Name: Chidori Tsukino (Ai Ichigo)

School Attending: Lulim/ Le Rim

Age/ Year in School:

15/Fourth Year

~ Appearance ~

Hair Color: A light, oak brown, though a bit darker towards the roots.

Hairstyle: Her hair is almost constantly kept up, with two high ponytails at either side, the tips brushing just past her shoulders. However, when let down, it curls a fair bit, and falls closer to the small of her back.

Eye Color: Of a similar color but lighter tone than her hair, Chidori possesses chocolate brown eyes.

Height: 5'1" if she stands straight.

What kind of clothes does you character wear when she's not in uniform? She's somewhat of a traditionalist at times - she loves yukatas, especially with warm colors, such as oranges, pinks and yellows. For more casual wear, she dresses in a myriad of skirts, light blouses and the occasional dress, though still comprised mostly of warm shades.

What Clubs is you character involved in?

Cosplay/Sewing/Costume Club: Yes

Arts and Crafts: Yes

Is your character on the Student Council?
No, and she does intend to be so, at present.

Please explain your character's personality in 200 words or more:
Chidori is both energetic and reserved, depending on her company - before her accident, she was a bright, cheery first year who participated enthusiastically in the Cosplay-Sowing-Costume club, and took keen interesting in drawing and doodling for her contribution in Arts & Crafts. Friendly, outgoing and hard to bring down, some of Chidori's earlier personality still remains when her social anxiety dims and doesn't inhibit her; it's not all that uncommon to see her frantically jumping and wiggling about, trying to pantomime something to the person she's trying to communicate with. That being said, she does suffer from panic attacks when her disability's disadvantages aggravate the situation far enough, and enters a semi-catatonic state that involves shutting down and withdrawing into solitude. Since signing and pantomiming often proves fruitless or simply too much energy, she's growing accustomed to keeping a book and pencil with her, using art to communicate her meanings - anything from simple doodles to well-crafted images that employ much her practised skill.

Whilst still holding a friendly disposition at first contact, she doesn't bond very well with people without a lot of interaction; her first instinct is to observe, patiently, occasionally reaching out with a brief spurt of courage before retreating again to watch. She does have a very strong interest in art in general, and as such, does tend to be a little more forward if art is involved, in any form, be it drawing, painting, writing or music.

She does however, have an aversion to prolonged physical contact, and if someone's voice resembles that of her kidnapper's, she freaks and runs (as has happened with one of her tutors, who was then quickly replaced). Anything with a bladed edge has similar results if brought near, for reasons that become rather obvious.

What does you character think of the Etoile position as a whole?
Her idea of the Etoiles stems from the romanticised origin, and believes wholeheartedly that the position should be considered with the pair's love in mind, and not just a popularity contest. That being said, she also understands that there is a practical side to the Etoiles - that they are the representatives of all the schools and should, ideally, also try to uphold the interests of all the schools, where they can.

Does your character want to be an Etoile someday?
She has briefly pondered the idea, but doubts she would ever find a suitable partner, nor have the strength of character to be a proper representative of the three schools, especially now.

What does your character think of Sado Kagami and Kitsuki Sha, the current etoiles?
Having been out of the picture for a very long time, she only knows them in passing and instinctively distrusts knowledge gained through rumors. She is aware of the innocence of Kitsuki, and the princelike qualities of Sado, but beyond that, she does not really know that much about them. Her opinion remains neutral because of this, though she is keen to know more, considering they hold the position of the current Etoiles.

What does your character think of the other schools?
Chidori enjoys watching the Spicans practise their mastery of sports, and admires prowess of a number of the Miatorian students, but beyond the uniforms and the occasional rivalries of others, she seems them all much the same - they're all Astrea Hill people in the end, in some way or another.

~History~

History before Astraea Hill:

Her childhood was rather happy all things considered, spent playing games with other kids, drawing with rather dismal skill but happily spending the time to practice and continue with it. In fact, she enjoyed it enough that her parents bought her a proper set of pencils and drawing implements, at the age of 8, and she begun spending most of her time sitting outside, drawing whatever she saw - from the landscapes in front of her, to the insects that passed by in the grass next to her. Chidori's friendly disposition flourished and strengthened as the news of attending Astrea Hill soon, as her mother and aunt had both done before, was given, and prepared for her life to change.

First Year: A little confused at first, and overwhelmed slightly by all the new information and scenery, the new routines and more importantly, her new home, Chidori took several weeks to adjust, meekness overcoming her usual outgoing self for a time. Eventually she righted herself and found that it wasn't so hard to make friends with her roommate and the people she shared multiple classes with. In fact, right up until her incident, the only thing she was worried about was her grades not being so great.

