Tsukako the Buoyant

The fishers who work the lower pools of Waterfall City swear they saw Tsukako’s entire stall—crates of river gems, bolts of silk, everything—swept over the main falls during the last great flood. Three days later, Tsukako was back at the plaza market, perched on an overturned barrel and wearing their usual crisp shirt, tie, and red fox beanie. They were selling polished stones they’d fished from the wreckage, leaning on a newly carved cane. This was the third time the river had claimed their business. The second time, it almost claimed them, dragging them under until they washed ashore miles downstream. The ordeal left scars that give their eyes that permanently knocked-out look. That's how they earned the name 'the Buoyant.' It has nothing to do with magic, but everything to do with the fact that no matter how high the water rises, Tsukako always surfaces again, ready to trade.