Post by Mikhail Rost on Aug 8, 2011 22:11:31 GMT -5
In Character
--------------------
General Information
--------------------
Name: Kimiko Kaneko
Actual Age: 200
Appearing Age: 20(Actual age divided by 10)
Gender: Female
Appearance
Kimiko has shoulder length black hair, usually tied up, or in a ponytail with a bright red ribbon or feathered ornament. She has red almond shaped eyes, that in the past have frightened some. They always seem to have a mischievious gleam to them, giving the impression she may be up to something. She has a petite build, and an elegant way of holding herself. She stands about five feet, four inches tall, and weighs about 110 lbs.
She dislikes the rather drab dresscode of the shinigami, and only partially dresses in the usual attire. Kimiko wears an unusually designed black and red kimono with a gold obi. Rather than wear the traditional tabi and sandals, she tends to go barefoot.
She wears onyx beaded earrings, with tiny red tassels, and only a light amount of make up that only adds to her natural beauty.
Her zanpakuto takes the form of a wakizachi, and is small and concealable within the folds of her sleeve, or kimono.
Personality
First and foremost Kimiko is a survivor, whether that involves doing things on her own, or following another. She may be small in stature, but she is very intelligent, quick witted, and charismatic. She loves playing games, and solving puzzles and riddles. Kimiko loves her freedom, disliking being bogged down by duties, or staying in one place for too long. In fact sometimes she'll coerce others, with her mischievious and flirty attitude, into doing the chores for her.
She finds she likes to sing, but only in certain company or alone. The thought of singing in front of a large group intimidates her, odd considering that in life, she sang before large groups often. If she's discovered while singing she becomes easily embarassed and self-conscious.
One of Kimiko's weak points is her vanity, she doesn't mind getting her hands dirty, as long as she looks good doing it. She hates to admit it, but she's envious of those more beautiful then her. She also enjoys praise of any kind. She is opinionated, sometimes to the point of speaking out of turn, which can be troublesome considering her strict- minded captain and squad.
History
In life, Kimiko was the daughter of a prominent businessman and his wife. As she grew, they recognized in her a musical talent and nurtured it. Eventully she became a singer in a small concert hall, she had a beautiful voice, and drew crowds from the nearby cities. One woman was jealous of her popularity, a rival who wanted to take Kimiko's place. She decided to stage an accident, that she thought might get Kimiko to quit, but her greedy designs turned fatal. After the accident that killed her, Kimiko's spirit stayed bound to the concert hall, which was shut down soon after because of the tragedy.
Kimiko was both sad, and angry, at what had happened to her. Her life and career was just beginning after all, she hadn't even found someone to love. To make matters worse, there was this strange chain coming out of her body, and it was all so frustrating and confusing. She found herself wandering the concert hall, missing the music, but unable to leave. Over time, people came to look at the place, possibly to restore or change it, but the tale of what happened always kept them away. Each time seemed hopeful, perhaps to hear the music she missed once more, but when they left shaking their heads, her sadness would return even stronger.
Kimiko noticed after a while, that the chain coming from her chest, was all but gone. She didn't know what it meant, but at this point she barely cared. She sat on the edge of the stage that had fallen to disrepair, dangling her legs over the side, when suddenly she heard a terrible howl. A hollow had found her, and its hungry roar frightened her. She couldn't leave this place to run away, and in a panic, curled up under the stage as it stalked through the room, knocking chairs aside as it went. When one flew close, she yelped, and the creature turned on her. It stomped close, and started to reach for her, Kimiko was sure it was over. She hung her head as despair overcame her, and when it did, her chains snapped. She felt an intense pain, tensing there on the floor, then crying out as her body glowed with light and vanished.
The hollow roared angrilly, its prey had seemingly vanished, but Kimiko hadn't gone far. Energy collected, and her body reformed in the center of the stage with a hole in her chest. Her dark hair spilled down her back in an unruly, tangled mass, and a ghostly white mask formed over her face that smiled an eerie, evil grin. She felt insatiably hungry, and this creature that had dared enter her territory might suffice. As the hollow looked up to attack, she spread her arms, and opened her mouth, unleashing a ghastly scream that shook the hall. Chairs and rubble flew across the room. The hollow lifted its arms to shield itself, but the force of the scream picked it up, and sent it through the air and into the wall.
