Beautiful People - Eryth {September 2015}

So yes, we’re halfway through September (wait what????) and I’m just getting to BP. But really, did you expect anything less? Our ingenious, imaginative, inventive, and all good things i hosts Sky and Cait have once again conjured some perfectly delightful questions to interrogate one of our characters with, so clickity click one of those links to snag the questions and link up.

I’m pretty sure NaNoWriMo is trying to do a sneak attack on me, but I’m watching it closely. *narrows eyes and stares* And because of my watchful eyes, I’ve been thinking about characters from the series I work on for NaNo, Colors of a Dragon Scale. This naturally led up to me deciding to do a character from there.

This series features a loooot of different main characters (each book has a different pair) but it all started with Bryth and Eryth, who I still to this day see as the main main characters. A white-haired elf named Bryth was the spark that started the series, but with her came along a quiet half-elf, Eryth. Her tender heart quickly grew a soft spot in my own, and she’ll always be one of my preciousest (we’re pretending that’s a word, shhh) babies. It was Bryth and Eryth’s book, my very first NaNo, that made me realize how much I really do love writing, and from then on I become serious about it.  It’s no wonder they’re so special to me. So when I saw this month’s questions, Eryth immediately popped in my mind. I’m quite excited for you to meet her! (Just be warned my writing has, um, improved a fair amount since I made these characters and wrote their book. . .)

Outside, they could see smoke rising in the dark blue sky and hear faint screams from many directions.
Bryth rushed down the stairs, clutching her swords tightly. "Now we can finally get the answers we're looking for.”
Eryth ran after her. "Bryth?" she said, finally finding her voice again.
Bryth stopped and turned. "Yes?"
Eryth paused for a moment, looking closely at the elf. Her eyes were beginning to glow that deep red again. This took Eryth by surprise. They almost seemed menacing like that.
"What is it, Eryth?" Bryth asked, her tone rushed, though she tried to sound calm.
"I just..." She faltered and looked at the ground, ashamed of herself.
Bryth sheathed one of her swords to put a hand on the half-elf. "Everything will be all right.”
"I'm really scared though." Eryth shook her head. "I know I shouldn't be, but I cannot help it. I was not able to save Iraila. I just...I don't want to fail anyone else."
"Eryth, you have never failed anyone."
"But Iraila—"
"No," Bryth interrupted. "You did not fail Iraila. You did everything you could do, which is more than what most can." She pulled out Eryth's sword and placed it in the girl's hand. "Gather your courage, Eryth," she said gently.
"I'm not sure I have any.”
"I know you do. But I will protect you, you can count on that. Now come on, we have to hurry before they do too much damage."
Eryth stared at her sword in her hand, the very sword Iraila and her family had made for her. She clutched it tightly and gave Bryth a nod. "Let's go."

~ Eryth ~

1. They’re in a crisis: who would they really like to see right now?
Her dragon rider partner and long time best friend, Bryth. Without a doubt. Where Eryth is timid and kindhearted, Bryth is fearless and lethal. Not to mention loyal. If Eryth is in trouble, she’ll stop at nothing to help her. Then of course there’s Neriin, Eryth’s dragon. Dragons are quite useful in crises.
Airen would also be another pick. He’s the prince of their land and being as how his sister, Iraila, is the other best friend of Eryth and Bryth, Eryth knows him quite well. They claim to be “friends” but there’s a lot more going between those two than that. *grins* (They maaay be one of my biggest personal ships out of my characters. *cough, cough* And Airen is one of my top favoritest characters I have. . . I should really do a BP of him one of these days.)

2. Are they easy to get along with?
Most definitely! Eryth is almost too nice in that she pretty much never stands up for herself or disagrees with someone to their face. She’s always willing to lend a helping hand or give a kind and encouraging word, if her shyness doesn’t hold her back that is. She’s probably the easiest one to get along with out of all the characters in the series, maybe out of all my characters period.

3. Who was the last person they had a deep conversation with?
That would be Bryth. No surprise there. XD Their book actually ended with them having a heart to heart.

4. They’re in the middle of a huge crowd of people: how do they feel?
If she’s by herself, extremely uncomfortable. She loves people, but too many overwhelms her. But if she has a friend at her side she can draw off their company and relax for the most part.

5. Do they believe in luck or miracles?
Luck, no. Miracles, absolutely. She’s a devout child of the Creator (the God figure of that world) and has no doubt that He can, and will, do miracles.

6. Do they like and get along with their neighbors?
She lives in the castle as Princess Iraila’s companion and has practically become another daughter to the King and Queen. She’s got the kindly King and Queen, her mother also staying in the castle, Bryth living nearby, the Princess, and of course Airen. She’s very content with the people surrounding her, yes.

7. If they could travel anywhere in the world, where would they go?
Well, she lives in fantasy world. But in her world she would want to go to a place called Evinnian, a foresty land inhabited by elves that’s her birthplace. She and her mother left when Eryth was only a baby, so she would love to go there and see the gorgeous forests and meet her deceased father’s kin.

8. How do they feel about their body?
Sometimes she gets a little self conscious for being a half-elf (half elf, half human), especially around elves because many are prejudice against such things. She also has one green eye and one blue which causes for the occasional gaze from strangers and it makes her very uncomfortable. However, around loved ones she’s quite at ease with herself.

9. What is the cruelest thing someone has ever said to them? How did they react?
I really don’t know what the cruelest thing would be. I know she’s been accused of cowardice many times which is a hard blow. Her father was a great warrior and she feels obligated to live up to him, desires to make him proud. But really any mean word hurts her deeply. She’s such a tenderhearted thing, she can’t handle cruelty well at all. Though what’s probably worse is when people talk badly of her loved ones. Bryth is a bit of an outcast and looked down upon, a lot of mean gossip floats around. When Eryth catches wind of it, or is even told in person she shouldn’t be friends with such a person, it tears her apart. Usually she finds a secluded place to cry it out and then goes to her mother who always has the right words to soothe her.

10. What’s the kindest thing someone has ever said to them? How did they react?
Eryth was chosen by a dragon to be its rider, which is a high honor but also a very demanding job. The dragon riders rank a little higher than the knights in their job of protecting the kingdom, so naturally Eryth has some trepidation over the whole thing. But then, on her first day being initiated as an official dragon rider, Airen, who is known for his jokes and playful charms mind you, told her with complete sincerity that he thought she’d be the best dragon rider in the kingdom. All she could manage was a quiet thank you, but she’s held these words close ever since.

Goodness, I haven’t visited this character in years! I wrote her story back in 2010 and ever since she’s been tucked away, patiently waiting to return in  the last couple books of the series. I didn’t realize how much I missed my baby girl. Now I’m even MORE excited about this year’s NaNo!