doctoral journey

A Turning Point

At the age of five, Echiko would sometimes accompany her mother to her small office, when patients weren’t around. She was fascinated by her mother’s work but was too young to be fully exposed to the anatomical subject of her mother's practice. As she grew older, her curiosity deepened. By the time she was a teenager, her interest in healthcare blossomed, and Ryoka began to share more of her knowledge with her daughter. She taught Echiko about the medical practices she used with her patients and even showed her how to prepare Eastern remedies and general medicines.However, life took an unexpected turn when Ryoka fell seriously ill. She was diagnosed with a poisonous neoplasm on her ovaries, a condition that could have been fatal had it not been caught early. Fortunately, with prompt treatment and care, Ryoka’s prognosis improved. During this difficult period, Echiko worked tirelessly alongside other doctors within her parent's syndicate, using the skills she had learned from Ryoka over the years to help create medicines to aid her mother’s recovery. Her dedication paid off when the mass shrank enough to be safely removed, and Ryoka survived. The experience left a profound mark on Echiko, who became resolute in her desire to pursue a career in gynnecology and related medicine. If she could help her mother heal, she realized, there were countless others she could assist as well.By the time Echiko turned 18, she had completed her general education and was ready to take the next step. She chose to continue her studies in Old Sharlayan, the renowned center of knowledge that had long captured her imagination. For a native easterner like Echiko, it was a dream come true! Old Sharlayan was famous not only for its vast libraries but also for its unmatched opportunities for scholarly growth. She spent the next ten summers immersed in her studies, excelling in her field. She graduated with a high rank and, what is equivalent to, a doctoral degree in female anatomy and eastern medicine.Echiko’s expertise quickly gained recognition, and she began offering remedies to her Western colleagues, even teaching them how to craft medicinal teas from fresh Othardian ingredients. These informal lessons often took place after seminars, typically over a warm cup at the Last Stand. Echiko was well-loved by many for her intelligence, warmth, and willingness to share her knowledge, though her success also made her the subject of envy among some. But regardless of the admiration or jealousy, Echiko knew her path; she was committed to helping others heal, just as she had helped her mother.

Coming to Eorzea

After Echiko's long studies, she traveled the Western lands and fell in love them. Just enough to purchase an apartment within the Lavender Beds, so she could come and go whenever she pleased. A true, home away from home. Conveniently, there were occasional free-lance opportunities at Eorzean clinics, who needed a differing perspective or help. This is how she would make her gil in the west and continues to do so when she is actually visiting. In her moments of leisure, such as week's end, Echiko indulges in the nightlife Eorzea has to offer!Starting out as a patron to many of these nightclubs and scenes, Echiko has found herself assisting in venue support for a few western friends she has become loyal to. In eastern culture, loyalty to family and friends is everything, especially those who have helped get her where she is today!

Origin

Echiko Ono was born in the bustling city of Kugane, the vibrant heart of Hingashi and a land brimming with opportunity. Known as the face of the east, it was a city where the rising sun illuminated the hopes and dreams of its people. Echiko was the middle child of Eiru, a renowned katana smith, and Ryoka, a skilled medical doctor. Eiru and Ryoka, deeply devoted to their children, shared their knowledge with them whenever they weren’t busy with work or enjoying the lively city life.When Echiko’s older brother, Rinto, was born, the family was still in its humble beginnings, struggling to establish themselves. At the time, Eiru’s reputation as a blacksmith was just beginning to grow. His craftsmanship caught the attention of Kugane’s elite, leading to prestigious commissions that allowed him to expand his business and eventually purchase a larger plot of land for his growing family. This success came at a pivotal moment, as it was after this achievement that Eiru and Ryoka decided to have two more children. First came Echiko, followed three years later by Ea. It was a blessed time for the family, and they felt the favor of the Kami on their side.As the family continued to prosper, Eiru was offered a full-time position with a shadowy yet prestigious organization. The work earned him significant gil, though the ties to the syndicate were delicate, and Eiru had sworn an oath of silence regarding what he saw and heard. His loyalty to his superior ensured the safety of his family, and in return, the syndicate looked after them. This connection proved pivotal when Ryoka sought to expand her career. Once their children were old enough, she set her sights on finding work, but Kugane, like much of the East, remained steeped in conservative traditions that made it difficult for women, especially one like Echiko, to find opportunity.It wasn’t until Eiru mentioned his superior’s wife, who was about to give birth, that Ryoka’s chance arrived. Specialized in Eastern medicine and with particular expertise in female anatomy, Ryoka offered her assistance. She helped safely deliver the child with care and skill, earning the admiration of her husband's boss. As a result, Ryoka was appointed as the syndicate’s personal medic, specializing in gynecology; a field often overlooked by many. It was a turning point in her career, marking the beginning of a new chapter for both her and her family.

