Holly Heights Application

[tiniestenvoy]

OOC INFORMATION
Player: Mango
Age: 19
Personal Journal: meximango
Contact Info: You can find me on plurk, meximango.
Other Characters: N/A

IC INFORMATION
Characters Name: Issun
Age: unknown; has the appearance of a 10-13 year old and is assumed to be in his mid to late teens (we'll say 16 for consistency's sake, though).
Canon Point: Right before Amaterasu embarks on the Ark of Yamato.
Species: Poncle. When changed to human, he’ll look like a 10-13 year old despite his more likely actual, older age range.
Gender: Male in all respects.
Orientation: He seems to love babes a lot, but is he really even old enough to be called anything? Either way, boobs rock.
History: It's a Poncle's life for me!
Appearance: Wow, what a punk.
Personality:

Issun is a character who changes a lot throughout the game Okami, though certain aspects of him seem cemented there deeply. From the point where he first meets Amaterasu, Issun is nothing more than a selfish little kid trying to find a place in the world. By the time the journey is over and his best friend is about to leave for good on the Ark of Yamato, Issun is nearly a mature adult.

At the canon point chosen, some of his old traits still remain, such as his talkative nature. Even if his companion goddess hadn’t been a mute animal, Issun probably would have talked everyone’s ears off regardless. In-game, he has to do all of the speaking for Ammy, along with inserting his own opinions on matters, which means he’s talking nearly constantly during busy times. Often rude and always blunt, Issun will let you know what he thinks about a certain topic, loud and clear. There’s no beating around the bush with this guy, not unless it’s to do with a touchy personal matter—such as talking about his grandfather, Ishaku, and reason for running away, which is evaded for most of the game. Near the Ark’s point, Issun begins to learn to forgive his grandfather, to move on from the anger and pain, and to accept himself rather than waiting on others’ approval. His social skills continue to flourish even afterward, however. Witty, quick-minded, and always having something to say, he can actually get pretty annoying at times as he will just not. shut. up.
Issun is bossy to the point of arrogance in the beginning of the game, but he learns to trust the decisions made by Ammy and a few others rather than trying to run most of the show as time passes. His way of barking out orders might also be due to the fact that Amaterasu is incredibly clueless at the journey’s start, meaning that she is heavily reliable on Issun for information and directions until she starts figuring things out on her own. Along with learning to forgive at time goes on, Issun becomes more humbled (which might be a reason he becomes successful as an artist later on). With his new sense of self, he doesn’t boss Ammy around quite as much. Their highly developed friendship and her gained knowledge only help his improvement. When meeting new people, mainly those he doesn’t like, Issun’s bossiness returns to its maximum. Stubborn and opinionated, he will shout at whoever’s bugging him to cut it out, and not in the most polite of terms. Yes, he has grown up since the beginning of the game, but old habits die hard when it comes to dealing with people who he feels is a threat to either those close to him or his/his friend’s goal on hand.

Which brings up another point: Issun is insanely stubborn regarding certain things. While cowardice dictates certain decisions—backing down from a battle he’d rooted for vehemently before calculating the odds, for example—the guy will not back down on specific issues. He runs away from home out of anger, and promises not to come back or speak to his grandfather. When it is absolutely necessary to return home on their journey, Issun makes sure to avoid entering his village with Amaterasu, choosing to wait behind even though she could have used the help with navigating and knowing general information on the workings of Ponc’tan. When meeting people, Issun is quick to judge. If he deems someone as trustworthy or not, he will stick with his decision until evidence is thrown at his face so hard, he has no choice but to go first into denial, and then accept it. He tends not to trust strong male warriors, while large-busted women always end up on his list of innocence. For having trust issues, the guy’s logic seems kind of flawed there. He’s more likely to back down on an issue if someone close to him tries convincing him otherwise because of his trust of them, however. Also, he has learned multiple times on his journey that his judgment is most certainly capable of being wrong.

