[Scorched] App

[and_i_know_it]

Out of Character Information

player name: Aya
player journal: disposableninja
playing here: Hajime Saitou, Tsuyukusa, Cerryl
where did you find us? Here 8D
are you 16 years of age or older?: Yup!

In Character Information

character name: Ayame Sohma
Fandom: Fruits Basket
Timeline: Volume 19 after another more successful heart-to-heart with his brother.
character's age: 27

powers, skills, pets and equipment:
     Being born into the Souma Clan, Ayame has been one of those cursed with an animal zodiac. Such occurrences vary by years and have different effects on the people that bring these children into the world. As the one born in the year of the Snake, Ayame changes into the serpent when hugged by a member of the opposite sex, much like all the Juunishi unfortunate enough to bear animal representation. However, as with snakes, Ayame is very sensitive to weather extremes and is prone to changing on cold days as well as very hot ones.

     As a snake, Ayame likely has a certain draw to like creatures, just as his other cursed family members sometimes experience for their particular affinities.

     When it comes to skills, there's no denying his abilities in sewing and design. He's a whiz with a needle, and everything he creates is from the heart, for the heart. He believes in the idea of romance and passion, and thus he caters to the dreams and desires of his customers by way of fashion.

     One might also consider his way with words a skill in itself. He can spin quite a mesmerizing tale, and sometimes, if you're lucky, it might actually make sense. Otherwise, you'll likely just end up with a headache trying to puzzle out if there was anything important.


canon history:
     Ayame is part of the large Sohma clan, an old family that has for generations held a dark secret that revolves around the ancient legend of the Chinese Zodiac. As it is, certain members of the family when born are found to be cursed with one of the twelve animals of the zodiac- thirteen counting the unfortunate cat who was always shunned by the rest of the family, just as in the story, was left out of the banquet and hence not officially one of the Zodiac.

     As one of the twelve, or the Juunishi, Ayame happens to be possessed by the spirit of the Snake. Of the current Juunishi, he is one of the three eldest and therefore quite close to Hatori and Shigure. As it happens, Ayame's younger brother is also one of the twelve, an odd occurrence in itself for an immediate family member within the different Sohma families that made up the clan. Yuki is possessed by the spirit of the Rat, and unfortunately the two brothers shared no deep childhood bond. Ten years spanned between them, and Ayame never really seemed to care much for his younger sibling to the point that he'd even nearly forgotten the boy's name.

     Being quite self-centered and never giving much thought to his actions, Ayame always made quite the impression on others. He was very popular in high school and even became class president. Not that he really appeared to be much more than a figurehead while Hatori ended up doing all the work on the council, and likewise it was usually Hatori who ended up having to do damage control in the wake of Ayame's more frivolous endeavors. Yet, despite how oblivious he was to the feelings of others, there were some experiences that stayed with him, and were it not for Hatori, his eyes might have never been opened. There were regrets that lingered, concerns that began to grow. He thought of damaged relationships. He thought about being forgotten.

     He couldn't forget the tiny pale hand of the little brother whose name he could never recall, reaching out for him, only to be brushed away by his own, uncaring.

     He feared rejection. He only realized this when he had finally met someone that he felt he really cared about, and it was only then that he understood what Hatori had told him years ago. Ayame was lucky that Mine Kuramae apparently shared those feelings he had for her. He found someone who understood him, who could stand him, and most importantly, keep up with him. It was a step in the right direction.

     Together with Mine, he runs his own business, specializing in tailoring custom outfits hinging on the idea of true romance. Never mind the fact that for all the frills and lace, it's targetted more towards men. Being one that fully believes in the passionate expression of one's feelings for another, Ayame caters to those with odd quirks and dark secrets. With his lovely seamstress, Ayame takes all orders, designs and makes the garments by hand, taking great pride in his ability to create things.

     Eventually Ayame launched into a full campaign to win back his brother's feelings and forge a strong bond for the one that had never existed in their childhood. Unfortunately for his flamboyant and exhausting manner, it was a difficult acceptance to make for Yuki, and especially not one so suddenly. There were no instant changes as Ayame had hoped for, but he didn't intend to give up. He found confidence in continuing to really reach out to his brother, touched by the young girl that lived with Shigure, Yuki and Kyou, the Sohma-cursed cat. Tohru Honda had become a vital influence to the boys for her gentleness and honest ways, and she genuinely hoped that the two brothers could repair their relationship as well. Little by little, Yuki began to open up a little more, finding himself curious about the elder brother he had never gotten to know. ...although some things he felt were probably better left that way.


personality:
     Ayame has always been loud, outgoing and shameless in personality and demeanor. Everything he does is with flare, and he generally carries himself in the manner of a vaudeville actor. He's either admired or detested by his family members, and for the most part doesn't care so long as he gets his point across. He loves attention and popularity, and received plenty of both during his high school years. While he may not have completely outgrown being so self-centered, he's at least begun to open up to others, to look at things from another perspective and become considerate about the feelings of people around him.

