Kinzo Hiroyuki
Our Ancient Past Together.Dark Amber was a member of the Apothecary. As far as he could remember, he'd always been. He remembers training from a young boy to be a memory thief. He was the kind of cruel, manipulative jerk who, if he remained his past self, would had been entirely at home in Ohtori's dramariffic environment. He primarily stole memories to fuel the Apothecary's agenda, fuel various Dark Scents and occasionally kidnapped the occasional target. He'd occasionally cross paths with a warrior or mage of the Perfume Kingdom. He's typically known for the last major act he remembers in the present day, the capture and draining--and death, of a princess named 'Honey Flower'- a supposed 'Pure Maiden'.
The Uninteresting, Boring Life of Kinzo Hiroyuki.Kinzo Hiroyuki was born to middle class parents, Toshi- his father and Inari- his mother Hiroyuki in Shitamachi Low City. His father works as an assembly line technician for a computer manufacturer in town. His mother is a homemaker. He had a typical upbringing. He always kind of seemed shy, and withdrawn. This meant he didn't make many friends, and instead buried himself into computers, computer science-- mathematics and other such. They interested him thanks to his father's influence-- his father wanted him to become a major technician-- a scientist, something besides his assembly line admin job. He attempted to get into the Infinity Institute at an early age. He was gifted. But not in the way many at the Infinity Institute were. He still pressed and pressed, probably falling within a certain percentage of applicants but always just coming short of making the cut. He continued to apply every year with the same results. Coming close, but never quite making it. So he remained at Juuban Public School. He joined it's Computer Club, and primarily hung around with it's members. He didn't quite get into any athletic clubs, but still had to go to the usual physical education classes. He was prompt. On time. Perfect attendance, and usually pulled the top of most of his classes. Life is boring, but good. But of all things, it's a cologne that would turn his world upside down and spin it on his head.
Henshin, Dark Amber Spritz!It happened during a day in Physical Education in the locker room. One of his classmates applying a new cologne he had bought. It was called 'Dark Amber', the name the student gave when he asked about it. The scent drew him in. It captivated him and he didn't quite know why. It felt like a familiar smell. It made him have a flash of something. Somewhere different. Strange. He shrug it off and went back home, did his chores and went to bed as he usually would on a day the Computer Club didn't meet. Then the nightmares started. He dreamt Of fighting. of things he could call 'death' in a form- but not as he knew it. Missions to undermine some--- thing. A face of a girl- It was all hazy. He began to wonder if something was wrong with himself. He felt obsessed with these thoughts and nightmares over the course of a week. It got worse everytime he'd go to Physical Education, with that scent in the air. He had to buy himself some of that cologne. He felt it had the answers. He didn't know why. Or how. So he went to a store. It's not one he'd been in. It dealt in perfumes and colognes. They had what he was looking for. A single bottle, sitting on it's shelf, as if it had avoided being sold and was waiting for him. He bought it, and proceeded to bring it home. He'd stare at the bottle. He'd spray some into the air... on himself, in the manner that he thought was appropriate, two spritzes to the collarbone area. It made him feel woozy. It caused some images to become more clearer. Names came to his head. Voices remembered. It also put something else into his head. A phrase... Henshin. Dark Amber. Spritz. He felt compelled. He held the bottle and said the words. He transformed within the confines of his bedroom. And things began to suddenly make sense... He was Dark Amber, an agent of The Apothecary. He did not agree with this.
