Hello! This is Malaisesoup, tiptoeing past the fourth wall once more to wish you a pleasant the previous volume of S&S (which feels like a lifetime ago), the Noah's Arc student council was interviewed to celebrate reaching 50 chapters. Well, I've arranged another interview with the same old gang, as well as three new voices to liven up the occasion!

Though they have been interviewed separately, they were all asked the same questions, so their answers will all be shown under each respective question. For convenience's sake, we will be abbreviating their names as such:

Hafsa: H

Desmond: D

Brian: B

Solomon: S

Toma: T

Eloise: EL

Ezekiel: EZ

Interviewer: I

Let the interview begin.

I: What is your zodiac sign and do you feel it represents you well?

H: My birthday is on September 5th, so I'm a Virgo, and trust me, I am a Virgo. I consider myself a perfectionist, and pretty practical too. That's what got me my presidency!

D: What? I dunno. Lemme check, I guess. Pisces? What are these weird scaly… bugs? Let's see what it says. 'Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, gentle, wise…?' Why am I the wimpy sign? Weaknesses are… 'fearful, overly trusting, sad, desire to escape reality, can be a victim'?! What, because I'm a herbie?! This is bullshit.

S: I would be a Sagittarius. From what I can tell, they're supposed to be energetic, lively people. While I tend to be a bit verbose, I don't think 'energetic' suits me… I am far from the enthusiastic idealist type. Additionally, they say Sagittariuses are not very compatible with Virgoes… so I will renounce my zodiac.

B: I'm a spicy Sag, that is to say, Sagittarius, of course! Me and Sol are zodiac brothers, but he and I are like night and day. Even if it's not a very accurate science, horoscopes are still super fun to get into! I try my best to be a positive influence on people's lives, but I think I manage to beat the Sagittarius slander of being impatient and overspending.

T: Uh, I dunno a lot about horoscope stuff… you look that up for me? For April 4th…? Aries? Heh, it looks like Desmond. Says here… 'Aries are confident, passionate and courageous?' I wish. 'They can be moody and aggressive?' Oh man, can you keep this zodiac stuff between us? I don't want other animals to see this and get the wrong idea…

EL: I am well-versed in all matters astrological. I'm a Capricorn sun, Pisces Moon, Virgo Rising. Realist, grounded, ambitious. Known to be prideful and private which contrasts heavily with my moon, but also known to be observant and fond of debating. An accurate enough interpretation to indulge in.

EZ: I was born on good ol' Leap Day, so I'm around 4 years old, ha ha ha! What does that make me? Pisces? I don't know nothing about that. All I know is that when I see a pie, it's gone. Ha!

I: What gets you out of bed every morning?

H: My responsibilities! I wake up every day at 6am, rain or shine, because I already have my agenda fresh on my mind.

D: …My alarm clock I guess?

S: My duties and responsibilities. It's my job to perform the best I can academically, socially, and to support those I care about.

B: My stomach, when it starts to growl! I always eat a big bowl of cereal for breakfast or else I can't make it through to lunchtime! Plus, a good morning text usually puts a smile on my face.

T: Alarm clock.

EL: What a frivolous question. Who has the time to agonize about why they wake up in the morning? I simply wake up and start my day, end of story.

EZ: Could be anything, really. A morning sunbeam, a passing breeze, a call from my mom. Though usually it's my roommate making a racket. All I know is that when I open my eyes, I know I got work to do.

I: Would you rather be a herbie or a carnie?

H: You know, if you had asked me that last year, I would've said herbie in a heartbeat. But now… I don't know.

D: I can't believe I'm saying this but, I think if I had the choice now, I'd still choose to be a herbie. God, what's happened to me…?

S: Herbivore.

B: It doesn't matter that much to me. I mean, I'm technically omnivorous, so I would just choose to stay myself!

T: Heh heh… Being a herbie would fix a lot of problems in my life. But that also means I would be a different person than who I am now. Despite everything, I know what I am. Who I am. And I guess… I'm proud of that, in my own way. So I'd still be a carnie even if I could choose.

EL: Who would pick anything other than herbivore?

EZ: I should punch you just for asking.

I: Do you believe in soulmates?

H: Okay, this is gonna sound super unromantic of me, but I just can't wrap my head around the idea that there's only one person who is your perfect match out there. Who… completes you? I mean, the odds of meeting that one person, or even being born in the same time or area, are basically non-existent! So odds are, you just settle for some guy, and you just die incomplete. No thank you.

