I really need to try and keep up-to-date more!

Well, I guess that hospital job still takes up a lot of my day.
Going around the hospital wards, running the taps for two minutes each to flush the system through sounds easy enough - actually, the job is easy! Perhaps a little too easy for an intellectual like me who likes to be able to use his brain a bit...
Still, it's a job. I just didn't expect it to extend from three weeks to three months!

I'm still booked with Royal Mail to sort mail during December, though - I'm sure I'll be glad of a change of scene, at that. I quite enjoyed mail-sorting last year when I did it. There's a bit of challenge to it, I guess.

I really hope that things will look better on the job-front in the future. Running taps for a living isn't really ideal for a digital artist-animator.


Talking of that, I am trying to make progress with various projects.
"Hydrex Adventure" is still coming along - slowly, but surely.
I've got a number of MSN doodles and pencil-drawings that I'd like to colour in Photoshop... or retrace in Flash.
And I've also been experimenting with a program called MuseScore in order to try and make some "original" (or in any case, "inspired-by") theme-tunes for some of my prominant cast members - like, for example, in "Hydrex Adventure", there needs to be a theme for Hydrex & Pearl and for Krakatoa the Kraken!
Well, we'll see what happens...

And now for something completely different!

A long list of questions that posed to my cast... this is liable to take a while, being Drew!

Now onto the questions:
~~~~First the Dan-Clan, including Jenny~~~~

*Danbuster, Frederick and Spencer, and his girlfriend Jenny the rat-nurse, are surprised to find themselves confronted by a camera-crew headed by a fat raccoon in glasses. This is Alex Raccoon, and it appears that he wants to interview them!*

1) Hey how are you doing?
Danbuster: About 120 over 80, blood pressure!
Frederick: He didn't mean like that, but aye... health comes into the question...
Spencer: Yeah, an' I reckon it's "good" for all of us...
Jenny: Yes, we are well. And for me, life is busy. At least I've got a day off from pharmacy today!

2) Have you all had any cool adventures lately?
Danbuster: Well, we went shopping on Monday...
Frederick: Oh yeah, and we were working on a cartoon over the weekend!
Spencer: Well, it's not like we have adventures everyday... the epic sort. But I did have this morning out with Jenny.
Jenny: And before you make any perverted slanders, it was completely innocent. We went out to the local countryside to enjoy nature.

3) Just a re-cap, what kind of weapons/skills do you use?
Danbuster: Well, I have a fencing sabre that I'm an expert in the use of... I'm also a great shot with a rifle, a longbow or a handgun. Also, I can manipulate cartoon physics with my sporran! Let's see, I also make puns a lot and enjoy creating cartoons.
Frederick: Me, I use natural defences - as you know, I'm very strong and I have teeth and claws! Also, I'm ambidextrous and can wield twin flick-knives. I'm also th' artist be'ind Danbuster's crazy ideas!
Spencer: I'm not really a fighter at all. I have a Swiss Army Knife for defence and utility purposes, but I would also use my tail as a whip if I felt really threatened - or I'd run away, if it wasn't for the fact that I can't leave my friends... guess loyalty is one of my strengths - or curses. I'm also a computer whizz-kid and enjoy the animating and programming side of things...
Jenny: And my only skill is being a healer - a qualified nurse in the pharmacy department. Though lately I am widening my horizons too, working in other areas.

4) Whats the worse opponent you'd have to face?
Danbuster: Probably Retsubnad... and I don't say that because he really is a terrible villain - of late, my influence has turned him too "nice" to be truly evil - it's the fact that he's my brother that makes it so painful for me that we have to sometime fight each other.
Frederick: That's true enough, I guess... but then we don't usually face any big opponants every day. Nothing that we can't handle, anyway.
Spencer: Mind you, there are those Mujina characters of yours, Alex... because our artist seems to like villains that have some "endearing quality" like something to make them funny or admirable in some way, we don't usually face anyone like the Mujina - and them only in his crazy RPs on MSN. They guys are rotten, though... can't think of anything our artist likes about them! They always seem to pick unnecessarily petty quarrels with us, which makes them our most hated enemies yet...
Jenny: The only opponants I've faced are the microscopic sort - illnesses.

5) Would you participate in the Olympic games for the winter? (Yes Mario and Sonic for the Winter games came to mind)
Danbuster: Not in person, that's for sure... don't like cold weather!
Spencer: Me neither...
Frederick: Though I'm sure we'd be more than happy to get "Mario & Sonic Winter Olympics", once our artist gets a Nintendo Wii... though that'll probably have to wait until he can also work something out for upgrading his old clunker for a nice new laptop-PC, with Windows 7...
Jenny: I wouldn't mind playing with you guys - on days off, of course.

6) Isnt it getting quite cold up there?
Danbuster: Naturally... it's winter!
Frederick: Ah, British climate... it varies - sometimes it's warm...
Spencer: Or not so warm...
Jenny: But at least the hospital is central-heated.

7) I hope you and your friends have a nice day and a long life (I know not exactly a question but oh well )
Danbuster: Why, thank you!
Frederick: Much appreciated, matey!
Spencer: Thanks a lot!
Jenny: Ta, ever so!


