application
[series]: 07 Ghost
[character]: Mikage
[character history / background]: In the world of 07 Ghost, a person has a possibility of having three wishes granted before they die, and when they are granted, then they may happily be able to return to heaven. This is relevant to Mikage's history because, despite his brief appearance within the story as a person, he is able to live happily, have his wishes granted, and be reincarnated as a baby dragon, Burupya. His final wish was to protect someone he cared about, even if he died doing it. This someone is Teito Klein, his best friend.
Protection is a theme in Mikage's life. The middle child born to a family of stewards, he joined the military for the sake of protecting his family (his reason for joining the military was literally put down as "my family"). Little is known about Mikage's story past that, but it can be assumed that they weren't well off, but that he loved his family. Mikage, given his longing to protect his siblings (a younger sister and an older brother), probably didn't struggle with the stereotypical issues one might as a middle sibling. Instead, he was someone who took his lineage in stride and understood that he needed to do what was necessary. Of course, this is all theoretical.
What is known is that Mikage is allowed into the military academy with the thought that he had a lot of potential given the fact that he wanted to protect someone so dearly. There, he ended up roomed with the slave, Teito Klein, and the two grew close very quickly. Though other individuals thought little of Mikage for taking to the slave, he personally didn't care, wanting to be there for Teito and even teasing him when he had the opportunity. Despite Shuri Oak's tendency to refer to him and Teito as servants who should be serving him, he made a point of never losing his cool (even when Teito would do the same).
The night before the military examinations, Teito and Mikage sparred all night, and then went to the examinations tired, but dealt with it. The examinations themselves involved taking down a large man, and if they didn't, they would likely end up dead. Teito hesitated during this and the known man in the military, Ayanami, took him down. Despite this, Teito and Mikage were among the nineteen individuals who were chosen to pass. After the examinations, Mikage promised to Teito that he would never abandon him and that they would die together. Sometime after that, Teito overheard Ayanami talking with his men about him, and they ended up capturing him and locking him up. While he's being taken to possibly die, Mikage comes and rescues him, saying that no one causes an affront to Ayanami and gets out alive.
However, just as they get to the final point of escape, Teito turns his sword on Mikage, and says that he couldn't do that to him before jumping away and eventually ending up in he seventh district. In the meantime, Mikage is interrogated by Ayanami, and eventually, has something-a monster-like creature called a Kor-planted inside of him. He had a choice at this time-his family or Teito, and he wasn't able to choose, because to Mikage, Teito was like family. Neither of them should have had to die. Thus, he ends up at the church where Teito ends up, with his soul starting to slip away because of what's inside him. He listens to what Teito has to say about his mysterious past, and right before he slips away for good, he tells Teito not to avenge him and not to go after the imperial army, also adding that he loves him. A battle ensues, where Mikage-as-the-one-winged-Kor (which is actually Ayanami) attacks Teito, and in the final moments, Mikage comes back out and smiles at Teito, saying they would always be the best of friends.
In those moments, he's able to protect his friend, and his final wish, as mentioned before, is granted. Not long after, Burupya, the baby dragon appears.
[character abilities]: Mikage is able to use a type of magic that draws upon his energy and emotions called zaiphon. There are many different types of this magic, but he uses offensive magic. Though it's said that some individuals are able to use different types of zaiphons, Mikage is not one of these people.
Aside from having this ability, Mikage has been trained in various bits of combat while being in the military academy. It's likely that he can hold up in a fight fairly well.
[character personality]: Undoubtedly, Mikage is someone who could be described as being amiable, amicable, cheerful, and level-headed. Though far from a bundle of energy, he's someone who's quick to smile when necessary and able to brush off a number of problematic things. As a friend, he's loyal to the end, even the after-life, as he's someone who chose to have himself turned into a baby dragon in order to stay by his best friend's side, as he claimed they would be best friends 'til the end and that he would never leave or abandon Teito. All of this can be easily concluded with one way of description: he's dependable. If he makes an oath to someone, he stands by it, and he's someone who will do anything for the people he cares about, even to the point of risking his life (as his wish was to protect people even if he died trying).
As for the level-headed part of his personality, he's able to assess a situation through a scope that allows him to be fairly clear-minded about it. When someone insults both him and Teito, he keeps his calm about it, and after Teito attacks that someone, Mikage pulls him back, holding him against him and saying, with a smile, that the other person "wasn't worth it." He's someone who fights when it's necessary, and he sees the military as a necessary tool, but it seems unlikely that he would fight for any other reason (sparring for the sake of fun doesn't count, as that adds up as training). He's someone who doesn't take revenge and sees a situation as it should be, knowing well enough that someone can get hurt while seeking revenge more than they can otherwise. That doesn''t mean he's incapable of getting annoyed with people and showing it, and occasionally acting out, but these are the rare moments that don't match his typical behavior and how he does his best to take things in stride.
