flowerofmtsilver (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
flowerofmtsilver) wrote2029-06-24 08:39 pm
flowerofmtsilver) wrote2029-06-24 08:39 pm
Re-re-app
Player Name: Toni again again
Character's Name: Vinnie
Character's usernameflowerofmtsilver
Game Series: Pokemon
Link to previous app: this is super old and slightly less old
Age (If there is a change): 25
Dorm or Living Arrangement: Dorm
Canon point changes (If any): N/A
Additional history:
Vinnie returned to Smash Academy from a summer of physical recuperation at Celadon with the continuing intent of getting stronger. Though he was disappointed that Red was no longer there to see how far he'd come, there were old familiar faces and new familiar faces. Blue did her best to make up for his trainer's absence, and with Jolt's arrival, Vinnie found a training buddy who was just as (if not more) driven. It almost felt as though the three rival teams were actually growing closer. But the Venusaur's determination to not rely on trainers took an unhealthy turn when he and Green were kidnapped by one of the gym leader's crazy fangirls. Though both of them escaped just fine, Vinnie opted not to rely on outside help with his injuries or residual trauma, instead retreating to greenhouse where he spent the majority of his days and nights. Tending to the plants kept him occupied, and being surrounded by their scent helped lull him to a more peaceful sleep. Hermiting, basically. Out of concern, Bulba tended to Vinnie and kept him company whenever he could.
Then, one fateful December day, Red came back. But he didn't come back with everything. Vinnie was already fairly pissed that the trainer would simply come and go without any notice, but when he realized Red didn't remember anything from his time at the school, it hurt. It felt like all the hard work and suffering that Vinnie had to go through was completely invalidated. And while rationally he knew Red really wasn't to blame, the fact that he couldn't pin his frustrations on something only caused the Venusaur to grow even more distant to his trainer. After all, he'd been doing well enough without one so far. It was the mountain that took the brunt of his anger - as evidenced by the flat plateau he carved out through repeated Bulldozing.
This feeling of vague dissatisfaction and detachment persisted for some time, until Vinnie finally made a decision. He knew what he wanted to do: to study environmental conservation so he could take advantage of the unique perspective that humanization gave him to protect what really mattered to him. It was a dream that mattered deeply to the Venusaur on a personal level, and it was his dream alone - he didn't want to keep relying on human validation. In order to keep pursuing his own path, he had to be more than just a trainer's Pokemon. But when Vinnie finally worked up the nerve to ask for Red's blessing to leave the team, it was no longer Red he was speaking to. The trainer had been replaced by a shadow bug clone, who promptly threw Vinnie off the team for being worthless.
It broke his heart - and would've done worse psychologically were it not for the fact that sudden, unexplainable changes to people magically happened all the time. Nonetheless, the damage was already done. Shadow bug Red wasted no time in turning the remaining members of Red team against him when Vinnie was too busy being turned into a body horror dragon to be in much of a state to clear up what his intentions had been. Still, Vinnie held onto the belief that it had to be some sort of curse that was turning everyone dickish - but when no one reverted after a week, he began to worry. The drugged candy theory almost took root until a threeway fight at a pool party between Vinnie, Red and Mondo revealed that the trainer was not only unnaturally strong, but also bled purple. Vinnie began to investigate - he even managed to team up with Char for the common cause - but he was already too late. Seth revealed himself the mastermind behind it all and war broke out in the city.
When the real Red was finally released, their reconcilliation was awkward. Once again, Vinnie couldn't blame Red for what happened, but all the same he was going to stay his own Pokemon. It was... freeing. He did his best to use his experiences to mentor friends who felt similar burdens of not being strong enough as well.
This newfound freedom gave him the room to consider other desires as well. Bulba confessed his attraction to the older Venusaur earlier that summer, not long after Vinnie had been given the boot from shadow bug Red. On the whole, Vinnie didn't know what to do with this information - it was neither repellant or inviting, mostly due to the fact that his own romantic needs weren't something that he considered deeply. The timing of the confession left him conflicted - there were too many things weighing on his heart and mind to start thinking about it - but even after the shadow bug situation had resolved itself, it took Vinnie a few more months of germinating that seed of knowledge in order to perceive Bulba differently. And it scared him. It made him an awkward mess around the other Saur. But despite feeling immensely uncertain about how a relationship would change where he stood among the people that mattered to him most, he couldn't throw away the possibility without regret either. So when the two of them bumped into each other on a Kalos trip, Vinnie agreed to give it a shot.
