Ruby City App
Oct. 9th, 2016 12:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
serenesuccessorPLAYER
Name: Cat
Age: 26
Personal Journal: steampunknerd.dreamwidth.org
E-mail: sunsetavalon@yahoo.com
AIM/MSN/etc: Plurk is Enjolsass
CHARACTER
Name: Naomi Mikano
Age: 16
Appearance:
Naomi is often described by others as a little pixie or a monkey. She prefers the pixie title. The title is mostly because Naomi is not very tall. She's below average in height and appears a good few years younger then she actually is – IE despite being sixteen many might mistake her for fourteen. It's annoying. She is also incredibly petite in size which only perpetuates the age misconception. She is also half-Japanese, something she takes a lot of pride in.
For the first time in years Naomi has grown her hair out, letting it sweep down to her mid-back. The color remains unusual to most, as she has been dying her hair since she entered high school. Currently it is half blonde and half black, split right down the middle at her part. She tends to pull the two sides into messy buns or braids if she has too. She's come quite fond of the color, though, so she might actually be keeping it for a while even if the upkeep is a bit annoying.
Naomi likes to dress cute but comfortably. On her arrival to Ruby City she is wearing comfortable pastel yellow sundress with leggings and sneakers, along with an oversized motorcycle jacket she'd borrowed from her brother Kou. Sundresses are a typical outfit for her when it's warm, or shorts with cute tank tops. Come fall though she'll be bundling up in sweaters and leggings or skinny jeans. She has also recently discovered pastel kei, and has tried on numerous occasions to dress in that style.
No matter what, however, Naomi will always be wearing a pair of fingerless gloves. Why you might ask? Well that's very simple, on the back of each hand are teal colored gems in diamond shapes that are seemingly embedded into her skin. They tend to give off a soft glow, particularly when she uses magic, so it's just easier to hide them then explain.
Naomi has a very strange way of speaking at times, often cutting of the 'a' in 'and' and just generally talking in run ons. One might wonder how she has so much breath in her tiny frame, but it's probably best not to ask. When nervous she has the habit of nibbling on her lower lip or fiddling with the end of her shirts or hair.
Chosen PB: Technically Saki Fukuda, though I am trying to slowly transition her to art icons due to her hair!
Personality:
There are three words that can very simply sum Naomi up – optimistic, energetic and a crybaby.
Since the day she was born Naomi has always been a bundle of energy, much to everyone’s frustration at times. There are times when it is hard to keep her in one place for an extended period of time and even then she’s bouncing on the balls of her feet or fidgeting. It feeds into the fact that she tends to be a little impatient when needing to get someplace or waiting in general. Naomi does try to be patient when she needs to be, but it's hard.
Naomi also has a very large heart, and no matter what, wants to take care of people. It is all but impossible to get on Naomi’s bad side. Can you be someone that annoys her? Sure. Someone she’s not overly fond of? Absolutely. But Naomi is incapable of hating anyone – even those who have hurt her. You could be her mortal enemy and she would still come to your aide if you were in trouble. It’s just the way she is. Naomi has the belief that no one should be alone, that everyone needs someone to support them. It is a belief that has come from the people around her – specifically her Mother and Uncle Matt. They have also instilled how important family is.
She also a very hopeful young lady, always trying to find the silver lining in any situation no matter the circumstances; because nothing is ever hopeless. It’s a belief that she’s always had, one that has very rarely been shaken. In a way it has become her coping mechanism when everything becomes crazy because when push comes to shove Naomi doesn't know what she would do if things did not turn out alright. The one time it did (with Tyler, which is explained in her history) her reaction was really to shut down.
So she clings to her optimism. It’s one of the reasons her older brother – Kou – looks at his sister as this tiny ray of sunshine even when everything else is dark. Naomi may whine, she may be sad, but she holds onto her hope and faith that everything will work out in the end.
Naomi is also a crybaby – though at age sixteen she’s nowhere near as much of one as when she was younger. She has grown up a little, but being thrown into a magical war where your older brother was possessed and trying to kill you tended to do that. However she still holds fast to the belief that sometimes people just need to cry, because keeping emotions bottled up can never lead to anything good. So she cries! A lot depending on the situation. There are still times when Naomi cries out of sheer fear, but she also knows how to work through this. She is capable of pushing her fears aside and continuing forward, even if she is crying. Much to everyone's surprise, she is actually quite good at thinking on her feet.