D: Yeesh. That's a heavy-handed question. I… I think… I mean… Okay. Realistically, no, that probably doesn't exist. But like, I think even if it's not the cosmically perfect 'true love' or whatever, sometimes it feels real enough. And if you love the person enough to consider them a good partner, then it doesn't matter if it's actually your soulmate or not. If that makes sense?

S: Of course. I am a romantic at heart. I even think love at first sight exists.

B: Soulmates… I think people have many possible soulmates. Personalities and lifestyles that match. Love can be anywhere, it's not just limited to one random person. I think it's a beautiful thing.

T: Love can make you do weird things. Put up with a lot of stuff. It looks pretty unfair. I don't know if soulmates exist. I don't think I've met any examples yet.

EL: Please. Is the next question whether I believe in Santa Paws?

EZ: Sure! It's a nice thought, isn't it? I'm waiting for my soulmate myself. They say soulmates show up when the time is just right. I got a lot on my plate right now, so I'm sure she's far off, minding her own business. We'll meet sooner or later.

I: What was the happiest moment of your life?

H: Probably the day I became student council president! I was running around like a crazy cheetah during election week, so the vindication of it all was amazing. It felt like I took the first step towards achieving the future I wanted. Man… past me had no I idea what she was in for, ha ha…

D: …Probably during my elementary school field trip. I got to ride on the bus next to my teacher. At the time, she was my favorite person in the world. It's a shitty memory now, but I remember how happy I felt.

S: During family meals as a child. I looked forward to telling my father about things that had happened during the week. When there was good news to tell, at least. More recently, when my girlfriend said yes to me asking her out.

B: I've had a lot of happy moments in my life, thankfully! I remember how elated I was when I found out I had gotten accepted into Noah's Arc. My family and I partied all weekend! It made me feel like someone… important. Maybe for the first time in my life. But I think my dad approving of Humbert, and of who I am… that's a happy moment that topped all happy moments. What a FlockCon that was!

T: The car ride home from the orphanage. My dad had a cool car.

EL: I received a lovely chunk of blue celestite as a child one Rexmas. My mother bought it for me from a work trip. She went on and on about the celestite's properties but I was just hypnotized by how beautiful it was. Compared to the junk toys my sibling's had won, I felt like I had actually received a very valuable treasure. I supposed that's what got me into collecting gemstones, though the spiritual aspect is lost on me.

EZ: Probably my eighth birthday. My parents took me to a football game and we got to see the Briars play! My dumb little kid brain could hardly comprehend it, I came back from that day with my voice gone from all the yelling. They did the whole nine yards too; popcorn, soda, even gave me a jersey that one of the Briars signed. It's definitely one of my favorite memories with my Mom and Pop.

I: What is one skill you would like to improve?

H: I'd love to learn an instrument! Overall, my mom and my dad did a great job raising me, but I'll never forgive them for not forcing me to take lessons! It burns such a hole in my college applications.

D: Ram fighting. It's still an important part of my life, and I like finding new ways to take down opponents. Even though the rams and I aren't as tight as we used to be, I still owe it to them as their captain to be an example. Plus, I'd be lying if I said the idea of going pro didn't appeal to me.

S: I'd like to master the art of meditation. Perhaps I will take a gap year and learn from the mountain monks. Ha ha, I jest. But I feel like all shortcomings stem from a weakness of the mind. And I… well, I have too many shortcomings to count. Practicing mindfulness could do me a great deal of good.

B: I'd like to be good at juggling. Or roller skating! No, no, swimming! Or crossword puzzles. Or maybe gardening?

T: Hm… It would be fun if I could learn another language. I'd be nice if I can travel one day and speak with locals. But I'm not very good at memorizing stuff. That or cooking. I gotta learn how to cook for myself now.

EL: My lowest grade at the moment is in biochemistry, so I have plans to hire a private tutor. The grade? An abysmal 91.

EZ: As stupid as it is, I wanna get better at board games. There's a couple of games in the dorm lounge and the guys keep kicking my ass. I thought I was only going easy on them, since I like to let my mom win when we play, but it turns out I just suck.

I: What's one habit you wish you could break?

H: Whenever I'm hungry, I tend to get a little fidgety. It's just not classy to wiggle around, especially if you have food on the mind. I try my best to pay attention to this sort of stuff around herbies.

D: Certain… trains of thought. They just aren't very productive. I admit I can be stubborn. And selfish. So I'm trying.

