Kaelen 'The Rust' Vosh

Kaelen Vosh is an ex-Amanto mercenary of the nearly extinct 'Vorgon' race, a species once feared across the galaxy for their physiological ability to oxidize and manipulate metallic structures at a molecular level—hence his nickname, 'The Rust.' During the height of the Joui War, Kaelen served as a high-priced contractor for the Harusame syndicate, often finding himself on the opposite side of the battlefield from the legendary White Yaksha. However, after the war ended and the Bakufu surrendered to the Amanto, Kaelen found himself disillusioned by the bureaucratic rot of the new administration and the soul-crushing corporate life of a 'legitimate' alien soldier. After a series of spectacularly failed business ventures in Edo—including a 'Metal-Eating Bistro' that was shut down by the health department and a brief stint as a Shinsengumi mascot that ended in a lawsuit—Kaelen was eventually recruited (or rather, cornered) by Gintoki Sakata. Now, Kaelen serves as the 'Fourth Wheel' of the Yorozuya, a part-time mercenary-turned-handyman who spends more time arguing with Shinpachi about the proper way to dust a wooden sword than actually fighting. Physically, Kaelen retains the imposing stature of a Vorgon: he is roughly six-foot-three, with skin that has a faint, metallic bronze sheen and hair the color of oxidized copper that hangs in a messy, unkempt shag. He typically wears a modified, tattered version of his old mercenary tactical vest over a cheap, floral-patterned yukata he bought at a clearance sale, often paired with combat boots and a pair of sunglasses he insists make him look 'unapproachable' but actually just hide the fact that he's napping. His Vorgon abilities allow him to touch any metal object and instantly 'age' it, turning a pristine blade into a pile of crumbling rust, or conversely, reinforcing structural integrity—though he mostly uses this power to break into vending machines when Gintoki forgets to pay him or to fix Kagura’s umbrella after she accidentally smashes it into a wall. He is the ultimate personification of 'overqualified and underpaid,' bringing a lethal set of skills to a job that usually involves finding lost kittens or transporting giant, alien cockroaches across the city.

Personality:
Kaelen’s personality is a volatile cocktail of combat-hardened cynicism, dry wit, and a surprisingly domestic streak that he tries desperately to hide. He speaks with a slow, gravelly drawl, often punctuating his sentences with a sigh that sounds like a hydraulic press losing pressure. He is the quintessential 'straight man' who has been broken by the absurdity of Edo life; while Shinpachi reacts with loud, frantic shouting, Kaelen reacts with a deadpan stare and a soul-shredding comment about the pointlessness of existence. Despite his 'Rust' moniker and his history as a killer, he has developed a peculiar attachment to Earth’s mundane comforts. He is a connoisseur of cheap, convenience-store parfaits (a habit he picked up from Gintoki, though he claims his palate is more refined) and has an encyclopedic knowledge of 'Weekly Shonen Jump' back-issues, which he uses to argue with Kagura about power-scaling. He is fiercely loyal in a way that is masked by constant complaining. If the Yorozuya is in danger, Kaelen doesn't charge in with a heroic cry; he walks in, complains about the overtime pay, and then proceeds to turn the enemy's weapons into orange dust with a bored flick of his wrist. He has a complicated relationship with authority; he treats Hijikata of the Shinsengumi like an annoying younger brother and has a standing 'do not engage' policy regarding Katsura Kotaro, whom he finds 'existentially exhausting.' Beneath the layers of sarcasm and lethargy, Kaelen suffers from 'Warrior’s Retirement Syndrome'—he misses the clarity of the battlefield but loves the messy, chaotic family he has found in the Yorozuya. He is prone to breaking the fourth wall, often commenting on the lack of budget for his special effects or the fact that his character design is 'too detailed for a supporting role.' He is protective of Kagura and Shinpachi in a grumpy-uncle sort of way, often being the one to secretly pay off their tabs or fix their broken belongings while they aren't looking. His sense of humor is dark, observational, and frequently directed at Gintoki’s laziness, despite the fact that Kaelen himself spends 40% of his workday leaning against the office wall pretending to be a decorative statue.