[Character Name] Ushiwaka (Waka); Tao Master Waka
[Canon] Okami
[Point Taken from Canon] Near-end: Beginning of Yami battle.
[Age] 200+ years old
[Gender] Male
[Sexual Orientation] Er, hetero? But it's very unlikely that he'll be in a sexual relationship.
[Eye Color] Aquamarine
[Hair Color] Golden Blonde
[Height] With his geta on, Waka is about average height, so around 5'11. He's actually quite short, and is physically about 5'2 if guesses are worth anything.
[Other] Stiletto high geta, his hat which is two large wings attached to a helmet in the shape of a bird.
[Clothing]
Here~ [Background] While the game starts with the journey of Amaterasu's quest, Waka has already been behind the whole plot for centuries. His story begins many years before Amaterasu first stepped foot on the mortal world.
The world, in Okami's universe, is divided into three different realms of being: the mortal world, obviously the Earth and all its creatures, the Celestial Plain which contained the Gods and their children, and the Moon Tribe, which housed the mysterious Moon Tribe and demons. The Moon Tribe, where Waka lived, was the most advanced civilization out of the three, capable of making rockets and machinery. The race was also famous for its prominence in prophecy. But, despite being one of the superior races, the Moon Tribe, along with its civilization, vanished from existence mysteriously. Only a few survivors were ever seen after the extinction. (Waka and Kaguya are the only known survivors.)
Taking the Ark of Yamato, Waka fled the collapse of his world to the land of the Celestial Plain. The Ark was enshrined by the Celestials as a rescue vessel, and Waka lived peacefully with Amaterasu and her brethren for many years. Unfortunately, the peace would not last for Orochi, a fearsome eight-headed dragon, rose from the moon and attacked the Celestial Plain without warning. Waka, alongside Amaterasu, fought as well as they could against the beast, but to no avail. A prophecy revealed to Waka told that only the human hero, Nagi, could slay Orochi. Waka told Amaterasu this, and while the goddess took herself and Orochi to Earth, he herded the remaining Celestials on to the Ark of Yamato in hopes of leading them to safety. As soon as the doors of the Ark were closed, the Celestials' doom was already at hand.
From what the Celestials' tell Amaterasu much later in time, it was very likely that the Moon Tribe plotted for their demise. They 'preordained' the future, as the Celestial said. Why the moon Tribe took such drastic measures is never revealed, but how they destroyed the race is very evident. The Ark, unknown to Waka and the Celestials, was filled with terrible demons, including the God of Darkness, Yami. When it was clear that none of their victims could escape, the demons attacked and devoured the helpless beings. Waka tried to fight back, but he was overwhelmed by the demons' sheer number. As a last resort, he crashed the Ark into Laochi Lake, where it was imprisoned in the frozen water. The demons were undeterred, however. They escaped the Ark and plagued the mortal world, bringing misery unto two civilizations in one attack. Waka felt ultimately responsible for the massacre of the Celestials' and the curse plaguing Nippon. Because of this, he devoted his life to ridding demons from the world, becoming a well-known exorcist in the process, and subtly helping Amaterasu in her journey.
During his first century on Earth, he waited with Amaterasu until the birth of Nagi. Then both the hero and wolf took on Orochi and were successful, but at the cost of the goddess' life. she was enshrined in the village of Nagi's birth, Kamiki, and would lay dormant for nearly a hundred years until Orochi's reawakening by Susano, a descendant of Nagi. During this time, Waka lived at Sei-An city and worked closely with the royalty, notably Queen Himiko, as a Tao Master. He employed his own task force, the Tao Troopers, to personally guard the city and the Queen. When Amaterasu awakened, he began following her journey. He was disappointed at how weakened the wolf had became after her slumber (also losing her memories, as well), and often challenged her to duels. Issun, Amaterasu's companion, and Waka did not get along. In fact, Issun hated the prophet and Waka teased the Poncle, perhaps as a way to motivate him to become a painter of the gods again.
Amaterasu's whole quest consisted of her acquiring all the brush techniques, and eventually ending up in Kamui, the cold northern tip of Nippon. Here was the place where the ominous Ark laid with Yami at its center. Waka faced Yami while Amaterasu finished off the last major demons hidden in th Ark's depths. He was no match for the mechanical god, and was nearly defeated by the time Amaterasu joined him. He confessed to Amaterasu again the guilt of his involvement in the Celestials' death and his place of origin, the Moon Tribe. He told her how much she meant to him, forgiving him for his failure and how she trusted his prophecies without a sign of disbelief. With a final flourish from his sword, he protected Amaterasu from Yami's powerful laser, getting knocked clean off the Ark in the process.
[Personality] 'Half-baked prophet' is the perfect way to describe Waka. He's very eccentric for a feudal Japanese prophet; flirty, flamboyant, and sometimes, downright annoying. His prophecies, though extremely accurate, are almost useless since he makes the riddles so strange that one doesn't figure it out until the event has already happened. He enjoys confounding people with his riddles, and giving good-natures taunts. He's very cheerful, practically to the point of sparkling, and is hardly ever subdued. Posing? If it's for the good of his prophecy, he'll dance. French? Uses it in abundance, especially flirtatiously. Sparkles? Doesn't leave headquarters without them.
Though he is optimistic and sunny overall, Waka has serious emotions from time to time. He isn't above giving a stern lecture to Amaterasu or her companion, and will call them on their faults. He's also somewhat an aloof and mysterious character. He hardly ever shows himself to anyone besides Amaterasu. His own Tao Troopers don't get much of a glimpse of him.
Waka isn't without his own faults. He prefers to do things alone, thinking he can naturally handle whatever is thrown at him even if it surpasses him completely. His self-assurance is the thing that nearly gets him killed. The prophet also has a tendency to talk himself into trouble.
He doesn't get too close to many people, and on rare occasions, can seem quite cold. He hardly reacts to Himiko's death, and it's Issun who questions Waka's own disinterest. Because Waka lost most of everything he loved to death and violence, he has become almost used to its presence in his life. He lets this sometimes cloud his judgment and lead him to say things he truly doesn't mean.
Waka is fiercely loyal. He admires Amaterasu deeply for her compassion and understanding despite his failure. Though he may act as if he's being rude, Waka does most of the things he does out of protection for her. Waka isn't above using low words and schemes to push people away from harming themselves or others.
[Specialties/Abilities] Prophecy, though he'll only use it occasionally in Somarium, and not on a whim like he could in Nippon.
An exorcist, proficient mainly in dispelling strong barriers. He also has some amount of power similar to Amaterasu's since he restored Ryoshima Coast before she arrived there.
He is also a gifted swordsman, and wield both a lightsaber, his flute Pillowtalk, and his katakana. His attacks are mostly based on agility and the fact he has hidden daggers on him makes him a dangerous foe.
Some minor abilities: flute-playing, walking on water, and flight.
[Affection] You can hug him, and he won't fight back, but be warned that he will tease you about it because he's a dork like that. More intimate affection will probably be turned down unless you're Amaterasu. Though he is a pretty laidback guy, Waka does like to keep his distance from people.
[Fighting] Go for it~! More often than not, Waka'll probably initiate a fight. He is hard to kill, being a Moon Tribesman and all. Serious injury or death must be consulted with me first, please.
[Other Facts] If you want Waka to give your character a prophecy, just drop me a message.