Goose. Only time would tell, of course. One day, the news that his sister, Mottledstream was pregnant made him feel somewhat envious. He was disappointed the she-cat was building a family at the same time as him; it was always as if Mottledstream was competing with Russettalon. The behemoth feline was excited for his family, attempting to ignore his feelings. He didn't understand his jealousy, wanting the feeling to disappear. He always thought that jealousy was a loss if he was jealous. Jealousy is a game already lost. He was losing against his sister, considering his envy. Was there a way to get rid of this feeling? He wasn't sure yet, but maybe there was an escape from this trait he carried.

Russettalon's kits were soon born, fortunately being there for the birth of his kittens. His mate, Goose, suggested that he name one of the kits; she did as well since two were born. Russettalon grinned, choosing the name Duck for his son, which resembled a goose. Meanwhile, Goose chose a bird name, one relatively similar to Cardinal, the name Russettalon chose once he escaped to his freedom. The daughter was named Robin. Russettalon was overjoyed, prepared to see his kits grow. But first, he needed to be exiled or leave. Russettalon waited for about three more moons, finding the right time to go through with his ideas. One evening, Russettalon went out, slipping away from camp to meet his mate and kits. Little did the rowan tom know his father, Redriver, was following him. For some reason, Redriver was growing suspicious of his son's absences from the camp, just like Russettalon was suspicious of his father. The suspicion between the two caused frequent arguments and tension, his relationship with his father worsening as the feline aged. Russettalon found his significant other, his father's aroma catching his nose. Ruseettalon felt panicked, but upon turning around, Redriver stood there before his kits and mate. Redriver scowled, disappointed, "Is this where you've been sneaking out? Going against the code and finding the freedom to impregnate this loner?" He hissed, "I expected better. You should be with someone in the clan, like your sister mouse-brain."

With that, Redriver disappeared into thick shrubbery, not to be seen until Russettalon returned to OrchidClan camp. When Russettalon was making his return, he didn't see his father anywhere. When questioning his mother about where he went, she could not explain where Redriver had gone. Redriver knew of Rusettalon's situation. Now what? He wasn't sure what he would do, wanting to rid of his father's presence. This feeling was a new urge he was unaware of, frightened of whether or not the desire to kill was even a good thing. His father had been working his nerves recently, causing stress for the russet feline, and he despised stress. One night, when Russettalon scrutinized for his mate and kits, he had one to the regular place he'd meet them. Before he knew it, he was standing in the pool of blood between his mate and daughter, Robin. Duck was nowhere to be found. His visionaries darkened, claws unsheathed. A sudden burst of anger raged through Russettalon like a wildfire, his blood boiling, sparking his adrenaline to rush through his solid embodiment. Where are you, dad? He pondered; you're dead now. I will not let you get away with taking my family away from me.

Redriver slipped through the shrubbery, his pelt, maw, and paws blooded from the scenery. Before Russettalon allowed his father to speak, he lunged. It was midnight by this time. Redriver was utterly shocked by his son's reactions, feeling his heavy physique thud against the terra firma. Russettalon gazed down, cocking a nonexistent brow as he laid his unsheathed claws upon his dad's trachea. "I hate you," He stated blandly, vocalizations robotic, "I will ruin you and everyone else. Look at what you've done! You've taken the life of my mate and kits over a pathetic code!" That being said, Russettalon's right paw raked downward, followed by the left one. He watched as the blood seeped through, his father beginning to struggle. Russettalon sneered, bringing his heavy foundation forward in a swift, fluid movement as he released a blow to Redriver's crania. "Let's hear your last words and breath; tell me, dad, any last words?"

"You're just a disappointment. I have nothing to say to you great to say to you." Redriver spat weakly, "Kill me, see how it feels. I understand you despised me for being strange and uptight, but I've been killing loners and rogues for moons. To see you with one frustrated me, so now, they're dead. I have no remorse, and I hope you suffer."

Russettalon rolled, flipping his father to his abdomen, watching as he slowly bled out. "Die!" Claws raked the tom's nape and skull, forming more blood as the skin was lacerated. "Die!" The tom scowled, hissing with belligerence as he sunk his incisors into Redriver's nape, shaking vigorously. Redriver was slightly smaller than Russettalon; the tom's more extensive genetics were inherited from Redriver's massive father. He was relieved he had more prominent genes, making this battle more straightforward. Then again, his father barely struggled. With that, he was satisfied, but not enough. He was in pain. Russettalon's mate just died tonight, and he looked for more revenge. Russettalon ascended toward OrchidClan's camp; shoulders slumped as he trekked at a slow, sturdy pace. The feline was in pain, evident from his facial expression and posture as he snaked along the terrain. Russettalon's bloodied paws trailed slightly, leaving behind paw prints. He wanted everyone to know who was murdered and, just tonight would be a spree. It was opening night for the birth of Cardinal. He barely got to spend time with his kits and mate, disappointed he never got to watch them grow and leave to form a family of their own. It wasn't right. He needed his family, and now they were gone. Cardinal hadn't ever felt so lost; it didn't feel right. He felt empty.

