HOSHIZAKI, YOZORA
星崎夜空
Lieutenant, Ninth Division
Personnel File
Age: 270
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Japanese
Physical Specifications
Height and Weight: 1.6 meters & 52 kg
Eyes: Green
Hair: Black
General Appearance: Although coming close to her third century, Yozora has a youthful appearance of someone in their mid-to-late twenties. She's a healthy weight without a distinct lack or excess of muscle. Many would describe her as average, yet beautiful in her plainness.
There is an elegance to how Yozora carries herself. Each step is light and effortless, her motions fluid and without a lack of confidence. Yet, there is a kindness in her eyes. Expressive behind long, black eyelashes that are often turned downwards to conceal the crystal-clear window to her soul. The serenity and nurturing Lieutenant of the Ninth, once quietly degraded for being too kind on her direct reports, has been shattered, that radiant soul of hers burning with the fury of a widow.
There was a time when she was more casual about her appearance. Her uniform was treated with respect, but she often bemoaned how uptight some could be when it came to etiquette and customs. However, upon returning from her leave, those close to her would notice a distinct sharpness to her shikakusho. The obi is pulled tight, perfectly aligned as it should be. Her hair, which once fell free with gentle curls, is now brushed back into a ponytail, and her bangs neatly tucked behind her ears.
Psychological Profile
Most would describe Yozora as a kind and understanding individual, though with high standards for those around her. Much of her time was spent guiding new recruits and molding them in the direction of a proper member of the Ninth through strict, but instructive lessons. For this reason, many questioned her station in the Ninth. With skills so obviously befitting the Tenth, why join the Ninth? It was a question she battled against for many years, merely stating that she would rather have a more hands-on approach to protecting the Seireitei and, should she join the Tenth, she would be excluded from those activities. Truly, her reasoning was deeply personal, but the specifics always eluded the general public.
That, of course, was before her family was eaten by Hollows.
Upon returning from her leave, everyone noticed a distinct change in her demeanor. Though she remains a gentle soul and compassionate to those suffering, there's a focus and sense of purpose to her actions. Anger tickles the edges of her voice, emotions still raw and aching at her recovering heart. This sudden shift and newfound purpose have come across as chilling to those who were close to her, and many would even describe her as being another person.
'She's not taking the loss very well...'
Zanpakutō File
Zanpakutō Spirit: Hoshimori is stoic, still and calm. She regards the world and her wielder with cool indifference, calling things as she sees them with vicious objectiveness. At times, she may come across as indifferent, but in truth, her love for her wielder and those close to her is immense. Such that she wishes nothing but the best for them -- even if the truth hurts. She, too, lets only facts guide her, feeling emotions often muddy the waters of rational thought.
In terms of appearance, she is a young woman, physically in her twenties or late teens. Her skin is black, as if her very form is nothing but a black abyss illuminated by flickering stars that form a constantly, but slowly, moving galaxy. Though often naked, she sometimes wears loose, white robes when the mood strikes her. Her eyes are a cool silver that stare with little to no emotion. Framing her soft features is perfectly cut white hair, which seems to never have a single strand out of place.
Inner World
In contrast to the empty void that is Hoshimori, their shared world is a mess of nonsensical constructs and objects arranged like a maze. Buildings from the Rukongai and the Seireitei and some other unrecognized architecture alike form the walls while other, seemingly-random objects fill the pathways through the maze. There are no gaps in the walls and the placement and nature of the loose objects seem random: a short, narrow wooden table covered in water. In another case, the lone hilt of a blade, missing its steel entirely. A children's toy in a sack of rice. A tree floating and growing in thin air. Combinations, locations, and circumstances with no relation to each other whatsoever.
Except, at times, the madness does make sense. Buildings, instead of being randomly merged into each other to form these walls, make sense. Long stretches are simply the same style of buildings. When objects appear, they make sense: a child's bed with one of his or her favorite toys atop it. These instances are rare and fleeting.
Navigating the world defies logic, as its many corridors shift constantly. Instead, one's heart must guide them. Needless to say, this barrier had seemed insurmountable for quite some time. However, Hoshimori and Yozora have since learned ways to manipulate this strange world such that they can find each other whenever they need.
Sealed Zanpakutō: Most of her blade is standard with little deviation from what one would call normal for a self-manifested Zanpakutō. The only distinguishing factor is the silver, four-point star that makes the guard.
Shikai Appearance
"Embrace, Hoshimori / 抱擁星守"
Like her unreleased form, her Shikai is somewhat plain in its appearance. As the blade is unsheathed, it curves steadily, until it is has a much more pronounced curve than any standard katana might. Within the steel, tiny shimmers of starlight can be seen, and the blade itself has become dark grey. Within the now-darker steel, those flickering points of silver and white stand in much starker contrast.
