Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter

Originally posted to our Patreon

Please allow me the grave honour of introducing Dribbles, the Endless Maw. Born into a family of ships’ cats, Dribbles grew up near the famous docks of Belfast.  Like his siblings and his ancestors, he learned the ancient feline martial arts to keep the docks and ships free of unwanted rodents. As a young kittens Dibbles and his siblings began with daily drills under the sharp tutelage of his uncle, Black Fionn Three Paw.  Dribbles excelled at the art and was soon taken on as apprentice to a fine ship making family, but he had a character flaw that would lead to his ultimate downfall.

Dribbles had a notorious appetite for tuna and some said he was under a Geas or possibly a curse that he could never turn aside a chance to eat tuna.  The rumors and supposition were fraught with conjecture but no one knew for certain why Dribbles had such a constant hunger for tuna. No tin went unassailed, no meal was ever sufficient.  One wise woman with known ties to the Seelie Court claimed that Dribbles had made a pact with the Pixies in exchange for his hunting prowess.

Prowess he did indeed posses for Dribbles was a champion fighter. No rodents lingered where Dribbles passed. Because of his skills, Dribbles’ human family were able to hire him own as a master hunter and often other families near the docks would hire him for his services. He was as renowned for the ferocity of his hunt as for the sweetness of his temper. As quick as he was to pounce on an intruding rodent, he was as swift with a purr and a cuddle in a willing lap.

Except when the siren call of tuna lured him from companionship and duty alike.

Alas for Dribbles, despite his sweet demeanor, he finally succumbed to a spoilt tin of tuna. Some claimed it was a terrible plot by the local fisher folk who grew frustrated and jealous of Dribbles’ feats on behalf of the ship builders. Others claimed that he had paid the price for breaking his Geas when he eschewed a tin in favour of fighting off some scabrous rodents who had been making inroads on his family’s nursery. A few darkly whispered that the pixies had called in their debt at last.

Dribbles has gone onto his forever haunt where he continues to deter unwanted Rodentia and to warm every willing lap with his deep, rumbling purr. On the odd late night, one might still here the tinkling of an empty tuna tin being knocked about the floors.

Three cheers and a dram of fine whiskey for dear Dribbles!