DZ: <grins> Life is good, despite the fact that I've been lacking in freetime of late. And please, you don't have to call me Mr. Zayas- it's just a bit too formal for my tastes, Ms. Firebrand.

NF: If you say so, Mr. Zayas. <smiles> So, if I may ask, what's been keeping you occupied?

DZ: School mostly. That, and a minor case of writer's block. Oh, and Star Ocean 2...

NF: Writer's block? Nothing too serious, I hope.

DZ: Nah, we're not talking JF4 [Junior Force 4] proportions here. Just your typical case of 'I know what I want to write about, but dammit, I'm not sure how to say it' syndrome.

NF: Sounds complicated.

DZ: That's an actual disorder. Look it up if you don't believe me. <grins>

* Damani's actually a pretty calm guy, or at least he is now. I've heard that he can be pretty high-strung at times, but it seems like I've caught him on one of his better days. He's being very open and is cracking jokes- I imagine that this will be an interesting experience. *

NF: What exactly are your long-term plans for your two PC's [Mani and Natalie]? Be as vague as you like, but keep in mind that it annoys me.

DZ: <laughs> Well, seeing as you're sitting right here, I don't want to give -too- much away... in Realmwalkers, more of your past will be coming to light during the course of the War of the Realms. You'll run into a few old acquaintances, many of which aren't too happy to see you...

NF: Oh joy...

DZ: ...while in Nu, Mani's future is a bit uncertain. After the madness in Evergreen, I'm not sure what direction I'll take him in. We'll have to wait and see.

NF: As long as he doesn't end up in one of my chapters again... <grins>

* Damani laughs as he reaches over and takes a sip from his glass on the table. He appears to be quite amused, yet a little embarrassed. *

DZ: Let me apologize about what happened. I just expected ol' Mani to have a cameo here and there- I didn't expect him to take over the spotlight like he did [in Natalie 5]. Rest assured that he'll be out of your hair pretty soon.

NF: He can stay on Haven. Just not in my chapters. <evil grin>

DZ: I can't be held responsible for his actions. He just kind of does his own thing.

NF: ...and while we're on the subject, there's a lot of speculation floating around that you and said ninja are, perhaps, one-in-the-same...?

* Damani raises a brow, but continues to hold that ever-present grin. I don't think anything could wipe that expression off of his face. *

DZ: I'll put those rumors to rest now. Mani and myself are two different people. Oh sure, we may look alike to a degree, but I can assure you that we are two totally different entities...

* As he speaks, he reaches back into his wallet, and begins thumbing through a number of pictures. After a brief pause, his face lights up, and he hands me one of the photos... *

 

Staff Photo

DZ: That's my Nu-crew. Eric Dulcimer and Lily to the left, and Mani on the right. And of course, that's me on the front row. There aren't too many pictures floating around with the both of us, but I can assure you that we're different people.

NF: Awww... I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Dulcimer yet. I spoke to Lily briefly, and she was really nice to me. How in the world did she hook up with -that- guy? <smirk>

DZ: Eric lurks around here sometimes- he kind of keeps to himself, so he's hard to find at times. As for Lily and Mani... well, you know what they say; opposites attract. That, and Ninjas make the best lovers, I've heard.

* We both laugh for a moment, but I soon shoot him one of my patented mischievous glances- he tries to keep his composure, but even through the smile, I can see that I've made him a bit nervous. Good. *

NF: So Damani, while we're on the subject of attractions and the like...

DZ: Uh oh...

NF: ...don't wuss out on me now <grin>. I'm sure there are people out there that would like to know what kind of woman are you looking for. Who exactly floats your boat, and why?

* He actually blushed when I asked him that. He's grinning like a jack-o-lantern on speed now, which is causing me to laugh with him. *

DZ: Whoo boy, where should I begin...?

* He looks at me for some kind of support, but I merely cross my legs, sit up straight, smile, and wait. *

NF: I'll go easy on you. Let's start with personality.

DZ: Personality is good. I like for a woman to have one.

* At my prompting for more information by the mere raising of a brow, he takes another deep breath, grins, and continues *

DZ: Laid back, but at the same time, focused. Someone that has ambitions and goals in life, but also does not mind kicking back and relaxing from time to time. I also like a sense of independence and strength- the stereotypical woman that screams and falls to the ground when the monster comes annoys me. I like the woman that gets off the ground, finds a chair, and whacks Jason over the head with it.

NF: So you like violent women?

DZ: <laughs> Not quite. Just a woman that's willing to stand up for herself. Someone that doesn't think they have to be weak, but at the same time, someone that doesn't scream about being an independent woman and roars at me every time I try to hold a door open for her. Let me be a gentleman, dammit! I actually read an article about a guy that offered his seat to a woman on a crowded subway car, and how she yelled at him for doing it...

NF: No!

DZ: I kid thee not! Ladies, I offer you a bit of advice- if you find a gentleman, someone that treats you like a goddess just because, my goodness, keep him. Don't break up with him because you thought he was 'too nice'. We're part of a dying breed- your more militant sisters have forced us underground.