Respective team mates, former team mates, and mutual friends were informed - most took it well, a few... didn't? There was really nothing that could be done about some perceptions, except to hope that time would change things. In the meantime, Vinnie would keep on training and studying and trying to figure out how this being-a-boyfriend thing worked.
In the spring, Vinnie applied for a work experience program at the Kanto Safari zone, in the hopes of learning more about how to contribute to the conservation efforts of endangered Pokemon. He left, promising to return soon. Hopefully. Time anomalies nonwithstanding, of course.
Personality Changes:
The self-reliant streak in Vinnie finally carried him to its ultimate result - leaving Red's team in order to pursue his own path. That isn't to say he no longer cares for his former team, though. On the contrary, in his heart he still considers them family and would leap to their aid if they needed him. But if there was one thing he had to face during those long periods of self-doubt, it was the fact that he couldn't save everyone - especially not from themselves - and would burn out trying if he did. If he wanted to do anything, the first thing he had to prioritize was his own well-being. With the gradual return of his leaves, the Venusaur has recovered a sense of confidence again - and with it, his feelings of self-worth.
For such a long time, he considered himself a weakling among those who were once his peers, but now he can finally say that all his struggles have made him stronger. It wasn't just physical, either; if he hadn't gone through everything he did, he never would've sought the long path of strength through self acceptance, or learned to value the quiet strength of patience, optimism, empathy. He was equally hot-blooded drive and stubbornness as he was compassion and protection, and no part of that made him less or more of a Venusaur. If there was a light inside him, then it was a fire that only he could stoke. The more he formed a unified sense of self, the more independent he became as well. Leaving Red had less to do with anything the trainer did or didn't do for him, and more about no longer wanting to rely on someone else to give him validation and meaning.
Since the use of humanization pretty much put any Pokemon on the same level as a person, it's rather changed the Venusaur's perspectives. It's probably not possible for him to completely identify with being a wild Pokemon anymore, but neither does he see himself as a human. Rather than think himself incomplete, however, Vinnie considers it an advantage - a unique opportunity that few other Pokemon or humans could ever have. He's always been between two worlds before, being both animal and plant, so adding a third element isn't that big of a stretch.
Despite being more comfortable with himself, however, Vinnie's no longer quite sure where he fits among the old team dynamic. Vinnie definitely feels like he no longer has a right to have a say in his former team anymore - and there's still lingering tension from the lack of closure he found in Red and Marie. And while his new sense of understanding has expanded his appreciation for the role that his rivals have played in his life, he's unable to see himself belonging with their tight knit family at the same time. There are things that changed that he desperately wishes could've stayed the same, but all he can do is keep moving forward, and keep doing what he feels is right. At the very least he knows he's not alone, and that there are people who'd support him no matter what he does and where he goes.
Among them, of course, is the newfound role he invited in his life. Romantically, Vinnie's still taking slow, awkward steps. All his adult life, the Venusaur prioritized everything else above his heart, so he's rather unused to following it anywhere or knowing what it wants. He can still get hung up on what a 'good boyfriend' should be like and whether or not he can match up to the nonexistent standard of this job rather than simply relaxing and doing what comes naturally. It's been a steady process of opening himself up to normalizing new, if usually simple forms of intimacy, but Bulba is thankfully a patient partner.
In-Character 1st person sample:
Al'right, well now that everything's gone t'fuck, uh. I'm back. Vinnie reporting for duty, if anyone can see this.
I knew something had t'be up, but this is way worse than I thought... S'not like I can go back t'finish the rest of that work experience program with everything like this but-- actually, I couldn't if I wanted to. The trains are fucked, so there's no way t'get back to Kanto anyway.
Phone's dead, so just tell me where y'need me, an' I'll be there. And...
And tell me you're okay.
Be careful out there.
In-Character 3rd person sample:
All in all, it had been a fulfilling spring. Vinnie had obviously been to the Safari zone before, but it was his first time there as a person rather than a Pokemon - and at first, it was kind of a surreal experience being on the other side of the Pokeball. Since all the volunteers came to the program with varying levels of experience in Pokemon research, they were mostly relegated to taking shifts on watch duty in the beginning. Poachers were always a concern, but it was also to discourage people who came in simply to harrass the animals and to make sure the trainers themselves were safe. (Everyone was initially very concerned that Vinnie didn't have any Pokemon on hand for his own protection, but he assured them that his military training was enough.) However, this simple job was also a practical way to familiarize the volunteers with the behaviour and movement of the herds. A full-fledged ranger would often come to accompany them as well, and their duties expanded to helping them monitor the health and well-being of the Pokemon.
