blueridgefac

Biography: Sawyer Lai Gray

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:50:06 GMT

Character Information
Basics:
Full name: Sawyer Lai Gray
Nick names: Kiddo (don't even think about it), Firefly (only her mother uses this nickname), Hotaru (means firefly in Japanese- Ichirou and her mother use this version of her nickname)
Hometown and current residence: Bluebell Town, GA, lives on BR grounds on Black Bear Road
Age and birthday: 29, 2/10/1982
Year graduated: BRS- 2000, BRU- 2004
Alma Mater: Blue Ridge- former Shenandoah, studied herbology at BRU
Boggart: Being caged
Riddikulus: Ichirou dodge rolls in with an explorer's outfit on and sets her free
Patronus and why: Dragon; benign, wisdom, strength, goodness, protector of the weak.

Occupation Information:

Wand: 9½" rigid apple with chimera scale fragment
Occupation: Advanced herbology professor at BR
Extra responsibilities: Head of Shenandoah house
Animagus form, if applicable NA

Family and Relationships
Parents: Amelia Gray (deceased) and Kento Lai
Siblings: An older brother Finn
Extended Family: Cousins on both sides
Familiar: An Australian shepard called Hank, he's faithful to her and follows her where ever she roams.
Sexuality: Heterosexual

Appearance:
PB: Katrina Law
Physical Description: Katrina has her father's Taiwanese features with her long, dark hair, brown eyes, and olive skin. From her mother's side of the family she inherited a smattering of freckles across her face and a demeanour that says 'don't fuck with me kid.' She's a very beautiful woman and she has a kind smile for the most part. She's a tiny woman despite her personality, standing at only 5'2 and very slight.

Personality:
Likes: Baking, Ichirou, Blue Ridge (though she used to hate it), herbology, plants, being in the woods, coffee, traveling, Hank, books, learning, folklore, mythology, maps, compasses, constellations, anthropology, dim lighting, a little bit of chaos, cultural magic, canoeing, sleeping under the stars

Dislikes: High heels, formal events, technological things, things that way overly structured, time limits, overly sugary drinks, bullies, cats, bugs, having lots of stuff, not being able to move around, being cooped up, heavy foods, root vegetables

Quirks:
*She loves to sing in the kitchen, she just can't help herself
*She lived basically like a gypsy for almost eight years after she graduated from BRU
*She uses a lot of facial expressions in class

Secrets:
*She feels like she and her mother had unfinished business, she doesn't feel like anything between them was resolved before her mother died. She feels like she has done nothing that her mother would be proud of but by coming back to Blue Ridge and taking up her mother's position, she's hoping to reconnect with the feeling she once had with her mother and come to terms with their parting.
*She's in love with Ichirou Sato.
*She is absolutely terrified of bugs, it's one of the few things she's scared of and she has a fit just about every time she sees one. She would be mortified if anyone knew though.

Amortentia smells like: Ichi's cologne, spring mornings, campfires

Strengths: She's an incredible baker, her specialty is chocolate chip cookies. She has an amazing sense of direction, she doesn't even need a compass or a map and she knows how to use the constellations as a guide. Sawyer has always been incredibly independent. She's ambitious, able to adapt to any conditions, and a survivalist, Sawyer will almost always be the last person standing. Though she may not look it, she's rugged and able to live a minimalist lifestyle. She knows many different languages and has a knack for understanding cultural differences. She's open to new experiences and people and ever the adventurer.

Weaknesses: She has shit time management skills, she's always loosing track of her time and she can never seem to be on time. She's stubborn, refuses to ask for help, and never knows when to stop. She will never back down even if there is a little part of her screaming that she won't win this one. She hates staying in any one place for too long and being back where she grew up is already a challenge for her. She is sometimes too open to new people, often leading into danger, especially when she was living on the road.

Detailed personality:
Sawyer is incredibly spunky. Feisty, fiery, unique, and fun, she brings a zest to even the most mundane things. She's unwavering, unwilling to compromise, ambitious, and fearsome. She is loyal and a fierce protector. Sawyer has always stood up for the little guys and for what she believes in. She will never back down from a fight, something that has gotten her into many dangerous situations in the past. Despite her love of learning, she rarely learns anything from the mistakes she's made in the past. She has a hard time coming to terms with the fact that not everyone she meets has goodness at their core. She's a bit of an idealist. She's extremely energetic and always on the go.

She's a people person regardless and loves to hear life stories no matter how long or short they may be. She loves to learn about a person's culture and has the ability to adapt to cultural rules and boundaries. She loves learning and traveling, in the past eight years she has done as much of this as she can, never staying in one place for too long. Sawyer has always had an intense fear of being caged in and held down. She spent her whole life in the same place and for a long time she felt incredibly afraid that she would feel stuck there. It's a challenge being back at Blue Ridge but she knows it's what she needs.

Personal History
Sawyer was born the second child to Amelia Gray and Kento Lai. Her older brother Finn had never proved to be as troublesome as Sawyer would eventually become. From the very beginning Sawyer was always getting into things, she was never one to just hang around or settle in. She was crawling early and always on the go. She was always dragging her best friend Ichirou along with her and getting into trouble.

