Character name: Ambrose Geppetto, but few people know his first name. He prefers to just be called "Geppetto," but "Mr. Geppetto" is okay as well.
Race: White
Age: Old. Say 75?
Height: Ummm... What's a good little old man height? 5'5"?
Eye color/shape: Gray/smallish/behind glasses
Hair color/style: White hair, kind of longish, but balding in the front. Sticks out quite a bit unless he slicks it down.
Face specifics: Big mustache. He needs a big mustache. And glasses. Small glasses with wire frames. Bushy white eyebrows. Rather slender in bone structure. Large nose.
Body specifics: Rather well-built (he is a wood carver, after all)... strong arms, big hands, but a bit on the skinny side, as age is catching up with him. Wears typical work clothes and an apron, often with a toolbelt.
Occupation: Woodcarver/toymaker.
History: Geppetto grew up in a small town far from magic. His father was a woodworker as well. When Geppetto was a teenager, he moved to the city to make his own living. The day his shop opened, Geppetto's parents were murdered. Poisoned. Geppetto learned that his father, in his later years, was involved in a very hush-hush scandal within the Patin Society. He loved and respected his father a great deal, and his death scarred Geppetto deeply.
    He became very lonely, and buried himself in his work. One night after a few too many drinks, he went into a rage and shouted out the window. He begged for a son. The Godmother animated Geppetto's favorite toy, Pinocchio, and Geppetto woke up to a son.
    He's grateful for Pinocchio, but is wary and frightened of the way he was born. He loves his son, but hates the magic that made him, and it tears him in half. He worries constantly that the magic in Pinocchio will make him likely to sympathize with the aristocrats, or that Pinocchio will join them because he feels he owes them for giving him life. He continues to make toys in a small woodshop in town, which doubles as a meeting place for local business owners.
Personality: Paranoid and skeptical, but kind. Loves his work, and values hard work in general. Soft spoken and logical, he prefers to be alone or in the company of a few friends. Easily steps up as a strong leader when he feels he's needed. Magic makes him uncomfortable, but he's willing to accept it in the case of honorable, kind people that he can be sure he trusts.
Sexual preference: Hard to tell.
Relations: Has a happy relationship with Pinocchio, and likes to talk with other local business owners. He's also quite popular amongst the children of the city, and mothers are comfortable knowing their children spend time after school with a sweet old man.
Abilities: Well, wood carving and toy making, obviously. He is also known to be somewhat of an amateur inventor. He makes fancy, pretty accessories for women on occasion, and has invented several tools. He's good at intricate, detailed carving. Making furniture bores him, but he does it if the money is good. He often puts tiny secret drawers and such things in them, though, to satisfy his more creative side. He also gardens.


React to the following statement ic (in character):

"Hey! Don't think I'm stupid. I know what you're up to."

Geppetto looked up at the slight figure at the table. The little boy narrowed his eyes, and pointed to Geppetto's left hand, which was curled nonchalantly at his side.

"In there. I know you hid it in that hand. You can't fool me! What do you have in your hand?"

The surprise was wrecked.
"I have to stop playing all my old tricks on such smart young lads," smiled Geppetto. "I got you a friend for that house I made you last week. I think he might be just the right size..." Opening his hand, Geppetto revealed a shiny little black cricket. It waved its antennae around in a daze. He opened the tiny latch on the door of the beautifully carved house, no larger than a box of cards. The cricket crawled inside and made itself at home.

The little boy clapped and laughed. "It's magnificent! He's the perfect size! It's almost like magic how well the house suits him!"

"That's the best kind of magic," said the old man. "The kind that makes little boys laugh, and gives creatures of all kinds a safe place to live." He sighed under his breath. "Should be the only kind. I hope it's the only kind you ever know, my lad."

Obviously not paying attention, the young boy stared in the minuscule windows at the cricket exploring its new home. He looked up with a huge grin. "Thank you, Geppetto! I've named him Jim! I'm going to go show my mom!"

Geppetto patted the boy on the back, and waved as the screen door slammed shut and the boy ran down the walkway.