Post by ryota on Nov 24, 2008 3:09:43 GMT -5
Name: Yuuka
Age: Eighteen
Gender: Female
Group: Kyoshi Warriors
Nation: Earth Kingdom, Kyoshi Island
Bender?: No
Physical Appearance: Five foot, two inch Yuuka is an average size among her Kyoshi Warrior peers, but a fairly broad and compact build often makes her seem shorter. A complete decade of warrior training allows for plenty of muscle, though her lack of height makes her muscles more bulky than stringy, more dense than streamlined, since they cannot stretch far over her relatively small frame. Her frame may be somewhat stocky, but it is not at all plump or stout and naturally allows her to move nimbly on her small feet and strike quickly, like anyone of her class should. Broad shoulders and a deep chest, the latter of which sports an above-average bust, make up a top half that has enough curves to count. Her high waist is gently defined, as are (barely) the edges of her ribcage, and her stomach sports a groove down the middle that can only be attributed to muscle definition. The strong and solid limbs she calls her own are shorter than most peoples', but a good proportion to the rest of her. The slightest layer of body fat endows her arms and legs with the same smooth appearance as the rest of her body. While her hands are small, each with five short and stubby fingers, she can wrap them around a fan or the hilt of a sword perfectly well.
Paint and clothing that covers almost every conceivable inch of her surface seldom shows the true color of her skin, which is marked on her back and shoulders with a few dark brown, subdermal moles and on her forearm (right past the elbow) by a scallop-shaped birthmark slightly darker than her skin. Colored like the shell of a dried almond, a very slight and almost unnoticeable layer of fine peach fuzz gives it a soft and warm appearance.
Yuuka's face is almost the same width from her high forehead down to her somewhat wide, rounded chin, but its seems tall enough to vaguely resemble a rectangle more so than a square or circle. Her eyes amount to an average size and color, sparrow-feather brown pupils lighting up the slightly wide-set marquise-shaped features, above which are the thin, shallow arches of her eyebrows and below are her high cheekbones and gently rounded cheeks. A flat, bell-shaped nose with wide nostrils rounds off from an unsubstantial bridge into a short tip above her small lips, which are normally painted a crimson hue, but are naturally a pastel pink. Her jawline is strong, adding angular dimensions to her face's bottom half that seem to blend well into her short, thick neck. The outline of her small ears slide down from round tips to her small, attached earlobes that have never once been pierced.
Ending at her mid-back when freed is her straight black hair, which has enough volume to stay in most any hairstyle she wishes, but not so much as to become unruly. The excellent care it receives gives it a nice, soft texture and seldom causes any split ends. She wears it in a style all her own (as far as she knows), seperated into two sections; at the crown of her head, she winds it into a high bun worn fairly loose to allow a slight crest of volume above her scalp rather than laying down flat. A pair of flaxen-colored, lacquered wooden sticks tipped at either end by glossy gold paint criss-cross through the bun in her hair, aiding to keep it in place. In the back, below ear level, the rest is combed downward then tucked into a wide roll of hair that spans the remaining width of her hairline - in a casual setting, she still keeps this roll of hair, but substitutes her bun for a high ponytail of similar fashion and without those criss-crossing sticks.
Clothing/Armor: While she does go without her Kyoshi Warrior garb on occasion, and for obvious reasons, she prefers being in such attire in some way or another. Any outfit has the same undergarments, though; simple tan linen bindings on her chest and groin.
From the top down, her class' signature outfit starts with a flat, elongated half-oval brass headpiece wide enough to necessitate a slight curve that follows that of her forehead ties above her hairline on a forest green headband. From the sides of the headpiece, the shape extends into something of a nub, thus shaping it like a lemon cut in two, and from the bottoms of either protrusion tie thin, pale copper-colored strings that tie into puffy tassels at the ends, where they reach down to her chin. In the center of the half-lemon shape sits a smaller brass square with two thin, stick-like protrusions pointing from the top corners, which face in opposite directions.
Her face is painted like that of Avatar Kyoshi. A white base that covers her neck, face, and ears is accented by a black pencil that follows, then proceeds to exaggerate the curve of either eyebrow into an almost sinister scowl. Heavy maroon eyeshadow follows this curve up from both eyes accordingly, and her lips are painted a vivid crimson.
Underneath her robes and armor, but over her undergarments, she wears a gray-asparagus undershirt and shin-length leggings that match; both fit her form closely and allow for freedom of movement. An ankle-length, forest green skirt is tied to her waist by a thin black sash, then folded over twice in inch-wide sections at the waistline to prevent slippage, and a pair of plain myrtle-colored boots raises to her knees. On her hands are bicolored gloves that are white across the palm and gray-asparagus across the back.
The next layer across her top is a viridian robe, folding high on her neck and tight on her figure, with a hunter green sash around her waist tying it shut. Overall, its hem reaches past her knees, and the robe itself strays open considerably as it ventures past her waist. An added flair is given to its sleeves by a myrtle green stripe running lengthwise down either arm, though a golden yellow circle on either bicep is outlined by the stripe on its downward travel to her wrists. Her charcoal gray bracers hold them close over her forearms, but the remaining lengths (from the shoulder to her elbow) are quite puffy. On her left bracer is mounted a small shield, which unfolds and snaps into a two-foot diameter circular shape much like an Earth Kingdom insignia when unfurled fully. Its main body made of brass, the outer rim is a dark godenrod and a small forest green square dots in the center.
