House of Cards Contributions Log

Garrett’s Quiz

posted by Brenda at 06:44 AM, September 01, 2004 | Filed under : PC Quizzes | Comments and Followups

This has been done for a while, but Garrett wouldn’t let me post it until now.

What does Garrett imagine the circumstances of his parents’ liaison to be? (Not the icky details, but who chased who, etc.)

You are trying to make me squirm, aren’t you? All right, here goes. I reckon it happened pretty much as I told Lady Folly. To figure out what really happened, you have to know me mum. How she acts and how she thinks. I prob’ly know her as well as anyone except Donovan. The fact that she even admitted that she did the chasing tells me that not only did she chase him, but she chased him more relentlessly than she’s letting on. That’s the part that makes me squirm. I mean, I’ve got no problem with a purely sexual relationship if it’s what both parties want. It just bothers me that Mum felt she had to degrade herself to attract him. The whole relationship was so uneven from the start. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not blaming him entirely. If a beautiful girl was throwing herself at me - and Mum was beautiful when she was younger - I’d prob’ly be tempted, too. They both screwed up. Her by chasing him and him by allowing it to happen. A person in his position has a certain responsibility not to take advantage of those below their station. That’s my opinion, anyway.

Mum always loved fairy tales, and I think she dreamed that she could make this one come true. Eventually, though, she couldn’t fool herself anymore. I reckon she finally decided it wasn’t worth swallowing her pride on a daily basis to be with him. She told me she never actually broke it off. She just asked to be transferred and stayed away from the Family Wing altogether and that fits what I know of me mum. She wouldn’t risk being kicked in the pride again by telling him she was leaving and having him not care. And I believe he would’ve said that. I don’t think his feelings for her were very strong, if he had any at all. Neither Mum nor Donovan ever indicated that Random came looking for her after the transfer, even though it would’ve been easy to track her down if he’d wanted to. Sad to say, but that’s why I suspect he’s not going to remember her when I make me appearance.

Now that he’s met most of his cousins who went to Chaos, which of them does he like best, and which least, and why?

To be honest, I really don’t know most of them well. I’ve only met Dame Lilly, Sir Brennan, Sir Marius and Dame Aisling, and I’ve seen Sir Jovian, but never met him. [OOC: He has not met Adonis and has no reason to know of his existence.] Of those, I’ve only spoken a few words to Sir Marius and Dame Aisling, so those meetings were far too brief to make any judgments.

I’ll start with “likes least”, and that would be Sir Jovian. I’ll admit that this judgment prob’ly isn’t fair because we’ve never actually met. It’s possible he’s a nice guy. Me only impressions have been from a distance, but from what I’ve seen, he seems rather violent. He was out here on the training ground a few days ago viciously throwing daggers into a post. Scary man, that one. And those dragons are gonna be the death of us at the stables. He uses one as a steed like it’s nothing, but he doesn’t realize that every time it comes near, the horses go wild. Even if it doesn’t make a sound, they can smell it. Horses have long memories and they remember the commotion at the Coronation. Took us all night to calm the stables after that one.

Sir Brennan is somewhere in between. He’s a friendly enough chap and obviously cares a great deal for his horse. Four Iron’s a beautiful steed, big and muscular - a great war horse. By the way, that’s usually me first impression of a person - how he treats his horse. It speaks a lot to the way he treats people. Sir Brennan seems very level-headed, practical and calm, which I like in a person. I’ve never had the chance to talk with him at length, but perhaps I will once everyone knows the truth about me.

Me favorite by far is Dame Lilly. Again, me first impression was how she treats Susan, her horse. When anyone’s around, she’s all business - somber and serious, with that huge sword she carries everywhere. It could be very intimidating, but I’ve seen her with Susan when she didn’t realize I was watching. Grooms are trained to be inconspicuous, you know, just like other servants. She actually smiled, stroked her, and spoke to her with great affection, as if Susan was her only friend in Amber. So even though she never shows it, I always knew there was another side to her. Perhaps she keeps it hidden to maintain a certain image for her job, something I can certainly understand.

When I met her in the lib’ry, though, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did she show that other side, along with a dry sense of humor I never expected, but she actually offered to help me. She certainly didn’t have to stick her neck out like that. I still don’t know why she did. Some things she said in that conversation made me think I’d like to get to know her better. Not just in a romantic way, though there is that, but I get the impression that we may have more in common than either of us realize. Perhaps once things get settled, we can ride together sometime. I’m always more comfortable talking when I’m riding.

