Gigi "Peekaboo" Samuels

Owner of the Flat Iron Café, Keeper of the Flat Iron Freehold, Head of the House on the River

Ask around Cleveland’s near west side, and someone will point you to Gigi “Peekaboo” Samuels—a Clurichaun of fire, fists, and fierce friendship. Standing just 5'4" with a powerful athletic frame and an arsenal of sharp expressions, Gigi is as quick with a jab as she is with a joke. She’s got the kind of intense, knowing stare that can shake even seasoned fighters, and the kind of laugh that’ll have you raising a glass before you realize it.

Gigi runs the Flat Iron Café, one of the oldest pubs in the city, with charm, pride, and more than a little mischief. Hidden in the back is a snug, dimly lit freehold lounge warmed by a twinkling balefire of green and gold, said to echo with harp chords when a good story or toast is made nearby. The room is lined with vintage wooden barrels and lost brewery relics—each with a tale, a riddle, or a wager attached to it. Some whisper that a few of the casks still breathe.

She inherited her fighting skill through generations of matriarchs—her mother was a brawler, her grandmother was a prizefighter, and Gigi? She trains at C4 Athletics, humbling boastful boxers and helping Dreamers sharpen their body and spirit alike. She has a soft spot for Dreamers with drive and a sharp tongue for those with swagger but no substance.

Peekaboo leads a rowdy but loyal motley, often affectionately called "the House on the River." Beyond the Clurichaun herself, it includes: Molly Two-Spoons, a Boggan and cook; Nora Broomstick, a Boggan and bartender; and, Calladan Dray, an Eshu and Cuyahoga River tour guide.

Legacy

Gigi’s loyalty to her motley and barony is ironclad, but her temper’s a match for her fists. She prizes fairness, honest effort, and tenacity—especially in Dreamers. She’s willing to share her space and her wisdom with those who show guts and respect. The Flat Iron’s freehold is a haven for the weary, the scrappy, and the sincere—but woe to the fool who starts a fight under her roof.

Peekaboo may offer:

• Training in hand-to-hand combat or fitness
• Temporary lodging or sanctuary at the Flat Iron Café
• Leads on old Cleveland legends and chimera
• Opportunities to earn her favor through honorable challenge or defense of the barony

But beware—cross her, or disrespect her family, and you’ll find out why they call her Peekaboo (spoiler: it’s what she says right before knocking someone out cold).