Speckled Birch, the Open-Eyed

Speckled Birch earned their title for being perceptive and understanding of other cats’ plights and feelings. However, quiet and reserved, they don’t always know what to do with this information and can have trouble responding to the emotions of anyone but their closest friends. They are a calming and genial presence to many in the court, but few could claim to know them well. She has a bad habit of bottling up her own feelings to avoid troubling others.

Birch and their twin sister Aspen were inseparable from birth. Aspen’s more outgoing personality meshed well with Birch’s reserved manner, and they felt they could make up for each other’s weaknesses when together.  

When Windswept Aspen was invited to join the Council as a young warrior, Speckled Birch was happy to continue her duties as a regular warrior, supporting her more confident sister from the sidelines. However, her peaceful world was shattered along with the rest of the Court’s when Windswept Aspen chose to leave with Golden Tiger four moons ago. Speckled Birch longed to leave with their beloved sister, but their cautious nature kept them rooted to the spot, unable to leave the security of the life they knew in the Court.  

Recognizing the fact that Aspen often consulted with Birch about her opinions on Council matters, Midnight Storm appointed Birch to his new Council in their sister’s place. Birch accepted the position with outward gratitude, but they struggle to fill their sister’s pawprints, feeling like half of a cat without Aspen by their side. She’s determined to keep up a brave face for them and the rest of the cats who depend on her, but it can be hard to hide how shaken she still feels by her sister’s departure.