Kiemo

## Description

Kiemo has light skin that bears several scars, the most noticeable appearing just above his eyes. Following his transformation, he gained the reddish-black ears and tail of the coyote he'd been fused with. As time progressed, these features began to spread, more of him pairing with the creature. However, he kept the same gray eyes he always had until recently where they are now orange. Over him, he has patches of fur on his skin.

His style of dress since becoming leader has been one focused on asserting himself and making his authority known. Because of this, he tends to dress up unless he knows he's getting himself into combative situations where he will often elect to choose a jacket instead. He is most known for his preference toward red ties.

## Personality

Kiemo started the rp as someone who had fled from a life he had, finding himself grumpy and bitter over it. He had tried to hide this relic of his past and had only become annoyed to know his former classmate Niccolo was in attendance. He didn't see the point in talking to people and usually kept to himself, though he never shied from scalding retort.

Later, as he was captured by the researchers and fused with a coyote, he found himself terrified again. He had lost control over his situation and thus, the panic motivated him to striving for that control and part of him again. To have authority over his own life no matter the cost because he and the kid inside him deserved that much. His paranoia worsened too with time where he now constantly believes that people are out to get him and that he'll soon be killed by the people who looked up to him. His brashness remains unchanged though around Red, he seems to be more calm, electing to listen and tolerate the man.

He enjoys confusing people with his intentions because it makes it harder for people to get credible information out of him to use to blackmail or betray him. Interestingly, he does tend to stay true to his words though. He might rig things in his favor due to his wording, but with those he is close to (such as Savannah and promising to keep her safe), he will keep those for as long as he breathes. Should, of course, he be able.

## Story

#### Pre-Rp

Kiemo hasn't revealed much of his life before coming to the Academy. What little he has said points to him running from a home he once had. He no longer has any intention to return to it though whatever happens remains fixed in his memories.

At some point he went to school with Niccolo, the two not getting along and Kiemo was cruel to Niccolo then, taking out his insecurities out on him when they were children. Following an incident in Kiemo's past, he left the school only to pop up later in Milgram Academy, reigniting that ancient rivalry.

#### The Rp

Kiemo began as a student, his hostility growing as he learned that his rival was there too. Quickly in the entrance tests, he proved himself skilled, his tests with weapons more than showing this. He did, however, have little interest in paying attention to the other students, ignoring them best he could. Though, he would never pass up the chance to insult Niccolo should he ever get the chance.

Most of this changed as he was captured by the researchers and his DNA was spliced with that of a coyote. He had nearly died from the situation that day and he'd stayed in, horrified at his current situation. He could barely look at himself and hated being in this weakened state, and thinking of himself as little more than a child from it. He wanted to do something about it. Kiemo stepped out of the room and started thinking about escaping right away, furious when Niccolo contested him and seemed to be enjoying the place too much, as if none of this had happened. He conspired with a few others to figure out how to get themselves out as quickly as possible. But he also knew that he'd be disgraced if he left looking like this, and of course, he couldn't escape that weakness he felt too from his botched hybridization. Luckily, he'd run into Fletcher.

The boy had been researching cures and Kiemo offered him protection from the researchers and to help him with whatever he needed for access to the first cure. He originally was okay in his position, be it still obsessed with the cure finding himself slowly changing more and more by the moment. He became desperate to have control over his life and began pushing against anything that could stop him from expressing it. If anything threatened him or his position, it was an attack on who he was. It mocked him like those scientists had done. Kiemo's fears worsened as Fletcher rejected him after aligning with Gagan instead. Kiemo would not soon forget the betrayal, forming his own group bent on escaping and ready to punish Fletcher-and himself-for everything that had gone wrong. To get back at Gagan who had bested him again, Kiemo made plans to strike him where it hurt, believing him the best to do so and right for it. Arranging a meeting with unlikely allies, he worked alongside Dr. Berris to rig the fights so he could go against Fletcher in front of Gagan. Kiemo never quite understood why Dr. Berris was so willing to listen to him but wasn't going to give up the opportunity. He easily won, nearly killing Fletcher there before Gagan stopped him. During the fight, Summer was injured severely and ended up passing away less than a month later because of infection and complications. Set off by this, he went to finish what he started and attacked Fletcher. Though he failed when Gagan interrupted, he did not know there was a future he had succeeded. Or one he no longer existed in. Instead, he went on to lick his wounds from that and the betrayal he'd been met with as his replacement second-in-command for Summer turned on him. He had been betrayed again and thwarted. Clearly, no one was worthy of trust and that boy inside him and himself were completely alone. Coupled with Summer's death because of Gagan, Kiemo found himself even more vengeful and furious. Because of this, he would ensure Gagan would disappear and personally arranged for Gagan to be found and taken by the researchers. On the outside, it looked like he was removing a rival. Really, it was about so much more.

