(excellent question, and a bit of a head-scratcher for me!) Andrina's balance was off, but after three weeks at sea she expected no less. Her head swayed slightly as she paced along the tiled streets with bent knees. She let the familiar stench of the port fill her nose; flopping fish, octopus ink, smoke, the sweat of 'convenience' women and the cheap olive oil adorning the glittering chests of some highly convenient men and the less than savoury contents of the gutter. She strode with the compulsory swagger of someone for whom land could never quite be home. A gloriously sharp scent yanked her gaze right to a cloud of dark vinegar billowing from a huge curved pan dancing with sprats, anchovies and tentacle. The spry northern youth striding a pair of long sticks through the mouth-watering mass held up two fingers in response to her questioning gaze and it was far from a hard decision to hand over two small bronze shields. Agile fingers turned a flatbread over a stone in the bowels of the fire and nimble sticks gathered her breakfast into the centre. The taste melted her stomach, at sea she'd have closed her eyes to let the sensation wash over her but ports were not that kind to the incautious. She'd consumed a little more than half of her prize when she saw the wretched woman huddled in her alley. Only one hand protruded from under what looked like a boatcloak - very old and cracked by the sun. a pitiful tin bowl, licked clean long before, was raised in her direction and with one last mouthful she stooped to give the last of her meal. the bowl was laid swiftly on the ground and the womans eyes followed it, her only hand dipping to devour its contents. Suppose your character is waiting - in the deep breath before a plunge of your choice (though battle is the traditional one). how do they fill that time?
I'm going to use a significant character from one of my other stories because my current MC does not have a tormented past. In case it isn't clear enough, Emma is Mexican, hence the seemingly random Spanish. Emma's blood turned to ice the moment she saw that horribly familiar face. For years she had said if she ever saw her father again she would be sorely disappointed that he had managed to survive the glassing but disappointment didn't feature at all in the mix of emotions she felt now. As her heart kicked back into gear, and then doubled its pace, she wiped her palms on her slacks and tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "Dios mio," she whispered. "Emmaline," Padre rasped. He was dying. He didn't need to tell her that. She had spent enough time around corpses to know he looked like one. "Padre," Emma said politely. Padre had never tolerated rudeness. Her nose ached with the memory of that one time she'd come home drunk and incapable of the fear that usually kept her in line. He had repeatedly slammed her face into a table for that. There were other memory-aches too - three of her ribs from the time he kicked her with his steel-caps on; her right shoulder from the many times he had wrenched her arm so hard behind her back that her shoulder almost dislocated; her left wrist from that time he had squeezed it so tight it broke. "Emma... I'm sorry." Sorry?! As if that changed a single damned thing! Sorry indeed! "F-ck you, old man!" she spat, wrenching his ventilator's power plug from the wall socket. "Go to hell!" As Padre choked on his own lungs, Emma turned on her heel and left. Hatred twisted her usually pretty face into something that would not have been out of place on a gargoyle. Your MC wakes up in a hospital bed, paralysed from the waist down. Their lover (or best friend) shamefacedly admits responsibility. How do they react?
Your MC wakes up in a hospital bed, paralysed from the waist down. Their lover (or best friend) shamefacedly admits responsibility. How do they react? Staring coldly up from where I lay into captains large yellow eyes. What I would give to kick his scaly ass across the battleship. "Graxis, I am very disappointed", I growl at the captain. His posture becomes more sullen, as we gaze at each other. "Will you two give it a rest", Dlynvacko interrupts our heated silence. We avert our eyes from on another to look at the surgical tech. Her delicate clawed hands resting on the foot of the bed, as she stares at us like an angry mother chiding her children. "You get out", she growls at the captain pointing to the door of the med bay. I could not believe the gentle creature was now acting like us. The captain reluctantly leaves the med bay. His boots heavy on the metal floor in his exit. Turning her attention to me her scaled face flushed a dark bronze on her cheeks. Tail swirling in agitation, as her light green eyes bore into me. "What did I do", I ask the young tech as she continues to glare at me. She crosses her arms beneath her breasts in contempt. Unsure of what may be playing across the angry techs mind. "You are still a bastard", she cuts back coldly. Really? I saved your hide on Callisto, and you are still mad about what I said. "And you still owe me dinner", I jab back at her, seeing as it was true. Been a while since I had made the offer to her, and she has yet to fulfill the invitation. A smile breaks upon her face, displaying several pairs of sharp canines. "Well, sir", she starts," I will fix you up, but the dinner is still a no." Chuckling at her decline to spend private time with me off duty. "Fair enough, Dlynvacko, fair enough", I concede to her," now be a dear, and get me patched up. I have a captain to knock down a peg or two." Your MC is being interrogated for crimes they did not commit. Do they crack and submit, or do they resist and claim innocence?
