Lugubrious

Pokemon: The Spectre Conspiracy

The cheery morning sunshine mirrored the radiant joy in the spirit of Jess Backster. After receiving the letter from Professor Apple, she'd been incessantly excited and joyful. For a while now she'd proved that she was ready to handle Pokemon again, but she'd always figure that her correction would simply end with a happy little readmission to Day-Care volunteering. Never could the girl have dreamed that her parents would have allowed her to begin her very own journey!

Years ago she had watched most of her friends at Camphrier Town leave home to travel Kalos and even regions beyond in their own coming-of-age journeys, but she had been left behind. Be it because she felt more fulfillment with the Day-Care Pokemon, hosted some sentimental attachment to her home, or whatever, Jess remained while her companions departed to broaden their minds and raise their very own Pokemon. Now that the opportunity was finally here, she realized that this was what she had wanted all along. The feelings of wonder, excitement, adventure—it was almost too much to handle. Trying to contain herself, Jess simply carried on biking along Route 2, avoiding clumps of tall grass. Soon she wouldn't have to run; she'd have a partner to fend the wild Pokemon off.

She pulled to a stop right in front of the bridge that divided Route 2 from Aquacorde and stared at the water. Dazzling sunlight shone off its rippling surface. “Beautiful,” Jess murmured absently, marveling at how perfect the morning was. Recalling the task at hand, she clumsily dismounted her bicycle (a knee-length skirt, coupled with her extra pounds, made alacrity a stretch for her) and walked it across the wooden span. Despite traveling beyond Camphrier frequently in her youth, she'd never been to this place before, and from the instant she first set foot in Aquacorde Town she felt its comfortable, intimate vibe. Her eyes swept over the scene; people were talking and laughing, shopping, or playing with their Pokemon. A young boy was currently battling a girl that Jess guessed to be his twin sister, both with baby Bug-types that were just as eager and inept as their trainers. Jess grinned from ear to ear as she walked past, incapable of resisting the lively atmosphere.

Several minutes of exploration later, the girl ascended the terrace and immediately spotted a woman with a professional air accompanied by a boy about her age sitting together at a table. If the boy was some kind of helper -which Jess assumed based on his look- then Jess was the first potential trainer here. Not surprising, given her gung-ho style of arriving early. As she watched, still about three dozen feet away, the guy fumbled a Pokeball and scrambled to keep it in check. Jess then turned her attention to the Professor and was instantly struck by her appearance. This lady wore clothes that wouldn't be out of place in some basement-dweller's magazine and filled them out amply. Not exactly the choice of attire Jess expected from some egghead researcher, but as long as she had Pokemon she was good in Jess's book.

“Hi! I'm Jess Backster, and I'm here responding to your letter?”

Pokemon: The Spectre Conspiracy

With all this interest, it seems almost a shame to arbitrarily limit the player count to four. There's no guaranteeing even those four will stay (aside from the OP of course) so I would guess that being open and risking a few quitters would leave us at about four anyway. But you're the boss.

Living Reflection: A Psychological Alter Egos RP, interest check and signups

Alright, personality adjustment for my character who, by the way, is Australian.

Personality Ironclad is everything Gregory is not; whereas the boy is hospitable, his Alter Ego is troublesome. While Greg withstands conflict, Ironclad seeks it. Human tact and rationality is replaced by an iron will and nerves of steel. This warrior spirit is quick to pick a fight and brutal to its enemies. Additionally, Ironclad is somewhat of a bully. Even among friends' egos Ironclad can be cantankerous and unpleasant, always trying to hurt someone mentally if not physically. These traits make Ironclad seem heartless and cruel—a monster.

However, Ironclad isn't entirely a battle-craving brawler. He's also somewhat accepting deep within, and can make steadfast allies or even get along with a foe that surrendered to him. His confidence rivals his loyalty in terms of strength, and despite his intimidating appearance he can be rather humorous. When fighting without any of his weapons -which is rare- Ironclad uses a distinctive kickboxing style. Finally, he talks with an exaggerated version of Greg's own Australian accent.

Living Reflection: A Psychological Alter Egos RP, interest check and signups

Though I don't particularly want to enmesh myself in this ugly dispute, it can be noted that I too have a Western preference and outlook but I can adapt my character to better suit the theme, I'm not inflexible and I have no aggressive problem with Vita's authority, I do not see her making any unreasonable demands, and I don't care if there are similarities with existing fiction.

From a relatively neutral standpoint then I observe that Faygote and Timeshe are being unreasonably hostile and defensive. If this perception gets a reply, especially from Faygote, I can only assume that you wish to indignantly continue the conflict (you've said 'bye' or 'I'm leaving' now more than once) rather than actually stand up for yourself against somebody doing something you see as wrong.

