kittsiez
Level 0
OOC INFORMATION
IGN (In-Game Name):
pwacify
What is your discord username?:
kittsiez
What is your timezone?:
PST/PDT
Describe your activity on the server:
I’m online almost everyday unless I’m unable to get my hands on a computer (a no life SIGHHHHH) Though, I’m expecting myself to be less active on weekdays (atleast until summer) since I’m a student athlete irl and finals are just around the corner! I put my usual available times in the table below (though these can change quite often due to sports/events + i do tend to stay up way longer on friday & saturday)!
IGN (In-Game Name):
pwacify
What is your discord username?:
kittsiez
What is your timezone?:
PST/PDT
Describe your activity on the server:
I’m online almost everyday unless I’m unable to get my hands on a computer (a no life SIGHHHHH) Though, I’m expecting myself to be less active on weekdays (atleast until summer) since I’m a student athlete irl and finals are just around the corner! I put my usual available times in the table below (though these can change quite often due to sports/events + i do tend to stay up way longer on friday & saturday)!
| Monday to Friday | Saturday & Sunday |
| 6:00 pm to 12:00 am | 12:00 pm to 12:00 am |
As for my activity on SRP, this is my first time truly getting into the roleplay aspect! Although I joined in 2021, I never really put myself out there to start roleplaying with people, leading me to only play for a few days to a week before giving up. However, I’ve been trying to take every opportunity to put myself in new roleplays. I’m also in the process of filling my second character slot since I only have one character right now. I’ve never been involved in any factions besides recently landing a job at one of the shops! (if that counts) You can usually find my character with a group of friends doing who knows what (they’re always a chaotic bunch) or at the shrine with Koi, Kagura, and a few others!
List your current roles on the server:
[Grade 12] Kasumi Y. Akiyama
Link any previous applications:
N/A
What position are you applying for (Maiden or Priest)?
I’m applying for Maiden!
What is your motivation for applying?
My initial interest in applying for the Shrine Faction came from an interest in the religion itself and thinking about how it would fit my character’s backstory. It was also the faction that stood out to me the most from all others. However, as my character actually began to spend time with the Shrine Priests and Maidens, it became an enjoyment for me oocly and increased my interest in applying. I’ve had so much fun roleplaying with Koi, Kagura, and my other friends at the shrine. It’s grown on me quite a lot and I think it’ll be a wonderful way for me to learn more about Shintoism and the many customs that follow it!
What do you currently know about Shintoism? Are you willing to learn more about it?
I learned a few things about Shintoism from Koi and my own research, but my knowledge is still very limited. But, that is one of my main reasons for applying! I’m VERY willing to learn more about Shintoism, otherwise I wouldn’t have applied!
!Kami: The kami are deities and spirits that are worshipped in Shintoism. In Karakura, Chiharu is the Kami worshipped at the Shinsei Seinaru MonasteryList your current roles on the server:
[Grade 12] Kasumi Y. Akiyama
Link any previous applications:
N/A
What position are you applying for (Maiden or Priest)?
I’m applying for Maiden!
What is your motivation for applying?
My initial interest in applying for the Shrine Faction came from an interest in the religion itself and thinking about how it would fit my character’s backstory. It was also the faction that stood out to me the most from all others. However, as my character actually began to spend time with the Shrine Priests and Maidens, it became an enjoyment for me oocly and increased my interest in applying. I’ve had so much fun roleplaying with Koi, Kagura, and my other friends at the shrine. It’s grown on me quite a lot and I think it’ll be a wonderful way for me to learn more about Shintoism and the many customs that follow it!
What do you currently know about Shintoism? Are you willing to learn more about it?
I learned a few things about Shintoism from Koi and my own research, but my knowledge is still very limited. But, that is one of my main reasons for applying! I’m VERY willing to learn more about Shintoism, otherwise I wouldn’t have applied!
!Torii Gates: These gates mark the entrance and exit to sacred spaces. When passing through one, you are expected to bow as a form of respect to the gods.
!Kodama: These wonderful little spirits (yokai) inhabit ancient trees and act as guardians of the forest (I’m not quite sure if these are considered a part of Shintoism, but I did notice them at the shrine)
!Chozuya: The chozuya is a fountain found at the front of Shinto shrines. Cleansing begins by picking up a ladle, first washing your left hand. Your right hand follows, and then the handle of the ladle.
!Offerings: Offerings are made by 1. ringing the bell 2. clapping twice 3. bowing once 4. clapping once 5. making your offering (usually yen or food) 6. praying and clapping (apologies if the order is incorrect, i dont really remember…)
IC INFORMATION
Character Full Name:
Her voice was calm and steady when she spoke. “My name is Kasumi Akiyama, but a fair share of people refer to me as Kas.”
