Character Meme

I could not resist this one. Totally snagged it from Robo-shark, and borrowed the format of the answers from him, a little. I picked four of the focal characters from the book I'm currently working on, in the order of their appearance, and wrote their answers as they would be at a particular point in time, rather than the present moment, since one of them is no longer present. Michael suffers for it, some, because his character has gained a great deal of depth and development, but I'm trying not to say anything that's been said after my chosen point in time, that point being the dividing event between one character's role as central figure and his. You're not supposed to know much about him, before that happens.

Now you will see how this book has managed to break 750 pages.

-Rules-
Questions are to be answered in an interview/script format. Have fun!

List 4 characters:
Bernard
Zicuar (Zick)
Donavan
Michael

[the writer pauses for a moment to ponder a predominately male lead cast ... lots of women in this cast ... leads are all male......]

1. First things first. How do all of you feel about each other?
Bernard: I worry about every single one of these people. Zick is so hard on himself and so self-sacrificing that it scares me. He also takes the cake for the most gentle person I've ever met, and is a phenomenal musician. He's the team doctor, and a very good one (maybe a little over-attentive) . . . if we could just do something about his choice of pets, namely the gremlin and the ewok. What kind of one-and-a-half-ton carnivorous Saurian owns . . . whatever those are. Rat-dogs. Even if he is human, most of the time, that doesn't change what he is inside. [sigh] Only Zick. He probably paid way too much for them, too, as he does with almost everything. We need to talk about that multi-million-dollar wardrobe.
    Donavan is a nice guy, but a seriously hard-core sensei, ultra perfectionistic, and he's waaaay too sensitive. We've gotta do something with that temper. That can't be good for his blood pressure.
    Mike? Mike is a class-A jerk. He's always making fun of me, he's rude to everyone, and he's always skulking out of sight somewhere, when he's not out with his buddies or standing at the front door with a cop behind him. He's also my cousin, so he gets instant brownie points for that. He's a nice guy, when he wants to be, and he's smarter and cooler than he gives himself credit for. He still owes me. . . .
Zick: Bernard. For me the name has become synonymous with reckless behavior, namely a recent NyQuil habit. I don't understand. I have a perfectly good tea made from a plant imported from off-world, which would do the job just fine (that is, to help him sleep at night without frightfully vivid nightmares)! And yet, he continues to consume unacceptable quantities of NyQuil. Other habits include . . . oh wait, that's classified. I'm not supposed to divulge any details of such . . . extravagant and dangerous exploits, as his friend and teammate, I feel compelled to disapprove of his actions, but I am torn by the beneficial nature of the consequences to offer mixed and not exactly discouraging opinions. He also makes fun of my dogs. He calls them names and swears that one of these days he's going to bring in a "real" dog. [sighs]
    Donavan . . . my test subject - no, no, I'm just kidding, don't tell him I said that. Please, he'll freak out on me. He is a very good friend, and a great family man. I have greatly enjoyed his company. He is also much better about taking the medication I give him than . . . certain people. Honestly, the tea is reliable! What I give to Donavan is not! I've never done this before! Not to paint a cowardly image of Bernard, but it is a brave man who continually takes something without knowing what the side effects might be, and knowing that those side effects could be dangerous to his health. Brave . . . or desperate. Take your pick, or take both!
    And finally, Michael. A fascinating study in human facial expressions. Subtle, but very telling. Standoffish, and more than a little rude, particularly when cranky, which seems to me to be quite often. They tell me he's gotten better over the past year, and I can see he's at least trying to act like an adult. I must admire his efforts. He reminds me a little - just a little, mind you - of my own brother, however, in some of the statements he has been known to make. As long as he's sorry he made them, though, I can forgive him.
Donavan: Bernard is the whiniest, most smart-alec teenager I have ever met in my life, and a serious geek. He is the kind of boy that I preyed upon when I was his age (on the other hand, I was not the nicest kid in those days). He's a good friend, however, and solid fighter when he sets his mind to it. He tends to forget that my life does not center around combat, however (I blame the boss for that). I have a college degree, and one of these days, I'm going to get it through his head. And . . . I'm sorry, but my blood pressure? That boy best not even dare start that crap with me, or so help me, I'll have him running laps until his limbs fall off! Then we'll see who has problems with blood pressure! I'm not even thirty, yet. . . .
    Zick keeps me from going completely batty, and for that alone, he's fantastic to have around. Sensitive, and far too sweet for his own good. He's very smart, and interesting to talk to, if sometimes a little long-winded. His idea of a brief statement could easily fill an entire book - which it has, more than once. My kids love him, though. I thought it was the candy - the endless supply of candy (at least he he doesn't let them have it all at once) - but it is deeper than that. Sometimes he's the only person who can get through to my stubborn three-year-old, and one of these days I'm going to figure the secret to his success.
    I honestly don't know what to make of Michael. The stories I've been told of the things that come out of his mouth make me think I should avoid him. He seems alright, though. Stubborn, temperamental. Like Bernard, only moodier and with less self-control.
Michael: I'm loving these glowing reviews. Thanks, guys. So, let me be the one to inform you: Bernie isn't a geek, or a nerd. He's a dweeb, and not only that, but he is the dorkiest dweeb on the face of the planet, with a smart mouth on him that's gotten him more than a busted face in the past. Not from me, though, oh no. Which actually kinda pisses me off! Where do people get off pounding on my dorky little cousin? . . . Who is . . . strong enough to beat the snot out of me. Yeah, yeah, I had it comin' to me. Whatever. And I don't owe him jack.
    Zick reminds me of the preppy little straight-A kids I used to send home to mommy in tears. Only he's an adult, and he's my cousins' doctor, and once you meet him, it is really hard to dislike him. He's such a pushover, but he's got this face that'll make you regret pushing him. The man . . . creature . . . is so sensitive. You'd think I'd enjoy it, but all I feel is sorry for him, it's so weird. . . .
    I don't really know Donavan. He's real distant, and there's something seriously off about him. I know I ain't the nicest guy, but seriously . . . is he scared of me? Did I piss him off? He's also sort of a jerk, but everyone else seems to like him, so I guess he's alright.
    And I don't "skulk". . . .

