Post by Tori on Feb 6, 2007 21:47:23 GMT -5
OoC: Or, at the moment, nutjob, but I'm sure that'll change... -innocent whistling-
Anyway, we'll start with 100 Questions. If you google it, you'll find the original source. I found it when I was doing NaNoWriMo, and then I gave it to Souleh, and then you guys got it. I don't even know why I did 100 Questions, but I'm used to doing it every time I make or alter a character, so... here goes, for Minty. She's more messed up than I thought.
100 Questions
Part 1: The Basics
1. What is your full name?
Araminta Terri Canning Wonderland. Araminta after my great-grandmother. Terri after my roleplayer's aunt, but I don't know that. Canning... family name, obviously, but mostly my maiden name, now. I'm not married or anything, but I've been through enough that I don't think I count as a maiden, any more. Maidens are generally all pure and sheltered – I'm neither. Wonderland is my new family name. After the lab.
2. Where and when were you born?
I was born on September 7th, in a hospital in Boston. Seventeen years ago.
3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
My mom was named Alexandria Thompson Canning. She was pretty nice. Prone to fits of depression, sometimes. She worked in some office, somewhere. I can't remember the details exactly – at thirteen, your mom's job isn't very important to you – but I think she was a secretary of sorts. She was having an affair with some man she knew. I don't know if dad ever found out about it, but I know that at least one of the brats wasn't actually dad's.
Dad was Jeremy Canning. He worked as a cop, family tradition sort of thing. Dad was a cop, dad's dad was a cop, so on. He was a pretty cool person to be around. Taught us all how to shoot pretty young – I was maybe seven or eight when I learned. It wasn't common for city kids, so he had to take us out of the city to where my grandparents lived, on a farm, and then he taught us all gun safety and how to shoot and stuff. Mom was a little uncertain about it, but he said he had to – it was a useful skill and besides, there were enough guns around the house that we had to know how to be safe. I got pretty good, actually, participated in competitions and stuff.
... I need to get myself a gun.
4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
Do I have any siblings. Oh boy. Only seven.
First, the biological ones. Three of those, two boys, one girl.
The boys were twins. Matty and Elijah Canning. Fraternal. They were about five when I... left, so eight years younger. Unholy terrors, the both of them, but I've been told that's how little brothers are supposed to be. They used to run around and make complete idiots of themselves. Drove me crazy. I don't think that they were actually dad's kids – I saw the man mom was with, once, and Elijah at least looked exactly like him. ... I miss them, sometimes.
My sister was called Melinda Canning. She was a year or two younger than me, eleven when I left. Beautiful little girl, long hair, green eyes, absolutely gorgeous. We shared a room, and we ended up having to draw a line halfway down the room, but it never worked. I slept in the bathroom occasionally, because I was so mad at her. I really miss her, even more than the others. She'd be... fifteen, now. I hope she's okay.
And then my pod. The Wonderlands. There were five others. Six if you include me.
I was the oldest. Second oldest was a boy named Bryce. He was one of the ones who was sold by his family. Really angry about that. He was about Melinda's age, cute little kid. So angry. He tried very hard to be something like my second-in-command, but never quite managed it. Shark DNA. He hurt the others, a few times. Just... anger, violent instincts, and the d**ned scientists weren't smart enough to figure out that if they put predators in with prey, they'd hurt each other. Or maybe that was the intention. They were definitely fascinated by the concept that I could 'civilize' my pod. Bryce was... eleven when we were all put together. I was sixteen when I... left, so that would have made him fourteen. God.
Next oldest. A girl. She didn't remember anything before the lab, even her age – I guessed her at about nine. She was absolutely adorable, a bit of a tomboy personality I think. She went by Naomi. I really had hopes for her, thought that she would keep that spirit, but I suppose nothing can survive in a place like that, especially not spirit. By the time I left, she was probably about twelve. Completely broken, just no will to live. Hollow eyes, completely lost. Sea turtle DNA.
Next, a boy. About six when we started, prolly nine when I left. Patrick. He was this sweet, cuddly little kid who you couldn't help but love. Manatee.
Another boy. Fourish to six. Owen Wonderland. He was cute, very silly when I first met him, but... that changed. Toward the end, he just sort of... broke. Completely fell apart. Nightmares every night, woke up screaming, threw up all the food he ate. He asphyxiated his own puke one night. Died. Horrible pneumonia. None of the littler kids survived. He was starfish.
