Interview: Hollis Fiala
Dossier:
Name: Hollis Fiala
Age: 104
Species: Fae ( Seelie )— Naiad
Circle: Wild
Known Relationships: Connor Talbot II ( Ex-Something? ), Esmeray Talbot ( Childhood Rivals ), Jose Alvez Cruz ( Thrall ), Cerese Fiala ( Mother ), Karlha Whitlock, Thaddeus James, and Damian Harker ( Fellow Circle Leaders )
Interview:
As they sit across from one another, Esmeray presents an older audio recorder, the tape inside of the cassette shimmering with some form of magic and the peri presses play, “I hope this works,” she says, voice soft, “the ribbons inside, I’ve replaced with materials from our home, and I’ve enchanted it past that so that we can communicate easier, no need to ruminate on every word, just tell me as it comes to you, okay? When I play it back they should hear us as we are— better than the usual, right? Harder to misunderstand us that way.”
What's your name?
The naiad can’t keep from rolling their eyes; consequence of a life surrounded by people who knew their name before Hollis ever thought to learn theirs. “Hollis Fiala, Heir of the High Fae Court holding dominion over Seelie territory and all of its inhabitants.” Head held high, shoulders set, and confidence in their tone as they string together those pointed words.
How do you know Tabitha Spencer?
“I don't know her personally— she's a relative of Damian Harker. Sister of his nephew or something or another, one of Karlha’s. Past that, I’m not too sure, I don’t necessarily keep record of every individual of every circle”
How do you know Jose Alves Cruz?
“Jose is the mayor and besides that, he’s my Thrall,” they say, nonchalantly. Typically Faeries didn’t enjoy the idea of a Thrall— it felt too much like a fractured version of their bindings and such a thing left a sour taste on the tongue. If not that, all a Faerie needed was a name and they could command an individual to do just as much as one could command a Thrall but then, the former was frowned upon on this side of the veil and the latter was the easier process. Jose had been more than willing. “The politics we hail from are entirely different but there’s an understanding there, at least.”
How do you know Hollis Fiala?
Esmeray could’ve asked this, but she wasn’t even going to bother; she did not want to hear Hollis run their mouth about this one.
Did you see the shot/what happened that night from your perspective?
“How would I really be looking?” Mother Below, these were stupid questions. “You’d think I wouldn't have been hurt if my eyes were on the smoking gun. From my perspective, I had finished giving my speech, and Karlha was giving hers...when a shot rang out, then another and all I could feel was a burning sensation ripping through my shoulder. Not exactly how I intended to greet the New Year— such a silly little celebration.”
When did you get the invitation for the party/know you were going to work it?
“It's a recurring event, of course I'd been planning to attend— I knew I’d be there as far back as the previous year, even.” Naiads weren’t so spontaneous and they were no different; their mother herself had taught the heir that patience was paramount. As the humans lamented, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but, it could very obviously fall in one. “Besides that, I’m a Circle Leader, there’s networking to be done and speeches to give, you don’t just decide the night of that you’re going to attend this party.”
Did you go with someone?
They could have certainly gone with someone; their mother was very much suggesting that they begin narrowing their marriage prospects but that was an issue for another day. Hollis had their own on someone else anyhow, and they look to said wolf as they begin answering the question, “unfortunately not, the wolf I'm coveting was otherwise occupied.”
Do you own a gun/have you ever owned a gun?
It’s a question that has Hollis sitting straighter in their seat, leaning forward, their tone nothing short of indignant, “and what would a Faerie ever need a gun for? No. I've never owned one, and I don't have much respect for those that do. What else comes from a gun, from a silver bullet? You know best it’s one of a countless number of weapons meant to harm us. Kill us. So, no, I, Hollis Fiala, have never owned a gun.” A minute passes as they wait for any other questions, “are we done now?”