How does Garrett see himself fitting into Random’s family life as it’s currently constituted? What about if Random has a legitimate heir with Vialle?

You know, at first I was upset that Mum kept the truth from me for so long, but the more I think about it, I think Lady Folly was right. Mum did right by me, but not necessarily the way she meant to. I mean, yes, it was good that I had a relatively normal childhood with a family and friends that cared about me. But I think the best thing about learning the truth now as opposed to when I was younger is that I have fewer illusions about me real father. I had - have - a wonderful father in Donovan. I couldn’t have asked for better. He played with me, trained me, snuck me away from Mum on a regular basis, and tanned me hide when I needed it. If I had known as a child that he wasn’t me real father, I wouldn’t’ve given him a chance to be the father he was. And I’d have constantly longed for something that I don’t believe Random would’ve been able to give, that being the care and support of a loving father. Don’t get me wrong. I like the man. But until very recently, he never seemed, well, mature enough to put his own desires aside to raise a child.

How I’ll fit into his family really depends on his reaction to me. As for me, I’m not looking for a father. I’d like to get to know him more as a teacher or perhaps a friend. The same with Martin. There’s a lot I need to learn from both of them. How the relationships evolve, though, is as much up to them as it is to me. I do hope they’ll both give me the chance to get to know them better.

As for the succession, I’m not sure what me position will be as things stand now. I understand Martin is also illegitimate, but his position is different ‘cause he’s also royalty on the other side. He’s respectable. It’s no great risk to acknowledge him as Heir Presumptive. I, on the other hand, am the result of an illicit affair with a maid. A commoner. It’ll be seen very differently among the King’s subjects, I can assure you. I have no idea how me father intends to handle that. I’ll swear off the throne if he wants me to. I don’t want it anyway. But even that would cause issues by calling attention to it. And if the Queen produces a legitimate heir, I’ll take me cues from Martin, since he’ll be affected as well. I’ll also congratulate her and offer up me vast experience as a big brother.

Once Garrett is acknowledged, how does he expect to be treated by members of the castle staff: friends, enemies (if any), rivals, etc.?

That’s the one thing that made me consider just ignoring the whole relationship. I know how the servants see the royals. Many complain that the royals think you’re less of a person because you’re lowborn, but believe me, there is just as much prejudice going the other way. A lot of the servants see the royals as snooty, out of touch, callous or just plain arrogant. I’ve been known to think the same on occasion. Since I found out about me parentage, I’ve been forced to look at things from the other side. In some cases, I now understand how the pressures on them make the royals act the way they do. For example, Martin used to scare the hell out of me. Just the intensity of his personality made me shiver. Since I discovered I’m in the royal line behind him, I’ve become more aware of what he must go through. When you’re the son of the King, everyone is always watching you. Gods, no wonder he’s so intense.

As much as I say I won’t change, I know that’s impossible. I’ve changed already and I haven’t even been acknowledged yet. I know me parents won’t treat me much differently in private because they’ve known all along. But the thought of Dad having to call me “Your Highness” in public makes me retch. Also, I have good friends that I’ve known since childhood but I’m not sure our friendship will survive this. As children, we tramped through the woods and played pretend and as teenagers, we snuck out of the Quarters to drink and party. Always as equals. Will they treat me the same when they find out I was a prince all along; when they, too, have to call me “Your Highness?” I doubt it.

And Sparrow. Gods. I’ve changed on her the worst. Over the last couple of years, we’ve been more than friends. We were each others’ first, y’know? We’d climb the mountain and mess around in a spot that overlooks the castle. Do I love her? I don’t know, but it was always warm and comfortable with her. I always thought I could tell her anything. But since I found out, I’ve worked double shifts at times just to avoid seeing her. I know she’s pissed about it. She knows something’s wrong and she’s mad that I won’t tell her what it is. But the thing is I’m scared. It never mattered before, y’know? If she got pregnant, we’d just get married. Hell, it’s what I always thought me parents did. Now, I have to worry about that. And I can’t even explain it to her. That’s the worst part. Even if I could, once she knew, I’d find meself wondering if she’d try to get pregnant on purpose. It just complicates something that used to be so simple.

Based on the uncles and aunts Garrett has met, what does Garrett think it means to be a prince of Amber? What one characteristic of a prince would Garrett most like to have, and what characteristic does he hope to avoid?

