bumbleflower

tom / shoreclan / medicine cat / demiromantic

Mostly blind during the day - pupils remain dilated at all times - sees vague shapes and blurry colors - completely blind at night - distinguishes everything by scent/sound - has a slight limp in his back right leg - gets pain in his leg when it storms or gets cold - likes to lean against those he feels most comfortable with

Acorn___ / mother / senior warrior
Flood___ / father / senior warrior
Sand___ / sister / warrior
Cove___ / brother / warrior
Shell___ / sister / warrior

The smallest of his litter and the last to open his eyes, his mother knew he would be a late bloomer. Her concern for Bumblekit grew as the weeks passed on. His siblings complained about slow movements and poor accuracy while they played or about how he would take forever to find them during hide and seek. He lived up to his name with a wobble in his step, nose bumping into everything as he learned his surroundings. He frequented the medicine cat den to be patched up over falls or because he was quick to fall ill, and it became more apparent over time that his vision was nearly nonexistent. "You're blurry, momma," he replied when she asked what she looked like. He proceeded to list off a few colors and compared her smudge in his perspective to one of the other queens. He had been using their scent to distinguish between the two.

Bumblepaw did not fare better. He was assigned a mentor in hopes that he could learn to be a warrior, but one too many falls and a broken leg left him in the medicine cat den for moons. The medicine cat had already been considering taking him under the care since he was a kitten. His sense of smell was drastically enhanced to compensate for his failing eyes. They played a game with him to both pass the time and test his senses, in which they would randomly select plants, freshkill, and even other cats to see if he could distinguish between them. As long as he had encountered the scent before, he could accurately name every one.

They were able to convince the leader to leave Bumblepaw in their care, allowing his former mentor to take on another apprentice. His new studies were confined to the den, where he learned how to sort (his piles were sloppy, but no two herbs were mixed) and apply. Diagnosis came from experience, and anything that could not be easily pinpointed with scent or his limited vision was left up to questioning the patient or whoever brought them in. Practice makes perfect, and Bumblepaw was eventually able to apply salves and bandage wounds without assistance.

Once he was able to walk again (he still carries a slight limp in his back right leg, and it aches when it storms or gets cold), he was allowed to start his field studies. They slowly explored Shoreclan territory, finding every nook and cranny so he would know where every drop-off was and where certain herbs grew. They stopped at the border so he could memorize its scent, and his mentor warned him not to cross without escort from the other side. An additional warning was given to not get lost in unknown territory.

On the evening of the first half-moon gathering he was allowed to attend, they left early so they could make the slow journey to the meeting place. They stopped at every landmark to allow Bumblepaw to gather his bearings. By the fourth meeting, he was able to lead the way.

His siblings had long since become warriors by the time he received his name. Bumbleflower, a reference to his sweet nature and the affection that blossoms once he is familiar with another cat. He worked side-by-side with his mentor for a few more moons until they believed he was ready to truly take over their position. Satisfied, they retired to the elders' den.