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Description

Name: Benjen Grey
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Pokémon: Nidorino
Height: 6' 6"
Birthday: April 30, 1992
Hometown: Goldenrod City, Johto
Home Island: Widow's Point, Mystery Isle

Personality:
Quiet, capable of taking hits.
dedicated, polite, intelligent, quiet, curious, giving, protective, warm-hearted, gentle
intimidating, distrusting, guarded, suspicious, particular

The phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" might come to mind when one first meets Benjen. The air he gives off is an intimidating, off-putting one. An ever-present frown and hard-set eyebrows trace a permanent scowl on his face—and that's to say nothing of the myriad of scars covering his body. He holds himself with a posture befitting this first impression, with narrowed eyes and a looming stance.

His quiet demeanor only serves to bolster the somewhat sinister quality of his character. Benjen prefers to observe, rarely offering conversation unless directly addressed. Though this occasionally creates conflict with his work, many patrons of his speakeasy find his silence surprisingly comforting—especially when they decide to engage in a little bar therapy. This quietness stems from an innate curiosity. He strives to understand the goings on around him, whether in his speakeasy or out on the street, and he is often content to watch and listen. This tendency towards observation, though first fostered because of a few bad decisions in his childhood, extends beyond street smarts. He devours the written word as if it's oxygen, reading everything from Pokemon biology textbooks to psychology papers to sci-fi and high fantasy novels. Each gives him a new insight into the world around him.

Beneath the poison spines, knitted brows, and half-snarl lies a genuine, kind soul. He's dedicated and protective of the ones he loves, both willing and able to put himself in between harm and those unable to defend themselves. Innately caring, he has a soft spot for the overlooked; it's an impulse he finds almost impossible to ignore. If he sees a stray Pokemon, he simply has to feed it. If he notices a neighbor has forgotten their jacket, he can't help but silently remove his and drape it around their shoulders. His caring streak often leaves him struggling financially, but Benjen truly wouldn't have it any other way.

For his size and demeanor, he's surprisingly gentle. The Nidoran lines are known for their venomous spines, and Benjen is no exception. He's hyper-aware of where his body is in relation to others, and this translates to a soft touch. This, combined with his desire to help, has developed into a particular interest in first aid.

Despite his quiet desire to simply experience the joys of life, Benjen's past has left him guarded and distrustful. He quickly puts his faith in Pokemon—sometimes to a dangerous degree—but takes much longer to extend the same hand to people. Those who do break through his icy exterior will find a friend for life, a man whose loyalty and devotion are unmatched.

History:
Mama: Jenna Grey (Joltik)
Ma: Miette Grey (Magmar)
Brother: Barret Grey (Mankey)
Sisters: Aurola (Shelder), Ellya (Houndour), and Saede Grey (Houndour)

Jenna and Miette Grey always knew they wanted children. What they didn't expect was to end up with five children. They adopted Barret first and were so delighted by what an easy child he was that they immediately signed up to adopt Aurola. So what were Jenna and Miette to do when five-year-old Benjen appeared on their doorstep, his twin sisters in tow? Unable to turn away this dirty, starved little trio, their family of four became a family of seven overnight.

Although Goldenrod City was a land of seemingly limitless opportunities, those rising to the top inevitably left a trail of those stepped upon in their wake. And, unfortunately, the Grey family was one often stepped upon. Jenna and Miette were devoted parents with a drive to do the best they could for their family, but that meant that much of their time was devoted to earning enough money to support their family. Benjen and his siblings were left alone most of the time, latchkey kids in a seedy part of town.

Barret, though the oldest by only a couple of years, did his best to step in as a parental figure to the others. But, being a child himself, there was only so much he could do to keep his siblings in line.

Benjen began acting out at an early age. At first, it was simple things: talking back, sneaking out of the house, lying. His mothers were desperate to correct the behavior, but it seemed like the harder they held on, the more he rebelled against them. With three other children to care for, they began to focus less and less on Benjen, seeing him as a lost cause.

Even in his preteen years, it wasn't uncommon for him to simply not come home for days at a time. At first, this behavior sent his family into panic, though soon enough it became part of the norm. Barret clung to his fear for Benjen the longest, desperate to keep his brother from slipping further and further away. There were times Barret even took it upon himself to look for Benjen, scouring his usual haunts for any sign. Once or twice, Barret managed to drag Benjen back by his ear, though that didn't seem to deter later escapes.