Our Future Together.Kinzo could not fully understand. He had a vague understanding. He knew this was- a past life. In a different place. He could remember what The Apothecary was. He innately knew he had powers---- to steal memories- to stop time like the namesake of his past life. He could smell bad memories, the kind that would make good bases for Dark Scents or other ingredients of insidious Apothecary concoctions. The ability to fiercely fight melee with his wrist blades... he felt like he should seek them out. That this was 'where he belonged'. Most of all he remembered the face of a girl he could remember as Honey Flower.... and the long, dirty trick to capture her essence. He didn't want to seek them out. He couldn't become this monster he'd dreamt about. It made him sick. He wanted to stop The Apothecary. Surely, he thought, he was not the only one that was like this. That they were out there. He knew it deep down. He wanted to stop them. But...his abilities were limited. So he began on a foolish crusade to steal bad memories. Remove all the bad memories. The Apothecary has more limited ammunition. It'll weaken them. He didn't like it. But he could do this. He soon caught the scent of others. Not Apothecary. Something else. He remembered them as he got closer to them. Warriors of the Perfume Kingdom. The Apothecary's old foe. Who would seek to control them in the past. He kept this distance at first. He didn't directly move to fight them. He'd watch. He interfered rarely. They knew who he was. But they also knew something seemed different. It was a conundrum all around. Then he made his first move. He moved to attack the Gold Crown Arcade on a Sunday night. He froze time, as not to cause a fuss and proceed to move to steal memories. He was attacked by magical girls coming out of the woodwork. He had not considered that there were others out there like the 'Perfume Warriors' he had encountered. Some where incredibly powerful. He wouldn't make that same mistake. He began to settle for smaller affairs. Single targets. Things he could keep silent and not draw attention to himself, such as Madoka Kaname. He'd still be found out on occasion. He'd butt heads with Japanese Cherry Blossom and the other Perfume Warriors more than a few times. They'd try to make him understand he was doing it wrong. That even though they understood he was trying to help, he was more often than not hurting people more. Warm Vanilla Sugar and Winterberry would try to reach out to him. Each tracking him down separately. He'd let them know what they asked. He didn't ask much back at them. He was a little concerned of getting too close to any of them. In case he was just being used as some...sleeper agent by the Apothecary. He didn't feel like that was the case, but he could never be sure. Honey Flower was always at the forefront of his mind in these cases. Things still got complicated. Winterberry reached out far at him- mostly spurned by Warm Vanilla Sugar's own teasing..... and he reached back. She revealed her identity first--- as a girl he'd only met a day before on a cross Infinity School trip into the forest in the park where she had found a lost rabbit. So he reciprocated. Then the relationship started. She started it first. Claiming to a mutual friend that he was her girlfriend. He just went along with it. She accepted him, even though she knew the secret of his own torrid past. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. He still kept his distance. His identity still a secret to the others, except to Hisae and Aimi--- Winterberry and Warm Vanilla Sugar. He was still afraid. He still didn't feel like he deserved forgiveness. He still felt like he was some trick waiting to be sprung against his will. And then he was asked to stop. Stop sealing memories. Winterberry wanted him to stop...Warm Vanilla Sugar wanted him to stop. He began to feel that maybe he was causing more harm than good. So he agreed. He thought on it, and began to free the memories he'd stolen and bottled, and hid in a church he was using as a base of operations..... He'd made a mistake. He'd know he'd been able to summon Dark Scents in the past. But not how. When he opened to free the memory... it summoned one- a singular wispy , foul smelling snake creature. It proceeded to eat the memory. Then break a bottle...consume it... soon thrashing about, it had eaten all the memories Dark Amber had stolen and bottled, becoming a large, deadly constantly shifting creature. It proceeded to attack him and nearly defeat him quickly. Though it's horrid stench had attracted the other Perfumes. They managed to barely defeat it, the memories freed upon it's defeat. It caused some uncertainty about the tentative alliance, even though he sought out immediately to help them even during his recovery against a new agent of the Apothecary, Black Raspberry Vanilla.
