In one version of events -- the one that no one else seems to remember -- soon after her sixteenth birthday, Monoka overheard Megan Excalibur talking with one of the higher ups about the prospect that Monoka would eventually succeed her, and expressing the hope that this "eventually" was a long way off. Stung by this apparent lack of confidence, Monoka threw herself into studying and training so that she could not only become as good of a leader as Megan, but a better one. In the process, she put together the most comprehensive analysis of the Shēngxiào that had yet been assembled, to the point where even some of the best experts on the subject admitted that her research had uncovered facts that they had never realized had to be true. But before she could receive the plaudits she deserved from Megan, everything changed.
In the other version of events -- the one that everyone else remembers -- there was no conversation like that. Monoka decided that she had to take things seriously without such an impetus, even before she turned sixteen, because Motoko was never going to do it. She was able to give her studies more time, but they also had less intensity. So when she finally presented her analysis, it impressed fewer people and many of its conclusions were things that had already been realized. The one person whose approval and admiration she wanted the most had never existed, and would never give it. And the only other person who remembered her was a complete psychopath.
"Why me?" Monoka asks, on a fairly daily basis, though usually only when she hopes no one can hear her.
Well, it seems unlikely that she will ever get an answer to that question, but she has still be put in the position of authority that Megumi -- no, that Motoko once held. By and large, she lets the other Ghost Sweepers do their jobs without interfering or directing them, focusing her efforts on dealing with the bureaucracy so that they can do those jobs, and developing strategies that put them in the places where those jobs will be most effective in answering the threat that Diorite continues to pose. She has even met the enemy, face to face and eye to eye. It was a horrifying experience, and she was honestly glad that Motoko was there to keep them both alive.
But she has not yet told her predecessor, or anyone else, that there was something hauntingly familiar about the Empress of Black Jade.
Regardless, she continues her studies and training, even though they have gotten her what she supposedly wanted. She is currently seeking to learn hand-to-hand combat techniques from one of the first adversaries that the Ghost Sweepers ever fought, while also improving her knowledge of history. Perhaps the most significant lacunae in her knowledge, and one of her greatest weaknesses, is a lack of knowledge about magic. But this is a deliberate choice on her part, as she would find it easy to gain that knowledge -- and the power that came with it -- if she wanted to do that. Monoka has chosen otherwise, resisting the temptations involved, and still viewing herself as someone blessed by greater powers rather than commanding them.
Kishinami Monoka -- PL 8
Abilities:
STR 0 | STA 2 | AGL 3 | DEX 2 | FGT 3 | INT 2 | AWE 3 | PRE 2
Powers:
Flames of the Vermillion Bird: Array (17 points)
- Flame Arrow: Ranged Damage 8, Quirk (requires existing open fire or high temperatures) - 17 points
- Flame Breath: Cone Area Damage 8, Quirk (requires existing open fire or high temperatures) - 1 point
- Flame Shapes: Ranged Shapeable Area Damage 3, Concentration Duration, Selective, Quirk (requires existing open fire or high temperatures) - 1 point
- Scrying: Remote Sensing 8 (visual; 250 miles), Quirk (requires existing open fire) - 1 point
Touched by No Lesser Flame: Immunity 10 (fire effects) - 10 points
Wings of the Vermillion Bird: Enhanced Advantages 4 (Defensive Roll, Evasion, Improved Defense, Move-by Action); Flight 5 (60 MPH); Reaction Damage 3 - 22 points
Advantages:
Assessment, Defensive Roll 2, Evasion 2, Extraordinary Effort, Favored Enemy (Shengxiao), Improved Defense, Leadership, Move-by Action, Power Attack, Teamwork.
Skills:
Deception 4 (+6), Expertise: Civics 6 (+8), Expertise: History 4 (+6), Expertise: Popular Culture 4 (+6), Expertise: Streetwise 4 (+6), Expertise: Theology & Philosophy 7 (+9), Insight 5 (+8), Perception 4 (+7), Persuasion 6 (+8), Ranged Combat: Flames 6 (+8).
Offense:
Initiative +3
Unarmed +3 (Close Damage 0 and Reaction Damage 3)
Firebolt +7 (Ranged Damage 8)
Firebreath -- (Cone Area Damage 8)
Fire Shaping -- (Ranged Shapeable Area Damage 3)
Defense:
Dodge 9, Parry 7, Fortitude 4, Toughness 7/2, Will 9
Totals:
Abilities 34 + Powers 53 + Advantages 8 + Skills 25 + Defenses 18 = 138 points
Offensive PL: 8
Defensive PL: 8
Resistance PL: 8
Skill PL: 4
Complications:
Responsibility--Motivation. Power Loss (all, if Suzaku is disappointed.) Prejudice (minor.) Secret (government agent.) Sly and Sarcastic, Beneath an Air of Sanctity.
Do you feel so frustrated
Frightened and feared
Answer my question
Why me, why me, why me
Why me, why me, why me?