Post by Sayuri Ai on May 3, 2011 17:13:34 GMT -5
Character Played By (the person in your avatar):Jun Ji-Hyun
Name:Sayuri Ai
Title: Commoner
Age: 21
Race (Lineage Origin): Ch'in
Gender: Female
Height: 5'1
Home Province/Country: Ch'in
Appearance (1-2 Paragraphs):
While Ai possesses the tell-tale features of her lineage there is a distinctly exotic beauty in her high cheekbones and fine features. Her straight, dark brown hair hangs to the center of her back and has a particularly rich shine to it when it's properly cared for, though she usually fastens it into a loose bun, and her skin is slightly olive-toned and very smooth. While her expression is generally one of quiet distrust this shows mostly in the shadowed look of her eyes and the firm set of her lips, which rarely smile. She dresses in the best of whatever she can find unless she knows that she's about to do some particularly messy work, and she does her best to stay modest according to the standards she was raised to follow. Whenever possible she avoids the color red and wears as little of it as she can get away with.
Personality (1-2 Paragraphs):
Given the way Ai was raised it's not surprising that most people are startled at first with how polite she is, even while showing a good deal of distrust for her surroundings. Her manners are impeccable if she knows the custom of a place and should she not she has a habit of returning to her native ways, bowing every so often and speaking in quiet tones. Oftentimes this belies her intelligence, which she tends to keep in check to avoid drawing attention or causing some slight that may cause her misfortune.
The traveling she's done for the past seven years have taught the Ch'in girl a good deal about the world and given her a distinctly worldly, almost cynical outlook that takes no detail for granted. She has an intrinsic respect for the possible challenge or threat a person may present and tends to quietly observe until speech is aboslutely necessary and even then she doesn't mince words, though she tries to avoid outright rudeness. The only time she is generally seen losing her temper or desperate is when she is forced into something against her will or she must fight to survive. There is also a hidden streak of pride from her more gentry-style upbringing, though for the sake of courtesy and her current jaded state she keeps her complaints to herself.
History (At least 2 detailed Paragraphs):
Sayuri Ai was born the into a very traditional Ch'in household, the second-born child and first daughter to a general and his minor-noble wife. Their estate was a rural one but with a nearby village of farmers and workers as grounded in tradition as the family itself. Following the local customs Ai was given a basic education, as well as many lessons in deportment, dancing, singing and art so she would one day be a suitable wife and honor her family at the imperial court should she ever be called to go. She took to her lessons easily enough and was generally an obedient child though a bit more active than her parents would have preferred but they still expected to make a good match of her.
When the girl turned fourteen her father managed to make an arrangement with another general to take Ai as his son's second wife and immediately plans were started for her wedding. Knowing that the man was at least ten years older than she was didn't perturb her- no, it was that she would be second when she'd rather have been first and she had no say one way or the other. Being raised to stay silent and support her family she repressed those feelings and continued with her life, but as the day approached her restlessness grew. Finally, only a week before the nuptials, she disguised herself and started for the imperial court.
Unfortunately the young girl didn't get very far, and after only a few weeks she was caught and brought home. Immediately her perspective father in law called for restitution to the dishonor he was forced to endure by Ai's absconding from the wedding. Calling on the oldest, most brutal traditions he demanded her life and her father willingly gave her over, ordering the ceremony in which she'd be buried alive for the crime of disobeying her father and disrespecting the gods. This was even worse than her impending marriage and with the desperation of a trapped animal she managed to get free, but this time she left everything behind except the funeral clothes on her back.
Out in a world she had only passing experience in she made her way as best she could, selling her jewelry and silk robes for whatever she could and taking up homespun fabrics and sometimes even rougher burlap. It was a far cry from the comfortable life she was used to but Ai was always a quick learner and managed to get by, always pushing further and further out of Ch'in and into other, less familiar lands. She'd heard tales of lands to the west where people were different and the ancestors and living family she'd dishonored a second time might be less likely to find her, so with a single-minded purpose she made for them. When one place grew too comfortable or suspicious she moved on to the next, heading north and south indiscriminately so long as she always headed toward the setting sun.
For seven years she walked across the land, crossing the more treacherous landscapes with other groups of travelers at times and the Tsingani more than once, and their respect for tradition appealed to her in some intrinsic way. As she wandered she learned languages and customs, even picking up a skill for weaving and dying fabric and beadwork that she could sell. Now that she's arrived in a new place near the land of angels that everyone keeps speaking of Ai hopes to find the protection she's been seeking.