Today I’m interviewing some of the characters from the Unexpected Heroes series. On my left are Ahjin and Nia, and on my right are Ludik and Zefra.
(Ahjin has curly hair that is white despite his youth, long white wings, and purple eyes. His face and hands are seamed with pale scars. He wears ankle boots, and his pants and shirt are sober colors, with a small crest on one shoulder.)
(Nia has long lavender hair in many braids, and gills on her neck. A long scar runs diagonally from forehead to cheek, right under one green eye. She wears a wetsuit in an eye-poppingly bright pattern of tropical fish. Her webbed feet are bare.)
(Ludik is the tallest, with short gold hair and gray eyes. He wears a knee-length tunic in a colorful geometric pattern, and his boots reach mid-shin. He tucked a bow under his chair despite our best efforts to dissuade him.)
(Zefra has bright red hair peeking from under her turquoise scarf, but black eyebrows. Over her cream robe, she wears leather and silk armor, and a short sword is buckled at her side.)
Where do you live? What’s that like?
Ahjin: Ioj is the most advanced country on Kaiatan. We even have a printing press.
Nia: That doesn’t make you the most advanced. Nokailana knows how to have *fun.
Ludik rolls his eyes.
Zefra: How are we measuring most advanced? And why? Shouldn’t we talk about trade and things like that?
Never mind. I’ll find a map for our readers. What is your job / role / occupation? What do you do with your days?
Ahjin: I’m an aerobat. That’s an aerial acrobat. I’m very good at it.
Nia: You have a different job now. Why don’t you say—
Ahjin: Why don’t you NOT say. Or sing.
Nia sticks out her tongue.
Ludik: I’m a hunter.
Everyone raises their eyebrows. Ludik scowls.
Ludik: I like being a hunter.
Zefra: Yes, but— Okay, never mind. I’m an explorer and guide. Finally!
I see some of you have some impressive scars. Do you mind if I ask how you got them?
Ahjin: Yes.
Nia: Not waiting for my guard. Not the best idea, actually. Always wait for your guard.
What do you consider your greatest achievement so far, and why?
Ahjin: Getting married. The lady was hard to pin down.
Nia: I would have said saving the world was better, maybe?
Ludik: Oh, I like his marriage answer, but my lady wanted to marry me.
Ahjin stretches out a wing and bops Ludik.
Zefra: I found a long-lost oasis and a god’s workshop.
(The boys start wrestling on the floor. Time to move on.)
Are you optimistic or pessimistic?
Nia: Optimistic.
Ludik: Pessimistic, but my wife helps me look on the brighter side.
Zefra: Realistic.
Ahjin: What difference does it make? I’m going to do what I need to do anyway.
Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
Nia: Ahjin.
Ludik: My friends.
Zefra: Whoever knows how to help with my problem.
Ahjin: I think we have a pretty good team right here.
How did you feel about each other when you first met?
Nia: Oh, we were great friends, of course.
(The other three start laughing too hard to continue the interview.)
Happy reading,
Marty C. Lee
© 2023 M. C. Lee LLC. All rights reserved.
