Saito, Mariko
May 30, 2013 11:59:41 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on May 30, 2013 11:59:41 GMT -5
Saito Mariko
Nickname - None
Gender - Female
Age - Twenty-Four
Birthday - August 9, 1514
Noble House - The Empire of Ixo
Skills - Household management, instruction of children, flower arranging, hospitality, dance
Play By - Song Hye Kyo
Immediate Family Members -
Hatsu Tomo - Father, deceased
Saito Iyami - Mother, deceased
Hatsu Nao - Sister, deceased
Ejiri Koji - Brother in Law
Ejiri Kaede - Niece
Personality
The younger daughter of Hatsu Tomo, Mariko was a happy child. Born with a love of flowers and artful arrangement, she was trained from an early age in the art of ikebana as part of her education in addition to reading, writing, mathematics, music and dance. Her childhood was simple, as was the case for most Ixonian children - until the age of ten, life was lessons, time spent in play with siblings and the children of the estate and growing. At the age of ten, Mariko was tested for her strengths and given specialized training in dance and ikebana, the better to prepare her for an honorable marriage.
At thirteen, she performed the ceremony that declared her an adult in the Ixonian culture, confirming that she was eligible for betrothal. Though still cheerful by nature, Mariko learned to curb her more boisterous tendencies, deeming them as childish and unworthy but still smiled often, moving about the house singing or dancing unless guests were present.
All of that changed when she reached her fourteenth summer. Her sister was married to the Emperor's brother, Lord Koji, the winter prior, a brilliant marriage for Nao, and had gone to the imperial palace to live, leaving Mariko as the sole focus of her parents. Betrothal negotiations had begun for Mariko with another noble house when disaster struck - her parents were killed, leaving her an orphan. The loss struck her hard, subduing the girl and for a time, the light in her was in danger of being extinguished. Sent to the imperial palace, she was taken in as a ward to Lord Koji. Mariko's house, Hatsu, was declared dead, compelling her to take her mother's name of Saito.
Left with no dowry, no name and few prospects, Mariko refused to cease living. Devoting herself to the care of her niece and service to her sister, she grew into a tall, quiet and humble young woman. Exquisite manners were learned thanks to her proximity to the Imperial Court, her dancing and ikebana helping to earn her place. When Nao died under mysterious circumstances, it was Mariko's serenity, calm and subtle strength that helped her brother in law and niece to carry on.
She remains a soft-spoken and graceful woman, a gentle advisor to Lord Koji and loving aunt to her niece Kaede.
History
The younger of two daughters born of the small but noble house of Hatsu, Mariko was born in the heart of winter. A rare snowfall occurred on the day of her birth in defiance of all reason; taking it as a omen, her parents deemed their younger child as one given to the cool logic of the winter, a snow maiden. Certainly her raven black hair, pale skin and innately graceful movements suggested she would live up to the affectionate name given to her.
As a child, Mariko was forever singing and dancing, but a good student, eager to learn. Her self-discipline was unformed, leaving her easily distracted and likely to let her attention wander, especially where the gardens were concerned. The child had an interest in the scent, color and arrangement of the flowers. Seizing on this as a tool, her parents used the lure of instruction in ikebana as a means of ensuring she paid proper attention to her lessons. The additional promise of dance lessons only ensured she paid rapt attention and behaved in a correct manner.
Her childhood was simple, nothing extraordinary, spent in closeness with her older sister Nao, whom she revered. Nao was everything Mariko was urged to become - beautiful, accomplished, graceful, skilled and serene. When Nao was betrothed to the Emperor's brother, no one was more pleased or proud than Mariko. Life in the Hatsu home was quiet, even a little lonely after Nao married, but upon achieving her thirteenth year, Mariko was prepared for her own betrothal and subsequent marriage to another noble house. An honorable marriage, a good one for the younger daughter of a relatively minor noble house.
That is, until disaster struck and her parents were killed by the Artonese. Left an orphan shortly after achieving adulthood, Mariko was left with no name - as a female child, she could not perpetuate the Hatsu name and the House was declared dead. Only the kindness of her sister and brother in law, who made her their ward and urged her to take her mother's maiden name of Saito, kept Mariko sane. The deaths changed the previously cheerful, summer-miened child into the snow maiden - cool, calm, collected and quiet. Aware her prospects were now few, Mariko devoted herself to her sister and niece, earning her place accordingly, and strove to be grateful for her brother in law's kindness.
Disaster was not yet finished with the girl, however. Some few years after Kaede's birth, Nao perished as well under mysterious circumstances. It was not a natural death, though the physicians scratched their heads over how it was caused. The unexpected loss affected Lord Koji and his little daughter profoundly, both teetering on the edge of madness from grief. Though she too mourned the loss of her sister, Mariko rose to the occasion, doing her best to help Koji work through his grief and caring for Kaede, left silent and withdrawn since her mother's untimely death.
