Application for Viva Calabria
CHARACTER
NAME: Kaede
FANDOM:
CANON SYNOPSIS: Here. Not bound by bushido, her own personal sense of justice does tend to outweigh her sense of duty, which could be perceived as a rebellious streak--but she is still loyal to the select few with whom she allows herself to become close. Though her small size means she only has so much weight to throw around, and her stubborn determination often translates into being difficult and confrontational, she was also raised among fighters, so she isn’t squeamish, and she doesn’t shy away from conflict. Her small frame also lends to her stealth, agility, and quickness on her feet; strengths which are bolstered her determination and persistence.
Originally sent to assassinate Samanosuke for reasons unknown, she ultimately decided to join him on his travels as his loyal partner and confidante for over the next 4 to 5 years, and was presumably disowned by the Iga ninja clan for such an action--it was likely that the samurai was the closest thing she had to family from then on. She is clearly devoted to him, often putting the safety of her partner and others before her own--though it speaks of their mutual trust in one another that she would follow his wishes without question, even knowing that he was just likely to sacrifice himself for her.
CALABRIA-VERSE BACKGROUND: Born in Mie Prefecture, Japan, Kaede can trace her roots back to the legendary 15th century Iga-ryu clan of ninja--renowned for their offensive combat techniques (such as the use of fire, firearms, and explosives) as well as their skill in "magic" (which is said to include hypnotism and conjuring).
Following the period known as the Tokugawa Shogunate, many ninja clans disbanded--taking jobs as laborers, government positions, and even finding jobs within the Yakuza (Japanese Mafia)--but a few families went underground, passing the way of Ninjutsu down to the next generation.
Enter Kaede, Iga-ryu kunoichi, on assignment in Reggio Calabria. Possessed of a deceptively innocent appearance, Kaede was the kind of person who could kill you with kindness, and then murder you in your sleep.
According to some legends, the best Iga ninja were always women (perhaps because their lesser bulk equaled greater speed and agility); and as their modern-day descendant, Kaede was no exception.
Garnering favor with the local Yakuza for her stealth, precision, and adaptability--be it collecting and delivering intel, cleaning up a scandal, or causing the same--she ultimately earned the privilege of demonstrating yet another feat of Iga prowess: infiltrating a castle. A castle in the form of a rising power in the heart of the Italian mafia--the house of Monacello.
It was through working with Yakuza that Kaede first heard about the rising power in Reggio Calabria, and was sent over to investigate. Though as an outsider she knew it would be no easy task to gain the confidence of one side without raising the suspicions of the other, it was not long before she heard talk of prizefights between soldati of opposing factions and began her networking there, intending to gradually work her way in.
Fortune smiled on her, she proved herself just as she had in Japan: by finding those who did not want to be found, and either bringing them back...or making them disappear. Prizefighter Soiree Meira got her a job as a Monacello soldati, and she gained further rapport in the underworld as a secret member of L’Squadra de Ezecutione, but it would not be long until her true loyalties would be called to account.
CURRENT SITUATION: Having become involved with under-boss, Dio Brando, she was assigned to the bombing of a business owned by one of the heads of the Anti-Mafia Commission. Suspecting that it was a test of her loyalty to him, and to la famiglia, she saw no choice but to follow through with the orders--though she did her best to make sure no persons were harmed in the bombing. When Dio Brando when into hiding, and left his soldati to take the fall, she turned herself in. She vowed that if she was going down, she would go down fighting, and with honor--but she knew it was a dangerous game she played when it was a Vescovo attorney who came to her defense. She has likely been in hiding since the events following her incarceration, working for L’Squadra, and helping Soiree--whom she still considers to be her brother at arms--from the shadows.
ALIGNMENT: Monacello?
RANK: soldadi
SAMPLES
THIRD PERSON: The first hours of morning found Kaede already up and dressed, smoothing dark leggings over the flame-colored tattoos on her thighs before lacing up sturdy boots--a set of throwing knives concealed against her calves, and a pair of stilettos sheathed to her forearms.
A man was coming to Reggio Calabria from Chicago, Illinois that morning, and he would be in a hurry, as he was departing the very next day. There had been a death in the family, and he was coming to Italy for the funeral, and to take care of the paperwork that would secure his inheritance, but what he didn't know was that someone else in the family wanted him erased--and they were willing to pay a tidy sum to have the job done.
Kaede knew nothing about him, except for the description, and the location where the hit would take place--and she didn't need to. He was a non-person, already dead, and she was the messenger sent to ferry him to the afterlife. This was how she operated. It was cleaner that way.
FIRST PERSON: Booze. Ice. Steak and potatoes. Eggs, milk, butter. Flour. Sugar. Shovel. I can’t believe I’m still shopping for you boys after four years. You’d think we were living together. Oh, wait, sorry. I forgot nobody likes it when I talk back. At least somebody stands by me so I don’t have to worry about opening doors for myself. I’ll be in the kitchen.
