HR: Naji

FINALLY EVERYTHING IS UP (YAY!)
APP IMAGE MAY OR MAY NOT BE REVIEWED WITH LINEART IN THE FUTURE.

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Name: Naji ("intimate companion", Arabic)
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Gang: Ethereal Pendulum (Silver Lining)
Class: E
Height: 5'9"/175cm
Type: Zodian
Model: Liger
Eye Color: Gold
Hair Color: Black
Master: Renee Leroux - *DeathatSunrise

Magic:
Offensive: Fire
Defensive: Filter
Supportive: Infliction // Burn - Sleep - Confusion

Weapon: Fire poi (monkey fist wicks)
The wick balls on the end of his poi are not very heavy (100g) but pack a punch when spun at high speeds. The ends are constantly alight during battle for extra damage, but also causes a strong after-image of light in hope of confusing his opponents. His supportive and offensive magic are always activated together (but he can use either one by itself if need be). Without a weapon, acts more beast-like and feral, using his own body as a channel for his fire.

Tattoo: Segmented crescent - back of right hand

Talents:
Poi - Naji is extremely skilled with balance in his hands. In his spare time he likes to play with his other set of poi, which allows him to practice the hand-eye coordination he uses in battle. He also likes to perform for people.
Sleeping - If he needs to, Naji is able to nod off just about anywhere. He is most definitely not a morning person. His sleep becomes significantly deeper with a serious injury (though he tries his best not to sleep more than normal).
Empathy - Naji is good at sensing emotions, and is also able to discern lies.

Likes:
Renee
playing with hair
sleeping
singing to himself
poi
green

Dislikes:
water
rain
people bothering Renee
Renee playing with his ears too much
abusive Masters
Renee dressing him up in fancy clothes


Personality:
Though a Liger model, Naji is more like your average stray cat who seeks affection from the locals.
Chummy - Naji seems rather cold and disinterested towards strangers at first. If you get past this stage, you will find that he is actually a rather caring figure who is easy to talk to. He puts trust in Aerials much more readily than in humans.
Protective - He is fiercely protective to those he cares about (especially if they're Aerials and of course, if it's Renee). He is willing to stand up for himself and others, no matter the implications. At these times he will get hissy.
Instinct-driven - Naji relies more on his gut-feeling than facts. Even if it means taking a great risk, if his instincts say it will be worth it, he will do it.
Strong-willed - If there is a will, he will have his way. Naji is strongly urged on by his own plans and dreams. In battles, he is willing enough to forcefully move under influence of paralysis or injuries despite later consequences.


Background:

_{"This is the newest one, a beautiful Liger boy. Don't you just want to get your hands on him? He'll be ready for synch' in a couple of years."
"No stripes?"
"Nah, he's our latest with black tiger genes - turned out great, don't you think?"}

Naji was born in a lab in Arcantus. Training had proven that he had sufficient battling capabilities. However, potential masters always declined after finding out he had a personality that was hard to control. It didn't matter how appealing he had been designed to be, nor how skilled a fighter he was.

_{"Whaddabout 'im? Thought ya sold'm all?"
"Oh, that one? He's a dud. Got a personality as strong as his bite."
"Ah, I can take 'im off ya. Pound guards'd do with a new toy. 'Course, I'll pay ya."}

And so, Naji was left to rot in Black Enmity's 'adoption centers'. Members of the Black Enmity gangs found it more appealing to 'play' with Naji, to beat his personality out of him rather than to put him down. He found himself sharing the cell with older, unwanted Aerials. Over time, Naji mellowed down to an insecure boy, baring his fangs and hissing at anything he feared.
Seeing what the constant battles did to him, the older Aerials got together and decided to break Naji out - he was still young, strong and deserved a master better than those he had seen. He was able to escape, now free from the centers, but not from Arcantus. He roamed Arcantus' streets day and night without rest, looking for a way out of the city.

_{"My little tiger. You must keep your eyes open at all times, even if it hurts. There are people we call 'sweepers' - they'll dispose of stray Aerials like you."}

Dirty and hiding in the city one day, he spied on a group of travellers passing through the streets. An Aerial from the group spotted him from the shadows and began to speak and comfort him.

_{"Come on out. I won't hurt you."}

The boy was told tales of a land of free Aerials, the neutral city. Dreams of a world outside Arcantus eventually pushed Naji to flee to Luceade.
He arrived safely, but was afraid of this new environment. He went into defensive mode, hissing at all who came past. Word had spread about the refugee Aerial, and though living off the charity of passers by, no one was willing to approach him. Little did he know that a young girl across the city was looking for an Aerial to call her own…

_{"Hey, are you an Aerial?"}

She approached him, and came closer even after Naji took a swipe at her leg in protest. He growled back aggressively - and so did his stomach. He stared at the food in her hand and the girl bent down to meet him.

_{"Are you hungry? Would you like some? It's good… take it. You don't have to be scared."
"Who says I'm scared of you? I can take you on any day, you little girl!"}

Thunk! A swift knock to the back of the boy's head and he was out cold. The girl convinced her father to let her keep this stray, and eventually at her home, Naji regained consciousness. He had been cleaned, dressed in new clean clothes and had some cuts and scrapes attended to. Though shocked at first, he could not help but feel at ease in this new place.

Later he learned the little girl's name - Renee. An eccentric girl, energetic and strong nonetheless. Naji took a few days to readjust to new-found company, his menacing personality dying down to reveal his true self. He and Renee clicked very easily after that, and it was no surprise that they were synchronised just as easily.


Additional Info:
He is self-concious of exposing his numerous scars, but not as much if he is close to the other person (but he's completely ok with Renee seeing them)
Naji's real birthdate is not known, so he and Renee celebrate it on the day they met (and Renee absolutely loves to make a huge fuss out of it)
So he has adopted Renee's age as his own (i.e. he thinks he's 18)
His love of playing with hair began the day Renee forced him to braid her hair. He hated it at first but now he has to do it just right before the two even start their day
Water wakes him up instantly, no matter how deep his sleep (not a good idea, he'll be much hissier than usual)

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LONG HISTORY IS LONG
Thought I'd try something slightly different and let dialogue replace some text. Hopefully it'll be more interesting this way as you go through that wall...

Naji's full app, FINALLY UGH
A THOUSAND AND ONE THANKS TO SUNRISE FOR BEING SO PATIENT ;;u;;

Mmm just some quick trivia for you guys on Naji himself:
- Naji was originally a fan character for Soul Eater, a demon-whip; his original form was of a little stylised cat with an arrow tail
- Naji's name accidentally happened to mean something which fit his contexts extremely well
- His app and concept art has gone through 3 different styles as I've improved OTL

Finally glad to have him down completely. If anyone wants to RP feel free to note me! I'll see how faithful I am to the chats too, so try and find me there ;u;


PART OF