Aside from all that, Mikage is a fairly fun-loving individual, who has fun sparring, studying, eating, or just teasing someone. He doesn't like people who look down on other people, but doesn't go out of his way to fight them (though he protects them when necessary). His resistance is one in which he shows that he doesn't care, instead of feeling the need to attack people to prove a point. Their point isn't worth entertaining, and therefore, it's wrong. It's really as simple as that. He'd prefer to be there for someone, to protect them, and in many ways, he's more of a defensive person, through his need to protect, than an offensive one.
Emotions and care aren't things that he's afraid to show to someone-on the contrary, Mikage mostly wears his heart on his sleeve due to his tendency to be rather open about himself. If he loves them, he tells them; if he dislikes someone, he doesn't go out of his way to play nice, but just avoids them instead, as there's no point to it. He'll cry when it's the right time, laugh when it's the right time, and so forth, all because he cares for someone. To be Mikage's friend is to likely know what he feels about you at any time, because he doesn't bother with niceties or being fake. If he says he cares about you, he's being absolutely sincere. There is no need to lie about that.
His biggest shows of irrationality come through this need to protect people, however. He's willing to break laws, get his friends away, go to the ends of the earth in order to save someone. For all his level-headed behavior, this is where there seems to be a direct contradiction. After all, Mikage willingly embraces that he would die for someone and would like to die by someone's side. He's willing to join the military to protect his family, which is seen as a logical and rational action on some ends, but it can be assumed that he would be pushed to killing while working for the military. Simply put: he is willing to do anything for his family and friends, though possibly not kill, if they were in real danger. If it means dying, than that kind of sacrifice is fine, as long as the person he cares for is safe. His willing disregard for his life is a little unnatural, but it is one of his most defining points.
[point in timeline you're picking your character from]: Post-death.
[journal post]:
voice;
Haha, this isn't the type of place I thought I'd ever see! The city is rather large and I spent a few hours wandering around before I realized that I should use something like this. It's very different here than anything back home-I thought for a moment that it was just a district I'd never been to, but ...
Heh, it can't be that after all, can it?
I thought about making up some story about why I'm here, but I think it might be better to have someone else explain it to me.
[third person / log sample]:
It's rare that Mikage would force himself to grin and bear a lie, to feel himself tired and listless in that bed, the hours ticking away until his life is gone. He knows that as a result of what has been done to him, he's bound to die soon; he knows why he is here, what he has to do. To the Chief of Staff, Ayanami, this was meant to be a choice. Either his family, which he swore to protect, or his best friend, who was just as important to him. Oaths weren't something he made a habit of breaking, his necessary attachment to fealty keeping him from going against that word. He doesn't tell the army this when he makes that choice, knowing full well that he has a better chance at going out of his way to protect Teito than his family. He weighs his losses and does what he can for Teito, realizing that this way, he may be able to say good-bye-this way, he'll be able to push Teito past his compassion.
He knows it won't be long until his friend comes and checks on him again, so he lays still and waits, quiet, quiet, the blanket covering him as he can almost feel the seconds of his life draining away. Is this how he's meant to die? If he has to die like this, then ... he'll do it as he wishes, with his friend being safe, protected, understanding. Mikage purses out his lips as he starts to hear the steps coming toward his room. Likely Teito, he decides, because it's been Teito since he collapsed. Even unconscious, it's almost like he can feel his best friend's presence in the room.
It's not long until he's sitting up, the cheerful smile perched on his lips, waiting for Teito to come and join him. He tells him he's all right, and an immediate surge of guilt passes through him as he goes on to tell Teito that it's all right to tell him anything. Anything-it doesn't matter what he has to say, he'll listen. Mikage can feel the other force inside of him, ripping away at who he is and who he wants to be, trying to slide in and take control as he listens to Teito's words about his past. Such a devastating circumstance-not being able to remember, being a slave, having to go through that, but hearing all of it makes Mikage more secure in knowing that Teito will understand, Teito will be able to look forward, toward the light that's waiting for him. Even though he's listening, a surge of thoughts passes through his mind.
