Lalilly Turnup
Lalilly-Calthina-Sophia Turnup was not one for running. Her old and stout body made for little use in trying to keep up with her fellow chain mates, (especially without her walking stick.) Those thrice dratted slavers! The she-mouse flopped thankfully onto the ground when the first rays of light touched her weary face. Dorog and Jickador followed suit quickly and the trio rested. Lal was not the first to regain her breath, but she was the first to speak seeing as how the other two seemed preoccupied with looking about.
"Nasty little run in there, eh?" the she-mouse commented dryly. "I don't know about you two, but I'm a bit bogged down at the moment," she giggled at her own joke as the hamster and otter gave her incredulous looks. Humor was her defense mechanism against worry or fear, how could she help it? Since no beast seemed in the mood for wise cracks, Lal took a moment to assess her surroundings and self.
Her clothes were torn and ragged, her cane had been taken away, and her lovely bonnet had long since been lost to the mire of the swamp, but she still had her head, and to a Turnup, the best thing you can have is that lump sitting a'twixt your shoulders. "The most important thing you've got is yerself, Lally!" her father had always said… Well, that's what he always said when he wasn't ranting at her for her latest escapade in the settlement or Abbey.
Her surroundings echoed her clothing – ragged, splotchy and in need of a good dress down. Naked trees reached toward the sky while the only birds that sang their songs in the murky world were crows and thrush. All in all, it was certainly in need of a makeover, but unfortunately, (or fortunately perhaps…we may never know,) Lal had neither the tools nor the gumption to take on such a task as making a bog hospitable. Her chain mates, Roggie and Jicks appeared the worst for wear as well, though the hamster seemed as fierce as ever and otter strange.
"S'pose the chain isn't goin' to do us any good on our feet," Lal thought aloud. "Much as you fellas are swell company, I can't say I fancy bein' stuck on you for much longer." She looked about curiously, now what did one use to remove a shackle aside from its key?
Lalilly Turnup, an old mousemaid with an attitude, is chained to Dorog, a quixotic golden hamster, and Jickador Aldo, a jolly but devious otter. For full character biographies, follow the link on the author page.