Kalena Taiapua Iseki

[kelsox]

Character Name:
Kalena Taiapua Iseki
Nickname(s):
Len, Lenni
Gender:
Female
Age:
Nineteen
Sexuality:
Straight-Curious/Open
Grade:
Sophomore
College:
Central
Major:
Fashion // Photography
Weight:
~ 130 lbs
Height:
5'8"
Appearance:

The first thing one will notice when it comes to Len is that she is 'exotic'. Her skin remains tan throughout the year, rain or shine, and generally grows very dark in the summer months. Her hair is also dark and she keeps it long and natural, often not bothering to alter it in any way from its thick, wavy state. Her eyes are a very rich dark brown - nearly black at times - and extremely expressive. She's a unique and beautiful blend of Tongan, Hawaiian, and Japanese.

Another thing that is quite obvious is that Len is definitely no waif. Granted, she's not big, either. She's the definition of 'healthy'. Well proportioned, she's fit from surfing and her years of playing sport in high school. Her body holds feminine curves but she doesn't feel she has anything close to an hour-glass figure. Sure, she might be interested in getting into fashion, but she has no desire to be like the models she sees in the magazines. Len is very much at peace with her body and she holds this unashamed yet in no way intimidating confidence. She's toned and carries some muscle and she's a-okay with it.

As for any distinctive markings, Len has quite a few. Her face holds the occasional mole and a splattering of freckles dot the bridge of her nose and her cheeks. More freckles and small moles dot her shoulders, back, and stomach but she barely notices them anymore. What she does notice and use to be extremely self-conscious about is her right leg/calf. Due to an accident she was in, it's misshaped and slightly smaller than her left. Aside from the shape, it also holds faded scars and remains patchy to this day, unable to attain an even tan due to the scars.

And then there are the 'distinctive markings' that did not happen 'naturally'. Len isn't much of a rebel, but she does have numerous piercings and a couple of tattoos. The piercings do not extend beyond her ears and she rarely wears more than a couple odd ones at a time if any at all. The tattoos are also very unobtrusive: one being a simple band in a wave-like pattern around her left thumb that she, if necessary, covers with a ring, and the other is a oddly tasteful, simple, and small tribal design on the small of her back (it was a 'spring break' moment).

Len's laid back personality extends into her wardrobe. She dresses comfortably and casually, opting for large tees that hang off a shoulder or comfortable, long and loose tanks. She tends to opt for jeans and shorts, both of which have usually become destroyed due to years of abuse (note: she doesn't buy things 'distressed' - she does enough to put her knees through 'em herself). She absolutely loathes underwear, though, and can usually be seen wearing togs/bikinis under her clothing. This easy going, natural look doesn't only apply to her clothing; Len isn't one for make up and sticks to her lotion and chapstick. She doesn't feel the need to add any more unless it's some important or formal occasion.

Personality:

The most important thing about Len is that she is a classic example of an INFP according to the Myers-Briggs type indicator. She's pretty introverted and lives in her own little 'happy' world. She's very intuitive and exhibits strong emotions, most of which extend to others in regards to their own feelings. She's overly accommodating at times and is quick to put others before herself. Furthermore, Len is a keen observer, quite happy just sitting amongst a crowd and taking everything in.

Despite being an introvert, Len is a total social butterfly. Sure, she adores her 'me' time and tends to need to be on her own at times in order to 'recharge' but, really, she thrives off interaction. She loves to be mentally stimulated and nothing gets her going more than a deep conversation – especially if it's over a few drinks. She's not a massive party person but she can enjoy a nice get together if you get her around the right people. In the end, Len loves humanity. She knows there are shite people out there, but that's what makes it so interesting. Give her a sunny patch of grass near a busy area and Len will be happy and can spend hours just people watching.

The thing with Len is that she comes off with this child-like optimism She loves when people smile and she often takes it upon herself to ensure that the people she's around do just that. She cares a lot about her friends and even mere acquaintances. It's just how she is. She's a genuinely caring person who tends to be a bit out there. And, although she shows concern, she's not the sort to suffocate people with her care. Instead, she respects people's need for space and gives it. Just know that she'll be there for you no matter the day or the hour.