     He loves to be both seen and heard, taking full advantage of his androgenous features and his exquisite taste in fashion. Although he's always been more particular of Western fashion styles, he's also taken to incorporating a more Asian flare into his work, possibly because of knowing his little brother has had a partiality to such. When it comes to tailoring, there's no denying Ayame's abilities to create such beautiful pieces of clothing, and it is a skill he's proud of. He's very passionate about his work, as well as just about everything else he does. Once his mind is set, he'll barrel straight down that path like a locomotive.

     When it comes to his emotions, he can stop on a dime and pull a complete 180. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground; he can be happy one moment and then drop into an almost unnatural calm, only to explode into a panic not several seconds later. Dealing with Ayame can be quite exhausting for people, which is why more often than not, people just choose not to deal with him. Of all the Juunishi, he is one of the few that the family head, Akito, has not mentally scarred or abused in some way. Ayame has always done as he pleases, but there's only one person that can ever really get him under control whenever he does turn out to be too much to deal with- that being Hatori. The family doctor and resident Dragon is the sole person the Snake respects, and he'll do anything Hatori says without question. He tries very hard to take the advice he's offered to heart. Unfortunately, it more often than not becomes an object of misinterpretation, and so naturally Ayame goes about carrying out in the wrong way. His heart's in the right place, at least, but although he does have his moments of wisdom, his intelligence is sometimes...questionable. On the other hand, when he's around Shigure (who rounds out their little trio), nothing is done to curb his behavior and the two tend to banter and generally disturb everyone with their playful innuendos.

     While he does seem to be more than a handful, the truth of the matter is that Ayame's come a rather long way from how he used to behave. He's come to realize that contrary to popular belief, the world does not revolve around him, and that people do have feelings that can be hurt. It takes him a while to understand what Hatori had told him, but Ayame never forgets such things. Slowly he begins to realize that he's afraid that he'll be forgotten and left alone. And when he finally meets someone he comes to care deeply about, it's only then that Ayame learns to fear rejection, and to understand the feelings that had been shared to him back in high school, so long ago. He's since tried to be better at understanding others, even if it isn't readily seen.


why do you feel this character would be appropriate to the setting?
He actually probably isn't, but that's what can make it interesting! Ayame isn't the rugged survivor-type, he's quite the opposite. But what he does have is charisma, and he actually does get along with people in a unique way.

Writing Samples

Network Post Sample:
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE! -oh wait, no! I stand corrected! GOOD AFTERNOON! Lovely day, isn't it? I confess, I slept in- but the sun seems nice enough to have waited for my rising!

[He smiles brightly, brushing his hair over a shoulder, nimble fingers winding the long, silvery locks into a loose braid.]

It's wonderful, don't you think? The cold's been dreadful but soaking up the sun just feels so nice and warm and pleasant! -okay that's enough sun.

[Turning his back to the Forge, he goes to poke through the closet.] Terrible thing, too much sunlight! I burn very easily you know! [Sigh.] What can I say- I'm very delicate! Now where was- A-hah!

[Beaming, he pulls out a garment, hanging it on the door so he can start to unbutton his nightshirt. In afterthought he pauses, then tosses a sly look over his shoulder and at the screen.]

I'm sure you were all hoping for a free show. Well, maybe another time.


Third Person Sample:
     It wouldn't have been his first choice for a vacation spot, that much was definitely apparent. It didn't seem like a terribly bad place, why, it could possibly have some charm in its rustic...ness.

     "Oh what am I saying, this is a complete nightmare!" he wailed, practically collapsing against the window. He sighed, watching the people outside pass about on the streets beyond the glass as the fog from his breath slowly cleared. It was just so strange, and he kept expecting that any moment he should wake up and find himself staring up at the ceiling of Shigure's guest room.

     So far, that hadn't happened.

     Ayame sighed again, tracing a line in the freshly fogged up glass with a pale finger. He shivered, finally stepping away from the window to cross the room to the bed where his coat was laid out.

     "...it isn't fair," he said quietly, smiling sadly as he traced a finger over the delicately sewn trimmings. He imagined Miné's smile as she carefully applied her needle; she'd been right then as she usually was- it wasn't completely finished without just a touch of lace. He picked up the coat, inhaling the scent of home, the faintest hints of her. Turning, Ayame pulled it on, sweeping his long silvery hair out before nimble fingers worked to fasten the front. "What should I do? Well, I'm definitely not locking myself in here until whatever it was decides to throw me back home!"

     He paused, eying the blankets on the bed before tugging at the covers, holding it up for inspection. "Drab, terribly drab! -but I suppose you will have to do for now!"

     Stepping over to the wall, he did his best to arrange covers over his shoulders as he peered at the little mirror hanging there, and once he was satisfied with its draping effect, he strode towards the door. "Well, if we're going to do anything, it won't be in here, and not with the same clothing!" He wondered if he were crazy, thinking of stepping out when it was winter. "I'm fine! I'll be fine! I feel warmer already!" he assured himself, laughing heartily as he swung open the door and stepped outside, the door shutting behind him.

     It wasn't two minutes later before the door opened once again and Ayame stepped back inside, blankets pulled around him in an attempt to shut out the chill.

     "-okay, maybe that won't work after all," he hummed, golden eyes glancing around the room before he swept up his Forge, poking at it. "I wonder if they have room service?"


Anything else? Mmmm nope?