<sub>Content warnings: While these are topics generally seen in FFXIV's MSQ, due to the nature of Aki's history, subjects such as trauma from war, food insecurity, violence, murder, death, loss of family, etc. will probably come up in longer and more in-depth RP with her but may be mentioned here! Please take care of yourself! ♡

Also, if you have not finished MSQ, please note that there will be some general spoilers, particularly for Stormblood but potentially up to 6.3</sub>___________________________

Even though I know it's meaningless
to keep staring at the hands of a broken clock
saying things like, 'It shouldn't have come to this,'
I'm still looking for them
the reason for my hatred, the reason for my tears

^{きのこ帝国 -「The SEA」}

Demographics

Name: Akisame Shindo
Nickname: Aki
Age: 27 - 30+
Race: Raen Au Ra
Languages: Doman, Common
Nameday: 17th Sun, 3rd Umbral Moon (6/16)
Gender & Pronouns: Cisfemale, she/her
Orientation: (Pan) Demiromantic | Demisexual
Relationship Status: Single
Height: 4'9" / ~145cm
Hair: Red with purple lowlights
Eyes: Celeste green, cherry pink limbal rings
Combat Skill: Arcanima / Summoning
Traits: Polite, serious, graceful, driven, loyal, vindictive, spiteful, soft spoken, pensive, bookish, humble, can be harsh, impatient, brooding

Profile

Personality:
Aki is kind at heart, but winning her trust and getting close to her is a challenge (though not an impossibility). She isn't the type to wear her emotions openly, but when she begins to express herself beyond shallow cordiality around someone, it's a clear indication she feels some camaraderie with them. Those that do get to know her find a loyal and steadfast ally, though she has no patience for someone wasting her time when she wants to get to the point and won't tolerate someone stopping her from her goals--least of all her allies.Faults:
Struggles with biases, stoic and sometimes seems to lack a sense of humor, short tempered, hates asking for help, won't prioritize her own safety in some cases, may come off a bit snobby, completely oblivious when it comes to technology (and flirting), can and will hold a grudge for a very long time.

Appearance:
Akisame is most easily regarded as a small person. She stands amongst the shortest of her fellow female Au Ra, and her body is thin, almost delicate-seeming; it shows quite easily that she lacks physical strength. Despite this, she is the picture of elegance with movement that flows like water, holding her head high and carrying herself with pride. Her facial features are narrow, sharp, and straight, though to some this makes her look cold or calculating. Looking into her eyes only supplements that impression, the paleness of her seafoam-green irises glaring in stark contrast to the vivid pink limbal rings that enclose them. Adorned with the natural ivory scales of a Raen, which form points reminiscent of Doman maple leaves on her face, her skin is lightly sun-kissed and her cheeks flush with lively warmth. Her autumn-red hair is full and thick, and usually falls quite straight, but she isn't afraid to tie or braid it out of her way as needed.Ever the practical type, she often dresses in clothes that possess aetheroconductive properties and, as someone who travels a world where preparing for the unexpected could mean life or death, emphasizes her safety over her look. Despite this focus on function before form, her style is often a blend of modern western and traditional eastern attires that speak to the sophistication and worldliness she carries herself with.

Background

To the casual observer, Akisame is a simple and quiet woman who prefers the company of books over others. She usually sticks quite closely to her routine, though she does tend to go for long strolls alone in the dark-hours of the night, as if she's a restless sleeper. For most who met her, it was easy to conclude she was a refugee from Doma, as she arrived in Limsa Lominsa not long after the first Garlean war of succession—and Doma's failed attempt at freedom. Dedicated to the discipline of Arcanima, she is quite studious and practical, helpful when she can be, and courteous with most—though she does seem miffed when confronted by drunkards and pushy folk, and she gets angered quickly when someone underestimates what she can do because of her small stature. Her former work as an assistant clerk for the Maelstrom's Foreign Levy and her temporary role as a soldier opened the door for her to take up the mantle of an adventurer, and these days she travels often while practicing a variety of trade skills as an adept artisan.

But much more brews below the surface of this quiet Au Ra's facade. A woman of few friends and fewer acquaintances, not many know specifics, but a handful of people around her and those with ties to the criminal underbelly of society may know that Akisame was not shy about seeking—and bartering for—information regarding Garlemald's movements from even the seediest areas of the city-states. This bold questioning caused at least one attempt on her life, but that only emboldened her to seek more answers when she recovered. For some time she left Vylbrand for Dravania, allying herself with a group known as Rook's Burden, until news broke that the Eorzean Alliance was marching on Ala Mhigo. She all but disappeared not long after, finally resurfacing in her homeland of Doma suddenly after it was liberated, where she assisted with the restoration efforts—more often outside of the kingdom proper where small villages still struggled. Since then she has drifted around The Source, spending more time honing her combat skill.It seems like she has yet to find her answers.

