Kumiko Fujimori Uesugi
Heir to the Clan
A young woman hailing from distant Doma, thrust into responsibility and a legacy she wasn't prepared for, Kumiko stands before a precipice, wondering at the best way to reach the distant cliff. Should she leap and let her faith in the Kami lift her? Or is there another path, unknown to her and her family. Who should she follow: the advice of others, or her own instincts.
Recent Events
Adopted into the Uesugi Clan in a private ritual, Kumiko finds herself set upon by new responsibilities and a very unknown future. She seeks escape, though even that's fleeting. Thankfully, her new family - both mothers and what seems to be a growing field of found relatives - seem supportive of her choices. Will she find the friendship and adventure she craves?Kumiko's first novel has been printed by an Ul'dahn publishing house under her original name Kumiko Fujimori. Sales of Moonlit Blossoms have risen of late, and while she is certainly not well known, she does have a small following. However, she seems to be suffering some writer's block regarding her next novel.This is perhaps because she is recently returned from the Azim Steppe. Having been hunted down by an insistent Genbaatar Dotharl, she has accepted the training of the tribe's seer. Time will tell if she develops the skills necessary to read the stars beyond the natural talents she bears, and whether the Dotharl will expect recompense beyond the treaty they have with the Uesugi.
Appearance
A young woman in her early 20s, Kumiko bears the signs of struggle, hardship, and occasional starvation. Her cheeks show a persistent slight blush and roughness from exposure to the weather, and while she is now well fed and cared for, they seem somewhat hollow. Her arms are surprisingly strong and firm, a sign of her daily training. She is often seen in skirts, vests, and other form-fitting garments, as well as a jaunty hat, but is equally comfortable in kimonos, yukatas, and more traditional Doman garb. She's no stranger to makeup and isn't shy about accenting her eyes, which would be an unimpressive brown if it weren't for a circles of gold flecks that encircle the outer rim of her irises.
Mannerisms
At first shy, Kumiko is perpetually polite but seemingly casual. If one pays attention, however, many of her interactions are only skin deep. She's a guarded woman, fearful of letting others into her inner world. Once there is a report between her and another, she blooms like the cherry blossom. She's excitable and open, wearing her interests on her sleeve and her opinions without issue. If there is conflict, however, she tends to close herself off, growing quiet and unwilling to speak unless doing so is imperative.
Skills and Talents
Archery: Kumiko has trained since she was young as an archer, first in the Doman style of yumido, then later in the Eorzean style. She spent a number of years as a hunter, finding food for her family, and later helped with the defense of Mor Dhona when she was among the refugees. Adept but no expert, she's always looking to refine her skill. Luckily, one of her mothers is quite the talented archer, herself.
Astrology and Astromancy: Discovering her distant lineage revealed talents she never thought possible. Now in training with the Dotharl seer Saran, Kumiko has discovered a sense for reading not only the stars, but using other forms of divination. A relatively new skill in Kumiko's repertoire, she has developed quickly with near obsessive speed.
Dancing: Taught in the manner of her mother Reenah's family, has begun learning the ritualistic dances of the keepers. Unique and mostly kept secret, the dance, combined with a certain amount of aetheric sensitivity, grants her some insight into what would otherwise be unknown.
Swordplay: After joining the Uesugi as a retainer (her original position), she began receiving training in the katana. She's no slouch, but it's clear she's still learning. Her style bears the hallmarks of her other mother's lessons, focusing on speed, technique, and iaijutsu.
Writing: Kumiko's true passion is stories. While she is not the greatest speaker, she loves when she can inspire a light in the eyes of her audience. She's become an adequate - if inexperienced - author under the tutelage of others.
Alchemy: A new interest but one borne from wanting to learn about the interests of her girlfriend, she began studying the craft and becoming adept in some of the basics to have a common vocabulary with her. Good thing her girlfriend is mostly a brewer using her alchemy talents for public consumption, which makes their mutual enjoyment quite easy.
Hooks
Kumiko grew up in a semi-nomadic lifestyle as a refugee before eventually settling with her father on the outskirts of the Doman Enclave. She helped with the reclamation, while her father was known as a drunkard.
The Fujimori were vassals of the disgraced Uesugi clan and was mostly wiped out. Since she was accepted as retainer by the restored Uesugi headwoman, she sought to restore her family's honor - at least, until she was adopted.
