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Today for A Novel Idea I'm featuring another character from Petrichor, one of my main characters, Cobie Stirling. She's 17 years old and the daughter of the sheriff in town. She's incredibly outgoing and borderline crazy. She's always looking for the latest thrill, whether that's rapelling down a cliff or walking out of the house to a crime scene at 3 am with no weapon. (She has done both.) She thrives off of adrenaline and excitement.

Though she may seem flighty, her love for her family and friends is deeper than it appears. Her kryptonite is her six-year-old brother Tommy, who has her wrapped tightly around his finger. Her boyfriend, Ryker, is incredibly important to her, and she wouldn't be able to bear losing him--they're two peas in a pod. She also would do anything for her friends. (And her friends include Blade, Decker, and Astrid.)

Her relationship with her parents is strained, and she often feels too confined by their rules as well as the strict atmosphere of the town she lives in. Her ultimate desire is freedom, and she will (sometimes unfortunately) attempt anything to try to reach it. She would love to live wholly and bravely with the wind at her back as she seeks her next adventure.



1.1 - How do they treat those around them, in general? Are they nice, rude, reserved?
Most of the time, Cobie is reserved, especially around adults. However, in many situations, her impulses often get the best of her and she can come off as rude, whether she meant to or not. She generally keeps herself quiet and somewhat standoffish around people she doesn't know, particularly adults or people she's immediately judged and believes won't understand her. Sometimes, her quick tongue and passion for debating things will end up making her talk more than usual, however. ;)

1.2 - Does their treatment of others depend on how well they know them?
Yes, absolutely. She's completely laidback around her closest friends. She flails around and is extremely loud around them, saying anything and everything that comes to mind. She is 100% herself around her bestest friends.

Speaking of which...

2.1 - Who is their best friend, or friends?
I'd be remiss not to mention her boyfriend Ryker, whom she's known (and dated) since she was 14. Though they are dating, they remain the best of friends as well. In addition to that, Blade has been around for much of Cobie's life and is her honorary older brother.

Cobie has mixed feelings on Astrid, though she hangs out with her due to Astrid's friendship with Blade. She wants to like her because she knows how Blade feels about her, but they haven't clicked just yet. Cobie also recently met Decker, who she will continually run into and become friends with as well. They have a brotherly-sisterly-yet-I-am-unsure-what-it-is-exactly vibe going

2.2 - Do they bring out the best in your character, or the worst?
The best, definitely. They support her and raise her to a higher level, and she might not be exactly who she is without them.

2.3 - Are they a partner in crime, or a partner in good? ;)
Partner in crime! Cobie is always down for mischief-making. ;)

3. - Have they ever been in love? If so, did it last, or was it just a fling?
Yes, she has, with Ryker and Ryker only. It's definitely not just a fling, though some people thought they wouldn't last. Their loyalty and relationship completely defies Cobie's usual flighty nature. Nevertheless, they're committed completely to each other. Cobie adores him and would be devastated if he left. She wants to marry him and he's her everything.

4. - Who do they despise most?
Unfortunately, her mother and father. Her mother often brushes over the important things in life, while her dad largely ignores her altogether. Their relationship has been a rocky road and Cobie's rebellious ways have not put her on good standing with her parents. Conversely, her outlook towards her parents is not good either.


5. - Do they tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict altogether? If they avoid it, why?
Cobie will often argue with people, yes. She has a passion for debating things and being right. Sometimes she avoids conflict, especially with Ryker or with others. She will pick a fight with her parents, but if she has something serious between Ryker and her, or her and Blade, she would possibly ignore it, depending on what it is. She'd be afraid that fighting could lead to the end of their friendship. Losing them would destroy her, and she's terrified of that.


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