Character Title:
“Mm. . . a title?” She paused momentarily, before noting “I don’t care too much for titles, you may call me whatever you please -though, I suppose Ms would be most suitable..?”
Character Age:
A subtle curve appeared on the corners of her mouth before she spoke, “I’m twenty-one years old.”
Character Marital Status:
Her brows furrowed inwards before speaking, “Ah, no, no, no… I’m single.” She would never be married at such a young age.
Character Nationality:
“I’m half Japanese, half Chinese. Born and raised in Karakura.” A melancholic look graced her features, one quite different from her usually content demeanor. A truly sensitive topic.
Degree/Certifications (If applicable):
N/A
Backstory
!Birth (March 27th, 2005)!
Kasumi Y. Akiyama was born in Karakura, Japan to a very traditional family. Her mother focused on discipline and independence, whereas her father ensured high academic achievement and filial piety. Since birth, she was set in an environment where only high discipline and academic standards were accepted.
!Early Childhood (Age 1-14)!
Memories from her childhood eventually blurred together as she grew older. Perhaps it was a way of forgetting the harsh reality she was born into, but one thing was for sure: it took a toll on her mentally. Her parents were distant, only considering her outward appearance and performance. Whether it was how she presented herself, her ability to play a koto, even how she sat -every little detail mattered to her parents. They cared little for what she truly liked and wanted to do. Their standards were harsh; she could only hold herself with refined dignity. The entirety of her childhood was spent in this suffocatingly strict environment. There was nothing memorable about it.
Kasumi’s grades began to drop as her performance worsened, eventually creating a rift in her already non-existent relationship with her parents. She used to thrive on pressure; it kept her going, yet it resulted in her being estranged from her family. Living in a multi-generational household didn’t make things any better. More often than not, she could hear the disapproving murmurs about her behind shoji doors. News of her failures reached elders and distant relatives faster than ever. As months passed and no improvements were made, her position as the black sheep of the family was firm.
!Abroad (15-17)!
The tense environment eventually led to Kasumi’s decision to move to New York City. Despite her attachment to her household, she spent three years abroad. It was an escape, a time of self-discovery and freedom, something entirely different from what she was used to. At first, she struggled; getting lost in subway stations and overwhelmed by the fast-paced life, but she adapted quickly. Overtime, the bustling city changed her physical appearance, and, to some extent, the way she acted, but at heart, she was still the same. Maybe that explains her unapologetically bold appearance. As she was taught when young, she held herself with the utmost grace, but now with newfound confidence and a better understanding of herself.
!Home (18-Now)!
Alas, her time in New York was up and she returned to Karakura eight months before her 18th birthday. The city that reshaped her was now a distant memory that only she carried. Upon returning, she made the choice to fully sever ties with her biological family, closing a large chapter of her life. Traces of her upbringing still remained in the way she carried herself; measured and disciplined, but it was different now. She has freedom, there were no longer rigid expectations following her every movement. Small attachments and regrets stayed as some part of her still wanted to meet the family expectations. Even so, she never looked back, only moving on from what is now in the past.
CHARACTER KNOWLEDGE / SITUATIONS
How does your character act around shrine grounds? How do they interact with guests and other staff?
Kasumi treats the shrine with reverence; it’s a sacred space after all. You could find her tending to the shrine through a variety of ways: sweeping the floors, making offerings, or simply maintaining the peaceful atmosphere within the holy grounds. Her devotion to the shrine is shown through fulfilling her duties with care and diligence. Though, if she has free time, most of it would be spent idling around or taking short strolls around the shrine.
When it comes to interactions with those in the shrine, Kasumi remains reserved; her demeanor calm and composed, but never unwelcoming. The shrine serves as safe haven for all guests, and she quietly ensures each visitor can feel safe and at ease.
!Guests!
When noticing the arrival of guests, she would immediately walk towards them, greeting them with a gentle bow and light smile. She then rose back up before speaking, “Welcome to the Shrine. If you require any assistance, don’t be afraid to come ask.”
If she was tending to the needs of guests, she would ensure they’re treated with only kindness and hospitality. Whether it was questions, requests, or anything else, she would attend to them all. Their comfort and needs are her main priority!
!Staff!
Kasumi treats staff with equal respect, making an effort to engage in small conversations and create long lasting bonds with the people around her. Depending on her relationship with others, she may even take part in light-hearted jokes and banter.
You see a guest jumping around the roofs of the building and overall disrespecting shrine grounds, how would your character handle it?
