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In that one story they simply won't forget, at least they never knew my name This article is about a subject whose real name is unknown, and is known only by a title, nickname, alias or description |
| “ | Not an illicit affair or illicit addiction. Just a shrine to the one thing we can never do: travel. And at its center, that damn postcard from Reynard. Trust that boastful fox to push my poor love over the edge with his constant bragging. | „ |
| ~ Owl finding Pussy Cat's collection in Fairest #29 — "Sail Away: Chapter Three of The Clamour for Glamour" |
Owl and Pussy Cat are an animal Fable couple who lives on the Farm. They first appear as background characters in Fables #6 — "Road Trip: Part One of Animal Farm," but their role becomes more significant in the Fairest story arc "The Clamor for Glamour."
Goldilocks' revolution
Owl and Pussy Cat are a married couple[1] who live at the Farm. They are present at a gathering of Fable creatures discussing whether they should take up arms against the Adversary. Coincidentally, Snow White arrives at the Farm just as she does twice a year to check on the Fable community there, and walks in on them. The animals are shocked when they notice her sudden presence in the room.[2]
Owl and Pussy Cat are also present at a meeting held outside the barn, along with the other animal Fables. During this gathering, Dun discloses the revolutionary group's intentions to secure transportation and launch an operation in New York City, with the ultimate goal of gaining control over Fabletown. However, the plans are derailed before they can be put into action.[3]
Battle of Fabletown
Owl and Pussy Cat are among[1] the numerous other Farm Fables who are enlisted to journey to New York City and join the defense of Fabletown when the wooden soldiers plot an attack on the secret Fable society.[4] The two of them fight in the Battle of Fabletown.[1]
Campaign for glamour
Owl and Pussy Cat listening to Reynard's tales
One day, Owl and Pussy Cat join the other animal Fables in the barn to hear Reynard the Fox's latest tales of his adventures. The newly recruited knight of Rose Red's new Round Table has gained the power to switch between human and fox forms whenever he desires, and everyone is eager to hear about his experiences. Owl inquires about his experiences on missions in the mundane world, while Pussy Cat eagerly begs him to share tales of his journeys. She wonders if he's traveled using planes and trains, or even been on a cruise ship. Reynard shares a tale of a daring mission, and Owl eagerly urges him to continue. Pussy Cat chimes in, praising Reynard's thrilling story and expressing envy for all the wonders he has seen. He hands her a gift, a postcard featuring a picturesque tropical beach. She expresses her gratitude and admires the stunning image, wondering what it would be like to visit such a place. Owl concurs, acknowledging the beauty of the place. After recounting his adventures for hours, Reynard finally leaves and brags to Mister Sunflower and Rockford J. Raccoon about his knighthood. Mister Sunflower turns to Raccoon and asks if he can believe the nerve of that fox, but Pussy Cat points out that at least Reynard brought them gifts. After Reynard leaves, Sunflower rallies the animal Fables to speak up and demand the glamours that Prince Charming had promised them when he was elected mayor. Owl, Pussy Cat and many other animal Fables join him as he leads a raucous protest in the center of the Farm. They shout for their glamours and hold up signs as they make their voices heard.[5]
Eventually, Rose Red gathers the Fables in the square, announcing that a decision has been reached: Ozma, Morgan le Fay, Prospero, Mister Grandours and Maddy are each responsible for providing one glamour. Each of these five glamours can be shared between animals, giving them all a chance to experience life outside their usual surroundings for a brief time. Owl is happy that everyone will have an opportunity, and when Rose Red mentions a Lottery to choose the first five recipients, he becomes excited.[6]
The little journey
Owl approaches Rose Red, voicing his concerns for Pussy Cat's well-being. She has been noticeably depressed lately, especially after Reynard began filling her head with tales of his travels. He also notes that she spends long periods alone. But when he mentions the new glamours, Rose Red's response is the same as she gave to anyone else who inquired: He will just have to try his luck in the Lottery like everyone else. Owl reminds her that they've been confined at the Farm for centuries, and Rose Red responds with a simple, "Sorry." Owl turns to his friends, sharing his worry with Br'er Rabbit, and then Mr. Mole. Finally, he goes to Mr. Sunflower, and expresses his concern for Pussy Cat spending too much time in isolation. Sunflower suggests that Owl should follow her and see where she goes. Despite being hesitant to spy on his beloved Pussy Cat, Owl ultimately decides to follow Sunflower's advice.[1]
