アップ ☆ APPLICATION
→ player information
Player Name: Ro
Player LJ: terza_teabeef
→ character information
Series: Onmyoji
Name: Minamoto no Hiromasa
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Appearance: Hiromasa is tall, nearly six feet, and with his traditional headdress, taller still. But his height belies his simple, expressive face; never one to wear a mask, his face will always give away Hiromasa's emotions (usually these consist of joy, confusion, surprise, and on a few rare occasions indignation and sorrow). His is an honest, friendly face, always willing to lend a smile to your day. On top of his head is short black hair, usually hidden by a kanmuri crown or tate-eboshi.
In terms of clothing, Hiromasa typically wears proper court attire, called a sokutai: this type of dress consists of a top robe called a "ho", with a beautiful design and noted for its wide open sleeves. Below the ho is another layer of fabric. Underneath the robe, he wears a type of hakama called sashinuki; put simply, they look like very wide, baggy pants. The color of his attire would depend on the season, though Hiromasa tends to wear more muted colors. He wears a black version of this outfit when he is outfitted for combat. When this is the case, he wears a sword on his hip and a quiver of arrows on his back.
(website containing period dress)
Personality: Hiromasa is a rather simple man, all in all. Though a noble and part of the Emperor's court, Hiromasa is best known for his music and poetry, and he enjoys passing the time playing his flute. He is a sweet person; Mitsumushi, a butterfly who seems to serve the onmyoji Abe no Seimei, often remarks that Hiromasa is "a good man". He cares for people deeply; he would (and has) risk his life to protect them. While the sentiment is endearing in one sense, Hiromasa is not exactly the man you'd want to be there protecting you from evil. He is brave in that he will try to face danger for others, but when the danger actually shows up, Hiromasa is not exactly quick with his sword, nor incredibly skilled when he does put it to use. He's a bit better with the bow (though it may have been due to the close range; the first time we see him use it, he has his eyes closed). Hiromasa is much better at calming with music than overcoming by strength.
Hiromasa is no good judge of character, but is rather the type to like someone for no particular reason other than he doesn't have it in him to immediately hate a person. Though he can be scared off by the unknown (as was the case when he first met Seimei), he can overcome his hesitation and uncertainty rather well. Hiromasa's easy-going, accepting nature can lead him into trouble, and especially love, quite often though. He is, sadly, very unlucky when it comes to love, but his love is pure enough that when it fails (usually when his love...dies), he is more likely to feel sorrow than bitter resentment, and he moves on in time rather unbroken by the experience. That is not to say that his love wasn't sincere, but is more a testament to his overall cheerful disposition.
It should also be noted that Hiromasa is easily entertained, easily surprised, easily fooled, and easily confused. Seimei often likes to tease him, and he and Mitsumushi often laugh at Hiromasa's expense, though after an initial scowl or pout, Hiromasa will often join in as well. He is not above laughing over his own naivete.
Particulars: Fue → Hiromasa is well-known for his musicality, and especially his flute playing. It has often been remarked that his is a very beautiful sound, and his friends will ask him to play for them on many occasions. He is also learned in a number of other instruments, but it is his flute that is both most easy to carry with him, as well as his favorite to play. Hiromasa enjoys the opportunity to play with others as well, and is comparable to a kid in a candy store when he meets another musician willing to play with him.
His flute also seems to have the capability of soothing even the most terrifying of demons, a useful technique when his courage fails him.
Sword → Theoretically he can wield it, but in practice, he's easily overpowered. It is a skill he has not developed as much as he has his music. He brings it with him nevertheless.
Bow and Arrow → Another weapon he's not so swift at using in combat. If push comes to shove, however, he will find it in him to at least try.
Canon History: Before I began, it should be noted that Minamoto no Hiromasa was an actual person and that some of his history here is movie canon, and the rest of it is actual history.
Born in the year 918, during the Heian Period, to one of Emperor Daigo's sons, Hiromasa grew up a noble, with the education all of that entailed. At some point during his youth, he was removed from the imperial succession, and at that time received the surname Minamoto. In 934, he received the position of a lower forth rank (later on in his historical life he was made a lower third rank non-councilor of the Mikado's court, the highest rank he would achieve). It was about ten years later, in approximately 944 when his life was changed forever.
It was in that year he became acquainted with the onmyoji Abe no Seimei. When Hiromasa first encountered Seimei, some others of the court asked the onmyoji to show them proof of his powers by killing an out-of-season butterfly without touching it. Watching as Seimei (reluctantly) fulfilled the task, Hiromasa was frightened by the other man...so it was with great anxiety that he later went to visit Seimei by request of a lord to ask him for help. Once he saw how else the onmyoji could use his magic, he was fascinated by him.
