Beautiful People: Thomas Continues His Bratty Ways

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. As should be obvious from the headline, I continue to discuss Thomas of Matryohska.

Before that, though, a confession—I'm right now in something of a writing slump. I hope that answering today's questions will help somewhat, but if you're so inclined, go and stalk me at myWriteClub. And if I'm not writing, throw unicorns at me or something. It works.

Now, onto the questions!

1. They’re in a crisis: who would they really like to see right now?

In a sticky situation, Thomas uses the fake-smile-on-face and look-for-help method. Which is to say, he can't do anything and he knows it.

Normally, he'd look for his mother Aisha, who is his political and life coordinator. After a while in the capital, Thomas might keep an eye out for Dan, the street-smart and gorgeous Chancellor's aide. And that is all I shall say on the subject.

2. Are they easy to get along with?

HAHAHAHA. No.

There's a reason I call him a brat internally, and so do a bunch of people in-universe. Thomas has excellent social skills which are limited to smiling when insulted and threatening people when smiling. But he's not quite mastered the knack of actually being considerate instead of acting considerate.

3. Who was the last person they had a deep conversation with?

Okay, Cait, this is just a weird question. When are you asking this? Is it at the beginning of the story? Halfway in the middle of the boss battle with legendary Pokemon? At the end of the story?

I will say that one of my favourite "deep" conversations in the book features Thomas and his uncle. Some unfortunate revelations regarding his father are made. Let's just say it's unwise to dedicate your life to avenging your father when he, you know, started a war.

4. They’re in the middle of a huge crowd of people: how do they feel?

While Thomas is competent at social gatherings, it's more out of necessity for his political goal of unseating his father's killer. I do imagine it takes a lot out of him to pretend not to be hurt by other people's assumptions of him due to his bastardy.

5. Do they believe in luck or miracles?

He probably believes in luck. If he believed in miracles, he'd have to believe in deities, which (a) I did not create for the Matryoshka universe and (b) he'd probably blame them for his father's death anyways. He factors neither into his consideration, being an arrogant brat.

6. Do they like and get along with their neighbours?

So ... he does not really have neighbours. When he was young, he stayed indoors so that no one knew his father, the unmarried provincial Governor, had a lover and a child. Then he was kind of on the run, and fugitives don't tend to mingle. In the capital, though, he does invite the southerners there to several dinners and gatherings.

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

I'm gonna quote a little passage by our resident brat that's less bratty than usual:

I have never been to my father’s grave. The moment we lost the war, I fled my own country to save my neck. The best reminder I have of my father is a mirror.

8. How do they feel about their body?

Ooh, this is an interesting one. Even though Thomas resembles his father, he's not particularly handsome and is aware of that. And because southern society places a lot of emphasis on appearance—not just natural hotness, also make-up and fashion—he does overcompensate for it by nitpicking on his own fashion.

9. What is the cruellest thing someone has ever said to them? How did they react?

Look, Cait, this vague timeline of questions has to stop. I mean, seriously.

It's hard to pinpoint one exact thing. Most probably it's a lifetime of insults at his parents' marriage (or lack thereof). But there is this one paragraph I feel it's necessary to quote:

“Brave for one of bastard blood to seek vengeance.” The grain merchant Rashid twirled the end of his purple headscarf. “Or are you here to lick Mallister’s boots?”

This happens at a party Thomas is hosting. This guy is his guest. Seriously, to hell with guest right and rip his head off already, Thomas.

Instead of taking my sage advice, Thomas smiles and shrugs it off. That is basically the sum of his coping mechanism, and it doesn't work for the entire novel. Again, lips sealed.

10. What’s the kindest thing someone has ever said to them? How did they react?

Again, it's difficult to pinpoint exact lines, but there are two moments where Thomas is kind of speechless with feels:

Aisha beckoned him forward and kissed him, a light brush on each cheek. “Peace be with you, Thomas. You would make your father proud.”

Thomas' mother does an excellent job of raising him, but Thomas' eventual goal to defeat Mallister hung between them for half his life. Besides, Aisha herself doesn't hold up quite that well after her lover's death. Not that Thomas notices without his uncle telling him, because Thomas has the observation abilities of a log.

Moment 2 is fairly insignificant for Thomas, but a wonderful, wonderful defining moment for the Chancellor Rosalina, who I've only mentioned briefly in this post before. After Thomas rescues Rosalina from an unwelcome conversation:

“Thank you, Thomas.” Rosalina’s smile turned warm, and Dan echoed the grin with a flash of teeth.

Thomas bowed his head to hide the heat in his cheeks. When he did well, strangers laughed him and his mother praised him, but no one thanked the bastard. “My pleasure,” he said, and it was not a lie.

That's a wrap! Did you participate in Beautiful People? Do you pity Thomas or does he annoy you?

For chances to read Matryoshka, join my takeout army and receive monthly news of my writing and other magic, madness, and murder! Also, keep an eye on this spot next Wednesday -- the next Snazzy Snippets is arriving then with more Matryoshka snippets.