When her eyes darted to the guest jumping on the roofs, Kasumi deeply sighed before striding over to them. She would once gesture to the individual to get them to come down. If they didn’t see her, she would raise her voice a bit and ask
“Please come down from the roof; the Shrine is not a playground. It is both dangerous and disrespectful to the Kami that resides here.”
For guests who are unaware of their poor behavior, she’d give a light scolding and explanation in attempt to educate them. If the guest was a repeated offender, she wouldn’t hesitate to kick them out; they should know by now to not do such things.
Why does your character want to become a shrine maiden/priest? What do they wish to achieve?
“The shrine is a place I cherish more than anything. Perhaps you could say it saved me. . . from a lot.” She took a long pause to reflect, “I hope that I can be a shrine maiden that can aid others just like how the shrine helped me.” Her responses are short, but carry far heavier meaning behind them.
To be frank, Kasumi initially never had much interest in Shintoism and the Shinsei Seinaru Monastery. That changed when she was first dragged to the shrine by a friend, the little kodama drawing her in with curiosity. Her visits gradually increased overtime as she began to interact with the staff there.
Her newfound interest in the shrine and Shintoism wasn’t the only thing keeping her there; it was the peace she found there. Since returning to Karakura, the stress from past conflicts and her current concerns were the only thing she could think about. The shrine became a place she could seek solace and comfort, away from her usual life. She wants to be a shrine maiden not just because it feels like a debt she must repay, but because of the new acquaintances she’s made from going to the shrine. She hopes to take care of the shrine, maintaining the peaceful, welcoming atmosphere that once helped her and give it to other guests like her.
What are the core values of your character?
!Self Respect!
In her youth, Kasumi lacked self respect because of the way she was raised. As she grew out of the confines of her parents, she came to the realization that her worth wasn’t defined by their expectations and approval. She set her own boundaries, found her own voice, and chose her own path. Now it’s one of her core values, something she wishes everyone has.
!Inner Harmony!
Similarly to self respect, inner harmony is something that Kasumi values because she is aware it’s something she hasn’t fully achieved yet. It’s the state of emotional stability and self acceptance; something she’s trying to improve every single day.
!Authenticity!
This aligns with inner harmony and self respect. Kasumi values real, authentic connections built on trust, honesty, and sincerity rather than pretenses. From a personal perspective, she wishes to be true to herself and her values; the most authentic version of herself without the influence of outside expectations.
She wishes everyone could live with authenticity.
Character Full Name:
Her voice was calm and steady when she spoke. “My name is Kasumi Akiyama, but a fair share of people refer to me as Kas.”
Character Title:
“Mm. . . a title?” She paused momentarily, before noting “I don’t care too much for titles, you may call me whatever you please -though, I suppose Ms would be most suitable..?”
Character Age:
A subtle curve appeared on the corners of her mouth before she spoke, “I’m twenty-one years old.”
Character Marital Status:
Her brows furrowed inwards before speaking, “Ah, no, no, no… I’m single.” She would never be married at such a young age.
Character Nationality:
“I’m half Japanese, half Chinese. Born and raised in Karakura.” A melancholic look graced her features, one quite different from her usually content demeanor. A truly sensitive topic.
Degree/Certifications (If applicable):
N/A
Backstory
!Birth (March 27th, 2005)!
Kasumi Y. Akiyama was born in Karakura, Japan to a very traditional family. Her mother focused on discipline and independence, whereas her father ensured high academic achievement and filial piety. Since birth, she was set in an environment where only high discipline and academic standards were accepted.
!Early Childhood (Age 1-14)!
Memories from her childhood eventually blurred together as she grew older. Perhaps it was a way of forgetting the harsh reality she was born into, but one thing was for sure: it took a toll on her mentally. Her parents were distant, only considering her outward appearance and performance. Whether it was how she presented herself, her ability to play a koto, even how she sat -every little detail mattered to her parents. They cared little for what she truly liked and wanted to do. Their standards were harsh; she could only hold herself with refined dignity. The entirety of her childhood was spent in this suffocatingly strict environment. There was nothing memorable about it.
Kasumi’s grades began to drop as her performance worsened, eventually creating a rift in her already non-existent relationship with her parents. She used to thrive on pressure; it kept her going, yet it resulted in her being estranged from her family. Living in a multi-generational household didn’t make things any better. More often than not, she could hear the disapproving murmurs about her behind shoji doors. News of her failures reached elders and distant relatives faster than ever. As months passed and no improvements were made, her position as the black sheep of the family was firm.
!Abroad (15-17)!
