Darien Takle (Cyrene)

Darien began her first convention appearance a minute early. Creation made the announcement that everyone had just a moment to wait until the next guest, Darien Takle (it's pronounced "tay-kle"). Darien, as she explained during her appearance, was backstage munching food and heard her name called. Thinking she had just been introduced, she ran onto the stage and started talking. Creation did some quick flipping of the lights and video to catch up with her; she was just too eager to meet us!

This was not only Darien's first convention, but also her first visit to the States. "You've got PEOPLE here!" she exclaimed in wonder. She declared Americans to be much more open and friendly than the more reserved New Zealanders.

Questions from the crowd took Darien through the whole evolution of her character. She really liked the way Cyrene became less somber and got to have more fun as episodes moved on. Bits like slapping Xena's hand when she reached for food was ad-libbed by Lucy and Darien along the way, which she had more freedom to do as her character got to loosen up.

All in all, Darien said she's now used to Cyrene being a ghost, although she said it was tough to explain to the kids on filming day "I'm going off now to get burned at the stake!" (Ha ha.)

Of all the episodes she's done, Darien's favorites were Takes One to Know One and Liar Liar Hearts on Fire. Takes was fun because she said all the guest stars were having a ball and laughing the whole time, and Liar was a favorite because of the dancing. She said the only disappointment she had was that she didn't get to wear leather. (Although she did jokingly add that something could be arranged later.)

Darien deliberately played Cyrene very strong, simply because she was Xena's mother. "Where do the girls get it from? Mom!" She declared that all women were great heroes, but that to have Xena as a daughter would feel "pretty damn good."

When asked if Xena was a good little girl, Darien slipped into character for a moment and answered like a true mother. She said Xena was always a good girl, although there was the time with the flea circus... that she was always collecting things and loved "creepy-crawlies"... and that she frequently built huts in tall trees and then would stay in them for a week. When asked if Xena played with dolls, the crowd seemed to expect no, but Darien answered with a sly "Ssssssometimes."

Darien has released at least two CDs of music, and I heard that she sang to bring the roof down at Friday's cabaret. Someone asked her to sing for the crowd, and she broke into a French song whose tune I recognized, but since I don't speak French I couldn't tell you the title. She sure sang it beautifully, though - Darien has a wonderful voice!

The big question: Who is Xena's father? Darien was asked it almost immediately, and at first said she would think it over and answer it in five minutes. Five minutes later, another questioner reminded her that she hadn't answered it yet. She said she'd answer it next. Three questions later, a third person reminded Darien that she had still left one big question unanswered. At the very end of her time on stage, she confessed the identity of Xena's father: the milkman did it.

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