essenceofdeadlybeasts | Application for Ximilia

AC || Goals

OOC
Name: Aisu
Contact: PMs to journal, plurk/discord upon request
Other characters: N/A

IC
Name: Zhao Tianyou (or Tianyou Zhao to westerners)
Canon: Yakuza / Ryu Ga Gotoku
Canon point: after Y7
Age: 30s

History:

Essentially, Zhao grew up in a Liumang (Chinese mafia) household that was strict and demanding upon him as the heir to leadership. He was good at everything but lacked motivation, put off by his demanding family and having everything handed to him. He didn't want to become the next leader but had no choice. It took him a while to figure out what he wanted out of life. He eventually took over after his father retired. As leader of the Liumang he continued to make sure everything ran smoothly while keeping the secret of the Ijin Three from everyone else in the gang. It was not easy on him. Then came this random guy named Kasuga and everything changed. The events of the game took place, etc. Yakuza 7 summary. Zhao no longer leads the Liumang and has to figure out where to go with his life from here on out now that he's got the chance to do whatever he wants for a change.

Personality:

Negative
• Duplicitous/Deceptive: Zhao's time as the leader of the Liumang caused him to become very good at hiding his true nature from others. Outwardly, he displays an indifferent attitude to everyone around him and comes off callous and uncaring, sometimes even unhinged as he wields his gun with abandon. This is how Kasuga and party first see Zhao while they try to convince him that Zhao's right hand man is plotting against him. He laughs in their face and points his pistol at them without a care in the world. However, later it is revealed that Zhao actually cares deeply for those around him. He didn't really want to hurt anyone so much as force them to say the right words and in fact only did what he did to save face in front of his men by looking tough. He wants the Liumang members to have a safe place to call home and is willing to do anything--include put aside his own feelings--to ensure this remains true. He can easily put up a mask or take it down whenever he pleases, around whomever he pleases, and isn't above using this to his advantage. This also encompasses the fact that he's willing to lie to anyone, even those he's closest to, in order to maintain status quo. For example, he never told even his highest lieutenant about the Ijicho Three's true nature and the counterfeit money made with the Three's interlocking connection despite the fact that this might have made life a little easier on himself.

• Ruthless/Bloodthirsty: In battle, Zhao reveals a ruthless streak. He reverts to a vicious gangster, eager and ready for bloodshed, with no mercy in mind. He yells out cruel taunts to rile up his opponents and uses theatrical tactics (such as flashy sword maneuvers and brandishing fire with his attacks) to scare his foes. This part of him does not change no matter how long he stays with Kasuga and the party, always surfacing whenever his life, or those he cares about, is on the line. A part of him enjoys the thrill of battle and finds it fun to beat those that are beneath his skill. He's also not above making jokes about killing people for a living. It's just always been a part of his life and he sees no reason to give it up when it's what he knows.

• Sarcastic and Witty Prankster: Zhao happens to be the annoying little gremlin of the group who loves to push people's buttons. He often uses clever repartee in conversations and loves a good schooling when it comes to any subject he knows, and even some he doesn't. Sometimes his pranks are cruel and ironic. Other times he just likes to show off the knowledge he knows. But often he uses sarcasm and wit to convey his feelings or message in a conversation.

Positive:
• Amiable: Once Zhao lowers his defenses, he can be quite affable and easy to get along with people. He has a very laid-back attitude that's easy to reciprocate and a friendly manner of addressing people around him. Perhaps a bit too familiar in some cases by his own culture's standards but his devil-may-care attitude doesn't mind the informality and Zhao makes it come off rather charming instead of insulting. Usually. Despite his formally deranged demeanor, Zhao wins over Kasuga and party quite quickly once they're all on the same page. He's quick to make a joke and eager to please those around him. In fact, he's fond of cooking for his friends and hanging out with them beyond mere business matters and loves to have a drink and chat. In essence, he's actually quite a nice guy underneath the gangster veneer and despite pretending otherwise he does care about those around him, even people that aren't a part of his own group.

