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 Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:20 am
Introduction
Welcome to my quest!
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:21 am
Table of Contents Intro
ToC
Fund Bar
Nekomata Info
Spirit Concept
Reserved
Reserved
Credits
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:22 am
Fund Bar  *Note: Looking to have ex o ex Snoof do the lines if at all possible; missy for color if she has no objections or time constraints.
*Note: 100k taken off for winning the discount coupon for the shop's first event's ad contest.
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:23 am
Nekomata Info A bakeneko (化け猫?, "ghost-cat able to appear in disguise") is, in Japanese folklore, a cat with supernatural abilities akin to those of the fox or raccoon dog. A cat may become a bakeneko in a number of ways: it may reach a certain age, be kept for a certain number of years, grow to a certain size, or be allowed to keep a long tail. In the last case, the tail forks in two and the bakeneko is then called a nekomata (猫又?, or 猫股 "monster"). This superstition may have some connection to the breeding of the Japanese Bobtail.
In Japanese folklore, any cat that lives over thirteen years old, reaches one kan (3.75 kilograms) in weight or is allowed to keep a long tail can become a bake-neko (化け猫) or cat monster. After a bake-neko tail grows long enough it forks into two tails, then the bake-neko is no longer called a bake-neko, but a neko-mata. Info taken from Wikipedia.com
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:23 am
Spirit Name: Tomi
Gender: Female
Breed: Unknown; is now a Nekomata
House Position: Worker
Appearance: Like the Tektek depicts, Tomi is a brown cat with lighter stripe markings on her head, arms, legs, tails, and back. She also keeps to the traditional appearance of a Nekomata, which means she is fully feline, just commonly depicted on her hind legs rather than all four (though she can go between, finding all four to make her faster) and has two tails instead of one. In addition, instead of having a head with fur that's sleek at the top, I picture her with a small forward facing tuft sticking up.
Accessories: A kiseru is kept tucked into the folds of her obi along with an inro for her tobacco and other small things; but other than that Tomi keeps nothing on her person, save for a fan during the hotter months and a comb, but only when she's blowing her coat.
Distinguishing Marks: Her forward facing tuft of hair on her head and her split tail.
Demeanor: Tomi's personality has not changed since she passed through the line between the humans and the spirits. She's a hardworking nekomata, putting all she has into the work she has lined up for her and striving to do her best. She's not the sort to go about wanting to be pampered all day every day (though once and awhile never hurts), so applying to work at the place she "woke up" at was almost like taking the first steps down the path of her new life to her. Unlike most, her reasons for working at the bath house are on the straight and narrow and she couldn't be prouder of that fact.
Since her mortal cat life was spent on a fishing vessel, Tomi grew up surrounded by ideals that hard work now would reap rewards later. She still firmly believes in this and since old habits die hard, it shouldn't be surprising that she's up before the c**k call; getting a smoke in as she prepares for her day. Now that she has the ability to stand on two legs and move around much like a human, she puts this to good use in her work. When you give this cat a task, expect it done. No one, in her books, should disobey an order from the captain - whether it be manager, supervisor, or Mirei in that spot.
Despite her work-first mantra, this isn't to say Tomi doesn't know how to have fun or snubs time to relax. What time off she has she is rather protective about; truly hating to be called in on an off day since (in her opinion) she earned that time. If the one she was being called in to replace had a true emergency she'd be lighter toward having to go in, but lolligags are low on her list of likes. During her time off she prefers to go outside the bath house - treating herself to a snack from any of the shops or restaurants, going fishing and swimming, or generally just exploring what the land of the spirits has to offer. On her trips she's always accompanied by her kiseru and seems to habitually make a stop at the tobacconist during the day for a fresh pouch, as well as make one at the local brewery to buy a bottle of sake (especially when she's got it in mind to go fishing).