While he can be Captain Obvious much of the time (how else is he able to talk so much?), Issun also seems to know a lot about the environment surrounding them, hinting that he is rather educated despite his appearance. Almost anything one can observe in the game, Issun is able to tell something about it, though the level of detail varies greatly. Since he is a wandering artist, it’s no wonder he’s full of knowledge. The travel amongst lands has made him wise to both fact and fiction alike regarding them. Much information was gathered and retained because of his interactive personality, once again. One of his main interests is learning about the different gods and goddesses, along with their painting skill techniques. Since his friend knows nothing about them, Issun rattles off facts every time they encounter a new one. While Ammy has difficulty remembering facts from the past sometimes, Issun is helpful in reminding her of objectives, locations and their directions, names, events, and artifacts that are needed in the current storyline. Along with a good memory for facts comes a good memory for personalities. One action is enough for him to remember you and either hold you in a good light or hold a grudge. Likewise, it takes one facial expression on his friend’s face for him to remember that she does or doesn’t like something. That does not mean he won’t exploit people in that way, of course. His cheeky self can’t help it if he brings up past mistakes or other embarrassments as reminders or entertainment when the situation presents itself. He just likes a little fun and keeping others in line.

As stated, knowledge is not gained simply through books, but by experience. Issun’s running away is largely spurred on by a feud, but he would not be able to stick through with his decision if he were not already such an adventurous person at heart. His goal is to learn the celestial brush techniques. When he hears that a goddess named Amaterasu can help him with his dream, he is adamant about joining her on her travels. There is no hesitation as he decides to go to different lands with a complete stranger, even as the danger level spikes up when a mysterious fog starts infecting the lands. Every time they arrive at a new place, Issun shows excitement toward exploring, though his joy is usually cut short as more corruption consumes the lands. While cowardice can get to the little guy sometimes, he seems to have no problem going about enemy territory for the sake of seeing new places!


Ahh, that underlying weakness known as fear. Of course, fear is something that can get buried, hidden from site yet underneath one’s feet the entire time. It gets under everyone’s skin at some point. Issun is known for putting on a façade of toughness at all times, though it may be chipped by the end. This act he puts on is not only due to hubris, but his insecurities as well. If his grandfather didn’t deem him good enough, would he ever reach his goal? But he also thinks he’s pretty great at what he does, ignoring the opinion of Ishaku half the time. Proud and yet unsure, a strange mix of opposites. The pride shows through when he parades around proclaiming his title and skill, but the scared little child inside of him only shows through in heavy moments. If he can sweet-talk women and put on an arrogant air otherwise, people will view him as more than just some little insect or nothing at all, will notice his existence. He’ll become a person, gain recognition, which is all he’s ever really wanted.

Acting is all good and well, but people’s real selves have to show through eventually. Issun may seem like a big shot all the time with his loud, abrasive words, but as soon as he finds himself in a scary situation where the stakes are high or the chances low, he pushes all responsibility off onto his friend, Amaterasu, and lets her deal with their problem. Still, he only outright runs away a few times in the game, and he sticks close when he does so, his loyalty to his friend outweighing his fear. While he may let Ammy do all the fighting, he’s always up for giving advice or pointing out important details to her in the heat of the battle. If not for his friend, Issun would run away a lot more if in the same situations. Only with those close to him does he set aside his flighty instincts, pushes through them and risks everything. Issun is used to running away from his problems, his insecurities and emotions. To instead face them head on is a huge development for him, something that proves just how reliable he is when it comes to his loved ones. After forming a bond of trust, Issun stops at nothing to help that person, to guide and be there for him/her. Not having the same strong morals as Ammy, however, Issun is far less likely to help a stranger in need if it is too much work or dangerous (unless, of course, it is a busty babe). Unyielding in friendship, proving he cherishes his bonds more than treasure, which he is willing to give up at certain points in the game. Of course he throws on that little mask of pride again, brushing his actions off, downplaying what he feels with words, but it’s still obvious that he’s just a soft little guy covered by a tough exoskeleton.

A brave front one second and quivering in terror the next doesn’t stop Issun from becoming optimistic in most situations. He’s hopeful, but not to the point of stupidity. If he thinks a challenge is beyond their capability, he’ll voice it and stick with his decision stubbornly. Sometimes one must go on, however, whether physically ready or not. Okami ‘s battles are often about winning against the odds and giving it one’s all. Under these circumstances, Issun has a choice to turn back and give up or push onward with a false sense of indestructability. Usually starting off with a warning that it’s a bad idea or that they have no hope, he ends up changing his tune once he realizes there’s no backing down. He lets hope rule over his better judgment, spurring his friend on with all his might. It’s unknown whether Issun truly believes in their success at times, or if he just spouts motivating words to assuage his companion’s or his own worries. He truly does believe in his friend’s skill by the end, so it’s safe to assume that both of their stubborn natures mixed with their trust lead to honestly hopeful words from him instead of a false toughness. No matter the reason, his words of motivation shouted out after his ramblings of “danger” and “idiotic moves” help dearly in tense situations, even if such a rapidly changed decision in a normally stubborn guy can be confusing and exasperating.