Shikai Abilities: Hoshimori is, fundamentally, a Zanpakutō that provides the oft-sought wisdom and foresight of the heavens. This celestial guidance manifests, primarily, in two techniques:
Seiza no Mamori (星座の守り): This technique allows Yozora to select a single target besides herself, within sight, and temporarily grant them greater reflexes, heightened awareness, and intuition that almost seems to be a limited form of precognition.
Shōsei no Michishirube (小星の導べ): This alternative application of the core of Hoshimori allows Yozora to focus the gift she gives someone solely on their senses. This dramatically improves their ability to perceive the world around them, whether physical, spiritual, or otherwise. However, this must be applied by Yozora "stamping" the target with the pommel of Hoshimori and imprinting a silver, star-shaped mark upon them; similar to performing Konsō.
Documented History
Prologue
Yozora, not being a pure soul, lived no small portion of her life within the Rukongai. She was native to the lower districts and, as such, it's assumed she frequently felt the impacts of Hollows sneaking in and wreaking havoc. Though guarded about the subject, it's known that she once ran an orphanage within the Rukongai. She would take in lost children and attempt to pair them with families able to provide, while also giving shelter and food to as many as she could support.
The details of when she was noticed by the Gotei are vague. A Hollow attack followed by the manifestation of her Zanpakutō is sufficient enough to satisfy most, though eerily small compared to reports of other, similar situations.
Relevant Background
During her time in the Gotei, Yozora would steadily make her way up the ranks in the Ninth Division through hard work and her exceptional skills in leadership. She would, too, find love and marry a man from the Tenth Division, which earned her a number of connections within the Shinō Academy. With her husband, she had two boys. One would go on to manifest his own Zanpakutō, while the other was given the chance to be like the rest of his family thanks to the invention of the Asauchi.
Or, he would have been.
The attack on the Academy had taken both of her children. Her husband's body was never recovered, and he was presumed dead. With them, countless of Yozora's close friends were missing or mangled nearly beyond comprehension. No one questioned it when she took leave to mourn her lost family and friends. However, many would silently question if she was still fit to lead when she returned to duty with fire in her eyes.
星崎夜空
Lieutenant, Ninth Division
Personnel File
Age: 270
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Japanese
Physical Specifications
Height and Weight: 1.6 meters & 52 kg
Eyes: Green
Hair: Black
General Appearance: Although coming close to her third century, Yozora has a youthful appearance of someone in their mid-to-late twenties. She's a healthy weight without a distinct lack or excess of muscle. Many would describe her as average, yet beautiful in her plainness.
There is an elegance to how Yozora carries herself. Each step is light and effortless, her motions fluid and without a lack of confidence. Yet, there is a kindness in her eyes. Expressive behind long, black eyelashes that are often turned downwards to conceal the crystal-clear window to her soul. The serenity and nurturing Lieutenant of the Ninth, once quietly degraded for being too kind on her direct reports, has been shattered, that radiant soul of hers burning with the fury of a widow.
There was a time when she was more casual about her appearance. Her uniform was treated with respect, but she often bemoaned how uptight some could be when it came to etiquette and customs. However, upon returning from her leave, those close to her would notice a distinct sharpness to her shikakusho. The obi is pulled tight, perfectly aligned as it should be. Her hair, which once fell free with gentle curls, is now brushed back into a ponytail, and her bangs neatly tucked behind her ears.
Psychological Profile
Most would describe Yozora as a kind and understanding individual, though with high standards for those around her. Much of her time was spent guiding new recruits and molding them in the direction of a proper member of the Ninth through strict, but instructive lessons. For this reason, many questioned her station in the Ninth. With skills so obviously befitting the Tenth, why join the Ninth? It was a question she battled against for many years, merely stating that she would rather have a more hands-on approach to protecting the Seireitei and, should she join the Tenth, she would be excluded from those activities. Truly, her reasoning was deeply personal, but the specifics always eluded the general public.
That, of course, was before her family was eaten by Hollows.
Upon returning from her leave, everyone noticed a distinct change in her demeanor. Though she remains a gentle soul and compassionate to those suffering, there's a focus and sense of purpose to her actions. Anger tickles the edges of her voice, emotions still raw and aching at her recovering heart. This sudden shift and newfound purpose have come across as chilling to those who were close to her, and many would even describe her as being another person.
'She's not taking the loss very well...'