~~~~To the RocBeaks~~~~

*The scene shifts. We are now at the eyrie of the RocBeak eagles - and Marquila, Galeforce and their daughter Strongtal are fortunately all at home!
They seem pleased to welcome the camera crew as guests, as they stand on the cliff opposite where their nest is. Marquila is still wearing his leather flying-helmet and scarf; Galeforce, her orange shawl; and Strongtal, her violet bonnet*

1) Hello, how is everyone doing?
Marquila: Ach, we're a' in the best o' health, laddie!

2) How did you get your names?
Marquila: Well, I'm a warrior eagle, so my name means pretty much the same... Mar-quila!
Galeforce: My common name is Galeforce, but that's based on my true name of Procella - as in "gale" or "tempest"
Strongtal: Hi! I'm Strongtal - is short for "strong talon", 'cos Pater called me "Durungula". I has strong feet!

3) Have you had any adventures or missions?
Marquila: It's a' part o' the job, laddie! A' part o' the job!
Galeforce: And Ah help oot when he wants me!
Strongtal: Me too!

4) Does Durungula go off often without thinking?
Strongtal: Wossat?
Marquila: Not as often as she used to!
Galeforce: Ach, she's a good girl really!

5) How does Eagle to Opponent Air combat go? What are the rules of that?
Marquila: Whit?
Galeforce: Are ye sayin' rules o' combat in the skies or somethin'...?
Strongtal: Didn't know combat had rules...

6) What kind of songs do you like to listen to?
Marquila: Och, anything strong an' powerful, laddie!
Galeforce: Something soaring and uplifting...
Strongtal: I like what Mater and Pater like!

7) Any fears or mission going bad?
Marquila: Ach, awa' wi' ye! Ye worry too much!
Galeforce: Jus' dinnae get reckless, Marquie! Ah'd hate fer anythin' to happen to ye...
Strongtal: Hah hah! Mah Pater's strong! He'll always win!
Marquila: Spoken like a true child o' the Lightnin'-RocBeaks! No' a whit o' fear!

8) Aside from eagles, who else is there as far as flying animals?
Marquila: In the RAF? Weel, the noo... careless talk costs lives, y'ken!
Galeforce: Aye, but we can safely say that there's birds of a' sorts in the RAF - as for Hawkcrag, that community is home to a' kinds o' hawkbird, from kestrels an' falcons to eagles an' buzzards!
Strongtal: Do gryphons exist these days?

9) What do you all like to do on your spare time?
Marquila: Och, fly aroon'... see the world... hang oot together...
Galeforce: Aye, family pursuits!
Strongtal: I love Mater an' Pater!

