Aquila Ueno

*"They considered themself to be a living ghost, a peaceless spirit of a culture eradicated, and all spirits haunt the location of their death. So, to the ruins they must go."*

*- Asphodel, page 2*

**Aquila Ueno** is a Homini who was introduced in the second iteration of *Asphodel*, and played by Lady Senbonzakura.

## Biography

The island of Nitarem, which is located off the coast of the Nereu Fief, is shrouded in mist, and often thought to be barren, but actually contained a society of a little less than two thousand Homini. Because of the long-term isolation of the citizens there, they developed their own culture, and denounced any possible outsiders, including the Elysians, the Sheolfolk, and their war.

In 7203, Aquila was born to Aya and Souma Ueno on June 19th. Aquila loved both of their parents very much. Aya passed away from a long-term sickness when Aquila was eleven, and her death was very hard on both them and Souma. They held on very close to each other from that point on.

As Aquila grew older, they found they had a knack for child care, and when they were fifthteen, they and their father decided to adopt a recently-orphaned newborn, who they named Septima. Aquila adored her as much as Souma did, and they planned to raise her as their own.

A few months later, a figure came down from the sky - a woman with wings. She called herself Imperiel, an Archangel of Justice, and she had come to see the island. She explained that her kind were the Elysians, the virtuous of Elodi, who were at war with the viceful Sheolfolk. Her superiors sent her to the island to scout for appropriate land to build a base, seeing as the island was close enough to Sheolfolk territory and often hidden in the misty seascape, but she was shocked to find Homini there. The Nitarem, of course, told her the land belonged to them, and that they wanted no part of the war, and asked her to leave. She chose to make a deal with them - she would leave and tell her superiors they couldn’t build a base on the island if the citizens gave her one of their own to Bond with.

Of those she discovered as candidates who would be best to be Bonded, Aquila was chosen to be sacrificed. Imperiel accepted them, and once they had Bonded, took them away from their family and community and locked them in a tower in Elysium, where they could be protected. While there, Aquila felt homesick and lonely, and the only real visitor they had was Imperiel, who only did so under the pretenses of her own type of loneliness.

After about a year, Imperiel brought Aquila back to Nitarem. At first, Aquila was ecstatic to be back with their family, until it dawned on them that Imperiel must have returned with an ulterior motive. And they were correct - Imperiel declared that it was Elodi’s will for the base to be built, and the Nitarem would cooperate. If not, they would have to be relocated so they could be kept out of Sheolfolk hands. When they refused, she reminded them that they could face great and terrible punishments if they disobeyed the word of Elodi. At first, Aquila tried begging Imperiel to keep her word and leave the citizens alone. When she did not yield, Aquila got into an argument with her, then threatened to kill themself, thinking that the Bond was life-binding, and that their death would also cause hers. They were mistaken. Imperiel explained to them that killing a Bonded Homini does not kill the Elysian, but now, they had really pissed her off. Any rebellion against her was a rebellion against Elodi, and she knew the best punishment for everyone.

Using her abilities, she encased Aquila’s legs in enough rocks so that they could not move, and then began to round up the Nitarem. She forced them into barns and houses and sealed the doors and windows shut, reminding the Homini that they were atoning for their sins against Elodi, and this was the only way justice could be served. Once they were all inside, she set the buildings on fire, while Aquila watched, crying and screaming and pleading in horror.

After a time period that Aquila does not remember, the fires stopped, and the rocks vanished. Imperiel began to console Aquila, telling them that “this Cleansing is just” and that they died atoning, which is a honorable death. She took them to a bed and told them that they would rest with her until the morning. Aquila, however, finding their rage, and using the knife they had once planned to use on themself, stabbed her directly in the heart while she slept. Fully expecting to die along with her, Aquila was horrified to find that they successfully murdered an Archangel and lived. They spent the rest of the day trying to identify their loved ones’ burned corpses, but found it impossible.

The morning after that, more Elysians came to island, looking for Imperiel. They found Aquila still covered in her white blood, and the Homini confessed, even taking them to her body. The Elysians were horrified by the situation, and arrested Aquila for murder, and took them to Elysium where they were to stand trial and be executed.

However, Aquila was blessed with luck. Another Justice archangel, Asutiel, volunteered as Aquila’s representation. As a well-established advocate for Homini rights, Asutiel argued not only for Aquila’s legal innocence, but also called for the reformation of Elysian treatment of all Homini. She won the case, granting Aquila their freedom.

As joyous and grateful as they could have been for said freedom, it did not bring back their people. After the trial, all Aquila asked is that they be returned to Nitarem, where they could spend the rest of their life as the only ghost in the ruins of a ghosttown.

Before they could do so, however, they were asked by Sariel, the Archangel of Diligence, to be her bonded. Though clearly terrified of bonding again, Aquila accepted, believing they should do so to help Sariel and her unborn child. At the bonding ceremony, an assassination attempt was made against them by Bronwen Ifanmerch, who wounded Sariel.

## Physical Appearance

Aquila is naturally short, and unfortunately thin from malnourishment. They have deep purple hair to their shoulders, which seems slightly untrimmed, and bangs that cover one eye. Their eyes are the same color as their hair, and though they have been wearing Nitarem clothes their whole lives, while at Zion, they wear Elysian-style clothes as expected by them.

