Beautiful People // Oddball

Beautiful People is back! I know it's been forever, but I'm linking up with Cait @ Paper Fury and Sky @ Further Up and Further In.

If it's important that you know, I'm editing Oddball the First (aka the first book in the Oddball trilogy). But for today, Oddball will answer these for us.

Oddball: Don't act like I do as you say.

me: Do it or I'll tell them what a cute, angsty wittle baby you were.

Oddball: *makes face* If I don't snap out of it in 132 pages, I'll go back and strangle myself.

me: Don't bother. If you don't, I'll knock it out of you in 132 pages.

Oddball: Gee, thanks. Why don't you just get it over with on page 1, huh?

me: Character arc.

Oddball: Whatever. Let's get this over with.

me: *whispers* not too much has changed though.

Oddball: *shouts* I'm sorry, what?! It's seems I can't hear you over the sound of your losing your leverage over my answering these questions.

me: *mutters* just answer the stupid questions.

1) What's their favortie place they've visited?

I really can't say.


2) What's one mistake they made that they learned from?


Just because people hurt you, doesn't mean you ought to hurt others.


3) What was their favorite subject in school? Or favorite thing to learn about?

Yeah, never attended school.

But I loved reading about different cultures and kingdoms. It's fascinating how we're all so different and yet the same.


4) What's their favorite flower/growing thing?

Trees. Trees are good. They give us oxygen to breathe, and they're great for climbing.





5) Have they ever made someone cry? What happened?

Have I made someone cry? Uh, not that I can remember of? If I did, then they didn't cry in front of me. 


6) Would you consider them a reliable or unreliable narrator?

Who are you calling unreliable? I think you might be confusing me with Rocky. He always turns our map upside-down.





7) What do they dream about at night?

I don't really dream, ok? There might be a few nightmares, but . . .

*rolls eyes* Don't "Aaaw, Oddball" me.


8) They've gone out for a "special meal." What would they eat?

Can I just have some chocolate chip cookies? That's good enough for me, right now.





9) What's at least one thing they want to do before they die?

Are you trying to tell me something? Why just one? I don't plan to die anytime soon.

Uh, leave the Border, I guess. Check that. And not come back. Uncheck that.


10) Do they have any distinguishing or unique talents?

I'm spectacular at running away from things. And keeping Rocky pointed in the right direction. I'm also pretty good at pretending to be fascinated with something else when Rocky and Sky kiss. :P  It's better if Peril's around because then I can pretend to pick on her.

But she starts it.

No, really! Promise, she does. 



Have you done Beautiful People? 

Beautiful People: What Does Oddball Look Like

Today I'm linking up for Beautiful People with Cait @ Paper Fury and Skye @ Further Up and Further In. I'm sure you can guess we're talking about Oddball, and, who knows, maybe I'll thrown in something about the other three also.

1) Give a brief overview of their looks.

Oddball's kind of a dirty blonde. If you care about eye color, he has brown eyes. I not sure if I've mentioned that in the book though?

Haircolor for the others:

Skyler: black

Rocky: dark brown

Peril: red

2) Share a snippet that involves a description of their appearance.

I pulled the mirror trick. Oops. I wrote this six years ago, and it's awful. Don't even tell me it's not, because *headdesk* I know it is.

     -- He strolled up to the mirror, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked himself up and down. From head to toe he was one color: mud brown, a predictable look for someone who had just fallen into a muck pool. Oddball made a funny face. His eyes were hollow and tired, and his thin lips looked in ill-humor. He turned on his heel and walked away. He looked over his shoulder. The tall image peered back at him. Oddball faced forward again. Okay, enough messing around. Someone might see him. --

3) What is the first thing people might notice about them?

Probably his height. Oddball's very tall. I think only Hawk's Wing is taller than him. 

Also. . .

 *clears throat*

 #4, that's your cue!

4) What are their unique features?

His hair is always a mess. It sticks up in all directions and Oddball never bothers to fix it. Rocky pokes fun at him about it

5) How tall are they? What is their build?

I've never actually measured him. Oddball is just lanky, and very tall because I haven't mentioned that yet.

Height scale of the Foursome from tallest to shortest:

Oddball

Rocky

Skyler
[R and S are about the same height.]

Peril

6) What is their posture like? How do they usually carry themselves?

For a tall person, Oddball doesn't hunch much, unless he's sitting. He tends to lounge around when sitting. His arms will be sprawled over the back of the chair, and his feet most likely will kicked up in an adjacent chair, especially if he's comfortable with those around him. He does hunch over his food though.

7) Your character has been on a "lazy day." What are they wearing and how do they look?

