Perdix

PERDIX is Harling's perennial guest of honour. Like the element that twinkles in his eyes every time he smiles (he smiles often), Perdix drifts in and out of Rifter territory as the whim takes him. None can predict where or when he'll reappear. Only that he will.

He is a genteel and mannerly creature. You can tell by the way he moves his head slightly (ever so slightly) downward when addressed by his betters and the soft, curiously melodic tone of his voice (which is carefully sculpted so as to minimise the thickness of his coatli accent, and rich with terms of endearment and respect). He is gracious and self-effacing, and can never be said to be cruel or to speak out of turn. He will duck his head and smooth his neck ruff and smile sweetly and excuse himself at the first sign of aggression from anyone.

It is impossible to get a rise out of Perdix.

For this reason, few in the Flat trust him. The rest of his detractors mistrust him for other reasons entirely, though the most anyone has ever managed on the subject is, That one smells wrong.

Perdix keeps close to Harling while in residence. Indeed, he is seldom seen without her when moving through the County, and, if he is seen alone, it is never after sundown. He much prefers to lounge in Harling's apartments, curled up on some richly-embroidered pouf the Boss imported just for him, or else reclined indolently against a wall somewhere, eating exotic sweets and sipping something spicy and warm. He loves sweets. Sometimes it seems as though he subsists on nothing else.

He is a simple creature, he'll tell you, but he loves the indulgences afforded to him by being Harling's guest. Perdix may just as well wear cotton or burlap when abroad -- or nothing at all -- but on Rifter soil he wears gold and jewels and silks, because the Boss told him to, and who is he to disobey?

Only Perdix.

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IMPRESSIONS Soft and dainty, some might say almost prissy. He looks nearly immobilised by all the silk and jewels and strands of gold hanging off of his body, but he's as nimble as any serpent in the garden. His smile seems permanent, dreamy and distant. Only his eyes, pale green but sharp and intelligent, watchful, suggest a less indolent nature underneath all the glitter.

RELATIONSHIPS HARLING may just as well speak poured gold and holy scripture every time she opens her mouth, the way Perdix hangs on her every word. Which, not to mince words here, tends to creep most folks right out. Perdix adores Harling, and the feeling is mutual. No one asks whatall they get out of their arrangement. No one wants to know. KUTI is a fun friend and welcome distraction whenever Harling's too busy to pay attention to Perdix. Kuti knows how to party, and Perdix is always down for that. BURNET, a friend from another life maybe? Burnet certainly doesn't seem to think so, but Perdix has a peculiar fondness for the old ridgeback all the same. If nothing else, the piles of gold the old geezer curates make for wonderful lounging spots.

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