application » exsilium

[grooves]

» PLAYER INFORMATION
Player NAME: Amm
Current AGE: 20+
Player TIME ZONE: Eastern Standard
Personal JOURNAL: ammchan technically; but I use yammdere for fandom & rp things
IM & SERVICE: SetoKaibasGyrl (AIM)
Player PLURK: Ammchan; I don't use it much.
Current CHARACTERS: n/a


» CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character NAME: Shiki Misaki
Canon & MEDIUM: The World Ends with You; video game
Canon PULL-POINT: Post final boss battle against the Conductor -- but before Neku and Joshua's final duel.
Character AGE: 15

Character ABILITIES:
In addition to basic combat skills like jumping, attacking, and defending, Shiki has the ability to animate and control Mr. Mew, the plush doll she is always seen carrying in her hands. It is her one psych ability, which she uses via a psychokinesis-type pin called the Groove Pawn. She uses him to fight alongside her, and when asked why she didn't choose anything more combat worthy to control, like an actual weapon or a knife, it is revealed that her ability only works on Mr. Mew. On top of that, her control over him is indirect at best. She states that he mostly "does his own thing" -- that being scratching and clawing at enemies during battle, if the gameplay is anything to go by.

Shiki is also shown to be able to duplicate Mr. Mew. However, this was in the storyline only, and she was under the influence of the O-Pin, which enhances her abilities (and coincidentally brainwashes her).

Character HISTORY:
The World Ends with You: Canon & World Overview

Shiki Misaki is Neku's first partner, and one of the first major characters he meets after waking up disoriented in the Scramble Crossing of Shibuya. Initially, she's set up as a tutorial for both him and the player. She explains the basics of their situation and the Reaper's Game they're trapped in, and at the same time keeps Neku from being erased by making a pact with him; however, he doesn't seem to like her much despite all this. In fact, he very nearly kills her when a Reaper tricks him into thinking it will get him out of the game. Mostly, at least in the beginning, he only allows her to follow him around out of necessity; but soon enough, she has a far bigger impact on his life than he ever bargained for.

Perhaps the most obvious is the fact that she opens him up to the idea of friends; which is particularly important given that they're trapped in a game that hinges on cooperation. When they first meet Beat and Rhyme on the second day, she's the one who talks to them and tries to befriend them. She tries to exchange information with them because she realizes they need each other; while Neku, on the other hand, largely ignores all three. It's to the point where Beat actually gets fed up and leaves, with Rhyme following not long after; and unsurprisingly, Shiki really berates Neku afterwards for driving them away. She stands up to him, yells at him about how they need to stick together -- and although it doesn't work (she's rejected fairly quickly) they are words he needs to hear. Her nagging is perhaps the first sign that his headphones don't block all the noise nor solve all of his problems, and he likely wouldn't have changed without her -- nor even know that he needed to change.

Of course, Shiki brings her own problems to the table, too. Due to Higashizawa mocking her, the truth about her appearance comes to light: namely that the body she's currently in isn't hers, but rather her best friend's. Reasons for this are ultimately rooted in Shiki's jealousy. This kind of baggage is precisely what Neku wanted to avoid by shutting people out; however, he's forced to deal with it in this case for the sake of their partnership. The result is an interesting role reversal, in which Shiki is the one shutting him out and endangering their mission in the process -- and it's him who has to pursue her. Neku is thus given a chance to see what it's like to be in her shoes, and understands her better for it, whether he wants to or not.

By the end of their week-long partnership, Shiki goes from an annoying stalker to the person Neku values the most. After being the sole winner the first time around, she is taken as his entry fee for the second Reaper's Game, and although she isn't seen again for quite sometime after that, it shows just how much she was able to change him in such a short time. He even admits as much, and despite her concerns about it, he promises that they'll still be friends, once they meet up in the RG...

( if needed, the wikia has a more detailed summary of events. )

Character PERSONALITY:
First impressions of Shiki will tell you that, despite the situation, she's just your average fifteen-year-old girl. She's loud, tends to talk a lot, and seems to come in already knowing everything she needs to know; and she's not afraid to show it, either. She talks to Neku as if he should know everything too, and when she explains, it's clear that she's expecting him to take it all at face value. She expects him to automatically believe her, to want to "fit in" with the other Reaper's Game players and become one of them -- not question it. So when he does (and subsequently blows her off completely), it catches her somewhat off-guard. It's like she can't imagine why it is that someone would want to go against the norm, especially when their lives are at stake. She even yells at him at one point to let her in and show her what he's thinking; but even so, she also blames herself for his reactions, at least to some extent.