10) Whats your fav food to eat really?
Marquila: Well, any meat tha's guid... Ah'm no' fussy!
Galeforce: Marquila speaks fer us a'...
Strongtal: Me too!


~~~~Rudderbucks~~~~

*Now we join a young Sonic-inspired otter-couple, relaxing outside their riverside cabin in the forest of the Mystic Ruins. The male is a tough-looking fellow in red swimshorts and fingerless gloves, and he has his arm around his wife, who wears a white bathing-suit - in addition, her pearl engagement ring and both their wedding rings are very much in evidence on their left paws*

1) Heya, hows your day? I bet the water is nice and cool!
Hydrex: Hi there, matey!
Pearl: Hello! Oh yeah, the water's cool alright...
Hydrex: At this time of year, it's really cool!
Pearl: Winter's settin' in...

2) What kind of fish do you enjoy hunting?
Hydrex: Anything that's edible!
Pearl: But big enough to feed us, of course...
Hydrex: We do like lobster salad, though.

3) Is it tricky to navigate through the water?
Hydrex: What? Navigation tricky? For otters?!
Pearl: You dare to question our natural abilities?!
Hydrex: I think we'll treat that question with the contempt it deserves!

4) How did you own the Roaring Rapid?
Hydrex: At last, a sensible question! Well, actually, after I passed my driving test...
Pearl: After several attempts!
Hydrex: Yeah, alright... me Dad helped me towards buyin' a boat o' me own. That was his "graduation present" for me, y'might say.

5) Any plans of upgrading it?
Hydrex: Ah, well... Tails already did that!
Pearl: Yeah, speed boosters and... one or two other things that we can't reveal here - otherwise we'd spoil the surprise for our upcoming Flash cartoon!

6) Did you ever had a customer who gotten sea-sick on that ship?
Hydrex: Haharr, all the time! These landlubbers - they got no sea-legs!
Pearl: Could also be your frivilous driving, o' course, even if you are "safe" in the operative sense o' the word!

7) I bet you two keep your fur clean huh?
Hydrex: Well, we do swim a lot, yeah...
Pearl: And showering in the morning and evening - naturally, we keep ourselves clean!

8) I heard that Pearl doesnt use that fancy-smancy cosmetics and makeup, but does she dress up for those special moments?
Pearl: Ah, I don't believe in makeup and stuff - no need to put on airs-an'-graces to look like something yer not...
Hydrex: Like a dog's dinner!
Pearl: Exactly - but yeah, I do have a decent wardrobe of nice clothes, anyway!

9) What about weapons for self defence?
Hydrex: Teeths, fists, natural strength, tail... what else could a strapping young otter-lad want - although the Roaring Rapid has things like torpedoes and such, just for self-defence.
Pearl: Yeah, and I do pack a punch with me handbag!

10) Hows Krakatoa been doing? I havent seen him in awhile..
Hydrex: Well, he does live under the sea, matey... but if you want to see him... *he whacks the water of the nearby river with his tail, causing a shock-wave across the surface* KRAAAAAAKATOAAAAA!!
*after some pause, the young Kraken breaks the surface in an explosion of tentacles and sea-spray - he blinks at Hydrex and looks around in surprise at the interview camera-crew, who back away nervously*
Pearl: How are ye doin', matey?
*Krakatoa grunts and nods his head several times, smiling with his large orange eyes and making a "thumbs-up" sign with one of his feelers*

11) Does Krakatoa do anything else special?
Hydrex: Well, for a Kraken, I consider it special that he's so obedient and - generally - well-behaved... granted, he damages the odd ship now and then when I'm not around to correct him, but he's only being playful! He always makes sure that any crew-member he knocks overboard is put back in one piece!
Pearl: Now if a gentle (if mischievous) personality isn't special in a Kraken... what is?
*Krakatoa interjects with a deep-throated bark like a walrus and pantomimes a sentence with his many arms - pointing to himself, drawing wavy lines in the air, pointing downwards, mimicking the opening and closing of a mouth, waving a tentacle in denial*
Hydrex: Oh, yeah - sign-language! That's one thing he does... as he was just saying, he lives underwater so he can't talk. He communicates with sign-language!

12) Just how smart is Krakatoa?
Pearl: I reckon he just answered that question for us already!
Hydrex: I'll also point out that he's smart enough to remember friend from foe - got a brain like an octopus, this fellow!


~~~~Retsy and Wally~~~~

*We now cautiously enter the forbidding doorway of a secluded mountaintop castle of ominous, but sumptuous, appearance. It is the residence of Retsubnad Leadboot, Danbuster's dark wizard twin-brother. We find the green-robed hare in his private bed-chamber, being served his early morning tea by his faithful sycophantic sidekick, Wally Babbleton, a weedy little weasel in a brown jacket. The first he is aware of the interviewing crew's presence is when Alex Raccoon speaks...*

1) Hello, hows your day?
Retsubnad: Hmm? How'd you get in here?! Is nothing sacred... even a wizard's private chambers?
Wally: Quite right, quite right!
Retsubnad: Well, if you must know - same as ever.
Wally: Yes, we're in general good health, indeed...
Retsubnad: Oh, shut it!
Wally: Sorry, Master.

2) Since you're a master of magic (and mischief) whats your favourite spell to use?
Retsubnad: Probably... incendia spiculum! *casts Flame-Spear, blasting a column of flame through the air that narrowly misses the crew*
Wally: Very good, Master!
Retsubnad: Well, that's just a sample - I don't know if I have any favourites but it is fun to throw Flame-Spears about!

3) What was the hardest spell to learn?
Retsubnad: Ah, that's a good one... probably the higher-end Light-spells, like Healing and some of those spells for taking malignant curses off of people... never know when things like that come in handy. Also, I'm still trying to perfect deus ex machina, which is like an amalgamation of all elements in one spell to cause several "natural disasters" to strike in a certain place - like the location of an enemy army or something. At the moment, I can only get light rain showers, galeforce winds and minor fire-hail storms out of it...
Wally: *pokes Retsy enthusiastically* Don't worry, Master! You'll get it in the end!
Retsubnad: *rubbing his backside* Not that end, I hope...

4) What is your first spell you'd learn?
Retsubnad: Oh, I don't remember that! It would have been something basic, though - like leviatating a pencil or making a small flame appear at my thumb-tip... *flicks thumb - like a lighter, a flame pops up*

5) Doesn't Wally ever try to cast a spell himself? Like a simple healing spell?
Wally: Master doesn't let me practice magic - he says I'm too impulsive.
Retsubnad: Not that I don't trust my most faithful servent, but he's right. He also doesn't have the natural gift.

