ROWAN

ROWAN: It's been more than a month since PTQ ended. This briefing took a long while, I know. Now I'm ready to answer some of your questions! Who's first?

REPORTER: Ano ang inspiration ng AUTHOR sa pagsusulat ng PTQ?

ROWAN: Gusto ng AUTHOR na magsulat ng story na "light" at hindi kasing bigat at kadugo ng mga naisulat na niya. Gusto niya ring i-explore kung kaya niya bang magsulat ng medyo romance-ish na story na may popular tropes gaya ng fake relationship. At the same time, gusto niya ring lagyan ng signature elements niya. You know, mind games and plot twists. Next?

REPORTER: Gaano ka-light ang PTQ compared sa PL?

ROWAN: D-in-escribe ng AUTHOR ang story na 'to as "light" kasi wala 'tong murders or bloody stuff. But the mind games, the characters trying to one up each other, are on the same level.

REPORTER: Romance is just a subplot in this story, right? Is there a chance that there will be other ships aside from YenYam?

ROWAN: I can't speak on behalf of the AUTHOR on that matter. But he'll probably figure it out once he's done outlining. He wants to challenge himself so he might consider that idea.

REPORTER: Magkakatotoo ba ang relationship nina Fabienne at Priam?

ROWAN: *sighs* Alam n'yo namang mahilig magpalubog ng ships ang AUTHOR, 'di ba? Pero malay n'yo, palayagin na niya for real ang YenYam couple.

REPORTER: Kanino or saan inspired ang character ni Castiel?

ROWAN: According to the AUTHOR, Castiel is just a recycled version of Reign Imperial, the protagonist of his now unavailable The Art of Manipulation story. I don't know who that guy is, but the AUTHOR said that they're both smart and cunning, and they're willing to do what it takes to get what they want.

REPORTER: What is your opinion about Castiel?

ROWAN: Well, I don't want to say anything about our chief-of-staff, but if you're asking the AUTHOR . . . He is Loki and Luthor combined. He has the unconventional and controversial methods of Loki, and he has the cunning of Luthor when it comes to manipulation.

REPORTER: Malabo ba ang mga mata ni Castiel or trip lang niya ang magsalamin?

ROWAN: Malabo talaga. Haha!

REPORTER: Si Cassidy Seville ba ang crush ni Priam?

ROWAN: I'm not privy to the personal affairs of the USC president. But as far as I know, it's someone who hasn't been introduced yet. She might be introduced in the next act. I heard from the chief-of-staff that she's also a student-leader.

REPORTER: What happened to Castiel and his sister Cassidy was truly an accident or not? Did Alaric do it on purpose? What caused their friendship's fallout?

ROWAN: Let's not make conspiracy theories here. Let's just trust the official reports. It's an accident. Also, allow me to set things straight. Castiel and Alaric have not met before that tragic day. They were never friends to begin with. If Castiel referred to Alaric as a "friend/old friend," he was speaking figuratively or sarcastically.

REPORTER: How did the AUTHOR name his characters? May meaning ba ang mga pangalan nila?

ROWAN: As far as I know, the AUTHOR follows a pattern when naming his characters. He'd be lost without a naming system. Not sure if you've noticed it, but the initials of some of us here have connection to our roles in the story.

(C)astiel (S)eville = (C)hief of (S)taff

(F)abienne (L)ucero = (F)irst (L)ady

(P)riam (T)orres = (P)residen(t)

(V)aleria (E)ncarnacion = (V)ic(e) President

(S)abrina (Y)nares = (S)ecretar(y)

(T)abitha (R)ustan = (T)reasure(r)

(R)owan (O)ronce = Public (R)elations (O)fficer

REPORTER: The AUTHOR said that PTQ initially had 30 chapters, but was extended to 50. Has the ending changed?

ROWAN: I was told by the AUTHOR himself that the ending remains the same. PTQ supposedly had 90 chapters in total for the entire first term of the USC—with 30 chapters per act. Two acts, from Chapters 1-60, would focus on the Reynard arc. The third and final act would focus on Alaric. But he changed his mind and decided to make it 100 chapters in total, divided into two acts with 50 chapters each. Why two acts, not three? Well, each academic year has two regular semesters, that's why. Act One was supposed to end in Chapter 30. If you read that chapter again, you might notice that it could have been a good point to pause as Castiel's shrewdness was revealed and Reynard officially challenged him. It was his original intention to end the first act there since he had already established the premise of the story and the two major antagonists. But things changed.

REPORTER: What are the AUTHOR's priorities after finishing PTQ? His other stories or upcoming books?

ROWAN: He said during our meeting that he's done revisiting Project LOKI Volume 1's manuscript for the special edition and Chronicles of the QED Club for the regular edition. He might deal with QED University 2 first before posting the second act. But who knows? He might post something else. Mahilig siyang mag-start ng story tapos hindi naman niya agad tatapusin. Haha! Please don't quote me on the last part. I want to stay in this story.

REPORTER: Ano 'yong certain number of votes per chapter na kailangang ma-meet bago ma-post ang next update?

ROWAN: Ah! The AUTHOR was just experimenting to see how many active and engaged readers we had. It's also meant to give him some time to rest before posting the next update. Kaso nami-meet agad 'yong requirement in less than 24 hours kaya wala siyang choice kundi i-post agad ang next chapter kinabukasan.

REPORTER: Will there be an Act Two? What will be the title?

ROWAN: Yes, of course! Ano ka ba? Our story is not yet done. We're just halfway through the term of the USC officers. The next installment is titled "Play The King" or PTK.

REPORTER: Sabi mo, ang title ng Act Two ay Play the King. Si Priam ba ang King?