Hooks and Rumors

HOOKS
If you find nothing here working for your character but think our characters might mesh or you want to know Aki and build some plots together, please feel free to reach out anyway!Common:
⊳ Daughter of Doma: As a Yanxian Raen, Akisame still adheres to many of the eastern customs she grew up with, and may draw attention because of these behaviors. She is generally friendly when she meets other Domans in Eorzea, and is usually happy to converse with or help out fellow displaced Domans unless she has other preoccupations.⊳ Green Thumb: Much of Akisame's youth was spent around plants used for everything from food to medicine to artisanal goods. Despite the differences between the flora of Aldenard and Othard, she has some interest in the cultivation and growth of plants, and at times will go foraging in the remotest of locales.⊳ Teetotaler: While Akisame may be found in bars and taverns occasionally, she's never seen drinking alcohol. It's a strange place to find a woman who never drinks. If that piques your curiosity, she may be open to a conversation if she's alone--and you're not intimidated by her unimpressed expression.⊳ Garlean Grudge: Akisame was raised in, and fled from, Garlean-occupied Doma. From the moment she meets them, Aki immediately has an unfair, very strong distrust of Garlean people. Might you be a good heart willing to change her mind, or on the contrary, eager to prove her right?⊳ Across the Pawned: Once in a while, Akisame peruses the goods of junkmongers and pawn shops, asking after objects of Doman origin. However, she has always gone home empty-handed. Own a second-hand shop? Do you have a business or acquaintance selling goods from the Far East? She'd probably be interested in checking out your wares.Rare:
^{Please consult with me first if approaching Aki with any of these in mind!}
⊳ Information Exchange: This elegant foreigner seems very out of place in the seedier parts of the cities, and it would be easy to believe she was lost... if she wasn't openly admitting to hunting for information. She seeks particulars about former Garlean officials, missing Garlean conscripts from Doma, the places troops were been stationed, and even significant battles—she takes what she can get. Risky, yes, but she seems quite willing to face the consequences to get her answers.⊳ Eye for the Truth: When she worked with the Maelstrom she pointed out falsehoods in written reports on more than one occasion, yet it was unclear how she could tell. Likewise, she's called out an information broker giving her a note with a fake tip before. Ink seems to speak truths to her.
^{((This is technically a variant on the Echo, and does require a bit of planning and cooperating, but I'm okay to waive it off as this ability is meant to be imperfect anyway! I'm happy to talk about it up front!))}⊳ Stick to your Own Kind: Her gaze tends to linger on certain Raen Au Ra men. Mayhap you catch her watching you, or someone nearby. This straight-faced woman doesn't give any hint of her true intentions in her expression, and you're left to draw your own conclusions. Is there malicious intent behind her gaze? Maybe curiosity? Could she just be lovestruck?⊳ Serpentine Summon: Akisame is a Summoner, and has the soul crystal and the Egi to prove it. Those who see her use the magic and have a rough understanding of how it works assume it to be from the aether of Leviathan—entirely possible as she was a Maelstrom soldier during the times the Sahagin would call on their Primal. However, Aetherological experts may think otherwise.

RUMORS
⊳ "Oh, aye, little Raen woman. Canna say why the commander trusted 'er; lass 'ad a right dirty look on 'er face ev'ry time she returned t' port, and was always stickin' 'er nose where it shouldn'ta been stuck right from the day she came. 'eard that she changed 'er name, too. I'd be bettin' me last gil that she's more trouble than meets the eye."
—Storm Private Loetwaen Trahgberksyn⊳ "Mistress Shindo was just here recently, perusing our latest arrivals of tomes. I can't believe that she just recently learned to read with how often she comes in for new books. Oh, yes apparently she could not read in her youth. Her instructor must be brilliant!"
—Andanette Bretrimond, Book Seller from Idyllshire⊳ "I've never seen someone so absorbed in her own thoughts. Why, she dropped something and I called out to her for well over a quarter of a bell before she realized I was following her! It isn't safe to lack awareness like that in these times..."
—Ukyo Kawanami, Adventurer⊳ "A vicious, mean, ruthless, horrible, bloodthirsty Au Ra, yes, yes! Not at all like other Raen! Very dangerous! But nobody special! Definitely stay far away from that one! Please?"
—Gyororon, Doman Peddler

