Favorite Book Two Scenes

Part of my editing and revision process for Book Three includes re-reading Books One and Two. You know, to check for continuity (which eye was Darkeye missing again?), ensure consistency in tone, and to make sure I'm still following the overall series arc. While doing so, I was reminded of some of my favorite Book Two scenes, one of which I'll share with you today (I already shared one of my favorite Book One scenes in this post.)

Just like in that Book One scene, Joel and Felicity are sitting together, talking. This time, instead of being in the Forest of Light, they're on the beach at the Coast of Fang, waiting for [deleted, spoiler alert]. A lot of readers have told me that they also enjoy these quiet moments of one-on-one conversation, and I don't blame them - it's a nice respite from all of the slammin' action sequences, and it gives my two main stars a good opportunity to bond and show off some character development.

Like the climax scene of Book One, I wrote most of this one in advance. This time, though, I actually didn't know where it was going to end up fitting in the story, exactly. Fortunately, I found the perfect spot as I was cycling through the various drafts and versions of Book Two, and I was able to work it in there without missing a beat. So, without further ado, here it is...oh, but wait, it contains some possible spoilers for Book One, so I'll hide it under the jump break. If you've already read Book One but not Book Two, feel free to proceed!

"So, uh," he said, "which show did you like the best?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Our summer tour - which one of our shows did you like the best?"

"That's a pretty random question."

"Yeah, I guess it is," Joel said, frowning again. Well, that didn't work, he groused to himself. He turned his attention to the small waves that were lapping up onto the shore at regular, ten-second intervals.

"I liked the one we did in San Fran," she finally said, pulling a lifepod out of her supply pack and taking a bite. "The crowd was kinda small, but they had a lot of energy, and it seemed like they really knew our songs."

"Oh - uh, yeah," Joel said, somewhat surprised that she had actually responded.

"Didn't you think so?"

"Um, sure, but...to be honest, I thought that you were mad about that one."

"Why did you think that?"

"You know, like, 'cause you threw your guitar across the stage."

"Dude, I was excited," she said. "You know, having fun, getting caught up in the moment. I felt like doing something crazy, so that was it. Probably not the smartest move, I know, but hey - rock 'n' roll, right?"

"Yeah, uh, right."

"Which show did you like?"

"Well...that one, I guess."

"Now you're just saying that. C'mon, seriously. What happened to the guy who disagreed with me about Marshall's first two albums?"

What happened to the girl who seemed to be interested in me as more than a friend? is what Joel wanted to say, but instead, he went with: "Um, I'm still here."

"I know that," she chuckled. "But remember right after that whole deal, when you had so much confidence? You were talking, smirking, telling me about appreciation. Then, I dunno, it was like after we got home, you just sort of went back into your shell, even after the band started to take off."

"I, uh...I guess I was just afraid of turning into a jerk. You know, like Marshall."

"You don't have to be a jerk or a bad guy. You just have to be confident."

There's that word again, Joel thought. "But, like, how?"

"You know, like...like James Bond."

"I'm not really that familiar with James Bond."

"Okay, well, like..."

"Harry Potter?"

"Eh..."

"Luke Skywalker?"

"More like...more like Han Solo. Or, well, maybe Luke in Return of the Jedi when he was going to Jabba's palace. That was pretty hot."

"Um, okay."

"Dude, c'mon. You're a rock star. A real one. Just think and act like it. Stand up for yourself, you know?"

"Well, um...I disagreed with you a few minutes ago."

"About what?"

"Sarcasm."

"Hmm, I guess you did."

"So was that being confident?"

"Eh, that was more like...actually, I'm not sure what that was. I dunno, it's complicated."

That's for sure, Joel thought. He looked out again at the waves, which were now arriving every seven seconds.

"Anyway," Felicity said, "what I'm trying to say is - don't be afraid to say what's on your mind, or to say how you feel about stuff. Don't worry about what other people think, or if they agree with you or not."

"You mean, be more like you?"

Unexpectedly, she laughed. "Yeah, right, exactly. Good one."

Joel could feel himself start to blush. "Um, thanks."

"I dunno," she said, "maybe I'm a little extreme. You know, sometimes I can't help myself. I think it's like a defense mechanism, to be honest. So no, don't go that far. Just be yourself, or whatever. Accept and embrace who you are. Be the best version of Joel that you can be."

"Now you're starting to sound like Art."

"Yeah, I think we hang around that guy too much."

(then something arrives, but it's not what they were waiting for. Dun dun dun)