Kaiya Yamamoto [Ready]

[Kaiya Yamamoto]

--Kaiya Yamamoto--

Member's Discord Name (include nicknames): Fax Machine#2338

Password 1: Black Hole
Password 2: Moon Pray



Type: Type V: "Roughneck"

Squad: Squad 11, Primary Attack Squad

Rank: Aiming for Captain

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-Basic Information-

Name: Yamamoto, Kaiya ("Mountain, Forgiveness")

Age of Death: Kaiya is a Pure Soul and was born in the Soul Society

Real Age/Age of Appearance: 340, appearing 26-28

Birthday (Month/Day): 15th March

Blood Type: O+ 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Kaiya's Roleplay Sample in Spoiler}They had left her alone all morning. The barracks was already empty, all the men and women of Squad 11 already having filed out to the courtyard and taken up their seats as close as could be safely permitted. Kaiya alone dwelt within, examining her uniform for what felt like the ten-thousandth time in the full-length mirror before her. Each second dragged on longer than the last as the appointed hour drew ever-closer, dilating into impossible and tense lengths.

Questioning the authority of a Captain was something done by only the brave or the foolish. Or the rarified few who happened to know their Captain in more close and intimate enough terms to take such liberties of language with them. Captains were rarely if ever second-guessed, at least to their faces. Rarely second-guessed and even more rarely challenged. Yet here she was, mere minutes away from doing just that.

Captain Francis Grin had received her challenge 71 and 2/3 hours ago. He read it out loud, leveled his gaze at her, reflexively flexed his reiatsu so she would know what she was inviting, and accepted. He had this grin on his face, this grin that 'The Smiling Man' had made so famous in his prior years. A sick sort of joy at the thought of cutting someone that she could appreciate all too well, but she did not answer with her own. All she had to offer him was a cold, judgmental glower. She wasn't happy to challenge him, but she was looking forward to doing her duty.

Personal ambitions aside, the Seireitei deserved a Captain with more decorum and a more elevated mind for matters of leadership beyond 'I fight real good'. Of course, Squad 11 required a...special touch. But, she had the respect of many of the officers already. Those who did not see her potential would come to feel differently soon enough. Septuple-checking the orchid-colored ribbon that secured her hair, Kaiya quietly left the barracks and stepped out into the high noon sun to meet her destiny.

As soon as the challenger emerged the crowd fell silent. The normally boisterous and rowdy fellas of the Primary Attack Squad had reserved their daily alotment of sacred respect for exactly such an occasion. This was sacrosanct. This was everything. The right and authority to lay it all on the line in a test of martial strength was exactly the type of thing each and every one of them aspired to one day be able to participate in. To say they were there and go to see this sacred ritual take place? That was a great start for most of them. Their silence lent an order of magnitude to the already pounding heartbeat in her chest as she walked forward.

Her eyes roaming the crowd, side to side, she read the faces of her witnesses. Many regarded her with snides and smirks; it was foolish to go against Grin. Many regarded her with confident nods; they trust she knew what she was doing. More still displayed only the passive indifference of a true spectator, betraying no feelings one way or the other but merely absorbing the spectacle of it all. They had hoped for a good show, a clean show. Whichever side won today, the Seireitei would be better for it despite what they lost in doing so.

Captain Francis Grin was already waiting at the far end of the courtyard, sitting on a bench and picking at his blood red signature gloves. "Yamamoto Kaiya, I gotta say, I'm surprised you're going through with this", the considerably shorter man bellowed with avoice that carried well beyond what his frame might suggest.

"You honor me by accepting my challenge." Even she responded. Despite his baiting statement, she would be sticking to expected decorum today.

Captain Grin smiled as his challenger put her hand on her Zanapakutou. He rose from the bench and declared, "This is a challenge against the Captain of the 11th. The challenge will conclude when one is either incapacitated and cannot continue, or yields by death. No releases. No Kido. Just you and me, Kaiya."

Kaiya answered by popping her katana free of its sheath. The Captain did the same.

The two ran at each other, steel clanging against steel as the first slash of their battle rang out through the courtyard. They thrust, parried, danced around each other as Kaiya fought with her signature one-handed style. It was clear that she was the superior swordsman as she backed Captain Grin down, putting him on the defensive and sending him backpedaling as she picked up aggression. But then, locked in a blow with each other, his sweaty look of borderline exasperation turned upside down and he brought out his signature full-toothed smile.

Grabbing her by the gem of her robe, he used his free hand hip tosses her onto her back and wrench her left arm so hard that the snap and twist of her tendons and bone were loud enough to stand out against her scream. Broken, in an instant, she had lost the use of her arm.

Somehow wrenching herself free, possibly at the amused mercy of her Captain, she withdrew and regrouped as she assessed her arm hoping that ab abundance of concern would reveal it to be a simple strain or hyperextension rather than the much worse thing it felt like. Kaiya could tell right away from the uneven way her shihakusho fell on her arm, the strange out of place bumps, that something was broken. It was difficult to parse through the bleary eyes the pain had given her, but, she would have to hang on.

Breathing deeply she re-engaged, charging the Captain and clashing with him once again. Exploiting the now far more open flank of his challenger, Francis delivered body blow after body blow in between parried blades, macerating and beating up the woman's chest like some sort of stubborn pinata. Three solid strikes later and Kaiya was coughing up spittled of blood that sprayed onto the sun-baked tiles at their feet and onto the haori of her Captain. This only made him smile bigger.

The crowd, once skeptical and uncertain of this woman's potential had not yet turned on her, but it was clear to them where this was headed. Grin's supporters were cheering now, jeering at her with each flat-handed strike to her ribs. Yelling at each other in celebration at each spasm of her diaphragm as she struggled to maintain her breathing. They were all looking at him and heaping their joy. And they were all looking at her and heaping their pity.

She hated pity.

Gathering the blood in her mouth, she spits what she could expel into her Captain's face and flourished clockwise, slicing the side of his calf wide open as she finally bought herself some space. He got lazy when he got the upper hand. Thought he had put her away. But this dog still had a bite. She settled backward, lowering her stance to minimize her utterly useless flank, and waited for his rage to take over.

With a hobbled charge, the two clashed again. This time, the Captain's uneven weight and her open stance left them more easily matched. Grin was slower to bring fists around on her open side; slow enough that she could better deflect or entirely avoid the strikes. Without his weight to put behind and add to his explosive power, he was beatable.

Clashing more intensely with each exchange, Kaiya began to yell and scream with each exchange as she mustered the will necessary to grip the hilt of her katana with a second hand. Reaching up high she brought her blade down in a massive overhead slam that saw the Captain take a huge gash across his chest from left collar bone down to the right hip. Blood sprayed skyward like some sort of crimson fountain before the droplets rained down onto the dry dusty courtyard.

The momentary burst of adrenaline having bought her a precious few extra moments of tolerance, she slapped the Captain's hand with the flat of her blade while he was stunned and exposed from the blow and send his sword clattering away. Francis stood, mouth agape, then fell backward.

"This is over." She looked to the crowd, those solemn words on her lips. The handful of medics that were in attendance rushed to the fallen Captain to examine his vitals, check his state. He was still alive, the resilient bastard that he was. But he had lost today. He was not the first person to make the mistake of pitying her, and he would most certainly not be the last.

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-Appearance-

Height/Weight: 5'11" and approximately 145lbs

Physical Description: Kaiya is a tall, full figured, stern-looking woman appearing to be in her late twenties.

Most often noticed first, her long, glossy, slightly wavy, raven black hair is usually pulled up into a bun of loose braids which are then pinned together ornamentally. Long metal pins made of dark metals or silvers plated with ornate filigree patterns do the job of holding her mass of hair in place.  Yet other times, at her home or in a more casual setting, she'll hold things in steady with something as simple as a set of pencils pushed through her top bun as convenience dictates.  Wavy bangs are allowed to hang down, framing the sharp and somewhat harsh angles of her carefully sculpted face. A strong jawline, high cheek bones, all of this comes together to bring the woman an aura of intensity upon first glance.  Her lips, full and slightly pouty in contrast to the rest of her hard lines, are most often adorned with dark shades of lipstick such as a purple or a crimson.

Her skin, naturally olive toned and a bit ruddy, is generally without blemish or imperfection save for a short scar that crosses just above her right eye, through the outer-most edge of her eyebrow, and continuing another half-inch up her brow.  Often times, this scar is covered by bangs.  But just as often, the bangs may be told to take a hike and she make no attempt to his the imperfection beyond the simplest makeup.

Kaiya's eyes are naturally a marbled and very dark hazel.  Set upon her stern countenance like some sort of orbs of jade nestled within an imposing statue, the eyes of the Captain bore into whomever or whatever she regards with judgment and criticality.  Like a surgeon with a scalpel, imaging herself shaving off every facade, every nicety, every inhibition from her target until she arrives at the true meat beneath their exterior.  Stylistically, her eyes are encircled by heavy eyeliners and complimentary smoky eye-shadows. When called to action, her eyes deepen and intensify in color as she uses her powers or channels her energy through her lithe form, turning an even darker shade of green yes still surging with energy and vibrance.

Beyond the face, Kaiya is a woman of seductive curves and an athletic tone. Her silhouette is that of an hourglass and she measures 36-26-36.  In spite of this, her musculature and posture presents the undeniable form of a natural athlete.  Feminine, light, lean, yet powerful.  A graceful package for a gifted killer.  Further in spite of her form and what it suggests, Kaiya loves to present herself in warm and classically feminine ways.  Most often she  wears her standard uniform which has been modified to reveal some of her ample 34C cleavage. She prefers having her shoulders and upper arms either unburdened by material or limited minimally straps or other conventions of her station.  Because of this, Kaiya has often adopted the backless uniform afforded to some members of the Omnitsukido when she is heading somewhere she expects to engage an enemy.  Rarely if ever will she show a truly scandalous amount of flesh beyond what has been described, but, in private or in moments of abandon such as combat all bets are off and she will shed whatever happens to be getting in her way.

With regards to body language, Kaiya stands with a noble and almost regal demeanor and rigid posture. Straightened up as tall as she can project, shoulders pinned back and square, chin up; she's worked long and hard at capturing an aura of authority and class from which she can look down and judge others and she will damn well use it as part of her station. Although her gaze could most certainly be described as stern, she is usually hiding the most subtle of smirks in the corner of her mouth rather than anything like a more threatening glower at her subordinates.

As far as accessories go, Kaiya enjoys multiple piercings and pieces of jewelry that accentuate her style. On her right ear, she has three piercings including one in the helix. One her left ear, just two both in the lobe. Each of these specific pieces can vary from day to day depending on her mood or because of other reasons such as the expectation of her company.  Most often these piercings are filled with simple gold or silver loops, narrow and without dangling charms.  However, as the seasons and her moods change, she goes through long streaks of fondness for studded earrings and simple gemstones such as topaz and tourmaline.  On the left side of her nose, she keeps a small, simple nose ring in whenever style permits. It is almost always silver in color and generally understated.

On each of her hands she wears multiple rings of brass, gold, and silver with heavily filigreed patterns and adornments; curiously, no gems of any sort are embedded in any of these rings and you will never find one on her hand until the day some big dumb brute convinced her to wear an engagement ring. Her left hand also sports a thumb ring, simple and titanium, although her right thumb has no such band. Her left wrist is wrapped in a brass bangle about one inch wide. And around her neck, a black silk choker connected with a silver loop rounds out her heavy compliment of accessories.