With all of that in mind, even a hard worker with a generally pleasant personality has her faults. Despite having undergone the transformation to a nekomata, Tomi is still a cat. As such, she retains her cat instincts (like hunting for instance) and there are times when those can crop up and make this spirit seem no more than an average feline. These can be humorous, but could also be disastrous, depending on the situation. Another thing about Tomi is she cannot hold her liquor. She does enjoy her sake, but can't have more than a cup or two in a short span of time without becoming quite the fall down drunk. Her work-first attitude can also be seen as a fault because with that in mind she could end up being quite irritable if frequently bothered before she's done and also ends up missing employee outings as she won't leave her task undone. She could also be seen as a perfectionist in that right. What's more, Tomi's not very book smart. She has some street knowledge and has picked up some things since being in this world, but ask her why the sky's blue and you'll likely get a rough "because it just is" in return.
Likes: Fish (though food in general is A-material to her), working, having her ears scratched, smoking, swimming, tips, relaxing on her time off, fishing...
Dislikes: Having her tails stepped on, being pushed aside, being cornered, having to work on her days off, shedding season, being startled...
Quirks:
-Unlike most cats, Tomi does not mind water. In fact, she loves to go swimming (as well as fishing) on her time off.
-She also does not mind working thanks to having spent her life on a fishing vessel and being surrounded by a work-heavy atmosphere. She does know the old 'all work and no play...' limerick, but once work is done, there's plenty of time for play. Plus who said work can't be fun?!
-Tomi both smokes a kiseru and enjoys a cup of sake now and again. She can't drink too much without getting drunk (especially the heavy stuff), but she enjoys the peace that comes with such activities, especially during and after a busy work day, while on her days off, or after a long wash in the bath house baths.
-Fish and rice is the meal she grew up on in the human world, but since arriving in the spirit world she's come to learn about (and like!) other meals and delicacies. In particular she's coming around to like fried food - commonly of the sea-variety - as well as market and butcher shop tasties like fruits, breads, candies, and chicken.
-Though she does enjoy work, it doesn't mean she doesn't know the benefits of days off. It is that reason why she doesn't like working on her free days, coupled with the fact she believes everyone should pull their own weight rather than call in "sick" and lallygag around instead. If it's a genuine malady though...Well, better to get away from the one who's coughing right?
History: Since a Nekomata is a cat who's only grown an extra tail and gained supernatural powers after reaching/completing a set requirement, Tomi's history revolves mainly around the mortal coil on Earth. She began her life as one of several siblings to an alley cat mother and had spent a good portion of her young life on the streets. When she was just shy of a year or two old, Tomi found herself trapped aboard a fishing vessel that set sail while she was feasting on some of the bait stored inside. It wasn't long before she was found out, but instead of tossing her overboard in a burlap sack, the crew took a liking to the brown feline and she soon became one of them (once she warmed up to them that is).
The life of a fisher-cat out to sea was rough, but each time the boat came back to dock Tomi remained near the ship and went out again when the time was right. In the off season the cat remained with the first mate of the vessel who didn't live far from the docks and treated the cat much like one of his own daughters. Fish was her common food, but unlike humans, Tomi never grew tired of it and looked forward to the fish and rice she was presented each night. A shot of sake now and again accompanied the meal and Tomi felt she was living the life, even if the storms that occasionally hit were enough to make her fear for all nine of her lives.
Years passed and crew came and went, but Tomi always remained with her home ship. The active life kept the feline fit even as she entered old age; reaching just shy of thirteen years before she even knew it. The humans - who did care for their pet - grew worried about the cat going out in her age, even if she did show little sign of arthritis or any other maladies. The legend of Nekomata (who in most stories were cruel creatures) did cross some minds, but most were more like sons caring for their aging grandmother. It was decided - without Tomi present - to leave the cat behind on their next trip out.
It wasn't easy, but it was done. One of the fishermen had a heavily pregnant wife whom was due any day, and he was reluctant to leave his wife in such a state. Tomi was given to the man to take but, not used to living anywhere but with the first mate while ashore, attempted to go with the latter man. It took several tries but soon the cat was in the married man's arms and was taken to his home. Fish, rice, and a double dose of sake was given to Tomi, filling her up enough to fall asleep comfortably, but miss the shoving off early that next morning. When she awoke, it was just past noon and she set off toward the harbor. When she saw that the boat was not in the proper spot, she searched over the entire marina but turned up with nothing. It didn't take Tomi long after to figure out what had happened and she did feel despair, but in all her years had come to know compassion and love from her otherwise rough and tumble family. Their trickery was out of love for her.
