Sorry for the delay, here's my final edit.
Name
Koyama Usagi
The Small Mountain Rabbit
Age
14
Totem
Weasel
Appearance
Wide eyed and baby faced, Usagi's small and lithe form stands below the average height for a girl her age. Often assumed to be much younger than she actually is, she's come to use this casual assumption to her advantage and often plays the innocent child role to those oblivious to her real persona. Short legs and great distances don't always combine great, but Usagi walks with a skip in her step, displaying confidence in her straight posture and brisk speed. With little money to buy new clothes or shoes, Usagi travels barefoot and wears a worn blue kimono that is much too small for her size, as the hem sits just past her knees. Tied up in a ponytail with a plain black ribbon, her dark brown hair is long and unkept besides neatly trimmed and cut bangs. Kept tied up and out of the way, Usagi hasn't put a brush to her hair in years and has no intention to do so anytime soon.
Personality
With an innocent appearance ones first impression of Usagi is often the assumption that she's nothing more than a harmless child. However, this is but one of the many faces and roles she has learned to put up in front of others. With a keen eye for observation and reading other, Usagi has learned to use her natural talent and manipulative skills in lying and conning to survive. Growing up with no parental figure or responsible role model in her life, Usagi's maturity, social skills and overall understanding of her effect on others and the world around her has been greatly stunted. Respect and honor are words she has no understanding of while she allows herself to be guided by selfish needs, and a fearless curiosity. Keeping others at a distance has shielded her from any serious pain or mental anguish, and Usagi will put up front after front before allowing someone to truly see who she is -- which ultimately is just a lonely child.
While she craves company she fears abandonment, lacking the confidence and trust that another person in her life won't just suddenly leave. This insecurity is deeply and carefully hidden away, and in its place instead is an overconfident facade and an emotionally detached nature that has kept her mentally secure for as long as she can remember. A short and fierce temper is the outcome of all this bottled up anxiety and uncertainty, which is often carelessly followed up by crude and unladylike language. Despite all this Usagi displays knowledge of some mannerism seeing as she can easily charm and manipulate others into assuming otherwise of her. This charm and her knack for lying on the spot has saved her on countless occasions, but having to rely on it for so long has definitely taken its tole on Usagi. Becoming so ingrained within her, this terrible talent has become a compulsive habit that always sneaks it's way into to her conversations, no matter how important or meaningless they may be.
History
With a history clouded in ever changing tall-tales, Usagi is nothing more than a street urchin with a quick wit and a knack for lying. Born a peasant to a mother who died while giving birth, she was more or less raised under the roof of a brothel by her one and only sister. While she was exposed to the lifestyle at a young age, she narrowly avoided getting pulled into the business as her sister somehow found herself a husband and left the brothel altogether. Unable to stay there unless she worked for her room, Usagi was forced onto the street before her early teenage years, but it was here that she was truly able to grow and find her independence. Through the gullibility and manipulation of others, Usagi survived in an almost comfortable struggle as she learned to impulsively lie and manipulate others. The artistic and culturally rich atmosphere of the village attracted many travelers and tourist, and with them came money and their naive sympathy. This was a effortless method, but this act only lasted for so long as the occupying Imperial Soldiers weren't so quick to be fooled.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Likes
- Food.
- Cats and Dogs.
- Music & Poetry.
- Swords.
- Drama.
Dislikes
- Being Touched.
- Water.
- Sweets.
- Being looked down upon.
Theme
Theme.
To be honest, I actually had a hard time thinking about other skills for Usagi so I went ahead with a few of your suggestions. I'm really disappointed that I hit such a block with this character, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that I make the cut. Overall, it was fun just to make a character in this type of setting so thank you for that experience anyway!
Name
Koyama Usagi
The Small Mountain Rabbit
Age
14
Totem
Weasel
Appearance
Wide eyed and baby faced, Usagi's small and lithe form stands below the average height for a girl her age. Often assumed to be much younger than she actually is, she's come to use this casual assumption to her advantage and often plays the innocent child role to those oblivious to her real persona. Short legs and great distances don't always combine great, but Usagi walks with a skip in her step, displaying confidence in her straight posture and brisk speed. With little money to buy new clothes or shoes, Usagi travels barefoot and wears a worn blue kimono that is much too small for her size, as the hem sits just past her knees. Tied up in a ponytail with a plain black ribbon, her dark brown hair is long and unkept besides neatly trimmed and cut bangs. Kept tied up and out of the way, Usagi hasn't put a brush to her hair in years and has no intention to do so anytime soon.
