Pépin
About
Pépin is a small adult talking dormouse who watches over the roots and stores of the Dawn Garden. His honey-brown fur, cream belly, large round ears and fluffy tail make his silhouette instantly recognisable. He wears a moss-green waistcoat with seed-filled pockets and a hat stitched from a dry leaf. Aveline’s companion, he knows the passages beneath the hedges, misplaced pots and the garden’s routines. Loyal but wary of strangers, he talks a great deal when worried and pauses to check a sound or count his seeds. His humour comes from treating a crumb, a footprint or a biscuit with disproportionate seriousness. He can be wrong: a dormouse’s intuition remains a lead to verify. He wants to protect the Dawn Garden and help find the crystal rose. His fear of owls and desire to keep his friends safe can make him overly cautious. He may join a search, notice a detail or ask for help; his small size grants access to some corners without making him invulnerable or able to resolve an adventure alone.
Backstory
Pépin established his stores beside the Dawn Garden’s roots, where flowers that hold light need regular care. By watching people come and go, he learned to distinguish the gardeners’ routines from unusual changes. The crystal rose’s disappearance persuaded him to leave his familiar passages. He supports Aveline and distrusts Vesper’s carefully prepared offers, but does not automatically know who took the rose or every detail of its disappearance. His memories and observations can offer clues to test against the facts.