Dawnstep [NPC]

Born to Creamstripe and Fireclaw, Dawnkit was given the ever exhausting birthright of being a child from Fireclaw. The tom was strict and didn't want anything short of perfection for his kits. So when he was blessed with two kits- Dawnkit and Dusk-kit- he took to Dawnkit mostly as she was the stronger of the two. It was his hope to raise a brave warrior daughter out of her.

But Dawnkit always wanted to spend time instead with Dusk-kit and Creamstripe. Dad was strict. Dad was boring, just wanting to talk about fighting and hunting. Dusk-kit was funny! Dusk-kit wanted to play games and Creamstripe was so warm and loving. But that wasn't going to be for her. The more she leaned into her mother, the more Fireclaw drew her back.

Apprenticeship was welcomed at first until it turned out Fireclaw wanted to fight for the rights to mentor his own kit. Somehow, that worked out and she felt like her life was doomed looking at her father as her own mentor.

There wasn't time for games or goofing off. It was all about training. One had to be a firm, direct type to be a great warrior. To impress Rosestar, one had to be prepared for anything. Duskpaw was doing her best too but the siblings were falling apart. Duskpaw was downtrodden, forgotten by Fireclaw, and losing hope of regaining that connection with their dad. Dawnpaw tried to keep her sister positive but one day, she woke up to find her sister gone. Somehow, Duskpaw had snuck out in the middle of the night. Creamstripe, in her panic, rushed out after her daughter only to never be heard from again.

Dawnpaw had to go through her apprenticeship alone after that, left to assume her mother and sister had found a happy place beyond their borders. Perhaps among the barn loners. Fireclaw rarely let up, also upset but unable to show it through tears like she did. He was front line when she earned her name of Dawnstep and he was loud about his pride for her- until she spoke up before Rosestar to make her a caretaker. Fireclaw had no place to argue as Rosestar agreed to her request.

Fireclaw would end up dying later on leaving Dawnstep all alone. She didn't seem to mourn losing him and has since taken on a role she finds more agreeable to her wishes in life. Raising proud, upright warriors for BluffClan.

Watching the clan welcome all these incoming kits was something Dawnstep was proudest of. She had a chance to help them grow, help them survive. Teach them the history of their new home and offer them confidence when they timidly stood up to earn their apprentice names. Watching them become adults has been the highlight of her life. Yet watching them suffer through a series of losses is equally heartbreaking. Losing clanmates made many turn to internal fighting but Dawnstep took to praying to StarClan to find answers. Let others run around confused. She feels certain in her beliefs to know this won't last forever.

For a rare moment, she even earned an apprentice. Timberpaw turned to a caretaker life and though it was shortlived, Dawnstep offered all the information she could to the young one. Now, Timberpaw has earned her caretaker name of Timberskip. Life is confusing but knowing where you want to be in life doesn't have to be. Watching Timberskip realize it has given Dawnstep plenty to praise and brag about. The clan is turned upside down but the little things still deserve praise.