Beautiful People: May

It may be the end of the month, but there’s still time for me to join in with this month’s Beautiful People link up, hosted by the ever amazing Cait@Paper Fury and Sky@FurtherUp And Further In (gold star me for leaving it so very late in the month). I’m currently editing my Snow White/superhero retelling, so I’ll be answering the questions for the two main characters, Eric and Nicola. If you want to know more about the book, click HERE. Here we go!

How often do they smile? Would they smile at a stranger?

Eric: He’s a pretty serious type of guy, and doesn’t smile much, especially after the death of his month. He’s much more likely to give a stranger a blank look than a smile. Eric also has quite a few trust issues so he’s not likely to be welcoming to strangers.

Nicola: She smiles constantly. Humour of all kinds is her weapon. Would she smile at a stranger? Absolutely. Especially if she needed to make them like her in order to gain their trust. Does she trust the strangers? Absolutely not! But a smile is like a mask sometimes.

What is the cruelest thing they’ve ever been told? And what was their reaction?

Eric: Probably the cruellest thing anyone’s ever told him is that his mutantness is unnatural and wrong and he’s less because of it. His reaction is to bottle everything up until it all bursts out in a huge flood, so he doesn’t retaliate at once, but takes it all out on bullies later.

Nicola: The cruellest thing anyone’s ever said to her was that she was never going to amount to anything, which pretty much sums up the way her childhood went. She reacted by rebelling, and acting like she didn’t care. When really inside she’s absolutely terrified that it’s true.

What is the kindest thing they’ve ever been told? And what was their reaction?

Eric: The kindest thing anyone has ever said to him would be that they love him. Which was his mother. Being loved and accepted is a big thing to him. Back then he really accepted and believe it.

Nicola: Thank you. Nicola comes from a pretty rough background, and having people appreciate anything she does is a big deal for her. Her reaction is usually a nice warm feeling that she usually keeps to herself.

What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?

Eric: His strongest memories are always sad ones. Probably his strongest one is when his dad died when he was small. Not that he remembers the death. Just his mother crying when she thought he couldn’t see her. He does have a lot or strong happy memories with his mum, but that’s definitely his strongest childhood memory

Nicola: Facing off against her father for the first time when she was twelve. He’s not a very pleasant man, and little Nicola finally decided she’d had enough and took him on. Which ended badly, and it’s wasn’t a nice fight all-round. But it was the first time she’d been brave enough to stand up for herself. She remembers it, firstly for all the problems it caused later, and secondly because that was the first time she really found some courage.

What book (a real actual published book!) do you think your character would benefit from reading?

Eric: Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books. People with unusual abilities are awesome. That would really appeal to him.

Nicola: Basically anything by Derek Landy. The sense of humour would really appeal to her. All that delicious sarcasm.

Have they ever been seriously injured? How severely? How did they react?

Eric: Before the book starts, he’s been beaten up after a few times garnering a good few bruises. Nothing severe though, and he gives as good as he gets. Black eyes all round! During the book, well, that would be telling, wouldn’t it?

Nicola: Before the book starts, she’s had her fair share of bumps and bruises, and even broke her collarbone at one point doing stupid tricks. In the book, she gets her fair share of injuries, including trying to destroy a wardrobe with her head. She usually shrugs injuries off and keeps going.

Do they like and get along with their neighbours?

Eric: He only likes one of his neighbours. Most of them are snooty, stuck up people. The general agreement is that they’ll move in their separate orbits and not bother each other. Except for Mr Frank who bakes brownies. Mm, brownies…

Nicola: Her neighbours are her team now and she has to get on with them for the most part. But back when she actually had neighbours, she didn’t really get on with the people around her. Usually everyone tried to ignore everyone else, but occasionally people got mean and she got mean right back.

On a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being easy and 10 being difficult) how easy are they to get along with?

Eric: 7. He’s usually pretty accommodating and easy to live with. Don’t bother him and he won’t bother you. He’s not really interested in making trouble, except when it comes to mutants and bullies and school. Then you’d better watch out.

Nicola: 5. She can be really fun. Or she’ll take on the world if she feels like someone’s picking on her, or someone she likes. Or if she doesn’t like you much. She’s a pretty warlike little thing when she gets going.

If they could travel anywhere in the world, where would they go?

Eric: He’d take a backpacking trip across Europe and see all the famous sites and cities. The independence and adventure would really appeal to him.

Nicola: Hawaii, or anywhere with awesome beaches and waves. As a former surfer and mutant with aquatic abilities, she appreciates a good surf.

Who was the last person they held hands with?

Eric: Probably his mother, before she died. There isn’t really anyone in his life that he would want to hold hands with now.

Nicola: Her younger sister. One of the few members of her family that she really likes and gets along with. She’s not much of the hand holding type though.

Phew, some of those questions were pretty tricky to answer. And I just realised what sad lives I tend to give my poor characters! Are you taking part in Beautiful People this month? Link me to your post! If your main character could travel anywhere in the world, where would they go, and why? And tell me, based on just these answers, who do you like better, Nicola or Eric? Or neither!