Side characters also play important roles and are essential to the story or even to the resolution of the conflict. Meena is a side character who appears in the Path of the Stone and The Rise of the Stone. I thought that an interview with a harpy besides the main ones such as Azure and Calliope would be an interesting way to explore their way of life.

So, let’s ask Meena a few questions and dive deeper into her fantastic world.

Ch Duts – How important would you rate your role in the events that unfolded in Azure’s and Eva’s accounts in The Rise of the Stone and The Path of the Stone?

Meena – I would call it very important. When Calliope came back into our midst and brought a human with her she didn’t get much support from my harpy sisters, especially after what he unleashed. I was the only one who stood by her.

Ch Duts – What did the human unleash?

Meena – The powers of the Stone, the murders of my sisters, the collapse of the tunnel, chaos. You wrote the book. Surely, you know.

Ch Duts – Well, it’s always good to hear it from a different perspective. Would you consider yourself good friends with Azure and Calliope?

Meena – Yes, but I’m closer to Azure. We have been together since she was first created. I think I know her pretty well. Calliope joined us a few hundred years later.

Ch Duts – Some harpies have special abilities. Do you have one?

Meena – Yes, I can read minds. It’s incredibly useful, you know, although at times it reveals certain things that I wish I hadn’t known. After my last brush with Aeron, however, my skill was greatly damaged, and now it comes and goes at will.”

Ch Duts – You mean, you can’t always mindread now.

Meena – Indeed, I can’t. I have no control over it. Sometimes I can glimpse into the minds of others but most of the time I can’t. I felt weakened when I first realized it, but I learned to live with it. I suppose that one doesn’t always have to know what’s going on in someone’s head. It is, after all, another world in there, one we shouldn’t always venture in.

Ch Duts – Did you get to know the humans when they ended up in your world?

Meena – I spent some time with Eva. I liked her, she’s very smart and easy to talk to. She may seem a little standoffish at first but she is just a little shy and not very outgoing. Once she opens up to you, though, she’s great. I also got to know Daniel. He’s not what he seems. He looks so calm and composed, nearly weak, but a lot of strength shelters in him. He surprised me.

Ch Duts – I think he surprised everyone, including Aeron.

Meena – Yes, Aeron didn’t think he had it in him.

Ch Duts – How do you feel about the 21st Century?

Meena (sighing) – I’m not sure. Your era is loud and bright. There are lights everywhere, day and night. The nights have lost their darkness for there is always light in the cities, and it is disconcerting. You can’t even see the stars in the sky anymore. The constant noise is overwhelming. The machines, the horseless vehicles that run on an ever-spinning motor … it is too much, I couldn’t live with all that noise on a permanent basis.

Ch Duts – Is that the reason why you prefer to live in the 18th Century?

Meena – It’s the main reason, and the time period we chose – in the early 1700s – provides us with a safe haven and peace. We all like it.

Ch Duts – Do you have any advice for our readers? Any tips or quotes that can be helpful?

Meena – I’m not one who always shares her wisdom, but I remember how I once advised Eva to throw things when she was angry, to release it in that way instead of bottling it up or venting it on an innocent bystander or loved one.

Ch Duts – Throwing things? Not bad, I should try that out. Perhaps a pen would do.

Meena – Yes, definitely throw things of no or little value, and aim for the floor, where it can do no damage. I suggest doing it when you’re alone and not in the presence of the one who is part of the conflict. There is no need to make things worse, is there?

Final Thoughts

This is the first of my harpy interviews. I have three more lined up. The next one will be Calista, the Athenian girl from 1991 who was sent through the time tunnel to 341 AD and turned into a harpy. Although – or perhaps because? – she is the only harpy who came from the future and has seen things none of the others have, she soon started playing an important role in their world.

Calista quickly made a name for herself, and I am looking forward to speaking to her in my next interview. 🙂