I am considering taking on a Talkative Rat.
My problem is a Starveling Cat and 7 Weasels - I don’t think introducing them carefully will work, weasels are notorious for defeating cages, and the Starveling Cat - well - I wouldn’t put anything past it, and a rat in a cricket-cage on the mantle has little hopes.
Obviously, I’m waiting on this purchase until I solve this problem, all feedback appreciated! :)
I have a talkative rat, one S-Cat and too many weasels to recall counting. Nobody’s killed each other so far!
It is possible that the weasels might kill out of desperation, yes. However, I think they’re generally the ones in danger. The rats of London are quite good at creating their own defenses; more importantly, this one could talk the ears off a Master. Wouldn’t you flee to another room if you had the option?
Of course, if you’ve acquired multiple lodgings by now, then simply sticking the rat in a nice (and otherwise unused) cottage on Watchmaker’s Hill is not out of the question.
Great, now I feel like the proverbial Ethiopian with the cabbage, the goat, and the wolf!
I don’t think keeping them in separate residences would be worth the effort - better to get rid of them, which is what I’m trying to avoid.
Hmmm… I’ll keep researching - maybe others have had the same experience as Calliope, and I needn’t worry?
I just can’t imagine this ending well.
If we were dealing with a normal cat, he’d probably protect the rat as a useful (if annoying) informant, though he’d probably then convince him to be in places he’s not supposed to be. The Starveling Cat, on the other hand… well, let me know if you need Pest Control.
In the good Professor’s household, everyone knows quite well what he’d do if they touched someone, so it’s a non-issue. Also, Algernon (former rat bandito) and Midnight (Parabolan kitten… well, kitten two years ago) generally keep the others from pestering him. Not that they like him, mind, but they’re still not going to let him get picked on by the weasel (or let him pester Balkis the tigress beyond endurance). I think you can keep the weasels in line. The only real question is the Starveling Cat.
You Introduce Them Carefully.
[spoiler]Pinkie, the champion racing slug had been ignored. Lumpy, the cheerful goldfish, had been undiscovered. The 8 weasles had been avoiding the Starveling Cat. Then you introduced a talkative Faber rat. Harmony continues for less than 2 seconds.
Wounds is increasing.
Nightmare is increasing.
You no longer have A Talkative Rattus Faber
You no longer have A Cheerful Goldfish (Lumpy)
Your Racing Slug of Fine Pedigree is wounded. (Pinkie)
Your Araby Fighting-Weasel is wounded. (Gasher)
Your Starveling Cat is wounded. (Max)
Your wounds are increasing.
Your Araby Fighting-Weasel is wounded. (Gasher)
Your Starveling Cat is wounded. (Max)
You no longer have a Lucky Weasel. (Simon)
Your Lucky Weasel is wounded. (Gershwin)
Your wounds are increasing.
Your Lucky Weasel is wounded. (Bandicoot)
Your Starveling Cat is wounded. (Max)
You no longer have a Lucky Weasel. (Pickles)
Your Lucky Weasel’s Nightmare is increasing (Sheila)
Your Lucky Weasel is wounded. (Slip)
You no longer have a Lucky Weasel. (Knott)
Your wounds are increasing.
Suspicion is increasing.
Scandal is increasing.[/spoiler]
(sorry, no screen capture)