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 Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:31 pm
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:32 pm
[current journal]_____  ID
Kikue's Island ID.
Contents
The contents of this journal thread, spelled out!
Roleplay/Entries
Lists of both RP's and personal entries that Kikue has participated in/written.
About
About Yamamoto Kikue.
Extended Info
Extra information about Kikue : her likes, dislikes, etc.
Snow Leopard
Information and pictures on the animal that is tied to Kikue's future.
Fairytales
Excerpts from some of Kikue's favorite stories...
Belongings
Snapshots of items and objects that Kikue has in her possession on the Island.
Photo Album
Official photos of Kikue.
More Photos
Fanart of Kikue from generous Gaians and non-Gaians alike.
Impressions
Kikue's impressions of those she has met on the Island.
Glossary
Definitions of words and places that play a large part in Kikue's life.
Claimage
Those that have asked to meet Kikue are compiled onto this handy list.
Quests
Links to the quests of friends who are hoping for their own IoDM serum.
Credits
Staff credits and thanks to all of those that helped this become a reality.
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:33 pm
[06.05.29.] Arriving on the Island [x]
[06.05.30.] Jamal Reveals the Truth [x]
[06.05.31.] Aubrey Confirms the Truth [x]
[06.06.01.] Meeting Nita [x]
[06.06.04.] An American Werewolf in the Caribbean [x]
[06.06.07.] Tale as Old as Time : Meeting Princess Colche [x]
[06.06.11.] Would You Like Ink With That, Avery? [x]
[06.06.14.] Pyroth the Wonder Coyote! [x]
[06.06.19.] The 25% Incident [x]
[06.06.22.] Like Trees in November [x]
[06.06.25.] A Visit to Nita [x]
[06.07.13.] Returning Alec's Bandana - An Awkward Surprise [x]
[06.07.30.] A Promise of Friendship [x]
[06.10.02.] Human, It's What's for Dinner! [x]
[06.10.11.] A Dragon's Caculations [x]
[06.10.23.] An Alliance with Nita [x]
[06.10.26.] Catching-Up with Zach [x]
[06.10.30.] Halloween [x]
[06.11.12.] The 75% Incident [x]
[06.11.26.] Miller's Genorosity [x]  [06.05.31.] "I play to live." [x]
[06.06.03.] "No ordinary cat." [x]
[06.06.05.] Toccata and Fugue in D Minor [x]
[06.06.21.] "I have to survive." [x]
[06.09.23.] The 50% Incident [x]
[06.11.04.] Hopelessness [x]
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:34 pm
[Many thanks to Azure Hasturien for her ideas, insight, and allowing me to bounce ideas off her continuously when Kikue was first being created.]Quote:  "There are two means of refuge from the misery of life -- music and cats."
~ Albert SchweitzerCharacter NameYamamoto Kikue 
For more on her name, see the "extended info" section. Kikue's Appearance (Human)Kikue is 160.8 cm tall ( approx. 5'2" ) and weighs 49.8kg. She has long, silky black hair, down to just a little past her waist. Her bangs aren't cut straight across, but are feathery. Her eyes are a misty grey. Added to her somewhat pale complexition, she looks very much like her mother, a point that can sometimes infuriate her father...as well as dissolve him to tears, remembering Kikue's mother's death. Kikue is thin, as well as short, but lithe. Her fingers are long rather than short, an aid to her in her musical aspirations. She usually keeps her hair down, but occasionally puts it up into Japanese ornamental styles. Kikue's PersonalityKikue is an introverted person, preferring logic over emotions. She is quiet, observant, and usually analytical. She is determined to fulfill whatever she sets her mind to, even amid growing opposition. She is very intelligent, more so than a girl her age would be normally. She knows this, and tries to put it to use; learning things is very exciting for her. However, her preference for logic has its limits - her loyalty is fierce and her mind, in some ways, retains a childish aspect that her thinking self isn't very aware of. Kikue would rather observe than speak. She would rather work alone than in a group with others, which is resonant of how she grew up as an only child. She has a very loving heart, even though it may be hard to see by looking at her from first glance. The way she espresses emotion isn't always physical, as she has had to resort to playing her music or writing to herself in the past for such things as avoiding confrontations with her father. Overall, her quiet, sometimes even analytical, outer self masks the fiery, determined girl on the inside. Kikue's BackgroundYamamoto Kikue was born on September 21, 1989 in London, England. From the onset there were signs that she was different from other children the same age as she was. Kikue was gifted, with a mind years ahead of other children. Her parents had her enrolled in a prestigious international school, which is customary for children of diplomats from foreign countries. Kikue's father, a Japanese diplomat, worked at the Japanese embassy in London.
