Pickle
Dr. Metalgesicht
NAME: Pickle
ROLE: Second Mate
PERSONALITY: Pickle is clever and mischievous with a playful spirit that both entertains and exasperates his crewmates. He's fiercely loyal to the Captain and crew, but has the attention span of a goldfish when something shiny or interesting catches his eye. His curiosity often leads the crew into unexpected situations - sometimes fortunate discoveries, other times comical predicaments. Pickle is the self-appointed morale officer, believing that a laughing crew is a working crew, though his tickle attacks and pranks sometimes come at inopportune moments. Despite his carefree attitude, he becomes surprisingly focused during storms or dangerous situations, revealing a dependable side beneath his playful exterior.
BACKGROUND: Before joining The Seahorse, Pickle was a dock cat surviving on scraps and small fish in a busy harbor. The Captain found him stowing away in a barrel of pickles (hence his name) during a supply run. Instead of tossing the thieving cat overboard, the Captain recognized Pickle's quick reflexes and climbing abilities as valuable pirate skills. Pickle proved his worth during his first week aboard by catching a notorious rat that had been stealing the crew's rations. His promotion to second mate came after he spotted a rival pirate ship through fog that no one else could see, saving the crew from ambush. Despite his current position of respect, Pickle still hoards small shiny objects in a secret spot behind the galley - old habits die hard.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Pickle is a scruffy, medium-sized raggamuffin cat with matted fur in various shades of gray and brown. His most distinctive feature is the perfect patch of white fur covering his right eye, creating a natural mask effect that enhances his mischievous appearance. His left ear has a small notch from an old fight, and his whiskers are perpetually crooked and uneven. Pickle's tail is unusually long and often twitches when he's plotting something. He proudly wears a small black pirate hat that's slightly too big and tilts to one side, secured with a piece of string under his chin. Around his neck is a faded red bandana that has seen better days, and he occasionally sports a makeshift belt fashioned from rope where he keeps small treasures and trinkets.
DIALOGUE STYLE: Pickle speaks with enthusiastic energy, often punctuating his sentences with purrs and occasional hisses when excited. He has a habit of using nautical terms incorrectly and making up colorful expressions on the spot. His voice rises in pitch when he's planning mischief, and he often ends statements with "aye?" seeking agreement from others. Pickle frequently interrupts himself mid-sentence when distracted by something interesting, only to pick up his thought several minutes later as if no time had passed. When telling stories, he exaggerates wildly and uses dramatic pauses for effect. During serious moments, his voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper, though he rarely stays serious for long. Common phrases include "Shiver me whiskers!", "That's the cat's pajamas, aye?", and "Time for a tickle attack, me hearties!"