Drawing close the final weeks of her first year, Chidori slipped home for a day - her birthday - to visit her parents, who took her out for a big dinner after a long day at the zoo and whilst they were paying the bill at the counter, she made the mistake of wandering out by herself, to wait by the car. Unfortunately, by this time, it was rather late, and despite the fairly friendly restaurant, the neighbourhood wasn't particularly safe when it got late. Oblivious to the danger because of how wonderful the day had been, Chidori didn't even notice when the stranger came up and grabbed her from behind, knocking her out cold with a blow to the head.

The next two days were possibly the worst of her life - the stalker had kidnapped her during the brief moment of recklessness on both Chidori's, and her parents', parts. She never saw his face, but his sickening voice disturbed the heck out of her, and she shrunk into herself whenever he was around. He wasn't the smartest though - the police did track him down, and forced him into a corner where he held her at knife-point as a hostage. Seeing no real way out, he panicked and tried to slit her throat, to silence her, consequently receiving a bullet to the head from one of the officers, stopping him from fully slicing through the tissue.

Rushed to hospital and losing consciousness several times, it was almost a full fortnight before she came to properly, immensely relieved that the first faces she saw were her parents, though the worry on their faces was concerning. Chidori tried to speak, but sharp pains in her throat limited her to guttural sounds and sighing were about the extent of what she could manage. Crying fortunately didn't hurt, as she did a lot of that when she realized the surgery had kept her alive, but the damage to her larynx was irreparable - she likely would never be able to speak again.

Second & Third Year: The following two years followed a very similar pattern; constant care, regular counselling and lots and lots of rest. When her mental health was considered strong enough, tutors were called in to help her keep up with the school she was missing - no one thought it would be a good idea for her to return yet, not until her social anxieties became manageable, and Chidori could handle her muteness without breaking down. Art became her medium - she was already passionate about it, and it helped pass time when she practised.

Since it was now fully focused on her, the tutors were actually starting to bring her baselines up by the latter part of the second year, and the counselling allowed her to achieve some stability. A few more months, and each specialist advised that it would be possible for her to return to school, though counselling could be continued on-site or off-site if Chidori was having too many problems adjusting back.

Fourth Year:

Fifth Year:

Sixth Year:

Sample Post: Her pencil scratched numbly across the page, etching a replication of the large tree she was sitting across from. Scenery was always fun - the organic lines melding together with vaguely geometric designs, and it didn't stop there. She could always blur that line of reality, give the picture an edge of fantasy to it. Colors allowed her to retain the essence of the image, but distort parts of it. It made it almost like a game - she could redo things over and over, come up with new permutations of the original. Colored pencils flew out of her kit, and Chidori was absorbed relatively quickly, sitting on the bench with her knees drawn up and eyes scanning through her own work. So much so, that when one of the other students started calling out to her, the brunette didn't notice one bit. Not until the girl walked over and touched her arm.

Jumping and resisting the urge to scream, she looked up blankly at the other girl - another Lulim student in the familiar checker uniform. "You probably shouldn't be out here; it's getting late. C'mo- Oh. That's really pretty..." The newcomer had turned around, bobbing down beside Chidori to look at the drawing. "I like what you've done. I'm Shizuka Myuzu, by the way. What's your name?" The simple question made her chest pang a little, and she looked down at her book for a few moments. "Is something wrong?" Shaking her head, Chidori pointed to her throat and then shook her head again, and she turned her chocolate orbs to the girl, hoping she'd understand. "Your neck...? I'm sorry, I'm not sure what..." A sigh, mangled slightly as it left her mouth. She rubbed gently on the spot she'd pointed to, smudging the make-up she'd put on to cover the white lines of scarring that remained from the surgery, and the injury the surgery was for. Pointing once again, with more intensity, at the scarring, she followed the same miming action, hoping it would come across this time. "Oh! I'm so sorry...you can't talk can you...." Shoulders sagging in relief, Chidori nodded and took a deep breath to calm the rising anxiety that nipped at her skin, before marking lightly at the bottom of the drawing, signing her name on the piece. "Chidori Tsukino...a pretty name - suits the picture. C'mon, I'll walk you back to the dorm." Packing up her kit, she smiled briefly and nodded, wondering why this girl seemed somewhat familiar. Perhaps they'd met way back when she'd first been at Astrea Hill - that was probably it. The taller girl was offering her a kind smile in return, and kept a certain amount of distance between them, which she was grateful for. This kind of proximity was more than enough.

When they got to the dorm buildings, Chidori stopped and looked up at the azure-haired girl, hesitating for a few moments. It was so annoying trying to find ways to communicate something without writing or drawing. In a frantic motion, she bowed her head fully and then pointed at the elder girl. The girl giggled quietly and nodded. "You're welcome Tsukino-san. Goodnight."

(Okay, I know it's not quite something someone can post back to but I got into a serious muse swing there .-.)

How did you find our website?

Nyaa~ Making a semi-depressing charrie! XD James. =3

Nice job, James. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one.

Accepted.