Hello, my lovelies! I hope you all had a blessed Easter yesterday!

Today I’m doing something fun. About 34543998 years ago (or a few months, but who’s counting?) I was tagged by Kate @ Story and Dark Chocolate for the Dual Character Inquisition Tag. Then, just recently, Tracey @ Adventure Awaits also tagged me for it. I’m sure all of you are aware that I’m the worst about never getting around to tags (which is odd, because I love tags! I am a paradox, guys), but this one I just had to do. Because, hello? IT’S ABOUT CHARACTERS. And you all know fictional characters is my favorite subject on this planet or any other.

The gist of this tag is that you choose two of your own characters and answer the questions about them, include a picture of them, and pass the tag on to 3 more bloggers. Simple, right? Buuuut, me being me, I can’t help but shake it up a bit.

Instead of me answering the questions about my characters, I’m going to let them do it. Annnd of course I couldn’t choose two cordial characters to toss together. Oh no. That’d be boring.

For the tag I’m thrusting together Larke and Marigold from Burning Thorns. For those who don’t know, Marigold is Rose’s (my main female character) sister and, erm, “brat” is probably the best word to describe her. Then Larke is…how does one explain Larke? He’s a mischievous fae who causes all sorts of trouble for the other characters (andmayormaynotbemyfavorite). Watching loud and fiery Marigold and cocky, impish Larke interact was probably my favorite bits to write in Burning Thorns.

But enough babbling from me. It’s time for you to meet them for yourselves!



Who inspired this character?
Me: Okay, actually, I’m gonna answer this questions myself before I hand things over to them.

My characters are very rarely inspired by anyone specific. I don’t think I’ve ever just “planned” a character. They just…are. They pretty much always pop in my head fully formed. With Marigold, I knew I needed a couple of older sisters for Rose (since this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling), and Marigold, the sulky middle sister, just happened.

With Larke, when I was about to expand the novella of Burning Thorns into a novel, I knew I wanted to add a character. About 2.5 seconds after this thought, Larke was there waving at me with that cocky sideways smile of his. And he hasn’t left me alone since…

OKAY. Now they’re going to answer the questions.
 
What is your weapon of choice?
Marigold: I—

Larke: Marigold uses her tongue. She can talk people to an early grave.

Marigold: Hey! You interrupted me!

Larke: It’s the only way to get a word in. Oh, but wait, I forgot, she’s also fond of smacking certain people with her parasol. *rubs shoulder, grimacing* There was also that one time she threw perfectly good fruit at me. Really, it’s dangerous to have any inanimate objects in her reach.

Marigold: I wish I had a big heavy stick in my reach right now and a bullseye on your forehead.

Larke: See? She’s a monster.

Marigold: Well, what about you? You’re the one that steals peoples’ memories and curiosity and who knows what else with your— *waves a hand in the air* shadowy abilities.

Larke: *smiles*
 
Have you ever been physically violent with someone else? What instigated it?
Larke: Aha, look at that, I’ve already answered this question. Parasols, fruit. And she hit me with a cushion once. Let’s also not forget the time she right-out slapped me.

Marigold: You deserved far worse than that! And you all want to know what instigated it? Larke! Him just breathing instigates violence.

Larke: *clutches chest* See? I told you all. Her tongue is her weapon. She got me right to the core.

Marigold: Oh, stop being dramatic. How many times have you been physically violent, hm?

Larke: I’m perfectly well-mannered, thank you.

Marigold: You? *bursts into laughter*

Larke: What?

Marigold: *keeps laughing*

Larke: Seriously. Tell me once you witnessed me be physically violent?

Marigold: *laughter stops abruptly* Well…I…

Larke: Mh-hm. See?

Marigold: Well, that’s probably because you use much worse methods to harm people!

Larke: *opens mouth* *closes it again*

Marigold: He’s the absolute worst, people.

Larke: *mutters something about tongues being weapons*
 
Are you more of a rule-follower or a rebel?
Marigold: Hahaha! Larke as a rule-follower? That’s hilarious!

Larke: *merely shrugs* Rules are meant to be broken, that’s the only use for them. Besides, you’re not exactly Miss Rule-follower yourself.

Marigold: I do too follow the rules! I’m a lady.

Larke: *this time he bursts into laughter*

Marigold: It’s true! Ugh, you’re obnoxious.
 
What kind of child were you? Curious? Wild? Quiet? Devious?
Larke: Oh, oh! Let me guess this one for you. You were the perfectly quiet, out of the way, contented child, yes?

