Coyotepaw

An orange-eyed, lilac ticked tabby she-cat with primal markings

Finally having grown into her body, Coyotepaw is turning out to be on the larger side, her developing muscle now clear beneath the small collection of kit fluff that still litters her body. Her lilac pelt still remains entirely ticked, though her legs and forehead still have the faintest remains of tabby marking. The lilac color of her pelt is a beautiful taupe – a greyish brown with an almost pinkish or lavender tint. The pinkish undertone of the lilac is more saturated on her nose and paw pads giving them a velvety brownish-pink color. Her eyes are a bright and vivid orange with an almond shape that stand out against her relatively sandy coat. She has a tall, large set of ears (similar to a coyote’s). Despite her short pelt, her tail has grown relatively plumed and fluffy.

Coyotepaw is an anxiety ridden young cat, constantly on watch, afraid that something might happen. She is a kind-hearted cat, but her anxieties often keep her quiet, with her just preferring to watch and analyse to make sure she is safe, and doing things right. She looks up to the adults around her, aspiring to be as confident and great as those teaching her, but she still yearns for her kithood with Belladonna and her siblings, no matter how much she appreciated Bravesong’s care. By nature Coyotepaw is a very affectionate cat. She loved to nuzzle and groom her siblings, greeting her mother with purrs and headbutts, but she now seems to simply give others respectful nods, scared she will disappoint someone or do the wrong thing. She finds herself quite attached to Bravesong, her foster father. She seems most relaxed around him, perhaps from gaining some trust over their moons in the nursery together. She still needs time to become more comfortable around the rest of the clan, though young Larchsong seems to be making a positive impact on the apprentice’s confidence.

Coyotepaw wants nothing more than to explore the world around her, but her brain keeps her grounded, following the rules and not straying towards danger. She wants to go out, and be free, but her fear keeps her frozen in place, perhaps for the better. She also tends to analyse things, never taking an impulsive approach. She takes her time to make decisions, though can sometimes get a little caught up on her own thoughts and forget that she was supposed to answer a question or make a choice.

• Born in the Moon of Running Prey (2020) 135

Coyote was one kit in a litter of four born to two cats who lived outside of the clans. The life was comfortable, tucked away in a quiet thicket out of reach from any troubles. Most of her time was spent batting fallen leaves or swaying tails, listening to the stories Belladonna would tell them, and sleeping tucked next to several other warm bodies. This was their normal until one day Belladonna would want to move away from the underbrush they lived in. While trying to follow her dame across a flat stretch of black hot rock, Belladonna was struck by a roaring beast that left her unmoving. Coyote was left too preoccupied trying to awaken her dame, trying to deny the reality of what had just happened, that she didn’t notice her siblings being moved off of the black top until it was her turn to be picked up. The almost familiar tom did not listen to her cries to let her go back to the body, instead taking her and her siblings to a clearing under four large trees where their fate remains unclear.

It was during this gathering that Coyote was picked to join ThunderClan, later being named Coyotekit. She was placed under the care of Bravesong, one of the clans young elders. She looked at him with wide, scared and confused eyes, primarily staying by his side throughout the entire rest of her kithood.

• Solace in the Dark (17LG'20)
• Thirsting for a Break (25CF'20)

Bravesong – Foster father

Name progression: Coyotepaw -> Coyote(something related to flowers or plants, due to belladonna) e.g blossom/bloom for her blossoming personality as she learns to handle her anxiety. Or something more bubbly like Coyotepounce