... A girl. She was a little baby when we got her, about two. She... was dolphin, too. She was supposed to be like my daughter, I think. My species, a tiny little kid, absolutely adorable. When her legs started to grow together, I let them – she was like a little baby mermaid. We called her Ren. Happy, bubbly little baby. I would have done anything for her. The rest of the pod would have, too. They.... yeah. She died. She was four. I can't remember what I did, but the scientists didn't like it, so they got rid of her. I miss her. A lot.
5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
The House. It's this sanctuary for... people like me. It's pretty cool so far.
6. What is your occupation?
I'm a runaway experiment. Law breaker. Sexy person. You know you want me.
7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
Five foot one, somewhere between 125 and 130 pounds. I don't exactly check. My hair's very clumpy and greenish and tangled, sort of like seaweed but... not. Skin is blue-green and shiny. Very tough. I'm sort of kickass, for a tiny little girl. Black eyes. Glasses.
I usually wear easy-to-remove clothes, and stuff I can get wet. I currently own... Mmn. A pair of jeans that's too small for me, a black sweater. Three bikinis. All black, pretty plain. My number – 610338829 – on the fronts of the bikini bottoms. And the lab's insignia across my chest. Just to make sure I know they own me. They liked string bikinis a lot. Easy to take off, slightly demoralizing. Hard to feel strong in a bikini. Dried quickly. Cheap enough. Stretchy.
8. To which social class do you belong?
I'm an experiment who escaped from a government laboratory. I'm not exactly on the A-list.
9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
I dehydrate very easily. If I don't drink a lot of water and completely immerse myself in liquid at least once a day, I get very sick. And die, eventually, I suppose. It has yet to happen. The longest I've been without getting my whole body wet is... six or seven days, and I was really pale and weak. I ended up lying in a pond for three days, I couldn't even move or think properly.
10. Are you right- or left-handed?
I'm... Jesus. Nobody's asked in ages, I almost forgot. I'm right-handed.
11. What does your voice sound like?
High. I... tend to sort of trill when I'm talking. If you've ever seen or heard a dolphin, you'd get what I'm talking about.
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
Help, water, please, swim, wet, pod, dolphin. Hot d**n.
13. What do you have in your pockets?
Forty bucks that I stole from... somewhere. An x-acto box cutter.
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
I'm a screwy dolphin experiment chick. Most of my quirks can be attributed to that.
Part 2: Growing Up
15. How would you describe your childhood in general?
It... I don't know. Technically, I suppose it must have sucked, but I don't think about my time at Wonderland as my... childhood. I grew up very quickly after I got captured. So most of it... was pretty good. I was happy, I had mom and dad and the brats. We weren't filthy rich or anything, but we managed to get by almost all of the time.
After Wonderland... yeah. It was miserable.
16. What is your earliest memory?
When Melinda was born. I didn't understand that she was ours, really – I went to the hospital and saw her, with dad, and I asked mom and dad if we could take her home with us. My family never let me live it down.
17. How much schooling have you had?
I was in seventh grade when I was... taken. I should have been in 8th, but I was held back a year.
18. Did you enjoy school?
It was okay. I mostly zoned out the whole time. I was that stupid, annoying girl who mostly just flirted shamelessly.
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
My mom. I really hated her when I lived with her, but then I went to Wonderland and I played mommy for everyone. And.... I don't know. It was amazing how all of the sudden, once I had my own family to worry about, everything she had ever done became so much more... valuable and important and amazing.
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
My mom, for mostly the same reasons as above. She just... wow. If she hadn't done such a good job taking care of me and Melinda and Matty and Elijah, I don't think I would have been able to manage with the Wonderlands. Just the little things she did to save money, always get by no matter what she had to do. What she taught me about raising kids, with the brats. Making me babysit. It just... all fell into place.
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
Oh gods, which family do you mean?
The Cannings, fine. Mom was my mom, and we got into fights a lot, but she was really just... amazing. Dad was... dad. He taught us how to play sports and shoot guns and win at life. And then the little kids... we fought, but we loved each other a lot.
The Wonderlands... When you're in a place like that, you'll cling to anyone who you can. We got along very well. The kids were my babies, and I was their Minty, and we took care of each other most of the time.
