Chihaya Timeline 🦈💚⚔️

[ Kid ] Born in Jawside Village to Gosho and Machi. Jawside is a fishing village that is home to a variety of sharks that used to seek shelter there from being outcasted. Now it’s a successful fishing stop that sends their meat to different marketplaces. They specialize in using their sense of smell and strength to hunt and round up the most fish. It’s also called Jawside because it resides next to a huge side of some creature’s jaw.

Chihaya had their whole childhood there, learning from their parents who were excellent fishers. Machi taught them how to be quick and strong, while Gosho taught patience and technique. Both parents had big hearts, and Chihaya learned how to love their community and helping others who need an extra push. They turned into a fishing prodigy and a very excellent babysitter because of how amiable they were. Chihaya’s dream was to be as awesome as their parents, especially their dad. Gosho would bring Chihaya to the larger city’s marketplace sometimes, and they would share a simple dream of opening a shop there some day in the Eastern Kingdom walls.

[ Teen ] However, as a teen their father had an unfortunate run in with a rogue samurai who slayed him for being out of line. Rogue samurai were common when the East was run by an incompetent tyrant (Yasuki's father). The samurai and some sketchy merfish would continue to roam around their waters, stealing fish and putting sharks in their place. Chihaya was distraught, but they upheld their father’s belief of helping others, so they kept the community in one piece after that and never dared to venture out too far. They live with their mother and grandma Ena for the time being.

[ Young Adult ] And damn they got buff. As an adult they became a sort of protector of the village now, and Chihaya is the village’s pride and joy. With the rise of the new emperor more samurais grew upset and raged on. They never got too close to the village though, as Chihaya and the community were able to fend them off. Many times Machi thought to send Chihaya to make a living in the city, but no one would take them due to being a shark.

[ Adult ] Then came the emperor’s visit. Yasuki made an effort to visit each village once (even if they didn’t want to meet him) to greet his people. He was welcomed in Jawside, along with his young daughter Umiko... but they were ambushed by bandits upon coming in. However, Chihaya successfully fought them all off without a sweat, and Yasuki was quite impressed. Hearing of their good deeds, he offered Chihaya a very important job. They could use a warrior like Chihaya to help the kingdom of the east- someone who was selfless and kind. A general to trust. At first Chihaya was hesitant, but when the situation with the rogue samurais got worse, they agreed. They need to at least protect the village.

Chihaya was sent off to train under an old sea turtle samurai who was famous for both his skill and his strictness... and Chihaya did amazing! Chihaya’s a good shark they had no problems being a student, so that was cool. The master’s only gripe was that Chihaya had to be prepared to face difficult choices, and not everyone can be helped.

After a few years of training, Chihaya was sent off on their first mission: secure Jawside Village. They were able to fight off all the bandits in the area... and eventually find the samurai that slayed their father. They had a big fight... and Chihaya was able to get their justice.

Seeing as Jawside was freed, Chihaya wanted to continue to help free more villages like theirs. From then on the shark was Yasuki's prized samurai, and later appointed general of the Azure Celestial Palace.

Their job consists of protecting the common merfolk, so they were stationed throughout the Eastern Sea kingdom or within the city itself. Chihaya rarely needs to do military duties within the palace and doesn’t guard the emperor 24/7. They differ from the other generals in that sense- always off on field keeping the peace. Since they don’t even go to banquets that often, Chihaya is not close to the other seas’ generals but doesn’t mind.

When they do get home, Chihaya also has their fair share of things to take care of in the kingdom walls. During their training as a general, Chihaya had met two of their bestest friends, Urmi and Bayani. Urmi came from a famous warrior family and Bayani sped through the ranks when he was a soldier. They are Chihaya’s most trusted soldiers... and coolest drinking buddies ever! Jokes and chill times galore!

Also worth noting, Chihaya is genderfluid. They use different pronouns depending on how they feel or on the situation, specifically they/he/she. Chihaya, however, is a very chill individual so whatever pronouns someone uses would be appropriate (unless they are actively choosing to present as a certain gender, in which they’ll say). Chihaya knew they never minded being confused with different genders (felt kinda proud of it) but it was when they were able to talk to more folks and their city friends were they able to understand it better. Sometimes their family calls them one thing, their friends another, and their enemies another- and eh that’s fine! It only bothers them when they really aren’t feeling it. Chihaya understands some old coots or traditional folks won’t get it, but to those who do understand: they/them had worked best.

Back to the soldier trio, when together, the trio often figure out how to stop major crimes within the Eastern Kingdom and its trade routes. And also keeping an eye on the Coral Abyss’s spies. Enemies that Chihaya often encounters are petty thieves, scammers, and... Siho, a mercenary that’s head of a crime syndicate in the East (but is actually not). Siho and Chihaya may fight a lot, but Chihaya’s the one that technically wins every tussle and teases about it, though Siho slips away too easily. Renzhi is the true crime syndicate boss, but he puts on his gentle, poetic aristocrat character to try to woo Chihaya (but fails). Another is Faizal, the sultan of the Coral Abyss who often attends the banquets and gathers to hassle Yasuki. Chihaya rarely faces Faizal in person, but when they do- they make sure to let the octoman know how sharp their jaws are.

It’s after a few years that the Dragon Pearl Crisis starts and that’s the main storyline of “The Sea King’s Mermaid.” Chihaya is left behind to ensure the security of the Azure palace and the kingdom, but it’s a tough job when storms and disasters wreck havoc. Though the palace was already a tight knit group thanks to Paralios’s kindness, so they all pulled through with teamwork.

After that, the kingdom is fine again and Chihaya is still the general of the palace. Though if other things call them in the future, such as homesickness or creating a new family, they may choose to retire and go back to their roots. But we’ll see!