"You don't have to be like this. Sigh... What am I doing wrong? ......"

Luckily, she's the type to bounce back quickly. In the next moment, she re-establishes her priorities and tries to get him to cooperate again for the sake of the mission and their lives; but you can see just from this that approval is very important to her. She is willing to change herself for this, though she doesn't admit to it until much later. She acts agreeable, cheerful, happy, and cute because she thinks it will work for her, the same way it does for her best friend Eri... and of course, it doesn't help that for duration of the game, she looks exactly like her.

Shiki's entrance fee -- what she values the most -- is revealed to be her appearance. From the moment she entered the Reaper's Game, she took on Eri's appearance instead, which means no one in the game, including her own partner, knows what she really looks like. She is actually... admittedly, very happy about this. She doesn't tell anyone, and has no problems making friends with other players like Beat and Rhyme. She even goes so far as to mimic Eri's personality, and at first she doesn't even understand. How could her appearance be her entry fee, when she hates it so much? She was always jealous of Eri: her looks, her everything. All she ever wanted to do was be like her, and now she is.

But then... thanks to Neku's help, she has the strength to admit it.

"I was so excited to be Eri that I even acted like her-- all bubbly and cute. But it was just an act. Inside, nothing changed. I'm still the same person I've always been. Then I realized. I'll never be Eri. Deep down, I never wanted to be. I was just jealous. The Reaper was right. What I value most is ME!"

...that she's the same person. That nothing's changed. She's still the very same person she hates, and even being in Eri's body doesn't "fix" it. It's something she has to change in herself.

As resentful as she is, though, Shiki still considers Eri to be a very important friend. When she talks about her and all they've done together, she seems to light up. She feels like she owes Eri everything: there was nothing she couldn't, or wouldn't do for her, and it's because of Eri that Shiki started designing clothes. This became her passion. She becomes obsessed to the point of always carrying around a needle and thread, not to mention keeping up with all the latest fashion trends. She happily claims she has to know how to dress because Shibuya is every girl's war zone... and she even goes so far as to make Neku take his pants off when one of the buttons come loose, so she can fix it.

Little things aside though, she ultimately wants to become a fashion designer so that she can make people happy -- and although she still has a long way to go, this is what she proudly tells Neku, and Rhyme too, when they have a moment together to talk about their dreams.

Her dream -- and Eri's approval of it -- is so important to her. The day before the accident that takes her life, Shiki confides in her about how frustrated she is that she can't seem to come up with a good design; and without thinking, Eri responds that perhaps she isn't meant to be a designer. Of course, what Eri really means is that her talents lie else where -- as a seamstress. Shiki is the only one that Eri will trust to make her outfits, in fact, because she claims no one else can give them life like she can; but Shiki takes it the wrong way and is very hurt by it.

This misunderstanding, in fact, sets the entire tone for how Shiki views herself from the moment we meet her -- both as Neku and as a player being introduced to a new character. While Neku's words do encourage her to accept herself for who she is, it isn't until this misunderstanding is cleared up that she really feels comfortable in her own skin. She finally regains the motivation to keep fighting to win the game and get back to the RG. To get back to her life... and face Eri again, as herself. It's because of that resolve that they're able to defeat Higashizawa, the game's master.

Higashizawa: You're late. A shame I had to set the table before cooking the main dish.
Shiki: We're not on the menu. You are!
Higashizawa: Ah, hello there, young lady. I've been waiting for this day.
Higashizawa: !? What's this? The jealousy in your heart-- my secret spice! ...... It's... gone.
Shiki: Lost your appetite?

...Sadly, it's only after they defeat him that they learn only one person can truly "win." Perhaps it's because of the strength she both lost and got back that she was the one selected for a second chance at life -- but either way, Shiki won't forget everyone who helped her along the way. Her partner, Neku... Mr. Hanekoma, the wise artist... her friends, Beat and Rhyme. Eri, too. Shiki isn't defined by them. She's learned that being confident and realizing your own self worth is important, but every one of them still played a role in shaping who she is.