It was an amazing environment - everyone was there because they wanted to be able to do more for Pokemon, and they were dedicated to learning as much as possible. A good thing too, since with spring came an abundance of baby Pokemon being hatched, and the rangers needed all hands on deck in order to track their numbers and administer the necessary vaccinations. While Kangaskhan were the ones who had the reputation of being dangerously protective mothers, it was the Nidoran infants who were especially tricky to wrangle in for check ups. Even an experienced handler could sometimes get themselves stung by a baby with Poison Point and require medical treatment. Funnily enough, however, Vinnie never once managed to get poisoned, even with the most ornery of infants. ("Just a good immune system, I guess," he claimed.) He just had a way of understanding exactly what they needed, as well. How mysterious and also convenient. Thus, he found himself relegated to the bulk of hands-on Nidoran care from spring into summer.
Of course, at least once a week Vinnie would phone back to Bulba. He'd promised to, after all. It was rather hard not to feel guilty about leaving when they'd only been together a few months, even if it was for a cause he wanted to pursue. It was also hard to force himself to stay whenever the other Venusaur mentioned things happening at the school - an infestation of weird purple things, giant robots attacking prom... every time Vinnie was ready to drop everything to come back, and every time Bulba insisted he was fine, he could manage, please stay and keep doing what you love.
And so, Vinnie would relent. After all, they needed him here, too. The Venusaur had known that leaving FDC always came with risk, but the opportunity to volunteer at the Safari Zone had apparently been worth it to go - he'd just have to hope this was just 'weirdness as usual' and not something more dire. That said, he still wanted go back and check up on everyone first chance he got. July long weekend was coming up, and it seemed like the perfect time to take a three day break. When he tried calling to confirm the trip, though, the call just refused to go through. No matter how many times he tried, the fancy satellite phone Max forced on him couldn't get in touch with anyone at the school.
That... was worrying. What had changed all of a sudden? Well, he wasn't going to stop trying to get in touch, but as it was, there wasn't anything he could do except wait for the long weekend - the train ticket was bought and paid for already. People liked surprise visits, right? For now, he just had to put the paranoia from his mind. It didn't help anything and it wasn't like he could get there any faster.
Probably.
Character's Name: Vinnie
Character's username
flowerofmtsilverGame Series: Pokemon
Link to previous app: this is super old and slightly less old
Age (If there is a change): 25
Dorm or Living Arrangement: Dorm
Canon point changes (If any): N/A
Additional history:
Vinnie returned to Smash Academy from a summer of physical recuperation at Celadon with the continuing intent of getting stronger. Though he was disappointed that Red was no longer there to see how far he'd come, there were old familiar faces and new familiar faces. Blue did her best to make up for his trainer's absence, and with Jolt's arrival, Vinnie found a training buddy who was just as (if not more) driven. It almost felt as though the three rival teams were actually growing closer. But the Venusaur's determination to not rely on trainers took an unhealthy turn when he and Green were kidnapped by one of the gym leader's crazy fangirls. Though both of them escaped just fine, Vinnie opted not to rely on outside help with his injuries or residual trauma, instead retreating to greenhouse where he spent the majority of his days and nights. Tending to the plants kept him occupied, and being surrounded by their scent helped lull him to a more peaceful sleep. Hermiting, basically. Out of concern, Bulba tended to Vinnie and kept him company whenever he could.
Then, one fateful December day, Red came back. But he didn't come back with everything. Vinnie was already fairly pissed that the trainer would simply come and go without any notice, but when he realized Red didn't remember anything from his time at the school, it hurt. It felt like all the hard work and suffering that Vinnie had to go through was completely invalidated. And while rationally he knew Red really wasn't to blame, the fact that he couldn't pin his frustrations on something only caused the Venusaur to grow even more distant to his trainer. After all, he'd been doing well enough without one so far. It was the mountain that took the brunt of his anger - as evidenced by the flat plateau he carved out through repeated Bulldozing.
This feeling of vague dissatisfaction and detachment persisted for some time, until Vinnie finally made a decision. He knew what he wanted to do: to study environmental conservation so he could take advantage of the unique perspective that humanization gave him to protect what really mattered to him. It was a dream that mattered deeply to the Venusaur on a personal level, and it was his dream alone - he didn't want to keep relying on human validation. In order to keep pursuing his own path, he had to be more than just a trainer's Pokemon. But when Vinnie finally worked up the nerve to ask for Red's blessing to leave the team, it was no longer Red he was speaking to. The trainer had been replaced by a shadow bug clone, who promptly threw Vinnie off the team for being worthless.
