Kakita Manabu

Kakita Manabu is a player character played by Nergal.

Height: 5'7” (1.7 m) Mass: 143 lbs (66 kg) Measurements: Build and Skin Color: “Rigid and fine, like a snowflake.” Lean - even rangy - with musculature starkly defined beneath the skin, but perfectly within Yamataian Star Army standards of fitness. Complexion is fair and prone to blemishes.

Eyes and Facial Features: “Makes me more than a little uncomfortable.” Angles and hard lines, reasonably proportioned nose, lips tend toward thinness and features are generally traditional Yamataian. Livid yellow eyes are thinner lidded and a holdover from previous Geshrin body; tends to gently squint or keep them closed. Works diligently to appear neutral rather than stern.

Hair Color and Style: “Hardly another gentle thing about him.” Cornflower blue hair of a particularly interesting vividity is worn long, kept just below the ear but can be somewhat stiff and difficult to manage. Attempts to wear swept back often fail, growing wild and falling about the sides of his face by the end of a long day.

Distinguishing Features: “Try not to stare.” If being non-distinct and be considered distinguishing, then no one's quite as distinguished as Manabu. Has a tendency to grow terribly flushed with even the smallest drink of alcohol.

Personality: You probably haven't noticed him. And that's okay! Manabu doesn't mind. Or maybe he does, but it's pretty hard to tell. Manabu's life is an exercise in passivity, or certainly the illusion of it. Overwhelmingly patient and unerringly polite, he commands a full observance of societal niceties and etiquette and remains strictly professional in most aspects of his world. He takes pleasure in watching a ritualized fight or a friendly debate, and while he can enjoy taking part in one himself he generally prefers to watch. Manabu is a voyeur, through and through. He never fails to express what seems to be genuine interest and offers full attention towards any conversation and exudes a certain conviviality that might be infectious were his eyes not quite so sharp and his smile as tight at the corners.

It's always a wonder as whether this rigid civility is naturally “Manabu”. Yet, should it prove to be some meticulously calculated affectation instead sees him to the same end: that is, the picture of an aloof and sometimes unapproachable man who at best can make people uncomfortable and at worst leave them spiteful with a squinty glance.

Likes: Calligraphy, the pomp of ceremony, occasional naps, unnecessary cruelty, excellent marksmanship and “meditative” sparring, an energetic discussion, sitting with a warm drink and a stack of military texts or personnel files. Dislikes: Bland tea, worse liquor, obnoxious brawling, the fact that he likes unnecessary cruelty, loud music, not meeting someone's eyes when they speak, disloyalty and dishonor, a dirty uniform, being near an explosion or uncontrolled fire. Goals: To work beyond the best of his ability and strive to achieve the goals of Yamatai and the Empress and to pacify Her enemies by any means.

Kakita Daisuke, father - age 53

Kakita Misato, mother - age 48

Kakita Eikichi, brother - age 27

He was born. Then, he grew up!

Kakita Manabu is the Geshrin-born second son to Geshrin-born father and mother, Daisuke and Misato. His life wasn't necessarily one of luxury, but money is not typically required to shower a child with love and provide him the means to refine himself intellectually. Having parents employed in fields dedicated to decidedly academic or otherwise cerebral pursuits (mother Misato a schoolteacher and father Daisuke working in the Department of Diplomacy) was a tremendous influence on a young Manabu, who, despite never being averse to physical activity (though having a brother older by five long years never helped in that regard) developed a particular interest in the creative and the scholarly.

And despite having a love for art, it never quite manifested itself in practice beyond mediocrity. And despite being a polite boy, and certainly not uncomely in his own way, he never quite came into his own as a social being and often preferred to immerse himself in a crowd and watch or listen. He wasn't incapable of social contact, but his understanding of and adherence to certain etiquette and protocol rendered him a kind of parrot: as if he were mimicking and repeating the words and actions he imagined he should be saying, instead of feeling them. And when the times came for him to draw upon some sort of emotion while interacting with others he found to his dismay that not only was he often cruel, calling upon individual weaknesses or mannerisms he noticed in those he'd been watching and studying, but that he occasionally enjoyed it. Resentful, he regressed to simple observance.

The rest of his life wasn't nonexistent, just unspectacular and his reasons for joining the Star Army were much the same. Having since performed the Soul Transfer with the rest of his family in YE 28 to receive new Yamataian bodies, and while his mother and father both rose to better positions within their respective fields the time had come for the previously unimportant question of what Manabu would do with his future to be answered. Eikichi chose to follow their mother in becoming in instructor, but Manabu found that his love for knowledge didn't extend to sharing it, at least in the context of education. And while he developed a further interest in his father's work after Daisuke secured a short internship for him in the Department of Diplomacy, it wasn't until the Second Mishhuvurthyar War started in Ye 31 that Manabu found something that interested him completely for the first time. An opportunity to fully utilize everything he had learned while gaining a wider knowledge and appreciation for the universe and the rituals and ceremonies of it's peoples, gaining skills to help better himself and refine his existing abilities so that he might improve himself and his Empire.