The Magic AssociationKinzo applied to Infinity again, at the behest and urging of Hisae and a girl he had just met, Runealy Waldia. He was sent in for an Interview. This was good---he'd NEVER had been called in except one time before when he was about eleven years old. There he was met with Konoemon Konoe, the headmaster of the magic school of Infinity, along with Takamichi T. Takahata. There we was confronted in a polite manner, about his activates as Dark Amber. They knew. They were paying attention. They provided him photographs of everywhere he'd stroke out at, where there was a large enough disturbance. He had to explain what he did...why he did it... he did so from the beginning. He talked about The Apothecary. He talked about the Perfume Kingdom. They did not judge. Not even quietly. They were oddly concerned. They related that, it is very odd and rare for someone to be able to just-- go against a past life like he did. Usually, that when this happens, such people are compelled to follow their old role or feel as if they should. He related that he felt like this at first, but he also felt like he had some decision to be able to make. He couldn't relate how he did it, just that... he was able to decide for himself. Regardless, they wished to help Kinzo get back on track. While he had the support of the Perfumes, The support of the Magic Association opened more resources to him... the ability to talk about his issues with similar people like himself. It felt good to be a part of something greater. Even in a probationary role.
The PrincessThings were made worse when a person calling herself 'The Princess', who had helped them defeat the massive Dark Scent he had summoned revealed herself as an enemy. Claiming she needed energy. She had tricked Dark Amber into a forest to drain his energy. He had brought Sweet Pea and Japanese Cherry Blossom along. This looked bad--- like a trick. It was similar to how he had tricked Honey Flower in the past life and caused some minor distrust with him and the others again. He'd find it hard to forgive The Princess, regardless of her reasons for a while. Even more furious when he found out that she was the Runealy who had helped her. He felt utterly betrayed. He'd still however, help save her world when the time came and the reasons for her scheming came clear. He forgave her shortly after that, and made clear why he was so furiously upset at first. That she had helped almost repeat one of the most horrible moments of his past life. They came to an understanding.
The Smelly Old Tome.Kinzo had discovered a book in Library Island. He felt drawn to it. It seemed familiar. He could read it. Others could not. Sakura Akagi could too. He handed it too her without question. It seemed like the right thing to do. They eventually discovered it was a diary of sorts, belonging to one of the Queen's aide, Vetvyer. It detailed a few aspects of The Perfume Kingdom that were unknown, and talked about some sanctuary of the Queen's. Along with a mysterious map that was not a part of the original book. They also met Sun-Ripened Raspberry, an older Perfume Warrior who related her story of an escape from an Apothecary testing lab along with Mist, where she related the name of an Apothecary Front Company, Mirabilis Pharma and what their ultimate goal was-- which he could not quite personally remember himself, except it involved some sort term he remembered as 'Pure Essence'. It was discovered this map led to a special tree in the park, hiding itself with magic, where it's guardian-- an old crystal-clockwork construct of the Perfume Kingdom- ran amok when Black Vanilla Raspberry arrived to set it off on an intruder destroying rampage. There was no choice but to decimate it into large chunks of crystal. Kinzo had spent his time away at the edge of the encounter. He was afraid. The scent of it seemed repulsive to him. This was his past life's memories remembering just how terrible the constructs were. They were to be avoided. The tree led to the Sanctuary, hiding in a pocket dimension of sorts, of the Queen. Where lovely smelling trees and calm inducing flowers bloomed, filled in an ocean of pink, shimmering mist. There, Sakura Akagi-- Japanese Cherry Blossom, claimed the Memory Compact, and the ability to utilize the mist to cleanse and calm hearts. At the same time, something strange emitted from the keyhole on the locket. Hitting all the Perfume Warriors. And himself. He was oddly calm... collected. He could feel the connection between them... to himself. He began to understand a few things. He began to feel worried. But it was Cherry Blossom's impassioned plea to him, to stop worrying, and be a part of the team that eased him. He agreed. He'd stop worrying about the past as much as he could. At least. His past life.
The Seven Sisters.Kinzo attempted, on a few occasions, to acquire one of the many shards that had been released from a Magic Association seal by a joint effort of Dark Fall's minions. He had failed on all accounts. Primarily thanks to a certain blue haired girl and her ridiculous bat. He had also helped to acquire a scroll with supposed sealing magic, but was not able to helped decipher or understand it.
