Emperor’s Edge Extras: Sgt Yara Interview Part II

Sgt Yara is the secondary point-of-view character in the upcoming novella, so I thought it’d be nice to actually finish posting the long-awaited second half of her interview (the first part is here). As before, questions were submitted via the EE forum and my facebook author page. Many thanks to the participants!

Sgt Yara Interview Pt. 2

Liana asks, “You seemed to admire Amaranthe when she was an enforcer and to be disappointed in her after she changed careers. Has your opinion of her changed after spending some time with the EE team and if so how?”

I am still forming an opinion on Corporal Lokdon and her team of outlaws. I do believe they intend well, but their methods are highly questionable. They’ve left a wake of destruction that a marching army, complete with a battalion of steam trampers, couldn’t surpass. Given these new revelations in regard to the rightful emperor… it does not seem the destruction is justified. We will see what the future brings.

Sarah asks, “What will she do if her stint with the team costs her her job as an enforcer?”

This has been on my mind a great deal. I am hoping that something may yet be salvaged from this mess, but now that I’ve learned the truth about the emp — Sespian’s heritage, I fear that I may not find the future an amenable place. If I’m willing to grovel, I may be able to get my old job back, but that’s about as appealing as as cherry tart up the nose. (Yes, that’s happened to me. We discussed my brothers earlier, I believe?) I can always go back to work in the smithy, I suppose, but that seems a small job after fighting criminals and preserving law and order for the good of the people in my district. Also, working with my brothers is tedious (see earlier cherry tart comment).

EEfangirl asks, “What are five words that she would use to describe Maldynado? (I started with three, but I’m trying to get her beyond, “boarish, infantile, and annoying.” 🙂 )”

Well. He’s not nearly as funny as he thinks he is. Is there a word for that? Perhaps Books could suggest one.

I guess he’s tall. And muscular (though it’s surprising that someone with the indolence tendencies of a fat cat lounging in a sunbeam can obtain such muscles…). Agile. You wouldn’t think that from someone so big, but I’ve seen him…

Uhm, is that five?

Close enough. Next up, Kitty asks, “What are her real views on pot holing/spelunking?”

Those are ridiculous terms for physical relations. If a man wishes to have sex with a woman, he should simply state the fact. There is nothing wrong with such acts — they are part of nature — so long as they do not interfere with work or more important life issues.

State the fact? So you like a man to be blunt.

Yes.

And you’re always blunt with men when you wish to have sex with them?

Er, what? I mean, it’s not the woman’s place to be… forward.

Mmhmm. Next question. Moldynotgo asks, “I am actually curious if she had any success dating in the past. I wonder how many Turgonian men actually appreciate a woman in uniform who is a competent and professional fighter.”

I’m not sure how this is relevant to current events, but of course I’ve had success. Who told you I didn’t? If it was Sergeant Ovokkor, don’t listen to that half-melted heap of slag. Ever since I rejected him, he’s been telling people that I prefer… well, that’s not relevant either. There are plenty of men who appreciate tall, strong women in uniform. Sometimes all you have to do is point and say, “Come.”

You’ve done that?

I’ve… seen it done.

Look, I’m far too busy with my work to worry about getting an itch scratched every weekend. There are more important things in life.

All right, let’s hope Moldynotgo found her answer somewhere in there… Next question: “Have you ever considered forming or joining a social or professional organization for female enforcers, so that you can all stay in touch and maybe support each other as needed?”

I’ve actually attempted to do some of this through written correspondence. I’ve met a couple of the other female enforcers in the city, but distance makes it difficult to meet regularly. I’m also not the most natural person for creating a social organization. I’ve been told I can be… brusque.

I’d once thought Corporal Lokdon sounded like the sort of person who could spearhead something like this. She was centrally located and, from what I heard, liked to schmooze with people. This was before she turned outlaw of course. That dampened my enthusiasm for interacting with other female enforcers for some time.

Last question. Sarah asks, “Do you have any hobbies? Are you an avid gardener or stamp collector or bibliophile or scrimshaw artist or anything like that?”

Hobbies? I help out at the smithy when I’m not busy at work. My specialties are decorative hinges and gate closers.

Gate closers? Those are balls on chains, aren’t they? I’ll warn Maldynado about that one.

*Yara props her fists on her hips* What does that mean?

Oh, nothing. I think we’re done here. Thanks for participating!

*interviewer walks away with shoulders hunched, feeling an icy glare leveled at the back of her head*