Petaldance

***Spoiler warning:** Plot and/or ending details follow.**"...."*
**Petaldance** is a beautiful snow-white and cream flame-point molly with pretty blue eyes, one of which is partially blind and fully dilated at all times, it's stated to "look as though a clear blue, starry sky" were trapped inside. She has herbs from a Mental Medicine cat, seemingly medication, fastened to her tail. She is also referenced commonly to have curly fur. She has a scar that her neck fur covers on the side of her throat from her ex-mate, and a single, snaking scar between her shoulders (also covered by fur) that she received alongside her eye injury from her spat with Sharpsun. After accidentally killing a pink butterfly, she added that to her collection of accessories, placed in her chest fur. She wears 4 wilted oleanders on her head, replacing them whenever she has the opportunity to slip away into two-leg place.

## General Information

### Scent:

she has a very sweet mixed flower scent, with the most prominent of which being roses.

### Eye-Color:

Ice-blue, one of which is partially blind due to an injury she received as an apprentice. Her left eye appears partially dilated to those looking in.

## Historical Information

### Date Introduced:

7/20/22

**Petaldance** was born to Rosemarydream and Apricotsnooze, two clan cats. She served under Valleystar's and Dawnstar's Reigns. She was abandoned by her kin and former mate, and later shows up attacking a clanmate before being knocked out and picking up on an omen. She attempts to decipher the omen with Dawnstar after Lavendersnow refuses to acknowledge it. She is later involved in solving the mystery behind Sharpsun's murder, but is bribed to silence by the killer. She took part in the badger attack despite her injury, receiving a moon and a half of extra prey and extended leniency from patrols and training for her bravery. During the flood, Petalpaw once more showed intense bravery, saving Velvetkit's life. Due to this, Dawnstar offers for her to take her assessment early. Petalpaw succeeds by using a unique fighting move she'd made up, and is given a name to reflect said attack, becoming Petaldance. She was later given her first apprentice, Bloodpaw.

## Relations

Crush: Nutmegpaw

Friendships: Dawnstar, Cottonkit, Velvetkit, Magpiepaw, Nutmegpaw, Shard, Nettlespring, Wishwanderer, Halfdusk

Enemies: Sharpsun, Carrionsaunter

Mentors: Tauntingtear, Velourmoth

Apprentice: Bloodpaw

### Sharpsun

*"It had been far too much for Petalpaw, especially after the injury that had damaged her eye permanently. Her head felt better now, she wasn't having quite as much trouble with nausea, but she was having recurring headaches that made it difficult for her to train, let alone go outside. She felt exceptionally worse upon peering into the small pool that flowed within the confines of the medicine den, revealing to her just how much damage Sharpsun had truly done to her.* I hate him. I've never been so glad any cat was dead before.*"*

Petalpaw first met Sharpsun when she approached the tom to request a training session when her mentor wasn't available. Sharpsun obliges, and the two continue to talk. Petalpaw eventually grows smart with him and Sharpsun puts her in her place, though Petalpaw is petrified by this event and sees him now as an active threat. Petalpaw rushes away to the Grotto of Revision where Sharpsun follows her. She engages in an attack on the tom, ripping his pelt up considerably before she's bested, having her head crushed against a tree by him and receiving a permanent injury to her eye from the head trauma.

The tom is punished for Petalpaw's sake, and then later killed for her as well. When Petalpaw learns the tom is dead she is at first unsure how to feel, but she's openly expressing disdain about the situation from the moment she speaks to Decayingbelladonna about it. Out of her curiosity to learn who killed him alone she encourages Decayingbelladonna to join her to look at his body and possibly search the spot he'd died to look for clues on what may have happened. Petalpaw eventually unveils the mystery, learning that Decayingbelladonna had forcefully poisoned the tom to keep him from having another victim. She wants to stay loyal to her clan, but is easily swayed into keeping silent about it due to her own general distaste for the tom.