Finally comes her charcoal gray leather armor, made up mainly of a segmented cuirass held over each shoulder by a small pauldron of thick leather. From her hips down to her thighs, it splits off into four flaps seperated by two equally-distanced slits in front and two others in back. A thick myrtle green sash is tied around her waist several times, keeping the cuirass from slipping or sliding around. During casual occasions, mainly after a day of practice, she will forego her armor but stay in her sea green robe simply for comfort - otherwise she wears the breastplate with pride.
For the single day off of training she and her cohorts are allowed, Yuuka dons a casual outfit. However, since weather and temperatures on Kyoshi Island can change considerably over the seasons, her outfit would be inclined to change. Foremost, she would wear a plain Persian blue robe with short, elbow-length sleeves lined in navy blue, much like the skirt-like hem that ends below her knees. It stays folded due to a thick navy blue sash at her waist, but the dipping neckline shows the crew neck of the simple, sleeveless cyan undershirt she wears underneath; this and a pair of slate gray leggings that end right above her kneecaps are made of a light, breathable fabric suited well for a warm summer or spring. A pair of ankle-height white socks paired with raw umber-colored leather sandals would cover her feet.
In winter, it would obviously be a heavier outfit. A similar, powder blue robe would still fall her knees, but underneath would be a long-sleeved periwinkle undershirt and a pair of thick cerulean pants, which tuck into knee-high russet boots that lace up the middle. Its snug collar raises high on her neck, a midnight blue sash wraps around her waist, and a pair of parallel cerulean stripes ring around an inch or so before the cuff of its wide, long sleeves that barely show those of the shirt worn below. Then, over her shoulders would be a cream-colored woolen shawl, which would reach halfway down her upper arms and tie at the front of her neckline.
Weapons: Her foremost weapon is her pair of war fans, mimicking those used by the Avatar who greatly influenced her peoples' culture and established her home island. Comprised of sixteen bronze slats each an inch wide, tied together securely, these fans do well in their original intent; to turn an opponent's strength against them. They are mainly kept in her sash, tucked in at her right side.
For backup, she relies on the three-foot long jingum held in a charcoal-gray polished wooden scabbard tucked into the left side of her sash. Its polished steel blade is about an inch wide, two feet long, and attains the very slightest of curves. The wooden hilt that measures half that length is wrapped by black cloth strips that criss-cross at even intervals, revealing diamond-shaped glimpses of the gold-painted hilt underneath. Where blade and hilt meet, an oval-shaped crossguard made from bronze is situated.
Personality: A generally nurturing individual to some, Yuuka seems to fit the traditional role of a mother and father figure at the same time - if only toward the small band of Kyoshi Warriors she leads, whom she considers her best (and only) friends. She has grown very attached to them, and thereby feels a certain entitlement to dictate their actions if she sees fit. She supports and respects yet often 'constructively' criticizes their decisions and opinions, acts as an emotional beacon if need be, worries about their well-being even in their absence, and savors every ounce of authority she has. Due to a likeable nature that tends to overshadow her strict tendencies, Yuuka usually commands a certain degree of healthy respect among her troupe, evident in how her orders are often followed without question. Her relationships toward other people besides her companions are somewhat strained, since she sees no need to venture out of her circle of friends. Still, she tries to treat everyone honorably and civilly, even if she would frequently seem a bit cold to relative strangers.
So serious a young woman, she fancies herself quite responsible and mature, which is no exaggeration even though her reactions to some things could be better. Yuuka gets offended and embarassed quite easily, but despite all the sulking that may persist for awhile, in a longer scope she would probably forget all about it. She doesn't speak much unless the topic is important, and never really talks about herself even if she were asked; if that happened, her response would be very short and impersonal. The better she knows a person, the better she would treat them, taking on more virtuous qualities as she opens up. This is not to say she fears new people, places, or things, but that she simply views them objectively. She takes her role as a leader seriously, leaving little room for error or forgiveness on her own part, no matter how much leeway she grants her fellow warriors.
Background: Nadeshiko Village was a settlement on the western side of Kyoshi Island, located at the shoreline of a crescent-shaped bay. Hills and pine forests edge its north, and to the east lay countryside covered in orchards. A population nearing a hundred strong dwelt greatly not only on these orchards, but on trade and fishing as well, making the village's docks a valued asset to the people therein. Two rather wealthy families in particular own the entirety of land reserved for orchards, and by means of an arranged marriage, decided to keep good terms between them. Shin, son of the Otsu clan, was only ten years old when his parents arranged his marriage to Niu, third daughter of the Shiga family. Shin never seemed too happy with the whole situation, but Niu took quite a liking to him. It seemed that, at first, tomboyish Niu would never stop talking about their future marriage (particularly in public, around other children), which usually made the embarassed young boy run and hide.
When the two married a decade later, they had grown quite content with each other. They were both twenty years of age, Niu slightly younger than her husband. An orchard spanning a few acres was given them as a dowry, as was the house that lay on the property. Their house was a considerable distance from the village to the point where Shin would have to take a carriage into town, lest his walk take too long for comfort - Niu went to Nadeshiko proper half as often as her husband, but found the countryside to be a charming place with a lovely view despite their relative isolation. Shin managed it well, employing quite a few hired hands and paying them handsomely. Theirs was as large a supplier of peaches and almonds to Nadeshiko as it was to nearby villages, relying greatly on exports that resulted in good recognition by the populace and steady income provided to the family. Within a few months, Niu and Shin were thrilled when they found out they were going to bear a child.
