Inbox for Folkmore

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 13:19:06 GMT

We're sorry, but the user is not available to take your call. Please leave a message at the beep. BEEEEEP

comments

Permissions

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 20:24:32 GMT

⇓in character⇓

PHYSICAL AFFECTION: Oh, dear God. No. Unless you're playing Sorata Arisugawa, it would not be well received.

PHYSICAL VIOLENCE: Arashi is skilled at the sword and will likely try to acquire one as soon as she can.

ROMANCE/FLIRTING: Please see Physical Affection. But feel free to try and flirt, she'll just be like. Confused by it at first, annoyed with it if persistent. Though, she has a pretty strong case of Single Target Sexuality aimed directly at Sorata.

SEXUAL CONTENT: Is your character Sorata? No? Then, no.

PSYCHIC ABILITIES: go ahead!

MAGIC/POWERS: Arashi used to have the abilities of the Kakushi Miko of Ise Shrine (involving a sword hidden in her body with far greater effectiveness than your average katana). As a Myth, she'll be able to drink blood exclusively. She won't be damaged by sunlight, but it will sap her energy.

⇓out of character⇓

BACKTAGGING: Absolutely!

FOURTH WALLING: Please don't

THREADHOPPING: Go for it!

CONTENT I ABSOLUTELY NEED WARNINGS FOR, BUT CAN STILL PLAY: For me, nothing.

CONTENT I ABSOLUTELY NEED WARNINGS FOR AND THAT I CAN'T PLAY: Harm to cats.

ANYTHING ELSE: I'm pretty easy-going! Even heavy subjects like rape doesn't bother me. The only thing which flat-out sends me into an anxiety attack is harm to cats.

comments

Application for Folkmore (CW: suicide)

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 20:10:19 GMT

★ Character Information ★

Character Name: Arashi Kishuu (嵐鬼咒)
Character Age: 17, 19 (+ 2 years at Folkmore)
Character Species: Human (Dragon of Heaven)
Current Health: She recently lost the sword sheathed inside her body after choosing to make love with Sorata
Outfit: Almost always a schoolgirl uniform

Character Canon: X/1999
Link to History: here!
Canon Point: Just before she goes to visit Hinoto in the Diet building
Canon Iteration: Original canon

★ Folkmore Roles & Attributes ★

Skills: Using a katana, battle tactics
Canon Abilities: high-jump, formerly able to draw a sword which had been sheathed inside her, the ability to create a kekkai (a safe zone for battles which only takes on damage if the Dragon of Heaven is grievously harmed)
Role: Myth
Role Qualities/Attributes: the irises of her eyes will turn red, she'll gain vampire fangs, and will only be capable of drinking blood, being sickened by human food. she won't burn in the daylight, but will be very weakened by it.
Role Reasoning: I'm picking Myth out of a general sense of how Arashi herself would see herself after losing the bulk of her powers. She had to have known that she would lose those powers if she was intimate with Sorata as her own mother was put in a similar situation. However, she chose to go forward, likely out of a combination of love, fear of the loss of him, and the destruction of the emotional walls she'd built up over years (at least where Sorata is concerned). She'd feel as though she'd fallen from grace as a Dragon of Heaven and had nothing left to offer them. There would be the potential for her to rebuild her sense of self and her self-esteem, but a lot of that would depend on how CR went and/or if we got a Sorata for her to interact with.

★ Personality ★

Option 2. Choose FOUR-FIVE of the following questions to answer and expand upon. You may choose a fifth question if you feel it is integral to your character's personality. Each answer has a 100-300 word requirement.

OPTION 2 QUESTIONS (PICK 4-5) 100-300 WORD LIMIT EACH:

What was the most traumatic experience your character endured? How did this change them? Arashi was orphaned at the age of six. Her mother was a previous hidden shrine maiden of Ise and her father was a college student never referred to again. So it stands to reason that her father never reached out or tried to be a father to her. Even before Arashi's mother's death, her mother was extremely paranoid, not letting Arashi outside or socialize with other children. Her mother told Arashi that if she was allowed outside or to socialize with other children, she'd be taken away from her mother, sowing the seeds of a very closed-off nature. When her mother died, Arashi was out on the streets, eating garbage to survive, living several months doing so. That left Arashi seriously contemplating not eating any longer and letting herself starve to death. However, she was rescued by a Shinto priestess at Ise Shrine, choosing to eat after the woman stated that she'd be sad if Arashi died. As Arashi puts it later on in life, the will to eat is the will to survive.