During leisure time, Kaiya enjoys wearing much more simple clothing although she tends to remain every bit as accessorized as normal.  When not in the robes of her station, she commonly prefers well fitted and stylish jeans, common to an American woman in her twenties.  Simple t-shirts, halter tops, crop tops with inoffensive designs in muted colors.  Simple leather jackets to cover during cooler months.  Sometimes during the summers when the sun is at its hottest she'll lounge around in a bathing suit underneath shorts and a t-shirt, eagerly awaiting an excuse to go swimming and be free of the heat.  Time like this, when she can really relax and enjoy the beach or the water, are the only times you'll find her stripped of her rings and bangle.  She's not sure if this is because she values her rings so much or because she values the beach and the water so much.

Kaiya's aura and her spiritual presence is a large, turbulent, whirling mass of chaotic energy that tosses and churns like a sea in a storm.  Vibrant purples and blues mixed and separate and mix again as they roll around her in an iridescent rage.  This presence was described by one of her long-time friends as "Like tossing 10 gallons of glitter into a tornado."  An apt description if ever there were.

Kaiya's Faceclaim is Lulu from Final Fantasy X

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-Personality-

Dislikes:
» Falsehood || Perhaps it's a fine line to draw, but Ms. Yamamoto doesn't mind lies of omission; she minds being lied to when asking direct things.  'White lies', social contracts, and other things like that can be forgiven and allowed; after all they have their place in a polite society.  But offering a falsehood, to either her or in an official capacity?  Simply intolerable.  It's the fastest way to make her shit list.

"It's better to offer no excuse than a bad one."

» Excess || It's an entirely different matter to go into 'overkill' when you don't know what will be necessary.  But to surround yourself with the habits and trappings of someone who lives, works, and plays to excess is a sign of personal and moral failing.  Of utter inability to control yourself or manage your own fate.  While Kaiya certainly looks down on this behavior, she oddly doesn't extend such mistakes or scrutiny to the realms of people who drink or find comfort in other such activities.  Private excess and excess that effects other people are entirely separate ideas.

"It's the sign of a great person to dislike greatness itself and to prefer things in measure over things in excess."

» Indifference || One of the greatest signs of weakness a person can give off is either the refusal to take a side or the density to think you are not best served by taking one.  Sometimes, yes, that side is "neither" but it should still be a choice.  To stay your hand and idly await a fate determined or support by anyone else but yourself is the definition of folly.  It's cruel to your own past and your own legacy to allow such a failing to stand.  Because of this, she encourages others to critically examine a great many issues, even at the cost of other things they should be doing that might rank more important.

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference."

» Grandstanding || Speeches, rallies, talking.  It's all so trite and often meaningless.  People deserve direct, curt communication that succinctly captures feelings and intentions.  Big long speeches are the refuge of politicians and the weak-minded to give and take comfort in careful measure.  Kaiya very much prefers a life led by example both for herself and for the men and women she serves with.  Actions, most definitely, speak louder than any word.

"All of it was so noble, so stirring!  Yet utterly unrelated to the heart of the matter."

» Breaking Rank || Hierarchy should be observed.  People have obtained or been appointed to their station because of an establish order that works, and that established order should always be respected.  Always.  Whether it be listening to the opinions of your elders when they are offered, or whether it be accepting the commands of your XO without question, the order of things is very important.  In order for society to succeed and thrive, there must be a stratification of man.  Thankfully, Kaiya's place is near the top.

"Hierarchies are celestial, divine.  In hell, all are equal."

» Giving Up || Why in the nine hells would you stop after coming this far?  If you were not committed to seeing a thing through, you never should have begun in the first place.  To be fair, sometimes the natural conclusion of a thing is that you will lose and loses should be cut.  But, there's no reason to stop fighting so long as you bear even the slightest odds in your favor.  Battles may be lost, but may you never be accused of having given up on the war.

"If you quit on the process, you are quitting on the result."

» Public Intimacy || Intimacy is an expression of love for another person, and as such it's none of my business to get in between a thing intended for two others.  Kaiya kindly reminds people that their DNA swapping belongs behind closed doors or at the least well away from prying eyes whenever possible, even in places that society might deign to call acceptable.  A candlelight dinner at a romantic restaurant?  Okay, nuzzle a bit if you must.  She'll pass on the rest.

"Real intimacy is a sacred experience.  It never exposes its trust and belonging to voyeurs."

» Excuses || Hand in hand with her dislike of people giving up, excuses are a great source of frustration for the Shinigami.  While some things can be excuseable, an excuse itself almost never is.  It's far better to save face with her by admitting failure or owning the reasons for your failure as a tool for self-improvement, but to put them between you and reality like some sort of a shield that will protect you?  That's the fastest way to have her cleave both it and you in twain.

"Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people with a habit of making excuses."

» Artists || While she appreciates art and the results it produces, and what it does for society, she is deeply disappointed in the life and times of an 'artist' in and of itself.  Wasting time laying around thinking about ideas and intangible concepts and how to make them tangible...it's all so romantic and it's all so fake and empty.  What a vapid way to live your life in the day by day.  Art should come in fitful and fevered bouts of inspiration!  Painted or created with a fevered dream trapped inside of you that must be purged.  Go big or go home.

"Artists are electric with delusion, trapped in between moments of perfectly valid inspiration."

» Dumb Luck || Fate often conspires to make a good story and Kaiya has been the victim of this 'universal philosophy' more than once.  That may sound like an excuse, and it is, but the times that 'dumb luck' has screwed her over it's never caused her to quit or give up.  She pushes on in spite of the cosmos itself reaching up yanking on her braids, giving her a tough time.  What a happy mess reality is, and she hates it.

"Luck has a way of evaporating when on you lean on it, and precipitating when you know you can't."

» Beta Personalities || Shy, emotionally responsible, and moderate.  Three of Kaiya's least favorite words altogether in one personality. Easily embarrassed, unsure and insecure about their personality and looks.  All of these things combine into something that is really...unattractive to the Shinigami.  This isn't to say she goes out of her way to spite them or to avoid them or making life any more difficult for people of this persuasion, merely that she will never consider one of such stock to truly be her equal.  However their one redeeming feature is that they are pieces on the board she loves to move.

"Once bitten twice shy?  Sure.  But why not get a bigger dog and bite them back?"

» Runners || Specifically those who engage opponents through 'avoidance'.  Those quick little nimble hoppers that dodge, dodge, dodge rather than standing and meeting a challenge.  Situations where she finds herself pursuing types like these or competing against types like these bring out the worst in her with little difficult.  Even worse are people who outright run away rather than fighting.  Retreating tactically is a move she can respect but to not even pretend to stand for something?  Pathetic.

"Yeah, you can run.  But sooner or later I'll make sure you run out of places to run to."

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Likes:
» Good Literature || A window into another world, or another mind, or another life. Kaiya loves all literature of both modern and classic penning. She loves to study its diversity, especially in stories where the words on the page might age but the sentiment endures, evolving into a timeless message that goes well beyond the confines in which it was written. While few contemporary works catch her interest, there is always some degree hope for the modern masters.

"Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience are my ideal life."

» Mentoring || Weak links really bother her. Not so much the idea of weak links, but the idea of being surrounded by them. And in a squad and division where you are not only expected to trust others to have your back, but required to do so as a way of life, she goes out of her way to prevent such traps. Kaiya is very positive about imparting her knowledge onto others and pushing her squad-mates to not only improve individually but refine themselves as a unit. She tries to extend this point of view to all facets of her life, seeking to better the things and people she relies upon.

"Training costs less than incompetence.  Substantially less."

» Playfulness || Often trying to merely sustain her sense of humor rather than let it run wild, Kaiya enjoys joking with others, playing card games and bonding with the fellas, laughing at stories and telling a few of her own.  She also enjoys partaking in sports or organized athletic events, or otherwise just being as jovial as she can afford to be given her job.  As a dealer of death, sometimes it's all she can do to keep smiling from day to day.
  She values the same approach in others and it's an easy way to bond with her.

"A little nonsense, now and then, keeps anyone young."

» Resilience || Faith is important to her. Passing tests against it even more so. You can spit in her face, kick her down, take her wealth and well-being, wound her pride.  And she may bend, but she will never break. Her certainty in herself and in her mission is a source of great strength for her and maybe even those around her.  Finding inspiration and strength in things beyond yourself in order to stand strong is the surest way to win her most confident respect.

"Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the one you had before. You can scream about what you've lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that's good."

» Superstition || Perhaps partially a comforting placebo effect, Kaiya indulges in specific rituals that she believes gives specific results. Most of this conduct is self-reinforcing, since it's all in her head anyway, and the 'high' she earns by complying makes for a dangerous loop. While this behavior doesn't expressly interfere with her actions minute by minute, it does occasionally short-circuit her logic and lead to undue risks.  Because of this, routine is important for her and she believes all of her warriors and officers should strive to find one of their own, as well as keep other customs in mind.

"The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses."

» Sonder || Sometimes you just need to feel small.  Kaiya enjoys big cities, or strolling around the Seireitei or the Rukongai incognito, observing people and watching life unfold.  The confluence of all of the personalities, creeds, beliefs, and all the other messy pieces that make humans unique collide and shape themselves into something so beauty and endlessly interesting.  So long as she's watching from a comfortable distance, that is.  Things are easier to appreciate at an arm's length.

"Humanity is a beautiful ocean.  A few drops of dirty water does not taint the whole."

» Ikebana || Sometimes traditional, sometimes more Western in approach, Kaiya loves to set aside time every morning to savor the art of flower arranging.  She allows for very few true 'creature comforts' in her private life, so inviting a bit of beauty, a bit of class, and a bit of the puzzle of creativity that comes with true Ikebana is a great way for her to get her juices flowing each day.  It's also a delight for her to see the look on other people's faces when they realize that the arrangement on the table was made by her very own hand.

"The flower which is single need not envy the thorn which is numerous."

» Improvisation || The truest test of creativity and imagination, in her mind, is to be given both a set of parameters and then the total freedom and creative license to explore them.  You can create a nearly endless litany of fun, exciting, weird, or just plain 'cool' things from the situations you find yourself in.  Outside-of-the-box type thinking is a staple of her personal repertoire and she deeply respects those who can tap that same vein, both friend and foe.  In fact, such creavitity is a trait she looks to foster as she selects her officers.  Those who remain bound by 'the book' can only do where the book says they go.

"Self-study and self-awareness leads to improvisation.  Improvisation drives evolution."

» Baseball || Her favorite passtime to observe and take in on a lazy, summery afternoon.  Kaiya loves the game of baseball and has occasionally participated in recreational leagues between both Japan and America, as her duties and sabatical have allowed her to do.

"Baseball is like church; many attend, few understand."

» Cherry Blossoms || The simplistic beautify of the white, rose, and pink blossoms captivates both her senses and her imagination. She often models her fashion sense after these Japanese main-stays and tries to pay subtle tribute to the motif whenever possible.  Having said that, the display is for her own enjoyment, not necessarily so she can be seen in such things.  This leads to often subtle choices.

"What a strange thing, to be alive beneath the cherry blossoms!"

» Sparring || Constantly evaluating your own strengths, weaknesses, and mind for tactics is of vital importance to the mind of warrior.  It is only in resting on our laurels and accepting that we know enough, or have nothing more to learn from those around us, that we allow ourselves to invite defeat.  Sparring is akin to breathing for the true warrior.

"If you want to find real competition just look in the mirror.  After awhile you'll see your rivals scrambling for second place."

» Competition || Objectively being slotted ahead of another is a great feeling, no matter what anyone else tries to tell you.  Kaiya embraces this and savors the thrill of competition in virtually all the forms it takes.  Sometimes that's racing to Mess, sometimes that's racking up a kill count in a battle.  Hell, sometimes that's even in something so simple as who can tie their running shoes faster.  Either way, it feels good to compete.  Almost as good as winning.

"Competition is a rude but effective form of motivation.  Especially for the self."

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Flaws:
» Single-Minded || Okay, so maybe she gets a bit of tunnel vision on some things, like the need to chase after a good, clean, honest fight that might jeopardize other duties on any given day. Despite her dedication to the mission, priorities become fuzzy when something is already in motion. She just likes to finish what he starts, okay? Unfortunately, this naughty habit is often reinforced by the attitude of some of her friends and squad-mates who like to see the grittiness that comes with it.