And that's something she can be proud of.



» EXSILIUM INFORMATION
Chosen WEAPON:
Shiki will stick with Mr. Mew for her chosen weapon, as it's what she's most accustomed to using over anything that would be in the armory. It is already implied that Mr. Mew is sentient to some extent, as Shiki's control over him is weak (according to her); so this would be a great opportunity for her to develop her psych powers and strengthen that control. Theoretically, she would gain more of a hold on him as she uses him on missions. She would learn how to command and attack with him more efficiently (thus minimizing the damage he takes during battle), and eventually she may work her way up to being able to duplicate him as well.

Character INVENTORY:
Aside from Mr. Mew, Shiki will also have the various clothes and accessories that she is wearing, as well as her cell phone. She will also have a sewing kit with plenty of needles and thread, for fashion emergencies.



» SAMPLES
First PERSON:
[Well, this is certainly different from the old cell phone she's used to.

In truth, she...finds it almost hard to believe that it's hers now, but the lady had insisted on it, right? So now she's got this nifty little tablet device, opened some bank account or another, received some currency in it that she doesn't recognize, and... in general, is just trying to convince herself everything just happened.]

Wow... [The first word out of her mouth isn't terribly impressive.] That was a lot to take in, but um -- I think I'm supposed to be able to talk on this thing, right? So... hi!

[A brief pause, as she makes Mr. Mew wave a little in her stead. She doesn't even really know if anyone's listening.]

My name's Shiki Misaki, and I'm... [What is she doing here, anyways?] I mean, I'm here to help, if I can. So I look forward to working with all of you.

[She doesn't entirely know what she or Mr. Mew can do for their cause, but she knows they were brought here for a reason -- so she'll just have to figure that out, won't she? Not that anyone else out there who's already working their butt off needs to know about that. Ahaha...]

I guess... I won't be returning to Shibuya for a while.

[There's a sad sort of smile as her light chuckling fades... and since there's nothing else she can say, the feed ends not long after.]

Third PERSON:
( This isn't really official or anything, since I know this is subject to change, but this assumes she'll be living with Josh and Neku! And also not in temp housing, yes. I hope that's okay! )

With Mr. Mew firmly in her arms, Shiki returns to the Housing building -- a heavy sigh escaping her lips as she approaches their apartment. It looks like she's quite tuckered out, though despite that, her demeanor seems to suggest she's satisfied. A small smile appears across her face as her free hand reaches the doorknob, and -- after unlocking it -- she makes her way inside, quickly flicking on the light. Already, she's realizing how quiet it is, without the boys around -- but it's not like that's a problem, right?

She could use a little time to herself...

"Guess they're not home yet," she mutters aloud. She sets down her friend and weapon on the couch for a well deserved rest and lets out another sigh, as she runs a hand through her hair -- still long, and still pink. Yes, she seems to be talking to him -- but that's not unusual for her. "You think their training ran a bit long?"

I told them we should train together more, she thinks. Maybe tomorrow...

After a short pause, she finds herself staring at Mr. Mew, and she forces a bit of a giggle.

"Yeah, you're right." There's a shrug of her shoulders as she takes a seat next to him and puts him on her lap, with her smile still lingering. She then decides reaches into her purse and pulls out the her tablet -- checking it, just in case either of them thought to message her. "...We worked way harder than they probably did, anyway."

...And since there's nothing, she folds her tablet right back up and sets it aside. She pulls out her sewing kit instead, filled with needles of all sizes and threads of all sorts of color. She's grabbing the black as she usually does while looking deep in thought -- and after tilting her head and examining it, she gives a satisfied nod and turns Mr. Mew around so that he's facing her. He's damaged, and a little bit dirty -- but not for long.

She gets to work, in the end finding that she has to replace some of his stuffing as well; but that's not really a big problem. She does so promptly the same way she's done before, and within minutes she's sewing him back up again, taking care of any other major cuts she sees, too.

She doesn't feel the need to say anything else. After all, Mr. Mew's used to this by now.

...And he knows she'll do even better at training tomorrow.

» ADDITIONAL NOTES
None!