Living Reflection: A Psychological Alter Egos RP, interest check and signups

I envisioned Ironclad as an exaggeration of Greg's unfriendly, hurtful side, the one that he never presents to the world.

Living Reflection: A Psychological Alter Egos RP, interest check and signups

Have to look and act human? Aw, that puts somewhat of a pin in my plans. Perhaps I can work around it. How about human in a really impressive suit of armor that makes it look somewhat monstrous? Try this on for size.

Human Bio:
Name: Gregory King
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Appearance: 5'11, 155 pounds, with an average build. His curly, sand-colored hair crowns a face with a sharp chin. Thin lips, big nose, thick eyebrows, persistent stubble, and bright brown eyes. He has an unusual quantity of body hair, which his popular summertime choice of attire (a yellow-striped green t-shirt and dark tan cargo shorts) tend to reveal.
Personality: Gregory is the 'straight man'. He is considerate of others, helpful to strangers, and a joy to friends. He is also painfully moral, never cheating, doing drugs, being mean or manipulative, or having affairs, and Greg is openly critical of those who do. He'll never commit a crime or betray a friend. Though gullible and possessed of a tendency to miss obvious things, he's very intelligent and creative. Despite having a short temper and generally being impatient, he is also quick to forgive and tolerant of the faults of others. He's not particularly gifted socially, but high self-esteem and a knack for quick humor generally get him through. Those that truly annoy him or antagonize him, either with stupidity or cruelty, receive biting sarcasm. When it comes to the ladies, Greg is friendly and even playful on occasion, but it's obvious that relationships take second stage to his academic success. And kickboxing hobby. And work.
Backstory: Greg was an energetic and imaginative child, fond of make-believe games with friends. He quickly emerged as the leader among other children, and by dealing with the cruelties of children he developed his heroic, steadfast nature. Those qualities stuck with him as he progressed through school with excellent grades, maintaining a small group of companions and ranking his way through a kickboxing class over the years. Aside from getting a job and becoming an avid driver, nothing much of significance distinguishes him from other highschool guys.
Skills: Gregory is strong, fairly quick, and smart all in one. A veritable jack-of-all-trades
Alter Ego: Ironclad

Alter Ego Bio:
Name: Ironclad
Gender: Male
Appearance: A daunting suit of armor defines him; whether or not there is someone inside that metal coat matters not.

Ironclad

Personality: Ironclad is everything Gregory is not; whereas the boy is hospitable, his Alter Ego is troublesome. While Greg withstands conflict, Ironclad seeks it. Human tact and rationality is replaced by an iron will and nerves of steel. This warrior spirit is quick to pick a fight and brutal to its enemies. Additionally, Ironclad is somewhat of a bully. Even among friends' egos Ironclad can be cantankerous and unpleasant, always trying to hurt someone mentally if not physically. These traits make Ironclad seem heartless and cruel—a monster.

However, Ironclad isn't entirely a battle-craving brawler. He's also somewhat accepting deep within, and can make steadfast allies or even get along with a foe that surrendered to him. His confidence rivals his loyalty in terms of strength, and despite his intimidating appearance he can be rather humorous. When fighting without any of his weapons -which is rare- Ironclad uses a distinctive kickboxing style. Finally, he talks with an exaggerated version of Greg's own Australian accent.
Weapon(s): First, Ironclad's natural weapons. From sheathes on his wrists he can extend thin, foot-long blades, double-edged and straight, useful only for stabbing or blocking. Vicious curved metal claws rest on automated hinges on his wrists as well; while normally harmlessly folded back against his arms, these claws can snap forward into attack mode to deal severe close-range damage. Lastly is the scythe-blade on Ironclad's false tail, which is best used for disarming or disorienting an opponent. In addition to his natural weapons, Ironclad wields two sabres with adaptable hilts. As such, these weapons can be interlocked to form a staff sword or a Zweihänder.
Abilities: Ironclad is a master of any and all sword styles. Be it conventional, dual-wield, Florentine, Zweihänder, staff sword, or even pincer, Ironclad can use and abuse it. His armored body is also incredibly durable, with the only notable weak points being the slits on his chest and head as well as his eyes. An additional ability is his ability to project metal prongs from all over his armor, turning him into a spiked menace.

