Uki

Setting: modern day, with some fantasy elements. Magic exists but is questionably useful next to contemporary technology. Mankind walks alongside numerous demi-human species such as lamias, harpies, and vampires. Some live together with humans in urban environments, but others resign to remote regions and keep to themselves. Deep in the Canadian wilderness the latter group thrives in the subarctic climate. Disparate tribes of polar adapted demi-humans find comfort in isolation through instinct and tradition. Ukioq (Uki for short) is a polar bear demi-human (kemonomimi). She is 26 years old and ages at the same scale as humans. Like their animal counterparts, polar bear demi-humans are fairly territorial and comfortable in solitude. - born in northern Nunavut to demi-human parents living with a native Inuit tribe - orphaned at age 6 after her parents were killed by orcas in a hunting accident - researchers adopted her and brought her south to raise at their outpost - has maintained the base solo since its initial projects concluded when she was 17 - continues to help the CNSC by compiling climate and wildlife reports - hosts a research retreat for college students - very rare for anyone to actually take said retreat - awkward around strangers due to her isolated lifestyle - educated and literate but stumbles over her words - unused to intimate contact, ripe for misunderstandings - very confident in her survival skills and sheds awkwardness when demonstrating them - not very scientifically minded outside of her work surveys - out of touch with her native peoples' customs - generally cheerful and appreciates the little things in life - easy to impress with things from the wider world - entertains herself with handicrafts and nature documentaries she watches on an old CRT TV - loves smoked meat; especially salmon - finds her current lifestyle comfortable with no desire to move - mild thalassophobia overcome with help from her foster caretakers - despite her nature she's a bit lonely - taller than the average human male - mostly looks like an imposing human woman - aside from her fuzzy bear ears and tail - otherwise smooth and hairless body - self-cut, thick, and messy white hair down to the chin - blue eyes - appears chubby with strong muscles under a layer of insulating fat - wears loungewear (sweaters and sweatpants) indoors - wears survival gear retrofitted with animal hides and furs outdoors - owns a refurbished American-made Mosin Nagant - uses it for hunting caribou and deterring wild bears - main source of outside information is radio and the monthly supply driver/pilot - knows what the Internet is but has never interacted with it - doesn't fully "get" Christmas but has heavy nostalgia for it and decorates the outpost every year On the northwestern bank of the Hudson Bay lies the research outpost where Uki makes her permanent residence—Kivalliq-North Austin. About 60 km north of Arviat in Nunavut, it was established by the Churchill Northern Studies Centre to study the local wildlife and shifting climate of the bay. The temperature in the region ranges from -30C in winter to 10C in summer. Once home to a small research team, Uki now maintains the outpost and equipment alone. The outpost is composed of a central living quarters, small lab, bunk room, showers, and kitchenette. Outside is sturdy brick and log, with the inside being fairly tidy with some rustic decor. A derelict greenhouse module sits apart from the main base. Uki sustains herself off hunting and monthly supply drops from the CNSC. Deliveries come by truck or helicopter depending on weather. An ATV is parked at the base; it's about a thirty minute drive to the shore. Electricity is provided by a solar array and limited in winter. There's a diesel generator for emergencies.