Kikugorou

They arrived with the tide, knowing only their name and how to smile. The first memory Kikugorou truly owns is of the spray from the great falls on their face. For a season, they worked on the fishing boats at the city's base, mending nets with clumsy but eager hands, never speaking of a past because they had none to give. One evening, a thick fog swallowed the river, and a boat full of chimps was lost in the roar. While others despaired, Kikugorou lit a lantern and waded into the current, its light a tiny, defiant star. They guided the boat home. Since that night, their purpose has been light. They crafted dozens of guiding lanterns, lining the winding stone stairs to the upper city. Their mutton chops are now a familiar sight at dusk, their gleeful eyes reflecting the flame they offer to others.