Issun isn’t just about cheery words, though. Most of the time, he’s loud. Half of that time, he’s that motivating little go-getter! Why is he yelling half the other time then, what the heck? He’s yelling because he’s obnoxious hot-headed. He does improve upon his self-control near the end of the game, but the fact still remains that Issun gets set off pretty easily, and he holds grudges, so be careful. Things that easily get him riled are calling him an insect and thus not giving him the respect he deserves, not listening to his advice or words in general, having a different opinion, hurting him or someone dear to him, harboring traits similar to his own (someone doesn’t like himself all too much…) and accusing him or his friend(s) of something bad. Once he distrusts someone, it’s pretty much guaranteed there will be more than enough noise and boorish insults spewing from his mouth to fill a particularly nasty ravine. Most people don’t take his anger seriously, of course. If you saw a flea shouting at you, you’d probably dismiss it as a superiority complex too, wouldn’t you? He exerts his anger in the form of jumping around and fist-pumping—maybe going as far as to unsheathe his sword, though the worst he does with that is menacingly cut a piece of paper, maybe—rather than actual physical violence, which only furthers the assumption that while Issun may be full of hot air, it is just that. No real malice or action unless under severe circumstances, just emotional control issues.

Issun is small, which is the cause of many of his outbursts as people confuse him for a bug or think he is the voice of the dog he rides. Small size does come with advantages, however. One trait of his that perhaps gets worse as the game goes on is Issun’s thieving and sneakiness. Amaterasu is rather mischievous and enjoys collecting artifacts as long as it’s not hurting anyone. Issun, with a different set of morals, sees no problem in taking treasures either, especially since no one ever seems to stop them or care. Through Ammy’s influence, Issun becomes quite good at pick-pocketing monsters and people alike. His small size easily allows him to go undetected as he steals a few stray coins, food items, or ink bottles. While he never seems to have an itch to steal, he rarely hesitates to when nudged. If someone showed distress over the theft or asked him not to, however, Issun would not steal, not unless necessary for an overall good.

What a contradicting character Issun has turned out to be, right? It only gets worse. Issun has one true vice, one thing that seems to bend the rules to every trait he has, other than his loyalty to his best friend. This vice? Busty babes. Issun falls in love with more beautiful women in the game than should be possible for someone in ten lifetimes. As soon as he spots a pretty face and a nice rack, there is no stopping him from flirting obviously and embarrassingly, proclaiming his love, and doing anything and everything for this woman. . Issun innately trusts any busty woman he meets. All better judgment is lost. It’s even difficult for Ammy to save him from his stupor. Oftentimes his perverted nature can get him in trouble. He refuses to believe that any pretty lady he meets can possibly be evil, even if evidence is overwhelming. Terrifying situation in which a buxom woman gets endangered? Fear not, it’s Issun to the rescue, whether that’s a stupid decision or not! If a babe slights him, he still gets mad, but the anger usually dissipates at a very fast rate because he’s too busy making lovey-dovey eyes at her to exert more energy on anger. When in the proximity of a gorgeous female, Issun’s sparse manners get thrown out the door. Yes, he knows how to be polite in order to sweet-talk a woman, but most of the time he just rambles on about her radiance, her lovely boobs and personality, and then promptly tries to cop a feel in any way he can. Issun’s love of women does not wane by the end of the game, though he has learned to realize that not all pretty faces are innocent and that these women are all still people, not expendable toys of entertainment. He gains actual bonds with them as time goes on, rather than gawking from afar.

Lastly, there is Issun’s love of art. His life’s dream is to become a renowned artist, famous like his grandfather. Art is a prominent part of the culture in Okami’s background, so almost everyone has an appreciation of it. He seems even fonder than most people, willing to travel all across the lands and risk his life with a dog in order to learn some new techniques and prove himself. He remarks on all forms of art throughout the game—paintings, sculptures, even music! While Issun seems fairly simple and uncultured much of the time, his love of art’s form, meaning, and history gives him a more refined look. While he may be willing to pull pranks with Ammy a lot of the time (and even encourages it), defacing works of art is intolerable to him. He enjoys critiquing it and collecting it. Through and through, Issun is an artist, seeing as he introduces himself as one and displays all the characteristic and skills of one.