At around age five, Kikue played the violin for the first time. It was impossible to overlook how easily it came to her; how much she loved it. As a child violin prodigy, she was given private tutoring from a contemporary violin master to hone her exceptional musical skills.
As a child, Kikue was often isolated. Her mother was deeply in love with their native Japan and devoted herself to instructing her daughter in the traditional ways a young girl should move, dress, and act. Kikue was "representing Japan;" she sometimes accompanied her parents to their diplomatic parties and played for the guests that came to the private parties at the house. Otherwise, her mother was her primary caregiver; her father was constantly working.
One year, Kikue's father was given temporary leave from his work at the embassy to return home to Japan with his family for a period of a few months. Kikue returned there with her parents to see her mother's beloved country for the first time.
They stayed in Kyoto first, her mother's birthplace. Then they traveled south to Kobe, her father's city. A few weeks later, everything changed. On January 17, 1995, the Kobe Earthquake, also called the Great Hanshin earthquake  , struck. It killed over six thousand people, including Kikue's mother. Devastated and broken, Kikue's father whisked her away to Tokyo, where he was soon reassigned following the tragedy.
Kikue continued her education as well as her music with the loss of her mother constantly hanging over her. Her father became an alcoholic, often using the profits of her music to continue his addiction while emotionally abusing Kikue. She watched him slowly fade before her, forced to take care of herself most of the time. What her father didn't spend on booze, he spent on buying arbitrary and superficial items for the butsudan dedicated to her mother, believing he was buying them for his wife.
Kikue was admitted into a prestigious high school, and the common belief was that she was headed for Tokyo University even at the young age of 16. By then she had already released several recordings under an independent label of her violin playing. As a violinist, she was already highly respected. Her dream from childhood remained was to be a soloist in the London Symphony Orchestra.
All of that was put into jeopardy one night, when Kikue's father had been drinking heavily. Dragging her into the room where the altar to her mother was, he crushed her hand in the doors of the butsudan, shouting drunkinly that she wasn't giving enough of herself to bring her mother back. It was the first time he had really physically abused her, going beyond his raving and cursing. Kikue was hospitalized that night with a broken hand, where she was told she could need anywhere from months, to a year, to years of physical therapy to regain full range of motion in her hand. She shakily tried to fend off depression from taking over. Even after the therapy started, her father started refusing to pay, his mind nearly lost totally to the booze.
Kikue began stealing money from him and taking herself to treatment, which only angered him more. Without Kikue's violin playing, they faced a looming financial crisis. What money was left was Kikue's profits from her music, and some of her mother's inheritence. Her father continued to waste it; catching his daughter leaving the house with money would sometimes drive him to locking her inside, although he didn't result to physical abuse again.
Kikue struggled to justify her father's actions, continually ending up more furious yet hurt over his inability to see reason. Without her ability to play the violin for what could be anywhere from months to years, she grappled with trying to be rational instead of sinking into despair. With her father locking her inside, days could sometimes pass before she could return to school. She angrily, almost desperately, fought to keep herself calm and focused. Her hand was kept bandaged to restrict what movement it had, lest she do something accidently and disrupt what little progress she'd made.
Her music was her life, and she would take herself to treatments even after being locked in a closet the day before to try and regain it. She was desperate, but couldn't bring herself to turn her father in. Her goals - to understand everything that she could, and play as well as she could - still stayed with her, even though each day became automatic. The media knew little beyond the story that the young musical prodigy had had a horrible accident, and may not play again for some time. The rest was kept behind closed doors, with Kikue silently recording each day in her journal, her bound hand motionless beside her on the table. How Kikue got to/why she was chosen for the Island [IC]?One night, Kikue left her house to what was assumed to be physical therapy. Except that she didn't come home that night, or the next. Her father was sober enough to call the authorities, naturally masking any sign he may have abused her previously. A search was set up, and the city streets swept for evidence. Three days after she had gone missing, there was still no sign of her. Her father was hauled in for questioning, especially upon inspection of the house, where Kikue had been before she left. There were eerie signs that may have suggested he had done something to her.
The media latched onto the story immediately, like a leech, spilling out the details onto daytime television. People were horrified when Kikue's father slowly revealed his abusive acts towards his daughter, under heavy questioning. Who had thought the girl the media had previously called "a prodigy" was in fact locked in her own house? After various testimonies, Kikue's father was arrested. He admitted the abuse of his daughter, but refused the claim that he had killed her, which was her assumed fate after weeks turned into months of finding nothing. He pleaded innocent.
