General Vibe: Loud, intense, and hard to deal with. JJ doesn’t hold back — if he thinks something’s wrong, he’ll say it, push it, and keep pushing until someone shuts him down. Quick-tempered, impulsive, and confrontational. He argues, interrupts, and doesn’t let things go. Comes off as reckless and difficult, especially in structured environments.
Current Position: Operating independently. Not affiliated with the Guild, but still moving through the similar cases. Known to interfere, observe, or insert himself when something feels off.
Background: Former Hunter’s Guild operative removed from service after a sustained internal conflict.
Over the course of multiple assignments, JJ began identifying a pattern across separate cases with similar environmental effects, similar escalation, and similar gaps in reporting.
He raised concerns that these incidents were connected and that the Guild was either missing something or choosing not to acknowledge it. The Guild dismissed his claims.
As JJ continued pushing for access to past reports and questioning internal handling of cases, he was gradually reassigned, isolated from relevant work, and labelled difficult to work with. His behaviour was increasingly documented as erratic, argumentative, and unreliable.
Eventually, he was removed from the Guild entirely.
JJ maintains that the cases were connected, that hunter deaths could have been prevented, and that the Guild chose to suppress or ignore the pattern rather than confront it.
Beliefs / Perspective:
The Guild is not telling the full truth about what it’s dealing with
Patterns exist across cases that are being ignored or buried
Hunters are being sent into situations without full understanding
What’s happening now is not isolatedm it’s part of something larger
He is not trying to dismantle the Guild, he just no longer trusts anything they say.
Notes:
Has detailed memory of past cases and how they were handled
Recognises patterns quickly and fixates on inconsistencies
Reputation within the Guild: difficult, obsessive, unreliable
May be right but can’t fully prove it
Functions as a direct counterpoint to Guild-aligned hunters
Family Legacy: The Jones legacy speaks for itself after generations of ranchers that owned and worked on Blue River Ranch, selling produce at local markets and being solid members of the community even if they're also stubborn and impulsive, each in their own way.
Favorite Spot in Town: Jackson doesn't care if it's cliche but he loves the lake, and he spends a lot of time there in the summer.
Hidden Talent or Hobby: Jackson is good at a lot of handy things, but he ended up developing a love for woodwork and carpentry. It keeps him focused and allows him to enjoy the process of seeing something turn into something sturdier and better. He sells a few of his works sometimes, and takes on projects, from cribs to birdhouses.
Strengths: JJ has a strong work ethic, and he is always willing to do whatever is needed. His upbringing as a Jones means he often stands up for injustices and is willing to fight for what he believes is right. He has an understanding nature which allows him to mediate and be a voice of reason, if his patience allows.
Weaknesses: JJ still has a lot to learn in terms of what it means to be responsible. His hasty and impulsive nature causes him to act fast and think later. He makes hurried decisions but with passion and confidence that might be misjudged. He’s stubborn to a fault and it takes a lot to change his mind.
What Keeps Them Up at Night, If Anything?: Even though the Joneses seem to take a lot of things in their stride with an understanding nature, JJ has never been able to accept things as 'just the way they are.' Lately, he's struggling with the passage of time, watching his father and grandfather get older, knowing he's next to hold the ranch together.
How Do They Handle Conflict?: Jackson is better than used to be. He used to have a reputation of being the "grumpier" Jones just because he refused to argue with words and just landed a punch instead, if the situation asked for it. Over time, he's leveled out and can even walk away from conflict he considers pointless or stupid. He's not perfect, though. Things can push him too far, and his recklessness takes center stage.
HISTORY
Backstory: Like all Joneses, Jackson was raised on Blue River Ranch and taught the intricacies and hard work associated to life as a rancher. He always knew it would one day be his, and that he and his family would always have Blue River Ranch in their blood. Jackson always jokes that his blood is "blue" because of it. He wouldn't have it any other way. He loves the outdoors, he admires the way his family always offer a helping hand.
