Storkpaw [medicine cat apprentice]

[Pyro]

Welcome to the planet|| Zane Storkpaw Storkflower

Welcome to existence|| Tom

Everyone's here|| Ten moons

Everybody's watching you now|| Medicine Cat Apprentice

Everybody waits for you now|| StreamClan

What happens next?|| StarClan? Of course. Believing in them is so much easier than believing in the violent god-like clan, the Raashako. Kind ancestors that send warnings of danger instead of causing it…To be honest it was a dream come true for Storkpaw. He jumped at the chance upon meeting the clans to cast aside the stark teachings of his father in favor of learning about these more benevolent beings. No longer would he have to cower, waiting in fear for the next time of sacrifice. No longer would infliction of self pain be the only way to salvation. No. It was small wonder he asked to become Badgernose’s apprentice. It was clear he wanted to be as close to StarClan as possible…short of killing himself, of course. However new found beliefs weren’t the only reason. Past wrongs had to be righted, and no matter how forgiving StarClan was said to be, he had seen things…done things…that had to be rectified. He could not be a warrior. He could not kill anymore. He had to heal…he had to give life, not take it.

I dare you to move|| Natalie{deaceased}xRawiri{NP/unkown}

I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor|| Neya {deceased}, Ruushi {deceased}, Kylie{deceased}

Like today never happened|| Storkpaw is not allowed a mate.

Welcome to the fallout|| Badgernose

Welcome to resistance|| Storkpaw has a very small and frail build...his very fur looks like it could blow away at the first harsh wind. His white pelt is broken by dark splotches on his head and back. The splotch on his head covers his skull like a cap, while the marking on his back in more blanket like.

Storkpaw's eyes are a pale green. Wide and innocent, they reveal nothing of his suffering, or anything really unless he's day dreaming. He could be shivering with nervousness but his eyes will always remain steady. In time, perhaps this will hold true for his mind and body as well.

His straight whiskers are almost always a-quiver, with either nervousness or joy.

The tension is here|| Storkpaw tries his hardest to be friendly...Fear of being thought surly or rude makes him an eager enough participant in conversation, though he might not always offer up topics of his own. Of course, perhaps 'listener' would be more accurate than 'participant', for he is more than content to let others chatter away while he listens in silent fascination. When he does talk, he is soft-spoken, and others must strain to hear him. Storkpaw wouldn't have it any other way, though. That way, if he says something stupid, no one need ever know.

Most of this apprentice's time is spent working, by choice, not Badgernose's order. He wants to learn all that he can as best as he can so that he'll never be at a loss and will always be ready to step in and save lives. It's a silly reason...and Storkpaw knows it. After all, no matter how much he studies, something can always go wrong. Still, at least by working hard he can gain and maintain a steady knowledge base while at the same time dodging questions about his past. Who would want to question the beginnings of a hard worker?

Storkpaw is a pessimist as far as the fate of his parents go. Even though Natalie, by StarClan's standards, repented her sins, she had still lived a life of murder and senseless violence. and his father? The thought of that dark cat makes him shiver even on the hottest day. StarClan could never forgive him. He certainly can't. However, as much as he tries to avoid doing so as not to seem selfish, Storkpaw cannot help but have hope for himself. Maybe because he repented at a young age, and works to serve StarClan to the best of his abilities, his past need not matter.

Despite his hard work, Strokpaw is a bit of a dreamer. He tries to get past his desire to just stare into space, letting time pass him by, but he likes the moments of peace they give him too much. When he daydreams all the world is gone. It's just him and the bliss of being locked in tranquility.

Between who you are and who you could be|| Storkpaw's talents lie with sniffing out and picking herbs. His soft mouth and delicate paws allow him to harvest carry herbs with care, and his sensitive nose makes sniffing out herbs one of the simplest of tasks. However, he can't quite tell the difference between all the different herbs yet. He can recognize the smell of an herb...and he knows the uses of several...He just can't seem to match the smell and use with the right plant. Storkpaw also isn't the fastest cat around. By choice. He prefers to plod along, enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds of his territory, than miss them and be timely by rushing.

Between how it is and how it should be|| ”Rawiri…I know Raashako must be appeased for this bounty, but…please…can we not appease them another way? We could eat less…cause injury to each other…but not my kits. Not my kits…I don‘t want to loose them.”

“I know. But we must ask Raashako if it is their Will that all survive…We must ask them what price there is to pay for such happiness.”

Though they had just been born, the kits were taken into the unforgiving cold and wet of the meadow after a rain. Their mother, distraught beyond comprehension carried them to the nearest bush and bid them stay under it.

”Please…”

Now Rawiri‘s voice was hard, uncaring of her sadness and fear. ”If Raashako crave blood on this day it is our duty as their servants to give it to them. We will let the rain, sent by Raashako themselves decide what we must give.”