After cross-examination of the evidence, there was still not enough to convict Kikue's father. He was detained for the duration of his questioning, but later released under various conditions - which included rehabilitation for his addiction and abuse of alcohol. The case continued, but the trail was as cold as ever. Eventually, the case was quietly dropped. No body was ever found, nor were any more arrests made. It was as if the girl had simply disappeared off the face of the planet.
The story mostly died down afterwards, life returning to the normal hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps.
However, what no one else knew was that Kikue was very much alive, hidden away...
Kikue was chosen for the Island for a number of reasons. One of the foremost reasons was her abilities, which included intelligence and musical talent. Following short after, though, was the part of her life that crippled her from her full potential : her injury. She still has her hand, but it is heavily damaged, and would take many years to restore - if it ever even reached that point. This opportunity is important for Moreau, because while he has now brought in those with an amputated or missing limb to test his work on, Kikue still retains her hand. Should his experiment be a success on her, he could in theory prove something very important. He could restore full, complete motion to her hand. That, and Kikue was an easy target to spirit away - she happened to have a lot of attractive qualities for the project, too, which contributed to the descision.The secondary reasons for Kikue's choosing were nationality and a few others which may have either been interest or something else... What Animal(s) Serum?Ideal 100% appearance. Kikue's body would be covered in long silvery white fur, bearing the black rosettes and broken-spot markings that leopards are known for. She would sport a very long, thick-looking tail, a distinctive feature of snow leopards in general. Her hands would have transformed to resemble the large, powerful paws of her animal. Her head would resemble the leopard's now, with a heavy brow and drawn out nose, plus the mouth and teeth. Although she still retains her long hair, it's been bleached white now. Her ears, now more rounded and tipped with black, would have moved more to the top of her head, such as the cat's are. She retains her human-ness of being able to stand upright, but she now has thick claws on her paws, and her fur is long and feathery over her chest and stomach. Her eyes are a cat's. Hidden by her long fur are the now-muscular limbs, which enable her to climb, pounce, and other manuvers with incrediable and powerful skill. Why this animal [OOC]?I actually started with the snow leopard idea, looking to an animal that I kind of associate with someone who isn't with me anymore...my mama. This is the case with Kikue also, whose mother isn't with her. It's a personal irony for me, to have her transform into the snow leopard. Then, there are the other reasons, which Moreau would be able to know about : the snow leopard is a lot like Kikue already, being solitary, graceful, etc. Yet it also retains power. Kikue at home could not bring herself to really turn in her father. She thought of both him, and her mother - as well as what it might mean for her, if she was taken from him. She took his abuse. The leopard is fierce and would slowly toughen Kikue both psychologically and physically. Her limbs would be powerful, no longer vulnerable to a grown man's grip on her. Beyond all of this, the snow leopard is an Asian animal, and prefers being high up to look out over the world. As a cat, an animal Kikue can clearly and easily identify with, she would also regain the ability to move her left hand without pain or pressure.
I feel mostly that the animal suits her, and with my own personal reasons for choosing it, it just seems like the right choice. It holds onto qualities that Kikue has as a human, but also overcomes others. Lithe, yet powerful. No longer the girl locked in the hall closet, while her father drank himself into a stupor.
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:35 pm
 Kikue's Name Kikue's name was very hard to create, not to mention time-consuming. She didn't have a name for quite a while, even though I had most of her background thought out. When I finally decided to give her a name, I had to do immense amounts of research and reading via the internet about how the Japanese naming system worked, and what Japanese parents do when they are going to name a child. Needless to say, it took a while. A long while. But this section is here to explain both the process and the result of my work : Yamamoto Kikue's name. I started with her first name. Are-chan gave me a number of common Japanese girls' names, but none of them felt quite right to me. She mentioned the various endings that were given to girls' names, too, and