Despite her age Naomi is still rather childish in nature as well as surprisingly naïve at times, taking things at face value. She is curious and full of so many questions, eager to learn. At times it does frustrate her that many look at her as a child, to the point where she feels as though they don’t take her seriously. She desperately wants to prove herself, as well as to protect those that are important to her. This is also largely because she feels there are times when she is nothing but a burden, someone who needs to be shielded. It is a frustration she can't always shake.
World Information:
Naomi’s world on the surface is not that drastically different from our own. The most notable difference on the surface is the fact that she lives in the year 2011 opposed to 2016. It isn’t until you dig beneath the surface that things are different. Her world is that of an urban fantasy and Naomi found herself smack dab in a supernatural battle when she was fourteen.
The second most notable difference would be the Age of Legends, a period of time that many of the fairy tales she grew up hearing were said to occur. It was a time where every child had a fairy guardian and wizards and witches were respected (for the most part) instead of hunted. Naomi grew up hearing these stories, one of her favorites being that of the Four Elements, a story that very much shaped the Age of Legends.
See, they say that the Age of Legends began when the Four Elements were granted a corporeal form to keep order and balance on the mortal plane as war waged on in the heavens. The four would grant the ability to wield their respect element to a select few, creating four distinct groups that would help continue their mission of peace and balance long after they gave up their corporeal forms. The groups ranged from humans and dragons (Fire) to nymphs and satyrs (Earth) to sirens and merfolk (Water) to fae of every shape and size (Wind). The groups grew powerful in their own right, forming courts and acting as mediators when war between the humans and the magical folk broke up. The Court of Flames was most notable in being summoned for these peace talks – as it also included men and women who had entered a pack with the dragons.
As time went on though the courts began to fade into obscurity, their power and influence fading. The Elements saw this and chose to once again grant their abilities to peacekeepers. Each went out, selecting a living being and blessing them. These individuals would become known as the Chosen of the Elements, and while they were not as powerful as the courts, having to channel their respective elements through items from swords to harps, they soon earned their own notoriety. When they would pass on another would be chosen by the respective Element. It was a cycle that carried on for centuries until one day Gaia’s Chosen, an archer, vanished without a trace after killing the current vessel of Markel. Many state that was the time when the Age of Legends ended.
Of course the existence of Markel and Serenity might also be a unique thing to her universe. The story of those two were also one she had heard growing up, and one of the few stories from the Age of Legends that frightened her. The story went that Markel – often called the Demon Lord – was a man who had gone insane and set out to cause devastation to the world in typical villain fashion. He'd even succeeded in eliminating members of the Court of Fire before he was stopped. Serenity – often called the Maiden in stories – was one of the two that put a stop to Markel, the other being a man named Amir – a dragon rider. Markel had been killed – but on his dying breath cursed Serenity. His curse had lead to the two being pseudo-reincarnated throughout the centuries. Pseudo because it is more like their souls take residence in someone else's body. Naomi is the current vessel for Serenity, while her brother is Markel.
The fact that they are siblings is apparently a very big deal, though Naomi doesn't know why. All she knows is it means the cycle will finally end with them.
The magic that had coursed through the world faded, pushed beneath the surface while the magical folk that had once coexisted with humans felt the need to hide. They became stories to tell children before bed, and any child that could still see them for what they truly were soon began to forget as society dictated the need to grow up.
Naomi was one such child. While she grew up believing them to be nothing but stories she could see fairies and nymphs. Most chalked it up to her over active imagination, and as she grew she tried to pretend like she didn’t see odd things out of the corner of her eyes. It wasn’t until she discovered that Markel was a very, very real threat that the veil was lifted and she found herself surrounded by things she’d been told were make believe.
While the courts had faded and lost influence, they had not completely vanished. They became havens for magical folk of any group, working together around the world in little caravans. Naomi soon discovered that the apartment complex run by Maria and her mother was one of many courts – specifically one of Water. Not only that but several people she’d known all her life were members in some shape or form – from her Uncle Matt to Tai… Though at least Tai was just as surprised to know he was a descendant of the original court of flames. He was just as lost as her, although he did his best to be the steadfast rock in a sea of unfamiliarity.
History:
Naomi would like to say that her life was all rainbows and sunshine, but that would be a lie. Of course her life isn’t completely horrible, she’s actually incredibly grateful for a lot of it, but it's been a rocky one.