She was born at the break of dawn in the height of spring, when the village's trademark pink carnations splashed the landscape with color. Both of them stayed awake from the preceding morning, when labor pangs first struck the woman, so it came as no surprise that neither father nor mother were awake or alert enough to give the child a name. It was only after waking from a good, long sleep uninterruped by bothersome relatives, during which the door to their home was kept watch by Shin's parents, that the two were able to think up and settle on a name. She was to be called Yuuka, not for any underlying meaning or because of any dearly remembered relatives, but simply because they were fond of the name. They allowed relatives to storm their house the day after that, offering kind words about the first granddaughter ever and the first in a decade for her mother's and father's sides of the family, respectively.
Yuuka was fairly quiet as an infant well into toddlerhood, so as to make her father jokingly say she'd probably get lost in the shuffle if she had a few older siblings. Her favorite games varied as she grew older, though she loved her set of wooden building blocks made by her father. Often she would make simple buildings and toss other blocks at them, laughing as they crashed to the ground. She would also take her blanket and pillows and build a small fort for herself with help from some other furniture in the room. It always brought her joy to ride with her father across the orchard on ostrich horse-back, surveying the property from border to border. Far from the reaches of the Fire Lord's imperial march, Yuuka and her family lived in safety.
...Safety from the war only. Their village, located on the farthest western part of the island, was a prime target for one (sometimes two) typhoons that occurred each year, whereas the mountainous reaches of the island's remainder provided shelter from the brunt of such perilous weather. No typhoons in Yuuka's lifetime were severe enough to topple the majority of homes or take the lives of any sound-minded inhabitants, all of whom were taught well to prepare themselves for that dreaded season. Yuuka remembers watching her father board up their little farmhouse each year, despite the fact that their home's more inland locale made it less threatened by strong coastal stormwinds. Even if her father had their best interests in mind, it was the villagers of Nadeshiko proper who were more wise to take precautions.
It hit like a ton of bricks when her little brother Kai was born, especially because her five-year-old mind (at the time) wasn't even remotely prepared to welcome a baby into the household at that time. He honestly scared her, fussing and generally being a bit more difficult than Yuuka at that age (as her parents told her), but she came to realize he wasn't that bad by the time he learned to walk. He did knock down her block houses way too often, but she put up with him nonetheless. The age difference was fairly insurmountable where their relationship was concerned, but she henceforth gave her best effort to get along with the well-behaved Kai.
Changes during the age of eight impacted her life the greatest, and for good reason; her cousin Matsu, the only other granddaughter on her father's side, would be bombarded by little Yuuka with shows of admiration each time she visited from another village, where she had served proudly among warrior ranks for years. Yuuka's eyes sparkled when she first interrogated Matsu, whose patience would be strained as the little girl asked everything there was to know about her class and showed off endearingly poor impressions of Matsu from times when a variety of forms and stances were shown off to the little girl. Her Kyoshi Warrior cousin came to be a great role model in her eyes, and she for very specific reasons came to visit her young cousin much more often than before...
Whether by means of a sort of familial endearment or by an unbiased viewpoint, Matsu saw promise in little Yuuka. Sure, the girl was sometimes as annoying as could be with her persistence, but there was no doubt in Matsu's mind that Yuuka could soon join her same ranks, perhaps even founding a band of Kyoshi Warriors in Nadeshiko where there previously was none. Knowing her younger cousin would metaphorically jump out of her skin if her dream became real, Matsu brought the prospect to Yuuka's parent's attention one day when she and two other Kyoshi Warriors took the semi-lengthy path to their home on the orchard. Niu was on the fence, but Shin had always wanted a young girl for that reason alone; so she could retain honor in the family by serving in the island's famed warrior class. Yuuka, predictably, jumped off the walls when her daddy asked her opinion. Niu was concerned for Yuuka's safety, but knew her normally cautious husband wouldn't make a stupid decision. Shin was dedicated to taking his daughter to the other village each morning and picking her up each afternoon, but he would often allow his young daughter to stay several nights with Matsu and her family. Niu missed her daughter's company and help around the house, since three-year-old Kai, although a reasonably helpful toddler, didn't provide much assistence in that regard.
In every way, she was now well on her way to becoming the utmost model of a Kyoshi Warrior; proud, fierce, efficient, maybe even a bit self-assured, but she most certainly wasn't the best. Patience and care by the older warriors was given to the little girl, greatly by Matsu, but particularly by a lanky warrior by the name of Aiko - the youngest of the group aside from Yuuka, at only six years her elder. There were also two other young girls, aged nine and eight, who were the first recruits from that village to join their ranks that year, and were trained alongside Yuuka. The next two years was a rigorous regimen like she'd never imagined before, leaving her to cherish any and all time that wasn't spent training. Yuuka still loved her parents, brother, and other relatives even though she saw them so infrequently compared to the old days. At times she regretted her choice and her father's consent to her leaving, to the point where she seriously considered asking to leave for home permanently once or twice. However, reassuring herself it was for a good reason bolstered her confidence, as did the good friendships she formed with Matsu, Aiko, and all the others.
From there on, her life was met with a relatively steady regimen, and her efforts were shaky but altogether successful. Her largest problem lay in the handling of a fan as a weapon, which gave her plenty of reason to focus on its use predominantly in training as well as her free time, but it allowed her to develop well in the art and wind up using it more efficiently than the sword - of course, since during that time she only aged not far from eight years old, in neither case was she given an actual sword or a metal fan. When two years of this sort of lifestyle passed, though, big ideas were in store. The group leader, Koimi, suggested that, since there was no band of Kyoshi Warriors in Nadeshiko to speak of, that it was high time such an order be established; the chief of Nadeshiko Village was happy to oblige Koimi's request, having gone over the same concept more than once in his mind.
