Sayaka Kikuchi
Queen Sayaka Hinode- Kikuchi
Among The Fireflies
“Haruki,” Sayaka said, sitting next to her suitor on the bench, “thanks again for visiting. I know it’s not as convenient as inviting me to the castle.”
It was just after dinner at the Kikuchi estate, and the two elves had stolen away to her favorite place: the pond near the manor, home to a sparkle of fireflies. She had loved the little glade since she was young, to such an extent that her family had put the bench in its place just so she wouldn’t have to sit on the ground. Now, in the low light of dusk, the insects danced around the lovers, their soft glow and slow movements hypnotizing their old friend.
“You speak so highly of this place, I thought it would be a shame not to see it for myself,” he answered, his closed fists wandering to his knees. “You were right. The fireflies are beautiful.” Sayaka smiled reassuringly at him. If she had to guess, he was stressed from the supper they had just shared with her parents and seven brothers, but in truth he had been acting nervous for the entire time they had been together that day. Her heart longed to comfort him. They had been in a state of courtship for some time now, but she was never quite sure of how to act around the King of Genos.
In a moment of bravery, she reached out to touch his hand. Haruki looked up at her in surprise, then, gently, curled his fingers around hers.
“Is everything okay? You’ve been a little quiet,” Sayaka said, a little more confident at his reciprocation.
“Yes, I am well. I’m sorry to have worried you, it’s just…there’s been something on my mind.”
“Perhaps I could talk you through it?”
His pupils shifted downward for a moment, frowning. She almost thought it looked as though he were blushing, but in the twilit darkness, she couldn’t be sure. Then, suddenly, he stood, still meeting her gaze.
“Sayaka,” he began, his face determined, looking almost to be in pain. He swallowed hard.
“Yes?” she asked, bewildered. A tiny voice in the back of her mind started to speak its suspicions before she silenced it. In truth, she had been waiting for him to tell her things weren’t working out, that she was enjoyable to be around but ill-suited to become queen. Maybe dinner with her family had solidified his desire to break things off. Their lives were so different. Too different.
Her heart sank. She loved Haruki. But, if he were to reject her, even she wouldn’t be able to blame him.
As if in slow motion, he stood in front of her and kneeled. A ringing noise broke out in her ears as she stared at him, dumbfounded. He produced a small wooden box from his vest pocket, opened it, and stared earnestly into her eyes. She didn’t have to look to know what was in it. Her hand jumped up to cover her mouth.
“Sayaka,” he said again, a little more shakily this time.
Before he could continue, she nodded, tears streaming down her face.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Sayaka was a very attractive woman, though in more of a cute way than, for instance, Rinko. She had short, curly pink hair and rounded facial features, with wide hips and a modest bust. While she was quite active for a noble, she was, still, nothing close to an athlete or adventurer and was rather dainty.
In death, she was lovingly buried and remembered at Sunrise Winery, her childhood home and the place she felt the most peace in life. Upon his death, her husband was also buried near her.
Special abilities
Apparel & Accessories
Mental characteristics
Mental Trauma
Sayaka was well-loved within the middle and lower classes of Paxpike, as she had enthralled many of them with her charms before her marriage. Unfortunately, the upper class and nobility did not take to her as well. Her talent with druidic magic and her family's line of work were deemed far too pedestrian for the elite of Genos. Women who believed they should have been courted to become Queen turned their families against the barely noble Kikuchis. And then the bullying began.
At first, it was just little things. A snippy comment about her dress or an accessory being out of fashion. Then, thinking her too obtuse to understand the underhanded comments, the remarks became a little less obfuscated, until it was finally realized that Sayaka was not the sort of person to tattle to her husband about her mistreatment. At that point they became full-blown insults thrown directly at her face. Ladies would gossip within hearing distance of her just to see her reaction. Rumors were started about her family, and the possibility of infertility.
When it was discovered that she was pregnant, the whispers initially died down before picking back up, much worse than before. They would only stop once Sora was born prematurely, her mother Sayaka dead in the process--and even then, they did not stay away for long.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Likes & Dislikes
Likes
- Plants
- Animals, especially small or soft ones
- Socializing
- Warm, peaceful afternoons
- Trancing in the gardens
- Haruki
Dislikes
- Gossip
- Hunting for sport
- Political games
Virtues & Personality perks
Additionally, she was quite a generous soul who would help anyone or anything with her healing magic should they ever need it.
Social
Reign
Family Ties
Sayaka was the seventh of eight children, a number almost completely unheard of in elven families. While most of her siblings lived to see her become queen, few of them went on to have families of their own. Those who did were unfortunately wiped out during The Castigation of House Hinode a little over a century after her passing.
She and her husband Haruki were deeply in love and spent as much time together as their duties allowed but, tragically, they only ended up having a little over ten years together.
Social Aptitude
Relationships
Zodiac Sign:
Taurus
Theme Song:
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