Character Interview: Leif from Shadow Dancer

I have the distinct pleasure of talking with sexy and mysterious Leif from Shadow Dancer today on the blog. As he spends most of his time looking out for Sunny, the main character of the novel, he doesn't have a lot of time to talk about himself so this is quite the exciting event! We're talking about everything from his fondest memories to what him homeland looks like.

1) Leif, can you tell us a bit about yourself? Maybe something not many people know about you?

Sure. There is not much to tell really.  As you all should know, I am an orphan.  I lost my mother when I was very small.  Never knew my father.  I was found by a group of Shadow Walkers when I was still young and taken to Acadia where I was trained to be a tracker with the rebels.  As I think most have figured out, I’m now the leader of the Shadow Walker Rebel Trackers.  I would go on hunting trips from Acadia - the Sun Realm, to Earth - the Water Realm, as often as I could.  I wanted to be the one to find the lost heir, the Sunshine of the Realm.  I think I was destined to find her.  I knew the very first time I ever heard the story of the lost child, that I would be the one to find her, and I did.  Sometimes I still can’t believe it, but I did it.  Me.  I found her. 

2) As a Shadow Walker, you can sense when other Shadow Walkers are near. If you could have any other power, what would it be and why?

I was recently asked this question and I have come to decide that the best power to have would be mind control.  That would be so awesome.  I mean it would a time saver really.  More so than an actual power.  You wouldn’t have to wait for people to make up their mind.  You could just make them do it and be done.  Sometimes trying to get people to see things my way just takes too long.  Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t use it in bad ways, really just to have people do the things that I think is right.  Would that be so bad?  Really?

3) How is Arcadia different from Earth? Which place would you choose to spend your time in?

Acadia is actually a very nice place.  It’s called the Sun Realm for a reason.  It’s a warm climate. All the time. But we don’t have as much water or moisture, as it doesn’t rain.  Acadia also isn’t as advanced as the Water Realm is. Earth hasn’t had a period of dark ages in centuries, so you have the technology and power that Acadia doesn’t…yet.  Once we get back in control, we will move Acadia into the technological age.  Just wait and see if we don’t.

Although the Water Realm is more advanced, right now Acadia needs me…us.  So I need to spend time there right now.  Change is coming.

4) When you sensed Sunny, you seemed a bit skeptical. What did you think when you first saw her? Did your feelings evolve over time?

I admit it.  I was a bit skeptical.  I have been on so many hunting missions over the years.  We would sense a new Shadow Walker, go and find them, only for it to turn out to be just another ordinary lost walker, just another wasted trip. When I first saw Sunny, I didn’t know what to think.  She had the coloring we were looking for, but then she didn’t know anything about the Shadow Walkers.  It was frustrating to not know for certain. 

My feelings for Sunny were not wanted.  It was a mission, not a love story.  But, the more I tried to hold my feeling back, the more they got in the way and the stronger they became.  So my connection to her was fast, maybe too fast.

5) A lot of your time seems to be spent working. What do you like to do for fun?

I don’t really have any hobbies if that’s what you mean.  I don’t have time for hobbies.

But one of my favorite things, no the best thing to do in the Water Realm is to drive cars.  I absolutely love cars.  The power, the wind, the noise.  I love it all.

Oh and the food.  I could spend years just eating all the different types of food you guys have.  I missed that the most when I was taken to Acadia.  It’s one of the best perks about shadow walker tracking on Earth. 

6) What is your favorite memory?

My favorite memory would be my first real night in Acadia. I was sitting with a bunch of kids around a fire.  Some were new to Acadia like I was, but some had been born there. We were all phasing in and out of the shadows, just kinda showing off, having fun. It was the best moment of my life. First, because I wasn’t going to have to live on the streets anymore, fighting to survive at every turn. Second, because now I would have friends, a family. I wasn’t alone anymore. And lastly, because I realized I wasn’t a freak. I finally found where I belonged. I was special. I was a Shadow Walker. I look back on that memory now and then and I still feel the same way.

Please, feel free to leave a comment for Leif!

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