She was born and raised on Black Bear Road on the Blue Ridge campus. She knew all the professors and the students and spent most of her youth getting to know the grounds and finding all the secrets the campus had to offer. She and Ichirou were attached at the hip and he was the only reason why she stayed around for University when she graduated from the school. She studied herbology and folk remedies for natural healing. At the end of her four years there, instead of going into the professional world, she told her parents and Ichirou that her intentions after graduation were to travel around the world and see as much of it as she could.

Sawyer and her mother had a falling out about the fact that Sawyer wanted to travel. Amelia had accused her daughter of "pandering her talents and intelligence on nothing to roam the country like a gypsy." Sawyer hated to disappoint her mother but staying true to herself meant leaving Blue Ridge and she did. She traveled around the world for eight years, making herbal remedies for whoever she ran into. She was like a wandering doctor, going from village to village. She took in so many incredible sights and had a million different adventures but there was always something missing.

On more than one occasion Sawyer ran into hostility. Some villages tried to take her hostage and keep her on as their imprisoned shaman, but she was always able to escape, her spirit never wavering.

She always came home for the holidays to see her parents and brother and she was sure to visit her best friend Ichirou. When they were all together, it was just like old times again. In time though, she would pack up and move on. Sawyer returned to Blue Ridge the day after her mother was found dead in her own office, she rushed home, pissed at herself for disappointing her mother and never really trying to do something more with her life. The idea came into her head as she was sitting at her mother's funeral that she needed to do something in her memory, she needed to take over the post that her mother had left. She wouldn't rest until she had the job.

She was devastated by the loss but being back with her best friend was something that she is looking forward to. It's been a hard time and Ichirou has always been her rock. She doesn't know how she would make it through without him.

Biography: Ichirou Sato

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:56:57 GMT

Player Info:
Name: Becky

Character Information
Basics:
Full name: Ichirou Sato
Nick names: Ichi
Hometown and current residence: Bluebell Town, GA, lives on BR grounds on Black Bear Road
Age and birthday: 31, 12/17/1980
Year graduated: BRS- 1998, BRU- 2002
Alma Mater: Blue Ridge- former Appalachia, studied divination and politics at BRU
Boggart: Any of the students in danger (the student changes depending on who has been trouble recently)
Riddikulus: Aiko Aomori comes out jibbering in broken English and smacks him in the back of the head saying "You stupid man! They play trick on you again!"
Patronus and why: Black bear; Primal power, cunning, healer, gentle strength, dreaming, sovereignty, intuition married with instinct, nurturing, protective.

Occupation Information:

Wand: 9½" flexible olive with unicorn hairs
Occupation: Headmaster of BR
Extra responsibilities: Holds faculty meetings and writes all the newspaper articles
Animagus form, if applicable NA

Family and Relationships
Parents: Ami and Hideki Sato
Siblings: Little sister Aya Sato
Extended Family: Cousins
Familiar: A saint bernard named Tiny, she follows him around a lot and glomps him whenever he comes home
Sexuality: Heterosexual

Appearance:
PB: Masi Oka
Physical Description: Ichirou is very short man, standing only at 5'7. He's not particularly athletic nor is he very plump. Just an average build for an average guy. He has a sweet face and he wears wire framed glasses. He has dark hair and dark brown eyes and the biggest smile you'll ever see on anyone.

Personality:
Likes: Blue Ridge, being prepared, Sawyer's chocolate chip cookies, Sawyer, Adamo, nachos, wizards chess, reading, libraries, herbology, growing his own vegetables, cheddar, jalapenos, type writers, flying kites, sweets, autumn, canoeing, spring, candles, community, pumpkin juice, when things go off without a hitch, discussion boards, cooking with Teo, picnics, puzzles, comics, video games

Dislikes: Disorganized papers, violence, thinking that his students are in danger, not being able to grow a beard, bats, popcorn, chaos, bureaucracy, standardization, raisins in cookies, fresh ginger (it looks so weird!), when water sits out for a day

Quirks:
*Ichi is a total foodie
*He has the gift of foresight and always makes sure he's prepared for any guests when he knows their coming. For example, he knew a student would be coming back to school on Thanksgiving and she would be joining them for dessert, he knew her favorite kind of pie was pecan so he had a slice ready for her when she arrived. Another example, he knew a different student would be coming back to school right before Christmas and she was kind fond of nachos so he had Teo prepare some of the cafeteria nacho cheese for him to bring home that night.
*When he's frustrated he slips into Japanese and starts going off, talking so quickly not even someone who speaks Japanese would know what he's saying.
*He frequents the local comic book shop Super Nerds almost every Saturday

Secrets:
*He's in love with one of his oldest childhood friends, Sawyer Gray
*He was terrified when he realized that he got the job of headmaster, he didn't think in a hundred years that he would get it when he interviewed but the former headmaster saw something in him that he knew would work. Though he was entirely unsure of himself when he first started, Ichi has grown more comfortable over the past few months.