Thus, knowing well that Yuuka's home village wasthe largest part of the picture, Koimi then decided the girl (despite the fact that she was only ten) would be enacted as an impromptu leader while Aiko, an older warrior, acted as an overseer. For years even after young girls from the village (ages seven to ten) were recruited, then Yuuka, as the oldest, was basically a leader in name only while sixteen-year-old Aiko cared for all the hardest tasks. Yuuka's family was, of course, more than happy to see their little girl spend able to spend more time around home and with them, since she was unable in the past two years. Thankfully, since it was summer, the brand-new warrior band was able to train outside each day until a new dojo was built especially for them. After that, they still preferred to train outside on nice days, but used the dojo as a center of operations anyway.
When Yuuka was thirteen, after plenty of training, the Kyoshi Warriors of Nadeshiko Village were quite firmly established - but her position as 'leader' would cease being just a figurehead. In one day, Aiko placed upon Yuuka's shoulders the sole responsibility of heading the entire class of six. Aiko would merely sit back silently and watch as classes went on, and, if necessary, offer friendly advice where Yuuka hadn't quite measured up acceptably in her instruction. Yuuka dreaded the end of each training session since Aiko's list of 'complaints' (as Yuuka viewed them) was all but inevitable, but the years proved to shorten this figurative list considerably.
It wasn't as though puberty eluded the young woman the entire time, though. She was attracted to a few boys around the village, but couldn't get it out of her mind that physical attraction did not equal a full-blown crush. She also didn't want to draw herself too close to any young men at the time, since they may distract her too much from her all-important warrior training. Other than lessons attended almost every day of the week, she was able to help her mother with housework and her father with a few tasks around the orchard in her free time, but it came often that she would travel into town, gather up her fellow warriors, and do something fun together - even if it meant traveling to another village. Unlike she believed in her childhood, she felt that there was more fun to be had in a group.
By the time Yuuka was sixteen, Aiko had seen much improvement after she had given Yuuka more responsibility so gradually that she adapted well and without complaint, and that the other young women in the class were so supportive of Yuuka as their leader. There was no reason why she couldn't leave for her home village after so long, during which time she only visited on her free days. Thus, they bid a tearful farewell to Aiko after Yuuka was officially established as head of the group. At the same time, Yuuka felt saddened that her dear friend Aiko had to leave, yet both excited and apprehensive about her new title. She was fairly certain, though, that nothing was to be feared except her own personal failures. However, since Yuuka felt strongly they were best friends and more than just a team, she knew her girls would be supportive.
Since then, the group of seven has mostly gotten along well, but thrived at fulfilling their main tasks of defending the village with order and discipline. Her relationship with her family remains stable and civil, making her parents proud of what their daughter has accomplished. However, news from another town on Kyoshi Island that buzzed around Nadeshiko Village for awhile has been turning gears in Yuuka's mind as soon as the unsettling words reached her ears. After the Avatar arrived (an even she was unable to witness) and Prince Zuko and his soldiers almost destroyed the town, the warriors of that and some other villages set out to the mainland Earth Kingdom to assist in war efforts. Yuuka herself, as leader, had already mentioned the matter to her fellow warriors, and while she sees ample reason to leave much like the other warriros did, she has stayed respectful of opinions from the other young women in her crew and still awaits most of their answers.
Sample RP: The proud Kyoshi Warrior was not alone on the road at sunset - she knew better than that. Even on the relatively short trek between Nadeshiko Village and the nearest town, where she fondly remembered training for two years, Yuuka knew not to let down her guard. It was for that reason she took two of her fellow warriors along with her, dressed in full warrior garb like Yuuka herself. There the three of them sad as the wagon belonging to Yuuka's father toddled along, drawn by a solitary ostrich horse. Her eyes never left the road on their way home, except for a few heavy-lidded blinks. It wore on her more than she thought to tell her friend Aiko she was probably leaving, but she kept her emotions under control like a proud Kyoshi Warrior ought to.
It was a certain thing though, at least in Yuuka's mind. Three others, equaling half the group as well as those not currently accompanying her, had still not given Yuuka a clear answer regarding their leave for the Earth Kingdom. They were on the proverbial fence, but none seemed to be opposed outright. Try as she might, Yuuka couldn't read their minds no matter how much she knew them. The only possibility for not leaving she could conjure was that their small village did need to be protected, despite the rest of the world's state. She figured it was a valid concern, but felt her plan had more sway over that which may be theirs.
"When do you think we'll leave, Yuuka?" said Shiori, who sat beside a less vocal warrior, Kasuga, in the back. She almost peered over Yuuka's shoulder trying to make sure her leader was paying attention, especially since she didn't bother to make eye contact.
Remembering the young woman was first to answer emphatically, Yuuka smiled and chuckled. She agreed with their plan as much as her leader. Oh, how great that felt to have avid supporters. "A week...probably two, depending on the weather. We can at least rely on the village's boatsmen to ship us respected warriors where we need to be."
Though she knew Yuuka obviously couldn't see her, Shiori nodded as her teal eyes lazily drifted over to the shy Kasuga. "Good to know, I guess. I wonder if we've all said our goodbyes yet."
"Yep...good to know." Their leader chuckled in return, as her beloved comrade went along with those almost nebulous plans like they were firmly established. Fading to silence, though, she saw no reason to keep on with that rhetorical question. Even if it would quicken the trip, she knew well that they were all tired from spending the morning in practice, then the rest of the day in transit. From there, Yuuka estimated another half hour on the road before they reached home.