Personality
With an innocent appearance ones first impression of Usagi is often the assumption that she's nothing more than a harmless child. However, this is but one of the many faces and roles she has learned to put up in front of others. With a keen eye for observation and reading other, Usagi has learned to use her natural talent and manipulative skills in lying and conning to survive. Growing up with no parental figure or responsible role model in her life, Usagi's maturity, social skills and overall understanding of her effect on others and the world around her has been greatly stunted. Respect and honor are words she has no understanding of while she allows herself to be guided by selfish needs, and a fearless curiosity. Keeping others at a distance has shielded her from any serious pain or mental anguish, and Usagi will put up front after front before allowing someone to truly see who she is -- which ultimately is just a lonely child.
While she craves company she fears abandonment, lacking the confidence and trust that another person in her life won't just suddenly leave. This insecurity is deeply and carefully hidden away, and in its place instead is an overconfident facade and an emotionally detached nature that has kept her mentally secure for as long as she can remember. A short and fierce temper is the outcome of all this bottled up anxiety and uncertainty, which is often carelessly followed up by crude and unladylike language. Despite all this Usagi displays knowledge of some mannerism seeing as she can easily charm and manipulate others into assuming otherwise of her. This charm and her knack for lying on the spot has saved her on countless occasions, but having to rely on it for so long has definitely taken its tole on Usagi. Becoming so ingrained within her, this terrible talent has become a compulsive habit that always sneaks it's way into to her conversations, no matter how important or meaningless they may be.
History
With a history clouded in ever changing tall-tales, Usagi is nothing more than a street urchin with a quick wit and a knack for lying. Born a peasant to a mother who died while giving birth, she was more or less raised under the roof of a brothel by her one and only sister. While she was exposed to the lifestyle at a young age, she narrowly avoided getting pulled into the business as her sister somehow found herself a husband and left the brothel altogether. Unable to stay there unless she worked for her room, Usagi was forced onto the street before her early teenage years, but it was here that she was truly able to grow and find her independence. Through the gullibility and manipulation of others, Usagi survived in an almost comfortable struggle as she learned to impulsively lie and manipulate others. The artistic and culturally rich atmosphere of the village attracted many travelers and tourist, and with them came money and their naive sympathy. This was a effortless method, but this act only lasted for so long as the occupying Imperial Soldiers weren't so quick to be fooled.
Strengths
Eye Spy.
With nothing to do but people watch all day Usagi has trained herself in the skill of observation. From their actions to their clothes, reading others is her specialty, and depending on personality Usagi is capable of playing any kind of role that will trigger that persons empathy and sympathy. Years of practice has allowed her to use this craft for not only money's sake, but all around survival, and one of her favorite methods for this hardened talent is often played off as a 'psychic' ability. Fortunately -- or rather, unfortunately for her, this method has only failed Usagi once.
Silver Tongue.
Capable of reading others, Usagi packs on this skill with her shameless talent for tall-tales and manipulation. While typically going for the more naive who easily buy into her schemes or pitiful roles, her quick wit and careful choice of words allow her to give off a charm that could sucker just about anyone up. Coming in handy for both tricky and troubling situations, this skill has become an almost uncontrollable habit for Usagi, however.
Can't Catch Me!
Despite her short stature, Usagi is fast and agile. Years worth of evading the law and getting out of trouble has trained her to use her height and her surroundings to her advantage. Be it squeezing her way through tight passages, or finding unorthodox openings to sneak through, Usagi is as slippery as a weasel and almost always finds a way to get out of trouble.
Sleight of Hand
While she may not have been close with her sister or the other women of the brothel, Usagi did pick up their knack for gambling and cheating. A hardened poker face and on point observation skills allow her to keep up with the best, however Usagi has won her fair share of games due to slipping a card into her hand or using a weighted dice.
General Labor
Growing up in the a Usagi was put to work as soon as she could talk and walk. Keeping the hallways and rooms clean, she learned how to sew clothes and cook food for the women and their customer. These experiences thankfully stuck and followed her onto the street, allowing Usagi to turn to odd jobs or general labor for the sake of spare change and a means to get by.
