|
Post by mcdoogles on Feb 26, 2019 20:13:06 GMT -8
Trainer Profile~*Silas Jay Edington*~Hometown | Trainer Class | Nickname | Gender | Age | Height | Weight | Kotoba City | Bug-Type Specialist | N/A | Male | Eighteen | 6'0" | 140 lbs. |
Personal Style Hair Color & Style: As unassuming as the young man, himself, Silas dons an unwieldy mop of flat, dirt-brown hair. It's that sort of hair that very few ever remark. It refuses to retain any sort of luxurious wave, any sheen and shine, and is incapable of styling. Rather, any attempt that has ever been made was met with copious amounts of product that left his hair as stiff as a board and so obviously doctored. It did more harm than good. After so long, Silas had conceded defeat to the mess that was his hair. He decided it was best if his hair was left at the same length (just to the middle of the bridge of his nose), refusing to style it any further than flattening it down with his hands, and he'd rarely even be seen with his hair away from his eyes. Yes, Silas, after all these years, had retreated behind the dirt-brown veil he loved and hated. When alone or in familiar company, Silas would part his hair from his eyes. In otherwise unfamiliar company, or if he simply found the person he was with to be bothersome, his hair would return to guard his eyes. His reasoning was many-fold, yet, for the most part he feared his unusually large forehead. That's why he hated getting his hair cut back, yet everyone knows just how hard it is to stop a mother when she gets a fantastic idea in her head. Eyes: Hidden behind the aforementioned, dirt-brown, drabby-looking hair lay a pair of vibrant blue orbs. While his hair may be counted as a nuisance, Silas has long since branded his eyes as dirty little traitors. Firstly, they couldn't just be blue. No, that'd be far too simple and would cause him no grief! No, he had to be cursed with a small yellow ring etched around the pupil, embedded into the iris in such a way that, at a distance, his eyes often get mistaken as green. Now, Silas will take incredible offense to anyone who would make such an assessment. How dare they claim him to be some recessive gene-carrier! If the treachery had ended there, it was likely that a civil relationship could have been born between the boy and his misbegotten gaze. Unfortunately, this goes much deeper than genetics! The true nature of his discontent is how his eyes refuse to mask his emotional state. As iconic and cliché as it may be, his eyes are the window to the soul Silas refuses to bear. Be it from his independent upbringing, his lack-luster social life, or the manic way his thoughts wrap around and conceptualize the world, something within Silas remains disconnected. There is an unbalance within him that shows very evidently in his gaze. A world of emotion rests within him, yet he has no inclination as to how to let others into that world, or even begin to explain it for himself. It is one of the many reasons why he decided to start on his journey with Poke'mon at his side. Clothing/Accessories: There came a startling discovery in the world of clothing and design when Silas began to pack for his journey. Clothing came in three categories: comfort, functionality, and style. Furthermore, Silas had discovered that you could only ever fit two of those categories into any one piece of clothing. It was either comfortable and functional, but hideous to look at. Or it was comfortable and stylish, but offered no utility to the wearer. Or it was functional and stylish, but was cumbersome and itchy.
No, comfort and functionality were definitely going to win the day. The only problem was...the only articles he had to fit the bill were two pairs of cargo pants. They were plaid. PLAID!!! Ugh...if it weren't one nail being shoved into the coffin of his prospective social life, it was another! Still, he supposed there was nothing for it. The extra pockets would be good and, while they may have been unsightly (to say the very least), they were rather comfortable. They wouldn't chafe! That was a plus, right?
The selection for his upper attire was only a partial victory. The debate between short and long-sleeved attire was a simple one. Long sleeved, for certain. Heat was never a problem for Silas. It was the cold that he dreaded. He was never the sort of kid to run out in the snow, making snowballs, getting his tongue stuck to a light pole, and building snowmen. Even if it may look a bit excessive, he would pack two black sweaters and two long-sleeved button-down shirts. Both of them were likely two sizes too big for him, but Silas figured it allowed for more breathing room. He disliked anything terribly constricting or form-fitting. The undershirts were plain white, so as not to clash too horribly with the plaid.
Silas had never been a hat person. Having such horrible hair as he did, it was completely horrid whenever he'd take them off. So, for footwear, it became a bit of a debate. He has some trainers, a pair of runners, and a set of boots. The trainers would do well for casual jaunts in the park, the runners were great ankle-support, but they lacked the comfort the trainers provided. Then there were the boots, which were rugged and all-purpose, but they were a mid-way between the support of the runners and the comfort of the trainers. He imagined that, after a long walk, his feet would tire of the abrasiveness of the boots.
They also didn't allow for much breathing room, either, so he imagined that foot odor would eventually become a problem. After careful consideration, Silas decided that he'd suffer the odor. He would likely be alone, for the most part, anyways, and it was always good to have moderation over an extreme of either end. So, a pair of tan working boots, it was!
Now that he looked horribly mismatched, a tad undersized for the clothes he was wearing, and otherwise ridiculous-looking, he could head out!
General Appearance: Silas was never the sort of kid who was highly regarded for his looks. He was rather plain and average looking. He never paid much attention to the styling of his hair, what the latest fashions were, or the fact that some sunlight might be beneficial to his paling skin tone. All in all, Silas would be given an appraisal that he wasn't terribly unattractive, yet there were always bigger Magikarp in the sea. This did very little to revive his deflated self-confidence.
Silas Edington had always been tall for his age. At present, he was standing just over six-feet tall. To compound his height, his metabolism had always been too fast for its own good and, despite how much he could pack away at three or four sittings a day, he could never gain much weight. The result was a scrawny, wiry looking boy who always seemed to look tired and disinterested.
He was never the outdoors-type, always preferring the comforts of his home to the wind and sun. It wasn't that he was altogether opposed to the outdoors. He just simply didn't have many objectives outside. His lacking of suitable friends meant that playtime and gallivanting was kept to a minimum, leaving him with a rather pale complexion for a lack of sun. The only benefit to that was that puberty had been kind to him. He didn't suffer the usual sort of acne breakouts that most teenagers went through. There was rarely a period where he would sweat or go too terribly long without a proper shower. So, to his credit, he did have rather nice...skin, if one were to judge skin.
His bone structure was soft and even-keeled. He lacked a predominate jawline and cheekbones, giving him a gentle appeal. His nose wasn't too long, nor was it terribly wide, which he was thankful for. He had a hard enough time covering up his rather wide forehead. He didn't relish the thought of having to compensate for a shoddy nose, as well.
If one were to sum up the total of Silas's looks, he was certain they'd come to just one word: apathetic.
{Personality} Personality: Silas lives out a dichotomy of inner musings and deep moral considerations against his outer apathy and social awkwardness. He is an observer and a scholar of life, yet finds himself inadequate at interacting with the world he sees. He has a strong moral compass and holds to the philosophy that understanding breeds unity. If there is going to be peace in his hometown, between people and Poke'mon, and within inter-city and international affairs, people cannot be afraid to put themselves aside and view the situation objectively.
To figure out why someone behaves the way they do, the things that happened in their life to shape them and make them the people that they are, to discover the core of their belief system, and to truly come to the proper knowledge of their identity as an individual takes time and effort. Unfortunately, as Silas has found, too few people live selflessly enough to take that time and effort. In the seventeen years that Silas has been alive-- only about five of them having been spent in earnest contemplation-- he's become somewhat cynical and jaded.
Silas has never been one to self-reflect. He has spent so much time viewing the world around him, observing and attempting to comprehend it, that he has spent very little time trying to understand himself or his own emotions. So few were his childhood acquaintances that he has had very little practice with expressing emotion, as well. As such, nearly every reaction comes out in base forms. He is either happy, sad, or angry. Rarely is he anything more colorful than that. Yet, from an outward appearance, one could hardly say he felt any of the three.
If happy, one might see Silas break the faintest of smiles. If he were sad, he would likely just cram his hands into his pockets and saunter on. If angry, his tone would never elevate to mirror the emotion. Silas could hardly be considered a confrontational person. While highly opinionated, his lacking bravado and confidence often keep him from verbalizing his thoughts. Not many people tended to enjoy criticism-- no matter how delicately it may be placed upon them. As such, Silas internalizes a lot of grievances, shouldering them so that others can live a life of bliss in whatever ignorance may befall them.
The young man is something of a martyr. The pensive, cynical inclinations built up an extreme patience and tolerance for most things-- abuse included. It wasn't uncommon for Silas to become the target of the frail, verbal lashings of students who would think themselves superior in some form or fashion. "Bullies" was the term, but Silas found the word rather cliché and hard on the ears. It was hardly a refined term for what they were. They were merely deflecting some other personal grief onto what reminded them of their wound.
Silas had concluded that it was likely an intellectual discrepancy. He was studious and scored well on nearly all of his exams. They, as it were, did not. So, as a means of coping with their inability, they attempt to prove a point: brawn over brain. So long as they can put down the intelligent child, the fact that they are stronger compensates for their bad marks. Either that, or they had a terrible relationship with their father.
There have been times when his courage was tested against his moral compass, and whether or not it would point True North. Silas didn't much have a stomach for cruelty, yet was resigned that it would forever plague the world. Silas was not the only child ever to be targeted in his school yard. If he were present for the occasion, the young man could not stand idly by. While maintaining his passive stance towards violence and conflict, he was perfectly capable of standing in the way of the next blow. Sometimes, frustrations merely needed to be vented and the object of those frustrations was, more often than not, unimportant. Without a word, Silas would stand in front of the ill-fortuned student and spread his arms.
Sometimes, the "bullies" would hit him. Sometimes, they would walk away after considering the moral implications of hitting someone who had nothing to do with the transgression, yet not before issuing an onslaught of insults and other such mindless banter. Those he aided often wondered why he would bother with such an act of chivalry. He didn't know them, had never spoken to them, and owed them nothing. Yet, he still stood in their place. In Silas's mind, it was better for him to take the bruises than the one incapable of defending themselves. He was hardly ever in the public eye, as it were, so a few days with an ice pack at home was never an issue.
Silas holds a very real need to connect. It is, perhaps, the strongest desire that lays in his heart. He wants to be noticed and, above all, he desires to be accepted. He has often considered what it would be like to have someone he could consider a true friend. He'd had his acquaintances, of course. Most hardly ever recognize the difference. Whether it is at work, school, or in some other medium, most have the people that they only see and talk to when they are at that specific place. There is an unseen barrier between how to take that business or infrequent professional relationship to a personal level.
During the times when he saw his school acquaintances, Silas could say he truly made an effort to put his best foot forward. He studied and observed those that he ate lunch with and shared a class or two with, complimented where he thought appropriate, listened to the stories being passed around the table, and even laughed when they did.
He would say he was on the verge of friendship before the strings of life came and pulled them a different direction. One of them ended up with a girlfriend, others got involved heavily in the clubs they were interested in, and even a few just stopped showing up at the table for reasons unknown. What had started out as five potential friends whittled away until he was left at the table alone, again.
They had moved on while Silas was still stuck in the same place he'd always been. The disappointment and bitterness weighed heavily on him. He didn't quite know where to place the blame. He was angry at himself for being the sort of person so easily forgotten, yet he was angry at them for forgetting him. The desire for a true friend only grew, and the failures of previous attempts shaped his vision of what it meant to be a friend.
He knew that the realm of possibility of him managing to entreat a friend through self-provocation was rather slim. In his own head, he'd imagined it would be a girl and that she would have to approach him. Males tended to be conflict-driven, growing through competition and discovering new limitations. Adventure was second-nature to most and Silas was not the sort of person who complemented those qualities.
He could see someone looking at him like a puzzle to be riddled out-- something more commonly to the forte of the female gender. She would be the curious and intrusive type. The sort of person that Silas would certainly be annoyed by. Yet, for his own benefit, he knew that sort of personality would be what was required. A person to draw him out, kicking and screaming, if need be. She couldn't be an idiot, to be blunt. He would still require someone who could maintain a conversation of depth, on occasion. Any friend of his would have to be unfailingly kind and patient. They would be someone who cared deeply for others, as well as for Poke'mon.
Perhaps the most important aspect that Silas saw within his imaginary friend was that she would see the world in colors that he did not. Someone whose eyes shined when they saw a sunset or the cherry blossoms as they fell in the spring time. Someone who could marvel at things of beauty and enjoy them, rather than stand mute, stuck in the jaded outlook that it was only a matter of time before that sun set and the blossoms withered away, as he did.
Silas did not hold his breath. He hardly expected to ever find such a person, or to have them find him. He likely wouldn't even recognize that potential friend, if their paths ever did cross, anyways. Still, it was a nice thought. If Silas ever did meet such a person and could ever make that connection-- if he could call someone a friend-- he would defend it jealously. He would guard it and serve it with all of his ability.
|
{History} History: Silas has always been something of an oddball. Even at a tender age, he never seemed to be able to acquiesce to the normal behaviors and mannerisms of a child without adequate reasoning. He was constantly questioning his mother to the point of driving her up a wall. By the time his father got home from the market where he sold the fruits their garden yielded, she would pawn Silas off and tell him to go show his son something new.