## Personality

As a child, Aquila was quiet and often shy, and preferred the company of their parents. After their mother died, they became very attached to their father, but eventually made other friends around their age. Upon discovering their talent for child care, they were very excited to adopt Septima. They did not want to be Imperiel’s Bonded because it meant leaving their family and their home, but they understood why the Nitarem felt it was the best choice, and held no grudges against them.

Imperiel’s actions, including the Cleansing, changed Aquila. Their standard quiet nature remains, but it has become heavy with the weight of death. They have not smiled in over a year, and constantly wears a solemn expression. They have adapted a very dark philosophy, and almost every sentence they utter comes back to their grief.

### *Strengths*

Aquila will confess that they don’t have a lot of strengths. Mainly, they have a mothering instinct, and put a great emphasis on helping others. The only other real skill they have is their power as Bonded. After surviving immense trauma, including separation from home and family, long-term isolation, culture shock, suicidal thoughts and actions, the genocide of said home and family, taking a life, and then finally facing execution, all while without suffering any major health disadvantages, makes them extremely powerful and resilient. Their previous experience with Bonding also makes them attractive choice for a partner.

### *Weaknesses*

Aquila is short, thin, has no combat training whatsoever, and even when they had access to an Archangel’s powers, were never taught to use them. They are psychologically damaged (for the reasons listed above) to the point of severe depression and almost to infunctionability.

## Relationships

### *Souma Ueno*

Aquila loved their father; he was overworked but kind and reliable, and always gave Aquila his affection. Though his body was never identified, it is assumed he died in the Nitarem “cleansing.”

### *Septima Ueno*

A few months before Imperiel came to Nitarem, Aquila and Souma chose to adopt a recently orphaned child. They were raising her as their own, until they were separated by Imperiel. Though her body was never identified, it is assumed she died in the Nitarem “cleansing.”

### *Aya Ueno*

Aquila’s mother died when they were young, but the memories they have of her are wonderful and precious.

### *Imperiel*

At one point, Aquila had a form of respect for Imperiel. She was brave in the face of her enemies, immovable in her beliefs, and unshakeable in her power. However, her Bond with Aquila was not built on trust, but rather a desire for the Archangel to be appeased. Imperiel imprisoned them in Elysium, isolating them from their family, people, and from any social interactions besides herself. Imperiel told Aquila many lies about Bonding, including that bonds need to be consummated, and that bonds are made to serve the dominant of the relationship only. Aquila wondered why, if everything Imperiel was doing to them was normal, she felt the need to keep them a secret, but never voiced their questions out of fear. Aquila does not regret murdering Imperiel in the slightest, until Bronwen almost murders themself and Sariel.

### *Haziel*

Haziel was Imperiel's right hand man, and was the first person who went looking for Imperiel when she died. He and Jude were the ones who found Aquila after the murder, and took them back to Elysium to stand trial. When Haziel heard Aquila's testimony, he extended an olive branch of friendship by offering Jude as their body guard. He attended Sariel and Aquila's bonding ceremony.

### *Jude*

Jude is Haziel's bonded, so they met Aquila at the same time Haziel did. Jude offered to be Aquila's body guard, but wasn't offended when they rejected. They have an obvious affection for them, and attended Sariel's and Aquila's bonding ceremony.

### *Asutiel*

Asutiel was another Justice archangel who heard of Aquila's story and decided to represent them at their trial. She was kind to them, and explained her desire to help all Homini. Aquila respects her.

### *Iodel*

Iodel is Aquila's current roommate. She tries to protect and mother Aquila to her best ability, and though Aquila is extremely grateful, they do find her occasionally smothering. Aquila respects her.

### *Sariel*

Sariel is the closest thing Aquila has to living family. Though she often gives off a formal and occasionally imposing aura, she has been kind, understanding, respectful, and honest with them since they met. Aquila is also subconsciously drawn to her as she is soon to be a mother. Sariel clearly feels strongly about them as well, as she chose them as her first choice for a bonded. Aquila was *very* hesitant, of course, experiencing post-traumatic stress from their time bonded to Imperiel. They attempted to talk Sariel out of her choice, but realized their selfishness, and decided the needs of Sariel and her baby were more important, and accepted.

There are some unspoken hurtles for Aquila and Sariel's relationship to overcome, however. Aquila has a hard time hearing Sariel discuss the Elysian religion, as she often uses the same terminology and rhetoric (which Aquila instinctively thinks as "mindless propaganda") as Imperiel. They also despise Zion, Sariel's current home, as they feel they are surrounded by Elysians who hate them, and it reminds them of their imprisonment in Elysium. Sariel is also expecting, and Aquila currently struggles with memories of their late daughter. Though they know Sariel is very unlike Imperiel, the worry of any historical repeat weighs heavy in the back of their mind.

When there was assassination attempt against Aquila at their bonding ceremony, Aquila blames themself. If they hadn't killed Imperiel, Bronwen wouldn't be coming for revenge, and Sariel and her baby wouldn't be in harm's way.

### *Florizel*

Aquila and Florizel have only a few times, once when she gifted Sariel with a handmade doll. Florizel was, however, present at Aquila's trial, and at their bonding ceremony, was the one who held Aquila back after the attempt on their life.

## Trivia

* Their faceclaim is Urushihara Hanzo aka Lucifer from *The Devil is a Part-Timer!*.
* Nitarem is based off a mixture of Japanese and Roman aesthetics, therefore Aquila will have Japanese facial features.
* Because of the Nitarem's long term isolation, they still speak in Old Homini. In the role play, this is shown by having all of Aquila's dialogue in the Elizabethan English dialect.