Yes, it’s true. I’m still hearing voices.
But now it’s time for characters on the couch. I must say, it is tough to pick just one character out of two hundred, much less keep the answer within 200 words (not including the questions). I was going to pick Vengeance, one of my oldest characters and a Main Character of The Rogue King.
But no, I thought I should ask these questions of another Main Character from the same novel that I often find myself overlooking … Kael Ro’is, alleged orphan of a nomadic trader (don’t worry, he knows different).
 |
| Klif & Kael |
What is your biggest vulnerability?
My father aside, it would be Klif. Or, more specifically, the link I have with him. Without him … I don’t really want to contemplate what’ll happen. They say a Shadow Speaker who loses a bond mate goes insane. Or become empty ….
Riiight. Moving on … who knows about this vulnerability? Or is it a secret?
Practically everyone knows I’m a Speaker. Not sure if they make the connection. It’s the sort of thing you need to read up on these days. It’s certainly not something I tell people.
What do people believe about you that is false?
That being a Speaker automatically means I’m a monster. I’m not, you know. I’m probably more normal than some of the nobles round here but they can only see this … creature.
Well, Frisk would say it’s me not being quite so “out there” and Carine would certainly think it a flaw that I don’t lord it over people what with my bloodline. But I’ve never been the outgoing type and, honestly, I’m more likely to get beaten up than obeyed. It’s more-or-less a Speaker trait to blend into the background anyway.
I note you carefully left out Talsin.
I-I … ah. Heh … I don’t think she believes I have a flaw.
Okay then, what would the same friend say is your one redeeming quality and why?
Oh, all three would probably say I’m reliable. What with being what I am, I already have enough trouble getting people to accept me without adding a bad reputation. I’ve really no desire to see the dungeons.
To be normal. Or, at least, have people look at me and see me for who I am and not what I am. If I knew how to get that, I’d have it by now.
Aldrea Alien 
Oh I'm curious about the Shadow Speaker thing. Sounds like you have a really interesting concept here!
LikeLike
Aldrea–I love the idea of a person as a vulnerability 🙂 And it sounds like you have some cool character interaction. Great job!
LikeLike
Shadow Speakers and, by association, their Breeders is a convoluted idea that evolved to incorporate so many abilities, but I’d need a whole page to explain the details, and it would likely bore you in the process. ^_^
By this story, they’ve been diminished to things the populace still has deep-rooted fear of and aren't sure are still around (unlike other terrors which are all too real). A mentality like what we used to have for werewolves, vampires and the like … before they were cool.
LikeLike
Yeah, in this particular story, there seems to be a lot of people making the other vulnerable in some way. I love the concept since they will get into some form of strife. So there’s a choice of either letting yourself have that weak spot in your armour of invincibility and learn how to handle and strengthen it, or opt to take the easy road by sealing yourself off to everyone and never care.
Kael and Klif have to be the obvious two. Since they were linked with no choice, it seemed logical to make them each other’s vulnerability. Especially, since Klif is a defect from a species that are basically carnivorous horses.
LikeLike
Hi Aldrea, Kael Ro'is sounds like an interesting character! (And I love the name.) Sounds like you have a lot of diversity in species in your story. Very intriguing. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, if I could just get it published …
I just realised, that if you look at my profile image, you can see Kael, or at least his head (the brownish one), with … ah … you guess. ^_^
LikeLike
this person sounds elusive, wants to fit in and hides true nature, but not very well.
good job!
LikeLike
A shadow speaker? I'm completely intrigued! New follower 🙂
LikeLike
I'm with Tasha! Shadow Speakers … this sounds amazing! Great job! I'm following, too. 😀
LikeLike
I'm going to agree with everyone else and say this Shadow Speaker idea is so cool!!
LikeLike
what an intriguing and fascinating character! I'm a new follower too.
LikeLike
Shadow Speakers sounds like an awesome concept. I want more!
LikeLike
Nice interview. Very mysterious character.
LikeLike
Oh, he's simply terrible at fitting in. Suppose it's sort of hard to when everyone knows about the bond mate.
Just knowing Klif’s there would undoubtedly lend itself to “There’s a WHAT in the stables?” being a common phrase around there.
LikeLike
Yup, a speaker to the creatures that live in the shadows. They seem to have developed an affinity for being black or red. The creatures, I mean, not the speakers. ^_^
And back at ya!
LikeLike
Your story sounds very interesting indeed!!
LikeLike
You too! Following, I mean. And thanks! ^_^
LikeLike
Hee. ^_^ Thank you.
LikeLike
And elusive. I lost count of how many times I had to go back a rewrite a piece because … duh … he’s not there and should be.
I’m gonna have to nail him down for the sequel. Really I am.
LikeLike
^_^ Thanks.
LikeLike
Thanks. He's one of my favourite characters.
LikeLike
^_^
LikeLike
So cool! Love the idea of Shadow Speakers and love your character. So intriguing! Great job 😀
LikeLike
Heh, thanks. ^_^
And I couldn't resist doing a picture of the pair. I wasn't going to, but the muse struck me.
LikeLike
Love your last line! This was a great interview. a lot of intrigue here. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks. ^_^
LikeLike
Really great interview! You make your character so real! Great job 🙂
LikeLike
Great interview with an interesting character!
LikeLike
You mean he isn’t? Good grief, I’ve the voice of an imaginary person wandering round my head for fourteen years! O_O
Lol
Thanks. ^_^
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike