Post by High's .Valentine. on Jul 31, 2009 20:56:28 GMT -5
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~Basic info~
Behind every great individual, there is that voice which keeps them going onward and toward their next great adventure. [/center][/i]
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Username Northie & Akito[/url]High[/url]
Other characters [url=http://khrpffinalmix.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cchain&thread=2548&page=1
Is this character canon?
Nope[/blockquote][/size]
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~Character Info~
Waking up in the morning, your thoughts are cluttered. It takes a moment for you to fully become aware of your surroundings, but once you do, everything about your life comes back to you.[/center][/b][/i]
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Name
Shunsuke Nanako
Alias
Nana, The Devil
Age
20
Birthplace
AU Nippon
Timeline; 1946
Gender
Female
Race
Human
Special Class
Summoner
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~Appearance~
As you are heading out the door of your house, a small glimmer of light catches your eye. You turn around and see a mirror, putting you face to face with your reflection.
[/b][/i]As you are heading out the door of your house, a small glimmer of light catches your eye. You turn around and see a mirror, putting you face to face with your reflection.
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Physical appearance
Tall and proud, Nanako stands at 5ft 9 with the high and mighty appearance of a general. However, as buff as her stance conveys, the woman is feminine and curvy with a small face framed by short black hair cut in the style of a long angled bob. Her features however, are sharp and rigid as marble. Though beautiful to a certain degree, the haughty pout, upturned nose, and cold gray eyes distances the young woman and makes her near unapproachable [not to mention that attitude of hers, yech!]. Her skin is soft and flawless, though unlike most Orientals, Nana has exceptionally pale skin, almost sickly and ghost-like. Her eyes, a flaccid, stony gray are not perfect, and have trouble seeing clearly without aid. Thus, most of the time she can be seen with a pair of large round glasses sitting atop her nose. Very little make up is used; since she finds it a dreadful waste of time to spend hours on her face when she could be…I dunno, saving a kitten. Hidden under the clothes and riddled among the body are battle scars of course. What kind of daredevil is she if there are no battle wounds to show? Most of it are along the arm and leg, faint but visible. One major scar run along her back while the other stretched from the hollow of the neck to under her left arm.
Perhaps the most curious of all is Nanako’s right hand. Most of the time hidden under spanking new black glove [courtesy of her summon and his many trips to any nearby clothing stores], Nanako’s right hand, all the way up to her wrist is a dark, but healthy tan that contrasts strangely with her deathly pale skin, with throbbing, bulging veins. The hand is grotesquely large, though not bloated. It’s apparent that the hand does not belong to Nana, either that or she had contracted some kind of sick disease that transformed her right hand into that of a male’s. The hand actually belonged to her summon, the Tengu, Shizore. Thought the hand might have looked better on the original owner’s wrist, each finger is emaciated and boney and the nails are long and black, so sharp they can draw blood with a scratch. Many times Nana had tried to clip the nails, but they always grow right back in a few hours. They grow to about three or four inches before stopping. Still, the stubborn woman clips them whenever she gets the chance [otherwise how will she manage to fit her hand into her glove?]. However…there’s nothing more Nana despised than that right hand.
Clothing/Accessories
Due to her involvement with the secret police, Nanako’s stiff and bland clothing resembles the military uniform of her time. Worn on the top is an olive colored overcoat with a large collar. The coat has four black buttons in two rows along with beige cuffs. A black leather belt is securely strapped on the woman’s waist and carries two standard sized revolvers in the back, hidden by Nana’s dull gray cloak. The two guns are not part of the collection of The Armory, instead, they are used in emergencies or secondary weapons. A white strap across Nanako’s chest keeps the short bokken around her waist, always ready to be put into action. From the waist down, the ex-police wears a pair of pale beige slacks tucked into knee high boots with heels. Yes, she can run and perform amazing feats in those heels. It’s the power of a woman. In addition to her usual strict and rather neutral colored outfit is a police hat and a Secret police pin. The pin is kept hidden in her pockets. No need to keep wearing it when you’re an ex-police. Sometimes, Nana can be seen with a colorful hair clip to keep her bangs out of her eyes. It’s one of her feeble attempts to brighten up her attire.
Around her neck hangs an important family heirloom passed down to her through generations. A small ring inlaid with a large unidentifiable red gem. Supposedly, it has some connection to one of her ancestor and her summon. Nana could care less, but had always treasured the ring for its beauty. Unfortunately, it had only ever fitted on her right hand. And well, ever since losing her right hand…well, who would want to put a pretty ring on that thing?
[x]
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~Personality~
As you're walking through the door, you see many sights that influence your mood. The different feelings that suddenly wash over you are many, leaving you with a strange mix of emotions.
[/i]As you're walking through the door, you see many sights that influence your mood. The different feelings that suddenly wash over you are many, leaving you with a strange mix of emotions.
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Alignment
Neutral [Though called the Secret Police, the organization’s affiliation remains neutral and focus entirely on its own goals instead of the protection of the people. As its most avid member, Nanako’s ideals reflects the morals—or lack thereof—of her organization.]
Behavior
From her days as a child, Shunsuke Nanako had been graciously fed remarkable stories of her ancestor’s incredible feats and power. Naturally, with all this hubbub, she considered herself a descendent of greatness. With further nurturing and high expectations, Nana had grown to embody the personality of a rationalist, more specifically of the idiosyncratic type. Her entire personality revolves around her pride, most specifically of her family and its position in society. Nothing, absolutely nothing will stain her family name and get away with it without some repercussion, thus giving the woman a will of iron. Though physically, Nana is less than powerful, her pride ensures that whatever gets in her way will be crushed one way or another. Admirable, but Nana’s pride can often border on absurdity. Though very much a realist, Nanako is entranced with her family status, likened to a hypnotized state. The young woman puts too much confident in the greatness of the Shunsuke family and the ‘reality’ she had pulled over her eyes keeps her in the dark to the complexity of certain matters, such as her family’s downfall. In other words, Nana believes that her ideal is everyone’s ideal. Dead certain that she can revive her family name and ignorant to the chaos of her government, her efforts are ceaseless, to the point of being unnecessary, and her methods flamboyant. Practically nothing can bring her out of her delusion of grandeur. Often her way of doing things causes injuries to innocent others and even herself. The ends justify the means however.
Highly privileged as a child and young adult, Nanako continues to this day to maintain that authoritativeness around her peers, and those she see as below her, especially her summon Shizore. Prone to making unusual and inconvenient requests, the young woman expects punctuality and success. It must be done, and it must be done right. Often people find her requests silly and in some cases, used to bully around her rather unfortunate followers. Spoiled, in a sense, Nana knows very little of limit. The feelings and emotions of others are never taken into account, though she expects others to understand her thoughts. Fact is, she hardly bother to explain her ideas to anyone, finding them too stupid to understand the intricacies of her thought, which is true to some extent since the girl can be a bit of an out of the box thinker. Unconventional, Nana sometimes has the weirdest ideas and her usual idea of ‘fun’ or ‘fear’ can differ from the normal perception.
Though loud and demanding, Nana is actually a rather introverted individual. In fact, no one had ever seen the young woman cry, and very rarely do they ever see any genuinely positive emotions expressed by her delicate face or body language. Not a morsel of moral in her, some might claim. It isn’t hard to look up to her for her fearless and bold qualities, but many are usually put off by her lack of human empathy. Far from the shy kind, she is cruelly blunt and disheartening. Of course, she craves for attention and companionship [though such relationships are usually one-sided…strangely enough, the guys she had shown interest in usually disappear without a trace] and values loyalty almost as much as strength.
Still prone to having frightening tantrums like a child [it’s effectively replaces the tears Nana does not have] when she does not get her way, Nana solves unsolvable problems immediately by getting violent. Countless bokkens have been shattered—and even more people permanently traumatized—by this thunderous display of pure rage. Almost make one wish that she was commanding and bitchy all of the time instead of having ‘boiling points’.
As bad as the young woman sounds though, Nana’s not really rotten through and through [she’s getting preeetty close though]. A bit out of touch with her inner female emotions, a bit apathetic, very screwed up by childhood nurturing, there’s not really much of the woman to love. Awkward and brash when faced with affection, Nana does try sometimes to act like a normal human being. If she’s familiar enough with you, that is. And if she thinks you deserve to take a break. Often, Nanako puts the safety of things she highly values before her, be it person or item. Makes her look selfless, but really, she just have priority issues. Most importantly though, Nana’s bitter weakness is just that…her weakness. Nana fears showing inner weakness above all things. She fears crying, she fears attachment, she fears failure. Because frankly, she’s not allowed to crumble. What part of the Shunsuke name is not about success? Thus, Nanako combats this weakness with violent moodiness. With the way she treats her summon, you’d never guess that she’s deathly afraid of Shizore. Deathly. Afraid. She just hopes that one of these days, her all powerful summon doesn’t turn around and unleash his pent up fury on her for bullying him all this time…
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~Weapons~
Suddenly, a Heartless appears in front of you, brandishing its claws and threatening to attack. You reach for your weapon and equip it, ready to defend yourself.
[/i][/b]Suddenly, a Heartless appears in front of you, brandishing its claws and threatening to attack. You reach for your weapon and equip it, ready to defend yourself.
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Primary Weapon(s)
ID: The Armory
Quality: Fine
The Armory is actually a collection of guns stored in a strange room detached from any kind of actual building, existing in its own dimension. By summoning forth this ‘weapon’, first a giant metal door opens up before the woman, seemingly leading to nowhere. Open it up though and lo-and behold, a standard sized armory appear right behind the door. The armory consists of only long ranged weapons both ancient and modern. Mainly though, the most important and main weapons used in the Armory are the assortment of guns. From rifles and semi-automatic handguns to ancient pistols and crossbows, the room hoards every projectile weapon Nana has ever collected on her journey. Impressive, huh? Not to mention that the Armory automatically reloads and cleans any weapon not used in battle. The Armory does not open to anyone except Nanako’s command, thus no one can use her weapons against her.
A few of the weapons included in the Armory are:
Shotguns [of all kinds]
Bow and Arrow
Crossbow
Pistols
Semi-automatics
Rifles
Bayonets
Muskets
Revolvers
Slingshots
Exchange!