"The only thing more terrifying than a rampaging maniac with no goal is a rampaging maniac with just one." 

» Brutality || If you wanted to be polite you could call it a rage problem, but it runs much deeper than that for Kaiya. There is a terrible, primal need within her that once unleashed is very difficult to get back into its cage - to rip and cut and tear and smash anything she can get her sword on - until everything in the vicinity has been relegated to goo and/or dust.

"I once heard someone say that civilization weakened natural selection. Well, I am to fix that." 

» Sadism || Decades of being ignored, forgotten, overlooked took their toll on her. In her heart, Kaiya yearns to be remembered and to leave a lasting impression on those whose lives she enters. In her younger years, this was a much more healthy and positive interaction that saw her striving to add joy and hope, but this sentiment turned to ash in her mouth as she discovered her talent for inflicting pain. You see, fear, pain, terror...these things last much longer and stain much more deeply than the lighter tones. She'll be remembered by all those that cross her path.

"The healthy man does not torture others. It is the tortured who turns into the torturer." 

» Prideful || She's done some stuff and she's not shy about taking credit for that. Kaiya is a good looking woman with a bright future, a good career track, and the skills to pay the bills. She tries not to be vain about it but it takes very little time for her to relapse into a less humble woman than she should be. Because of this pride, it's not much of a stretch to see her as cocky although a trained eye might be able to understand that the bravado is motivated by something more than mere confidence.

"You aren't born with a walk like this - you have to earn it." 

» Bottled Up || All the gregarious, friendly, extroverted qualities aside, Kaiya is genuinely rattled by the risks associated with everyday life and the career she commits to. Thoughts of oblivion, of lost friends, and of the murder inflicted lurk in the back of her mind somewhere deep - but only if she lets them. If she ever stopped, she might actually have to face them! And that's just...well..that's just not okay. She finds release at the bottom of a bottle or at the end of her sword.

"I try not to let my head tell me what to do any more than I have to. That fucker gives up too easily."

» Impersonal Curiosity || Casual and willful disregard for another's personal boundaries and limits. Questions need answers and if a question is important enough to be asked then the answer should be worth pursuing, regardless of the personal discomfort necessary to see it through. You never know what good may come from temporary physical, emotional, or mental pain in the pursuit of something greater.  Often times, this line of thinking can be short-sighted but on the other hand...it's also saved her a ton of time over the years.

"I should not be limited by what already know, but rather what questions I am willing to answer."

» Utilitarian || While not strictly a flaw, Kaiya values the philosophy of Utilitarianism in all of her professional dealings.  The greatest good at the least cost to the body of the whole.  This often means that she tends to either undervalue or overvalue any single individual's worth based on the task at hand, often at the cost of others.  She expects that each and every person in her charge be willing to lay down their lives should the Gotei and Fate conspire to demand it of them, self included.  Thankfully for her she's far too effective at her job to ever let herself be put into that position.  At least for now.  Perhaps it's a bit hypocritical, maybe a lot, but she's willing to make these hard choices without batting an eye.

"By any measure, all men must live and then die.  It is in the name, the family, the deed that a hero lives on forever."

» Aloof || The way Kaiya's mind works, it's often difficult for her to seem genuinely interested in interpersonal matters, or with the plight of 'humanity' as a whole.  True, she enjoys camaraderie and fostering togetherness but she always, always, maintains a professional distance about her own matters.  It's her duty as an officer and her duty as a woman of 'good birth' that she should be above the petty dramas and squabbles of her lesser Shinigami.  Unfortunately, rather than knowing how to actually draw that line she simply turns that side of herself off.

"Something terrible could happen to your right now and wipe you off the face of the three realms.  And while I might be sad for you for a little while?  Neither I nor the universe would really bad an eye."

» Predictability || Something she acknowledges as a fault, if only privately, is just how obvious Kaiya can be to someone looking at her. She tends to swing exactly where it looks like she is swinging, to run exactly where it appears she is heading, and say exactly what her words were intended to convey. But for her, it also means that a promise is a promise - if she tells you that she will be there to bail your unit out in five minutes, well, set your watch. This isn't to say she is unimaginative or incapable of improvising, merely that deceit just doesn't show up in her playbook in professional matters.

"Ironically, engaging people with just what they expect from you is the best way to get a predictable response.  I want you to think I'm predictable.  At all times."

» Shameless || One of the core tenets of reform and self-improvement is to acknowledge the bad features about yourself, the bad behaviors, and to feel regret, shame, or remorse at expressing them.  While Kaiya does recognize that parts of the self need improving, even in her refined case, she simply will never be made to feel shame about them by an outsider.  By someone who doesn't understand her.  So to this end, her process has been greatly slowed by careful adherence to this artificial barrier.  Her conduct, he outfits, her battlefield 'etiquette'...she feels no shame.

"Shame is an ornament for the young and the disgrace of the old."

» Busybody || Kaiya is not at all interested in sharing her own social or private woes with her acquaintances or subordinates.  But she is deeply and genuinely interested in sticking her nose into whomever else's business she can get her hands on.  Knowing the ins and outs of other people's relationships is of great use in manipulating the dynamics of her division or the politics of the Soul Society in general.  Knowing who is emotionally compromised, knowing who could be, knowing who cannot afford to be...all of these things add up to create a full picture that she finds very valuable to have during both times of war and of peace.

"Only a few people care; the rest are just curious."

» Indulgent || There is always time for spectacle, for gamesmanship.  Kaiya enjoys her vices and the routines that come along with them.  Honoring the dead by drinking or celebrating to their names.  Playing drinking games.  Offering opponent's sporting chances.  Entertaining ridiculous pleas from subordinates and making them into even further games.  All of these things add up to a convoluted collection of personal rules that she can get away with imposing or using simply because she is the one with the upper hand in the power dynamic in her Division.  And in places where she isn't?  She uses these same rules to try to engage the other person and bring them into her dynamic actively.  What's the worst they can do?  Say no?

"The only way to rid yourself of temptation is to yield to it."

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Habits: 
» Yoga || Often accused of being quick to adopt modern and Western styles of fashion and sensibility, Kaiya has certainly embraced yoga and made it a part of her daily routine.  Every morning involves ritual stretching and flexibility training through yoga which then transitions into a short Tai Chi exercise to center herself for the day.

» Gourmand || While this falls short of excess, as evidenced by her still slender figure, Ms. Yamamoto very much enjoys the foods and cultures of the world.  Searching out interesting meals and enjoying them in their intended manner is one of her greatest delights, so much so that it's how she prefers to spend the majority of the vacation time that she takes.  Many of her interactions with the men and women of her division involve group meals or being hosted in the homes of her officers where they may share a meal together.  She'll try just about any good at least once, and is even an okay cook in her own right.

» Karaoke Star || Something of an open secret is Kaiya's love of Earthly music.  While she's old enough to have this interest 'evolve' over time and include some very old music, she loves the reality that music turns over so often and seems to live and breathe in concert with the modern times.  Pop, hip hop, a bit of country, bit of rock...She's liable to be singing something virtually any time she gets engaged on a task that requires less than her full concentration.  Alternatively, she also sings when she's genuinely having fun; a mixed blessing for her opponents as she pummels them into submission while screaming NSYNC.

» Colorful || Although she always wears the 'required' elements of her uniform, Kaiya loves to add accents and splashes of color that constitute her personal touch.  Chiefly, she ties her shihakusho with a light pink silk sash decorated with cherry blossoms.  If she's in situation where the uniform is not required but she wants to add the color all the same, she may tie her hair up using that same sash.

» Fingernails || When one or both of her hands are idle she almost immediately begins playing with and digging at her nails. The reality of a life of swordplay means that they never grow too long and never look quite right, so with the rare exception of times she pampers herself with day trips to the spa, manicures, and other feminine indulgences, she is constantly playing with, picking at, or even sometimes chewing her nails.


Fears: 
» Disappointment || More precisely disappointing her family.  Kaiya's earliest seeded complex involves the persistent and ever-present fear of measuring up against her siblings, her cousins, and her parents and coming up short.  As a youth she always strove to be recognized, given even the smallest morsel of attention and praise for her achievements, but she was denied.  As she aged, rather than being offered the help and aid of her family necessary for her to achieve she was instead shown only cold indifference.  The day she finally broke through that and earned recognition was the single sweetest taste in her entire storied life.  Unfortunately, the lasting effect of that only made her failures taste all the more sour.

» Being Forgotten || Related to the above, Kaiya strives to build a legacy that will survive beyond her death and shape the future for generations to come.  But more than merely striving to be remembered, she deeply yearns for people who will be there to remember her, in addition to having noteworthy deeds.  A husband, children, a successful career.  The respect of her co-workers, the fear of her enemies.  All of these are tools she craves to wrap around her finger as she pursues a legacy.  It would be one thing if she were after these elements because she genuinely wanted the fulfillment they bring.  Instead, she fears not having them at all.  If she were to ever achieve a portion of security against this fear, it would merely morph into something more--the crippling fear of losing what she had managed to gain.

» Exposure || Although she is chiefly and supremely confident in her abilities as a leader, as a warrior, and as a Shinigami of the Gotei...Kaiya has a corner of her psyche that nurtures the subtle worry that one day someone may come along and soundly embarrass her as a warrior, exposing her as some sort of childish and disappointing fraud.  It's an unreasonable fear, but to her it would spell the end of everything she feels she has become since she stepped into her own.


Goals: 
» Achievement || Recognition from peers, enemies, and allies as one of the strongest and most potent Shinigami to have ever lived.  It is her intention to dwarf even the most optimistic expectations of her family and show them the error of their ways.  And in so achieving this end, she will force them to admit they had always believed in her and known she had the potential, even if that's a lie.

» Legacy || To be worthy of a husband and a family in spite of her true nature.  The natural mechanisms of love and acceptance, denied her for so long, will be hers to freely give one day.  Having said this, it's not enough that she simply find a willing partner she can tolerate.  The idea of a true love isn't something she denies, but it's also not something she accepts.  There are standards to uphold if society is to benefit from her legacy at all.  Best not to start things off on the wrong foot.

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Alignment: Lawful Evil.  Kaiya, despite being a generally free-spirited and optimistic person when examined in a bubble, relies upon systems of order and law in order to methodically and intentionally pursue her own interests and the agenda of her allies.  These tactics often come at the cost of the well-being or success of others, and seek to manipulate legal and systemic advantages in order to remain in power, or in control of a power dynamic.



Overall Personality: Yamamoto Kaiya is a starkly beautiful contrast in both poise and passion.

Thanks in large part to the pomp and pagentry of the family she was born in to, Kaiya was taught how to blend into the background and appear only as a child to be seen first and foremost. A background accessory to the prestige and story of her parents and their primary heirs, she was but another in a long string of children that didn't seem to look quite how her parents had hoped, therefore she was cast aside.

From this vantage point in the background she learned posture, social endurance, and observed endless lessons in etiquette and the navigation of interpersonal politics while watching brothers and sisters. She learned so much, in fact, that she became entirely certain of her hatred for such things, although she would never let them see the resentment that she harbored deep within.

As she aged and developed physically she began to demonstrate her strengths. Physical talents came easily to her; she had watched and observed her family doing these things too and was able to hit the ground running when instructors finally deemed it time for her to learn such things, if for no other reason than to not be an embarrassment to the family name. Naturally an athlete, she excelled at wrestling and martial arts, showed natural aptitude for the sword, and was a gifted swimmer.

After having come of age, the young woman known as Kaiya was able to combined both of these journeys of her youth and create the earliest version of the woman we see today. A quiet, observant politician who spoke only at very carefully chosen times, and a dextrous and capable warrior who could defend herself when challenged.

