Matsu Ruishi's long ass character meme!
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is she heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
Ruishi is about five foot, four inches tall, and very slender and toned. She has some muscle, being a Matsu, that also went to the Matsu Bushi school.
2. How old is she?
She is 18 years old.
3. Describe her posture. Does she carry herself well or does she slouch?
She has excellent posture, from both combat training and being groomed to fit her social role. Slouching unless gravely injured or ill is unacceptable.
4. How is her health? Is she fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
She is very fit; She trains with her lions very regularly. She has no disabilities and rarely gets sick. The only thing that really stands out about her body, in general, is that she has alot of muscle/muscle tone for a woman of her size.
5. How does she move? Is she clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
Her movements are very fluid and graceful, especially in battle. She is able to put a great deal of strength into her blows.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does she perceive herself in the mirror?
While not particularly beautiful, Ruishi isn't ugly or plain either. She thinks her face is too thin, and her nose too long. I was bored and I did a fast reference portrait. Tada.
7. Describe her complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
She has a fair complexion, and takes care to try to preserve it. Despite being a samurai-ko, she has few scars, none of which are visible normally.
8. Describe her hair: color, texture, style.
Ruishi's hair, naturally, is black and a little stringy. However, as most Lion do, she dyes her hair a honey blond color. She bleaches one streak bright white, for her Crane heritage. As a result of this treatment, her hair is often dry. She usually keeps it in a low bun or pony tail, though occasionally lets it down. This is usually only when grooming, or sometimes in battle.
9. What color are her eyes?
Dark brown.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
None.
11. What are her chief tension centers?
Her shoulders.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does she have six of the same suit?
Her wardrobe primarily made up of high quality kimono, usually gold or red colored, though she has at least one of every color. The patterns on them vary, but her favorites include nature related motifs. She also has a set of armor.
13. Do her clothes fit well? Does she seem comfortable in them?
Her clothes fit very well, and she is extremely comfortable with bother her kimono and her armor.
14. Does she dress the same on the job as she does in her free time? If not, what are the differences?
when in a social or business situation, she will usually wear a finer kimono, with more decorations and accessories. She only wears her armor for training or, naturally, when expecting to battle. In her own time, she usually wears a kimono and a hair ornament. Unless in her own home or in a place that forbids it, she carries her katana.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
If Ruishi were a modern male, briefs.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
Her voice is medium to high pitched.
2. How does she normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does she talk easily, or does she hesitate?
Ruishi is careful about her volume; She speaks loud enough to be heard, and is not louder than necessary. She speaks thoughtfully and with confidence.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
No. She is very polite in her speech though.
4. What language/s does she speak, and with how much fluency?
The Rougani language, fluently; It is her mother tongue. She knows no other languages.
5. Does she switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
No.
6. Is she a good impromptu speaker, or does she have to think about her words?
She thinks about her words; Misspeaking is a nightmarish thing to do in Rokugan.
7. Is she eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
She is very eloquent, and is well versed in etiquette. It is expected of a samurai to keep their composure, even in battle, but there are some circumstances where her eloquence could be compromised. Examples of this would be if something or someone were endangering her lions, or her father.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is she book-smart or street-smart?
Ruishi is more book-smart. She knows the ways of the court and samurai, but doesn't have much experience outside of that.
2. Does she think on her feet, or does she need time to deliberate?
She usually likes to take time to deliberate, if the situation calls for it. If the way is clear, then there is no need in her eyes.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is she more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
Ruishi has a tendency to be more idealistic in her thinking. She is being groomed to take over the lordship of her house some day, so she is practical with issues that concern governing estates. She is more intuitive than logical, and often relies on her instincts in battle rather than logic.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
From a young age, Ruishi has been taught things concerning court, caring for the estates that will one day be hers, and, as a student of the Matsu Bushi school, she also is well versed in sword play.
5. What are her areas of expertise? What, if anything, is she interested in learning more about?
Sword techniques of her Matsu school, lions, handling estates and, to some extent, business affairs. She is interested in learning more history.