I promised to be by your side forever, but I'm not sure I can be this time-a broken promise, a bit of guilt. He stops the thought and tilts his head back, and when Teito notices the unsteady appearances, he stops in his storytelling to look concerned. But it passes, thankfully, and he presses on. Haha, I hope they can make you taller here! You still have a few years to catch up to where I am now, Teito. I should've told them to try and feed it to you directly. How would you have liked that? His smile widens a bit as he looks down at his friend, and he's sure Teito reads it as him being comforting, encouraging, consoling-but right now, it's as if he's consoling himself. I'm sure you'll find someone else to open up to aside from me. You've gotta, because even if I'd like to be here forever ...
He cuts off that thought as Teito comes to a close. Mikage bows his head and says the words, "I believe you," with a smile that's warm and wistful. He realizes that he would be there with Teito after death if he could, but it won't be likely. The words themselves are hard to hold on to, the crawling feeling starting to etch itself over his skin. His fingers curl toward his palms and he feels uneasy, but he holds on, fighting, fighting, knowing that all his thoughts need to be put into words, all his last things need to be given to his friend, to ensure that even without him, he's able to look forward, even without him, he's able to look to the light, the one that wishes to guide him. Because of all people Mikage's met, that's the direction Teito deserves to go in. Even if he's sometimes cranky or arrogant-which he tells him, tells him right now-he's someone that Mikage can count on.
In a way, Mikage figures, Teito is more compassionate than he'll ever be, than anyone will ever be, and he deserves only the best.
He drapes on him briefly, but then pulls away, giving a sheepish look as he says these final words: "I always pray for your happiness. I'll always be by your side, don't forget that." And then Teito interjects as confused as possible, Mikage feels more resolve, because he wants to be there for him, so he decides that he will. It's as simple as that. He will be there for his best friend. That was his promise, and nothing, not even the machinations of Ayanami, will get in the way of that. He will be there for him. "Haha, I can't go back to the imperial army, either. I give up."
The feeling is stronger at that last admission, so he glances away, a smile struggling to remain, but it's being pushed aside in favor of the power. He doesn't let it win, his own will stubborn and fighting it, "I have one last request. Kill me, Teito."
The worst part is he knows he'll be allowed to hold on long enough to watch Ayanami hurt Teito. He knows he'll be able to watch, and he can already feel the grappling feeling inside of him, fighting, aching, the tears threatening to come out, but he doesn't have that kind of control or power yet. He hopes it's enough, to protect his friend. He hopes it's enough.
[character]: Mikage
[character history / background]: In the world of 07 Ghost, a person has a possibility of having three wishes granted before they die, and when they are granted, then they may happily be able to return to heaven. This is relevant to Mikage's history because, despite his brief appearance within the story as a person, he is able to live happily, have his wishes granted, and be reincarnated as a baby dragon, Burupya. His final wish was to protect someone he cared about, even if he died doing it. This someone is Teito Klein, his best friend.
Protection is a theme in Mikage's life. The middle child born to a family of stewards, he joined the military for the sake of protecting his family (his reason for joining the military was literally put down as "my family"). Little is known about Mikage's story past that, but it can be assumed that they weren't well off, but that he loved his family. Mikage, given his longing to protect his siblings (a younger sister and an older brother), probably didn't struggle with the stereotypical issues one might as a middle sibling. Instead, he was someone who took his lineage in stride and understood that he needed to do what was necessary. Of course, this is all theoretical.
What is known is that Mikage is allowed into the military academy with the thought that he had a lot of potential given the fact that he wanted to protect someone so dearly. There, he ended up roomed with the slave, Teito Klein, and the two grew close very quickly. Though other individuals thought little of Mikage for taking to the slave, he personally didn't care, wanting to be there for Teito and even teasing him when he had the opportunity. Despite Shuri Oak's tendency to refer to him and Teito as servants who should be serving him, he made a point of never losing his cool (even when Teito would do the same).
The night before the military examinations, Teito and Mikage sparred all night, and then went to the examinations tired, but dealt with it. The examinations themselves involved taking down a large man, and if they didn't, they would likely end up dead. Teito hesitated during this and the known man in the military, Ayanami, took him down. Despite this, Teito and Mikage were among the nineteen individuals who were chosen to pass. After the examinations, Mikage promised to Teito that he would never abandon him and that they would die together. Sometime after that, Teito overheard Ayanami talking with his men about him, and they ended up capturing him and locking him up. While he's being taken to possibly die, Mikage comes and rescues him, saying that no one causes an affront to Ayanami and gets out alive.