Just then, a man in a black kimono descended from a hole in the roof. A shinigami had been tracking the hollow when he heard the scream. He was surprised to see the new hollow, and realized with sadness, that he had not arrived in time to save her. He readied himself for a fight, but was easily able to dispatch the already downed hollow. Kimiko's new hollow form was strong, but no match for the trained shinigami. His zanpakuto cut into her mask, and for the first time in what seemed like ages, she felt peace.
Reborn in Soul Society, Kimiko's appearance hadn't changed much, save for her unsettling red eyes. Perhaps it was just a fluke, like a birth defect, or a lingering side effect of her change into a hollow. Either way she didn't mind it, in fact she kinda liked it. She thought it made her unique and besides, she was beautiful no matter what color her eyes were. She joined a family living in the 29th district of East Rukongai, who were pretty accepting of her and she was just pleased not to feel alone.
Life was good for Kimiko in Soul Society. She enjoyed cooking, and though not especially good at first, she practiced. Now the neighbor children don't run away screaming when she offers them treats. On occasion, when alone or around people she knows, she likes to sing. She was terribly embarassed one day when, while doing some chores outside, two young men happened by while she sang. They were students at the shinigami academy, one was named Hisashi, the other, Masanori. She had learned by now, that the shinigami kept the peace here, and in the world of the living from dangers such as hollows.
"You've a lovely voice." Hisashi said while leaning against a tree.
Kimiko couldn't help but blush, "Its nothing." she replied softly.
"Nonsense, its actually very pleasant, isn't it Hisashi?," Masanori asked Hisashi with a smile "I know I wouldn't mind hearing more."
Kimiko knew they upheld the laws, and smiled teasingly "You're shinigami aren't you? Would I get in trouble if I didn't?"
"We're not shinigami yet." Masanori began honestly, only to be jabbed in the ribs by Hisashi.
"There could be consequences, I don't know,..." Hisashi said, deciding to try his luck. "It would be unfortunate to deprive the world of such a voice."
"...And we would be very sad not to be able to hear it again." Masanori frowned just slightly from the elbow to his chest.
"Perhaps if you two would help me carry this water back, I would feel up to another song." Kimiko glanced from the men, to the few waiting buckets she gathered with a soft smile.
They hesitated a moment, glancing at each other, but then picked up the buckets, and lugged them back for her. Kimiko noticed some other women who had watched the exchange, they were giggling among themselves, and Kimiko found herself laughing as well.
The shinigami came to visit every now and then, they felt that Kimiko had potential, and recommended that she attend the shinigami academy. They differed in opinion on why, Hisashi said, it was an opportunity to grow stronger. Masanori added, that she would be able to protect the things she held dear. Honestly, Kimiko wasn't really sure that was the life for her, things were fine as they were, but she would consider it. Soon after, Kimiko found out that Masanori had been injured in a training excercise against some hollows. It saddened her more, but even that didn't make her run off to the academy. It was when she realized, that if they could hurt her friends, not much would stop them from attacking her home. It may have been a little selfish, but it was the desire to survive, that finally got her to enroll in the academy.
Kimiko wasn't the best student, for one thing, she hated the dress code. She wasn't strong, but she was fast and smart. Her swordsmanship left a little to be desired, and she found she liked short blades better. Kido was something she was good at, easily memorizing the phrases and gestures. She wanted to practice, and be as good as the masters she had heard about, those who didn't even need the incantations anymore.
In her third year, her talent for kido was recognized, and at one point she was asked to assist in a secret mission with some of the kido corps. Nothing so great as slaying a horde of hollows; she was to assist in the creation of a Senkaimon, a gateway to link the soul society to the world of the living. It was an interesting learning experiance, and the mission leader offered to put in a good word for her when she graduated, but she wasn't yet sure what she wanted.