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It varied on an almost daily basis. An actress, a superstar, a model, a spy, a writer, Miss America, a dolphin handler, once, a doctor, an astronaut, a teacher, a lawyer, a cheerleader, an artist..... The list never ends.
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?
I liked dreaming. I liked cooking. I liked playing dress-up. I liked food. Swimming. Hanging out with friends. Shopping. Talking. Dancing. Normal kid stuff.
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
... Pretty much the same as now. Protective, spontaneous, a tiny bit silly sometimes, confident. A bit too flirty sometimes. That... got me in trouble, once or twice.
Main thing that's changed is I'm slightly more cautious, now.
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
I was popular enough to get by. My friends I changed just about as often as my clothes, though.
26. When and with whom was your first kiss?
I've... never had a proper first kiss. Stupid little kisses when I was tiny, yes, and I kissed a bunch of people because my friends told me to. Spin the bottle, seven minutes in heaven, hellish things like that. I really hate those games. So much.
27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Have also never properly lost my virginity. ... That needs to be fixed, at some point, but it probably won't happen. Most people aren't interested in... things like me.
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
((hysterical laughter)) I was a normal human. I got taken and sold. They messed with me, a bit. I'm not quite so normal any more.
How did I first learn of my abilities? ((more laughter)) I woke up one morning with all of the kids screaming “Minty!” and crying because they were sore and they hurt and felt funny. Then I realized that my skin was all weird, and I couldn't see quite as well. It was a bit of a shock. Eventually we tied it to the injections.
Part 3: Past Influences
29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
... I'm not sure.
There's a part of me that wants to say arriving at Wonderland, or escaping, or when they... took Ren. But... probably not.
I'd have to go with all those times I had to cut my legs apart, later at night, when the kids were asleep. Quiet, so they wouldn't notice.
30. Who has had the most influence on you?
Either my mom or the other Wonderlands. I'm not sure.
31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I'm not dead.
32. What is your greatest regret?
I have to pick just one?
I did a lot of stupid things trying to get my way, at Wonderland. It ended up hurting us more than helping, sometimes.
33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
When 'Linda and I were little, she broke her leg and was on crutches for a while. I had to help her and such, a lot. I pushed her down the sidewalk and into the street.
Oops.
34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
Just a tiny bit.
35. When was the time you were the most frightened?
Just after I escaped. There were a few far-too-close calls.
36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
Uhm. A little bit of explanation, first.
I wear string bikinis. Like, the kind where you have to tie it on both sides, and on the back of the top. (Which makes it hard to put on without help, but you'd be amazed by the kind of creativity that being single promotes.) Anyway, I'm sure you can see where this is going.
Some... idiots... think that it's amusing to pull out your strings. When you're in public. Fine – I'm really slightly less inhibited than most people – but it can be awkward as hell when all of the sudden your undies are falling into your jeans, and when you bend over to re-tie them, aforementioned idiots pull out the strings to your top. Yeah. Let's all pick on the crazy dolphin girl, because really, if she didn't want people to publicly strip her, she would be acting like a normal person and wearing normal clothes.
... Sorry. A little ranting there.
I just hate people who do that, and it happens... far too much. And then, once they've undone your bikini, they start grabbing at you and... yeah. Next question.
37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
... I'd rather not.
38. What is your best memory?
It's hard to pick just one.
39. What is your worst memory?
I'd rather not talk about it.
Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions
40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Neither. I'm practical. 50% of my glass is filled with air while the other 50% is filled with water. I wish that it was entirely full, but I'll take what I can get.
41. What is your greatest fear?
That I'll get recaptured. I... don't want to go back there.
42. What are your religious views?
((laughs)) It's stupid. A silly little religion I made up, to keep the kids happy, and make them believe that there was something to hope for, something after death. I... told them about it, when Owen got sick and after he... died. Afterwards, I told them stories about it, like bedtime stories, whenever they were scared or upset. It... anything for hope. After a while, I started to believe in it, too.
When you die, you get taken to the Lady Diena, (dee eh nah) the water goddess. She's gentle and good, warm when you're cold, but she can cool to chill your burns. Her hair is long and flowing, a soft blue flowing over her shoulders. And when you die, you go to her and she takes you into her arms and heals all of your wounds, mental, physical and emotional, all the while judging you – not your actions, just your intentions. If you meant well, even if you didn't always do well – yes, like Bryce, and me, and all of us – she cleanses you completely, takes you into her and to a place where you are always safe and loved, and never to be hurt again. Even if you did evil, but meant well, she will simply teach you over, how to accept and love and never hurt again. But if you meant evil, destroyed people for the fun of it or tried to, the great Lady Diena turns upon you with all of her rage, tears you apart and throws you onto the ground like trash until you are ready to try again in a new life.