Age: Eighteen
Gender: Female
Group: Kyoshi Warriors
Nation: Earth Kingdom, Kyoshi Island
Bender?: No
Physical Appearance: Five foot, two inch Yuuka is an average size among her Kyoshi Warrior peers, but a fairly broad and compact build often makes her seem shorter. A complete decade of warrior training allows for plenty of muscle, though her lack of height makes her muscles more bulky than stringy, more dense than streamlined, since they cannot stretch far over her relatively small frame. Her frame may be somewhat stocky, but it is not at all plump or stout and naturally allows her to move nimbly on her small feet and strike quickly, like anyone of her class should. Broad shoulders and a deep chest, the latter of which sports an above-average bust, make up a top half that has enough curves to count. Her high waist is gently defined, as are (barely) the edges of her ribcage, and her stomach sports a groove down the middle that can only be attributed to muscle definition. The strong and solid limbs she calls her own are shorter than most peoples', but a good proportion to the rest of her. The slightest layer of body fat endows her arms and legs with the same smooth appearance as the rest of her body. While her hands are small, each with five short and stubby fingers, she can wrap them around a fan or the hilt of a sword perfectly well.
Paint and clothing that covers almost every conceivable inch of her surface seldom shows the true color of her skin, which is marked on her back and shoulders with a few dark brown, subdermal moles and on her forearm (right past the elbow) by a scallop-shaped birthmark slightly darker than her skin. Colored like the shell of a dried almond, a very slight and almost unnoticeable layer of fine peach fuzz gives it a soft and warm appearance.
Yuuka's face is almost the same width from her high forehead down to her somewhat wide, rounded chin, but its seems tall enough to vaguely resemble a rectangle more so than a square or circle. Her eyes amount to an average size and color, sparrow-feather brown pupils lighting up the slightly wide-set marquise-shaped features, above which are the thin, shallow arches of her eyebrows and below are her high cheekbones and gently rounded cheeks. A flat, bell-shaped nose with wide nostrils rounds off from an unsubstantial bridge into a short tip above her small lips, which are normally painted a crimson hue, but are naturally a pastel pink. Her jawline is strong, adding angular dimensions to her face's bottom half that seem to blend well into her short, thick neck. The outline of her small ears slide down from round tips to her small, attached earlobes that have never once been pierced.
Ending at her mid-back when freed is her straight black hair, which has enough volume to stay in most any hairstyle she wishes, but not so much as to become unruly. The excellent care it receives gives it a nice, soft texture and seldom causes any split ends. She wears it in a style all her own (as far as she knows), seperated into two sections; at the crown of her head, she winds it into a high bun worn fairly loose to allow a slight crest of volume above her scalp rather than laying down flat. A pair of flaxen-colored, lacquered wooden sticks tipped at either end by glossy gold paint criss-cross through the bun in her hair, aiding to keep it in place. In the back, below ear level, the rest is combed downward then tucked into a wide roll of hair that spans the remaining width of her hairline - in a casual setting, she still keeps this roll of hair, but substitutes her bun for a high ponytail of similar fashion and without those criss-crossing sticks.
Clothing/Armor: While she does go without her Kyoshi Warrior garb on occasion, and for obvious reasons, she prefers being in such attire in some way or another. Any outfit has the same undergarments, though; simple tan linen bindings on her chest and groin.
From the top down, her class' signature outfit starts with a flat, elongated half-oval brass headpiece wide enough to necessitate a slight curve that follows that of her forehead ties above her hairline on a forest green headband. From the sides of the headpiece, the shape extends into something of a nub, thus shaping it like a lemon cut in two, and from the bottoms of either protrusion tie thin, pale copper-colored strings that tie into puffy tassels at the ends, where they reach down to her chin. In the center of the half-lemon shape sits a smaller brass square with two thin, stick-like protrusions pointing from the top corners, which face in opposite directions.
Her face is painted like that of Avatar Kyoshi. A white base that covers her neck, face, and ears is accented by a black pencil that follows, then proceeds to exaggerate the curve of either eyebrow into an almost sinister scowl. Heavy maroon eyeshadow follows this curve up from both eyes accordingly, and her lips are painted a vivid crimson.
Underneath her robes and armor, but over her undergarments, she wears a gray-asparagus undershirt and shin-length leggings that match; both fit her form closely and allow for freedom of movement. An ankle-length, forest green skirt is tied to her waist by a thin black sash, then folded over twice in inch-wide sections at the waistline to prevent slippage, and a pair of plain myrtle-colored boots raises to her knees. On her hands are bicolored gloves that are white across the palm and gray-asparagus across the back.
The next layer across her top is a viridian robe, folding high on her neck and tight on her figure, with a hunter green sash around her waist tying it shut. Overall, its hem reaches past her knees, and the robe itself strays open considerably as it ventures past her waist. An added flair is given to its sleeves by a myrtle green stripe running lengthwise down either arm, though a golden yellow circle on either bicep is outlined by the stripe on its downward travel to her wrists. Her charcoal gray bracers hold them close over her forearms, but the remaining lengths (from the shoulder to her elbow) are quite puffy. On her left bracer is mounted a small shield, which unfolds and snaps into a two-foot diameter circular shape much like an Earth Kingdom insignia when unfurled fully. Its main body made of brass, the outer rim is a dark godenrod and a small forest green square dots in the center.