Marigold: *face turns red* And I bet you weren’t devious or rotten or rude or naughty.

Larke: I imagine you never once had a big mouth.

Marigold: And you minded your parents every single day.

Larke: I’m just positive you never had a tantrum every single time someone told you no. If you’ve ever been told no.

Marigold: Your nickname was probably Angel Child.

Larke: People most likely feared you were mute you were so quiet.

Marigold: Other children’s parents envied your parents for having such a perfect little boy.

Larke: *grins* Wow. We know each other so well.

Marigold: *bites lips, eyes twinkling, as if stifling a smile*
 
Where would you go to relax and think?
Marigold: My favorite place is our gardens. It’s quiet and smells nice and makes me think of Mother…

Larke: Mmm. I have lots of places in the Forest to retreat to. But I’m not going to publicly announce my favorite little haunts. But relaxing and thinking isn’t something I do often. I’d much rather be out doing things.

Marigold: *snorts* Thinking is definitely not something you do often.

Larke: ….
I guess I set myself up for that one.

Marigold: *smirks*
 
Do you have a temper?
Larke: Do I even need to say it for her?

Marigold: Hush!

Larke: Nope. I don’t. While I, for one, have a very mellow temper. *casts her a smug smile* You can never get to me, dear.

Marigold: Ugh!
 
Would you be more likely to face your fears or run from them?
Larke & Marigold: *shares an uncomfortable glance*

Larke: *clears throat* Let’s give an alternate option: Make your fears disappear completely so you never have to face them.

Marigold: *mutters under her breath* Coward.

Larke: Oh? So sulking in your room every time something bad happens is the answer?

Marigold: Can we just go to the next question, please?
 
When you are upset, do you turn to other people or isolate yourself?
Marigold: I use to go to Mother but… Well, I suppose I’d rather just be by myself.

Larke: Oh dear. The world is about to freeze over or something dramatic because, for once, we actually agree. Why would I ever put my trust in someone else when I have myself? I know of no one better to rely on.

Marigold: I can think of a few million people better.
 
Say 3 things about where you live (as broad or specific as you like).
Marigold: Well, first things first, I live in Mendar, which is the capitol city of the kingdom of Cantrelle where—

Larke: Shadows alive, don’t give Marigold permission to be as broad and specific as she likes! We’ll be here ‘til the end of time!

Marigold: Will you stop interrupting me!

Larke: I told you, it’s the only way to get a word in. And I’m trying to save these poor people from hearing endless facts about your boring human kingdom.

Marigold: I like my kingdom! But fine, if you’re going to be that way, then you tell three facts about my home, because I have a few things to say about yours.

Larke: What’s there to say? There are humans, not nearly enough trees, and too many buildings that are square and entirely uninteresting.

Marigold: Well, his home is in the Forest which is always dark, full of hideous creatures and things trying to kill you for absolutely no reason, and has too many trees that move which is far too unnatural and creepy. Then there’s that awful river constantly trying to drown anyone that gets near it. And the shadows move. Not to mention it’s way too cold—

Larke: I think we’re getting way past three things.

Marigold: Like you would even know. You’re the worst at counting.

Larke: Hey, it’s not my fault numbers are slithery little things.

Marigold: You’re slithery.

Larke: Excuse me?

Marigold: You’re slithery, like a snake. Devious and cunning and awful.

Larke: You think I’m cunning? I’m flattered.

Marigold: Ugh!

~ ~ ~

Ooookay! I think I should stop it there or they’ll be at it all day.

Well…it could have gone worse? At least they didn’t try to murder one another, that’s a plus!

SO. Passing this thing on to 3 other bloggers!

TAGGING

Skye @ Ink Castles | Savannah @ Scattered Scribblings | Victoria @ Wanderer’s Pen | + absolutely ANYONE ELSE who wants to do it because this tag is way too much fun!


Here are the original questions for your convenience:

-Who inspired this character?

-What is their weapon of choice?

-Have they ever been physically violent with someone else? What instigated it?

-Are they more of a rule-follower or a rebel?

-What kind of child were they? Curious? Wild? Quiet? Devious?

-Where would they go to relax and think?

-Do they have a temper?

-Would they be more likely to face their fears or run from them?

-When they are upset, do they turn to other people or isolate themselves?

-Say 3 things about where your character lives (as broad or specific as you like).
 

Whew! We survived this without too much violence (one can never tell with these two). Soooo…what did you think of Larke and Marigold? They’re um…yeah.