Scarlett (Seiko) McTavish

## Description

Scarlett holds herself with a very straight back with a very arrogant look about her. Her dark eyes never seem to stop scanning the area. Her dark shoulder length hair is usually pinned up tight, and she is found using a simple black cane with a silver dragon engraved curling around the shaft. When walking she can be seen wincing from an unseen pain, but then continues on her way.

Her features are sharpe and stunning, rarely smiling and only occasionally giving a smirk, she has no smile lines and seems to be carved out of a olive skinned marble. Her expression seems to always have a bored curiosity about it, if that were possible.

She is a mysterious woman and a lover of the mysteries.

## History

I was supposedly born in the spring of 1911 to a wealthy business family in Kensington, my upbringing, however, was a bit different to my peers. My mother is Japanese (Burakumin), born and raised, but caught the eye of a Scottish businessman visiting Japan. And because she was from a poor family and they weren't doing so well, my mother married without hesitation. As they had very little to their name my Sobo (grandmother) and Oji (uncle) came along to live with my parents in London.

From what I was told I was born not long after the move, almost exactly 9 months after the wedding. How convenient. My Sobo told me that I came out tiny not making a sound, but dark eyes constaly looking around, this earning the name Seiko (Quiet child). I don’t remember much of my early years, there was one though of a handsome young Japanese man sitting me on his knee singing an lullaby in Japanese, when I asked about to my mother or grandmother they would always look sad and tell me it was my grandfather. I knew this was a lie as the man was very young, but I eventually just stopped asking as they always answered the same.

Six years later my brother Daniel was born with bright orange hair and blue eyes, looking much more like my father's side of the family. Where my brother looked all English I looked pure Japanese. Not that I minded it much, despite the stares and comments I heard at school. All people have their prejudices after all.

For my mother and father, I wasn't exactly the favorite. My mother wished to forget her roots and heritage since, for her, it had been nothing but misery, and it seems I was just another reminder of that misery; my Sobo and Oji, also being a part of that misery.

I spent most of my time alone with my mystery, anthropology, and criminology books. I have always been brighter than my peers and for that I was also shunned as well. No matter, I didn't find them that interesting either. The only people I even semi enjoyed spending time with were my Sobo and Oji. They taught me about their culture and how to speak my mother tongue. My Oji taught me the art of Ninjutsu which even at a young age unbeknownst to my parents.

Once I had finished my secondary Education, my parents insisted I go to college in the United States. I agreed to it and then once I got there quickly realized it was not for me and decided to go into Chicago law enforcement. After training, I became one of the few undercover female officers.

During this time my Sobo grew very ill, a fact my mother kept from me as long as possible. By the time it was clear she wasn’t going to make it and she finally told me, I was undercover for a few weeks and missed both her death and funeral. When I returned to London to repay my respects I found out that Oji was leaving with Sobo’s ashes to Japan. I said I would go with him, against my mother’s extreme protest, which was full of threat I no longer cared for after all she had done. So with that I as well as my Oji headed to Japan, cut off from the McTavish funds.

It was in that trip that all the missing pieces of my early childhood were explained. By now I am sure you have already, guessed the truth. Yes, I wasn’t really a McTavish nor was I born in London. My mother had fallen in love to some poor half English-Japanese Translator, my Oji’s best friend, and apparently was very happy despite their low status and lack of money. My real father had died, how; my Oji wouldn’t say, but I could tell the memory was both painful and brought anger. All the answers were there, they made sense. It explained everything, yet the anger I had towards everyone grew didn’t diminish. And to top it off it turned out I was actually born in 1907. I was 4 years older, which meant all my early academic achievements weren’t really that incredible. That night, without saying goodbye, I left Japan and never went back.

When back in Chicago I threw myself into my work. I found the whole experience to be quite invigorating. It wasn’t long after returning I grew very ill, having unexplained pains. As there were no real obvious signs of my disease, the doctors wouldn't subscribe my anything for the pain. I thought I was going mad for a time, and during one of my undercover narcotics missions my joint pain got so bad that I couldn't hide it. One of criminals kindly offered some black market morphine. It helped more than I care to explain. Unfortunately I also became addicted to soon after; a fact I am not very proud of, to be honest. This little annoying habit eventually got out to my commanding officer and I was promptly fired. To be honest the police force was a bit stifling anyway.

It wasn’t long after being fired the pain grew even more intense and I began experimently with whatever could dull the pain. The next two years I don’t remember much, it wasn’t until I was found passed out on the streets by someone, I don’t even know who, and was brought to a catholic hospital to be treated. The fact I had almost died, seemed to have clicked something in my mind. I tried to stay clean, I forced myself to be clean.

The pain grew and I began experimenting with whatever could dull the pain. The next two years I don’t remember much, it wasn’t until I was found passed out on the streets by someone I don’t even know who, and was brought to a catholic hospital to be treated. The fact I had almost died, seemed to have clicked something in my mind. I tried to stay clean, I forced myself to be clean.

At 24, and little I decided to be a P.I. Unfortunately that meant dealing with civilians and I really wasn't good at that. Money was tight, so I decided to put my room up for rent. Apparently I should have mentioned that I was a woman in the paper, and searching for a female border, as the first three that came were men and a little too excited about being in an apartment alone with an attractive woman. But after a few broken thumbs and bruised ego (from the men of course), I met Dr. Sean Williams.

Williams had something that I hadn't seen in any many others. What he lacked in intelligence he made up for in pure curiosity. After talking for a while I deduced everything I needed to know about him and offered him the room. What I didn't know is that he would soon become the only friend I had ever had.

There is of course more, but I am growing bored and don’t wish to talk any longer. Good day.