Whenever Nana finds the need to exchange weapons, the door immediately appears and spits out a pair of weapons in exchange for the used up weapons Nanako was using. Any weapon returned to the Armory will be cleaned and reloaded. The pair of weapon given to the woman can be random or by Nana’s request, though they are similar in size and shape [i.e. a pair of pistols]. Any two handed weapons though [i.e. a rifle, crossbow] will only come in one. Nana can only carry enough weapons her two hands can hold at once without being burdened. Most of the time, that’s one weapon per hand, or one rifle/shotgun/bow and arrow.
Strength: Weak
Uses: Every three posts if exchanging is needed
Secondary Weapon(s)
ID: Bokken
The bokken is a hilt-less wooden sword usually used in sword training. Like all police who carries around batons, Nana carries the short bokken at her waist and uses it on brawlers.
ID: Nobunaga and Musashi
A pair of revolvers, both crafted by the best gunsmiths in Nippon with ivory handles. Nobunaga and Musashi are your standard sized guns with six rounds of normal bullets and firing time. The irony of the guns is that carved in Nobunaga’s handle is the name of one of Nippon’s famous samurai, Oda Nobunaga, and on Musashi’s handle is the name of Miyamoto Musashi, another samurai that had his name etched in history. The shrewd merchant would claim that the revolvers contain the protection and feral power of these two samurais, however, anyone sensible enough would know that the great warriors of the swords would have little to do with such advanced weapons. Nevertheless, Nobunaga and Musashi had always been helpful in Nana’s times of need—which frankly, is rare thanks to Shizore.
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~Abilities~
Just as you're about to fight the creature, you feel the power of your ancestors filling you. The strength of a thousand men courses through your veins as you prepare for battle.
[/i][/b]Just as you're about to fight the creature, you feel the power of your ancestors filling you. The strength of a thousand men courses through your veins as you prepare for battle.
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AP left: 0
Tengu’s Right Hand
By taking the ring on her necklace and forcing it onto the dark skinned and crooked right hand, Nana can create a momentary exchange between her hand and Shizore’s. The temporary change gives back Shizore’s dominant sword hand and thus restores to him his full power. In other words, Shizore’s nimbleness with his swords and his cutting power returns to Full Strength, making him truly the ‘Last Breath’. This ability does not increase Shizore’s speed or agility, merely his cutting speed and power. As for Nana, she gains no advantage over having her hand back, only a momentary comfort to having a normal hand again. The switch lasts only two posts before the ring starts burning Nana’s hand and she is forced to remove it from her fingers, thus switching the hands again.
Strength: Weak
Uses: Two posts duration, four posts cooldown
Bokken, upgrade!
The bokken, normally four and a half feet in length, goes through a major upgrade with this ability. Growing two feet in length and gaining a light yellow sheen, Nana’s bokken gains a destructive force normally unavailable to the blunt object. Not only is the wooden bokken impervious to damage during this ability, but Nana’s striking power is increased by two folds, now giving her the power to bash a moderate sized hole in walls or completely obliterate wooden objects into splinters. The bokken can now easily break limbs upon contact, though Nana’s movements are visibly slower than normal.
Strength: Weak
Uses: Two post duration, three post cooldown
Defense Squadron
Summoning all of the weapons in the armory at once, Nanako can mentally arrange them into something similar to a shield in front of her. The guns act like a one sided steel wall, defending against any magical or physical attacks aimed at Nana from one direction. The shield can be moved by Nana so that it can protect either her or anyone she directs the wall to. It hovers above the ground and can either be a semi dome shape or a rectangular wall. While using Defense Squadron, Nana cannot use any weapon from the armory. The same applies after the shield is down and the young woman can rely only on Shizore or her secondary weapons. The wall usually lasts two posts before it disperses unless struck by one strong ability. It is weak against fire damage.
Strength: Weak
Uses: Two post duration unless struck by a strong ability. Three post cool down during which Nanako cannot use any weapon from the Armory.
Items
1.
2.
Equips
1.
2.
3.
Special Abilities
N/A
Minions
N/A
Summons
Name: Shizore, the ‘Last Breath’
Age: 267, but appears only 26
Gender: Male
Race: Tengu
Personality:
Alignment: Neutral, whatever edict Nanako follows
Behavior: Awkwardly cold, mercilessly brutal and unwaveringly dutiful. These are the three traits that describe the Tengu Shizore, often known as ‘Last Breath’, perfectly. He is a man one with ‘True Strength’ who fights to protect, even if it means killing. A silent enigma with a constant disgruntled, yet distant, expression, Shizore is calm person who enjoys the peace of quiet. This doesn’t mean he dislikes idle chatter or time spent meaninglessly, for even that carries importance in his heart. Rarely does Shizore start a conversation, but he is polite when spoken to and makes an effort to reply to anyone and everyone. However, Shizore is surprisingly a shy, soft-spoken person and to hide this, often speaks in conundrum and riddles; absolute nonsense until deciphered. Shizore only ever talks straightly to people he feels comfortable with; none more so than his master, Nanako. Despite his general pleasantness, Shizore is an unreachable figure. No matter how much he gets along with a person, there is always an uncompromisable distance. The remains of an innocent pride, a loneliness he has kept forbidden, and a lost dream he can no longer reach for; these are the impassable walls that bar Shizore’s heart, even from his revered master.
