Heartbeats and blood

All other Character Interviews

It’s Ant’s turn to answer the questions. So without further adieu here are Anthony Giovanni – the son of the hound’s answers.

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What is your darkest childhood memory?

My mother is my darkest memory – so everything in my childhood was dark. My mother is a psychopath – clinically diagnoses by todays standards, but back when I was a child she was stark raving mad. My mother is glaring at me about that. She was a prostitute, a theif and an assassin in life, and she kept the assassin part when she became a vampire and oh so much deadlier. I grew up with Aurora as my mother figure because my mother couldn’t raise me, so until my powers manifested – which did much earlier than they would have if I’d been full Primeval vampire my mother wasn’t raising me.

What bad habit are you struggling to overcome?

I should probably stop teasing Alex so much. He is my Chevalier after all. I’m bound to him for the rest of our lives or until he finally decides he really isn’t enough for Nox and leaves everyone high and dry. But the hatred Alex has for vampires is strong, and I do love to poke at that ever growing landscape.

Why does your journey matter to you personally?

I don’t want to be in my mother’s shadow. I don’t want to be the Son of the Hound. A cool name for myself is what I want. And with Nox I get that. I follow because he bound me forcefully but you either love Nox or you hate him. And I couldn’t do the latter. He’s broken, and once I realized that everything else made sense. I’m not in Nox’s shadow like I was my mothers, I’m his equal, he respects me. Not that my mother didn’t, but to the world I was hers. Yeah I am Nox’s, but standing by his side is not the same as standing by my mothers.

What does a perfect world look like to you?

There is no such thing as perfect. A world like that could never exist.

What smell or scent reminds you of your childhood home?

Mint tea. Mint curbs the appetite, even for a vampire. Maybe Nox should wear some mint. Aurora kept it on tap as a childhood. For herself, my mother and eventually myself. I can’t stand the stuff but I will admit to putting on a pot when food is scarce.

What is your biggest regret?

My biggest regret is I didn’t turn Isabel when she was Annibale back when I first met her. I knew she was my soul mate. And then she died, and then I found her but she didn’t know me even though I knew her. Finding Izzy has been extremely satisfying. Having her remember me glorious.

Who was your childhood sweetheart?

I didn’t have a childhood sweetheart. I didn’t have a traditional upbringing. My friends were my mother’s herd – my father, best friend was 50 some odd year old 16 year old.

What do you fear losing the most?

My sense of identity – particularly now that I have one outside of my mother’s shadow.

Is there a secret spot you like to retreat to? If there is, why that spot?

I don’t have a secret spot, but it’s a place only Primeval vampires can get to or myself and my mother. Sanctuary is peaceful if I stay with my father

Do you have a family member that’s ever let you down? If so, how has that affected you?

My mother? She was never there for me when I was growing up. But then she isn’t exactly here for me 800 plus years later either. But that is the nature of her condition. The fact that we have the relationship we do is heartening though

Are you afraid to be alone?

Yes, absolutely. It’s terrifying to think of being without Ryan or my mother. 800 years is a long time to form an attachment.

Are you proud of who you are?

Not really. Who am I? I’m just learning that I think. I’ve been the son of the hound for so long I don’t even know who I am.

What keeps you up at night?

I’m a fucking vampire! I’m up all night anyway!

What was your favorite stuffed animal or toy as a kid?

I didn’t have stuffed animals or traditional toys as a kid. I had a sword. I still have that sword though it’s more of a long dagger now.

What was your worst injury ever?

I’m a vampire I don’t really get hurt. Not in the traditional sense.

What song makes you think of your crush?

A song no one has heard in hundreds of years.

What was your bravest moment?

Leaving Annibale after she died. I was in love. I didn’t go to back to Italy with mother for a few decades.

Who can make you smile no matter how bad you feel?

Ryan can. He always has been able to. Probably why he’s my best friend.

What is one thing you always carry with you?

A sword – always!

Who is one person you would never ever want to see again? Why?

I don’t have any enemies that I haven’t already killed. And I have no one that has hurt me to the point of never wanting to see them again.

What, to you, is the worst way to die?

Straight up? fire!

You can bring one person back to life. Who would you choose and why?

I’d say Annibale but I have her in Iz so I’m good.

Is it easy to admit when you’ve made a mistake?

I don’t make mistakes.

Is it easy for you to forgive others? (Truly?)

Is it easy for anyone?

You’re on your death bed. Who do you want by your side?

I won’t have a death bed, I will just be dead.

Your childhood bully has grown up to be a philanthropist. Do you praise him and give to his cause? Or do you turn a shoulder to him and scoff?

No, but mostly because I didn’t have a childhood bully.

Who would you want to raise your child if you die unexpectedly?

If I had a child and I wasn’t around, Nox and Alex, or Ryan.

Do you suffer from a reoccurring nightmare? If so, what happens in it?

I am the nightmare, I don’t have them.

What do you notice first about a person?

Their heart beat.

Do you find it difficult to praise others?

Yes, praise was not given lightly.

Which color do you feel looks best on you?

Blood red.

What’s your drink of choice?

AB-

Which parent do you take after more? (If they know their parents)

That’s a hard one. My father I guess. In looks and personality. I’m not crazy like my mother.

What quality about your parent do you admire? Abhor? (If they know their parents)

My father’s ability to love my mother despite all the things he knows she’s done in her life as human and vampire.

Do you wish to be a loner? Or have a family one day? (Or if they already have a family, do they enjoy family life or regret it?)

I want a family!

What odd habits or ticks do you have?

I use sex as a trade for feeding me. Though that’s fairly normal for a vampire. But I was raised to feed on the willing so I never take without consent.

Have you traveled to other lands? Or planets, even?

Only earth sadly – but I’ve been everywhere in the world several times over.

Do you feel a need to fix or repair problems that don’t directly involve you?

No. I do as I’m told and that’s usually to kill someone – until I met Nox.

How do you view other races or cultures?

Humans are food. The others could be food if I chose to figure out how to persuade them to let me feed. But humans are abundant enough and willing enough there is no need. The Venatori are bastards.

Do you worry about what the future will bring?

Not really. Like I said I do what I’m told.