NOTES: Back-story coordinated w/ “gonsai” gonsai & evil_kimba “evil_kimba” for Soiree, L’Squadra, & Dio Brando, & with Ani for l_giuseppeadama “l_giuseppeadama”
NAME: Kaede
FANDOM:
CANON SYNOPSIS: Here. Not bound by bushido, her own personal sense of justice does tend to outweigh her sense of duty, which could be perceived as a rebellious streak--but she is still loyal to the select few with whom she allows herself to become close. Though her small size means she only has so much weight to throw around, and her stubborn determination often translates into being difficult and confrontational, she was also raised among fighters, so she isn’t squeamish, and she doesn’t shy away from conflict. Her small frame also lends to her stealth, agility, and quickness on her feet; strengths which are bolstered her determination and persistence.
Originally sent to assassinate Samanosuke for reasons unknown, she ultimately decided to join him on his travels as his loyal partner and confidante for over the next 4 to 5 years, and was presumably disowned by the Iga ninja clan for such an action--it was likely that the samurai was the closest thing she had to family from then on. She is clearly devoted to him, often putting the safety of her partner and others before her own--though it speaks of their mutual trust in one another that she would follow his wishes without question, even knowing that he was just likely to sacrifice himself for her.
CALABRIA-VERSE BACKGROUND: Born in Mie Prefecture, Japan, Kaede can trace her roots back to the legendary 15th century Iga-ryu clan of ninja--renowned for their offensive combat techniques (such as the use of fire, firearms, and explosives) as well as their skill in "magic" (which is said to include hypnotism and conjuring).
Following the period known as the Tokugawa Shogunate, many ninja clans disbanded--taking jobs as laborers, government positions, and even finding jobs within the Yakuza (Japanese Mafia)--but a few families went underground, passing the way of Ninjutsu down to the next generation.
Enter Kaede, Iga-ryu kunoichi, on assignment in Reggio Calabria. Possessed of a deceptively innocent appearance, Kaede was the kind of person who could kill you with kindness, and then murder you in your sleep.
According to some legends, the best Iga ninja were always women (perhaps because their lesser bulk equaled greater speed and agility); and as their modern-day descendant, Kaede was no exception.
Garnering favor with the local Yakuza for her stealth, precision, and adaptability--be it collecting and delivering intel, cleaning up a scandal, or causing the same--she ultimately earned the privilege of demonstrating yet another feat of Iga prowess: infiltrating a castle. A castle in the form of a rising power in the heart of the Italian mafia--the house of Monacello.
It was through working with Yakuza that Kaede first heard about the rising power in Reggio Calabria, and was sent over to investigate. Though as an outsider she knew it would be no easy task to gain the confidence of one side without raising the suspicions of the other, it was not long before she heard talk of prizefights between soldati of opposing factions and began her networking there, intending to gradually work her way in.
Fortune smiled on her, she proved herself just as she had in Japan: by finding those who did not want to be found, and either bringing them back...or making them disappear. Prizefighter Soiree Meira got her a job as a Monacello soldati, and she gained further rapport in the underworld as a secret member of L’Squadra de Ezecutione, but it would not be long until her true loyalties would be called to account.
CURRENT SITUATION: Having become involved with under-boss, Dio Brando, she was assigned to the bombing of a business owned by one of the heads of the Anti-Mafia Commission. Suspecting that it was a test of her loyalty to him, and to la famiglia, she saw no choice but to follow through with the orders--though she did her best to make sure no persons were harmed in the bombing. When Dio Brando when into hiding, and left his soldati to take the fall, she turned herself in. She vowed that if she was going down, she would go down fighting, and with honor--but she knew it was a dangerous game she played when it was a Vescovo attorney who came to her defense. She has likely been in hiding since the events following her incarceration, working for L’Squadra, and helping Soiree--whom she still considers to be her brother at arms--from the shadows.
ALIGNMENT: Monacello?
RANK: soldadi
SAMPLES
THIRD PERSON: The first hours of morning found Kaede already up and dressed, smoothing dark leggings over the flame-colored tattoos on her thighs before lacing up sturdy boots--a set of throwing knives concealed against her calves, and a pair of stilettos sheathed to her forearms.
A man was coming to Reggio Calabria from Chicago, Illinois that morning, and he would be in a hurry, as he was departing the very next day. There had been a death in the family, and he was coming to Italy for the funeral, and to take care of the paperwork that would secure his inheritance, but what he didn't know was that someone else in the family wanted him erased--and they were willing to pay a tidy sum to have the job done.
Kaede knew nothing about him, except for the description, and the location where the hit would take place--and she didn't need to. He was a non-person, already dead, and she was the messenger sent to ferry him to the afterlife. This was how she operated. It was cleaner that way.
FIRST PERSON: Booze. Ice. Steak and potatoes. Eggs, milk, butter. Flour. Sugar. Shovel. I can’t believe I’m still shopping for you boys after four years. You’d think we were living together. Oh, wait, sorry. I forgot nobody likes it when I talk back. At least somebody stands by me so I don’t have to worry about opening doors for myself. I’ll be in the kitchen.
NOTES: Back-story coordinated w/ “gonsai” gonsai & evil_kimba “evil_kimba” for Soiree, L’Squadra, & Dio Brando, & with Ani for l_giuseppeadama “l_giuseppeadama”