ic character development questions;

[wildones]

Hooo. . . a questionnaire just for me? To whom do I owe my regards—?

[muffled voices in the background. ah.]

None, then? I find that strange, but. . . very well. I'll fill this out to the best of my knowledge— yes, before the commissioner arrives, worry not.

If your character had superpowers, how would xe use them for others? For xirself?

Oh, superpowers. . . ninjutsu, then? Taijutsu? Perhaps genjutsu? I've little skill in any of them, but if I were talented with them. . . I would use them to help others. They would be very useful for this little village if used correctly.

[what do you mean by 'correctly'?]

Hooo. . . that isn't a question on this form, I'm afraid. Perhaps I can answer that some other time?

How does your character behave when insulted? When threatened?

Moving on. . . when insulted or threatened, I don't take it to heart. Surely something must have happened to the person that day, or the day before, to make them behave in such a way - or I did something deserving of the insult of threat. . . .does that make soft and foolish, I wonder.

What job does your character want right now?

I'm quite pleased with the one I have right now as it allows me to explore something I had previously been unable to due to various circumstances. Do forgive me for not specifying. . . being a seamstress is a very rewarding job in the area I happen to working in.

When does your character think that violence is justified or deserved?

How controversial! 'When', you ask? I'm not interested in revenge or personal vendettas, but everyone copes with things differently. Thoughts on violence being justified or deserved are rather subjective.

[chouka-san. . .]

Ah, I apologize. . . it's asking for my view, I'm aware. I simply wanted to remind them - ehm, whomever is going to be reading this afterwards - to keep an open mind. . . .I'll put into perspective, in any case: we'll say that someone killed my younger sister in assured, unquestionable cold blood, right before my very eyes, when I know for a fact that my younger sister had done no wrong to this person as confirmed by that person.

. . .the act of violence they've committed is unjustifiable. It's all a matter of circumstance— and Momoe-san, please don't look like that. I never said I would be forgetting or forgiving any such acts against the people I love, now did I? [not that it would be her place to 'forgive', of course.]

Which common rules of etiquette or morality does your character disagree with?

Goodness, the life of a shinobi! It's quite difficult, what with their many, triffling, and emotionally suffocating and stunting rules. Needless to say, they're 'needed' - I'd hate to imagine a clan of highly emotionally volatile shinobi going around killing whatever and whomever they please just as much as I would hate to imagine the opposite. If they allowed themselves to be ruled by emotion, I imagine this world would be a much darker place.

What behavior/behaviors does your character have that xe most like to change or lose?

I would like to be able to sort everything that I want to sort without touching it. Ahhh, how heavenly that would be. . . I could even lift the heavier objects around the shop and take the load off of everyone else!

. . .mmm, I would like to make the power of my mother's bloodline useful. [what is it?] Hmmm. . .? Worry not. I'm sure one day it'll be useful. . .

Which personality traits does your character have that xe like to change or lose?

My impulsiveness tends to get me in more trouble than it's worth in the situation, so I would like that to either go away or bury itself inside of me so that I might think in the situation. I'd like to not trust so easily either - there are more, but I would rather not go on and on forever like I have been. I apologize.

Which personal rule/rules does your character have difficulty following?

'Do not go to a client's house without another coworker.' It can be dangerous, but I have yet to enter a situation where anyone has tried to harm me. I don't expect anything to happen and I do believe I can take care of myself as far as handling the other villagers goes. . .

Which personality trait/traits in other people annoy your character the most?

Close-minded foolishness. Everyone has one terrible secret, so it's best to be understanding. Be kind.

Which personality trait or fault would your character refuse to accept in a romantic partner?

Again, someone who doesn't have an open mind. I don't find myself particularly attracted to any one thing about a person, but I do find close-mindedness very unattractive. Of course, if my romantic partner has the desire to learn how to be more open-minded. . . I wouldn't be as opposed.

If your character could spend a weekend anywhere, where would it be?

Ahh. . . the Hidden Hot Water village. A refreshing bath in one of their hot springs would be so wonderful!

[the. . . hidden hot water village, chouko-san? does such a thing exist?]

Oh, I'd nearly forgotten. . . a secret like that is something I should've kept to myself.

Which facts about xirself does your character feel are the most important?

Please try to understand that I have my limits. Physically, heavy manual labor isn't something I can do as much as I wish I could. I can cook and clean, and do any other housework - respect my boundaries because I surely respect yours.

