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Jingle; old and new
Topic Started: Nov 28 2009, 08:24 PM (307 Views)
Air Sylph
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Thanks and enjoy reading!
Edited by Air Sylph, Nov 28 2009, 08:48 PM.
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Layla - 52.2 | playground
Maikeru - 46 | I'm nowhere
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Air Sylph
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Jingle
When Layla was born, I was born as well. I didnt know how I came about; just an egg that appeared along with her. I remembered her gentle childlike voice, whispering through my shell, the thin layer that separated us both. From that time on, I knew we were supposed to be together forever. Together in birth and together in death. We had travelled; and as the new ones to the team, Layla and I learned. Somehow, under her guidance, my strength came quickly. I felt like I was regaining something from before, something that I didnt remember. It was strange for both of us, being with these other Pokmon that appeared from nowhere, who claimed that we knew them and they knew us.

A fact that both of us knew was true, but wanted to deny.

I knew of other Pokmon, other starters they were called. I wanted to be like that the first one Layla had, the first one she loved, the first one she battled with, just simply the first. And these other Pokmon had to barge in, telling us of a past that both of us didn't remember and a past that both of us didnt want to know about. I knew that Layla didnt like it, being compared to the great Airlia. From what we had heard, she was a great witch, assassin and trainer to all of them.

You ought to love her too, Jingle. Dont you remember?

No, I didnt. Agnis had always looked upon me sadly, when I said I didnt remember. She held the mindpearl, a little thing that held all of Airlias memories it was supposed to merge with Layla, completing her identity. Layla had refused to take it; and I had a feeling I was one of the reasons. We never told the others, but when they were all sleeping, or safe in their Pokballs, we always talked. She didnt understand me, not like how she understood the others it hurt me a little.

Layla, dont you worry. Id always be here for you.

She had rubbed my head when I had said that; did she understand? She held me close to her body, sharing the warmth underneath the cold dark sky. Her quiet voice: I will always protect you. I snuggled up against her bosom, just feeling safe and warm. Both of us children, promising each other mutual protection but through the sound of her beating heart, I knew we were merely that: just children.

Layla looked like a human teenager but the truth was she was new to this world. Her eyes stared at the stars in wonderment, her voice stretched thin as she marveled, Look at the starlight. Do you know they come from far far away? I leapt up into her arms, my black eyes staring at the night sky; it was strange as a tingling ran under my skin. She continued, eyes still on the twinkling, Stars we see them twinkling even after they are dead they are so far away their light takes that long to reach us.

She paused. And how did I know that?

I just licked her hand. There were times like these that I had nothing to say, nothing that I could say. They happened to me as well, these instances of dj vu. Both of us were fossilized starlight, remnants of people and Pokmon that had already died but still struggling to shine in our own rights. Why didnt the rest understand that? They might miss Airlia but why couldnt they love Layla for who she is?

Jingle, I just want Layla to be complete Sometimes she looks a bit out of it and I think its because she doesnt have this. Agnis showed me the mindpearl.

Layla didnt tell anyone but me that she was secretly tempted to just take it all in. To lose herself in the past, to find herself familiar with the world, with the family. I shook my head that one time and she understood me. It was hard, talking to the others, because we didnt know them, but they knew more about us than we ourselves would never. The beauty though, was that we had a second chance to see the world in a brand new light unlike them, stuck in their wells, unable to see the whole world again.

If we ever remember, I didnt think wed regret not taking back our memories.

Thats why Layla didnt take the pearl she had her pearl, while I had nothing to take back.



It had first happened when we had walked in Hillmoss. The grass, they moved; not to the wind I meant they moved. They reached out for me, trying to grasp me, trying to tell me something. I knew there was something seriously wrong; but what could I say or do? I had merely been a baby then. I just yelped and ran up to Layla, pointing a paw at the patch of grass that had beckoned for me. Layla did not understand me; and I didnt understand why then. She just laughed, put me down and continued walking.

I hated the grass, so I nudged her again; and this time, she said, Id carry you if you want me to, you big baby. At that moment, I couldnt take offence I was a big baby. I knew being afraid of grass was such a stupid thing; and yet something in my heart stirred when the blades had whirred around with such ferocity. The whole day, I stared at the floor, waiting for it to happen again.

It didnt, not that day.

Then came the shrubs. Bushes of every shape and size; faces appeared, listening ears crept into our conversations, eyes stared. I knew they were dangerous because I knew I had seen this before, somewhere, long time ago. Maybe they were in my dreams. I barked at them and I tried to tell Layla about it but she didnt understand. The other Pokmon, I didnt dare tell them because I knew they would just laugh at me.

Do you want to know what you were before, Jingle?

