Branchpaw[legs] 2013 Reference

Bah, forgot to fill in a fur texture. Meh, not important enough to go and fix.
Mate closed, as he is not supposed to have one as a healer.

Name} Branchpaw [legs]


Rank} Healer apprentice
Clan} TideClan


Age} 30 moons
Gender} Male
Breed} Shorthair mix
Scars/Disabilities} None


Personality} NERVOUS | INSECURE | LOYAL | DILIGENT | ATTENTIVE
NERVOUS}
INSECURE}
LOYAL}
DILIGENT}
ATTENTIVE}


Family}
REDBEAR} Mother, deceased
MUDDYSTEP} Father, deceased

FRIGIDNIGHT} Cousin, alive


History}
"Not good enough"
Branchkit's mother and father were TideClan warriors - Redbear and Muddystep. Muddystep perished very soon after his kits were born, trampled under the hooves of a rouge moose. Redbear was the sister of Salmontail, whom had died soon after birthing her kits. Salmontail's daughter, whose name was Frigidpaw, was the only other living kin that Branchkit had. Branchkit was born with unnaturally long limbs, making him gawky and clumsy. He was always stumbling and fumbling through kit games, which made him the subject of ridicule and torment. Redbear didn't want to admit it to her son, but even she had doubts about his future ability to become a warrior. He appeared to have absolutely no skill in mock battles and practice that the other kits participated in. She spoke privately with the leader, Ripplestar, to ask him if there was anything else that Branchkit could do, but Ripplestar told her that Redbear must give her kit a chance. Perhaps he was just a late bloomer, he said. But the lack of confidence from his mother and everyone around him was clear to Branchkit, and he began to feel that not only was he not good enough, but that he didn't even want to fight.
"The sign of the branch"
On the eve of Branchkit's apprenticeship, the healer, Hawkheart, was near the Great River, collecting vital herbs to cure an outbreak of greencough that had just surfaced in the Clan. She had been searching in vain for several hours, about to give up on the idea of finding even a scrap of catmint, when suddenly out on a stony ledge, she spotted a small patch of the herbs growing full and strong. Excitedly she hurried down the slope, hoping to reach the life-saving herb, but she realized with dismay that it was too far for her to reach. The jump was impossible, and the slope too steep for her to reach them. Frustrated, she was ready to turn and leave, when suddenly an earsplitting crack sounded above her. Hawkheart's eyes widened to see a long branch plummeting down from the top of the cliff, broken from one of the trees that grew at the very edge. It landed with a jaw-shaking rattle, forming a sturdy path for the healer to reach the catmint. In awe, she collected the herbs and returned hastily to camp, believing the branch to be a sign from StarClan. Branchkit was to be her apprentice, and after deliberation with Redbear and Ripplestar, it was so. Branchpaw was overwhelmed with relief and joy at this. As healer's apprentice, he was offered the solace of peaceful work and a nest away from the ridicule of his fellow apprentices.
"Hawkheart's farewell"
Seasons later...
"I have to leave, Branchpaw," Hawkheart mewed, her blue eyes reflecting the starlight. "StarClan has called me elsewhere, and I must do as they will."
"But Hawkheart!" Branchpaw choked out. "I haven't completed my training! I can't do this without you!"
"You can," she mewed, placing her nose on his forehead. It reminded Branchpaw of his apprentice ceremony, when Hawkheart had made a similar gesture. "I know you can. Lavenderstar and Shellstripe will find a new healer to continue your training. You must tell nocat of my depart." Her gaze was stern. "It is best they think I have joined StarClan." Seeing Branchpaw's shoulders slump unhappily, her expression softened. "It's up to you now, Branchpaw. I'm trusting TideClan to you, and I know it is in safe paws." The tabby she-cat pulled away, turning to leave. "Goodbye, my apprentice."
Branchpaw watched as Hawkheart disappeared over the hill. Tilting his head to the winking stars above, the young tom let out a mournful mew.
"May StarClan light your path, my mentor, wherever it may take you..."
"A new mentor"
As Hawkheart had promised, Lavendarstar quickly found a replacement within TideClan's ranks. A warrior named Pebblestripe took up the position, chosen for her thorough knowledge of herbs. Branchpaw still trains under her today.


Time Zone} Central Standard Time (USA)


Relationships}
[chart to come]


Art / Character (c) *Warriors-horse
Other Characters mentioned (c) respectful owners