The Protagonist Speaks

Dear readers, tonight with us is a man defending his planet from an alien invasion. He’s here to tell about his friends in this, and about being a half dragon.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

That’s a loaded question. I lost my mother when I was six in a fire. Talk about things that will fark you up. When Mim’Aza took me in, I did okay for a while. We lived in a run-down neighborhood just outside of the five Spines of Gullton. I had a huge crush on Jimey, her son, but it never went anywhere—we were basically brothers, so that would have been weird. *shudders* But soon enough I left and moved out on my own, finding a hidey-hole cavern under the city to make my own.

Did you have any favourite toys as a child? Any cherished memories?

I try not to think about that time too much. It reminds me of the fire. My mother… well, she was a drunk and her carelessness started the fire, but still… she was my mom. All right? And living with Mikm’Aza, we were always dirt poor. But there was this one thing. Lean in. Closer. It’s a secret. See, one time, out in Lander’s Field, I found this… well, not thing. More of a him. This little talking sphere who told me his name was Spin. I know. Weird, right? But on a thief’s honor, I swear it’s true. And now he’s one of my best friends. Does that count?

What do you do now?

Well… that’s also a bit sketchy to answer. Why are you asking so many questions? Are you with the city guard? You know you have to tell me if I ask, right? No? All right. So… yeah, I was a thief. For a long time. And I was really good at it. But then the whole steal-a-package and swallow-a-dragon thing happened, and everything changed. I guess I’m a dragon rider now? Or a world saver? That will really piss Silya off, even more than when Aik chose me over her. But I’m keeping my options open. Once a thief, always a thief. Right?

What can you tell us about your latest adventure?

Let’s catch you up. I swallowed a dragon. Silya became the Hencha Queen, and talks with the plants, or something like that. Aik… well, Aik found a gauntlet, and he’s been weird ever since. Oh and he kissed me (and more) but then I took off with a couple of dragons to Mountainhome – think of it as Dragnlandia. Only we call ‘em Verents around here. Then the world went sideways, these weird alien fireflies showed up, and Silya and I got caught up in the whole saving the world business. Only, neither of us knows what happened to Aik. I’m pretty sure he’s my soulmate, and I’ll do whatever I have to, to get him back. Even if it does mean saving the world from fungus-like alien invaders. So I have a lot on my plate.