2. What's one thing you like about yourself - personality or physical? Dislike?
Bernard: I am finally in shape and I love it. That takes care of the one thing I most disliked about myself. Um . . . I'm pretty impulsive, and that gets me into a lot of trouble. I'm not very good-looking either.
Zick: I'm having trouble with this one . . . the dislike is easy, but like? I like my career, does that count? Ah, and I am the only Saurian who can play the piano. As a human, of course. I don't know what I'd do without music. Suffer, I guess. I wish my skin wasn't so dry.
Donavan: I like being a perfectionist. I dislike being mentally ill. It's that simple.
Michael: I like the way I drive, although it scares everyone I know except my dad. I don't like being taller than most people. It draws too much attention. And, so you know, Bernie has half the girls in the country practically drooling at his feet.

3. If you could change one thing about your lives, would you - and what would it be?
Bernard: If I could change one thing, of course I would! My dad wouldn't be lost in space, somewhere (insert pop culture joke, here).
Zick: My mother, the almighty Clan Matriarch, would stop looking for ways to drag me home by my tail. It hurts, you know (I am, of course, being a little metaphorical here, but not by much).
Donavan: That's easy: I wouldn't have gone nuts.
Michael: Things wouldn't suck.

4. Do any of you have pet peeves?
Bernard: Mom's cats. They're not allowed near my snake. My door's gated for a reason. It's nothing against cats, but they don't belong in my room.
Zick: Ninety-percent of Saurian table manners. I'm surrounded by wild animals.
Donavan: Lots.
Michael: Being lectured.

5. If you want something to change, are you the kind of person who makes the change yourself, does nothing, or expects others to do it for you? Be honest.
Bernard: I find someone to help me make the change.
Zick: I try to make the change myself, and people join me.
Donavan: I try to make the change myself, but people don't listen to me, so then I look for people to make it happen.
Michael: Well, doing things for myself hasn't worked out great (doesn't stop me from trying), and I don't like asking for help, so I guess things just won't change. In the end, I do nothing, and I carry on.

6. Who is the person you feel you can rely on the most - if not in a relationship or friendship, then on a professional level?
Bernard: Mireia. She is the most awesome best friend ever.
Zick: My boss is a miracle worker.
Donavan: Ellen, my wife, no question, no contest.
Michael: . . . Definitely my dad. Why he's still hanging around me, I don't understand, but it's good to know I haven't driven off everyone in my life. Haha, driven. That was pretty terrible.

7. Have any of you ever done illegal things knowingly (don't include petty things like jaywalking)? What were they?
Bernard: Not that I can think of.
Zick: Leaving home to go help our ancestral enemies halfway across town definitely wasn't legal.
Donavan: I think it was a drug. I don't remember which one.
Michael: I'm not gonna touch that.

8. Name some of your bad habits.
Bernard: Running my smart mouth.
Zick: I guess I don't eat very well. . . .
Donavan: I freak out and obsess over petty things.
Michael: They are many, and they are not up for discussion.

