Black Cat

*"You made it all the way here unbothered by ruffians. You've got talent! I've never seen you before, but who cares?"*
— Black Cat
**Black Cat**, real name **Lucio Volfe**, is a character and optional mini-boss in *Lies of P*. He and his sister Red Fox are first met in Workshop Union Culvert near the Stargazer.

## Appearance

Black Cat is considerably shorter than his sister, although it is not known if he is younger. He is dressed in a black coat, trousers, gloves and boots with multiple belts securing his coat around his waist. Two small gold bells hang from one of the belts. While it can't be seen with his mask, he also wears a white shirt underneath which can be seen if you acquire The Black Cat's Hunting Apparel. He wears his signature black cat mask with a leather brace and netting wrapped around his neck.

## Personality

Much like his sister, Black Cat is focused on his survival and that of his sister. He is not afraid to do things that fall under dubious morals, including getting others to do work on his behalf. He even is content to mock them, referring to Pinocchio as a 'dumbass' for accepting their help in clearing the Black Rabbit Brotherhood base. His sister notes that when he's happy or excited, he gets very chatty. He believes that friendship can be bought and even that if it is the wrong way of doing things, it's still friendship. He deeply loves his sister, although he also believes his illness makes him a burden to her. He notes that while he likes Pinocchio, he is slow to trust, much like a cat.

## Background

According to the Sweepers Branch Office Newspaper, he joined the Sweepers as an apprentice stalker, but has been inactive in the group. He has also been reported multiple times for ignoring ranks and neglecting duty. Prior to the Puppet Frenzy, he had been caught being in contact for the past year with Red Fox, a Bastard Stalker. Fox claimed that a Cat within the Sweepers was a bastard to the Volfe family, which led the Sweepers to believe that Black Cat was a spy from the Bastards. He was put under investigation for leaking secrets and an unofficial interrogation with "no restraints to methods" was planned prior to the Puppet Frenzy. It is unclear whether this interrogation occurred or if this line of questioning was valid.

At some point, Black Cat and Red Fox left their respective groups and began working together. They were saving up money in an attempt to leave Krat, until Black Cat became ill, presumably contracting the Petrification Disease. Their savings were used to pay for medicine, which had limited success in treating him. As Black Cat's disease spread to his eyes with the prognosis of total blindness, they began working with the Alchemists in order to get Gold Coin Fruit to treat his disease. However, it was noted that the dosage given was never enough to cure him - only enough to keep him going and never the full dose promised. The siblings worked whatever jobs they were given in order to get Gold Coin Fruit, although Black Cat notes that he is growing tired of doing horrible things and just surviving.

## Gameplay

Black Cat is first encountered with his sister in Workshop Union Culvert near the Stargazer. A conversation is had to tell Pinocchio that Venigni is nearby.

He and his sister are then encountered in the Malum District, just inside the Black Rabbit Brotherhood base. He and his sister will offer to help you fight some enemies outside of the base, as they want to get the treasure inside. However, if their offer is accepted, they only accompany you part of the way, as Black Cat has to take a breather.

They are then encountered by the ferry to the Barren Swamp, where Red Fox requests Gold Coin Fruit on her brother's behalf. If given, they will thank you and inform you that they are off to do a job for the Alchemists. The job in question, as you will learn upon returning from the Barren Swamp, is to assist in the attack on Hotel Krat and the kidnapping of Geppetto.

The final encounter with Black Cat is on the Isle of the Alchemists, where he bars the way forward. The player will be presented with a choice: to give him more Gold Coin Fruit or to fight him. Either option will reward you with the Black Cat's Mask:

* If Black Cat is given Gold Coin Fruit, he will step aside and let you through, while asking to spare his sister. He will also mention that he and his sister will take the Fruit, leave Krat, and start anew.
* If you do not give him Fruit, an optional boss battle will commence, ending with the player killing him. This will also lock out any ability to talk to Red Fox in a later encounter, as she will fight the player in revenge for her brother's death.

Black Cat fights with a City Longspear.

## Trivia

* Black Cat's name is only mentioned in the game by Red Fox when she defeats the player. IMDB and the endgame cast list credits Islam Bouakkaz as voicing "Lucio the Cat".
* In the original book, the Fox and Cat both tricked Pinocchio of believing they are disabled (The Fox claims to be lame while the Cat is blind), however at the end of the story, they are suddenly gotten impoverished with the Fox actually getting a limp (along with losing his fur and tail) while the Cat actually developing blindness.
	+ This is alluded in the game where you meet the siblings at Exhibition, which Red Fox reveals that Black Cat is suffering from blindness and request the need of a Gold Coin Fruit as a possible cure. This exchange happens in the Isle of Alchemists where you give them more Gold Coin Fruit, in which either of them won't attack you and graduate you for helping them.
* It is implied that Black Cat is not a strong fighter, as he says, "Fighting wears me out. Let's just get this over with." during his boss fight.
* His spear that he wields is actually a sign post that reads "Toyland".
* According to the description of the Black Cat's Mask, the Black Cat lied to the Red Fox about being siblings.