Q) From your poinnt of view, in relations with family, is it better to be loved than feared? Or better feared than loved? Would the answer be any different with any other group of people? If so, who?

A) I’ve got the bbest of both, really—two loving "parents" who raised me well with love and a bunch of folks who fear me.  I probably would fear me since I don't know anyone else who actually has wolf ears and a tail.  I’m not sure if it would be different with other people or not--I haven't really tried it out.

 

Q) What is your favorite food? Drink? What food do you dislike?

A) Nothing fancy.. It has to be recognizable.  Steak and potatoes with a good, strong draught of ale will work nicely.  But given the chance, I go for pizza and cherry coke.  I like Mexican food, too.  Chips and salsa--I like the spicy stuff.  I think my mouth is fireproof.  But for stuff I don't like--well, I'm a kid still.  If it's healthy, I don't want to have a whole lot to do with it!  A good junk food session once every so often kills most cravings.

 

Q) Describe for uus your first, or most memorable, love affair.

A)  It was aa crush.  I was about thirteen he was fifteen.  At that point in my life, I was becoming painfully aware of the differences between myself and everyone else.  It was a very awkward time for me.  Of course, I would get teased about it mercilessly.  There was this one boy who would always come in on my defense.  At first, I thought it was because he liked me, so I liked him back.  He really wasn't bad-looking, either.  But I eventually found out that he was only defending me because he felt sorry more than anything.  Oh, I was crushed when I found out.  So I wound up kicking his ass for it as some point and we never really spoke again.  Fine by me.  I'm sure the right one is out there, somewhere.  I've yet to meet him.  But hey, I'm still young and got my whole life ahead of me.  Lot's of time.   (She curled her bare feet under her in the seat as she took a sip from the can of Cherry Coke.)

   

Q) What were you like at the age of ten?

A)  Ah, ten..  The innocence.  (She gets a dreamy look in her golden eyes)  Even at the age of ten I knew I was different than all the other kids.  I didn't know any other parents other than Granny Dan and Grampa James, who raised me.  I  certainly wasn’t about to be winning any popularity contests.  Because of the bullies, I couldn’t afford to be a klutz, and wimping out was never an option if I ever wanted to get home in one piece.  I wound up being relatively quiet and reserved, so I could attract the least amount of attention—not that it did me any good, but I never really cared, either.  But at least I was never a sorrowful, angsty-kind of child--at least, that was according to Granny Dan. It never really bothered me of what they or their parents thought of me.  Granny Dan had raised me to take pride in who I am, differences and all.  I was your normal, typical ten year old.  I'd spend time playing, do some chores around the farm and then do some sword play with Grampa James, who always made it into a game to where I didn't realize I was actually learning how to handle a sword.  Then I'd get lunch, be a glutton for more punishment and try to play with the kids my age.  I got teased a lot, so I learned early how to be self reliant and independent.

 

Q) Did you ever have a pet growing up?

A) I had an assorrtment of animal friends growing up, as I was raised on a kind of farm.  I had a dog for a while, but someone killed it.  It was a damn-good dog, too.  Finest bird dog I ever saw, and I didn’t have to teach him a damn thing!  I tend to take to cats.  I had this one cat named Purrfect, because she always acted like she was superior to me, despite my “dog” disposition.  She was an excellent mouser.  I haven’t seen her for a while.  She went out hunting and never came back.

 

Q) How do you thiink your father would describe you? How would that description differ from the description given by your mother?

A) As the only “pparents” I've known thus far are Grampa James and Granny Dan, I’ve been raised well and have made them proud.  Grampa James would probably describe me as a strong girl, who can take care of herself and doesn’t much care what others think.  I think he’d be proud at how I’ve grown.  He loves me for me, despite the nuances I’ve developed over the years.  Granny Dan considers me to be her little girl, as she’s enjoyed raising me as such.  It’s thanks to them I’ve grown with the values I have.

 

Q) Describe your perfect “date.” What events would it involve? With a group, or just one on one?

A)  I’m not sure if I can describe that one very well, as I really haven’t been out on any dates, really.  (Blushing furiously at this)   I suppose I like what every girl likes—nice dinner, flowers, jewelry, dancing and fun.  Just show me a respectable good time.

 

Q) Describe your personal bedroom or suite.

A) Nothing much tto tell.  It’s got a bed, a wardrobe, a mirror and a little desk.  It's simple at the moment.  I suppose it should have pictures, and posters and be decorated accordingly, but I haven't had much time to really worry about it yet.  Besides that, I’m really only in it to sleep—I tend to take to the outdoors when the weather is good.  Certain treetops make for comfortable resting spots.

 

Q) Which self-impprovement course does you need more; “Assertiveness Training,” “Ten Steps to a New Love Life,” “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” or “Organizing Your Life.” Why? Which course would you be qualified to teach?

A) I suppose if II had to take a course, give me “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. –I just want to be loved and accepted, is that so wrong?  Most folks tend to run the opposite direction when they find out about my wolfy-side.  As for teaching?  I haven’t lived long enough to qualify as a teacher--I'm only 17!