Oddball's probably just in jeans and his favorite T-shirt. And barefoot. He's most likely sitting in some tree with his sketch book. Unless he's at the Post where he might be helping this guy named Ratchet fix stuff. And, you know, sometimes he doesn't mind hanging around the other three. ;)

The others' lazy days:

 Rocky: He looks the same as usual: jeans, hiking boots, and plaid shirt. Unlike Oddball though, Rocky's hair is combed. He's probably off telling stories or wild jokes to anyone, following Skyler around, maybe playing pranks with Peril. Sometimes he annoys Oddball and Ratchet while they try to fix things.

Skyler: She's in jeans with hooded shirt. She's probably with Bolt, with a book, or with her friends. Sometimes Rocky might persuade her to tag along with him and be social with. . . strangers.

Peril: Again, she looks like normal minus a few weapons. She's barefoot, another usual for her. Her hair might be completely down. She's either doing archery, throwing knives, reading a book, chatting with Sky, playing pranks with Rocky, or annoying Oddball. She gets around.

8. Do they wear glasses or accessories? Do they have any article of clothing or accessory that could be consider their trademark?

Skyler tends to get frizzy hair and will smell like a dragon from being around Bolt. She also wears fingerless gloves and has a preference for hooded shirts.

Rocky is sometimes bruised because, well, for some reason he thinks he needs to fight his way out of everything. And there's the plaid.

Somehow, Peril is the one who walks away seemingly unscathed. Her hair tends to be a mess. It's cut to cover one of her eyes. She has a leather string tying it back, although most of it just falls out, and another leather string around her head to keep the mess in place as if it works.

Oddball though is a bit bumbling. He doesn't intentionally wear any sort of accessory, but, um. . . He always seems to have some part of their surrounding terrain on him, be it a smudge of dirt on his arm, leaf litter stuck to his shirt, or twigs in his hair from ducking under trees.
Also, his hair, but we've discussed this haven't we?

9) Have they ever been bullied or shamed because of their looks?

Sort of? Oddball is from the Border. The Border is comprised of the two kingdoms Bal and Od, that are on the brink of war. Oddball just so happens to be a from both kingdoms.

The Balen are tall and dark-haired. The Oddish are short and fair-haired. Oddball is tall and fair-haired. So who he is, is very obvious. He doesn't get shamed because of his looks, but his looks do give him away, not that he's ever really thought about it that way.

10) Are they happy with how they look? If they could change anything about their appearance, what would it be?

From the state of his hair, I don't think he cares enough to give it much thought.

Oh, also if you haven't take the survey I made and want to, definitely feel free to do so soon. I want to do a follow up post because, I guess, you might? interested in the results (and in who said they were a strawberry croissant *cough*)? I won't put your name with the answers you gave though.

Have you done Beautiful People?

Beautiful People: Rayne

Hello, hello! I'm linking up again with Beautiful People hosted by Cait @ Paper Fury and Sky @ Further Up and Further In.

Today, I thought we'd talk with Rayne from the weird idea. [the weird idea is a WIP and there's a summary of it here.]

1. Do they want to get married and have children? Why or why not?

I've never really considered this. Things are a too turbulent to plan the future as if it could be a stable possibility.

2. What is their weapon of choice?

Hand-to-hand combat, unless, of course I'm up against something like super strength or some other. . . power. I do know my way around a gun if necessary.

I've been informed that my words cut a little deeper though. I have no idea what that person was talking about.

3. What is the nicest thing they've done for someone else and why did they do it?

 I'm not given to random acts of niceness. Unless I'm friends with a person. Or relate to their situation. I do go on voluntary rescue missions if that amounts.

4. Have they ever been physically violent with someone, and what instigated it?

Um, yes. Often. Usually, it's out of self-preservation. Or I was on a rescue mission. Or on a mission in general. I've never counted the times, and I don't care to start.

5. Are they a rule-follower or a rebel?

A rebel. Although I am using your definition of 'rebel.' The word will mean something different by my time.

6. Are they organized or messy?

I don't own much to keep organized. But in my mind, I have to keep everything tidy or else my memories will bombarded me 24/7. Everything is were it belongs in my 'mind palace' as you would most likely call it.

[Rayne has a photographic memory.] 

7. What makes them feel loved and who was the last person to make them feel that way?

When a person knows everything about you, the good and the bad, and they still don't leave. When you can trust them and they can trust you. When you don't even need words.

 I refuse further answers to this question.

8. What [inserts did] they eat for breakfast?

 Six impossible things. I run on impossibility.

But really?

Stale peanut butter on half burnt toast. The coffee though was excellent. Two sugars and just enough cream. Quite the luxury to have cream.