Such began Silas's propensity for intellectual gain. He enjoyed learning the history of Kotoba and, while his father was a mere merchant and certainly not a political insider, by the age of ten he was already learning of the strife within his own city and comprehending the progressive versus traditionalist arguments rather well. Still, despite his prodigal leanings, Silas continually failed at some of the most basic things.
He was horrid at "Hide and Go Seek". He just simply couldn't wrap his head around the rules. Why would he purposefully handicap himself and hide his eyes when he was at a perfectly reasonable advantage if he kept them open while everyone scurried away? If they didn't want to be found so easily, they should have just kept running until they were out of sight, thereby opening up the game to a city-wide search, rather than just the backyard of James Knightly's house. He saw it as a perfectly acceptable concept.
Needless to say, the quirk and inability to conform didn't leave him with many friends At the age of seven, Silas was already handily independent of his parents. He would walk himself to school, study alone and hardly ever had to get told to finish his homework or take a shower. He was a dutiful child, and remains so to this day. Silas has always been careful about what was expected of him. If people in society didn't play to their roles, then it would all simply fall apart. Silas was just a cog in the machine, meant to turn and turn; never break, never cause the system an issue.
As independent as he was, he and his mother had unwittingly slipped into a routine that they could not escape from. She would have his lunch prepared for him every morning by the time he came down the stairs. She would always greet him, ask about any strange dreams or something to that effect. He never could recall them. For him, trying to remember a dream was like trying to hold water in cupped hands. As soon as his eyes would open, the details would quickly trickle between his fingers and become lost to the oblivion from which they came.
His mother would remind him of little things-- tying his shoes, getting his bag, and not forgetting his homework. After so long, the morning conversations became shorter and shorter. She would stop trying to remind him of things, figuring he didn't need her coddling. He didn't need it. Yet, on the occasion...it would've been nice. She was a good mother and Silas respected her beyond measure. It was several years before he'd made the connection that his mannerism made her feel incapable and useless. To a woman devoted to home and hearth, being useful to her husband and only son were the hallmarks of her day. By the time Silas realized his error, the damage had been done and he was uncertain how to mend the bridge. Parents were difficult to talk to on a personal level.
Silas's minor alteration to the routine had been to ensure he kissed his mother's cheek before walking out the door. He didn't know what else he could do for her and he didn't know how to relax enough to allow her to do things for him that he was perfectly capable of handling on his own. In the end, it simply left a divide between them. That story remained true for his father, as well.
It took longer, perhaps, than it did with his mother. The bond between a father and son tends to be stronger during the formative years. Once Silas was beginning to apply and solidify his sense of self, his father's role in his life became more prominent. For all of the hope that could be placed in establishing a bond, there, it wouldn't be possible.
His father was a hard-working man. He didn't come from money. He wasn't well-connected. He didn't even have a Secondary degree. No, Silas's father was a failed, would-be-success story. He wasn't particularly talented in any area, though he tried his hand at a number of things. He didn't have the marks to succeed in an academic career path, he lacked the constitution and adventurous spirit to commit to the life of a Poke'mon trainer, and his business sense was subpar.
It took some time for Silas to piece all of this information together about his father. They would, at one time, spend a few days together in the market or tending to the gardens. He taught Silas many valuable lessons about equality, hard work, and how to remain humble. His father was, undoubtedly, a good man. His father and mother were deserving of one another. Yet, Silas was quickly growing beyond the scope of what his father had answers for.
Silas wanted to know how the world worked on a larger scale. He wanted to know what caused the political turmoil in his city and why so many people fretted over the semantics and minute details of policy when the city suffered beneath their inability to unify. As larger corporations moved into the city, expanding trade and bringing in new resources, small fruit stands like the one that his father ran became steadily more obsolete as the years passed.
What frustrated Silas was that his father had no response for the encroachment. He only knew how to tend a garden and reaped what he could yield from it. There was an unwillingness within the man to expand beyond the boarders that he had grown comfortable with. He was happy within the walls of his identity as a merchant, a father, and a husband. His life was simple and Silas's father intended to keep it that way.
His inability to conceptualize his father's passive inclinations haunted him. It also reflected poorly upon himself. After all, he had taken the path of least resistance on so many occasions. Despite that history, Silas could recognize when action was needed, even if he was uncertain as to what that action was. Taking the first step often led to the second and things didn't need to be entirely fleshed out with all of the little variables in check.
Without the proper answers, Silas was left at a crossroads with his father. He wasn't quite certain whether he should respect him or brand him a fool. As a child he held great admiration for him, but, in light of all that he now knew...things had become muddled. It was rather depressing and caused Silas to seriously question the very fabric of what was right and wrong; good or evil.
In the end, all of the preconceptions and silly expectations of childhood had been crushed, leaving Silas with a very monotone scope of the world. In this world, the strong stood over the weak. The things that were once organic and beautiful were replaced with mechanical machinations. The world was in such a hurry to evolve to the next phase and Silas had always been backwards and slow to progress.
A child should want nothing but to make friends and to run amuck, playing and laughing. As a child he simply wanted to read and keep to himself. When nearing adulthood, people usually began to gear towards their independence and looked towards how they would fit into the progressive world. Silas just wanted to walk casually beside someone, smiling and laughing. He wanted the things that he missed out on.
As much as Silas wanted someone, he had lost a great deal of faith in the goodness of others. He'd experienced neglect from parents and would-be friends, watched as the people he looked up to cowered and clung to the familiar life they'd built for themselves, and he'd witnessed how the selfishness of the few can harm many. The strong preyed on the weak, the influential never reached out a hand to those cast into the shadows, and the rich hoarded any available assets. There was a callousness to the world and, in turn, it caused Silas to harden against it. He would no longer place the same stock in the fairytale endings. Things didn't work like that.
People went to work, they came home, they ate, they slept, and they woke up the next day to do it all again. If it was so deemed, all that had been worked for could be taken away within an instant. When Silas was nearing graduation of Secondary School, he began to fear that sort of droning, helpless life. Would he end up no different? Would he take over his father's fruit stand and whittle away his days handing out tangerines?
For a long time, he'd accepted that future. After all, he'd always been in the background, watching life go by. It had always been his favorite part of accompanying his father to the market-- getting to watch all of the people and their behaviors.
Still, despite all of the mundane joys he could have in the simple life of a merchant, Silas began to truly fear being disregarded his entire life. He'd seen a world of selfish, unabated progressives building tall towers and obtaining great feats of industry, architecture, and economic growth. Regardless of whether or not people agreed with the corporate suits or not, they took note of them. They knew their names and they either challenged them, or they sold tangerines.
Silas decided he would become that person. The one that people were forced to take note of. Yet, he'd do it in his way. Silas decided that he would become a Godai Gym Leader. He would become someone so strong that those who desired to become champions, in their own right, would have to challenge him or sell tangerines. They could go through him, or they could avoid him, but in either respect...they would acknowledge him.
|
{Character Relationships} Picture | Biography |
| Name: Clary Evans
Relationship: Former Traveling Companion
Description: A strange girl who appeared in Kotoba at the outset of Silas’s journey. She successfully roped him into a trek through Skytouch Forest to help her catch her first Poke’mon and favorite Poke’mon – a Ledyba. Silas initially thought he’d found himself a fast friend, but due to a controversy over the accidental, yet brutal, treatment of an adversarial Cherubi, the two parted ways.
Status: Assumed Living | | Name: Margaret Hastings (30)
Relationship: Friend
Description: An administrator at the Scurarte Poke’Center, Margaret Hastings is a very proper woman. She dons short, jet black hair cut into a bob, oval glasses, and has pleasantly sharp facial features (framed well by the A-line of her hair). She can often be found wearing stilettos, making her taller than even most men. She has a young daughter of thirteen and has the affections of her co-worker, Jack Caelum.
Status: Living | | Name: Lyra Colt (19)
Relationship: Girlfriend
Description: A beautiful and stunning girl, Lyra Colt was Silas’s rescuer from the public beating he’d received at the hands of her brother. She is the assistant librarian at her local Secondary School and tends to her grandfather’s needs in her spare time. She has never ventured outside of Scurarte, but has always dreamed of seeing the world. She has only ever read about the world in black and white pages of the books she keeps. She and her brother’s mother passed away from cancer, and their father abandoned them shortly after their mother’s death. She felt a spark after first meeting Silas Edington, helping him clean up and lick his wounds after getting beat up by Tanner Colt. Lyra and Silas made a promise at the annual Scurartian festival known as the "Vow of Lights". There, Lyra asked Silas to promise her that he'd make his dream of being a Godai Gym Leader come true and that, once his dreams were realized, that they would get married. Silas accepted.
Status: Living | | Name: Jack Caelum (36)
Relationship: Friend / Brother in the Brotherhood of the Traveling Pants
Description: A quirky and good-natured man, Jack does all that he can to assist those close to him. He has long harbored not-so-secret feelings for his co-worker, Margaret Hastings, and looks after her and her daughter’s well-being as best he can. He is a brilliant man and serves as the Scurarte Poke’Center’s lead medical technician. He is a very practical man, but loses that practicality wherever Margaret is concerned. Under false-pretenses that the woman of his affections liked men who wore plaid, Silas was able to trick the man into trading him a pair of business slacks for a pair of his ugly, horribly-plaid cargo pants. Now, the two are considered brothers in the Brotherhood of Traveling Pants—a bond none dare speak of and few know exist.
Status: Living | | Vikki Hastings (12)
Relationship: Friend
Description: Vikki is the daughter of Margaret Hastings and, as such, helps out regularly at the Pokecenter in Scurarte Town. She is an excitable, dramatic and eccentric young girl who wears big, gaudy glasses despite not having an astigmatism, dyes bright neon stripes into her hair on a regular basis, and keeps her hair tied up in pigtails most of the time. Vikki has often been seen as a tomboy, because she actively speaks her mind and doesn't seem to have very good manners. She's never been seen as a "girly" girl and that hasn't earned her very many friends. She struggles in school and struggles with bullies. During the Vow of Lights festival in Scurarte, Silas gave Vikki his Shelmet to keep. The two were fast friends and Silas felt it best that she have a companion to keep her company. Vikki promises to bedazzle Shelmet's armor before Silas returns to Scurarte.
Status: Living | | Name: Oran Colt (81)
Relationship: Mentor
Description: The father of Kieran Colt, Oran Colt took responsibility for his son’s failures and raised Lyra and Tanner as his own. He is strict and stern, having only a mind for tradition and holding an archaic outlook on life. He is a wise man, though. He holds a farsight about others that far exceeds Silas’s own gift. He loves his grandchildren dearly and, after testing Silas in a game of Go, consented that Silas would be allowed to visit more with his granddaughter, Lyra Colt.Oran orchestrated a plot to coerce Silas into accepting the quest to find Lyra and Tanner's missing father. Using the Vow of Lights festival, Oran trained Tanner and his Pokemon to become strong enough to challenge Silas. If Silas were to lose, then he would be sworn to keep one promise to Tanner Colt of his choosing.
Status: Living | | Name: Tanner Colt (17)
Relationship: Rival / Enemy
Description: A pugnacious and scrappy hooligan of Scurarte, Tanner Colt runs amuck through the back alleys and narrow streets of the town, painting the walls with his trusty Smeargle with graffiti and vulgarity. Silas’s first encounter with the boy warranted him consequences—both for good and for ill. Tanner and Silas battled their Poke’mon after Silas indicated some vague knowledge of Tanner’s unfortunate upbringing. Then, once Silas had handily beaten him, Tanner decided to make it a battle of human proportions. Tanner, once he’d handily beaten him, was scolded thoroughly by his sister and then later, his grandfather. Tanner still does not accept or trust Silas, feeling that he's not good enough for the affections of his sister. Tanner trained with his grandfather to be able to challenge Silas to a battle, once more. Tanner won and earned the opportunity to ask a single promise from Silas during the Vow of Lights festival. Tanner made Silas promise that he would find his father, Kieran Colt, and bring him back to Scurarte.
