a migration without end.
Basics.
Aliases: Papillon, KagehiraAge: Mid twentiesGender: It's complicated (he/him and she/her both fine)Heritage: Doman, LimsanOccupation: Newly unemployed sellswordMotifs: Peacock butterfly (papilo pianor), black cats, steel bladesPositives: Hardworking, resilient, professionalNegatives: Short tempered, unfriendly, vainMotivations: Enough money for shelter, a nice meal, weapons and their maintenance. To become stronger to live another day.
Past.
CW: child abuse, endangerment and groomingAct I.
Michiru Kagehira was born in Vylbrand to two Doman refugees who left at the first signs of imminent imperial invasion. Her mother was the successor to a matrilineal line of renowned samurai, and her father was a simple farmer. The two established themselves in Wineport as a guard and a laborer respectively, and the three were a happy family. Had things not gone awry, perhaps Kagehira would be in the wine business today.On what should have been a routine family trip into Limsa Lominsa, Kagehira found herself separated from her parents. By the time she found them, their bodies were long cold. Through what felt like fate at the time, a "family friend" found her and took her in. He even offered to teach her how to fight with a katana, provided she would apprentice as a contract killer. His reason was that kids were expensive to raise, but Kagehira's reason for accepting was far simpler: if she got stronger, no one could kill her.So began young Kagehira's years of training, becoming the mildly infamous young assassin known as Papillion. For years she trained, killed, and trained more, slowly forgetting to investigate the matter of her parents' murderers. Only as she got older and wiser, she began to question things.For one, what was a Doman samurai doing so far from home? And wasn't his timing too convenient to be right there as Kagehira was orphaned...? So an investigation was paid for behind her mentor's back, and the long standing grudge between her teacher's family and her own was discovered.Rival schools of swordsmanship and an heir so unscrupulous and petty he'd come overseas not only as a refugee, but for a challenge. A challenge that Kagehira's mother had grown too rusty to meet after years of peace. But the final piece of revenge? The chance to eliminate the Kagehira school completely by teaching its heir the rival sword style.A final victory over a dead woman and her family line, made even more savory by Papillon's use of her katana. Young Kagehira's vengeance never mattered— she was just a part of someone else's.So she paid back the favor and ended her mentor's sword style too, just as she'd been taught. With her mentor dead and her connections too, she shed the identity of Papillion and reclaimed her family name for her own.
Act II.
Aimless, Kagehira wandered. He took jobs where they appeared, earning just enough to keep himself fed and sheltered. Subconsciously refusing to think about his past, he simply disguised himself as a man and switched to using knives in order to escape suspicion. After all, there were only so many people in Eorzea using katana for murders.After taking up with a very eccentric employer, Kagehira found himself frequently traveling between his home of Limsa Lominsa and Kugane, a place that felt both like home and not. Doma was closer than ever, but Kagehira never made an effort to visit. Even knowing he wanted to return his mother's katana to the family grave, he still couldn't bring himself to go.So he wandered and built a life for himself not as "Papillon," but as just "Kagehira"0. Yet as the days passed, something within him simply would not stop itching, and with nary a word to anyone he knew in Eorzea, he simply left for a long term bodyguard assignment in Kugane.In Limsa, telling someone to fuck off was as common as saying goodbye. But in Kugane, things were different. Kagehira needed to be courteous. Respectful. Adherent to the invisible social customs of the culture. Worse yet, he barely spoke anything other than Eorzean common. He needed to be quiet, and in a manner that conveyed grace rather than ignorance.As he looked in the mirror, his hair now grown to his shoulders, he knew what he had to do to keep the job. He already knew how to be graceful, how to be demure, how to smile and say pretty words he didn't mean. Papillon knew how to do all those things already, and it was all too easy to slip back into his old shell.Papillon remained in Kugane for years, picking up the language and honing her sword skills. She learned all the right things to say, when to play the act of a clueless young woman, how to best behead someone in one strike. And she did all of this so well that she soon received a marriage proposal from her employer, prompting her to smile, say she needed to think about it, and then to quickly pack and step onto the next ship back to Eorzea.
Present.
Freshly returned to Eorzea after years abroad, Kagehira is at a loss for where to resume his life. With no real place to call home, does he check in on his old contacts? Or does he begin anew?Does he stay in the safe, comfortable chrysalis of being Papillon? Even as the seams threaten to tear on an identity that wasn't his to choose, will he choose to remain?Or will he venture out again as Kagehira, vulnerable until he's able to fly?Unwilling to address the turmoil in him, Kagehira simply presses onward one day at a time. Nothing matters more than waking up to see another day... and another good meal.
Hooks:ʚɞ Being back in Eorzea has reignited his love of grape wine, and he often wonders if someone like him can learn more without having to show his face back at Wineport.ʚɞ He's considering leaving the world of contract killing altogether, but there's an itch that can't be scratched without occasional life or death combat. It won't be long before he accepts another job...ʚɞ The young lord she ghosted is likely seeking information on her whereabouts. But does his influence reach as far as Eorzea?ʚɞ As an avid fan of good food, he'll often stop into random eateries if their posted menu is attractive enough.ʚɞ (More to come!)
Notes.
⋇ She only goes by her surname. If absolutely pressed to give a first name and unable to go without, she answers to "Michael." She will also answer to "Papillon" in work related contexts.⋇ He has a working knowledge of Doman. He's working on it, but it's very clear to anyone actually fluent in it that he's not. His Hingan, despite not being fluent, is already almost better than his ability to interact with Doman. He doesn't want to think about why this makes hi, feel odd.⋇ Her favorite alcoholic beverage is a good red wine from Vylbrand, and she's quite knowledgeable about wine.⋇ He is 5'5 with shoes, and is insecure about his height.⋇ She does not smile much. When she does, it seems to be a polite gesture and little more.⋇ He appears more relaxed when wearing masculine clothing, but he doesn't dislike appearing feminine either. He feels compelled to choose one or the other, unaware there's a third option...⋇ She is very fond of blades, carrying anywhere between two to seventeen knives on her person at all times. She currently does not carry her katana, but continues to meticulously maintain it.⋇ Despite her general rudeness and foul mouth, she gets attached easily. Even believing that being sentimental will get her killed someday, she cannot help but care.⋇ He struggles to read, having never been taught past the basics of the alphabet as a child. He is able to do a limited amount of sight reading, but has to phonetically sound out unfamiliar words. This has led to a fondness for bard performances and plays, allowing him to enjoy stories without needing to read them.
OOC info.
Hello, I'm Dean.
I'm a guy in his thirties who cannot shut up about his OCs, and who doesn't understand graphic design.This goes without saying, but this is NOT a safe space for bigots, abusers, creeps or anyone who throws up enough red flags. I am too old and too busy to deal with that in my spare time.I do not enjoy IC surprises. I understand taking a defensive stance against metagaming, but I have no desire to plot with a character only to find out there is something in their backstory that is firmly on my "do not want to RP with" list. If you prefer to deliver IC surprises, it is best we do not do in-depth roleplay.I'm most available on Discord, but am available in game as well as evenings PST.You can find my other characters here:
https://deanswormbin.carrd.co/Thank you for reading, and please let me know if this site is inaccessible.⋇ Contact
In-game: Michael Kagehira (Brynhildr)
Discord: sanidine #3769
