Aiko

**ABSTRACT**

Aiko is a level-headed foxfan with a kind disposition. She loves to help out in any way she can, and at times can appear to be a little TOO helpful. She is a peacemaker among the other foxfans and cannot stand to see her friends fight. Many come to her for advice and a kind ear to listen to their problems. She is very unproblematic and tends to keep to herself most of the time. She is quiet about her own troubles so not many know her past her kind exterior.

**BACKGROUND**

She is the guardian of the silver birch forest known as the spirit grove. This forest is filled with cardinals and free roaming spirit orbs. Cardinals are the visiting spirits who have passed away in the mortal realm. Many say they appear in the grove as they have unfinished business and Aiko is the strong link to the spirit realm they need to resolve their troubled souls. It is her duty to guard these birds from harm until they can move on. 

The spirit orbs are freshly reaped spirits awaiting the day they find themselves and transform into a cardinal. This is a slow process as the orbs themselves have very little energy. With much patience and care, Aiko tends to the grove and in turn the grove feeds the orbs. This involves a great deal of light magic and meditation.

She cares for them in hopes that one day her own father will appear to her in cardinal form as well to help guide her and lend her strength. She wears her father's broken watch as a constant memorial to him. Most don't know the significance of her watch as she rarely speaks of his passing.

**RELATIONSHIPS**

**Hollow** Her mate, Hollow, watches her forest for her at night, slaying the demon spirits who come up to feast on the pure spirits of her cardinals with his army of ravens. He loves to play the big hero in her life, and although he appears dark, mysterious, and brooding to the outside eye; he is actually a soft sweetheart deep down. A side only Aiko really see's. Most wonder why such an optimistic foxfan would end up with a grump like him, but she absolutely adores him.

**Rye** Her younger brother. Ever since their father’s passing she has taken him under her wing. She took responsibility for him and has raised him to the best of her ability. He tends to act out and be a big grump but she knows he is in pain deep inside so she tries to be as patient as she can. She can see he has a crush on his friend Calypso and is secretly rooting for them. But she doesn’t want to point out as she knows he will get embarrassed.

**Riptide** Hollow’s adopted sister. They are now basically sister-in-laws and are as thick as thieves. They seem to share a lot of interests so it was easy for them to click. Her daughter is Rye’s best friend (basically girlfriend) and they love sitting back and watching them play together. Riptide adores her and thinks there is no one better for her brother. They were instant friends the moment they met!

**Azami** Her best friend and partner in crime… or good. No one else seems to know Aiko as well as Azami does. It is almost like they were made to be friends. They are as close as sisters and Aiko does not know what she would do without her in her life.