Winter WonderlandIn Hokkaido, Kinzo met Takeo Akamizu, who he shared a room with in the lodge. They went to the crab buffet. But Kinzo had to leave before Takeo and an acquaintance, Ruma Hino, got banned for abuse of the buffet and dish size crab cakes. Later, he attended the J. Dite concert and acquired a rose pin, which he intended to give to Hisae on her birthday on New Years Day, thanks to the kindness of Asagao Uekawa-- who had received two- one she got from the DJ himself, and one that was under her chair. He also attended the Juuban run Winter Party. He had the dreams everyone else did about the girl. And the world be 'God Among Men.'. He helped fight the would be ruler of the world and afterwards, help subdue the 'Dream Girl', the cause of all this-- a maiden who had been trapped in a crystal lotus that was made up of the Shards of the Seven Sisters. He was astounded by the selfishness and conviction of Sailor Vega, who was able to give this the end the situation deserved- forgiveness and understanding. He himself, related his own understandings to the 'Dream Girl', that he himself was no better, but was forgiven by those who deserved most to hate him. That if he can be forgiven that there is a place for her to be as well. He is not sure if his words reached her or not. He's always felt he was bad at speeches.
ConnectionsFriends:Perfume Warriors (In General): Kinzo at first was afraid of approaching them all. He felt he was a threat, that if he approached, or made friends with them-- The Apothecary had some switch to just...turn him back to the way he was. That was just being used as a 'sleeper agent'. He knows that isn't the case now, and has spent much time getting to know each one and becoming good friends. Madobe Kuroi (Sweet Pea): He felt incredibly bad when he switched schools and she took it personally when he had to leave Juuban's Computer Club to enroll in Infinity, but they came to an understanding and he visits it regularly. She seems so shy and withdrawn that Kinzo sometimes take this to mean she doesn't like him, though he truly knows otherwise. He wishes he could help her withdrawn nature. Aimi Saionji: (Warm Vanilla Sugar): Aimi was the one who took it upon herself to contact and make friends with Dark Amber to speak about why he was doing what he was. Why he felt he had to seal memories, and attack people to do it. Her friendly, bright nature has rubbed off on him immensely. A true friend he would do anything for. Sakura Akagi (Japanese Cherry Blossom): The leader of the Perfume Warriors. First met when she was convinced to join the Computer Club with Madobe Kuori. First unsure of one another when meeting under their secret identities, he can she is a very capable leader. Her drive to always do her best is immensely admired by Kinzo. Hisae Musumi (Winterberry): Complicated. But not that much. First met as Kinzo during a park affair, though Winterberry always seemed to have an attraction to Dark Amber that was so obvious it glared neon lights and honked horns for miles despite her protests otherwise. She had also sought out Dark Amber with Warm Vanilla Sugar and knew his whole story. When she told a mutual friend they were boyfriend and girlfriend, he merely accepted it-- it was nice to have someone that loved him, despite knowing what they did, about him. It made him feel hope above all else. Erika Inagwa (Forever Sunshine): He first met Forever Sunshine when she appeared dramatically to help face down a Dark Scent, and apparently had no understanding there were others like her. He said she should help them. She did. They later, after finding out his identity, had a really awkward karaoke bit together during a Tuner get together. He likes Erika's drive and tenacity and admires it greatly, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Runealy Waldia (Guardian Princess Runealy): First Great! She helped and driven him to get into Infinity! Then Terrible! When she turned out to be this Princess that had caused a small rift between him and the girls when he had finally gained some trust- by attacking them in a remote forest to drain thier energy. Then neutral when the reasoning for this was to save her world. Then good again when he forgave her when she came to him to try to talk about things. She always seems grateful for the help everyone provided and consistently reminds them of it, but reminds her that it was his pleasure and needs no more thanks than he's already received. Eri Shimanouchi (Puella Magi Eri): Eri is a great friend. She knows his whole story, and understands he's a different person in this lifetime. He tries to be incredibly truthful with her, and