### Dawnstar

*"It felt natural for her, to be alone.*

*She'd spent a majority of her kithood as the only one in the nursery, since Valleystar's younger litter was kept in the Leader's den with her, upon losing her father, Apricotsneenze, she'd basically been alone in the nursery, with no cat having a second thought about her, unless it was to only briefly remember to bring her prey. Sadness had become customary for Petalpaw then, and she drew into it and nursed that sadness until it bloomed in her heart and seared out what little remaining joy the little kit had left. She'd been abandoned, she'd been forgotten. No cat cared about her anymore. All except for Dawnstar- then Dawnspark, the deputy.*

*She hadn't known what to think of her then, and even now, upon hearing everything her leader had been up to, she felt just as anxious and fearful of her as she had all those moons ago. But Dawnspark was anything other than a threat. Having had her kits apprenticed, the Bengal molly was often looking longingly at the nursery, as though she missed being cooped up in the lonely place, nursing and warming her kits. When Petalkit had come to her about what Apricotsneeze was doing to her- and by extension, because of what she'd noticed from the tom, Dawnspark was quick to take Petalkit under her large, comforting angelic almost wings...She'd swept her up and groomed her small face, wiping away salty, hot tears and replacing them with the warmth of a mother's ferocious love- something she'd only ever dreamt of, since she'd lost Rosemarydream so soon. Apricotsneeze vanished pretty quickly after that, and as sad as Petalkit got, Dawnspark was always there to tug her from the depth of shadows just before she felt consumed, reminding her of what it was to be a clan cat. Clan cats didn't run away from problems, she'd had to learn, so she toughed it out. Alongside her resolve strengthening, Dawnspark had even moved in with her, so she wasn't so lonely during the long nights of silence in the empty nursery. She scared off shadows, it was seemingly all she did. Her warmth brought a new light to Petalkit's life, something she'd been needing for so long. It felt so nice having her then."*

Petalkit met Dawnstar, then Layla when she'd visited the clan one time for a Festival, though they had little connection until the molly was deputy. As a kit struggling after her mother had been exiled and solely being raised by her abusive father, Petalkit was often left without prey brought to her and was left to sit in the nursery, alone, staring at a wall for hours at a time. Dawnspark, who began to notice her after this had happened several times, asked the young kit what was going on. Petalkit informed her that Apricotsneeze had been "grounding" her for being a playful kit, she explained to her that the tom found her annoying when she played any games. Dawnspark, who has noticed a tendency for the tom to leave the kit alone in the den for long periods of time on top of this, realizes that the tom was severely neglecting her. She tells Valleystar who takes this information and uses it to exile Apricotsneeze. Petalkit, who had not been allowed to leave the den, sat for hours until Dawnspark came to check on her. Petalkit is in tears after spending hours only sitting and waiting, and she runs to Dawnspark for comfort as soon as she sees her. Dawnspark, whose kits had already been apprenticed by that point, took Petalkit under her wing and was her sole caretaker until she was apprenticed.

Dawnstar stands up for Petalpaw when the molly speaks of an omen, fully believing her and allowing the molly to curl up next to her in her nest. When she grows ill Dawnstar does not show any anger towards her, instead showing concern as she returns her to the care of the medicine cats. They have several interactions together, sharing casual conversations in passing and being implied to check on each other oftwb.

She is implied to have been very close to her throughout her life, though she never shared the trauma she had with Talonpaw with her, she still appreciates what Dawnstar has done for her to this day. She has a very strong bond with her, and she sees her as the best a cat can everr possibly manage to be. She respects her and looks up to her, and is implied to be so loyal to the molly that she'd do anything to repay her for the comfort the showed her as a kit. Though Dawnstar had never told her what had happened to her father, Petalpaw doesn't much worry herself with it anymore, as she sees Dawnstar as more of a parental figure than her parents had ever been.

## Interests

*Likes*

She has been specifically pointed out to be incredibly fond of oleanders, and she sought after them strongly since all of the plantations of the flower in clan territory has been destroyed. She's easily tempted by the flower, and has in the past been easily swayed when presented with them in exchange for her silence. she loves flowers, any type. she enjoys a neat and organized space, and she enjoys decorating. she spends a lot of her time planting flowers while not training for the medicine cats and or picking them to lace into the camp walls. she likes to listen to cats talk about her, positive or negative, kits/young apprentices, being able to help cats (in anyway she can), the color pink.