Zanpakutō File
Zanpakutō Spirit: Hoshimori is stoic, still and calm. She regards the world and her wielder with cool indifference, calling things as she sees them with vicious objectiveness. At times, she may come across as indifferent, but in truth, her love for her wielder and those close to her is immense. Such that she wishes nothing but the best for them -- even if the truth hurts. She, too, lets only facts guide her, feeling emotions often muddy the waters of rational thought.
In terms of appearance, she is a young woman, physically in her twenties or late teens. Her skin is black, as if her very form is nothing but a black abyss illuminated by flickering stars that form a constantly, but slowly, moving galaxy. Though often naked, she sometimes wears loose, white robes when the mood strikes her. Her eyes are a cool silver that stare with little to no emotion. Framing her soft features is perfectly cut white hair, which seems to never have a single strand out of place.
Inner World
In contrast to the empty void that is Hoshimori, their shared world is a mess of nonsensical constructs and objects arranged like a maze. Buildings from the Rukongai and the Seireitei and some other unrecognized architecture alike form the walls while other, seemingly-random objects fill the pathways through the maze. There are no gaps in the walls and the placement and nature of the loose objects seem random: a short, narrow wooden table covered in water. In another case, the lone hilt of a blade, missing its steel entirely. A children's toy in a sack of rice. A tree floating and growing in thin air. Combinations, locations, and circumstances with no relation to each other whatsoever.
Except, at times, the madness does make sense. Buildings, instead of being randomly merged into each other to form these walls, make sense. Long stretches are simply the same style of buildings. When objects appear, they make sense: a child's bed with one of his or her favorite toys atop it. These instances are rare and fleeting.
Navigating the world defies logic, as its many corridors shift constantly. Instead, one's heart must guide them. Needless to say, this barrier had seemed insurmountable for quite some time. However, Hoshimori and Yozora have since learned ways to manipulate this strange world such that they can find each other whenever they need.
Sealed Zanpakutō: Most of her blade is standard with little deviation from what one would call normal for a self-manifested Zanpakutō. The only distinguishing factor is the silver, four-point star that makes the guard.
Shikai Appearance
"Embrace, Hoshimori / 抱擁星守"
Like her unreleased form, her Shikai is somewhat plain in its appearance. As the blade is unsheathed, it curves steadily, until it is has a much more pronounced curve than any standard katana might. Within the steel, tiny shimmers of starlight can be seen, and the blade itself has become dark grey. Within the now-darker steel, those flickering points of silver and white stand in much starker contrast.
Shikai Abilities: Hoshimori is, fundamentally, a Zanpakutō that provides the oft-sought wisdom and foresight of the heavens. This celestial guidance manifests, primarily, in two techniques:
Seiza no Mamori (星座の守り): This technique allows Yozora to select a single target besides herself, within sight, and temporarily grant them greater reflexes, heightened awareness, and intuition that almost seems to be a limited form of precognition.
Shōsei no Michishirube (小星の導べ): This alternative application of the core of Hoshimori allows Yozora to focus the gift she gives someone solely on their senses. This dramatically improves their ability to perceive the world around them, whether physical, spiritual, or otherwise. However, this must be applied by Yozora "stamping" the target with the pommel of Hoshimori and imprinting a silver, star-shaped mark upon them; similar to performing Konsō.
Documented History
Prologue
Yozora, not being a pure soul, lived no small portion of her life within the Rukongai. She was native to the lower districts and, as such, it's assumed she frequently felt the impacts of Hollows sneaking in and wreaking havoc. Though guarded about the subject, it's known that she once ran an orphanage within the Rukongai. She would take in lost children and attempt to pair them with families able to provide, while also giving shelter and food to as many as she could support.
The details of when she was noticed by the Gotei are vague. A Hollow attack followed by the manifestation of her Zanpakutō is sufficient enough to satisfy most, though eerily small compared to reports of other, similar situations.
Relevant Background
During her time in the Gotei, Yozora would steadily make her way up the ranks in the Ninth Division through hard work and her exceptional skills in leadership. She would, too, find love and marry a man from the Tenth Division, which earned her a number of connections within the Shinō Academy. With her husband, she had two boys. One would go on to manifest his own Zanpakutō, while the other was given the chance to be like the rest of his family thanks to the invention of the Asauchi.
Or, he would have been.
The attack on the Academy had taken both of her children. Her husband's body was never recovered, and he was presumed dead. With them, countless of Yozora's close friends were missing or mangled nearly beyond comprehension. No one questioned it when she took leave to mourn her lost family and friends. However, many would silently question if she was still fit to lead when she returned to duty with fire in her eyes.
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