then I asked if I could switch some of the endings on the names she had given me with each of the other endings to see what they looked like. From "Kikuko" I created the name "Kikue." Now, the hard part started. I had to decide on the kanji that would make her name. By researching extensively [again], I came upon an interesting aspect of Japanese names that is probably unknown to most people who aren't familiar with the culture -- the tradition of choosing kanji for names based on the number of strokes in the kanji combined. Many Japanese believe that the number of strokes in a person's name can bestow on them good luck, or bad luck. Obviously, nobody wants bad luck, so I had to incorporate that into my search for kanji by accounting for the strokes in each kanji added together for a total. I used name websites, in Japanese, to search for kanji. I had to translate the meaning of the kanji out of each of the ways to spell "Kikue." It was pretty hard, and frustrating at times, but I did it. I decided on a combination of two kanji for her first name. Kanji Breakdown #1 - "Kiku." This kanji has 11 strokes. The English meaning for this kanji is "chrysanthemum."  - "E." This kanji has 9 strokes. The English meaning, for our purposes, is roughly "glory; splendor."  - "Kikue." This name has a combined number of 20 strokes. Translated?literally, it means "chrysanthemum glory/splendor," or "glory/splendor of the chrysanthemum." I chose this combination of kanji not only because it sounded very beautiful when spoken aloud, as well as in meaning, but also because of the specifics of the meaning itself. Kikue's mother is a very traditional woman, and she longs to return to her native Japan. The chrysanthemum is the symbol of Japan's emporer - the Imperial Crest is a sixteen petaled chrysanthemum. [ *] Also, the region that both Kikue's mother and father are from is called Hyogo. Hyogo's prefectural flower is the wild chrysanthemum, nojigiku [ *], which isn't the same as kiku, but still refers to a type of chrysanthemum. Then came Kikue's last name. This part was very important, but nearly harder than her first name. A number of things had to be taken into account : (1) The stroke number of the last name had to be "good," and it had to reamin so when combined with the number of strokes in her first name; (2) it had to be a name common to the region of Japan where Kikue's father was from; (3) it couldn't have any repeating sounds, such as Inoue with Kikue; (4) there couldn't be a repetition of general meaning, such as a name for "tree" + "grove." These two meanings are too similar and therefore undesirable. And so, the search began. I started by researching common names from the Hyogo prefecture. I tried each of them out, one by one. I don't know the specifics if which stroke numbers are lucky, but I went off by which numbers I knew were considered so overall and which were not. I finally came upon the following last name, which was exactly what I was looking for once I performed the needed tests on it. Kanji Breakdown #2 - "Yama." This kanji has 3 strokes. It's meaning is "mountain."  - "Moto." This kanji has 5 strokes. It has many meanings, but in this case, it can be considered to translate as the "base" of something/origin.  - "Yamamoto." This name has a combined number of 8 strokes. It roughly translates to "the base/origin of the mountain." The Full Name - "Yamamoto Kikue." This name has a combined number of 28 strokes. Translated, it is each name - "the base/origin of the mountain + chrysanthemum glory/splendor." As you can see, it's a very intricate process to create/choose a Japanese name. But I'm very pleased with the outcome - I think Kikue's name is beautiful, and it suits her perfectly <3. Chinese AstrologyAccording to Chinese astrology, Kikue's outer animal and element [going by the lunar calendar] is the Earth Snake. The Snake, according to Wikipedia : "According to Chinese folklore, each animal is associated with certain personality traits, and those born in the year of the Snake are calm and gentle, romantic and perceptive. However, they may be prone to sloth and vanity." [ *] The Earth element repredents "The Centre," "Balance," "Foundations," and "Reliability," and does not govern any one animal, as it is the central balance of all elements. [ *] Western AstrologyIn Western astrology, Kikue's sign is Virgo. Wikipedia gives Virgo the following distinctions : "(mutable, earth, social): practically, efficiently, critically." As a "mutable" sign, Virgo is associated with resourcefulness and adaptability. Likewise, as an "earth" sign, it is associated with "sensation, stability, and practicality." The following phrases and keywords are also associated with Virgo : "'We are,' partnerships, balance, grace, charm, debative, open-minded, cooperative, social, ideas." [ *] These traits actually reflect Kikue extremely well ^ ^;. Blood