Soot's Shadowy Sleuth

Soot was velvet midnight with eyes like polished onyx. A black Berkshire rat with a white belly, he was the quiet investigator of his mischief. While his cagemates were bolder, Soot preferred to observe first. He would figure out how a puzzle feeder worked by watching others, then execute the solution flawlessly on his first try. He was an escape artist, not out of desire to run, but out of sheer intellectual curiosity about latches. He was deeply affectionate on his own terms, preferring to curl in a hoodie pocket rather than on a shoulder. His quiet, intelligent presence was a steady, calming force in the lively rat group.