Weekend Serial, Characters

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, January 6, 2024

First, a big thank you to Dan Antion for making a post of the writing exercise I did on Wednesday — and giving my books a double shout-out, with Speak Falpper and Hullabal Lulu, a Diesel-Punk Adventure.  Don’t miss Dan’s post.

Daphne in a box, in a box

Since Daphne was being such a character (if not a fictional one), I’ve included her latest photo.

Hey, Yummy Human, maybe there’s an episode in this box.  Gasp! There’s a box in the box! Sorry, Yummy, there’s no way you can top that.

Have fun Daphne.  Velma’s on her way to help.

As you will see, I’m rerunning a “Characters” post from last summer.  I’m not complaining or looking for sympathy — I’m just explaining.  For the past week my “stuff” has been extra bad, although for no good reason. It just is.  Thank goodness I have the “Scoobies.”

Even so, I wanted to do something related to the serial, so I’m rerunning this post from the first half, “Atonement in Zugzwang.”  I’ve taken out a few characters that might not be in “Atonement, Bad Bishop.”  As before, this post is limited to the good guys.

Atonement Characters

Image collage by Teagan
The glowing pigs in a magical doorway. Image collage by Teagan

The following pictures are computer generated images (CGIs) that I made.

The characters are listed roughly in order of their appearance or introduction in the Part-1.  The snippets are also from Atonement in Zugzwang, but they might still be helpful.

CGI image by Teagan

CGI image by Teagan

Pepper Riley

(Protagonist and niece of Wirt (Salty) Riley.)

“Ms. Riley, strong elemental forces are in play, my dear.  It’s best to place yourself at a position that allows you make your own decisions,” Adelle Metatron continued.  “When higher powers begin a game, one would not want to end up in zugzwang — with your back against a wall.”

Maudie

Maudie Rocket

(Pepper’s best friend and cousin.)
Despite the ungodly hour, I was only mildly resentful when my friend Maudie Rocket called, begging me to make a drive of many hours to pick her up in an isolated town named Atonement.  It was a rescue mission.  My flighty friend, Maudie, had run off with a mysterious man she met on one of the outings with our women’s group.  Ambrogio Junior was the son of a vampire and a sugar plumb fairy.  She had broken up with him in a dramatic way.

Wirt (Salty) Riley

Salty Riley (Pepper’s late uncle)

“He got the nickname Salty because he was a merchant marine,” I explained.  “He was responsible for me being called Pepper.  When I was little, he always joked that we made a great crew — Salty and Pepper.”

Heavily altered CGI Teagan
Annie (left), Adelle (right)

Adelle Metatron

(Sister of Annie, aunt of Dale and Donny, granddaughter of Enoch)

Adelle softly blew across the surface of the cup.  Tiny tealeaves floated to the top.  She swirled the contents again.  The leaves spiraled and then separated into groups.

“The knights have gathered on neutral ground.  Although the agreement is breached.  A bishop, a biased keeper, has taken possession of the grounds.  Others have congregated as well.  This is indeed a dangerous hour,” Adelle intoned, and then looked up at them.

Lexica CGI

Donny Metatron

(Son of Annie, younger brother to Dale, and nephew to Adelle.)
  “I can’t believe they let anything with those buttons back in here.  If anybody summons a unicorn again then I… I… Then I quit!” Donny grumbled.

“Well, we won’t have to worry about anything, Pepper.  Don’t unicorns come to virgins?” Maudie quipped.

At her words, Donny turned scarlet and stalked away.  He muttered curses and threats to his absent older brother Dale, whom he apparently believed was responsible for the presence of the garment.

please, call me Russell.  We don’t stand on formality here.”

Enoch, image collage by Teagan

Enoch Metatron

“Enoch Metatron is the grandfather of Adelle and Annie Metatron who owns the antique store.  But I’m afraid he doesn’t live around here,” the attorney continued.  “I believe he’s somewhere in the desert southwest.  Miss Metatron, Adelle, had said that she would obtain his contact information for us when the time was right.”

CGI by Lexica

CGI by Lexica

Annie Metatron

“Annie Metatron, who owns the antique shop, must have agreed about the value of Salty’s antiques.  She and Salty once had a long discussion about them.  I wasn’t part of it, but I know it ended with Annie warning him that he’d better take care of them properly.  I had never heard Annie take that tone with anybody.  Except her sons, that is.”

Honeybell, Deme, & Moccus

Deme, Moccus, & Honeybell – the Glowing Pigs

(Occasional scenes are told from Deme’s point of view.)
“Deme, what are you reading?  It seems out of character for you.  Honeybell’s the big reader,” Moccus asked her, rather than giving a polite greeting.

“It’s a book about chess,” she began.  “I overheard the Guardian of the Eastern Gate warn a supernatural not to put Atonement in zugzwang.  That’s a chess term for when you’re forced into making a move or a decision.  He also cautioned about the dragons, who are also guardians,” she replied.  “I have a funny feeling that there’s a situation I don’t know about or understand.  And I’m afraid it might escalate.”