Status: Living |
|
|
|
|
Post by mcdoogles on Mar 6, 2019 8:01:08 GMT -8
Trainer Profile~*Barrett Ryker*~Hometown | Trainer Class | Nickname | Gender | Age | Height | Weight | Melka Village | Mountaineer | Bear | Male | Thirty-five | 6'5" | 265lbs. |
Personal Style Hair Color & Style: Barrett Ryker has a full head of wavy, thick scarlet hair and a scurffy chinstrap beard to match. His hair is as bright and magnanimous as he is and, apart from his obvious size and build, it is usually the first thing that people notice about him. The man has very little need for style, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t aware that he shouldn’t stroll about looking like some untamed beast! The occasional cut is necessary and he avoids letting his beard grow to the point that it might become a trap for bits of food to fall in or for Fletchlings to make a nest out of. It isn’t unusual to find his hair out of place, as he frequently runs a hand through it and scratches his head at things that he doesn’t understand. When most people see a mirror, they’ll usually stop and check their hair. They’ll brush it back, make sure they’re orderly and move along. Barrett’s first and only instinct when presented with a mirror is to flex, pose and check his smile. If his hair is any indication, it is that this mountain of a man certainly belongs in the mountains and not strolling the Everlight District of Kroy. Eyes: Barrett possesses unusually kind, chocolate-colored eyes. They are small in the set of his face and when compared to the wild, bushy eyebrows that frame them. Not to mention, the rest of his towering physique, but they still retain the warmth of a hundred fires when greeting others. The man is incredibly expressive and boisterous by nature, and that grandiose isn’t limited to merely his body language. When the man laughs, his eyes shut tight and his head throws back, and he lets out loud, belting chuckles. When he smiles, so, too, will his eyes join in the festivities. When he grows angry, as seldom as that might be, that warmth of his gaze can quickly turn to blazing contempt for whatever pushed him so far. He is not a difficult man to read by any stretch of the imagination. Barrett is a man with a thirst for life and he believes in greeting life with eyes wide open. He’s nothing to fear and no shame or regrets to speak of, so he has absolutely no difficulty of looking at others quite directly. After all, that is what men do! They are forward and strong, and a man’s intentions should be read by the light of his eyes and the strength of his handshake! Barrett doesn’t intend for the either his light or his strength to ever be in short supply. Clothing/Accessories: Barrett is quite used to the harsh, cold climates of the Laughing Summits. Being a vagrant from Melka Village, his attire is suitable to the climate as appropriate, but he enjoys large furs coats and heavy leather vests with fur inlays that will keep his chest warm. In any weather—be it sweltering heat or frigid mountain tops—Barrett can’t seem to be swayed from his jovial attitude and looks quite comfortable, regardless of the temperature. He loves it all, for he loves the great outdoors! In all climates, however, one thing will always remain true: he must let his arms breathe! Cut off jackets, vests, or short-sleeved anything will do just fine! The strength of his arms is his pride and he is quite boastful about his body, so whatever he is wearing, one can be sure that they’ll be able to see how ready he is to lift something heavy!
Quite commonly, when the weather is mild, he is wearing well-fitted jeans and a shirt that looks as if it is two sizes too small for him. He has no need for flashy accessories, but can often be seen toting around his rucksack over one shoulder where he keeps all of his belongings. Barrett is a man of simple needs and his clothing proves that, as well. He’s rather minimalistic, but he does like interesting designs and logos on shirts. He considers himself something of a walking billboard and, if he comes across a local business that has t-shirts, he may very well ask for a discount on his purchases in exchange for wearing their logo around. Free advertising for them, he makes it look great, flexing his rippling pectorals, and he gets to keep a bit of his money! Everyone wins, and he can buy a few more drinks at the local bar!
General Appearance: Barrett Ryker is a massive man who is incredibly proud of his size. He stands well over six-feet tall and is built like the mountains that he loves so much. While most see him as an imposing giant among men, Ryker is incredibly kind and it shows in the way that he carries himself. He is constantly grinning from ear to ear and it takes very little to make him laugh. He is ruggedly built and ruggedly adorned from the way that his beard frames his square jawline to the way that his hair spills back over his head completely unchecked. His skin is tan and weathered from years spent beneath the sun and travelling the world.
Ryker has spent a great deal of time sculpting himself and still adheres to a strict regimen in order to maintain his physique, as well as a diet that consumes more than enough calories to feed three men. He is constantly consuming and taking things in, be it good times or good food. For this reason, he has a healthy appetite for life and is, in general, quite healthy, himself. It is easy to see that he is a man of the wilderness and he sticks out like a sore thumb in most places. Yet, his very presence has the ability to fill a room. He is dynamic and eye-catching and quite flashy in regard to how he carries himself. He relishes the chance to flex his muscles, show off his strength or rip a t-shirt, or two, whenever the opportunity presents itself. One really can’t help but look at Ryker and feel some infectious energy to smile the way that he does. There is a freedom in the way that he carries himself and it comes from the confidence in his stride and the level of ego that he purely embodies.
Barrett’s posture is upright and promotes his chest, at all times. One would never find this man’s shoulders slumped or his head down. He has a broad chest, thick arms like that of small tree trunks, a slender waistline and strong legs. His frame is a bit triangular, in that manner, as his upper body seems to have taken priority over the rest of his workout routine. Ryker truly is a goliath of a man, but it could be argued that he has an even bigger personality.
{Personality} Personality: Barrett Ryker is an absolute force for optimism and seeing the joy in life. He is a man bearing a mighty grin and a heart brimming with fire that could break through even the coldest winter nights. He is a man that believes life should be lived to the fullest, because it is guaranteed to no one and is worth the living. By all rights, he is a simple man with simple wisdom and is most certainly the brawns-over-brains type of individual. He doesn’t really understand complex problems or situations and tends to boil everything down to a matter of effort. Have a problem? It’s best to smash through them! Show the world your grit! Flex your arms, put your shoulders back and show your heart! Confidence is key in his world and his respect is earned through displaying such admirable, manly qualities.
For, indeed, that is the greatest attribute a man can have is masculinity. He doesn’t understand why a man would want to don a lab coat, slipping their frail, twig-like arms through long sleeves and dilly about in a lab. He also doesn’t understand why people would want to read about the world in books when they could simply go out and experience it for themselves. Truthfully, Ryker is barely literate, but it’s not as if he’d let that stop him! Everyone has their strengths and he’d just as soon as put his arm around the neck of someone who did know how to read and drag them over to explain what the words on the pages meant. There is absolutely no shame in him and he is quite unapologetically himself. After all, the only thing a person should love more than life is themselves!
Ryker believes that the body is akin to a temple or a statue. It should be crafted and chiseled and given only the best! A person’s health is key to happiness, so they should pay attention to what is going on with it. If someone’s mood is off, the first thing they should look to is their stomach! It’s hard to be sad when you have a nice, juicy steak put in front of you! There really is no better person to have around to cheer a person or a room up than Barrett Ryker. He is completely unflappable and would grin at his best friend’s funeral. That isn’t to say that he doesn’t recognize sadness. He does! Happiness couldn’t exist without sadness, but sadness has its own set of muscles. It’s a strong emotion and so one’s happiness just needs to be stronger, is all! A grin is like a punch to the face of sadness and laughter is the antidote to misery.
Ryker is an extremely forgiving person, though some might say his tolerance for wrong-doing borders on naivety. He just doesn’t believe that people are innately bad, and that everyone has value. Some things and some people just have more value than others. A weak man doesn’t have as much value as a strong man, but that doesn’t mean that a weak man can’t become strong! They just have to put in effort and want to change themselves for the better. A person who laughs at their troubles has more value than someone who gets plagued with anxiety and sadness, but that doesn’t mean an anxious person can’t learn to laugh through their struggles! They just need someone to show them how and they can follow by example. In the end, that’s what Ryker’s mission in life is! He wants to best life and put it in the world’s strongest headlock. Life continually tries to beat down those trying to live it, but Barrett hails from Melka. Melkan people are strong and resilient! They know better than anyone how to survive struggles and hardships!
That isn’t to say, however, that certain things don’t get under Barrett’s skin. He has his principles, and chief among them is to never intentionally harm anyone. Accidents happen, he gets that. He’s gotten excited before and gave someone a slap on the back that knocked the wind out of them a little. That’s a lot different than hurting people for gratification. Barrett has absolutely no tolerance for it and all of the strength and fury that is capable of being housed in a man of his size is brought to bear against anyone who traffics in misery. This also includes those who abuse Pokémon, who are innocent in this world. They are as natural a thing as the mountains, the grass or the sea. They should be loved because they bring beauty to this world no different than how a sunset does when cast against the horizon.
Barrett, likewise, doesn’t believe that there are bad Pokémon. Only people who do bad things and teach them bad ways. If a Pokémon, in its natural state, is violent or dangerous, it is likely because it must be. It knows no other way, and it should be up to strong, good people like himself to teach them a different manner of existence. The same is true for people! If someone needs an attitude adjustment, it can be counted on that Barrett will take it upon himself to teach them a lesson or two before he moves on to the next great adventure!
Ryker has a restless soul that craves new things. He dislikes staying in any one place for too long, as there could be so much life that he is missing, elsewhere. The longest he’d ever kept roots anywhere was Melka Village and, because he has so many fond memories and well-loved people from there, Ryker would consider it his home. The truth is, though, that he doesn’t really belong anywhere. He is a free man, enjoying his freedom. He is loving life, loving the person that he is, and righting what he sees as wrong wherever he goes. That, after all, is what a strong man ought to do. Barrett Ryker is, most certainly, a man strong of body and of spirit.
|
{History} History:
Barrett Ryker doesn't possess the greatest of long-term memories, so much of where he comes from is only gleaned through spotty references and flippant remembrances that he feels has very little impact on who he is as a man. What he does remember is Arkeido on the continent of Murus and that he was born there. Given the state of poverty and the wealth of crime that has polluted Arkeido, Ryker isn't surprised that he doesn't have family that he can recall. Most certainly, he had to have a father and mother, at some point in his life, but that is all rather unimportant, isn't it? Even if he had family, Ryker's answer as a young teenager would've remained the same. He wanted out. He wanted to explore the world and find somewhere nicer to be.
His early years as a street urchin made him quite adept at fending for himself and sniffing out an opportunity. No one was there to help him and give him a hand up, so Barrett learned how to pick himself up. He had to be useful if he was going to work on someone's farm, help out loading and unloading trucks at some warehouse or other. Ryker was taught that, if he couldn't keep up, he couldn't eat. The work was all manual, requiring a strong body and the grit to not complain. If he complained, he didn't eat. No one wants to hire someone with a piss poor attitude when, all things considered, they were doing him a favor by even letting him work. He was just a ratty teenager, after all. There were plenty of men bigger, stronger and more experienced than him to get the job done. If anything was integral to the development of his current lifestyle, then it was those harsh lessons from his childhood. They were good lessons, though. They made him strong and they made him appreciate what he had. It taught him the value of hard work and how to be independent.
Most people in Arkeido, to Barrett's memory, had a lot to complain about. He could never really understand why, but, perhaps, they had their reasons? To him, eating was better than not eating. Having a bed to fall into was better than sleeping on the ground. Getting a bit of money to but a new set of clothes was better than not having anything, at all. Even just getting to meet new people, regardless of how unpleasant they were, was better than having no one around. Ryker eventually discovered that there just wasn't enough work with enough pay to sustain him in Arkeido. The more energy he spent exercising his body, getting stronger, working more, moving barrels here, doing construction there, the more that he had to eat. Most of his money, actually went to food, and he found that he couldn't save for anything else.
Ryker frequently worked for a contractor named Lloyd Newman. As a regular at the man's various job sites, Lloyd saw a lot of the twenty-year-old version of Barrett. He was energetic, always smiling, joking, and made a great bit of entertainment to have a drink with at the end of a long day. Ryker was a rare talent and someone that was good to have on the crew. Lloyd purposefully kept Ryker on as nothing more than a temporary or seasonal employee, because to bring him on full-time would have meant that he'd have to pay him more. It also meant that he wouldn't be able to threaten the rest of his crew about how they needed to keep up, or Ryker would be taking their job. When Ryker was around, the crew worked harder. Lloyd always promised him a place, full-time. It just never happened. Barrett wasn't an educated individual who understood nuance enough to realize that Newman was just simply lying to him. There was always a reason, whether by the piss poor state of the economy, government regulations keeping him from hiring more people on, or that it'd just be "soon" that Barrett would finally be able to make the sort of money that he wanted.
Then Newman's company got bought out by a company that the Arkeidoan regime favored more. On the last day, Lloyd handed over just a portion of the money that he'd been withholding from Ryker and wished him the best. Barrett thought it was an amazing gift and used that money to get him off of Murus. He came to Godai to see what the rest of the world had to offer. For four years, he traveled the region and lived in rather similar circumstances, though he would say that the conditions were vastly improved. There was a great deal more work to be had, the people were kinder and there was a great many wonderful things to see from great skyscrapers to cozy little villages. Barrett wanted to see all that Godai was and stand on the sheerest mountaintops and breathe the air.
His journey was clipped short, however. He'd heard of the fabled Laughing Summits and, really, that just seemed quite perfect for him. After all, Barrett loved to laugh! It was also a summit! In short order, he'd made his way there in the heart of a frozen winter. Many factors played against the young vagrant. From his arrogance to his lacking intellect, it was just quite simple that he was unprepared for the sort of freeze that occurred around Melka Village during that time of year. As much as he wanted to trudge through, brave the elements and see the horizon from that wonderful vantage, his body surrendered long before his spirit did. Ryker collapsed in the snow and later woke in a comfortable cabin.