That same evening, Hiromasa was playing his flute for a noblewoman with whom he was in love, though he didn't even know her name, when he witnessed two stars in the sky meet. He remarked to the lady that perhaps the stars were like two lovers, together at last, and used the opportunity to ask for her name. The lady left without giving him that, but he didn't let that discourage him.
Soon after, a prince was born to one of the Mikado's wives, and as the court came to give their congratulations, the infant prince was cursed. Hiromasa went to Seimei, asking him to help the baby. When Seimei asked him why he was needed, Hiromasa told him that he was the only one who could help, that the rest of the court onmyoji had failed. Seimei did as Hiromasa asked, and freed the baby from its curse, with the help of the Lady Aone, a mysterious woman who came when Hiromasa played his flute; she surprised and startled him when she greeted Seimei with the remark that it had been thirty years since their last meeting. Seimei removed the curse by putting it in Aone. He brought her back to his home, where he released the demon in its true form; Hiromasa accompanied them, and was supposed to strike the demon down when it was released, but he was so frightened by it that he completely failed and it escaped.
As Aone rested, Hiromasa asked Seimei about spells, specifically ones that might bind a person's heart; his nameless love on his mind. After a bit of light-hearted teasing from Mitsumushi and the onmyoji, Seimei told him about a spell that would give the moon to his beloved, simply by pointing at it and declaring that he would get her the moon. Though Hiromasa laughed at the idea and declared he could never say something so embarrassing, later that evening, as he played for the lady he loves, he gave her the moon, just as Seimei taught him, and names her the Lady of the Full Moon. Prompted by his innocent declaration, the lady sang him a song her beloved gave to her.
The next day, Seimei and Aone were arrested on suspicion of having been the ones to place the curse on the infant prince. When these charges were declared, Hiromasa stood up to defend his friend; in the end, Seimei laughed at the charges, stating that there was no grounds for them, and started to leave. Unfortunately, another court onmyoji by the name of Doson cast a spell on one of the guards to attack Seimei. Aone took the blow and seemed to die.
Hiromasa helped Seimei bring Aone back to the place where they had met her before, and apologized for being unable to save her...only to find out that Aone had the gift of immortality and was not dead at all! He learned that they were at the tomb of Prince Sawara, who had been falsely accused of treason and subsequently was executed. Aone ate the flesh of a merman and was granted immortality, so that she might watch over the tomb and lend assistance to the guardians of Heian-kyō (the capital) should his vengeful spirit be awoken.
The following day, Seimei's help was requested once again to protect the infant prince; both he and his father, the Mikado, were purportedly being targeted by a demon of some kind. That evening, he set up a trap to fool the demon; Hiromasa was to sit guard and protect the Mikado in case something went wrong while Seimei chanted a spell to keep them all hidden from sight. The demon was tricked into believing two straw dolls were her targets, and she proceeded to choke the "baby", then sobbed over the Mikado doll, revealing her feelings of jealousy and abandonment. When she began to sing, Hiromasa recognized the Lady of the Full Moon's song; the Mikado as well realized the one after him was one of his wives, and called out her name, breaking Seimei's spell.
When she realized she had been tricked, she lunged toward the Mikado. Hiromasa stood in her way, however, and Seimei was able to get the Mikado and his son away from the woman, but not before he discovered a spell to kill Hiromasa attached to her back. As the demon still tried to go after the Mikado, Hiromasa grabbed onto her and then offered himself for her to feed on. She took his offer, but when he told her he did not mind, since it was she who was feeding on him, she realized what had happened to her, and full of shame, she took his sword and slit her throat. Hiromasa stayed by her side as she died, playing his flute for her for the last time.
The next day, a dark cloud covered the skies above Heian-kyō; Doson had released the spirit of Prince Sawara from his tomb. Hiromasa was visiting Seimei at the time, asking him to lend his powers to the Mikado, who was terrified of Doson. While initially he refused, which disappointed Hiromasa, Seimei agreed to help him protect the city once they knew the tomb had been destroyed. Hiromasa headed for the Mikado's palace and ended up confronting Doson there. He tried to kill Doson, only to discover that he had somehow become immortal - he managed to thrust his sword right through his stomach, and it did him no harm. Without Seimei to help him, Hiromasa took the pendagram the onmyoji had given him before they parted, stuck it on the end of an arrow, and shot it right into Doson's forehead. Just to show Hiromasa how pointless that attack was, Doson pushed the arrow completely into his head, and pulled the arrow out from his mouth, then shot it at Hiromasa, piercing his chest.