9. Now tell me something you've done that you're very proud of.
Bernard: I held the high score in Pac Man for almost six months, until some tourist beat it.
Zick: I have four doctorates, and passed as a human medical professional for several years. If that is not pride-worthy, then nothing is.
Donavan: I'm torn between the Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture and the third-degree black belt.
Michael: I don't think I'm supposed to be proud of the things that I'm proud of doing. They tend to involve drinking and doing things that weren't exactly . . . what your parents might consider "appropriate."

10. Did you ever go to school? How far did you get?
Bernard: High school. Just four months left!
Zick: We just covered this topic, but if you're asking if I attended school in the standard human sense; then no, I did not. I did, however have to complete the equivalent of an American high school education before I could proceed any further.
Donavan: Hahaha, let me reiterate: Bachelor of Science in Architecture!
Michael: Yeah . . . I went to school . . . sometimes. It was kinda dull.

11. What style of music do you prefer?
Bernard: Pat Benatar, Bonnie Tyler, Elton John, Journey
Zick: Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, They Might Be Giants, R.E.M., Cat Stevens, Queen, Handel, Bach, Beethoven, ect. You name it, and I've probably performed it.
Donavan: Cowboy Mouth comes to mind, first.
Michael: NIRVANA! I like rock music.

12. If you were to come face to face with your creator, what would you do?
Bernard: I . . . honestly don't know. I would be too dumbfounded to know where to start.
Zick: Present my creator with a list of questions and take careful notes on the answers, because . . . where do I even begin? How can you do these things to people? How can you put people through this kind of agony? Why are our lives so difficult?
Donavan: [glare] Demand answers.
Michael: That depends. I'd definitely want to know why I've been saddled with my lot in life. Whether I ask civilly depends on my creator, not me.

13. Do you have any phobias?
Bernard: I have a list of phobias, mostly having to do with bugs and the ocean, but I really don't like the dark, and I have a very legitimate reason for it.
Zick: I've developed a strong aversion to prepared poultry.
Donavan: Many, but if I had to be specific, I'd say jellyfish have really started to creep me out.
Michael: Not that I can think of.

14. Name one of your favorite places to go.
Bernard: My room. I haven't seen it in a while, and I kinda miss it. The beach is nice, too, but I see that every day. I like it when there aren't any people on it.
Zick: Almost anywhere on the Mediterranean Sea. Marmaris is very nice.
Donavan: Home is where the heart rests.
Michael: I like to hit the open road. I haven't found a stopping point, yet; but, if you're lucky, I'll let you know when I do.

15. Least favorite?
Bernard: Lately, it's been sleep. Sleep has been a freaky place.
Zick: Home. Not this one, that one. The one I left. [shudder]
Donavan: I think I'd rather not talk about it, but I will say this: they still have footage of my psychotic freakout.
Michael: There's a reason I stopped hanging around town, getting myself into trouble and so on, and it isn't up for discussion.

16. Okay, we're near the end. What's your favorite style of clothing? Can you afford to wear it? Is it because you can afford it that you like it?
Bernard: Functional, although the girls seem very intent on upscaling my definition of "functional," and I can't say I completely dislike it. I wouldn't have been able to afford, up until now, though. Yeah, I guess being able to afford it makes a difference.
Zick: Custom-tailored, fine silk business attire. I can afford it, and I do it because I can, but I have been accused of spending far too much on my clothing. I'm very particular.
Donavan: Functional, and inexpensive, most of the time. I have a pretty normal wardrobe. Really digging the new work clothes, though. Leather looks good on me. Badass.
Michael: Loose and sorta trendy, I guess, but I really don't care. I just wear whatever I put my hands on first, and it works. I do what I can to make myself invisible, though, and that's not easy when you're over six-and-a-half feet tall. People these days seem intent on changing that, though. I'm still trying to decide what I think of it. . . .

17. Now, each of you have to tag another OC - the catch? Can't be one with same creator as you. All four of you can agree to tag four different OCs belonging to the same person, or mix it up - it's up to you! And if you're the kind of character that would never tag someone, don't.

Bernard: I tag all of the Dragonlord's Keep!
Zick: I'm gonna tag these Ulatiem people. They look awesome.
Donavan: You two are so predictable. Anyway, it says to pick someone, not a group of people. Hmm . . . It doesn't say I have to pick anyone. [Zick: But I couldn't decide. . . .] [Bernard: Sensei Donavan! He's always so friendly, outgoing, definitely not a spoil-sport --] Knock it off! Kitska.
Michael: This Brian person who vaguely reminds me of a buddy of mine.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT.