Undertow — Andrew's Background
Andrew, Son of Fiona
© 2004 Val Conder and Simone Cooper
Background:
Born & raised in shadow, though has visited Amber. Mother hired shadow parents who had certain specialties to adopt and raise him and paid them well. He did well in school, but they taught him a lot more. His father was a retired special forces officer who taught him a lot about
fighting and weapons. His mother was a psychic who, while not in mother's league, taught him to use his other gifts. She used her own to occasionally help the local police.Became interested in gymnastics when parents took him to the circus. Local Y offered classes
and he followed up with it. Built up body control and a nice set of muscles. Can do flips, tumbles, high wire, trapeze and balance beam.His high school PE teacher was an excellent swordsman, who formed a fencing team. Andrew joined and found he had a real skill with the blade. Made olympic fencing team, and, with father's help olympic rifle team. His parents taught him excellent manners, never put pressure on him to enlist or join this or that, and were very patient. They did teach him about not misusing his powers. To defend yourself is one thing... to push others around is wrong. There can be a thin line there... Do what is right... They kept him from becoming a bully.
Met mother rather by accident. He and a date were parked and making out one night when they were attacked by 4 toughs. Andrew flattened 3 of them... one drew a gun and pointed it at the girl telling him to stop. Snatching a knife from fallen hands, he sprang in front of the her. Knife and bullet flew together. Both went down, but he lived.
Came to in a hospital. Sitting by his bed was a short Red-haired woman with an annoyed expression. Feelings raced through him no other woman had ever inspired. "You're lucky I was able to get here in time." She said is a firm tone. "I kept them from noticing anything odd about your readings. And that bullet was too close. The shooter by the way is dead. And yes it was the right thing to do. He'd have shot you both."
She went on to explain she was his real mother and to chew him out for 45 minutes (as mothers will) for nearly getting himself killed. In the end she said, "You could have frozen. you didn't. You could have run. You didn't. You risked your life for another. I think we can safely
say you've become a man..."--simone:
"...and a very stupid one at that. The investment you represent cannot be risked for the lives of mere shadows. I am taking you to Amber. If you can't see your place in the scheme of things from there, you won't learn it anywhere."--val:
Would have started feeling a little uneasy here (this world is the only home he's ever known), but this would all be coming in too fast to think a lot about it at the time.He had wondered several times if there was some special purpose for him... Now it seems yes, there is. Someone invested a lot in him. Why? Is trying to work this one out. Would ask Bleys what he feels his (Bleys) purpose is, (aside from making all the women happy, which is admittedly a pretty good purpose...:) Might give him some idea...
She took him to Amber, though asked him to accept she can't acknowledge him yet as her son. ... Has met Uncle Benedict, who does know. Ben knows a lot of secrets and this is simply one more.
--simone:
In recent years it has become clear to you that a few others among Fiona's siblings know; Random, in particular, but also Bleys and perhaps Florimel.--val:
She saw to his court training, and taught him Power Words, including two she created... Heal self and heal others. . Wrote letters to him when he enlisted in military out of high school. Army rifle team, sniper. Captain, Special forces.. Shadow dad's old unit. Sends Mom gifts. Gets packages of excellent whiskey and other things. Very popular man. Gets critiques of his tactics from Uncle Ben.--simone:
Um. No. Benedict is not involved in the training of the younger generation, period. Not yours, not his own son's.
Perhaps Bleys tutored you a bit? Momma does not approve, but then since the cat was out of the bag, she let it go. But she warned you to watch Bleys closely and always questioned you intensely (sometimes, you think, intruding somewhat mentally) whenever you and he had been in contact for any length of time.
--val:
Bleys is a good tutor. Shows him things both with the sword and knife and how to lead men on the battlefield, tactics and combat. Does his best to learn, but keeps eyes and ears open for anything that would justify Mother's warning. Is careful not to let this show, for all the good that will probably do. Does not underestimate these people. Will answer her questions honestly.--simone:
Your impression is that Bleys finds his sister's suspicion amusing. He trains you fair and hard, and actually does confer a great deal of his wide knowledge to you. He is more or less openly maintaining armies in shadow in addition to the Amber Expeditionary which is his formal command.--val:
Has talked to his men bluntly about dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Helps them keep it together in a really bad scene. Doesn't like being there either, but is learning....Has been on two campaigns with uncle Ben. Took command twice when OIC of his group was killed. Came through well. The first time proved to be a training exercise. the second was quite real. Brought his men through...
--simone:
Again, this opportunity has never arisen. It is possible that Andrew had command of his shadow forces when his shadow (as so many others) was swept up in the reflected war between Amber and Chaos, brother and brother...--val:
This certainly could be. Bleys could easily be watching to see how he'll do on his own in a real battle.--simone:
The battles were... frankly a little bizarre (demons, etc.), but you feel you came through as well as you could...--val:
This is Andrew... Friends call him Andy. As I said, let me know if anything is wrong...--simone:
the only thing I'm a little concerned about is Andrew's super-rosy view of Fiona. Is he purposely being naive (i.e. ignoring evidence), or does he really believe she is so beneficent? I'm playing Fiona in the game, so I'll go ahead and do a few responses for you and give you some feedback on your proposed background...--val:
Naive, perhaps, early on. It was sort of like finding himself in Star Wars or Oz. But he is learning, and admits not all of it is good. In their time together, he has glimpsed the dark side of her, and is concerned, but understands as advisor to the king she is under a lot of stress. She can be bright and cheerful as a sunbeam or dark as thunderstorm, and much more dangerous... Is trying to understand her, and be there for her... He remembers, sometimes, a line from the old movie "She" with Ursulla Andress. "The man who fears you and does not tremble in your presence is a fool. The man who does not fear you and does not tremble in your presence is not a man..."* * *
other writings: Background Quiz Andrew and Rio Andrew and Bleys "Everest Muses" Undertow log "About that Avatar thing...", Unicorn's Avatar?, Ebb Tide log