Quite soon after that, Seimei, Mitsumushi, and Aone arrived, arriving just in time to see Hiromasa die. Aone begged Seimei to give her life to Hiromasa, as the two of them together were the guardians of the capital, and both needed to be alive to protect it. The two stars Hiromasa had seen that night so many nights before were representations of the two guardians, and the stars became one once they had met.
Seimei performed the ritual, and Hiromasa came back to live. The three of them then found Doson, who had the spirit of Prince Sawara inside him; because Hiromasa was brought back to life through Aone's sacrifice, her spirit still lingered with him, and when the two spirits met, Aone, who had been Sawara's love when they both had been alive, convinced him to pass on and stop seeking his vengeance. When Sawara agreed, and he and Aone had moved on, Doson tried to attack Mitsumushi. Seimei fought him, and managed to defeat him thanks to Hiromasa's earlier act of shooting Doson with the pentagram, which remained in his body. Together, they managed to save the capital from destruction.
But the peace they brought couldn't last forever, and soon enough, rumors of a terrifying demon surfaced, one who took various parts of its victims: the first his shoulder, the next his nose, the third his mouth, and the fourth part of his leg.
Hiromasa, who had been present at a ceremony meant to stop the demon attacks the evening before the fourth attack, visited Seimei the following day to discuss the demon...though somehow the subject was easily turned to that of Hiromasa's love life. And yes, once again he was in love, this time with Lady Himiko, also called the Tomboy Princess; it was said about her that even a demon wouldn't go near her, yet he immediately fell for her. Hiromasa's true reason for his visit was to ask Seimei to visit Himiko's father; when they did, they were told that his daughter was having trouble with sleepwalking recently, since the demon started to appear, in fact.
On his way home that evening, Hiromasa encountered a young man named Susa playing a melody on his biwa; Hiromasa joined him with his flute, despite the threat of the demon plaguing the capital. A few days later, Hiromasa visited Lady Himiko to share the new melody he learned, only to find Susa there as well; together they played their duet for the princess, with a surprising result: their song caused her to cry, and then as they continued to play, Susa and Himiko both experienced pain in their upper arm. A look at Susa's arm showed a strange pulsating mark in the place he felt pain. In the end, Susa ran off, leaving Hiromasa in utter confusion.
That evening, Hiromasa was at Seimei's home, looking over documents that he was using to research many of the strange occurrences in the city; not only was the demon attacking people, but a sword from Izumo legend had begun to act up. Hiromasa learned that the body parts stolen from the demon's victims matched lore from the Izumo tribe that went along with the sword. Unknowningly, Hiromasa made an observation about the myth of the sword and its wielder, the god Susa-no-o that aided Seimei in discovering who the demon's final two vistims would be (by this time, there had been six, and the legend of the sword involved eight body parts total that would awaken the sword's dangerous powers). With that information, Seimei laid a trap for the demon, with Hiromasa nearby in the event a physical attack would be needed to subdue it. The trap worked and they caught the demon, whose true identity was revealed to be Susa. When Hiromasa saw it was his biwa-playing friend, he began to approach him, until Seimei warned him to stay back. Caught off balance, Hiromasa fell to the ground, and in the process accidentally freed Susa from the trap. Susa became a demon once more and attacked Seimei. Hiromasa, unable to attack his friend, even to save another friend, managed to placate the demon by playing his flute.
That same evening, back at Seimei's abode, Lady Himiko paid him a visit. Seimei asked Hiromasa to leave him alone with the princess, but Hiromasa was very much against the idea...so Seimei placed a spell on him and froze him in place. The next thing Hiromasa knew was Mitsumushi calling his name; it was daytime by then, and he had been frozen the whole night through. When he finally got the feeling back in his legs, he and Mitsumushi went to the Izumo village for which Seimei and Himiko had already left. Unfortunately when they arrived, Himiko was dead; she was the eighth and final victim of Susa's, as she had been Amaterasu reincarnated. While Susa (in the company of his father Genkaku, who was responsible for and the force behind Susa's actions) took possession of the sword and unleashed its power, making himself a "raging god", Seimei and Hiromasa were assisted by Amaterasu, who showed them the way to reach the stairway to heaven. Someone would need to reach it in order to revive Amaterasu, the only way to stop Susa-no-o. Seimei planned to go alone, unsure of whether he would return from the journey alive, but Hiromasa insisted that if Seimei were to risk his life, then he would accompany him. Together they climbed the stairway, until they reached the rock gate, Seimei performing the ritual dance while Hiromasa played his flute; the sound of his flute caught Susa-no-o's ear, and led him to the gate as well.
