March Character Studies

Morgan Dusky at Studies in Character, a wonderful blog written almost entirely by the author’s fictitious characters, hosts a monthly character study. You can find out more about it here. This month’s theme is Introductions.
And yes. I do realize that it’s April. I’ve been having a crazy week … actually, I’ve been having several crazy weeks … and there’s a lot of stuff I need to catch up on, this included!

Today I’ll be interviewing Miss Christina Chattoway, Alice’s aunt from The Dressmaker’s Secret. I’ll be using the questions from both part 1 and part 2, as I might never get around to doing part 2 if I don’t do it now.

Now, for the questions! 🙂

What’s your name?  Do you have a nickname?  Is there any meaning behind your name or your nickname?
My name is Christina Chattoway. My friends and family call me Christy most of the time; Mama calls – called – me her ‘rosebud.’ I loved that nickname.
How old do you look?  Is that your real age?  How old are you, actually?
I’m always being told I look younger than I am; I’m twenty-four. Recently, I’ve been told I look about eighteen.
What’s your gender?
Female! Goodness, couldn’t you tell by my name? Who names boys “Christina”?
What’s your eye color?  How easy is to tell your eye color from a distance?
I have brown eyes. I think it’s pretty easy to tell my eye color from a distance. After all, they’re just brown. Rather dull, I know. They’re not specially dark or light; just normal brown eyes. Like mud. I don’t like my eyes. But who’s looking at me at all, even from a distance?
What’s your ethnicity?  Does anybody ever get it wrong?
I’m English, naturally. I was born and raised in Yorkshire, but I’ve lived in London since I was sixteen. Nobody ever gets it wrong as I never go out of country. And even if I did, I imagine they could tell. I have a nice, English school-girl look about me.
What’s your build?  How tall are you?  Are you strong?
My build is small and shapeless. And I mean it! I’m inches taller than Claire, my big sister, who stands about five foot seven inches. Maybe more like eight. And, no. I don’t think I’m strong. Why would a lady need to be strong?
What’s your foremost physical trait—the first thing someone will notice about your appearance?
My plainness? Well, really, I’m not plain. But Claire is gorgeous, and no one notices me next to her. So … let’s just say people wouldn’t really notice me in the first place.
What’s your favorite outfit, or what do you wear the most?  Why is that your favorite?
Bright clothes! They make me look and feel happy! I particularly like pink. Or maybe blue. Or maybe purple. Oh, but green is a pretty color, too! Ooh, peach-colored … who can resist peach-colored? As far as cut, I prefer stylish but simple. Unlike Claire, I don’t care to wear those ridiculous bustles (what are they for?), and I don’t know why people invented them in the first place!
 How do you usually introduce yourself to new people?
Walk up to them and say “Hello, I’m Christina Chattoway; who are you?” It’s a dreadful habit of mine which I’m trying to break. I’m too informal, and I have a bad habit of forgetting etiquette. And of gossiping. Though what would the world be without a little gossip? Dull as dishwater, that’s what!
What would you do if you were a pirate?
I don’t know if I could manage that! But I’d certainly like to try. I don’t think I’d be able to kill people, though. Or even make them walk the plank. And I know I’d be a terrible hand at swabbing.
How do you usually enter a room?
Behind Claire. If I enter a room, I try to make a dramatic entrance, of course. I’ve got to do something to make myself noticeable. If being immature and show-offish is the only way, well, that I must be. Not that anyone notices anyway.
How would you describe yourself in one word?
Vivacious? No, that isn’t quite fair. Ridiculous, maybe? Yes, I suppose that one works. Or maybe just “babyish.”
Three words?
Can we count of and the as one word? Thanks! “Baby of the Family.” I think that describes me pretty well. Yes, I get pampered, but I’m never allowed to do anything for myself and no one really trusts me. For instance, I’ve asked and asked for Claire to confide in me, but she won’t. I don’t think she ever will. And it hurts.
What kind of first-impression do you usually make?  Do you think it’s a good first-impression?
They probably think of me as a mindless, silly gossip. And, no, it’s not a good impression, though likely a million girls make it.
What kind of first-impression do you want to make?
I want people to value me for who I am. I’m no wit – I never was very intelligent, actually; that I’ll freely admit – and I’m not beautiful. I can’t even be perceived as such when always compared with my sister. But I know I have some stellar quality, and if people would only take a second glance, they’d see it! I hope.
How would your best friend describe you?
I don’t think I’ve ever had a best friend, really. Oh, don’t pity me! I have friends. But I just wouldn’t call any of them my “best friend.” I stayed at my parent’s estate, Starboard Hall, in Yorkshire, until I was sixteen, and I never really knew girls my age. I was close to my mother, though. She was a lot like a best friend. And I know she would have described me as the most perfect creature in all creation, false as that may be.
How would your enemy describe you?
Probably as “Miss Chattoway’s little sister.” Assuming they took that much notice of me. As I’ve said before, I don’t attract much attention, which is both a blessing and a curse. To be truthful, the blessing side outweighs a lot of the curse part.
Do you agree with either of those descriptions?  Why?
I agree with my “enemy’s” description. I am Miss Chattoway’s little sister. And that’s all I’ll ever be to the world. There are reasons I love God; one of those reasons is because I know He knows who I really am, even if no one else – including myself – does.
How do you usually exit a room?
Dramatically, when I can. How else?
If you were a flower, what kind of flower would you be?
A rosebud, of course. Perhaps I’d even bloom someday. That remains to be seen.

What do you think of my interview? Lovely, wasn’t it? I’d love to hear from you in the comments! 😀
~Kellyn Roth