Name: Issai

Physical Description: Of royal blood, the second son of the king of Midori Kuzan, Issai is a slim, muscular young man, aged twenty, five feet eight inches tall, and approximately one hundred fifty pounds. He has long, thick, shining blue-black hair that reaches to the middle of his back, usually caught back at the nape of his neck in a long tail. His skin is a clear, pale brown, very smooth; he has little/no facial or body hair. Issai's eyes are a surprising grey-green color, given his complexion and hair, almond-shaped, tipped up at the corners; he wears black, round-framed glasses which make him look even more studious than he is. His nose is long and straight, and his mouth is something of a surprise; wide, full, very-sensual looking, in contrast to to the serious look he cultivates---it is an indication of his true, passionate nature.

Personality: Issai is a gentle, collected individual, generally peaceful and easygoing. He is calm and stable, not given to wild swings of emotion. A scholar by inclination, he is inquisitive and studious---he loves to read. He is not cruel or vindictive; it takes much to anger him, though when he finally is driven to rage, it is spectacular. Given his scholarly nature, he is very patient, though others around him might label him obstinate. He is surprisingly affectionate; he has enduring loyalty and devotion and a faithful heart. His favorite colors tend to be those found in nature---the blues and greens and the browns of the sky and growing things and earth. His clothing style is that of his homeland; he tends to wear loose trousers and simple high-necked tunics, hiding the fine, toned body beneath.

Hobbies: His hobbies tend to be solitary ones---music (he plays piano, the flute, and guitar) and singing (he has a surprisingly deep, smooth, naturally melodious voice). He loves the outdoors, to garden, to dig in the soil; plants seem to leap to life beneath his fingers. For more physical activities, he chooses running, swimming, archery, and tai chi. His position as prince demanded he learn horsemanship and the use of several different types of weapons, and although he appreciates the grace and skill involved in weapons training, he is merely proficient; he does not have the fire or flash to be great with them. He is so different from his elder brother, the crown prince, that he has never had any inclinations to rule, content to be allowed time for research and study.

Experience: As a prince, he has had ample opportunity to sample pleasures of the flesh, though his attachments have not been passionate and tempestuous, more experimentation and curiosity. He has had both female and male lovers, though with the male lovers, he has always given, never received; in that area he is a virgin. Issai has a very sensuous nature; he loves to fully experience all his senses: to touch and be touched, to be surrounded by music or the sounds of nature, the scents of flowers and bath oils and clean garden dirt, the feel of sun and wind on his skin, the taste of food and wine and a lover's skin, the sight of blue skies, grey clouds.

Background: Issai is a prince of Midori Kuzan, an island nation, which was overrun by the king of a competing nation, Shion of Enkai. To ensure the good behavior of his father and his cooperation, Issai was taken as a royal hostage by Shion. Shion, in spite and to dishonor him, spirited him away to the Palace, giving him over to be a slave, something Issai does not find very acceptable. He is not pleased to be at the Palace, but to keep his family and nation safe, he will be obedient and cooperative with the situation, striving to adapt and triumph regardless of whatever life throws in his direction.

Room: In deference to his love of nature, Issai's quarters are divided into a spacious room and a large walled garden. The walls of the garden are far too high to scale, and surround a large velvety lawn upon which he can do his tai chi, or practice archery or swords work. A large, immaculately kept garden of flowers and herbs and vegetables proclaims his love of gardening. In the back corner is a pool for swimming with a small waterfall, surrounded by greenery and plants, looking like a woodland pool. The interior part of his quarters is serene and spare, with smooth, polished wooden floors and shoji screens that filter light. The walls are soft cream, and hung with silk scrolls of calligraphy and nature scenes, most of which Issai himself has painted.

In a far corner, where he can slide back the shoji screen and look out upon the garden, is a shining black piano, and stands for his guitar and flute, and a chest holding his painting supplies. In the opposite corner are floor to ceiling bookcases, packed tightly with books of all kinds, reflecting his eclectic interests. In the middle of the floor is a low black lacquered table, surrounded by fat silk cushions to sit upon; here Issai can work and take his meals. His bed sits in yet a third corner, a large, thick futon covered in silk and piled with many pillows and bolsters for comfort. In the last corner is his bath, shielded by colorful screens; it has a tiled area for washing and showering, and a huge tub, large enough for several people, to soak in. Shelving holds towels and essential bath items, and lying in the tub, he can open shoji screens to look out at sky and garden. The room has a skylight, and is surrounded by lush potted plants, making the simple act of bathing a sensual experience.