Beautiful People and #MoreHappyThanNot

Beautiful People is a linkup hosted by Cait @ Paper Fury and Sky @ Further Up and Further in, where writers answer questions about their books/characters. In retrospect, it wasn't such a smart idea to plan to join this month's Beautiful People, right as exams begin.

But I kept missing it, so who cares. Also, this month's questions were made in heaven for my character.

Today, I'll be unveiling a character from a somewhat secret WIP. This month's #WatchMeWrite will reveal more about the WIP, but I'll tell you know the main character's called Thomas and he'll be answering these questions. *pokes him out into the takeout spotlight*

1. Do they know both their biological parents? Why/why not?

I'd prefer it if you spoke to me if I were actually here. My mother has lived with me and mentored me for my entire life, so I daresay I know her well. My father always took the time to visit me, although circumstances meant it was difficult for him to be around.

Alyssa: What he's not saying is that his parents weren't married.

A private wedding, if you please. And I'd argue that his murder for political dissent was a more significant factor. I do hope to reclaim my inheritance soon.

2. Have they inherited any physical resemblances from their parents?

A striking resemblance to my father, I'm told. Much to the dismay of certain onetime rivals in the capital. Although we do try to encourage that viewpoint—well was it said that looking the part is halfway to being the part.


3. What's their parental figure(s) dress style? Add pictures if you like!

My mother tends to dress more modestly, with a veil or a headscarf, to avoid attracting undue attention. We'd hardly want the northerners to know about me. On the other hand, my father—

Alyssa: Ahem, the question said 'parental figures'. Besides, we can't let Shadowplay readers know whose son you are.

I beg your pardon. My uncle, who escaped with me to exile after my father's death, prefers more richly embroidered fabrics. He is a merchant at heart, and only left to assist me.

4. Do they share any personality traits with their parental figures? And which do they take after most?

*nudges Thomas offstage* I'll take this one.

Even though Thomas' father wasn't present for much of his life, Thomas is very similar to him. He's wary and likes to have as much information as his fingertips as possible before making decisions. He also feels somewhat entitled to others' support, since he's the only living heir of a political dynasty.

But like his uncle, he's a very good judge of character. Other people's, that is, based on his uncle's information network. He's not a very good judge of himself, which is why I'm here. For the next question, too.

5. Do they get on with their parental figure(s) or do they clash?

I haven't decided a lot about southern culture, but I'm fairly certain that family would be a huge aspect, especially the mother figure. Besides, Thomas spent half of his life in exile when he could only trust his mother and uncle, so he respects both of them. He reserves unlimited admiration for his father.

6. If they had to describe their parental figure(s) in one word, what would it be?

My mother is ambitious—on my behalf, that is. She will open her veins before she lets the northerners force us into hiding for the rest of my life. I don't mean to disappoint her.

My father was a revolutionary. He died befitting one, although ideas and legacies don't die out. They live on and break through the night. Although this particular sun rises from the west.

My uncle is kind. A strange trait for a merchant, you'll agree, but his empathy means he's extremely good at predicting others' moves and mistakes. And he's always been there for me.

7. How has their parental figure(s) helped them most in their life? + 10. What’s their favourite memory with their parental figure(s)?

My mother and uncle raised me in exile, and they continue to advise me as I return to the capital. And my father—he once gave me a silver coin and showed me the two sides. The sigil of the Republic, on one side, and on the other one of our Prime Ministers. Power and death. He gambled on that and the honour of his rivals, and lost. I intend to win.

8. What was their biggest fight with their parental figure(s)?

Alyssa: *endows Thomas with the power of author's foresight*

When my mother decided to remarry. To be sure, she was acting in my interests, but she would settle for half-measures when I would have fought until my last breath. It was not her choice, her sacrifice to make. I am her son, and my father's, and no one else.

9. Tracing back the family tree, what nationalities are in their ancestry?

*jumps back in* I haven't decided what real-world equivalent race he'd be, although his homeland is a cross between Spain and Egypt, so somewhere in the Arab world is likely. On that note, the pictures of Thomas don't necessarily represent his ethnicity.

Then—gloriously—Shelumiel over at Bookish and Awesome created the tag #MoreHappyThanNot. I figured I might make Thomas answer this extra question:

What makes you #MoreHappyThanNot?

I'm more happy than not to be the son and legacy of a great man, of course, and to defend his reputation under the guidance of my mother —

Alyssa: Don't be dull.

Apologies for being dull, as you phrase it. Do you know, I've always wanted to be in the capital. They northerners think all we do in Valz Sommari is feast and fight and wait for summertime, that we can't be trusted with our own province. In their eyes, we're monsters without the scarves of the desert nomads, looking to run every passerby through with a sword. Who's more monstrous, the blunt or the blind?

I'm more happy than not to prove Mallister wrong, walled up in his castle of red bricks. If he looked out of his window, he might notice us outsiders taking over his capital, what with our barbaric silks and tapestries and jewelled knives. The truth is, the capital is the place where history is made, and history isn't just made by the northerners. I'm more happy than not to make history.

(Restrained myself SO HARD from using stage directions. Not super happy with the voice, but it's a start.)

I'm tagging Christina @ fairy skeletons, Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight, Emily @ Loony Literate, Aimee @ Deadly Darlings, Chiara Sullivan @ Delicate Eternity, or basically if you want to do it, consider yourself tagged and let me know in the comments so I can add your name and link here!

Thoughts on Thomas? Shadowplay readers, guess who Thomas' father is? Oh, and if you're in either of the link-ups/tags, drop a link in the comments!

Want to know more about this project? I write monthly letters with exclusive writing updates to my newsletter subscribers!

Oh, and I've removed the faulty related posts widget and added a new one -- let me know if it appears and if the posts are actually relevant :)

*Disclaimer: I haven't read More Happy Than Not before, but Simon Vs was fabulous.