*Dislikes*

## Skills/Faults

*Skills*

she has a steller memory, and because of this can take on multiple tasks at a time successfully. she has a high pain tolerance, and doesnt react much to being harmed. She usually can shrug off most minor scratches or sprains, with larger wounds infuritating her and rapidly weakening her, though she'll continue to work until she passes out if necessary. she works up a tough exterior, making it feel almost impossible for cats to break in and really get to know about her. though the cats that do know about how she really is describe her as heroic, selfless, and endlessly giving to those she trusts and genuinely cares for. she's quite fast, and a very determined learner. she'll practice constantly on her own, unless asked to do so by a cat she doesn't respect. the only time she picks fights is ones she knows she can win. she'll back down if she's not confident in her skill to best the enemy. she's not stupid, and actually has quite the head on her shoulders. she's realistic, and doesnt seem to stretch far off from realistic outcomes. she makes plans before doing anything, always hesitating before jumping into dangerous situations. she'd rather keep her name clear, and so she often refuses adventures unless she feels it's necessary, a cat she enjoys spending time with is there, or if she believes the cats involved need protecting. she's mothering to those she's protecting, and very careful when choosing words to comfort cats as to manipulate them into possibly feeling better about themselves.

*Faults*

she has major trust issues when it comes to toms, and she seems to stiffen when any come near her, as if expecting something to happen to her. she has a tendency to generalize the opposite sex into stereotypical assumptions, even if she's blatantly proven wrong. she's unusually sarcastic, and quite cold to those she has something against. she has a tendency to faint, and she speaks somewhat quietly, making it quite difficult for her to tell cats things without them asking her what she said multiple times. she tends to become irritable quite quickly, and many cats seem to never be able to break her from her outer shell she built up to keep them out. she's incredibly disrespectful at times, mainly to her own denmates but often to older cats who have an opinion on her. she speaks her mind, and doesnt have much of a filter when she opens her mouth. she doesn't consider her position in the clan as anything serious, and takes it for granted constantly. she's been known to get in physical altercations with cats after she refused to stop talking in a way they found disrespectful. she likes to irritate cats for her own amusement at times. she also has been known to take traits from cats she enjoys, morphing her own personality for better or for worse. she's prone to toxic relationships, and though she recognizes the red flags with ease, if a cat happens to sink their claws into her pelt without her realizing it it would be nearly impossible to break her free. she complains consistently if she doesn't wish to do something or if she's in pain. she can swim quite gracefully but she's horrified of water, and she can't seem to handle heights. she is scared of the dark, and is very careful when padding into it, as if she expects danger to lurk around every corner. she has a very poor sense of direction, and tends to get lost. she's very sensitive if cats know what gets under her skin, and its not uncommon to see her overwhelmed to the point of tears, yet she usually is able to hold a stable front, for the most part. she's incredibly hindered by her mental illness, finding it very difficult to pull together enough energy most days to work. shes somewhat of a hopeless romantic, and she dedicates herself heavily to any relationship she's in, using most of her energy to do what ever nice things she can manage to do, whether it be surprises, gifts, or even doing tasks to ease the load off them, making it incredibly easy for whoever has caught her eye to take advantage of her.