Gentle and amiable outside of battle, the Tengu shows no hesitation in battle. He sees killing as a mechanical process and is dangerously dismissive of life. Shizore simply does not care if anyone besides Nanako lives or dies, even if he had conversed, laughed and liked said person a few minutes ago. He still feels the pain of loss, but it is immeasurably less than the pain of disappointing Nanako; for her, his hands will never falter. This is the cruelty, the amoral fibre, he has imposed on himself and on others. He is often likened to a frozen lake, whose beautiful icy surface belies the ever present danger of drowning. A side of him he has suppressed but cannot deny is irrationally competitive; Shizore still has that very Chauvinistic pride as a swordsman, to test his strength against others, but he keeps it in check far better than he once did.
His attachment to Nanako borders on idol worship; to her he has surrendered everything but the deepest part of his heart. If she tells him to die, he will die. If she tells him to be damned, he will wait in hell. That is the nature of his loyalty that is in itself an obsession. His strongest desires are to please her, to make her happy above others and to see to never see her cry. To this end, he will go to any lengths and, at her slightest whim, he has braved countless dangers; like the time he fought a dragon because she wanted to heat up her cup of noodles in a special way. Why does he go so far? Because she is the manifestation of his lost dreams; the woman who he failed to protect, her ancestor. It is not merely an uncanny resemblance; she is exact spitting image of that woman. Hopelessly stuck in the past, Shizore will continue to pursue that futile dream of his until the end of his days. A man of ‘True Strength’, a fool.
Appearance:
Shizore’s Picture
Physical appearance:
Shizore is handsomely featured; his lukewarm eyes are amber, reminiscent of summer in its calm pristine. What appears to be red eyes shadow covers his eyelids, but is really just the natural tone of his skin at that spot. Shizore’s skin color is unusual for a Tengu, being a healthy bronze. His ears are pointed like an elf’s and at the very tip is a bushel of red and blue fur. His messy, lion mane of hair, with its collection of fringes, are a snow white; its entails reaching just below his shoulder to his chest.
A most notable first impression, Shizore is a man of great height; easily a half taller than the average male standing at about 2 meters. He is suitably muscular as well, with a well built and heavy figure to match his height. His hard muscles are tense and compact, not bulgy, so they store more explosive power than aerobic stamina. His limbs are powerfully built, with one slight exception. His right hand is not his own; it is that of a young woman’s, his master’s to be precise. As per their contract, their respective right hands are exchanged as a symbol and binding seal of their union.
Clothing/Accessories:
Shizore wears a white kimono with grey folds, a light blue obi holding down the middle. A red sash hold his katana over the obi at his waist. The kimono extends down to his shins and on his feet he wears wooden sandals. A loin cloth is all he wears under his kimono. A white fur mantle coat is worn over this, though it is often removed during the heat of battle. As for accessories, a maroon bead necklace surrounds Shizore’s throat and on his head, which he sometimes wear as a ceremony, is a mask of the Tengu from lore. The Tengu mask is predominantly red save for golden markings that adorn the face.Weapons:
Wind Slicing Blade – Kazesatsu: Not just one blade, but a daisho, a katana and wakizashi pair; Kazesatsu is a blade renowned for splitting even the very air. Kazesatsur’s sheath for both blades is green but decorated with golden snake like markings. The hand guard is colored white while the handle is a dull yellow; a string with a small gold bell is tied at the end. Kazesatsu’s blade is constructed of diamond, rumored to be forged by and for gods. Its edge is sharp to a molecular level and there is little physical matter that could resist its all cutting edge. One could lose a finger just by hovering it above the blade. Shizore wears Kazesatsu tied to his waist by a red sash, though now on the right side to be used by his left hand. He used to be right-handed and would wear his blade on the left side of his waist; but since exchanging hands with Nanako that has no longer become viable.
Weapons Store:
Wind Praising Flute: An ordinary flute, silver but engraved with several characters signifying the coming of a storm.
Wind Binding Chain: A black 10 metre long chain with weighted steel balls the size of softballs at either end. Used as shackles to tie down an opponent.
Wind Dancing Fan: Twin steel fans that are as sharp as knives; they are silver but have the characters for the eye of the hurricane engraved. They are used like boomerangs and can return once thrown.
Wind Piercing Bow: A oaken long bow and a satchel of a dozen arrows. The arrow heads are jagged, making them harder to remove once embedded.
Crows A murder of crows follows Shizore, acting as his familiars. Numbering in barely a dozen, these are regular crows, no stronger or weaker than average, though they obey Shizore’s will. They can communicate with Shizore through their cawing, for he happens to speak their language.
Wings The wings of a Tengu are a weapon in themselves; Shizore’s wings are as hard and solid as steel though their texture and feel is the same as normal bird wings. More blades than wings, they are also sharp enough to pierce flesh. Shizore has predominantly black wings, though the feathers at the very ends are white.