"I don't know what you want me to say," Eli said calmly. "I've got no idea why you think it was me. I've never accessed the files you claim I leaked." The interrogator raised an eyebrow and picked up an instrument. Eli knew that instrument well. He had used it himself, in his ONI days. The pain it could inflict was incredible. "Do what you like," he said. "My answer isn't going to change." Your MC has just discovered that he/she has a venomous bite.
Shit. I knew this day would come. . . Mike Wolfletter sat on a boulder, staring at the snake bite on his wrist. It had happened too quickly for him to do anything. A sharp pain and out of the corner of his eyes, something slithered under the rocks. The wound was swollen, an angry red. His body was lethargic now. I am dying. He closed his eyes, his throat tightened from the emotions. He wanted to scream, wanted to curse God, the Fates, everything that led him to this point. But he was too tired to do even that. His right hand held his revolver, loaded and cocked. Tears ran down his hot cheeks. Either I die now, or die because of a fucking snake. He shook his head, took a shuddering breath. A cool calm washed over him, or was that the wind? A small ditty was beating in his head. Oh Susana...Susana don't you cry... He tightened the grip on his gun, a choked sob escaped his throat. Memories of his childhood emerged. The warm, sun-kissed everglades, ships at the docks carrying bales of cotton. His mother on the sofa sewing. I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee... Time to end this. He lifted the revolver up to his head, the sobbing coming out in a flood. He wanted to be back there again. A child wrapped in the warm embraces of his mother, not dying on a rock to a snakebite. My true love Fortune see... “Good-bye, Mother,” he whispered. A single, loud explosion rang across the desert. It was all over. Your MC just discovered he/she had an unknown talent for something. What is it, and how does he/she react to it? What does he/she do with it?
Ironically enough I have such a character that can answer this question: Crossing the threshold into my makeshift class room in the med bay. I put these thoughts in the back of my mind. “Good morning”, I greet my mature mentor Arinassi. “Good morning, dear”, she returns warmly. This was odd as she was usually all business, and the like. “Please have a seat”, she offers,” cup of tea?” “Yes ma’am, thank you”, I return, this is quite odd. Taking a seat, she hands me the hot cup of tea. Taking it in my slender fingers, I look at her quizzically. “I have taught many over the years”, Arinassi begins in a friendly tone”, but never in my life had I felt like I was unprepared. You perform so well, almost as if you have done all of this before.” “I cannot explain why, ma’am”, finding it hard to believe my self, as I never had learned any of this until a week ago. “I am not looking for an explanation, dear”, she continues,” I have been wondering why, and how is it possible. Every time I come up empty handed. It is very impressive the way you have managed to learn what takes years, in only a few days. I have honestly all but exhausted my expertise on you. There is one thing I have yet to test you with. And I should think you will pass this test. Not going to give you any clue as to what it is, for I fear you will be ready for it. So think of this as your final exam. I am sure you will exceed my expectations as you have with all that I have already taught you.” A surprise test. “I shall do my best ma’am”, I confidently reply to her, taking a sip of tea from the steaming cup. I wonder what will be this test? How hard will it be? Pressing my mind hard to figure out what it could be, as I take another sip on my cup. Letting my eyes wander about the facility. I spy a small stack of my old clothes. They appeared to have been sterilized and sealed from outside contamination. This struck me as odd. Taking another sip off the cup in my slender grip, I try to figure out what the evidence is suggesting. Though off the cuff the conclusion drawn is that there is possibly more articles from my old life here as well. Not that I think any of my old tools, but other things like disposables. At least that is what I can draw upon with the little evidence that I have to work with. My best guess is that what ever Arinassi has in mind for my final test will be messy, and possibly one that I can not study for before hand. I start to feel a little anxious as there is no way I can prepare for what ever the mature surgical tech is going to task me with. Putting the warm cup to my lips for another draw on it, I silently try to figure out what my teacher is thinking as I stare into her eyes. Looking for a shred, a hint, anything that will give me a clue of what is her trial for me. Though her aged eyes give me nothing. Except for a look of confidence and pride. How would it affect your MCs persona and those around them if they were to dress like a clown (red nose, makeup, etc.) while going about their daily life?
