Dear readers,
This week, I will not be uploading a new chapter, as I will be spending time on my midterms. In the meantime, I will be sharing a short Q&A for a few of the characters (listed below) to keep things engaging.
. . .
HOKU:
Q1 If you were to study something for a future career, what would it be?
A: "I'm not sure. Pretending I've got everything figured out feels like writing a lie I'll have to keep performing later.
But, if I had to pick something, maybe archiving. Keeping things in order, where they can't be lost.
I like when everything has its place, then there's no need for guesswork about meaning."
Q2 Do you have a favorite animal and why?
A: "I like cats—
They understand the concept of doing nothing without guilt.
You can sit next to one for hours and not say a word, and somehow that counts as quality time."
Q3 What's the worst thing you've ever done?
A: "It depends who's answering.
I don't have a full record of my life, so it's hard to say what "worst" even means.
I once had a dream that I was stealing something, though, and it felt real enough that I woke up checking my hands.
Hard to say if it was PTSD or a plain melodrama.
If it did happen, then I guess I've already made peace with it.
I'd only ever steal now if I had no other choice."
Q4 Who are you closest to, right now?
A: "My uncle's fine, but we don't really talk about anything that matters.
With the others… it's strange.
I trust them more than I should, considering how little time we've known each other.
Can déjà vu grow too comfortable in a person's mind?"
Q5 What's one thing about people you notice that others don't?
A: "Most people lie without realizing it.
It's rarely malicious, just subtle changes in how they present.
The way a voice changes when speaking to someone, or a smile lingers a moment too long after speaking.
You notice it once you learn to listen.
But, then maybe it's easier for those who've done the same."
LI:
Q1 Would you consider yourself mostly fearless?
A: "No.
Fear will always exist in someone, but you learn to use it rather than let it use you.
If you never felt fear, you'd probably make more mistakes."
Q2 Why call yourself Li if your real name is Zhou Fang?
A: "Are you a spy?"
Q: …
Q3 What is your favorite animal?
A: "Deer… they're observant of what others overlook, hence, they usually move before danger arrives and remain unbothered, even in a field surrounded by hunters."
Q4 What do you think about Hoku?
A: "...He's odd in a useful way.
He says what no one else will, even when it would be easier to stay silent.
He is sometimes hard to acknowledge, but clear to those who see that his heart is good, even if he makes no effort to reveal it."
Q5 What do you value most in other people?
A: Competence and sincerity, without any need for pretense; admit the difference between inability and unwillingness, because loyalty and potential become meaningless when it's just a performance."
JUNO:
Q1 What is your relationship with Li and how would you describe his personality?
A: "Li is my mentor.
He's methodical, almost to a fault.
He finds mercy in scheming… if he can discreetly swindle a man in a crowd, then no blood has to be spilled.
But he's so intent on being discreet he forgets to be interesting.
Even so, I prefer that to the individuals who spill with feeling and mean nothing by it.
…still he's very boring."
Q2 Who do you like being around the most? Why?
A: "How can I answer that…?"
Q: I will rephrase,who do you feel most protective of or even inspired by?
"Maybe Hoku… because he reminds me of someone who's always desperately trying to reconvene his own identity. And I know what that feels like. So, inevitably, I keep an eye on him.
. . .
Haha— Alice, on the other hand, couldn't hide if she tried. She boasts like she's already solved every mystery. Funny girl."
Q3 Why do you have a white streak in your hair? Does it mean anything?
A: "Well, I wasn't born with it.
I don't even remember entirely when it appeared, but I first noticed it after Alice gave me the seer pendant. *a/n: this will be mentioned later in the novel; she does not have the pendant at the current point in the story.**
I can accept it as part of who I am now, but it's not something I feel the need to explain."
Q: Fair enough.
Q4 What's your favorite kind of weather? Why?
A: "I've always had a fondness for the evening breeze, because It's the only time I can fall into step with myself, rather than standing apart"
Q5 What's one small thing you do that would surprise people who think you're only calm and in control?
A: "Once in a while I ruin a pot of tea, either by burning it, or over-steeping it. But when I do, I don't get rid of it.
I hand it over, say, 'This is awful,' and that's the end of it. I see no purpose in being humble over small mistakes."
-End-
Thank you for reading!
Please feel free to ask additional questions about any character, and they will be answered.
See you next week!