9. Have they ever lost someone close to them? What happened?

Yes. And again I use my right to refuse answers.

10. What's their treat of choice? (and if not food, then how do they reward themselves?)

 

I do love Alice in Wonderland. Anytime I can read some Lewis Carroll is nice. Or The Princess Bride. Any leisure time I get to read or watch old books or movies is a treat. As for food? Savannah has kind of hooked me on take-out. But honestly, anything that isn't stale or hasn't come out of a can will do. 

 

Have you written a Beautiful People post?

Beautiful People: Oddball's Childhood

Thank you so much Cait @ Paper Fury and Skye @ Further Up and Further In for hosting Beautiful People!

Oddball refuse to answer these. *glares at him* It seems he'd rather run the risk of me answering for him. So here we go.

1. What are their first childhood memories?

His mom singing. His father throwing him in the air.

2. What were their best and worst childhood experiences?

After 'they' burned his family's house and his dad, Cat, recovered from a gunshot wound from 'them,' his family lived in the huge sludge trees and survived on whatever they could find. But his dad still told jokes and his mom, crazy though she was, still sang songs. His family was still his family and they were still together. Nothing had really changed. Even though everything had gone wrong, 'they' couldn't do anything to him or his family. The best experience was the strange invincibility that comes with loving and being loved.

The worst experience was when 'they' did kill his family. Strange thing though, the invincibility of love remains.

3. What was their childhood home like?

Small. Cozy. Singing in the air. Drawings and pencils on the floor.

4. What's something that scared them as a child?

Being eaten by prackles. Losing his parents. Never belonging. The dark. Being caught by 'them.'

5. Who did they look up to most?

Dad

6. Favorite and least favorite childhood foods?

His mom, Sera, made a good tree mussel stew.

The least favorite is of course swamp spinach. Esin would make him eat it because, "It's good for you. It'll make you run faster." Oddball never bought that.

7. If they had their childhood again, would they change anything?

He couldn't change anything despite wanting to. So no, he doesn't want it back. He just wants his parents back and that's not going to happen either. So there's no use, is there?

8. What kind of child were they? Curious? Wild? Quiet? Devious?

Mature. His mom had leftligger, so she wasn't all there. He had to look after her when his dad was away finding food or work. Sera wasn't bedridden or incapable. She could cook and clean, and she did have moments of clarity. But her mind was like a child's, an easily frightened two year old who couldn't comprehend everything.  So I would say Oddball was mature.

He was curious also. Esin Trik, his father's only friend, would bring him books from a big city library Esin traveled to from time to time.  Oddball loved learning about different kingdoms and cultures. When he lived with Esin later, Esin taught him many things like mapmaking and science. Oddball would sit around in trees reading books. (So yeah, he was a homeschooler.)

9. What was their relationship to their parents and siblings like?

For a time he was angry with his mom for being unable to be his mom, but his anger didn't last too long. He knew it wasn't her fault. He just loves her and wishes he knew her before she became sick. His dad and Esin always said she was amazing.

His dad is like his hero. Oddball could be a kid around Dad. Also, Dad would take him seriously. He never opened up to anyone the way he would to Dad.

10. What did they want to be when they grew up and what did they actually become?

An explorer (all those books got to his head ;). And safe. The former happens, but the latter? Probably never.

I've realized while writing Oddball the Sequel, that Oddball is the only one in the Foursome who actually has good childhood memories. Rocky never knew his parents and his brother betrayed him. Both Peril and Skyler have been sorely affected by their parents' influence. The thing that sets Oddball apart is that he had a real family who taught him what family and love is. He doesn't have a mentor figure. He truly treasures the memories of his parents (sometimes he kind of idealizes them). I think that's why he didn't want to talk about it. For him, talking about it is like giving it away. 

I actually wrote five or seven versions of this BP with different characters. Peril, Skyler, Rayne, Eelistelle, etc. Maybe I'll post others later if you're interested.

Apologies for Oddball's absence on this one. Perhaps I can persuade him to come around some other time. Hope you liked this! 

Have you done a Beautiful People post?

a character named willy-nilly // First Impressions

I can't stand introductions. I can't stand swapping names. It's a strange mixture of awkward and ordinary. It's so commonplace to ask someone their name and tell them your own. Yet it feels so unnatural. 

Besides, I end up forgetting their name in like seven seconds.

So when I introduce myself to my characters, I try to take a more time with their names.

Well, unless they are an unforeseen side character. Like the guard who gets a few more lines than:

"After them! They're getting away!"

If he starts getting over important, he thinks he deserves his name in the credits.