How would it affect your MCs persona and those around them if they were to dress like a clown (red nose, makeup, etc.) while going about their daily life? My main character would never be in a position to dress like a clown. How would your character take a spiritual journey/find themselves?
How would it affect your MCs persona and those around them if they were to dress like a clown (red nose, makeup, etc.) while going about their daily life? Hmm... I'll just go with the major MCs of just my Vasticia verse. Gretel: "Well... I suppose my answer answer to this question would depend heavily on the situation, would it not? Depending on my state of mind and the circumstances, such a spiritual journey could be many things. I might just go on a literal journey. Or I might simply meditate more often, though I already do this regularly." Dosia ("Dos"): "Hm. Never really thought about it. Guess the whole thing with Shi was sort of a spiritual journey. Won't bother explaining though. Would take too long." Akiizu (Age 16): "Uhm... I don't really know... m-meditate? Maybe? I mean... that's what these spiritual people like monks do... t-that's just a weird question..." (rolls her eyes) Akiizu (Age 19): "Take a spiritual journey...? Hm, I mean, that's kind of a weird question. Don't really know how to answer that... but I guess I already went through one. Otherwise... hm, I guess I'd write an autobiography." Your MC gets into a situation where they have three choices, basically: Lie so that it benefits yourself, lie so that it benefits a friend, tell the truth and you're both screwed. What would they do?
The novel itself is the main character's spiritual journey. In her futile search for a way back home, she inadvertently ends up making a new home for herself. (Physically and symbolically.) No one will remember what she says, anyway. She would tell any lie in order to get anyone to do what she wants them to do; honesty makes no difference. (But "what she wants them to do" ends up serving them more than her.) The trick is getting them to remember the lie for long enough to act on it. Your character's mother and father both need a kidney to live and your character is the only match in the world. What does your character do?
My MC would give his kidney to his father and grow it back and give it again to the Mother. No real big deal for him. What would your MC do if they were forced to kill someone?
In the climax, she is, in fact, forced to kill someone. Someone whom she used to love and respect and whom she still cares about. She uses the fact that no one remembers her to her advantage. Unnoticed, she enters the place where he is and she quietly kills him. The experience devastates her and she becomes depressed. But eventually she forgets it due to dementia. Your character is participating in the Milgram experiment and does not suspect that the shock is fake. How far does your character go? (Read the Results section of the Wikipedia article before answering.)