Cardinal simpered, a devilish smirk beneath his melancholic emotions as a mask. Once entering camp, he planned to take out his mother and Mottledstream's mate and her kits once entering camp. Before entering camp, Cardinal dipped into the water, rinsing the sanguine fluid from his pelt. Cardinal found his mother, explaining that he found his father dead. Appleflight followed willingly, sorrow creeping up on the mademoiselle already. Once he reached where his mate, kits, and own father were killed, he veered around his mother, sending a frontal blow to the skull. Appleflight stumbled, yowling with fear as her son shifted on her. Considering his mother was relatively small, Cardinal was able to raise and shake the damsel, snapping her neck within moments. The yowl from Appleflight sent warriors his way, though he hadn't known just yet. Cardinal went another way to get to camp, slipping through the delta river once again to rinse any blood. Drenched from the water, Cardinal brought his heavier embodiment to camp; dawn was arriving. At the time, Mottledstream had been the only queen in the nursery, slipping in and grabbing the kits one by one from the slumbering mother. Mottledstream had always been a dead sleeper, making this rather easy for the russet tom. Cardinal stopped by the River Delta, taking one kit by the nape and submerging her beneath the surface of the crystalline liquid. The sleeping kit began to struggle and wake from the water entering his lungs and nose. Within moments, he was gone.

Cardinal laid the first kit by the river, leaving a hint behind for Mottledstream to look for Snowkit. Redkit was the hint behind it. Cardinal brought the shrieking equipment to the scene of bloody, limp bodies. Laying in a circle were Appleflight, Redriver, Goose, Robin, and soon Snowkit. Snowkit was easy, snapping the kit's neck, allowing his teeth to slip beneath the skin to form blood. With that, Cardinal left the scene, leaving his aroma behind. He didn't feel like being exiled through a chase or escort of warriors. As much as he'd done, he was curious if death was a punishment.

◉ ROGUE LIFE

Over time once Cardinal was born, he spent time taking out families within clans. He enjoyed taking the lives of those who took his very own family. He was frustrated and overwhelmed, upset with the stress that losing his family came upon him. Life was unfair. Cardinal wanted to make others feel the same suffering he did when he lost his family. Occasionally, Cardinal would allow one of the family members to survive, to sneak and observe their suffering. He had often even got away with murdering behind others' backs, going unnoticed. However, Cardinal preferred his name to be known. He wanted to be known for being the murderer of families. Cardinal hoped felines would take his murders as a lesson to cherish your family and keep them close. Since his mate and kits died, Cardinal devoted his life to teaching families this "lesson." He wanted to assure he had others living in fear, even enjoying when he's caught in the act. Cardinal is a strange feline with a frozen, shattered heart. If someone could somehow arm his heart up and show him this isn't the way to go, he would be better off. But then again, there's no way he can get rid of his murderous ways now. It was too late. This feline was a killer. Also, little did Cardinal know that one part of his family had left. Duck. Duck was still alive, but where?

It's been moons, and one thing that continues to haunt Cardinal's mind, precisely. Cardinal hadn't seen his son, either, from the moment he felt warm blood pool between his toes. He recalled never seeing the body of Duck and only the bodies of Goose and his sister, Robin. It was a brutal scene, and he's fought the reoccurring nightmares since, and the urge to harm others was never suppressed. A dark passenger, if you will. Cardinal felt as though he was born in blood, and he no longer knew Russettalon of OrchidClan, as if he'd never existed. Cardinal never gave up looking and never would, constantly searching the territories over and over and even beyond that. There were times Cardinal would chase the tide, hoping he'd see his son again, even attempting to drown himself. It was misery. He wanted all to suffer as he had, primarily those who he deemed deserved it. Complicated families were his favorite target and the only murders he'd oblige by.

However, it wasn't long before Cardinal fell upon a pretty rogue named Stormwind, a sheep in wolf's fur. She was menacing in such an alluring way that it hooked Cardinal. She wanted nothing to do with him besides his brooding strength and genetics, although he'd only give in to her request under one condition. After weaned, two kits would be placed in Cardinal's paws, even if there had only been two born. She agreed, and the two had a deal. There was a warrior whom Stormwind had known from her previous clan, a generous, nurturing GaleClanner who desperately wanted kits and couldn't have her own due to fertility issues. Her name was Pantherheart. Though she had been considered pregnant, the Queen didn't feel confident in it. The timing of it all was near perfect because little did GaleClanner and medicine cat know she was dealing with a pseudo-pregnancy. So, Stormwind desired to help a friend, carry for her, and wean them off.

It wasn't long before Stormwind and Cardinal achieved what they both wanted, and a few moons later, three beautiful somali kittens were born. In the agreement, Cardinal also desired that he name them Junco, Thrush, and Perula. However, since there were three, one would be given to Pantherheart, and her mate, Gorgefoot. Cardinal didn't get to spend much time with his kits as they were being weaned and only visited about four times on the moon. He was thankful for what he had and started taking notes of the kits each time they saw him. By six moons, the kits were handed over, and Stormwind had given him Parula and Thrush. Cardinal was slightly disappointed, considering he couldn't have all three, but it wasn't in the deal, so he sufficed. It wasn't long before he took notice that Parula couldn't speak like a typical feline, whereas her chaotic brother was jumping between trees and causing havoc. Parula was mute. While not restrained to an entirely silent existence, Parula is significantly limited in the range of sounds she can make. Voiced sounds such as any speech, meowing, yowls, or cries are outside of her abilities. However, Parula can still supplement her visual communications with voiceless sounds such as chattering (rhythmic teeth clicking) or sounds that utilize respiration, like purring, growling, hissing, or snarling. Cardinal found it intriguing, although it might be difficult when the time came to train his two little minis.

NAME HERE

🖤💛🧡

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