Kumiko is publicly known in Doma as the heir to the reemerging Uesugi clan. However, she intentionally has left herself mostly out of the public eye as much as she can, and she is mostly unknown in Eorzea, like her adopted mother Haruka has. She has little desire for notoriety.
Having recently discovered a facet of her lineage includes a distant Xaela ancestor, Kumiko has been occasionally seen in the Steppes around Reunion and Dotharl Khaa (where she is known as Odtsetseg) for training and to visit her new people. She is still out of place among the tribe, even if she is trying her best.
The subject is rarely broached, but Kumiko's first novel, Moonlit Blossoms has been published. However, sales have been small, confined to niche readers and Doman cultural enthusiasts. It has also ruffled a few feathers among those who feel great hate toward Garleans. It's rumored she's working on a second novel.
RP Style and Preferred Forms
Versatile, adaptable style, from short posts to paragraph
Long- and short-term plots
Adventure RP
Relationship RP
Slice-of-life/Bar RP
Dark and Adult-oriented RP (let's talk first)
Themes
Duty to Community vs. Selfish Desire
Struggles relating to others outside of community
OOC Information
Typical Online Times: 7-10pm Pacific time on many Weekdays, Sporadically on Weekends
Kumiko is a shy butterfly before meeting someone, but she'll open up when she finds someone willing to listen who she can trust. I am also very shy and have a hard time making the first move. Please bear with me as I'm not always able to send the first /tell.
I have a life and a full-time job. Please understand that RP cannot be my main gig, as it doesn't pay the bills. Therefore, Real Life Comes First for both myself and those I RP with.
Kumiko is one of multiple characters I actively play.
Plotting is a good thing. If you have an idea for some RP between your character and Kumiko, drop me a /tell in game.
While accepting of intimate scenes if it is appropriate within the context (it rarely is considering Kumiko's relationship), I would prefer to fade out and perhaps pickup with the aftermath rather that fully play it out.
Bigotry and prejudice has no place in my life. Homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, antisemitism, and similar prejudices will not be tolerated. If you hold any of these opinions, I recommend you find your RP elsewhere. And maybe look at your life a little.
Novels
Moonlit Blossoms
Summary:
A drama taking place during the Garlean occupation of Doma.Shinobu couldn't help but join the Resistance and fight to liberate Doma from Garlemald. Born in a small village on the borders, she was only a young child the invaders came to raze it to the ground. In the carnage, her dearest friend Yuki was lost. Now an adult and trained as a shinobi, her chance for vengeance against those who killed her family and friend are close at hand.While defending a small refugee camp on the frontier of Yanxia from a Garlean raid, Shinobu was surprised to find Yuki fighting with her enemies. At crossed weapons, they fought, but neither managed the upper hand before they were forced to separate and retreat.They met time after time, both in battle and on clandestine tasks over the course of cycles, always working against one another. The wish to see one another burned inside the two women. At first it was the need to kill the other, then the urge to understand. And when they found one another at last, they threw down their arms.But the following morning, Yuki left before Shinobu was even awake. Hurt, Shinobu returned to the Resistance cell she ran with and planned their next operation: an attack on a castellum. During the attack, however, Yuki is seen on the opposing force. Anger infusing Shinobu, and they duel. Rage forces Yuki back. Forced against her lines, the traitorous woman pauses, then reverses, turning her daggers upon the Garleans. It had been a ploy to get close to the Castellum's commander. As Yuki draws his attention, Shinobu leaps in for the final strike, killing him.The castellum taken, the Garleans in retreat - if temporarily - Shinobu and Yuki return to their temporary headquarters and get ready to move to the next area under Garlean control.
Haruka Uesugi (-Forrester)
Kumiko's adoptive mother, Reenah's wife, Lady of the Southern River Valley in Doma, and cursed samurai.
Saran Dotharl (NPC)
Seer of the Dotharl tribe and teacher to Kumiko
Reenah Uesugi
Kumiko's adoptive mother, Haruka's wife, Lady of the Southern River Valley, and a minstrel of some renown.
Genbaatar Dotharl (NPC)
Soul-brother to Kumiko and mountainous warrior of the Dotharl tribe.
Kiku Torii
Kumiko's girlfriend, expert bartender and mixologist, Sharlayan gleaner. A guidestone for when Kumiko becomes too serious.
Tadamori Fugimori (NPC)
Estranged father, farmer, and alcoholic, last of the disgraced Fujimori branch.