Abilities:
Shizore is a Tengu often called the ‘Last Breath’, the final breath of air a dying man takes, for his superb killing techniques. A swordsman possessing both the pinnacle of speed and skill, Shizore is a master of many styles of swordsmanship, even those not relating to a katana, but his personal favorite is the Iaido style; certain death from the draw. Shizore’s Iaido style is brutally efficient, cutting corners on techniques to quicken and heighten the killing power. Combined with his ability to pull of sword techniques mid-air with the same ease on the ground, Shizore is a threat that can reach all corners of the battlefield quickly.
Sky Ruler ~The Flight of a Free Bird~: With his wings, Shizore is capable of flight, only reaching up to heights migratory birds are capable of (~3000 metres); however, he is able to fly exactly as fast as he can move on land. Due to “Nimble Swordsman”, this means his flight speed is phenomenal.
Strength: Weak
Uses: Passive
Nimble Swordsman ~The Speed of a Hunting Falcon~:
a) Full Strength: To move like the wind, swift and without haste, gently and with grace. Shizore’s speed, agility and reactions are far faster than any mortal man can hope to match. Though his movements do not escape the human eye, he is often able to outpace the speed a person can turn their head or body to follow him. An accurate example of his alacrity would be that at a distance he can dodge or cut in half a bullet. This doesn’t only apply to his movement speed, his reactions are also nigh instantaneous and he can swing his sword at an unbelievable pace. Shizore’s attack speed is so high that a normal enemy will not even perceive a shift in movement of the hand, arm, shoulder or any part of the body when he attacks with katana; in the Iaido style especially. However, if they are alert and capable enough, they may be able to perceive the blade coming at their throats before it’s too late.
b) Under these circumstances: Though Shizore is still able to move at full strength, he is only at half his normal attacking speed (as fast as a very skilled human practitioner) using his left hand; since he is originally right handed. To be at full strength, he needs his right hand back [See Tengu's Right Hand].
Strength: Strong
Uses: Passive
Razor Wind ~The Talons of a Descending Hawk~:
a) Wind of immaculate edge can slice through even steel thus every arc of Shizore’s katana can trace and send out air waves, shaped like crescents approximately the length of a full grown adult. These air waves move as fast as the wind and can reach maximum distances of 100 meters. If he spins his blade around quickly, Shizore can send a circle of razor wind out.
b) When Shizore beats his wings, usually dispensing a dozen air waves at once. They are only sent directly in front of him and, being the length of a full grown, usually cover an area of his wings across and his height in length.
c) Shizore can send multiple small air waves by his breath alone, however, these smaller air waves are considerably weaker and cannot slice through bone let alone steel. All of the air waves of a, b and c can be more easily be blocked by magical defenses, such as the defender shield aura.
Strength: Strong
Uses: a) can happen once per turn, b) once per four turns and c) is unlimited.
True Blade ~The Ideal of a Mighty Eagle~: Shizore is a master swordsman, one without peer, and bears skill no more than a handful of men can compare to. With a blade in hand, Shizore is able to cleanly slice through a much greater area than his blade physically reaches, extending as far as necessary on a larger surface area than the blade. An example is that Shizore would be able to split in twine a massive boulder with a single strike so clean that the two split halves are smooth; not to mention what he could do to a normal body. Of course, this relies on his weapon’s ability to cut the target, though there are few materials that can match up to the diamond blade of Kazesatsu. Shizore’s skill with the sword is such that he is also capable of splitting and neutralizing offensive abilities. However, Shizore’s blade does not match well against magical defenses, such as the defender shield aura.
Strength: Strong
Uses: Unlimited, but Shizore is only able to cleave and disable Strong level offensive abilities once every 3 turns, Moderate once every 2 turns and Weak level abilities once every turn.
Elemental Resistance: Light
Elemental Weakness: Earth
History:
In his world, he had no equal with the sword. A genius with the blade, even within the Tengu clans well known for their swordsmanship, he was unrivaled. He spent his early years in melancholy at the lackluster instructions of his inferior masters and his inept peers. One could call him arrogant, but truly he was no more than was to be expected. It was like playing chess against infants; one seeks greater opponents naturally, no? When he came of age, already a proud swordsman, he began his long search for someone worthy to test his blade against. It was not because he wanted to be famously acknowledged as strong, that was just a by product; from the beginning, Shizore sought only the meaning of true strength. He knew he could not learn it tucked in his home.
Despite his journeys, it was futile. The world was too weak, too contaminated of trash and scum. Their blood tainted his blade, but he cut them down anyway in his search for true strength. He did not understand what it meant at all! So he continued his bloody search, through countless bodies. Any who held a blade, any who challenged him, he would duel without consideration of the consequences. Without concern for the widows and orphans he left in his wake. That man selfishly pursued true strength and he became known as the ‘Last Breath’.