It broke his heart - and would've done worse psychologically were it not for the fact that sudden, unexplainable changes to people magically happened all the time. Nonetheless, the damage was already done. Shadow bug Red wasted no time in turning the remaining members of Red team against him when Vinnie was too busy being turned into a body horror dragon to be in much of a state to clear up what his intentions had been. Still, Vinnie held onto the belief that it had to be some sort of curse that was turning everyone dickish - but when no one reverted after a week, he began to worry. The drugged candy theory almost took root until a threeway fight at a pool party between Vinnie, Red and Mondo revealed that the trainer was not only unnaturally strong, but also bled purple. Vinnie began to investigate - he even managed to team up with Char for the common cause - but he was already too late. Seth revealed himself the mastermind behind it all and war broke out in the city.
When the real Red was finally released, their reconcilliation was awkward. Once again, Vinnie couldn't blame Red for what happened, but all the same he was going to stay his own Pokemon. It was... freeing. He did his best to use his experiences to mentor friends who felt similar burdens of not being strong enough as well.
This newfound freedom gave him the room to consider other desires as well. Bulba confessed his attraction to the older Venusaur earlier that summer, not long after Vinnie had been given the boot from shadow bug Red. On the whole, Vinnie didn't know what to do with this information - it was neither repellant or inviting, mostly due to the fact that his own romantic needs weren't something that he considered deeply. The timing of the confession left him conflicted - there were too many things weighing on his heart and mind to start thinking about it - but even after the shadow bug situation had resolved itself, it took Vinnie a few more months of germinating that seed of knowledge in order to perceive Bulba differently. And it scared him. It made him an awkward mess around the other Saur. But despite feeling immensely uncertain about how a relationship would change where he stood among the people that mattered to him most, he couldn't throw away the possibility without regret either. So when the two of them bumped into each other on a Kalos trip, Vinnie agreed to give it a shot.
Respective team mates, former team mates, and mutual friends were informed - most took it well, a few... didn't? There was really nothing that could be done about some perceptions, except to hope that time would change things. In the meantime, Vinnie would keep on training and studying and trying to figure out how this being-a-boyfriend thing worked.
In the spring, Vinnie applied for a work experience program at the Kanto Safari zone, in the hopes of learning more about how to contribute to the conservation efforts of endangered Pokemon. He left, promising to return soon. Hopefully. Time anomalies nonwithstanding, of course.
Personality Changes:
The self-reliant streak in Vinnie finally carried him to its ultimate result - leaving Red's team in order to pursue his own path. That isn't to say he no longer cares for his former team, though. On the contrary, in his heart he still considers them family and would leap to their aid if they needed him. But if there was one thing he had to face during those long periods of self-doubt, it was the fact that he couldn't save everyone - especially not from themselves - and would burn out trying if he did. If he wanted to do anything, the first thing he had to prioritize was his own well-being. With the gradual return of his leaves, the Venusaur has recovered a sense of confidence again - and with it, his feelings of self-worth.
For such a long time, he considered himself a weakling among those who were once his peers, but now he can finally say that all his struggles have made him stronger. It wasn't just physical, either; if he hadn't gone through everything he did, he never would've sought the long path of strength through self acceptance, or learned to value the quiet strength of patience, optimism, empathy. He was equally hot-blooded drive and stubbornness as he was compassion and protection, and no part of that made him less or more of a Venusaur. If there was a light inside him, then it was a fire that only he could stoke. The more he formed a unified sense of self, the more independent he became as well. Leaving Red had less to do with anything the trainer did or didn't do for him, and more about no longer wanting to rely on someone else to give him validation and meaning.
Since the use of humanization pretty much put any Pokemon on the same level as a person, it's rather changed the Venusaur's perspectives. It's probably not possible for him to completely identify with being a wild Pokemon anymore, but neither does he see himself as a human. Rather than think himself incomplete, however, Vinnie considers it an advantage - a unique opportunity that few other Pokemon or humans could ever have. He's always been between two worlds before, being both animal and plant, so adding a third element isn't that big of a stretch.