So each day, for months on end, Tomi would wait at the harbor docks for the boat to return. Not even rain would deter her and if the waves grew rough she would just climb to higher ground. With those months that passed her thirteenth year grew ever closer. When that day came, Tomi's tail split into two and her first supernatural abilities revealed beings up until that point she had only been able to vaguely feel. She had transcended, transformed, but yet did not follow the spirits who beckoned her on to their midst and world. She continued to wait, though it was clear to her that she could neither go back to the married man's home nor onto the ship ever again. She had heard the stories as well, despite not being one of the cats the majority spoke of, but still had her love for her family that kept her sitting in her spot, day by day.
Then, one day, the boat came home. It had been battered by rough seas and seasonal storms, but all men were blessedly accounted for. In her joy Tomi ran to them - both on two feet and four - but found herself ignored. Despite her pleads in both her cat tongue and newly gained human one, she was neither looked at nor touched. She followed the men around, even acted out to try and garner attention, but nothing gained their eye. A wandering sea spirit took pity on Tomi and told her that since she had become more than a mortal cat, her mortal essence had slowly faded and now no longer could she be seen by regular humans or animals. The shock was enough to make her lose track of what happened after that moment, but when she finally came back into herself she found herself seated at a low table with the spirit, a kiseru, and two cups of half drunken sake surrounded by hundreds of others at the very same bathhouse where she is now employed.
It took awhile to adjust and be explained everything, but from then on Tomi has willingly remained in the spirit world, not daring to cross back over to the human side for a visit. What's more, being the cat she is, after "reawakening" at the bath house the Nekomata was soon inquiring about employment there. Pampering was nice, but work was all she knew and despite having "crossed over" she hasn't changed from her fisher-cat ways. The long hours, the occasional rough customer, the family mentality among the workers, the fish and rice...It was all the same. The smoking however, was a change, but it was also a comfort that Tomi has kept up since that first time in the establishment. A step forward in her new life in her mind.
Possible Future (Manager/Supervisor) Location: At the moment I could see Tomi managing the tobacconist's shop where she buys her pouches and kiseru maintenance items on her days off. Another possibility is her managing/supervising one of the floors of the bath house itself, but this might change as she develops in the shop.
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:25 am
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:26 am
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:28 am
Credits xxxxx▪ | x All pet art by ex o ex Snoof, missjtsang, Mystaira, and NeonMace432.
xxxxx▪ | x All graphics by haliekins; text layout by xx SPARK.
xxxxx▪ | x Cert by The Leech Festival and haliekins.xxxxCONCEPTxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx▪ | x Original Spirited Away concept is copyright Hayao Miyazaki.
xxxxx▪ | x Shop concept is copyright xx SPARK and ex o ex Snoof.
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Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:05 pm
WOOHOO, FIRST QUEST I GET TO CRIT. 8D
First off, I just want to point out that the 250k is for a semi-custom. Full customs are 500k+, depending on the spirit (you'd have to talk with Snoof about it). Semi-customs don't really have control over the details in appearances, though you're welcome to throw in a few notes anyways in case Snoof wants a general idea, but unless it's a full custom, she's free to take artistic freedom on it. JUST A NOTE since I noticed you have a detailed description of her appearance, but your funds bar is only 250k. :B
Now, onto the real crit.
Honestly? I can hardly find anything that really needs crit. You went into explicit detail about everything, which I really enjoyed reading about. She sounds very interesting and I was particularly impressed by her history. I really loved reading that part.
I think really all I would like to see is whether or not her employment at the bathhouse is voluntary. The way her history and personality are written it seems to be, but I want to ask to make sure. It's perfectly alright if she herself doesn't particularly remember how she got where she is now, but for the sake of roleplay, it would be nice to know how exactly she got there so the other employees would be aware of it, y'know? c:
And though it's not necessary and this is merely out of my own curiosity, would you happen to have any idea as to what direction you'd like to take her employment? In her later stages, where would she start working more specifically?
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Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:58 pm
There isn't much to critique. Spark did a good job already. I like Tomi's personality and her history is believable. So, this is a nitpick, but you could re-word the part about the fisher cat, since there's another animal called that. Also, her work ethic makes me wonder if she had a job on the ship. If so, what was it? Mousing or something?
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Reply