BUT let's talk about more major characters. Characters we name intentionally. The main character. The main character's bestie. The main characters crush or love/hater. The main character's brother, mother, first dog, and car.

Basically, this is a post in which I tell you stories about how I've named some characters and then I really hope you tell me stories about your characters' names, because I'm curious/nosy and I love stories. Obviously. Stories is my game, people.

 Exhibit A

How Oddball got his name

Oddball's name is actually how Oddball came into existence. Nothing monumental. The best way to get a story idea is to do something mundane so your bored brain thinks up something weird for amusement.

I was hanging up clothes when I thought up a kid who lives on the border of Od and Bal and his name is Oddball, because he's a half breed. (Note: I didn't realize the term "half-breed" was derogatory until. . . recently. *hides face* Apparently, I am oblivious to the world. But I still intend to use the term in my book for reasons.)

So yeah. That was the beginning of Oddball. And he thanks me very much for that.*cough*

 

Even characters like Shocky, Hawk's Wing, and Ratchet have reasons for their names. Oh, and Esin Trik. Say it like it's one word.

 Then there's Dauntayus. . .

I slapped a name on Dauntayus. All I could think of was the Dauntless (you know, from Divergent). I have no clue why because the Dauntless have nothing to do with this character or the book, or. . . 

Clearly, my mind was wandering and had decided that Dauntless = name. Just tweak it to turn it fantasy. (I haves a weird brain.) And ta-da, Dauntayus! 

Exhibit B

How I swapped characters' names and discombobulated my brain for half a lifetime

Say hi to the weird idea. I wanted the characters in this book series to have different names. Real names, but not normal ones. Does this make sense? For instance, there's a Savannah. I've never met anyone with that name. The MC is Rayne.

Why Rayne?

Because. . .

I like that name. Is that reason enough? Although later there is this concept with water that I added much later. But it's very minimal. Her eyes are liquid gray, like water. That's the lowdown in all it's anticlimactic glory. Rayne is Rayne just because.

There's a Terrence, Mikel, and. . . Kiwi. Kiwi is a name, alright. It's the name of a fruit. *clears throat*

Now, here's the thing. I have these two favorite characters. No, that's a lie. All of them are my favorite (which is completely possible and rational, don't argue, just keep up).

So these two characters obviously need special names. Doesn't everyone give their *favorite* characters the *best* of the names?

My favoritest male character name in the universe is Seth. But I have a Seth in this other, older hopeless failure that will one day be resurrected WIP. I can't have two Seths. THAT WOULD REALLY MESS WITH MY BRAIN. So being a fantasy writer I settled for something that sounds like Seth.

Keth.

The other name that I picked out is Sid.

So one of the favorites gets named Keth, the other Sid. This is boring Ashley. Why are you putting us through this?

The point is that I gave them the wrong names. Does it matter? Yes. Here's why.

Character A

I want the readers to feel comfortable around Character A. I want them, like Rayne, to trust this guy. I want the readers to be charmed on their first impression. In the beginning, Character A gets named Sid.

Character B

Rayne's first impression of Character B is distrust. She doesn't like this guy, doesn't understand this guy. And he appears very intimidating. I want the readers to have similar first thoughts. In the beginning, Character B is Keth.

 

It's just a name, Ashley. Why can't you just leave it that way?

Because I really, really want the readers to have a specific impression. And a name is another tool that will help me give that impression.

Sid is a very short name. It has that sharp 's' sound tacked to the sudden heaviness of a 'd'. It's clipped, almost harsh. If you heard someone whisper it in a dark room, it would be enough of a name that you'd be sure you heard something and yet still question if you had. Whispered in the dark, it'd nearly be a hiss.

Keth is short also. But it kind of lingers. It's a name you want to say. It has the soft 'k' twinned with an equally soft 'th'. It's pleasing to say, it's pleasing to hear. It has the essence of a feather; light weight and soft.

For a more straight forward analysis, is Keth an intimidating name? Gosh, no. Why don't I just name Character B Sue?!

So I swapped their names. It was all for the better.

Except in my head, for the longest time, I had two characters named Keth. And who in the world was Sid?

 

Do you intentionally name your characters to serve your story's purposes? Do you prefer names that are realistic or funny and paradoxical? Do you have any weird stories behind your characters' names?

Beautiful People: Rocky

I'm linking up with Beautiful People hosted by the ever fabulous Cait and Sky. So today we have Rocky.

Say 'hi' Rocky.

Hey, people!

1. How often do they smile? Would they smile at a stranger?

Always. All the time. *grins*

Unless of course they make some nasty comment to Skyler.