He'd been saved by a logger named Gregory Castor. It was a debt that Barrett was quite convinced he could never repay, but he most certainly intended to. Despite Castor's many attempts to dissuade Ryker, that there was no debt incurred and that it would be just as well if he wanted to get up and be on his way, Ryker stayed. He accepted no money for his work, and only took a bed and food for himself. Gregory was getting on in years, and his ability to heft an ax had diminished overtime. He was no longer able to produce the wood that he once was, which was crucial for the benefit of Melka's community. Wood that would burn in hearths during the next winter and logs for repairs on cabins were essential commodities. Ryker took it upon himself to do the work that Castor wasn't able to. At first, there was some difficulties in the adjustment. Gregory wasn't used to being out of work and Ryker needed time under his apprenticeship to learn to be an effective woodsman. Eventually, the two fell into their roles and everyone was the better for it.
Melka eventually came to know the Red Bear named Ryker who was as strong as he was kind. As the village embraced him, so too did Ryker embrace them in return and his nomadic tendencies settled for little over a decade. Gregory gifted Ryker a Pokémon companion on the eve of his thirtieth birthday-- a Machop that was quite capable of splitting wood with his fists. Barrett was overjoyed and found the little muscle-bound Pokémon to be the best thing he could have hoped for! Ryker named him Guts and the two made quite the entertaining duo. Between racing for who could split more firewood in a single day, flexing contests, foot races, rock climbing in the mountains northwest of Melka and other such physical feats, they were absolutely made for one another.
Barrett's presence in Melka was met quite warmly, as he was a man dedicated to work for the benefit of the community. When a roof needed thatching, logs needed carrying or unloading and repairs done on houses, it could be certain that Ryker and Guts were on hand to see the work done. For a man who never had belonging in his life, this was as close as he'd come to family. Despite the warm comforts, the friendships and the spirit that Melka Village offered, Barrett's soul was a restless one. Ten years spent was quite a long time to be putting roots anywhere, and he left Melka the day after Gregory's death. An avid drinker, smoker and a man whose hard labor was his source of income, Gregory's health wasn't the best. He was taken in the night after a bout of pneumonia. Barrett does not regret Gregory and is not disheartened by his passing. Whenever Barrett finds himself at a bar, he'll always order two drinks and set one down next to him out of courtesy for old Castor. Then, considering that the man was just babying his drink, Ryker would eventually finish it, himself. No sense in letting good alcohol go to waste!
It is back to the road for Barrett. There are new adventures to be found and, if luck holds, a new place to belong, if only for a while.
|
|
|
|
Post by mcdoogles on Mar 8, 2019 13:56:43 GMT -8
Trainer Profile~*Taiyo Tatsuya*~Hometown | Trainer Class | Nickname | Gender | Age | Height | Weight | Scurarte Town | Ranger | Tai; Yo-Yo | Male | Thirty-eight | 6'1" | 174 lbs. |
Personal Style Hair Color & Style: If personal health and care matter deeply to Taiyo, it shows in his hair. Long and silken strands shine softly with care, a natural slight bounce and wave to them only help to accentuate this as murkrow-black locks fall easily to his waist if not slightly lower when let loose and free. Though it has been trimmed on occasion to keep from gathering split ends, his hair has otherwise been untouched by any instrument of cutting, cleansed with simple but effective products to maintain it's smooth texture, flowing like water down his spine, easily drifting with every breath of wind, and soft to the touch.
Thick and always well brushed, in the back it is usually gathered only into a high ponytail with a ribbon-cloth, though when pressed for time Taiyo will gather it back in a quick and loose low one with one of black hair-ties that he always keeps on hand. Braids will sometimes also gather his hair, though unless any formal or important occasion calls for it he usually will not bother styling it any further then thus, often letting locks drift free and fall past on either side of his visage and bangs sweep across his features, his natural part on the left and his right eye sometimes partially hidden beneath dark hair when he doesn't bother to brush it aside, though he isn't afraid to pin it back when he feels it is too much of a bother or when the wind ruffles it and blows it past too much.
Eyes: Steely grey-green irises are set with narrow almond-shaped eyes, seemingly half-lidded or squinted slightly even in their natural resting state and slanted inwards towards the low sloping bridge of Taiyo's nose. Sharp and seemingly always crystal clear and focused intently on whatever they look at, the color of his gaze tends to flash as he glances around, a seeming instinct making him always examine his surroundings or a new person quickly upon introduction, and habitually he seems to scan his environment every so often even when familiar or comfortable with it, seemingly always alert and prepared, always taking in the details and storing away mental notes of everything he sees.
Taiyo has been told his eyes are beautiful but inscrutable. Up close a faint ring of darker and vivid green rings his pupil, and the slant of his gaze is further accentuated by long midnight lashes and the high set of his cheekbones mirrored by the thin and naturally finely shaped curve of his brows. Bright and vividly in the moment, there is a certain presence to them, and their color, upon further study, like a storm over the grasslands, yet so hard to reach. It is not quite that his gaze is cold that makes them difficult to read, though certainly they are capable of such, tending to fix and hold the gaze of another directly and fixedly, like the unwavering points of daggers, but in light conversation or pleasant times they can be quite warm as well. Yet even when friendly, they are never open, never inviting, and it's difficult if not impossible it seems to tell what he's thinking, what he's feeling, looking into those shuttered windows.
Clothing/Accessories: Despite taking painstaking care to his health and body, Taiyo will quickly show in his manner of dress that how he looks is of minimal actual concern or care to him. No tool of makeup has ever touched his skin, and he remains yet unmarked by piercing or ink of any kind or in any place, his adornments kept minimal or gone without all together. No matter the season one will find Taiyo dresses utilitarian, choosing simple but effective clothing rather then care about any sort of nonsense social construct like fashion or style. He seeks really only to find what will assist him most in his life and business, his clothing generally of dull colors (nearly always the browns and greens of the forest with only the occasional greyed blue or muddied red) or blacks and greys that don't stand to attract the eye in the wilderness as much and tough woven cloth, perhaps rough and not particularly pleasing to the touch or eye but far better at resisting the elements or wear and tear from an active life that often takes him outside the comforts of city limits.
In following with this, one will find that Taiyo's apparel almost always is easy to move around in as well. In any climate he keeps to pants, uniform or otherwise cargo with pockets to store away important items and leave them within reach, and long enough to protect his legs whilst remaining loose enough to allow freedom of movement and not overheat him. Leather hiking books, long broken in and worn, mold comfortably to his feet and bear the marks of use in their scuffed laces and permanently creased bends, their polished black almost always dulled by dirt, mud, and the remnants of plants that were crushed underfoot. Gloves in softer leather share much the same story, a once rich dark brown now bleached by the sun and stained by dirt, nearly always covering his hands. Leather belts cinch above his waist with the trappings of any trainer, loops for pokeballs and pouched for further item storage, and a water-skin for when he travels beyond easy sources of water, though he keeps also a steel bottle as backup. A scuffed and sometimes rather shapeless soft leather bag hangs over one shoulder and across his chest and back to hold what couldn't fit in a pouch or pocket behind him, cutting diagonally across his back and hugging close to his body to keep from interfering too much with any movement.
In the seasons of warmth, there is rarely much more to it beyond that. A slim sleeveless shirt will generally grace the upper half of his body, generally either tight to his form or at least leaving little extra room, and rarely Taiyo might don a rice hat if out in the open where the sun might dazzle his eyes too much to be efficient. In the seasons of cold Taiyo will double and redouble his layers, often adding sweat-pants underneath his normal attire and switching to long sleeves exclusively, shifting to thicker cloth, then sweaters and turtlenecks, and then adding atop jackets or coats of rough sturdy fabric and bulk. High collars, thick cuffs, and often more pockets are what he aims for, and heavy scarfs will quickly come to adorn his neck, usually infinity ones to avoid trailing arms, though he tends to avoid hoods, opting instead for more layers and if necessary, muffs and beanies.
General Appearance: Of decided strong Mezaotoan descent, Taiyo has many of the notable traits, giving him an odd contrast between the appearance of one seemingly hardened by the wilderness and well accustomed with the worst of weathering and the elements, and one of good blood and fine elegant features. Naturally his skin is a tan with warm undertones, this is only furthered accentuated by the kiss of the sun darkening him a few shades further. With the slant of his eyes comes also the slight narrow of their lids and crinkle at the edge of almond shaped curves. Dark brows are thick and stern, often creased slightly together in a seeming natural expression of annoyance or concentration. A soft sloping bridge leads to a pointed and slightly small nose. Underneath, lips are a paler tan blushed with pink, thin but filled with a curve for what is there. High bronzed cheekbones and brows show the sharp structure of the skull underneath, the edge of his jaw that would further this obscured by rough facial hair. Kept trimmed neat and close, it covers still an entire outline of his mandible, starting at the base of his jaw and tracing a line along the slant to his chin, a neat tinned mustache curving down but not meeting with this close cropped beard. Ever so slightly squared off ears hug close to his head and curve only outwards at their arch, and they, as well as all of his skin, remain unmarked by piercing.
Furthermore, Taiyo's bronzed skin is rough, glowing with health, but long exposed to the elements and far too familiar with being out in the wilderness for years on end now. Tough and thick now, numerous small scars mark it, arms and hands especially bearing numerous pink and silvery lines mostly long faded over and almost entirely healed, though they also mark the rest of his skin too. Common signs of anyone who spends much time among pokemon and the wilds though none are particularly notable, just a few slightly more poignant about the backsides of his hands.
Another common sign of one used to being outdoors much beyond his scars and the tan of his thick hide, is Taiyo's overall build. While perhaps not particularly notable in the size of his frame, standing five and eight by feet and inches, he marks the taller side but not by any impressive or worthwhile amount. Nor is he particularly hulking, his bone structure more towards long limbs and a lean, but overall rather average, making. What helps this though is the muscle built on, hard packed well toned. While not particularly built onto or packed in, for certainly he is no body builder or weight-lifter, an even spread of definition is also not subtle or minor, clearly indicating an active and hard-lifestyle that is more then accustomed to long hours of hiking. Firm thighs and calves are no strangers to running, and while more of an athlete then a strong-man, he is not to be underestimated in any manner, still quite in shape and slow to tire from anything.
This diligent form and maintenance of his physical conditioning and shape perhaps also shows in Taiyo's mannerisms. Comfortable in his own body, he doesn't use a lot of excess movements, tending to speak little and offer little in terms of body-language beyond professionalism and distance focused more on work or other matters then conversations and people. But he moves with a certain precision and grace, his steps sure and firm, his balance centered and his awareness keen. He knows exactly where each part of himself is and how he is moving, and he bears no shame or doubt of his body, at home with himself and familiar with every physical part as he is with every mental part. Even speaking, his stone is steady and even, controlled, and naturally tending to be always serious but also always very calm and firm in his own assurance of what he intends to say. He may not be very expressive, but his smiles, if often on the thin side, are soft, and his scowls rarely more then a common creasing of brows met by a downward turn of lips, the latter seeming to speak far more then the physical look holds alone. Even his blinks are infrequent, but often slow, almost concentrated, as though every action were thoughtfully conducted.
{Personality} Personality: Taiyo is a man of constant, if steady and paced, self-improvement. He takes in life at his own pace largely, and is content with that, leaving ambition to the foolish and bravado to the rash. Most if not all things in life, can be accomplished with time, hard-work, and patience is his belief. While certainly he does not physically move any slower, nor fail to make the snap decisions in moments of absolute need, when the matter before him or the goals ahead do not demand immediate instinctual action, he will consider it carefully instead. To stifle a candle too much is to watch it dwindle and snuff largely unused, but there is little point also in attempting to burn both ends when one will provide plenty of light, beyond merely to shorten the time it remains there. Instead Taiyo would chose to take his life steadily, using it to it's maximum to achieve as much as possible, and yet do it as well as possible, preferring that he might do all that he can as well as he can then to take bigger bites then he can chew and instead have only to look back on unfinished works, failed ventures, and ill-planned events.
This sort of view on how Taiyo believes his life should be lived has led him to be self-reflective and self-aware. While he was never one to tempt fate and race through his own mortality, what martial arts, ninja training, and long years of study and schooling have not already tempered, now age and maturity have helped forge and finish. Confident and assured, Taiyo knows exactly what he is capable of and how far he can go, and doesn't fear or hesitate to use all his abilities in the reaching of an objective, be it a long-term goal or a short-term action. He holds no regrets and no trepidation within himself, at ease with who he is and what he has done in the whole, both his moments of triumph and his moments of failure or shame. Indeed his confidence stems not only from his awareness of his strengths, but of his weaknesses as well, a matter that to him is almost more critical. His limits, his flaws, and his short-comings are all things he is acutely aware of, things he makes sure he is aware of, and that he takes in full, owning up to where he falls short.
This objective view does not limit itself to Taiyo either, and while he is no great reader of others intentions or means, he is perceptive in his own way. A calm mind and demeanor aide itself towards picking out and defining the strengths and weaknesses of those around him, especially in relation to work and potential in the field, person or pokemon. While lacking perhaps the glowing charisma of a leader, Taiyo knows how to best to try and utilize the stronger aspects of those around him, a strategic mind having in the past proved very effective towards planning both his actions as well as the battles of pokemon and the coordination of people within a group.
