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You shake your head, and eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Before you is a young kougra. The color of her fur is indiscernible in the dark bedroom you now stand in, but you are startled by how bright her eyes shine before you.
Okay, great. Now listen up. Grab that blade over there and let's begin.
Name Katherine Tappan
Nickname Tappy (preferred), Kathy, and Kitty Kat (by her father)
Gender Female
Age 12
Dwellings Windshire Castle in Whitehaven
Companion Lady Fluffkins the Plushie Babaa
Likes -
Dislikes -
Summary Her story begins on her 12th birthday, with her family's private celebration for her. Her father took time away from the field to spend the special day with his daughter. The scene where she is opening gifts highlights the friction between Tappy and her mother, who often pressures her to become more ladylike, as well as the preference for her father who seems to accept her.
There is conflict brewing in the realm, however, and her father must leave again. Tappy continues her training in secret but when news arrives of an attack at her father's camp, she sets out to help. She sneaks out of the castle with the caravan of reinforcements but later leaves the group because it is moving too slowly.
Setting out on her own, she decides to try a shortcut through the enchanted forest to save on time. Here she is met with obstacles, as well as spirits that warn her of the evil king that has risen against her father. Increasingly worried about him, she presses on and eventually finds her father enthralled in battle.
She joins the fight *cue epic battle scene* :D And of course, the good gal always wins (I'll spare you the details hehe). Tappy and her father return home and she is finally accepted for who she is.
Personality
Tappy tends to be pretty stubborn at times, which can be mostly attributed to her spoiled upbringing in her castle, though she isn't bratty. Instead, she is constantly trying to battle the notion that she should act as a lady because she is high born. She wishes she wasn't, so that she could act as she likes and be who she wants to be. She enjoys things girls her age would turn their noses up at, such as hunting, sparring or practicing archery.
Her favorite activity is to play a game she invented during a time locked in her tower because of her misbehavior. During this game, she gathers all her stuffed toys and practices her sparring technique on them with her toy sword. Her toys are left with punctures, ripped seams and missing stuffing by the end.
Though she is unlike the other girls in court, she is sure of who she is. But she has trouble deciding which path to follow: does she appease her parents or does she follow her heart?
Whitehaven Forest
The Forge
Trophy Cabinet
Booktastic Badge: January 14th, 2012
Beauty Contest - First Place: November 9th, 2012
Beauty Contest - Second Place, Overall: November 9th, 2012
Runner-up PPL: Date unknown
To do list
Well, Tappan is gold-banned for now. So, currently I am entering Tappan for pet spotlight. Hoping one of these weeks she will get chosen! Eventually I want to get her a petpet spotlight trophy too, but I need to brainstorm some more for Lady Fluffkin's entry.
Chapter 2 should be coming soon! I have some sketches drawn out offline for the next part of her story. Will transfer them to digital and upload =D Excited about that!
Also super happy with Tappy's new pet lookup! I personalized it to fit her character and I love it *squee*
The heavy mahogany double doors creaked open as if they were also sluggish from sleep. Tappan heard the quiet patter of feet enter her bedroom. A few seconds later light flushed into the room as her handmaiden threw the curtains open.
Wake up Lady Katherine, today is your name day!
Ergh, Katherine Tappan moaned and pulled the covers over her head to shut out the light.
Now, now. We must dress you so you can be presentable for your family at the table. Your father has returned from his camp to break fast with you on your name day.
Tappan peeked from under the covers and smiled. When did he arrive?
Just at day break. Come, let's get you dressed! Tappan shoved the covers off and excitedly followed her handmaiden to the bath.
***
My little kitty Kat! Her father boomed as she entered the dining hall.
Tappan rolled her eyes and grinned. Fatherrrr, you know I don't like that nickname, she laughed, as she ran up to her father and hugged him. He picked her up at the waist and spun her around.
The King chuckled as he set her down. I missed you my kitty Kat, look how you've grown!
You've grown too father! she exclaimed with bright sparkles in her eyes. However, as she studied her father's face more closely she noticed that he seemed tired and haggard, with dark marks under his eyes. She had never seen him like this before and worriedly asked, how was your time at the camp?
Putting a heavy hand on her shoulder he replied in a hushed sigh, now is not the time, darling.
Turning to the rest of the room he clapped his hands together and proclaimed, let us forget our worries and celebrate Katherine's name day together!
***
Tappan's fingers tingle with excitement as she reaches for her first gift. It's from her father. She looks up at him and flashes him a grin before she begins clawing at the parchment wrapping the present. A slender, rectangular leather box sits before her. She gently lifts the lid.
Oh, father! she squeaks. Beaming, she picks up the delicate blade that rests inside the case. This is the most amazing gift ever, thank you!
The King laughs, cheerful at the joy he sees on Katherine's face. However, it's a stark contrast to the scowl seen on his Queen's. That is not a gift fit for a lady! she chides as she crosses her arms.
My Queen, it is her name day. Let her be happy, the King replies.
Though not swayed, the Queen offers Let's move on to the next gift, then. Here you go, Katherine, this is from your sister and me.
Her mother hands her a stuffed toy with a sparkling bow wrapped atop its head. It's a Plushie Babaa, and it's disgustingly too cute for Tappan's taste. She crinkles her nose but takes the toy into her hands.
Thank you mother, she says mechanistically. Annoyed with her gift she sarcastically adds, I shall name her Lady Fluffkins.
Don't be rude Kathy! Your sister helped pick it out for you especially! her mother scolds. You need to learn how to act like a lady if you--
But I don't want to be a lady! Not now, not ever! Tappy blurts out.
Her mother's face turns an awful shade of red as she loses her temper. Young lady. To your room. Now! she orders. Sir knights, escort her and see to it she stays there until the morn.
Tappy turns to her father looking for some sign that he'll rescue her from this punishment, but instead he nods slightly then looks away. Defeated, she shuffles toward the corridor leading to her tower, with the two knights clanking behind her.
***
Stupid. Pink. Blob. Of. Fluff. she pants between each strike. Furious at her mother, she hacks away at one of the old stuffed toys she got for her past name day.
She's been locked in her tower for a many hours now. The candle flickering in the corner of her dark room is nearly spent, and her tummy is rumbling as if it's upset too. But she doesn't care. All she can think of now is the mock battle she is in.
*Knock, knock*
She freezes. Thoughts race through her mind of who could possibly be at her door at this late hour, and none are better than the next. Tappan rushes to place her toy sword back into its hiding spot. After straightening her gown, and her hair, she raises her head to stand tall and opens the door slightly.
Her eyes strain in the darkness of the corridor as she struggles to make out who stands before her, who is there? she asks.
Evening my lady, I hope I didn't wake you, a soft male voice answers, your father sent me, may I enter?
She motions to invite him in and swiftly shuts the door behind him. Curious as to why her father would send a messenger this late in the evening, she pesters her mysterious visitor further. What did my father send you for?
He holds out the leather box she opened earlier today and whispers, I am your sword-fighting instructor.
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