Name: Quailfeather
Gender: she-cat
Age: 35 moons
Rank: warrior
Kin: unknown
Who she is: From a young age, most cats have goals that they aspire to reach in their lifetime. For some, it's becoming the clan's leader. Others desire to become great warriors that will make their parents proud and be remembered. Little Quailkit was no exception. She had no want to play-fight with the other kits or play 'hunt the stick.' Rather, whenever possible, Quailkit would hang around the medicine den, wanting to learn more about what went on within. Unfortunately, despite Quailkit's wishes, Starclan did not intend for her to become a medicine cat. Softpaw, instead, was placed on that path by them.
When Quailkit became Quailpaw, she was very, very unprepared. She always felt moons behind the other apprentices, who had been playing hunting and fighting games during their kithood while she lingered around the scent of herbs, clutching onto whatever pieces of information the medicine cat would give her. Quailpaw became somewhat withdrawn, feeling always as if she wasn't good enough to be training to be a warrior and lacking the confidence to make friends with the other apprentices. Every move she made and every word that came from her mouth felt like an embarrassment. Out of her depth and lonely, Quailpaw's apprenticeship was not a pleasant time for her. Unfortunately, after failing to pass her warrior assessment, it was extended for an even longer time.
As a young warrior, Quailfeather found herself floundering for a place to fit in. Lacking the skills to be a successful warrior, she considered often the idea that she could at least contribute to her clan through kits. Trying to be talkative enough to find herself a mate so she could be useful in some way became the young molly's focus. She was, understandably, incredibly unhappy. Things only got worse when her deceased mother visited her in a dream, not wanting Quailfeather to venture on the path she was on any further. The starry she-cat's news was not good. Quailfeather was unable to bear kits, in part due to her small stature. Her mother explained that Starclan had a plan for her, and that she could not give up. That no matter what her role was, the clan could always use care and love, whether it came from a medicine cat, a mother, or a warrior.
For a while, Quailfeather's heart ached. She became more withdrawn, more quiet, more lonely.
But eventually, things changed.
Quailfeather would leave camp alone daily to practice her hunting, and with time and persistence, improved greatly. She lacks the skills to be a great fighter, but as long as she has claws and teeth, she shall not allow DesertClan to go hungry. Now, the small huntress isn't so quiet. She's reserved, yes, but has an incredibly big heart and ears that want to listen. When the sun begins to go down, she will be there to hear how others' days went and to make sure no apprentices are staying up too late.
Sometimes, when she's feeling brave, the silver and white molly will visit the nursery. It no longer makes her heart ache as much as it used to. Slowly, that wound is healing. The kits make her laugh and smile in a way that is so bright and beautiful. They bring her so much joy.
Though her days as a lonely apprentice are far behind her, Quailfeather still struggles to make meaningful connections with other cats. Her inability to become a mother is her secret and her's alone. While she wishes with all her heart for a mate to love who will love her back, she fears the pain that she might cause that tom by being unable to bear him kits. Sometimes she fears that love is just one more thing that she is not meant to have.
Despite these things, Quailfeather is a friendly, gentle, kind cat. She harbors no ill will towards others, forgives readily, and is striving to live the best life she can.
She cannot heal bodies, but she strives to heal hearts. That is what Starclan intended for her.
Mate/crush: none, but is greatly enjoying her budding friendship with Scorchstar
Kits: none, infertile
