Fading MemoryName
Date Uzume
Age
16
Descriptor
A young warrior seeking improvement and belonging
Appearance
While generally preferring more traditional attire, necessity has forced adjustments to her wardrobe. Typically dressed in a short yukata with hakama, she has adopted more Western style boots and a duster coat. Leather cloves protect her hands and a dark blue omamori hangs from her obi.
Biography
Other
Date Uzume
Age
16
Descriptor
A young warrior seeking improvement and belonging
Appearance
While generally preferring more traditional attire, necessity has forced adjustments to her wardrobe. Typically dressed in a short yukata with hakama, she has adopted more Western style boots and a duster coat. Leather cloves protect her hands and a dark blue omamori hangs from her obi.
Biography
Father,
I know you will not truly understand, but I must do this. The Meiji strip us of our titles, land, and wealth, yet none stand against this injustice. The samurai of today bring shame to those before us, and I cannot stand this display any longer. I am taking the stipend we recieved before you can turn it into a bond, our family scroll, and I am relieving your weapons of their cowardly owner. With the last embers of our ancestors' spirits, I will join the American we met with and visit his land in hopes of preserving them.
Farewell,
Staring down at the letter, waiting for the ink to dry, Uzume considered her decision one last time. Once she leaves, that's it. No turning back. She will be in a foreign land, and will need to carve out a new place for herself. With a deep breath, the young girl reaffirms herself. Stepping into the great unknown would be better than suffering in familiarity. Grabbing her packed belongings, Uzume folds up the letter and exits her room. Walking through the empty estate, the samurai could not deny the pounding in her chest. Was it excitement or fear trying to tug at her? Was her body trying to push her onwards, or pull her back? It was impossible to truly tell, but she forced her legs along one step at a time.
The store room was locked, but she would not be impeded by this. Bringing one foot up, she slammed her foot into the door and sent it flying open with a thunderous crash. Hurrying in, Uzume grabbed the swords from their stand, the revolver from its box, and the freshly minted yen from the bank. As she finished her looting, the girl left the letter behind and quickly fled from what she once considered her home.
Arriving at her American contact's home, she rapped on the door while keeping an eye out for any pursuers. After a few seconds of delay, the door opened and she pushed herself in.
"Close the door," Uzume said before turning to face the man. He was well-built and strong, and wore some more casual attire from the West. The man stared at her with some scrutiny, but complied and shut the door behind her. Pushing some of his blonde hair out of his face, he asked a simple question.
"What are you running from?"
At this, the Date girl pause, taking a few seconds before sighing.
"My family. The government. Everything that once made this country my home. They strip away our rights! Taking what is rightfully ours, and yet everyone simply acce-"
The man brought up a hand to stop her, giving her a knowing nod as he responded, "I understand. The place I once called home did the same thing. We tried to fight against them, to end the injustice, but we were stomped out. I'll help you, where ever it is you need to go."
"America. What you've told my family about it, all the opportunity and danger, I think a warrior will be welcomed."
After a pause, the man got moving to arrange her a spot on the ship he arrived on using the very money she stole. Before she left, he gave her one piece of advise.
"Learn to shoot straight."
I know you will not truly understand, but I must do this. The Meiji strip us of our titles, land, and wealth, yet none stand against this injustice. The samurai of today bring shame to those before us, and I cannot stand this display any longer. I am taking the stipend we recieved before you can turn it into a bond, our family scroll, and I am relieving your weapons of their cowardly owner. With the last embers of our ancestors' spirits, I will join the American we met with and visit his land in hopes of preserving them.
Farewell,
Date Uzume
Staring down at the letter, waiting for the ink to dry, Uzume considered her decision one last time. Once she leaves, that's it. No turning back. She will be in a foreign land, and will need to carve out a new place for herself. With a deep breath, the young girl reaffirms herself. Stepping into the great unknown would be better than suffering in familiarity. Grabbing her packed belongings, Uzume folds up the letter and exits her room. Walking through the empty estate, the samurai could not deny the pounding in her chest. Was it excitement or fear trying to tug at her? Was her body trying to push her onwards, or pull her back? It was impossible to truly tell, but she forced her legs along one step at a time.
The store room was locked, but she would not be impeded by this. Bringing one foot up, she slammed her foot into the door and sent it flying open with a thunderous crash. Hurrying in, Uzume grabbed the swords from their stand, the revolver from its box, and the freshly minted yen from the bank. As she finished her looting, the girl left the letter behind and quickly fled from what she once considered her home.
Arriving at her American contact's home, she rapped on the door while keeping an eye out for any pursuers. After a few seconds of delay, the door opened and she pushed herself in.
"Close the door," Uzume said before turning to face the man. He was well-built and strong, and wore some more casual attire from the West. The man stared at her with some scrutiny, but complied and shut the door behind her. Pushing some of his blonde hair out of his face, he asked a simple question.
"What are you running from?"
At this, the Date girl pause, taking a few seconds before sighing.
"My family. The government. Everything that once made this country my home. They strip away our rights! Taking what is rightfully ours, and yet everyone simply acce-"
The man brought up a hand to stop her, giving her a knowing nod as he responded, "I understand. The place I once called home did the same thing. We tried to fight against them, to end the injustice, but we were stomped out. I'll help you, where ever it is you need to go."
"America. What you've told my family about it, all the opportunity and danger, I think a warrior will be welcomed."
After a pause, the man got moving to arrange her a spot on the ship he arrived on using the very money she stole. Before she left, he gave her one piece of advise.
"Learn to shoot straight."
Other
- Japanese
- English
- Spanish
- Ambidexterity - Though born left-handed, Uzume was forced to use her right hand for most things and adapted. Once she started practicing with two blades, her left hand quickly became comfortable again.
- Swordsmanship - As part of her upbringing, she was initially given basic training with short blades intended for self-defense. However, between natural talent and her vested interest in ancient figures such as her ancestors and the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, Uzume continued to pursue the craft. Eventually, she took up using two blades like her idol, Musashi.
- Calligraphy
- Weapon Maintenance
- Shogi
- Archery
- Hand-to-Hand
- Equestrianism
- Kemari
- Gunslinging - Only a very recent addition to her skillset, she has gotten as far as how to load the weapon and shoot in the general direction of something.
- Poetry
- Go
- Basketball
- Yume and Kago - A katana and wakizashi which once belonged to her father. She stole the weapons, believing him unworthy of even carrying their spirits in name.
- LeMat Revolver - A firearm given to her family by an American Civil War veteran, it is a single action revolver with a 9-round cylinder and a single-shot secondary barrel.
- Calligraphry Set - A small, long wooden case containing two brushes, an inkstone, an inkstick, a water dropper, a stone with her signature, and an ink pot with red ink.
- Maintenance Tools - For both her blades and the gun in her posession
- Date Family Scroll - A scroll containing her family tree
- The Book of Five Rings - A book written by Miyamoto Musashi, though somewhat worn from many times reading it, it remains one of her most prized posessions.
- Travelling Pack - A leather sling bag containing most of her assorted belongings.
- Omamori - A talisman Uzume purchased from a Shinto shrine before departing, hoping it would help protect her. Typically found hanging from her obi.