## Personality

she's often described as an old soul, and shes known to be manipulative, bordering villain-like in her output. she doesn't seem to put herself before any other cat, but she'll find ways out of doing things with ease. due to her striking appearance, she usually just expects cats to only be staring at her markings rather than seeing her, which has made her rather bitter with life and her clanmates. she is very selfless however, and hardly spends time doing anything for herself while she'll go miles and miles for her clan mates if they asked her. Despite this, she's not exactly loyal. She's obedient to authority, and prefers to keep her muzzle clean of anything that may lead to confrontation. She doesn't like to put herself in situations she cant thoroughly and easily get herself out of. she loves to gossip, and she spends a lot of her time chatting up cats to try and learn more about them for her own amusement, though she only seeks out cats when she has a reason to do so. she's a sweet-talker, and will smoothly talk her way out of whatever situation she may be caught in. she also uses this to her advantage when asking cats for things, usually getting her way quite simply. despite all this, she is a truly considerate cat. she's down to earth and very gentle, her touch similar to that of a light breeze. she's one to argue and complain, and she's very strong minded, refusing to back down from her opinion once she's set her mind to it. she'd never raise a claw to a clanmate, unless she was cornered into doing so. she'd rather take several beatings from a cat before she defends herself depending on the cat. if she's wronged, she will never forget. she's known to keep grudges for moons, never hesitating to remind whomever she's mad at of their misdeed if she believes she can get an apology or work done from it. she doesn't use anything she learns against other cats though, and she's more of an information gatherer. she enjoys when people trust her enough to open up to her, and she usually takes this as a good sign and will be more friendly with cats who are straight forward with her. she's cunning, and easily can spot changes in body movement/facial expression that may indicate a change in her companion's demeanor. she's not one to continously bother cats unless its amusing to her. she doesn't seem to feel very strong emotions due to the pain gathered within her. she spends most of her day silently observing others or laying in her nest. it takes a lot of encouraging to get her out of her nest once she laid in it, finding it difficult to wake up each morning. shes very neat and organized, and usually doesn't have a problem with cats mixing up her stuff, though she is one to confront those who do. she's seemingly lost hope for her future, and she pads through each day without a single thought of where she'll end up once she's older, believing full-heartedly she won't ever make it to that point to begin with. she hyper fixates on things she enjoys if she can squeeze any amount of joy out of it. once cats get to know her, she's all bark no bite. she's one to work herself to the brink of exhaustion to keep her own thoughts from consuming her. she'll bend over backwards to please some cat, and she's one to take great sympathy on younger cats. she's a lot more likely to soften up to kits and young apprentices rather than adults, as she believes she can see the purity in them. she'd love to become a mentor, it being one of her biggest dreams to be the protector and guide of a young cat. she falls very hard for cats she likes, and never seems to fall out of it.

## Detailed History

*Valleystar's Reign*

Petalkit was born to Rosemarydream and Apricotsneeze, an aspiring Nurse and a Tunneler. Rosemarydream was insistent on the position of Nurse, and used to feed Petalkit information about the tom that she could later use to force her daughter into the position. She fled after being suspected of Twilightplume's murder though, abandoning Petalkit with her father at only four moons old. She was mistreated by her father, and later began to act out because of the abuse. She began to grow worse and worse as her father became physical towards her, and Petalkit was convinced into confessing about everything she'd been through to the deputy at the time, Dawnspark. She exiled the tom and she began her treatment under Halfdusk and Lavendersnow. She later found that her parents had reunited outside the clans and gave birth to a tom who looked just like her. She was furious, and attempted to rescue him from her horrible kin, but she was caught and chased by Apricotsneeze. She fled through the Farseer's Mantle where the tom was intercepted and killed by a dog. She later returned to the clan, traumatized. She fell in love with a tom named Talonpaw, and despite all she did for the tom he later abandoned her to become a kittypet. Petalpaw became severely depressed after this event, having lost every cat she'd ever had in her life because of them abandoning her.

*Dawnstar's Reign*

Petalpaw is first referenced stealing a hare from Carrionsaunter, and taking it to the nursery to share with the kits. She meets Cottonkit, and the two play and eat, she asks the kit where her sister is, and eventually the small kit returns, though she seems saddened. She tells them she snuck out of camp tracking Lavendersnow, and the molly caught her. She doesn't explain anything else, other than that the Nurse had become frustrated with her and forced her to come back home. Petalpaw comforted her and played with the set before she slept in a spare nest in the nursery. Acacialight later thinks about her in reference to missed training sessions as well with her general dismissal of the attention needed for the job, she references Petalpaw as the only cat that consistently needed treatment as far as she was aware, missing training sessions in place for the treatment she'd have been receiving. She is later referenced to have flowers- bundles of Mental Medicine Cat herbs-fastened to her tail. Decayingbelladonna thinks of her, referencing the molly as well to be very consistent in the medicine den.