In the end, Len totally marches to the beat of her own drum. She loves change – something that makes the majority uncomfortable – and brings it upon herself regularly. Her way of thinking is totally skewed when compared to the norm but that's what makes her so unique. Her mind is always going, always digesting new things and coming up with crazy ideas. Just know that nothing is ever boring when Len is involved.

History:

Ken Iseki came from very little. Hailing from Anaheim, he made a promise to himself at an early age that he would make a better life for himself. Thus, Ken always had to be perfect. Although it was how he was raised, it was also the burden he put on himself. He needed control and he needed things to go exactly as planned. Chaos was something Ken simply couldn't fathom. A student at USC, Ken kept himself busy with his studies, that was until one day when his friends dragged him off to a party. Enter Lia Lopeti.

Lia wasn't suppose to have been there. A native of Oahu, she had been in California for a water polo tournament and happened to be visiting some friends before her team flew home the next day. She took a liking to Ken, but she had no inkling of what his feelings were for her. Unbeknownst to the free-spirited, albeit strong willed islander was that she would change the course of Ken's life forever.

Absolutely smitten from their first meeting, Ken was unable to get Lia out of his head. He continued with his studies and graduated before jumping at the chance to head down to Oahu for work. Upon his arrival, he called the one person he knew on the island: Lia. And, as they say, the rest is history.

The two wed and found a place to call home not far from Oahu's busy downtown where Ken worked as a dentist. They went on to have their first child soon after, a boy named Emosi, and then, three years later they had Kalena. She would be their only girl and would know the island another two years before the Iseki's returned to California.

It was there that Kalena's younger brother, Sione, was born, and where she became obsessed with the world around her. Ever simple-minded and imaginative, it didn't take much to keep Kalena happy. She enjoyed the companionship of her two brothers who would grow up to become extremely protective of their lone and somewhat airy sister. She got into sport and did the things that kids do. She found happiness in art, and love in photography once she discovered it in high school.

However, there was always this ever-present need to be the best, something their father tried his best to instill in his three offspring. Unfortunately for Ken, it seems as if none of his children are living up to his high expectations.

Emosi fell easily into the party scene, rebelling against his father's strict rulings. He did his best to drag Len into it, as well, but she was never the sort for large crowds and rowdy nights. She didn't mind a good drink and she experimented a bit but it just wasn't her thing. It was too much for her to process, too much going on.

However, one night solidified Len's distaste for the lifestyle. Having been out with Emosi - mainly to keep an eye on him, the two piled into Mo's car along with a few other randoms before beginning their journey home. They wouldn't make it. Emosi managed to wrap the car around a pole and, although they all managed to walk away from the scene - more or less, it was still a horrific ordeal.

It was the night Len gained her scars and the night her confidence took a huge sucker punch. She knew her brother didn't make the smartest choices when it came to his life, but she never doubted him. She always looked up to him and knew he was always there to protect her. The crash threw this trust she instilled in him out the window.

Life in the Iseki household was uncomfortable for the next few months. These months stretched into a year as court dates came and went. Ken made the household tense and never - to this day - forgave Emosi for his stupid act. In Ken's eyes, Emosi became a failure that day. And, although Len's confidence in her brother had wavered, her love for him remained strong. It took time for him to build her trust again, but it did return.

The need for his children to succeed grew to epic proportions after Emosi dropped out of school and the burden fell of Sione and Kalena. Len, for the most part, tried to not let this bother her. She knew what she wanted to be and, although she knew it wasn't what her father thought was best for her she held on to shreds of hope that he'd accept it. He didn't.

The day Ken found out that Kalena wanted to pursue photography was the day he lost all hope in his children. Yet, Len didn't let this deter her. With support from her mother, she sought out the admissions office of Central and made the choice to enrol in the arts programme. And, being the somewhat ditsy yet ever-so laid back person she was, she changed her major after her first year. She's still pursuing photography, but now she's putting her art to good use as well, chasing a dream of one day creating a beachy line that could be found in the boutiques she currently frequents.

Sample Rp:

The elegant living room of her lavish studio apartment was nothing less than a mess. A very well organized mess. A nepalese pashmina silk shawl was draped over her glass coffee table and, upon it, her entire office. Mieke took no time off. This was the workend and she had come to situate herself on the floor, barefoot and cross legged in front of her laptop, dressed for comfort in a pair of skinny jeans, a tight, off the shoulder black long sleeved top and a kuffiyeh wrapped loosely around her neck. With a pen clenched between pristine white veneers, she eyed one of the various windows she had open as she twisted the long, loose end of her sleek ponytail up into a bun and secured it with a spare pen, slim brows knitting as she read over a specific email.