TypeIn Japan, a person's blood type is believed to have a hand in their personality. Kikue's blood type is AB ( artistic license, as that is the same as Risth's. ^ ^; ). AB's are said to have the following "best" traits : "Cool, controlled, rational. Sociable and popular. Empathic." Their worst : "Aloof, critical, indecisive and unforgiving." [ *] LikesPlaying violin, reading, visiting shrines, exploring on her own, taking notes, maneki neko [ *], old gardens, traveling, snow during spring, rain, hanami [ *], wearing kimono, stargazing, her laptop, spiders, writing ( journaling, poetry ), select anime/ manga, and going to ryokan [ *] on trips. DislikesArrogance, disrespect, dogs, boating, anything that tastes like liquorice, alcohol, ignorance, having people address her like a child, politics, stupidity ( haha ), cars driving on the right ( instead of the left ) side of the road. FavoritesFavorite food(s) : Shikasashi [ *]; tekka maki [ *]; obento [ *]; various fruits. Favorite food [snack] : Ichigo daifuku [ *] Favorite drink : Momo no Tennen sui [ *] Favorite color : Red Favorite season : Autumn Favorite book(s) : Wagahai wa neko de aru by Soseki Natsume [ *]; Favorite animal : Cat Favorite composer(s) : Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky; Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov; Favorite movie(s) : Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi [ *]; Favorite anime : Princess Tutu [ *]; Shoujo Kakumei Utena [ *]; Image Songs by SNoW [ *]
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:37 pm
[Information courtesy of the WWF, unless otherwise noted.]The snow leopard is an endangered big cat that inhabits the rugged and mountainous terrain of Central Asia and the Himalayan region. It is currently threatened by hunting for the illegal wildlife trade and revenge killings by herders; habitat loss; and diminished food supply. A 2003 study by TRAFFIC, WWF and the International Snow Leopard Trust found a dramatic decline of the big cats in many countries over the previous decade. It is estimated these threats are reducing the snow leopard population to numbers approaching those of the endangered tiger. The remaining animals live in only 12 countries in South and Central Asia. Physical FeaturesDr. Arch von Nasa I was reading your IoDM quest. xD You forgot to put stuff about the snow leopard's teeth. D: They're like, 1/10 as big as it's head, and believed to be the closest living relative to the sabre toothed cat. 8D *shot*  Dr. Arch von Nasa Actually I was watching That's My Baby on Animal Planet and it was the snow le-- Waitaminit. WTF. D: CLOUDED LEOPARD NOT SNOW LEPPIES HAVE BIG TEETH. ;; ... well just say they have big teeth. 8D; The snow leopard has a round head, broad paws and a long, round tail. As an adult, it generally weighs between 80 and 170 pounds. The snow leopard has a thick fur coat (white in winter and yellow-gray in the summer) with dark rosettes and spots that makes it well-prepared for the bitter cold that is commonly found in its mountainous habitat. The spotted white coat also serves as wonderful winter camouflage and helps to keep the cat warm in winter and cool during the summer. Snow leopards are also protected from the cold by a dense wooly under-fur. The snow leopard uses its long tail (which is 75 to 95 percent the length of its body) for two purposes: to help keep its balance and to protect itself from the cold, which it does by wrapping the tail around its body while resting. It also has an enlarged nasal cavity and well-developed chest cavity so that it can warm air before it enters the lungs. Cushions of hair on its paws prevent the snow leopard from sinking into the snow and protect it from the cold, rough ground in winter and the sun-heated rocks in summer. With long hind legs and shortened front limbs, snow leopards are incredible jumpers, able to leap 20 to 50 feet through the air, or, without difficulty, straight up into a tree or onto a cliff, simply to perch and rest. Some of the snow leopards special features include [ *] : The mottled spot pattern of the fur camouflages snow leopards in dark, alpine forest snow cover.
Densely furred tail (3 feet long) aids in balance and provides extra protection from cold when wrapped "muffler style" around a cat's face.
A cushion of hair on the paws provides warmth. The large, cushioned paws act as snowshoes due to the large surface area in contact with the snow.
Superb jumping ability helps snow leopards pounce on prey from great distances.
Eyes in front of the head allow for depth perception and the ability to judge distances when leaping or pouncing on prey.
The forepaws are equipped with long, retractable claws which help to grab and hold prey.
The rough tongue is designed to help peel flesh away from the bones of prey animals.
Loose belly skin allows the animal to be kicked by prey with less chance of injury.
