Koi

Personality

Age bestowed not wisdom nor cynicism to Koi, but peculiarity. He meets any new face with a startling amount of joy, baring white smiles and friendly words to whoever might greet him. Outwardly, he's mischievous and coy; every second word is a joke or a tease, deliberately prodding to the brink of annoyance before easing back. Yet, it doesn't take the most perceptive person to see that something is... off.

It isn't hostility. It isn't malice. It isn't hate, or distaste, or the curled lip of hidden intentions. It is simply the wide gulf between those that are him, and those that aren't. Seeing himself outside of the humdrum of daily existence, Koi views others much like a reader views a chapter. In this way, he's intrigued by almost anyone, and will often involve himself in their affairs to see their conclusion.

Rarely will Koi truly care about such things, however. Above all, what Koi does care for are stories and memories - chips and fragments of the past that most find insignificant and dull. A carefully, painstakingly constructed vision of the person before him, with all their flaws and intricacies - that is what he cares for. That, and little else.

Description

Beset with a taste for masks and their ilk, Koi can rarely be seen without one - whether ornate or a simple band around the eyes. As if to match such a strange dress sense, his clothes are often equally as baffling. He prefers blacks, whites, purples, and golds; his attire is seldom reminiscent of any culture, or perhaps a mix of several. As flamboyant as he is in manner, Koi is in fashion as well.

Tired, faded ink runs up from one wrist, around his shoulders and back, and down toward the other. It appears floral in design: simple outlines whisked into the distinct shape of a king protea. The more perceptive viewer might note such stick-and-poke patterns being distinctively Golmoran.

Art by @luddaart

It takes very little to get Koi's attention.

It takes a lot to keep it.

Meddler

At his core, Koi holds a deep interest in others' doings. It is a clinical, recreational sort - while he would hardly lift a finger to help, he would go to great lengths to stick to whoever captured his interest.

To the troubled, inconvenienced, joyous, triumphant; Koi will appear as a moth to a flame. The mystique of his appearance is soon overshadowed by the annoyance of his refusal to leave. Yet, to that which he is greatly involved, he might even lend a hand to create a more interesting end.

Storyteller

Enamoured with the past and infatuated by those around him, Koi has more than a few stories in store from his lifetime. Each one is thoughtfully locked away in his mind like a fine jewel, though for what reason is hard to say.

Yet, as travelled as he is, one can only take what he says with a grain of salt. With all the truths he can tell comes with an equal portion of lies - tidbits Koi will sprinkle in to embellish or enrapture, or perhaps only to savour someone's confusion. Never, however, is it with ill intent.

Traveller

Koi calls the very star itself his home, holding no allegiances or loyalties. Never will he stay in the one spot for overly long before a new place calls to him, to which he will explore it for the second time, and the third, and the fourth - the land is never static, and he would catalogue every change.

Finding him on the road is an easy task, whether in the present or even a hundred turns past. Time has taken him to near every corner of the world, extraordinary and mundane both - each a canvas for him to paint someone's likeness.

∰ | Kæja of the Eryut

「 "To you, I seem to be as glass: delicate and transparent. I can only hope to have as much sway over you, as you do over me." 」

∯ | Rayne

「 "Seldom am I afforded the comfort of having a peer to call a friend. Respect for that fact alone stops me from digging too deeply - for now." 」

∮ | Elam Al'vain

「 "A peculiar man, though he knows far more than what little he lets on. Terrible moonshine, though." 」

∮ | Aji of the Yascaret

「 "A wick that burns at both ends." 」

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read!

A few important things to note: as an Oceanian player at +10 GMT, my active hours often clash or are inconvenient for those based in NA or EU. I'm used to this! Should you be interested in setting up a scene, I'll try my best to organise a time that works for both of us.

I'm also lore strict! I prefer characters and settings that remain nice and consistent with the world around them. Koi is also built on Ludda's Viera Fanon, which I encourage you to take a peek at if you're at all invested in Viera culture!

Importantly, while a lot has been omitted about Koi for the story's sake, I'd like to offer a small warning. Due to advanced age, experience, origin, and natural aptitude, Koi has acquired a number of abilities that are significantly stronger than an average character. In the vast majority of cases, these will never appear in a scene and Koi will never participate in a fight. I hope to portray it in an acceptable way that doesn't interfere with others' experiences.

Lastly (and perhaps most importantly), please recognise that OOC ≠ IC. This seems obvious, but it needs stating.

Background art by @JYzen__