A field guide to the residents
The Garden is home to cats, creatures, curses, experiments, and several things that refuse to be properly identified.
Most are friendly. Some are even harmless.
The Mastermind
Usually foundElla’s Cave · wherever the best sunbeam happens to be
No one remembers exactly when Ollie began arranging the Garden’s little accidents. He rarely causes trouble himself. He simply places the right idea in the right head, waits patiently, and watches everything go terribly wrong.
Ollie insists this is coincidence. He has been practicing that expression of complete innocence for years.
The Elder · Keeper of Thresholds
Usually foundThe cave beneath Ollie’s favorite perch
Ella-Boop is ancient, powerful, territorial, and deeply inconvenienced by nearly everyone around her. She refuses to discuss her age, although she occasionally complains that certain stars were brighter when they were young.
She complains about Ollie constantly, too—but would bend reality itself to protect him.
Tiny Menace · Big Ambitions
Usually foundThe Bird Feeder Watchtower
Sammy established headquarters above the Garden after deciding someone needed to monitor the bird feeder. He remains alert for enemies, conspiracies, and suspicious seed activity.
Beneath the stitched mask is a tiny squirrel with enormous confidence and absolutely no sense of proportion.
The Impeccable Host
Usually foundThe Reservation Garden
Nibbles believes good manners matter most when circumstances become uncomfortable. He offers every guest a warm welcome, a properly prepared table, and impeccable service.
His appetite is unusual, but his manners are flawless—and he finds it rather rude when visitors dwell on the distinction.
Tiny Vampire · Very Large Opinions
Usually foundThe Night Soil & Coffin Bed
Earl claims descent from a distinguished line of nocturnal aristocrats, although no one has successfully verified the family records.
He has no patience for disrespect, no interest in discussing his meals, and no reflection whatsoever.
The Curse Has Terrible Timing
Usually foundHowl Hollow
Steve is a proud and imposing wolf burdened with a deeply humiliating curse. Whenever the full moon rises, he becomes a furious little Chihuahua.
What he loses in size, he gains in volume, destruction, and determination to be taken seriously.
Rooster Genius · Results Pending
Usually foundThe Root Cellar Laboratory
Dr. Banty is a brilliant scientist who believes nearly everything can be measured, improved, engineered, or brought back to life.
His experiments do not always behave as intended, but Banty considers explosions and mutations valuable data.
Big Heart · Small Meow
Usually foundThe Root Cellar Laboratory
Victor began as Dr. Banty’s most ambitious experiment and quickly became something much more like family. He is gentle, curious, affectionate, and almost entirely unaware of his own size.
Victor looks intimidating until he opens his beak and says, “Meow.”
Keeper of Sweets · Something Else When Hungry
Usually foundThe Church Nook
Penny learned to bake because she believes nearly any problem can be made a little better with something sweet. She keeps her favorites in Penny’s Book of Sweets.
Unfortunately, something strange happens when Penny becomes truly hungry. No one likes to mention the missing furniture afterward.
The Garden Remembers
Usually foundThe Hedges and Stone Wall
No one knows how long Gus has watched over the Garden. Some believe he was its first caretaker. Others suspect he was already standing there when the Garden began.
No one sees Gus arrive, leave, or move. Ollie can fool nearly anyone. He has never managed to fool Gus.
The Pristine Traveler
Usually foundA guest of the Reservation Garden
Basil is a refined traveler from an unusual aquatic family. Her most famous relative is her cousin, the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
She travels with an antique water jar whose reflection does not quite match the Basil standing beside it. Basil prefers that nobody look closely.
The Precision Stylist
Usually foundWherever corrections are required
Sweeney grew up in New York City, where she developed a sharp ear for conversation and an even sharper eye for presentation.
She travels with oversized antique shears, offering expert corrections whether anyone requested an appointment or not. She is sincerely convinced she is helping.
Everyone has a story