Character Interview: Synn & Nix

Originally published in the book tour for Whispers Of the Skyborne

Hey, guys!  Thanks for stopping by. I want to thank our fabulous host for having us! Today, we’ve decided to allow the protagonist, Synn El’Asim, and our villain, Queen Nix, interview one another.  These two have a great chemistry, which is fun to write. So, enjoy!

Frankie: Heya, Synn!

Synn: *extends Family greeting of love and respect* It’s always a pleasure to speak with you, Frankie.

Frankie: *sits down* What was it like working on this book?

Synn: *settles in chair and turns to the audience* Working with this woman has been incredible. Frustrating at times, but incredible. She has such an open mind to many things, many ideas. She asks a lot of questions. In Fall of Sky City, I would leap before we talked, but now, we sit down and figure out what would be best for everyone. She is what you would call my “Jiminy Cricket”, I guess.

Frankie: Oh, my head’s swelling. Now that we’re into book 3, what’s it like looking back at Fall of Sky City?  

Synn: *chuckles while placing ankle on knee* I was so stupid. I really thought I knew everything. When you re-read those scenes, I’m watching them in your head and I cringe. I keep saying to myself, “Dear sky, who is that moron? Please tell me he’s not about to do—oh! He really did just do that, didn’t he?”

Frankie: Oh my word! I know. There was more than one cringe worthy moment in that book.

Synn: The bugs.

Frankie: The quicksand.

Synn: *winces* Oh, yeah. That. Who knew you couldn’t drown in quicksand?

Frankie: My dad and Haji, apparently.

Synn: Apparently so.

.

(Queen Nix walks on stage, her bustled skirts swaying with her graceful steps. Her black hair is pinned up around her gold, gear-work crown as she takes the seat on the other side of Frankie.)

Frankie: Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome our villain, Queen Nix.

Synn: *resituates in chair* Nix, why don’t you tell everyone what it was like for you to work with Frankie.

Nix: *narrows eyes at Synn for a moment before turning attention to the audience* It was like working with a door. She watched as I lived.

Synn: Surely, she interacted with you.

Nix: Why would I want to interact with her? She has nothing I want and can provide me no service.

Synn: *gives Nix a level look*

Nix: *taps diamond studded fingernail against arm of chair* It was an interesting experience. I’ve never had anyone document my life before.

Frankie: The time I spent chronicling how you rose to power was pretty interesting.

Nix: *shame filters briefly across her features before it disappears* I enjoyed other moments. The time we spent breaking Synn was particularly fun. Or the moments at the Peace Games.

Synn: *lets out long breath, as his hand clenches and unclenches* What is it like for you when she re-reads your scenes? What thoughts go through your mind?

Nix: I am reminded that I should have been stronger. Had I done what I had intended, we wouldn’t be in our current situation.

Synn: And what situation is that?

Nix: Being powerless.

Synn: *anger flashes across his features* You’re powerless? Your Family wasn’t—

Frankie: Synn!

Synn: No! She does not get to play the victim. She tormented me, thousands of others. How many people has she killed?

Nix: I did what I had to. Their blood is on your hands. You know why.

Synn: Because I would not submit? That is no reason to do what you did. Do you even care about the lives you destroyed?

Nix: Look at you. So righteous. Yes, I took you against your will. I broke you, made you a stronger man!

Synn: Is that what you call this? You think you did me a favor?

Nix: You would not have been able to achieve half of what you did without me.

Synn: *rises out of chair* I would never have needed to! Without you, we could have lived in peace.

Nix: *stands toe to toe with Synn* Oh, you are such-- *interrupts herself and turns to Frankie* Do you want to know what my greatest failure was?

Frankie: *remains quiet as she watches, eyes wide, lips closed*

Nix: You, Synn. You are my greatest failure. You could have been so much…more. *turns and leaves*

Frankie: *grins at audience* Welcome to life inside my head! These two sure know how to keep things lively! So, uh, thanks for stopping by, and please take a closer look at the first book, Fall of Sky City, available now!