Kiemo leapt to more drastic measures as his paranoia grew, constantly fretting that people wanted to overthrow him and would if they knew the strings he was pulling behind the scenes. He took control of the pool quickly and began using it for execution purposes, killing anyone who he thought would kill him or betray him. If he acted quickly, he'd be able to save himself. He became so focused on it as his transformation into further coyote, in his thoughts, stripped him of his humanity. However, if this was just something he told himself or not seems to be something shrouded in mystery. He was determined too to not die here and used as a puppet for someone else and his fixation on escape and being a leader that couldn't control all he wanted. He was willing to toss aside his relationship with Emory over it, no longer letting people get closer to him. After all, they just wanted to drown him too, and they would soon enough. Eventually he learned about a plot a spy-Finley-had to undermine him, reporting the coyote to Niccolo and selling him out. But though he had the chance to kill him at the pool, he mysteriously let him go. Perhaps because he finally saw a shred of terror where he neglected to before. Perhaps because the child part of him begged him not to. Regardless, it was a similar reason he continued to make excuses for Red, his newest recruit. Red who would do almost anything for him. He eventually, recognizing the use of loyalty and a possible buffer made Red his newest second in command despite protests. Part of his reasoning being that Red was like a replacement for Summer, someone so like them that he could still keep the promise he made to protect them. He'd protect them through Red. A noble purpose but one that also led Red to be forced into the box of someone who had lived and died before him. Red was a pawn and a chance to prove Kiemo better than he started. He never intended for much more. Not at first.

He continued to confide in Red, letting him speak at an important meeting for no reason but to show he could listen and for unity. He also had told him more about his past in private and lamented about what he planned to do with the reveal of a photo of the outside world. Together, they agreed they'd escape and not die here, regardless if that meant they'd perish in the flames. But before, they resolved a plan to cure themselves, Kiemo doing the unthinkable showing a bit of what he'd been before, him fully willing to split the cure with the one person who wouldn't threaten him and had accepted him.

Kiemo later went outside, wanting to distract himself from the chaos of leaving Gagan without fighting him and being humiliated through this. He invited Red along and had a conversation about inadequacies before they stumbled upon a body by the far wall keeping them in. Pulling back a secret area, they realized it was a secret passage to the outside world. While it was too small for both of them or anyone to fit through, Kiemo decided to come up with ways to utilize it and free themselves. He goes to dispose of the body but says his goodbyes to Red before, thanking him for his help before excusing him from their intended dinner with the rest of the group. Kiemo believes this is a good break for Red and he's growing to respect and cherish his relationship with Red. Heading inside, he gets ready for the dinner and encounters Emory. He invites them along, wanting the company more or less and at the cafeteria they get into an argument about Kiemo's failing leadership. He panics and worries about his nightmare of being drowned in the pool and puts aside his ego to ask Emory for his help so he doesn't keep failing. Emory accepts and they resolve to dealing with Niccolo's rumors concerning the coyote.

The next day, Kiemo gets himself involved with Strange Passes of Time.

In this event, he arrives at the cafeteria hoping to find himself alone and without his group to heckle him. However, upon arriving and hearing the announcement of the researchers planning to use letters from home to get more test subjects, Kiemo doesn't seem impressed with it or seem to care. He notices Red in the crowd and goes over to him, voicing his interest and using others to see if the letters are even real. He doesn't get much of a chance though as a portal appears and the researcher standing there is killed. LaFaux, someone he swears he recognizes appears and collapses and Kiemo tails him, wanting to figure out why he's here and upon noting that this man was there the day Summer died, he wants more answers. He doesn't get them as he appears at the infirmary and threatens Ilya for insulting Red in his eyes. He utilizes the situation, making Ilya enter the infirmary first before he has a confrontation with Gagan and LaFaux. He doesn't understand why they are saying he killed Fletcher and believes it to be a lie and tactic. When LaFaux is nearly taken out, he turns his attention on Gagan, confessing that he set him up to be captured by the researchers. He also brings up Summer. Gagan doesn't remember killing her but it seems to disturb him deeply and he does feel some levels of hopelessness. Fletcher defends him as Kiemo moves to kill him and the fight comes to a standstill as Kiemo goes to help Red. After they flee, Kiemo and Rieko get into a heated debate about Gagan and Kiemo's stances. Something Red breaks up after Kiemo offers Rieko's group protection should they help him get Niccolo and Gagan. From this tension and from Red confronting him about it, Kiemo finds the urge to resist too difficult and gives into kissing Red quickly. He doesn't address it much after and doesn't want to speak before Red asks him what he wants from him. He again tries to downplay the whole thing and ignore it before giving in and confesses how much he values Red.

