Name: Jackson Powers
Age: 17
Appearance: Jackson stands about 5'9", is dark-skinned, and has an athletic build. That's very little to say about him and, again, a lot. One part of Jackson's goal is to make a mark, to have an image his audience remembers. For that reason, Jackson prides himself on his appearance. He wants to look good--great. Respectable--intimidating. He's watched and listened and analyzed and he'll soon create for himself the perfect wardrobe. However, considering his financial situation, he won't be able to do so soon.
Unfortunately, Jackson doesn't come from money and can't, as much as he wants to, afford the pristine, sharp, and impressive clothing that catches his eyes. When you aren't rich you can't look rich, unless you steal, which Jackson doesn't do when it comes to clothes. If it weren't for places like Good Will, Jackson probably wouldn't have many clothes at all. Thankfully charity has given him and his family resources. As you can guess by now, Jackson doesn't own any designer jeans, but he still manages to look, with what he has, good.
He wears mostly jeans and a t-shirt with whatever creative or colorful design came with it. Jackson always wears a pair of gray, red, and white sneakers that are, from so much use, worn, though not terribly so. He does his best to keep his clothes in the best looking condition he can and his shoes are no exception. Though not every single day, Jackson commonly wears a thick, gray hoodie and a red, straight-brimmed, DC hat.
If Jackson had the money, he would change his wardrobe in a second. Until then, he will make due with what he has.
History: Jackson was born and raised in poverty and, like most of the people who lived the same way, didn't realize he was poor for a long time. Jackson was raised on wholesome values. He was taught to be polite and to respect his elders, to refer to others as sir or ma'am,and of morality and goodness. His mother was more adamant about these lessons than his father, but that didn't make any conflict when getting the message through. With his mother and father, Jackson has a younger brother and sister who he helps care for.
Jackson didn't notice his family's lack of money until he noticed the differences between himself and other kids. Their clothes, which became were more glamorous and trendy, the things they had like cellphones or video games, and the most plain fact of all of them, the fact that other students at school could go on trips or attend school shows or games while he couldn't. When it first came to him, he asked his mother, who at first reprimanded him, but then, after his father intervened, relented and told him the truth. Yes, they were poor, but that mattered very little. At first, Jackson agreed with his parents, it didn't matter. But the more he could see how he was different, how he couldn't keep up with his friends or enjoy the same things they could, the more he began to disagree.
When Jackson was fourteen, it did matter. He wanted more, he wanted to be better, he wanted to escape the life he had now and become better. He wanted to indulge, or simply, feel secure in the fact that he had money, that he could always keep himself afloat. With that too, he wanted to be known. With so little money or influence, he felt insignificant. Jackson wanted a name. Someone who was looked up to or respected, but most of all, acknowledged. It was a revelation and in it he sought to work harder. He knew that if he got somewhere he would get it through his schooling, at the minimum. There, he worked his hardest. Unfortunately his efforts would be in vain when, almost a year and a half later his father passed away. He was a strong man, but unfortunately couldn't fight off his sickness and, to take his place as a money maker, Jackson had to drop out of school to support his family.
The event made him bitter about his current life and even then more determined. While he worked, Jackson did whatever he could to study or get smarter in any way. There wasn't--isn't--an abundance of textbooks open to the world for anyone to read. However, there was a library at close enough to travel to and get a book. Even though the novels he picked weren't factual and teaching like a math book or a history book, he learned from these authors. Not about mathematics or biology, but about life. It was these novels that made him strive again for more.
Jackson saw his greatest opportunity in Team Rocket. It was luck, he supposed, that he was able to join them, but he took no time to question the phenomena. It would be in this organization that he would rise, he thought. He would climb the ranks and become great. What he wanted, at first, was to climb the ranks, to raise money, and to use it to propel himself into a brighter future. When he discovered the idea, the chance, of becoming a leader, however, his goals changed and he sought, instead to lead Team Rocket in the future. There would be money, for sure, there would be fame, for sure. He didn't mind much if it was good or bad, Jackson wanted it. Team Rocket more and more looked like his Golden Ticket.
Personality: Jackson, on his surface, is kind, polite, and respectful. He always greets with a smile and is conscientious of his sirs and ma'ams. Jackson looks and acts gentlemanly at all times. However, this is because Jackson strongly believes in the power of the first impression. To him, it's more definitive than any action that comes after it. You can be as nice as you want, but if people think badly of you because of something you did when you first met, then you're as good as done. Since he doesn't have the money to make an impression expressly off his looks, Jackson makes his mark off of his attitude. Jackson is generally at his best when he first meets you.
In truth, Jackson is ambitious and his drive for success can make him manipulative. He won't satisfied until he gets what he wants, and what he gets it, he'll keep it. To rise to the top, Jackson is prepared to do whatever it takes. Even that means letting go of friendship. He won't be enthusiastic during, but his drive reasons it to be the best course of action. He'll have time for apologies later or to repent for anything low and dirty that he does. In his mind, it would be the only way, and he refuses to be stopped.
This doesn't necessarily mean Jackson is heartless and self-centered. His goal is to make a name for himself, to come out of his poverty and be worth something. He feels so strongly that, no matter how low he has to go, he is determined to keep his victory in sight. Not everything has to do with his ambitions. When he gets a break from rising to the top, Jackson is generally a lot of fun. He adores any kind of fun or competition. He admires the daring and can get caught up in the mischievous. He doesn't exactly like getting dirty in the process, especially if it stains his clothes, but he isn't the type to harp.
Jackson isn't all impressed or for the idea of stealing Pokemon and taking over the world like Team Rocket seems to have in mind. Not so much because stealing was a crime, but he thinks doing so to reach their "goals" was arbitrary. He would do it, though, since it seemed to be some sort of Rocket requirement to steal a child's Pokemon and keep it in a cage or sell it on the market. Despite whatever Jackson may think, Team Rocket would have to do.
Starter Pokemon: Venipede
Starter Name: Troy
Starter Gender: Male
Starter Description: Troy doesn't differ much from the average. He looks no different from the other small but capable Venipede that live in the wild. He has the same bored, but sometimes threatening expression and moves at an insect's pace. What makes Troy Troy is his personality. He is mischievous, mean, and spiteful. He is too much a bully Pokemon. He will pick on others or purposefully scare them for his own pleasure. When he fights, Troy is not above cheating and is relentless in his attacks. Unfortunately for Jackson, Troy has little respect for him and on most occasions ignores his commands. In his own little bug mind he is the leader of their two-man group and makes points to assert his authority. Troy seems to be more ambitious than Jackson, though he shows it a lot more.
Any other info: Anything important that doesn't fit into the other categories.
I figured I'd try my hand at this. D: This looks like a good--actually great--RP and I'm hoping I can get integrated. :) I'd like to reserve too, please.
E: I'm a girl who has no idea what fashion is and I decided to make a fashionable character. x.x I'm sorry for the description. I'll try to make it less crappy if I need to.