Aoi Maiko

"*Oh c'mon Aki, don't worry so much. I told you I'd get to it eventually, and I will. Now come on. Hazel made cakes, and I'm dying to try em. ...What? Quit giving me that look already, would ya...? C'mon sis, it's creepy when you look at me like that. Fine, fine... I'll do the dishes first. But you better save me some of Hazel's cakes, ok!?*"

— A typical interaction between Aoi and her sister.

**Aoi Maiko** is a Human living in New World, currently taking up residence with her twin sister Aki Maiko and their ward Hazel in the city of Hashigin. Of the two Maiko twins, Aoi is the more adventures one. Her roll in their little family business is often split between that of an errand girl, and fishermen for their restaurant. She also takes it upon herself to be the official taste tester for any of their new menu items, but more often than not finds herself gravitating towards the deserts Hazel comes up with. She is resourceful and quick thinking, but her nonchalant attitude towards most everything makes her come off as sort of an airhead. Those that know her better though consider her to be just another free spirit trying to make their way in the world.

## Appearance

Aoi stands a average five-foot ten-inches tall with a slim yet athletic build. Just like her sister, she has bright blue eyes and silky straight, dark blue hair. To help people tell the two apart, Aoi grows her hair out longer at the back, and usually styles it in a pair of bangs that frame her face and reach her shoulders, and a low ponytail that hangs down to almost the flat of her back.

Given her duel roll as both an errand runner and kitchen aid, Aoi usually dons a sort of all-purpose outfit. A mix of both hand-me-downs, home made garments, and whatever else she is able to afford. She starts with a formfitting, ankle length trousers and long sleeve shirt shirt, both in a almost black shade of blue. She usually wears a weatherproof, navy blue jacket with wide sleeves that reach her elbows, and that hangs down to her mid thigh. The inside of her jacket, the rings of the sleeves, and the collar of the jacket are all a grayish blue, and is lined to retain heat. She usually dons a pair of white, waterproof legwarmers and comfortable flats that are easy to walk in. She accessorizes with a dark grey sash and orange cord around her waist, from which a small tool pouch hangs from the flat of her back, and a white headscarf she uses to keep her hear out of her eyes. Lastly, She wears a long red scarf around her neck, a birthday gift from her sister that she cherishes highly.

## Personality

Unlike her sister, Aoi is carefree, aloof, and generally will take any opportunity she can to slack off. This by no stretch means she is lazy. If she has a job to do, she will see it through until it's done. It's only motivation where people find she is lacking. If left to her own devices, after running errands for her and her sister's restaurant, she would be perfectly content to just laze about all day. Likewise, she has vary little in terms of material wants. So long as she, and those she cares about, are safe and well fed, she is content with life. She is generally open and friendly to everyone, but isn't the best at keeping conversations going, especially with strangers. She also doesn't know how to take a complement, often making a few teasing jabs or just sarcastic comment in response to one.

She has a deep connection with her sister, as the two have had to basically raise one another after their parents where killed in a Norn invasion by the time they where five. Though if asked, Aoi would admit it was Aki that took care of them both. Despite being twins, Aoi always regarded her sister as the elder. As such, she absolutely adores Hazel like a little sister. As much as Aki may chastise her for it, she enjoys spoiling the young girl at every opportunity, and more often than not end up being partners in crime trying to convince Aki to make deserts for them. Outside of Hazel and her sister, the only other person in Hashigin she is close to is Aeirfin Theocrie. It is common knowledge that the two have feelings for one another, something that Aki and Hazel both tease her for. For Aoi it manifests more in her teasing the young elf, as as much as everyone might know about her little crush, she'd never admit that her sister was right.

## Background

Aoi and her sister where born in the City of Hashigin. their father was a wondering mercenary, and their mother an apothecary. The two met after their father came back from a quest injured, and the two where married within the year. Aoi and Aki where born not long after, and their small family settled down in Hashigin. With their mother running a small clinic, their father decided to retire from adventuring to help take care of their two new daughters. However, over the next five years, raids from the northern Norn tribes against the city where becoming more and more frequent, and eventually the city leadership decided to throw a band together to strike back. Aoi's father was called out of retirement, and her mother's indispensable skills at healing where a necessity. bitterly, their parents set out, promising to be home soon.

Unfortunately however, days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. There was no official announcement made, but after a while people began to accept that any who had gone would not be returning. Being only five years old, neither Aoi nor Aki really understood what that meant. They had some idea, sure. People told them that their parents wouldn't be coming back. Aoi took that particularly hard. Nobody really had the stomach to tell the young twins why that was, but as time went on, and with Aki taking up the responsibility of looking after the pair of them, she came to accept that she and her sister where on their own now. Mind, the newly orphaned girls weren't thrown out on the street. Their parents, knowing there was a very real chance that they might not come back, had paid off their home and set up a little nest egg for their girls to live off of until they came of age.

Growing into their early teens, Aoi began doing odd jobs around town to help support her and her sister. One day, Aki came to her with a proposal to turn their home into a restaurant. While Aki had become a fairly good cook over the years, Aoi was doubtful that they'd have much success. She agreed to go along with it though, as the two only had one another to rely on. TO her surprise however, their little venture proved successful. Hashigin was a trading hub, and as such saw a lot of people coming and going throughout the day. By the time the two girls turned 19, they'd become a staple of the city. It was also around this time that Aerifin Theocrie began frequenting their business. Being an elf, and part of the not-so-reputable town guard, Aeirfin wasn't treated that well by just about anyone in the city. Aoi got to talking with him one lazy afternoon however, and came to the conclusion that he was one of the better ones. Over the coming months, the two grew close, and he became a frequent visitor to their restaurant. It was around this time that, on a venture, Aoi stumbled upon a small inlet downriver from Hashigin. An inlet that was absolutely full to the brim with fish. Pestering her sister for almost a full month, she convinced her to buy a few fishing nets and a cart. After a few weeks of trial and error, Aoi returned with a cart full of fish that Aki could make into meals for their hungry customers.

Around the time they turned 21, something else occurred that would chance the sister's lives forever. One night while cleaning up, the sisters heard a rummaging coming from the back of their restaurant. Expecting either a thief or some sort of animal, the two readied themselves for a confrontation. What they found however, was not at all what they where expecting. A young girl, barely ten years old, scrounging through their stock for something to eat. Quickly deciding she was no threat, Aki left to make her something to eat, while Aoi stayed with her. After a bit of talking they learned her name was Hazel, and that she came from one of the ships tat frequently maid their way through Hashigin. Having no idea where she'd come from, the twins decided to take her in. Once she was well enough, Aki began teaching her how to cook, the idea being that giving her some sort of skill would help her later in life. the girl took to it quickly, and became an integral part of their little business in just a few short months. Aki appreciated having a helper in the kitchen, and Aoi adored what she now saw as a younger sister.

Things would continue on as normal, until one day a strange cathedral would appear downriver of the city. Aoi was dismissive of it, despite both Aki and Aeirfin's warning her stay away. That wouldn't stop her from venturing out to her fabled fishing spot though.