Pokemon: The Spectre Conspiracy

My Character

Name: Jess Backster

Age: 16

Gender: Female

Personality: In a word, adamant. Jess is proud, resolute in what she believes in, and strong-willed to the point of obnoxiousness. Despite being overly inclined to prefer everything being done her way, she will relent if sufficiently convinced—a quality she shamelessly touts as being representative of her consideration for others' thoughts, which she lacks. Though of average intelligence, she is less proficient than most in picking up on the feelings of others. She doesn't ever let her opponents get through to her, thinking this to be an act of submission; for instance, if slandered for her weight, Jess might turn it around to point out that she's not trying to pretend she's something she's not. Jess also tends to hold grudges. Despite being self-centered and somewhat arrogant, she is not in the least bit mean-spirited and will not actively seek to hurt the feelings or attack the beliefs of others, and if she discovers she has done so, she will apologize. All in all, she is an indomitable spirit, for better or worse, whose confidence can be both self-destructive and self-preservative.

Though strict with Pokemon, she secretly loves their company, be it fighting gloriously in battle or playing on a sunny day, revealing that she has a friendly side. Among her favorites are the Drilbur line, Pachirisu, Espurr, the Cleffa line, most conventional starter Pokemon, Flaafy, and Zoroark. Much is the same with people once she really gets to know them; she stands by her friends with the same tenacity that infests herself.

Brief Bio: Jess is a native to Kalos, born in Camphrier Town to a happy couple soon after the creation of Kalos's first Day-Care for Pokemon. Growing up, the young girl expressed natural talent as a Pokemon breeder, always trying to bring out the best in the patrons of her parents' business. Be it cruising the extensive river just outside of the Day-Care's back door or perusing grandiose Parfum Palace, Jess quickly befriended the majority of the Pokemon left with the family. As she got older, however, her interests shifted somewhat; after witnessing a local, small-scale Pokemon tournament during an annual celebration several days after her twelfth birthday, she became hooked on battling.

Without a Pokemon of her own, Jess turned to those staying at the Day-Care. Full of excitement and earnest to re-enact the spectacular fighting performed at the tournament, she went in to the Day-Care without her parents' notice or permission and began a naïve institution akin to a tiny gym. Some of the Pokemon were more than willing to brush up on their skills during their vacation; others, Jess more or less forced. Never thinking that some of the creatures were too young or disinclined to fight and without any real knowledge of how to battle, little Jess pitted her friends against each other to see who was the strongest. Lacking proper guidance and restriction, the Pokemon often injured one another or themselves, and daily trips to the Pokemon Center in Camphrier Town with one or more hurt 'mon in tow became commonplace. Nevertheless, the innocent little fight club continued.

One day, the nurse at Camphrier's Pokemon Center finally decided to do something about the seemingly endless parade of wounded Pokemon coming in each day with happy, carefree Jess. She contacted Jess's parents, the Day-Care couple, and advised them to pay closer attention to what their daughter was doing every day after school. Though initially indignant and dismissive, Jess's mother and father quickly discovered her activities and were appalled. Gently they took their misguided daughter aside and explained to her exactly what she had been doing to the poor Pokemon of the Day-Care, many of whom had been little more than babies When the realization finally sunk in, Jess ran off crying and sank into a depression. Remorseful and full of self-loathing, she sought comfort with her Pokemon friends, only to find that they were reluctant to be with her—even afraid. Without anyone to turn to, Jess took comfort in excessive eating, and over the course of a miserable year gained substantial weight. It would take four years for her to regain the trust of the Pokemon, and that of their owners, as well as coping with her own problems. At the end of it, though, Jess emerged as a new person, possessed of an incredible self-confidence and a little more wisdom. When questioned about what caused this self-realization, she claims that a Zoroark found her in the woods behind Shabboneau castle, took pity on her, and befriended her. In light of their daughter's recent redemption, Jess's parents elected to finally give her her own Pokemon by way of Professor Apple and send her on a proper journey.

Starter Pokemon: a Zubat called Belial
Starter's Personality: Belial is very quiet, drawn into itself and shy. It drastically prefers solitude and dark to bright light, loud noise, and chaos. Deep inside he really cares for his trainer and will do anything to please her and prove he isn't worthless. He is not particularly smart or competent, however, which only enforces the incorrect general perception of him as worthless.

Theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aJUnltwsqs

Anything else: The emblem on Jess's cap is Zoroark.

Pokemon: The Spectre Conspiracy

I'll go ahead and put down my interest as well, even though it looks like you'll hit quota. In the case that something doesn't work out, I'd be glad to slip in. A Pokemon RP that doesn't instantly die? Yes please.

Before now I haven't really thought that a small group leads to a healthy-paced RP, but I see where you're coming from. I'll get working on a sheet.

Living Reflection: A Psychological Alter Egos RP, interest check and signups

Really liking the looks of this. If you can reel in about three other people in addition to yourself, OP, you'll have my undivided support. I know it might seem a little cavalier of me to base my decision on whether or not to participate off of numbers but I want to be sure that this will last before I commit myself.

Dungeon Keepers

Of course! We're all a bit slow at the moment, due to finals.