Wow. I never thought the story of Felix and his friends would mean anything to anyone besides myself and those few that helped me see that it could definitely be more than a fleeting idea. My SF/F Workshop classmates and my instructor really seem to want to know more! I'm still stunned. Here's the assignment for this week's session, and some recent feedback on it.
Felix Lightfeather is no taller than a sewing needle. He has deep black eyes, and wavy black hair. His skin is a light green,and smooth. Felix's personality is exactly what you would expect of someone who has been tormented emotionally by tragedy. He's got a very tough emotional exterior, and he keeps many things bottled up and to himself. He developed this habit because of his little sister Gracie, whom he holds very dear, as she is his only living relative.
In reality, Felix is very kind hearted, and he will help those he feels worthy of his time. He has a deep hatred for most humans, due to the loss of both of his parents. His new goal in life is to take down the men responsible for the annihilation of his colony, and put an end to the war between the Faeries and Human kind. He has done everything possible to protect himself, his childhood friend Marlon, and their siblings. He is not prepared to give up anytime soon.
Some of Felix's interests are Garbage Diving in the Outworld (human world of the city), playing with his friend Marlon, and helping his mother with his sister Grace. His favorite food is actually a drink called Hinger, which is a mixture of Honey and Ginger root. When he's not with Marlon or Gracie, Felix is likely to be found in the Common Lobby, helping out with filing and things of that nature.
Malik Davenport, the well-built security guard hired to keep an eye on the faerie captives has blue eyes, and short wavy hair. He is simply called Davenport by his fellow employees. He is normally seen wearing a simply blue jeans and shirt combination, with an occasional flannel shirt over it. He wears wire rimmed glasses. He is also very clean shaven. He can't stand beards or mustaches on himself. He likes the clean look.
He is quick with a weapon, even though he more than likely would rather talk a prisoner into obedience, instead of hurting them. He has a general dislike for faeries, but he never quite agreed with the Faerie Extinguishing Project. The main reason he took the job at the faerie prison was to make a little extra money for his family's medical bills. His son has a very rare disease that requires the family to have him in and out of the hospital. And of course bills pile up.
Davenport's chief worry is that his daughter Melissa will find out what he's up to. Melissa has had two of her faerie friends taken away from her by the Exterminators, and while Davenport knew about it, he did nothing. It's pained him ever since. Melissa has joined a group of children to try and free the faeries, and he's been ordered to take care of it if they break into the prison. Davenport draws the line at harming human children.
Part 2: A scene between the two
Felix regarded Davenport with a certain amount of contempt. He knew it was him who had taken Tracie captive. "Where is she, Davenport? Where's Tracie?"
"She's unharmed." Davenport eyed the faerie warily. He knew how tricky they could be. He wouldn't have been surprised if this one tried to bite or scratch him. Felix Lightfeather. That's what this one's name was. "You, on the other hand, are lucky you're still alive. It won't be long now. We're just waiting for orders from the higher ups. Then you and your friends will be destroyed for good."
"There's no way you're going to get away with this! Someone will stop you." Felix replied bravely, trying hard to keep the wavering out his voice as thought of helpless little Gracie back in the pen. "How can you condone such hateful crimes against helpless children?! Would you like it if we did the same thing to your children? And believe me, there those of us who most certainly feel like it would be justice."
"But not you, hm? You don't think that's the way to go about it, do you?" Davenport steepled his fingers on the tabletop as he stared the little creature down. "What do you think would have been a good course of action, then?"
"Heck if I know, but I know that killing innocent faeries, especially children, isn't right." Felix folded his arms then. He wasn't going to say anymore on the subject if Davenport wasn't going to at least be willing to be open-minded.
"You know. They killed two of my daughter's faeries. Right in front of her. I knew about it.... and did nothing. She hates me."
"And she should. Anyone that would allow such cruelty doesn't deserve to be respected or loved." Felix spat then. "It soundsd to me like you've got some twisted priorities."
"H-how dare you! I need this job, pixie." Davenport's face was red now with rage. "Our house was going to get foreclosed on! This job saved us! So a couple of faeries are killed. At least my daughter will have a place to rest her head at night. I can live with that."
"Then you're not truly human." Felix told him. He did feel sorry for the plight that Davenport and his family had been in, but it didn't excuse the extinguishing of innocent faeries everywhere. "I'm sure others, the ones who oppose the Extermination have found ways around working jobs such as this. With a young daughter, you should have been thinking about it too." Felix turned then, and began to head back to the pen. He didn't want to leave Gracie there too long. She would worry.
"I can't get out of it now. Even if I wanted to, Felix." It was the first time Davenport had ever called the young faerie by his name. "They make you sign a contract, stating you'll remain active until the Extinguishig is done. And they don't just mean the States." He took Felix carefully back to his pen, and set him in it. "You're one brave faerie boy, Felix Lightfeather. I'll be sorry to see you go."
Feedback for this assignment from classmates Beth and Rick, and my instuctor. From Beth:
I can see Davenport and Felix as characters I think the bit about Davenport's conflict is good. One thing I wondered about is this. You mention Grace and Gracie which I realize is the same person. But then you refer to Tracie. Is Tracie another name for Gracie? Maybe everyone knows that? I am interested to know why the humans want to destroy the faeries? I can think of a couple of reasons. Interesting story.
From Rick:
I really enjoy your writing. Your character are well drawn, and you made your antagonist likeable. The exchange between Felix and Davenport is quite revealing about their motives and their feelings. I think this is well written.
I do have one question (there is always a question!). You mention that Felix's parents are dead, but in the third paragraph, you mention Felix helping his mother with Gracie. You might want to clarify that.
From John DeChancie (Instructor):
Very well worked out world of fairy and human, with conflict between the two. Some Nazi-like government is trying out the faeries, and this of course makes the central situation of the novel more than dramatic enough. You have knack for drawing real characters, even when they are supernatural in nature.
I am wondering when magic will come into the fore. Faeries have magic, and this seems to be the obvious way to salvation for the faerie folk. Maybe you can let us in on how magic will be employed to save the day. Or are these faeries only able to work beneficial magic, and not the defensive magic they need? I can't wait to find out.
The dialogue is especially fraught with conflict. The concentration camp guard here is probably no different from other examples of his ilk; willing to justify immoral actions with pleas that he had no other choice but to follow orders.