With nothing to do but people watch all day Usagi has trained herself in the skill of observation. From their actions to their clothes, reading others is her specialty, and depending on personality Usagi is capable of playing any kind of role that will trigger that persons empathy and sympathy. Years of practice has allowed her to use this craft for not only money's sake, but all around survival, and one of her favorite methods for this hardened talent is often played off as a 'psychic' ability. Fortunately -- or rather, unfortunately for her, this method has only failed Usagi once.
Silver Tongue.
Capable of reading others, Usagi packs on this skill with her shameless talent for tall-tales and manipulation. While typically going for the more naive who easily buy into her schemes or pitiful roles, her quick wit and careful choice of words allow her to give off a charm that could sucker just about anyone up. Coming in handy for both tricky and troubling situations, this skill has become an almost uncontrollable habit for Usagi, however.
Can't Catch Me!
Despite her short stature, Usagi is fast and agile. Years worth of evading the law and getting out of trouble has trained her to use her height and her surroundings to her advantage. Be it squeezing her way through tight passages, or finding unorthodox openings to sneak through, Usagi is as slippery as a weasel and almost always finds a way to get out of trouble.
Sleight of Hand
While she may not have been close with her sister or the other women of the brothel, Usagi did pick up their knack for gambling and cheating. A hardened poker face and on point observation skills allow her to keep up with the best, however Usagi has won her fair share of games due to slipping a card into her hand or using a weighted dice.
General Labor
Growing up in the a Usagi was put to work as soon as she could talk and walk. Keeping the hallways and rooms clean, she learned how to sew clothes and cook food for the women and their customer. These experiences thankfully stuck and followed her onto the street, allowing Usagi to turn to odd jobs or general labor for the sake of spare change and a means to get by.
Weaknesses
Short Fused.
Undoubtedly an angry child, Usagi's temper is by far her most visible fault. Maintaining it during her schemes is a task all on its own, but to be belittled for her lack of education, family, or status is truly the bane of Usagi's existence. It also doesn't help that she has little patience for those who are quick to underestimate her, often going as far as to act vindictively just to prove herself to them.
All Bark And A Terrible Excuse For A Bite.
With no respect for authority, or much of anyone, Usagi will speak her mind no matter the person or situation. Capable of giving anyone an earful of vulgar insults, her small and thin figure can't stand up to the power of an oncoming fist or blade. Her foul mouth and attitude has earned her a handful of well earned beatings and hits, but every failure for Usagi is just another lesson and opportunity to get better at her evasion and getaways.
Sink Like A Stone.
At no point in her life has Usagi ever been taught to swim, and as she's aged she's found herself growing more and more fearful of water -- shallow or not. Any attempts at teaching herself has turned into effortless and terrified flailing. Deciding to avoid open bodies of water after failing countless times, she's made a personal promise to stay off of boats and away from the ocean and water altogether.
Undoubtedly an angry child, Usagi's temper is by far her most visible fault. Maintaining it during her schemes is a task all on its own, but to be belittled for her lack of education, family, or status is truly the bane of Usagi's existence. It also doesn't help that she has little patience for those who are quick to underestimate her, often going as far as to act vindictively just to prove herself to them.
All Bark And A Terrible Excuse For A Bite.
With no respect for authority, or much of anyone, Usagi will speak her mind no matter the person or situation. Capable of giving anyone an earful of vulgar insults, her small and thin figure can't stand up to the power of an oncoming fist or blade. Her foul mouth and attitude has earned her a handful of well earned beatings and hits, but every failure for Usagi is just another lesson and opportunity to get better at her evasion and getaways.
Sink Like A Stone.
At no point in her life has Usagi ever been taught to swim, and as she's aged she's found herself growing more and more fearful of water -- shallow or not. Any attempts at teaching herself has turned into effortless and terrified flailing. Deciding to avoid open bodies of water after failing countless times, she's made a personal promise to stay off of boats and away from the ocean and water altogether.
Likes
- Food.
- Cats and Dogs.
- Music & Poetry.
- Swords.
- Drama.
Dislikes
- Being Touched.
- Water.
- Sweets.
- Being looked down upon.
Theme
Theme.
To be honest, I actually had a hard time thinking about other skills for Usagi so I went ahead with a few of your suggestions. I'm really disappointed that I hit such a block with this character, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that I make the cut. Overall, it was fun just to make a character in this type of setting so thank you for that experience anyway!