Kamiyama Mitsuko

Sunday: September 16, 2007

2008-07-22T23:59:25Z

Note sent to Irei Arakaki

(Translated from Japanese)

Irei -

What the hell was with that present you sent? Did I do something to piss you off? I thought we'd agreed to be friends. Are you mad at me for kissing you then running off?

Seriously... What's going on? That gift wasn't cool.

~Mitsuko

September 3, 2007

2008-04-30T10:49:44Z

Package sent to Zach Kitano

Dear Zach,

Heard it was your birthday. Thought you might like a diamond, but I had to make you work for it.

Happy Nineteenth!

~Mitsuko

The Journal of Mitsuko Kamiyama-- August 15, 2007

2008-01-23T08:30:24Z

Translated from Japanese

Keeping this journal is one of the few things that have kept me sane over the past few months. While introspection is not my strong suit, I am finding myself almost enjoying this.

So...

I've always been particularly proud of The Boat Heist. I don't usually con other praeternaturals. Maybe it's a sign of respect or maybe I'm uncharacteristically cautious about what powers they might have... But with Loki... Well, I couldn't resist.

And now, he's here. Sure, I don't think he'll care that I stole his boat. He was a pretty easy-going guy and, after all, I did return it.

But I usually don't have any contact with my former lovers after our encounter. Things get a bit too messy. Sure, there's the occasional relapse, but the norm is to part ways and never see each other again.

He's here. And I'm here. And neither of us really have the option to leave. It doesn't help that he's one of the more enchanting men I've come into contact with in the past few years.

Maybe I should sleep with his friend. Nico, I think his name was. Adrienne was fairly certain he would be open to my charms. And boys get so uptight when you sleep with their best friends. Perhaps that will kill any lingering tension between Loki and I.

Listen to me. Tension between us. I haven't even seen him again. I shouldn't concern myself with things that haven't happened yet. Probably just building things up in my head. This usually doesn't happen to me.

Still not sure what I think of this place. I'm a bit leery about staying in any place that has no money. Not that I've ever had any use for money, but it was always a good indicator as to the value of what I was stealing. If I stole a ten thousand dollar painting, I was stealing something worth ten thousand dollars. But here, if I steal something it's worth what... A sheep? A pat on the head? It just doesn't work for me. The only value here is sentimental and that's a line I won't cross. But maybe I can find something worth my time.

But I wonder... What will happen to me if I do resume my previous activities? The Head Council seems to have a very large stick up its collective backside. Not to mention, I'm not able to utilize the same exit strategies I was before. It's also a pretty small place, this Elysium. I'm going to earn myself a reputation really quickly. My skills are worth nothing is no one trusts me.

If I'm caught stealing, will I be banished? As much as I hate being stuck in the same place... Better here than the wasteland. I doubt I'd be accepted into another haven if I were expelled from here.

What the hell I am supposed to do here? This place goes against my entire core. Stealing isn't worth anything. If I'm caught, I'll be thrown out into the global graveyard. And there is only a miniscule number of available men. Seeing as I got through them like tissue paper, I am going to find myself very lonely very quickly.

I just need to relax. I'm over thinking right now. I've never been good with thinking. I'm so much better when I just act. I've been stuck with my own thoughts for so long, I'm starting to go a bit crazy.

But I'm getting to know people now. The little wolf seems nice. I might just need to keep her around. She talked so much about her boyfriend and his friends, I think she could use a bit of feminine influence. Cute thing too. If her boyfriend's really as handsome as she says he is, I might just have to see if they're up for some "group activities".

And Loki... Well, I'll jump off that bridge when I come to it. At the very least, I'll give him a very pleasant greeting when we finally cross paths.

Haven't heard any news on mother. While the virus wouldn't harm her, I have no idea what effect a bomb would on our people.

Mitsuko Kamiyama- Profile

2008-01-19T07:57:41Z

| PHYSICAL STRENGTHS | Mitsuko is agile and flexible, with skills akin to a trained gymnast. She is fairly fast, but prefers to run in fox form

| PHYSICAL WEAKNESSES | She and heavy objects don't mix. She has no physical strength

| MAGICAL ABILITIES | Her main magical skill is of course transforming from fox form to human form. She is unable to hold human form if she is asleep or unconscious. She will also revert to fox form if frightened or threatened.

She is also able to create very powerful illusions that are indistinguishable from reality. However, it must be concentrated on one specific object (such as making someone believe the staff the carry has become a hissing snake). Also, the more complicate the illusion, the more likely it is to waiver and fail. She often uses this illusionary skill on herself as a disguise.

| PERSONAL SKILLS AND TRAINING | Mitsuko's best skill is the ability to read people. She can tell many things about a person simply by observing them, seeing how they carry themselves and act. With this information, she is able to manipulate them as she likes. She is skilled in stealth and subterfuge, making her a very good thief.

| PERSONAL WEAKNESSES | Name a vice and most likely Mitsuko has had it at one time or another. Gambling, sex, alcohol, the occasional drug... "Fun" is what Mitsuko is addicted to.

