[hider=Himari Katsura]

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[color=MediumPurple][b][i]So much to discover...so little time![/i][/b][/color][/center]

[color=MediumPurple]Full Name:[/color] Himari Katsura [color=gray](Katsura is a Japanese tree!)[/color]

[color=MediumPurple]Age:[/color] 26

[color=MediumPurple]Year at the Institute:[/color] Third

[color=MediumPurple]Favorite Color:[/color] Purple (MediumPurple #9370DB)

[color=MediumPurple]Thesis Subject:[/color] Forks in the Road: The Origin and Proliferation of Regional Pokémon Forms

[color=MediumPurple]Appearance:[/color] Himari stands at a tallish 5'9", has a lanky yet curvy frame, and has fair, pale skin. She typically dresses with a mix of coziness and style, and is never seen without classy jewelry on her ears and wrists. Even in her standard white fitted lab coat, her bright hair and purple eyes ensure she is easily identifiable in a crowd.

[color=MediumPurple]Personality:[/color] Himari is kind, sweet, and generally soft-spoken. She is easily fascinated by the world around her, and finds joy in every corner. She tends to light up a room just by being there, making everywhere she goes just a little bit sunnier. She is ambiverted, being quite social yet also cherishing time alone. She still harbors cautiousness around people she doesn't know, but she tries to see the good in everyone. She maintains a constant state of wanderlust, always wanting to get out and go discover more of the world. Yet she also feels very connected to the city life, and loves the vibrance of Jubilife City.

[color=MediumPurple]Bio:[/color]

Himari was born in Goldenrod City in Johto. Her parents were lazy and neglectful, and as a child she quickly found an escape in nature. She spent a lot of time in the nearby National Park by way of Route 36, and often walked Route 34 to watch the Pokémon in the Pokémon Day Care. It made her want a Pokémon of her own, but she knew her parents wouldn't care. Over months and years the Day Care staff grew to know Himari as a regular visitor, and were always friendly to her, inviting her in and giving her little candies. It was her happy place and she felt more at home there than in her actual home, but she still dreamed of having her own Pokémon.

One day, she strolled up to the Day Care, and after watching the Pokémon play for awhile, the staff saw her and invited her in like usual. But this day would be a special one. A few days before, a heartless trainer had dropped off a baby Vulpix at the Day Care center and told them he didn't want it. It was small and timid, and was afraid of most people that came in and most of the other Pokémon in the center. It had clearly had a rough beginning to its life. But as Himari sat in the lobby watching the Pokémon play as she always did, the little Vulpix noticed her and cautiously walked up to her. The staff were shocked to see the Vulpix willingly approach someone, and they asked if Himari wanted to try holding it. She nodded, and they gingerly picked up the little Vulpix and put it in her lap. Rather than jump off and run away, the Vulpix curled itself up and made itself at home on Himari's lap. The staff knew that this Vulpix had chosen its Trainer. Although Himari was younger than most beginning trainers, the staff knew how much it would mean to both her and the Vulpix, and saw the two of them as kindred spirits, bonded by the unfortunate hands they had been dealt. Himari later walked out of the Day Care, Poké Ball in hand, with tears of joy streaming down her face and the biggest smile she'd ever made.

From that day forward, Himari and her Vulpix (who she named Ichika) were inseparable. As she got older, Himari ventured further and further out from her home in Goldenrod City on her travels, and her love for nature, travel, and Pokémon only grew stronger. Eventually the Day Care staff she loved so dearly retired and moved away, and Himari realized there was nothing left for her in Johto. So as soon as she was legally able to, she left home and set out to start a new life for herself and Ichika. Before she settled down, she used the money she had saved up working odd jobs for anyone who would hire someone her age to travel the world. She visited quite a few regions, backpacking and exploring everything she could find.

On her stay at Alola, she decided to catch a Pokémon companion for Ichika. After encountering many different types of Pokémon, Himari was shocked to encounter a Vulpix that looked very different than Ichika. She was fascinated, and ended up catching an Alolan Vulpix that she named Fuyuko. Fuyuko became fast friends with both Himari and Ichika, and Himari and her two sisters (as she called them) continued their journey together.

Himari later visited Kanto, being sure to visit the Celadon Department Store to buy a Fire Stone and an Ice Stone. Soon after, she gave them to Ichika and Fuyuko, who both evolved into Ninetales.

The last region Himari visited was Sinnoh, and while it was not the last region on her itinerary, she cut her journey short as she had fallen completely in love with Sinnoh. She knew this is where she belonged, and a short while later had a lease in Jubilife City. While there she worked various day jobs, and took any time she had left to travel and research Pokémon. Over the years her love for travel and Pokémon only increased, and eventually her friends encouraged her to apply to the Laventon Institute. Himari figured it was worth a shot, and though she wasn't confident in her chances, to her surprise she was accepted!

Since she first enrolled at LI, Himari has continued to travel, but now under the school's dime. She feels like Pokémon research is her life's calling, and that becoming a Professor would be perfect for her.

[hider=Pokémon]
[color=f6e67b]Ichika - Ninetales ♀️[/color]
The timid Vulpix Himari met at the Day Care, Ichika has grown alongside Himari, gaining joy and confidence alongside her trainer. Evolving to Ninetales hastened this process further, and Ichika is now sweet and playful with those she trusts. She is still wary of people and Pokémon she doesn't know, but as a fully-grown Ninetales her intellect allows her to analyze people and situations quickly. Her perception has alerted Himari to dangerous situations on quite a few occasions.

[color=SkyBlue]Fuyuko - Ninetales (Alolan) ♀️[/color]
Himari's newer companion, Fuyuko exhibits the calm demeanor typical of Ninetales' Alolan form. Unlike Ichika, she isn't afraid of anyone or anything. Fuyuko is also very smart, but unlike Ichika and her now-playful demeanor, Fuyuko usually prefers to nap or lounge around. The two Ninetales compliment both each other and Himari well, and Himari is happiest when the both of them are out of their Poké Balls spending time with her.

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[color=MediumPurple]Quirks:[/color]

Himari is friends with Fantina, the Hearthome City Gym Leader, and visits Hearthome often. A chance encounter on Route 208 led to their friendship, and Fantina helped Himari develop her own style in both fashion and life. Himari considers Fantina and Cynthia to be her role models.

Himari is an avid gamer, and plays a few games competitively. She sometimes streams for fun, and figures that if she can't make it as a Pokémon researcher she can always try her hand at professional streaming or e-sports. She can often be seen on campus with a portable game console in hand.

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