Dear Lady. I can't imagine how many times the kids stopped crying and fell asleep listening to me tell that story.
43. What are your political views?
I've been separated from politics for too long to say. Besides, even when I was around in the real world, I was thirteen. Kids of that age aren't known for their political clarity.
I'd like a world where I was treated as if I were completely normal, though. And an end to the labs.
44. What are your views on sex?
It's... scary.
That's completely irrational, I know. But it is. Like I said, I've never properly lost my virginity, so I don't know that I'd be quite the one to say if it's... as good as people think it is.
Could we please go on to the next question, now?
45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
I've never actually killed anyone (directly, anyway) so I couldn't say for sure, but... I think so.
Killing is only acceptable to eat, or to protect your pod.
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Take someone's body from them, take their control of their body from them.
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
No. Call me jaded, but... I can't believe in it. I've seen too many broken relationships, quite a few “happily married” scientists who still sexed up experiments out of boredom, and... things like that. I've never actually seen true love. It's hard to believe in. And the concept of “soul mates” is just laughable.
48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
You need to be determined. You need to have your pod with you. And you need to have control of your own body.
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
I'm as honest as I need to be. It... depends on the person.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
I try very hard not to. So many people have been prejudiced against me and people like me... but maybe I've just always been on the “more prejudiced against” side. I grew up a female, Latina bisexual chick who was never really popular. And now I'm an experiment. I've had to deal with... everything. Sexism, racism, whatever else there is.
I suppose I'm prejudiced against people with power. Especially if they use their power... badly.
51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
... If you'd asked me a few years ago, I would have said the usual Murder or Torture, Word sort of a thing.
But right now, there honestly isn't anything I wouldn't be willing to do.
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
My pod. Anyone who's a part of my family, who I feel responsible for.
Not quite yet, but that's probably going to expand to include everyone in this House, regardless of my personal opinion of them. I didn't like all of the Wonderlands, either, but your pod is your pod. You can't change that.
Anyway, we'll start with 100 Questions. If you google it, you'll find the original source. I found it when I was doing NaNoWriMo, and then I gave it to Souleh, and then you guys got it. I don't even know why I did 100 Questions, but I'm used to doing it every time I make or alter a character, so... here goes, for Minty. She's more messed up than I thought.
100 Questions
Part 1: The Basics
1. What is your full name?
Araminta Terri Canning Wonderland. Araminta after my great-grandmother. Terri after my roleplayer's aunt, but I don't know that. Canning... family name, obviously, but mostly my maiden name, now. I'm not married or anything, but I've been through enough that I don't think I count as a maiden, any more. Maidens are generally all pure and sheltered – I'm neither. Wonderland is my new family name. After the lab.
2. Where and when were you born?
I was born on September 7th, in a hospital in Boston. Seventeen years ago.
3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
My mom was named Alexandria Thompson Canning. She was pretty nice. Prone to fits of depression, sometimes. She worked in some office, somewhere. I can't remember the details exactly – at thirteen, your mom's job isn't very important to you – but I think she was a secretary of sorts. She was having an affair with some man she knew. I don't know if dad ever found out about it, but I know that at least one of the brats wasn't actually dad's.
Dad was Jeremy Canning. He worked as a cop, family tradition sort of thing. Dad was a cop, dad's dad was a cop, so on. He was a pretty cool person to be around. Taught us all how to shoot pretty young – I was maybe seven or eight when I learned. It wasn't common for city kids, so he had to take us out of the city to where my grandparents lived, on a farm, and then he taught us all gun safety and how to shoot and stuff. Mom was a little uncertain about it, but he said he had to – it was a useful skill and besides, there were enough guns around the house that we had to know how to be safe. I got pretty good, actually, participated in competitions and stuff.
... I need to get myself a gun.
4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
Do I have any siblings. Oh boy. Only seven.
First, the biological ones. Three of those, two boys, one girl.