When the Tourists are escorted from camp, Dawnstar approaches her and they share a conversation about goodbyes before the leader helps the molly finish cleaning the remainder of the petals left behind from the event. Later in the day, she is seen stressing about falling behind in training due to her mentor being busier lately, so she seeks out another Sentinel to ask if they can take her. She meets Sharpsun, waking him. The tom is curt with her instantly, and Petalpaw acts submissively, apologizing and repeating her request; she wishes to be taken out of camp. She implies she needs supervision in case she's hurt rather than a cat to guide her paws. She is shown to be noticably frightened of the tom. Sharpsun accepts, and begins to ask Petalpaw questions about her mentor, which she answers quickly. She introduces herself to him. The molly acts somewhat fluidly, changing from sour to skittish and back again depending on how Sharpsun was reacting. He noticed and did not like this, growling commands at her and cupping her chin to force her to stare at him. Once she was dropped, Petalpaw grew frantic, terrified by the display. The molly flees to the territory, padding away from him without another word.

Petalpaw retreats to the Grotto of Revision, though she hides in the overgrowth upon hearing that Sharpsun had followed her. She climbs a tree, fixing to fight the tom for how he'd scared her, fueled entirely by her fear and rage over the situation. She yowls at him before she comes to the ground, attacking him with claws unsheathed. The two wrestled only briefly before Petalpaw was blinded with debris, Sharpsun grabbed her by the scruff and slammed her head against a tree.

Petalpaw immediately fell unconscious. She seens an omen in this instance, indirectly picked up when the weak signal had been sent by Starclan. She sees a field of fresh flower-buds that bloomed as she padded towards them, though as soon as they'd blossomed they wilted, the whole meadow she'd been in dying before her. Black covered the sky and darkness cloaked the land, and she was given a message from a black molly with defined cheekbones, this was before the molly blinked as if she suddenly could see who she was speaking to, quickly fading away the vision as she burst into a murder of ravens.

Petalpaw was drug back to camp by Sharpsun, and the two were first seen by Lavendersnow, who seemed furious about Petalpaw's condition at her arrival. She's careful with the apprentice's fragile damaged body and begins to start treatments for her immediately. She makes Sharpsun explain, but she doesn't accept a lick of what he says. Lavendersnow instructs Decayingbelladonna to keep Petalpaw awake as she looks for Dawnstar, informing the medicine cat that the apprentice has a concussion. Decayingbelladonna helps fasten new flowers on the apprentice's tail as Petalpaw begins to plead about her vision, begging for her clanmates to listen to her. When Lavendersnow returns, Petalpaw starts up again. Lavendersnow encourages Decayingbelladonna to get the information out of her, as she repeats over and over again that she'd "seen something horrible." Petalpaw explains, but Lavendersnow grows furious. She stops treating her and begins to go on about the punishments Petalpaw could recieve if she was lying about speaking for Starclan. Petalpaw is upset, begging to know if Decayingbelladonna at least believes her. The molly tells her she does, though Lavendersnow scoffs at the whole situation, insulting her. The trio decide to wait for Dawnstar before they decide on anything. Lavendersnow leaves Petalpaw with half-chewed herbs stuck to her pelt, leaving her to fester without treatment.

Dawnstar rushes in as soon as she'd caught wind of the situation, quickly padding to Petalpaw's aid. As soon as she enters, Lavendersnow has prepared a whole argument, battering the Bengal with it as soon as she steps in the den. Dawnstar eventually manages to silence her after several attempts, taking Petalpaw and Decayingbelladonna to her den to further discuss what Petalpaw had seen.

Petalpaw encourages Decayingbelladonna to speak for her. She'd explained the whole vision to her in detail earlier, she wanted the molly to repeat it to Dawnstar in case Petalpaw messed up the story, due to her head trauma. For a reason unknown to Petalpaw however the molly is unable to follow through. Petalpaw attempts to speak for herself but makes herself sick overthinking. Dawnstar tells them to put a pin in it, they'd return to it later. Petalpaw is upset by Decayingbelladonna, and keeps this grudge as she returns to the medicine den where she is treated properly by Peachpurr, before the molly comforts Petalpaw and she rests against her, sharing a nest with her for comfort.

