Character Interview: Nathaniel & Levi Samuels

Nathaniel (“Nathan”) is the main character of Brothers, an apocalyptic-ish novel that’s currently on the back burner but I’m super excited to write at some point. Levi is his little brother. I don’t actually know that much about them yet, so I don’t have much to put in their intro, but they both care very deeply about each other and their family in general and they’re both super sweet.

 

 

 

 

Nathan: *heads into the interview room, with Levi right behind him, and takes a seat in one of the two provided chairs*

Levi: *climbs into the other chair*

Interviewer: Hello, gentlemen. How are you?

Nathan: All right.

Levi: I’m good. *smiles*

Nathan: *smiles slightly at Levi*

Interviewer: What are your names?

Nathan: Nathaniel Samuels, but everyone calls me Nathan.

Levi: Levi Jacob Samuels.

Interviewer: How old are you?

Nathan: I’m seventeen, Levi’s seven.

Interviewer: There’s a ten-year gap between you? *to Nathan* How were those ten years for you? Did you always wish for a younger sibling? Was Levi a surprise to you?

Nathan: I’d wanted a younger brother, yeah, from about the time I was five. Our mom had a lot of miscarriages before Levi came along. He almost didn’t make it either, but he pulled through. *smiles and pulls Levi into a side hug*

Levi: *smiles* Mama called me her little fighter.

Interviewer: Is your mom still around?

Nathan: *swallows hard* She, um… There was an attack on the army base we were on. Our house didn’t make it.

Interviewer: I’m so sorry.

Nathan: There’s a chance she’s still alive somewhere. *attempts to smile down at Levi* *looks back at the interviewer* There’s still a little bit of hope.

Interviewer: *nods* Was your mom in the military or your dad?

Nathan: Both, to begin with. That’s where they met. When they had me Mom retired and Dad stayed. I haven’t seen him in years, though.

Interviewer: Is the military something either of you are interested in?

Levi: *nods and pulls away from Nathan* I want to be a pilot in the air force!

Interviewer: Really? Why’s that?

Levi: I want to fly. *grins*

Interviewer: That sounds like a great goal. *smiles and turns to Nathan* How about you?

Nathan: *shakes his head* I’d rather work on a ranch. Mom always wanted to go back to a ranch like the one she grew up on. *smiles a bit*

Interviewer: I’ve always thought working on a ranch would be a lot of fun. A lot of work, but fun work. *chuckles* *to both* Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Nathan: Introvert.

Levi: What does that mean?

Nathan: Do you like people or alone time more?

Levi: People! I love people. *grins*

Interviewer: *grins* Do either of you have a favorite food?

Levi & Nathan: *in sync* Peach pie.

Nathan: *grins at Levi* Mom makes a great peach pie. It’s especially good with vanilla ice cream.

Interviewer: That sounds delicious. How about a favorite color?

Levi: Green, like the forest.

Interviewer: Have you ever been to the forest?

Levi: No, but I’ve heard about them. I want to go sometime. I want to see a bear.

Interviewer: Better be careful around the bears, though. Don’t go messing with any cubs.

Levi: *nods* I know. I won’t get too close.

Interviewer: *chuckles* Do you prefer movies or books?

Nathan: Movies.

Levi: *nods* Me too.

Interviewer: What’s your favorite?

Nathan: Captain America.

Levi: The Avengers. *swings his arm around like the Hulk smashing Loki* “Puny god.”

Nathan: *laughs* That’s his favorite scene in the whole movie.

Levi: *nods*

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite animal?

Levi: Bears.

Interviewer: Ah. I should have guessed that one. *looks at Nathan*

Nathan: *shrugs* Dogs, I guess. I’ve never really lived somewhere near animals.

Interviewer: What are some of your hobbies?

Levi: Watching movies.

Nathan: *nods* Watching movies, reading, hanging out with this kiddo. *ruffles Levi’s hair*

Levi: *pushes Nathan’s arm away with a grin*

Interviewer: What are some of your favorite things to do together?

Levi: Play superheroes! Nathan always lets me be The Hulk. *grins*

Nathan: *nods* I do. It’s a hard sacrifice. *winks at the interviewer*

Levi: *laughs* No it’s not. I know you like to play the others more.

Nathan: *grins*

Interviewer: Which of these is most important to each of you: kindness, intelligence, or bravery?

Levi: *sits and thinks for a moment* Bravery, I think.

Nathan: *nods* I agree.

Interviewer: And honesty or selflessness?

Levi: Selflessness.

Nathan: *nods*

Interviewer: What’s something you can’t leave home without?

Levi: *pulls a chain necklace out from under his shirt* Daddy gave it to me. I put it on every morning and don’t take it off until bed.

Nathan: *pulls a compass out of his cargo pants pocket* This was a gift from Dad, too. It’s sentimental and practical. *shrugs a bit*

Interviewer: That’s really cool. Any final thoughts?

Nathan: *shakes his head*

Levi: Thank you! *hugs the interviewer*

Interviewer: *hugs him back* You’re very welcome! Thank you.

Levi: *steps back with a grin and looks at Nathan*

Nathan: Yes, thank you. *shakes the interviewer’s hand*

Interviewer: Of course. Have a great day.

Nathan and Levi: *head out of the studio*