Or Oddball.

Or Peril.

Then I feel more like punching them in the face.

But you know, diplomacy and all. Or something Sky said once.

2. What is the cruelest thing they've ever been told? What was their reaction?

It wasn't really something I was told, I guess. More like a look. A treacherous look from. . . okay, yeah. It was told to me.

He used to call me brother. And, yes, that's cruel. It's worse cause he still calls me "brother." That backstabbing, little--

I sliced his face with a piece of glass.

3.  What is the kindest thing they've ever been told? And what was their reaction?

Oh, gosh it. I don't know. It was probably Skyler. She calls me idiot sometimes, you know? 

Skyler: *punches his arm*

Affectionately, of course. *grins*

4. What is a strong memory that has stuck with your character? Why is it so powerful and lasting?

Well, I kinda already talked about one. Sort of. Um, I'm sure there's something else.

There was that time I met Sky. Not sure why I'd remember that.

Skyler: Yeah, that's slipped my mind too.

5. What book (a real actual published book!) do you think that your character would benefit from reading?

Me: *laughs* I don't know. Perhaps a dictionary? 

Skyler: *nods* Yes, please. Get the man a dictionary!

6. Have they ever been seriously injured? How severely? How did they react?

Oh, yeah. Plenty of times. Like there was that one time I fell off a cliff. I wasn't too high up though. Just broke my collar bone. Lots of bruises. And I got poisoned once. In the Labyrinth. I was very unconscious after that. Uh, and then that one time I got shot because, well. . .

Skyler: Because he wouldn't listen to the person aiming a gun at him. 

So maybe that was dumb.

Skyler: Idiot.

7. Do they like and get along with their neighbors?

Uh, I don't really have neighbors. There was once when I did have some and they were all rotten.

8. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being easy and 10 being difficult) how easy are they to get along with?

I would say a 1. I don't cause a lot of trouble--

Skyler: Unless someone makes you angry then you're more like an 8.

Oh, an 8? Not a 10?

Skyler: I'm being nice. And if you're injured your absolutely incorrigible. 

Someone get me that dictionary.

9. If they could travel anywhere in the world, where would they go?

Don't really know. I've been to a lot of places. I guess it doesn't matter as long as my friends are with me and we're all safe, and we're on the top of a mountain or rock climbing. You know, some place high. Give me friends and something to climb and I'll be happy.

10. Who is the last person they held hands with? 

Why is this a question? Skyler, duh. 

Me: Eh, yeah. We'll go with that.

 So thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a Rocky post. Have you done BP?

Beautiful People: Two for One // Peril and Keth

Today I'm linking up with Sky @ further up and further in and Cait @ Paper Fury for Beautiful People. In the last post I asked what character you all wanted to read about.

I had a halfway answer for Peril (from the Oddball Trilogy) and the other half for a character from the weird idea. Being indecisive me, I'll comply with both. (There was also a Rocky request which I intend to fulfill in April.) So I'm going to split these questions in half, and mix them up. The first set will be for Peril. The second set will be for Keth.

Peril

(That's not Peril. But she makes me think of her. One day, I'll get the gumption to draw her for you.)

Describe their daily routine.

Her routine is rarely, uh, routine? She's on the move a lot. She works as a Postal Traveler and is usually, well, traveling in order to deliver things. She also happens to be secretly on the run from. . .  her homeland's military. Routine would make her predicatable. Also, Peril bores with routine.

But she does wake early. If she's traveling with people, she prefers to be the first awake. Also, she'll most likely be the last to sleep. Aka: most people never see Peril sleep.

 Write a list of things they merely tolerate.

Bullies

Superstition

Oddball, at times

not Oddball, at other times (he's hit-and-miss irritating)

Sappy, sentimental stuff

Rocky's singing

people who are slow to "get it"

Herself

Can they swim? If so, how did they learn?

Once upon a time, she was part of this clan. Really it was just a bunch of misfit kids like herself. Anyhow, they were goofing around, as kids do, and with a playful push she was submerged underwater. Peril didn't panic at the notion that oh, she doesn't know how to swim. She managed and reached the surface, uh, clumsily, half choking, half laughing. They all spent the day in the water. So Peril taught herself. She never actually had a fear of the water as her friends and her were having too grand a time tackling, splashing, and dunking each other. Drowning never entered their young minds.

How do they react to awkward silences?

Most normally, Peril will fill these silences with some wild wandering of her mind. But that's usually her mask. Her mask has no reverence for a silence that's awkward for an important reason.

If by chance, it is an important sort of awkward silence (say someone died) and she's not pretending, then she'll keep quiet or find something that'll release the tension.