Surely what she just read was a mistake. Hesitating for a moment, she then shifted and reached for her leather bound diary/planner and drew it into her lap, turning it to the current day as she slid a manicured nail down the length of the page.

Surely not.

Gently letting the book close, she then set it aside and plucked up her cellphone and pressed the number associated with her personal assistant - the young, Russian girl she had, out of necessity, hired without much thought. A bold and foolish move on her part that had only been done to show that she practiced what she preached - Mieke had only recently poured money into a scholarship for young, female international students - yet it now looked like she had shot herself in the foot.

She waited the two rings before the familiar voice answered, "Deep Model Management, Katya speaking."

"Katya, it's Mieke. I have a question. I'm only booked for Francisco's promotion, correct? The grand opening of Lure? Because.. your most recent email says that I have another appointment.." Her voice was not friendly, it was borderline caustic.

There was a moment of silence as the fuchsia haired girl on the other end fumbled as she gathered up the details about this evenings events. "I.. Uh.. I-I.. Yes, the Lure opening." Katya was floundering, making no effort to hide the fact that she had stuffed up and had, inevitably, double booked her boss. "I don't know why I.." Again, another long pause before Katya's voice returned, this time sounding the surest it had since she found out it was Mieke on the other end of the line, "The dinner, not the promotion; a friend of yours, well, old acquaintance I believe she said she was, called and said she'd like to arrange to meet with you as soon as possible to arrange for a fund raiser."

Mieke's sleek left brow jutted upward. Friend? Old acquaintance? "Katya.." Mieke was unamused and sounded enervated, "The Lure gig was all I was planning on for this evening. Surely this.. dinner with some supposed acquaintance.. isn't until next week? You know I have to leave for New York on Monday.."

Katya again seemed to fumble, nothing but silence finding the other end before there was a sound of rustling papers and various clicking of keyboard and mouse, "I, uh... I think I actually.." The girl seemed strained, as if completely shocked and overwhelmed at what she had done, "No.. I am pretty sure I..." her voice lowered a couple decibels, "Called Francisco to cancel the Lure opening.." And, before Mieke could snap into action, the fuchsia-haired girl hurried on, "For some reason I was really made to believe that this dinner was more important. I don't know why. Do you want me to call Francisco?"

The obvious distress in Katya's voice was completely lost on Mieke as she stood up and lashed out, "Katya!? The Lure gig had been planned for months.. and you somehow come to the conclusion that some dinner with someone I might not even really know is more important??"

Mieke was so angry she could spit. However, she composed herself and said sternly and without a hint of hesitation, "Katya, I'm making you redundant. You can either finish up whatever work you have or you can leave right now. I'd prefer the latter but I'm not going to complain if you want to work for free. Please see Nikki on your way out and, if it isn't too much of a challenge, switch me over to Desi."

All she got in response was a feeble 'mmhmm' before she was put on hold, the music being played reminding her that it was time to update the tune. And then, Desi, her other assistant who was more like her right-hand man, answered, "Desi Montalvo." Hispanic, a little pauch, and equally a little gay, Desi was perfect in every way. "Desi, it's Mieke. I just made Katya redundant. Now, I need you to listen and not talk." She really hadn't needed to mention this since her tone made it obvious as to what Desi should do, "Get Nikki to call up Francisco about the Lure gig. Then, find some contact details for this 'dinner' I'm now going to this evening."

Tilting her head to one side and then the other, as if to relieve stress, she could tell Desi was about to go against her request. He was itching to get the goss, to figure out why all of this was suddenly happening, but her words stopped him before he could, "Desi.. a lot has gone wrong, and I need to make it right." With that, she gave a quick and very fake 'kiss kiss' before hanging up, doing a quick trip around her lounge before coming to sit in the spot she had only recently vacated, phone finding one of the few free spaces left on her coffee table before she went into a flurry, sending off various emails before he phone rang once more.

Celeb:

Sonya Balmores

Out Of Character:

Name: Sholeil
Age: Old
RP Experience: > 8
Contact: Best to PM me; Skype -- Summerkelsa