Small ears help to reduce the amount of body heat lost in a cold climate. Diet The diet of the snow leopard varies by region and season, but consists mostly of wild sheep and goats, and smaller animals such as pikas, zokrs and marmots [shown left]. Snow leopards are capable of killing animals up to three times their own weight, and usually kill a large animal about twice a month. Snow leopards are slow eaters and remain with their kill for several days, protecting it from scavengers until all the meat is consumed. The snow leopards' natural prey is being depleted across much of its range, driving some cats to stalk livestock, such as sheep and goats. Snow leopards can do a great deal of damage to the livestock of subsistence herders, and as a result are often killed in retaliation. Habitat and Distribution The snow leopard population is estimated to be between 4,000 and 7,000, with sharp declines in certain regions reported since the 1990s. The remaining snow leopards live in remote areas of the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The species is extinct in several areas where it formerly could be found. The snow leopard generally occupies mountain steppes, arid and semi-arid shrublands, and grasslands at altitudes ranging from 9,800 to 15,000 feet, but can occasionally be found at elevations as high as 18,000 feet and as low as 2000 feet. Approximately 600 to 700 snow leopards can be found in zoos around the world. Behavior Solitary and territorial cats, snow leopards are generally most active around dawn and dusk, but have been known to adapt their activity levels to avoid people. Snow leopards reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years of age and mate between January and mid-March. Cubs are born 90-103 days later in well-hidden and inaccessible dens that the mother builds beneath rocks or in rocky crevices. Generally, a litter of 2-3 (although it can be up to 7) young are born in late spring or early summer. Like newborn kittens, they open their eyes only after a week or more, but by the time they are two months old, they are very active. They remain with their mother for the first 18-22 months of their lives, and then they must forage for themselves. ThreatsThe main threats to the snow leopard are illegal trade and revenge killings by herders. Loss of prey poses another significant threat. Across  parts of the cat's range, unregulated hunting by people has diminished its food supply. And herders have moved further into snow leopard territory, creating competition between wild sheep and domestic livestock for the same grazing lands, pushing the wild prey to other areas. These pressures often force snow leopards to prey on domestic livestock instead, creating a second threat to the species - herders killing snow leopards in retaliation for the killing of their livestock. Herders then sell the snow leopard pelts or body parts, contributing to the problem of illegal trade. Snow leopards are traded for their pelts, bones, and body parts. Recent reports indicate that trade in snow leopard bone for use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increased. Leopard bone has become a substitute for tiger bone as countries crack down on the illegal trade in that higher-profile species. Other threats to snow leopards include habitat fragmentation and the deliberate poisoning of small mammals, which affect both the snow leopard and its prey. StatusThe snow leopard is listed as endangered on the IUCN-World Conservation Union's Red List of Threatened Species. In addition, the snow leopard, like all the big cats, is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), which makes trading of live cats or cat parts (i.e., fur, bones and meat) illegal in signatory countries. It is also protected by several national laws. Gallery[ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x] [ x]  _More On Snow Leopards
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:38 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:39 pm
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:43 pm
 0%- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25%- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 50%- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 75%
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:47 pm
I absolutely love to get art of Kikue. If you ever feel inspired to draw her, please do! I will feature your artwork here with a thumbnail and link to either your artwork site or your Gaia profile. For commissioned art, I will approach the artist if I'm interested. I usually do RL commissions since I don't have a lot of Gaia currency to throw around. I'm always on the look-out for good anthro artists to draw Kikue, so mention if your commission slots are open in the main Moreau thread and I may just look you up on DA or elsewhere to see if I like your style! wink ( DO NOT STEAL any of this artwork or alter it in ANY shape or form! I will find you, and you will be reported immediately. All art is copyright each respective artist. Kikue character and design is copyright me, Risth. ) Sections with [  ] icon mean there is new art. Azure Hasturien [ @]    Nazuri Yuzuko [ @]  Fyrsiel [ @]  SignHere_x [ @]   Kiniro Oniba [ @] Twiddle [ @]  Rabid Jigglypuff [ @]   sailornorthstar [ @]    Desna [ @]  Antigra [ @]      Cirisse [ @]  DecayingThorn [ @]  Wyndsong [ @]   Birvan [ @]  Poufy Werewolf [ @]  Daybreak-A [ @]  Amy D [ @]   Ves [ @]  Satin Regret [ @]  Arafel [ @]  Bilious [ @]  Sajhiri [ @]    Sirenz [ @] 
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:51 pm
 Sabin Duvert : The doctor who gave me my very first injection, and met me when I arrived on the Island. I thought fairly highly of him and enjoyed his company and conversation. I feel a bit betrayed that he lied to me so easily, even though he looked almost as tired as I felt when I met him. I wish he had not so easily played along with my expectations...although I admit that I was so tired when I met him, I might have thought he was joking with me. From talking to people, it seems he has a high position in the staff here.
Jamal Reedy : The first Islander I met. He is straightforward and blunt, but I respect him and even think of him as a friend. I could tell he was frustrated with me at first, but I hope to see him again. Ambrose has mentioned that he has a temper and has hurt people in the past. Was it the tiger's influence?
Dr. Lockheart : I don't know anything about her, except from what I heard of her voice of the intercom. She was very giving when it came to comfort and even apologies. She seemed to be nice, but I can't know with the staff here yet. Ambrose has said she is kind and "has a conscience."
Nita MacNeal : She's very friendly and has a sense of humor. I really like her attitude and how open she was with me, like Jamal. She's invited me to come back her duplex any time; I hope to talk to her more. I consider her a friend.
Ambrose Maurlias : He's extremely open and friendly. I learned much from him, as he was the first person ever on the Island to be tested on. I very much want to see him again and get to know him better. Kind and honest, he not only has a wealth of information about this place but a personality that can make light of the situation...at least for a little while. I hope his girlfriend is alright.