Jayde had asked me, her large white wings closing up as she came back from her morning scout. Layla had asked her to do that to help find us a route towards Misthenge. I had been sitting, eyes blank, just wondering if I was going mad. No one else noticed what I saw because when the plants leapt at me, I was the only one who got shocked. I had pluck though and always kept my yelping to a minimum; though no one really cared because they assumed I was just a hyperactive puffball. Jayde though somehow sensed something.

I shook my head. I didnt want to know about my past. That was all behind. She then asked me gently, Then do you know what you want to become? I stared at her; what did she mean? I barked, I want to be able to protect Layla. She nodded. So does the rest of us. But you in your form right now You could be stronger. It was the first time I heard of evolution. Jayde told me all about it, when she was just a young Togepi, helpless, stiff with fear. Even as a Togetic, she wasnt much help to her trainer (who was Airlia, and every time she said that name, I winced because I didnt want to hear it) and finally, when her trainer got sick from Pokrus, it was her who evolved to save her life.

Jayde told Layla about it and Layla showed me all my choices. Her warm voice caressed my long brown ears: These are the 7 discovered evolutions for you, Jingle. Take your pick. With the sun beating down on my ears, I could feel the Espeon in me tingle strange, I never noticed it before. And that night, that very night when Layla had showed me the starlight, I almost changed. It was that same tingling that almost made me an Umbreon.

However, I didnt change. Why?

I shrugged; Id be whatever you want me to be, Layla, I tried to say. She nodded. Looks like youre undecided, Jingle. Its okay, take your time. I love you the way you are. Frankly, I dont need you to evolve. And that hit me in the heart. Will she still love me if I had changed? Her blank eyes scanned over the seven other forms, and I saw nothing in her that compelled her to make me change. Why should I change then? Jayde was trying to change me, like how all of them were trying to change Layla into Airlia. I wouldnt do it; I was adamant. Strong or not, I believed through sheer willpower, I could help protect Airlia no matter what.

Alas, that wasnt true in the real world.



When Layla and I had escaped the Family (which she was part of, being half a succubus herself) we brought along Kevin. I had been personally against it, tried to tell Layla about it, but Layla was so keen on saving the poor imprisoned humans that served as food for the demons of the Lust, I couldnt stop her. She held his hand and did her mojo. I helped along secretly, using Helping Hand and my own Baton Pass ability. We managed to escape; but upon reaching the surface, Kevin had gone mad.

I leapt from her shoulder, standing in between her and the mad man. I had growled at him; but from his eyes, I knew he wasnt intimidated at all. He sniffed at me, dark eyes glowing with determination. I barked a lot more, trying to make him cower, like the Weedle, Caterpie and Pidgey that came before him. I needed to show him who was boss. Layla and I had gone past so many Pokmon just by this way; there was no need for battle. Layla didnt like them.

Unlike the others though, Kevin wasnt afraid. In fact, his eyes turned from me; I was nothing to him. At that moment, he and Layla had an exchange of words something that I wasnt part of. I felt forgotten; and I felt very small. I crouched down low, paws underneath my head, ready to pounce at him, to remind him that I was still there that I was still a viable threat.

What hurt me most at that moment though was the red light that shot from the Pokball. Layla recalled me back into the ball; she didnt even notice my preparation towards my attack. And slowly, I tried to recall, we were always just walking together no battles. The few battles she engaged in, she didnt ask me to battle. What was wrong? Did she not have faith in me?

I couldnt even ask her this myself because she couldnt understand my barks and my yelps. She did somehow though understand my feelings probably had to do with her Relaying ability that allowed her to transmit emotions, and thus probably receive them better than average people. She knew I was upset but didnt know why. I wanted a chance to prove myself to her, to let her know I wasnt some weakling.

She never gave me that chance.



Can you finally hear our words?

What. The. Fuck.

I turned, my brown tail swishing to my back. The wind caressed my cheek, and I squinted as the glaring sun hindered my vision. The grasses rustled in the wind; and I tried to hear the tiny voices that entered my ears. Nothing, nothing anymore. The air was silent for now. I grunted. And there it was again, as if in a reply to my grunt Yes, you do. Dont deny it, you hear all of us now. I gulped. I didnt know much about the Sanded Grasslands could there be a type of Pokmon that was invisible?

I said aloud, Yes, I hear you. What do you want?

Weve been trying to reach you for a long time.

And that was when I screamed and ran. I know, only pussies do that, but I couldnt help it. Layla shouted and ran after me but she stumbled; I couldnt stumble, I couldnt stop. The tree-trunk had spoke to me, all his leaves shaking in the air, his twisted face, long protruding nose sniffing in arrogance all of it. It frightened me; I didnt expect the plants to talk to me, even though they had moved for me.

I cried like a loser. Bending down, lying on the patch of sand, just hoping that nothing like this ever happened again. Why were they tormenting me? I didnt understand and I didnt want to. If this was something to do with my former self, it has nothing to do with me; I am Jingle, the new Jingle, the one that is still an Eevee and didnt want to change. I cried out. I cried it all out, screaming to the surroundings, so they all knew.

