(Originally published September 11, 2012 at DivergentZen.Wordpress.com)
I’m very near the 50,000 word mark and have stalled a bit on new content while I work on some brief revisions. In the meantime, I did a little writing exercise. I present you a nonsensical interview from intrepid entertainment reporter Rachel Thrace with Chill and Beriszl.
An Interview with a Divergent… and a Ragebourne
By Rachel Thrace
We’re here today to interview the Divergent Chilali “Chill” Amos and the Ragebourne Beriszl about their upcoming roles in Divergent Chill II.
RT: So, Chilali-
C: I’m Chill.
RT: Pardon me. So, Chill, things ended pretty poorly for you after the Battle of Nesma. How have you been getting along since?
C: I’ve been killing Blackland Warriors and taking their food.
RT: Right, but certainly you’ve had a lot of time to become familiar with your element? Ice isn’t?
Chill glares at RT.
B: It is a sore subject.
RT: My apologies, we’ll move on. Beriszl, the last we saw of you was in the victory camp in the ruins of Nesma. What have you been up to since?
B: I was captured with many others.
RT: Captured by the secondary force from the Blackland Nation?
B: Not secondary. It is the primary force.
RT: I have to be honest. It doesn’t look like they’ve been treating you well.
B: Their treatment of us has been unusual and I know not why.
RT: Unusual how?
B: We are being kept alive, but I do not wish to speak of such things.
RT: Okay, so how about a change of topic? In Divergent Chill, you two fought quite well together. Do you think we’ll see you pairing up again to slaughter more enemies in Divergent Chill II? Maybe another game of blood-soaked boots?
Chill and Beriszl exchange a glance.
B: I make no comment.
RT: Perhaps you’ll be fighting alongside others?
C: Jerle.
B: Chill, you should not speak of such things.
RT: Really, Jerle? After the events of Divergent Chill, it seems like you would not be on speaking terms with her at the very least.
C: We are on hitting and burning terms.
Laughter.
RT: She is a fire elemental user, after all. Should I take that as indication you have some shared interest or mutual threat to force you to team up?
Chill shrugs.
B: Jerle’s situation has undergone much change.
RT: How so?
B: I must be careful with my words. I do not wish to incur the Emperor’s anger. But, her path is a natural one, and I can say no more.
RT: Speaking of Emperor Adelphos, he is a difficult man to get in touch with.
B: Yes, he does not like the free press.
RT: Can you share anything about his role in the upcoming story?
C: I’m going to kill him.
B: Chill, you should not say such things. Remember Alden’s bargain.
RT: Alden’s bargain?
B: If Chill does not reveal spoiling words, he will pay her.
RT: So, you’re really going to kill the Emperor in Divergent Chill II?
C: Yes.
B: No, she will likely try, but I do not think she will succeed.
RT: So, it’s not a spoiler?
B: It is not.
RT: Right, so what will Alden pay you, Chill?
C: Coins, so I can buy things, like baths and weapons.
RT: I take it your understanding of currency and trade is a new development for your character.
C: The Empire will pay me coins to kill people.
B: She has learned of greed and material gain, yes.
RT: You don’t sound pleased.
B: It is not my place to judge.
RT: Wait, are you referring to bounties, Chill?
Chill nods.
RT: Shank wasn’t captured or killed in Divergent Chill. Is he a bounty you pursue in Divergent Chill II?
B: No, we do not pursue Shank.
RT: Oh, then if you aren’t running down bounties what are the two of you up to, in general terms you can speak about, in Divergent Chill II?
B: Survival.
C: Killing.
RT: Perhaps you can be a little less general?
B: No.
C: Killing many people.
RT: Right, so, Chill, your battle with the Avidan in the Southern Wilds was quite popular, as was your fight with Kern in the brothel. Are there any upcoming battles in Divergent Chill II we should look forward to reading about?
B: Be careful of the spoiling words, Chill.
C: I get to fight a Child of Shyamon. It is not fun, though.