In more modern times, Kaiya has refined and iterated herself several times over. Much of the timidity she had learned as a youth had been thrown away; she now rushes to share observations and feedback with but superiors and subordinates because she knows just how valuable and critical early feedback is. Additionally, she now possesses the necessary confidence to know that her opinion is both right and worth hearing. Sometimes her confidence bites her too hard in the other direction, drowning out perfectly reasonable things that people might say in their own defense simply because it doesn't conform to her own evaluation.

To outsiders, Kaiya is a stern, exacting, somewhat shrewd woman who chooses her language very succinctly. Almost to the point of being blunt, avoiding many nicesties of protocol, she cuts to the heart of many matters in plain language that avoids flowery metaphors and meandering thoughts.

To those around her, co-workers and acquaintences, she is a well-meaning but still very serious woman who simply wants the best for her fellows and the Gotei and is willing to do what she can to bring about the change she believes in needed. Truly, here, to people she has less to prove to but that also do not owe her anything, she is closer to her true self. The social currency of the opinion of her fellow Shinigami matters a lot to her and so she takes it very seriously. She likes to be seen and perceived as tough but fair. She likes to be thought of as approachable but tolerating minimal nonsense.

And to those few who actually know her and count themselves among her inner circle, yet another facet of the woman is shown. Within this scarce company, Kaiya allows frequent and candid glances into her surface level thoughts. Gone is her filter, gone is the calculated sentence boiled down to its most powerful message. Instead, these few are able to glimpse a lonely, slightly worried, outgoing woman who doesn't actually know how to let anyone in even closer.

All of these facets combine to make a many-layered officer of the Gotei who is very good at her job of leading Squad 11 into the future.

Outside of the office and away from commonly civilized situations, Kaiya allows a number of other traits to bubble to her surface that she knows better than to show among decent company. Love, Combat, and War are all battlefields that she considers to be separate arenas from the above, and so she adjusts herself accordingly.

In Combat Kaiya, like her language, is very direct. She does not hide behind poetic words or grand gestures and theatricality, she very simply goes for what it is she wants to accomplish in direct and tangible ways. Violence is how she speaks and she will most certainly be heard. In war, this way of thinking ascends to a higher level but the core message remains the same. Guiding her forces to target vulnerable points, she leads troops to strike deep and true and definitely where it will be felt the hardest. Morale is one of the most valuable currencies any warrior could carry and she will extract her toll. And in Love, Kaiya cannot help but to hang on to some of these same philosophies. Exposing her heart to the frustrations of artfully dodging opponents, she often announces early and clearly her intentions so both parties don't waste time. Or, when refuting suitors, she cleaves their character with her signature bruality to make sure they know exactly where they fall short.

Simultaneously clinical and passionate, Kaiya is a study in the dichotomy of a warrior's mind. Warrior poet? Hardly. Just a girl with a sword and no time for bullshit.

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*PLEASE CLICK THE SETTINGS BUTTON AND REPORT THE POST WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE APPLICATION. PUT "GRADING" FOR THE REASON*[/ul]

[Kaiya Yamamoto]

--Powers--

SPOILER: Click to show

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» Zanpakutou Spirit Appearance: Kugyō appears as an ill-defined, amorphous mass of inky blackness in a constant state of chaos and turbulence. Large pseudopods of the mass rise and fall from its body, occasionally taking on clearly defined, rigid, solid shapes with their own colors and textures. Some of these shapes include squid-like tentacles both massive and minuscule, viscous bubbles that swell and pop, large eyeballs with elliptical pupils, and skeletal hands that seem to be trying to claw their way free rather than merely surfacing from Kugyō.

While such undulations are not constant, their frequency seems to rise and fall with the desperation at which Kugyō tries to communicate with its master. While capable of speaking to its wielder in slow, drawn-out whispers befitting the eldritch mass that it is, it often chooses even more vague methods for communication. Games, scavenger hunts, pantomime from the fallen warriors, and full-scale recreations done by the long-dead. All of these methods and more, combined with the elements at his disposal, make Kugyō one big hot mess to try and get a straight answer from.

And truthfully, the spirit loves to be convoluted. As a foil to Kaiya, Kugyō is many things she is not. Opaque in both intention and language, fluttering about from topic to topic and place to place without ever reaching the point, it's a deeply frustrating experience for Kaiya on even the best of her days. Having said that, bridging the gap to arrive at the intended message, the whole point of these exercises is something the two of them find deep meaning and reward from completing. They agree they frustrate each other. They agree why. And they agree that it's worth it.

Kugyō itself is often silent in most situations, preferring to stay its amorphous hand until he is called upon by his wielder. At this advanced stage of their bond, the two understand their dynamic well enough to know that Kaiya will first and foremost do her best to overcome a challenge. If, and only if she fears she may be lacking, will she turn to the council of her other half and invite more poignant lessons. What it has already taught her are a great many tidbits of knowledge she keeps near and dear to her heart.

In more personal matters, Kugyō is the single greatest encourager of Kaiya's sadistic tendencies. The two of them revel in the pain and mayhem that they cause; a language they both speak and understand -very clearly-.  Mutually, they both feel the pain of neglect that was strongest during the forging of their emotional bond all of those decades ago.  For better and for worse, is was their first taste of each other.

» Inner World: Kaiya's inner world is a desolate, darkened battlefield that stretches to the furthest horizon. A craggy plain of rocks, dried blood, bleached bones, and weapons turned downward and jammed into the earth, her Inner World was the site of an ancient battle fought between unseen forces until the world itself seem to die along with them. The sky, ashy and brown and gray, roils with a howling wind and electric energy occasionally flitting through the clouds in long rips of lightning, then thunder. It never rains here, if it ever even did at all. The sun is never visible, constantly circling the horizon just below the edge and just below the clouds. There are times it wants to break through and stray shafts of light occasionally paint the bleak landscape but they are few and far between. It's unclear if it's dawn or dusk. Kaiya's answer depends on her own mood.

Scattered about the battlefield between the discarded weapons, lay fits of armor and the sun-bleached corpses that wore it, long since picked over by vultures and other predators of opportunity. The place smells of blood, of death, but there is no one to be found save for Shinkō and the emptiness of the wind. Although the battle is ubiquitous, several major sites are scattered about and occasionally the ghosts of the past manifest long enough to play out their ill-fated final battle one more time before collapsing back into ether and nothingness.

Although she's never known for certain, Kaiya believes that these battles, these scenes, are one of the many ways her Zanpakutô and her innermost self try to convey their convoluted message to her at the deepest and most sincere levels. Perhaps she's merely finding patterns in the madness, seeking to assign meaning to the unknowable. Perhaps one day all of this will be made clear to her.

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» Zanpakutou Name: Kugyō ['Penance']

» Zanpakutou Appearances: Very simple in design, the Zanpakutô takes the form of a slender, single-edged blade with a slight curve and a 'shobu-hi' style blood groove running its length. The blade itself is a bit longer than average at 34 inches in length, has a square guard which is wrapped tightly with a simple black grip and is adorned with two thin, woven braids hanging from the hilt. Each of these braids are about 10 inches long and serve no purpose save for style. Kaiya will occasionally rewrap these braids in order to change the color, and most recently swapped them out to one light pink and one cherry red braid.

» Zanapkutou Release Names:

» Shikai Release: Holding her blade out or pointing it downward, Kaiya speaks the command phrase "Cry out for judgment, Teishutsu ni Kugyō!" Upon its completion, the blade begins to weep a viscous, black substance from the guard and out of the blood groove which coats the weapon.  The excess liquid flies off of the blade and scatters about as she swings her sword, clinging to all materials it happens to touch.  As Kaiya continues to fight, the liquid will gradually darken her hands, wrists, and even her uniform as it continues to splash on her and weep down the blade.  Despite the effects of her Shikai, this liquid has no effect on either Kaiya or her equipment. [lit. 'Submission to Penance']

» Bankai Release: Calling out, "Bankai, Kugyō Zentai-Shōhi Kyūshutsu!" Kaiya's sword errupts in a great billowing fountain of cancerous, lumpy, black, rotten energy that sends wave after wave of the inky substance up into the air.  As this geyser of chaotic energy blooms, the sword begins casting off huge chunks of the substance that splash onto all nearby terrain, flora, and fauna coating them in this viscous material much like an oil slick.  Kaiya herself undergoes only a minimal transformation; her hands and arms are now deeply stained if they weren't already, all the way up just short of her shoulder.  Her fingers have elongated slightly and narrowed into something more akin to claws than hands, and her touch is capable of infusing the things she drags her nails over with the corruption of Kugyō.  [lit. 'Penitent All-Consuming Deliverance']

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» Overall Ability: Every wound, every cut inflicted by Kugyō exposes that thing for its every weakness and failure causing it to collapse under its own corruption.  Strikes from Kugyō fester with an acrid, necrotizing, and extremely painful liquid that is passed from the blade to the target even during only the lightest of contact.  While minimal contact from this blade is not sufficient to ultimately destroy anyone or anything, it is certainly enough to leave an effect on the target similar to that of a mild to moderate chemical burn.  This can complicate the way that a wound heals including leaving visual scarring that also leaves the nerve endings near the wound heightened in sensitivity for some time after recovery.

The severity of the exposure seems to increase with the severity of the cut, even for inorganic objects such as walls or training dummies.  Organic objects struck by Kugyō seem to have the skin and flesh near the wound site become strangely transluscent and thin until the wound is healed, causing that skin to tear easily and worsening both the pain and the recovery.  While these effects are no more difficult to heal than any other normal kind of damage, addressing these wounds magically seems to only worsen the pain every moment up until treatment is complete.  Because of these, many who are exposed to these effects simply allow things to take their natural course and heal, and then address the scarring later.  Such an arrangement is preferable to what is required in order to fight through the pain.

» Shikai Overall Ability: Ruination -- The substance created by Kugyō becomes substantially more potent and can be flung from her blade in large dollops of the material.  From this state, the black goo also takes on a number of its own emergent properties including the ability to generate up to eight limbs and pseudopods for grabbing and restraining opponents as well as generating up to four large reptilian eyes capable of relaying information back to Kaiya over mental link.  The Pseudopods restrain as if a Class 5 Bakudo, and the Eyes act as if 75% of Kaiya's Sensing up to a maximum distance from Kaiya of 200 ft.

Opponents that have this material touch their skin will see their flesh immediately become translucent and their skin paper thin.  Even mild exertion or tugging at the skin will cause it to painfully split spilling out their vital sap and exposing the muscle and bone underneath to the full and corrupting influence of the raw, exposed material.  Resisting this effect requires a superior OS while Shikai is active.

Additionally, this effect takes place even through thin layers of clothing such as shirts or pants though someone especially desperate to avoid the effect has a few seconds to remove that article of clothing before this process begins.  The black goo does not seem to be able to penetrate thicker substances like armor or the leather of boots, but, such things do still have cracks or seams or other places for the goo to find its way in.  Semi-Liquids are a bitch like that.

» Bankai Overall Ability: Perdition -- Escalating to even greater effect, Kugyō's black goo gains more potency and Kaiya can grasp even more fine control over its writhing mass.  The black patches of the substance now scattered across the battlefield are now capable of forming into massive, articulated human-like hands and arms that reach and grab and claw at whatever living things happen to be nearby.  These arms grow to a size proportional to the patch from which they are spawned, although many arms may spawn from the same large patch.  The viscous material that these arms are composed of is the very same acrid, black, corrupt mass that Kaiya makes use of in her other phases therefore any attempts to cut the arms down are likely to only result in getting someone or something else covered in the black goo.  Although it is possible to resist the effects of the acidic goo, it is more difficult in her Bankai requiring a 25% Superior OS in order to do so.

