The Civet

From The Fifth City Wiki

"Are you quite sure you want to know this?"

This page contains spoilers for the following Exceptional Stories: The Season of Silver (Conclusion). Proceed at your own risk.

You can find out more about our spoiler policy here.

"He doesn't say a word. He just leaves. More importantly, he's left you with the bill! And your name is mud among spies now. Perhaps you shouldn't have implied you were the mysterious and flamboyant Civet."[1]

The Civet is a notorious Great Game spy. Elusive and flamboyant,[2] they revel in theatrics, often rehearsing their actions beforehand to heighten the drama.[3] Their nickname stems from their habit of leaving behind their calling card after a successful operation, which features a civet;[4] the animal is also embroidered on some of their clothing, perhaps specifically to grant them an impromptu backup for their card.[5] Although they leave their signature at the scene, they never enter a situation without a carefully mapped escape route.[6]

The Civet is a slim-figured person[7] with blue-green eyes and an overall androgynous presentation.[8] Their facial features are noted as attractive but not distinctive; their unremarkable, ambiguous appearance serves as an asset in the art of espionage.[9] They admire the beauty of London, but also imply that their role as a spy has led them to witness all of the city's facets, down to the ugliest of its "rot."[10][11]

While the Civet's full identity remains unknown, they are the child of the Numismatrix.[12] The Civet holds some affection for their mother, and trusts her approach and actions; however, they note with disappointment that her approach to parenting involved about as much effort[13] as her neutral stance in the Great Game.[14]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ You're an artist! Let the artistry begin!, Fallen London
  2. ↑ You're an artist! Let the artistry begin!, Fallen London "He doesn't say a word. He just leaves. More importantly, he's left you with the bill! And your name is mud among spies now. Perhaps you shouldn't have implied you were the mysterious and flamboyant Civet."
  3. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "[...] The figure abruptly turns to face the steep stone stairs. The swirl of their cloak indicates this is a practised gesture. [...]"
  4. ↑ Steal the manuscript, Fallen London "The publisher's office provides no particular barrier to a person of your skills. When the rather rudimentary safe clicks open, there is no manuscript. There is a calling card with a picture of a... cat of some sort. Is that an ocelot? A civet?"
  5. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "A scrap of cloak tore away in your hand. It has a copper-thread decoration in the corner, showing some kind of feline. Or maybe it's a weasel? No. A civet."
  6. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "They will undoubtedly have some trick up their sleeve, but you strike like a viper. You snatch at their hood and they spring backwards through the window, where they had concealed a rope for a quick escape. [...]"
  7. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "[...] They have narrow shoulders and narrow hips [...]"
  8. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "[...] there is a glint of verdigris-green as a glow catches their eyes. [...] Their voice is a warm alto. [...]"
  9. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "[...] But you caught a glimpse of their face: someone too feminine to be handsome and too masculine to be pretty; but beautiful, and strikingly so. With a dash make-up and a scrap of costume, they could mingle in any circle. Could woo most of society. A useful trait for a spy. [...]"
  10. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "Your companion sits on the ledge of a window opening. They gesture at the view of London. "Isn't she beautiful from up here? Enough distance to behold her grandeur, and too much to see the rot.""
  11. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "I see London as she really is. After all, a solid appreciation of the truth is necessary for any convincing lie. And I lie well. [...]"
  12. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London ""As m— As the Numismatrix would say: 'Coins are not all minted-metal discs'." The stranger has adopted a sing-song voice. There is a mocking edge to it. [...]"
  13. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "There are many other pieces I could have moved. But I care enough to be disappointed in her. The Numismatrix is said to know her coins better than she knows her children. That is certainly true, although I must say she made little effort in my case."
  14. ↑ The Season of Silver, Fallen London "The Numismatrix thinks she is a neutral observer in the Great Game, but if you choose not to make a move, you pass your turn. A choice has still been made, and the game goes on. [...] She is rich, and she is powerful, and she is, in her own way, fond of Londoners. I trust she'll make the right moves. [...]"
Retrieved from "https://thefifthcity.wiki/w/index.php?title=The_Civet&oldid=21731"