Meet the Characters!
Giblet
Full Name: Giblet Paws Cat
Male Tabby. A tomcat, but a tomcat that belongs at Pemberley. Short white fur around the neck, coming together under the chin and then proceeding down the front of his chest makes it look like he is wearing a waistcoat. His paws are soft and white, like he is wearing gloves. He has long white whiskers, a pink nose and yellow/green eyes that complete this most dignified cat’s look.
Personality: Formal and reserved. Giblet has a propensity to complain and see the worst-case scenario. “You are annoying, please go away now,” would be a line you would hear from Giblet.
Giblet believes in rules and knowing one’s place. Where he got this world view is unknown because his beginnings were anything but easy. There is a Dickens-esque backstory to Giblet that will come out as you get to know him, though he hides it as well as any cat can. Giblet is incredibly devoted to his friends and would help them no matter the personal cost which would surprise you based on his constant complaining. The walls he has up are up defensive, masking a deep hurt.
Belle
Full Name: Belle-Belle
Female Black Kitten. She has lustrous short black fur, large soft yellow eyes, and black whiskers. Destined not to be a very large cat, but she is strong and confident—think Audrey Hepburn in her little black dress.
Personality: Happy and outgoing. “Let me help you with that,” is a line that you would hear from Belle most of the time.
Belle had decided that Giblet would be her best friend as soon as she met him. When she first came to the family, she was frightened of her new surroundings, however, that did not slow her down. She does not accept personal failure. She will keep at something until she succeeds and masters it. When she is on a mission, she is a little black tornado of energy. Be it climbing a book shelf or staring down a dog, she is eager to prove herself and to learn.
“And though she be but little, she is fierce.”
Helena, A Mid Summer’s Night Dream.
Mittens
Full Name: Mittens Saint-Saëns
Female Maine Coon. Long, soft fur with a multitude of colors. She is of imposing size, even for a Maine Coon. She keeps her claws razor sharp, however, she prefers not to use them. Given a choice, Mittens would like to work out a problem without violence, however, if the circumstance calls for it, Mittens could hold her own against a foe much bigger than herself.
Personality: Mittens is reserved, primarily because of her responsibilities. She is a part of an ancient society known as Protectors, and most of what can be said about this society is steeped in rumor and legend. She accepts her role with the seriousness you would expect. You might think after all that, Mittens would never crack a smile, but she does have a dry wit that emerges every now and then.
All the other animals, even those older than Mittens, respect her and acknowledge her as the leader and protector of the clowder and neighborhood. She is whip-smart and speaks English, French and Portuguese fluently.
“Uneasy is the head that wears a crown,”
Henry IV – Part 2
Joel Grey
Full name: Joel Grey Cat
Male, Russian Blue. A tomcat with thick, soft grey fur, black whiskers, and soft yellow eyes.
Personality: Joel is the oldest cat currently in the family clowder. He is 16 human years old and originally came from the deep West Virginia mountain country where he was known as “The Grey Ghost”. Mittens, Giblet and the rest don’t even know his nom de guerre as The Grey Ghost, but there is a story there and a reason why he had to relocate to Yankee Connecticut. Joel speaks slowly with a thick West Virginia accent that is more pronounced when he is under stress. No one knows where exactly Joel is from, it’s a mystery. Joel’s southern charm puts cats and others at ease, but despite his age, he is still crafty and enigmatic. Don’t let the sleepy eyes fool you; Joel is three steps ahead of most creatures he is dealing with, except perhaps Mittens.
McKayla
Full name: Lady McKayla
Female Tabby. McKayla lived to be almost nineteen human years old, and don’t even get her started on how old she was in cat years. McKayla was one of the first cats her Persons ever rescued. They found her as a kitten, soaking wet, under the car on a cold November night. The people took her in and she was their cat from then on.
Personality: McKayla was a very wise cat. Due to her long life and her propensity to read, she knew the answer to most any question that arose in the clowder. “Balance in all things” was her motto. Throughout her long life, she was always there for her Persons or any other animal in the house. Even though by the time Belle came along she had passed over the rainbow bridge, the power of her Qi is so strong that it might be possible for her to still have influence in this world.
Iko
Full name: Iko P. Pup
Female Australian Cattle Dog. Short tan and brown bristly fur. Not a big dog, only about 35-40 pounds, but she is incredibly strong, tough, and very quick. Her back legs are a little longer than her front legs, which allow her to leap very well, run very fast, and turn on a dime. Being a cattle dog, Iko is not afraid of animals much larger than herself.
Personality: Iko is always happy and exuberant and without pretension. As a puppy, she lacked self-control and left puddles around the house and chewed up things she shouldn’t have (Giblet is not a fan of this or any dog). She did not know cats before she came to the family and tried to play with them as she would with other puppies. That was a mistake that Mittens corrected very quickly and with finality. Belle has taken a liking to Iko and they talk often. Iko likes the cats she lives with and enjoys being part of the group.
Other Animal Characters
Atlas: A Female Great Horned Owl. As a Great Horned Owl, Atlas is large but is very graceful. She has lived in the area for a long time and is very wise. She and Mittens know and respect each other. Atlas acknowledges Mittens as a leader of the clowder and sometimes they work together. Atlas is Mittens’ eyes in the sky.
Luther: Male Great Dane. Luther lives in the neighborhood and knows the clowder. If he got up on his back paws, he would tower over a 6′ man. Despite his size, Luther is gentle and likes cats. But he can be menacing if the occasion calls for it.
Mac: Male German Sheperd. Mac was formerly a police dog in New York, Brooklyn specifically, before retiring to Connecticut. It has been said that Mac has a head the size of a horse with a bark that will rattle windows. Furthermore, he remembers all of his police training. Mac can be menacing without meaning to be. He is a good sport and likes being part of the community. He does not call Mittens by her full name but instead uses the nickname ‘Mitts’.
One Response
I am reading “The case of the missing ring” to a friend over the phone. He mostly likes military science fiction, but he is enjoying listening to your novel. Oh, and thank you for giving One Eye a new home.