if he's not, he tries to tell her the truth later, with why he had to lie earlier. He knows she hates to be lied to. He knows her deal as a Puella Magi, and wants to help her with her Witch Hunting duties and with the extra burdens she needs to bear to keep herself and her soul gem okay. He enjoys her tenderness to plants and ability to give people the benefit of the doubt, which he sees as a strength, not a weakness. Mist: Mist, the Perfume's Mascot and tiny Scent Fairy Dragon, is an oddity to Kinzo. He didn't appreciate being spied on that one time, but could understand why he would. He seems to like to eat and this is how he typically placates him. Escaped from Apothecary Testing Labs, with someone he called 'Berry-Sama'. Puff: One rude rabbit. Hisae's mascot rabbit. Puff seems to have it out for him. For better, or worse. Meanwhile, Kinzo is looking for recipes for hasenpfeffer. Fuu Houoiju (The Magic Knight of Wind): Fuu has been there to help the Perfumes on countless occasions. She's accepted his apologies for past transgressions, and she seems well versed in mathematics and computer games. Both which have interest to Kinzo! She's very polite and a pleasure to be around. Cute Wolf Tsukiko: Another magical warrior who's helped the Perfumes more than a few times. She's friendly, nice and has spoken to Dark Amber a few times, who thinks, despite his past, appears to be 'very heroic' for what's worth in her eyes. Sun-Ripened Raspberry (???): Mist's 'Berry-Sama', a Perfume Warrior who escaped the clutches of the Apothecary who's majority of power was stolen and twisted to power Black Raspberry Vanilla. Weakened, she's been on the sidelines, apparently, as far as Kinzo can tell, making sure that the magical perfumes she could find, were getting to the people they belonged too, rather than stolen and twisted by The Apothecary based on the discussions between her and the other Perfumes on the night they met. This revelation has made Kinzo ponder his own self, if he's just using 'stolen power' himself given his own origins, but... also knows his power is not a twisted mess of corruption either. He hopes they can find a way to restore her power. She seemed pleased that Kinzo came around- and that he was able to interject and help the Perfumes when she could not. Takeo Akamizu (Lancelot): Met primarily in Hokkaido. But didn't get to know each other too well until their meeting through mutual acquaintances, Eri and Runealy. He and Dark Amber spoke at lengths about their pasts, and the similarities between the two. Then they revealed their identities to one another. It's kinda nice to have another 'Magical Boy' around who is dealing almost exactly with the same business as he is, and to work out how to deal with these issues together. Aquantinces:Tuxedo Mask: A strange magical boy in a tuxedo, hat and apparent ballroom mask. He met him on a rooftop. They talked a little. He wonders what his deal is. He talks about a Princess. But- there are so many about, he can't figure out which one. He knows it's not Sailor Vega however. He asked her. He wonders if he might mean Runealy... Mamoru Chiba: A boy he's met a few times. Under the effects of a hallucinogenic Library island trap, he mistook him for Hisae. This was utterly embarrassing to both parties and was never spoken of again. At all. Never happened. He sees the way girls look at him, and his nonchalant manner about it. He wonders how many of them he dates at any given time. He does go to Ohtori after all. Asagao Uekawa: A nice girl who gave him a rose pin at the J-Dite concert in Hokkadio to give to his girlfriend, Hisae. What he's seen so far, is an incredibly kind girl, which is nice to see from someone from that specific school. Sailor Vega: A Senshi Dark Amber had met a few times. Kinzo is absolutely astounded by her selfishness and courage, demonstrated during the 'Dream Girl' incident in Hokkadio. She knows his true identity without required reciprocation- revealed to her in case she ever needs help or needs someone to turn too. If anyone else he barely knowns deserves his help, it's most certainly her. Minako Aino: For a long time this crazy girl followed him around, insinuated he was trying to date every girl he spoke too, made embarrassing comments and even insinuated this with a guy once to him. It was utterly embarrassing on many insane levels. Luckily, it turns out this was all a medication induced delirium due to her being incredibly sick for a bit, and she seems entirely much better now! He's still a little afraid to approach her, but also kind of wants to know if she's okay still from that whole mess.... Madoka Kaname: A girl who had