These individual arms are certainly vulnerable to attack, as they must solidify and take on tangible and textured forms in order to interact with the things around them, but as they are formed from the soupy mass they can simply gathering back up again if knocked to pieces.  Small puddles of the material are capable of moving and forming together with other small puddles in order to create larger masses and therefore larger arms.  These arms act with a will of their own but are not wholly independent.  Kaiya may command them either verbally or mentally although they are far from perfect soldiers.  When commanded in this manner they generally hang on to the last order given, such that they cannot really be distracted from their task unless Kaiya herself becomes similarly distracted.

And as a final note for this ability...perhaps as expected, wherever these pseudopods and arms happen to strike or slam their mass against, they transfer small amounts of their viscous sludge onto that surface.  In this way, even if an opponent is capable of eluding their grasp and making it to safety, they are very likely still struck somewhere by the acrid substance even if in small measure.

When Kaiya seals her Bankai, these arms will collapse back into their sludge piles even if they are in the act of restraining someone.  Which this spares the target the pain of being any further crushed or directly maimed by her Bankai, this does not absolve them the painful wounds either caused by or exacerbated by her Zanpakutou.

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» Zanpakuto Techniques: 

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{Shikai Technique: Haunting Regret}Description: Kaiya surges energy through her sword and swings, imparting the viscous liquid expelled by her Zanpakutou into an unfortunate target. This attack can be flung at range either from her muck-covered hand or by the sweep of her sword. Whatever is struck by this tar-like substance will suffer one the wounds unique to her Shikai and have their speed reduced by -10% for as long as they remain exposed to the substance. These effect is addictive, where additional contact from this technique will stack the speed reduction indefinitely.

The substance itself causes severe pain, thinning of the skin, and inhibits the clotting of blood. Wounds suffered in this way are difficult to heal in the moment and are extremely painful (although no more mechanically difficult) to overcome. Many sufferers simply elect to wait for the wound to heal up naturally before applying magical healing. This is useable in Bankai.

Cost: 150 Reiatsu to apply to a single attack

SPOILER: Click to show

{Shikai Technique: Bow Your Head}Description: Rising from the black morass deposited on the ground, tentacles or arms reach out and grab or restrain whomever they can get their disgusting hands on. This attack acts as a binding that can be called indirectly via her mental link to her Zanpakutou, and as such is 10% stronger than normal. This attack is based on Kaiya's highest spiritual stat and attacks at 600 Speed.

Cost: 100 Reiatsu per use.

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{Bankai Technique: Perdition's Hand}Description: Using the instinctual mental link she is afforded with the black puddles the now dot the landscape, Kaiya causes a massive hand, tentacle, or pseudopod to rise up and crash down into an opponent at 600 Speed. This attack is broad enough that, should multiple opponents be standing near one another, they would all be hit by the crushing force of this attack.

Cost: 300 to activate

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{Bankai Technique: Perdition's Armor}Description: Kaiya's Zanpakutou oozes a large glut of the black goo, which travels down her arm and envelopes her body, clinging to the outside of her uniform. This material retains all of the normal properties that it does when expelled by her Zanpakutou, but thanks to being so close to her energy, she is able to easily infuse it with Reiatsu which causes it to reflexively harden if struck, like some sort of a non-newtonian fluid. When in this resilient state, the goo is every bit as durable and hearty as the strongest of armors. Armor makes use of her highest Spiritual stat.

Drawbacks: Kaiya cannot cover her head or neck in this manner, and her sword remains exposed. Additionally, while the armor has reflexively hardened to take a blow she cannot move very well and would be unable to flash step away from any immediate follow-up. Kaiya's speed is reduced by 25% for the post in which this armor is actively used.

Cost: 100 Reiatsu per use against targetted attacks, 150 per use against AOE.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Bankai Technique: River Of Doubt}Description: Standing in a puddle of the goo, Kaiya turns her sword downward and plunges into the material. Briefly, she slips beneath the surface of reality and can traverse between any of the other puddles currently in play. While in this state, it is impossible to distinguish her energy from that of any of her puddles until she resurfaces to fight once again.

Drawback: It is very taxing for Kaiya to stay within this pocket realm, costing her 200 reiatsu per post to do so.  For every post spent in this pocket realm, an equal cooldown on this ability is required before it can be used again.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Bankai Technique: All-Consuming Guilt}Description: Kaiya calls together a huge number of individual puddles that roil and lurch at her intended target. The blobs hurl themselves through the air and surround and pelt their intended target until they are caught in a massive sphere of the material. The goo then shifts as its surface hardens, and the target left inside succumbs to the agonizing fate of growing in this material, with every inch of their body coated by the acidic compound.

As the constituent blobs of goo are both mobile and capable of pathing to a target, physical objects are generally not an impediment to this attack. Windows, doors, walls are merely things to go over under or around. Even barriers such a Danku fail to stop this attack unless they envelop the target completely in a protective bubble. And, even then, the target and their bubble will be surrounded. Hopefully, they can hold out their barrier for longer than Kaiya can hold out her assault.

This attack operates at 800 speed and requires the target to make use of an appropriate stat that exceeds Kaiya's Spirit by 50% or more in order to reach the surface of the blob and pull themselves free. The target of this attack's Speed is reduced by 75% while encased.

Drawbacks: While active, the goo is committed entirely to this assault. As such, it is not available for other techniques available to her release. Kaiya is still capable of using her Shikai Technique: Haunting Regret in order to generate more, but it will be an amount as ordinary per Shikai, not Bankai.

Cost: 300 Reiatsu; and 150 Reiatsu per-post once a target has been trapped.

» Other Techniques: 

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{Technique Name: Sakugen (Cut)}Class: 7
Technique Type: Other

Technique Description and Effects:
The user pours Reiatsu into their body, and their sword, and releases it in a mighty slash attack. A small slash of Reiatsu shoots outwards and can cut with the same force as the user if it hits. It also bypasses the cutback effect, as well as comes with the user's weight. It feels like it hit the enemy with the user's body weight, on top of cutting into them or their tools.

How to use the technique:
Charge and slash in an instant.

Drawback:
It drains some Reiatsu and some stamina, but also comes with a requirement. One must have a minimum of 200 in strength to be able to use this technique, or it cannot be used.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Technique Name: Jinzen: Kyōshin}Class: 5
Technique Type: Other

Technique Description and Effects:
As Jinzen is a technique used to converse with ones Zanpakuto spirit. Kyōshin allows one the ability to enter the inner world of another performing Jinzen or perhaps allow an individual to enter their world. This in turn allows both to converse with their spirits respectfully or simply allows the two to speak in secret. Can be used with Instant Jinzen if learned, allowing two ample time to communicate in the heat of combat. Once learned this technique can only be used with one willing participant. Those proficient in the technique can be used with three. If mastered while used alongside Instant Jinzen one can forcibly bring another into their inner world or enter another's through contact for a short time(one post). This does not impact the outside world or create an advantage to those outside. For the period of time is brief and the entire exchange to an onlooker happens less than a second.

How to use the technique
Meditate alongside another, performing Jinzen and resonate your Reaitsu with the other, creating a link. If Instant Jinzen is known simply resonate your Reaitsu with a willing participant.

Technique Drawbacks
Stepping foot or allowing another to step into one's inner world can be a dangerous feat to attempt. One's Zanpakuto spirit may be aggressive and decide to turn hostile against the potential intruder. Also attempting to resonate with more than one other participant can be rather risky putting a heavy strain and fatiguing all those involved immensely. This technique if mastered cannot be forcibly used on those of higher class.

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{Technique Name: Hitotsume: Nadegiri (The First: Killing Stroke)}Class: 1
Technique Type: Zanjutsu

Technique Description and Effects: Nadegiri is a precise and swift attack that relies upon and combines the user's momentum (speed) and the offensive cutting power of their weapon, to cut their target. The user simply draws their weapon, performs a slash at 3x their speed and sheathes their weapon. The transition between drawing, attacking and sheathing is rather seamless. It can appear invisible to slower opponents or those without the proper senses and instinct. Appearing as if the user had never drawn their weapon to begin with. The only sign generally to the victim is a powerful cut.

How to use the technique: Flow reiatsu into sword arm, Draw weapon, attack, and sheath.

Technique Drawbacks: Nadegiri is a powerful Zanjutsu technique that requires the user to have a 3 in a weapon skill to perform and at least 500 speed to learn. Due to the precision, speed and overall power, this technique can cause minor muscle damage on the users sword arm due to it tripling their speed. Though Reiatsu is first flowed through the users arm to prevent major damage to the user's muscles and bone. It still causes stress due to the precision and speed of the cut. Thus the user is recommended to rest their sword arm for a single post before using Nadegiri again. Excessive use of this technique while ignoring the rest time, will tear muscle and can even break bones, if the user is not careful. Nadegiri though combining the speed and offensive cutting power of the user's weapon still follows the 3x rule and can not exceed it. So say if the user had 400 cutting power and 400 speed, this technique would combine the two, making it a 800 base. The combination of these two stats, couldn't exceed 2400 with this technique. This technique counts as a short term stat boost and thus has a natural limit of uses in a thread.

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{Technique Name: Bakudo #61: Rikujokoro}Class: 4
Technique Type: Kido
Technique Element: [Light]

Technique Description and Effects: Summons six thin, wide beams of light that slam into a target's midsection from all sides, holding them in place. This technique also results in total paralysis, and can even suspend targets in mid air.

How to use the technique: This requires the user's eyes to be focused on the target, and their casting hand to be aimed at the target as well. The six beams will then close in, but those who are quick enough or instinctive enough will be able to dodge.

Incantation and Effect: The incantation increases the reiatsu strength of this technique by 25%. (I.E. Reiatsu strength of 100 is instead worth 125.) ("Carriage of Thunder. Bridge of a spinning wheel. With light, divide this into six!")

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{Technique Name: Bakudo #62: Hyapporankan}Class: 4
Technique Type: Kido
Technique Element: [None]

Technique Description and Effects: A single rod of violet reiatsu is hurled at the target. On its way, it suddenly splits into several rods at once, which then pin the target to any nearby wall-like surface. Their body is then totally immobilized if this hits.

How to use the technique: It needs the caster to aim the casting hand at the target, not unlike any traditional Hado.

Incantation and Effect: The number of rods is typically fifteen, but will double to thirty and will allow this to be used on up to two targets at once if incantation is used. Incantation unknown.

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{Technique Name: Bakudo #30: Shitotsu Sansen}Class: 6
Technique Type: Kido
Technique Element: [None]

Technique Description and Effects: This starts as a golden triangle between one's fingers, and then fires out three small sized pillars of yellow light toward the target. If even one hits, the others home in. Three parts of the target's body will then be pinned to a solid surface, such as a wall, by this technique. The pillars pin three places in the shape of a triangle.

How to use the technique: Requires the caster aim at a target, not unlike any average Hado.

Incantation and Effect: The incantation increases the reiatsu strength behind the technique by 15%. (I.E. Reiatsu strength valued at 100 is instead weighed in at 115.) "Carriage of Thunder. Bridge of a spinning wheel. With light, divide this into three!"

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{Technique Name: Hado #4: Byakurai}Class: 7
Technique Type: Kido
Technique Element: Thunder

Technique Description and Effects: The user fires a concentrated, powerful lightning bolt from their finger that pierces a target.

How to use the technique: Speak the spell and point hand at the target.

Incantation and Effect: "Arise god of thunder! Awake mother of storms! Unleash the lighting on the sinners!" When the incantation is spoken, the Reiatsu Strength used to determine the power of Byakurai is increased by 10%. (i.e. 100 Reiatsu Strength is treated as 110.)