6) Do you sometimes feel alone in your abode?
Retsubnad: I prefer my own company. After previous experience with the world in general, I'm the only person I can trust - well, apart from Danbuster and his friends, of course... at least they're all right. I sometimes even let them visit - just friendly visits, of course! If it's one of those "stop me from conquering the world" things, I have to repel all borders - that's all part of the game, of course!

7) How much do you pay per rent? I bet it's expensive to live in your castle huh?
Retsubnad: I own the castle! I just found it abandoned... and it had everything I needed - living space, security, solitude, storage space for books and things - all I had to do was devote a few weeks hard spellcasting to renovating the place! I like things tidy, you know.
Wally: Believe it, readers! Master is speaking the truth!

8) Do you have monsters in your castle?
Retsubnad: Only if they've moved in without my knowledge!

9) Whats your thoughts on Rita the vampire?
Retsubnad: That character of yours? A vampire bat? Well, she's an interesting character. Why should that be any concern to me though?

10) Would it be cool if you had a "familiar" creature to aid you in your spells?
Retsubnad: A what?
Wally: I think that's something to do with a wizard's "pet", Master?
Retsubnad: Is it? Well, I suspected it was something occult... well, no - I don't do anything occult like raising spirits or zombies or whatever. Pure elemental magic for me - it's more practical for my purposes.
Wally: Quite right, Master, quite right!


~~~~Vladimir~~~~

*The scene shifts. We see a Russian vampire-bat solicitor in a dark suit with huge blue-rimmed blood-red eyes, sitting at his desk in his darkened office, scrutinising a client's personal files. His expression never changes from anything other than an inscrutable impassive stare*

1) Hello, hows your day?
Vladimir: Hmm? Look, I am a terribly busy bat. I don't haff a lot of time for d'e talkingk.

2) Can I ask why you became a lawyer/solicitor?
Vladimir: I vos interested in law.

3) Was there any cases that went by like a breeze?
Vladimir: Vot iss d'is "vent by like a breeze"?

4) What was the hardest case you dealt with?
Vladimir: I never divulge the private information of my clients.

5) Do you feel like people judge you by your apperance?
Vladimir: It happens all d'e time, but I learn to live vid it.

6) If you're not in the courtroom, where would you be?
Vladimir: Hanging around my office, most likely.

7) Do you have any other pasttimes?
Vladimir: Reading.

8) Do you have any casual clothes?
Vladimir: No.

9) Is it true you drink blood? Or are you more of a tomato juice drinker?
Vladimir: Yez, iss true - I am indeed vegetarian.

10) Since Halloween is coming up, what are your plans?
Vladimir: I haff no plans.


~~~and finally Winstanuki~~~~

*The scene changes one last time, and we enter the office of Mr Winstanuki Typhoo葉 (yè, leaf) Esq - a fat tea-coloured naturalised-British tanuki in a smart navy-blue jacket, wearing a monacle and spats*

1) Heya, how's your day?
Winstanuki: You came to ask... aoh, I see. It's an interview. Well, you were let in without an appointment, but Ay'll let you orf, wot? And yes, Ay'm fayne!

2) After reviewing your bio, you seem to come from a wealthy family, right?
Winstanuki: That's true. The business in Britain was founded bay may grandfather, doncha know - it's been successful ever since. Even survaved the recent recession - but only because we don't take out huge loans of money!

3) Any particular favourite blend of tea?
Winstanuki: Personally, Ay favour the Earl Grey!

4) Do you know any self defense?
Winstanuki: Ay'm handy with me umbrella, anyway... in may business, a chap doesn't need to be going around fayting all the tame!

5) I take it you like playing Monopoly right?
Winstanuki: Sometames.

6) What do you like eating?
Winstanuki: Ay say, bit of a parsonal question, wot?

7) Can you shapeshift?
Winstanuki: Why, of course! Ay'm a tanuki, after all... and with all the tea, leaves are readily in supply to aid transformations.

8) How did you get that bowler hat anyway? Looks nice on you
Winstanuki: Got it from the hat shop, lake anyone would! No special stories behaynd that!

9) How do you travel to place to place?
Winstanuki: Sometames, on business.

10) Where can I get some of your finest teas? Preferably anti-stress types please?
Winstanuki: Oh, they're available in any respectable shop.


And thats about it, if your chars have any questions, feel free to ask! ^^
~Drew

Danbuster: Whew - that's a lot of questions! Why so many questions?
Retsubnad: Why so many personal ones at that?
Hydrex: He worries about us a lot! Does he ever worry about his own characters? He's got about enough of them...
Marquila: Ach, he's a good fellow - still, it's draining to have tae answer so many questions that ye'd ne'er even think aboot answers to!

And, I don't think I have anything further to add - so in the words of Marquila... Pax vobiscum! Salutae!! (Peace be with you!)