"but I think you'll be good to me/ I'll be so good to you."

Today, at work, my plot finally arrived. It may have been fifteen days late, but it's HERE!

Which really means I need characters. I realized, (belatedly, I know,) that my brain was still stuck on short stories. In them, you really only need one character trait, or maybe two. There just isn't time to fit other things in them? And now I'm trying long form again. MUST SHUNT MY BRAIN ONTO NEW TRACK.

This post, therefore, is my attempt to nail down one of my characters. Say hello to Johanne, everyone!

Johanne: "Hi." *dry tone*
Interviewer: "How old are you?"
J: "Seventeen? Why do you ask?"
I. "Height?"
J: "Tall enough..."
I: "Do you have any bad habits? "
J: "That depends on who you ask, really." *bright, fake smile*
I: "What’s your hairstyle?"
J: "It's- hair." *looks at hair, nonplussed* "Dark and in a ponytail?"
I. "Have any kids?"
J: *stares* "Wow. That's just- a special question. If you've seen me out and about, that would be my siblings? You know, not every family has 2.4 children? Some people get a bit edge about cutting their children into five pieces and only keeping two of the limbs. I'm just saying."
I: "Favourite food?"
J: "Sandwiches? You know, I really don't have an absolute favourite. I like cold food, but nothing really stands out."
I: "Killed anyone?"
J: "I'd like to exercise my right to legal council."
I: "Hate anyone?"
J: "Is my lawyer here yet?"
I: "Any secrets?"
J: "Have I been keeping my desire for a lawyer secret? Because I think I've been pretty open about that."
*Later*
New Interviewer: "Do you love anyone?"
J: *small grin* "I wouldn't say I'm incapable of emotion, no. I'm quite close with my family, even when we don't get along. They're very important to me."
NI: "What is your job?"
J: "I'm a student, but for medical reasons I'm studying at home."
NI: "Are you a boy or a girl?"
J: "Well, that sales woman was certainly lying about this shirt being flattering to my so-called curves." *looks up as the pause stretches on. "That was a real quest- girl." *sits back and folds her arms, eyebrows raised.* "I am medically female."
NI: "Family?"
J: *pause* "I wasn't cloned, no..."
NI: "Best Friends?"
J: "Are you capable of using verbs? I think that's the questions we're all waiting on!"
NI: "What was the most surprising moment in your life up until now?"
J: "WELL DONE, you. I applaud your use of language. I'd say that moment right up there, when you spoke so eloquently- that has to be in the top five."
NI: "Where would you rather be?"
J: "Thank here? How long do I have to list places?"
NI: "Ever wish to be something else?"
J: "It is my fondest and most heartfelt desire to be a knife. Or a feather. I don't know what I want. Where are you GETTING these questions?"
NI: "Ever kissed anyone that's not a family member?"
J: *totally red* "N-no?"

So there's Johanne. Touchy and mad, and not at all as worldly as she likes to tell herself. :D

I think I like her. :D