User blog:SiRenfield/Mikino Sfarz

Mikina Sfarz is an aristocrat hailing from the Kingdom of Marlon and the husband of Keela Sfarz. He contributed greatly to his wife's financial success and acted under the orders of Antoinette Marlon and Abyss I.R. to protect his family.

Early Life
Born in the Sfarz family in EC 473, Mikino met and became longtime friends with Keela Freesis. In EC 484, Mikino and Keela attended a royal banquet and met Princess Kyla Marlon. During the party, a cat ran into Mikino and, terrified, he screamed and fainted. At some point, Mikino and Keela became romantically involved and she became pregnant, despite being married to a Marlon noble. In EC 491, the romantic engagement was revealed and, against his father's objections, Mikino fled with his lover to the Kingdom of Elphegort, willing to give up his aristocratic life. Living in Aceid's Central District, Mikino married and set up a general store with Keela. On his eighteenth birthday, Keela gave birth to baby boy, and the couple named him Yukino.

Because they were foreigners, the shop began to fail and the couple suffered severe discrimination. Despite his best efforts, they struggled to survive and only managed due to the aid of a foreign couple that owned a nearby inn. Around that time, Keela became pregnant again in EC 492. Believing they could not afford to raise another child, Mikino decided to commit suicide and traveled on foot to Yatski. After trying to jump off of a steep hill, he was carried and taken to an inn by a disguised Antoinette Marlon, Mikino awakes and begs the woman to help him and he is given the Marlon Spoon. Skeptical, he returns to his family and, soon after, they were visited by a woman in rags. Welcoming her into their home and giving him their hospitality, the couple was surprised to discover he was actually Queen Sohnika Elphen. Impressed, the queen distinguished them throughout the country and her sponsorship made their failing business very successful.

The following year, their eldest daughter was born and the couple named him Shawna. Coddling the child, Keela used their new-found wealth to hire an Elphe nanny to help take care of his daughter. In EC 494, Mikino discovered his father with the nanny in their home while Keela was away. His father threatened to take Shawna away if he didn't return to Marlon and Mikino realized the babysitter had told the Duke about Shawna and where he lived. Filled with hatred and in desperation, he unwittingly unleashed the power of the Spoon, consuming his father and the nanny in its flames and scorching his daughter. Traveling to Marlon, Mikino learned from Antoinette that he had made a contract with the Demon of Greed and was told his family's souls would be consumed if he did not cooperate with the Queen and follow the instructions of Abyss I.R.

Succcess and Troubles
After Keela acquired a title of nobility with their new found wealth, Mikino returned to her aristocratic lifestyle living in a mansion in Aceid's Northern District; while there, he took charge of the property's landscaping. In EC 495, Keela and Mikino had their third child, Aile, and were well-known among the higher echelons of society. Using some of their international business' wealth, Mikino secretly helped fund Queen Antoinette's ambitions. Sometime afterward, Antoinette gave Mikino the Venom Sword as part of his plans and he gave it to his wife for her collection, commenting about its rare shape.

In EC 499, because his wife was busy with recent resignations among the staff, Mikino took her place to pick up Lolam bird feathers with a servant from their friends at the inn in Central District. Receiving tea from a green-haired man, Mikino noticed he was staring at her hair and politely asked him to stop. The boy apologized, complimenting his hair. Judging his appearance, the two conversed about the difficulties of being a foreigner in Elphegort. Learning he and his friend were without a job, Mikino realized his intent and asked if they wanted her to hire them. At that moment, his friend arrived and Mikino approached the boy in awe, surprised to see someone from the Netsuma Clan.

After learning their names, Mikino said that only Albin was hired, not Michael. As the green-haired man pressed for why, Mikino exploded about his hatred of their kind before quickly composing himself, brushing it off as a joke. Mikino tried explaining it was due to Michael's attractiveness possibly causing unnecessary problems. Begged by Albin to let him join, Mikino gave in and both officially joined after three months of probation. At some point, he explained to Michael they used the feathers as pens for Yukino.

In December of EC 499, Mikina attended the party of Lucifenia's prince, [User blog:Lenfield/Rintoine Lucifen d'Autriche|Rintoine Lucifen d'Autriche]], with his wife and their maid, Clara. Later, after one of Michael's performances at Keela's banquets, he suggested the green-haired boy rest, seeing he was exhausted from singing. During the meeting regarding Rintoine's hunt for Michael, Keela soothed Shawna as her husband explained the situation and told the green-haired boy he brought a problem to the family. Michael apologized and Mikino clarified he blamed Kyla and held no ill will towards him. After relieving Albin of caring for Yukino, the businesswoman's husband expressed his desire to uphold the Sfarz motto to show equal love to their servants and their families.