Colche Autumnale : She's the first "cat" I've met on the Island, and I absolutely love her company. She's bubbly, cheerful, and insightful about everything. Something bad must have happened to her -- Pyroth even hinted that it had -- but I don't know what. Does it matter now, if she's so happy and carefree?
Avery Calder : I didn't have very long to meet him, but he was nice for the time that I did. I think that his 'animal' may be a dog. I only have a general idea where his duplex is, and don't know much else about him.
'Billy' Woodrow : When I met him, something was very wrong. I don't know anything about him except that he appeared seriously ill when he ran into me. Is he alright? Was it just drugs, like Pyroth was saying? Or was it something worse?
Pyroth Ignatius : He has a great sense of humor and is openand honest. I enjoyed his company very much, like Colche's. Everyone seems to know about him, as he's nearly forced to walk on all-fours now. I don't mind his appearance that much for some reason. I plan to take him up on our kareoke promise...after we obtain a kareoke machine. What was his past like?
Joliette Rigiel : She's very nice, and interesting. I saw her photographing at the edge of the cliffs, and it seems she is a photographer. I was grateful for her help during my transformation...
Alec Derring : I feel awful after changing just as Joli and I ran into him, even if I couldn't control it. He seemed extremely uncomfortable and helped lead me the entire way back to my duplex. I feel badly for putting him through all of that. I still have his bandana. I should return it...
Fiona Brooks : Fiona is spunky and determined, but she seems to be hiding something... Her friend is in the labs, but why? Is it really only to spite her, or is it something else? How she came to the Island troubles me, and yet I still wondered about why things she kept secret. I still like to think of her as a friend; I hope she's okay.
Natsumi Tanaka : I can't believe it! She's the other Japanese on the Island. I have so much I want to say and share with her. I hope I can see her more often and become better friends. What was her life like before this, and why was she brought to the Island? I don't know what hre animal is yet.
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 8:55 pm
 This section also includes introductary information regarding locations, places, etc., that play a large part in Kikue's life. I've included this glossary because I'm sure not everyone is familiar with not only Japanese cities, but other Japanese-related themes as well. It's also just a handy reference all around. Use this section if you need more concrete information about locations or other areas. ( Entries are in alphabetical order. I'll add more entries as I see fit. ) Information courtesy of Wikipedia. Click the asterix at the end of each entry to view its Wikipedia entry.butsudan - A butsudan is a shrine found in homes of Japanese and other Buddhist cultures to honor the both the ancestors and the "recently deceased". When someone dies, the Buddhist priest gives a name to the deceased which is inscribed on an ihai (tablet) and placed on the Butsudan. Offerings are made to the souls in the form of rice and tea but can vary. [*]
Great Hanshin earthquake - The Great Hanshin earthquake  , or "Kobe earthquake" as it is more commonly known overseas, was an earthquake in Japan that measured 7.2 on the Richter scale. It occurred on January 17, 1995 at 5:46:52am in the southern part of Hyogo Prefecture and lasted for approximately 20 seconds. The epicenter of the earthquake was on the northern end of Awaji Island, 20 km away from the cosmopolitan city of Kobe with a population of 1.5 million. A total of 6,433 people, mainly in Kobe, lost their lives. Additionally, it caused approximately ten trillion yen in damage, 2.5% of Japan's GDP at the time. It was the worst earthquake in Japan since the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923, which claimed 140,000 lives, and it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the "costliest natural disaster to befall any one country." [*]
Hyogo prefecture - Hyogo Prefecture  is located in the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. The capital is Kobe. [*]
International school - International schools are schools which cater mainly to children who are not nationals of the host country, often the children of the staff of international businesses, international organizations, businesses, or missionary programs. They are often popular also with local students who wish to improve their language skills. [*]
Japanese names - A modern Japanese name  consists of a family name, or surname, followed by a given name. Like their Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and some of their Thai counterparts, this is in accordance to the East Asian system of personal names. "Middle names" are not recognized in Japan; at least not in the western sense, in which there is a clear differentiation from the given name. Japanese names are usually written in kanji, (Chinese characters). The kanji for a name may have a variety of possible pronunciations. [*]
Kansai region - The Kansai  region of Japan, also known as the Kinki region  , lies in the middle of Japan's main island, Honshu. The Kansai region includes the prefectures of Nara, Wakayama, Mie, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga. [*]
Kobe - Kobe  is a city in Japan, located on the island of Honshu. Kobe is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and is one of Japan's major ports along with the ports of Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Hakata, and Tokyo. It is in the Kansai region of Japan, in Hyogo Prefecture to the west of Osaka. Kobe serves as one of the most important seaports in Japan. It is famous for its Kobe beef, the Arima Onsen (hot springs), nightview of the city both from the coast and the mountain, and the exotic atmosphere which mainly came from its history as a port city. [*]