6. Is she an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert!
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is she even-tempered or does she have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
Ruishi is fairly mild mannered, and usually quiet. Her mood really only swings when she goes into battle, and then it goes from "mild" to "I am a whirlwind of destruction", and God help you if you are in her way. She is a very determined individual, and doesn't give up easily.
8. How does she respond to new people or situations? Is she suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
She is tense, but not unwilling to adapt or learn. It takes her a little bit to get used to new surroundings, but once she is comfortable, she relaxes more.
9. Is she more likely to act, or to react?
React.
10. Which is her default: fight or flight?
Fight! She's a Lion, afterall.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does she appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
Sense of humor? Ruishi doesn't really have one. She doesn't make jokes normally, and if she does, it is inadvertant. She does, however, laugh at whatever attempt at humor her father or bodyguard may make, just to be nice.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does she deal with them?
None.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined her as a person?
Rushi has spent her life traveling between Lion and Crane lands in the course of learning to govern her future estates. One notable trip between the lands when she was ten years old saw her caravan get attacked by an oni. She picked up a sword from one of her dead guards and fled into the savanna of Lion lands. She was found by a mother lioness and her two young cubs. The lions took to her (she is, as the game manual describes, "touched by the spirit realm of animals", so animals have an affinity for her). When the oni came around, the lioness fought to protect her and the cubs. In the end, the oni killed the lioness, and Ruishi killed the oni. The cubs followed Ruishi to a nearby town, and have stayed with her since, becoming her trained war lions and closest companions.
Another noteworthy, and far more recent event, deals with her status. An adviser of the empress came to her family's house, and brought news of a load of stolen Matsu weapons and armor in another clan's territory. Her father was meant to go, so he left the house in Ruishi's hands, giving her the family wakizashi and thereby the title of lord of the house. However, the adviser meant for the head of the house to go- He effectively tricked Daddy Matsu into sending his heir into great peril. Upon finding this out, Daddy Matsu attempted to attack the adviser, though he was stopped by guards. Ruishi agreed to undertake the mission, and to owe the adviser a "favor" for hushing up her father's rash actions.
Though they technically aren't moments in her life, the actions of her ancestors have a strong effect on Ruishi. Her grandfather met the god that founded the Lion clan and saved the then emperor's life. Her own father is known as a hero in his own rights, so she has alot to live up to, and frets over it. Her mother was of the Crane clan, and was secretly to assassinate her father when she had the opportunity. However, she spared his life, and he hers, due to their love. Ruishi's father took out his own eye with a dagger to give the appearance that they fought and her mother simply escaped so that neither would be forced to kill the other. Ruishi doesn't remember much of her mother, but is determined to learn more after learning she was a member of the kolat.
14. What does she fear?
Dishonor coming to her or her family, especially her father. The death of her father or her lions. Being forced to commit seppuku.
15. What are her hopes or aspirations?
Living up to the history of her family and becoming a hero herself, being a successful lord.
16. What is something she doesn't want anyone to find out about her?
That her mother was a member of the kolat, or the true nature of her mother and father's relationship.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with her parents.
Ruishi doesn't remember much of her mother. She sees her father sporadically, maybe one or twice a month, if she's lucky. She has a strong relationship with her father. Their interactions are usually more formal, but she loves and respects him, and knows that he cares for her in return. He has her total trust.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
Ruishi does have siblings, but none that live with her. She sees them rarely, and doesn't know them well.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom she is close? Are there ones she can't stand?
The blood relative she is closest to is her father. She harbors no ill will to the rest of her family; she barely interacts with them.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom she considers part of her family? What are her relationships with them?
Her lions are her best friends, and almost like children to her. She loves them dearly, and spends all the time she can with them.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
In general, Ruishi's lions are her best friends. They met while she was traveling, and was attacked by an oni.