ROWAN: Hehe~ Next question please!

REPORTER: Is Act Two out already?

ROWAN: As of today, hindi pa. The AUTHOR's still accomplishing some editorial stuff forhis other books, so unfortunately the next act will have to wait. 

REPORTER: Is PTK a continuation of PTQ?

ROWAN: Yes! It's the second half of the academic year and the climax of the major conflict of this story.

REPORTER: When will he publish PTK?

ROWAN: He mentioned before that probably sometime in the third or fourth quarter of this year. Just be patient with him, okay?

REPORTER: What should we expect in Act Two?

ROWAN: More mind games. More moves and countermoves. More character exploration, especially the USC officers. Yeah, you'll get to know more about me.

REPORTER: Will there be new characters in PTK?

ROWAN: Based on the AUTHOR's initial outline that he showed me, yes.

REPORTER: Can you give us clues on their characteristics and roles?

ROWAN: I'm not at liberty to disclose anything, but I can give you one. Someone will shake things up between Fabienne and Priam which may or may not affect the our reelection bid or the development of their relationship.

REPORTER: Ilang Acts ang planong gawin ng AUTHOR?

ROWAN: He said that two acts initially. Kung maging successful at magkaroon ng demand for more, he would write two more acts.

REPORTER: Magiging kasinghaba ba ng PTQ ang PTK?

ROWAN: Based on available data, yes. They will both have 50 chapters!

REPORTER: Will the story encounter problems outside the main conflict?

ROWAN: Gusto n'yo bang pahirapan ang buhay namin? *sighs* There are gonna be side problems that thecharacters will have to deal with.

REPORTER: Magkakaroon ba ng character development si Castiel?

ROWAN: I can't speak on behalf of the chief-of-staff. Sorry!

REPORTER: Will Fabienne still remain in PTK?

ROWAN: Of course! The First Lady is our lucky charm. We can't let go of her.

REPORTER: Will we get Priam's POV chapters? How about the other characters?

ROWAN: You wanna read my POV chapter, 'no? The AUTHOR is not inclined to write Priam chapters in the Wattpad version. But he might include them, as well as my and the other characters' POV, in the published version as special chapters. So you better buy that book!

REPORTER: May chance ba na ma-mention ang family background ni Priam o kung paano sila nagkakilala ni Castiel?

ROWAN: I'm curious as well! I haven't met the president's family in person. Pero nabanggit ng AUTHOR na ipakikilala niya ang Torres family sa PTK. Pwede ring ma-share ang history nila ng chief-of-staff.

REPORTER: Can we expect more Fabienne and Priam scenes in PTK?

ROWAN: The AUTHOR is kind and generous so he might write more YenYam scenes. Just don't piss him off kasi baka palubugin niya 'yan.

REPORTER: May backstory din ba ang ibang USC officers?

ROWAN: So you're curious about me too, huh? Yes, you will learn more about us in the next act!

REPORTER: Will Valeria or any officer betray the USC?

ROWAN: You think I or one of us will betray the USC? Well, we'll find out in PTK!

REPORTER: Does Reynard have motivation why he's always thirsty for truth or does he just love the truth that much?

ROWAN: Yes, he has. But the AUTHOR hasn't found the right timing to reveal it.

REPORTER: What will possibly happen to Reynard in PTK? Will he ally himself with the USC or will he remain independent but same goal as Castiel?

ROWAN: We'd like to have him as an ally! But Reynard has already told us his preference. Let's wait and see if that will still be the case in PTK.

REPORTER: By any chance, mare-redeem ba ang reputation ni Reynard?

ROWAN: Are you a Reynard stan? Why are you asking about him?

REPORTER: Mas mararamdaman na ba ang character ni Colin sa PTK?

ROWAN: Colin who? I don't know who that character is. Just kidding! He might become more relevant in PTK. Magsisimula na kasi ang showing ng play sa next act. Buy your tickets now and support our campus theater.

REPORTER: Will the student council election happen in PTK?

ROWAN: Yes, that will be the highlight of the second act. We're still in September 2021. The election will be in March 2022.

REPORTER: Does Alaric the Prick have some reason for all this? Or is he just a privileged f*ck?

ROWAN: I can't speak for the CBA council chairperson, but he might be doing it because he can.

REPORTER: Will Alaric get what he deserved? Will justice prevail?

ROWAN: That's not up to me. But who knows?

REPORTER: Will Alaric's allies be introduced in PTK?

ROWAN: Likely! They're just waiting for their cue to step on the stage.

REPORTER: May something ba kina Tabby at Alaric na nangyari sa past? Like mag-ex sila or what?

ROWAN: I'm not privy to their relationship, but we'll probably find out in PTK.

REPORTER: May mamamatay ba?

ROWAN: Hindi naman 'to isang mystery-thriller story kung saan halos every week, may namamatay na estudyante sa school. So don't worry!

REPORTER: May balak ba ang AUTHOR na i-publish ang PTQ?

ROWAN: Yes! Actually, naka-kontrata na siya sa isang publishing house. It's only a matter of when.

REPORTER: When's the tentative schedule for the book version of PTQ? Preferably self-published o premium quality sana.

ROWAN: I have no information yet kung kailan possible na i-release. Maybe later this year. Maybe next year. 

REPORTER: Does the AUTHOR have any plans for writing and/or translating his novels into English for international readers?

ROWAN: He's been mulling over the idea, but he hasn't decided yet. All I know is that he does want to write an English novel.

ROWAN: Do you have any more questions? None? Then this briefing is adjourned. See you next week! Or probably some months from now, depende kung kailan mapo-post ang PTK.