There, Seimei performed the ritual to bring Amaterasu back, though it was not complete until his blood, spilled when Genkaku pierced him with Susa-no-o's sword. Amaterasu used her power to save Susa, and took him with her to Heaven; during this, Seimei and Hiromasa fell unconscious. When Hiromasa came to, he and Seimei were back on earth...but Seimei would not wake. Genkaku performed a spell to help Seimei, but said the rest was up to him, so Hiromasa brought him back home, and stayed by his side until Seimei finally awoke, much to Hiromasa's joy. He was afraid Seimei would die on him, to which Seimei replied that it would be boring not to watch Hiromasa "lose his heart to princesses" and hear him play his flute.
→ deviations
Crux: Instead of remaining in Heian-kyō the rest of his life (as history shows he did), Hiromasa, tired of losing all his loves to death, decides to seek his love-fortunes elsewhere. If he should fail, no one back home would know, and if he should finally land some luck in love, then so much the better.
Tangent: He got the idea when Seimei mentioned how boring it would be not to watch Hiromasa continue to lose his heart to ill-fated princesses; though he laughed at the time, it truly did bother him that he was so unlucky...and he grew embarrassed having Seimei know every time he fell in love.
He couldn't say where he first heard of Soeldei, though likely it was merely in passing, but once he got the idea in his head, Hiromasa formed a plan to leave the capital for a time; he remembered hearing that the island was supposed to be a place for new beginnings, and he thought that he could use one. Keeping his plans hidden from his friend, Hiromasa left the capital with nary a farewell to anyone, lest Seimei choose to follow him and mock him in his journey. He was certain that if he even shared his idea with the onmyoji, his friend would surely laugh at him.
Allegiance: Virtuoso
Reason: While Hiromasa is nobility, and in theory is something of a guardsman, his true devotion is music, and as the virtuoso welcome those with knowledge of any sort, it would be the perfect place for him to share his wealth of musical knowledge.
→ sample The first thought to cross Hiromasa's mind when one of his attendants greeted him that morning with a basketful of baby was how incredibly well-behaved it seemed to be, for not a wail had revealed its existence until he had pulled the bit of cloth away from its face. The second thought, quickly and foolishly following the first was what ever was he going to call it? With both these thoughts in mind (and in his excitement, he didn't even catch what his attendant said about the amount of money also found with the child), Hiromasa took the baby and brought it to Seimei's, for it was more than habit by now for any problem with which he was presented ought to be discussed at length with his friend.
By the time he arrived, sometime close to midday (for one could not simply drop in on a friend with just a baby, and also because discussing baby matters would go so much better accompanied by sake) Hiromasa's first thought had been all but lost, and the second matter, that of how to address the baby, was wavering on the edge of extinction as well. Even without the barrier around his property, Seimei would have been aware of the infant's existence well in advance of seeing it, though no doubt Hiromasa's frustrated mutterings on the way there provided an extra layer of amusement even before his arrival; Hiromasa quickly concluded that it had, for the moment he saw his friend, he also saw a rather entertained grin on his face.
Well acquainted with that look, and somewhat aware that it was almost exclusively used in relation to his mishaps, Hiromasa was quick to scowl. "It was quiet when I first saw it," he said. Behind him, Mitsumushi gave a little giggle while before him Seimei chuckled; Hiromasa turned his head both ways, then gave up and, taking a seat opposite the onmyoji, joined them in laughing.
Once the sake was poured and food served, Hiromasa pulled the basket to his side and pulled back the blankets. Leaning over, he grinned at the baby, who, upon seeing his toothy smile, began to cry again. Amidst another fit of laughter from his friends, Hiromasa sat back up, frowned, grew confused, then settled with a pout. "I'm going to keep it," he told them.
"Oh?" Seimei replied, his eyes wide but his lips upturned in a smile. Hiromasa nodded. "You're a good man," he said, and though the words were sincere, there was a hint of mocking there as well. "A good man," Mitsumushi echoed. Hiromasa looked at them with consideration, then sat back, seemingly satisfied with their verdict, lifting his ochoko and preparing to drink...
"The baby will no doubt make things even more interesting when you lose your heart again."
Hiromasa choked, quite literally. "Eh?" He turned his face away, a sure sign that "again" had already happened, and that Seimei's observation had never even flirted with his mind.