It wasn't long until things escalated. After his totem began to show, Benjen dropped out of school and began running with a bad crowd. He was home less and less and, when he was, he was always surrounded by a gaggle of teenage delinquents. More than once he was thrown out—after a friend stole money from the house or got into a fight on the front stoop or handed out cigarettes to Benjen's siblings—and ended up couch surfing until he was allowed back home.

Throughout his childhood, Benjen was in and out of juvie for a myriad of petty crimes. The first time, Mama and Ma were there to bail him out, at once admonishing and coddling him for the circumstances that had landed him there. After that it was only Barret, who would dig through the couch cushions and tap into the family's emergency fund to cover his bail. Even Barret stopped showing up eventually, unwilling to continue to waste money the family didn't have. This only served to cement in Benjen's mind that he was unwanted by them. He was so jaded by the whisperings of his friends that he couldn't see how hard his family had tried to keep him around or the awful position Barret had been thrust into. He'd hated feeling like a charity case and, to a certain extent, resented his parents for opening their home to him. He knew he was hurting them, but he didn't know how to stop.

Absent parents, poor influences in his peer group, and a lack of self-confidence had made for the perfect storm. It wasn't until years later, in his early twenties, that Benjen looked around and realized he didn't like the life he was leading, didn't like the person he'd become.

One by one his family had turned away from him, even Barret.

His friends were all criminals.

He had no prospects and no education.

Benjen realized he had to make a change and that the road he was about to walk would be a lonely one. For years he clawed and struggled, trying to drag himself into the life he knew he wanted, even if it wasn't the one he deserved. No matter what he did, he found himself right back where he started. Every time he would cut ties with his miscreant friends and start to pull himself to his feet, something catastrophic would happen that catapulted him right back into old habits.

It was bartending school that really turned things around for Benjen. He'd signed up for the class on a whim, throwing the last of his cash into the fee, and found he actually had a natural talent for it. And, better yet, he actually enjoyed the science behind mixing drinks. It was something so simple that could carry incredible nuance. Slowly, he realized there was a light at the end of the tunnel. He learned a useful trade and managed to find legitimate employment. He made friends that were at least a little less shady. He'd grabbed a foothold and he wasn't about to let go. But he knew he needed more than a foothold. He needed to get as far away from Goldenrod City as he could.

A chance encounter was all it took for him to learn about Raccolto. While unpacking a shipment of local liquor, he smoothed out a piece of newspaper that had been used to wrap the bottles. The smallest article—barely more than an advice column—caught his eye. It was about a tiny chain of islands far from Johto. Far from the city. Far from all the mistakes he'd made.

It was a chance for a new start.

Ability:
Poison Point—Contact with the Pokémon may poison the attacker. Benjen avoids physical contact because of his ability.

Moveset:
Leer— The user gives opposing Pokémon an intimidating leer that lowers their Defense stats.
Poison Jab— The target is stabbed with a tentacle, an arm, or the like steeped in poison. This may also poison the target.
Sucker Punch— This move enables the user to attack first. This move fails if the target is not readying an attack.
Helping Hand— The user assists an ally by boosting the power of that ally's attack.

Job: Business Owner - Speakeasy
Business Name: The King's Cup
Job Description: Spanning several levels of a dilapidated lighthouse on the southern coast of Mystery Isle, The King's Cup is a classically-styled speakeasy. Benjen manages the business and acts as the sole bartender. He's content for now to grow his burgeoning business but hopes to restore the lighthouse itself to its former glory.

Cat's Species: Shinx
Cat’s Name: Lemon Drop
Cat’s Gender: Female

Talents:
- Has a beautiful voice, if you can manage to convince him to sing.
- An incredibly high tolerance for alcohol—which comes in handy in his line of work.
- A surprisingly passable cook.
- Has extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs and plants.
- Great with Pokemon.

Fun Facts:
- Although he loves plants, he can't manage to keep them alive. Even so, he always prefers to use fresh herbs in his drinks.
- Usually wears leather gloves to keep from accidentally scratching anyone with his claws.
- Asexual, biromantic.
- People-watching is his favorite pastime.
- Loves musicals.
- Very aware of his personal space.
- Can't swim.