She has few memories of her Father, but the few she does are conflicting. There are some where he was a kind man, albeit stern, who would swing her up and tell her stories; and then there was the man who would yell. Most clearly she remembers a slap that had sent her brother stumbling and her Mama’s shouting. It was also one of her last memories before he left them. Naomi learned very early not to ask where he went, the question always proved to set her older brother – Kou – off or upset Mama. She also decided very early that it was her job to smile when they couldn’t.
They moved shortly after her father left them to a small town called Applecrest, staying with her Aunt Chiaki and Uncle Matt. It was supposed to be a temporary thing, or at least that’s what Kou told her it was supposed to be they were older. They never did wind up moving out.
It was a small town, one where everyone knew one another. It was also a town where nymphs and satyrs danced through the park, and fairies pulled pranks and played tag with Naomi — a town where magic and creatures from her storybooks came to life. Of course no one else seemed to see these things, and most adults chalked it up to Naomi’s imagination. It bothered her; it also annoyed the ever living daylights out of Kou, who she often followed like a little shadow. Kou hated the small town, hated how she followed him everywhere talking about fairies, he was angry and Naomi could still remember the day it all boiled over. He had been seven, Naomi only four. She couldn’t remember what had triggered him, only that he yelled at her for the first time she could remember. She ran shortly thereafter, while Aunt Chiaki was distracted with lecturing and calming him down. She slipped away then, rubbing her eyes as she wandered to the baseball field and was almost getting hit by a fly ball.
That was when she met Tyler Warrens.
Tyler had just moved to the town himself and had been playing catch with his dad in the park. When she stumbled into their game Mr. Warrens was quick to sit the two on a bench and go off to find her Aunt. Tyler was her brother’s age and spent the entire time trying to cheer her up, telling her all sorts of silly stories and indulging her when she wanted to play a clapping came. It didn’t take long before Mr. Warrens returned with her aunt and Kou. Naomi was quick to introduce her brother to her new friend, and Tyler was quick to lecture Kou about not making his little sister cry. The two boys argued almost immediately, at least until Naomi asked if they could play monkey in the middle.
Looking back it was such a silly day that was the start of their friendship, and yet, the exact moment that set everything to follow into motion.
The rest of her childhood was fairly normal after that. She went to school, made new friends and blossomed into an energetic young girl with the tendency to get into mischief. Kou and Tyler became best friends, and there were many days where Naomi would follow after the two like a shadow. Kou would often tease her about her baby crush on Tyler, and she would always burst into embarrassed tears when he didn’t stop. Mama was often exasperated, but happy. Life was good.
And then it all changed.
Naomi was thirteen when she attended the town’s yearly carnival to celebrate the end of the school year with her the two. She didn’t stick around with them though, breaking off to ride the various rides with her best friend Bridget and a few other friends. It had been a fun outing, she’d spent the night laughing and running around and perhaps eating too much cotton candy.
When she saw the ambulance in front of the fun house she didn’t think too much about it, even though it made her nervous. It wasn’t until she saw the paramedics wheeling Tyler out on a stretcher that she realized everything had changed. Naomi had screamed, trying to run over to him but Bridget had caught her arm, and when she broke free from her one of her teachers caught her.
That was the night Kou went missing. Tyler couldn’t remember what had happened, or at least he didn’t tell her. All Naomi knew was that someone had taken her brother, left Tyler in the hospital and left her family shattered. Mama rarely spoke after that night, as if she blamed herself for the events which seemed crazy to Naomi. There were no traces of her brother, no clues for the police to go off of, nothing. It was as if he'd vanished into thin air.
But Naomi didn't give up hope, even when everyone else seemed to. She didn't give up because Kou wouldn't leave them. That and Tyler had made a promise to her the first time she visited him in the hospital. He promised that they'd find him and Tai never, ever broke his promises.
And he didn't break it. A year later, a month or so before the end of her freshman year of high school, Tyler found Kou who appeared terrified. That fact felt so wrong to her because Kou was never scared. Perhaps the thing that hurt and bother her most though was the fact he refused to see her, screaming for her to get out when she first arrived at the hospital with Uncle Matt. Naomi didn’t understand why for the longest time, and her confusion only grew when Tyler seemed to start avoiding her. There had to be a reason, she knew, but it didn’t make her feel any better.
