Interview with the Dragon - Part 2

For those of you just joining us: you’ll want to scan yesterday’s post before you read today’s. This is the second part of a three part character interview/short story. You can find the first part here: Part 1

Mazar. Taken with a hidden camera. For those of you rejoining us: you’ll remember I was undercover, and interviewing Mazar. The US government recruited me to find out as much as I could about this male shifter, and his motives, though the reason for their interest didn’t become apparent to me until very recently. To find out why they were so interested, you’ll have to get a copy of Ressa Empbra’s novel, ~The Dragon Dimension~ Caught in the Dragon Cove, which becomes available on Amazon tomorrow! I'll be providing the purchase link in part three of the interview series.

I’ll repost the last, unanswered question from yesterday’s post first. Here we go!

And what do you hope to find in your Truemate, Mazar? What type of female makes your blood run?

What type of female?
{He scrunches up his forehead while he thinks, and glances at the ceiling, as if searching for divine assistance}
Miss Sinelynn, pray you are not as impatient as I, for my answer will, indeed, be quite lengthly. I am not picky, nor do I have a specific 'type' in mind. Any unmated female will cause my blood to 'run' as you say.
{He shakes his head, with a rueful quirk of his mouth}
As for my own Truemate, all I ask, or rather, what I beseech Meynix day and night for, is to send me a feisty, strong female who will behave as obedient females should. One who will birth many strong, blessed younglings for us to quickly build our own large, solid family. We will have need of as many extra hands as possible, in order to do our share for the village. Our village is akin to an overlarge family, as I am certain yours is, and though most of us appear to be young, it is quite the opposite—as you already know. We must contribute to the well-being and welfare of all, most importantly, to those whom can no longer fend for themselves.

Back to my expectations in a Truemate; I am aware that female-young are required to have knowledge as to the many specific expectations of them. Not only in their youngling birth-homes, but when the time comes for them to take a Truemate as well. She must have knowledge of cooking, for as you can clearly tell, I am a rather large male, as are most of us. Between the warring, which is always raging somewhere here in the Dragon Cove Realm, and the sheer size of my fellow-warriors, we must always be at the ready. We also go through rigorous training sessions several hours each day, and with that comes all but unquenchable appetites.

She must also have knowledge of cleaning as there is always laundering, the home, and outdoor chores. Every Weyr is self-sufficient, and as such, we all have vast gardens from which to choose many fine edibles to go along with the succulent On'laque all males hunt and bring to share with the village. The females also partake in these things as we do not oft get warning
of any attacks or warring, so we must keep up our strengths. It is their  responsibility to care for and ensure all males are properly fed and cared for  at all times. It has been this way since before I was birthed.
{Barbaric, perhaps, but I’m told this dimension is very like an old feudal society. Their concept of male and female roles is, sadly, centuries behind ours. In our society, I'd be tempted to throttle him for this kind of chauvinistic idiocy, but I realize that this is what his society really does expect from their females. I try to reassure him with a smile, hoping I can keep the irritation and pity out of my eyes.}

You are an honorable and traditional male.
{I managed not to choke on that. lol}
That is as it should be. Breathe lad, I can see you are suffering, but Meynix has a plan for all of her creations. When your Truemate comes for you, she will be everything you did not know you wanted. I speak from experience. Even if you are invited to Weyr Dugalias, there is no guarantee the journey will not be in vain, but I have no doubt that Meynix will bless your patience one day. It will be worth every agonizing moment you have waited. Now tell me, how do you think your Chief will sing your praises to me? How would he have me describe you to our female-young?

I appreciate your experience, and you have my gratitude for your kindness, Miss Sinelynn.
{He gives me a little nod of his head, like a bow. I find it an ironic gesture of respect for a phony elder who’s really around two-hundred and seventy years younger than he is.}
I do all I can to be patient, although it becomes increasingly frustrating … the constant buzzing in my head, the fitful sleep-terrors. I shall continue to seek guidance from Meynix, and I shall not give up in my search for my Truemate. I cannot—will not—give up, if I can help myself!
{He’s stopped speaking, his hands are clenched into tight fists and his face taut. Mazar is definitely struggling with some kind inner turmoil. It looks almost physically painful.}
Apologies, this is not easy.
{He takes a deep breath, and the tautness leaves his face. His hands are relaxed again. Whatever it was, it’s passed.}
You believe my Chief will sing my praises? I can merely hope for such, as I have served our Weyr faithfully and fully my entire life. My training began upon my tenth age, and I was placed into service for my Chief by my fifteenth age. I am certain you can deduce how long that has been. I can only pray for high praises from him, to you.
{He’s tightening up again. This poor man! He looks like he’s in agony!}

Your modesty does you justice my lad, but it will not help you stand above the other male-young whom wish to impress our elders. I will speak to your Chief, and I am certain he will have words of praise for you, but you might wish to forward yourself, as well. Perhaps you would tell me what you can offer a potential Truemate? What are your strengths?