That’s a tough one. I reckon a prince of Amber has to be brave and powerful. They had to be brave to face down the things that were comin’ off the Black Road, and to take the war to Chaos itself. They’re all powerful in some way, be it strategy, like Prince Benedict or weaponry and strength, like Princes Bleys and Corwin, or magic like Princess Fiona. And I reckon if you’re raised as royalty and you’re naturally that much more powerful than common folk, you get the arrogance and attitude that go along with it.

What one characteristic would I like to have? If I have to narrow it down to one, I reckon I’d like it to be fairness. Prince Gerard is a decent man. He’s honest and, from what I’ve heard, treats the people around him fairly, regardless of their station. I also hope I can keep me sense of humor like me father has. I’m sure it’ll make life as a prince a lot easier if I can still laugh at things. As for being brave and powerful, I reckon I’ll have to work on that. I don’t have much experience.

I’d like to avoid the arrogance. I was raised differently than they were. All me life, I was told to downplay me abilities; to be humble about it. That I wasn’t anything special just ‘cause I could lift more than someone else. Now I know they told me that mostly to keep me hidden, but the lessons are still there. And having been a servant, I know what it’s like to get your hands dirty and do an honest day’s work. I hope after several centuries, I don’t forget that. I’ll have to be sure to split a cord of wood periodically to remind meself.

List up to ten quirks Garrett has.

1. He enjoys teasing his mother. She’s just so much fun to irritate. He jumps out of the loft because it bugs her. He swipes food while she’s cooking because it bugs her. It never gets to the point of meanness, but he is an incorrigible tease.

2. He talks too much. It’s a family joke that once you get Garrett going, you can’t shut him up. Sometimes he tells people more than he should, particularly about himself. He can’t seem to keep his own secrets, although he is good at keeping other people’s, especially if they make it clear that something is a secret.

3. He talks to horses as if they were people. The other grooms tease him about this, often reminding him that the horses can’t talk back. His usual response is a sly grin and “Are you sure?”

4. Garrett has to work to control his reactions in emotional situations. In many ways, he’s his father’s son, but he’s also his mother’s, and is prone to quick emotional reactions. Over the years, Donovan has taught him how to control it. The signs that he’s struggling are a deep breath (or several, depending on the severity of the situation) and either closed eyes or an intense focused stare. He failed at it when he spoke with Lilly the first time, but did better when he talked to Folly, probably because he had more time to prepare.

5. He destroys spider webs, even though he’s not afraid of spiders. It’s more a power over a childhood fear. The habit stems from a recurring dream he used to have about being stuck in a glowing spider web. When he awoke screaming, his mother would sometimes have him rip one apart to prove to himself that he was stronger than the web. Nowadays, he does it less forcefully, usually just running a finger through it as he’s walking by. Most of the time, he doesn’t even notice he’s doing it.

6. Garrett is always hungry. His appetite is naturally large, and there is not always enough to eat in the servants’ quarters, especially since the Sundering. “Are you gonna eat that?” is a common refrain in Garrett’s household. He has no qualms about eating off other people’s plates, but he always asks first. At least, he does if they’re still there.

7. Garrett usually runs or jogs everywhere. As a child, he was one of those boys that had two speeds - full out and sleep. Fortunately, he has a horse that likes to run as much as he does, so his need for speed is satisfied quite often.

8. He likes to climb. Trees, rocks, the outer bailey - anything. In fact, the time he badly broke his arm as a child was a climbing accident, not a horse accident as some might expect. He and his friends were climbing on the mountain without ropes (they never used ropes). He climbed too high and one of his handholds crumbled. When he fell, he shattered his left elbow and broke his arm in several places.

9. Garrett can swim, but can’t dive. He never learned. The swimming hole frequented by the children of the Quarters was only, at most, seven feet deep - too shallow for diving. The older kids taught the younger kids how to swim, so while Garrett is a strong swimmer, he’s not a graceful one. If he had been in Xanadu with Martin and Folly and had known his relationship to Random, he would’ve jumped off the balcony, too - cannonball-style.

10. Unlike many servants, Garrett can read, but his spelling and handwriting are horrible.

Follow up: the trackback URL for this entry is: http://www.whiterose.org/MT/mt-tb.cgi/4178

1 Comments

Olof
Sep 1, 2004 5:05 PM

Nice work, Brenda!

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