A few weeks later, while Naomi was walking home from Bridget’s house she felt as though she walked through a wall of air. She’d stumbled in surprise initially, but her surprise turned to fear when she saw hooded figures appearing in front of her. Naomi tried to flee, crying and shouting for help. No one seemed to hear her, the cloaked figures approaching... Then a wall of fire appeared between her and her attackers. She looked up, blinking away tears at her rescuer. He smiled down at her, offering her his hand and helping her to her feet. Then they ran, right through another wall of air. They didn’t stop running until they reached the Hollow Grove Apartment Complex. It was then that she discovered what exactly was going on, even if it was hard to believe.
She had always loved hearing stories about the Age of Legends when she was small. But that's all they had been, in her mind. Stories. That night, however, the owner of the apartment building - Miss Sashi, along with the man who had rescued her, Anonimo, explained that those weren't just stories. They were history. And she was the current vessel to Serenity, while Kou was Markel's.
Naomi didn’t want to believe it, but when Tyler arrived in a panic, she began to realize it was true.
Naomi soon found herself right back into the magical world she’d seen as a child. After school found her at the apartment building, learning about the powers she had and playing with the fairies. Tyler still tried to shield her from as much as he could – especially the discussion of what they would do if they couldn’t seal Markel again. It all felt bizarre and Naomi suddenly wished she had never dreamt of her life being more exciting growing up. In her reflection she began to see Serenity, the woman offering her apologies and comfort.
It wasn’t long before Kou vanished again – though this time she understood he was taken by Markel’s followers. The next time she would see her brother it wouldn’t really be him. It would be Markel. Things escalated from there, and she found herself protected more and more to her frustration. In the end Tyler asked her if she trusted him, and when she assured him she did he made a gamble. A duel – Markel vs. Tyler. If Tai won then Kou would be rescued, if he lost…
Well Tyler swore he wouldn’t lose. He promised her that everything would be okay. He would save Kou and after it was all over they would go to the movies.
Tyler succeeded in saving Kou, but he still broke his promise; sealing Markel away came with a price.
Tyler Warrens died that day.
Naomi doesn't like to think about the months that followed.
It seemed almost impossible for life to return to normal after everything, or at least as normal as they could be after that. She supposed that time helped heal the wounds left behind, along with the notion that Tyler wouldn't want them to fall apart. It was easier said then done but soon they managed to carry on. Life continued on. She still visited the apartment complex often, waving to the nymphs and fairies she’d ignored for so long. A few years later found Kou entering college, the very picture of grumpiness with no inkling that he’d been through any trauma. Meanwhile Naomi continued through high school, moaning about SATs but secretly reveling at having to deal with less life-threatening problems. Things were peaceful, at least for a time.
Abilities:
Naomi's magic is largely derived from Serenity – and the gems on her hands are a manifestation of this power. That is why they tend to glow brighter whenever she tries tapping into the magic. She's still learning but she has gotten a handle on a few different things:
- She can create a shield around herself or someone else. It's the first thing that she learned how to do out of pure instincts and continues to be something she utilizes the most.
- She can summon what looks like teal colored, crystal stalagmites from the ground. These are more for offensive attacks and are translucent. She can also summon them and throw them like ninja stars, though her aim is pretty horrible.
- A very basic healing power – mostly for scrapes.
- Naomi is trying so hard to learn how to fly!!! She can't manage it yet but she knows she can do it because Serenity can. Eventually she will be able to manage this, an the ability is accompanied by transparent angel wings.
First Person: Right here!
Third Person:
She had finally found the craft store in the city and had very quickly set about filling a canvas bag with everything she needed. After that Naomi had made her way out to the Obelisk, taking a seat in front of it to watch different people pass by as she worked on some simple things. Idly Naomi picked up a piece of paper, folding it across.
Ruby City was a bizarre place and she still wasn't sure what to make of it. The fact that they were trapped here felt hard to believe, but she'd already tried waiting for the train to come back and she didn't doubt for a second that others had tried simply leaving. But why would they be kidnapped to a city of all things? It didn't make any sense to her.
A sigh slipped out as she dragged her nails across another fold, making it easier her to maneuver the paper. A few minutes later and the paper crane was finished. She set it on the ground besides her before picking up another piece of origami paper. Aunt Chiaki had told her that if someone folded a thousand cranes and tied them together by strings then they would be granted one wish. Maybe if she managed that she could send everyone home?
