A Peek at Perfection

[Jessica Pruitte]

staff photo

I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Henry Ballo
Henry! Hi! Thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed. This is going to be epic! Okay. So first question:

What's your favorite thing about being Meta?

I am not very fond of being a meta, but I do, periodically, enjoy flying. And perhaps...perhaps the people at Hammel.

Really? You don't like being Meta? I think it's great. Do you think hotness is a direct side effect of metaness?

Excuse me? I do not understand how attractiveness has anything to do with having...meta-abilities.

Oh c'mon. You've had to have noticed it's like living at at a movie studio around here. Besides you're so in shape and great looking yourself! I mean look at those arms! What's your workout routine?

Uh. I sprint up the hills ten times and run two miles, and then pushups and sit ups--excuse me, how is this relevant?

It's totes relevant. The readers want to get to know us. Want to know what we're like. What we do is part of what we're like, ya know? So anyway. Great routine. Any favorite running places?

...I like the pond. And the lake. Although I do run less these days. Earlier, did you say I was good-looking? Is this also what your readers would like to know?

Why do you run less? Did some guy or gal pull your attention away from the fitness?

I am working--was working two jobs, and yes, I am currently seeing someone. Can we move to the next question please?I feel this is inappropriate.

Who is she?

I don't see how this is any of your business.

Not me. The paper. The people want to know. What makes Henry tick. What's his ideal?

Ideal what?

Ideal girl. What does Henry look for in a match?

Is there supposed to be an ideal girl? I suppose...someone intelligent, but really, I do not think anyone should be measured against some kind of ideal.

So no real ideal? What attracted you to her? Her to you? Besides those arms. Because wow.

Are you being serious--? How should I know? I never asked her. She was very kind. Can we stop commenting on my personal appearance?

Sure, sure. Any hidden piercings?

What? No!

What's your idea of a perfect date?

Perhaps a movie? A nice dinner? I enjoy walks--how is this important to a meta lifestyle? And is there a point where you will stop asking me about my personal matters?

The interview is a personal highlight of you. I gotta ask these things. You're meta. We're trying to show that Meta are just like everyone else. Only with extra bits. So: What's the deepest secret you're willing to admit?

I feel that this question is counterproductive. Next one, please.

C'mon. Just one little secret?
I try to avoid thinking of deep secrets. Even little ones. Next please.

Actually that's it. That's all I have. Do you have anything you want to say or add?

No thank you. I think that should be all. Good bye.

Bye! Thanks for your kinda-cooperation!


__________________________

For Lugonzbi

So Henry was an original concept, right? What was your inspiration for creating him?
--I came up with Henry a long time ago to develop him more as a villain for a novel. I wanted someone as scary as possible, but he turned out to be more intricate than I'd expected, and I started playing him more and more. He's actually one of my oldest characters!

What are some of your favorite relationships to write out with Character?
-- I love hate relationships with Henry, mostly because he's so bitingly sarcastic, and I love that.

What have been some of your favorite threads?
--And We’ll All Float On…
It Shines Through Somehow
No. Just…no
Minature Disasters

Do you have any goals or plans you would like to share?
-- I would like, eventually, for Henry to become a reasonable person who doesn't yell at everyone he sees and eventually resolves some of his issues with male authority figures. I recognize that it's a stretch, but I have hopes. I also would like him to kiss his girlfriend at some point.

How is Henry similar or different from your other characters?
-- Henry is similar to my other characters in his general reticence not to talk about himself, and the fact that he secretly just wants to help people out. He also has a problem with authority figures, which is surprisingly common in my characters. He's different in his sarcasm, general rudeness, and willing to insult everyone he sees.

You have a character request for his blood brother, right? Would you like to tell us a little about that?
-- I put up the request for Henry's blood brother--which I should probably change the name of, really--because I wanted someone to show Henry's other side. The somewhat decent and much less rude side, where Henry actually has fun for once. Someone he can be himself with without having to pretend he's actually a tough guy.

Thank you very much for answering! And to all our readers, don't forget to check out Henry's bio here and of course take a look at Lugia’s Plot Page if you want to thread with Henry!