Finally comes her charcoal gray leather armor, made up mainly of a segmented cuirass held over each shoulder by a small pauldron of thick leather. From her hips down to her thighs, it splits off into four flaps seperated by two equally-distanced slits in front and two others in back. A thick myrtle green sash is tied around her waist several times, keeping the cuirass from slipping or sliding around. During casual occasions, mainly after a day of practice, she will forego her armor but stay in her sea green robe simply for comfort - otherwise she wears the breastplate with pride.
For the single day off of training she and her cohorts are allowed, Yuuka dons a casual outfit. However, since weather and temperatures on Kyoshi Island can change considerably over the seasons, her outfit would be inclined to change. Foremost, she would wear a plain Persian blue robe with short, elbow-length sleeves lined in navy blue, much like the skirt-like hem that ends below her knees. It stays folded due to a thick navy blue sash at her waist, but the dipping neckline shows the crew neck of the simple, sleeveless cyan undershirt she wears underneath; this and a pair of slate gray leggings that end right above her kneecaps are made of a light, breathable fabric suited well for a warm summer or spring. A pair of ankle-height white socks paired with raw umber-colored leather sandals would cover her feet.
In winter, it would obviously be a heavier outfit. A similar, powder blue robe would still fall her knees, but underneath would be a long-sleeved periwinkle undershirt and a pair of thick cerulean pants, which tuck into knee-high russet boots that lace up the middle. Its snug collar raises high on her neck, a midnight blue sash wraps around her waist, and a pair of parallel cerulean stripes ring around an inch or so before the cuff of its wide, long sleeves that barely show those of the shirt worn below. Then, over her shoulders would be a cream-colored woolen shawl, which would reach halfway down her upper arms and tie at the front of her neckline.
Weapons: Her foremost weapon is her pair of war fans, mimicking those used by the Avatar who greatly influenced her peoples' culture and established her home island. Comprised of sixteen bronze slats each an inch wide, tied together securely, these fans do well in their original intent; to turn an opponent's strength against them. They are mainly kept in her sash, tucked in at her right side.
For backup, she relies on the three-foot long jingum held in a charcoal-gray polished wooden scabbard tucked into the left side of her sash. Its polished steel blade is about an inch wide, two feet long, and attains the very slightest of curves. The wooden hilt that measures half that length is wrapped by black cloth strips that criss-cross at even intervals, revealing diamond-shaped glimpses of the gold-painted hilt underneath. Where blade and hilt meet, an oval-shaped crossguard made from bronze is situated.
Personality: A generally nurturing individual to some, Yuuka seems to fit the traditional role of a mother and father figure at the same time - if only toward the small band of Kyoshi Warriors she leads, whom she considers her best (and only) friends. She has grown very attached to them, and thereby feels a certain entitlement to dictate their actions if she sees fit. She supports and respects yet often 'constructively' criticizes their decisions and opinions, acts as an emotional beacon if need be, worries about their well-being even in their absence, and savors every ounce of authority she has. Due to a likeable nature that tends to overshadow her strict tendencies, Yuuka usually commands a certain degree of healthy respect among her troupe, evident in how her orders are often followed without question. Her relationships toward other people besides her companions are somewhat strained, since she sees no need to venture out of her circle of friends. Still, she tries to treat everyone honorably and civilly, even if she would frequently seem a bit cold to relative strangers.
So serious a young woman, she fancies herself quite responsible and mature, which is no exaggeration even though her reactions to some things could be better. Yuuka gets offended and embarassed quite easily, but despite all the sulking that may persist for awhile, in a longer scope she would probably forget all about it. She doesn't speak much unless the topic is important, and never really talks about herself even if she were asked; if that happened, her response would be very short and impersonal. The better she knows a person, the better she would treat them, taking on more virtuous qualities as she opens up. This is not to say she fears new people, places, or things, but that she simply views them objectively. She takes her role as a leader seriously, leaving little room for error or forgiveness on her own part, no matter how much leeway she grants her fellow warriors.
Background: Nadeshiko Village was a settlement on the western side of Kyoshi Island, located at the shoreline of a crescent-shaped bay. Hills and pine forests edge its north, and to the east lay countryside covered in orchards. A population nearing a hundred strong dwelt greatly not only on these orchards, but on trade and fishing as well, making the village's docks a valued asset to the people therein. Two rather wealthy families in particular own the entirety of land reserved for orchards, and by means of an arranged marriage, decided to keep good terms between them. Shin, son of the Otsu clan, was only ten years old when his parents arranged his marriage to Niu, third daughter of the Shiga family. Shin never seemed too happy with the whole situation, but Niu took quite a liking to him. It seemed that, at first, tomboyish Niu would never stop talking about their future marriage (particularly in public, around other children), which usually made the embarassed young boy run and hide.
When the two married a decade later, they had grown quite content with each other. They were both twenty years of age, Niu slightly younger than her husband. An orchard spanning a few acres was given them as a dowry, as was the house that lay on the property. Their house was a considerable distance from the village to the point where Shin would have to take a carriage into town, lest his walk take too long for comfort - Niu went to Nadeshiko proper half as often as her husband, but found the countryside to be a charming place with a lovely view despite their relative isolation. Shin managed it well, employing quite a few hired hands and paying them handsomely. Theirs was as large a supplier of peaches and almonds to Nadeshiko as it was to nearby villages, relying greatly on exports that resulted in good recognition by the populace and steady income provided to the family. Within a few months, Niu and Shin were thrilled when they found out they were going to bear a child.