If asked, this would be Taiyo's greatest strength to himself. His intelligence, sense of control, and more then that, his steady unflinching reason and logic. He has both the resolve needed to keep himself from rushing into things and the clear mind that can examine and pick apart situations. Which is not to say that Taiyo is a cold and machine-like man either, far more comfortable and accustomed to the warmth and wilds of nature then the mechanical minds of computers and exact dimensions of man-made devices and structures. He may not be very emotional, but he is not an isolated man either, simply one who is as comfortable being alone as with others and one who prizes work and efficiency over the easy or ignorant route.
One may never see more then a faint smile or hear more then a faint laugh from Taiyo, but certainly those at least he offers freely and in good nature. Raised with some formality, he is polite and respectful, even in casual settings, and has a grace about him of good manners that seem to come naturally. He doesn't particularly make any strong efforts at making friends, but certainly never tries to repel them either, making of each situation exactly what it feels like to him, extending good will when appropriate or when offered it first, and keeping only to a steady wariness when met instead with more heavy or less open greeting. He's direct in his ways, focusing less on casual manners and side things then getting straight to the point, and while he'll go through formalities with others, in conversation and in action both he tends to cut straight to the point most times. When he is most content is when nothing is expected of him but simply to accomplish his current job or goal, and when others are amiable to the same cause without distractions.
In this manner Taiyo is an honest man, finding little time or reason for lies when so often they only make the situation longer and more complicated. Something of an older relic of respect lingers about him, a formality that tends to prelude his actions and a bluntness that doesn't hide or attempt to diminish what is real. To this end in fact, he would rather be blunt then sugar coat things, and if his honesty is a virtue in some manners, it is just as easily a flaw, hiding nothing, even among those he carries respect and friendship towards. He may not volunteer up secrets, but if it comes to the line he won't cover for another's bluff. If anything, he has a particular knack for spotting when others are being less then truthful, and while he respects their right to speak what they will, he is a hard man to con and an unforgiving one to those would would try to feed him falsehoods.
Taiyo's right to personal will extends to all things really though, not just lies and truth. An independent man himself, for his stern nature he is tolerant and respectful in almost all ways to the rights and space of each individual person. Everyone is different, to expect them all to fall into an ideal would be foolish and stupid after all. His time is far better spent accepting and working with it then trying to work around or force the issue in his opinion. But to that end, while his job and life may both be ones that often interfere with others in means to benefit them, Taiyo will not help those who won't help themselves either. If his strength is finding the virtues of others and trying to use it, he finds it poorly put to use attempting to bring out the best in those who simply do not want to try. He is patient, yes, but will not pursue with his effort working with those who believe themselves so incapable they will not try, and while he can seem to bear high standards, in the end he expects only effort and to work from that.
For all that Taiyo will let go though, he is not a man to forget. Forgiving, even in the smallest of manners, is a rare act for him. Be it those close to him or enemies, be it a breach of trust or simply an act of bad character, he remembers what has been done, and though he acknowledges people change, he lives by caution first. Even a redeemed man should be acknowledged for what he has been redeemed from, if perhaps no longer held by that alone. And once someone has proved weak to him once, there is always a silent expectation that they might again, his person being one that knows how often humans and pokemon both are ritual to old habits.
If Taiyo were to define his greatness weakness, it would be the very independence he also prides himself on. Where he knows how to live on his own and needs no help or comfort of others to get by, he also often refuses to do so even when it might be to his advantage. In conversation he lacks tact, in social circumstances he does not aim to make friends or contacts, and when in dire situations, he is reluctant to ask upon others. He is not a man to give his trust easily, even to his own pokemon, though he willing to give them the confidence in their abilities in their own battles, he does not ask them to fight his battles. Knowing his strengths and limitations doesn't always stop him from pushing them either, especially when he is not at his fullest. Patient though he may be, being put out of commission or suffering through sickness and injury tend to agitate him. And if he should always look before he leaps and takes the quickest way across, often he will miss opportunities that boldness and a sense of adventure could get him. A lack of ambition may be partially rectified by a need for self-improvement, but the need to be better is not quite met in the same way as it could with a more passionate spirit.
But perhaps to Taiyo, those are acceptable faults. In the end he doesn't ask nor want for much anyways. A confident chef, woodsman, and ninja, he knows how to care for himself, survive, and defend himself all. It shows in the way he acts too, he tends to keep to himself, yet not out of any sense of isolation or anti-social inclination but rather one comfortable enough in solitude not to seek anything else. He likes quiet, order, and nature, enjoying life for it's subtle things and preferring what is made by the earth's hands and his own to that which is made by machines and in factories. Rather then favor big surprises and gambling risks, he would rather have small but sure things. He appreciates subtle but complex flavors, being able to have fresh brewed tea after waking, peaceful nights under the trees, and calm cool weather. If anything, the more something has to do with people or the more complex the issue or thing is, the less he favors it, detesting the modernization and big changes of the cities, especially the changes of Kotoba. The perceptive eye will even notice a certain agitation about his person when stuck indoors or within big cities, especially those of more modern flavors and concrete or steel structures. His normal mannerisms become more active, and he starts to talk with his hands, fidget with things, and take to pacing slightly until he can get out among the breeze and the wilds again. Even gadgetry and tech tend to annoy him, for their frivolous use by especially the younger generation if nothing else, and while he will make calls with no hesitation, he rarely bothers with things like the internet or holograms, and detests even using gear to make pokemon training more convenient, learning his pokemon instead by personal experience and time to keep from relying too much on impersonal data that tells him so little of what the flesh and blood, the mind and spirit, hold within.
|
{History} History:
The first born child in his family, Taiyo was a healthy and strong boy from the start, a pride to any family and promising of good omens and fortunes, his mother's labor long but without complications, and his first cries loud and clear. He was named after the sun, a glowing golden child with a bright prospective future ahead of him. Gentle and wearied by her pregnancy, his mother, Misaki, would stay in the hospital for several more days before coming home, and even after returning home, Katashi, his father, would often take time off of work to help tend to both her and Taiyo, but Taiyo was well doted on in those years, and he was a blessedly easy to take care of child, often calming or quieting when he was fussy simply by his mother's embrace.
Growing up, Taiyo would know a loving but strict household, held to high standards and stark expectations, but well cared for none the less. His father was a manager at a formidable textile industry business in Kotaba, and a hard working man for seemingly his whole life without break of childish rebellion or young foolishness if one believe his accounting. He even held still in his possession accolades of academic and physical prowess from a youth of martial arts and prestigious schooling. A hard-nosed attitude would carry from his work and personal mannerisms to his expectations of his son. Or rather his sons. Taiyo would be a child of only one year when his brother was born, and once more his moth would be hopsital bedded and then house bedded for a few months while a hired nanny helped care for him when his father's business called him away, but his first sibling would also be born with minimal complications. Smaller slightly, but still a healthy male child, he would be named Yuji, courageous second son.
The two would be quite close growing up, with an age difference that was slight at best, especially by the time they were old enough to really care or understand any of the world. Taiyo and Yuji would almost immediately be put under their father's demanding expectations of excellence from the age they could walk and talk. A well off family who lived in rather sparse and spartan comfort despite the affluence of their father, this meant largely for the boys, that they were immediately given private instructors and classes, starting their schooling before primary school would have even begun for most, and with their father arranging for their private home schooling to serve as their primary schooling even after. From more basic tutelage like classes in penmanship, mathematics, English, and Mezatoan, to martial arts, kendo, and dance. It was tiring in some ways, but knowing nothing else but this, Taiyo and Yuji both adjusted, Taiyo driven by accomplishing each goal set before him and being able to take pride in his own growth and improvement, and Yuji by a competitive sense and trying to make their father proud, always spurred on by Taiyo's dedication and achievements.
Indeed, there was some favoritism at times towards Tiayo, being the first born and often the slightly more skilled of the two, but both made Katashi proud. Their father only ever came around on weekends and the exceedingly rare holidays he was allowed, often in Kotaba working for days on end, yet he seemed to always be the driving force in their lives, his authoritative manner both their greatest fear when he watched them or took in their reports, and their greatest pleasure when they managed to wrestle approval from him. And with their mother living within the home—a house-wife who was blessed by having no work other then to care for the brothers and make beautiful hand-sewn kimonos and craft delicate pottery to sell—they always had the support and gentler love of a reassuring mother figure. When lessons were tiring or frustrations arose, she was always there, gentle and soft-spoken, but kind and patient.
When Taiyo was twelve, he would gain his first, and only, sister. An early birth, there was complications, and in the end, a c-section had to be done on his mother. She was underweight and pale at first, and quiet, but she would recover well with some time and medical care. Tsuki his parents would name her, after the gentle moon. And between their tutoring, Taiyo and Yuji would help take care of their new sister, especially while their mother was sickly and recovering. At first it was duty, but then it would turn to genuine affection and love. Yuji especially was close to her, playing with her and carrying her around, seeming to always want to chatter to his sister even before she understood what they were saying, but Taiyo was always best at dealing with her when she was fussing, whether it was being swift in changing, skilled in burping, or simply observant and patient enough to piece things together or calm her down. It was a chore to care for her, but as the eldest and her older brother, he saw it as his duty to always be there for her and help her be the best she could be. And while that started as just a statement perhaps, it became a true feeling with time, less a question or a thought then simply an action. If she had started as a quiet baby, she was soon the noisiest of them all, a fussy child that grew healthy and fast but stubbornly proved difficult to care for sometimes. Her spirit was strong though, and Taiyo was proud of her for that, and Yuji amused if sometimes driven mad by it, their sister proving early on she was far from a runt.
When both Taiyo and Yuji were old enough, their father arranged for their secondary schooling to be in a private school. Given the size of Scurarte Town, such a thing was really a boarding school that attracted students from Kotaba to the smaller and slightly more remote area with small personal classes and instructors of high letters. It was a shift having to live at the school instead, but Taiyo and Yuji had each other, and home was always just a walk away. Yuji would adapt and make friends, but Taiyo often simply returned home when he could, or occupied his free time with other tasks, continuing his kendo into a competitive team, and taking the ninjutsu class when the new year started. His father pushed business and marketing onto him, and Yuji, expecting him to take over as heir, and as his duty was he took and excelled in those classes, however he found himself often uninterested. He was always glad to help when Yuji struggled, and he worked tirelessly to make sure he never failed his father, but he preferred the regimented duty of his more physical activity, and the quiet solitude of being alone or at the edge of town, breathing in the woods.
Tsuki perhaps further spurred Taiyo's conflict between his own personal goals and his fathers. A rebellious child, she found her home schooling difficult and boring, and often ran to her brothers to get away from it. She was a trouble maker, always slipping away from her tutors and lessons, finding them dull and oppressive. Their father didn't help matters much either, he was unforgiving and harsh towards her rebelliousness. Taiyo never would truly be able to grasp the relationship between the two, already living outside the house and rarely in the same place when both had extended interaction, but whether it was because she was the youngest, the girl, or simply because she refused to put in the work and dedication and resented being held to the standards of her brothers and fathers, the two fought often. It seemed she was always in trouble, and always working around it to be with the friends she made with the other kids in Town, the ones that ran barefoot in the streets and that picked pennies from the streets to save for splurging on candy. Dirty and poor, her father didn't approve of them one bit, and even went to the extremes of locking her within the house and demanding everyone else keep an eye on her while he was out.
Yuji was always the one to let her out in the end, though Taiyo would often keep her company and talk to her. Tsuki's rants were always bitter things, she was sour for being compared constantly to him, and being expected to hold to a standard. She wanted to be free, to find her own path. In a way, he cautioned her and reasoned with her, trying to convince her to the merits of duty and how reckless recreation led no where. In a way though, she troubled his own thinking, and inspired him. When eventually Taiyo and Yuji would finish secondary school, there was no question where they went, but when the brothers moved to Godai Central and began attending GSUC, Taiyo found himself looking, not at business, but at survival and forestry, pokemon and botany. He looked at the world around him instead, remembering the quiet woods of his home, and the half modernized mess that Kotaba had been turned into when he visited the nearby city. He looked into job options and paths for his future, and found the Rangers to be a calling that offered promise, placing him within the wilds and working to preserve it rather then among the polished skyscraper offices working against it.
In this time Taiyo would register as a Trainer, and take up side jobs on top of his school working in tutoring martial arts and kendo classes to support him. He had stopped competing upon moving, but the memory was fresh, and some were always interested, whether for self defense, sport, or simply the physicality of it. Perhaps the money was not needed at first, he had plenty of grants, and even if he did not, his father's fortune backed him, but there was no surprise when the latter was cut when his father heard of his plans for the future. Confronting Taiyo, his father would rant long about his duty as first born son to inherit his father's place in the company and carry on the line in the honorable and lucrative field of business instead of chasing around pokemon like "some discount trainer trying to pretend he's saving the woods."
