CHARACTER BIO: JUL-
"That is NOT my name. Juliette is a lousy name for a pirate," interjects the girl sitting on my bed. She is average height, slender and wears a pair of blue jeans and an old Rolling Stones T-Shirt. Her buckled boots, a gift from her dad, kick against the bed frame. The movement jiggles her seven earrings, all on the right ear.
"I am the author. I tell them what I want," I say into the microphone. "Juliette Jones," I spout before she has an opportunity to interject, "is eighteen years old and the captain of The Emerald Queen."
"And does not go by Juliette," she says, picking up my telescope and fiddling with the dials. "This doesn't work."
"I think the lens is wrong. There should be a box of lenses on the top shelf in my closet." I reply over my shoulder.
"And technically you are NOT a pirate,
Her grey-blue eyes are set in concentration as she dives through the abyss, eventually emerging with the blue and grey box from the garage sale.
"Anyways, Juliette is the name her mother gave her. Her mother, Victoria Jo-"
"Oh gosh, don't bring up that old hag,"
"Her mother Victoria Jones, professor of Medieval History at Oxford, named her that. She prefers to go by the name 'Svena' given to her by her crewmates, meaning 'little Sven' or something like that."
Svena tosses her shaggy, beach blonde bob and snorts, amused at my attempt to explain her past. She disassembles my telescope as I continue.
"Her father, Sven, was the last captain of The Queen. He was a native of Nordica, but died at age forty-three in a battle on the shores of Termyrlda. Svena was his successor at age fourteen."
She snorts again, stopping her work to take a swig from her canteen. The shiny metal stands out against her pale skin.
"Haven't you had enough? I don't want my room smelling like rum!" I declare.
"Never enough rum. And besides, we just made a score. I deserve it."
"So...," I continue, "How do you feel about the loss of your father?" I try to say it gently.
"BAH! Well, he was swell and all, but dear ole Dad did leave me the ship. Who am I to complain?"
She affixes the right lens to the end of the telescope and wipes it on her slightly torn blue jeans.
Focusing on the task at hand, I return my attention to the microphone and list of questions.
"So Svena, what exactly does 'The Emerald Queen' do?"
"Well, 'The Queen' is magical. She isn't like any other ship in any other world." She glances wistfully at the ceiling, scratching her left thumb where lies her tattoo of a green anchor. "She can travel between all realms and worlds. She never breaks and never bends. The crew rocks. They're anyone from anywhere. Whoever wants to join does. But She's pretty big so we can fit 'em all. After all, who doesn't want to be a member of our crew? We have the best job in any world. Any job we want."
"So, basically, you do jobs for people choosing your own price--which usually isn't money."
"Right. That's how I got Llawenydd here. Poor ole Yidden didn't know he was getting cheated. After all, we were the one who stole his scepter in the first place. Steal one worthless thing and get rewarded a treasure to return it."
She pats her side, where a gun is strapped tightly. Llawenydd is a weapon that changes to suit the owner's needs. A pistol in Germany, a bow in Ellesmera, a club in Bearsbynn, a cutlass on the high seas, etc.
I glance at my list.
"Okay last things. Hmmm. Personality. She is a born leader, clever and a good planner."
I glance at my friend as she carries the telescope to my window, her hands already full with her flask.
"And overly fond of rum. She is selfish--"
"In the best way possible." She grins at me.
"--and doesn't waste time on people who aren't worth it."
"Ooh I like how you said that," she crouches to touch her eye to...the place where eye goes on the telescope.... [sorry guys its late].
"Does that about sum you up?" I ask, moving to shut off the microphone.
"No."
-Lauren;)
[authors note: I made Svena a pinterest board;) Just don't tell her...]
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