mothpaw, thunderclan medicine cat apprentice

+ AMIABLE - having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner
one of the first things noticed about mothpaw is her genuine friendliness. the she-cat - despite being an inherently quiet individual - has always been kind-hearted. she has never been the type to entertain drama nor has she outright spoken about her distaste of others if it is there to begin with. it is this friendliness that will likely prove to be her biggest downfall. in mothpaw's mind if another clan needs help it is her duty to provide it, so long as her own clan is not at risk of her doing so. that being said, she is an optimist and ever hopeful that if thunderclan were in distress the other three clans would offer help if it did not risk their clan's best interests. mothpaw believes that medicine cat's should readily help those in need and will not hesitate to offer her assistance if doing so does not put thunderclan at risk. this way of thinking is highly frowned upon, but mothpaw stands by her own convictions and refuses to change her way of thinking for anyone, even her own clan.

+ INCISIVE - intelligently analytical and clear-thinking
having been born last among a fairly large litter, mothpaw quickly learned that to be taken seriously she would need to be smart. in her eyes - and the eyes of others - she was severely lacking in that her size was viewed as a hindrance. often times she would be singled out to sit on the sidelines as the other kits played because she was too 'delicate' as her mother often put it. the motto of work smarter not harder clung to mothpaw as she grew, her inquisitive nature furthered by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. she is uncannily meticulous in each and every action. even in times of distress mothpaw maintains a clear-thinking mind, her heart and paws steady and unwavering no matter what twists and turns litter the path before her.

+ INGENUITY - the quality of being clever, original, and inventive
mothpaw has and always will be a cat that wants to create. she is often found experimenting with different combinations of herbs, trying to find the best ways to treat illness and injury. stormfrost has caught her more than once using a bit of sinew from a mouse and a sharpened rib bone to close wounds instead of using the traditional cobwebs. in her defense, the bit of sinew and bone is much faster and helps the wound heal faster than cobwebs alone but her experimentation is routinely put to a stop. even so mothpaw carries on in secrecy, knowing that if she can find new and better ways of healing it will help thunderclan in the long run.

= STEADFAST - resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering
perhaps her most prominent trait, is mothpaw's ability to remain strong before the darkest of storms. the apprentice has and always will be a strong individual, her small shoulders able to hold the heaviest of weights. mothpaw isn't a cat that buckles under pressure, but rather flourishes. it is well known that the she-cat is loyal to her clan and her clan alone though that is not to say she wouldn't help another clan in need. even so, mothpaw is certainly not naive and though she is willing to help those not born of thunderclan she maintains the belief that her clan comes first and foremost above all others.

= ASSERTIVE - having or showing a confident or forceful personality
it often comes as a surprise that mothpaw is an assertive feline. her small size and kind demeanor tends to cause her to be overlooked, as she is believed to be a pushover. this could not be more untrue though. mothpaw is extremely forward-thinking with her beliefs and has always refused to cower in the face of adversity. it doesn't matter to her who you are or what rank you may hold, if you cross her she will not back down. it is this forcefulness that causes the she-cat to be able to hold her own in conversations. she makes her opinion known and if it is not agreeable she further speaks out in order to prove herself right or at least worth listening to. as she grows older, this inability to back down could very well cause the she-cat to make enemies or gain respect from those around her, depending on how well she is received. 

= QUIRKY - characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits
mothpaw is a quirky character, but then again who isn't these days? the she-cat has a number of almost compulsive habits ranging from double and triple-checking the herb stores to counting her steps and heartbeats to repeating the same words numerous times. like her mentor, mothpaw sleeps facing the medicine den's entrance though for different reasons. she's not afraid of someone entering the den and killing her like stormfrost is. instead, the she-cat is worried about the den's entrance becoming closed off, thus leaving her unable to exit the den. some say that mothpaw has an irrational fear of being trapped, but she believes it to be rather practical. 

- STUBBORN - having or showing dogged determination
somewhere along the way mothpaw has managed to pick up some of the manners of a general ass. despite her small size and unassuming appearance the she-cat is well on the way of becoming known for her inability to take no for an answer. it's not that she believes she is always right but borders more along the lines of an inability to at least try to prove her point. mothpaw is growing into a fearless cat and is sure to gain confidence in not only her clan but her abilities as a healer as well. when she is sure that she is right about something, she is unafraid to put another cat in their place or stand up to the higher authority, even if that authority is starclan. 

- BLUNT - uncompromisingly forthright
yet another of her more negative traits is mothpaw's penchant for bluntness. much like her mentor, mothpaw has never known what it means to beat around the bush. her tongue is sharp and true. she means what she says and says only what she means. such a trait in the medicine cat apprentice is one perceived as wise beyond her years, as many her age do not know how to be so flagrantly honest. her inability to beat around the bush in order to make others feel better is both a gift and a curse for she is sometimes seen as uncaring when it comes to delivering bad news. in actuality, the she-cat prefers to get the bad news over with and not delay the hurt that others may feel because of it.