This is further proven as Kiemo notices very early that Red is not present during a training session he is to lead. Kiemo grumpily, but worriedly, goes to search for him but turns up with nothing. Figuring Red may be with his sister, Kiemo journeys to Savannah's dorm room to check, but she hasn't seen him either. More panic sets in and disgustfully, he asks for her continued help in locating Red. He claims that it's more because of how much Red matters to the group and Savannah can just be a shield, unable to openly acknowledge the truth. He also requests Niccolo's presence when Kiemo believes Red was taken by the researchers. He knows how well Niccolo knows those secret labs and pressures him into showing the trio the way. Kiemo is more worried by the moment, taking this out on all the researchers leading up to Red with stunning brutality. Niccolo is visibly worried but Kiemo doesn't notice most of it. They eventually find Red and Kiemo slaughtered the researchers trying to test on him. He pushes past Savannah while she checks on Red, voicing some of his worries and leaves him after whispering a secret threat to Niccolo.

Once back with Red, he confesses more of his worries. When Red questions if he trusts him, and if their relationship is more than that, Kiemo disarms himself, letting himself being vulnerable. Kiemo tells him how much he cares and insists Red stay with him in his room, worried that if Red returns to his, the researchers will return. Kiemo stays awake as long as possible, guarding Red just in case and making excuses for Red and his absence. He is more cross with groupmates who bad mouth or criticize Red during this period of time while denying the extent of their closeness.

When Red does return, Kiemo is still worrying about him in the background, his odd behavior making the group wonder if he and Red were fighting. Kiemo calls Red into his office about this and his condition. Kiemo admits to liking Red's questions and entertaining them for his own interests and amusements as well. He also requests Red join him about a breakthrough with the fence they found earlier and that it appears they can get through to the other side. The two of them set out and find a world outside. They find researcher houses, strange buildings, as well as a clock that is counting down to the middle of June. Kiemo does not wish to tell the group about this yet.

Kiemo is next seen at The Shrine Room, choosing to go there and avoid the group as he recovers from the latest added session he had with the researchers. Kiemo is stuck thinking about himself and the poison in him, something he believes is the addition of more animal dna. He's also surprised the researchers did it to him again considering it wasn't long ago he completely slaughtered their members. Kiemo's thoughts are interrupted by Emory, who appears depressed and somewhat surprised to see him. Emory also voices that their deaths are inevitable and none of them will get shrines when they die. No one will remember them. Kiemo firmly tells him that that won't be the case and that they won't die. Emory isn't so certain and eventually, Kiemo offers to show Emory the fence. They arrive together and Emory wonders if Kiemo will abandon him. Kiemo doesn't, waiting and guiding Emory past the gate to the other side. He tells Emory the same thing he told Red. Kiemo can't and won't leave yet, not with Berris still alive. But Emory can go on his own if he wishes. Emory doesn't, agreeing to stay and further help Kiemo, wishing partially that the two could go together. They return past the fence, but Kiemo says he wants to stay for a few moments on his own.

Kiemo is seen later disapprovingly watching the training session of Fin's recruits, remarking to himself that they'll be dead in moments. Unable to watch this trainwreck, Kiemo steps in and tells Fin to continue, Kiemo will join the recruits. It's implied he doesn't do such things often, but considers doing it more. He's interrupted by Emory who wishes to speak privately with him. Kiemo agrees with a sigh, the two relocating to his office. Emory tells him that he was probably grateful for the interruption and Kiemo disagrees. He is curious why Emory isn't happy he didn't want the recruits to die and that was what Kiemo thought Emory was originally criticizing him for. Emory doesn't care about that and instead proposes a meeting, one that was his and Niccolo's idea. Kiemo isn't happy to hear Niccolo's name and refuses. He doesn't get the point as Niccolo holds no power or influence. They don't need his help and Kiemo is ready to fully shutdown the idea before Emory brings up Red, and how Kiemo should think of his safety. Kiemo reluctantly agrees rather quickly after.

Kiemo and Emory go to meet Niccolo, and Kiemo gets defensive seeing Niccolo bring an extra person. Kiemo prepares to attack him before composing himself if for no reason but one upping Niccolo. He takes his seat, digging at Niccolo when he can. He listens curiously to what Niccolo knows, guiding him to reveal more while Kiemo is protective of his information, but not enough to draw much suspicion. He offers his group's help in order to look more agreeable, noting their strength and how well they know the escape route and trusting them to evacuate the other students. But through saying this, he doesn't have to go into detail about his find and keeps his control over the situation while making Niccolo look more incompetent in comparison. Kiemo also comes away with Berris being his alone when the time comes as part of the deal.

## Trivia

* He has a motif of string to visualize his control of any situation. He pictures losing strands of that string any time he's faced with no longer being in control.