 Your character is having a rough day. . . what things do they do to make them happy again? Is there anyone they talk/interact with to get in a better mood?

She would probably talk to Skyler. Skyler and her are besties. Also, Skyler kind of has this therapeutic aurora about her. She's a good listener and very understanding. She's probably the easiest to talk to as well as the easiest going of the four. If Skyler wasn't so shy, everyone and their dog would confide in her.

Peril might, maybe just be around Oddball. You know. If they're on friendly terms and Oddball isn't' angry with her.

Oddball's presence is very calming. It also tends to make her more herself so. . . sometimes she actually avoids him when she'd rather be with him. No, it doesn't make sense. Peril tends to complicate things.

source

Peril might also throw her knife. At a target. Not a human. Sometimes she goes off hunting. She'll go for a walk in the woods. Or even a run if nobody's around to watch. ANYTHING to move. 

Keth

So I took an unforgivable amount of time trying to find a Keth look alike. Pinterest, you have failed me.

Keth looks kinda like this guy and Andrew Garfield. But not. (Don't you love how much sense that makes?)

His hair is black (he might have dyed a lock of it some outlandish color). He wears glasses and a black leather jacket. Keth also smirks a lot, because he thinks he's cool and charismatic (no, Keth, geeky and charismatic). He kind of has this tech/hacker vibe.

Have I talked about Keth at all? I haven't talked about the weird idea though (ssh, I'm not supposed to be thinking about it). But if you don't know what the weird idea is, it's the last book listed under The Lunacies page.

Rayne is the protagonist, and Keth is her older brother, her only blood relation. They grew up taking care of each other on the streets. This caption is Rayne's thoughts on their early days.

I love Keth. I could tell you so much about Keth.

What first inspired this character? Is there a person/ actor you based them off?

Don't laugh too much, okay?

Keth was originally based on Loki. His character really took on a more three dimensional shape after I saw the first Thor movie. Keth was a mix of Loki and some other character whom I feel like a completely idiot for forgetting. But he's not much like Loki anymore. Keth is not half as angry as Loki.

Loki is always this seething ball of rage. He's a coiled snake poised to strike.

Keth appears like a, oh. . . hm.

Keth might have been taken from The Mentalist? I think he was also based off Patrick Jane. So think.

 If you mashed Loki 

source

and Jane together,

source

 then BAM!

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You have a tangle of arms and legs.

Uh, you would have Keth.

But now he's a little more like Keth than anyone else.

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 If they joined your local high school, what clique would they fall into?

Ahaha. I am so stealing Skye's @ Ink Castles answer.

The geeks and freaks.

 What is one major event that helped shape who they are?

Being a drama queen (yeah, he's one of those) Keth would tell you every little moment was a major event that shaped his life, but sheesh, ignore him. Please. He thinks all the world is his stage. Don't give him an audience too.

So I'll say the day that he and Rayne separated.

source

8. What things do they value most in life?

I actually have to think about this answer. Which isn't a good thing because this is an important question here!

Uh, uuuuuuuuuuuuum. A list?

1) People

Keth cares about people.

2) Humanity

More like he cares about being humane.

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3) His grand master plan

Yeah, he's got one of those. He is a drama queen. Do you think he wouldn't have one?

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(That's the status of Keth's self esteem. There's no arrogance going on over here. Never.)

4) Becoming a stronger telepath

Oh, hello. Hi. Did I mention that the weird idea has superpowers? And Keth is totally not one of the most powerful and capable telepaths in the whole of the book series. *cough* At all. Don't even let the thought enter your mind.

5) Rayne

 Rayne is very important to him. Basically, they are not twins, but they have the same kind of bond. He's kind of possessive of her, despite that they have a heart crushing past and are separated for most of the series.

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(If you watch The Mentalist, you'll understand. If you don't watch The Mentalist, why ever not?!)

6) Norse myth

He has a thing for Norse myth. *shrugs* What can I say? The awesome part about writing a futuristic world is referencing the past world, right? 

Keth is a little twisted (half Loki, half Jane; what else would he be?). He has a strange way of showing he cares. Therefore you might never realize he cares about this stuff. Except, you know, I just wrote a list for you. . .

Do they believe in giving people second chances? Do they have any trust issues?

Second chances, oh yes. *grins*

Watch out though. His idea of second chances may not be what you have in mind.

Does he have trust issues? I've never really thought of that. Rayne is the one with trust issues galore. But Keth? Yeah. I guess he does have a few of those hiding under that charismatic smile. The dude has control issues, so a few trust issues might be a side effect, right?