Player Name: Ro
Player LJ: terza_teabeef
→ character information
Series: Onmyoji
Name: Minamoto no Hiromasa
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Appearance: Hiromasa is tall, nearly six feet, and with his traditional headdress, taller still. But his height belies his simple, expressive face; never one to wear a mask, his face will always give away Hiromasa's emotions (usually these consist of joy, confusion, surprise, and on a few rare occasions indignation and sorrow). His is an honest, friendly face, always willing to lend a smile to your day. On top of his head is short black hair, usually hidden by a kanmuri crown or tate-eboshi.
In terms of clothing, Hiromasa typically wears proper court attire, called a sokutai: this type of dress consists of a top robe called a "ho", with a beautiful design and noted for its wide open sleeves. Below the ho is another layer of fabric. Underneath the robe, he wears a type of hakama called sashinuki; put simply, they look like very wide, baggy pants. The color of his attire would depend on the season, though Hiromasa tends to wear more muted colors. He wears a black version of this outfit when he is outfitted for combat. When this is the case, he wears a sword on his hip and a quiver of arrows on his back.
(website containing period dress)
Personality: Hiromasa is a rather simple man, all in all. Though a noble and part of the Emperor's court, Hiromasa is best known for his music and poetry, and he enjoys passing the time playing his flute. He is a sweet person; Mitsumushi, a butterfly who seems to serve the onmyoji Abe no Seimei, often remarks that Hiromasa is "a good man". He cares for people deeply; he would (and has) risk his life to protect them. While the sentiment is endearing in one sense, Hiromasa is not exactly the man you'd want to be there protecting you from evil. He is brave in that he will try to face danger for others, but when the danger actually shows up, Hiromasa is not exactly quick with his sword, nor incredibly skilled when he does put it to use. He's a bit better with the bow (though it may have been due to the close range; the first time we see him use it, he has his eyes closed). Hiromasa is much better at calming with music than overcoming by strength.
Hiromasa is no good judge of character, but is rather the type to like someone for no particular reason other than he doesn't have it in him to immediately hate a person. Though he can be scared off by the unknown (as was the case when he first met Seimei), he can overcome his hesitation and uncertainty rather well. Hiromasa's easy-going, accepting nature can lead him into trouble, and especially love, quite often though. He is, sadly, very unlucky when it comes to love, but his love is pure enough that when it fails (usually when his love...dies), he is more likely to feel sorrow than bitter resentment, and he moves on in time rather unbroken by the experience. That is not to say that his love wasn't sincere, but is more a testament to his overall cheerful disposition.
It should also be noted that Hiromasa is easily entertained, easily surprised, easily fooled, and easily confused. Seimei often likes to tease him, and he and Mitsumushi often laugh at Hiromasa's expense, though after an initial scowl or pout, Hiromasa will often join in as well. He is not above laughing over his own naivete.
Particulars: Fue → Hiromasa is well-known for his musicality, and especially his flute playing. It has often been remarked that his is a very beautiful sound, and his friends will ask him to play for them on many occasions. He is also learned in a number of other instruments, but it is his flute that is both most easy to carry with him, as well as his favorite to play. Hiromasa enjoys the opportunity to play with others as well, and is comparable to a kid in a candy store when he meets another musician willing to play with him.
His flute also seems to have the capability of soothing even the most terrifying of demons, a useful technique when his courage fails him.
Sword → Theoretically he can wield it, but in practice, he's easily overpowered. It is a skill he has not developed as much as he has his music. He brings it with him nevertheless.
Bow and Arrow → Another weapon he's not so swift at using in combat. If push comes to shove, however, he will find it in him to at least try.
Canon History: Before I began, it should be noted that Minamoto no Hiromasa was an actual person and that some of his history here is movie canon, and the rest of it is actual history.
Born in the year 918, during the Heian Period, to one of Emperor Daigo's sons, Hiromasa grew up a noble, with the education all of that entailed. At some point during his youth, he was removed from the imperial succession, and at that time received the surname Minamoto. In 934, he received the position of a lower forth rank (later on in his historical life he was made a lower third rank non-councilor of the Mikado's court, the highest rank he would achieve). It was about ten years later, in approximately 944 when his life was changed forever.
It was in that year he became acquainted with the onmyoji Abe no Seimei. When Hiromasa first encountered Seimei, some others of the court asked the onmyoji to show them proof of his powers by killing an out-of-season butterfly without touching it. Watching as Seimei (reluctantly) fulfilled the task, Hiromasa was frightened by the other man...so it was with great anxiety that he later went to visit Seimei by request of a lord to ask him for help. Once he saw how else the onmyoji could use his magic, he was fascinated by him.