It was worth a shot at the very least.
Name: Cat
Age: 26
Personal Journal: steampunknerd.dreamwidth.org
E-mail: sunsetavalon@yahoo.com
AIM/MSN/etc: Plurk is Enjolsass
CHARACTER
Name: Naomi Mikano
Age: 16
Appearance:
Naomi is often described by others as a little pixie or a monkey. She prefers the pixie title. The title is mostly because Naomi is not very tall. She's below average in height and appears a good few years younger then she actually is – IE despite being sixteen many might mistake her for fourteen. It's annoying. She is also incredibly petite in size which only perpetuates the age misconception. She is also half-Japanese, something she takes a lot of pride in.
For the first time in years Naomi has grown her hair out, letting it sweep down to her mid-back. The color remains unusual to most, as she has been dying her hair since she entered high school. Currently it is half blonde and half black, split right down the middle at her part. She tends to pull the two sides into messy buns or braids if she has too. She's come quite fond of the color, though, so she might actually be keeping it for a while even if the upkeep is a bit annoying.
Naomi likes to dress cute but comfortably. On her arrival to Ruby City she is wearing comfortable pastel yellow sundress with leggings and sneakers, along with an oversized motorcycle jacket she'd borrowed from her brother Kou. Sundresses are a typical outfit for her when it's warm, or shorts with cute tank tops. Come fall though she'll be bundling up in sweaters and leggings or skinny jeans. She has also recently discovered pastel kei, and has tried on numerous occasions to dress in that style.
No matter what, however, Naomi will always be wearing a pair of fingerless gloves. Why you might ask? Well that's very simple, on the back of each hand are teal colored gems in diamond shapes that are seemingly embedded into her skin. They tend to give off a soft glow, particularly when she uses magic, so it's just easier to hide them then explain.
Naomi has a very strange way of speaking at times, often cutting of the 'a' in 'and' and just generally talking in run ons. One might wonder how she has so much breath in her tiny frame, but it's probably best not to ask. When nervous she has the habit of nibbling on her lower lip or fiddling with the end of her shirts or hair.
Chosen PB: Technically Saki Fukuda, though I am trying to slowly transition her to art icons due to her hair!
Personality:
There are three words that can very simply sum Naomi up – optimistic, energetic and a crybaby.
Since the day she was born Naomi has always been a bundle of energy, much to everyone’s frustration at times. There are times when it is hard to keep her in one place for an extended period of time and even then she’s bouncing on the balls of her feet or fidgeting. It feeds into the fact that she tends to be a little impatient when needing to get someplace or waiting in general. Naomi does try to be patient when she needs to be, but it's hard.
Naomi also has a very large heart, and no matter what, wants to take care of people. It is all but impossible to get on Naomi’s bad side. Can you be someone that annoys her? Sure. Someone she’s not overly fond of? Absolutely. But Naomi is incapable of hating anyone – even those who have hurt her. You could be her mortal enemy and she would still come to your aide if you were in trouble. It’s just the way she is. Naomi has the belief that no one should be alone, that everyone needs someone to support them. It is a belief that has come from the people around her – specifically her Mother and Uncle Matt. They have also instilled how important family is.
She also a very hopeful young lady, always trying to find the silver lining in any situation no matter the circumstances; because nothing is ever hopeless. It’s a belief that she’s always had, one that has very rarely been shaken. In a way it has become her coping mechanism when everything becomes crazy because when push comes to shove Naomi doesn't know what she would do if things did not turn out alright. The one time it did (with Tyler, which is explained in her history) her reaction was really to shut down.
So she clings to her optimism. It’s one of the reasons her older brother – Kou – looks at his sister as this tiny ray of sunshine even when everything else is dark. Naomi may whine, she may be sad, but she holds onto her hope and faith that everything will work out in the end.
Naomi is also a crybaby – though at age sixteen she’s nowhere near as much of one as when she was younger. She has grown up a little, but being thrown into a magical war where your older brother was possessed and trying to kill you tended to do that. However she still holds fast to the belief that sometimes people just need to cry, because keeping emotions bottled up can never lead to anything good. So she cries! A lot depending on the situation. There are still times when Naomi cries out of sheer fear, but she also knows how to work through this. She is capable of pushing her fears aside and continuing forward, even if she is crying. Much to everyone's surprise, she is actually quite good at thinking on her feet.