She was born at the break of dawn in the height of spring, when the village's trademark pink carnations splashed the landscape with color. Both of them stayed awake from the preceding morning, when labor pangs first struck the woman, so it came as no surprise that neither father nor mother were awake or alert enough to give the child a name. It was only after waking from a good, long sleep uninterruped by bothersome relatives, during which the door to their home was kept watch by Shin's parents, that the two were able to think up and settle on a name. She was to be called Yuuka, not for any underlying meaning or because of any dearly remembered relatives, but simply because they were fond of the name. They allowed relatives to storm their house the day after that, offering kind words about the first granddaughter ever and the first in a decade for her mother's and father's sides of the family, respectively.
Yuuka was fairly quiet as an infant well into toddlerhood, so as to make her father jokingly say she'd probably get lost in the shuffle if she had a few older siblings. Her favorite games varied as she grew older, though she loved her set of wooden building blocks made by her father. Often she would make simple buildings and toss other blocks at them, laughing as they crashed to the ground. She would also take her blanket and pillows and build a small fort for herself with help from some other furniture in the room. It always brought her joy to ride with her father across the orchard on ostrich horse-back, surveying the property from border to border. Far from the reaches of the Fire Lord's imperial march, Yuuka and her family lived in safety.
...Safety from the war only. Their village, located on the farthest western part of the island, was a prime target for one (sometimes two) typhoons that occurred each year, whereas the mountainous reaches of the island's remainder provided shelter from the brunt of such perilous weather. No typhoons in Yuuka's lifetime were severe enough to topple the majority of homes or take the lives of any sound-minded inhabitants, all of whom were taught well to prepare themselves for that dreaded season. Yuuka remembers watching her father board up their little farmhouse each year, despite the fact that their home's more inland locale made it less threatened by strong coastal stormwinds. Even if her father had their best interests in mind, it was the villagers of Nadeshiko proper who were more wise to take precautions.
It hit like a ton of bricks when her little brother Kai was born, especially because her five-year-old mind (at the time) wasn't even remotely prepared to welcome a baby into the household at that time. He honestly scared her, fussing and generally being a bit more difficult than Yuuka at that age (as her parents told her), but she came to realize he wasn't that bad by the time he learned to walk. He did knock down her block houses way too often, but she put up with him nonetheless. The age difference was fairly insurmountable where their relationship was concerned, but she henceforth gave her best effort to get along with the well-behaved Kai.
Changes during the age of eight impacted her life the greatest, and for good reason; her cousin Matsu, the only other granddaughter on her father's side, would be bombarded by little Yuuka with shows of admiration each time she visited from another village, where she had served proudly among warrior ranks for years. Yuuka's eyes sparkled when she first interrogated Matsu, whose patience would be strained as the little girl asked everything there was to know about her class and showed off endearingly poor impressions of Matsu from times when a variety of forms and stances were shown off to the little girl. Her Kyoshi Warrior cousin came to be a great role model in her eyes, and she for very specific reasons came to visit her young cousin much more often than before...
Whether by means of a sort of familial endearment or by an unbiased viewpoint, Matsu saw promise in little Yuuka. Sure, the girl was sometimes as annoying as could be with her persistence, but there was no doubt in Matsu's mind that Yuuka could soon join her same ranks, perhaps even founding a band of Kyoshi Warriors in Nadeshiko where there previously was none. Knowing her younger cousin would metaphorically jump out of her skin if her dream became real, Matsu brought the prospect to Yuuka's parent's attention one day when she and two other Kyoshi Warriors took the semi-lengthy path to their home on the orchard. Niu was on the fence, but Shin had always wanted a young girl for that reason alone; so she could retain honor in the family by serving in the island's famed warrior class. Yuuka, predictably, jumped off the walls when her daddy asked her opinion. Niu was concerned for Yuuka's safety, but knew her normally cautious husband wouldn't make a stupid decision. Shin was dedicated to taking his daughter to the other village each morning and picking her up each afternoon, but he would often allow his young daughter to stay several nights with Matsu and her family. Niu missed her daughter's company and help around the house, since three-year-old Kai, although a reasonably helpful toddler, didn't provide much assistence in that regard.
In every way, she was now well on her way to becoming the utmost model of a Kyoshi Warrior; proud, fierce, efficient, maybe even a bit self-assured, but she most certainly wasn't the best. Patience and care by the older warriors was given to the little girl, greatly by Matsu, but particularly by a lanky warrior by the name of Aiko - the youngest of the group aside from Yuuka, at only six years her elder. There were also two other young girls, aged nine and eight, who were the first recruits from that village to join their ranks that year, and were trained alongside Yuuka. The next two years was a rigorous regimen like she'd never imagined before, leaving her to cherish any and all time that wasn't spent training. Yuuka still loved her parents, brother, and other relatives even though she saw them so infrequently compared to the old days. At times she regretted her choice and her father's consent to her leaving, to the point where she seriously considered asking to leave for home permanently once or twice. However, reassuring herself it was for a good reason bolstered her confidence, as did the good friendships she formed with Matsu, Aiko, and all the others.
From there on, her life was met with a relatively steady regimen, and her efforts were shaky but altogether successful. Her largest problem lay in the handling of a fan as a weapon, which gave her plenty of reason to focus on its use predominantly in training as well as her free time, but it allowed her to develop well in the art and wind up using it more efficiently than the sword - of course, since during that time she only aged not far from eight years old, in neither case was she given an actual sword or a metal fan. When two years of this sort of lifestyle passed, though, big ideas were in store. The group leader, Koimi, suggested that, since there was no band of Kyoshi Warriors in Nadeshiko to speak of, that it was high time such an order be established; the chief of Nadeshiko Village was happy to oblige Koimi's request, having gone over the same concept more than once in his mind.