The tense environment eventually led to Kasumi’s decision to move to New York City. Despite her attachment to her household, she spent three years abroad. It was an escape, a time of self-discovery and freedom, something entirely different from what she was used to. At first, she struggled; getting lost in subway stations and overwhelmed by the fast-paced life, but she adapted quickly. Overtime, the bustling city changed her physical appearance, and, to some extent, the way she acted, but at heart, she was still the same. Maybe that explains her unapologetically bold appearance. As she was taught when young, she held herself with the utmost grace, but now with newfound confidence and a better understanding of herself.
!Home (18-Now)!
Alas, her time in New York was up and she returned to Karakura eight months before her 18th birthday. The city that reshaped her was now a distant memory that only she carried. Upon returning, she made the choice to fully sever ties with her biological family, closing a large chapter of her life. Traces of her upbringing still remained in the way she carried herself; measured and disciplined, but it was different now. She has freedom, there were no longer rigid expectations following her every movement. Small attachments and regrets stayed as some part of her still wanted to meet the family expectations. Even so, she never looked back, only moving on from what is now in the past.
CHARACTER KNOWLEDGE / SITUATIONS
How does your character act around shrine grounds? How do they interact with guests and other staff?
Kasumi treats the shrine with reverence; it’s a sacred space after all. You could find her tending to the shrine through a variety of ways: sweeping the floors, making offerings, or simply maintaining the peaceful atmosphere within the holy grounds. Her devotion to the shrine is shown through fulfilling her duties with care and diligence. Though, if she has free time, most of it would be spent idling around or taking short strolls around the shrine.
When it comes to interactions with those in the shrine, Kasumi remains reserved; her demeanor calm and composed, but never unwelcoming. The shrine serves as safe haven for all guests, and she quietly ensures each visitor can feel safe and at ease.
!Guests!
When noticing the arrival of guests, she would immediately walk towards them, greeting them with a gentle bow and light smile. She then rose back up before speaking, “Welcome to the Shrine. If you require any assistance, don’t be afraid to come ask.”
If she was tending to the needs of guests, she would ensure they’re treated with only kindness and hospitality. Whether it was questions, requests, or anything else, she would attend to them all. Their comfort and needs are her main priority!
!Staff!
Kasumi treats staff with equal respect, making an effort to engage in small conversations and create long lasting bonds with the people around her. Depending on her relationship with others, she may even take part in light-hearted jokes and banter.
You see a guest jumping around the roofs of the building and overall disrespecting shrine grounds, how would your character handle it?
When her eyes darted to the guest jumping on the roofs, Kasumi deeply sighed before striding over to them. She would once gesture to the individual to get them to come down. If they didn’t see her, she would raise her voice a bit and ask
“Please come down from the roof; the Shrine is not a playground. It is both dangerous and disrespectful to the Kami that resides here.”
For guests who are unaware of their poor behavior, she’d give a light scolding and explanation in attempt to educate them. If the guest was a repeated offender, she wouldn’t hesitate to kick them out; they should know by now to not do such things.
Why does your character want to become a shrine maiden/priest? What do they wish to achieve?
“The shrine is a place I cherish more than anything. Perhaps you could say it saved me. . . from a lot.” She took a long pause to reflect, “I hope that I can be a shrine maiden that can aid others just like how the shrine helped me.” Her responses are short, but carry far heavier meaning behind them.
To be frank, Kasumi initially never had much interest in Shintoism and the Shinsei Seinaru Monastery. That changed when she was first dragged to the shrine by a friend, the little kodama drawing her in with curiosity. Her visits gradually increased overtime as she began to interact with the staff there.
Her newfound interest in the shrine and Shintoism wasn’t the only thing keeping her there; it was the peace she found there. Since returning to Karakura, the stress from past conflicts and her current concerns were the only thing she could think about. The shrine became a place she could seek solace and comfort, away from her usual life. She wants to be a shrine maiden not just because it feels like a debt she must repay, but because of the new acquaintances she’s made from going to the shrine. She hopes to take care of the shrine, maintaining the peaceful, welcoming atmosphere that once helped her and give it to other guests like her.
What are the core values of your character?
!Self Respect!
In her youth, Kasumi lacked self respect because of the way she was raised. As she grew out of the confines of her parents, she came to the realization that her worth wasn’t defined by their expectations and approval. She set her own boundaries, found her own voice, and chose her own path. Now it’s one of her core values, something she wishes everyone has.
!Inner Harmony!
Similarly to self respect, inner harmony is something that Kasumi values because she is aware it’s something she hasn’t fully achieved yet. It’s the state of emotional stability and self acceptance; something she’s trying to improve every single day.
!Authenticity!
This aligns with inner harmony and self respect. Kasumi values real, authentic connections built on trust, honesty, and sincerity rather than pretenses. From a personal perspective, she wishes to be true to herself and her values; the most authentic version of herself without the influence of outside expectations.
She wishes everyone could live with authenticity.