In the Spring of her fourth year, Kimiko was wandering out in the forest. She was humming a soft melody, when suddenly she heard an answering song. At first she thought there was someone nearby, but couldn't find anyone. She realized, with a bit of shock, that the song was coming from within. It was very relaxing, and she found herself suddenly tired. She sunk to the ground amid some wildflowers, and fell asleep. Kimiko imagined herself in a lush and beautiful forest. The moon hung in the night time sky above, but it wasn't night yet, was it? The stars twinked overhead, and that mysterious voice seemed to move between the bushes and trees. There were flashes of movement as it darted between them, and Kimiko moved groggily through the fantasy. It was hard to hear the magical voice, and no matter how much she tried to call to it, it would not come. Kimiko awoke, disappointed but curious, and later asked a teacher what he thought about the dream.
"You're lucky," He said "It sounds as if your zanpakuto's spirit is trying to reach out to you, most students do not recieve their zanpakuto until after they graduate; maybe you should try meditating."
He explained to her Jinzen, or blade zen, a way to meditate where the shinigami enters their inner world, and is able to communicate with the spirit of their zanpakuto. Kimiko stayed after class so that the teacher could help her. He warned Kimiko, that any injury one might suffer while medititating, is reflected in the real world. He would stay with her in case something happened.
She soon found herself back in the forestscape of her inner world. This time however, she felt less groggy, and able to interact with the enviroment. It wasn't long before she heard the voice again, more clearly then before. She tried to call out to it, but the fleeting image shied from her sight. Then she thought, what if she sang to it? The spirit seemed to like that, and slowly emerged from its hiding place, the words of its song becoming clear.
"Hello, Hello, friend Kimiko,
the chance has come for us to meet.
I've waited long to hear your song,
to see you here is quite a feat."
The spirit resembled a beautiful woman, with styled up reddish-brown hair and light skin. She was dressed in a exquisite flowing robe that was edged with feathers, and fluttered in the breeze. She carried a fan in one hand and nearly seemed to float towards Kimiko. Her soulful eyes raised to Kimiko's.
"I did not think you much prepared,
but time for play is short it seems.
You could have hidden, but you dared,
to seek me out here in your dreams."
"Who are you?" Kimiko asked the woman in amazement, who in song conversed with her.
"A part of you, I've always been.
I'm by your side, and share your tale.
I know your thoughts, we're almost kin.
You may call me Nightingale."
The spirit suddenly glowed with a soft light and shrunk down changing into the bird for which it was named and flew towards Kimiko who instictively held out her hands. Nightingale landed in her open palms and she heard the sing-song voice one more time.
"You tempted fate, and it is done.
Where once was two, now we are one."
Kimiko saw a bright light and opened her eyes. Her teacher was standing nearby, watching the display. Kimiko's reiryoku, her spiritual power, collected in her hands forming her zanpakuto. She had awoken with it held gently in her open hands.
It didn't take Kimiko long to learn her shikai, and she was pleased with her zanpakuto's form. A elegant looking war fan, strong and sturdy, yet light as a feather. She began training in Tessenjutsu, a martial art that uses the Japanese war fan. Masters of the art could deflect projectiles, even swords, while defeating many foes at once. With time, and practice, maybe one day she could be as skilled.
When Kimiko finally graduated a year later, she deeply considered her future. She read some of the squad recruitment brochures, and wondered which of them might accept her. With that mission leader's good word, it would probably have been easier for her to join the kido corps, or somewhere where her talent and intellect would excel. However, Kimiko wanted to better herself; her physical abilities were lacking. While most of the brutes in the eleventh could easily be made to do her work for her, she just wasn't that type of fighter. Kimiko chose the second squad instead, there she could learn precision fighting skills. Besides, the captain of squad two was a strong female role model, Kimiko might be able to learn a thing or two from her.
((OOC NOTE - Raven has given permission for this character to be placed into squad 2))
--------------------
Skills/Attributes
--------------------
Skills
- Swordsmanship- Intermediate
- Kidō- Advanced
- Hohō - Advanced
- Hand to Hand - Intermediate
Attributes
- Speed - Advanced
- Power - Intermediate
- Stamina - Intermediate
- Intelligence - Advanced
--------------------
Zanpakutō
--------------------
Name: Uguisu
Translation - Nightingale
Unreleased Appearance
Kimiko's Zanpakuto is a Wakizashi, 42 cm long(roughly 16.5 inches), shorter then the average. Its small handle has no guard, but a few russet feathers hang off a short golden tassel, and the scabbard is a glossy black with the intricate design of a russet-colored wing curled up around it.