Beriszl shakes his head.
RT: A Child of Shyamon? The Priest Olin was concerned the Servant of Shyamon leading the Blackland Warriors in Nesma might summon this mysterious creature. Perhaps you can explain what a Child of Shyamon is?
C: It flies and has spines that sting and its skin burns. It is not fun to fight. I need true silver to kill it.
RT: Sounds pretty dangerous.
B: Very dangerous. A Child of Shyamon is that, the offspring of the Embracing Night brought forth into our world by a Servant of Shyamon. Their shapes are many and their touch is deadly.
RT: It must take quite the villain to use such a creature then?
B: Yes.
RT: Maybe you can share a little about the primary villain, the big bad, in Divergent Chill II, then?
B: No.
C: He was once a True Silver Knight and he doesn’t like the Emperor. He’s strong and I want to fight him.
Beriszl sighs.
B: Yes, the Ash Knight. He is the second great traitor to the Empire.
RT: Why is he called the Ash Knight?
B: Before battle, he blackens his eyes with ash.
RT: Why does he do that?
B: Less glare? I do not know. Perhaps you should interview him.
RT: I’m in contact with his people.
B: So you already knew who the, uh, big bad was? And you asked us anyway?
RT: Yes.
B: Why do you ask questions you already know the answers to?
RT: I’m a good reporter. Anyway, as a former True Silver Knight, the Ash Knight sounds especially dangerous. Are you certain you want to fight him, Chill? Your battle with Kern didn’t go as well as you hoped.
C: I fight better now. I want to fight him.
RT: I assume you want to fight Falcon, pretty bad, too.
Chill growls.
RT: Okay, I think it’s safe to say you do. So, how about we switch to the quick answer part of this interview? I ask you a question and you provide a short response. Beriszl, how about you answer first and then Chill. Ready?
Beriszl and Chill nod.
RT: What’s your favorite color?
B: Puce.
RT: Puce, really?
B: It is a pleasant color.
RT: And Chill?
C: Why do I need a favorite?
B: It is something people do.
C: I don’t want to have a favorite. I like red because it’s red and blue because it’s blue. I’ve never seen puce, so I don’t know if I like it because it’s puce.
B: You will like it because it’s pleasant.
RT: Well, next question, maybe? When I grow up, I want to be?
Beriszl laughs.
B: I am already grown and I am honor bound to forever serve the Empire. But if I were free, I would want to be a small business owner.
RT: A small business owner? What kind of business?
B: My business would buy other businesses and make them more profitable.
RT: It sounds like you want to be a venture capitalist.
B: Yes, that. I would be good at that.
RT: No offense, but what makes you think you would succeed as a venture capitalist in the Empire?
B: My military experience and years of service within an improperly run and corrupt system.
RT: Well, I can’t argue with that. Chill, what about you?
C: A Divergent.
RT: But, you’re already a Divergent.
C: I know. I don’t want to change.
RT: You can be something in addition to being a Divergent, though. Like Beriszl can be a Ragebourne venture capitalist. Which feels a little surreal to say aloud.
C: Then I want to be a Divergent Ragebourne, so I could be as big as Beriszl and have his claws and fangs.
Beriszl laughs.
RT: Well, that’s terrifying to consider… So, last question. The thing I like to do most after a stressful day to relax is what?
B: Read.
RT: Really? You’re allowed to read?
B: It is encouraged for when I serve as a bodyguard within certain social circles.
RT: What have you been reading?
B: Before Nesma, I was reading Fifty Trades of Shay.
RT: I think I heard of that one. Isn’t it a bit-
B: It is popular among the noble women…
RT: Say no more. So, Chill, how about you?
C: I like to prowl.
RT: That’s true, you do like to go out at night and see what you can find.
B: It is a habit she will grow out of.
C: Are we done now? I want Alden to pay me.
B: You used spoiling words.
C: I did not. I used teasing words. They are not the same.