I dont want to become your Leafeon.

I curled up, just waiting for my breathing to stop. I hated crying; sobbing made you breathless. The fear in my heart, the one that clawed from the tummy and tried to strangle the throat, was slowly expelled through the wetness that spilled down my cheeks I breathed harder. And suddenly, a whiff of a familiar scent; I got up, slowly, padding around the grasslands, wiping my eyes free from blurry tears. My thumping heart slowed down as I saw a girl that I knew I should know; but I didnt.

Hello Jingle. Its been a while.

I growled; I sensed no hostility, but I couldnt take chances. Enemies came in all shapes and forms those that could disguise their evil intentions were the scariest of all. The girl stepped forwards, sand all over her delicate smooth toes, hair braided with a circlet of daisies around her forehead. Her sandy-blonde hair flowed down her back, her fingers adorned with bell-rings that jingled every time she walked. Remember me?

Not at all. Who are you?

The girl covered her mouth in mock horror; a tinkling pattered lightly through the air as the bells shook. I normally dont present myself here; Im not as strong here as I am at the Moss Rock But for you, Jingle, I appear.

I took a step back, my paws itching as they brushed against the grass. Where was Layla? This was a bad idea; the tree must have been a decoy, to bring me here where this woman was. With a little snarl, I warned the girl, Dont come any nearer. I dont know what you want; but I will not serve you.

I didnt know why I said that; again, it was my old self surfacing and I hated it. I tried to not think. Even though my senses were telling me it was okay, to not panic, somehow, it made me more nervous. This girl came from my past-life, I was sure of it. I just didnt know what she was. She giggled, staying at her spot. The wind carried her long draped skirt, letting it flutter all around her; she closed her eyes, the emerald rock just below the circlet between her eyes now glowed.

Even if you have forgotten us, we will never forget you, Jingle. You did us a great service So we, the Parliament of Trees want to remind you of that fact.

The Parliament of Trees? My tail involuntarily gave a wag upon the mention of that name. I crouched down; her sweet scent somehow calmed me down, yet still leaving my mind perfectly clear. She wasnt trying to trick me, I was sure of it now. Something in my heart told me. I leaned forwards and asked, If I had served you long before, why do you disturb me now?

We lost a few of our agents. We dont know what they are but but something is slaying them. Were left with Poison Ivy, the Black Orchid, and the Swamp Thing.

The images of those particular Pokmon appeared on her wide skirt, flattened out by the wind. A female Leafeon, as pretty as poison, her long headleaf glowing a sickly purple; a black Leafeon, standing in the moonlight; and a disfigured one, prowling through the dank swamps of Xugbar. Something swelled in my chest; did I use to commune with them?

And after losing you, things werent the same with our agents. One of them left to join the enemy, god knows how. We need you back, quite frankly.

Who left? I couldnt believe I was asking that.

Sprout.

That name sounded very familiar. Without the white skirt prompting me, I knew who he was, somehow. We talked; I didnt really like him then. He was a normal-colored Leafeon but haughty. The memories were resurfacing and despite me trying to forget it all again, I couldnt.

Are you making me remember? I winced, a waterfall of thoughts crowding my brain; and worse, Airlias image appearing more and more, instead of Laylas. I couldnt forget myself, I couldnt. I was Jingle the Eevee; I was Laylas Pokmon, her only true Pokmon. I wasnt Airlias I didnt want to be Airlias, like the rest of them. Layla needed me to be hers! I pressed my paws against my head and dropped to the ground.

Im not, Jingle, she whispered, eyes wide in shock, I didnt mean to do this to you. Id leave if thats what you want. Her figure slowly faded; but I stopped her: Dont! She solidified again, bending down so I could see her face to face. There was no fighting it seeing all of the agents again just triggered all the memories. I licked my lips, looking at my brown paws.

What was I now?

The Jingle of the past? Or the Jingle of the present?

Im waiting

I had to do it. For myself, for Airlia and for Layla. I was foolish to think I could do it all alone, that I could protect Layla with my life with only willpower. She might hate me for this; she might not understand why I did what I did but by joining to protect the Parliament of Trees again, Id possess their power, power that might allow me to better serve her.

I stepped forwards, heart beating, legs trembling. I didnt want to do this, really, and I kept questioning myself. I hated changing, especially when I was supposed to be the stable one for Layla she didnt want to be overwhelmed by the past either. And now I had succumbed. I gave in to the memories.

I remember you now, Mother.

She laughed, the bells tinkling. She skipped towards me, tip-toeing and leaning forwards to face me, her sweet voice, dripping with honey, asked, You deserve the power, its just our little thank you. About fighting our enemies, its entirely up to you; but remember your powers. You can contact us anytime. So are you up for it?

