Character Profile #11: The Army Recruit
Meet my army recruit character!
Hello, friends, and welcome to my eleventh Character Profile, a monthly feature in which you get to learn more about one of my characters. Spoiler alert: I have a LOT of characters. If you’d like to learn more about them, you can click here to read a short story snippet I wrote months ago.
Each character profile will consist of three parts:
the mood board — where you get a peek into their character as photos!
the interview — where the character is interviewed and you get to learn more about them.
the writing snippet featuring that character — where you get to see how I incorporate the character into a short scene!
See all of my Character Profiles here.
#1: The Mood Board
#2: The Interview
Introduce yourself!
Hi, I’m the Army Recruit. I’m one of the members of the Army’s newest Delegation, and I’m best friends with the Elf.
Can you also describe yourself?
Sure! I have long blond hair that’s normally in a braid, deep blue eyes, and tawny skin.
You said you’re part of the Army. What’s that like?
Grueling, for sure. It’s a lot of work learning how to defend the colony, but it’s good work, and I’m glad I’m part of it. My favorite part is doing find-and-rescue drills — I don’t mean to brag, but I’m really good at them.
I guess it’s kind of ironic because my father went missing a few years ago, and the one thing I’m good at is the one thing I’m scared of happening to me.
I’m really sorry your father went missing! You’re not by yourself in the colony, right?
No, my mother and I live in the same house. She’s a carpenter by trade, and she makes great murals for the king and his family. My father was also in the Army, so I grew up entrenched in that culture. I don’t remember a time where I didn’t want to be in the Army.
You said earlier you’re friends with the prince of Oakwood? What is that like? Is there anyone else in your friend group?
Yes, I’m best friends with the Elf. If I had to sum Sander up in one word, it would be…good chaos. Wait, that’s two words. We grew up together, we’re in the Army together — though he’s a whole year older than me and is in a different Delegation than I am. We just know each other really well. The only people that know him better than I do are probably his father and Thea, his fiancee.
My friend Jack is also close, and he’s a fantastic baker. He’s really good at whipping up sweet treats for me and Sander to enjoy. I’m lucky to have both of them.
What’s your favorite food?
Raspberry cream puffs, for sure. I absolutely love them, especially when Jack makes them.
Do you like to bake?
Oh, heavens no. I am horrible at cooking. I can make toast and raspberry tea and that’s about it. Thank goodness for the cooks in the colony.
What’s your strength?
I’m really active and good at labor intensive jobs, which is a benefit in situations where someone needs help with something physical.
What’s your weakness?
I am very stubborn, and I tend to push against the status quo — which sometimes works to my advantage but mostly doesn’t, especially with the king, whom I’ve known my entire life and tend to have differing opinions.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I don’t think so. Thanks, Addie!
#3: The Snippet
Raspberry tea.
Sylvie* had never gone a day without raspberry tea, and now the container was empty.
“When did that happen?” she sighed, shaking the container to make sure there weren’t any loose leaves.
Nothing.
She groaned and stared at the water on the stove, the kettle humming quietly in the background. Sylvie and her mother weren’t in the habit of keeping other tea in the cupboards, and it had to be…
She turned and squinted out the window. At least midnight.
She sighed again. Then she took the water off of the stove, steam still curling around the metal kettle. The raspberry plants budding on the windowsill weren’t even sprouting yet, which meant if she really wanted tea, she’d have to sneak down to the kitchen.
Or hot water it was.
She stared at the moon again. Technically there was no curfew — no elf in their right mind would be out right now, she thought, already extinguishing the stove and pulling on her boots.
But she was no mere elf.
She was the girl who only a few years ago had come in second in her Army trial. And she’d almost broken a record. Not that she was complaining about Ahmed beating her… She felt her face get hot, but she focused on lacing her boots and slowly, quietly eased the door open.
The hallway was quiet, as it always was, so Sylvie made it down the hall and around the king’s quarters on the long way to the kitchen. As much as she loved seeing Sander, she didn’t want to get in trouble for something so tiny as filling up her raspberry tea.
She tried to shake off the looming fog of her nearest nightmare, the one where figures in the forest surrounded her and threatened to hold her hostage until she told them where Sander was. She fought them off as best as she could, but she always lost. Every single—
Sylvie shook her head and crossed the glass walkway that led to the “servants’ quarters.” They weren’t really servants anymore, but the phrase had been coined before legislation for equal pay and rights had been passed, so that was what everyone called it. She knew Jack was probably still there, and if not him, then Moira, who was the head supervisor and worked harder than anyone else Sylvie knew, except for her mom.
After a short turn, the glass gave way to stone steps. Sylvie practically flew down them, her heart beating in her chest as she opened the kitchen door.
The only person in the room was Jack.
He looked up, recognition crossing his face but not surprise. “Hey, Sylv. Couldn’t sleep?”
“Not exactly.” Sylvie held up the raspberry tea container. “This was empty, and I came to see if I could get a refill.”
Jack smiled. “I made a new batch this morning. The plants are starting to bloom.”
He pulled out a huge container of freshly ground leaves, and Sylvie poured until her own container was full. “Jack, I can’t thank you enough. It’s the only thing that helps with the nightmares right now.”
Jack’s face was grim. “The hostage one with Sander again?”
She nodded silently. “We can’t tell him about it, okay? The last thing I want to do is freak him out.”
“We’re all a little freaked out, Sylv.” Jack said quietly, and she whipped her head up, ready to argue. “Ever since your father…well, you’ve been different. Quieter. And we just want to help.”
“I know.” Sylvie took her container of leaves and gave Jack a quick squeeze. “Thanks for the tea.”
Then she turned and left the kitchen.
*all names have been changed for character privacy*
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If you enjoyed this profile and would like to know more about these characters and my journey, click here! Thanks for reading, and keep on being kind! 💖
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