The Silver-Tongued Slayer
Apr 25, 2020 10:19:50 GMT -7
Post by Patchworkz on Apr 25, 2020 10:19:50 GMT -7
Jinsuke
Sakuragawa
Personality
Jinsuke's outlook towards life is often seen as lively and flamboyant. He is known to radiate a certain witty exuberance with his smooth words and cheery self-confidence. This is further emphasized by his perfect, gleaming smile that is always apparent on his face when he's singing a song or strumming a tune on his lute (usually to entertain friends, acquaintances or even complete strangers).
Jinsuke is naturally friendly to even the most suspicious looking strangers and because of that, is often viewed as either overly-optimistic, or grossly naïve. However, Jinsuke is more logical and calculating than most might think, never actually lowering his guard when confronting suspicious or unlawful persons despite the front he often puts up.
Jinsuke's charming character and marvellous musical talent appeals to both men and women. Jinsuke combines comedy and flirtatiousness along with his unnatural looks to make himself almost irresistible to many women he comes across. While this is usually seen as a good thing, Jinsuke often has to make it clear that he has no intention of settling down and simply can't commit himself as a long-time lover and so has to turn down lovesick women fairly regularly (an event that leaves him feeling guilty for a whole day afterwards). But before too long, Jinsuke can be found serenading another beautiful damsel the next town over.
Jinsuke lives a nomadic yet clean life as a travelling bard, wandering from town to town, looking for his next big adventure or sometimes just a inn to rest at. Normally he tries to stay out of the grand workings of politicians or powerful beings, preferring simple yet sweet neutrality. However when money gets involved, Jinsuke swoops at the opportunity to ally himself with influential and powerful people.
The man has had his fair share of hostile encounters being a traveller. Naturally he prefers to handle such tricky situations with smooth negotiations, even to the point of turning a would-be enemy into an ally.
Jinsuke does not consider himself to be a pacifist however, and does not need to be forced into a corner to become aggressive. Simply belittling Jinsuke would earn you a cold, cutting insult, enough to silence most if not all of his mild transgressors.
However, pulling a weapon on Jinsuke will make him consider a variety of options. If he is in a populated public area, he would calmly try to defuse the situation while being ready to dip and dodge at a moment's notice. If Jinsuke finds himself outnumbered he would be boldly prompted to cause a major distraction then follow up with a dashing escape. If completely alone in an isolated area against an enemy, Jinsuke will try and make himself seem as little as a threat as possible, causing his foe to lower his guard, before either countering his opponent's attack with his hidden dual blades, or simply striking his attacker's vital points with them when the opportunity presents itself. Life on the road has toughened the man up significantly, allowing him to kill in self-defence without batting an eye-lid.
Combat aside, Jinsuke bears a burning passion for music, as well as an interest in performing and fine arts. He treats fellow his fellow artiste like an old drinking buddy (which they are more often than not). Having travelled to different continents and seen quite a manner of different cultures, societies, and heritage, Jinsuke deeply respects all forms of the arts as well as the cultures and traditions of different places.
Like all ambitious men, Jinsuke is money-motivated. While a generous person at heart, Jinsuke will often look for how he can gain from whatever he does. Though constantly looking for different ways he can strike rich, Jinsuke tries to avoid unlawful activities such as murder or fraud unless he has a strong reason to cross that line. In such a case, Jinsuke becomes a master of espionage, sabotage and infiltration, doing what he feels is necessary and nothing more.
Jinsuke does not believe everyone is equal due to status and power, but he avoids treating people unfairly because of said reasons, remembering how he was constantly ostracised and made fun of in his own past.
Appearance
For better or for worse, Jinsuke is indeed a sight for sore eyes. His unique visage is often described as otherworldly and has earned him many side-looks and furtive glances on his travels.
Born with a case of albinism, Jinsuke possesses pale white, marble-like skin stretched over a prominently heart-shaped face. His irises shine scarlet like shimmering rubies and his head is adorned with shoulder-length hair the colour of snow.
To add to that, he was born with a strange red birthmark around his left eye which he often tells people is merely a tattoo. He's had it for as long as he can remember, and while first growing to hate the strange marking, he has now made it an important part of his self-image.
Despite considering himself handsome, Jinsuke's unique looks can be frightening for some people. That is until he flashes his trademark gleaming smile and a cute dimple reveals itself below his left cheek.
His body is of average height for a man, standing at a comfortable 5"10, but he often wonders if he could be just an inch taller. What stands out however is his physique, more muscular and toned than many soldiers and guardsmen he'd come across. Naturally, Jinsuke took great care of his body growing up, and is also a bit of a physical fitness enthusiast.
Jinsuke is almost hyper-attentive to his looks, and tries his best to look in a way that makes him feel comfortable and confident around others (something he considers very important given the attention he often attracts).
