User blog comment:OldSlashFriend/Flowers of Coal/@comment-6844245-20130303030916/@comment-5672532-20130303192711

Mysteries are one of my greatest loves. My parents raised me on a steady diet of Sherlock Holmes (Vasili Livanov/Vitali Solomon + Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce versions) and Brother Cadfael when I was young. Then I found out about the mysterious world of books and so began a long, mutually destructive relationship of love!

Thanks for the comparison to Robert Jordan. Though I'm sure we would've had our arguments, he was on a list I have of writers I would love to talk to, some day. I was saddened to hear about his passing. The amount of world-building in the Wheel of Time especially is something I only hope to echo! And the character building - well, let's talk about Chrome for a bit.

I'm *hoping* that I haven't diverged too much from canon with the directions her personality takes. I wrote PfD to show her sometime before MGQ really kicks off; self-serving, self-interested, but not unwilling to help people in her own... Somewhat peculiar way. By the time of ARR there aren't too many people or monsters left she can relate to you, and I see her as being most only interested in her science - and with the direction the world is headed, that leads to where we encounter her in MGQ proper. Flowers of Coal was written to sort of tie that all up in a manner that could lead her to the best possible outcome, as it were - I'm pleased as punch you enjoyed reading about her, because one of the reasons I can't stop writing these is that she is amazingly fun to write.

One thing I will say, as one amateur to another. You can create things like what I've thrown together, perhaps even better. There will be a lot of blood, sweat, toil and tears involved - but it can be done. Take a look at what Viper has done with Ilias some time for some real inspiration! I was also inspired by Ryukishi007, who focuses almost exclusively on his characters' expressions. His art isn't what most would consider the greatest - but I think his characters truly stand out because of the way their faces change and animate.

But I digress.

Promestein would definitely have been an unbeatable opponent - I was originally planning on having some twists there at the end depending on how much of a fight you put up, but the thing was - none of them clicked as well as the way it just ended up writing out, I feel. But there had to be a real sense that she could, if she wanted, wreck everyone there with a twitch of her sameface - and that was where the music from Nier came in.

Rip, Cavia. Another dead hero. I am more of a fan of Drakengard - I used to listen to the mashups of classical music in that game for hours on end - very good music for writing while the world (is supposedly) coming to an end. I didn't even know there *was* a spiritual sequel to it until recently, and when I played Nier, my mind was blown. I still prefer the former, but both games would qualify as some of my favorites.

It's funny you should bring up the future, Part 3, et all. I've wanted to discuss that plot point for some time - though certain sections of the fandom are... averse to it, to put it mildly... But I cannot promise it will be here nor there. What I can say with certainty is this: Chrome and Eadwine'll definitely be making appearances in the future, after and possibly even before Part 3 is released. Though I believe the bulk of their story is over, few stories truly end. But, tishe! I've probably said too much, wahaha! Thanks for the feedback - and again, I'm glad you enjoyed.