June Harper, Doctor Who fanfic: "The experiment requires you to continue." Was this man bloody serious? Why the Hell would he want June to physically injure some random bloke over a sodding trivia question? June glanced at the windows. 21st century glass - or possibly plastic, she could never tell the difference - no more than a few centimeters thick. Adorable. If these people were planning on tricking innocent people into torturing each other, then they should've prepared better security than this. June stood up. "Ma'am, please remain seated until the conclusion of the -" June's chair hit the bugger in the face. He dropped to the ground. June gave herself one second to enjoy the endorphin rush, then charged at the window. She jumped through, shattering the glass/plastic and rolling on the floor to land. The captive in the electric chair stared at June and the shattered glass. "What the Hell are you doing?" June ran over to the chair. She started ripping out the wires. "We're getting out of here. All those 'harmless' shocks I just gave you? Turns out I'm supposed to go a bit further than that, and I'm not interested in hurting some bloke off the street." The captive gaped in what she could only describe as horror. "Oh my God, did you hurt anybody?" That was his first reaction? "The machine in there can be set to 'Lethal.' Do you really want to let them get away with that?" The guy's shirt was practically transparent with sweat. "No, you don't understand, this is fake! It's all fake, there was no shock, I'm OK! Perfectly OK! Just please tell me you didn't hurt the guy!" What. "What?" "This wasn't about testing my memory, this was about testing your obedience, whether you would inflict what you thought were dangerous shocks just because somebody told you to. Is the other guy OK or not!?" Oh, Ari and the boys were going to have a field day with this. June could already imagine what they were going to say: "Stop being so violent, Harper, stop attacking people as your first response to everything, Harper, stop being such a 'serial killer' Harper, blah blah blah blah blah." Your character meets his/her evil twin who is in the middle of doing something that your character wants to do, but in a way that your character is mortified by. Do they fight or do they compromise and cooperate?
Your character meets his/her evil twin who is in the middle of doing something that your character wants to do, but in a way that your character is mortified by. Do they fight or do they compromise and cooperate? Who the hell does this guy think he is, trying to muscle in on the action? Drawing my pistol to bear down on him. He turns to face me an odd cold look in his eyes. Lucky bastard, still has a normal face. "What in the hell happened to you? Burn yourself roasting marshmallows" ,he jabs at me. He doesn't flinch as he stares down the muzzle of the large caliber pistol. "No, I didn't burn myself roasting marshmallows, jackass" ,I jab back. Hiding behind a heavily blown bullet riddled wall. The enemy fire chews at it loudly. "So what's the plan, genius", he jabs harder. "First off fuck you. Secondly get that dead guys rifle. Wait until they stop to reload, then cover me, got it", I bark back at him. "Yeah, yeah. I got it", he says rolling his eyes. "Just don't shoot me in the ass, and I won't one between your eyes", I bark. "Now", I tell him, hunched over I begin to move up. I watch as he starts picking off the enemy units one by one. Hey this guy is alright for an asshole. Your MC is stranded on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere. What do they have, and how would they escape, or get rescued?
Your MC is stranded on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere. What do they have, and how would they escape, or get rescued? He has his Compression Suit on and swims to the nearest country. Your MC's ship crashed on a death world (A world where everything has evolved to kill humans) what does s/he do?
Die fairly quickly. Your MC is temporarily granted omnipotent powers so that they choose to do one of the following: (1) Become the most famous person in the present and future for whatever reason they want. Your MC's life history will be taught in every school, statues will be erected all over the world in honor of your MC, and your MC's name will become the most popular name for both newborn boys and girls around the globe; OR (2) Create everlasting peace in a world utopia, but your MC will be forever forgotten at the moment of death by all sentient life and will never be remembered in any shape or form.
"What do you mean I have omnipotent powers? That is just ridiculous!" Skylar shouted at the being in front of her. He just raised his eyebrows and waited for her choice, he had forever after all. "You know," she muttered, "I hate gods! They screw everything up and make mortals run in circles just for their own sick amusement. Well fine then, I choose peace. Now are you happy? Can I go home now? I have a date with a certain dark-haired boy and I need to paint my toenails." With a shake of his head, the being flicked his hand in her direction and everything went dark If there was one thing that your MC wouldn't do even if paid a million dollars, what would it be?
Jackie Tarvoss: Paint my toenails or my fingernails for that matter. Trust me sister. There are easier ways to gain a million. I was half way there on my twenty second birthday. If you had a million dollars would you ever naturally use it? (Naturally meaning without buying obviously high dollar items. If you just lived through your life normally. Would you burn it in your life time?)