The newly-made parents watched carefully as drops of water fell from the bush. Two kits cried out as the icy cold water droplets hit their vulnerable bodies without mercy. Natalie, their mother, cried in the agony only a mother would know as her mate strode forward and took the two stricken kits from under the bush.

”By Raashako’s grace you were born. By Raashako’s Will you will die. Be comforted by the fact that your life will feed Raashako, the true makers of us all.”

The two remaining kits were already shivering from the cold, but now they shook violently with fear. Where had their siblings gone? Where was Neya? Ruushi? What was that smell…that putrid smell…Comfort. Their mother by their side again. Safety for Kylie. Mother picked her up. More fear, if that was even possible for Zane…he was picked up by his father whose mouth clogged his nose with the putrid unknown smell. A smell he would soon become all too familiar with.

Kylie died. Raashako deemed that she be taken as punishment for Natalie’s unwillingness to serve according to Rawiri. Zane was left alone to learn the ways of a servant of Raashako…an all powerful being who was many and one. Who demanded death and suffering in return for it’s good will. For prey to remain, prey had to be given. For kits to survive, kits had to be taken. For life to continue…life had to be taken.

”Good, Zane, good. Raashako is pleased with you this day. How many your age may say that they fasted for three days and never once considering turning away from Raashako’s Will? Who at your age knows the true meaning of sacrifice?”

Zane nodded numbly. It was useless to protest. He had learned that the hard way moons before. Life was death. Happiness was suffering. His father’s word was Raashako’s Will.

”Your mother disobeyed Raashako. She turned away from them…But ultimately she joined them again. I showed he their light. One day you might have to do the same for another. You must be prepared.”

Again, Zane nodded. Murder. But what could he do? He had tried to run once. By Raashako’s Will his father had found him.

”You are finally ready for this journey. I will take you with me and we will spread Raashako’s word to those ignorant of their power. Ignorant of what Raashako gives them.”

”What if they don’t…” No…questions were not tolerated. Zane swallowed the words, not daring to continue the sentence.

Rawiri glared at his son. ”If they what? Question Raashako? We will show them Raashako’s emptiness. We will show them Raashako’s grace. We will show them Raashako and they will tremble. They will tremble and beg to become loyal servants to They Who See and Know All.”

The journey of twisted faith took them many places, and Zane struggled to keep up with his seemingly tireless father. He was too young to make it. He knew it. Raashako would claim him as it had claimed his siblings. When he finally collapsed, his father ignored him and his feeble calls for help. Raashako had him…he would now know Raashako’s black void…

No..light? A dim light…was he in a den? Zane looked frantically about, crying out in confusion until a large black and white tom came to him. He questioned the cat, sensing for the first time it was okay to question his lot. Was this the dwelling of Raashako? No? StreamClan? What was StreamClan…What was Raashako…Raashako was everything. They controlled bounty, famine, they dwelled in the sky and all was in their sight. Did he mean StarClan? How could he mean something he had never heard of…

Knowledge. Light. But more than light…it was the truth. It was a comforting blanket that wrapped him in peace. Violence wasn’t the only way. Killing wasn’t the only way to please. There were other paths…He could heal. He could save, not doom. He could have redemption.

He could have StarClan.
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Sample|| "Storkpaw...Storkpaw...Storkpaw! Are you even paying attention?"

The small apprentice started as his mentor snapped him back to attention. He had been daydreaming again. That much was obvious.

"Sorry...I guess I just drifted off."

"Considering you can barely tell the difference between Juniper and Yew, I suggest you keep your mind on your work. Being able to find herbs is all well and good, but if you don't know which is which, how can you heal? Mistakes like the ones you're making can kill a cat. Concentrate."

Storkpaw nodded, a movement he had near about cultivated. He knew he had to try to concentrate. But then something would catch his eye, he'd be compelled to look at it, then think about it, and before he knew it entire chunks of time had flown by...

"Storkpaw. Do you want to learn this or not?"

"Sorry, sorry!" he had to get past this. What if he drifted off while a cat really needed his help?

Are you sure you want this? You haven't been very attentive."

Sure he wanted it? How could he not be? being a medicine cat...was there anything better? Anyone could injure, anyone could start fights, finish them, walk on a silly patrol looking for trouble. But how many could heal? How many had the opportunity to walk and talk with StarClan themselves? Of course he was sure about his decision.

"Badgernose...I'm sure. I can't put it into words exactly...But this is for me. I have to do this. I want to do this, more than anything...I just can't concentrate today."

His mentor didn't look convinced. How could he convince her? 'By working harder...' a nagging voice whispered in his head. Work harder? He was trying. But maybe not hard enough? The information wouldn't just come to him. He had to learn it. Study it. There would be plenty of time to look the clouds later.

[Pyro]

UPDATE LOG
(So I know what the hell I've updated and when)
November 2, 2010~ age updated