Of course, his family wasn't exactly 100% behind his decision. Especially his father, surprising considering the great risk diplomatic ships sometimes found themselves at. Still, after some exceptional use of his persuasive abilities (and only a little impetuousness) he found himself enrolled in and completing basic training. And despite a little “hiccup” during some demolitions work that left it's psychological mark (which to his day Manabu is reluctant to discuss) he'd even been recommended for the SAINT Training Activity, and the rest is yet to be told.

• YE 33: YSS Eucharis Mission 11 puts Manabu into ground combat in the Mitsuya system.

Manabu has received physical combat training throughout SA Basic as well as completing the rigorous coursework required by SAINT and can join battle successfully in a variety of terrain. While a reasonably able hand-to-hand and melee combatant he enjoys a fight more for its aesthetic and therapeutic qualities and finds it difficult to maintain an engagement for long against a foe of equal or better skill. While in the field, prefers a stealth-based incapacitation should it prove necessary.

Has shown a talent for mid-to-long range weaponry and particular a surprising marksmanship with the sniper rifle. Can utilize power armor within required operational parameters but like hand-to-hand combat shows no particular affinity for it in practical application,considering them tools like any other.

Manabu understands proper operational protocol for the sending and receiving of radio transmissions in the field and out. Has an applicable grasp of terminology and code along with non-traditional forms of contact during clandestine operations. Can speak and write fluently most languages used within the Empire. Has an excellent tongue for dialects and linguistic nuances in a variety of other languages, though never reaching complete volubility.

Can decipher, if given time, intercepted code, particularly if based around foreign languages.

Manabu can operate with proficiency computer systems utilized by the Star Army of Yamatai and is able to handle reasonably well any shipboard operations required in the maintenance of respective vessel.

Can typically find his way around most other systems provided the core code does not stray far from what he is used to (see: Nepleslian or UOC systems).

During training Manabu has received and retained the required mathematics tutelage necessary for completing both basic and SAINT training courses but has never shown any particular extracurricular interest in it. Is certainly able to call upon his education when faced with an applicable situation.

Growing up as a child with a teacher for one parent and another in the Department of Diplomacy meant that Manabu has never wanted for instruction in the finer, intellectual studies. He has a fair head for basic psychoanalysis and has always had a fondness for philosophies of the mind and of language, the latter of which explains his dedication to deliberate and eloquent speech with all of it's nuances and subtleties. He makes a concerted effort to understand completely the various cultural ceremonies and the etiquette of political systems the universe throughout and is comports himself with the dress and manner of an esteemed dignitary, believing that “every citizen should behave as if a diplomat of his or her nation”.

Passion can often belie skill, and while Manabu has a great love for the visual arts - specifically artistic calligraphy - he lacks any significant abilities. That does not keep him from practicing and enjoying the art in his spare time nor does it prevent him from studying all forms of artistic endeavors, whether it's a discussion of inspiration with an amateur sculptor or attending an exhibit of some famous foreign artists. If he can enjoy any free time it is often spent absorbing any knowledge regarding any sort of artistry.

Manabu is capable of maintaining a camouflaged presence in the field for a considerable length of time, though not indefinitely. Able to locate resevoirs of fresh water, forage for edible vegetation and fashion rudimentary, single-person shelters Manabu can remain engaged with a target or complete infiltration or reconnaissance missions with reasonable skill.

• Ke-M2-2D "Mindy II" Power Armor
  • Ke-M4-W2901 Light Armor Service Rifle (Tier 5 Medium Anti-Armor) with Ke-M4-W2902 LASR-SLAG
  • Star Army Butt Pack, Type 29 containing:
    • Type 31A Survival Kit
• Star Army Duffel Bag, containing:
  • Star Army Toiletry Kit
  • Star Army Environmental Suit, Type 28 (AMES)
  • 2 Working Uniform. Includes boots and gloves.
  • 1 Type 30 Duty Uniform (includes shoes)
  • 1 Star Army Duty Uniform, Type 35
  • 2 Star Army Exercise Uniform, Type 29 (can also used as sleepwear)
• Star Army Utility Belt, Type 32, light-blue gray
  • Communicator, Type 29
  • Flashlight, Type 30
  • Nekovalkyrja Service Pistol, Type 30 with 2 BR-28E Battery Magazines (1 in the pistol and 1 extra)

Kakita Manabu is currently a Santo Hei in the Star Army of Yamatai. He receives a weekly salary of 221 KS per month.