Amortentia smells like: Chocolate chip cookies, fall leaves, and old books

Strengths: Extremely positive attitude, gifted with foresight, extremely intelligent, and very kind. He has a good sense of morality and duty. He's fiercely loyal and surprisingly protective when it comes to defending the people he loves. He knows how to talk to people. Ichirou is the epitome of patience, there is no one who can take more bullshit than this man. Ichirou never gives up, he's absolutely relentless especially when it comes to doing his best and doing the right thing.

Weaknesses: Easily taken advantage of, he has no sense of direction, he's generous to a fault. He'll give you the clothes off his back if he thought it would help someone else. He tries to see the best in people but often times this gets him in trouble and people take advantage of him.

Detailed personality:
Ichirou Sato is one of the sweetest men you will ever meet. He's get a big heart and is exceptionally kind. He goes out of his way to help people and has a tendency to put others before himself. He's absolutely selfless. He loves to be a part of the community at Blue Ridge, it's basically become his family. He's friendly, outgoing, and just a really good man. He will chat with anyone and makes as many unlikely friends as he does likely ones.

He's constantly questioned and underestimated but it doesn't bother him in the least. He goes about his business, cheerful as ever. He's exceptionally positive regardless of any situation. Ichi might just be the goofiest adult on campus. He's a funny little man with an incredible sense of humor and an ability to laugh at himself. He doesn't take everything so seriously but he does know when to turn on the serious.

Ichirou is an avid reader and has been since the day he could read. He has always been interested in education and has tried to learn as much as possible. He's the kind of person who genuinely turns every experience into a learning experience. He is always willing to learn something new and looks forward to it. He finds adventure in learning. Ichirou is the quintessential nerd and always has been. He loves comic books and video games and is always up to date with the latest issues of his favorite comics. He really likes muggle technology and keeps up with muggle updates.

He's quietly powerful and a gentle leader. Where other headmasters in the past have used fear tactics and intimidation to keep out of control students in line, he has chosen the tactic of listening to students and trying to understand why they do the things they do. He gives everyone more chances than anyone else would give. He's forgiving, willing to look past all deep wounds if he believes the apology is sincere.

Personal History
Ichirou was not always the outgoing, spunky leader that he is today. As a child, Ichirou was extremely shy and it took a lot of time to pull it out of him. He had still been in diapers when he met the woman that would change that eventually. Ichi's mother and father were close family friends with another couple, the Lai-Gray's, who had a daughter, just two years younger than Ichirou. Sawyer Lai Gray and Ichirou grew up together and were very rarely separated. Ichirou was a timid nerd and Sawyer was his brave defender.

When Ichirou went to school, it wasn't so much of a big deal because Sawyer's mother worked on campus and Sawyer lived with her mother and father on Black Bear Road. Ichi and Sawyer could still hang out and visit, and yes... she still fought his fights for him when she could even though he insisted that she not. Sawyer joined Ichirou in the dorms two years later but it was not destined to be in the same house. She was sorted into Shenandoah for her ambition and unwillingness to compromise. They were a little disappointed that she wasn't to be in the same house but they survived, still hanging out and enjoying their time together. They had a lot of good times and Sawyer dragged Ichirou into a ton of trouble.

After graduating from Blue Ridge School, Ichirou stayed on at the University after looking at several other options around the country. He had always loved Blue Ridge, it was his home and he was content to stay there. He studied political science and divination while at the University and if tackling a double major wasn't ambitious enough he began student teaching. He loved teaching and he loved helping around the community so it was no surprise that when he graduated University he stayed on at the University, teaching divination at the university level.

Sawyer left two years later when she graduated from the University. She decided to travel for a while but promised Ichirou she would write. Ichi hated the separation but he knew they both had to go their own ways. He continued teaching at the University and writing long letters to Sawyer while she was away and she wrote back every time, equally long and detailed letters. From the mundane to the exciting, they let each other know exactly what was on their minds.

In the summer of 2011 the headmaster position opened at Blue Ridge and on a whim Ichirou applied for the job. He interview with the headmaster and didn't think he would get the position in a hundred years but half way through the summer he was asked to move into the head master's office and take up the position. He was truly shocked and admittedly terrified but he accepted the position and fell in love. He loves being so involved in the community and allowing the school to grow as it will. Despite the few stumbles and mishaps that have occurred since the beginning of the school year, Ichirou is excited to continue on at the school. So far Ichirou has put his career at the forefront. As opposed to starting a family, he's created one at Blue Ridge with the faculty and staff. No matter what he intends to keep it that way even if he does eventually settle in and have children.

The most recent tragedy suffered by the school has been one of the biggest life changing moments of Ichirou's life. His mentor and one of his family's closest friends, Amelia Gray, was murdered in her office on campus. Not only did he suffer a terrible loss, he also regained something. Sawyer Gray came bouncing back into his life and took up the position that her mother had left. They're both trying to adjust to the fact that Amelia is gone but it has been very nice to have each other so close again.