If you had a million dollars would you ever naturally use it? (Naturally meaning without buying obviously high dollar items. If you just lived through your life normally. Would you burn it in your life time?) With a million, it would dissipate over time due the fact that I have a long ways to go yet. Bills and food would consume the majority of it. As well as a few choice items (not luxury cars/boats, or a mansion). So yes it would get burned over a my life time. Your MC works in a hospital or equivalent, and they are to perform surgery on an alien (extraterrestrial) that is unknown to them. Would they save them, or would they fail do to a lack of their strange anatomical knowledge?
Helen's a captain, but she would definitely attempt to stabilize the alien as best she knew how for transport to a medical frigate. If she failed and the alien died on her watch, she'd accept it and know she did the best she could. She would probably give the body to a medical frigate anyway just so they can perform dissection and learn about the alien's anatomy. Your MC finds his/her best friends engaged in a heated argument over a very sensitive discussion. They both clearly disagree with what the other has to say, and the MC wants to insert him/herself into the fray. What is the discussion about? What does your MC do? How does his/her friends respond to this?
Hayate: "Jeez. If, I had a nickel for every time that's happens. I'm a squad leader. It's almost everyday I have to deal with my friends bickering over something. But as a leader, I have responsibility. So for example, if April was complaining about Conner not pulling his weight during missions, I'd hear what they both have to say. I'd respect Aprils thoughts on the matter and will personally handle the concern by keeping an eye Conner's performance. Conner: "Like hell you will!" Hayate: "Conner, just deal with it. Show me that April's concerns are invalid and I'll leave you to it." Conner: "..." April: "Well at least some of us have a leveled head. Thank you, Hayate." Your MC is framed for a serious crime and must do what he needs to clear his name while avoiding both the public and authorities. Where do they start?
Your MC is framed for a serious crime and must do what he needs to clear his name while avoiding both the public and authorities. Where do they start? The newly founded government system wants to pin me with illegal proliferation of fissionable materials. I fail to see their accusation as it was a pivotal move in deciding the outcome of this war. Hell it was during a time of war, and they were only tin men. Better get the hell out dodge, before they arrest me for saving their asses from a fate worse than death. I should see if the Centuria Councils of Elders, or the Uldivarion Empress will grant me immigration to their home worlds. Though I am going to plead through the proper channels, as my diplomacy skills are not the greatest. Better go and appeal to both Captain Graxis to see what the council will do on the matter. As well as to appealing to Commander Kionnxxa, to see if the Empress will grant me a diplomatic pardon and immigration. Would much rather gain status to go to Centuria, and be amongst a more familiar culture and language. On the other hand I would like to go to Uldivaria and teach the Uldivarions a thing or two about cooking a palatable meal. I don't care who will take me, just as long as I don't end up a political prisoner. At least we can settle this little fiasco safely out in the outer rim. First time in my life I am happy to be sitting in neutral space. Your MC's lover has been kidnapped by a well organized and funded faction. How will the MC take the news? Will they negotiate for their release? Will they go in and take them back by force? Do they succeed in rescuing their lover, or do they fail and the faction does what they will with their hostage?
