Shion "Haiba" Tachibana

Shion has been presenting as feminine for as long as she could remember. She was born to a retainer of one of the houses of Kugane - Tachibana. Many of the house were alarmed when she was born, especially as she had pale skin unlike her family that came before her. It was discovered early on when she opened her eyes that she had albinism, and when she didn't quite hit the milestone of talking, it became more evident that she was unable to speak. Despite these things, Shion didn't suffer too much because of her condition. The only long-term affects seem to revolve around her heart (and she has what someone more versed in medical terms would call anemia.)Shion never truly had a last name, but many of the servants were regarded with the same last name to show which house they belonged to. The whole time that Shion grew up, she was told how the ruling Lord of the house saw men as a threat to the household, servant or not. It was only as Shion continued to grow did she realize that this was the real reason she was allowed to present the way she truly felt she was. The fact that she never grew above about 155 cms definitely aided in all of this as well.When she was about 18 years of age, she became a personal handmaiden to one of the concubines of the Lord. The two became close despite their differences, and especially their language barrier. Shion actually taught the lady many signs and songs to keep her company when there was turmoil in her relationship with Lord Tachibana. And then, he took a notice to Shion herself.

Some events transpired after Lord Tachibana's interest was made known to Shion. Shortly after all these 'events' happened, Shion soon had to leave the house under the council of Lady Miyuki (the concubine she served). Shion left in secret, and made ends meet in the red light district of Kugane for about a year. She did some other jobs that will not be disclosed as well, though death did seem to follow her in the later half of her last year in Kugane.At 19, she was able to sail for Limsa Lominsa. This became the point where it seemed like her life was turning for the better, and she could finally make her own way in the world. She met a viera male named Yuto that somehow knew doman and hingashi sign as well, so she luckily had at least one person to confide in as she learned this new land.Shion did her best to make ends meet by any way possible at this point. She even finally started to perform in public again for the first time since doing so for house guests in Kugane. She garnered the attention of a Flames captain visiting Limsa named Oz via one of these busking performances. Almost immediately, everything fell into place. She became his retainer and "personal bard" as he called her, as well as gained a place to stay. She then met also another long-term friend who was his retainer for him as well, Reign. Despite knowing literally no sign, he made an effort to get to know her and aid her in any way he could during her time with Oz. They were in it together.