Connections & Organizations

Allies (PCs):Qhela Jyrathet - An axe-wielding Miqo'te from the Black Shroud, and one of Akisame's few trusted friends and confidants. The two travel together often since their days with Rook's Burden and keep each other grounded through one another's low moments. She is quick to rely on Akisame, especially if her concerns are magical in nature, and Akisame happily turns to her if she needs someone to watch her back. Aki seems to feel both gratitude and guilt when it comes to her.A'pollo Dhalitso - A friendly Miqo'te with a sturdy sword hand and a sturdy heart. He is a staunch and reliable ally, but Akisame most appreciates the letters that A'pollo sends detailing his adventures through The Source. Akisame had the honor of crafting the band for his Eternity Ring.Organizations:⊳ Revellers of Gubal (FC): A group made mostly of traveling artists, writers, performers, and artisans, with a sprinkling of adventurers with a variety of talents as well.
((Shameless FC plug since I'm a co-founder! We're an artist FC, not an RP FC, though there are a few RPers in the group and more would be welcome! We're a casual, very chill, small FC on Aether, please don't be afraid to ask me about it if you're interested!))⊳ Maelstrom: Originally joined in an administrative role at the recommendation of the Arcanist's guild, she later took up training and fought as an Arcanist in a few battles under Maelstrom's flag. Her intentions for joining Maelstrom were selfish but harmless.⊳ Rook's Burden (NPC): A former band of adventurers, mercenaries, and swords-for-hire that was comprised of several people with variations of the Echo, headed by a former researcher from Sharlayan. They taught Akisame the basics of what the Echo is and helped her refine her summoning magic. She is no longer associated with them--and doesn't say much of them either.

Gallery

Following pictures taken by Valeriu Ceannaire (Siren)

OOC Info

^{* Talk with me first so we can set boundaries that we feel comfortable with!}
Me and what you can expect:
⊳ Saisissa/Sissa (like sigh-see-sah), 30s, she/her
⊳ FC leader, raidfailer, illustrator/sketcher, wife, dog mom, basically busy and requiring patience, please!
⊳ Several years of RP experience but FFXIV RP is a new fandom and MMOs a new format! If anything, I'm a little rusty and might need a bit of practice
⊳ I'll do my best to respect boundaries, and I'm fine with X-cards/fade-to-blacks if requested (I expect this to be respected both ways)
⊳ Mature/dark themes are okay if we set the aforementioned boundaries! Aki has some trauma and I will do my best to respect it.
⊳ Honest communication, let me know if something is wrong because I'm only human and I will probably make mistakes but prefer if you tell me so I can try not to do it again
⊳ RP usually makes me draw, please let me draw them if I'm inspired (but also please don't be disappointed if I don't haha, art is like that, nothing against you/your character)Preferences/Looking For:
⊳ Maturity, adults 25+ preferred
⊳ Be chill, I'm too old for pointless drama
⊳ LGBTQ+ friendly is a MUST
⊳ Keep IC separate from OOC
⊳ Seriously, please know that fiction is fiction and RP is not real, nor a total reflection on the RPer (I won't hate you for writing a good antagonist, villain RPers!)
⊳ Patience and understanding of RL priorities
⊳ Short-term or long-term is fine!
⊳ Prefer 1-on-1 or small group to start
⊳ Discord RP! I like the flexibility to have NPCs, easy setting changes, time passage, etc! And I can answer more regularly!
⊳ Occasional in-game is okay if we plan ahead, I prefer not to RP in big public spaces (I'm shy and anxious but willing to work towards it slowly).
⊳ Para RP is preferred but I don't expect perfection, just show effort in your writing and maybe "yes and" when it's sensible! Please don't empty one-line me!
⊳ Story, plot, and character development! I love character flaws and weaknesses!
⊳ Slow burn to be expected on most things--Aki is closed off, so even though she's kind at heart, don't expect her to be best buds or lovers after one meeting!
⊳ Narrative themes I would like to touch on are vengeance, hatred, forgiveness, desperation, and hope! Let me know what interests you too!
⊳ She'll tie in nicely with characters who are or are involved with Garleans, resistance factions, information brokers, and eastern storylines, but I'm open to almost anything because it's a big world and she travels around it often.
⊳ I love the dynamic of characters with opposite and/or clashing personalities interacting and working together! Let's IC butt heads!
⊳ I'm okay with combat though it isn't my favorite to write. I also just don't really like super number crunchy dice rolls for everything because dice don't always serve the narrative the best haha.
⊳ Again, NO canon NPCs, WoLs, power fantasies, godmoding, insta-romance (she's demi anyway, again, it's really gonna take time) parallel worlds/crossovers, and no time travel, please!That was a lot, but thanks for reading through it! If you want to connect (and I haven't reached out to you first), you can find me via @akisamexiv on Tumblr (this is probably best), or in-game to toss me your Discord! Please note I won't accept random friend requests!