The boys were twins. Matty and Elijah Canning. Fraternal. They were about five when I... left, so eight years younger. Unholy terrors, the both of them, but I've been told that's how little brothers are supposed to be. They used to run around and make complete idiots of themselves. Drove me crazy. I don't think that they were actually dad's kids – I saw the man mom was with, once, and Elijah at least looked exactly like him. ... I miss them, sometimes.
My sister was called Melinda Canning. She was a year or two younger than me, eleven when I left. Beautiful little girl, long hair, green eyes, absolutely gorgeous. We shared a room, and we ended up having to draw a line halfway down the room, but it never worked. I slept in the bathroom occasionally, because I was so mad at her. I really miss her, even more than the others. She'd be... fifteen, now. I hope she's okay.
And then my pod. The Wonderlands. There were five others. Six if you include me.
I was the oldest. Second oldest was a boy named Bryce. He was one of the ones who was sold by his family. Really angry about that. He was about Melinda's age, cute little kid. So angry. He tried very hard to be something like my second-in-command, but never quite managed it. Shark DNA. He hurt the others, a few times. Just... anger, violent instincts, and the d**ned scientists weren't smart enough to figure out that if they put predators in with prey, they'd hurt each other. Or maybe that was the intention. They were definitely fascinated by the concept that I could 'civilize' my pod. Bryce was... eleven when we were all put together. I was sixteen when I... left, so that would have made him fourteen. God.
Next oldest. A girl. She didn't remember anything before the lab, even her age – I guessed her at about nine. She was absolutely adorable, a bit of a tomboy personality I think. She went by Naomi. I really had hopes for her, thought that she would keep that spirit, but I suppose nothing can survive in a place like that, especially not spirit. By the time I left, she was probably about twelve. Completely broken, just no will to live. Hollow eyes, completely lost. Sea turtle DNA.
Next, a boy. About six when we started, prolly nine when I left. Patrick. He was this sweet, cuddly little kid who you couldn't help but love. Manatee.
Another boy. Fourish to six. Owen Wonderland. He was cute, very silly when I first met him, but... that changed. Toward the end, he just sort of... broke. Completely fell apart. Nightmares every night, woke up screaming, threw up all the food he ate. He asphyxiated his own puke one night. Died. Horrible pneumonia. None of the littler kids survived. He was starfish.
... A girl. She was a little baby when we got her, about two. She... was dolphin, too. She was supposed to be like my daughter, I think. My species, a tiny little kid, absolutely adorable. When her legs started to grow together, I let them – she was like a little baby mermaid. We called her Ren. Happy, bubbly little baby. I would have done anything for her. The rest of the pod would have, too. They.... yeah. She died. She was four. I can't remember what I did, but the scientists didn't like it, so they got rid of her. I miss her. A lot.
5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
The House. It's this sanctuary for... people like me. It's pretty cool so far.
6. What is your occupation?
I'm a runaway experiment. Law breaker. Sexy person. You know you want me.
7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
Five foot one, somewhere between 125 and 130 pounds. I don't exactly check. My hair's very clumpy and greenish and tangled, sort of like seaweed but... not. Skin is blue-green and shiny. Very tough. I'm sort of kickass, for a tiny little girl. Black eyes. Glasses.
I usually wear easy-to-remove clothes, and stuff I can get wet. I currently own... Mmn. A pair of jeans that's too small for me, a black sweater. Three bikinis. All black, pretty plain. My number – 610338829 – on the fronts of the bikini bottoms. And the lab's insignia across my chest. Just to make sure I know they own me. They liked string bikinis a lot. Easy to take off, slightly demoralizing. Hard to feel strong in a bikini. Dried quickly. Cheap enough. Stretchy.
8. To which social class do you belong?
I'm an experiment who escaped from a government laboratory. I'm not exactly on the A-list.
9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
I dehydrate very easily. If I don't drink a lot of water and completely immerse myself in liquid at least once a day, I get very sick. And die, eventually, I suppose. It has yet to happen. The longest I've been without getting my whole body wet is... six or seven days, and I was really pale and weak. I ended up lying in a pond for three days, I couldn't even move or think properly.
10. Are you right- or left-handed?
I'm... Jesus. Nobody's asked in ages, I almost forgot. I'm right-handed.
11. What does your voice sound like?
High. I... tend to sort of trill when I'm talking. If you've ever seen or heard a dolphin, you'd get what I'm talking about.
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
Help, water, please, swim, wet, pod, dolphin. Hot d**n.
