criticism?? i will do my best!
hmm, it may be my writing style, but something about kin-kin always seemed... lacking, to me? she's very fun and energetic and you're an excellent writer, but i feel like she lacks significant connections, or perhaps a present conflict. she's very single-minded with her training, which isn't a bad thing, especially if you aren't really going for a drama-centric character. she seems to be more of a progression character, to me; more similar to a D&D character who has a specific goal. that's not necessarily a bad thing, but i suppose it can leave her feeling predictable, and a little flat. she feels a bit like a YA adventure protagonist to me; which, again, has a purpose and is not bad, but having traits mostly tied to her actions does not draw much attention to her
personality.
i feel like she's great for driving quests and finding lore, but ironically, as energetic and loud as she is, i feel like it's rare we get to see much of her personality behind the quips and her interest in training. i'm not saying traumatize her lol, but it would be nice to see her in a situation where she was perhaps stripped of her regular safeguards, and forced to open herself up and be vulnerable for a moment, as she was as a pup.
however, keep in mind even my most progression-centric characters (prata) have arcs and traits related to coping with mental illness/some sort of issue with themselves (besides rui who is just an asshole, and besides haruo who is still young and undeveloped) so the things i find engaging in writing may be completely different from you or anyone else. that's just my grain of salt for creative criticism!
also, equinox is my favorite of your active characters! looks conflicting with personalities is a favorite trait of mine, haha. i love nox's kindness conflicted with a body that most would see and think "oh, evil!". i like how gentle she is w all that :0
my boys (and vesna, who is here)
@Rui
@Prata
@Haruo
@Vesna