Thus, knowing well that Yuuka's home village wasthe largest part of the picture, Koimi then decided the girl (despite the fact that she was only ten) would be enacted as an impromptu leader while Aiko, an older warrior, acted as an overseer. For years even after young girls from the village (ages seven to ten) were recruited, then Yuuka, as the oldest, was basically a leader in name only while sixteen-year-old Aiko cared for all the hardest tasks. Yuuka's family was, of course, more than happy to see their little girl spend able to spend more time around home and with them, since she was unable in the past two years. Thankfully, since it was summer, the brand-new warrior band was able to train outside each day until a new dojo was built especially for them. After that, they still preferred to train outside on nice days, but used the dojo as a center of operations anyway.
When Yuuka was thirteen, after plenty of training, the Kyoshi Warriors of Nadeshiko Village were quite firmly established - but her position as 'leader' would cease being just a figurehead. In one day, Aiko placed upon Yuuka's shoulders the sole responsibility of heading the entire class of six. Aiko would merely sit back silently and watch as classes went on, and, if necessary, offer friendly advice where Yuuka hadn't quite measured up acceptably in her instruction. Yuuka dreaded the end of each training session since Aiko's list of 'complaints' (as Yuuka viewed them) was all but inevitable, but the years proved to shorten this figurative list considerably.
It wasn't as though puberty eluded the young woman the entire time, though. She was attracted to a few boys around the village, but couldn't get it out of her mind that physical attraction did not equal a full-blown crush. She also didn't want to draw herself too close to any young men at the time, since they may distract her too much from her all-important warrior training. Other than lessons attended almost every day of the week, she was able to help her mother with housework and her father with a few tasks around the orchard in her free time, but it came often that she would travel into town, gather up her fellow warriors, and do something fun together - even if it meant traveling to another village. Unlike she believed in her childhood, she felt that there was more fun to be had in a group.
By the time Yuuka was sixteen, Aiko had seen much improvement after she had given Yuuka more responsibility so gradually that she adapted well and without complaint, and that the other young women in the class were so supportive of Yuuka as their leader. There was no reason why she couldn't leave for her home village after so long, during which time she only visited on her free days. Thus, they bid a tearful farewell to Aiko after Yuuka was officially established as head of the group. At the same time, Yuuka felt saddened that her dear friend Aiko had to leave, yet both excited and apprehensive about her new title. She was fairly certain, though, that nothing was to be feared except her own personal failures. However, since Yuuka felt strongly they were best friends and more than just a team, she knew her girls would be supportive.
Since then, the group of seven has mostly gotten along well, but thrived at fulfilling their main tasks of defending the village with order and discipline. Her relationship with her family remains stable and civil, making her parents proud of what their daughter has accomplished. However, news from another town on Kyoshi Island that buzzed around Nadeshiko Village for awhile has been turning gears in Yuuka's mind as soon as the unsettling words reached her ears. After the Avatar arrived (an even she was unable to witness) and Prince Zuko and his soldiers almost destroyed the town, the warriors of that and some other villages set out to the mainland Earth Kingdom to assist in war efforts. Yuuka herself, as leader, had already mentioned the matter to her fellow warriors, and while she sees ample reason to leave much like the other warriros did, she has stayed respectful of opinions from the other young women in her crew and still awaits most of their answers.
Sample RP: The proud Kyoshi Warrior was not alone on the road at sunset - she knew better than that. Even on the relatively short trek between Nadeshiko Village and the nearest town, where she fondly remembered training for two years, Yuuka knew not to let down her guard. It was for that reason she took two of her fellow warriors along with her, dressed in full warrior garb like Yuuka herself. There the three of them sad as the wagon belonging to Yuuka's father toddled along, drawn by a solitary ostrich horse. Her eyes never left the road on their way home, except for a few heavy-lidded blinks. It wore on her more than she thought to tell her friend Aiko she was probably leaving, but she kept her emotions under control like a proud Kyoshi Warrior ought to.
It was a certain thing though, at least in Yuuka's mind. Three others, equaling half the group as well as those not currently accompanying her, had still not given Yuuka a clear answer regarding their leave for the Earth Kingdom. They were on the proverbial fence, but none seemed to be opposed outright. Try as she might, Yuuka couldn't read their minds no matter how much she knew them. The only possibility for not leaving she could conjure was that their small village did need to be protected, despite the rest of the world's state. She figured it was a valid concern, but felt her plan had more sway over that which may be theirs.
"When do you think we'll leave, Yuuka?" said Shiori, who sat beside a less vocal warrior, Kasuga, in the back. She almost peered over Yuuka's shoulder trying to make sure her leader was paying attention, especially since she didn't bother to make eye contact.
Remembering the young woman was first to answer emphatically, Yuuka smiled and chuckled. She agreed with their plan as much as her leader. Oh, how great that felt to have avid supporters. "A week...probably two, depending on the weather. We can at least rely on the village's boatsmen to ship us respected warriors where we need to be."
Though she knew Yuuka obviously couldn't see her, Shiori nodded as her teal eyes lazily drifted over to the shy Kasuga. "Good to know, I guess. I wonder if we've all said our goodbyes yet."
"Yep...good to know." Their leader chuckled in return, as her beloved comrade went along with those almost nebulous plans like they were firmly established. Fading to silence, though, she saw no reason to keep on with that rhetorical question. Even if it would quicken the trip, she knew well that they were all tired from spending the morning in practice, then the rest of the day in transit. From there, Yuuka estimated another half hour on the road before they reached home.