“
Hello, party, unless the party is on the couch.
”
CHARLIE
MONTGOMERY
atlantis interviews by karen page - issues i & ii
To start off the interviews of our Atlantis residents, I sat down with Charlie Montgomery over a couple of drinks at Dobler's Bar. Lively and personable, Ms. Montgomery seemed excited and happy to get started, so after a few minutes of small talk, we got right down to it.
KAREN PAGE: Let's start this out with the basics. What's your full name?
CHARLIE MONTGOMERY: Charlotte Pandora Montgomery
KP: Do you have a name preference or something you prefer to be called?
CM: Charlie, everyone calls me Charlie, or sometimes some of my siblings call me Panda, or there is always the jokes about Pandora's box.
KP: How long have you been in Atlantis?
CM: Uhh.. A few months now, I guess I got here in December. Does it always snow this much?
KP: You know, I'm not sure. We showed up around the same time, and this is my first experience of winter here too.
Okay, now to get a little more personal... what's your age?
CM: Twenty-eight. Twenty-eight is a pretty good age to be, not too young anymore that people look at you like you are a kid and not so old that you are expected to know you don't know everything.
KP: I agree. That is a really good age to be.
Where exactly did you come from? As in, what world were you from before arriving in Atlantis?
CM: The strange and beautiful wizarding world, or as people seem to call it here, The Harry Potter world.
KP: I'm so disappointed that I missed when that world came to life here. The Quidditch matches are a lot of fun to watch.
What sort of job did you have before coming here?
CM: None.
KP: So, I guess that's a lot different from what you've been doing here in Atlantis?
CM: Ha. At home my job was to party, look pretty and go to brunch. Here, well, here that's different people actually know what I do.
KP: In Atlantis, are you in a relationship with anyone?
CM: Does bothering a bunch of different guys count? (she laughs). No, I'm not seeing anyone here.
KP: Do you have any furry friends here?
CM: I do!!! Gizmo, blame Duke, seriously, blame Duke. He got a puppy and there were all these other cute puppies, so I got Gizmo, I tried to get Athos to get a one too but he was kind of grumpy grumpy pants Athos. Had this whole grumpy thing going. But! Gizmo is awesome! He plays and plays and he loves to snuggle.
KP: Strangest moment or thing that's happened to you in Atlantis so far?
CM: I was a bird for the day. That was a little bit insane. But I guess... I don't know, everything in Atlantis has its weirdness to it that it almost becomes normal, really normal.
KP: What's been your best moment in Atlantis so far?
CM: Making new friends. It sucks that so many of them are gone now, but that's just kind of the way that it happens, doesn't it?
KP: You're right. That can be really, really hard after getting close to people here.
Okay, aside from the unexpected departures, what's something about Atlantis that you wish were different?
CM: Um... That's a hard question. I don't know? I guess being able to actually help decide who gets to come here. Which is a little to close to the aside stuff. I really don't know. It's an experience being here and maybe it would be better if we could communicate with home but that might cause even more problems and that wouldn't be good.
KP: If you could change jobs in Atlantis, regardless of qualifications or skills, what would it be?
CM: I love my job.
KP: That's great. It has to be rewarding to be able to focus on something you really love doing.
What's the piece of home you miss the most?
CM: My family and the rest of my friends. Tracey is here, and so is Lucian so with them I'm pretty lucky. I know here are some people here that don't know anyone which would probably suck.
KP: Now here are a few just for fun.
Who would be the first person you'd call if you needed to bury a body?
CM: Duke. That should probably not be on the record should it?
KP: Maybe not, but now I want to get to know him too.
Now, let's flip it. Who would be the first person that would call you if they needed to bury a body?
CM: Tracey.
KP: What's your spirit animal?
CM: Well, a Capuchin Monkey because it is my patronus.
KP: I've taken way too many of those online patronus tests to find out what mine might be. Another reason I'm disappointed to have missed finding out when your world took over Atlantis.
What did you dress up for Halloween last year?
CM: A plant, no seriously, a plant. I lost a bet, don't ask.
KP: I think I might have to ask about that sometime - off the record of course.
What's the most useless talent you have?
CM: I'm REALLY good at yoga in heels.
KP: That's pretty impressive. I'm sure I'll fall over on my face if I even tried.
If you could be God for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do?
CM: I guess stop COS, but really, nothing, I wouldn't want to be god for a day. That'd take away the fun of being alive and not knowing.
KP: Makes sense.
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
CM: A lot.
KP: What advice would you give to your younger self?
CM: Don't hide who you really are so much.
KP: What would the theme song for your life be?
CM: Oh Merlin. I need to think about that.
KP: That can be a really hard question. Next, let's go for a little bit of 'this or that.' Go with your gut.
Dogs or cats?
CM: Dogs.
KP: Beach or mountains?
CM: Beach.
KP: London or Paris?
CM: London, but visits to Paris. This is kind of a tie. London is home and seeing as I now live in Atlantis I miss it, but if I were home I'd probably say Paris.
KP: Hot or cold?
CM: Either?
KP: Tea or coffee?
CM: Tea.
KP: Pancakes or waffles?
CM: Waffles.
KP: Early bird or night owl?
CM: As surprising as it is, I'm naturally more of an early person, but I live a night life.
KP: Salty or sweet?
CM: Salty.
KP: Chocolate or vanilla?
CM: Chocolate.
KP: Beer or wine?
CM: Wine, duh.
KP: Party or couch?
CM: Hello, party, unless the party is on the couch.
KP: I love that answer.
Okay, you're in the home stretch - just a few more left to go to wrap things up. What's something about you that people in Atlantis probably don't know?
CM: Probably a lot of things, but those are best to come out naturally.
KP: If the war ended today, would you choose to stay or leave?
CM: I don't know. I think it would depend on a few other things.
KP: If you were to unexpectedly leave Atlantis, how do you want to be remembered?
CM: As fun and somewhat useful, okay actually useful.
KP: Is there anything else you'd like to tell the rest of Atlantis?
CM: Smile!
That was exactly how I left Dobler's that afternoon - smiling. Charlie Montgomery is as delightful and bright in person as she appears in text, and I'm genuinely glad that she ended up becoming the first person chosen to take part in the first Atlanteans interview piece.
We may not have very much in common and would not normally cross paths, but, to me, that's the beauty of a place like Atlantis. The possibilities who we may meet here one day are endless, and I hope I am able to play a small part helping the rest of us get to know each other a little better. ♠️
Want to get to know one of Atlantis' most skilled archers? Keep reading!
[ooc: As promised, albeit later than intended, here is the start to the interviews mentioned back a few ooc posts ago. The first set were sent out to the original volunteers at once (hence a lot of similar questions), and I'll post those as I have time and as they come in. If you haven't volunteers any of yours and would like to, please hop right over HERE and leave a comment with their names! Also, if you have any question suggestions for future interviews, you can drop those off HERE, and I'd love you forever. Also, please click the page numbers in the bottom right corners to see more on each interview! And remember, the interviewees also have a piece of activity counted for the month, yay! <3]