That same evening, Hiromasa was playing his flute for a noblewoman with whom he was in love, though he didn't even know her name, when he witnessed two stars in the sky meet. He remarked to the lady that perhaps the stars were like two lovers, together at last, and used the opportunity to ask for her name. The lady left without giving him that, but he didn't let that discourage him.
Soon after, a prince was born to one of the Mikado's wives, and as the court came to give their congratulations, the infant prince was cursed. Hiromasa went to Seimei, asking him to help the baby. When Seimei asked him why he was needed, Hiromasa told him that he was the only one who could help, that the rest of the court onmyoji had failed. Seimei did as Hiromasa asked, and freed the baby from its curse, with the help of the Lady Aone, a mysterious woman who came when Hiromasa played his flute; she surprised and startled him when she greeted Seimei with the remark that it had been thirty years since their last meeting. Seimei removed the curse by putting it in Aone. He brought her back to his home, where he released the demon in its true form; Hiromasa accompanied them, and was supposed to strike the demon down when it was released, but he was so frightened by it that he completely failed and it escaped.
As Aone rested, Hiromasa asked Seimei about spells, specifically ones that might bind a person's heart; his nameless love on his mind. After a bit of light-hearted teasing from Mitsumushi and the onmyoji, Seimei told him about a spell that would give the moon to his beloved, simply by pointing at it and declaring that he would get her the moon. Though Hiromasa laughed at the idea and declared he could never say something so embarrassing, later that evening, as he played for the lady he loves, he gave her the moon, just as Seimei taught him, and names her the Lady of the Full Moon. Prompted by his innocent declaration, the lady sang him a song her beloved gave to her.
The next day, Seimei and Aone were arrested on suspicion of having been the ones to place the curse on the infant prince. When these charges were declared, Hiromasa stood up to defend his friend; in the end, Seimei laughed at the charges, stating that there was no grounds for them, and started to leave. Unfortunately, another court onmyoji by the name of Doson cast a spell on one of the guards to attack Seimei. Aone took the blow and seemed to die.
Hiromasa helped Seimei bring Aone back to the place where they had met her before, and apologized for being unable to save her...only to find out that Aone had the gift of immortality and was not dead at all! He learned that they were at the tomb of Prince Sawara, who had been falsely accused of treason and subsequently was executed. Aone ate the flesh of a merman and was granted immortality, so that she might watch over the tomb and lend assistance to the guardians of Heian-kyō (the capital) should his vengeful spirit be awoken.
The following day, Seimei's help was requested once again to protect the infant prince; both he and his father, the Mikado, were purportedly being targeted by a demon of some kind. That evening, he set up a trap to fool the demon; Hiromasa was to sit guard and protect the Mikado in case something went wrong while Seimei chanted a spell to keep them all hidden from sight. The demon was tricked into believing two straw dolls were her targets, and she proceeded to choke the "baby", then sobbed over the Mikado doll, revealing her feelings of jealousy and abandonment. When she began to sing, Hiromasa recognized the Lady of the Full Moon's song; the Mikado as well realized the one after him was one of his wives, and called out her name, breaking Seimei's spell.
When she realized she had been tricked, she lunged toward the Mikado. Hiromasa stood in her way, however, and Seimei was able to get the Mikado and his son away from the woman, but not before he discovered a spell to kill Hiromasa attached to her back. As the demon still tried to go after the Mikado, Hiromasa grabbed onto her and then offered himself for her to feed on. She took his offer, but when he told her he did not mind, since it was she who was feeding on him, she realized what had happened to her, and full of shame, she took his sword and slit her throat. Hiromasa stayed by her side as she died, playing his flute for her for the last time.
The next day, a dark cloud covered the skies above Heian-kyō; Doson had released the spirit of Prince Sawara from his tomb. Hiromasa was visiting Seimei at the time, asking him to lend his powers to the Mikado, who was terrified of Doson. While initially he refused, which disappointed Hiromasa, Seimei agreed to help him protect the city once they knew the tomb had been destroyed. Hiromasa headed for the Mikado's palace and ended up confronting Doson there. He tried to kill Doson, only to discover that he had somehow become immortal - he managed to thrust his sword right through his stomach, and it did him no harm. Without Seimei to help him, Hiromasa took the pendagram the onmyoji had given him before they parted, stuck it on the end of an arrow, and shot it right into Doson's forehead. Just to show Hiromasa how pointless that attack was, Doson pushed the arrow completely into his head, and pulled the arrow out from his mouth, then shot it at Hiromasa, piercing his chest.