13. What do you have in your pockets?
Forty bucks that I stole from... somewhere. An x-acto box cutter.
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
I'm a screwy dolphin experiment chick. Most of my quirks can be attributed to that.
Part 2: Growing Up
15. How would you describe your childhood in general?
It... I don't know. Technically, I suppose it must have sucked, but I don't think about my time at Wonderland as my... childhood. I grew up very quickly after I got captured. So most of it... was pretty good. I was happy, I had mom and dad and the brats. We weren't filthy rich or anything, but we managed to get by almost all of the time.
After Wonderland... yeah. It was miserable.
16. What is your earliest memory?
When Melinda was born. I didn't understand that she was ours, really – I went to the hospital and saw her, with dad, and I asked mom and dad if we could take her home with us. My family never let me live it down.
17. How much schooling have you had?
I was in seventh grade when I was... taken. I should have been in 8th, but I was held back a year.
18. Did you enjoy school?
It was okay. I mostly zoned out the whole time. I was that stupid, annoying girl who mostly just flirted shamelessly.
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
My mom. I really hated her when I lived with her, but then I went to Wonderland and I played mommy for everyone. And.... I don't know. It was amazing how all of the sudden, once I had my own family to worry about, everything she had ever done became so much more... valuable and important and amazing.
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
My mom, for mostly the same reasons as above. She just... wow. If she hadn't done such a good job taking care of me and Melinda and Matty and Elijah, I don't think I would have been able to manage with the Wonderlands. Just the little things she did to save money, always get by no matter what she had to do. What she taught me about raising kids, with the brats. Making me babysit. It just... all fell into place.
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
Oh gods, which family do you mean?
The Cannings, fine. Mom was my mom, and we got into fights a lot, but she was really just... amazing. Dad was... dad. He taught us how to play sports and shoot guns and win at life. And then the little kids... we fought, but we loved each other a lot.
The Wonderlands... When you're in a place like that, you'll cling to anyone who you can. We got along very well. The kids were my babies, and I was their Minty, and we took care of each other most of the time.
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It varied on an almost daily basis. An actress, a superstar, a model, a spy, a writer, Miss America, a dolphin handler, once, a doctor, an astronaut, a teacher, a lawyer, a cheerleader, an artist..... The list never ends.
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?
I liked dreaming. I liked cooking. I liked playing dress-up. I liked food. Swimming. Hanging out with friends. Shopping. Talking. Dancing. Normal kid stuff.
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
... Pretty much the same as now. Protective, spontaneous, a tiny bit silly sometimes, confident. A bit too flirty sometimes. That... got me in trouble, once or twice.
Main thing that's changed is I'm slightly more cautious, now.
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
I was popular enough to get by. My friends I changed just about as often as my clothes, though.
26. When and with whom was your first kiss?
I've... never had a proper first kiss. Stupid little kisses when I was tiny, yes, and I kissed a bunch of people because my friends told me to. Spin the bottle, seven minutes in heaven, hellish things like that. I really hate those games. So much.
27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Have also never properly lost my virginity. ... That needs to be fixed, at some point, but it probably won't happen. Most people aren't interested in... things like me.
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
((hysterical laughter)) I was a normal human. I got taken and sold. They messed with me, a bit. I'm not quite so normal any more.
How did I first learn of my abilities? ((more laughter)) I woke up one morning with all of the kids screaming “Minty!” and crying because they were sore and they hurt and felt funny. Then I realized that my skin was all weird, and I couldn't see quite as well. It was a bit of a shock. Eventually we tied it to the injections.
Part 3: Past Influences
29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
... I'm not sure.
There's a part of me that wants to say arriving at Wonderland, or escaping, or when they... took Ren. But... probably not.
I'd have to go with all those times I had to cut my legs apart, later at night, when the kids were asleep. Quiet, so they wouldn't notice.
30. Who has had the most influence on you?
Either my mom or the other Wonderlands. I'm not sure.
31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I'm not dead.
32. What is your greatest regret?
I have to pick just one?
I did a lot of stupid things trying to get my way, at Wonderland. It ended up hurting us more than helping, sometimes.
33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
When 'Linda and I were little, she broke her leg and was on crutches for a while. I had to help her and such, a lot. I pushed her down the sidewalk and into the street.
Oops.
34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
Just a tiny bit.
35. When was the time you were the most frightened?
Just after I escaped. There were a few far-too-close calls.