However, just as they get to the final point of escape, Teito turns his sword on Mikage, and says that he couldn't do that to him before jumping away and eventually ending up in he seventh district. In the meantime, Mikage is interrogated by Ayanami, and eventually, has something-a monster-like creature called a Kor-planted inside of him. He had a choice at this time-his family or Teito, and he wasn't able to choose, because to Mikage, Teito was like family. Neither of them should have had to die. Thus, he ends up at the church where Teito ends up, with his soul starting to slip away because of what's inside him. He listens to what Teito has to say about his mysterious past, and right before he slips away for good, he tells Teito not to avenge him and not to go after the imperial army, also adding that he loves him. A battle ensues, where Mikage-as-the-one-winged-Kor (which is actually Ayanami) attacks Teito, and in the final moments, Mikage comes back out and smiles at Teito, saying they would always be the best of friends.
In those moments, he's able to protect his friend, and his final wish, as mentioned before, is granted. Not long after, Burupya, the baby dragon appears.
[character abilities]: Mikage is able to use a type of magic that draws upon his energy and emotions called zaiphon. There are many different types of this magic, but he uses offensive magic. Though it's said that some individuals are able to use different types of zaiphons, Mikage is not one of these people.
Aside from having this ability, Mikage has been trained in various bits of combat while being in the military academy. It's likely that he can hold up in a fight fairly well.
[character personality]: Undoubtedly, Mikage is someone who could be described as being amiable, amicable, cheerful, and level-headed. Though far from a bundle of energy, he's someone who's quick to smile when necessary and able to brush off a number of problematic things. As a friend, he's loyal to the end, even the after-life, as he's someone who chose to have himself turned into a baby dragon in order to stay by his best friend's side, as he claimed they would be best friends 'til the end and that he would never leave or abandon Teito. All of this can be easily concluded with one way of description: he's dependable. If he makes an oath to someone, he stands by it, and he's someone who will do anything for the people he cares about, even to the point of risking his life (as his wish was to protect people even if he died trying).
As for the level-headed part of his personality, he's able to assess a situation through a scope that allows him to be fairly clear-minded about it. When someone insults both him and Teito, he keeps his calm about it, and after Teito attacks that someone, Mikage pulls him back, holding him against him and saying, with a smile, that the other person "wasn't worth it." He's someone who fights when it's necessary, and he sees the military as a necessary tool, but it seems unlikely that he would fight for any other reason (sparring for the sake of fun doesn't count, as that adds up as training). He's someone who doesn't take revenge and sees a situation as it should be, knowing well enough that someone can get hurt while seeking revenge more than they can otherwise. That doesn''t mean he's incapable of getting annoyed with people and showing it, and occasionally acting out, but these are the rare moments that don't match his typical behavior and how he does his best to take things in stride.
Aside from all that, Mikage is a fairly fun-loving individual, who has fun sparring, studying, eating, or just teasing someone. He doesn't like people who look down on other people, but doesn't go out of his way to fight them (though he protects them when necessary). His resistance is one in which he shows that he doesn't care, instead of feeling the need to attack people to prove a point. Their point isn't worth entertaining, and therefore, it's wrong. It's really as simple as that. He'd prefer to be there for someone, to protect them, and in many ways, he's more of a defensive person, through his need to protect, than an offensive one.
Emotions and care aren't things that he's afraid to show to someone-on the contrary, Mikage mostly wears his heart on his sleeve due to his tendency to be rather open about himself. If he loves them, he tells them; if he dislikes someone, he doesn't go out of his way to play nice, but just avoids them instead, as there's no point to it. He'll cry when it's the right time, laugh when it's the right time, and so forth, all because he cares for someone. To be Mikage's friend is to likely know what he feels about you at any time, because he doesn't bother with niceties or being fake. If he says he cares about you, he's being absolutely sincere. There is no need to lie about that.
His biggest shows of irrationality come through this need to protect people, however. He's willing to break laws, get his friends away, go to the ends of the earth in order to save someone. For all his level-headed behavior, this is where there seems to be a direct contradiction. After all, Mikage willingly embraces that he would die for someone and would like to die by someone's side. He's willing to join the military to protect his family, which is seen as a logical and rational action on some ends, but it can be assumed that he would be pushed to killing while working for the military. Simply put: he is willing to do anything for his family and friends, though possibly not kill, if they were in real danger. If it means dying, than that kind of sacrifice is fine, as long as the person he cares for is safe. His willing disregard for his life is a little unnatural, but it is one of his most defining points.
[point in timeline you're picking your character from]: Post-death.
[journal post]:
voice;
Haha, this isn't the type of place I thought I'd ever see! The city is rather large and I spent a few hours wandering around before I realized that I should use something like this. It's very different here than anything back home-I thought for a moment that it was just a district I'd never been to, but ...
