000. Storylines
These are all just ideas about characterization for the storylines: I'm so open to reinterpretations, it's not even funny. Well, maybe it's a little funny. Just let me know!
Nag and Nagaina: "I am Nag....Look, and be afraid!" [...] "`When the house is emptied of people,'' said Nagaina to her husband, ``he will have to go away, and then the garden will be our own again."
In the Tale, these two are Rikki Tikki's preeminent foes--the one's she's destined to oppose (and eat?), just like her mongoose parents taught her. They are a pair of deadly black king cobras, a husband and wife that keep the people and the animals of the Segowlee estate in a constant state of terror. They are each on their own exceedingly dangerous and strong; together they are a fairly devious team that work for power. They're also rather protective of one another (and their evil brood!) Nag is the stronger of the pair, but his wife is the brains of the outfit: it is her idea to kill the family so that their snakelings might have the run of the compound. Personally, I don't really have a preference as to whether they're a pair or no.
Karait, the dusty brown snakeling: ``Be careful. I am death!''
Karait is another venomous fellow, but much subtler--and thereby more hazardous--than his larger snake cousins. His small size allows him to pass under the radar much of the time, and he inflicts much more damage than the more ostentatious baddies. Before people even see him, they're right on top of his trap.
Darzee the Tailor Bird: ``What is it, O Killer of the terrible Nag?''
Darzee is one of Rikki's allies, although his loud, emotional, and playful nature often irks the serious mongoose, especially when there are still battles to be fought. C'est la vie; when Rikki triumphs over the snakes that have eaten his children, his joy gets the best of him, and he just has to sing! At one point, Darzee saves Rikki from being killed from Nagaina by shouting out a warning. Though he is impulsive and has a tendency towards hyperbole and jumping to conclusions, Rikki is grudgingly affectionate towards the mad and good-hearted little bird, and will always be grateful to him for his invaluable shrieking. [priceonyourhead]
Darzee's wife: ``Rikki-tikki, I led Nagaina toward the house, and she has gone into the verandah, and -- oh, come quickly -- she means killing!''
Once again, the wife is the brains of the outfit. Darzee's wife is very sensible, and thereby a valuable fellow soldier in Rikki's grand battle plan against Nag and Nagaina. She puts herself in great danger to lure Nagaina away from the garden while Rikki destroys the Cobra eggs, and later attacks the snake directly and allows Rikki the edge needed to latch on to her tail.
Teddy: ``Oh, look here! Our mongoose is killing a snake!''
Teddy is the child at the house where Rikki Tikki comes to live and fight. It was Teddy that first spotted Rikki in the road, half-drowned, and on whose pillow Rikki sleeps each night. Rikki save's Teddy's life from poisonous snakes on multiple occasions. Nico is intensely protective and affectionate towards 'her Teddy,' whoever he or she might turn out to be. I'm going to stay open for three Teddys at the most, or Nico's heart is going to break! [Teddy #1: one_fry_short] [Teddy #2: boughdidbreak]
Teddy's Father: `He'll do no such thing,'' said the father. ``Teddy's safer with that little beast than if he had a bloodhound to watch him. If a snake came into the nursery now --- ''
Teddy's father is very much the man of the house, a traditionally masculine Englishman that knows how to wield a gun and is well-versed in Indian wildlife and in the benefits of having a mongoose around the house. He's fond of Rikki, but appreciates the mongoose more in a practical way, and keeps it about to protect his family.
Alice, Teddy's mother: ``He saved our lives and Teddy's life,'' she said to her husband. ``Just think, he saved all our lives!''
Teddy's mother Alice is a sweet (and a bit faint-hearted) character, whose all-consuming concern for those she loves makes her at first a bit uncomfortable with Rikki's presence in her house. She soon comes round to the idea, however, especially as anyone that protects her family has an instant spot in her good graces. Rikki thinks she is a bit silly, and doesn't quite comprehend her worry and her relief, but the mongoose cares for her just as he cares for the rest of the adoptive family.
Chuchundra, the muskrat:``Those who kill snakes get killed by snakes,'' said Chuchundra, more sorrowfully than ever. ``And how am I to be sure that Nag won't mistake me for you some dark night?''
Kipling says that Chuchundra is a broken-hearted, melancholy, and frightful fellow, afraid of taking risks and propelled into action mainly to avoid getting hurt. Rikki needs the information that the observant little beast has, but the mongoose is less than sensitive to Chuchundra's fears (as, of course, mongooses do not understand fear very well), and is rather callous about extracting it. In fact, Rikki threatens to bite the poor guy unless he spills the bean. Chuchundra is rather bright, and is very capable of self-preservation through extreme caution. He has better hearing than Rikki, and alerts the mongoose to the cobras' presence in the house.
The Bungalow, the Cotton Wool, and the Little Fire: Despite the fearless warrior thing Rikki has going on, Nico certainly needs a place and the space to recuperate. When she's completely spent or has no where else to turn, this person (or these people, however it turns out) is Rikki's safe haven and her friend. She doesn't put her trust in many, but once kindness has been shown to her, she's not one to forget. Nico protects these people with her life, just as Rikki did for the people that took her in back in the Jungle Book's India. [Bungalow: eemakha] [Cotton Wool: conradsbaked]
The Bathtub, the Inkwell, and the Cigar: These are the people that Rikki realizes she shouldn't associate with, but whom she can never quite make herself avoid, either because she has too much affection for them or because she is consumed with curiosity. Perhaps an ex-boyfriend or an old partner with whom she used to get into considerable trouble, or a fling that lasted a little longer than it should have. [ Bathtub: bonesandbottles ]
The Thorn Bush: This might be someone a bit curmudgeonly, stubborn, or snarky that Rikki cares for nonetheless. In the Tale, the Thorn Bush held the nest of Darzee and his wife out of reach of Nag and Nagaini. Rikki has a great deal of respect for the Thorn Bush, as she respects his/her ability to simultaneously possess a good heart and a hard hand. Nico likely enjoys their relationship and finds its pure pragmatism refreshing. I think I'd be open to having two Thorn Bushes. [Thorn Bush #1: pappybear
The Shotgun: Quite literally, the big gun(s). Teddy's father uses a shotgun to finish off Nag during Rikki's fight with the cobra in the bathroom of the Bungalow. Once upon a time, Nico wouldn't think twice about taking on someone thrice her size. These days, though, she's less foolhardy and a bit more realistic. If Nico needs a bit of extra help, this is the person she calls on the Bat phone [Shotgun #1: tinsoldiered
Rikki's Blood Red Paws: Certainly, Rikki killed the entire cobra brood before they could hatch so that the garden could be safe, but it doesn't change the fact that he smooshed a bunch of snakelets before they had a chance to defend themselves. Nico knows what she does is often heroic, but some of her actions have left her feeling conflicted and a bit regretful. This person will serve as a reminder that she doesn't always live in a perfect halo of justice and vindication. Sometimes, there's no getting around the fact that she's made mistakes and left people--and sometimes bodies--in her wake.