Despite her age Naomi is still rather childish in nature as well as surprisingly naïve at times, taking things at face value. She is curious and full of so many questions, eager to learn. At times it does frustrate her that many look at her as a child, to the point where she feels as though they don’t take her seriously. She desperately wants to prove herself, as well as to protect those that are important to her. This is also largely because she feels there are times when she is nothing but a burden, someone who needs to be shielded. It is a frustration she can't always shake.
World Information:
Naomi’s world on the surface is not that drastically different from our own. The most notable difference on the surface is the fact that she lives in the year 2011 opposed to 2016. It isn’t until you dig beneath the surface that things are different. Her world is that of an urban fantasy and Naomi found herself smack dab in a supernatural battle when she was fourteen.
The second most notable difference would be the Age of Legends, a period of time that many of the fairy tales she grew up hearing were said to occur. It was a time where every child had a fairy guardian and wizards and witches were respected (for the most part) instead of hunted. Naomi grew up hearing these stories, one of her favorites being that of the Four Elements, a story that very much shaped the Age of Legends.
See, they say that the Age of Legends began when the Four Elements were granted a corporeal form to keep order and balance on the mortal plane as war waged on in the heavens. The four would grant the ability to wield their respect element to a select few, creating four distinct groups that would help continue their mission of peace and balance long after they gave up their corporeal forms. The groups ranged from humans and dragons (Fire) to nymphs and satyrs (Earth) to sirens and merfolk (Water) to fae of every shape and size (Wind). The groups grew powerful in their own right, forming courts and acting as mediators when war between the humans and the magical folk broke up. The Court of Flames was most notable in being summoned for these peace talks – as it also included men and women who had entered a pack with the dragons.
As time went on though the courts began to fade into obscurity, their power and influence fading. The Elements saw this and chose to once again grant their abilities to peacekeepers. Each went out, selecting a living being and blessing them. These individuals would become known as the Chosen of the Elements, and while they were not as powerful as the courts, having to channel their respective elements through items from swords to harps, they soon earned their own notoriety. When they would pass on another would be chosen by the respective Element. It was a cycle that carried on for centuries until one day Gaia’s Chosen, an archer, vanished without a trace after killing the current vessel of Markel. Many state that was the time when the Age of Legends ended.
Of course the existence of Markel and Serenity might also be a unique thing to her universe. The story of those two were also one she had heard growing up, and one of the few stories from the Age of Legends that frightened her. The story went that Markel – often called the Demon Lord – was a man who had gone insane and set out to cause devastation to the world in typical villain fashion. He'd even succeeded in eliminating members of the Court of Fire before he was stopped. Serenity – often called the Maiden in stories – was one of the two that put a stop to Markel, the other being a man named Amir – a dragon rider. Markel had been killed – but on his dying breath cursed Serenity. His curse had lead to the two being pseudo-reincarnated throughout the centuries. Pseudo because it is more like their souls take residence in someone else's body. Naomi is the current vessel for Serenity, while her brother is Markel.
The fact that they are siblings is apparently a very big deal, though Naomi doesn't know why. All she knows is it means the cycle will finally end with them.
The magic that had coursed through the world faded, pushed beneath the surface while the magical folk that had once coexisted with humans felt the need to hide. They became stories to tell children before bed, and any child that could still see them for what they truly were soon began to forget as society dictated the need to grow up.
Naomi was one such child. While she grew up believing them to be nothing but stories she could see fairies and nymphs. Most chalked it up to her over active imagination, and as she grew she tried to pretend like she didn’t see odd things out of the corner of her eyes. It wasn’t until she discovered that Markel was a very, very real threat that the veil was lifted and she found herself surrounded by things she’d been told were make believe.
While the courts had faded and lost influence, they had not completely vanished. They became havens for magical folk of any group, working together around the world in little caravans. Naomi soon discovered that the apartment complex run by Maria and her mother was one of many courts – specifically one of Water. Not only that but several people she’d known all her life were members in some shape or form – from her Uncle Matt to Tai… Though at least Tai was just as surprised to know he was a descendant of the original court of flames. He was just as lost as her, although he did his best to be the steadfast rock in a sea of unfamiliarity.
History:
Naomi would like to say that her life was all rainbows and sunshine, but that would be a lie. Of course her life isn’t completely horrible, she’s actually incredibly grateful for a lot of it, but it's been a rocky one.