Taiyo had decided though. Yuji was still dutifully taking up business, and he was not needed to support the family. The Rangers were a respectable organization, and heated words did not change his cool reasoning or decision making. He would rarely talk to his father after that and have no support anymore from the man, but it was, in the end, for the better. It was hard to place when the shift of duty from father to his self and the world at large had happened. The separation had always been great, but the idolization and sense of owed allegiance had drifted as independence took over and he had to live more and more on his own, and with this final cutting, Taiyo was free to pursue his own choices. He dedicated himself wholly towards his schooling, exchanging regular letters with his mother occasional letters with Tsuki, though those ones with his sister would become awkward and distant in tone as the years passed, and keeping company only with acquaintances and his brother, finding few people who really attracted him as friends enough to take from his time spent studying, working, or by himself. Yuji as well spoke less to him, not out of animosity, but simple as his brother found friends in the University, and even his first love.
Yuki also found his calling as a father apparently. Even as Taiyo adjusted to the new direction he had found in his pursuits, his brother and his love were with child. A young and swift love, they had been together only a year, he was still nineteen and she was only twenty. While she did not abort the children, this pregnancy would end up breaking their relationship apart, and Taiyo would be there to help his brother after his lover split from him and left him with children. Yuji would take a break from his schooling after his first year, their father helping him find a job anyways through connections as he supported himself as a single dad, and as the new uncle, Taiyo would visit and help when and where he could, taking swiftly to his brother's children as both love and duty towards them.
Yuji managed well though, and Taiyo would manage to graduate after a few years with a commendable degree that would get him swiftly inducted and hired as a Ranger. Immediately he returned to his home area, stationing at the center between Kagareta Woods and Skytouch Forest. He would be partnered with a rowlet at this time, and quickly found a home with the Rangers, having much time to himself and his work mostly taking him out in the woods, patrolling areas, helping lost trainers, dealing with wild pokemon incidents of concern or irregularity, and on occasion providing relief or preventing disasters. It was diligent and hard working labor, and while not rewarding, it offered him a steady consistent pace and a quiet goal amidst the wilderness to focus towards.
Only shortly after Taiyo was stationed he would learn that Tsuki had left home, registering with TIS as soon as she was old enough and leaving on her own to help them. He would worry about her, but come to the conclusion that it was her life to live, even as foolishly as she did trying to travel so young, but she was a teenager, and beyond his control. It was her free will. Yuji confided worries to him in calls and letters, and tried to go after her, but tied with his own kids, he wouldn't pursue her very far. After that though, the years would be peaceful for a time. Yuji would eventually finish his degree online and take a role directly under his father, and Taiyo would serve as a ranger, slowly gathering a team and pursuing his work in the woods. Their father would retire within a few months after a heart problem, and within a couple years die to the same heart problems. According to the doctors he had lived a stressful life, and had likely shortened his lifespan by some amount for the constant strain. Heart-broken, their mother would move a couple years later to a retirement home in Kotaba. It was trying times, but such things would have happened eventually, and Taiyo took it with only a brief mourning and a respectful remembrance, perhaps not loving his father, but honoring the man, and acknowledging he was no longer young and had met his time and lived well. Yuji grieved for quite a while, though Tsuki did not even show up for the funeral.
Tragically, it would come to pass that a few years later Yuji would die in an accident involving a fire in his office building that he would be trapped in. Taiyo and his aging mother would attend the funeral along with Yuji's children and many friends, and Tsuki resurfaced briefly, crying, but would leave with only heated bitter words snapped at Taiyo when he tried to talk to her, blaming him for many of the problems and soured over Yuji's death. With no one else fit enough to take care of the kids, both only ten yet, Taiyo would take a leave from the Rangers to care for them himself, and take up a job teaching martial arts and kendo again, working out his sorrow through keeping himself busy and trying to remember Yuji through actions.
At first Taiyo was distant. He loved his niece and nephew, and had known them since they were born, but with them stuck on the loss of their father, and him on his brother, the house was quiet and strained for a time. When finally Taiyo stopped spending every moment of his spare time trying to work or train or distance himself with any task he could find though, he finally attempted to embrace his role as pseudo father. It was awkward, with both sides sensing the missing gap, but his familiarity made it easier, and even if he would always just be "Uncle Ty" or "Uncle Yo-Yo," as his nephew jokingly referred to him as, he would become close to the children, and help them through their studies in secondary school and to find their calling in life.
Graduating from secondary school, Taiyo's niece, Sakiya, fascinated with plants and botany, would get a job as a florist in a small homey flower store in Kotaba, and Taiyo would give his Bellossom to her to keep her safe and be her companion, the grass type having always gotten along well with the girl and perhaps better served to be rewarded for her help in his path as a Ranger for so many years by a peaceful life. His nephew, Satoshi, on the other hand, would decide on the path of a trainer after eagerly taking classes on training, and would register with TIS to get a starter and support him while he set off with a lofty goal to conquer the gyms. With both adults now in their own right, Taiyo was finally freed again, and would become a Ranger again. The first year adjusting would be rough, and his rowlet, evolved into a Dartrix just a year before retiring to raise his brother's children would die to severe poisoning in an unfortunate event while trying to deal with an incident of the pokemon from Kagereta Woods infesting Kotaba and poisoning many of the city's pokemon or terrorizing the residents.
The following year would find Taiyo settling into the rhythm again, though his team was sparse. He had never prioritized catching pokemon, and had relied on their strength and experience instead, but with his team down to one again after the loss of two pokemon in one year, he found himself taking things cautiously and slow. Even at that, his only companion was older, a Staravia he had rescued with a broken wing over a decade ago already, and not young then either.
Taiyo would at least come to rescue a Salandit while visiting his brother's grave to give flowers for the anniversary of his passing. A young creature, likely from Kagereta Woods, it had managed to get itself tangled in a plastic bad and was malnourished, likely scavenging scraps from the residents of the city to get by. He would take it in, naming the undersized male Kichi, the lucky one, out of the hopes that the good omen of the day and the chance that had brought the little lizard to him would mean they were indeed a sign of good luck, for what little power a name might hold.
With another pokemon again, Taiyo, at last, would let his Staravia retire, giving him to a flying type breeder who had care to such older and more grizzled pokemon and would give him a good home. Kichi was under-trained still, and young, the fire type not quite well trained enough yet to consistently follow orders and with a tendency towards feral habits, but strong enough to handle himself against weaker pokemon. It was not an ideal spot, but with work Taiyo was confident he could make it work again, duty holding him to be a ranger no matter what, and not deterred by something as simple as bad circumstance when training and diligence could still serve him. As long as he was able to serve and do his job well he was a Ranger, in name, profession, and calling all.
|
[div align="center"][i][font face="times new roman" size="7"]Trainer Profile[/font][/i]
[img style="max-width:100%;" src="https://i.imgur.com/wordRSC.gif"]
[font size="7" face="times new roman"][i][font color="#779D52"]~*Taiyo Tatsuya*~[/font][/i][/font]
[table][tbody][tr][td align="center"][font face="times new roman"][i][font color="#779D52" size="3"]Hometown[/font][/i][/font][/td][td align="center"][font face="times new roman"][i][font color="#779D52" size="3"]Trainer Class[/font][/i][/font][/td][td align="center"][font face="times new roman"][i][font size="3" color="#779D52"]Nickname[/font][/i][/font][/td][td align="center"][font face="times new roman"][i][font size="3" color="#779D52"]Gender[/font][/i][/font][/td][td align="center"][font face="times new roman"][i][font size="3" color="#779D52"]Age[/font][/i][/font][/td][td align="center"][font face="times new roman"][i][font color="#779D52" size="3"]Height[/font][/i][/font][/td][td align="center"][font face="times new roman"][i][font size="3" color="#779D52"]Weight[/font][/i][/font][/td][/tr][tr][td align="center"]Scurarte Town[/td][td align="center"]Ranger[/td][td align="center"]Tai; Yo-Yo[/td][td align="center"]Male[/td][td align="center"]Thirty-eight[/td][td align="center"]6'1"[/td][td align="center"]174 lbs.[/td][/tr][/tbody][/table]
[hr]
[div align="center"][font face="times new roman"][i][font size="7"]Personal Style[/font][/i][/font][/div]
[div align="left"] [font color="#779D52"][b]Hair Color & Style:[/b][/font] If personal health and care matter deeply to Taiyo, it shows in his hair. Long and silken strands shine softly with care, a natural slight bounce and wave to them only help to accentuate this as murkrow-black locks fall easily to his waist if not slightly lower when let loose and free. Though it has been trimmed on occasion to keep from gathering split ends, his hair has otherwise been untouched by any instrument of cutting, cleansed with simple but effective products to maintain it's smooth texture, flowing like water down his spine, easily drifting with every breath of wind, and soft to the touch.
Thick and always well brushed, in the back it is usually gathered only into a high ponytail with a ribbon-cloth, though when pressed for time Taiyo will gather it back in a quick and loose low one with one of black hair-ties that he always keeps on hand. Braids will sometimes also gather his hair, though unless any formal or important occasion calls for it he usually will not bother styling it any further then thus, often letting locks drift free and fall past on either side of his visage and bangs sweep across his features, his natural part on the left and his right eye sometimes partially hidden beneath dark hair when he doesn't bother to brush it aside, though he isn't afraid to pin it back when he feels it is too much of a bother or when the wind ruffles it and blows it past too much.[/div][div align="left"][font color="#779D52"][b] [/b][/font][/div][div align="left"][font color="#779D52"][b]Eyes:[/b][/font] Steely grey-green irises are set with narrow almond-shaped eyes, seemingly half-lidded or squinted slightly even in their natural resting state and slanted inwards towards the low sloping bridge of Taiyo's nose. Sharp and seemingly always crystal clear and focused intently on whatever they look at, the color of his gaze tends to flash as he glances around, a seeming instinct making him always examine his surroundings or a new person quickly upon introduction, and habitually he seems to scan his environment every so often even when familiar or comfortable with it, seemingly always alert and prepared, always taking in the details and storing away mental notes of everything he sees.
Taiyo has been told his eyes are beautiful but inscrutable. Up close a faint ring of darker and vivid green rings his pupil, and the slant of his gaze is further accentuated by long midnight lashes and the high set of his cheekbones mirrored by the thin and naturally finely shaped curve of his brows. Bright and vividly in the moment, there is a certain presence to them, and their color, upon further study, like a storm over the grasslands, yet so hard to reach. It is not quite that his gaze is cold that makes them difficult to read, though certainly they are capable of such, tending to fix and hold the gaze of another directly and fixedly, like the unwavering points of daggers, but in light conversation or pleasant times they can be quite warm as well. Yet even when friendly, they are never open, never inviting, and it's difficult if not impossible it seems to tell what he's thinking, what he's feeling, looking into those shuttered windows.[/div][div align="left"] [/div][div align="left"] [div align="center"][table][tbody][tr][td][img style="max-width:100%;" src="https://i.imgur.com/ybC7i4N.gif"][/td][/tr][/tbody][/table][/div] [/div][div align="left"] [/div][div align="left"] [font color="#779D52"][b]Clothing/Accessories:[/b][/font] Despite taking painstaking care to his health and body, Taiyo will quickly show in his manner of dress that how he looks is of minimal actual concern or care to him. No tool of makeup has ever touched his skin, and he remains yet unmarked by piercing or ink of any kind or in any place, his adornments kept minimal or gone without all together. No matter the season one will find Taiyo dresses utilitarian, choosing simple but effective clothing rather then care about any sort of nonsense social construct like fashion or style. He seeks really only to find what will assist him most in his life and business, his clothing generally of dull colors (nearly always the browns and greens of the forest with only the occasional greyed blue or muddied red) or blacks and greys that don't stand to attract the eye in the wilderness as much and tough woven cloth, perhaps rough and not particularly pleasing to the touch or eye but far better at resisting the elements or wear and tear from an active life that often takes him outside the comforts of city limits.
In following with this, one will find that Taiyo's apparel almost always is easy to move around in as well. In any climate he keeps to pants, uniform or otherwise cargo with pockets to store away important items and leave them within reach, and long enough to protect his legs whilst remaining loose enough to allow freedom of movement and not overheat him. Leather hiking books, long broken in and worn, mold comfortably to his feet and bear the marks of use in their scuffed laces and permanently creased bends, their polished black almost always dulled by dirt, mud, and the remnants of plants that were crushed underfoot. Gloves in softer leather share much the same story, a once rich dark brown now bleached by the sun and stained by dirt, nearly always covering his hands. Leather belts cinch above his waist with the trappings of any trainer, loops for pokeballs and pouched for further item storage, and a water-skin for when he travels beyond easy sources of water, though he keeps also a steel bottle as backup. A scuffed and sometimes rather shapeless soft leather bag hangs over one shoulder and across his chest and back to hold what couldn't fit in a pouch or pocket behind him, cutting diagonally across his back and hugging close to his body to keep from interfering too much with any movement.