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{Technique Name: Shunpo--Flash Steps}Class: 7
Technique Type: Kidō
Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects: A movement technique that allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow. The focal point that determines the basis of this technique is speed. As speed is the main point of the technique, the method is best characterized by how fast one can get from Point A to Point B in the least amount of steps. A single step magnifies speed for that step by ten times. Shunpo uses fifty Reiatsu per step. All Shinigami know this when created. This technique does not take up a technique slot.

How to use the technique: Focus of Reishi around the feet area and launch off into a single blurring step. It is not unlike teleportation in appearance, but it is simply extremely fast movement. It is often used to gain an edge in a single moment of combat or to dodge incoming attacks.

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{Technique Name: Shunpo--Ashibumi Daichi}Class: 6
Technique Type: Other
Technique Element: Air

Technique Description and Effects: This stepping technique allows the user to create a "stepping stone" in mid-air and use such stepping stones to run, jump, and/or step on. This technique does not use the air-ground but instead uses one's Reiatsu. It is gathered against the entire bottoms of their feet, creating a circular disc of visible Reiatsu. This technique is meant to allow the user to bounce off of walls and perform offensive or evasive maneuvers in mid-combat.

How to use the technique: The user simply channels Reiatsu around their feet.

Drawback: This stepping technique does not increase the speed of the user. It costs seventy-five Reiatsu to use and fifty more each post to maintain its activation. Reiatsu Strength also determines how many times you can use the technique in a single activation. With a maximum of four hundred Reiatsu Strength, five steps can be performed. The count is reduced by one from every one hundred-point difference from four hundred, so a user with zero Reiatsu Strength cannot use this technique at all.

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{Technique Name: Shunpo--Senka}Class: 5
Technique Type: Kidō
Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects: A special Shunpo technique where one moves to their opponents back. Directly attacking and sealing one's "Saketsu" (First Soul Chain) and "Hakusui" (Second Soul Chain) in one strike. The movement is so fast that an opponent may not be able to tell whether he was attacked from the front or the back and even an outside observer may find it impossible to tell what the movements are. It costs 100 Reiatsu per use. To use this particular brand of Shunpo, the user must train to learn it. It is treated as a Class 5 technique. Senka is an 11x increase in Speed.

How to use the technique: Focus of Reishi around the feet area and launch off into a single blurring step. It is not unlike teleportation in appearance, but it is simply extremely fast movement. It is often used to gain an edge in a single moment of combat or to dodge incoming attacks.

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{Technique Name: Cutback: Assault}Class: 1
Technique Type: [Cutback]


Technique Description: Traditionally cutback is triggered by a physical strike from a spiritually inferior source. Among those with immense spiritual pressure it is a useful defense. This technique converts that same cutback into an offense. The user gathers all of their spiritual energy at their core before releasing it outward with a burst. An invisible wave bursts outward with a speed and force of 600, pushing back everything in its path. It functions like a larger (Martial Discipline: Ken) to all those around. The user may choose to spend an additional reiatsu to increase the range of the wave. At its lowest range, the wave will travel 200 meters in every direction. If the user doubles the cost, this range will also double to 400 meters in every direction. But get this. If the cost is TRIPLED, the radius will also triple to a whopping 800 meters.

However, the real effect of the technique only kicks in when the wave makes contact with any individual. If the difference in spiritual pressure between the user and target is great enough, this technique will automatically inflict the same damage they would face had they triggered cutback. This property is what makes Cutback: Assault truly deadly.

How to use the technique: Charge reiatsu and release it.

Technique Drawbacks: This technique costs 300 reiatsu to use, and it must be mastered before employed in battle. It may only be activated once every 3 posts, and while it’s on cooldown, the user loses access to natural cutback. However, that is hardly the most serious drawback. As this technique causes the sudden output of such a large amount of energy, it puts a heavy strain on the body, worsening all injuries the user suffered prior to activation. When used the first time, if the user has any deep lacerations or stab injuries, they will begin to bleed profusely, giving them 5 posts before they lose consciousness. When used the second time, even if the user only had thin cuts, these will widen and deepen as blood rapidly escapes them, giving the user 5 posts before they pass out from blood loss.

[Kaiya Yamamoto]

--History-- 

Birthplace: Rukongai District #8

Current Residence: Near the Squad 11 Barracks

Memorable Figures:

• Tamiko Yamamoto [Younger sister]
• Junpei Tamashi [Mentor]
• Genji Tanaka [Peer, love interest]

History: 

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{The Story of Kaiya's Birth}Yamamoto Kaiya was born one of a great many children to Shinsei and Haruki Yamamoto. Seventh in the order of birth and second youngest by the end of her parents 'expansion' of the family unit, her birth seemed to lack much of the typical fanfare and excitement that the others had held. The grandparents were tired, her parents were tired, the oldest children had moved on and off to their own lives, and even many of the middle children had already gone through these transitory things at least once thanks to the nicely spread out birth years for her siblings. By the time Haruki had reached number seven, she was flat out tired of giving birth. At least the youngest, Tamiko, had the advantage of her mom knowing she would be the last.

It was a rainy day. A rainy week, in fact, when Kaiya had her first cry as her lungs took over and she was welcomed into the world. Her mother held her, briefly, before passing her back to the very well equipped nurses and midwives that were only slightly more practiced at these things than Haruki was at this point. Then, mom took a nice long and much-deserved nap. It would be nearly two weeks before she would hold her daughter again; a sign of things to come for both of them.

The first 18 months of Kaiya's life were very textbook. Although her parents were 'seasoned' at the tasks required to rear a child, they had lost the patience and necessary ardor for growing their family necessary to take much more of an interest in their new daughter beyond a few hours a day. In addition to this, frankly, they just had the money to get away with paying nannies and midwives and tutors to instill lessons into their children if they were either too busy or not inclined to make the time. Make no mistake, Kaiya was born into a house of love. She just wasn't born into a house where love was the priority anymore. Shinei's seventh child! Few even knew her name.

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{The Story of Kaiya's Early Childhood}As the years began to gain momentum, Kaiya passed many of the traditional milestones much to her family's nonplussed absolutely tepid reaction. Speech, walking, the first days of school. All of it was very boring to them, but a wonderful world of opportunity to her. Inevitable, such curiosity when left to fester in the absence of answers drove her to start acting out in an attempt to get them. Adventurous she became, eluding her nannies and caretakers for hours at a time. She would come back with dirt on her cheeks and a smile on her face with just enough time to get cleaned up before dinner.

Of course, at dinner, she was expected to be seen and not heard as her mother, father, and the senior children discussed the goings on of the day and what was coming up next. As a spry little brat, she doubtlessly had nothing interesting to add to the discussion; a fact they were happy to remind her of as often as her parents and oldest siblings could. In private, one on one, each of them treated her much more nicely. They'd bring her sweets, they'd tussle her hair, they'd apologize for not making time for her or for being dismissive. After all, such conduct was expected of the rest and they didn't have a choice with so many eyes on them. 'That's just the way the family was'. A refrain she grew used to hearing. Too young and too naive to point out the dissonance that underlies such a statement she had little choice but to hold her quivering lips and stop herself from crying, and just grin and bear it.

It didn't take too long before the quivering lip of a disappointed young girl turned into a clenched jaw.

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{The Story of Kaiya's Adolescence}On occasion throughout her young life, Kaiya Yamamoto had on occasion been the target of pity from members of her family and the general public. They could see the way she looked up at her family, the love she had in her heart...and they could see the disappointment in her eyes when her gestures went either unnoticed, unappreciated, or unreciprocated. That's not to say every day was tears and sadness, far from it, merely that these occasions were far too great for something that tried to call itself a 'family'. But all of that aside, Kaiya had never truly felt the pity targetted at her, or offered with a sideways glance, until one fateful day.

For her young mind, it was innocuous as any other day. Go here and play, go here and read this thing, go here and watch the nan prepare lunch. Then, one afternoon, much commotion overtook the house. Lots of adults coming in and out, many handshakes for her father. The other children buzzing. Kaiya waited patiently in the kitchen next to her nanny as the matron of the house stopped in and received congratulations from the house staff. Her nanny looked down at her with a sad, pitying smile and she did not understand why. She felt it pouring out of this woman's soul and into her and she did not understand why.

Her mother bent down slightly and placed a hand on her shoulder. With a thin-lipped smile on her face she looked at her daughter and announced to her she would be blessed with a younger sister or brother! Kaiya smiled and hopped and for a moment was genuinely happy to see her family grow and another young one be added to take under her wing as her brothers and sisters had largely failed to do. But...smile still on her face, she looked up to her nanny to spread her joy and that depleted half smile struck her right back and knocked her spirits down.

"It's all over now." The woman said as she looked down at the young girl with tears welling in her eyes. "What little attention they spend is all over. This child is to be their last; they will give it as much or more as they gave their first born son. I'm so sorry, young one."

Kaiya, unsure how to respond or even if she should, simply furrowed her brow and carried on. What else could she do?

The next several months passed quickly and the prophetic words of her nan turned out to be true. The lessons continued, the activities were still scheduled. But when once there had been house staff on hand to see to her interaction, to see to her studies, to see to her well being there was now only a single nanny. Everyone else had been diverted to doting on Haruki as she prepared to give birth. Soon, Tamiko was born, a beautiful young girl and the last in their brood of eight to bear the Yamamoto Clan name. Number seven did not matter much anymore.

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{The Story of Kaiya's Burgeoning Powers}The child known as Tamiko soaked up everything meant for her older sister. No fault of the child's to be sure, babes are the innocent among us most of all. But she was the one placed upon the pedestal. The baby of the family. Sweet, cute, talented, bright Tamiko.

It was noticed by instructors, of course, when Kaiya began to demonstrate both spiritual awareness and a talent for projecting some sort of limited power. It began first during puberty, as many others in similar situations have had happen to them. Seeing strange auras intermittently, causing things to happen around her by virtue of raw emotions running unchecked. And a strange, black shadow that seemed to follow her at a great distance, waiting just around corners as if waiting or hoping to be caught spying on her. She left that last one out from her stories that she told the other children and her parents. Somehow, even at this age and this stage of development, she understood that at least part of what she was seeing was meant for her eyes only.

Brought before her father, Kaiya stood proudly as the martial arts instructor retained by her Clan presented the latent talents of his pupil to her father. She could swear that, on some level, he actually broke his stoic facade to let a grin of pride cross his face. But, perhaps that was merely an increasingly desperate girl's fantasy running away with her. Her father, Shinsei, congratulated her and said he was looking forward to what surely great things she would accomplish in the already so accomplished footsteps that her oldest siblings had laid out before her, as if she could forge none of her own. Her joy turned to ash in her mouth as word spread around the estate.

'This makes five of the first seven kids!'

'Another one woke up! Think she'll be as strong as her older brother?'

'I wonder if this means the new babe will be talented too!'

'I bet the little baby will wind up exceeding all of them!'

All of the talk, all of the speculation about her talents and her potential was redirected right before her eyes and gobbled up by her siblings. There was little else for her to do there within those walls except to plead with her instructor to get her to the level necessary to become a Soul Reaper. The Gods of Death would surely have a place for her even if her family did not seem to offer the same. Perhaps then, in an organization she knew to be based on the merits of a man and the skill of their conviction, she would find recognition for her deeds.

The following years saw Kaiya become increasingly withdrawn. Sullen. Sad. There was nothing left for her there except a roof over her head and clothes on her back. She began acting out while sparring, injuring some of the neighbor boys that father's friends brought over to train with her. Then she began getting carried away with her instructors. Then property. Then her own property. Escalation after escalation resulted in her siblings sitting down. 'Father says he's worried, you need to behave'. Never Father himself anymore, and never any more guidance than she needed to behave.

At last the day came when her instructor signed the endorsement and her application to the academy was accepted. Mother and Father both signed the same note detailing their pride that she was accepted; they looked forward to seeing her in a Shihakusho and were certain that she would represent them well among the Shinigami. Their parting sentiments are written down her plain as day. Represent them. Do things that make them look good. Further their name, not forge your own. She tore their letter in half but kept the pieces as a reminder that, in some fashion, they did care about something.

