Everyone knows the Zodiac story- how God invited all the animals to a banquet, how the rat tricked the cat, and the cat missed the party. But… no one knows the story of the penguin.
The penguin used to be a beautiful land bird, with stunning white feathers. The penguin was not boastful or self-centered about its beauty- it was kind, lighthearted, and friendly. However, its kindness was not always accepted- a few animals were jealous of the penguin's beautiful feathers. But no one's jealousy surpassed that of God's.
When God invited the animals, he told the boar, who he knew would be last to arrive, not to help the penguin if it should fall trying to waddle up the hill to the banquet. The boar was also jealous of the penguin- so it agreed to the plan.
The rabbit- one of the few animals who wasn't offset by the penguin's beautiful plumage- told the penguin of the banquet, and the penguin was overjoyed. The next day, however, the penguin was waddling up the hill when it lost its balance and fell backwards. As God had asked, the boar did not help the penguin, not even looking back as it continued on its way. The rabbit, unfortunately, was too far ahead to notice the penguin's fall, and no one alerted it.
As the penguin slid down the hill, the dirt stained the feathers on its back, tail, wings and head black, only parts of its stomach left white. It fell into the ocean at the bottom with a splash, the saltiness setting the black into its feathers permanently. Disheartened and feeling betrayed, the penguin swam away, to where none of the other animals could find it, and became distant, its black feathers a constant reminder to the once-beautiful bird of the sad day.
Since then, every reincarnation of the penguin has stayed far away from the other Zodiac members, and the heads of the family kept them isolated so no one would ever know of the penguin's story. The reincarnations of God, the heads have always hated and reviled the penguin, making each one more and more distant, antisocial, and disheartened. That is, until Kori broke that streak…
Kori, the newest reincarnation of the penguin, lived until she was about four years old before her father tried to pick her up. She changed into a penguin, and- since only the head of the family, Akito, knew of the penguin's existence- her mother screamed, and her father threw her across the room. Kori hit the wall with a thump, falling to the floor.
Akito was watching from a window, unseen by all- except for Kori. She looked at him desperately, her gaze begging him to help- but he did nothing, only smirking cruelly. This was a much quicker method to get rid of the penguin.
As Kori's father approached her, raising a heavy book above his head to strike the downed water bird, a sudden, small, surprised sound from the door caused him to pause, turning his head to see who had made the noise.
A young, four year old Momiji stood at the door, a surprised look on his face. Taking advantage of the momentary peace, Kori waddled weakly over to Momiji, before collapsing in his arms. Momiji was shocked for a moment, before he smiled, commenting on how 'cute' the penguin was. He carried Kori away- despite her penguin form being almost more than half his size- and gave her some clothes to wear after she changed back once they arrived at where Momiji stayed at the time.
Enraged, Akito attacked Kori's mother, killing her- he then forced Hatori to erase Kori's father's memories, purposely not giving any explanation.
Kori and Momiji grew up together- Kori never learning of the cause of her mother's death, and avoiding her father anyway- Momiji eventually gaining Kori's trust to the point they could refer to each other as brother and sister, although in reality they are cousins. No one but Momiji knew of her penguin transformation, the blonde not objecting when she requested he keep it a secret. Akito, sure of the fact that Kori would end up being betrayed again, and become distant once again- as the penguin in the story had- didn't intervene... yet.
Now, Kori is 15, entering her first year of high school alongside Momiji (and Hatsuharu, but she doesn't know/care yet). At her "brother's" prodding, she has agreed to meet the other Sohmas- namely the other members of the Zodiac- sometime during high school. She has yet to reveal her penguin transformation, but... can someone change that?
This is set near the beginning of the anime (as I've not read the mangas yet)- this means Tohru is there- but this story centers around Kori, who lives with Momiji. The story actually begins from the first time Momiji makes an appearance, where he drags Kori along. You can be a character from the anime, or you can make an original character- whether it is a Sohma or not, it MUST be human.
Here's the form for original characters-
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Grade:
Looks:
Personality:
Crush/Bf/Gf/Spouse:
History:
Other:
Kori's-
Name: Kori Sohma
Age: 15 (same age as Momiji and Hatsuharu)
Gender: Female
Grade: 8th
Looks:
Except her hair is pure white underneath and on the tips- as a representation of the penguin's white feathers being stained black. Her penguin form is about as tall as Shigure-dog's shoulder, almost to his head. Has black feathers, except for a thin line of white feathers around her yellow-tan beak and her eyes, and a large patch from her neck to her lower stomach, only on her front half.
Animal (only Kori): Penguin
Personality: Outwardly distant, cold, and unfriendly, she usually avoids confrontation with other people. However, when alone with Momiji, she becomes fun, lighthearted, and friendly, since she trusts and has bonded with Momiji.
Crush/Bf/Gf/Spouse: None
History: (see above)
Other: Hates the boar, because Akito told her the story of the banquet- the penguin included- not long before the incident in which she met Momiji; however, he twisted the story to make it seem like the boar betrayed the penguin of its own free will and choice. This was to keep Kori from mistrusting Akito, but after the incident, she hates him as well.
Original Characters-
Tohru Honda- Open
Kyo Sohma- Open
Yuki Sohma- Open
Shigure Sohma- Open
Momiji Sohma- Open
Hatsuharu Sohma- Open
Kisa Sohma- Open
Hiro Sohma- Open
Ritsu Sohma- Open
Hatori Sohma- Open
Ayame Sohma- Open
Kagura Sohma- Open
Akito Sohma- Open
Arisa Uotani- Open
Saki Hanajima- Open
Kori Sohma- Wolfkit12 Except her hair is pure white underneath and on the tips- as a representation of the penguin's white feathers being stained black.
Name: Rina Yanagita/Mya Yanagita
Age: 15/9
Gender: F/F
Grade: Just going into 9th/Just going into 4th
Looks:
Personality: Rina is very much like Tohru except she persists a little more. She also isn't afraid to talk to the Sohmas or other people, and when needed she will fight to protect herself and her sister. Mya, however, is very shy and never normally talks to other people. But when she makes a friend she waits until she has their full trust before talking a lot more and letting out most of her secrets. She never goes anywhere without her most beloved possession of her mother (A stuffed rabbit her mother made just for her) and she is normally by Rina's side, always tugging on her shirt when she wants something.
Crush/Bf/Gf/Spouse: Will develop/Nope
History: Their father hated both of them, beating them cruelly with anything he could get his hands on. Their mother died giving birth to Mya, and for that Mya got more beatings than Rina did. One night their grandfather went to their house and packed up the siblings' things, helping them escape the wrath of their father. They've been living with him ever since, but Rina is thinking on getting her own place so she and Mya won't be burdens to their grandfather
Other: N/A
Fruits Basket- The Story of the Penguin (open to FB fans)