Abilites:

-While Issun knows all 13 zodiac painting skills by his canon point, the only ones he has perfected and really use are bloom and rejuvenation. These do not follow him into Holly Heights.
-His non-battle painting skills are not yet at what one might consider the master level, but his works are still beautiful, show a lot of skill and detail.
-Good sword skills, his own weapon named Denkomaru, which also doubles as his paint brush. (Really though, how many people are going to allow a child to go running around with a sword? We’ll see.)
-Speaking with animals comes naturally to him. He might still talk to animals sometimes or have some sort of an affinity with them, but he won’t understand their “language” anymore.
-He can jump rather high, and he also hops around far more than I necessary. He does it less in this new, bigger body, of course.
-Very strong for his size and age. Not to the same extent as in Okami, but he’ll still probably surprise a few people.
-Used to being small in a big person's world, Issun is a sneaky little thing who is pretty good at lock picking and stealing by now. Would only use this for petty tricks when bored or on people he doesn’t like, however.

SAMPLES
First Person:

[Accidental Video]

[The video starts in on the sound of a curious yet obnoxious boy who doesn’t realize that he’s successfully turned the weird thing in his hand on, let alone what he’s doing with the device. There’s a lovely view of the inside of his hand. The audio part catches near the beginning of his speech to himself. The guy must really like the sound of his own voice. Or perhaps he’s not used to being quiet (yeah it’s that, definitely that).]

--at do all these weird little things do, anyway, huh? Stupid thingamajig. Is it a weapon, a treasure, magical? Pretty lame if it is. I've seen better in dreary places like Kamui! [The village's name is said in a tone that shows his distaste. Suddenly, the camera spins around, revealing that the user is outside, currently under the shade of a tree and heading toward a pristine house’s front door. A haughty breath escapes the boy’s mouth, as though he is unimpressed with the architecture of this abode or any other on the block, would rather be anywhere but here, specifically. The camera’s view swings wildly again to show his legs—skinny, fitted with brown boots, a flash of purple fabric--as he walks, before coming back up to a face. Yep, definitely a child’s face. Asian, most certainly, and… What in all of Nippon is he wearing on his head? Best to ignore that hat-thing-whatever for now, the camera isn’t going to get a good view of that monstrosity anytime soon.]

Wait, this thing looks different now! [A small finger taps against the screen before it’s retracted, a frown void of amusement any longer plastered across the boy’s face. Giving up already? Looks like it.] Ughhh, what’s the point of this little boxy thing anyway? I wonder if anyone in this town’ll sell me something good for it! Not even nice to look at, hmmph! [With a bit more fooling around and enough spinning and zooming to make someone motion-sick, the feed finally turns off.]


Third Person:

Issun would have liked his yard if it weren’t exactly his. It was strange, having a place all to his own—ok, not all to his own in reality; he had a “family” now, but still. That just wasn’t the gig he was used to. Freedom, running wherever he pleased, his old life was really the best, dangerous monsters trying to kill him and his best friend notwithstanding. He was the wandering artist after all, not the stay-in-one-place-forever-surrounded-by-weirdos artist. That second title just didn’t have a nice ring to it at all, especially if he was going to become famous!

But yards. Everything in this community was a bit too uniform for his tastes. Issun loved exploring, seeing new things, a change in scenery. But in Holly Heights, it was the same old trees all around. All the grass was all flat and of the same general length. Houses evenly spaced apart, the same in height and design so that not even splashes of strange colors could cover up the unending repetition. Issun was sick of his own yard, thought it’d be potentially fun to perch in someone else’s “space”. Change it up the tiniest bit, even if it meant picking a fight with the owners of said lawn! Surely it'd be more amusing than laying around in his own familiar territory, wanting to paint but lacking inspiration or waiting for monsters that would never show up to be defeated.

The peace here was nice, yeah, but Issun liked a bit of chaos too. Pranks, discoveries, an end to a routine containing boredom, which seemed to be a primary emotion sometimes (not really, Issun could be good at entertaining himself, but he liked dramatics sometimes). If getting away from the customary and having some fun around here meant annoying others in trivial ways just to see their reactions, then so be it!

But come on, really, since when was lounging about under someone else’s shade tree ever considered a top notch prank? He must have been losing his touch.

The weather was perfect for the task though, couldn’t hurt to just close his eyes and wait for the excitement to approach him. And with that, the dunce fell asleep, sprawled across a stranger’s lawn. And by stranger's lawn, he took all the effort to bound over five houses down in digits before sprawling out.


OTHER
Housing Request?: Anyplace that isn’t going to murder him for his perverted and obnoxious antics?
Did you read the rules and FAQ?: Yes indeed!