Cats (Spoilers all books incl RWC)

[Lord Punctual]

Or perhaps it's one of those things that most people just don't know, like that jake and tom are terms for male turkeys.

[Nuytsia]

If it had been about turkeys, I'd so agree!
But I've read a hell of a lot about cats over the years....... anyhoo I'm sure I don't know EVERYTHING about them!
Well clearly not the molly thing!

[Farseer]

Well, I know I'd never heard of it until someone just happened to use the term in a totally RotE-unrelated way. A lightbulb came on in my head and I thought,"No WAY!", then came home and Googled it immediately....and there it was on quite a few sites.

Of course, its existance on the internet doesn't make it true, so:

* either it is a correct term, just not well-known, OR

* is an incorrect term which has been granted an acceptance of usage due to its prevalent use as a name for a cat OR

* it is a completely false term that someone's just plucked out of the sky and placed on the net, and THEN been granted an acceptance of usage!

I think the main thing is that if I could have stumbled across the term, then possibly Robin could have also, during the course of her research, and despite it being confirmed or not being confirmed as a true term for a female cat, BAM, there Robin still has a pretty cool and unbelievably well-connected name for * Farseer/Tawny Man Spoiler *

Spoiler

Fitz=Tom's female love interest!!! Not the most reliable source but there for all the world to see, nonetheless: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat . From there:
A group of cats is referred to as a "clowder", a male cat is called a "tom" (or a "gib", if neutered), and a female is called a "molly" or "queen".

Robin is magic , isn't she?!

[Nuytsia]

I didn't mean to doubt you! (although you're right, the accuracy is kind of a moot point as long as it is something Robin could have read and used.... hmm not that I'm implying Robin wouldn't check her facts... gees I should just stop commenting now!)

[Farseer]

You did stop commenting, too...you posted that and then, wooosh, you were gone !

Puts a funny kind of spin on 'truth' though, doesn't it?! I think Fitz touched on it once or twice somewhere...how when people commit things to print it suddenly becomes 'truth' because the reader tends to forget that the author is human and therefore fallible (as we now view much of his own writings).

That's what's so WONDERFUL about thePlenty...we have intelligent people on here who are capable enough and brave enough to not just take everything written here on face value...they doubt, they deny, they differ, they debate !

[Nuytsia]

And I'm back! Hehehe I went off to watch the League of Gentlemen ......
Interestingly I think quite a lot of fantasy writers seem to bring up that theme of truth, what people will believe as 'truth' and the use of propaganda. (eg good ole GRRM's ASOIAF is another one).
I guess authors know better then most the power of words to influence!

[Nuytsia]

Hmm well the cats being likened to dragons references continue in Dragon Haven. I'm not sure if these are to be taken too much to heart though, as I've noticed Robin compares a LOT of things to cats. (I should do a complete list or count them!)

But anyhoo, Dragon Haven

Spoiler

On p33 Mercor is 'rippling his coat in a way that reminder her more of a cat than a reptile.'

p 448 Leftrin compares Tarman to a cat: 'She smoothed her hand along the railing the same way she stroked Grigsby when the ship's cat honoured her by leaping into her lap. It was a fingertip stroke, an awareness that he belonged to himself, and she was allowed to touch him but never own him.
Yes. That described Tarman for as long as Leftrin had known him, and even more since his modification. There was a stubborn streak" .....

Also both dragons and cats (and the Fool) like being warm!!
p456 when the dragons are on the heated stone 'I think this is the warmest Relpda has ever been. I never realized how chilled she always felt"

[Farseer]

Spoiler

Also both dragons and cats (and the Fool) like being warm!!
p456 when the dragons are on the heated stone 'I think this is the warmest Relpda has ever been. I never realized how chilled she always felt"

Yes!!! I LOVED this 'always feeling cold' connection too...it blew my mind !!!!

[Farseer]

I'm not sure if these are to be taken too much to heart though, as I've noticed Robin compares a LOT of things to cats. (I should do a complete list or count them!)

Yes, after reading so many cat references in 'Soldier's Son', I'm starting to think you're right!!! While they were contained within the RotE world they seemed to hold a certain significance but now I have to wonder if it's not just Robin's style of writing !!

['thul]

Spoiler

Also both dragons and cats (and the Fool) like being warm!!
p456 when the dragons are on the heated stone 'I think this is the warmest Relpda has ever been. I never realized how chilled she always felt"

Yes!!! I LOVED this 'always feeling cold' connection too...it blew my mind !!!!

here be 'nother Dragon haven spoiler...

Did you notice near the end of dragon haven that those that had changed the most towards elderlings, like thamyra, also had that same need for warmth?
In many ways, that is a reptilian aspect, related somewhat to the fact that reptiles are often cold-blooded...
The 'thul especially liked that aspect... For one thing, how will the new elderlings adapt to such new requirements? Previously they have always required food and water, but now they'll require food, water and warmth... These beings are thinking that they'll have at least some trouble with that...