Petalpaw later appeared after Carrionsaunter returned to camp without his patrol, he informs Dawnstar, who comes to greet him just outside the medicine den, that Sharpsun was found dead on the Heather Plateau. Dawnstar dismisses this, and Carrionsaunter requests to know if the molly even cares that he was dead. She shrugs him off, implying she didn't find the tom valuable before she stalks off. Petalpaw eavesdrops on the conversation between Decayingbelladonna and Carrionsaunter before the tom stalks off. Petalpaw pads up to her, asking if the medicine cat is feeling alright. The molly confirms she is, asking a similar question to Petalpaw. Petalpaw tries to push to get her to speak, and she says she feels fine besides a blurriness in the eye of the side of her head she'd been injured on. It's confirmed here that she has a permanent injury to it, her vision is blurry in that side of her face and fuzzy, though it's not blind, at least not completely. The two conversate before Petalpaw requests Decayingbelladonna help her sneak from camp, implying she intends to want to see the body for herself. Decayingbelladonna accepts, and the mental medicine cat helps her sneak out of the medicine den, heading towards the Heather Plateau to search for Sharpsun's body.

The two eventually found him and, after a quick body inspection yields no results, Petalpaw begins to check above ground, noting a struggle with the way the grass is torn. Decayingbelladonna alerts her to berries lain out by a bush, saying the tom must've been poisoned. Petalpaw is surprised by this, asking what the herb was. Decayingbelladonna identifies the herb as foxglove, and Petalpaw accepts this information at the time. They are forced to flee from the territory when Decayingbelladonna implies she can hear a patrol coming. They try to flee together, though with Petalpaw's worsening sight she manages to peel off in a different direction, landing at the edge of the border to the Heather Plateau, where she is pounced on by a loner.

Petalpaw, realizing she is in no condition to fight, exclaims she isn't a threat. The molly lets her go and Petalpaw introduces herself. The molly is appreciative of how polite she is, introducing herself in turn. Over a brief series of questions Petalpaw eventually manages to get the information from the loner, who resided herself as Achlys, that she'd seen Sharpsun's body, not only that but she had been there when the tom was killed. Petalpaw is surprised and slightly suspicious, but she encourages her to tell the story. She tells of meeting three cats on the moors, explaining that one she'd met afterwards and the two others had included Sharpsun, who was force-fed the poison. Achlys explains she fled after that, running into a white tom who she explains she suspected may have been the killer, quickly getting away after that and presumably somehow being led to meeting Petalpaw. Petalpaw believes the molly to be greatly distressed by this and she leans in to comfort her. Achlys points out to her that the poison used was not foxglove like she'd believed, but instead deadly nightshade, she also explains of how she'd come to find the Heather Plateau to begin with, following a trail of the herb left behind by whomever the culprit had been. Through the process of elimination and an unfortunate number of circumstances lining up, Petalpaw begins to suspect Decayingbelladonna, believing the molly had tried to redirect her attention with the foxglove, as she states berries do not grow on that herb, and its rather their seeds that are poisonous. Petalpaw thanks her for all the information she's freely given. Achlys requests to join, but Petalpaw is reluctant, worried about the loner's safety. Instead she chooses to lead the molly to Silkatar's Fall where she gives the molly shelter, promising that she will return once she finds the culprit to bring her to meet Dawnstar.

Petalpaw begins to head back to camp, running into Decayingbelladonna on the way. She's ecstatic to see her, though due to the weight of everything she seems to prefer silence despite Decayingbelladonna's attempts at jokes. The molly grows self-conscious when she tells Decayingbelladonna that she'd met a loner, and the mental medicine cat asks her if she was pretty. Decayingbelladonna, realizing she isn't in the mood due to her blunt replies, stops attempting. Petalpaw senses she's upset her and she apologizes, explaining that she's had a really bad day and she's tired. Decayingbelladonna pads along in silence before stopping them just before they've tread on the moors. Taking nightshade from behind her ear, she presents it to Petalpaw, revealing herself as the cat who murdered Sharpsun.

