Twistedleg

Name: Twistedleg
Nicknames: Hobble
Age: 67 Moons; 5 years, 7 months.
Gender: Tom-Cat, Male.
Clan: Waterclan
Rank: Medicine Cat
Blood Status: 10/10 Waterclan.
Mentor: Fishwhisker; a silver-tipped gray tom with long, slightly curled whiskers.

Fur color: Solid brown tabby.
Eye color: A sharp, vivid yellow.
Distinguising features: He was born missing his hind, right leg, there simply being only a stub, stopping just above the knee, where the bone had begun forming, but never finished into the next joint.
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Likes: The sound of calm rain, listening to elder's stories, watching kits play, healing.
Dislikes: Feeling helpless, not understanding a situation, the constant snake bites that plague his clan.
Strengths: Herbal knowledge, sharp hearing and nose, capability to stay calm in a stressful situation.
Weaknesses: Hunting, fighting, climbing, swimming.
Relationship status: N/A
Sexuality: Straight.
Overall personality: Twistedleg is quiet, having not been known as one to talk much, or get involved in social moments. He can be sweet and kind, although is very capable of being stern. The tom has a tendency to think things over, due to the fact he wouldn't be able to rush into anything even if he wanted to.

Mother: Stripedfeather; a pretty she-cat with long fur, a silver hued body, blue-ish colored tabby markings, and yellow eyes.
Father: Liontail; a cream tabby tom with green eyes and broad shoulders.
Siblings: None
Others of importance: None
Overall history:

Born as the only living kit in his litter and the only kit his parents attempted to bare that lived, Twistedleg was seen as one of two things; a blessing, or one who had cheated fate. Some saw his parents as cursed, never being able to bare living offspring, save him. And even then, coming into the world alive had come at a great cost. Not only had Twistedkit only three legs, but his mother died birthing him. A great tragedy to the tom-kit's father.

Apprenticeship hadn't come any easier. The young male had first chosen the path of a warrior, but he was denied that on account of his disability. Instead, his path was chosen for him and he was pointed to the life of a medicine cat. Seeing no other option of service to his clan and purpose in life, the brown tabby took it.

Now, not only was he a cripple, but he was also separate from the other apprentices and they showed it. Conversing was horrid, them glancing at his absent appendage or wincing when he was near. Especially the females. They seemed to think of him as a mishap, even though there glances and expressions were harmlessly intended. Twsitedpaw couldn't get over it and it soon ate at him.

The tom-cat spoke less to others unless necessary. He rarely shared tongues for fear any, even the adults, would avoid his right flank. And he had prayed many a time that he could miss Gatherings, sometimes even feigning illness. It only worked twice or thrice until his mentor had noticed what he was doing and why. From then on, the tom sought to solve the problems his apprentice was having, though, the situation was hard in its unique nature.

Words of comfort or encouragement didn't help, as the apprentice always pushed them away or blocked them out. In his mind, they were only said because the speaker had pity on him and his... curse. He didn't want to be seen as weak, incapable, or a waste of space. The only thing was, Twistedpaw was the largest judge of himself. If he could only learn to let go, to accept, would his world turn out better? Would his mind be at peace?

This was all put to the test one day when a young queen had been out on a walk and gone into labor.. Away from camp.. And alone. As the first contraction came, she knew what it was. The she-cat, eyes wide with fear, started on her way back to camp, but that only encouraged them to quicken and come closer to one another. The pain was soon unbearable and the queen collapsed to the ground. Desperate, she called out for help, not expecting to be heard. But it was then that Twistedpaw came hobbling through the underbrush and to her side.

The male had never conducted a kitting before and had only watched once. This was something almost as foreign to him as if he had four legs. But this queen didn't seem to know that, for once she saw his brown form her eyes lit with relief. Seeing that caused in him a stir, a courage, a will.

He dashed to the side with an odd leap and grabbed a stick, bringing it back to the she-cat and instructing her to bite down on it. After that, there was no time for anything else before the contractions came with the intention of bringing new-life. Her body convulsed, rippling down her flank, and a tiny, wet bundled slithered out. Now this was something he did know. Bending, Twistedpaw nipped the sack and brought the kit to his belly, licking it softly just as he had down before with his mentor.

In the end, the whole litter was born healthy. Although, the she-cat was exhausted and in need of herbs. All of which the apprentice was unfamiliar with. The queen and kits needed to go back to camp, but to move the kits would be a risk and the female was in no condition to be walking with the worry of her young.

To be continued.

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