NF: Hell, I like a guy that'll pay for dinner.

DZ: I like paying for dinner. Usually... <grins>.

NF: Now, let's move on and get physical...

DZ: Right here?

NF: Nah, you're not my type. Too nice.

* There is a moment of laughter between the two of us, while Damani shoots me a jokingly angry look. *

NF: I was referring to what you look for physically in a woman.

DZ: I love all women.

NF: I'm sure you do, but I also imagine that you have some preferences. Be honest.

DZ: Aw crap... that 'H'-word...

NF: I mean if you don't want to tell me, I can just go and ask a few of your friends... hey lookie-here, this looks like Neil's phone number... <evil grin>

DZ: <laughs> That won't be necessary!

* I smile, cross my legs, and sit up straight as before, awaiting his response. *

DZ: Beautiful women with long, dark hair are usually pretty quick to catch my attention. Most of the women I've dated have all been fairly short too, so I guess it's something I've gotten used to. Not to say that I wouldn't hook up with a taller woman if given the opportunity, but keep in mind that I'm just 5'7"- anyone over six feet is probably going to make me a bit nervous <grins>. I also like a woman with eyes and a smile that can light up a room- a combination of the two is usually more than enough to get me grinning like an idiot. I've always been a sucker for cuteness- for example, in a Chemistry lab a few semesters back, while I was talking to a particularly attractive classmate, she smiled and joking wondered why I blushed so much, which, of course, got me doing it again. It was a vicious cycle, but an enjoyable one, I'll have to admit.

NF: You actually blushed? That doesn't sound very manly. <laughs>

DZ: You should have seen this girl. <smiles>

NF: What else do you look for in a woman?

DZ: Charisma, a sense of humor, a sense of style to offset my total lack thereof, and beauty of character- a compassionate, nurturing nature, not a wicked user of people that feels that she has to tear down everyone and everything around her for whatever reason. Style, humor, and a good nature- oh, and pretty feet.

NF: <laughs> Did you just say pretty feet?

* Damani nods vigorously and laughs *

DZ: Absolutely! Cute feet are sexy! It just shows me that the woman really keeps up with herself if she's concerned with minute details like that... you're laughing at me, aren't you... <grins>

NF: <laughs> I just never realized guys paid that much attention to... my feet...

* I actually have to stop the interview for a moment to regain my composure. It's really not good form for the interviewer to be red in the face from laughing. To buy me some more time while I attempt to get a grip on myself, I start thumbing through my notepad. I suddenly come across some notes from when I was researching the interview, and smile. It must have been a pretty evil grin, because when I look back up, Damani appears worried. *

DZ: Uh oh... it's that grin again...

NF: So Damani, I hear that you've got a thing for Asian women. Care to elaborate?

* Maybe I should have waited until after he finished taking a sip of water before asking that, because he just about choked. *

DZ: <laughs> So I see you already talked to Neil.

NF: Research, my good man. Nothing but research.

DZ: He made me sound like an obsessed freak, didn't he?

NF: I believe his exact quote to describe your fascination was 'obscene fetish'.

* At that moment, he nods and gets a truly wicked grin on his face as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a cellular phone. He hits the autodial and says a quick 'Excuse me for a moment' to me before starting to speak to the person on the other end. *

DZ: Yo, Mani, it's D... not much man, you still hanging in there?... Cool, listen, I've got a quick favor to ask of ya' if you're not too busy... yeah, could you find Neil and hurt him a little? Nothing severe or anything, just slap him around some... yeah, he's making Asian jokes about me again...<pause> WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE'S GOT A POINT?!!

* A heated debate ensues. Insults are hurled. Threats are made. A few minutes later, Damani puts the phone away and smiles at me *

DZ: Where were we?

NF: We were discussing your obsession.

DZ: It is not an obsession. I suppose I've always had a thing for the Asian culture in general...

NF: ... including their women? <grin>

* He gives me this look that seems to scream "Cut that out, or I'll make you a lesbian in your next chapter", but in the end, I can see a faint trace of a smile on his face. *

DZ: It's nothing exclusive, I just like exotic women. It's not that I find them exclusively more beautiful than any other woman, but I have to admit that I find them to be quite attractive. Hispanic women are also pretty high on my list of Sexy Goddesses, but Asian women have always intrigued me for whatever reason. It's kind of weird.

NF: So describe the perfect woman for you.

DZ: <laughs> No way. That's one hole I won't be digging for myself.

* I realize that my time is running out, so I decide to let him off of the hook. I have to admit that I found interviewing Damani to be quite, well, entertaining at the very least. It was nice getting to know him a little better, and because of it, I'm starting to see where I get a lot of my own personality quirks. At a glance, he really doesn't seem like he'd have so much to talk about- of course, I've also been told that still waters run the deepest, so I shouldn't be so surprised. *

NF: Do you have any words of advice to your fans and readers out there?

DZ: I have fans?

NF: Oh never mind...