Piccadilly

Piccadilly is one of the main protagonists in The Deptford Mice trilogy by author Robin Jarvis.
== Appearance ==
Piccadilly had grey fur and was covered with freckles. He had dark shaggy hair which fell into a fringe over his forehead and eyes. A belt of string was looped across his shoulder and around his waist. It held his mousebrass, a small knife, and a leather pouch for other belongings.
== Personality ==
From living on his own, Piccadilly developed a tough and snarky personality. He had a sharp tongue and could easily use his street smarts to deal with anyone who gave he and his friends trouble. As thick-skinned as he outwardly appeared to be, however, he still had a sensitive side and was deeply hurt by the way Audrey initially treated him. Believing he abandoned her father to a grisly fate, Audrey insulted Piccadilly by implying he was a coward and making him feel insecure about his lack of education and refinement. He preferred to stay clear of Audrey, afraid she would say mean things. Thus he remained unaware of her growing affection for him.
== Background ==
Piccadilly was born in the city of London on 19 February, presumably in the mouse colony Holeborn, one year before Arthur and Audrey Brown. His mother and father were killed by an underground train when he was very young, and as a result he became independent, relying only on his own sharp wits.
== Biography ==
=== Role in The Dark Portal ===
While on a foraging mission, Piccadilly became lost in the sewers and found himself in the tunnels below Deptford. There he met Albert Brown who was hopelessly lost and looking for a way out. The two became fast friends. Though at first Piccadilly was unconcerned about the possibility of meeting sewer rats, Albert warned him that the ones in Deptford were not like the cowards he knew in the city, as they were under the control of the evil being Jupiter. Eventually the two realised they were a short distance from Jupiter's lair, where the unseen god was discussing something with his lieutenant Morgan. Albert sensed the fate of the world was at stake and became determined to listen in on the conversation, much to Piccadilly's dismay. Suddenly Morgan discovered Albert and captured him. Piccadilly was forced to flee for his life as the doomed Albert tossed him his mousebrass and instructed him to give it to his wife, Gwen.
He finds his way to the Skirtings, where he grew to love Audrey. His kindness was returned by nothing but cruel words, for Audrey couldn't forgive him for surviving and never attempting to save her father. He became friends with Oswald Chitter or 'Whitey' as he called him, as well as Arthur and Twit.
=== Role in The Crystal Prison ===
Piccadilly continued to stay in the Skirtings, helping to tend to Oswald when the albino mouse fell ill. Despite everyone's best efforts, it was believed that Oswald would not make it, so Piccadilly decided that after his friend's passing he would return to the city. Arthur told him that everyone would miss him, especially Audrey, which puzzled Piccadilly as he was sure she hated him.
Audrey, Twit, and Thomas Triton returned from a trip to Greenwich with a magical cure for Oswald from the Starwife. He made a full recovery and everyone celebrated. Piccadilly joined in the dancing where he chose Nel Poot as a partner multiple times. Seeing Audrey watching him, he approached her and asked what she wanted. She told him that the next day she would be leaving with Twit and Arthur to go to the former's home of Fennywolde in the country, and added that he could come and "wave them off" if he wanted. Piccadilly was hurt and mistakenly believed that Audrey was leaving the Skirtings because of him, though in reality she was forced to do so as part of an agreement with the Starwife for Oswald's cure.
The next morning, Piccadilly slipped away before anyone else was awake, leaving a note explaining that he decided to go back to the city. When she read it, Audrey was devastated and filled with regret for her rude behaviour to him.
=== Role in The Final Reckoning ===
Back in the city, Piccadilly learned that a mysterious newcomer called Old Stumpy was building an army of vicious rats. Because of his bravery and knack for coming up with battle strategies, Piccadilly was given the title of Minister of War in Holeborn, the mouse community where he lived. Piccadilly soon found out that Old Stumpy was none other than Morgan, who had been presumed dead. Once again Piccadilly resolved to kill the piebald rat in retribution for what he did to Albert Brown. Before he could do so, however, Morgan took his army to Holeborn where they brutally murdered every mouse there. Piccadilly, who had been away at the time, was the sole survivor. When he learned that Morgan's next destination was Deptford, he raced to warn his friends in the Skirtings.
Upon returning to Deptford, Piccadilly set off with Arthur and Thomas Triton to the Power Station to try to defeat Jupiter. After seeing the skin of his friend Marty from Holeborn being used as the rats' battle flag, Piccadilly was filled with grief and anger. He challenged Morgan to a duel, but when the rat complimented him on his bloodlust and said he would have made a fine rat, Piccadilly was disgusted and snapped out of his rage. In the end, Morgan decided to take his own life to free himself from Jupiter's control. Thomas was wounded by an ice spear and Arthur took him back to the Skirtings, while Piccadilly went to try to defeat Jupiter alone. He was unsuccessful and perished in the effort.
Later Audrey would encounter Piccadilly's ghost, brainwashed and under Jupiter's control. Though she tried to make him recognise her, he was under Jupiter's influence and flung himself at her, intending to strangle her. As she battled for breath, Audrey kept trying to jog Piccadilly's memory. She was eventually successful and, through tears, Audrey was finally able to tell Piccadilly how much she had loved him. Just then, they heard the voice of Albert Brown, who had come to escort Piccadilly's spirit to the other side. He told Audrey how proud he was of her and that he understood the feelings that were growing between her mother Gwen and Thomas, and wished them joy. Before leaving with Albert, Piccadilly told Audrey that he loved her too. They shared a tender kiss and then he was gone.
Category:Male
Category:Anthropomorphic
Category:Animals
Category:Honorable
Category:In Love
Category:Selfless
Category:Tragic
Category:Book Heroes
Category:Loyal
Category:Arrogant
Category:Deceased
Category:Fighters
Category:Wrathful
Category:Possessed/Brainwashed
Category:Determinators