What is the most important and defining relationship(s) in your character's life and why? Without a doubt, that would be Sorata Arisugawa, her fellow Dragon of Heaven. In fact, it's pretty much impossible to discuss Arashi without bringing Sorata into the discussion because he is her greatest frustration, her greatest weakness, and her great true love. At first, he confused Arashi by declaring that he'd decided on her without explaining shortly after they met. Later, when she confronted him about what he'd meant when he said that he'd decided on her, he elaborated, stating that his life would be spent helping Kamui but when he died, it would be for a woman. And that he'd chosen Arashi to be that woman. This both irritates and angers her, feeling that a brief meeting and his appreciation of her beauty wasn't enough to decide to die for her. However, they both have a large similarity in their backgrounds. Arashi spent most of her life at Ise Shrine and Sorata was raised by the Shingon monks of Mt. Koya, as a result both of them are thoroughly versed in spiritual matters and, in fact, figure out who and what the other one is affiliated with fairly quickly. If left at that, it could be a one-sided crush on Sorata's side. However, Sorata quickly displays his dedication to Kamui and the Dragons of Heaven, his excellent people-reading skills, and his emotional intelligence. After a while, Sorata has gotten a good enough read of Arashi to be able to ask her if she'd eat (and thus, live) if he asked her to. Also, his formerly outrageous, ostentatious methods of flirting had given way to efforts to actually know and understand Arashi as a person. Arashi began to respond in kind, although she didn't let others see it. Later, Sorata later takes a blow (by proxy) meant for Arashi, which nearly killed him. That was enough for Arashi's budding feelings of love to come to the forefront, her by his side in the hospital bed set up for him, finally admitting without words that she'd come to see Sorata as not just a Dragon of Heaven or as an annoyance, but as a man she was attracted to. They kiss, and the next we see of them is a clear "morning after" shot of the two of them laying in bed in each other's arms. But Arashi wakes first, leaves Sorata behind, and makes what could be the worst decision of her life, to unwittingly fall into a trap set for her by Dark Hinoto.

What are your characters dreams and nightmares? Do you believe they are more likely to obtain one rather than the other? At the point in canon she'd be taken from, she'd want both, her powers from Ise back and her relationship with Sorata, him not dying at all so they could build a life together as more than spiritual prodigies. That would be her greatest dream, that they both survive the end of the world unscathed and that they're allowed the chance to be together as an open couple. However, Arashi tends to be pessimistic and fatalistic, so she'd see that dream as only that, a dream. One which never had any chance of coming true, despite what she may want. Her nightmare would be to see Sorata fulfill his destiny and die protecting her somehow. Arashi isn't the kind of girl who would want that to happen, seeing it as entirely tragic with no romantic tinge Sorata tended to paint it with, not after losing her mother so early in life. She does not want this future to take place, that was why she was on her way to see Hinoto at the point in canon she'd be taken from. If she had the chance, she'd try to regain something of her old powers back so that she could still contribute to the Dragons of Heaven and defend herself so Sorata wouldn't have to. However, she considers the nightmare of losing the man she loves to be far more likely.

What does your character feel like they struggle with still? Where could they improve? This could be physically, mentally, emotionally, or otherwise. Arashi struggles greatly with her emotions, both feeling and expressing them fully. Again, her childhood made her close herself off to a great degree and it's likely she didn't have any friends her own age until she met the other Dragons of Heaven. As a result, Arashi developed a very good poker face, rarely letting anyone get a glimpse of her true feelings about almost any subject. However, Arashi would feel that her grip on her emotions wasn't as good as she'd want it to be after she fell apart following Sorata's grievous injuries. She'd feel that she needed to improve mentally more than emotionally given that emotions got her into the exact same situation her own mother found herself in---no longer a virgin and thus unable to serve as the hidden priestess of Ise Shrine. She'd want to build her walls back up, if possible, despite her genuine desire to be close to Sorata.

What would your character sacrifice to get what they want or to reach their potential? What have they sacrificed already? Arashi sacrificed her powers from Ise out of love, lessening her potential instead of expanding upon it. It's very difficult to believe that Arashi didn't know that would happen given that she herself states that it was as she expected when she can no longer summon the sword of Ise. That was the primary drive to go see Hinoto, in a likely hope that the dreamseer could come up with another method for Arashi to be useful to the Dragons of Heaven. Even if Hinoto wasn't possessed by her evil side at that point and genuinely could help, she'd likely go back to trying to keep her distance mentally, emotionally, and physically from Sorata in hopes that the distance would soften the blow of his death. Even though there's the likelihood of her wishing otherwise, that he didn't have to die at all and that she could keep her love for him intact, giving them a chance at a future together. It's impossible to say if Arashi could have had the best of both worlds, being a functional Dragon of Heaven and Sorata's beloved given that CLAMP never finished the series (which I will literally DIE MAD about. they can carve it on my tombstone, "plans to find CLAMP in the afterlife and kick their butts until they've told them how X would have ended"), but being a CLAMP series, tragedy is the most likely outcome. Even if Arashi hadn't gone to evil Hinoto, gotten trapped, and (presumably) forcefully brainwashed into becoming a Dragon of Earth.

