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An Afternoon with Crix: An Interview
I had the opportunity to sit down with Crix recently and ask him a few questions. Earlier this year I sat down with Rip (Rip’s interview). Both chats were interesting, leaving me with more questions than answers. Enjoy a little more of Crix (and Rip) but beware there are SPOILERS if you haven’t read Pure Blood yet.
My pen was paused above my notebook as I stared at the man who had gone through so much. His crow’s feet lines around his eyes made him seem wise, not old. His hair was beginning to grey, but his blue eyes were alive and alert, ready at all times. He sipped his tea as he looked out at the small town. People were bustling between some shops and cafes, preparing for Christmas. The sun was shining, but a chill ran through the air as the breeze caught the edge of my scarf. I pulled it closer to myself as I caught a smirk on Crix’ face. He turned and looked at me then, motioned with his hand in a gentle manner to let me proceed.
Thank you for meeting me here today, Crix.
The pleasure is all mine.
Could we start off by learning more about your past? We’ve learned that you were best friends with Gregoric, correct?
We were brothers.
And you met by him helping you in a fight?
(Smirk) How delicately you put it. He saved me from a massive beating. Let’s not sugarcoat the bad parts.
So, what did you two have in common to become so close?
We were both Oceains. Other than that, not much. Gregoric was an outgoing, clever boy, with lots of friends and the potential to be anything he wanted. I was very shy and backward my whole life. Gregoric always showed his emotions, not caring how embarrassed he might become, but I was more reserved.
Why do you think he wanted you as a best friend, then?
Honestly, I have no idea. He was the one who always saved me. He taught me how to laugh out loud and how sometimes being ridiculous was okay. What did he see in me? I don’t know. He always told me that my strength was my quietness.
Why were you so reserved when you were younger? Did you have a good family life?
My parents were lovely people, but poor. They worked a lot and never really had time for me. We were happy, though, and I loved them, because I knew that they worked hard for me.
If they were busy all of the time, how did you learn your skills?
Gregoric and his parents taught me. They were all Purebloods, so naturally they were amazing at everything. They were very patient with me, however, and taught me so much more than I could have hoped to learn.
What happened to your parents?
They died when I was in high school. My father died from a heart attack, and my mom from a broken heart and over-working. I was seventeen.
What happened to you after they died?
(smiles) That was the first time I had cried in front of anyone. Gregoric was with me the whole time. He asked his parents if they could adopt me, so that I didn’t have to be alone or forced to move somewhere else. Being such nice people, they agreed and asked me what I thought. Of course I agreed, but they let me keep my parents’ last name.
So they took you into their family?
They never thought twice about it. They always treated me like a son, but never expected me to forget my parents. They were the kindest people I have ever known.
Then you and Gregoric graduated from high school and went to college. Why didn’t you go to the same college as he?
Well, Gregoric’s family had some money and offered to pay for my college. I couldn’t say no, since I didn’t have any other way to pay for it, but I went to a really small school that was cheap, so that I didn’t feel as guilty.
Let’s fast forward a few years. What was your first impression of Katre?
Wow. She was dazzling, for sure, but very, how should I put it? Poised. What I mean is that she always had it together and knew what she wanted. She was never loud or quiet. She was balance itself. (laughs) She was so elegant that it made Gregoric look clumsy. I used to tease him for it all the time. She wasn’t just beautiful, though. She was also very kind.
And you met Mer through her, right?
Yes. Mer and Katre were friends.
What was your first impression of Mer?
(smiles) I thought it ironic that these two Purebloods had non-Pureblood friends, even a non-Oceain. I think it said a lot of Katre for having a best friend who wasn’t Oceain. (thinks) Mer. She was stunning, don’t get me wrong, but I was attracted instantly to her because of her friendship with Katre. Their friendship was just as close as Gregoric and I’s friendship. I liked how delicate she looked, like she needed a protector. (laughs) Maybe that’s why I am a natural Guardian.
Tell me about Holidee when she was born.
(smiles) She was the sweetest baby. I remember going to the hospital and seeing Gregoric very worried. It wasn’t until the doctor came out and told us it was a girl that he relaxed. We went in and saw Katre and tiny Holidee. She was so small and fragile-looking. I remember thinking how weak she looked. (laughs) I suppose outward appearances can be deceiving. I remember holding her for the first time and she leaned her small head against my chest and fell asleep. From that moment, she had captured my heart.
You got to spend a year with her before you became her Guardian?
Yeah. It was the best year of my life. Truly. Holidee was like all of our daughters. We all loved her equally. Katre and Gregoric were great parents and I was proud to be in that family.
