Mouse
From Changeling Venue
| Seeming | Beast Skitterskulk |
|---|---|
| Court | Autumn Court •••• |
| Freehold | The Gift of Iron and Twine (Sydney) |
| Player | Katie Harwood |
It was hard when I was born. Mam cussed and hated the cove that put me in her. Then one day, she chucked me out and was gone. But it was alright being alone- I didn't have to hark to no-one, an' was small enough to hide in the littlest places.
The street was nasty, as much then as it is now, but I could duck and jump and weave just fine, an' I wasn't a bad hand at going on the blab if need called. Dippin' into pockets, an' liberating things that shone and glittered got me by often enough that need didn't call very often. They called me a fine-wirer back then, and I thought much of myself as a lightfingered twirl.
It was cold and winter when I lost myself. I lurked in a part of town that I didn't often go to, and saw shiny things, bright coins and necklaces. I coulda eaten for a month off one of those, and found somewhere warm to stay, and kept the rushers off my back, least for a time.
But... I shouldn't have gone after those things. Everything became back streets filled with shadow, and doors from which the laughing came. It was almost like home, but darker and meaner, an' full of pricky thorns and dark things, and I could never find the right way to go. I hated it, and I hated them that took me there. They said I could keep the shiny I got, see what good it did me. I threw it away, 'cos it didn't do me no good at all. But it came back. Like it was laughing, too, breathing when it shouldn't an' makin' shadows where there should be none.
I stole to survive there, too. Stole minutes an' prayers an' silence an' bits of hope an' warmth an' sensation. In the end, I stole my way out. Theivin' got me into the mess, but it got me out, too, an' I ain't looked back.
Contents |
Overview
Aliases: Wee Lass, Bit, Girl, Mousie, Wee Queen
Real Name: Unknown by Changeling Society in general
Age: Appears to be in her late teens or early twenties
Concept: Street Rat, Mistress of Contracts
Entitlement: None as yet
Mask: Mouse is very small in her 'mortal' form, looking severely malnourished. She has dirty hair with all manner of paper and garbage in it, that could be brown or dark blonde, and dark eyes. She is usually dressed in several layers of torn, dishevelled clothing, and wears no shoes.
Mien: Mouse's Mien is also very scruffy, with small, dirty ears, a nose that should be pink, and whiskers. Her hands are slightly misshapen with rat's claws at the tips of her fingers, and her body is covered with patches of brownish-grey fur. She tends to squeak at random moments.
Mantle: Mousie always seems to trail pieces of dry autumn leaves behind her, and shed them from her hair. Over whatever she happens to smell like at the time is the scent of drying leaves, just touched by the first frosts of the colder seasons.
Character Information
You never see mice running towards the light. Not ever. D'ya ever stop to think why that is? They ain't dumb, wee little rodents like me. You should think about that before you start brayin' on about the light is safe and where everyone should stay.
Known History
Basic Timeline:
Early-Mid 1950's- Born in Darlinghurst
Mid-Late 1950's- Dumped on the streets
1964- Taken by Sayyid Tyrian and Principessa Varisa
2002- Returned to the streets of Sydney with her Motleymate, Mercutio, and is taken in byShivva and The Valkyrie. Joins the Winter Court. Met her mentor in contracts and mysteries, Shadow, the Darkling.
2005- Signs the Shareholder's Oath of Sydney. Begins forming her motley.
2006- Leaves the Winter Court, and joins the Autumn Court
Current Activities:
"I hid for a while, as, y'know, everyone what's smart does. But you can't find shiny things when you're hiding, an' if we understand these things that They let us get away with, then one day we can beat Them. But... not today. An' probably not tomorrow, either. An' that's OK. Hey, got your wallet!"
Mouse is currently serving the Autumn Court of Sydney, and the Freehold of Sydney as a whole, as a teacher about Contracts and things esoteric. If the Changelings of the Freehold require some more underhanded services, then they know who to ask
On a more every day level, Mouse takes care of the homeless of Sydney from within. She refers to them as 'her people', and regards them with a loyalty otherwise reserved for her Motley.
Background:
"When the Lady of the House danced wif 'er guests... 'er gowns were lined with moonlight, sharp as razors and unanswered prayers... an' sometimes... the black in her gown was old blood, but people din't talk about that, otherwise it might be yours."
Mousie only talks about her past tangentally, and very, very rarely about her Gentry and her time in Arcadia- only in whispers and squeaks.
Motley
The Motley has no name as yet, but occasionally refer to themselves as the 'Musicians of Bremen'
- Willow, Cleareyes Beast of the Summer Court
- Genevieve, Antiquarian Darkling of the Spring Court
- Mercutio, Truefriend Beast of the Winter Court
Allies
We can give you a new body, a new voice. You'll miss your parents, and the sun, but you could still sing...
- Benares - The pair have worked together to sort out issues of mutual benefit, and have maintained contact ever since
- Jonas - Jonas helps look after Mousie and Willow when they're not doing so well.
- Ratter, Mousie's Hedge Companion, is frequently seen with her and her motleymates. He gets referred to as Mouse's 'thinking-brain rat' (much like a seeing eye dog).
Enemies
So never kick a dog because he's just a pup- We'll fight like twenty armies and we won't give up! So you'd better run for cover when the pup grows up!
- Firebrand - Since before the Fairest's succession to Sydney, the pair have been at each other's throats, representing two polar opposites.
Character Inspirations
- Nobby Nobbs (and Death of Rats), The Discworld (PTerry)
- The Artful Dodger, Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens)
- George Cooper, Song of the Lioness (Tamora Pierce)
- Evvy, Street Magic (Tamora Pierce)
- Templeton, Charlotte's Web (E. B. White)
- Gavroche, Les Misérables- The Musical (Based on the book by Victor Hugo)
- Head Wolf/Abalone, Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls (Jane Lindskold)
- 'Rag and Bone', The White Stripes
Quotes by Mouse
"I know what I'm afraid of- if you don't, then you're fucked, ain't ya? Them what are afraid look, they see more, smell more, notice more. I may not be good at making you frightened of me, but the day you're looking over your shoulder, and you see Them coming afore everyone else, you'll thank me."
Quotes from Others
"You are a disgusting creature, Mouse! You want to call me a Loyalist, then say it to my face!" - Firebrand
"Mouse has such good bums" - Terry Ific
Rumours
- She defends her Motley with all of her heart, but what could a selfish creature such as her hope to gain from such dealings?
- What is the Great Autumn Court Plan she speaks of?
Contact Information
This character is based in Sydney, Australia, and is open to links and background ties, although, due to her nature, this may not always be possible. If you want to be tied in, please contact Katie Harwood