Kyoto - Kyoto  is a city in Japan, which has a population of a little more than 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area. Kyoto is considered the cultural center of Japan. During World War II when firebombing was conducted throughout the country, Kyoto and its 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, palaces, gardens and architecture were spared, leaving it one of the best preserved cities in Japan. The Kyoto area has some of the most famous temples, shrines, palaces and gardens in Japan. Kyoto is renowned for its abundance of delicious ethnic foods and cuisine. [*]
London Symphony Orchestra - The London Symphony Orchestra (frequently abbreviated to LSO) is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom. Since 1982 it has been based in London's Barbican Centre. It was founded in 1904 as an independent, self governing organization, the first such orchestra in the U.K. It played its first concert on June 9 of that year, with Hans Richter conducting. The LSO has long been considered the most extroverted of the London orchestras. There is an air of youthful high spirits to much of its music-making that is shown off in performances of such composers as Berlioz and Prokofiev. [*]
Osaka - Osaka  is the capital of Osaka Prefecture and the third-largest city in Japan, with a population of 2.7 million. It is located in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshu, at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay. Osaka is the historical commercial capital of Japan and is still one of Japan's major industrial centers and ports, the heart of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area, which has a population of 17,510,000. As Osaka has always been the centre of commerce, people from Osaka have a reputation of being very good businessmen. On top of this they are popularly considered to be some of the most outgoing Japanese people. Being a big, business-based city, Osakans are thought of as always being in a rush. [*]
Shinto - Shinto  (sometimes called Shintoism) is a native religion of Japan and was once its state religion. It is a form of animism. It involves the worship of kami, which can be translated to mean "sacred spirits which take the form of things and concepts important to life, such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility". Some kami are local and can be regarded as the spirit or genius of a particular place, but others represent major natural objects and processes, for example, Amaterasu, the Sun goddess. After World War II, Shinto lost its status of state religion; some Shinto practices and teachings, once given a great deal of prominence during the war, are no longer taught nor practiced today, and others remain largely as everyday activities, like omikuji (a form of drawing lots) and Japanese New Year, that few identify with religious connotations. [*]
Tokyo - Tokyo  is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and includes the highly urbanized downtown area formerly known as the city of Tokyo which is the heart of the Greater Tokyo Area. Although not a city, it is considered the capital of Japan since it is home to the Japanese government and emperor. About 12 million people, 10 percent of the country's population, live in Tokyo. Tokyo is located in the Kanto region on the island of Honshu. As the nation's center of politics, business, finance, education, mass media, and pop culture, Tokyo has Japan's highest concentration of corporate headquarters, financial institutions, universities and colleges, museums, theaters, and shopping and entertainment establishments. Tokyo is generally considered one of the world's four most prominent "global cities" (alongside London, New York City, and Paris). [*]
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 9:00 pm
RP claims/wants will be added to the list here, so that I don't forget to RP with anyone. More of just a general list; first come/first serve basis so that the best amount of RP is available! Taro
Nita
Zach
Ambrose
Rex
Marshall
Sid
Alec
Gaius
Miller
Amaya
Richard
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 9:01 pm
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Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 9:03 pm
IoDM (c) Chibi Hige and staff.
Official Kikue Art (c) Ves [previously Sajhiri]
Kikue Character Concept (c) Risth
All Other IoDM Characters Featured in RP (c) their owners. Kikue was my IoDM quest character. My quest lasted officially from Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:09 pm to Sun May 28, 2006 9:03 pm. Five months of blood, sweat, and tears went into my quest, and I thought about giving up many, many times. I owe it to so many people to finally have Kikue a part of the Islander family.
I would like to thank not only all of my Gaian friends, many of whom are Islanders or who follow IoDM; but also everyone who drew fanart for me with or without my gold; my wonderful friend Azure who helped me to fully round out Kikue's character when I was just starting; Emelyn for her creation of her scholarship fund which kept me going and forced me to keep at it; Sabin, Kamiki, Hige, and the rest of the Island staff; and Sahjiri, who originally gave me this chance. I was both honored and humbled by her gift.
I would like to thank Ves, a wonderful friend, who offered to do Kikue's new art absolutely free of charge. Thank you. heart
Thank you sooo much to everyone who helped me, supported me, and brought me here! I owe you everything!
Here are my past quest threads :
Original Thread - http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11590175
Quester Guild Thread - ]http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=2516115
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