Despite being more comfortable with himself, however, Vinnie's no longer quite sure where he fits among the old team dynamic. Vinnie definitely feels like he no longer has a right to have a say in his former team anymore - and there's still lingering tension from the lack of closure he found in Red and Marie. And while his new sense of understanding has expanded his appreciation for the role that his rivals have played in his life, he's unable to see himself belonging with their tight knit family at the same time. There are things that changed that he desperately wishes could've stayed the same, but all he can do is keep moving forward, and keep doing what he feels is right. At the very least he knows he's not alone, and that there are people who'd support him no matter what he does and where he goes.
Among them, of course, is the newfound role he invited in his life. Romantically, Vinnie's still taking slow, awkward steps. All his adult life, the Venusaur prioritized everything else above his heart, so he's rather unused to following it anywhere or knowing what it wants. He can still get hung up on what a 'good boyfriend' should be like and whether or not he can match up to the nonexistent standard of this job rather than simply relaxing and doing what comes naturally. It's been a steady process of opening himself up to normalizing new, if usually simple forms of intimacy, but Bulba is thankfully a patient partner.
In-Character 1st person sample:
Al'right, well now that everything's gone t'fuck, uh. I'm back. Vinnie reporting for duty, if anyone can see this.
I knew something had t'be up, but this is way worse than I thought... S'not like I can go back t'finish the rest of that work experience program with everything like this but-- actually, I couldn't if I wanted to. The trains are fucked, so there's no way t'get back to Kanto anyway.
Phone's dead, so just tell me where y'need me, an' I'll be there. And...
And tell me you're okay.
Be careful out there.
In-Character 3rd person sample:
All in all, it had been a fulfilling spring. Vinnie had obviously been to the Safari zone before, but it was his first time there as a person rather than a Pokemon - and at first, it was kind of a surreal experience being on the other side of the Pokeball. Since all the volunteers came to the program with varying levels of experience in Pokemon research, they were mostly relegated to taking shifts on watch duty in the beginning. Poachers were always a concern, but it was also to discourage people who came in simply to harrass the animals and to make sure the trainers themselves were safe. (Everyone was initially very concerned that Vinnie didn't have any Pokemon on hand for his own protection, but he assured them that his military training was enough.) However, this simple job was also a practical way to familiarize the volunteers with the behaviour and movement of the herds. A full-fledged ranger would often come to accompany them as well, and their duties expanded to helping them monitor the health and well-being of the Pokemon.
It was an amazing environment - everyone was there because they wanted to be able to do more for Pokemon, and they were dedicated to learning as much as possible. A good thing too, since with spring came an abundance of baby Pokemon being hatched, and the rangers needed all hands on deck in order to track their numbers and administer the necessary vaccinations. While Kangaskhan were the ones who had the reputation of being dangerously protective mothers, it was the Nidoran infants who were especially tricky to wrangle in for check ups. Even an experienced handler could sometimes get themselves stung by a baby with Poison Point and require medical treatment. Funnily enough, however, Vinnie never once managed to get poisoned, even with the most ornery of infants. ("Just a good immune system, I guess," he claimed.) He just had a way of understanding exactly what they needed, as well. How mysterious and also convenient. Thus, he found himself relegated to the bulk of hands-on Nidoran care from spring into summer.
Of course, at least once a week Vinnie would phone back to Bulba. He'd promised to, after all. It was rather hard not to feel guilty about leaving when they'd only been together a few months, even if it was for a cause he wanted to pursue. It was also hard to force himself to stay whenever the other Venusaur mentioned things happening at the school - an infestation of weird purple things, giant robots attacking prom... every time Vinnie was ready to drop everything to come back, and every time Bulba insisted he was fine, he could manage, please stay and keep doing what you love.
And so, Vinnie would relent. After all, they needed him here, too. The Venusaur had known that leaving FDC always came with risk, but the opportunity to volunteer at the Safari Zone had apparently been worth it to go - he'd just have to hope this was just 'weirdness as usual' and not something more dire. That said, he still wanted go back and check up on everyone first chance he got. July long weekend was coming up, and it seemed like the perfect time to take a three day break. When he tried calling to confirm the trip, though, the call just refused to go through. No matter how many times he tried, the fancy satellite phone Max forced on him couldn't get in touch with anyone at the school.
That... was worrying. What had changed all of a sudden? Well, he wasn't going to stop trying to get in touch, but as it was, there wasn't anything he could do except wait for the long weekend - the train ticket was bought and paid for already. People liked surprise visits, right? For now, he just had to put the paranoia from his mind. It didn't help anything and it wasn't like he could get there any faster.
Probably.