 

Q) How would you describe his or her perfect mate/spouse?

A) (Gets that dreeamy look in her eye again) Awesomely good looking and maybe a year or two older than me.  Mature and sensitive.  One who loves me for me.  Doesn’t have to be my knight in shining armor, either, but if he stands up for me to defend my honor, well, that would be nice.  I appreciate that.  I want to be able to win an argument once every so often, just to say I’m right and have that validated, and to admit when he’s wrong.  Treat me as an equal and partner. –okay, so maybe there’s no such thing as the perfect man, but it’s a good wish list, isn’t it?   Besides that, he'd definitely have to be "the one".  Wolves mate for life, did you know?

 

Q) If you use serrvants, which servant is most trusted? Most liked? Most indispensable?

A) I'm still adjusting to that whole servant-thing.  I've got Maria.  She helps keep me balanced.

 

Q) Where do you get your laundry done?

A) I do my own laundry.  I take some semblance of pride with the things I own.

 

Q) Everybody has some little item they regard as somehow sacred. A piece of clothing, a memento of some event, whatever. What is your prized possession?

A) When I was borrn, I was given a gold chain bracelet with a solitary little charm on it that looks like a funky spiral-thing.  For the longest time, I had absolutely no idea what it meant.  I mean, usually when one puts a charm on a bracelet, you’d think little girl-things, like flowers, bunnies, stars, or hearts, or something frilly like that, but no;  just the simple chain and one, solitary charm of some funky spiral-thing that I've learned is a representation of the Pattern.  It was left with me when I was an infant--the only clue I had of Amber until recently.

 

Q) Going back to your love life, let's say that you're ready for companionship. You would prefer someone new, someone different, yet someone who might find you attractive. Then a rather mundane solution strikes you! How about an advertisement in the “Lonely Hearts-Romance” section of the classified section? How would you write that?

A) Well, I’m not at that stage of being so desperate yet, but okay---Tall, single, raven beauty seeks man 20+ for fun and possible relationship.  Must be active, into fun—no smoking, no drugs, and not married.  Outdoorsy helps.  Must be able to handle headstrong woman.  Die-hard romantic a plus.  Wine me, dine me, recline—well, we’ll see when we get there!  Call me and let’s have some fun!  (She giggles infectiously at this.)

 

Q) Do you sleep well?

A) I’ve learned tto become a relatively light sleeper, no matter how tired I seem to become.  I’ve yet to be accused of snoring!

 

Q) There's the puublic face one puts on in court and there's the private face.  Is there a difference between the two?

A) No, not reallyy.  But then, I don't discern between a public persona versus a private one.  I’m about as human as the next person, although I tend to try and hide the anger/negative emotions.  However, if you are unfortunate enough to be around me when I get angry, look out!

 

Q) Of course our readers are just dying to find out.  If you can, tell us how you've managed to acquire your more interesting features.

A) (She leans bacck and takes a deep breath before speaking.)  It had happened a few years ago in the shadow I was staying in.  Our little town was attacked by wolf-raiders from the north.  I wasn’t fighting with the men, but I was fighting to defend our home.  These guys who were attacking came in the middle of the night, so you couldn’t get a good look at them, but it was clear that they weren’t human.  They were huge, bulking, furry and had dog-like heads.  My guardian, Grampa James, was off fighting with the men.  I was alone with my other guardian, Granny Dan.  She’s getting on in her years, and can’t exactly move as well as us young people.  It was pretty scary to be roused out of a sound sleep.  They came with torches and busted down the door.  I defended our home and her, taking down two of these wolf-raiders and wounding a few others before they left us alone.  Granny Dan even got one in the eye with her knitting needles.  I guess those sword lessons I was getting as a child had come in handy! After making sure that Granny Dan was safe, I went to help defend the neighbors, as I had an uncanny feeling that they were in dire trouble and felt that those raiders were terrorizing them, just because they could.  I helped the neighbors and succeeded in taking down three more raiders that were trying to help themselves to Mrs. Wickelby and everything else in the place.  That’s when I got bit.  Instead of dying, I inherited my “wolfy”-side.  We had defeated the raiders for the time being, as we haven’t heard from them since.

 

Q) For an Amberitte, events can turn on a dime, where things can come down to life and death.  How would you describe the perfect death?

A) To die with hoonor is a good thing, as I’ve known plenty of warriors in our militia who have, defending our town over the years.  I also deal with death on a nearly nightly basis in order to survive.  I personally, do not believe that there is such a thing as a “Perfect Death”.  But don’t you think that discussing death is a bit morbid?

 

Q) Do you have a shadow that's a particular favorite?

A) Sure!  I love Shadow Earth.  So diverse.  So much going on there.  I can be anything I want, go anywhere I want, eat anywhere, shop anywhere--I really like that.

 

Well! That was alll the time we had time for, as she was being called away for some royal duty of some sort.  With a smile our direction, she hid her ears and tail from sight again, looking very much like your typical, run of the mill teenager--especially with the dark sunglasses to cover her golden eyes. 

 

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