A few scant months later at her quiet urging, Koji accepted his Emperor-nephew's request to travel to Demeria and bring his daughter with him. Mariko suggested a change of scenery and a new place might work wonders for both, distracting Kaede from her night terrors and perhaps restoring some measure of the child's happiness. Agreeing to travel with them, she is facing a dilemma best left unspoken, but compelled by loyalty to remain with them against all odds.
RP Sample
Packing for Demeria meant a significant change forthcoming for the household. She left Lord Koji's preparations to his servant, but when it came to her own belongings and Kaede's, Mariko took on the responsibility personally. Summoning a trunk, she kept the all-too-quiet little girl with her for company, speaking quietly on the pleasures of travel and the excitement of exploring a new and utterly foreign land. It had been generations since those of Ixo left their island empire to speak with those surrounding them - isolation had kept the large island safe for centuries from the grasp of the overreaching Artonese, but no more. They had decided Ixo was a stepping stone on the path to regaining control over the lands that were once theirs.
Aware that the climate might prove warmer than was typical for Ixo, Mariko nonetheless packed a few warm articles for Kaede and herself; the last thing wanted was for her delicate niece to fall ill due to her imprudence or ill preparedness. A soft smile greeted the solemn little girl as Kaede carried in a pile of the undyed silk that served as base garments for both females and laid them precisely in the trunk. As she laid them in the trunk, a quiet sound of distress emerged as a black-haired doll fell to the floor. Kaede froze, not looking at her aunt as embarrassed color spread across her small face.
Bending to retrieve the doll, Mariko crouched beside her niece and smoothed the yarn-like hair, offering the toy back to Kaede. "We mustn't forget her. She will want to see Demeria too, no?"
Kaede's wide gaze met hers before she whispered, "I... I can take her?"
Mariko smiled softly, brushing some of the soft black strands from her face, though confused concern flickered in her eyes. Why would the child think she couldn't take a favorite doll? "Of course you can take Ayume, Kaede. She is too good a friend to leave behind." The resemblance to her late sister in the doll hadn't been missed, after all. Seeing the child's relieved expression, she leaned over and gently kissed her niece's hair. "Why don't you tuck her in right here? She will be safe and sound as we travel."
Rewarded by a bright smile, Mariko made a nest for the doll in her trunk, pleased to see the expression on Kaede's face. This trip would be good for all of them, she felt sure. A chance to continue healing and find some new happiness.
Out of Character:
Mariska - Princess Emma and Vivianne the Spy - Eastern
Character #3 and I'm just gettin' warmed up!
---------------
designed by valitrix @ caution 2.0
Nickname - None
Gender - Female
Age - Twenty-Four
Birthday - August 9, 1514
Noble House - The Empire of Ixo
Skills - Household management, instruction of children, flower arranging, hospitality, dance
Play By - Song Hye Kyo
Immediate Family Members -
Hatsu Tomo - Father, deceased
Saito Iyami - Mother, deceased
Hatsu Nao - Sister, deceased
Ejiri Koji - Brother in Law
Ejiri Kaede - Niece
Personality
The younger daughter of Hatsu Tomo, Mariko was a happy child. Born with a love of flowers and artful arrangement, she was trained from an early age in the art of ikebana as part of her education in addition to reading, writing, mathematics, music and dance. Her childhood was simple, as was the case for most Ixonian children - until the age of ten, life was lessons, time spent in play with siblings and the children of the estate and growing. At the age of ten, Mariko was tested for her strengths and given specialized training in dance and ikebana, the better to prepare her for an honorable marriage.
At thirteen, she performed the ceremony that declared her an adult in the Ixonian culture, confirming that she was eligible for betrothal. Though still cheerful by nature, Mariko learned to curb her more boisterous tendencies, deeming them as childish and unworthy but still smiled often, moving about the house singing or dancing unless guests were present.
All of that changed when she reached her fourteenth summer. Her sister was married to the Emperor's brother, Lord Koji, the winter prior, a brilliant marriage for Nao, and had gone to the imperial palace to live, leaving Mariko as the sole focus of her parents. Betrothal negotiations had begun for Mariko with another noble house when disaster struck - her parents were killed, leaving her an orphan. The loss struck her hard, subduing the girl and for a time, the light in her was in danger of being extinguished. Sent to the imperial palace, she was taken in as a ward to Lord Koji. Mariko's house, Hatsu, was declared dead, compelling her to take her mother's name of Saito.
Left with no dowry, no name and few prospects, Mariko refused to cease living. Devoting herself to the care of her niece and service to her sister, she grew into a tall, quiet and humble young woman. Exquisite manners were learned thanks to her proximity to the Imperial Court, her dancing and ikebana helping to earn her place. When Nao died under mysterious circumstances, it was Mariko's serenity, calm and subtle strength that helped her brother in law and niece to carry on.
She remains a soft-spoken and graceful woman, a gentle advisor to Lord Koji and loving aunt to her niece Kaede.
