Kuwashi

"'Nice to meet you, I'm Kuwashi. Before this all happened I had my own wood workshop. I'm prepared to build whatever we need to survive in this world.'"

Background
Kuwashi was from a quite poor household, and could be found in his younger years constantly on the move, searching for the next good time. He is not what you could call an “introvert”. In contrast, he was always brash, loud, full of energy. It’s not as though he didn’t appreciate peace and quiet, but he just felt like each day he lived was another day he needed to find a way to remember. His mom was a simple housewife, always caring and ready to assist if he or anyone else needed anything. She could often be found sitting in a rocking chair knitting away another batch of clothes for their family. She was always prepared for everything. He was prone to injury, so she always had a first aid kit on hand. She was never more than three feet away from a phone if he called and needed anything. She planned ahead; their finances were tight, so she often planned meals, get-togethers, and family outings months in advance. Kuwashi simply couldn’t understand this behavior. He constantly felt as though she must be depressed. “How can one fill their life with work and not need down time?,” he thought.

One day, she fell ill from an incurable disease. He stayed with her at the hospital for as long as he could. After a few days, she sent him home. “You have to watch over them. Be kind to your siblings. Wait for dad to home before you have dinner. There’s leftovers in the fridge.”

That was the last time she spoke to him. He walked home that day positive that he would not have to try to remember this day. This memory would be with him no matter what. He got home with the rest of his family, back to a home which was clean and organized from top to bottom, and everything had been taken care of. Clothes for the whole family were prepared for the next year or so. Meals had been planned for the next six months. Her constant planning had set a root of security in their household. They could not help but be calmed by the lack of anxiety that filled each day. Without a looming sense living day by day, he could relax. He realized why his mother had planned so much. She was not bored at all. She was providing security for her family. She was taking pleasure in the simple things of life. She let things come to her, always being prepared to take full advantage of an opportunity to spread joy and peace. Her meticulous nature meant that she had to be completely in tune with everything around her: constantly being aware, constantly considering various aspects, and constantly in control of near every situation. Kuwashi saw her wisdom, and how much more of a life she had been living than he thought. He sat down, turned his mind away from the momentary enjoyments, and began to plan. He got straight to work in fixing up his family’s run-down house. He found enjoyment hammering every nail, replacing every pipe, all to the betterment of their future. Ultimately, he took up carpentry and travelled to many third world countries served as an expert, teaching others how to build. He was just on his way back to New York to visit his family when the plane took an unexpected turn...

Overview
He can always be found pouring over his workbench, scrupulously crafting whatever the settlers need. Kuwashi takes pride in everything he makes, no matter how small or insignificant. He can always be seen carrying a hammer and chisel on his toolbelt wherever he goes. Some may call him quiet, but that’s just because he’s contemplating what to say at any given moment. Get him talking about a subject that interests him or about his plans for the settlement and he won't shut up.