S: I have an unfortunate habit of inaction. I try to calculate my decisions thoroughly and not do anything rash, but sometimes I get stuck in my indecision and allow moments where I could have done something to escape. And by the time I arrive to a resolution, it's too late.

B: I'm trying to be more confident! My mom always said that people are either lightbulbs or batteries. Well, if I wanna be a lightbulb, I gotta make more of an effort to shine!

T: A couple of months ago, I'd say tripping and running into things. But now that my whiskers are longer… I mess with my collar when I'm bored or nervous. I'm kind of scared that will set it off or break it.

EL: Hares are prone to nervous ticks. We have high metabolisms and sensitivities. I do a good job of keeping these annoying habits in check but now and again I find myself glancing back too often or scratching at my clothes.

EZ: I'd say smoking if it weren't so damn nice. So I'll go with spitting on the ground instead. I know it ain't gentlemanly, but when you hang out with guys all day, you pick up on gross habits.

I: What would you like to happen in the future chapters of Serval and Sheep?

H: If I were writing the story, the lovely protagonist Hafsa would use her amazing leadership skills to eradicate all hatred from the school and bring about intertrophic peace among students. Then a huge party would be held in her honor, maybe have a statue of her erected in the patio. Just a suggestion.

D: The author screwed us over last time, so really, my expectations are non-existent. Just don't fucking kill me off, would you?

S: I actually think I will keep my thoughts to myself this time.

B: I'd like for all the fighting to stop. And for Humbert's bruises to heal up quickly!

T: It'd be nice if I don't end up behind bars again. Can we have a beach day chapter in the end or something? …What? That ended badly last time? …Oh. Maybe a pool day, then?

EL: I find a male not as melodramatic as Desmond, but just as fun to mess with. Maybe Iris can come crawling to me for money, and I refuse. Sorry, that was a bit mean. Even for me.

EZ: Noah's Arc becomes carnie-free, and my friends don't need to worry about bloodthirsty monsters anymore. And if I'm being selfish here… a little revenge against some mangy cats.

I: I have some questions for you too, Malaisesoup.

M: I figured.

I: How has writing Junior Year been so far?

M: Just as fun as Sophomore! My upload schedule has been pretty abysmal, I'll admit. I feel like I wrote Sophomore at a way faster pace. But even slow and steady will get you where you need to go eventually.

I: Do you have any regrets?

M: Tons. It's inevitable when it comes to creating anything; you'll come to revisit your work and curse past you for missing opportunities. Since I only have a loose outline of each arc when I start writing, sometimes I write certain plot elements into a corner, but I only realize much later when I think of something cool I could have done with it.

I: What do you think of the new characters?

M: I'd always planned to include Toma, though under different circumstances. You can spot him in old art shown in the bonus chapters. I wanted him to provide a unique perspective on what it means to be a carnivore; despite all the hardship he's endured, he faces life with honesty and confidence, unlike Hafsa and Solomon. He never denies or resents his identity as a carnivore, and just strives to live in a way where no one gets hurt. When I first introduced Ezekiel back in chapter one, I considered making him just a side character, but I thought the story could benefit from having a central antagonist. Unlike Priya, there is no twist and minimal sympathy; he's a stone cold villain. He represents the bigotry that threatens all of this animal society. A lot of bigotry is born out of love: love for one's family, people, country. That love can be misplaced and made into something harmful and cruel because people feel they are being threatened. Such is the case with Ezekiel. And of course, Eloise is not 'new', per se, but I genuinely didn't plan on bringing her and Iris back after their debut chapter. I'm glad I got the opportunity to revisit their characters again. I wrote her as a mostly self-serving character, which is why her relationship with Desmond was so fun to write, as they developed each other in a very necessary way. Even if they are ultimately incompatible as partners (Eloise is for all intents and purposes, aromatic), their friendship shall live on! Iris only got a little cameo, but she is living her best life. I wanted to give her a happy ending because really, not attending university is not the end of one's life. As long as you dedicate yourself to seeking out what makes you happy, any life can be wonderful.

I: Do you have a favorite animal?

M: It's changed a lot, but for now, it's reindeers.

I: Well, that wraps up this interview. Thank you all for your time! And thank you, dear reader, for sticking with this incredibly self-indulgent story. Stay tuned for more!

AN: Well I said said I wanted to do it, so I did it. I hope you enjoyed this little bonus! I know we're not celebrating any specific milestone, but it's been a while since our last interview, and we're at over 70 kudos, so that's a good enough reason for me! Thank you very much to everyone who's gotten this far, your support means a lot.

Take it easy and stay safe.