During the final hour, many members of her family saw her off before she left through the gates of their estate grounds. Mother, oldest brother, and oldest sister. And Tamiko. Sweet, still innocent, wide-eyed Tamiko was the only one to give her a hug, and it was a long and wholesome one that nearly brought her to tears as the love that bloomed from within it. She held on to that as she left her home. Something needed to keep her grounded, to keep her mind thankful and appreciative of this place that had been her entire life up until this point, Tamiko would be it.

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{The Story of Kaiya's Time at the Academy}For many students, six or more years are required to complete all of the theory, lesson, practicum, and demonstrations necessary to complete all proficiencies required by the Spiritual Arts Academy. As much as she wished she could say she was a prodigy, young Kaiya was not. Talented, sure, but so was everyone else at Academy. Her only advantage over the others, her only anchor to keep her driving forward each and every day was the utter persistence and uncurable determination that she had learned how to channel during her adolescence. It would serve her well.

Things she was slow to grasp? She would stay up all night reading and rereading chapters until she was practically blue in the face. Slow to understand a step or blockchain? Her every waking hour would be spent in the training dojos with her asauchi in hand until she had come as close to mastery as she had the time to get. She was far, far from prodigious but she was certainly persistent. A feat her peers and her instructors took note of.

Kaiya's graduation did not occur until her eighth year just as several of the instructors were starting to seriously doubt her ability to get passed several key points of their instructions. Once again taking a disadvantage and try to make it into an advantage, Kaiya used the extra time she was given (or had earned, depending on point of view) to further bond with her blade and refine her swordsmanship. Lots of students fancy themselves 'masters' at a very young age. Kaiya knew she was not, but she also knew that her skill, as well as her unquenchable youthful energy, could knock a few of the instructors back on their heels for a while before they put away this upstart whelp. It brought both Kaiya and her instructors great joy to be able to take a spar a bit more seriously than usual.

During her final terms, Kaiya was often used by instructors as a sparring partner for earlier students. Such are the burdens of those who have been in the program a long time; they must then help teach the next generation in order to further round out their mastery of the subjects covered by the Academy. In addition to being just plain useful for the purposes of giving students necessary attention, it was doubly useful for identifying candidates for officers positions. Those who might show a talent for leadership or teaching when their ultimate division had positions free. Kaiya knew she was being watched but she never fancied herself an officer; after all, she was just the Yamamoto runt. They could do better.

When left to instruct new students, she was harsh. Even more harsh than her instructors who had been so patient with her and others. Firm but patient. The Gotei was a military organization but students do not grow big and strong if you constantly pulp and macerate the soil into submission. Kaiya tried so very hard to keep this in mind but it simply could not be helped as her natural cruelty and sadism began to seep through the cracks. She quickly gained a reputation as a skilled but harsh trainer, flicking her blade on the calves of each student she bested, every time she bested them, even if it were only during training exercises. Soon, she was someone to be avoided by the timid and faced with a straight back and a serious mind for improvement by those willing to challenge themselves. As cruel as she could be, she challenged them for every inch they won.

Near the end of the year, one of the students she had been training had finally defeated her: Genji from Clan Tanaka. A similarly runty black sheep of his noble family's litter, Genji instantly respected that she cut him no slack for being part of the Tanaka Clan. Kaiya threw the respect right back for similar reasons. Soon, their friendship was united by their mutual skill and it was a natural fit. Confident she had finally found a bond that could endure beyond her family, she graduated Academy with her head held high.

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{The Story of Kaiya's First Forray}Without a Shikai to call her own, without even having definitively met her Zanpakutou, Kaiya graduated Academy and settled in finish her selection and courting process with one of the Gotei-13's Squads. While she had her own preferences, it was just as much about selling yourself to them as having them pick you. Her interests wavered back and forth as she got to know the people better beyond just the mission statement of each. Squad 3, Squad 6, Squad 10, Squad 11...so many possibilities! In time she naturally gravitated toward Squad 3, the Expedition Squad. Her interests in exploration, independence, and general survivalist techniques made this a reasonable choice to any obvious person.

Having been taken under the watchful wing of several unseated members of the squad, she accompanied them on an expedition into the urban maze that was New York City. Four members in total, including herself, tasked with following up on some data and reports that indicated a Hollow had been roaming Long Island looking for trouble and had taken up residence in an abandoned industrial district. They went in quiet, she followed protocol and waited patiently while her peers demonstrated their thought patterns and processes that were necessary for safety and survival. And all of it was practically wasted.

The moment the proverbial shit hit the fan, all the careful lessons she had absorbed from her peers and from the Academy had flown right out of her ears and out the window. Clueless, dumbstruck, practically trembling in confusion, Kaiya could only watch as the Hollow batted her squadron around and rampaged throughout the warehouse. Naturally, the dumb thing eventually set its eyes on her; what a tasty treat this fresh, green recruit would make for a budding Hollow! Just as its slavering jaw opened and its massive claws reached down for her, instincts took over and she ripped her katana free from its sheath and sliced the things forearm clean off. The beast yowled and roared and raged at her but, lost to the moment, she couldn't help but leap atop the thing and rip and roar right back. Face and uniform covered with the things blood she continued to cut its face and torse and tear as its flesh until it finally died and evaporated into soul sand right before her eyes. Her squad mates regrouped and found her like that, still heaving and panting with adrenaline as she came down from the kill. They certainly accepted her more from this point.

The night after her first hunt, her Zanapkutou appeared to her and invited her into its battlefield, her inner world. She was not yet permitted to lean its name, but the great writing mass of blackness had finally revealed its formless face. No longer was this shadow merely following her in the distance. She now knew it was part of her. Forever.

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{The Story of Kaiya's Rescue of Tamiko}As our story leaps forward and Kaiya has deepened her bond with her Zanpakutou enough to learn its name and call forth its Shikai, the rest of the world had continued to grow as well. Back home, young Tamiko was becoming a woman of all the proper pampering and upbringing expected of a favored child to a noble house. Bright, beautiful, educated, she would make anyone a fine partner one day and a more than fitting legacy for her family name. Of course, she would never bear the torch of leading the house like her oldest brothers, but she could contribute in her own way. Such fortunately tempered expectations. It was for these reasons and many more that a visitor awoke in the middle of the night, banging on the door of the barracks of the Third Division, eager to give Kaiya a letter from her parents. Opening immediately, the message read...

'Kaiya,

Your sister has been taken. Father owes money and they have come to settle debts. Tamiko is missing.'

Of course, they wrote to her because she had the insider's edge to request the aid of the Third Squadron. Her older siblings inside the Gotei were unable to throw their political capital at something like this, even if it were for family, but Kaiya? What need did she have for such a thing as political capital? No, the older siblings agreed that this would be an excellent debt for the runt of the litter to accrue in pursuit of furthering her family name. Fortunately for them, Kaiya did not care for their politically calculated maneuvers and was all too willing to come to the aid of the only member of her family younger than her.

Organizing a team and with the blessing of the Squad's Lieutenant they set out immediately to recover Tamiko Yamamoto. They found her after a short chain of intel pointed them to a bar and inn in District #72. Mob boss with money to lend and enough left over to spend on mercenaries to protect his holdings, they were in for a serious fight against the sheer numbers arrayed against them. Kaiya fought bravely and cleanly and in the end, the loss of life was minimal for the mercenaries. She scooped Tamiko up herself and carried her back to the Seireitei to recover from her ordeal. Fondly, with pride nestled in her chest, several days later she walked her sister back to the Yamamoto Estate to present safely and soundly to her parents and assembled family. She held her head high as she stood before her Father, whose gross financial incompetence had put them in this situation in the first place. Even now after what he had put her through she was still there for her family. Still willing to be apart of the Clan in more than name if only they would welcome her in.

Deep inside of her, her Zanpakutou frantically undulated and writhed as if to warn her. Projecting its emotions, framing its concern in strange and foreign ways, she felt it tugging at her from the inside, trying to prepare her for the heartbreak that it saw coming and she was too blind to accept even after all of this time. But there was no stopping that train. As Shinsei spoke, he thanked Tamiko for her courage and fortitude in the face of such peril. He thanks her older brothers for their wise counsel on how to save face and tackle this problem. He sent this thanks to the Gotei for marshaling a capable group of Shinigami from Squad 3 to aid their family in a time of need. He had no words of thanks, at least directly, for Kaiya. At the least, he did call her a Shinigami. That was something. But when you're starving and someone tosses you a thumb-sized ball of hardtack are they really doing you a favor? She hugged her sister tightly as she fought back tears, turned on her heels, parted through her brothers while her father still spoke, and left the gates of their estate.

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{The Story of Kaiya's Rescue of Shinsei}Fools tends to be permanently stuck as fools, despite their best intentions. For whatever reason, as the years continued, Shinsei Yamamoto had continued to mismanage the finances of his household and drive everyone closer and closer to financial ruin. Thankfully, the oldest children had become accomplished earners after several decades as Seated Officers and could help as necessary. Unfortunately, this did not stop Shinsei's conduct from worsening; if anything this safety net emboldened him to take greater risks to 'get back to even'. And inevitably, as he found his way into debt, the mob boss that he had crossed earlier got wind of his plight, bought his debt, and called on Shinsei to collect.

Well aware of the unrecognized (and very cheap for them) lengths Kaiya went to in order to rescue her sister, the oldest members of the Clan called upon the seventh child once more in order to marshal the Gotei and liberate her father from his mistakes. Another midnight courier. Another rude note. Except this time, they did not flower their language in implying Shinsei was taken. They were very clear--her father was a hostage.

As her blood boiled, Kaiya took nothing but her Zanpakutou and the clothes on her back and left for District #72. One very long and very angry walk later she arrived to the familiar stomping grounds of this gang and their fat toad of a boss. Dawn rose, replete with reds and oranges, and Kaiya looked up to the cold morning sun as it crested over her face. She entered their hideout. Inside the door the small complement of men quickly turned into their full might as they yelled out and roused the others. Nearly thirty strong, all too eager to add a Shinigami to their list of ransomed individuals the Yamamoto Clan would have to pay for in order to win back.

Deep within her mind, Kugyō twitched and bellowed and swelled and collapsed with anticipation as Kaiya's eyes locked with her father's at the other side of the room. Everything he had done to her. Everything she had done for her family. In spite of it all she had been called upon yet again to bail out this man that had done nothing for him except provide genetic material and put a roof over her head. Her Squad was more like a family to her than she had ever felt Shinsei had been. Or Haruki. Everyone except Tamiko. And even then when this bumbling moron had asked for her help and she had delivered, he would rather shower praise upon an institution than acknowledge her.

Yet here she was.

The saya that held her Zanpakutou clanked against the wooden floor as she dropped it. "Cry out for judgment, Teishutsu ni Kugyō," she whispered as she activated her Shikai and a thick, tar-like goo began to leak from her sword.

Mercenaries charged her. She slid her blade through their armor as she focused her spiritual energy into a fine point of killing intent. Dancing, spinning, weaving between mercenaries, she absorbed body shot after body shot as she dished out vicious slashes with her katana. Soon, the room was covered in writhing mercenaries soaked in their blood and the agony of Kugyō's Ruination, and she was left bloodied but standing.

Putting the flat of her blade against her father's cheek, she savored the sound of his flesh sizzling as the black mass clung to him. "I saved you." She stated coldly, eyes leveled with his.

He nodded but she pressed her katana more firmly against his flesh as he winced and whimpered. "You saved me! You saved our entire House!" He yelled back in a cry for mercy. She relented it and sealed her Zanpakutou, freed her father, and took him back home.

This time, a frightened and at least partially terrified Shinsei Yamamoto was all too happy to heap the praises upon is sole rescuer.

