L5R Chronicle additional: character perceptions
Damatsu (Jasson)
I mourn for Damatsu. I pity how his life must seem - shackled to a group that does not trust him, in punishment for doing a job. Pity and compassion do not indicate that I like him, though. Damatsu is a sniveling and whining coward, an actor who has only recently become proficient in his profession. I don't trust him, but I hope that his growing skill at acting shall result in a useful assistant. Perhaps, one day, he will learn how to act as if he had a brave heart. He has already shown that he can act kind, in his dealings with Kozaki. Between a courageous heart, a kind manner, and a good geisha disguise, Damatsu could do much.
Kuni Onido & Hida Ginaka (NPCs)
I have spoken to the Witch-hunter and his Hida assistant only briefly. Isawa-san worries about their competence, and in my conversation with Kuni-san, I must admit that I found him somewhat... strange. His oni-slaying record is impressive, however, and I hope that his eccentric manner is a mere front, hiding the capable Witch-hunter behind. His huge assistant is quiet and in some ways, as strange as his master. He rides an Otaku warhorse, however, a gift for slaying an oni. I do not know much of this pair, but for an Otaku to think highly enough of one of them to gift him a warhorse, they must be special, indeed.
Hida Kumo (Kevin)
The Crab, I sometimes think, is the best of us all. I often think that his simple, uncultured clearsightedness would make him a much better Emerald *Magistrate* than Emerald *Guard*. His peasant upbringing has gifted him with an incredible ability to cut past pretty samurai talk to the heart of a problem. He knows his path in the world, and I envy him that. He is roughly kind and firm with Kozaki, an excellent, if somewhat crude, teacher. Hida-san is deceptively complicated, but a man that I'd far prefer to have by my side than many that I could puzzle out more easily.
Ide Shijiki (NPC)
Ah, Shishi-chan. She disappeared out of my life 3 years ago, and I thought her dead. She is not, and sometimes seems hardly changed from the bubbling, ninja-obsessed friend that I remember. I hope that she may forgive me if I seem resentful of her unexplained absence; I try to remember that it was her father, and not her, that kept me ignorant. If I have anger towards her, it is more akin to the anger a mother feels towards her child that has fallen from a tree and escaped unscathed, than akin to the anger I could feel at some perceived betrayal. I rejoice that she lives, and am so very proud of what she has done the past years. The Ise zumi recognized her depths, and they do not accord honor lightly. I know that she shall pull great deeds from somewhere deep beneath those smiling eyes and voice questioning "ninja?"
Akodo Totoro (NPC)
I do not know what to make of Totoro-san. He sometimes seems strangely reluctant to follow our commands, although since Fukushuu-san has become Captain of the Guard, problems have decreased. Still, I wonder occasionally who his full loyalty belonged or belongs to. As our travels have increased, he has unfortunately become more thick-headed. I worriedly await the day that he shall unthinkingly make a mistake that shall undo us all.
Mirumoto Shun (Huston)
Mirumoto-san seems a quiet, introspective man. He seems more a scholar than a samurai. When he says something, it tends to be a concise suggestion, solution, or an apt proverb. He is patient and softspoken, but perhaps too much so. He seems to defer too easily to others. Often when I make a suggestion, he takes it as a command set in stone. He strikes me as a man used to following orders. He wields two katana, and although I have yet to see him fight, he seems to carry himself as if he knows how to use them.
Kakita Morisato & Usenagi (NPCs)
The Crane twins seemed inseparable. Now that Usenagi-san has passed into the spirit world, I wonder if Morisato-san will press even further into the background. The twins have ever been quiet and dutiful, following commands silently and efficiently. I have no doubt that Morisato-san shall continue that, even bereft of his other half.
Isawa Atsuko (Chris)
Without Isawa-san to help me, I should have died several times over. Literally. Her healing magic has been the saving grace for all of us so many times that we can never repay the debt. Her other spells aid us at every turn, and there is not a day that goes by that I do not thank the gods that she is with us. I am thankful, as well, that she has been so patient with teaching Kozaki. Isawa-san is not all spells and books, however. A keen intellect, precise memory, and observant eye crown her tiny body. She is frail and I often worry for her safety, but her lack of physical strength is more than made up for by her strength of mind. Fukushuu-san and I shall protect her, for she is our most precious resource.
Matsu Kimiko (NPC)
What a sulking, volatile girl Kimiko is. Had I had more fire in me as a girl, she would remind me of myself. She is rude and insulting, sneaky and sly, and I half-hope that she will get into some sort of trouble when her uncle isn't around to save her so that she can learn the true consequences of her actions. Despite that, she could be a wonderful warrior if she would learn some restraint. I simply wish that she would be able to learn it somewhere where she wouldn't threaten all of our safety.
Fukushuu Kaze (NPC)
I began not trusting him. Often, I still don't. But as much as I hate to admit it, Fukushuu-san is the most competent and useful man we have available to us. If I allowed him to get under my skin, he would drive me insane with his flippant carelessness. My life has been easier since I decided to let Isawa-san handle him when he gets bad. He is a superlative warrior, and his many varied and mysterious skills have come in necessary time and time again. It is to Fukushuu-san that I come to with any problem that I can't begin to solve. I never forget that I had two opportunities to kill him. In a way, I'm honored to know that he would have allowed me to take his life. And I'm glad that I didn't.
Akodo Yuuki (Seth)
Akodo-san is a marvel. I quite possibly would have strangled his niece by now. Instead, he comes up with new and inventive ways to mold her character. Akodo-san was assigned as a Magistrate by the Emperor directly, and seems intent on not disgracing that honor. He seems the quintessential Lion, with some unusual brains. I have no doubt that he shall prove an excellent Magistrate, as well as serving to keep the rest of us on the honorable course.
Kakita Kozaki (NPC)
Kozaki is quick of mind, and more agile and graceful than even his Crane heritage can account for. But what happened to my sweet, uncultured orphan? He is still there, just with a fine new exterior. I worry about him, and am astonished and pleased at what has become of his life. I would shield him from all evil in the world if I could, but knowing that I cannot, I simply hope that I have helped to set his life on such a path that he will grow to be a wonderful man. Kozaki's eagerness to learn and faith in the power of good will be tested much, but I hope that they may lead him to a bright future.
Togashi Benkai (Dead - Seth, Oni NPC)
Togashi-san is much missed. He was the best man that I have had the pleasure of working with. I'm horrified and frightened that the Dark One has brought him back, his innate talents enhanced with unnatural powers. I fear his oni greatly. I pray that we will be able to kill the oni and lay Togashi-san's memory permanently to the rest that it well deserves.
Otaku Liu (Myself)
What am I doing here? Surrounded by folk of intelligence, martial prowess, common sense, experience, and direction, I'm adrift. I don't belong here, especially not in the leadership role that I've been thrust into. I'm no leader, no matter if I try or not. I continue to try only because I'm expected to. My heart is weak, and I'm twice-damned for not being able to do anything about it. Alone in the midst of a group, I desperately try to pretend that I belong, succeeding only in proving that Fukushuu-san was right when he termed me a spoiled princess. I need to grow up. I don't know how.