Petalpaw is numbed by this upon hearing it as if the information she'd gathered already had made this a stroll through the forest in comparison. She states simply that she had a feeling, asking if the molly was going to kill her now for what she knew. Decayingbelladonna, surprised, says no. Petalpaw goes on about how Starclan will punish her eternally for her crimes and, despite believing the molly to be against her, Decayingbelladonna breaks down and begins apologizing. Petalpaw let's her explain her side of the story, listening as she was told that Decayingbelladonna had killed him because of what he'd done to her. Despite her struggle to be righteous about the situation, she finds herself comforting Decayingbelladonna, and agreeing with her sentiment that the tom needed to be taken care of. She tells her though that they'd need to share this news with Dawnstar. Decayingbelladonna refuses, much to Petalpaw's confusion, as she believes Dawnstar would do no harm to any of her clanmates. She's about to pad off, ignoring her pleas when Decayingbelladonna presents her a bribe in the form of oleanders, the poisonous flower that she'd been seeking out for a majority of her life. Petalpaw is hesitant but, seemingly looking for an out to keep herself from feeling guilty when she held similar feelings, accepts this. She takes advantage of the situation and requests a bundle, requesting them by night if she's to keep quiet. The two shake on it, and share a word about keeping Achlys safe before returning to camp.

Petalpaw returns to her nest, nestling the pink oleander behind her ears.

**Moon 2**

After the time-skip, Petalpaw is described to have flourished alongside her clanmates with the influx of prey awarded to them after the badger attack, due to overhunting. She's grown considerably since then, but has also grown self-conscious in the eyes of her clanmates. She seeks out Dawnstar to speak of the omen she'd been given, and the pair share a pleasant conversation with Dawnstar comforting the young molly as she contemplates on Dawnstar's stance on her, considering their history together. She asks to share the vision and Dawnstar accepts, the pair take some time to interpret it together before the whole scenario grows too uncomfortable for Petalpaw, who inquires about being dismissed. Dawnstar lets her go and prompts her to eat. She takes a canary, but grows wary once more when in sight of her clanmates. She delivers the piece to Ceciliazeal as she rests in her den, completely missing the kits sneaking out of the nursery due to her partially blind right eye. She exits camp in a rush and begins frolicking in the Tall Grass immediately outside camp, before she catches sight of a butterfly. Instinctively hunting it, she accidentally kills the thing and breaks down over it harshly, only to be interrupted when Nutmegpaw bowls her over playfully. Upon realizing the younger apprentice is upset, Nutmegpaw prompts her to share, and Petalpaw describes her frustrations with Sharpsun and Decayingbelladonna, and her hatred over both of them over the matter. The two spend time together following that, leading to Nutmegpaw eventually seeing a vision of the upcoming flood, albeit unknown to them at the time. Petalpaw tries to get her to talk about it, but the pair are interrupted by Velourmoth, who sends them home.

She later appears during the flood, and although she isn't injured, she does struggle. Finding Velvetkit's limp body floating, Petalpaw risked her life to save Velvetkit's own, barely managing to escape the flood. She was recognized for her bravery following this, and was given the chance to take her assessment a moon early. Petalpaw accepted and quickly won, beating Carrionsaunter by using a unique fighting move that had never been done before. Due to this feat, Dawnstar gave her the name Petaldance, and also gave her her first apprentice, Bloodpaw. This was a short-lived enjoyment however, as immediately after her success, Carrionsaunter explained the death of Tauntingtear, her first mentor. Petaldance is very upset following this, heavily grieving the tom.

She later appears in a training session with Bloodpaw. She grows increasingly upset with her after Bloodpaw shows her blood-thirsty nature, aiming for Petaldance's throat despite the otherwise harmless session. Furious and frustrated with her, Petaldance cuts the session short, and takes Bloodpaw home to have her punished by Dawnstar.