Description

Name: Benjen Grey
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Pokémon: Nidorino
Height: 6' 6"
Birthday: April 30, 1992
Hometown: Goldenrod City, Johto
Home Island: Widow's Point, Mystery Isle

Personality:
Quiet, capable of taking hits.
dedicated, polite, intelligent, quiet, curious, giving, protective, warm-hearted, gentle
intimidating, distrusting, guarded, suspicious, particular

The phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" might come to mind when one first meets Benjen. The air he gives off is an intimidating, off-putting one. An ever-present frown and hard-set eyebrows trace a permanent scowl on his face—and that's to say nothing of the myriad of scars covering his body. He holds himself with a posture befitting this first impression, with narrowed eyes and a looming stance.

His quiet demeanor only serves to bolster the somewhat sinister quality of his character. Benjen prefers to observe, rarely offering conversation unless directly addressed. Though this occasionally creates conflict with his work, many patrons of his speakeasy find his silence surprisingly comforting—especially when they decide to engage in a little bar therapy. This quietness stems from an innate curiosity. He strives to understand the goings on around him, whether in his speakeasy or out on the street, and he is often content to watch and listen. This tendency towards observation, though first fostered because of a few bad decisions in his childhood, extends beyond street smarts. He devours the written word as if it's oxygen, reading everything from Pokemon biology textbooks to psychology papers to sci-fi and high fantasy novels. Each gives him a new insight into the world around him.

Beneath the poison spines, knitted brows, and half-snarl lies a genuine, kind soul. He's dedicated and protective of the ones he loves, both willing and able to put himself in between harm and those unable to defend themselves. Innately caring, he has a soft spot for the overlooked; it's an impulse he finds almost impossible to ignore. If he sees a stray Pokemon, he simply has to feed it. If he notices a neighbor has forgotten their jacket, he can't help but silently remove his and drape it around their shoulders. His caring streak often leaves him struggling financially, but Benjen truly wouldn't have it any other way.

For his size and demeanor, he's surprisingly gentle. The Nidoran lines are known for their venomous spines, and Benjen is no exception. He's hyper-aware of where his body is in relation to others, and this translates to a soft touch. This, combined with his desire to help, has developed into a particular interest in first aid.

Despite his quiet desire to simply experience the joys of life, Benjen's past has left him guarded and distrustful. He quickly puts his faith in Pokemon—sometimes to a dangerous degree—but takes much longer to extend the same hand to people. Those who do break through his icy exterior will find a friend for life, a man whose loyalty and devotion are unmatched.

History:
Mama: Jenna Grey (Joltik)
Ma: Miette Grey (Magmar)
Brother: Barret Grey (Mankey)
Sisters: Aurola (Shelder), Ellya (Houndour), and Saede Grey (Houndour)

Jenna and Miette Grey always knew they wanted children. What they didn't expect was to end up with five children. They adopted Barret first and were so delighted by what an easy child he was that they immediately signed up to adopt Aurola. So what were Jenna and Miette to do when five-year-old Benjen appeared on their doorstep, his twin sisters in tow? Unable to turn away this dirty, starved little trio, their family of four became a family of seven overnight.

Although Goldenrod City was a land of seemingly limitless opportunities, those rising to the top inevitably left a trail of those stepped upon in their wake. And, unfortunately, the Grey family was one often stepped upon. Jenna and Miette were devoted parents with a drive to do the best they could for their family, but that meant that much of their time was devoted to earning enough money to support their family. Benjen and his siblings were left alone most of the time, latchkey kids in a seedy part of town.

Barret, though the oldest by only a couple of years, did his best to step in as a parental figure to the others. But, being a child himself, there was only so much he could do to keep his siblings in line.

Benjen began acting out at an early age. At first, it was simple things: talking back, sneaking out of the house, lying. His mothers were desperate to correct the behavior, but it seemed like the harder they held on, the more he rebelled against them. With three other children to care for, they began to focus less and less on Benjen, seeing him as a lost cause.

Even in his preteen years, it wasn't uncommon for him to simply not come home for days at a time. At first, this behavior sent his family into panic, though soon enough it became part of the norm. Barret clung to his fear for Benjen the longest, desperate to keep his brother from slipping further and further away. There were times Barret even took it upon himself to look for Benjen, scouring his usual haunts for any sign. Once or twice, Barret managed to drag Benjen back by his ear, though that didn't seem to deter later escapes.

