It is without a doubt that one of the best features of Twilight Princess is the array of cats roaming Hyrule and the many interactions Link can have with them in the game. The most renowned, regal, and curious cat of them all is a fluffy white Persian taking residence in Telma’s Bar as Telma’s pet companion named Louise. Louise can’t be picked up and cuddled, but respect can be earned. Respect from this cat comes with benefits and secrets that only one that is small and agile, with a curious intent, can discover.
Louise first appears in the cutscene of Link arriving at Telma’s Bar in search of Ilia. The white cat stands behind Telma, her head peering around Telma’s legs with narrowed eyes watching every move of the new stranger that has walked into her bar (it may be called Telma’s Bar, but let’s be honest; we all know that this cats run Castle Town). Her movements are subtle, quickly losing interest in Link to stand with Ilia and protect those in her care, as much as a cat can. The little cat disappears in the middle of the scene, but that does not mean she’s not listening, watching and taking in every scent. When her owner and the strangers leave to save a young Zora, the cat is left behind and perhaps forgotten—if the hero in green even noticed the cat in the first place. But Louise will make herself known when the time is right.
In the middle of a heart-breaking journey, Link, trapped in his wolf form, rushes across Hyrule Field to save Midna’s life. After being kicked out Telma’s Bar for his beastly form, he sits dejected outside in the pouring rain. All seems lost until a white cat jumps down from a high window and sits in front of the twilight beast. Not bothered by the rain, Louise addresses Link directly, recognising his scent as the knight that once visited the bar and helped her owner. Now able to communicate, she introduces herself and expresses confusion with the change of Link’s form. “Really, dear, you can’t blame the humans for tossing you out, the way you look.” (Louise – Twilight Princess). Unlike the humans in the bar, Louise notices the patient atop Link’s back, calling him a curious sort to keep ending up in these situations. At Midna’s plea for Princess Zelda, the cat turns away and walks with a simple command for Link to follow. She reveals a secret passage through the attic of the bar that will reach the hidden waterways beneath the castle, even though the trek may be treacherous due to its age. She then walks off, to distract the humans, she says. It seems Telma’s trust in Link passed onto her cat and, if there was one cat to gain trust, it’s the cat that knows everything.
They say curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. Louise comes across as a highly regarded cat with an aura of authority. Many cats around Castle Town comment on Louise and her knowledge on how to navigate the twists and turns and underground pathways found throughout the town. She’s the go to for cats in regards to travel and well known among the feline community. The white cat holds herself with pride and has proven herself observant and perhaps one of the smartest cats of the game. Perhaps it’s Louise’s words about Link that gets all the other cats to trust and follow Link around. But that’s not to say that Louise doesn’t have a little bit of mischief up her sleeves.
Outside of a happy meow inside Telma’s Bar, Louise appears one more time in the storyline. In the hunt to help Ilia’s memories return, Link goes looking for her little wooden statue. In the hunt, a scent leads him right to Louise. After a moment, Louise drops her high lady persona to admit that she did indeed steal the statue, but she no longer has it. Stalhounds stole it from her. Through guilt, kinship, or knowing Link’s wolf form has very sharp teeth, Louise gives very precise instructions on where and how to find the thieves.
To most, Louise is just that little white cat that hangs around Telma, eyeing everyone who would dare to hurt her human. It’s only Link and the cats of Hyrule that truly know who Louise is and what she is capable of. She is the cat that sees all, knows all, and is pretty good at sneaking around (how else does she know all those hidden passages into Hyrule Castle). Louise could rule Hyrule but she has someone to protect, and a bar to keep useless knights out of.
