Character Interview: Larken Marche
Character Interview: Larken Marche
Interview for Brighton’s Best and Brightest, insert in the Brighton Academy school paper Brighton Student News.
Year: 2201, Fall Edition
Hi there! I’m Madeline Stonewell, a reporter for the Best and Brightest insert for Brighton Student News. Today I’m interviewing Larken Marche, the youngest member of our Lofting team. Larken has already been scouted by numerous colleges, with more to come as she moves into her senior year. Regarded by some as the Prince and Princess of Brighton, Larken and her brother are testaments to the boarding school system. But today, we put that aside—mostly—and talk about the real Larken, her fears, goals, and the limitations she’s experienced in life.
Of course, many folks listening to this want to talk about the sport of lofting for obvious reasons. Can you share how you got interested in lofting in the first place?
Uh, let me think. I think the Angels played on the holovid in the common area in the third grade. It was when Megan Reverte scored that last goal. Do you remember that one? She threw the ball past two defenders and into the goal. Megan was on fire during that as she scored six points in a single match. In professional sports, that’s rad. She was unstoppable.
But listen, Maddy. I mean Madeline. That only got me onto the field. What keeps me in the game is the competition of it. It’s the feel of the crosse in your hands, and when the ball comes into play, the adrenaline is pumping, and the crowd begins to scream. The energy in the air — it’s just a fantastic experience.
But is six points in a single game that rare? I seem to recall that you scored six goals by yourself in your most recent game against the regional team Los Angeles Ladies.
We had to stop scoring that game for good sportsmanship, though. Los Angeles does okay in soccer and zephyr, but they don’t even try in lofting. No offense to any Los Angeles fans out there — it’s not what they try to do. My best friend Molly scored two goals, and she’s a defender. That spread isn’t something you see in pro teams, though — especially good ones. Those six points were the only points that the League City Angels put on the board that game. The other team answered with what — one point? That should never have happened.
But I know it’s not just Megan holding the team. Their defense is solid too. It’s just a great team overall.
Do I hear you want to play for the Angels if you get into the professional leagues?
I definitely wouldn’t say no when I get into the professional leagues. But I know how it works. You have to start at the bottom, and at least on this coast, many pro teams recruit from college. That’s my plan anyway. Protege College — down near Selwood, and then maybe the Seattle Hystericas. They seem like a lot of fun, and their approach to the game is the most unique I’ve seen in any league. That would help to round out my playing style.
But if the Angels reach out, I won’t say no.
That’s what I thought! I hope they do because it would be amazing to have you back here talking about the Angels and what goes on in the locker room.
Are you ready to change the subject? I’ve got questions from our audience that have been submitted in advance of the interview. Some are lofting related, but not all. No particular order, just one at a time. Ready?
I guess I’m ready. Yeah. I’m ready. Let’s do it.
Okay. First question. Is your brother available?
Ha! I figured you would at least start with more about the sport of lofting. But okay, here goes. Technically, I guess he is. But girls, if you want those dreamy blue eyes in your life, you’ll have to move fast. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a girl who he’s got his eyes on, and this girl moves pretty fast and will be hard to compete with. Trust me. So let’s say the window is closing quickly.
There you have it, ladies. If you want some attention from Mr. Oliver Marche, captain of the zephyr team and most likely to succeed, then now’s the time. But dare I speculate as to who the mystery girl is? Let’s see, moves quickly and hard to compete against? I’m guessing we’ve heard her name at once already in this interview.
I can’t comment on that, Madeline. But what I can say is I hope they are happy together.
Good. So good. But are you sure you don’t want to name names? This is only going school-wide. Your secret’s safe with me!
Nice try, Madeline. Nope. What’s the next question?
Ready for the next question? Here goes. Hmmm….how do I word this? I got it. So there’s a new boy in school who looks kind of like you. Some say exactly like you. Some say so much like you that they must be related. Is there any truth to the rumor that Elijah Grant is your long-lost cousin, or possibly you, Oliver, and Elijah are triplets?
Uhm… I wasn’t expecting that. First of all, Oliver and I are fraternal twins, not identical. We look nothing alike except maybe our hair. Elijah, we just met, the same as the rest of the school. Could he be a sibling? I doubt it. I mean, people look alike sometimes, right? I remember Oliver from day one, and I had this picture of us together before we could walk. There wasn’t a third stroller in that image. So if Elijah was one of ours, then where was he?
But isn’t it strange that he has the same birthday as you?
Wh-who said that? Coincidence as well, I’m sure. Oliver and I have been in Portland our entire lives. Elijah is from Our Lady Guadalupe in Texas. There’s no reason to believe that he’s got anything to do with us.
You and Oliver and your group do seem to spend a lot of time with him. Why is that if he’s not related?
He was trying to be nice to the new kid. And, if people would stop obsessing over the fact that he looks like me and start getting to know him better themselves, they’d figure out that sometimes he’s a funny guy. So no, not related. But yes, absolutely a friend.
So sorry! I didn’t mean to alarm you. It’s only a rumor, and that’s what we work in here. Brighton, you heard it here first. No relation at all. Let’s see, what’s the next question? Okay. Why do you spend your summers at Brighton Academy while most students return home? Wait, you don’t have to answer that one. I’m sorry.
It’s okay, Madeline. It’s not exactly a secret. Oliver and I have been here since we were five, and we’ve always spent summers here. Some others do as well, but you’re right. Most students go back home.
Oliver and I don’t have a home to go back to. Our father disappeared before birth, and our mother died shortly after. Our tuition and board here are paid for through a trust managed by some impartial benefactor or something. I never met him, either. We’re orphans; this is the only home we’ve ever known.
That’s what drives us so hard. Oliver wants to help do what he can to elevate Brighton Academy, so he’s on the student council, leads the zephyr team, and makes straight A’s on practically every assignment done. I work hard to accomplish this in the lofting field. My summers I spend drilling to get down the moves in preparation for next year. There’s never a time I’m not thinking of lofting because it helps put Brighton on the map when we win. It’s not just about me, Madeline; it’s about our school. It’s about our home.
That’s so touching, Larken. I think I speak for all of us when we say that the Marche twins are an excellent addition to our family here, and Brighton Academy wouldn’t be Brighton Academy without you.
One more question to add a little spice. Who is your favorite teacher here at Brighton?
That’s easy. Ms. Carrish, no doubt. She makes genetics seem easy, never mind that we’re doing advanced placement work. I struggle in some of my classes. I’m not Oliver, after all. Math is a hard one. But in the genetics laboratory, I love it. Everything makes sense in how she explains DNA bonding, methylation, and epigenome. The best choice I ever made was taking her class. She makes me want to be a geneticist, and if it wasn’t for lofting, I bet I’d be heading that way too.
Thank you so much for your time, Larken. You represent us well, and we can’t wait to see if the Brighton Bison make it to the west coast championships again this year! I know with you on the team, we have a terrific chance.
Thank you, Madeline. It was great being interviewed here by you.
Do you find Larken Marche as fascinating as I do? If so, you can follow her and her friends in your copy of series starter Brighton Academy on Amazon today!