Have you done Beautiful People? OH and, if YOU HAD A SUPERPOWER, what would you want it to be?! I'd want to be telekinetic and invisible, please and thank you.

Peril's Beginnings

Some of you might remember that SWC post featuring Peril's younger years in an asylum.,

I wrote this three years ago. I almost want to roll my eyes at it. Or edit it, but there isn't time for that.  Anyhow, some friends and I had challenged each other to write a piece that began with "The asylum would never be his home." Or something like that. But in a way, this is a continuation of that SWC post/story. You know, how some authors write the prequel after they've written the series?

Here's to all you who like Peril. 

     The asylum was never her home. She turned somersaults down the dim hallway as she heard two staffers whisper that she truly belonged here. It didn’t matter how many times they said it.  But they were determined to think her mad. So let them. They’d never suspect what she had planned.

     She passed a guard placed in front of the medical storeroom. She stopped and looked back.The man was unblinking. She turned to stand before him. She waved her hands in his face, jumped up and down, even stuck her tongue out. But the guard stood expressionless. 

     Being born on the run, she had no birth certificate. According to the government she didn’t exist. Some staffers took it so far as to only acknowledge her presence when necessary. 

     She kicked the guard in the shin and took off. 

     “Get back here, you weasel!” the guard yelled. 

     His footsteps echoed through the windowless hall. A nurse, heading in the opposite direction, pushed a food cart. 

     Perfect.

     She shoved the cart, and kept running. Dishes clattered. 

     While she rounded the corner and peeled back the ventilation cover that she had loosened earlier that morning, she heard the guard and nurse collide.

     “Catch that kid,” the guard sputtered. 

     After they left, she climbed out and strolled to the storeroom. She punched the code into the keyboard. She had learned a lot by just watching and listening, including what drugs were used to sedate out-of-control patients. She spotted the open bottle of orlin on the messy shelves. But where was the cosmay? She pushed back a box of syringes. There it was. The stuff they used on her. She had once overheard two staffers talking about an accident. When the two drugs were mixed they counteracted each other’s unconscious effects and both became useless. The cosmay was about a fourth full, so she filled it halfway with the orlin. She replaced everything and slipped out unnoticed.

_________________________________

     She aimed the knife. Drew it back, and threw it. The thack of the knife penetrating wood resounded in the small gathering of trees at the edge of the asylum. She looked to Joedin. The old man nodded. Her roommate's hands were in socks and bound at the wrists. Joedin’s hands were free only when he was in his room without a staffer’s presence. Maybe if she existed, the government might care if a ten year old girl was roomed with an old man in an asylum for insane criminals. Luckly, Joedin was only a threat to her when he was angry. He had a nasty habit of throwing things, preferably sharp things, which he always managed to find. At first she avoided him, like everyone else. He was criminal and insane. When he found her handling one of his knives, she’d thought he’d be angry. But instead, he taught her what he knew and proved somewhat of a friend.

     She wondered if she would miss him. 

     The wind whistled through the trees. “Did you hear that?” Joedin asked.

     She pulled the crude-cut metal from the tree trunk. 

     “The mems are talking,” he said. “I hear them in the wind.”

     She didn’t answer. She never did. It helped convince the staffers that she was as crazy as they suspected. 

     “Mems always talk in the wind,” Joedin muttered. The wind gusted stronger. He shuddered and hunched in his coat.

    She dropped the knife and buttoned his coat. She had been here half her life and had just recently made the connection that Joedin’s ‘mems’ were all in his head.

     “Them’s close,” he said low. Only one thing could put fear in his eyes.

     Though she knew he didn’t shiver from the cold, she tiptoed to turn up his collar anyways. The ice wind encircled its fingers around her neck. She had little idea what it was like out there. The coming winter would make it harder. But at least she wouldn’t be in here. Having to pretend all the time.

     “I’m going inside,” Joedin said.

     She picked the knife off the hard, bare ground.

     “You staying?”

     She threw the knife. It stuck in the trunk, but not where she wanted it.

     “Be careful,” Joedin said as he left.

     She retrieved the knife. The woods became quiet again. It always seemed so loud in the asylum. Even if no one said anything. Like the people’s pasts spoke for them through their presence alone.
     She focused on the notch in the tree trunk. She had to get this right at least once today. Normally she did better. Too nervous, maybe.

     Focus now. The knife. The notch.

     She threw it. The satisfying thack filled the trees.

     Excellent.

     But what if when the time came excellence melted to sloppy awkwardness? She wanted this to be smooth- and clean. She needed it to be. If she messed up, she’d never leave. She might even deserve to be here.