It wasn't long until things escalated. After his totem began to show, Benjen dropped out of school and began running with a bad crowd. He was home less and less and, when he was, he was always surrounded by a gaggle of teenage delinquents. More than once he was thrown out—after a friend stole money from the house or got into a fight on the front stoop or handed out cigarettes to Benjen's siblings—and ended up couch surfing until he was allowed back home.

Throughout his childhood, Benjen was in and out of juvie for a myriad of petty crimes. The first time, Mama and Ma were there to bail him out, at once admonishing and coddling him for the circumstances that had landed him there. After that it was only Barret, who would dig through the couch cushions and tap into the family's emergency fund to cover his bail. Even Barret stopped showing up eventually, unwilling to continue to waste money the family didn't have. This only served to cement in Benjen's mind that he was unwanted by them. He was so jaded by the whisperings of his friends that he couldn't see how hard his family had tried to keep him around or the awful position Barret had been thrust into. He'd hated feeling like a charity case and, to a certain extent, resented his parents for opening their home to him. He knew he was hurting them, but he didn't know how to stop.

Absent parents, poor influences in his peer group, and a lack of self-confidence had made for the perfect storm. It wasn't until years later, in his early twenties, that Benjen looked around and realized he didn't like the life he was leading, didn't like the person he'd become.

One by one his family had turned away from him, even Barret.

His friends were all criminals.

He had no prospects and no education.

Benjen realized he had to make a change and that the road he was about to walk would be a lonely one. For years he clawed and struggled, trying to drag himself into the life he knew he wanted, even if it wasn't the one he deserved. No matter what he did, he found himself right back where he started. Every time he would cut ties with his miscreant friends and start to pull himself to his feet, something catastrophic would happen that catapulted him right back into old habits.

It was bartending school that really turned things around for Benjen. He'd signed up for the class on a whim, throwing the last of his cash into the fee, and found he actually had a natural talent for it. And, better yet, he actually enjoyed the science behind mixing drinks. It was something so simple that could carry incredible nuance. Slowly, he realized there was a light at the end of the tunnel. He learned a useful trade and managed to find legitimate employment. He made friends that were at least a little less shady. He'd grabbed a foothold and he wasn't about to let go. But he knew he needed more than a foothold. He needed to get as far away from Goldenrod City as he could.

A chance encounter was all it took for him to learn about Raccolto. While unpacking a shipment of local liquor, he smoothed out a piece of newspaper that had been used to wrap the bottles. The smallest article—barely more than an advice column—caught his eye. It was about a tiny chain of islands far from Johto. Far from the city. Far from all the mistakes he'd made.

It was a chance for a new start.

Ability:
Poison Point—Contact with the Pokémon may poison the attacker. Benjen avoids physical contact because of his ability.

Moveset:
Leer— The user gives opposing Pokémon an intimidating leer that lowers their Defense stats.
Poison Jab— The target is stabbed with a tentacle, an arm, or the like steeped in poison. This may also poison the target.
Sucker Punch— This move enables the user to attack first. This move fails if the target is not readying an attack.
Helping Hand— The user assists an ally by boosting the power of that ally's attack.

Job: Business Owner - Speakeasy
Business Name: The King's Cup
Job Description: Spanning several levels of a dilapidated lighthouse on the southern coast of Mystery Isle, The King's Cup is a classically-styled speakeasy. Benjen manages the business and acts as the sole bartender. He's content for now to grow his burgeoning business but hopes to restore the lighthouse itself to its former glory.

Cat's Species: Shinx
Cat’s Name: Lemon Drop
Cat’s Gender: Female

Talents:
- Has a beautiful voice, if you can manage to convince him to sing.
- An incredibly high tolerance for alcohol—which comes in handy in his line of work.
- A surprisingly passable cook.
- Has extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs and plants.
- Great with Pokemon.

Fun Facts:
- Although he loves plants, he can't manage to keep them alive. Even so, he always prefers to use fresh herbs in his drinks.
- Usually wears leather gloves to keep from accidentally scratching anyone with his claws.
- Asexual, biromantic.
- People-watching is his favorite pastime.
- Loves musicals.
- Very aware of his personal space.
- Can't swim.