This page features the interview for the Featured Article of 2018 Reens the Hedgehog. The interview was done on May 26, 2018. ReensRedux was interviewed.
The Interview[]
1) When did you first create Reens?
A) Wow. That's a good question, I created Reens way before I joined this wiki actually. She was originally on a different wiki and I originally didn't even have her on a wiki. It was about 2011-2012 when I first made her, and looked nowhere near what she looks like now. She was basically a Sonic ripoff at first but female, and the first picture I had of her originally came from someone else. The other person's OC was Blue the Hedgehog, and the design stuck for a while before I did the redesigns. She wasn't nearly as developed either, and most of the stuff I have for her now never showed back then. I had a little help from some friends I was with at the time, and now she's as good as ever!
2) Why does she have a metallic arm?
A) Well, at first I wanted her to be full-on robotic. The OC I mentioned had a robotic arm, and it just stuck. It became an icon of sorts for her, cause I've never really had an iteration of her without it. She's had it through all of her redesigns too. It's just iconic. Sonic has his color, Tails has his tails, it's like that. I never wanted to get rid of it either, it just stuck with me.
3) Who was this mysterious magician implicated in Reens’ childhood? What did he get in return? Was he good or evil?
A) He doesn't really have a name or a backstory; I just placed him there as an explanation for her crystal heart. He might have been similar to Merlin, Tails' ancestor, in the comics, or to Merlina from the games. He didn't ask for anything in return, but Reens' parents gave him what little money they had saved up. He was good in a sense, as he crystalized her heart to keep her alive, but he only did so for monetary reasons, so he could also be evil.
I have a story in mind where Reens actually meets him and thanks him for saving her life, so you might get to see it!
4) Reens’ biography seems as if it alludes to a real life person who struggled with their disabilities in childhood. What is your comment on this?
A) sigh You know how sometimes people base their OCs off of themselves or someone they know? Well for Reens, I based a ton of stuff she has around me. I have a form of Autism called PDDNOS, and though I look and act normal, I have a lot of quirks that stem from it. Reens is not completely based on me, as we have some differences, but I was an inspiration. My brother also has autism, so some of her traits came from him.
I still struggle sometimes, but I am getting better every day.
5) According to Orphic/ Platonic philosophy, water is the element that represents emotions. Being able to control water, could this mean that Reens has the power to control other people’s emotions?
A) I've never thought about that before to be honest! While it's true Reens controls water, she has a lot of effort put into controlling her own emotions as well. If she put all of her energy into controlling someone else's emotions, hers could get out of control. It's basically a balance. With her own emotions spiraling out of control she could very well hurt the person she's controlling, and that wouldn't be a good outcome.
6) Will Reens ever find her brother?
A) Eventually! I'm thinking about either writing a story or hosting a roleplay based around this. Note, this only applies to her main continuity. Archie Reens never finds him, and Channel Mobius/Titanium Reens doesn't have any siblings. Still, it has taken a lot of time and money for her to find him, so he might not be what she expects, hint hint.
7) Is she aware that the “pizzawich” she’s consuming contains acrylamides, which are carcinogenic?
A) You mean the stuff that causes cancer? Well, Reens doesn't know anything about that. Even if she did eventually get cancer or have a cancer risk, it would take her a lot of time to heal herself from the cancer cells. She would have to take a lot of energy out of herself to do so. She also doesn't eat pizza very often, despite buying a lot of pizza rolls recently. Leo would probably do everything in his power to help her too, along with her family and Jeremy.
8) Is there anything in particular you don’t like about the character? What would you like to improve upon her?
A) Honestly, I'm not sure. I just want her to be the best she can be. If there is anything to be improved it would mostly be backstory or personality, but as she is right now I think she's fine. if there are any suggestions let me hear them, I'm always open! That's not just for her main iteration either, it goes for any of her forms.
9) Does she have any spiritual values? Does she struggle for material goods or for a higher ideal? What is her strongest belief?
A) Reens goes by a code of morality. It was passed down to her by her father before he passed away. She never kills, always tries to help those in need, and tries to keep her promises. Though she likes having nice things sometimes it isn't her main goal. She just wants to be a good enough person to be respected. She doesn't want to be adored, per se, just good enough to be respected as a force for good. She wants to be trusted. She believes everyone has good in them no matter who they are, and even if they don't, it's not alright to kill them because of that fact. Sometimes she has to go against her morals for the good of the many, and it hurts her to do so. Respect, trust, and community are her three main things, basically.
10) Is her real name your real name?
A) Ha ha! No, Reens isn't my real name. Only a few people on the wiki actually know my real name, but if you really want to know, it's S.. Reens' name came from an online MMORPG I played while I was making her. There was a character with blue hair called Reens and I decided to use the name also. Her full name came later on, but that's where Reens came from. I wanted a name for her that was unique and unheard of, not something plain like Jane or Maria or the like. I had ideas about changing her name, but then I would never figure out what to change it to.