History
The younger of two daughters born of the small but noble house of Hatsu, Mariko was born in the heart of winter. A rare snowfall occurred on the day of her birth in defiance of all reason; taking it as a omen, her parents deemed their younger child as one given to the cool logic of the winter, a snow maiden. Certainly her raven black hair, pale skin and innately graceful movements suggested she would live up to the affectionate name given to her.
As a child, Mariko was forever singing and dancing, but a good student, eager to learn. Her self-discipline was unformed, leaving her easily distracted and likely to let her attention wander, especially where the gardens were concerned. The child had an interest in the scent, color and arrangement of the flowers. Seizing on this as a tool, her parents used the lure of instruction in ikebana as a means of ensuring she paid proper attention to her lessons. The additional promise of dance lessons only ensured she paid rapt attention and behaved in a correct manner.
Her childhood was simple, nothing extraordinary, spent in closeness with her older sister Nao, whom she revered. Nao was everything Mariko was urged to become - beautiful, accomplished, graceful, skilled and serene. When Nao was betrothed to the Emperor's brother, no one was more pleased or proud than Mariko. Life in the Hatsu home was quiet, even a little lonely after Nao married, but upon achieving her thirteenth year, Mariko was prepared for her own betrothal and subsequent marriage to another noble house. An honorable marriage, a good one for the younger daughter of a relatively minor noble house.
That is, until disaster struck and her parents were killed by the Artonese. Left an orphan shortly after achieving adulthood, Mariko was left with no name - as a female child, she could not perpetuate the Hatsu name and the House was declared dead. Only the kindness of her sister and brother in law, who made her their ward and urged her to take her mother's maiden name of Saito, kept Mariko sane. The deaths changed the previously cheerful, summer-miened child into the snow maiden - cool, calm, collected and quiet. Aware her prospects were now few, Mariko devoted herself to her sister and niece, earning her place accordingly, and strove to be grateful for her brother in law's kindness.
Disaster was not yet finished with the girl, however. Some few years after Kaede's birth, Nao perished as well under mysterious circumstances. It was not a natural death, though the physicians scratched their heads over how it was caused. The unexpected loss affected Lord Koji and his little daughter profoundly, both teetering on the edge of madness from grief. Though she too mourned the loss of her sister, Mariko rose to the occasion, doing her best to help Koji work through his grief and caring for Kaede, left silent and withdrawn since her mother's untimely death.
A few scant months later at her quiet urging, Koji accepted his Emperor-nephew's request to travel to Demeria and bring his daughter with him. Mariko suggested a change of scenery and a new place might work wonders for both, distracting Kaede from her night terrors and perhaps restoring some measure of the child's happiness. Agreeing to travel with them, she is facing a dilemma best left unspoken, but compelled by loyalty to remain with them against all odds.
RP Sample
Packing for Demeria meant a significant change forthcoming for the household. She left Lord Koji's preparations to his servant, but when it came to her own belongings and Kaede's, Mariko took on the responsibility personally. Summoning a trunk, she kept the all-too-quiet little girl with her for company, speaking quietly on the pleasures of travel and the excitement of exploring a new and utterly foreign land. It had been generations since those of Ixo left their island empire to speak with those surrounding them - isolation had kept the large island safe for centuries from the grasp of the overreaching Artonese, but no more. They had decided Ixo was a stepping stone on the path to regaining control over the lands that were once theirs.
Aware that the climate might prove warmer than was typical for Ixo, Mariko nonetheless packed a few warm articles for Kaede and herself; the last thing wanted was for her delicate niece to fall ill due to her imprudence or ill preparedness. A soft smile greeted the solemn little girl as Kaede carried in a pile of the undyed silk that served as base garments for both females and laid them precisely in the trunk. As she laid them in the trunk, a quiet sound of distress emerged as a black-haired doll fell to the floor. Kaede froze, not looking at her aunt as embarrassed color spread across her small face.
Bending to retrieve the doll, Mariko crouched beside her niece and smoothed the yarn-like hair, offering the toy back to Kaede. "We mustn't forget her. She will want to see Demeria too, no?"
Kaede's wide gaze met hers before she whispered, "I... I can take her?"
Mariko smiled softly, brushing some of the soft black strands from her face, though confused concern flickered in her eyes. Why would the child think she couldn't take a favorite doll? "Of course you can take Ayume, Kaede. She is too good a friend to leave behind." The resemblance to her late sister in the doll hadn't been missed, after all. Seeing the child's relieved expression, she leaned over and gently kissed her niece's hair. "Why don't you tuck her in right here? She will be safe and sound as we travel."
Rewarded by a bright smile, Mariko made a nest for the doll in her trunk, pleased to see the expression on Kaede's face. This trip would be good for all of them, she felt sure. A chance to continue healing and find some new happiness.
Out of Character:
Mariska - Princess Emma and Vivianne the Spy - Eastern
Character #3 and I'm just gettin' warmed up!
---------------
designed by valitrix @ caution 2.0