     She ran her fingers through the long side of her hair. She reached around to feel if the other side had grown since she cut it off last month. Just another fake antic of mindlessness. But she had to know if it was true, and she couldn’t here.

     A crow cried out, eerie and almost sad. The sun sank slowly beneath the trees.

     It was time.
              _________________________________

A scream pierced the twilight silence of the asylum cemetery. This time it had actually come from herself. Five years of not a sound had made her wonder if she could do it.

     She shrieked again and shoved her weight against a headstone.

     Hopefully the staffers would come for her. She kicked a monument and pushed another with all her might. Of course, it wouldn’t move. She screamed but ended it like an anguished wail.

     They had to come. They couldn’t just leave her out here shrieking all night.

     There was movement at the bottom of the hill. She dropped to her knees and tore at the ground. Another cry split the air. It still didn’t seem like her own.

     When the staffers finally came into sight, she had already cleared the ground of dead grass and was scooping dirt away.

     “Thirty-two, what are you doing?” Mrs. Parker’s voice almost sounded scared.

     Mr. Kam was with Parker. Good.The two most superstitious of the staffers. She continued digging at the grave.

     “Thirty-two, stop that,” Kam said.

     It was always Number Thirty-two. Not only did she lack a birth certificate, but also an official name. A little detail Daddy overlooked.

     “It’s time to go inside,” Parker said more gently.

     She curled her lip at them and resumed digging.

     Parker grabbed her shoulder. “Enough!”

     She threw a handful of dirt at them. Parker’s grip tightened.

     “Get her other arm.”

     She screamed.

     Kam shook her. “You stop that.”

     They tried to lift her, but she refused to stand.

     “Just drag her,” Kam said.

     They pulled her arms and her feet trailed behind her. But once they reached the misshapen, cobbled path at the bottom of the hill, she stood and pulled back. Somehow they had anticipated it though and hauled her along with her heels dug in before her.

     The air had grown darker. The headstones jumbled as indistinguishable shadows and shapes. Except one.

     Her dad’s. He was the reason she was here.

     She ran ahead of the staffers and spat on his gravestone. The most cunning villain ever thought to live had lost his sanity after his wife died.

     “Cut that out!” Kam jerked her back.

     She growled at him.

     “Did you just. . .”

     She grinned as wickedly as she thought she could, and bit his arm.

     Kam released her. “The witch just bit me!”

     Yes, dear mother’s influence.

     She swung her free arm at Parker, clawing for the staffer’s face. Parker dodged her nails and spun her around so the staffer could pin her arms to her side. 
     But all she knew about ‘dear mother’ came from crazy dad. . . or the rest of the world. The most wonderful woman ever. Or sorceress of Shamdram.

     “Get the sedative,” Parker said.

     Kam ran to the asylum.

     She squirmed and stomped on Parker’s feet a dozen times, but the staffer was used to worse behavior. When they reached the asylum gate, Kam returned with a syringe. But it wasn’t what he thought. Kam stuck the needle under her skin. She let her body go limp and her eyes roll back. Parker had to catch her from falling.

     The rusty gate creaked. The grass tickled her bare feet as they dragged her, out of the asylum, into the open. Toward the isolation cages.

     “Have one for you,” Kam said to the guard who would be at the controls.

     “I was kinda hoping she wouldn’t have to come back,” the man said.

     “She was the one screaming a minute ago.”

     “Oh.”

     She felt the cold cement as they laid her on her stomach.

     “She’s unmanageable,” Parker said.

     The staffers departed. She heard the grind of the bars rising from the ground. The buzz of electricity enlivening the metal poles.

     She waited, then finally cracked an eye. The guard had his back turned, as normal. She felt for her knife. Smooth and clean, then straight for the forest. Cautiously she lifted her head, then the knife. Right through the bars.

     The guard stepped in front of the controls just when she was about to let the knife fly.
     No! Move, man! Before someone saw her. Move.

     The man dropped something. He sidestepped and bent over.

     Now. The knife sailed through the bars and buried itself into the control panel, right on the ‘off’ button.

   Aces!

     She turned toward the woods and jumped the bars as they slowly descended into the ground. The guard called for help. His footfalls were heavy behind her. She kept her eyes on the shadowy trees and the pop of the controls grew fainter. The man’s  puffing disappeared as trees enveloped her. 
     She had never done anything to deserve living in the asylum. Her parents’ crimes had put her there. The government thought that it all would be- what was that big word the staffers used? Hereditary? The insanity, the sorcery, the criminal mind. She had acted nuts most of her life so she could leave this place. Now she could finally find out if it was true.

     She fingered her hair. She wished she had something to cut it to equal lengths.

     Who was she?

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