She has few memories of her Father, but the few she does are conflicting. There are some where he was a kind man, albeit stern, who would swing her up and tell her stories; and then there was the man who would yell. Most clearly she remembers a slap that had sent her brother stumbling and her Mama’s shouting. It was also one of her last memories before he left them. Naomi learned very early not to ask where he went, the question always proved to set her older brother – Kou – off or upset Mama. She also decided very early that it was her job to smile when they couldn’t.
They moved shortly after her father left them to a small town called Applecrest, staying with her Aunt Chiaki and Uncle Matt. It was supposed to be a temporary thing, or at least that’s what Kou told her it was supposed to be they were older. They never did wind up moving out.
It was a small town, one where everyone knew one another. It was also a town where nymphs and satyrs danced through the park, and fairies pulled pranks and played tag with Naomi — a town where magic and creatures from her storybooks came to life. Of course no one else seemed to see these things, and most adults chalked it up to Naomi’s imagination. It bothered her; it also annoyed the ever living daylights out of Kou, who she often followed like a little shadow. Kou hated the small town, hated how she followed him everywhere talking about fairies, he was angry and Naomi could still remember the day it all boiled over. He had been seven, Naomi only four. She couldn’t remember what had triggered him, only that he yelled at her for the first time she could remember. She ran shortly thereafter, while Aunt Chiaki was distracted with lecturing and calming him down. She slipped away then, rubbing her eyes as she wandered to the baseball field and was almost getting hit by a fly ball.
That was when she met Tyler Warrens.
Tyler had just moved to the town himself and had been playing catch with his dad in the park. When she stumbled into their game Mr. Warrens was quick to sit the two on a bench and go off to find her Aunt. Tyler was her brother’s age and spent the entire time trying to cheer her up, telling her all sorts of silly stories and indulging her when she wanted to play a clapping came. It didn’t take long before Mr. Warrens returned with her aunt and Kou. Naomi was quick to introduce her brother to her new friend, and Tyler was quick to lecture Kou about not making his little sister cry. The two boys argued almost immediately, at least until Naomi asked if they could play monkey in the middle.
Looking back it was such a silly day that was the start of their friendship, and yet, the exact moment that set everything to follow into motion.
The rest of her childhood was fairly normal after that. She went to school, made new friends and blossomed into an energetic young girl with the tendency to get into mischief. Kou and Tyler became best friends, and there were many days where Naomi would follow after the two like a shadow. Kou would often tease her about her baby crush on Tyler, and she would always burst into embarrassed tears when he didn’t stop. Mama was often exasperated, but happy. Life was good.
And then it all changed.
Naomi was thirteen when she attended the town’s yearly carnival to celebrate the end of the school year with her the two. She didn’t stick around with them though, breaking off to ride the various rides with her best friend Bridget and a few other friends. It had been a fun outing, she’d spent the night laughing and running around and perhaps eating too much cotton candy.
When she saw the ambulance in front of the fun house she didn’t think too much about it, even though it made her nervous. It wasn’t until she saw the paramedics wheeling Tyler out on a stretcher that she realized everything had changed. Naomi had screamed, trying to run over to him but Bridget had caught her arm, and when she broke free from her one of her teachers caught her.
That was the night Kou went missing. Tyler couldn’t remember what had happened, or at least he didn’t tell her. All Naomi knew was that someone had taken her brother, left Tyler in the hospital and left her family shattered. Mama rarely spoke after that night, as if she blamed herself for the events which seemed crazy to Naomi. There were no traces of her brother, no clues for the police to go off of, nothing. It was as if he'd vanished into thin air.
But Naomi didn't give up hope, even when everyone else seemed to. She didn't give up because Kou wouldn't leave them. That and Tyler had made a promise to her the first time she visited him in the hospital. He promised that they'd find him and Tai never, ever broke his promises.
And he didn't break it. A year later, a month or so before the end of her freshman year of high school, Tyler found Kou who appeared terrified. That fact felt so wrong to her because Kou was never scared. Perhaps the thing that hurt and bother her most though was the fact he refused to see her, screaming for her to get out when she first arrived at the hospital with Uncle Matt. Naomi didn’t understand why for the longest time, and her confusion only grew when Tyler seemed to start avoiding her. There had to be a reason, she knew, but it didn’t make her feel any better.