I thought I had to be at the Moss Rock?

You were once a Leafeon; it doesnt take much to reverse the change cast on you by your previous trainer. I can do it even here.

I nodded. Id take it, do whatever. Like she said, I had saved the forest from being destroyed I deserved the power. I knew I was born to be a Leafeon, I just didnt want to admit it. Running away from Nature it was childish, but I was a child, even now. The girl placed her finger on my forehead and I felt the change as the sun cast his rays on me; I could feel my body changing and as it happened, the tears that I tried to hold in dribbled down my cheeks. What would Layla say once she saw me like this?



Jingle? Is that you?

I trotted forwards, my body glowing in the sun; she had given me a few extra presents. She told me that I was the one blessed with Holy, and for old memories sake, she gave me one of her little bells. I brought them to Layla, hopin that she wouldnt have that big a reaction. My fur tingled as the gritty wind brushed against me; my chocolate eyes stared at Laylas. I nodded.

Oh thank god youre safe!

She pulled me towards her, arms around my neck. I stayed stunned for a moment, before snuggling against her again, nuzzling against her neck, just enjoying the moment. She had been worried for me; and rightly so. I shouldnt have just ran off like that. What made me even happier was that she didnt even say anything about my change. She pulled back, eyes glistening with joy as she ruffled my head, now with a large headleaf she said, I see youve made your choice.

Yes, I did.

She paused. Was I just able to understand you?

It was the old bonds that made it happen was it? Airlia was able to understand the old Jingle; was it because I regained my memories that she was able to understand me so clearly? No time to ponder about these matters; I smiled and said, Yes! Finally! She laughed and said, Im sorry that I couldnt earlier. You can tell me about your adventures now. Like how you turned into a lovely Leafeon!

I grinned cockily. I did it all by myself.

Really? She laughed disbelievingly. Well, keep your little secrets to yourself then. Were way behind schedule. Its time to rock it at Mayriver! I smirked and nodded, using my headleaf to find my way. The grass all seemed to direct me the right way. I trotted along Layla, her eyes fixed on her map.

Youre going to be a star, Jingle, now that youve evolved. The others would want to know how so badly.

She said I was a star now. No longer just old dead light falling from the sky - I was my own star now. No more Jingle of the past or Jingle of the present. I grinned to myself as I pounded against the grassy floor, moving towards our destination. I was the Jingle of the future.
Edited by Air Sylph, Nov 29 2009, 09:31 AM.
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Layla - 52.2 | playground
Maikeru - 46 | I'm nowhere
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Fantasy Shadow
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It's not worth it.
What can I say? Ive always liked freeforms that dont present your standard third-person narrative. Exploring one Pokemons history and personality is especially challenging for some, but you always seem to pull this off well. I especially enjoyed this because of Jingles dilemma, torn between two selves; the one he is being pressured toward and the one he cant help but cling to. Pokemon around here tend to be faceless, mindless things, but I get so caught in the story of Laylas friends that I have to take a step back and remember that Im viewing things from a Pokemons perspective.

One line I thought Id mention that was probably the most thoughtful and original:

Both of us were fossilized starlight, remnants of people and Pokemon that had already died but still struggling to shine in our own rights. I scribbled a line underneath it on my print-out to make sure I remembered to mention it. I love that.

Alas, the bad. There is a persistence in this freeform which I assume is also present in the rest of your writing: semicolons. They are everywhere. Some are warranted, I will grant you that, but I often find myself suddenly pausing right in the middle of sentences unnecessarily when a comma would have done a much better job. It is not a terrible mistake, but one you might want to watch out for.

Other than that, you know Ive always enjoyed your writings. Your ability to craft these emotional scenes, delving deep into Pokemon characterization, is masterful. I found myself hurting when Jingle hurt, and rejoicing when everything seemed to work out. Youve got to promise me one thing, though: dont leave Jingle hanging! Hes too real a character to be left unexplored.

I know youve been dying waiting for them. Rewards. Your base score is 9.4 :exp . Jingles evolution, in my opinion, is believable enough to count, adding to the fact that he was previously a Leafeon. In addition to this, you wanted to arrive in Mist Valley, get a Soothe Bell, and also add a little happiness on top. Heres your options:

1) Arrive in Mayriver as you originally planned, Jingle evolves/receives 2 happiness, and Soothe Bell is obtained, with 1.3 :exp leftover.

2) Cut the journey short in Mist Valley, Jingle evolves/receives 2 happiness, and Soothe Bell is obtained, with 4.3 :exp leftover.

Take your pick. Thanks for playing. Happy writing!~
Gavin Roark.APL is 5.MPL is 1.Legacy points are 78.


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Air Sylph
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0.5 - Thanks for the wonderful insight and picking that line out. I loved it as well.

I'd pick choice number 1!
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