As far as humans go, her best friend would be her ronin bodyguard Toshiro. He was a member of a group that rescued her from a kidnapping plot when she was young. Daddy Matsu has hired him for various jobs around their home, and has lately taken to paying him to be Ruishi's personal guard. As such, they spend a great deal of time together.
6. Does she have other close friends?
No.
7. Does she make friends easily, or does she have trouble getting along with people?
While she doesn't generally have problems getting along with others, Ruishi doesn't make friends easily. She is more apt to like animals.She won't turn down spending time with other people though.
8. Which does she consider more important: family or friends?
Family, without question.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has she been married more than once?
Single.
10. Is she currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
No. she does have a suitor in pursuit of her however... Not that she particularly cares for the fellow.
11. Who was her first crush? Who is her latest?
Probably a sensei at her dojo. Currently, however, it's very hard to picture as having a crush on anyone. Her mind simply isn't on romance at the moment.
12. What does she look for in a romantic partner?
She isn't looking for a romantic partner at present, and most likely won't be for a while. Matsu are a very matriarchal sort. Ruishi will have more say in who she will or won't marry. She doesn't have much reason to marry for political reasons, being the daughter of a lord herself, so she will most likely go for a man she can get along well with, and spar with, and who will help her manage her estates.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does she relate to them? If no, does she want any?
No. though she would like to have children someday.
14. Does she have any rivals or enemies?
While the Lion clan generally does have other clans and views they don't agree with, Ruishi, personally, doesn't have any enemies she is aware of. She does have friendly rivalries with others of her dojo.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does she fall on the Kinsey scale?
Ruishi is a zero.
16. How does she feel about sex? How important is it to her?
Sex isn't important to Ruishi at all. She has taken an oath of chastity as part of her role of being a samurai-ko, to perserve her own, and her family's, honor. She was other things to worry about anyway. Like not dying.
17. What are her turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
The only penetration Ruishi likes is that of her katana into those she doesn't. Also- Battle, swordplay.
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does she fit type?
Noooo friggin' clue.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in her life?
Ruishi is of the traditional Shinto-like Rokugani religion. It is an important element of her life, being something she grew up with.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
She follows Bushido very strictly. She has been taught it from a young age, and it is integral in Rokugani society.
4. How does she regard beliefs that differ from hers? Is she tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
She is outwardly tolerant of other's beliefs...though on the inside, she judges.
5. What prejudices does she hold? Are they irrational or does she have a good reason for them?
Her main prejudices are against Gaijin, eta, and some ideas about other clans.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is she rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
She lives very comfortably. As a result of trade, her family is fairly rich.
2. What is her social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected her?
She is the daughter of a lord of Lion and Crane land. She is fairly high on the social ladder.
3. Where does she live? House, apartment, trailer? Is her home her castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does she share it with others?
She lives in a large, well kept manor, with her father, her lions, and their servants. She spends about half of her time there, and the other half in an equally nice home in Crane country.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does she spend her money on?
kimono, occasionally jewelry or ornaments, things for her lions, mainly.
5. What does she do for a living? Is she good at it? Does she enjoy it, or would she rather be doing something else?
Ruishi accepts her place as both a samurai-ko and as the heir to her father's estate without question or resentment. There is nothing else she would rather be doing. she knows both lives and is confident in her ability to perform well in her capacities.
6. What are her interests or hobbies? How does she spend her free time?
Calligraphy, history, playing or training with her lions, and sparring. She likes to go for walks and go shopping, even if she doesn't buy anything most of the time.
7. What are her eating habits? Does she skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
She eats regularly, usually the typical Rokugani meal. Rice, fish, vegetables, and fruits mainly. No red meats. She does drink occasionally, and doesn't really snack much.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is her favorite:
1. Color? Honey yellow
2. Smell? Sticky rice
3. Time of day? Morning
4. Season? Summer
5. Book? History
6. Music? Shamisen music
7. Place? Her Matsu household
8. Substance? Steel
9. Plant? Daffodil
10. Animal? Lion
END
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