Quite soon after that, Seimei, Mitsumushi, and Aone arrived, arriving just in time to see Hiromasa die. Aone begged Seimei to give her life to Hiromasa, as the two of them together were the guardians of the capital, and both needed to be alive to protect it. The two stars Hiromasa had seen that night so many nights before were representations of the two guardians, and the stars became one once they had met.
Seimei performed the ritual, and Hiromasa came back to live. The three of them then found Doson, who had the spirit of Prince Sawara inside him; because Hiromasa was brought back to life through Aone's sacrifice, her spirit still lingered with him, and when the two spirits met, Aone, who had been Sawara's love when they both had been alive, convinced him to pass on and stop seeking his vengeance. When Sawara agreed, and he and Aone had moved on, Doson tried to attack Mitsumushi. Seimei fought him, and managed to defeat him thanks to Hiromasa's earlier act of shooting Doson with the pentagram, which remained in his body. Together, they managed to save the capital from destruction.
But the peace they brought couldn't last forever, and soon enough, rumors of a terrifying demon surfaced, one who took various parts of its victims: the first his shoulder, the next his nose, the third his mouth, and the fourth part of his leg.
Hiromasa, who had been present at a ceremony meant to stop the demon attacks the evening before the fourth attack, visited Seimei the following day to discuss the demon...though somehow the subject was easily turned to that of Hiromasa's love life. And yes, once again he was in love, this time with Lady Himiko, also called the Tomboy Princess; it was said about her that even a demon wouldn't go near her, yet he immediately fell for her. Hiromasa's true reason for his visit was to ask Seimei to visit Himiko's father; when they did, they were told that his daughter was having trouble with sleepwalking recently, since the demon started to appear, in fact.
On his way home that evening, Hiromasa encountered a young man named Susa playing a melody on his biwa; Hiromasa joined him with his flute, despite the threat of the demon plaguing the capital. A few days later, Hiromasa visited Lady Himiko to share the new melody he learned, only to find Susa there as well; together they played their duet for the princess, with a surprising result: their song caused her to cry, and then as they continued to play, Susa and Himiko both experienced pain in their upper arm. A look at Susa's arm showed a strange pulsating mark in the place he felt pain. In the end, Susa ran off, leaving Hiromasa in utter confusion.
That evening, Hiromasa was at Seimei's home, looking over documents that he was using to research many of the strange occurrences in the city; not only was the demon attacking people, but a sword from Izumo legend had begun to act up. Hiromasa learned that the body parts stolen from the demon's victims matched lore from the Izumo tribe that went along with the sword. Unknowningly, Hiromasa made an observation about the myth of the sword and its wielder, the god Susa-no-o that aided Seimei in discovering who the demon's final two vistims would be (by this time, there had been six, and the legend of the sword involved eight body parts total that would awaken the sword's dangerous powers). With that information, Seimei laid a trap for the demon, with Hiromasa nearby in the event a physical attack would be needed to subdue it. The trap worked and they caught the demon, whose true identity was revealed to be Susa. When Hiromasa saw it was his biwa-playing friend, he began to approach him, until Seimei warned him to stay back. Caught off balance, Hiromasa fell to the ground, and in the process accidentally freed Susa from the trap. Susa became a demon once more and attacked Seimei. Hiromasa, unable to attack his friend, even to save another friend, managed to placate the demon by playing his flute.
That same evening, back at Seimei's abode, Lady Himiko paid him a visit. Seimei asked Hiromasa to leave him alone with the princess, but Hiromasa was very much against the idea...so Seimei placed a spell on him and froze him in place. The next thing Hiromasa knew was Mitsumushi calling his name; it was daytime by then, and he had been frozen the whole night through. When he finally got the feeling back in his legs, he and Mitsumushi went to the Izumo village for which Seimei and Himiko had already left. Unfortunately when they arrived, Himiko was dead; she was the eighth and final victim of Susa's, as she had been Amaterasu reincarnated. While Susa (in the company of his father Genkaku, who was responsible for and the force behind Susa's actions) took possession of the sword and unleashed its power, making himself a "raging god", Seimei and Hiromasa were assisted by Amaterasu, who showed them the way to reach the stairway to heaven. Someone would need to reach it in order to revive Amaterasu, the only way to stop Susa-no-o. Seimei planned to go alone, unsure of whether he would return from the journey alive, but Hiromasa insisted that if Seimei were to risk his life, then he would accompany him. Together they climbed the stairway, until they reached the rock gate, Seimei performing the ritual dance while Hiromasa played his flute; the sound of his flute caught Susa-no-o's ear, and led him to the gate as well.
