[OOC: application & voting]
Character: Hijikata Toshizou.
Series: Hakuouki.
Character Age: Early thirties.
Job: Positively Uplifting and Completely Inspiring Motivational Speaker.
Canon: When a young girl leaves home to look for her missing father, she unexpectedly finds herself a witness to the murder of a few local samurai by what appears to be people from the Shinsengumi. As they turn on her, she's rescued by different members and brought back to their headquarters where, once they decide to let her live, she takes up their cause to support the Shogunate and keep the extremists in check. The longer she's with them, though, the more she learns about the dark secrets they've been hiding -- that there are certain members who have turned into Rasetsu (demons) and now need blood to survive, as well as the truth about her past and origin.
In Hakuouki, and with most interpretations of his character, Hijikata is known as the "Demon Vice-Commander." He's extremely serious and hardworking, and he takes great pride in being a samurai. This shows in the way he handles his position in the Shinsengumi and its members; the latter towards whom he can be very harsh and cruel at times, but this is because he wholeheartedly believes in their cause and is willing to fight and die for it. Even after he becomes a Rasetsu (which makes his nickname much more literal), and despite its hindrances, he still pushes himself and others forward, unwilling to accept defeat or failure. That's not to say that he's completely cold and unfeeling, and it shows in the way he treats Chizuru; one of the few people whom he can truly relax or show his weaknesses around. And underneath his grumpy exterior, Hijikata cares very deeply about his friends and comrades and does his best to ignore any teasing or heckling that gets thrown his way.
Sample Entry:
[There is a man standing in a field of corn. His senses are sharp and focused as he stares down the approaching foe. He hasn't drawn his sword just yet, but his hand is resting on the hilt. As they get closer, he locks eyes with the leader. They're wide and a bit sad and droopy, but he doesn't waver because underestimating the enemy will certainly lead to injuries, or even worse, death. He slides into a fighting stance. The creature opens its mouth wide as if in a yawn, but reveals sharp teeth in the process. And as he slowly draws his sword, it attacks -- running in close and lifting a powerfully short and stubby leg to...pee on his boot.]
--No! When I said "go for the ankles" I meant biting! Pissing on an enemy isn't going to make them flee in fear. Even if you're puppies, show some restraint! Now, there's been very little progress here and we're running out of time. You have to take this more seriously. There's no room for error on the battlefield, and if we're going to win, we have to give it a hundred percent! Stop wagging your tongues at me and get back into formation. You're not getting any treats until we get this right.
[He sheathes his sword and sighs as they turn and romp back to edge of the field, tails wagging.]
I know Kondou-san said we needed all the help we could get, and I have no problem training new recruits... But ordering me to train puppies?! Even if they're demon puppies, this is still certainly extreme even for him. Since I've been charged with this task, though, it's my responsibility to see it through to the best of my abilities. I refuse to accept failure as an option. [Looks at his boot.] Although, perhaps I should have started with house breaking them in first, not that that would make this any less absurd.
[And with another sigh, he sets the grim prospects aside and his seriousness settles back into place.]
Everyone listen up and pay attention! --This means that I need all of you to stop chasing each others' tails and playing around. We've got a long, hard road ahead of us and in order for this to work, we need to focus. The goal here is to take the enemy by surprise, but that's not going to happen if you can't be fierce enough to cause damage. Even if you're small, you're still proud warriors and members of the Shinsengumi! You should act like it! Become wolves and stand tall. Bare your fangs and don't be afraid to draw blood! I'm giving you free reign to attack me where you see fit. If you find an opening or a weakness, I want you to take full advantage. Remember, this is war! Now, go!
[Hijikata falls into position again, ready and waiting as the troops charge and...run straight past him into a rabble of butterflies, yipping and barking playfully as they chase the delicate creatures around; their orders completely forgotten. He turns to watch them, frowning deeply.]
...I'm starting to doubt your commitment to the Shinsengumi.
