[J] Pach's Crew

[demon_pachabel]

A'TOKA OF BLUE SHAHINATH  

[demon_pachabel]

Name: Matotoka - A'toka
Age: 24 25 26
Sex: Male
Sexual Orientation: I wish he’d tell me
Craft: Thief
Rank: --
Location: Western Weyr
Physical Description: Matotoka looks taller than he is, but still stands taller than the average man at 6’6”. His slim build is functionally muscled and he is surprisingly strong. He has messy black hair, brown eyes, and the beginnings of a goatee.
Personality: One would not think that a born thief would come with such a strong sense of honor as Matotoka has. Perhaps it is from having a specific code of conduct as a large part of his formative turns, but despite his chosen (or perhaps it was more destined) career path, this man has standards. Those who are considered good, weak, and undeserving of misfortune are safe from harm as far as he can keep them from it - but he is not a white knight, and he will not be running to any rescue. Those who are foul and deserving of it, however, will find a very different sort of man in Matotoka.

While his code is not formed from the laws of the land, Matotoka views it as absolute. This can often get him into trouble - not that he isn’t already surrounded by a great heap of trouble. Even if something is technically legal, that doesn’t make it correct and Matotoka will absolutely cross the line freely to correct such things. But this also means he’ll overlook things that don’t fall into the zone of correction. Just because he cares that you stay alive doesn’t mean he won’t take things from you and make your life just a bit more difficult - if you deserve it, at least. This also means those close to him also live under the eye of his judgement. No matter how much he loves a person, he cannot overlook their missteps. Though there is some struggle with the situation of his brother, Bukichi.

Despite this, Matotoka is a genuinely friendly individual. He doesn’t approach anybody angling for anything, and those he befriends he genuinely cares about. Should that interfere with the enforcement of his personal code, however, he will always side with the system that has kept him both safe and alive his entire life. This makes him prone to bouts of guilt, should it happen, and while he will try to maintain his connections with people, they are always gingerly treated after the fact and this guilt lingers for far longer than most people’s. This is often compounded by a very tight set of lips, keeping more secrets than a man his age should have - meaning someone will likely not know they have been a victim of the code and he will live with it silently.

None of this seems to hold Matotoka back from what he needs to do, taking misfortune in stride and quickly working to compartmentalize it as needed to function. He is never taken by surprise for long, and adapts to situations quickly. Though he does need a large chunk of downtime to readjust himself after too much has happened.


Positive Trait List Honorable, Friendly, Adaptable
Negative Trait List Code-bound, Guilt-prone, Secretive
History: The Silver Fingers Thief Troup’s leader, Matokichi, supposedly only made one mistake in his life, if you ask those who work under him: He took on a mistress while very firmly married to a lovely young woman. Though separated by only months, his mistress, Aytoka, died in childbirth bringing his first son, Matotoka, into the world. While the introduction of his illegitimate son would put some strain on his marriage, his legitimate wife, Buthilin, would soon come to love the boy as her own. Perhaps it was the hormones of her own pregnancy that brought such attachment to him. Either way, six months later her own son, Bukichi, would be born.

Matokichi would raise his sons with the rules of his troupe: Do not hurt the innocent, do not steal from the poor, do not kill. These three rules were beaten into their minds from the time they could walk enough to follow after their father, and old enough to understand. These rules kept the Silver Fingers numbers small - any break from Matokichi’s testaments were met with severe punishment. These punishments became another thing that lingered over the boy’s heads as the fate of all who stepped out of line.

As they grew up, however, it would become clear that the older brother was simply more talented than the younger. He picked up things just a bit more quickly, those in the group just liked him a bit more. While Bukichi could have lived with simply being a few steps behind his brother - it had been the theme of their entire lives, after all - he struggled with the other whispers: Would Matokichi make his illegitimate older son his heir, or would it be his legitimate child?

Matotoka was perhaps too absorbed in himself to notice his brother’s growing resentment, instead entirely focused on making himself shine to prove that he was more than simply a mistake his father had made. The gap, however, became impossible to miss when the boys got into their late teens, and what Matotoka had thought was friendly competition came to violent blows. While neither was severely injured, it was clear that Bukichi would not be able to work with his brother.

The separation to keep any risks down only divided the two brothers more. Despite this, Matotoka tried to bridge the gap. Unfortunately, it did more harm than good.

When Matotoka was 21, Bukichi broke one of the rules his father had put into place while they were working a job, then fled into the night before he could face punishment. Seeing no other options, Matokichi tasked his elder child with hunting down his younger brother and bringing him home to face judgement.

In his searching, he discovered his brother had been searched to Western Weyr and while trying to decide his next step, was searched as well. Now he is trying to figure out how to proceed, knowing he now cannot simply take Bukichi home to face judgement nor go through with judgement on his father’s behalf.
Other: Bukichi played by Tsu  

[demon_pachabel]

Blue Shahinath
Written by Tsunake
Colored by demon_pachabel



Origin of Name: Shahinath’s name is based on the word ‘shahin’, which is the Persian/Urdu/Turkish name for hawk or falcon.