There, Seimei performed the ritual to bring Amaterasu back, though it was not complete until his blood, spilled when Genkaku pierced him with Susa-no-o's sword. Amaterasu used her power to save Susa, and took him with her to Heaven; during this, Seimei and Hiromasa fell unconscious. When Hiromasa came to, he and Seimei were back on earth...but Seimei would not wake. Genkaku performed a spell to help Seimei, but said the rest was up to him, so Hiromasa brought him back home, and stayed by his side until Seimei finally awoke, much to Hiromasa's joy. He was afraid Seimei would die on him, to which Seimei replied that it would be boring not to watch Hiromasa "lose his heart to princesses" and hear him play his flute.
→ deviations
Crux: Instead of remaining in Heian-kyō the rest of his life (as history shows he did), Hiromasa, tired of losing all his loves to death, decides to seek his love-fortunes elsewhere. If he should fail, no one back home would know, and if he should finally land some luck in love, then so much the better.
Tangent: He got the idea when Seimei mentioned how boring it would be not to watch Hiromasa continue to lose his heart to ill-fated princesses; though he laughed at the time, it truly did bother him that he was so unlucky...and he grew embarrassed having Seimei know every time he fell in love.
He couldn't say where he first heard of Soeldei, though likely it was merely in passing, but once he got the idea in his head, Hiromasa formed a plan to leave the capital for a time; he remembered hearing that the island was supposed to be a place for new beginnings, and he thought that he could use one. Keeping his plans hidden from his friend, Hiromasa left the capital with nary a farewell to anyone, lest Seimei choose to follow him and mock him in his journey. He was certain that if he even shared his idea with the onmyoji, his friend would surely laugh at him.
Allegiance: Virtuoso
Reason: While Hiromasa is nobility, and in theory is something of a guardsman, his true devotion is music, and as the virtuoso welcome those with knowledge of any sort, it would be the perfect place for him to share his wealth of musical knowledge.
→ sample The first thought to cross Hiromasa's mind when one of his attendants greeted him that morning with a basketful of baby was how incredibly well-behaved it seemed to be, for not a wail had revealed its existence until he had pulled the bit of cloth away from its face. The second thought, quickly and foolishly following the first was what ever was he going to call it? With both these thoughts in mind (and in his excitement, he didn't even catch what his attendant said about the amount of money also found with the child), Hiromasa took the baby and brought it to Seimei's, for it was more than habit by now for any problem with which he was presented ought to be discussed at length with his friend.
By the time he arrived, sometime close to midday (for one could not simply drop in on a friend with just a baby, and also because discussing baby matters would go so much better accompanied by sake) Hiromasa's first thought had been all but lost, and the second matter, that of how to address the baby, was wavering on the edge of extinction as well. Even without the barrier around his property, Seimei would have been aware of the infant's existence well in advance of seeing it, though no doubt Hiromasa's frustrated mutterings on the way there provided an extra layer of amusement even before his arrival; Hiromasa quickly concluded that it had, for the moment he saw his friend, he also saw a rather entertained grin on his face.
Well acquainted with that look, and somewhat aware that it was almost exclusively used in relation to his mishaps, Hiromasa was quick to scowl. "It was quiet when I first saw it," he said. Behind him, Mitsumushi gave a little giggle while before him Seimei chuckled; Hiromasa turned his head both ways, then gave up and, taking a seat opposite the onmyoji, joined them in laughing.
Once the sake was poured and food served, Hiromasa pulled the basket to his side and pulled back the blankets. Leaning over, he grinned at the baby, who, upon seeing his toothy smile, began to cry again. Amidst another fit of laughter from his friends, Hiromasa sat back up, frowned, grew confused, then settled with a pout. "I'm going to keep it," he told them.
"Oh?" Seimei replied, his eyes wide but his lips upturned in a smile. Hiromasa nodded. "You're a good man," he said, and though the words were sincere, there was a hint of mocking there as well. "A good man," Mitsumushi echoed. Hiromasa looked at them with consideration, then sat back, seemingly satisfied with their verdict, lifting his ochoko and preparing to drink...
"The baby will no doubt make things even more interesting when you lose your heart again."
Hiromasa choked, quite literally. "Eh?" He turned his face away, a sure sign that "again" had already happened, and that Seimei's observation had never even flirted with his mind.