Green Hunting
At the start of the Green Hunting, Mikino, his family, and the servants all gathered in preparation to flee and decided to leave in fewer numbers to avoid discovery. When Michael and Albin began to leave, Mikino stood by the back door and held out a cloak for him, suggesting she cover his hair while they escape. With his wife at his side, he tearfully refused to say goodbye, believing they would have to return to work again. Later, the Lucifenian army found Mikino and his family, arresting and imprisoning them at the Lucifenian Royal Palace for allowing a green-haired servant flee. At some point, he told Neyro Futapie about Michael's hiding place. Following their release, the family was placed under house arrest at Koopa's mansion in Lucifenia.

A few days later, Mikino saw two members of the Lucifenian Resistance arrive to meet with Keela, finding that one in particular seemed rather violent. Albin arrived and she immediately embraced him, saying he was glad to see him safe. When the servant mentioned Mikino's weight loss, he explained how poor the meals Lucifenia served were compared to the Netsuma boy's cooking. Mikino then laughed at Albin's desire to begin preparing a meal and told her to rest, comforting her over Michael's death and silently watched him cry. After handing him a handkerchief, Mikino told Albin about Keela's meeting, asking if she could check on her, finding it difficult to face him after his involvement in his friend's death. Later on, Mikino advised his troubled husband to support the Resistance.

Return Home
During the Lucifenian Revolution, the Sfarz family fled after the Resistance liberated the area and sought refuge at the Sfarz mansion in Marlon. While there, they were visited by Elluki Clockworker and Gumillio to return Keela's property from their Aceid home. While there, Mikino and Elluki encountered one another, much to the latter's surprise. As Kyla's policies in Lucifenia became more aggressive, Mikino convinced his wife to support their friend and not oppose her actions. In EC 505, Abyss I.R. ordered her to visit the monastery Albin worked at to spy on her friend, Rinto.

With a new servant to lead her there, Mikino traveled to Lucifenia. After they had arrived at the port city off the Anonymous Coast just after noon, he learned that the young maid blundered and that the monastery wasn't actually in the city itself. Searching for the monastery along the coast till twilight, Mikino angrily chastised the servant for not checking her facts beforehand. Then, seeing a blond boy staring at them on the beach, the aristocrat asked if he worked at the monastery. The boy nodded and, glad, Mikino asked him if he could give them directions. The boy agreed and Mikino explained the situation to him as they headed to the monastery. He then expressed his gratitude for finding the boy, saying it was his first time visiting the convent. When the blond-haired boy asked who Mikino came to see was, he replied it was Albin.

Praefatio of Blue
When Yukino returned to Marlon after her travels around Evillious, Mikino welcomed him at their arrival. Afterwards, Keela had invited Gumillio and Germanus visited their home in Bariti and the Sfarz family sat down together to eat with them. During the event, Mikino, like everyone else, was displeased by Germanus' drunken rant about the danger Yukino faced while abroad. Later, after Abyss I.R.'s apparent defeat, Mikino found the sorcerer's cat and insisted on keeping it, despite his son's distress. Kyla then recalled Mikino's reaction to cats as a child. Abyss I.R. later used Mikino as his medium, knocking his wife unconcious and killing Neyro before running off with the vessels of sin.

After the sorcerer arrived at the Held monastery and was discovered by Germanus and Yukino, Abyss allowed Mikino's conciousness to resurge and confess his actions to his son. After revealing his past, involvement in Michael's death, and collaboration with Antoinette and the sorcerer, Abyss I.R. retook control of the aristocrat and used him to combat them. Once Germanus skewered Abyss I.R.'s true body, the cat, Mikino was freed of his control. Consumed with guilt, Mikino expressed that his life would be difficult but promised to have a positive outlook going forward.

Later Life
Afterward, Mikino spent much of her time caring for his wife. After Keela's death, she abandoned the inheritance and, without telling his children, lived quietly in a Marlon home. As his death drew near, his children rushed to his side after learning her whereabouts. Surrounded by the family he loved, Mikino died.