He follows Pussy Cat and sees her enter Ms. Magpie's house, which has been abandoned since the latter left for the Homelands. Pussy Cat deliberates whether or not to enter and confront her, but ultimately decides to enter the house after she has already left. Inside, he finds Ms. Magpie's collection of shiny objects, and notes that she left a lot behind and was a terrible hoarder. He then sees that Pussy Cat is using the house to store a collection of postcards and souvenirs from various locations in the mundane world. Owl is relieved that the reason for her behavior isn't an illicit affair or an addiction, and realizes that she has turned the place into a shrine to the one thing they can no longer do: travel. He ponders what he can do to help her, and gets an idea. He shouts out to the tiny postal mice, telling them he has important messages that need to be delivered.[1]
A happy couple on a makeshift "beach"
Not long after, Sunflower and Raccoon both receive letters from Owl, asking for their help in setting up a special night for him and Pussy Cat. Owl and Pussy Cat go on a little journey together. They start by riding a rhinoceros while Owl covers Pussy Cat's eyes to give her a surprise. She ponders about the mode of transportation and its safety, but the rhinoceros reassures them that his father fought alongside them in the Battle of Fabletown and promises a sturdy ride. They arrive at the mermaids' pond, where their old pea-green boat is waiting for them — Owl has taken it out of storage. As the boat glides across the pond, the mermaid Mersey Dotes sings for them. Afterward, they playfully pretend to unwind on a sandy beach, lounging in folded chairs and enjoying cocktails under a parasol placed in Junebug's sandbox. Next, they take a journey through the Great Woods on top of the rhinoceros, with Kaa and King Noble playing the parts of animals in the jungle. At last, the two of them savor a romantic dinner in the forest at nightfall. Sunflower acts as their server and Raccoon takes on the role of chef. The duo enjoys a meal of minced meat with sliced quince for dessert, with Owl requesting a special "runcible spoon" to eat with. After dinner, the two lovebirds dance under the moonlight, with Pussy Cat referring to her lover as her "elegant fowl." Poor Sunflower is left with the task of washing all the dishes, including trying to scrub sticky honey off five-pound notes. Pussy Cat is filled with gratitude for the lovely day that has lifted her mood, yet she still longs to venture beyond the Farm's borders. Owl believes that it will not be much longer until the Fables can go back to the Homelands. Pussy Cat makes it clear that she was aware of Owl's spying. Owl becomes flustered and attempts to charm his way out of the situation, saying, "What a beautiful Pussy you are!" Pussy Cat is not angry, and is holding out hope for some good fortune in the Lottery and a chance to explore the mundane world before they go.[1]
The Lottery
The Lottery isn't scheduled for another month, so the glamours are left in the Pumpkin House. Owl and Pussy Cat rush to tell Clara and Sergeant Wilfred that there has been a break-in there, and one of the glamours is now missing. Pussy Cat expresses her disgust at the thief's actions, questioning who would deny them a fair and equal opportunity for freedom.[7]
Pussy Cat and King Cole transformed
One month later, Owl and Pussy Cat attend the grand Lottery drawing. Owl wins one of the glamours, and immediately gifts the price to Pussy Cat. Ready to receive her glamour, Pussy Cat is paired with King Cole as her human chaperone, and is set to travel to Fabletown with him once the glamor has been cast. But due to a mishap by Mister Sunflower, not only is Pussy Cat glamoured as a human, but King is completely transformed into a cat. Pussy Cat is concerned when Morgan le Fay attempts to reverse the spell, fearing that this may be all they will receive in terms of glamours. The transformed King Cole immediately sets his sights on catching the Three Blind Mice for dinner, but Pussy Cat swiftly swoops in and picks him up, reminding him not to do anything he might regret later on. As she strokes his fur, he emits a satisfied purr, and she urges him to promise her that they will go sightseeing in Fabletown later on. Thankfully, Morgan is able to fix the problem and change Cole back to his original form, and Owl and Pussy Cat stand by his side as he is wrapped in a blanket. As Reynard arrives at the Farm with his new mundy girlfriend Meghan by his side, Owl quickly takes to the air to avoid their car. His initial displeasure at seeing Reynard again fades away when he lays eyes on their new baby, a sight that melts everyone's hearts. Without warning, Meghan's family shows up at the Farm, causing Raccoon to immediately demand action against the unexpected mundy intruders. In a swift move, Owl swoops down and grabs their rifle with his sharp claws. Fortunately, Meghan successfully soothes their nerves.[8]
Appearances
Fables |
Fairest
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Original source
They are based on the titular characters of the nonsense poem "The Owl and the Pussy-Cat" by Edward Lear. It goes:
The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
"O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!"
Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?"
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.
"Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dinèd on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.[9]
In Fairest #29 — "Sail Away: Chapter Three of The Clamour for Glamour," the couple reenact several lines from the poem.