--------------------
Zanpakutō Spirit
--------------------
Name: Uguisu (Nightingale)
Gender: Female
Spirit Appearance
Kimiko's zanpakuto spirit resembles a beautiful woman with long russet-colored hair, part of it falling over her right shoulder, and the the rest done up in an elegant braid. The braid comes together, and fans out in the back almost resembling a birds tail. She has a silver, tiara style ornament in her hair, with a brass ring in the center. She wears a flowing beige kimono, that has a picture sewn in to the bottom left of a swirl of wind passing through trees, and feathers for its edges. Her eyes are a soulful hazel, and she almost seems to float gracefully as she moves.
In her bird form, her feathers are the same russet color as her hair and her breast is the same light beige of her kimono. Shining ribbons of energy unfurl from her wings as she flies, and she has a very tiny, brass, ring-like anklet on her right talon
Personality
She is kinda shy around strangers, but has a special, empathic-like ability, to understand peoples personality and feelings (Not thoughts) through their voice, especially through song. She sometimes shares this insight with Kimiko, but she typically speaks in a mysterious, rhyming, song-like verse. It can be strange for those hearing her for the first time. As her namesake, she is not as active during the day as she is at night. Luckily it seems to always be nighttime in her inner world, but she does like her beauty sleep.
Relationship to Master
Uguisu considers Kimiko a friend but has yet to reveal all her secrets to Kimiko. She can feel Kimiko's emotions, and knows when something is bothering her. She loves to hear Kimiko sing, and whether Kimiko realizes it or not, Uguisu's songs will get stuck in her head. Kimiko will often wonder where she heard the songs she hums. Uguisu gets moody as well when Kimiko is upset or angry, and rain will fall in her inner world. When it does Uguisu usually hides away.
Inner World
Uguisu's inner world seems like a lush forest at night. Its filled with beautiful trees, various flowering bushes, and wildflowers. The air is scented with the various fragrances of these flowers. In part of the forest there's a cliffside waterfall that pours down into a small lake. Beneath the waterfall is a cave where uguisu will sometimes hide, especailly if she's moody, and rain is falling in her inner world.
--------------------
Zanpakutō Shikai
--------------------
Call Out Phrase: Anata no tsubasa o hiroge, Uguisu!
Translation - Spread your wings, Nightingale!
Shikai Appearance
Elegant war fan, with ten ribs made of dark bamboo. The covering seems to be made of a thin flexible material but is as strong and as sharp as a steel blade. At its base, below the handle, is a brass ring with about a two inch diameter. Depicted on the cover is a swirling wind-like pattern. It retains its full length of about 42 cm long(roughly 16.5 inches).
Shikai Abilities
Feather Storm
- Description of Attack - Kimiko waves her war fan and sends out ten blades of wind. These spread, and fly out in a sweeping arc, but can be vaguely targeted to an area or object. The blades themselves spin rapidly, they are about six inches long, and shaped like semi-translucent, glowing feathers.
- Type - Offensive (Wind)
- Range - 50 feet
- Limitation - The blades themselves are easily deflected, their power lies in their number. Smaller enemies will have an easier time dodging them, as they seem only vaguely targetable, in part to the randomness of the winds. Larger objects are easier to affect, and small trees and the like can be toppled with one or two waves.
This power only takes about five percent of her energy, and is fully effective against opponents her tier and below. It's only about twenty percent effective against someone one tier higher then her and about shrugged off by those two tiers higher as the small blades seem unable to cut those with that much spiritual power.
Dazzling Echo
- Description of Attack - Kimiko twirls the fan by the brass ring at its base, and speaks the phrase "Sing, Uguisu!" This produces a wave of sound in a cone area in front of her, 40 feet at its furthest and 20 feet at its widest. The sound wave, and the visual of the swirl pattern of the fan causes enemies to become disoriented with a temporary vertigo. That lasts for between ten, to twenty seconds after the effect is broken, either by her or by the victim. This time is also dependant on the strength of the victim; stronger enemies will take less time to recover.