My strengths and what I have to offer my Truemate are, I will always keep her safe, fed, well-cared for, and above all else, loved. Never having had that particular relationship does not mean I do not have knowledge of how to treat and show my appreciation to my other half. My own mother was very loving and caring, and taught me well how to return such feelings. I am not much for dramatics or theatrics, all I can do is merely be myself. I pray that would be enough for a female to whom I shall forever be bonded.

I know nothing further that I can say to forward myself and my possible placement in your eyes, other than the fact that I need—more than the air I breathe—to find my Truemate. As it is now, I know not how much longer I can live my life in the manner I am and have been for such an overlong period of time. I pray my words will be well enough, but if not, I shall continue my search.
{His confidence has returned. Compared to some of the others I pretended to interview today, he’s rather modest. lol}

I told you we are a small and peaceful Weyr. If some of our unmated female-young are to come here, what new dangers and experiences should they prepare for? How will they be accepted into your Weyr, and prepared for life here? How would you help a Truemate to adapt? To deal with homesickness? To make her name and forge her place within your Weyr?

I will not lie and say there are no dangers here, they exist everywhere and can be quite numerous. I can tell you with full certainty, the best, most efficient way of keeping her safe is, I would personally ensure that she knows which places to and not to go, especially alone. Educating her on possible dangers could prove a never-ending and fruitless chore; however, ensuring she has full knowledge of where and what is safe, would be much more advantageous and reasonable way to introduce her to our lands and ways. She would be welcomed with open arms by all of our Weyr. We also have females aplenty who are always willing to offer a shoulder to cry upon, impart words of wisdom, or both to unburden a sad or heavy heart.

I would also take her on a lengthly and detailed tour of our entire territory, and show her all the inner workings inside the village itself, including my Chief’s Holdings. He has always been more than generous, caring, and had provided us with a far less problematic lifestyle than many Weyr have to endure. I cannot imagine him being any less of the upstanding male to her, that he always has been to us all. Any questions or  concerns she may have can be directed to anyone within the Weyr, as for the most part, we were birthed and have grown up here. There is most likely nothing any one member does not have knowledge of. Should she grow homesick or overly-sad, I would offer to journey with her to your Weyr, in hopes that her own could help soothe and comfort her. Pray that be the right thing to do, if such need should arise. Though, there are many things to keep one busy here, I do not see anyone having much time to become forlorn to begin with.

Alas, if she should, those are the things I would do in hopes of seeing her happy and wanting to remain here with myself and this Weyr, which would be hers as well if we were to become Truemates. I know not what more I have to offer her, other than myself, a long lifetime of love, and all the happiness one could possibly desire.
{He’s actually blushing now! I didn’t expect that.}
Apologies, if I have been too forward or open. Although, you did ask, Miss Sinelynn.
{There’s that respectful nod again.}
Do you wish to ask anything more of me—or have I forwarded myself in a good light?
{With a mischievous half-smile, he winks at me. He’s made me blush again, the cheeky bugger! lol. I wink back, slowly and smile right back.}

My advanced age has yet to make desire a stranger, young warrior. I think you have proven your sense of honour and purpose clearly. I will be interested in the council’s decision regarding you.
{I hope my smile is reassuring. His vulnerability is oddly endearing.}

I appreciate your kindness, Miss Sinelynn. Your honesty is both humbling and refreshing, and it has been my pleasure to spend this time with you. Should your council not choose me as a candidate for one of your female-young, I will understand. I wish you all much peace and happiness, and would hold no ill will against anyone. Gratitude, again, and pray Meynix bless you with a safe journey home.

May her blessings find you, as well, Mazar of Weyr Treuamarias.
{He gives me that bowing nod, one last time. When he rises, it’s in one fluid movement, and he leaves the room in long, swift strides. I don’t know whether he’s more nervous, now that the interview is over, or relieved.}

Tomorrow I'll provide my final notes on the interview, along with a introduction to Ressa's fabulous book, and the purchase link. Please, check back in for it. I hope you've enjoyed the interview so far. Working with Ressa on this has been a ton of fun! :D