Inspiration: The peregrine falcon!

The peregrine falcon is famous for being the fastest animal in the world, able to reach over 200 mph while high-speed diving. It is also a prized falconry bird and has been used in falconry for over 3,000 years. These birds prey almost exclusively on medium-sized birds, stunning or killing them by the impact of their dive before turning in mid-air to catch them. Peregrine falcons can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, save for extreme polar regions, very high mountains, and most tropical rainforests. These falcons have long been associated with nobility, and in the late Middle Ages, they were specifically associated with princes.

Personality: Shahinath is a noble creature, born with a strict sense of honor that he refuses to bend. He is a dragon among dragons in his not-so-humble opinion, and it is only right that he helps to guide the rest to greatness. As such, Shahinath will be the first to offer his services when it comes to assisting a clutchmate or fellow dragon. Are they nervous or down in the dumps? Fear not! He will be at their side to offer reassurances. Is someone struggling with some new drills? Shahinath will show them exactly how it’s done. He firmly believes in helping those who need it, though if they refuse him, he will graciously accept it. Far be it from him to overstep his boundaries, but really, it’s their loss. For all his regal bearing and good grace, there is no denying that Shahinath is arrogant down to the bone. He truly does think he’s the cream of the crop, the finest dragon to have ever graced Pern, and this opinion will likely never change. Though he is a kind and courteous blue, sometimes his remarks and comments can come off as more than a little condescending.

To complicate things even further, Shahinath has little patience when things aren’t going his way. Everything is smooth sailing as long as he’s making a good showing of things, but the moment he starts to struggle or fail, he becomes irritable and reckless. If he shows someone the correct way to do something and they still can’t do it perfectly after a few tries, Shahinath will be almost incredulous. He knows he’s a step above the rest, but come now! His good natured teachings will suddenly start to become more critical--but he usually has enough sense to collect himself and apologize if he starts to get too snappy with someone. Usually.

Shahinath may talk a big game, but he can back it up with his actions. There is no lack of bravery in this small blue. He was born for the explicit purpose of helping to fight Thread, and he takes that job very seriously. He may get hurt, and he may even die--but he will never flinch away from his duty for as long as he lives. Those who do not share this unfaltering courage will either receive pity or scorn, depending on the dragon in question. When a decision must be made, you can expect this blue to cut right to the heart of things. He needs no time to mull or ponder, and even under immense pressure during Threadfall, Shahinath will make a choice and stick to it without hesitation. While he has good instincts, this dragon fails to consider the bigger picture. For example, he may decide to go all out during the first hour of Threadfall, and while he makes a magnificent showing, he’ll be exhausted and possibly perform poorly for the second hour. This shortsightedness will cause trouble for him if he’s allowed to simply do as he pleases…and Shahinath, being the sort of blue that thinks he knows it all, will certainly try.

Positive Traits: Brave, Noble, Decisive
Negative Traits: Impatient, Arrogant, Shortsighted

Brown Striped Egg: A large egg.

Adult Size: 50’
Physical Attributes: Shahinath is a small, delicately built blue. He has broad, shorter wings that help streamline his silhouette, and he moves with an elegant sort of grace.

Additional Notes: As a Weyrling, Shahinath will be prone to overstraining himself--especially when starting to learn to fly! His rider will need to pay careful attention, for this blue will dismiss his aching muscles in an effort to push himself.

Impression Effect: Impression will offer Matotoka a new lease on life, which will leave him all but oozing confidence, and allow him to be a more genuinely engaging man! He is enough. He is worthwhile. He is wanted (and by the best dragon on Pern, no doubt). Now that Shahinath is there, they have a greater calling--and Matotoka need not hold himself back with guilt or cut others out of his life simply because they don't fit or follow his code. To err is human, but to forgive divine, and he's been sent a very blue draconic angel to help guide him towards a new path.

Why Me? Matotoka (demon_pachabel)

Matotoka and Shahinath are both honor-bound individuals, never mind that one was once a thief, and the other a newly hatched dragon. Though his duty to the code has left Matotoka guilty and shaken on what to do, Shahinath will wipe clear those insecurities and guide the other towards a far more noble path. Where Matotoka once lived life that was morally grey and quite questionable, Shahinath will make sure that Matotoka is more staunchly benevolent and good. There is a subtle distinction between honor-bound and code-bound, and in that distinction they may have some friction. Yet Shahinath's commitment is just as strong as Matotoka's, if not stronger. The dragonet may benefit from his rider's flexibility, helping him to reach a higher level. Perhaps a less arrogant level of excellence is within their grasp - it is up to them both to find it.

 

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