NAME: Raphael Bataille // AGE: 14 // GENDER: ♂ // STARTER: Deino

APPEARANCE: Raph is a boy who doesn't, exactly, stand out. At 5'4" and with a thin build he's not as big as he'd like to be, puberty slowly creeping along rather than smacking him hard. Still, he does have the gawky proportions of a teenager and looks like he's about to sprout up at any moment. His skin is alabaster, yet despite his paleness he doesn't look sick. His face is somewhat round and childish, and freckles spatter along his cheeks (along with the occasional pimple). His eyes, large and almond-shaped, are such a color of grey that one could look at them and feel like they are perfectly colorless. His nose and mouth are delicate, almost cherubic, again making him seem younger and more feminine than he'd rather be. His hair is honey-colored and a little on the scruffy side, like he's been putting off a haircut for a couple of months. Despite the slightly odd proportions that comes with being an adolescent, his body seems to smoothly flow in its shape, tapering perfectly from one part to another.
As he's on a journey, Raph wears fairly sensible, simple clothes. A thick, sturdy, yet stylish white shirt adorns his body, its buttons in a constant flux of being opened or closed depending on heat and his mood. Along with this is a leather thong around his neck, tightly holding the feather of a bird Pokémon Raph cannot seem to remember. For pants, he has a pair of dark grey jeans that only come to his mid-calf. Holding them up is a weaved leather belt. Upon his feet are nondescript black running shoes, bought for their durability over their looks. Upon his head, trying to tame his hair, is a straw sunhat - usually something that would look somewhat strange, but yet manages to suit him. He carries around a leather satchel, upon the strap of which is where he keeps his Pokeballs. Within the satchel are more clothes, such as a deep green sweater, longer pants, and sturdy climbing boots. He also has a black Pokétch around his wrist.
RELATIVES: Mother, father, three older brothers.
PERSONALITY: Raph is a bit of a coward and a crybaby. That's not to say he's a bad person, though - he's just unconfident and nervous. He may have a mild case of social phobia and anxiety, but he's never been tested, and his desire to break out of his shell is what has set him along his journey. He finds it difficult to talk to other people, even if he knows them. He will try, definitely, but he'll probably stutter and get flustered and then beat himself up mentally later for his stupidity. He finds Pokémon a lot easier to handle, particularly those of milder dispositions. There's no judging, no fear, just a friendly creature to bond with. It's surprising he didn't try to go out on a journey earlier, but he just had never mustered the courage. Aside from his failings, he's a friendly, sweet, genuine and honest boy. Raph tries his best to be loyal to his friends, but due to his problems he's occasionally a bit paranoid. "Do they really like me? They're pretending. But they're so nice to me. But that's the point..." He also apologizes too much. He can honestly be a little annoying in this regard, but he's trying, he's trying so hard to be cognitively aware and to overcome all of this. And maybe, perhaps, he will. But for now, he's that timid yet sweet young man who's trying to slowly better himself.
BIOGRAPHY: Raph was born in Laverre City. His parents already had three boys, and another one just didn't excite them. Sure, he wasn't abused or anything, but Raph grew up without as much affection as a normal child would experience. As a toddler, he was surprisingly a bit of a hellraiser, always trying to get his parents' or brothers' attention - but all five of them were tired of fighting and competing. Again, he wasn't neglected, and he still hopelessly loves his family, but he just wants them to acknowledge him as something more. His two eldest brothers both went on journeys - the oldest giving up quickly, but the second oldest still out and travelling.
He spent most of his time (outside of school) wandering through the forests that surround his hometown. He never really had the urge to catch Pokemon, but he always loved interacting with them and learning about them. As such, he's actually quite skilled at calming down wild Pokemon. But as he grew up, the urge to be more than what he was kept pushing itself. He was quiet, he was a wimp, but he knew he had so much potential. As such, when he received the notice from Professor Sycamore, well... he jumped on it. His parents were concerned, but he was as steadfast as he could be. If the others could do it, he could too, and he could become a better person for it.
OTHER: N/A