Good morning ladies and gentlemen! Usually right now I would be blathering on about some writing topic or entertaining you with a story I spewed out after a few glasses of wine. But today I have something different, something special. I’ve managed to secure an interview with Jemma Behker. You may remember her from my 2011 NaNo novel. She’s a lovely young lady from the Kingdom of Callador and… well, why don’t we cut straight to the interview?
Good morning, Jemma.
Jemma: It’s the middle of the night.
Technically, yes, but…
J: I’m not stupid. It’s the middle of the night.
Right, right. Good evening then. Why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself?
J: Why?
Well, how about your family then?
J: My parents run a bakery.
Behkers in a bakery?
J: Are you mocking me? Because I’ve been trained how to kill you, if you are.
Of course not, no need to be hasty. So, you won’t be following in your parents footsteps, but what about your siblings?
J: My older sister Danika is married and has a couple of babies already. I think she might be with child again, it’s hard to keep up. My two older brothers are going to be bakers. I keep hoping that my parents will apprentice Taran and Devon to my Uncle Ben so that they can learn pottery, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Mama’s too stubborn. As for Mikel and Caleb? Well they’re just babies. I’m sure that hasn’t stopped mama from planning their life out for them, though. I just hope they don’t get sent to the Academy.
The Academy is the school you attend. Tell me more about it.
J: I suppose I’ve learned a lot here. It’s definitely opened up more opportunities than I thought possible when I was a kid. I just hate how everything is structured around social class. It’s not supposed to be. I got into the school on my own merits, just like everyone else. It shouldn’t matter that my parents are commoners.
You said you earned your place at the Academy, what was the test like?
J: It wasn’t anything spectacular. I met with one of the royal seers when I was seven and he used his sight to determine if I had what it took to be an Academy student. Apparently I did, so I was shipped off to school. Sometimes I wish I didn’t, but that wasn’t my decision to make. Having the talent means I’m obligated to attend the Academy and serve my country after graduation.
You spend most of your time at a boarding school; do you miss your family?
J: Sometimes, but it helps knowing that they’re close by if I ever do need them. When my studies allow, I spend Sairday and Sunsday with them. It’s hard to relate with them, though.
Why is that?
J: Going to the Academy is supposed to be prestigious. Mama thinks that I’m too good to help out with chores when I’m home for breaks. I miss helping her bake. Besides, I rarely see them anymore. My little brothers are practically strangers.
Do you have any friends at the Academy?
J: Anna, Seth, and Dirk are amazing. I don’t know how I would have made it through everything if Dirk hadn’t made an effort to befriend me. Melisandra’s not too bad either, for a noble.
Rumor has it that you’re a favorite of Prince Reidon, can you tell me more about your relationship with him?
J: Relationship? Dagan’s oven! I hate that spoiled, selfish, arrogant prince! Seriously, if any of those other girls want him, they can have him. The sooner he figures out I’m not interested, the better. Some guys just don’t listen.
What about Lord Kingston? It’s been noted that you’ve been spending quite a bit of time in his company, sometimes behind closed doors.
J: Seriously? Alec’s one of my instructors. And he’s old. Like, really old. At least a decade older than me. Don’t be ridiculous. And stop listening to Reidon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Alec’s just being nice. Lord Alec, I mean. Father Sun blast it all, don’t look at me like that. Alec—Argh!!!—Lord Kington’s just my instructor. That’s it.
Who dances with you? Because—
J: Yes.
Jemma? Jemma, where are you going? I apologize everyone, it seems as if the interview is over. Jemma has stormed out of the building. Oh dear. I think we’re going to have to replace that door. She really needs to learn how to control her temper.
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