What was you first thought when Gregoric asked you to be Holidee’s Guardian?
My first thought was that I felt honored. I never had the confidence Gregoric possessed, and I never believed in myself like he believed in me. I was in disbelief, because I didn’t think I was good enough for the job. I remember thinking, ‘Why me? For your Pureblood daughter? Are you crazy?’, but he always had faith in me.
Were you sad to leave?
Of course. Those people were my life, but it wasn’t as bad as it sounded. For a couple of years we were still altogether. I just couldn’t be seen by Holidee. Then Gregoric and Katre moved to Ohio, and that’s when things got complicated.
You mean with Mer.
Yes. It got more difficult to see her. You see, whenever I was in Ohio, I was thinking of her, and whenever I was in Georgia with her, I was thinking of Holidee. As Holidee grew, it wasn’t that I worried more; it was just that I wanted to be there. Always. I felt her blood in my blood and every little trip or scraped knee, I could feel. It was tough feeling things and not knowing how serious they were when you are in a different state. Mer was understanding, but I knew she felt second-best. (sighs) That’s when I told her I wouldn’t be visiting her for a while. I wrote to her every week, but we didn’t see each other except on Christmas.
That must have been tough.
Toughest years of my life. Katre and Gregoric felt guilty, of course. They even thought about moving back to Georgia, but then Gregoric’s parents became ill. The timing was never right.
Why do you think Mer never married?
You’d have to ask her.
You gave us a small insight into Gregoric’s death. Why do you suppose he didn’t let you heal him, aside from Katre?
Well, honestly, it wasn’t my job. I wasn’t his Guardian. I was Holidee’s.
Where were his Guardians?
(deep breath) This is probably something that I have been asked the most. Firstly, Guardians are not immortal or invincible. Secondly, most Oceains didn’t have Guardians. It was more of a Pureblood thing. More traditional. Even then, not many Oceains knew other Oceains. There are a lot of factors that complicate everything. Simply put, though, Gregoric’s parents were more traditional in Oceain standards and believed that Purebloods should have Guardians. I’m sure Gregoric had a Guardian of his own, but never met him or her. That being said, people grow old. I would assume that Gregoric’s Guardian died or else they would have saved him. His parents had died. It’s safe to assume that his Guardian had died as well. That is the awful truth to Guardians: eventually you won’t have them around to protect you.
Can you be a Guardian to more than one person?
(smirks) You will find that out later in the series.
What advice would you give to a new Guardian?
I would tell them to not be afraid of loving. That is the hardest part of being a Guardian. You are afraid to love or be loved, because you feel that your life is devoted to someone else who may need your life given for them. That’s no way to live, though.
Let’s talk about your eyes.
Ah, my eyes. We finally come to the topic of my death, and you skillfully mention my eyes.
Okay. Do you remember anything from your death?
I remember Gregoric. He was waiting for me with a smile on his face, but he didn’t welcome me. He told me to go back. It wasn’t my time.
Anything else?
I remember feeling…old. Maybe not old, no. Wise? (shakes head) I don’t know. I just felt different.
And when you first saw your eyes?
My eyes. They don’t feel like mine, but I suppose they are now. I don’t really have a strong opinion about them, since I rarely see myself in a mirror. I do find it interesting, though, that Oceains’ eyes are just reflections of their soul. Does that mean our natural eye color is clear? Like a window? (shrugs) It is fascinating when you think about it. Not many Oceains see souls in their pure form. Maybe that’s why I never knew that your soul reflects in your eyes. I always thought it was more of a genetic thing.
That is interesting.
Isn’t it, though? I was taught by Purebloods and am still discovering things about my race. Makes you wonder what else is out there.
Copyright © 2013 by B.M. Green
Free Copy of Pure Blood
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Pure Blood on iTunes
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Reflection
As I reflect on the past month, I realize so much has happened and, yet, sometimes it seems nothing at all. I have been busy with my research, I joined a business, and have re-released my first book, Pure Blood, with a brand new cover. All of this I am proud of, but I will let you know as soon as it happens, when Pure Blood will be approved and released for iTunes and Amazon Kindle. It will be available on all platforms of e-book downloads. It is just a matter of time. As with my previous post, I love my new cover and cannot thank Hugo and Fabian enough. Also, as a way of thanking my fans, 15% of my book can be downloaded for free as a sample AND I have included a long preview of the second book at the end of Pure Blood. I hope to have my second book published by next year. Happy Reading!
B.M.Green 