★ Player Information ★

Player Name: argustar
Pronouns: they/them
Are you over 18?: very much so
Contact(s): PM the character journal, argustar on plurk
Who Invited You?: here!
Current Characters: Mariane Cousland, Misty Day, Tinya Wazzo
Permissions: Here
Writing Samples: Writing sample #1: How could Sorata let such a thing happen? How could he? Those words echoed through Arashi's mind on repeat. He'd very nearly died saving her, the last thing she'd wanted from him. If she didn't love him, she very easily could have hated him for it.

The monitor beeped steadily, showing that his heartbeat remained strong at least. He didn't need a ventilator to breathe for him, not anymore. But those wounds! That much blood! And even then, he felt the need to try and reassure her, had to tell her that he was glad he'd been hurt instead of her.

When she heard the knock at the door, it took her a brief moment to mask over the tumultuous emotions which had to be visible on her face, in her eyes. Once she felt something close to normal, she called out "Come in."

The door slowly creaked open, revealing Kamui. Kamui, the reason why they'd all been gathered in the first place. Kamui, the one they were all expected to die for at a moment's notice. At a moment like this, it was impossible for resentment to not enter her heart.

But Kamui approached as quietly as he could, as though he was afraid of waking Sorata up. The doctors had told them it was a very close thing, that at least Sorata didn't have any apparent brain damage. If Arashi was feeling compassionate, she'd acknowledge that Kamui had reasons to worry between Sorata's injuries and Subaru nowhere to be found.

But she wasn't feeling very compassionate to anyone at that moment, not even to herself. Especially not herself.

When Kamui reached the opposite side of the bed as Arashi, he looked uncharacteristically awkward. It looked like he was struggling to find something to say. Good, because no matter what was said, she'd struggle in turn for a response. But finally, Kamui seemed to settle on "How is he doing?"

How do you think he's doing, she'd wanted to snap in return. But what had happened wasn't Kamui's fault, not directly. It was hers and hers alone. She felt she had to at least try to be gracious.

"As you see, he's breathing on his own now. His heartbeat is strong. However, the doctors aren't certain of when he'll wake." Did her voice stay steady? Her gaze? Her mien in general?

Apparently so, because the concern didn't seem to increase in Kamui. At least he could feel properly concerned, the concern of a friend for a friend. Of Kamui and one of the Dragons of Heaven. Kamui released a short sigh. "Good. I'm sorry we didn't get there earlier, get Sorata to the doctors faster. I wasn't really thinking, he couldn't walk on his own and I tried to carry him."

Yes, Kamui had. The result of the small, delicate boned Kamui trying to hoist along the far taller, broader Sorata would have been almost comical if it wasn't for all of the blood staining Sorata's hoodie, the wounds on his face, the blood running from his mouth. So much blood. She'd never wanted to see that much blood again, not after what happened to Kotori.

But Kamui continued. "He wouldn't have let me take him straight to the hospital, anyway. He wanted to make sure you were all right first and I didn't feel like I could say no."

That statement brought a surge of angered heat rush up Arashi's spine, but she knew he'd never know. Not from the look on her face or the words from her mouth. She couldn't snarl back, who cares what he wanted, he should have been taken to the hospital first!. But instead, she replied "I see." Even though she didn't. Damn Kamui for his indecision at every turn, damn Sorata for insisting on seeing her first, damn herself for being the one Sorata loved.

And the one who loved Sorata in return.

But Kamui was still clearly waiting for a response she wasn't sure she could give. So, she settled on "You're a good friend to him." Which was technically true. She repressed a frustrated sigh. Frustration wouldn't get her anywhere, not now.

Kamui ducked his head and seemed to be gathering the courage to say something again. "Is it...okay if I wait with you for a while? They have another chair."

So they did. And Arashi couldn't come up with a good enough excuse for why Kamui couldn't stay. Other than the fact that she loved Sorata, she was the one who'd wait by his side until he woke up. She was sure Kamui would get bored after a while with her not wanting to bother with small-talk and then leave.

She was even more sure that her love for Sorata would remain a secret tucked deep down inside herself.

So Arashi nodded towards the other chair on the other side of the hospital bed. "Very well. Sit. We'll wait."

Kamui looked relieved, nodding and pulling the chair over so that it was closer to the bed, saying "Thanks. I appreciate it."

What could she say to that? Silence, it seemed, was the best response. So silent she would remain.

Until Sorata woke up, at least.

Sample #2: Arashi was eight years old. She knew that now because Kaede-sama had told her that her mother had fled Ise eight years ago.

Now she had a room of her own with her very own futon, though she felt a pang in her heart remembering the fact that she'd never sleep next to mother ever again. Though, that wasn't out of sentimentality, it was a practicality. Mother had never earned much as a seamstress, she couldn't afford a good apartment in the good part of town with plenty of room for both of them.