In the seasons of warmth, there is rarely much more to it beyond that. A slim sleeveless shirt will generally grace the upper half of his body, generally either tight to his form or at least leaving little extra room, and rarely Taiyo might don a rice hat if out in the open where the sun might dazzle his eyes too much to be efficient. In the seasons of cold Taiyo will double and redouble his layers, often adding sweat-pants underneath his normal attire and switching to long sleeves exclusively, shifting to thicker cloth, then sweaters and turtlenecks, and then adding atop jackets or coats of rough sturdy fabric and bulk. High collars, thick cuffs, and often more pockets are what he aims for, and heavy scarfs will quickly come to adorn his neck, usually infinity ones to avoid trailing arms, though he tends to avoid hoods, opting instead for more layers and if necessary, muffs and beanies. [/div]
[div align="center"][table][tbody][tr][td][img style="max-width:100%;" src="https://i.imgur.com/zckOkXq.gif"][/td][/tr][/tbody][/table][/div]
[div align="left"] [font color="#779D52"][b]General Appearance:[/b][/font] Of decided strong Mezaotoan descent, Taiyo has many of the notable traits, giving him an odd contrast between the appearance of one seemingly hardened by the wilderness and well accustomed with the worst of weathering and the elements, and one of good blood and fine elegant features. Naturally his skin is a tan with warm undertones, this is only furthered accentuated by the kiss of the sun darkening him a few shades further. With the slant of his eyes comes also the slight narrow of their lids and crinkle at the edge of almond shaped curves. Dark brows are thick and stern, often creased slightly together in a seeming natural expression of annoyance or concentration. A soft sloping bridge leads to a pointed and slightly small nose. Underneath, lips are a paler tan blushed with pink, thin but filled with a curve for what is there. High bronzed cheekbones and brows show the sharp structure of the skull underneath, the edge of his jaw that would further this obscured by rough facial hair. Kept trimmed neat and close, it covers still an entire outline of his mandible, starting at the base of his jaw and tracing a line along the slant to his chin, a neat tinned mustache curving down but not meeting with this close cropped beard. Ever so slightly squared off ears hug close to his head and curve only outwards at their arch, and they, as well as all of his skin, remain unmarked by piercing.
Furthermore, Taiyo's bronzed skin is rough, glowing with health, but long exposed to the elements and far too familiar with being out in the wilderness for years on end now. Tough and thick now, numerous small scars mark it, arms and hands especially bearing numerous pink and silvery lines mostly long faded over and almost entirely healed, though they also mark the rest of his skin too. Common signs of anyone who spends much time among pokemon and the wilds though none are particularly notable, just a few slightly more poignant about the backsides of his hands.
Another common sign of one used to being outdoors much beyond his scars and the tan of his thick hide, is Taiyo's overall build. While perhaps not particularly notable in the size of his frame, standing five and eight by feet and inches, he marks the taller side but not by any impressive or worthwhile amount. Nor is he particularly hulking, his bone structure more towards long limbs and a lean, but overall rather average, making. What helps this though is the muscle built on, hard packed well toned. While not particularly built onto or packed in, for certainly he is no body builder or weight-lifter, an even spread of definition is also not subtle or minor, clearly indicating an active and hard-lifestyle that is more then accustomed to long hours of hiking. Firm thighs and calves are no strangers to running, and while more of an athlete then a strong-man, he is not to be underestimated in any manner, still quite in shape and slow to tire from anything.
This diligent form and maintenance of his physical conditioning and shape perhaps also shows in Taiyo's mannerisms. Comfortable in his own body, he doesn't use a lot of excess movements, tending to speak little and offer little in terms of body-language beyond professionalism and distance focused more on work or other matters then conversations and people. But he moves with a certain precision and grace, his steps sure and firm, his balance centered and his awareness keen. He knows exactly where each part of himself is and how he is moving, and he bears no shame or doubt of his body, at home with himself and familiar with every physical part as he is with every mental part. Even speaking, his stone is steady and even, controlled, and naturally tending to be always serious but also always very calm and firm in his own assurance of what he intends to say. He may not be very expressive, but his smiles, if often on the thin side, are soft, and his scowls rarely more then a common creasing of brows met by a downward turn of lips, the latter seeming to speak far more then the physical look holds alone. Even his blinks are infrequent, but often slow, almost concentrated, as though every action were thoughtfully conducted.
[/div][/div][hr][div align="left"] [/div]
[table][tbody][tr][td][div align="left"][spoiler]{Personality} [font color="#779D52"][b]Personality:[/b][/font] Taiyo is a man of constant, if steady and paced, self-improvement. He takes in life at his own pace largely, and is content with that, leaving ambition to the foolish and bravado to the rash. Most if not all things in life, can be accomplished with time, hard-work, and patience is his belief. While certainly he does not physically move any slower, nor fail to make the snap decisions in moments of absolute need, when the matter before him or the goals ahead do not demand immediate instinctual action, he will consider it carefully instead. To stifle a candle too much is to watch it dwindle and snuff largely unused, but there is little point also in attempting to burn both ends when one will provide plenty of light, beyond merely to shorten the time it remains there. Instead Taiyo would chose to take his life steadily, using it to it's maximum to achieve as much as possible, and yet do it as well as possible, preferring that he might do all that he can as well as he can then to take bigger bites then he can chew and instead have only to look back on unfinished works, failed ventures, and ill-planned events.
This sort of view on how Taiyo believes his life should be lived has led him to be self-reflective and self-aware. While he was never one to tempt fate and race through his own mortality, what martial arts, ninja training, and long years of study and schooling have not already tempered, now age and maturity have helped forge and finish. Confident and assured, Taiyo knows exactly what he is capable of and how far he can go, and doesn't fear or hesitate to use all his abilities in the reaching of an objective, be it a long-term goal or a short-term action. He holds no regrets and no trepidation within himself, at ease with who he is and what he has done in the whole, both his moments of triumph and his moments of failure or shame. Indeed his confidence stems not only from his awareness of his strengths, but of his weaknesses as well, a matter that to him is almost more critical. His limits, his flaws, and his short-comings are all things he is acutely aware of, things he makes sure he is aware of, and that he takes in full, owning up to where he falls short.
This objective view does not limit itself to Taiyo either, and while he is no great reader of others intentions or means, he is perceptive in his own way. A calm mind and demeanor aide itself towards picking out and defining the strengths and weaknesses of those around him, especially in relation to work and potential in the field, person or pokemon. While lacking perhaps the glowing charisma of a leader, Taiyo knows how to best to try and utilize the stronger aspects of those around him, a strategic mind having in the past proved very effective towards planning both his actions as well as the battles of pokemon and the coordination of people within a group.
If asked, this would be Taiyo's greatest strength to himself. His intelligence, sense of control, and more then that, his steady unflinching reason and logic. He has both the resolve needed to keep himself from rushing into things and the clear mind that can examine and pick apart situations. Which is not to say that Taiyo is a cold and machine-like man either, far more comfortable and accustomed to the warmth and wilds of nature then the mechanical minds of computers and exact dimensions of man-made devices and structures. He may not be very emotional, but he is not an isolated man either, simply one who is as comfortable being alone as with others and one who prizes work and efficiency over the easy or ignorant route.
One may never see more then a faint smile or hear more then a faint laugh from Taiyo, but certainly those at least he offers freely and in good nature. Raised with some formality, he is polite and respectful, even in casual settings, and has a grace about him of good manners that seem to come naturally. He doesn't particularly make any strong efforts at making friends, but certainly never tries to repel them either, making of each situation exactly what it feels like to him, extending good will when appropriate or when offered it first, and keeping only to a steady wariness when met instead with more heavy or less open greeting. He's direct in his ways, focusing less on casual manners and side things then getting straight to the point, and while he'll go through formalities with others, in conversation and in action both he tends to cut straight to the point most times. When he is most content is when nothing is expected of him but simply to accomplish his current job or goal, and when others are amiable to the same cause without distractions.
In this manner Taiyo is an honest man, finding little time or reason for lies when so often they only make the situation longer and more complicated. Something of an older relic of respect lingers about him, a formality that tends to prelude his actions and a bluntness that doesn't hide or attempt to diminish what is real. To this end in fact, he would rather be blunt then sugar coat things, and if his honesty is a virtue in some manners, it is just as easily a flaw, hiding nothing, even among those he carries respect and friendship towards. He may not volunteer up secrets, but if it comes to the line he won't cover for another's bluff. If anything, he has a particular knack for spotting when others are being less then truthful, and while he respects their right to speak what they will, he is a hard man to con and an unforgiving one to those would would try to feed him falsehoods.
Taiyo's right to personal will extends to all things really though, not just lies and truth. An independent man himself, for his stern nature he is tolerant and respectful in almost all ways to the rights and space of each individual person. Everyone is different, to expect them all to fall into an ideal would be foolish and stupid after all. His time is far better spent accepting and working with it then trying to work around or force the issue in his opinion. But to that end, while his job and life may both be ones that often interfere with others in means to benefit them, Taiyo will not help those who won't help themselves either. If his strength is finding the virtues of others and trying to use it, he finds it poorly put to use attempting to bring out the best in those who simply do not want to try. He is patient, yes, but will not pursue with his effort working with those who believe themselves so incapable they will not try, and while he can seem to bear high standards, in the end he expects only effort and to work from that.
For all that Taiyo will let go though, he is not a man to forget. Forgiving, even in the smallest of manners, is a rare act for him. Be it those close to him or enemies, be it a breach of trust or simply an act of bad character, he remembers what has been done, and though he acknowledges people change, he lives by caution first. Even a redeemed man should be acknowledged for what he has been redeemed from, if perhaps no longer held by that alone. And once someone has proved weak to him once, there is always a silent expectation that they might again, his person being one that knows how often humans and pokemon both are ritual to old habits.
If Taiyo were to define his greatness weakness, it would be the very independence he also prides himself on. Where he knows how to live on his own and needs no help or comfort of others to get by, he also often refuses to do so even when it might be to his advantage. In conversation he lacks tact, in social circumstances he does not aim to make friends or contacts, and when in dire situations, he is reluctant to ask upon others. He is not a man to give his trust easily, even to his own pokemon, though he willing to give them the confidence in their abilities in their own battles, he does not ask them to fight his battles. Knowing his strengths and limitations doesn't always stop him from pushing them either, especially when he is not at his fullest. Patient though he may be, being put out of commission or suffering through sickness and injury tend to agitate him. And if he should always look before he leaps and takes the quickest way across, often he will miss opportunities that boldness and a sense of adventure could get him. A lack of ambition may be partially rectified by a need for self-improvement, but the need to be better is not quite met in the same way as it could with a more passionate spirit.
But perhaps to Taiyo, those are acceptable faults. In the end he doesn't ask nor want for much anyways. A confident chef, woodsman, and ninja, he knows how to care for himself, survive, and defend himself all. It shows in the way he acts too, he tends to keep to himself, yet not out of any sense of isolation or anti-social inclination but rather one comfortable enough in solitude not to seek anything else. He likes quiet, order, and nature, enjoying life for it's subtle things and preferring what is made by the earth's hands and his own to that which is made by machines and in factories. Rather then favor big surprises and gambling risks, he would rather have small but sure things. He appreciates subtle but complex flavors, being able to have fresh brewed tea after waking, peaceful nights under the trees, and calm cool weather. If anything, the more something has to do with people or the more complex the issue or thing is, the less he favors it, detesting the modernization and big changes of the cities, especially the changes of Kotoba. The perceptive eye will even notice a certain agitation about his person when stuck indoors or within big cities, especially those of more modern flavors and concrete or steel structures. His normal mannerisms become more active, and he starts to talk with his hands, fidget with things, and take to pacing slightly until he can get out among the breeze and the wilds again. Even gadgetry and tech tend to annoy him, for their frivolous use by especially the younger generation if nothing else, and while he will make calls with no hesitation, he rarely bothers with things like the internet or holograms, and detests even using gear to make pokemon training more convenient, learning his pokemon instead by personal experience and time to keep from relying too much on impersonal data that tells him so little of what the flesh and blood, the mind and spirit, hold within.
[/spoiler][/div][/td][/tr][/tbody][/table]
[table][tbody][tr][td][spoiler]{History} [font color="#779D52"][b]History:[/b][/font]
The first born child in his family, Taiyo was a healthy and strong boy from the start, a pride to any family and promising of good omens and fortunes, his mother's labor long but without complications, and his first cries loud and clear. He was named after the sun, a glowing golden child with a bright prospective future ahead of him. Gentle and wearied by her pregnancy, his mother, Misaki, would stay in the hospital for several more days before coming home, and even after returning home, Katashi, his father, would often take time off of work to help tend to both her and Taiyo, but Taiyo was well doted on in those years, and he was a blessedly easy to take care of child, often calming or quieting when he was fussy simply by his mother's embrace.
Growing up, Taiyo would know a loving but strict household, held to high standards and stark expectations, but well cared for none the less. His father was a manager at a formidable textile industry business in Kotaba, and a hard working man for seemingly his whole life without break of childish rebellion or young foolishness if one believe his accounting. He even held still in his possession accolades of academic and physical prowess from a youth of martial arts and prestigious schooling. A hard-nosed attitude would carry from his work and personal mannerisms to his expectations of his son. Or rather his sons. Taiyo would be a child of only one year when his brother was born, and once more his moth would be hopsital bedded and then house bedded for a few months while a hired nanny helped care for him when his father's business called him away, but his first sibling would also be born with minimal complications. Smaller slightly, but still a healthy male child, he would be named Yuji, courageous second son.