Legacy
Mikino's accomplishments with Keela lived on with their daughter Shawna and the Sfarz Foundation stemming from hrt corporate conglomerate had a major impact in politics and business in the century following hid death. By the seventh century EC, the Foundation was entrusted to investigate the Toragay Serial Killings and their connection to Père Noël.

Personality and Traits
Mikino was a kind but conflicted individual, struggling to maintain a lavish lifestyle while caring for his family. Like his wife, he held his family in high regard and was willing to make steep sacrifices for their well-being, also extending this care to their household staff.Despite this, his independent nature and love for Keela put him at odds with his father and family in Marlon. Because of his background, he was naturally elegant and proper and somewhat imposing, following after Albin outside simply to have a better look at her. Due to his early hardships from the people of Elphegort, he hid a deep resentment of their race, although he showed it when provoked to anger. However, this did not disrupt his beliefs about family, supportive of Michael when he served as their servant.

As a result, he opposed her service to Antoinette and Abyss I.R. and was deeply regretful of deceiving and betraying his family and friends to keep them safe. When finally freed of their control, Mikino was filled with guilt over the incident but pushed onward with a more positive outlook. By the time of his wife's death, he became a recluse and preferred to live alone. He had a fondness for cats, unwittingly taking in Abyss I.R. when she believed it was only his pet.

Skills and Abilities
As a businesswoman's wife, Mikino was extremely perceptive and could quickly surmise much about a person's character or lifestyle after briefly analyzing them. Like his wife, Mikino was adept at socializing with others but could become ill-tempered when pressed about topics, especially regarding his feelings or personal beliefs.

Character Connections

 * Keela Sfarz: Mikino's wife. Mikino loved Keela deeply, leaving his aristocratic lifestyle to be with her, and wished to aid her in his business endeavors. He acted as her partner when running the household and had dealings with Antoinette in part to help her; Mikino would be haunted by guilt over the injuries he inflicted on Keela during his possession.


 * Yukino Sfarz: Mikino's eldest son. Yukino was Mikino's favorite child and he loved him deeply, wishing to safeguard him from harm at any cost. It caused Mikino great pain to confess his wrongdoings to his daughter, though he felt the need to do so as a form of repentance.


 * Shawna Freesis: Mikina's only daughter. Initially Mikino wished not to have the child during his desperate financial situation, but he loved Shawna deeply and often doted on her. He was willing to go to great lengths to protect the girl, such as attacking his father when he threatened to take her away.


 * Aile Freesis: Mikino's youngest son. Mikino loved Aile deeply and was willing to go to great lengths to protect him, such as continuing his association with Abyss I.R and Antoinette to spare him the consequences of his contract with the Demon of Greed.


 * Michael: One of Mikino's servants. Initially Mikino did not care for Michael, associating him with the Elphegorteans that had discriminated against the Sfarz family and believing that he would cause trouble with his attractive appearance. He became a fan of Michael after listening to him sing, and came to regard him as family. When Mikino was forced to betray Michael to Neyro, she deeply regretted doing so.


 * Albin: One of Mikino's servants. Mikino was fascinated by Albin's Netsuma heritage and, as an immigrant of Elphegort, sympathized with the discrimination the latter faced. He was a fan of Albin's cooking and was willing to trust him with taking care of Yukino; over time he came to regard Albin as family, giving him comfort after Michael's death.


 * Antoinette Marlon: A woman that controlled Mikino. Although initially grateful for Antoinette's aid with their financial troubles, Mikino grew to hate the former's influence over her after forcing him into a contract with the Demon of Greed. Mikino was unable to resist this influence due to fear of retribution towards his family.


 * Abyss I.R.: A sorcerer that controlled Mikino. Mikino feared Abyss I.R and the trouble that he could bring down on his loved ones, although his affection for cats caused him to take in the sorcerer's true body. He became possessed by Abyss I.R for a short time and deeply regretted his actions during this period.

Conceptualization and Origin

 * Mikino's name is inspired by the name of her representative Vocaloid, Mickey, sharing the same four letters in its beginning with the Japanese Romanization.
 * His surname is derived from the Italian word sfarzo, meaning "pomp, splendor, or magnificence"; its spelling and romanization could also be a pun on the SF-A2 used by Miki.

Curiosities

 * In The Lunacy of Duke Venomania, Mikino Olliba is a widower, foreshadowing how Mikino becomes a widower after his wfe's death.