Phoenix & Abigail Kasa Jolene

[Phoenix Rose]

This Is a work in progress.

[Abigail Kasa Jolene]

WC: Imp, let’s start with you. What was your childhood like?

Imp: I do not like to think about my childhood because I remember more than most can. I was born in Dragon Region. My father was an up and coming politician and my mother was a recently captured slave he freed and married. It is customary in that region for the priests to recognize each child born, and thereby allow the parents to name the newborn. My twin brother was recognized. I was not. They decided I was possessed by three demons. The first several years of my life were oriented around the priests’ attempts to free me. Most would say they were unsuccessful. I would say they created the demons within me.

Royce: That’s harsh.

Ashe: At least you remember. At least there aren’t huge gaps in your memory that you have to contend with.

Imp: There are days when I wonder if a lack of memory would be easier.

Ashe: Trust me, it’s not.

WC: Ashe, if you could go back in time and change something, anything, what would it be?

Ashe: Losing my mother, my memories. I don’t remember exactly what happened that separated me from her or made me forget who I was. But if I had a second chance, I wouldn’t let it hurt her.

Imp: (surprised) You don’t remember your mother?

Ashe: I remember she was my world and we had only each other… Everything else is a blank.

Royce: We’re just a happy go-lucky bunch, aren’t we? You sure can write ‘em, Carter.

WC: (Clearing throat) Moving right along… Royce, why don’t you tell us a little bit about your… line of work.

Royce: There’s no pretty way to tell it. I’m an assassin. My queen has asked me to seek out the last remaining warriors of old and kill them. They have no place in the world Kiah is building, and if they were to unite, even small though their numbers are, they could threaten the peace she’s spent her entire life building.

Imp: Kiah is a legend in my time. What is she like?

Royce: (sighing) She is a queen now, first and foremost. She’s literally given over her body and soul to her people. Most would call her cold, for even things that touch others seem to leave her unaffected, though I think she is not so immune to emotions. She is much hated and much loved. But she was not always like that. She used to laugh.

Imp: She was raised an Amazon, yes? They are a dead breed in my day.

Royce: She and I came from some of the last Amazon strongholds.

WC: Ashe, you’ve gone awful quiet. Why don’t you tell us about Adonis.

Ashe: Do I haveta?

WC: He is a rather interesting… man.

Ashe: He’s not a man, he’s a Void. And you should know that, seeing as how you wrote the story (trails off into unhappy words for the author) I guess I’ll talk. What do you want to know about him?

WC: Well, you could start with what a Void is.

Ashe: A Void is typically a creature made from darkness. They have no true physical substance, though many of them will chose a form and default to it. They don’t need food or sleep, don’t get sick or old or depressed. But they do feel. They have motives. And because they’re virtually immortal, those motives are usually less than savory. Voids are like the ultimate bad guy with no cards up his sleeve.

WC: And Adonis?

Ashe: Is the biggest thorn in my side. Always has been. For some reason known only to him, he’s decided to spend the rest of my life haunting me.

WC: It can’t be all bad. You two have a lot of adventures together, and he’s saved your neck on more than one occasion. Not to mention you’re lovers.

Ashe: (huffing) Yeah, well, you don’t have to like someone to think they’re hot.

Disembodied Voice: I am pleased that you find me ‘hot,’ Ashethore.

Ashe: ** off, you stalker! You weren’t invited!

WC: (snickering) Ashe is right, Adonis. This is a girls-only party.

Adonis: (fading) Your wish, my love…

WC: Moving right along, again… Imp, why don’t you tell us about the men in your life since poor Ashe had to endure talking about Adonis.

Imp: I not surrounded by men. Pray tell which one you would like to know about?

Royce: What about that hunk with the big arms who you left standing outside like a sentinel?

Imp: (smiling) That is Cian, my friend. He is a banished prince from the Lakeon Territory, and one of the most powerful warriors I’ve ever seen. He is quiet and contemplative, for the lack of those caused many…unfortunate things in his past.

WC: So, you think he’s a tormented soul then?

Imp: I know he is. I am trained to see these things.

WC: Speaking of training, Royce, why don’t you tell us a bit about growing up as an Amazon?

Royce: I am aware that my upbringing was somewhat unusual, even for the time. I was taught to have an awareness of my body, to honor it as a temple to the Goddess, and use it as a weapon for my queen. We were taught to fight, yes, and fight well, but much of our training focused on teaching us to understand our enemies and their cultures. Our world is in violent upheaval, and so in order to survive, it is vital to be able to assess each situation and plan a strategy based on what we know.

WC: Was it scary, growing up knowing that your people were quickly vanishing?

Royce: Really, we didn’t know that our people were dying. Our village was hidden away deep in the mountains and rarely conflicted with the outside world. It wasn’t until Kiah decided to venture out and took a handful of us with her that we understood there was more.

WC: Sounds like quiet an adventure.

Royce: It will be if you ever get around to writing it.

WC: O-kay! Only have time for one more question, so this goes to each of you. What can we expect from you three in the future?

Ashe: More trouble, of course. And sunbathing.

Imp: I do believe war is on the horizon for my people yet again. I will be doing my best to protect them, and to continue honoring the Goddess.

Royce: By my calculations, I still have fourteen marks. After that, if I survive, who knows?