In short, Mitsuko is a rogue. She has a remarkable joie de vive, almost bordering on hedonistic. She is willing to try anything and everything. She loves men and is basically incapable of having a long-term relationship. She does create bonds with people and will return to those she feels a kinship for, but it's not long before she'll move onto the next. She loves the hunt. She is also devious, getting an almost perverse pleasure from tricking people.

Despite her trickery, Mitsuko has a strong sense of morality. She won't deceive those she perceives as weaker than her. In fact, she will protect those she feels needs it. She is not cruel, most of her tricks more playful than anything. She abhors violence. While she is able to fight, she much prefers to sneak around.

Mitsuko is all about challenge. There is such difficulty in creating and maintaining a lie it keeps her interested. It's not really a malicious act for her, but more something to keep her entertained. She loves games of chance, as she greatly enjoys unpredictability.

Arrogant and rather flighty. She's more than a little self-centered and very impatient and rather unreliable. Mitsuko loves to be the center of attention and she loves people. She has very few close friends, but those she does have she is fiercely loyal to. She also loves for other people to have as much fun as her. However, she is still a liar and is not to be trusted, even by those she considers friends. Sometimes, she will lie to those she is close to just to maintain a distance between them, as she is uncertain about becoming dependent on others.

Much of Mitsuko's roguish personality is a rebellion against her mother, who was a very powerful and benevolent Kitsune, who was essentially worshipped by those who knew her. Mitsuko wishes she could have the same grace and abilities as her mother. Since she feels she does not measure up, she likes to be as different than her as possible.

Since coming to Elysium, Mitsuko is very unsure of her place, wondering how a person such as herself can fit into the community. Thus, she initially displays a far more subdued attitude than is her true nature.

Mitsuko is the daughter of Midori, a Kitsune of great power and benevolence, the leader of a Kitsune Skulk. Midori saw herself as a balancer, a controller of chaos. There were even other species that bowed to her wisdom and Midori was a highly respected member of society.

Seeing herself as an independent Kitsune and without equal, Midori's mate only remained with her long enough to conceive a child. All she remembers about him is that his name was Raidon and wielded elemental magic.

The birth of the child of Midori was heralded as a joyous occasion by the preternaturals in Japan. As Midori was known as the Light of Hokkaido, her offspring was named Child of Light: Mitsuko.

Mitsuko was raised to follow in her mother's footsteps, but found herself unable to live up the legend of Midori. She was not nearly as powerful and considered secretly by many to be a failure. Mitsuko had little contact with "human forms" as a child, as she remained in her fox form. She was curious about other creatures, but Midori kept Mitsuko in isolation in the mountains until she felt she was "ready".

As she got older, Mitsuko became bored with the ceremony and ritual of Midori, who was mired in tradition. When she became a teenager and was strong enough to change shape, Mitsuko began to take human form and explore the human world. Her mother disapproved of Mitsuko's actions, feeling she was still too green. She was disappointed by Mitsuko's disinterest in the life Midori led. Midori felt the Kitsune power should be used to serve the world and not for one's own pleasure.

Mitsuko, however, loved being in human form and she loved using her abilities to manipulate other people. She started simply: using her abilities to con small trinkets out of young men who found her attractive. She later moved onto petty thievery. As her powers developed, she became capable of simple illusions, which she used to aid her larceny. She was particularly interested in stealing gems and art, having a deep appreciation for pretty things.

But her big interest in stealing was the high that came from the act itself. The adrenaline rush that came from executing a heist was addicting. Often, Mitsuko would return the object she took days later, as she only cared for the thrill of stealing. She also developed a deep interest in gambling, the inability to predict the outcome of games of chance as much of a high as stealing.

When her vices became apparent to her mother, Midori and Mitsuko had a bitter falling out. Mitsuko was disowned and abandoned her homeland to make her own path in life.

Mitsuko traveled the world, finding as much trouble as she could. She was a roguish and charming con artist, a gambler and a party girl. She moved from place to place, gravitating to the most exciting and fun-loving people. She was lost in a world of hedonistic pleasures, thinking only of what would maintain her interest. She would get bored easily, moving onto the next bit of excitement.

At one point during her travels around the world, Mitsuko encountered Loki Britton-Baldere. She accompanied him to his boat, where they were intimate. He woke up on the beach the next morning just in time to see her stealing his boat.

So caught up in her own world, Mitsuko remained unaware of the coming darkness. But Midori came to her and begged for her to take shelter from the chaos of the virus and global war. Despite the animosity between mother and daughter, Midori needed to protect her offspring at all cost. She sent Mitsuko to a safe haven, but did not accompany her, feeling the desire to find others and bring them to safety. Mitsuko has no idea what happened to her mother.

Only time will tell what place a thief and con artist will find in Elysium.