It was when he heard news of an invincible Priest, one who truly understood the meaning of strength, that Shizore sought out this man; traveling all the way to his northern Temple. There, at the foot of the temple steps, he was stopped by a lone girl. She was the Shrine Maiden, daughter of that Priest, and she pointed her bow at him. “Turn away and never return,” She told him. He did not listen. An arrow so fast it scraped his skin despite his attempt to dodge was fired. The fight between the two was vicious, she was no ordinary human..! Never before had Shizore encountered an opponent like her! Now, he hoped, now he would find what true strength meant, in the reflection of his enemy’s eyes…Her eyes held no contempt. No bloodlust or disdain. Nothing. Just simple tranquility and the resolve to protect.
He was defeated for the first time by that purity.
Shizore woke on a tatami mat floor, tucked snugly in a mattress with that same Shrine Maiden nursing him, herself largely uninjured. He refused any further pity and made haste to leave, but his injuries disallowed him this. In his fury, he asked her “Why?” And she replied, “Because what you seek is not my father’s head. It is a calm to your own restless soul, I learnt that during our exchange. I will not kill you, though I cannot say whether you’d kill me when my back is turned,” She said all this with a smile and left him to ponder his own faults.
Wandering the temple, Shizore chanced upon his target. The legendary Priest who knew the meaning of true strength, except that fierce Priest was now in bed, decrepit and dying; his daughter crying by his side. This was the man who he sought to fight? He realized then that that girl only wanted to protect her father’s last moments. It was also then he learned the reason for his loss, “You are superior in strength, speed and skill. But your spirit is in turmoil, it will never defeat my clear resolve,” She said to him but he did not understand. Resolve stronger than a sword; it was something he had never encountered before. Was this the true strength he sought?
He stayed with her to learn this. Her father died soon, so it seemed she at least appreciated the company. He was the only family she had left, after all. He got along with her, though he knew no words of comfort; the man who came to kill her father was the last thing left she could hang on to. They talked together, ate together, trained together and laughed together; they shared times of woe and times of joy. It was not a surprise they developed a bond, it was not a surprise they laid together. Somewhere along the way, he found he had the answers he sought; true strength. As long as she was with him, he was most definitely, without a doubt undefeatable.
However, the era was against them. The practice of Miko, the practice of magic and beings such as Shizore, a Tengu, were under orders of the Emperor, to be exterminated from their land. Westernization had come, ships from the seas that brought with them guns and new opportunities; the traditions of the old would have to die. It was an illogical conclusion, yes, but the Emperor at that time was impressionable and the decree was hastily drawn.
So it was an army gathered at the foot of the temple steps, like Shizore himself had stood so many years ago. He refused her wishes to flee together; he would not accept such an encroachment on his happiness. He took up the sword that kills once again. She tried to stop him before he could face those thousands at their door, but this time, he soundly defeated her without hurting her. It was because this time he too had resolve. He had attained true strength in his voracious desire to protect her, her one life weighed more than all those in the army below, the whole nation, no, the world!
Shizore descended those steps and he swung his sword to kill. With every swing of his sword, with every beat of his wings; men died. A Tengu who, unlike the others, had not gone into hiding after the decree; he was fearsome beyond compare. No-one could match him, no-one could stop him. He would protect her, protect his happiness! He would- A knife stuck from his back and multiple knife wounds followed, impaling themselves in his spine. He turned and found that her, the woman he wanted to protect, had stabbed him repeatedly. It was an ironic mirror of her words; she had killed him when his back was turned.
Or at least it would’ve been fatal had he been human. Spinning a yarn about how Shizore was an immortal, who would only resurrect upon death, the Shrine Maiden managed to have Shizore sealed instead of killed. Sealed in a world without light, he was placed in the cold metal of his blades, Kazesatsu, and embedded within the courtyard. It was a complex illusion, the real Shizore was impaled with his own sword on the ground. Yet, all a normal person would see was that pair of immovable sword.s Even were the temple around it be leveled and fall to decay, that sword would remain. There was but one way to remove his seal, one which anyone could do if willing. Cut of their dominant hand.
This way, she knew, he would be safe for the era to come.
They say that Shrine Maiden was given exception from the decree, wealth and title for her service in defeating the monstrous Tengu; many stories and legends were told of her exploits, all more ridiculous than the last. They say she married and had children with some other noble. And they say that, once every year, she would visit that little courtyard with the blade planted in the stone pavement she sealed him in and reminisce only for a moment. At the time of her death, she asked to be buried at the foot of that tree. It was little consolation for either of them.
It would be more than two centuries later before Shizore would see the light of day again.
[/blockquote]
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~History~
As you slay the last of the beasts, you put your weapon aside, and walk away, knowing your tale of bravery will be told for thousands of years to come.
[/b][/i]As you slay the last of the beasts, you put your weapon aside, and walk away, knowing your tale of bravery will be told for thousands of years to come.
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Dear Journal,Today, strange men came into our house. They looked around the house and in Mother and Father’s room. They scared all the servants and Mother looked really mad when they poked into her dresser and jewelry box. Jinko Oba-chan said they were dirty men, disgracing the Shunsuke family and that if Father was here, they’d never be able to even set foot in the house. But Papa wasn’t here. He’s on a long and important trip for the Shunsuke family and won’t be back for a long, long time. I tried to do what Papa would have done, but Jinko Oba-chan held me so close that my shoulders hurt. She didn’t want me to bother the men. They didn’t look in my room, but they took all of Mama’s pretty stones and necklaces. I cried after they left, but Mama told me to never cry. Ever. I’m going to be a big girl, and the Shunsuke Family would never cry over something like this. Tomorrow, it’ll be my birthday. Jinko Oba-chan made me a really pretty kimono for my birthday. I’m going to be eleven. Mother told Jinko Oba-chan that from now on, she has to call me Lady Shunsuke, not Nana-chan. I am going to be a young lady and Jinko Oba-chan is not part of the family.
