Hanako Matsuo - Quincy

Quincy

Name: Hanako Matsuo

Age: 19

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 126lbs

Gender: Female

Personality: Hanako is, when dealing with beings that aren't Shinigami or Hollows, a rather shy and polite girl. She finds it difficult to make friends; indeed, most of those who know her refer to her as either 'the Miko' or simply 'Matsuo'. With her one or two friends, she opens up enough to reveal a keen intelligence and sharp wit.

When confronted with a Hollow or Shinigami, however, Hanako becomes cold and aloof, able to strike them down without a second thought or twinge of conscience; a far cry from the quiet, mild-mannered miko.

Hanako has never met a Bount, Arrancar or Vizard; it is unknown how she would react to them.

Appearance: The best word to describe Hanako's form would be 'willowy'. She is the tallest of her few friends, a slender girl who looks as if a stiff breeze would blow her away. Her hair is a dark blue, almost black, and is usually bound in a long ponytail. Hanako's blue eyes are expressive, though usually they show the isolation and sadness she feels.

Her Quincy garb is a short white dress and jacket with elaborate navy crosses adorning it. When not wearing this, she is usually in her miko clothing.

Spirit Power: 15
Speed: 20
Technique: 15
Fighting Skill: 10

History/Background: Hanako was brought up by her mother and grandmother in a small Shinto shrine just outside of Karakura. Her father had died when she was only 2, and Hanako has very few memories of him. Her mother made sure she knew that her father was a strong Quincy, and defended the shrine from Hollow attacks until eventually, the Hollows turned their attentions elsewhere.

The family, all descendants of Quincy, had tended the shrine for generations, and as soon as she was old enough to assist with the chores and selling souvenirs, Hanako took up her own duties at the shrine. Her training as a Quincy didn't commence until she was older, and able to utilise her spirit power. Even then, Hanako's Quincy heritage came second to her duties as a miko of the shrine. Hanako became known as an exquisite dancer, and performed many of the ceremonial dances. This grace leant itself to other aspects of her life, and she was one of her school's top athletes. Her life up until this point had been free from the presence of both Hollows and Shinigami outside of stories, and she led a peaceful existence.

All that changed when she returned home from school at the tender age of 14 to find a strange force attacking her mother. Hanako entered the shrine to find that a Hollow had her mother pinned to the wall; her grandmother lay at its feet, dead. Hanako screamed, catching the attention of both her mother and the attacking Hollow. Before it could turn on her, Hanako's mother urged her to run; with little other option, for she didn't feel confident enough or powerful enough to deal with the Hollow herself, Hanako fled. As she left, she saw a person clad in black descend upon the temple, a sinister blade gleaming in the light; she knew, from the descriptions she had heard, that this person was a Shinigami.

She returned two days later, having been too scared to go back to the shrine. However, there was very little for her to return to. The shrine had been destroyed, presumably by the fight between Hanako's mother and the Hollow. There was no sign of the monster, but her mother and grandmother's lives had both been claimed, and Hanako was left on her own. The shrine was rebuilt and Hanako allowed to remain there, for which she was grateful - it was, after all, the only home she had ever known. It could never be the same for her now, though, and Hanako decided to take up her Quincy training in earnest.

With no one to guide her now she was forced to teach herself. She even took to entering mundane archery contests, pitting herself against others and practicing with every free moment until she was sure she could slay a Hollow with ease.

Now, whenever she senses a Hollow, or has a premonition of an attack (a rare occurrence), Hanako races to the scene to see if the Hollow is the one who killed her mother and grandmother, or if the Shinigami attending is the one who failed to protect them. Thus far they have not been, and Hanako is loathe to involve herself in their fights for anyone less. As far as she is concerned, it doesn't matter if it is the Hollow or the Shinigami who dies; either way, there is one less in the world. However, if a Hollow attack goes unattended by a Shinigami, she will do what she believes is her duty and slay the beast, irregardless of the impact it has. Hanako has a strong desire to ensure that if she can help it, no one else will die because of a Hollow.

RP Sample:

The morning light was only just illuminating the various nooks and crannies of the small shrine, but already Hanako had almost completed her duties. A dream had woken her, one of the dreams that she knew would become a reality. As she swept, a small cloud of dust rising around her from the feet of the previous day's visitors, she thought on the dream.

It had taken place in a park not far from the school; she knew exactly which one, for one of the swings had been broken for several years now and no one had replaced it.

A group of children, playing.

A storm, a dark shadow, and then broken chains and dying screams.

No Shinigami came.

Hanako leant her brush against the wall and looked out at the sunrise with a solemn face. The failure of the Shinigami was not a surprise to her. If anything, she expected it; they had failed her, and so would let everyone else down too. No; someone else had to protect the children, and there was only one choice.

When the storm came, she would be there.