ACORNPAW, thunderclan

AGE
10 Moons

GENDER
Female

RANK
Apprentice

APPEARANCE
Acornpaw is a small, stout she-cat, blessed with visibly strong hind legs, a typical trait for Thunderclan cats, that are in obvious contrast with her slight, delicate paws. At first glance, she may look a little unbalanced, with a shorter tail and bulky shoulders that expand from a slender neck. But, in combat, Acornpaw is nothing short of a cannonball, barreling into her enemies and using her compact strength to bowl them over. Surprisingly heavy, Acornpaw’s ears are always high and attentive, and her yellow eyes are large and focused. Still, for all her vigilance, she is still rather clumsy, and has a reputation for stepping on her fellow apprentices’ tails when dragging herself out of the den for the dawn patrol.

PERSONALITY
At her best, Acornpaw is most notable for being able to see both sides of an issue with startling clarity. Determined not to be biased when passing judgment, she will view everything from a neutral standpoint while offering advice or her opinion. Similarly, she is always willing to lend an ear to anyone who is troubled by something or another, being sure to hear them out until the end. But, often times, confiding in Acornpaw backfires as she is quick to get fired up once she has made her decision. And, while she can empathize with somebody about what led up to their current situation, she is unable to understand why they wouldn’t do anything about it. Pushy and insistent, Acornpaw is more likely to drag them to confront the root of their problems herself than let them figure it out on their own time.

That impatience also leaks into other aspects of her life. While hunting, she is partial to making rash decisions and taking unnecessary risks, often times resulting in losing the prey she was going after. And, no matter how her mentor scolds her, she is too stubborn to change her habits. Of course, she is aware that losing her prey wouldn't fly when it came to her hunting assessment, but Acornpaw has long since decided that she’d cross that bridge when she got to it.

Otherwise, Acornpaw is a stalwart ally. Aided by a strong sense of self-confidence, she has the fortitude to not balk at challenges, both threatening or just inflammatory. Instead, she squares up as best she can, and prepares for whatever is coming at her. Similarly, she is never one to cheat, and answers for her misdemeanors as simply as she accepts her well-doings: with a quick nod of acknowledgement.

HISTORY
For as long as she had lived, Acornpaw had only known two sources of stability and dependability: Bearstar, who had been Thunderclan’s leader from since before she was born, and her parents, who were always there to encourage her whenever she was feeling down. As a kit, life was nothing short of blissful. Her brother, Hailkit, was a close friend, and they spent many afternoons tumbling around in the dirt gleefully, only to be stopped by their mother, Willowjump’s, stern words. But, there was always a gentle look in the queen’s eyes that betrayed to the kits her lack of true anger, and they would only glance at each other mischievously before dashing away, leaving their mother behind to sigh in theatrical dismay. Then, whenever he was free of his duties, Mudcloud, their father, would join in their antics, playing the part of an angry badger invading camp or a Shadowclan warrior crossing the border. Those were happy times, and the little family enjoyed every moment, completely unaware of what was just beyond the horizon.

Acornpaw took to apprenticeship like a fish in water; she loved being able to leave camp, adored the victorious thrill of catching a mouse, and adored the adrenaline that came with knocking her opponent to the ground and pinning them there during combat training. This was what she had spent her entire life up until that point looking forward to. She had wanted nothing more than to be a warrior since she was but a blind, mewling scrap of fur suckling at Willowjump’s belly. This was how she was going to contribute to her Clan, how she was going to make her parents proud! She had never thought that, a moon later, she wouldn’t have parents or much of a Clan let to impress.

The biting sickness fell upon the Thunderclan cats with startling ferocity. Immediately, cats began falling left and right, dying of a mysterious disease in the most horrible manner. Even the medicine cat was unable to cure them, and they could only hang their head, muttering desperate prayers to Starclan for guidance. And, for a time, Acornpaw prayed too. She prayed when Willowjump fell ill, prayed when Hailpaw begged and screamed for water after becoming so weak that he was unable to leave his nest, and she continued to pray and pray and pray until, one day, she stopped. Her mother, father, and brother had all died to the biting sickness; Starclan wasn’t listening anymore.

When all that had happened came to an end with the Great March, Acornpaw moved on faster than most cats. She spoke little of her deceased relatives, and made many efforts to divert from the topic whenever it was brought up. Soon enough, her clan mates learned to stop asking, and Acornpaw was allowed to fall back into about the same cycle she had been living since before the sickness struck. She was hunting and patrolling diligently, and performed any tasks delegated to her as was required. To all, she appeared as normal as could be. But, it would take a well trained eye to notice how, whenever she walked past the barren nursery, her eyes would dull just a bit, as she reflected on her childhood and when her family was still with her.

SEXUALITY
Heterosexual