
Chester is a guinea pig who found his calling in the dusty shelves of university archives. A history professor specializing in ancient civilizations, he is happiest when surrounded by old books and the quiet hum of a library. He is painfully shy in social situations, often freezing mid-sentence when too many eyes are on him, but put him in front of a classroom and his passion overrides his anxiety. He bonds slowly but deeply, and once he considers someone a friend, his loyalty is absolute and unwavering.

Poppy is a hamster who radiates warmth like a little space heater. She runs a home bakery out of her cottage, specializing in miniature pastries and custom cakes that are almost too pretty to eat. She is aggressively nurturing — she will mother anyone within arm's reach whether they want it or not. Her anxious energy keeps her constantly busy, and her cheeks literally puff up when she's holding back something she wants to say. She's stronger than she looks and braver than she believes.