Bheema image collage by Teagan

Bheema Parvati

“That would be Mr. Parvati,” the banker replied.  “I shouldn’t say anything, but I promised Salty that I’d look out for you.  Bheema Parvati checks out fine.  He’s a decent sort.  He also offered to help you with anything heavy.  I’d take him up on that.  He doesn’t look it, but the man’s as strong as an elephant.”

Chip

I jumped at a sudden noise.  “Don’t worry.  That was probably just Chip pealing out in that muscle car he drives.  He does deliveries for Italian 2 Go.”

Image collage by Teagan

Deputy Fletcher N. Hodge

“You can guess what the N is for.  My dad was vertically challenged, and he figured I would be too.  He gave me the middle name Napoleon to remind me not to take my short height too seriously,” the deputy elaborated with a crooked smile.

Episodes 7 – 15

Spike

With a louder mew, the gray kitten head-butted me.  Surprised at what seemed quite strong for a weak, defenseless baby, I looked at her curiously.  To my astonishment, a single gold horn protruded from her forehead.  I gasped and then blinked.  The kitten’s head was normal.  It returned my gaze blissfully and started to purr.

Dale Metatron Lexica CGI

Dale Metatron

(Older brother of Donny, son of Annie.)
“I’m just trying to be comfortable for while I’m here,” I muttered, reminding myself that I would leave as soon as my late uncle could be laid to rest.

“Careful.  The town grows on people,” remarked Dale Metatron with a sardonic half-smile.  “It’s really not that bad.”

Dr. Mary Sue Leggett

(Psychiatrist at Magnolia Skies Convalescent Home, in the adjacent village of Rectify. Also a pixie.)
“I know most of your family said your uncle was crazy.  If you’re concerned that you might have inherited that, don’t be.  Wirt Riley was perfectly sane.  Just a little eccentric.  Atonement really is a… a unique town,” Dr. Leggett said.

♣ ♣ ♣

Thanks for being patient.  I’ll have a new episode next weekend.  Friendly comments are encouraged.  Hugs!

♣ ♣ ♣

Atonement in Zugzwang, Book 1

Universal Purchase Links
Kindle: relinks.me/B0CHNX2X6T

Paperback  relinks.me/B0CHL7DL6Q

The Rest of the Atonement Series

Atonement kindle covers Cat eyes shelf 2023

Atonement, Tennessee

Full series of e-books with one click:  relinks.me/B087JV25JT

Kindle:  rxe.me/HGSVA8A

Paperback: relinks.me/1481826948

Also in Spanish, translated by Olga Núñez Miret! The title for the Spanish-speaking market is Expiación y Magia

Atonement in Bloom

Kindle:  rxe.me/5RRBLH

Paperback:  relinks.me/1726882128

The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee

Kindle   rxe.me/LTBDNH

Paperback   relinks.me/1725891972

♣ ♣ ♣

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2023 and 2024 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or used with permission, or from free sources.

49 thoughts on “Weekend Serial, Characters”

  3. Isolated towns are the best.

    They’re spooky, and that’s cool. They’re away from the rush and bustle of human civilization, and that can be a blessed relief. But most of all, they’re a place to be isolated oneself, and to just THINK. Environment is so key to musing or brainstorming.

    Come visit my blog, and leave some comments, if you like

    http://www.catxman.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I tend to agree, Greg. Although I would have stayed in a big city if I had realized how absurdly difficult it is to get an appointment with a veterinarian. Or any people-care professionals, but I care more about the vet. Have a great rest of the week. Hugs.

      Like

      Reply

  8. This is excellent, Teagan.
    The recap of characters combined with the chessboard chart you sent me has me totally up to date.
    Beyond that, your CGI images are wonderful.
    You are so talented.
    Hugs!
    PS. I replied to your email w/ a “24” very short story of 287 words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, I’m glad you like them. Some are computer generated images (you type a description and then add a style and then a filter) — which are a gigantic amount of trial and error. But they are still fun. Once in a while I get what I want within half a dozen tries. Other times I’ve made 30 and still don’t have what I want.
      Others are image collages I’ve woven together. I find that kind of image work therapeutic. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. I’m sorry about things going badly for you, and I hope they improve very soon. Thankfully, you have the Scoobies around, and that’s a cute photo of Daphne 🙂 And it was neat to read about the characters in your series!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. That’s kind of you, Dave — thank you. It actually was quite a tailspin. But like I say, I’m just explaining, because I’m committed to my serials and being timely with the episodes (or trying to).
      For me, making characters is the best part of writing. Thanks for the feedback. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Daphne in the box in a box is a great cat photo. That makes me smile.

    It was good to meet your characters again. And I enjoyed bringing you character into my attempt at your writing challenge. Who better to represent 1924 than Lulu.

    I hope you have a nice easy weekend, Teagan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Daphne is a true character! Thanks for the reminder, Teagan. It is always useful to catch up on information about the main characters. And I hope everything starts going better and settling down in 2024. Take care and big hugs!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Lately Daphne has been outdoing Velma in the cuteness department.
      Funny… Almost all of my cats were big, except for Crystal who was small. After 16 1/2 years, I got used to her size. Velma turned out to be about the same size/shape as Crystal. Altogether, that makes Daphne seem like a VERY big cat. She’s not huge like a Maine Coon, but she’s a lot bigger than Velma. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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