JemJem (/gem-gem/ [dʒɛm-dʒɛm])

JemJem is the beloved pet and loyal friend of Doctor Tybulus Svilen. She’s accrued an idol status in the years since first being featured in season 4, episode 11 of Stratotastic Critters. Today she’s by most considered as much of (or maybe even more of) a star of the show.   Due to her high popularity and fame many regards her as the mascot of the Royal Atheneum of Hövnís, though it was only recently that she officially attained that status. Her likeness was added to the official P.K.R logotype.  

Physical Characteristics

JemJem is a striped, silken long hair ninene of average height and weight. She has cream-white fur that under natural light will give off a soft, gem-like sheen. Her head, legs, and tail feature a light chocolate striped pattern with a very pronounced M-like shape on the forehead. The face and tail also has a very faint cream masking.   While neither she or her owner care all that much, speculations regarding what official coat colors hers would correspond to has been a widely and deeply discussed topic on many occasions. They likely may never receive a definite answer due to JemJem originally being a stray cub, and thus lacks any pedigree certifications that can verify her heritage.  

Apparel & Accessories

At home, JemJem rarely wears any apparel or accessories. When with her owner she at the very least wears a decorated collar fitted with an identification chip and an active tracking sensor.   She’s also used to being dressed up in various creative and colorful outfits, or made to wear an accessory or two, for entertainment purposes while live on the weekly Stratotastic Critters show. If she’s allowed to tag along on themed holiday events, she’ll usually be perching on her owner’s shoulder wearing matching accessories.  

Personality

As bright and curious as they come, JemJem accompanied her owner whenever possible in order to get the mental stimulus she needed – but did end up getting into a fair share of mischief anyway, most of it inoffensive and good-natured. As is typical of most ninns, JemJem is extremely social and delights in being the center of attention.   She's mellowed down significantly in later years, and isn't seen accompanying her owner quite as frequently. Instead, she's found lounging on a windowsill at the teacher's offices or at home, curiously watching the academy grounds.   Though as social as she is, she will not willingly let others than her owner hold or pick her up. It's one of few things that seem to cause her a great deal of stress.    

Background

JemJem was found by Tybulus Svilen in a small alleyway in the harbor town of Eole on Odosfier island, Papacalla. With no owner or even mother in sight to care for her, Svilen decided to take her in and brough the ninene cub with him back to Hövnís, Eörpe.  

Bringing JemJem into the equation certainly made my life very complicated. But she also made my life far richer and more meaningful than I could ever have imagined.

— Notation by Dr. Tybulus Svilen

  Once nursed back to health JemJem proved more than a handful for the doctor due to her unsatiable curiosity and boundless energy. In order to provide her the mental and physical stimulation she needed, balance caring for her and attending a hectic work life – and spare his furniture at home – Svilen trained her to walk with a leash and harness so he could take her along with him.   JemJem was delighted with the daily adventures whether it was just within the academy grounds or being brought along on the expeditions for recording material for upcoming Stratotastic Critter episodes. And she excelled at charming the hearts of most people they met.  

The Space Ninene

One of the seasons for Stratotastic Critters was to focus on the concept of bioengineering, particularly on different neolife and splices that were commonly found as pets. It was decided that JemJem would be featured in the episode about neolife ninns and it seemed ideal since she absolutely adored being in the spotlight anyway.   While the crew was busy preparing, JemJem was freely wandering the set and found decorative bulbous vase with a narrow neck. The ninene was determined to squeeze into it despite it already being host to a sizeable amount of water and a collection of flowers. She only got as far as getting her head stuck inside before being found out, but, with only minutes before the recording was to start there was no way they’d get her out of it without breaking the expensive vase.   After draining the remaining water, getting the flowers out, and drying the ninene, she was brought up on stage with the vase still on her head. JemJem didn’t seem to mind the least to wear her ‘glass space helmet’.   Her appearance in the show was a hit and she eventually got featured in more episodes as Svilen’s sidekick – being very easy to train tricks and commands, and her responsiveness combined with her outgoing and curious nature, proved very entertaining for the younger audiences.  

She does sometimes wear costumes for themed episodes, but we retired the ‘space helmet’ after that first one. The space ninene is still the most common fan art we receive from viewers, though.

— Notation by Dr. Tybulus Svilen

 

Near-Death Experience

The ninene nearly tragically lost her life as a victim of circumstance. She was grabbed and thrown out an open window, eight floors above ground. Witnesses expressed never anticipating someone would do so to an innocent animal, and neither anticipating her owner to leap out after her without an ounce of hesitation.   Svilen caught her mid-air and held her tight as they crashed down all the way to the sidewalk below. Both survived with JemJem mostly unharmed while Svilen needed several weeks of extensive repairs. The individual who committed the crime was arrested and sentenced in accordance with local laws built upon the Sentient Rights Act