Heh, it can't be that after all, can it?
I thought about making up some story about why I'm here, but I think it might be better to have someone else explain it to me.
[third person / log sample]:
It's rare that Mikage would force himself to grin and bear a lie, to feel himself tired and listless in that bed, the hours ticking away until his life is gone. He knows that as a result of what has been done to him, he's bound to die soon; he knows why he is here, what he has to do. To the Chief of Staff, Ayanami, this was meant to be a choice. Either his family, which he swore to protect, or his best friend, who was just as important to him. Oaths weren't something he made a habit of breaking, his necessary attachment to fealty keeping him from going against that word. He doesn't tell the army this when he makes that choice, knowing full well that he has a better chance at going out of his way to protect Teito than his family. He weighs his losses and does what he can for Teito, realizing that this way, he may be able to say good-bye-this way, he'll be able to push Teito past his compassion.
He knows it won't be long until his friend comes and checks on him again, so he lays still and waits, quiet, quiet, the blanket covering him as he can almost feel the seconds of his life draining away. Is this how he's meant to die? If he has to die like this, then ... he'll do it as he wishes, with his friend being safe, protected, understanding. Mikage purses out his lips as he starts to hear the steps coming toward his room. Likely Teito, he decides, because it's been Teito since he collapsed. Even unconscious, it's almost like he can feel his best friend's presence in the room.
It's not long until he's sitting up, the cheerful smile perched on his lips, waiting for Teito to come and join him. He tells him he's all right, and an immediate surge of guilt passes through him as he goes on to tell Teito that it's all right to tell him anything. Anything-it doesn't matter what he has to say, he'll listen. Mikage can feel the other force inside of him, ripping away at who he is and who he wants to be, trying to slide in and take control as he listens to Teito's words about his past. Such a devastating circumstance-not being able to remember, being a slave, having to go through that, but hearing all of it makes Mikage more secure in knowing that Teito will understand, Teito will be able to look forward, toward the light that's waiting for him. Even though he's listening, a surge of thoughts passes through his mind.
I promised to be by your side forever, but I'm not sure I can be this time-a broken promise, a bit of guilt. He stops the thought and tilts his head back, and when Teito notices the unsteady appearances, he stops in his storytelling to look concerned. But it passes, thankfully, and he presses on. Haha, I hope they can make you taller here! You still have a few years to catch up to where I am now, Teito. I should've told them to try and feed it to you directly. How would you have liked that? His smile widens a bit as he looks down at his friend, and he's sure Teito reads it as him being comforting, encouraging, consoling-but right now, it's as if he's consoling himself. I'm sure you'll find someone else to open up to aside from me. You've gotta, because even if I'd like to be here forever ...
He cuts off that thought as Teito comes to a close. Mikage bows his head and says the words, "I believe you," with a smile that's warm and wistful. He realizes that he would be there with Teito after death if he could, but it won't be likely. The words themselves are hard to hold on to, the crawling feeling starting to etch itself over his skin. His fingers curl toward his palms and he feels uneasy, but he holds on, fighting, fighting, knowing that all his thoughts need to be put into words, all his last things need to be given to his friend, to ensure that even without him, he's able to look forward, even without him, he's able to look to the light, the one that wishes to guide him. Because of all people Mikage's met, that's the direction Teito deserves to go in. Even if he's sometimes cranky or arrogant-which he tells him, tells him right now-he's someone that Mikage can count on.
In a way, Mikage figures, Teito is more compassionate than he'll ever be, than anyone will ever be, and he deserves only the best.
He drapes on him briefly, but then pulls away, giving a sheepish look as he says these final words: "I always pray for your happiness. I'll always be by your side, don't forget that." And then Teito interjects as confused as possible, Mikage feels more resolve, because he wants to be there for him, so he decides that he will. It's as simple as that. He will be there for his best friend. That was his promise, and nothing, not even the machinations of Ayanami, will get in the way of that. He will be there for him. "Haha, I can't go back to the imperial army, either. I give up."
The feeling is stronger at that last admission, so he glances away, a smile struggling to remain, but it's being pushed aside in favor of the power. He doesn't let it win, his own will stubborn and fighting it, "I have one last request. Kill me, Teito."
The worst part is he knows he'll be allowed to hold on long enough to watch Ayanami hurt Teito. He knows he'll be able to watch, and he can already feel the grappling feeling inside of him, fighting, aching, the tears threatening to come out, but he doesn't have that kind of control or power yet. He hopes it's enough, to protect his friend. He hopes it's enough.