A few weeks later, while Naomi was walking home from Bridget’s house she felt as though she walked through a wall of air. She’d stumbled in surprise initially, but her surprise turned to fear when she saw hooded figures appearing in front of her. Naomi tried to flee, crying and shouting for help. No one seemed to hear her, the cloaked figures approaching... Then a wall of fire appeared between her and her attackers. She looked up, blinking away tears at her rescuer. He smiled down at her, offering her his hand and helping her to her feet. Then they ran, right through another wall of air. They didn’t stop running until they reached the Hollow Grove Apartment Complex. It was then that she discovered what exactly was going on, even if it was hard to believe.
She had always loved hearing stories about the Age of Legends when she was small. But that's all they had been, in her mind. Stories. That night, however, the owner of the apartment building - Miss Sashi, along with the man who had rescued her, Anonimo, explained that those weren't just stories. They were history. And she was the current vessel to Serenity, while Kou was Markel's.
Naomi didn’t want to believe it, but when Tyler arrived in a panic, she began to realize it was true.
Naomi soon found herself right back into the magical world she’d seen as a child. After school found her at the apartment building, learning about the powers she had and playing with the fairies. Tyler still tried to shield her from as much as he could – especially the discussion of what they would do if they couldn’t seal Markel again. It all felt bizarre and Naomi suddenly wished she had never dreamt of her life being more exciting growing up. In her reflection she began to see Serenity, the woman offering her apologies and comfort.
It wasn’t long before Kou vanished again – though this time she understood he was taken by Markel’s followers. The next time she would see her brother it wouldn’t really be him. It would be Markel. Things escalated from there, and she found herself protected more and more to her frustration. In the end Tyler asked her if she trusted him, and when she assured him she did he made a gamble. A duel – Markel vs. Tyler. If Tai won then Kou would be rescued, if he lost…
Well Tyler swore he wouldn’t lose. He promised her that everything would be okay. He would save Kou and after it was all over they would go to the movies.
Tyler succeeded in saving Kou, but he still broke his promise; sealing Markel away came with a price.
Tyler Warrens died that day.
Naomi doesn't like to think about the months that followed.
It seemed almost impossible for life to return to normal after everything, or at least as normal as they could be after that. She supposed that time helped heal the wounds left behind, along with the notion that Tyler wouldn't want them to fall apart. It was easier said then done but soon they managed to carry on. Life continued on. She still visited the apartment complex often, waving to the nymphs and fairies she’d ignored for so long. A few years later found Kou entering college, the very picture of grumpiness with no inkling that he’d been through any trauma. Meanwhile Naomi continued through high school, moaning about SATs but secretly reveling at having to deal with less life-threatening problems. Things were peaceful, at least for a time.
Abilities:
Naomi's magic is largely derived from Serenity – and the gems on her hands are a manifestation of this power. That is why they tend to glow brighter whenever she tries tapping into the magic. She's still learning but she has gotten a handle on a few different things:
- She can create a shield around herself or someone else. It's the first thing that she learned how to do out of pure instincts and continues to be something she utilizes the most.
- She can summon what looks like teal colored, crystal stalagmites from the ground. These are more for offensive attacks and are translucent. She can also summon them and throw them like ninja stars, though her aim is pretty horrible.
- A very basic healing power – mostly for scrapes.
- Naomi is trying so hard to learn how to fly!!! She can't manage it yet but she knows she can do it because Serenity can. Eventually she will be able to manage this, an the ability is accompanied by transparent angel wings.
First Person: Right here!
Third Person:
She had finally found the craft store in the city and had very quickly set about filling a canvas bag with everything she needed. After that Naomi had made her way out to the Obelisk, taking a seat in front of it to watch different people pass by as she worked on some simple things. Idly Naomi picked up a piece of paper, folding it across.
Ruby City was a bizarre place and she still wasn't sure what to make of it. The fact that they were trapped here felt hard to believe, but she'd already tried waiting for the train to come back and she didn't doubt for a second that others had tried simply leaving. But why would they be kidnapped to a city of all things? It didn't make any sense to her.
A sigh slipped out as she dragged her nails across another fold, making it easier her to maneuver the paper. A few minutes later and the paper crane was finished. She set it on the ground besides her before picking up another piece of origami paper. Aunt Chiaki had told her that if someone folded a thousand cranes and tied them together by strings then they would be granted one wish. Maybe if she managed that she could send everyone home?
It was worth a shot at the very least.