• Responsible: Despite not even wanting to be the leader of the Liumang, Zhao dedicates his time and effort into making the gang the best of itself. He does his best to keep all the men in line and keep the peace between the three warring gangs--despite the fact that openly he has to give off the appearance of being against the other two and all just about the Liumang. He makes plenty of hard choices and its always about how it benefits those around him the most rather than himself. For example, he keeps secrets from his gang that hurt his image but keeps the peace. When he finally does step down from his position of leadership he does so with the best intentions in mind, ensuring that both the Liumang and one of their rival gangs has both safety and a place to call home while working together. Yet even after relinquishing his leadership of the Liumang, Zhao's responsible nature continues as he remains with Kasuga and party to finish what they started. He also easily steps up to lead group meetings whenever planning ahead (despite his image of laid-back nonchalance) and relays information with ease and precision.

• Crafty/Skilled: Having grown up as part of a gang, Zhao has a lot of street-smarts and skills related to the underworld. He describes himself as having been good at everything back in his school days, from intellectual arts to athletic pursuits and simply being better and craftier than everyone else around him. He never was beaten by the other boys because he was better at everything than them and they couldn't outwit him nor physically beat him. As an adult, he remains wily enough to keep his gang in line despite the hardships of running it and constantly shows up his friends with his random knowledge and keen understanding of the world around him.

-caring/kind, responsible, thoughtful, crafty, strategic, skilled/capable/street smart, witty humor, passionate, "gotta lot of heart and care about your family" (skilled: - that he picks up skills easily even without formal training; - how tight he is with rest of the ijin three despite the cultural difference (and in seiryuu case, also age); - the ideas he offers are often unorthodox and make everyone go ooooh; - he can bullshit his way by saying things he doesn't really mean and people still buy it)

-duplicitous/deceptive, slick, malicious in battle, ruthless, taunting, prankster, hiding feelings of inadequacy ("'no ambition' this and 'weak-ass bitch' that"), unmotivated/bored/lazy, "[doesn't] give a flying fuck" ("guess that's what happens when you're good at everything")

Powers/Abilities:

• Cooking: Zhao is a very good cook despite no formal training or certification in any skills. It's likely he picked up this knowledge from watching the professional cooks of the restaurant that fronts his gang. He's skilled enough to gain the praise of many who eat his dishes and in particular his friends love his chili shrimp dish.
• Jack-of-All Trades: Talented at everything he does, picks up skills quickly, and has remarkable intelligence. What he lacks instead is motivation and ambition to drive him.
• Leadership: He has a decade or so of experience leading the Yokohama Liumang, the Chinese mafia in that area. While he's never quite sure he's a good fit and insists his father was much better, he still did the job right for all his time at it. He tends towards keeping the peace and using diplomacy to keep his boys in line which makes him come off weak to most of the guys yet somehow he kept them all in line and together despite all this for quite some time. He puts on an indifferent front that comes off careless or ruthless depending on what's most useful at the time but in actuality he cares deeply about his gang members and making certain they have a place to call home.
• Fighting: Zhao is shown to be a very skilled combatant. He's proficient in numerous melee combat forms such as a variety of kung fu styles, and fighting with or without a weapon in hand. He is also familiar with handguns and using improvised weaponry with whatever is on hand. The Heat of Battle also allows for more extreme fighting abilities to be used as well as strategies and attacks that effect an individual in some way (helping or hurting their capabilities). Zhao specializes in moves that enhance his own prowess or weaken his enemies' capabilities. Using Heat is almost something akin to using a supernatural ability and wears the user down with use; however, it can be recovered through further battle or with the aid of recovery items (stamina/energy drinks, certain foods, first aid kits, etc). Zhao also has an increased resistance against bleeding, fear, rage, and silence while in combat.

Regret:

The general idea of not dealing with Mabuchi, one way or another, sooner in life. Whether to take him out of the picture or set him straight somehow is up for debate currently, but something to do with how to handle his would-be brother and eventual betrayer. That's Zhao's regret.

Inventory:

His usual outfit and all its accessories (ton of jewelry, tinted glasses, etc). His cellphone. Some odd amount of yen. A random bottle of Staminan X. One lighter. One handgun, fully loaded. One Chinese saber.

Sample:

• TDM toplevel
• TDM tag-out (Kaiden)
• TDM tag-out (Andy)