As such, Jinsuke will often be found dressed in a traditional silk haori adorned with an aesthetic pattern design, in which he wears over his cotton sleeveless shirt. The coat was a gift from his mother and perhaps his second most prized possession after his lute, which he always carries on his back like a swordsman would his sword.
The string instrument is not the only item he carries. By his right waist and obscured by his coat, are a twin pair of tantos that the travelling bard keeps around for a potential dangerous encounter.
Jinsuke is also often found wearing a silk white headwrap over his scalp. His reason for this, told to his friends and acquaintances, is to protect himself from exposure to excessive sunlight which he says is horrible for his skin.
Jinsuke takes in an interest in jewellery and although he doesn't own much, still flaunts it alongside his outfit whenever he can. This could be done by wearing jewels on his headwrap, or simple necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
To complete his look, Jinsuke wears traditional wooden sandals on his feet and occasionally leather gloves over his hands. The bard would often be mistaken for a travelling ronin, if not for the lute he always carries with him to indicate his profession to any onlookers.
Background
Jinsuke grew up in a small town in the Sound country, born to Haruna Sakuragawa. From the moment he was born, Jinsuke was a peculiar child. His physical attributes, while not horrendous, were nothing to smile at. He possessed snow white hair, scarlet eyes and a strange birthmark the same colour as his irises, marking his left eye. Jinsuke never got to know his father, and for most of his life was told by Haruna that he only looked strange because he shared his father's features. Haruna, who despite struggling to support her only son as a single mother, never failed to show love and kindness to Jinsuke and never thought to tell him his appearance was simply a result of bad luck and recessive genes. Regardless, this did not stop the other children from making fun of and ostracising him. And although Haruna tried to teach Jinsuke humility, compassion and courage in hopes that he would grow up to be an amazing person, it didn't stop the stigma that came with his appearance.
It was eventually discovered that young Jin saw strange colours and shapes that were not there, and felt sensations from things that were not physically present. The majority of the townsfolk were already distancing themselves from the Sakuragawa, but once rumours of his 'quirks' spread, Jinsuke became even lonelier as the other children weren't even allowed to come near him or even speak to him. It should've been a respite but Jinsuke had grown to crave attention, constantly fearing loneliness for his strange traits. Jinsuke recognised his mother as the only thing supporting him throughout his childhood and so did his best to obey her every word, never wishing to let her down or disappoint her. In school, Jinsuke aimed for the best in all aspects of his academic life in school, no longer caring about what others thought of him. Although the only thing he really stood out in was his musical talent and amazing athletic ability.
One day Jinsuke didn't come back home from school, which lead to his mother searching everywhere for him to the point of asking around the whole town. Despite not a single townsman offering help or encouragement, Haruna finally found him crying alone in the woods. Upon seeing him she cried out and then rushed to embrace him in her arms. Young Jin was shocked his mother had found him, but later admitted he ran away because he found out about his albinism and how his birth defect was responsible for his suffering.
Haruna smiled ruefully at 11-year old Jinsuke and begun to tell him a story. She told him a tale of a poor orphan, whose life was so filled with misfortune and pain that many times he wished to die. However despite the trials he constantly faced, the boy begun to realise that if all he did was weep and complain, his life would never change. And so the boy became a soldier, and after many years of heroic service, retired with prestige and several honours. The boy, now a old man, dedicated the rest of his life to adopting and raising fellow orphans like himself, sending them to school and giving them better lives. Haruna told Jinsuke that regardless of his external appearance, he was special, and she would always be proud of him no matter what. She stated that if he was only good at a few things, then he should focus on them and not let his weaknesses be a burden to him.
Jinsuke grew up with that mentality and honed his talents as a musical performer and even begun to take an interest in the way of the sword. Jinsuke's artistic talent with his trademark instrument; the lute, soon became the talk of the town and that, coupled with the fact he was able to hide his mental oddity, made him more approachable and even popular in the town by the time he was sixteen. He played his lute at taverns, parties, festivals and thus became the local virtuoso by the time he graduated school, surpassing even the teacher that had taught him to play his instrument.
The snow-haired boy had become a man, now having to look towards what he would do in the future. Jinsuke immediately thought about leaving the house so his mother would not be burdened with the task of taking care of him anymore. The man also wished for a well-paying job so that his mother would never have to work herself ever again. However there were not many options in the small township he grew up, and having quite the adventurous and confident nature, Jinsuke wanted to expand his horizons. Jinsuke recalled the story of the orphan boy taught to him in his youth and became inspired. The musician soon made up his mind to set off to travel the world despite the protests of his mother. He vowed to repay Haruna for all that she had done for him, and set carve his path to fame and fortune, promising her he would write a letter home twice a year.