Poppysmoke

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, rather the preservation of fire.”

Scars, Injuries, etc: Small burn scars on his pawpads, the backs of his ears and the left side of his face from the side of his muzzle to beneath his eye (this is the worst burn and fur never grew back over the area, revealing warped black and orange mottled skin). His vision is impaired in that eye, though still holds sight, and the coloration is notably faded compared to the right.

Personality

Positive:

Attentive— Poppysmoke has an eye for detail. It’s what’s made him so good at his job. Any time a cat visits the medicine den they’re given his full undivided attention as he takes in everything about them. Their condition, their emotions, whether or not they’re being honest; and he uses that for the benefit of his Clanmates. Patient — Kits and apprentices are surprisingly well tolerated so long as they behave and he doesn’t appear to mind answering even the most inane questions. Even adults will rarely see him lose his temper and Poppysmoke never raises his voice.

Dedicated— Poppysmoke is the farthest thing from frivolous there is, and if anything his work seems to be his life. Indeed, the tortie point’s days are spent tending to his herb gardens; as this cat has quite a green thumb, brimming with knowledge concerning the area’s flora; or treating patients.

NEUTRAL: Outspoken— Poppysmoke doesn’t talk all that much, but when he does he expects to be listened to and he will make sure you hear him.

Morose — Poppysmoke isn’t quite what one might expect from a medicine cat; distant and elusive. There aren’t many cats who can claim they know this tom on a personal level. He keeps his Clanmates at arm’s length when it comes to closer relationships, but this doesn’t mean he shirks his duties or treats them flippantly. Quirky— The best way to get him talking is to ask about his garden, plants in general or the weather; as Poppysmoke claims, he can predict it through observing certain aspects of nature. Some cats might think he’s full of thistledown, but he’s quite insistent his forecasts are accurate.

NEGATIVE: Aloof— When Poppysmoke speaks his tone tends to come across a bit clipped. He isn’t one for small talk and is known to have a caustic tongue, but he isn’t entirely unkind. His naturally stone-faced expression likely doesn’t do him any favors, but he’ll rarely turn down some well-intentioned company. Abrasive— Some would say despite his low speaking tone and lack of an explosive personality that Poppysmoke doesn’t have the most welcoming bedside manner. He tends to be curt, to the point, and sugar coats nothing. This isn’t to say he’s cruel and patients can rest assured they can come to him with an issue free of judgement (well, most of the time), but he’s not the type to coddle.

Insomniac — Cursed with persistent, seemingly incurable insomnia; he’s prone to lapping up a few poppy seeds before retiring to his nest every night and tends not to be much of a morning cat as a result. His apprentice often has to nudge him awake once dawn arrives if not the first cat that requires his attention. Most assume he’s just a heavy sleeper. The majority of his Clanmates know it’s not a good idea to pester him unless necessary until he’s had a drink and spot of prey to rouse him further. It’s the only time he proves a bit needlessly tetchy.

HISTORY Smoke was born during a time of peace to Twilight and Sorrel, two aging cats who found love late in life and decided to start a family together despite the risks. Twilight bore only two kits, Smoke and his sister Rose, but they were healthy and, miraculously, Twilight had no issues during or after the birth; perhaps blessed by the plentiful resources and medicines at their group's disposal. Their kithood was fairly ordinary and uneventful, learning the customs and culture of their group without strife just like any other kit.

By the time Smoke was 14 moons old the colony had begun to quarrel. The growing conflict left the young tom feeling rather unsettled, and this only increased when his own sister became one of those dauntless voices. Rose believed they should be more proactive with claiming territory and guarding borders, and that the colony needed more staunch leadership. Despite her youth, it was clear Rose wanted to be that leader.

Things took a sour turn when Rose attacked another a colonymate after a dispute became heated, slashing the other cat’s face and leaving them with a permanent injury. Smoke rushed to the aid of the injured cat rather than his sister, an action that outraged Rose and nearly had her leaping on him next. She was chased from the community immediately after that, and never seen again, much to the grief of her family.

Upon his 24th moon, fire descended upon the forest; the flames ravaging through the territory and eating away just as many lives as vegetation. Smoke did what he could to help his tribemates escape, running back into danger more than once to help another cat along or drag them from the inferno. By the end of it his long coat was singed at the ends, his whiskers frayed, his pawpads and ears burned. Embers had fallen onto the left side of his face, burning away fur and causing permanent damage to his eye. For the 7 days the forest burned, Smoke went back every day to try and reclaim the lost, whether alive or dead; tending to the injured to the best of his ability and burying the dead.

Two moons after the colony began travelling in search of a new home several cats broke away from the group to try their luck elsewhere. Sorrel became one of those cats, claiming after losing so much they needed to find and reunite with Rose, putting their family first. Sorrel pleaded with Twilight to come with him, but she refused, standing by her son and those who chose to stay.

Eventually as the group travelled on looking for somewhere safe to call home it dwindled smaller and smaller until only Smoke and Twilight remained, and the world is a harsh place for two loners on their own. A coyote took his mother, and not longer after Smoke came upon HeatherClan. If only they managed to walk a bit further. Smoke settled in among the Clan by the time he was 30 moons old, taking on the name Poppysmoke at his request. The fire destroyed him, but it also made him, and it would seem the tortie point never wants to forget.

Despite the misgivings his name might give Poppysmoke has always been a talented healer with a lot to offer the Clan, outsider or not.

“Sometimes fear does not subside, And you must do what you will afraid.”