Dossier

About:

Name: Echiko Ono
Age: 30 Summers
Race: Hingashi Sun Seeker; Auspice (Nekomata).
Orientation: Bisexual, Ambiamorous
Occupation: Obstetrician/Gynecologist and Eastern Medicine (MD), Part-Time: Venue Support
Voice Claim: Kyoto Yamate
Voice Claim (English): Sapphire

description:

Echiko is a mixed-race Miqo'te, with a heritage that blends both her mother and father's cultures. Her mother, Ryoka, is a brown-skinned Seeker of the Sun with roots of both Mor Dhona and the Far East. Her father, Eiru, is a fair-skinned Seeker whose homeland is solely the Far East, and his features reflect that origin. The couple’s three children each carry a mix of their parents' traits, and Echiko is no exception. She has naturally coily, thick brunette hair, which she occasionally wears in its natural texture but often straightens to align with the aesthetic of her homeland. Her eyes, bright green like her mother’s, stand out against her warm, medium-toned skin, which is decorated with vivid pink eastern tattoos. Standing at just under five fulms tall, Echiko is shorter than most Miqo'te females and has a curvy, fuller figure, especially after childbirth, when her body took on a more motherly shape.

Likes: Spicey eastern food, Burgers, Nightlife, Reading, Art, Animals, Plushies.
Dislikes: Nonauthentic eastern food, Lack of Empathy, Sparring, Cold Weather, Pollen.

Personality:

Echiko tries to do right by everyone initially, until they prove undeserving of her kindness. If this is the case, she does not usually make a scene when provoked. She attempts to be the bigger person, by beating opponents in arguments, logically. She would never be the one to throw the first punch if provoked, but deep within this miqo'te, there is a fiery spirit awaiting its time for self-defense. Echiko meditates and exercises daily to maintain good physical and mental health. After all, how can one care for others if they are not caring for themselves?Though she will not be swayed under lawful oath within surgical and medical practices, behind the knife, Echiko is under Neutral Good Alignment. Once Echiko forms a deep bond with something or someone, she becomes quite apathetic toward any laws against protecting it. This is ONLY IF the laws do not involve harming any innocence or maliciously killing someone under her medical care. She will not; no matter what may become of her. Though, like any conscious individual, she will defend herself for her choices.

Other parts of her upbringing:

While Echiko spent most of her time interested in her mother's work, she and her siblings were taught how to wield a katana and spar to protect themselves if faced with trouble. Eiru ensured each of them were well-skilled in the art of self defense, something vital to a sense of independence. Though for Echiko, this was merely a hobby she didn't want to consume too much time with.

Becoming an auspice..

Echiko was working from her Hingashi clinic one evening and about to close for the business day. When a local with an odd appearance slithered past reception to seek her care. Despite Ono being exhausted from her workday, she offered to give them a brief analysis. The woman had a second degree burn that Echiko promptly patched up!Upon departing, the unique local expressed her gratitude of Ono's selfless act. She offered to grant Echiko a gift from the Nekomata yokai that watched over Bukyo. Ono was in awe at the offer from woman! The young hakase accepted the blessing, however the transfer was all but pleasant..What seemed like a hug from the last minute patient, ended up being paired with a sharp sink of two fine fangs into her soft neck tissue. Ono-hakase yelps out, but all of the other staff had left for the day so no one heard. Her fangs sharpened, her hair and nails elongated, and her tail split into two, similar to the auspicious beast! Her peridot eyes now glowing, giving her a more feral look. Before Ono could react to her altered appearance, the auspice she treated was gone without a trace.Ono has not seen the woman since, and she would know her face anywhere. Instead, the doctor is aware of her change and can only embrace it and move forward. In fact, she has come to love her new appearance, though the gift does come with a few quirks. An example being, a feral temper like the nekomata tend to possess. To control her inner fire, she strives to continue her exercise and meditation, religiously! As she values self care as a key to a successful life and career.