Redflash

Birth Certificate
Birth Date: Aug 21 (Winter)
Mother: Ashbreeze
Father: Nanuuk (Pandora Tribe Pack)
Birth Stats: 634 = 90 STR 184 SPD 188 AGI 85 WIS 87 SMR

Redflash was a precise little boy whose energy could not be tamed. The floor of the nursery was scored all over by claw marks from him running around. He also had the unfortunate habit of pouncing on other pups during storytime before naps and bed. His pupsitter Graywing used every trick she knew to try to calm him down, but to no avail. The only thing that seemed to work was to allow him to run laps inside the nursery until he tired himself out. So that's what happened every midday before naptime and every evening before bedtime. While keeping her eye on him during his laps and at playtime, Gray noticed that his paw placement was remarkably accurate for a pup his age. He never seemed to trip or slip, like other pups. To confirm this, Gray got up early one morning and examined Red's paws while he slept. Despite his constant movement, his little paws were completely smooth, not scuffed or scratched at all. Gray decided that Red's energy and surefootedness would make him an ideal chaser in the future.

At the Academy, Red went at his lessons with the same energy that he went at everything. When it came to being fast and agile, he earned the top marks in the class. But just being fast wasn't always enough and the calmer parts of the lessons were a challenge for Red. Being quiet and patient wasn't his strong suit, but his teachers helped him learn to focus and control his energy. When it was time to choose their last lesson, Red and his siblings chose a lesson in recognizing danger. Red was able to sit quietly and listen to the teacher with the rest of the class without being disruptive. There were still times when Red's exuberance got the best of him, but his elders noticed his improvement and encouraged him to keep it up.

During his apprenticeship, Red joined his mother and uncles on the hunting trail to learn the life of a chaser. He could run with the best, but he soon realized that there was more to the job than just that. There was strategy and danger and courage. Sometimes, Red's great speed got in the way of a hunt and earned him a scolding. For the first time, he didn't feel as sure as he always had been before. He still didn't trip or slip, but he felt lost, and spent a few sleepless nights worrying about his future. But everything changed when Red's mother Ashbreeze pulled him aside one morning and told him to keep an eye on his uncle Bloodfeather. Red began to notice how Blood handled himself on the trail. He seemed so poised and skillful all the time and Red watched everything he did with great fascination. Red started to imitate Blood too, and while he didn't have the charisma of a leader, he did improve his hunting and teamwork skills markedly as time went on. By the end of his apprenticeship, Red's confidence was back and his surefootedness had led to many successes on the trail.

On his first birthday, Red found it hard to say goodbye to his carefree puppyhood. The responsibilities of adulthood looked so big from where he sat. But they became smaller and smaller with each sip of fermented barley he drank. And before long, Red was running laps inside the Grand Den. He ran until he couldn't run anymore and then he fell asleep in a corner.

Now as an adult, Red has calmed down a lot and doesn't need to run laps anymore. All his energy goes to his work as a chaser during the day. His siblings and cousins joke that it's like they have four chasers on their team with the way he gets around the prey. His skill and confidence have pulled the team to success many times but Red doesn't brag, at least when he's sober. He may talk himself up a little after a drink or two, exaggerate his part in things, but not enough to irritate anyone. Secretly, his favorite part of the day is after drinks when everyone goes to bed and the Grand Den is quiet. He often lies awake for an hour or more, just enjoying the serenity that he never appreciated as a pup.