I wish Jinko Oba-san would still call me Nana-chan.
Dear Journal,Mama says I have to get rid of you. I can’t take too many things with me. The men came today and they took everything. Mama’s dresser. Papa’s pipes. My clothes. They took the servants too. I have to leave Jinko Oba-chan. I tried not to cry, like Mama told me to. But Jinko Oba-chan was crying so hard. Mama said she was weak because she wasn’t a Shunsuke. I want to cry too, but I’m not allowed to. I could only take my bear and a few dresses. The men kept shouting Papa’s name over and over, but I don’t understand what they’re saying. I wonder where Papa is. When he comes back though, he’ll be able to take everything back. I told Jinko Oba-chan that I’ll come back. Papa will make everything right again and I’ll come back and find her. I will give you to her. She will keep you safe. Today, I’m eleven. I’m leaving home with Mama and we’re going somewhere far away. Maybe it’ll be an adventure. Good bye, Journal. I will miss you.-Nanako
Nanako, though she lived luxuriously for the first ten years of her life as a daughter of an important Imperial Officer, never had anything to do with such adoration and extravagance again. Due to the success of her Father’s nature of tempting fortune, they were more than ‘well off’. A palace, they had lived in a palace, with maids, with power, with fancy western cutlery all made with pure silver [that, I must say, is class]. Somewhere along the way though, there’s always a ditch for men such as Mr. Shunsuke to fall into. Big, deep, dark ditch. Having fallen into said proverbial hole, the proud man had no choice but to disappear off to a foreign country in order to avoid the debt collectors who wanted nothing more than to sit down with him, have some tea and biscuit and maybe recite a haiku or two before snatching the clothes right off his back. In addition to the many precious heirlooms of the Shunsuke family, which he left behind for them to plunder. Ah, Mr. Shunsuke, such bravery, such audacity, such…silliness! He conveniently forgot his wife and only child in the hurry to leave.
Many, many years later, after the Shunsuke name had quietly passed to one single heir, relentlessly fighting to give this pitiful and valueless family heirloom some morsel of pride, it was rumored that the escapee had been sighted near Tokyo, richly dressed and accompanied by many beautiful oriental women. Ah, but he would be Mr. Hamachi, not Mr. Shunsuke. That is a whole other tale though, my friends. Let’s focus once again, on the vim and vigor of Shunsuke Nanako, the last known heir of the Shunsuke family.
It was a rather tragic story, to be honest. A true tear-jerker. And maybe some smacks to the forehead for lack of common sense in certain situations. Our heroine [and her mother] found themselves unceremoniously dumped into the streets of Nippon. The year was 1937, and the war had long since ended. The world had slipped into a momentary sigh of relief. Yet for the two Shunsuke women, their moment of relief was gone the minute they were booted out of their palace. The bank had repossessed all of their belongings. Their only male figure was nowhere to be found. Their relatives refuse to be associated with them. Thankfully, the Shunsuke women were built tough. Not a single tear was shed between the two as they trek down into town, each with one pitiful sack of belonging. They spent the night at a cheap local motel. No servants, no hot water. Nanako had nightmares that night.
The next day, itching from bed bug bites, the two set off again, hoping to find someone kind enough to lend them a temporary abode. Soon, the two settled in a small hut outside of town. Never had Nana despise something so much. Naturally, the spoiled child longed for the comfort of her cleaned western palace, the people who served her so diligently, the food that doesn’t upset her stomach, and most of all the hot baths.
Nanako’s mother was a proud woman though. Not so very sensible, if you think about it. Though practically lacking any maternal instincts, she made sure that her only daughter understood what it meant to be a Shunsuke and that it was absolutely imperative that one of her richer relatives take the girl back into society upon her death. Why, if no one would listen to the words of a live woman, then surely, she can depend on their superstitious selves to follow through with her last wishes. Lest she haunt them for an eternity. And you know how Asian spirits can get. What with the whole cursing and the moaning and the dragging into wells.
Two weeks after their removal from power, Nana woke up to a bed empty of her mother. She left behind a ring and a letter for the uncle closest to the family. A week later, fishermen found the bloated body of a woman in the river, floating along like a balloon. By then, Nana had already been situated in her uncle’s family.
