Ichika

Ichika played by Aceso

## Overview

*Intense intelligence, but the unfortunate truth of the matter is that she’s extremely lazy. She’s also a very sultry person, even some of the most simple actions can be read as an attempt at seduction, however that is very untrue a good most of the time. She’s also extremely playful, and the manner in which she displays this often depends on the individual themself. She’s also cautious; she makes no promises without being absolutely certain that she can keep to her word. She isn’t dishonest, but she isn’t exactly known for telling the whole truth either.*

## Mental Strengths

***Adaptability -** A trait unique to most of her species involves a very trickster-like mindset. That being said, they are adept at adapting and overcoming whatever adversity lies before them. The same is true for Ichika - especially with her own experiences that have pushed her into having to be more sly than most would deem necessary.*

***Experience -** Being as old as she is, there are many things that she has seen and felt and experienced. As a result, she is wise even beyond her years though of course, this isn’t generally seen since she tends to wear her more aloof nature more clearly.*

***Intelligence -** In order to be adaptable, one needs to be smart, and this is yet another trait that she has in spades. Her experience adds onto her intellect, but she has always been able to absorb and understand information at quite impressive speeds.*

***Determination -** Her tenacity is what got her, her tails the first time. And proceeded to be the same thing that got her tails taken from her. Letting go of things and people is a task that is both a blessing and a curse.*

***Self-Awareness -** This isn’t to say that she is 100% aware of herself all the time, but it is to say that most of the time, she is aware of what she’s doing, what she’s feeling - it’s a strength because keeping her in check is a struggle for most, including herself. Resisting impulse is one of the many things that she struggles with; if she didn’t keep herself in check, Shihai would be reduced to only a handful of people.*

***Emotional Sensitivity -** It sounds like more of a weakness, but Ichika can flip her switch on and off for ideal situations.*

## Mental Weaknesses

***Inability to Communicate -** 100% not an excuse, but Ichika has a really hard time expressing how she feels and what she’s thinking. Intelligence and self-awareness only go so far when she can’t effectively communicate. This stems from the trauma of losing her tails.*

***Inferiority Complex -** Having been a servant of the rice god Inari, being humble was something that was expected not just of her, but everyone else. But Ichika struggled with why she and her species weren’t ‘good enough’ to be autonomous and receive lesser treatment than the deities above her.*

***Impulsivity -** Remember what I said earlier about her self-control? She doesn’t always have it. So when she loosens the reins, she has a history of making among the worst decisions.*

***Future and Present Struggles -** The past is where Ichika’s mind lives. But she is aware of it - which makes it worse. She clings to the past and her older experiences as a result of being unsure of who may or may not hurt her and who may be watching.*

## History

*Ichika began life as an ordinary fox - she was enlisted by the rice God Inari after spending her natural life being a fox - part of that life included stealing from humans, but also making up for what she stole in differing ways. For instance, if she plucked some chickens from a farm, she would give seeds for a bigger harvest or even lead hunters to game that is too plentiful, and so the hunters can pick off a bit more than they normally would. Of course, the humans didn’t know she did these things consciously - but the God Inari did.*

*He gifted her what became her life as a Kitsune, and spent one thousand years devoting herself and her time to him, as most Kitsune did. She also spent that time honing her abilities, and adding to her ever-expanding archive of information.*

*However; over time, she began to understand how flawed the pantheon was. Why was her kind devoting themselves to someone that treated them as servants? Why were they on par with the rest of the Gods but seen more as spirits, why were they letting kitsune get slaughtered? Questions like these shook Ichika’s faith, until eventually, she stood up for herself and the rest of her kind; resulting in her exile and the loss of her tails.*

*Prior to this, however, Ichika saved the life of a young soldier by the name of Grendel. He was dying on the battlefield when Ichika happened by him. She’d spent time watching him prior, so she knew the type of man he was; someone kind and generous, true to the name he was given at birth. So she bestowed upon him physical immortality - deciding that the world would benefit more from him living than dying. And as a result, he became grateful and pledged himself to be at her side.*

*Ichika has never known loneliness since.*

*Countless years later, she had her own tails bestowed upon her as a gift from both Grendel and another dear friend; Fuhai.*