Character Q&A: Master Keko

Hey all! Back again with another Q&A, this one for Master Keko 💖

The next Character Q&A for December will probably be the last one for a side character, after which we'll switch back to more Q&As for the love interests in the new year.

But for now, onto Master Keko's Q&A!

What enriches your life these days?
"Beyond spending time with my loved ones? Well, let's see... I enjoy gardening and botany. The outdoor gardens can be a bit difficult to maintain, at my age, but I tend to the indoor gardens regularly. Many of the delicate flowers grown there were ones I planted myself.

"I don't have enough knowledge on it to be an expert, however. I'm merely a hobbyist." He smiles. "Nature has a soothing presence, one I've come to appreciate more as I've grown older." 

Has it changed from when you were younger?
"As a young man I was very fond of rock climbing! I would still do it up until five years ago, when I had an accident. A small fall, and I fractured a hip. It was mended, but my climbing days are over, I'm afraid. Thankfully I am still in excellent health.

"I also enjoyed a good party. I was quite the dancer, if you can believe it!" 

What were you like in your youth, then? Very energetic, it sounds like.
"Oh, I was restless. Always running from place to place, traveling, making friends, enjoying life. I ended up serving at the palace by pure chance; first I served a minor noble house, and while attending to my lord, Crown Keybanû noticed my talent for entertaining guests. She poached me, as it were!

"Serving at the palace, I learned how to direct all that energy and put it to good use. There's never any shortage of work serving the Crown, after all, and I discovered I had a good sense for organization. Crown Keybanû, funnily enough, was almost a mentor of sorts to me, in that regard. She ran a tight ship in all aspects of her life."

It seems like she had an eye for your talents. What was your relationship with Crowns Ferzan and Piruz like?
"Crown Piruz was... well, he was a good man, once. He truly loved his family, but he also was prone to anxiety, shall we say. Whenever he was worked up, it became difficult to advise him; he would not see clearly. It was especially hard near the end of his reign...

"Crown Ferzan was much more practical. He trusted my experience and my judgment, and gave me much more independence and authority, within the limits of my position of course. But it made running the household of the palace much smoother. I managed to raise the pay for the servants, expanded quarters for the servants and the palace guards, the kitchen--a happy staff makes for a happy palace, and a happy palace makes for a happy Crown."

He sighs. "When Crown Ferzan was assassinated... it was a great loss. Both to Arsur, as well as the people who had the privilege to know him." 

What are your thoughts on R, and on Lady Zerya?
"I am not a Sorcerer by any means. When I graduated from the School of Ilwan, I did so as a scholar in theoretical warding magic. Much of the wards currently used by the Royal Palace were implemented because of my research, but it wasn't my passion in life.

"Similarly, I worry about Rozerîn/Rêzan at times, if I'm to be completely truthful. I ask myself, is this truly what they want to do with the rest of their life? I cannot teach them magic--they have long surpassed me on that front--so the only thing I can do is advise them as best I can.

"But I have no doubt in my mind that they are capable of becoming a great Sorcerer, even greater than their predecessors, and I do not mean that solely in ability. I have seldom seen anyone both so gifted as magic, while also possessing such a kind and humble heart. Anyone else might have let their title go to their head, and perhaps it was the difficulties Rozerîn/Rêzan experienced early in life--and later on, with the crisis of succession--that made them able to see so clearly.

"As for Lady Zerya, I respected her greatly; her choice to take on Rêzan/Rozerîn as an apprentice spoke well of her, at the cost of being alienated by her peers. As much as I hope to fill the void she left for Rozerîn/Rêzan, I know I can never replace her as a mentor." 

What can you tell us about A, being a palace servant for so long?
"They were always a quiet child. Very calm, very thoughtful, not as rambunctious as other children their age--but not shy." Keko laughs. "Oh no, Azad/Ashti always spoke their mind liberally whenever something, or someone, bothered them. I remember seeing them scold people thrice their age for condescending to them.

"They've also always possessed a mischievous streak. You would not have thought it, seeing how well-mannered and reserved they were as a child, but that made a perfect cover for all the pranks they used to pull. 

"I remember once they sawed through the legs of a chair in the office of a bureaucrat who had insulted them. The chair collapsed as they sat on it while they were having a conversation with a few colleagues, and the bureaucrat came storming out of the office, red in the face and humiliated.

"I don't think they ever figured out it was Azad/Ashti who did that!" 

What do you think about the new Crown?
"Certainly, I do not envy the task ahead of them, but I intend to support them as best I can. Did you know, I intended to retire in the new year?" He smiles. "The Spirits have a great sense of timing. Perhaps they knew the new Crown would need as many experienced people on their side as they could get. I hope I can be of some use to them."

What has grounded you over the years, despite everything?
"It is difficult to answer any one thing, there are multiple things, all of equal importance. Duty, friendship..." 

Love and family?
Keko smiles. "Duty and friendship are not separate from love and family; they were born from it. I do my duty out of love for Arsur, and out of love for my family who have found their home in it. I love my friends, as if they were my family. I hope the Crown will experience that, as well."