It would be stupid and overdramatic of me to tell you that they mistreated the girl. Yet at the same time, it would be unrealistic to say that she was loved and adored. It was all a rather grey and neutral state for her next six years. Nanako lived in her relative’s home through her teens. She was once again in what her mother would have called ‘acceptable civilization’. She went to school, ate good food, slept in feather beds similar to her cousins’ [she could have swore that her room was just a tad bit smaller than their’s though...]. Nonetheless, she looked down on these people her mother had forced her to room with. They had tried approaching the little girl when she had first arrived in their homes. Of course, like the cretins they were, they were sourly rejected. The only ones she might have deemed worthy to talk to if not for their betrayal…well, they were long gone, one down the river and the other in a western country, newly single. Nana, however, was not in any hurry to join them. She would remain in her home country, where she would grow up to be the young woman that had been predetermined by her blood. Most importantly of all though, she must regain the honor of the Shunsuke family. She had been let down by her own parents and she will make sure that never again, will this happen. Because from now on, fate will be controlled by her own hands.
With no tears to shed for her dead parents—for they are now useless and grief would have been an extraneous waste of effort—thus began her long and sickly obsession to restore the power of her name…
WWII 1939-1945
Here is where our knowledge of history splits with the Alternate Universe’s version of history. Unsuccessful in turning back the Nazis, America forsaken Europe to the ravaging of Hitler, who soon had every single country of the continent under its control. Instead of dwelling over its failures, America turned her eyes on the oriental island of Nippon to the east. Imperial Japan, so full of ambition, so determined to be just as gluttonous as Hitler, had the majority of the Asiatic lands under its influence. First Manchuria, then the skirmish between the Chinese Nationalists and Communists, followed by a clash with the Soviet Union and then some lovely island hopping as they gobbled them up one by one with little to no resistance. It was all just a simple game of Monopoly for the Japanese. The Americans, severely crippled by the lack of aid from Europe, could only watch from the sidelines and threaten any approaching forces by waving the newly invented atomic bombs in their faces. Despite, their strong disadvantage, the Americans still miraculously retained enough of a composure to keep South America and Canada intact, creating a big enough buffer [their only loss was Hawaii, unfortunately swarmed by the Japanese after Pearl Harbor].
Following some useless skirmishes, the four major powers—Truman, Hitler, Stalin, and Emperor Showa—tensely arranged a meeting and signed a peace treaty. For now, no one would be stomping in anyone’s back yard other than their own. With the world quickly split into four sections, the Nippon Empire got about busying themselves with inner skirmish…
1946, Japan Empire
What of our ‘heroine’?
At this point and time, Nanako was no longer living with her relatives. In fact, the minute she turned 16, she was gone. Unlike her mother, Nanako was not one to shy from bending herself down to civilian state in order to get what she wanted. In fact, she had found just the thing that appealed to her. An underground secret police faction created deliberately to overthrow the tyranny of the current emperor. Discovering the military blood in herself, the young woman had grabbed the ring her mother left her and was gone from the house over night, spirited away by a group of young enthusiasts. The world was theirs, and they were still in their prime. This aged and emaciated government would surely bow under their youthful will. They will destroy the establishment and recreate this nation. Such power emanating from the group, it had fascinated and enthralled the young girl, who was so deprived of such authority.
So began the Secret Police. Each pretentious member dressed in military uniforms and capes, thwarting the empire’s plan in any way they can. That’s right kids, stick it to the man.
So eager was Nana to try and prove her worth and power, that she made sure to always take the most dangerous and unstable of the mission. Soon, they started calling her the Devil. The excuse was that the woman was such a daredevil. We all know the real reason why the nickname ‘Devil’ suited the young Shunsuke so well. She was hot-blooded, stubborn, and bitterly hated by some for her thick attitude problem. Nevertheless, Nana got the job done and she got it done well. Oh how they hated her…
When Nana turned twenty, Nippon found itself a bigger kind of rat to deal with. Actually, they resembled ants, but their appearances was sudden and took everyone by surprise. Across the world, country by country fell as these strange shadowy creatures struck their claws into soldiers and politicians. And they thought they had seen it all after the battlefield. It was a pity, how much manpower each nation had put into taking and keeping control, only to have it all ripped to pieces the span a few week. It was during that time, in the initial wave of these black heart stealers, Shunsuke Nanako sought sanctuary in the ruins of an old temple.
There, she found a rusty pair of swords.Mission #9403
Dispatched: Shunsuke Nanako
ID: 06061961
Location: _______ma Shrine
Status: Assumed Dead
Reason of Death: Heart Stealers
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~Class~
Before you embark on your journey a vision comes upon you. You see three weapons in front of you.
~ A sword of terrible destruction - The power of the warrior: Invincible courage.
~ A shield to repel all - The power of the guardian: Kindness to aid friends.
~ A staff of wonder and ruin - The power of the mystic: Inner strength.
You know that one of them must be chosen. What power will you seek?
[/b]Before you embark on your journey a vision comes upon you. You see three weapons in front of you.
~ A sword of terrible destruction - The power of the warrior: Invincible courage.
~ A shield to repel all - The power of the guardian: Kindness to aid friends.
~ A staff of wonder and ruin - The power of the mystic: Inner strength.
You know that one of them must be chosen. What power will you seek?
~ A sword of terrible destruction - The power of the warrior: Invincible courage.
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~Other~
This is…yeah, a joint character by Akito and I. I play Nanako while Akito plays Shizore.
Also, I want to have Akito's babies; he is a sexy beast.
I did post in shades of grey if anyone even remembers that lmao