The two would be quite close growing up, with an age difference that was slight at best, especially by the time they were old enough to really care or understand any of the world. Taiyo and Yuji would almost immediately be put under their father's demanding expectations of excellence from the age they could walk and talk. A well off family who lived in rather sparse and spartan comfort despite the affluence of their father, this meant largely for the boys, that they were immediately given private instructors and classes, starting their schooling before primary school would have even begun for most, and with their father arranging for their private home schooling to serve as their primary schooling even after. From more basic tutelage like classes in penmanship, mathematics, English, and Mezatoan, to martial arts, kendo, and dance. It was tiring in some ways, but knowing nothing else but this, Taiyo and Yuji both adjusted, Taiyo driven by accomplishing each goal set before him and being able to take pride in his own growth and improvement, and Yuji by a competitive sense and trying to make their father proud, always spurred on by Taiyo's dedication and achievements.
Indeed, there was some favoritism at times towards Tiayo, being the first born and often the slightly more skilled of the two, but both made Katashi proud. Their father only ever came around on weekends and the exceedingly rare holidays he was allowed, often in Kotaba working for days on end, yet he seemed to always be the driving force in their lives, his authoritative manner both their greatest fear when he watched them or took in their reports, and their greatest pleasure when they managed to wrestle approval from him. And with their mother living within the home—a house-wife who was blessed by having no work other then to care for the brothers and make beautiful hand-sewn kimonos and craft delicate pottery to sell—they always had the support and gentler love of a reassuring mother figure. When lessons were tiring or frustrations arose, she was always there, gentle and soft-spoken, but kind and patient.
When Taiyo was twelve, he would gain his first, and only, sister. An early birth, there was complications, and in the end, a c-section had to be done on his mother. She was underweight and pale at first, and quiet, but she would recover well with some time and medical care. Tsuki his parents would name her, after the gentle moon. And between their tutoring, Taiyo and Yuji would help take care of their new sister, especially while their mother was sickly and recovering. At first it was duty, but then it would turn to genuine affection and love. Yuji especially was close to her, playing with her and carrying her around, seeming to always want to chatter to his sister even before she understood what they were saying, but Taiyo was always best at dealing with her when she was fussing, whether it was being swift in changing, skilled in burping, or simply observant and patient enough to piece things together or calm her down. It was a chore to care for her, but as the eldest and her older brother, he saw it as his duty to always be there for her and help her be the best she could be. And while that started as just a statement perhaps, it became a true feeling with time, less a question or a thought then simply an action. If she had started as a quiet baby, she was soon the noisiest of them all, a fussy child that grew healthy and fast but stubbornly proved difficult to care for sometimes. Her spirit was strong though, and Taiyo was proud of her for that, and Yuji amused if sometimes driven mad by it, their sister proving early on she was far from a runt.
When both Taiyo and Yuji were old enough, their father arranged for their secondary schooling to be in a private school. Given the size of Scurarte Town, such a thing was really a boarding school that attracted students from Kotaba to the smaller and slightly more remote area with small personal classes and instructors of high letters. It was a shift having to live at the school instead, but Taiyo and Yuji had each other, and home was always just a walk away. Yuji would adapt and make friends, but Taiyo often simply returned home when he could, or occupied his free time with other tasks, continuing his kendo into a competitive team, and taking the ninjutsu class when the new year started. His father pushed business and marketing onto him, and Yuji, expecting him to take over as heir, and as his duty was he took and excelled in those classes, however he found himself often uninterested. He was always glad to help when Yuji struggled, and he worked tirelessly to make sure he never failed his father, but he preferred the regimented duty of his more physical activity, and the quiet solitude of being alone or at the edge of town, breathing in the woods.
Tsuki perhaps further spurred Taiyo's conflict between his own personal goals and his fathers. A rebellious child, she found her home schooling difficult and boring, and often ran to her brothers to get away from it. She was a trouble maker, always slipping away from her tutors and lessons, finding them dull and oppressive. Their father didn't help matters much either, he was unforgiving and harsh towards her rebelliousness. Taiyo never would truly be able to grasp the relationship between the two, already living outside the house and rarely in the same place when both had extended interaction, but whether it was because she was the youngest, the girl, or simply because she refused to put in the work and dedication and resented being held to the standards of her brothers and fathers, the two fought often. It seemed she was always in trouble, and always working around it to be with the friends she made with the other kids in Town, the ones that ran barefoot in the streets and that picked pennies from the streets to save for splurging on candy. Dirty and poor, her father didn't approve of them one bit, and even went to the extremes of locking her within the house and demanding everyone else keep an eye on her while he was out.
Yuji was always the one to let her out in the end, though Taiyo would often keep her company and talk to her. Tsuki's rants were always bitter things, she was sour for being compared constantly to him, and being expected to hold to a standard. She wanted to be free, to find her own path. In a way, he cautioned her and reasoned with her, trying to convince her to the merits of duty and how reckless recreation led no where. In a way though, she troubled his own thinking, and inspired him. When eventually Taiyo and Yuji would finish secondary school, there was no question where they went, but when the brothers moved to Godai Central and began attending GSUC, Taiyo found himself looking, not at business, but at survival and forestry, pokemon and botany. He looked at the world around him instead, remembering the quiet woods of his home, and the half modernized mess that Kotaba had been turned into when he visited the nearby city. He looked into job options and paths for his future, and found the Rangers to be a calling that offered promise, placing him within the wilds and working to preserve it rather then among the polished skyscraper offices working against it.
In this time Taiyo would register as a Trainer, and take up side jobs on top of his school working in tutoring martial arts and kendo classes to support him. He had stopped competing upon moving, but the memory was fresh, and some were always interested, whether for self defense, sport, or simply the physicality of it. Perhaps the money was not needed at first, he had plenty of grants, and even if he did not, his father's fortune backed him, but there was no surprise when the latter was cut when his father heard of his plans for the future. Confronting Taiyo, his father would rant long about his duty as first born son to inherit his father's place in the company and carry on the line in the honorable and lucrative field of business instead of chasing around pokemon like "some discount trainer trying to pretend he's saving the woods."
Taiyo had decided though. Yuji was still dutifully taking up business, and he was not needed to support the family. The Rangers were a respectable organization, and heated words did not change his cool reasoning or decision making. He would rarely talk to his father after that and have no support anymore from the man, but it was, in the end, for the better. It was hard to place when the shift of duty from father to his self and the world at large had happened. The separation had always been great, but the idolization and sense of owed allegiance had drifted as independence took over and he had to live more and more on his own, and with this final cutting, Taiyo was free to pursue his own choices. He dedicated himself wholly towards his schooling, exchanging regular letters with his mother occasional letters with Tsuki, though those ones with his sister would become awkward and distant in tone as the years passed, and keeping company only with acquaintances and his brother, finding few people who really attracted him as friends enough to take from his time spent studying, working, or by himself. Yuji as well spoke less to him, not out of animosity, but simple as his brother found friends in the University, and even his first love.
Yuki also found his calling as a father apparently. Even as Taiyo adjusted to the new direction he had found in his pursuits, his brother and his love were with child. A young and swift love, they had been together only a year, he was still nineteen and she was only twenty. While she did not abort the children, this pregnancy would end up breaking their relationship apart, and Taiyo would be there to help his brother after his lover split from him and left him with children. Yuji would take a break from his schooling after his first year, their father helping him find a job anyways through connections as he supported himself as a single dad, and as the new uncle, Taiyo would visit and help when and where he could, taking swiftly to his brother's children as both love and duty towards them.
Yuji managed well though, and Taiyo would manage to graduate after a few years with a commendable degree that would get him swiftly inducted and hired as a Ranger. Immediately he returned to his home area, stationing at the center between Kagareta Woods and Skytouch Forest. He would be partnered with a rowlet at this time, and quickly found a home with the Rangers, having much time to himself and his work mostly taking him out in the woods, patrolling areas, helping lost trainers, dealing with wild pokemon incidents of concern or irregularity, and on occasion providing relief or preventing disasters. It was diligent and hard working labor, and while not rewarding, it offered him a steady consistent pace and a quiet goal amidst the wilderness to focus towards.
Only shortly after Taiyo was stationed he would learn that Tsuki had left home, registering with TIS as soon as she was old enough and leaving on her own to help them. He would worry about her, but come to the conclusion that it was her life to live, even as foolishly as she did trying to travel so young, but she was a teenager, and beyond his control. It was her free will. Yuji confided worries to him in calls and letters, and tried to go after her, but tied with his own kids, he wouldn't pursue her very far. After that though, the years would be peaceful for a time. Yuji would eventually finish his degree online and take a role directly under his father, and Taiyo would serve as a ranger, slowly gathering a team and pursuing his work in the woods. Their father would retire within a few months after a heart problem, and within a couple years die to the same heart problems. According to the doctors he had lived a stressful life, and had likely shortened his lifespan by some amount for the constant strain. Heart-broken, their mother would move a couple years later to a retirement home in Kotaba. It was trying times, but such things would have happened eventually, and Taiyo took it with only a brief mourning and a respectful remembrance, perhaps not loving his father, but honoring the man, and acknowledging he was no longer young and had met his time and lived well. Yuji grieved for quite a while, though Tsuki did not even show up for the funeral.
Tragically, it would come to pass that a few years later Yuji would die in an accident involving a fire in his office building that he would be trapped in. Taiyo and his aging mother would attend the funeral along with Yuji's children and many friends, and Tsuki resurfaced briefly, crying, but would leave with only heated bitter words snapped at Taiyo when he tried to talk to her, blaming him for many of the problems and soured over Yuji's death. With no one else fit enough to take care of the kids, both only ten yet, Taiyo would take a leave from the Rangers to care for them himself, and take up a job teaching martial arts and kendo again, working out his sorrow through keeping himself busy and trying to remember Yuji through actions.
At first Taiyo was distant. He loved his niece and nephew, and had known them since they were born, but with them stuck on the loss of their father, and him on his brother, the house was quiet and strained for a time. When finally Taiyo stopped spending every moment of his spare time trying to work or train or distance himself with any task he could find though, he finally attempted to embrace his role as pseudo father. It was awkward, with both sides sensing the missing gap, but his familiarity made it easier, and even if he would always just be "Uncle Ty" or "Uncle Yo-Yo," as his nephew jokingly referred to him as, he would become close to the children, and help them through their studies in secondary school and to find their calling in life.
Graduating from secondary school, Taiyo's niece, Sakiya, fascinated with plants and botany, would get a job as a florist in a small homey flower store in Kotaba, and Taiyo would give his Bellossom to her to keep her safe and be her companion, the grass type having always gotten along well with the girl and perhaps better served to be rewarded for her help in his path as a Ranger for so many years by a peaceful life. His nephew, Satoshi, on the other hand, would decide on the path of a trainer after eagerly taking classes on training, and would register with TIS to get a starter and support him while he set off with a lofty goal to conquer the gyms. With both adults now in their own right, Taiyo was finally freed again, and would become a Ranger again. The first year adjusting would be rough, and his rowlet, evolved into a Dartrix just a year before retiring to raise his brother's children would die to severe poisoning in an unfortunate event while trying to deal with an incident of the pokemon from Kagereta Woods infesting Kotaba and poisoning many of the city's pokemon or terrorizing the residents.
The following year would find Taiyo settling into the rhythm again, though his team was sparse. He had never prioritized catching pokemon, and had relied on their strength and experience instead, but with his team down to one again after the loss of two pokemon in one year, he found himself taking things cautiously and slow. Even at that, his only companion was older, a Staravia he had rescued with a broken wing over a decade ago already, and not young then either.
Taiyo would at least come to rescue a Salandit while visiting his brother's grave to give flowers for the anniversary of his passing. A young creature, likely from Kagereta Woods, it had managed to get itself tangled in a plastic bad and was malnourished, likely scavenging scraps from the residents of the city to get by. He would take it in, naming the undersized male Kichi, the lucky one, out of the hopes that the good omen of the day and the chance that had brought the little lizard to him would mean they were indeed a sign of good luck, for what little power a name might hold.
With another pokemon again, Taiyo, at last, would let his Staravia retire, giving him to a flying type breeder who had care to such older and more grizzled pokemon and would give him a good home. Kichi was under-trained still, and young, the fire type not quite well trained enough yet to consistently follow orders and with a tendency towards feral habits, but strong enough to handle himself against weaker pokemon. It was not an ideal spot, but with work Taiyo was confident he could make it work again, duty holding him to be a ranger no matter what, and not deterred by something as simple as bad circumstance when training and diligence could still serve him. As long as he was able to serve and do his job well he was a Ranger, in name, profession, and calling all. [/spoiler][/td][/tr][/tbody][/table]
|
|