a particularly strong bad memory he stole. Later felt really bad and invited her to a Magic Association get together, and meet some actual Magical Girls since she appeared to know 'the secret' on a few levels. Was later chewed out by Eri Shimanouchi for it, due to her worry of wishing and becoming a Puella Magi to thier 'Fairy'. Sayaka Miki: A strange blue haired girl who hit him with a bat during a shard incident who was following some Puella Magis around. Understands she was just helping a friend and considered it brave on a few levels, if a little foolish. Still, did not appreciate it. Got his comeuppance during the trip home from Hokkaido. Mai Tokiha (Mai-Hime): A Target of The Apothecary. They apparently think she is one of the Pure Maidens they need. He feels a little bad he's not keeping a better tab on her, but also knows the utterly embarrassing fate of boys who stalk girls in creepy manners, and besides, she doesn't seem too thrilled. She knows his secret identity---he felt like this would give credence to his claims if he didn't approach her as the masked individual of Dark Amber. Ikiko Hisakata: Won a raffle he also won in which is how they primarily met. He knows she has some sort of magical connection, but not sure who or what, she is. Usagi Tsukino: Hey remember that time Usagi fell and made Kinzo fall down a long spiral staircase and roll over everybody else on the way down? Yeah, so does Kinzo. Seems to be friends with Sakura Akagi. Appears to love food more than anything. Anything. Sailor Moon & Senshi: The brave Senshi, Sailor Moon! Who fights evil by moonlight with the other senshi. She seems to be friends with Cherry Blossom to some degree and has seen what her and her friends, the other Senshi, are capable of. She was the other who was struck with the shard of fear during the 'Dream Girl' affair and wonders, perhaps, just what Sailor Moon is afraid of. Lucy Iwai: A fellow member of the Magic Association. And a cave girl. Also. She has a dinosaur. Kinzo thinks this is awesome. He kind of wonders if Mist can turn into a ridiculous dragon, someday. Named Enemies:The Apothecary (In General): He remembers their deal. He doesn't wish to be a part of it ever again. Dark Kiss: Kinzo cannot actually remember her name. When he thinks about his past self and the interactions with this...leader figure... she's always 'The Mistress'--- or just 'Mistress', and can never quiet remember her face. He gets a particular feeling of dread when he dwells on this too long. He has not specifically asked if the Perfumes remember her name or not, almost as if he doesn't want to remember. Sexy Dahlia Rush: While they've never met in this life yet, she's been working behind the scenes if her telltale signature of a Dahlia flower is any indications. What he remembers tends to be the word 'Power' the most when he thinks about her, and remembers how utterly ridiculously dangerous she can be. Elixir Red: One of the generals of the Apothecary. What he remembers is a powerful swordfighter with a blaze of passion. What he's currently getting is something entirely less subpar. But every time he's encountered this individual, he seems to remember more and more, becoming more and more dangerous. Black Raspberry Vanilla: A dark magical girl and agent of the Apothecary who appears, based on her ranting, to be an understudy, or intern of Dahlia, who was found out to be using the corrupted power of Sun-Ripened Raspberry. While not much is known about her, more ranting recently from her suggests she's been snubbed or otherwise before in her mundane life. Alcyone: This Ice witch attacked Fuu Houoiju's birthday party. He didn't appreciate being frozen. He doesn't know her story or her beef with Fuu however. It's Complicated (Neither Enemy nor Friend Nor Acquaintance.):Ruma Hino (Grace Chapel): This Tuner is protective of her territory and has a weird manner of speaking ~desu-no. She kind of threw herself head on at Dark Amber after helping to defeat a weird sort of creature she called a 'Noise', but seemed to go back to be amenable after. Then attacked a Magic Association training class where he was caught mid transformation revealing his identity in the process. Then was called out by Karino Saijouji. Then got her butt handed to her, which revealed her true identity in the process as a strange red haired girl he'd met before. He has no idea if she knows he knows, but hasn't brought it up to her. He doesn't know her full story, but boy can she eat. and eat. and eat. She even got banned from the crab buffet in Hokkaido for it. He understands her desire to act alone, and doesn't press it. He was there once himself. |