Which facts about xirself does your character prefer to keep hidden?

Mm. . . this is a strictly confidential form, isn't it?

[aa.]

May I ask that you no longer linger? —I'll be back to work in a little while. There aren't many questions left. [a reassuring smile here, and everyone else leaves the room.] . . .I come from a different world. The shopkeepers tell me that I fell right out of the sky and into their koi pond— it was a strange, strange thing, but it would explain why I dreamt of flying. I already know a good amount about this world because it is, technically, my world.

It's just the past.

What lie is your character most likely to tell?

'I don't know.'

What do other characters most frequently complain about concerning your character's personality and/or behavior? Does your character agree or disagree?

Ah, they call me a perfectionist. I certainly strive for perfection, but that's because I want our clients to have the quality that they paid for. I have a feeling that they might be referring to my sorting habits, however. . . am I really so bad?

What are your character's religious/eschatological views? How seriously does xe take them? Do they differ from those of most people in your character's culture, and if so, how?

Ehm. . . I don't have much time for religion, so I'm afraid I can't answer this question. My apologies.

What are your character's views and positions on issues considered controversial within xir culture/region?

—or this one.

What events in your character's life lead xir to having the ethics and views xe has today?

My great grandparents taught me many of the things that I believe today. They taught me how to be a submissive woman, a perfect housewife for the husband they want me to have: to cook for him every day, to do the chores around the house, to be delicate and never question his control— that was mostly upon my great grandfather's urging.

My great grandmother disagreed and when her husband wasn't home, she taught how to turn the tables on men who thought they could control me. It was always a power struggle with them. . .

I don't wish for my romantic life to be a power struggle.

Which beliefs or views is your character irrationally attached to and will defend against all observations and logic?

Everyone has one terrible secret, again, so it's best to be kind and at least try to understand. If you can't open your mind to the possibility that someone is acting the way they are for a reason, the conflicts in the world between people will just worsen.

What would it take you make your character question or re-evaluate xir core values and beliefs?

I'm not sure, really. . . something major would have to happen, I think.

What does your character's ideal world look like? Would xe really be happy living in it?

My ideal world doesn't exist. I'm not sure what I would want in it other than solitude and peace, and a sea of books that never ends, complete with a table and the utensils I would need to sew.

It wouldn't be too terrible to have the people I've come to know around either, I suppose.

What actions has your character taken that xe regrets or questions? Does xe have any justification for them, and if so, what?

Not being able to find a job so that I could earn the money I needed to go to college, and not keeping in contact with the people I knew in high school. . . my family was very strained around that time and there wasn't much I could do. I didn't want to ask my great grandparents for help - they're only getting older as the years pass and I feel I must take care of them after everything they've done for me - and so. . .

It isn't so bad now. I was very interested in this era and though I don't get to travel and see it as I would wish to do, I am content.

What sort of people believe or would believe that your character is a hero? What sort of people believe or would believe your character is a villain?

Fashionistas would believe me to be a hero! The people without fashion sense would be half and half, I imagine.

How far would your character go to realize xir dreams and ambitions? At what point(s) would your character draw a line?

Just. . . simply to go back home and go to college wouldn't beat the real thing, here, living out this past in the past I wanted to research for the rest of my life. I think I would like to stay for a little while longer, but I know I must go back. I need to take care of my great grandparents, be with my family— the line will be drawn whenever it is I go home.

Assuming your character does not work alone all of the time, how does xe try to get others to work or cooperate with xir?

By talking to them, of course. They're my coworkers, so they must do they job. That's what it means to work.

Where are your character's grandparents? Where are xir second cousins, third, and fourth consins on both xir mother and father's side of the family? How does your character feel about them? How do they feel about your character?

My great grandparents are at home! My grandmothers and grandfathers on both sides are dead and I don't remember them much... my mother didn't have any siblings, but my father had a brother who never married, but had two children around my age: a boy named Yoshiko and a girl named Aiko. Our family has always been fond of the "ko" character, as you can see. . . my mother's name is Youko and my father's name is Tarou. The fondness for the "ko" character came from my mother's side—

Continuing. . . my father's brother's name is Yoshi. His son was named after him, and his daughter was named after the children's mother, Ai.

. . .yes, just like the "ko" character, I am quite fond of my father's side of the family.