Are you a morning person, or more of a night owl?
I have Darkvision and there’s something going on with the sky that shows up much clearer at night, so I let the Viziera take the day shift.
What’s the first thing you notice about a person when you meet them?
Whose colours they wear, and how much they look at the tusks, are the two big starting points.
You see a huge spider in your room, what do you do?
Ah, I hate spiders. It’s very embarrassing. If Cassie’s not around, this is one of the few times I will call a servant.
If you could go back and change one decision you made in the past, what would you change?
I once made the mistake of mentioning an unorthodox thesis about planar magic to the Stargazers and nobody ever heard from that researcher again. Sometimes I still have panic attacks about that.
Tell me about your first kiss.
It was at my wedding, and it wasn’t my favourite.
Do you give people second chances?
Most people I can barely afford to give first ones. I’m trying not to end up like my dad here.
Are you a cat person or a dog person?
I was always happy around my family’s dogs as a kid, but the trend in dogs these days has gotten weird.
Do you think you’re attractive?
I’m quite happy not to be.
What’s your worst habit?
I used to have some very unhealthy coping mechanisms as a teenager, but I got past most of those with Cassie’s help. These days I guess it’s just that I’m pretty clumsy, which is not great for a librarian.
When was the last time you cried?
A few days ago. My job is stressful and my mother-in-law is mean.
Are you a good liar?
Gosh I hope so.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I’ve always hated the way the nobles keep information restricted and ban whole lines of questioning. Vizier Leopold won’t even properly research his own relic collection for fear of it leaking to others. Also I hate the word ‘classy’, which a lot of the younger nobles say a lot.
Have you ever had your heart broken?
Technically yes, but he also fixed it.
Are you more likely to use your fists or your words in an argument?
I prefer not to resort to violence, but then I prefer not to have arguments.
What’s something you’re naturally good at?
I seem to have a knack for asking dangerous questions.
What’s something you had to work hard to be good at?
My mother put a lot of time into teaching me to lie.
Can you tell when someone is flirting with you?
The kind of people who flirt with half-orcs are usually pretty blunt about it.
Do you think money can buy happiness?
Almost every rich person I know is miserable or paranoid or both, but maybe we’re all just bad at it.
Do you believe in destiny?
I can’t rule it out, but I’m always hopeful it’s not a real thing.
Are you a good cook?
I’ve been practising in secret. So far I’m terrible.
What do you think happens after you die?
I’ve always taken it as read that everyone goes to the Garden Beyond the Stars, but the more I research the less certain even that seems to become.
Did you have to grow up fast?
My mother survives by lying about everything and I’m pretty sure someone had my dad killed when I was two. Slow was never an option.
Who do you look up to?
So far I’ve found one person in this city worth admiring. …maybe two or three.
When you go to a tavern, what do you order?
There’s a really good orc curry that some of the taverns still do, but not so many in the noble district any more. If I’m going for drinks, I’ve gotten really into elven sweetwine which is a great disappointment to my mum.
What do you like most about yourself?
Given the right materials, I might be the best researcher in the city that isn’t evil.
What do you like least about yourself?
I attract a lot more attention than I’m happy about.
Do you want kids someday?
Not really an option for a few different reasons. But unfortunately yes.
Are you a planner or more spontaneous?
I think I’d like to be spontaneous but it’s never been an option.
Can you keep a secret?
If I can’t, there’s a lot of people being uncharacteristically nice about it.
Do you like being the centre of attention?
I would rather throw myself off the library.
If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?
First priority is get Cassie and mum and my research all somewhere safe. Second priority is less certain - either burn down what I can of the court, or push Andromeda off the library roof.
Do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?
Where I’m from, special occasions are just more ways to die.
Where do you feel safe?
My mother did her best to make my old rooms as safe for me as she could. There’s a little library of my own there that only I know how to get into.
Do you love or hate being alone?
It gives me a chance to relax, but I do get lonely.
What’s the last nightmare you remember having?
I have nightmares about my research being found out at least once every couple of weeks. Usually it’s the Underhands that come for me. Sometimes the Viziera does it herself. Sometimes they go after Cassie. Sometimes they scapegoat my mum.
Do you admit to mistakes when you make them?
Not to most people.
Do you want to grow up to be like your parents?
Not really, no, but better that than I grow up to be like anyone else in her position.
How do you deal with being sick? Are you stoic or super whiney?
Healing magic is pretty easy to come by in my family and Andromeda barely has a concept of time off in any case.
What did your parents expect from you when you were born?
If I’m honest, I think she expected me to get killed sooner or later. Maybe she still does.
Do you have a strong sense of style?
I somewhat haphazardly found a look that works for me and I prefer not to invite more stress by changing it.
Would you rather camp outdoors or stay the night in an inn?
My husband is obsessed with stars, so.
Is there a food that most people like but you absolutely hate?
Every kind of alcohol made by either humans or orcs is terrible. Also, I don’t really get the appeal of fish? Andromeda has a supplier and it’s just like, you paid interplanar trade fees for this?
Are you more of a hoarder or a minimalist?
Cassie has pointed out that I hoard. Trinkets. Information. Questions. Perhaps some kind of librarian instinct.
Are you superstitious?
No, but a lot of what gets discussed as superstition is just what ignorant people in power call questions they don’t want anyone looking into.
Are you the kind of person who remembers people’s birthdays and pet’s names and stuff?
I have so much to remember, that doesn’t tend to make the list.
What do you do to feel better when you’re sad?
I talk to Cassie, or if he’s busy I read. I don’t self-harm any more, I promise.
Is it hard for you to trust someone?
Extremely hard but it should be harder.
Are you susceptible to peer pressure?
No. Most of my peers are goons.
If you decided to stop adventuring and settle down, what kind of job would you take?
I’d like to run my own library. Failing that, maybe a teacher?
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was very young I wanted to be a fighter like my grandad. I grew out of that one pretty quickly, but I do still know how to use a scimitar.