Instead, the apartment was tiny. Squalid. It didn't even have a stove or a large refrigerator, there had been a hot plate and a small fridge, too small to even hold a full carton of milk. They ate instant food, just add hot water, a lot. Whenever Mother went to the convenience store to buy more cup ramen and instant miso soup, she locked Arashi into the apartment.

Arashi would sprawl on the futon, trying to imagine herself all grown up and on her own, but from what Mother said, that would never be possible. They were always looking for Arashi. So shouldn't she stay with Mother where it was safe? It had been hard for Arashi to argue against that logic, choosing instead to nod and do as she was told.

But, again. She wasn't with Mother. Mother was dead and she'd finally figured out how to unlock the door when the smell grew too bad to stay.

Now, she was at Ise Shrine. She had a Destiny. She had people who would love her, like Kaede-sama. She knew at least one person would be sad if she let herself die. So, she wouldn't die. It was as simple as that.

Now, she was wearing a kimono which probably cost more than what Mother had earned the entire year. Now she could talk to people if she wanted to, even though she only felt comfortable doing so with Kaede-sama.

But, where was Kaede-sama? It was late, past dinner. Usually, Kaede-sama visited her at night. She was still a little nervous venturing out on Ise's vast grounds on her own, so Kaede-sama visiting suited her best.

Arashi waited in indecision for what felt like years and finally decided that the risk of running into someone else was worth the risk if it meant finding Kaede-sama. She went to the door and slipped on her sandals, carefully going forward. She still wasn't used to the sandals and she didn't want to trip, ruining the kimono.

Fortunately, it took far less time to find Kaede-sama than she'd been afraid of. The woman was in a small clearing, looking up at the stars. Arashi approached as silently as she could, tugging gently on Kaede-sama's kimono.

"Kaede-sama?" Arashi wanted to ask what are you doing and why didn't you stop at my room to tell me good-night? But she couldn't, she wasn't comfortable enough to ask questions like those.

But the older woman looked at Arashi and smiled gently. "I was admiring the stars, Arashi-chan. Also, I was especially looking for constellations, one in particular. Can you guess which one it was?"

Arashi thought about it for a long moment before shaking her head no. She'd been afraid of disappointing Kaede-sama, but if anything her smile grew even more gentle and caring. Then, she stooped down a little, picking Arashi up and holding her close.

Arashi secretly loved little moments like this, where she felt warm and cared for. But Kaede-sama seemed to have something in mind as she pointed to the night sky, stars sparkling and winking at her. Arashi tried looking for something in the sky, but she'd never heard of constellations before. Something to do with the stars, that much she gathered.

But she did her best to follow the direction of Kaede-sama's elegant finger, but still didn't know what she was supposed to see. Her confusion must have been evident because Kaede-sama's smile tinged on the sad side. Or at least to the resigned side.

Kaede-sama traced out what looked like one of the purification ladles in the night sky, seven stars arranged just so. "That is the Big Dipper, Arashi. Seven stars set in perfect alignment. You are one of those stars, a Dragon of Heaven."

Arashi had been told that before. That she was important. That she had a Destiny.

She didn't know why, but whenever someone said Destiny to her, it always loomed large in her mind, bubbling in her like mineral water and at the same time as heavy as a boulder.

"Arashi-chan. You have a destiny," and there were those twin feelings again! "You are destined to seek out Kamui, protect him, and serve him. By doing your duty, you will help save humanity."

That was a new word for her. Duty. She knew what it meant, but it was still hard to apply it to herself. But, Kaede-sama continued. "It is there you'll find those who will be your friends, those who will be your enemies, and those who will love you."

Arashi couldn't help peeping out "Even more than you love me, Kaede-sama?"

The woman chuckled and gave Arashi a little squeeze. Arashi felt herself flush at the attention. Kaede-sama continued, though. "Yes, they'll love you far more, more than me."

Love was still a new concept to Arashi. She knew Kaede-sama loved her. She knew Mother had loved her, she'd told Arashi that she was protecting her because she loved her so much. But others who would love her even more than them?

There were those twin sensations again, attaching themselves to Love as surely as they had to Destiny.

But Arashi ducked her head silently. Kaede-sama gave her another hug, though, and murmured in Arashi's ear.

"Love is nothing to be afraid of, dear. Love is...both mankind's greatest strength and its greatest weakness. But I trust you to find the strength in it and avoid falling into the weakness. You're a brave girl, you can face anything without fear. I believe in you."

That made Arashi feel like she was filled to the brim with happy bubbles. She wanted to make Kaede-sama proud of her! So she would find strength in love. Not weakness.

Never weakness.

comments

αɾαsհí kísհմմ (嵐 鬼咒)

Inbox for Folkmore

Permissions

Application for Folkmore (CW: suicide)

αɾαsհí kísհմմ (嵐鬼咒)