I had no first love, not in the sense of archaic ballads. There is what is called physical love, and I have had plenty of that, by way of natural reward for the Astok physiognomy. My parents called me avatar of the great-clan, and aspired for me. What their connections did not manage for me, physical beauty did. It is a great gift, and the stamp of aristocracy, and I feel toward them the filial respect due to one’s ancestors.
Regrettably, their notions and mine diverged at a certain point. This is inevitable, of course, but I did honor to their notions of archaic glory by dealing with them in the manner of our ancestors.
Not that anyone dared call it an assassination.
***
The question is “Your first love, in great detail.” From character interview with Temn, the villain-in-chief of Inside the Jump (NaNo 2013). Weekend Writing Warriors offers eight-sentence excerpts from a variety of writers; see the other excerpts here.
E. P. Beaumont 
Terrific character details and voice, as always!
Somehow I find it hard to sympathize with this character.
Wow, no one called it an assassination…make sure not to piss off this character.
I spent the afternoon in chasing down all of the etymologies for the names in this story. I was crazed for etymology when I was 17. Temn’s name comes from the Greek root meaning ‘cut.’ So yeah, don’t mess with him (or merely be in his way) or he’ll cut you.
I just love the tone of this excerpt. I’m fascinated by his voice and I can’t even see all that physical beauty. Great snippet!