*See Also: Petalpaw's Replies*

## Detailed Appearance

she is a short, small, short-furred molly. she has a small head with a muzzle that follows the same pattern, her ears are short and curved at the tips, creating a C shape rather than a narrow point. she has soft cheeks, a narrow bridge, and a high browline. her eyes are narrow and quite small, with consistently slit pupils. her eyes are a foggy, pale blue in coloration, her face defined by a flame mask that stripes from her forehead and under her eyes in a wave-like motion. she has down-feather soft fur that is generally quite soft, though not glossy due to her pale coloration. her fur is still as white as a newborn kit, as she keeps it very clean and neat. she has a long neck, a soft, round chest, and narrow, small shoulders. Her legs are quite short, and the length of her body is also weak. she has wide hips and large haunches, the back of which is tufted with curled fur. her hind legs are strong, well-muscled, and even, with a long tail with a white tip. Her tail is thick, though not plumy, more like a snake with her same facial patterns. she has small paws, with long pearly white claws embedded within them. her pelt is deepened with ginger hues along her ribcage and across her upper back, as well as hinted somewhat on her haunches and sides, fading back into white for her soft belly. she has long pearly white, pink-tinted whiskers.

### Scars gained

The following is a compilation of chronological scars/major injuries that Petalpaw has recieved;

* Gash in the side of her neck caused by her ex-mate Talonpaw, received during an argument.
* Long slice at the base of her shoulders, caused by her spat with Sharpsun.
* Concussion that lead to her becoming partially blind in her right eye, as well as permanently dilating it, from her spat with Sharpsun.

## Kin

Mother: Rosemarydream

Father: Apricotsneeze

Former Mate: Talonpaw

## Trivia

* Due to empty nest syndrome, Dawnstar took in Petalkit after the exile of her father, becoming almost a mother to the small kit, but she never formally adopted her. Petalpaw continues to think of Dawnstar as her mother to this day, and she considers herself part of the Bengal's royal family.

## Quotes

*What's that matter? What use is a hallucinating apprentice, anyway?...That's right, curl up right into mama's belly like you always do. How do you still drink milk at 10 moons old?...I'm not-! What?*

-Petalpaw's sel deprecting thoughts ter the incident with Lvendersnow.

*"This young apprentice has been dragged in here after being unable to defend herself in a battle* she *caused by attacking an older, more experienced, and most of all a stronger clanmate...She has gone on to your mental medicine cat about how she's scared about something she saw, and she goes on this whole spiel about some omen she saw, or prophecy or whatever. However- as the sole interpreter* for *these signs and visions, I do not believe in the legitimacy of any of these claims, and for each of the reasons following. One;...This apprentice speaks of a* Starclan cat padding up to her and speaking. *When was the last time a Starclan cat has* spoken *to you in a vision? The only ones I've gotten have been completely silent. Do you disagree with on behalf of my interpretations of the word of Starclan? Second; the way she described the blackness...'Like the sun and sky were consumed as well?' Doesn't that sound a lot like succumbing to the head trauma you* clearly *posess? And finally..."*

-Lavendersnow's rehearsed argument against Petalpaw's vision, spoken to Dawnstar.

*"I said* enough. *I've heard plenty already. You did not see some* sign, *and you're not some little prophet apprentice that sees special signs from our ancestors."*

*"You see Starclan tonight? Ask them, then. See what they say to you."*

*"You know Starclan does not give clear answers. You know as much as any cat in this clan that's the case...What are you trying to* do *anyway?...Scare your clanmates?"*

*"I was-"*

*"You* were *trying to scare your clanmates after a successful festival."*

-Conversation between Lavendersnow and Petalpaw about her first vision from Starclan.

*"She'd been so beautiful once, her curly fur like plumed petals against her soft, round-cheeked face as it cupped and swelled out from the rims of her cheek and jawbones, amounting in mass just beneath her rounded ears. Her pretty markings still stayed the same, as did her fur-texture, but her eye was weird to look back at now- she wasn't surprised cats had been giving her such strange looks now. It was dilated constantly, a void shadow in the depths of her orbs but simply on one side. It was filled with cosmic energy- it sparkled in sunlight and danced with complex colors, shimmering and fading into shades of blue until it looked as though the sky itself were trapped within her skull. Her gaze was fuzzier on that side now, too- now that it had begun healing. She struggled to see things that were far away from her unless she sealed that eye, making it a strain to catch a glimpse of prey anymore, or even to peer up at the Tall-Rock for meetings. So, she'd started to isolate, just as she had when she was a little kit."*

-Petalpaw's self-conscious thoughts about her appearance following her injury.

## Links

Theme Song/Voice Claim

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*End of spoiler warning*