- Type - Weakening (Sonic)
- Range - Cone originating from the fan, 40 feet long x 20 feet at its widest
- Limitation - Enemies can attempt to block the audio, or visual effect, by covering their eyes, ears, or both. However, this could leave them open to Kimiko's next attack, and regardless the recover time still stands. The bonus being, they may recover faster than other enemies caught in the effect. Also the effect is fairly easy to shake off after she stops spinning the fan, primarily its a diversionary tactic, or something to give her just enough time to make a surpise attack. As such it is not an effective attack to use multiple times. Only really usable on a given foe once per scene.
It takes ten percent of her maximum energy to use this attack and is only fully effective against opponents her tier or lower. Enemies one tier higher may suffer a headache, or fuzzy light-headedness, but its more of an annoyance then actual damage, and they will likely shake off its effects more quickly. Enemies two tiers higher are unaffected by the attack, as their spiritual pressure seems to block the sound waves.
--------------------
--------------------
[/blockquote]
Name:
Translation - If Applicable
Bankai Appearance
1 Paragraph
Bankai Abilities
Name of Ability
- Description of Attack -
- Type -
- Range -
- Limitation -
OOC Information
--------------------
Sample Post
--------------------
The two shinigami watched from afar as Kimiko stood quietly in the forest clearing. Her eyes were closed as she took a deep breath, preparing herself. When her red eyes opened she vanished, flash stepping to the first set of targets and hitting a high one with a swift punch and a low one with a kick of bare foot. She vanished again, slipping her zanpakuto from her sleeve. With a few swings she sliced up three more targets and then spun around aiming for one across the clearing with an outstretched fingertip. She quickly recited an incantation ending it with...
"...Hado number four, Byakurai!" A bolt of lightning shot from her fingertip, and missed the target. It scorched a tree and left a small trail of smoke rising from the mark.
"Ugh you've got to be kidding me, I can't believe I missed!" Kimiko whined. The two shinigami men chuckled and clapped. It was Hisashi and Masanori, the two shinigami that had pursuaded her to join the academy to begin with. She spun around with a raised fist but then lowered it when she saw who it was, rolling her eyes.
"Well done," said Hisashi "The evil tree beast will trouble us no more."
"Come on, Hisashi at least she's trying." Masanori smiled at Kimiko, he had healed up well since the hollow attack. "Listen, we can let you get back to your practice if you want."
"No, I could use a break," Kimiko said plopping down onto the grass and smoothing out her kimono beneath her. She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled. "Captain Soifon is kinda strict, but the training is helping I think.
"I have to admit Kimiko, I didn't think you would join squad two. You're an interesting woman." Hisashi winked at her.
Kimiko scrunched her nose, and turned her crimson gaze on him. "Interesting? Whats that supposed to mean?", one fist planted on her hip defiantly, and the other palm in the grass as she leaned closer to him.
"I guess I didn't expect that from you is all, the girl you were when we found you seemed more suited to squad four maybe, or nine, a lot of girls like Captain Ukitake." Hisashi said
"Or squad ten, apparently Captain Hitsugaya does everything, including the Lieutenants work." Masanori chimed in.
"What do you two take me for, some coddling, fan girl, slacker?!" Kimiko about screamed when the two just shrugged, and bonked both of them on the head before storming off. Secretly she really wanted to better herself, and felt that joining a squad where she didn't have to work as hard, would only hurt her in the long run.
Kimiko spoke with her back to the two men. "On second thought, I should get back to my training. You two better get going before I decide to include you."
The guys blinked and turned, quickly heading back to the barracks.
--------------------
Rules and Guide Agreement
--------------------
- Have you read the full rules of this site, including Xat rules, and understand them?
Yes, good stuff!- Have you read through the Shinigami Application Guide?
Yes, fun fun!- How many Characters do you currently posses?
Canon - 2
Original - 2
Moderator Use Only
Reviewed by: Rebel Raven; Title fixed by Wicked
Tier Level: Middle Level Average
Upgrade: N/A or Number
