[X] My Assistant

[Myke]

Name: Tyler Jericho
Age: 16
Hometown: Barley



Appearance:
Cut from firm flesh and strong bones, Tyler's toned body stands at an impressive six feet. Lanky and limber, his confident gait is led by his feet, often with his hands tucked in the pockets of his white slacks. Barefoot and barechested but for the plain black waistcoat he never takes off, his years under the sun of Barley's docks is displayed for any who might care to look.
Bronzed abs aside, Tyler sports the beginnings of a beard on his sharp jaw, stubble sitting under a pouty mouth. His hooked nose earned him some grief as a child, so he picked up the habit of combing his hair forward to mask his face. Under the soot-coloured veil, his thin eyes are a cold black, betraying nothing but the occasional sparkle of mischief.

Personality:
Tyler often seems distant, staring into empty space or mumbling to himself as he scribbles things in his notebook. When his attention is eventually grabbed by something, he thunders into the conversation with a boisterous shout and a poor understanding of personal space - slinging his arm around whoever he damn well feels like it.
He mostly seems lighthearted and carefree, though when confronted he becomes a dangerous, edgy opponent. His usually dreamy gaze can quickly become sharp and threatening as his mouth grows into a grin. He seems to delight in conflict while in it but his short temper simmers down as quickly as it lights up.

Biography:
Orphaned just after birth, Tyler was discovered upon a raft that washed up on the beach. There was no note nor basket, merely wrapped in rags and shoved on the largest nearby piece of wood found after the shipwreck that took his parents.
Out of sympathy, a fisherman named Chester collected the child and took him as part of his small family - a daughter of eight years, Cherise and his sickly wife, Alice. When Alice inevitably passed, the duty of raising Tyler was passed to Cherise, Chester invested in a building to help fund the family. Peddling fish was all well and good, but just didn't pay the bills anymore. The building was expanded and refurbished and today stands as one of Barley's most prosperous inns.
Led around by the young Cherise as she aided in some of the lighter duties in the bar and lodgings, Tyler grew with a large family of coming and going sailors. He knew the regulars by name before long and pestered them for tales of their voyages whenever they docked. Stories of mighty Tentacruel attacking vessels during mating season, of swells that could swallow a ship whole, of mysterious pokemon that could never be identified.

Sooner than later, Tyler grew into a young man and had to work for his lodgings, heaving stock back and forth as Chester's old age settled in, serving the massive crowd that overwhelmed poor Cherise and soon enough, working shifts at the dock to bring in the ever-needed money. It was there he met Icarus.
At first, the bird pokemon sat atop a pile and watched, head curiously twisting to and fro as he sweat and toiled. The Taillow returned, though, offering its aid by plucking a loose rope up in its beak and flying beside him. They quickly forged a tight friendship, he shared his lunch and the taillow offered what little support and morale he could. The thought of using a pokeball was never brought up, for the bird never left his side. Soon they were associated with each other, the bird's flight often being read as a signal that Tyler was on his way, allowing Cherise to prepare his meal before he was even halfway there.

Tyler would have been content living this life, if it weren't for the sailor who burst in one fateful eve, talking excitedly of his cousin's success through pokemon battling. As the seaman talked, Tyler became absorbed in the idea of it. The inn had a high upkeep and the low rates his father charged barely pulled any form of profit - barely enough to keep Tyler and his sister fed. They mostly lived off tips and generous donations, never enough to hire help. By battling other trainers, by defeating the gym leaders and maybe even the champion... Tyler could solve their monetary issues forever.
Thus, adopting the retiring sailor's battered Machop, his story began.

Starting Pokemon:
Taillow - Level 10
Icarus is a proud, confident creature. While obedient, he often seems to delight in the impression that he is the master of the relationship and Tyler just happens to give good suggestions now and then. He takes kindly to compliments and doting, puffing his chest out and lifting his beak. Anyone who recognises his magnificence is clearly an intelligent and trustworthy friend.

Machop - Level 5
Heracles is a rather flimsy pokemon, littered with scars and mute from a vicious Pidgeot attack. Unable to signal and communicate with its kin, Heracles would likely not survive in the wilds and is grateful for Tyler's care. Unlike the defiant Icarus, he is perfectly content to rest in his pokeball until needed, usually clinging to his trainer's shoulder otherwise.

Items:
Notepad and 2B pencil - nothing high-tech, but serves most purposes Tyler needs it to.
Tonics and Salve - never leave home without 'em. Not exactly battle-ready, but handy for treating injuries nonetheless.
Collar - curiously, this small belt intended for small pokemon resides strapped to Tyler's right wrist. When asked about it, he glances at it, mumbles incoherantly and gazes into the distance as though remembering something... then forgets you even asked.

This post has been edited by Myke: Nov 25 2008, 10:09 PM

[Troy Bolton]

Yo, bro, you need to have two Pokemon to start. We don't really keep track of known techniques, either. But other than that, you're golden.

[Myke]

man.

There.

[Troy Bolton]

Bro. Fukken approved.