Above all else, Jackson admires his father. Ethan Jones is the embodiment of the man JJ wishes to become but he knows he's not even close. Sometimes, he worries that he will never be able to be even half the man Ethan is. But, he tries. And he's glad his father is the kind of the man who appreciates effort more than results.
Jackson never really bothered much at school. He knew his future was the ranch, and was chomping at the bit to get stuck in. He was troublesome in the way Joneses are. Most of the scraps he found himself in were defending his brother and sisters. Or, even just his family's name if it was sitting wrong in someone's mouth. But, in the back of his mind, he knew he couldn't be the Jones that was more volatile. It wasn't right and it didn't feel like who he was deep down.
Over the years, Jackson has spent his life always trying to do better and be better. He places a lot on his shoulders, sometimes burdens that aren't even his to carry. But, he thinks it's the least his family deserve. He feels as if he owes it to them to be the older brother they can depend on and count on, no matter how independent and wild they all are in their own ways. He wants to be an extension of home, even if they don't realize it themselves.
Current Situation: Jackson is ticking on in his usual routine, working the ranch but also learning more behind the scenes from Ethan. He hates that his father is gearing up for retirement, but he also sees it as a time in his life to really focus and put his money where his mouth is. No distractions. Even if they have pretty blonde hair and blue eyes. No, not Ryan.
How Do They Feel About the Changes in Clearwater?: Jackson doesn't like the changes, he also thinks they're stupid. He's convinced they won't last long, anyways that people aren't built for rural living and end up moving along.
CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Reputation in Clearwater: JJ's reputation has shifted over the years. He used to be more aggressive than he is now, and slightly violent. (Only with a reason!!). He's calmer, or at least trying to embody all the lessons his father taught him.
Important Relationships: Joneses, Collins, Crosses, Vaismans, Stones, Anyone lol
Potential Story Hooks: Any situation that puts Jackson in a place where he could react one way or another and it tests his patience and responsibility. Chaos is always welcome, even if it's realllly bad. Wholesome stuff works too. He can be helping people with improvements around their home which is cute.
Jackson was only a few years old when his mother died while giving birth to his younger sisters. All memories he has of Ava Jones are mainly due to listening closely to his father's stories. All throughout his life, JJ has wished to be half of the man that Ethan is, even if he knows he comes up short more often than not.
He can't tell if it's his Scott or Jones traits that make him reckless, sometimes biting off a bit more than he can chew. But in there, is a man who wants to do good and wants to keep a level head as much as possible.
S&J Foods has always been their bread and butter and despite Jackson's impulsive ways, he has always known the importance of working hard. And also, helping others.
That's why, when S&J began working with smugglers to get food down to The Wards, Jackson didn't think twice to start working with them. He knows the risks involved, but this time he thinks they're much more worth it.
In recent weeks, Chrissy Collins began work at S&J with a placement through Outreach. It's clear to most of his family that Jackson is smitten, but he's adamant that her getting too involved will only hinder her. After her sharing that she's turning her life around, JJ has pulled away and now caused a confusing cycle that he never intended because she remains unaware of his and S&J's work on the side.
Born into the Jones family that existed within the Cross pack, Jackson only has vague memories of his mother Ava before she passed away after the birth of his two younger sisters. All JJ remembers is that a sense of responsibility found him that day, and he would do anything to ensure Tammie and Nora are okay. Even if his wways of doing this is usually annoying them but JJ believes all the roughhousing and sneak attacks are what made Tammie and Nora who they are today. When he’s not annoying his sisters, JJ is being annoyed by his younger brother Elijah and sometimes it’s as if none of them grew up at all.
When the Cross pack was forced to move out of Atlanta to New York, JJ ended up falling into The Syndicate. He was a general member for some years but after a heart to heart with his father, could see the worry that Ethan experienced with all of his children working within the organization. JJ then became a mechanic instead, despite not finding it exciting and somewhat missing a place for him to exert his energetic and impulsive ways.
Responsibility found him again three years ago when his relationship with Sophia Cross turned into a family unit. Twin boys, Jax and Jesse were born and changed JJ's life entirely. Now, thinking about his sons growing up around The Syndicate has put many things into perspective for him.