Your MC's lover has been kidnapped by a well organized and funded faction. How will the MC take the news? Will they negotiate for their release? Will they go in and take them back by force? Do they succeed in rescuing their lover, or do they fail and the faction does what they will with their hostage? Youka: She's young, but being a world-famous music artist (singer in a metal band), she's pretty damn filthy rich. And since there'd be no realistic reason to kidnap Akiizu aside from the obvious reason "there's this person she knows who has all that sweet dough", she'd simply pay in case the police can't get her back. ... if Youka was the one kidnapped? Sixteen-year-old Akiizu would flip the hell out, not having any idea what to do... eighteen-plus-year-old Akiizu would flip out too, but she'd work with the police way better than her younger self would. Alistair: If Margrett, his wife, actually got captured (... somehow), he'd gather all of the Vastician High Council's other leaders, the world's most powerful White Witches and Witchers, and a large division of their armed forces, and probably have Gretel mobilize a Void Fleet... and, well, they'd take her back at all cost. (... though, honestly - Margrett, or any High Councilor, getting kidnapped... that's kinda close to impossible. But yeah, that's what'd happen.) Laine: She's a MAGE, a gene-manipulated quasi-sorcerer super soldier... so she'd probably launch a one-man-assault and take Terim back. In case the opponent truly is formidable, she'd probably ask Marin to help out... in case Marin happens to be around the same planet / orbital city or station at the time, at least. (She wouldn't ask Vaine, or any other MAGEs aside from him or Marin, for that matter, though. Not others because she tends to only rely on those she knows well, Marin and Vaine... and not Vaine because the guy is crazy and can't be trusted with something that might involve stealth.) Your MC's lover was murdered recently, and your MC finds out that his / her own father (mother if there's no father "available") did it; he's a big name in a large organisation of some kind, and your MC's lover was apparently part of something in that scene too unbeknownst to your MC, and your father (/ mother) took him / her out. What does your MC do?
Your MC's lover was murdered recently, and your MC finds out that his / her own father (mother if there's no father "available") did it; he's a big name in a large organization of some kind, and your MC's lover was apparently part of something in that scene too unbeknownst to your MC, and your father (/ mother) took him / her out. What does your MC do? Damn! My MC is an orphan, so I'll claim the murder was committed by an ancestress. First she yell at the gods, then she'd yell at the wizards. After that she'd high tail it for Gotland and seek refuge with Jarl Hokan; hoping the gods won't find her there since Kybele just killed her lover and Yahweh and Messias still seek her. Once in Gotland she'll become a dedicant of Freyja since they cry the same golden tears. As she is currently pregnant with a child that is more than half divine, and is half divine herself then I expect she would be capable of a serious amount of retribution. The question is who would she kill: Kybele, her ancestress and Goddess, or Thorn, King of the Niflungar? Question: Your MC is under house arrest for a crime s/he actually committed; does s/he find a way to be legally freed or does s/he escape?
Question: Your MC is under house arrest for a crime s/he actually committed; does s/he find a way to be legally freed or does s/he escape? Helen Chert: I wouldn't want to get myself into more trouble with the law. If I wanted to be freed, I'd find a legal way to do it but since I'm under arrest for a crime I actually committed, I would likely just serve out my sentence. I'll consider escape if the situation demands it, otherwise I'll create a little 'control center' here so I can direct my soldiers. Mishu Jerni: Yeah, no. *picks lock* To the Voluths with the guards, I did that for a reason! Amos Garnier: It was all a part of my plan. *smiles* I'm not telling you anything else. Mike Wolfletter: Please, I survived Andersonville, you think this shitty little shack will stop me? I'm burning this down with every single sons of bitches along with it. Your MC had suffered horrible abuse from someone of a higher authority. They were beaten, starved, and basically had their dignity and self-respect torn from them. Now, in the middle of a revolt, after they've killed the tormentors, they discover the tormentor's small children hiding in a spare room. What will they do to the children?
Your MC had suffered horrible abuse from someone of a higher authority. They were beaten, starved, and basically had their dignity and self-respect torn from them. Now, in the middle of a revolt, after they've killed the tormentors, they discover the tormentor's small children hiding in a spare room. What will they do to the children? She takes the children with her. She likes to believe it is an altruistic act, but it never hurts to have a bargaining chip. They are not a means for revenge, because she only wants revenge directly against the perpetrator at her own hands. Your MC is sitting alone listening to music when the music suddenly stops. The lights go out. They look outside their ground floor window and there is panic in the street. They see an old woman about to be trampled by the gathering mob. There is a knock at the door, their sister lives in the neighbouring flat. What do they do?