- RESENTFUL - feeling or expression bitterness or indignation
it has never made mothpaw happy that she is resentful. for all of her outward happiness the she-cat harbors darkness within her. she has never quite forgiven her mother for creating the weak-willed creature she strives to do away with. if it weren't for snowface then mothpaw would have been able to have a relatively normal kithood and wouldn't have grown so distant from her own siblings. when it comes to the other clans mothpaw - as stated before - is willing to help only so much. she heavily resents any clan that threatens her own and is not above denying help to those that have recently crossed thunderclan. holding grudges has never been something mothpaw is proud of herself for, but she remains loyal to herself and her clan first and foremost, others be damned.

warm sunlight streams through the tops of the trees, dappling the cool ground long since packed down by numerous paws. the camp bustles with excitement, cats darting back and forth gathering moss and feathers. they are well aware of what the day brings, if the tell-tale sounds from the nursery are anything to go by. 

"they're perfect. absolutely perfect." though the exhaustion is evident in her voice, the she-cat's eyes are alight with unparalleled joy. her once pristine white pelt is tangled, bits of moss, dirt and other bits clinging to her long fur. the she-cat is beyond tired, her breaths shallow. yet she is happy, for she has provided for her clan. "thank you so much, stormfrost." she murmurs, grateful for the medicine cat's help in her time of need. she no longer has a mate but that will not stop her from raising her kits as best she can, though she is well aware the journey will not come without its fair share of difficulties. gently, the new queen pulls each kit to her stomach. her last born and smallest, a she-kit is brought close to her heart and snuggles into her warmth without preamble. "don't you worry, mothkit. everything will be just fine."

"i'm sorry, mothkit but you can't leave the nursery just yet. you're still far too small, darling." the she-cat tries to be gentle in her denial, fluffy tail stroking lightly across the ground. her whiskers twitch in anticipation, well aware that her words will cause another fight. yet she remains placid, and altogether unmovable.

you were born last among four, without movement or sound. at first it was believed that you were lost, a stillborn that had already made the journey to starclan. the circumstances surrounding your birth are not well-known. all you have picked up is that you were as good as dead, yet when stormfrost touched you you finally began to cry. if it was a sign, you wouldn't know. your mother is overprotective, terrified of loosing her darling baby. because in her eyes, that is what you are. small and delicate she believes that you would somehow be harmed if you ventured out into the world alone. for a time you were content to be your mama's darling. in the early days you weren't interested in playing with your siblings. you were quiet and watchful, happy to observe the roughhousing your siblings loved to participate in.

there was so much talk of becoming warriors, deputies, leaders. it was odd, foreign. you didn't share the same drive to fight as your siblings did. they called you a mouse, weak and afraid. but that wasn't the case. you weren't afraid to fight, you simply believed that there was a better way. you knew, though, that if push came to shove you would extend your claws for your clan. they're your family after all and you would protect them with everything you had. 

for a long time you never wished to leave the nursery save with your mother by your side. your siblings, stonekit, nettlekit and cloudkit seem to have forgotten that you exist. it's been so long since you've played with them and now you feel the emptiness in your heart. despite your little bits of worldly experience mother has taught your a great deal from the nursery walls. you know the entirety of the warrior code by heart and you have begun to memorize the different herbs stormfrost brings the expectant queens and kitting mothers. now at four moons there is nothing you want more than to join your brothers on the other side of the nursery walls. despite being half their size you share their drive for adventure, and you have acquired a stubbornness that rivals your late fathers. everyone says you are the spitting image of harriernose and your heart swells with pride. mother says he was a good, respected warrior. sometimes, you wish you could follow in his pawsteps but you know it will never happen. you are not your siblings. you are not a warrior. 

shadows swarmed, advancing and retreating in quick succession. dreams like this were the way things were decided, and the stars were finally speaking. a spark can be seen through the dark, a flame that grows into a raging fire. a moth flutters through the air, and despite the fire before it it refuses to stop, driven to the source of light by sheer faith and determination.

you are well-aware that there is only one way for you to diverge from the path of a warrior. ever since your mother began explaining herbs to you all those moons ago in an attempt to quell your thirst, you were hooked. the life of a medicine cat is one that fascinates you. it resonates down to your very bones, causing your heart to constrict and your breath to come short. your paws itch to tend to others. to heal instead of harm. your brothers have never been fond of going to the medicine den for their cracked paws and splinters. so they come to you instead and you practice in secrecy. there isn't much you can do, but you have learned the best ways to draw out a splinter and you relish in the little victories you have achieved. 

on the day of your apprentice ceremony you are a bundle of nerves. you have prayed to starclan so many times that you eventually lost count. you can only hope that they have heard and see in you something worth nurturing. 

"mothpaw! mothpaw! mothpaw!" 

you retreat to the medicine den that night, relishing in the comforting smells of herbs. as you curl up in your bed, facing the entrance of the den like stormfrost has instructed you can't help but smile to yourself. starclan have heard your prayer, and you are determined to make them proud.