Voting went here. 44/8 (84.6%)
Series: Hakuouki.
Character Age: Early thirties.
Job: Positively Uplifting and Completely Inspiring Motivational Speaker.
Canon: When a young girl leaves home to look for her missing father, she unexpectedly finds herself a witness to the murder of a few local samurai by what appears to be people from the Shinsengumi. As they turn on her, she's rescued by different members and brought back to their headquarters where, once they decide to let her live, she takes up their cause to support the Shogunate and keep the extremists in check. The longer she's with them, though, the more she learns about the dark secrets they've been hiding -- that there are certain members who have turned into Rasetsu (demons) and now need blood to survive, as well as the truth about her past and origin.
In Hakuouki, and with most interpretations of his character, Hijikata is known as the "Demon Vice-Commander." He's extremely serious and hardworking, and he takes great pride in being a samurai. This shows in the way he handles his position in the Shinsengumi and its members; the latter towards whom he can be very harsh and cruel at times, but this is because he wholeheartedly believes in their cause and is willing to fight and die for it. Even after he becomes a Rasetsu (which makes his nickname much more literal), and despite its hindrances, he still pushes himself and others forward, unwilling to accept defeat or failure. That's not to say that he's completely cold and unfeeling, and it shows in the way he treats Chizuru; one of the few people whom he can truly relax or show his weaknesses around. And underneath his grumpy exterior, Hijikata cares very deeply about his friends and comrades and does his best to ignore any teasing or heckling that gets thrown his way.
Sample Entry:
[There is a man standing in a field of corn. His senses are sharp and focused as he stares down the approaching foe. He hasn't drawn his sword just yet, but his hand is resting on the hilt. As they get closer, he locks eyes with the leader. They're wide and a bit sad and droopy, but he doesn't waver because underestimating the enemy will certainly lead to injuries, or even worse, death. He slides into a fighting stance. The creature opens its mouth wide as if in a yawn, but reveals sharp teeth in the process. And as he slowly draws his sword, it attacks -- running in close and lifting a powerfully short and stubby leg to...pee on his boot.]
--No! When I said "go for the ankles" I meant biting! Pissing on an enemy isn't going to make them flee in fear. Even if you're puppies, show some restraint! Now, there's been very little progress here and we're running out of time. You have to take this more seriously. There's no room for error on the battlefield, and if we're going to win, we have to give it a hundred percent! Stop wagging your tongues at me and get back into formation. You're not getting any treats until we get this right.
[He sheathes his sword and sighs as they turn and romp back to edge of the field, tails wagging.]
I know Kondou-san said we needed all the help we could get, and I have no problem training new recruits... But ordering me to train puppies?! Even if they're demon puppies, this is still certainly extreme even for him. Since I've been charged with this task, though, it's my responsibility to see it through to the best of my abilities. I refuse to accept failure as an option. [Looks at his boot.] Although, perhaps I should have started with house breaking them in first, not that that would make this any less absurd.
[And with another sigh, he sets the grim prospects aside and his seriousness settles back into place.]
Everyone listen up and pay attention! --This means that I need all of you to stop chasing each others' tails and playing around. We've got a long, hard road ahead of us and in order for this to work, we need to focus. The goal here is to take the enemy by surprise, but that's not going to happen if you can't be fierce enough to cause damage. Even if you're small, you're still proud warriors and members of the Shinsengumi! You should act like it! Become wolves and stand tall. Bare your fangs and don't be afraid to draw blood! I'm giving you free reign to attack me where you see fit. If you find an opening or a weakness, I want you to take full advantage. Remember, this is war! Now, go!
[Hijikata falls into position again, ready and waiting as the troops charge and...run straight past him into a rabble of butterflies, yipping and barking playfully as they chase the delicate creatures around; their orders completely forgotten. He turns to watch them, frowning deeply.]
...I'm starting to doubt your commitment to the Shinsengumi.
Voting went here. 44/8 (84.6%)