36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
Uhm. A little bit of explanation, first.
I wear string bikinis. Like, the kind where you have to tie it on both sides, and on the back of the top. (Which makes it hard to put on without help, but you'd be amazed by the kind of creativity that being single promotes.) Anyway, I'm sure you can see where this is going.
Some... idiots... think that it's amusing to pull out your strings. When you're in public. Fine – I'm really slightly less inhibited than most people – but it can be awkward as hell when all of the sudden your undies are falling into your jeans, and when you bend over to re-tie them, aforementioned idiots pull out the strings to your top. Yeah. Let's all pick on the crazy dolphin girl, because really, if she didn't want people to publicly strip her, she would be acting like a normal person and wearing normal clothes.
... Sorry. A little ranting there.
I just hate people who do that, and it happens... far too much. And then, once they've undone your bikini, they start grabbing at you and... yeah. Next question.
37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
... I'd rather not.
38. What is your best memory?
It's hard to pick just one.
39. What is your worst memory?
I'd rather not talk about it.
Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions
40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Neither. I'm practical. 50% of my glass is filled with air while the other 50% is filled with water. I wish that it was entirely full, but I'll take what I can get.
41. What is your greatest fear?
That I'll get recaptured. I... don't want to go back there.
42. What are your religious views?
((laughs)) It's stupid. A silly little religion I made up, to keep the kids happy, and make them believe that there was something to hope for, something after death. I... told them about it, when Owen got sick and after he... died. Afterwards, I told them stories about it, like bedtime stories, whenever they were scared or upset. It... anything for hope. After a while, I started to believe in it, too.
When you die, you get taken to the Lady Diena, (dee eh nah) the water goddess. She's gentle and good, warm when you're cold, but she can cool to chill your burns. Her hair is long and flowing, a soft blue flowing over her shoulders. And when you die, you go to her and she takes you into her arms and heals all of your wounds, mental, physical and emotional, all the while judging you – not your actions, just your intentions. If you meant well, even if you didn't always do well – yes, like Bryce, and me, and all of us – she cleanses you completely, takes you into her and to a place where you are always safe and loved, and never to be hurt again. Even if you did evil, but meant well, she will simply teach you over, how to accept and love and never hurt again. But if you meant evil, destroyed people for the fun of it or tried to, the great Lady Diena turns upon you with all of her rage, tears you apart and throws you onto the ground like trash until you are ready to try again in a new life.
Dear Lady. I can't imagine how many times the kids stopped crying and fell asleep listening to me tell that story.
43. What are your political views?
I've been separated from politics for too long to say. Besides, even when I was around in the real world, I was thirteen. Kids of that age aren't known for their political clarity.
I'd like a world where I was treated as if I were completely normal, though. And an end to the labs.
44. What are your views on sex?
It's... scary.
That's completely irrational, I know. But it is. Like I said, I've never properly lost my virginity, so I don't know that I'd be quite the one to say if it's... as good as people think it is.
Could we please go on to the next question, now?
45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
I've never actually killed anyone (directly, anyway) so I couldn't say for sure, but... I think so.
Killing is only acceptable to eat, or to protect your pod.
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Take someone's body from them, take their control of their body from them.
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
No. Call me jaded, but... I can't believe in it. I've seen too many broken relationships, quite a few “happily married” scientists who still sexed up experiments out of boredom, and... things like that. I've never actually seen true love. It's hard to believe in. And the concept of “soul mates” is just laughable.
48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
You need to be determined. You need to have your pod with you. And you need to have control of your own body.
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
I'm as honest as I need to be. It... depends on the person.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
I try very hard not to. So many people have been prejudiced against me and people like me... but maybe I've just always been on the “more prejudiced against” side. I grew up a female, Latina bisexual chick who was never really popular. And now I'm an experiment. I've had to deal with... everything. Sexism, racism, whatever else there is.
I suppose I'm prejudiced against people with power. Especially if they use their power... badly.
51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
... If you'd asked me a few years ago, I would have said the usual Murder or Torture, Word sort of a thing.
But right now, there honestly isn't anything I wouldn't be willing to do.
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
My pod. Anyone who's a part of my family, who I feel responsible for.
Not quite yet, but that's probably going to expand to include everyone in this House, regardless of my personal opinion of them. I didn't like all of the Wonderlands, either, but your pod is your pod. You can't change that.