After that day, her oldest brother assumed control of their Clan and Shinsei was allowed to enjoy the fruits of a well-earned retirement, safely away from the projects and spending his family could still enjoy.

SPOILER: Click to show

{The Story of Kaiya's Early Career}Years continued to flow as Kaiya enjoyed the blooming of her young career. The rumors and reports of her late night missions to rescue her father had made the rounds through several circles of the Seireitei and the high society that her father participated in, and some additional eyes began to watch her career as well. Just as in the Academy, those savvy about what to look for were watching for things, traits, personality matches, and other skills that were unlikely to either come up in polite conversation or be seen on a resume. In time, the Onmitsukido reached out to her; a scout and recruited name Junpei Tamashi had identified her for consideration. Such a specialized squad as the Onmitsukido demanded instant respect from the still-young Shinigami, but she was all ears.

She met with the man, much older and wisened and grizzled than her, and talked through her thoughts, issues, inhibitions, concerns. In time, after many weeks of examining and being examined, Junpei offered formally for her to become his protege and join the Onmitsukido. She accepted and completed her transfer immediately.

Over the following decades, she would participate in a great many clandestine actions in the service of the Seireitei as she protected it from enemies and threats both within and without. Many skills of the craft were imparted to her as her killer instinct was fostered and she grew to love the business of death she had been initiated into. It did not take long before her jacket became filled with all sorts of missions that contained black boxes of redacted information and classified stamps, never to be formally entered into her record. But those whose business it was to know about such things had most certainly placed this capable woman on their radar. She climbed the ranks, but there was only so far for an assassin to go. Eventually, she would have a choice to make. Embrace that assassin she was being groomed to become, or master her own fate and forge her own path.

With a heavy heart and after many tense conversations, she broke the news to her mentor, Junpei.

Disappointed as he was, he knew that she would find success on her own although his parting words to her assured her that she would never find the satisfaction of violence that her soul truly craved anywhere else in the Gotei. He expected she would be back. Quite the charmer, that Junpei.

SPOILER: Click to show

{The Story of Kaiya's Mid Career} More decades still passed her by as Kaiya joined the unseated ranks of Squad 11. While Junpei had challenged her to find any other place in creation where she could uncork as the Onmitsukido let her, she figured if any place was a good start it was the Primary Attack Squadron. Martial training at intervals and intensities greater than anything she had ever experienced. Constant tactical exercises to promote squad-based readiness. All kinds of action that stoked her need for adrenaline was to be found within their barracks; she instantly felt at home.

Gradually she climbed their ranks. Unseated, into the lowest Seats, into the Middling seats. Soon, as she drifted nearer to the politics of the Division and its unavoidable gravity, she set her eyes on its more prestigious office.

SPOILER: Click to show

{The Story of Kaiya's Obtaining Captaincy} After nearly forty years climbing the ranks of Squad 11, she finally felt centered and ready enough within herself to reach for that haori that only Captains were deemed worthy to wear. She had been close to Bankai for so long; something she had unleashed privately, far away from prying eyes, but never at the level where she would be willing to show it to the Commander and other Captains as a witness. With the Captain's Challenge off of the table, the only route open to her was to embrace the tradition of her Division and challenge her Captain to an open duel in the sight of at least two-hundred witnesses. Captain Grin was a worthy opponent to anyone in the Soul Society, let alone an upstart officer like her. But she offered her challenge and he accepted.

Please see my RP sample for additional expansion on this event!

SPOILER: Click to show

{The Story of Kaiya's Modern Day} After letting the haori settled onto her shoulders, Kaiya still remains restless. Her Zanpakutou and the Captain were closer than ever but the churning chaos deep within her remains a problem, even in her innermost reflections. A leader of men, but, privately directionless, Kaiya is often times still that vulnerable child looking up at her father hoping for approval from more than three centuries ago. In front of the Squad she now leads she must be larger than life. A brutal, efficient warrior worthy of both their respect and their fear, at least she has this family. And her at the helm as its Black Mistress.

Where she goes from here remains to be seen, however, Kaiya is certain her boundaries have yet to grow even further. Perhaps even one day, many centuries from now, she may be able to visit one of her older brothers as the Commander. Wouldn't that be a lovely surprise.

[Kaiya Yamamoto]

Threads and story arcs

[Deleted]

Firstly, welcome to the site Fax. It’s rare these days we get anyone aiming straight for Captaincy, but i’m excited to get started and help you on your way to roleplaying here on the site. Lets get started.

Appearance, Likes/Dislikes, Habits/Fears/Goals, and Overall Personality look fine. You could probably add one or two more Goals, but that’s just my opinion. Fighting Style also looks fine after a quick skim. I like that you incorporated use of her Zanpakuto release in there. Not many people do that. Hermaeus Mora looks fine. Inner World looks fine. Moving onto powers now.

Shikai Overall Ability

Things mostly look fine here, but there’s one portion I’d like to go over.

From this state, the black goo also takes on a number of its own emergent properties including the ability to generate limbs and pseudopods for grabbing and restraining opponents as well as generating large reptilian eyes capable of relaying information back to Kaiya over mental link.

How many of these limbs are you able to make? What is their grip strength? How many eyes are you able to make?

Bankai Overall Ability

Stuff looks fine here.

Zanpakuto Techniques

Haunting Regret

Hmm. I’m a little iffy on this one. Normally, Stat reductions like this are a little hard to pass. However, what you’re using to apply the Status reduction is a ranged attack. It actually has to hit. While hesitant, I’ll tentatively allow this if you increase the cost to 150 reiatsu.

River Of Doubt

Oh, neat, Blink. Increase the cost to 200 Reiatsu a post. Also add a drawback that for every post you remain in between puddles, you must wait that exact number of posts before using the Technique again.

Aside from that, everything else looks fine. Granted, I’m rushing a little due to being on my lunch break. But aside from those things, everything else looks fine. Please reply when you’ve finished making edits or want to ask a question.

[Kaiya Yamamoto]

Hey thanks for your time! I appreciate your feedback.

I've added the following to the Shikai overall ability to clarify per your instructions. It might be a bit too specific now? Not sure on the line.:

ability to generate up to eight limbs and pseudopods for grabbing and restraining opponents as well as generating up to four large reptilian eyes capable of relaying information back to Kaiya over mental link. The Pseudopods restrain as if a Class 5 Bakudo, and the Eyes act as if 75% of Kaiya's Sensing.

I made the requested changes to Haunting Regret and River of Doubt.

[Deleted]

Excellent. Thanks. I'm fine giving this my 1/2. Recommending Captain rank at Class 2 with 1200 SP.

[Zeich Yajuu]

Alright, second round is me. Been a while since I've had a Captain-level app to work with.

First off, thumbs-up on Lulu, great choice for a FC. After that, all the personal details seem good, so we're just going to jump straight into powers.


Shikai Overall: As I can see, this gives the general ability to grab (and acid burn/damage skin), as well as providing sight at any sort of distance. We'll need to stick a few limits on here, but for the most part this is good. I'd set a maximum distance at which the eyes can provide sight to Kaiya - for Shikai level, she should not be able to receive sight from them at more than 200 feet away. This gives you a large area of coverage still, but requires you to remain within a battlefield area in order to maintain that visual awareness.

This next note applies to all levels of your Zanpaktou - the acidic effect of your sludge needs some sort of resistance. For example, superior OS should allow the victim to reduce the amount of acid damage in Shikai, while a 25% advantage in OS should do the same in Bankai. Alternatively, methods to combat it such as paying Reiatsu to protect an area covered in the sludge would also qualify as an acceptable source of resistance.


Haunting Regret: A static speed amount can get broken on several builds really fast, which is why we tend to stick to percentage cuts. Change the speed loss from -50 to -10%, please. If I'm reading this right, the difficulty in healing is purely cinematic, not actually mechanical? If so, this is fine after that change.


Bow Your Head: Change the cost to a flat 100 Reiatsu per use. Otherwise fine.


Perdition's Armor: "Kaiya's speed is reduced by 25% for 1 post when this armor is actively used; this drawback does not stack." Change this to "Kaiya's speed is reduced by 25% for the post in which this armor is actively used." This will basically say the same thing, but make it a bit more intuitive that you're slowed while it's currently working.


River of Doubt: "Per Action" is a rather vague cost description - what determines what counts in this case? Is it any technique used? Is it any sort of movement between puddles? Does it extend to mental commands given to her creation? Depending on these things, we may need a per-post cost as opposed to a per-action cost.


All-Consuming Guilt: A 50% superiority is a bit much to ask even in Bankai, but given the nature of our site's rule of rocket tag making it hard to hit anything at all, I'm willing to give this a pass until proven broken. I would ask for a per-post cost of 150 Reiatsu once a target is successfully trapped, however.


Overall a very solid application, and the tweaks needed aren't super big, so we should have you rolling in no time.

[Kaiya Yamamoto]

First, thank you tons for your time and assistance! I really appreciate it as I navigate this big new world.

Jun 11, 2019 11:27:04 GMT -5 Zeich Yajuu said:

Shikai Overall: As I can see, this gives the general ability to grab (and acid burn/damage skin), as well as providing sight at any sort of distance. We'll need to stick a few limits on here, but for the most part this is good. I'd set a maximum distance at which the eyes can provide sight to Kaiya - for Shikai level, she should not be able to receive sight from them at more than 200 feet away. This gives you a large area of coverage still, but requires you to remain within a battlefield area in order to maintain that visual awareness.

This next note applies to all levels of your Zanpaktou - the acidic effect of your sludge needs some sort of resistance. For example, superior OS should allow the victim to reduce the amount of acid damage in Shikai, while a 25% advantage in OS should do the same in Bankai. Alternatively, methods to combat it such as paying Reiatsu to protect an area covered in the sludge would also qualify as an acceptable source of resistance.

I have made these changes as you requested. 200ft limitation, superior OS, and 25% superior OS. Totally understand and agree with why, and I appreciate explaining your thoughts for me.

Haunting Regret: A static speed amount can get broken on several builds really fast, which is why we tend to stick to percentage cuts. Change the speed loss from -50 to -10%, please. If I'm reading this right, the difficulty in healing is purely cinematic, not actually mechanical? If so, this is fine after that change.

Done

Bow Your Head: Change the cost to a flat 100 Reiatsu per use. Otherwise fine.

Done

Perdition's Armor: "Kaiya's speed is reduced by 25% for 1 post when this armor is actively used; this drawback does not stack." Change this to "Kaiya's speed is reduced by 25% for the post in which this armor is actively used." This will basically say the same thing, but make it a bit more intuitive that you're slowed while it's currently working.

Done, and I see how I was outsmarting myself with the wording. This is simpler and better.

River of Doubt: "Per Action" is a rather vague cost description - what determines what counts in this case? Is it any technique used? Is it any sort of movement between puddles? Does it extend to mental commands given to her creation? Depending on these things, we may need a per-post cost as opposed to a per-action cost.

I changed this entry to the following drawback:

"Drawback: It is very taxing for Kaiya to stay within this pocket realm, costing her 200 reiatsu per post in which this technique is used.  For every post spent in this pocket realm, an equal cooldown on this ability is required before it can be used again."

All-Consuming Guilt: A 50% superiority is a bit much to ask even in Bankai, but given the nature of our site's rule of rocket tag making it hard to hit anything at all, I'm willing to give this a pass until proven broken. I would ask for a per-post cost of 150 Reiatsu once a target is successfully trapped, however.

Understandable and we'll keep a watch on it. I have added the per-post cost as you described.



Please let me know if any further modifications are necessary! Excited to have come this far.

[Zeich Yajuu]

Actually... after that, I have no further objections!



I second Ray's suggestion of Class 2, 1200 SP. Please feel free to assign your stats and skills, and we'll get you rolling!