User blog:Izunna Nwogbo/My OC: Latke

"Hi, I'm Latke. Welcome to Gravity Falls. By this point, you probably want to know why I'm named after a fried potato dessert. Well, pull up a chair and I'll explain as much as I can..."

- Latke "Latke" Katsopolis is a boy (13-14½ years old) born and raised in Gravity Falls, Oregon. He lives with his parents who promote their popular breakfast cereal Sugarfrosted UFOats™.



History

Early Life
Latke earned his nickname due to an incident that took place during his school’s potluck in the fifth grade. It involved potato pancakes and the aftermath resulted in the intervention of the entire fire department. The details of the matter are his darkest secret and he doesn't like to talk about it. Shortly after this experience, Latke found himself being bullied relentlessly by his peers and treated as if he were bad luck. Though he has acquired a dislike for potato pancakes since that day, Latke seems to prefer his nickname to his real name as he continues to wear it proudly.

Growing up in Gravity Falls
Latke gave his parents the idea of putting prizes at the bottom of their cereal boxes so they put him in charge of that job. Latke uses this opportunity as an excuse to go searching for strange and wondrous curios in the forest. Latke even came up with the slogan - "A meteorite in every bite". Adventures  On the first day of summer break Latke trekked to the Mystery Shack in order to get some answers out of it's manager, Mr. Mystery. Being one of the few residents in town that knew of Stan's con-artist exploits at the time, Latke thought it best to investigate. Fearing that he might get busted, Stan tried to deny all of Latke's suspicions but soon made a deal with the boy to work at the shack and make sure nothing funny went on for himself. Latke met a girl named Maddie who had just moved into Gravity Falls and been recently hired like he was. After enjoying each other's company, the two became good friends. Latke spent the first couple of days palling around with his good friend Luna. She introduced him to her fellow werewolf friends, who didn't take too kindly to her hanging out with a mere mortal. Meanwhile, Maddie made acquaintance with a teenage cop named Finnow.

After a week, business at the Shack was beginning to boom. The fruitful summer sales proved to be quite taxing for Maddie and Latke, so Stan had a heart and decided to throw a big party. Doing so was bound to bring in more customers and his employees could finally get some relaxation, even if it was just for one night. Volunteering as DJ, Latke was enthralled when all his friends showed up.

Personality and traits
Latke is daring, funny, kind, genuine and just an all-around good guy. Having a dislike for routine, he strides through life looking for the next adventure around the corner. Latke would do anything for you, even if he doesn't know you. He couldn't care less about what happens to himself as long as those he's sworn to protect are safe and out of harm's way. People often say to look up to the firemen in Gravity Falls as role models, but truthfully, Latke is the straightest arrow out there, and his actions do a good job of reminding us that. That being said, his inclination to help and save others sometimes ends up landing him in danger twice as worse. He is intelligent, but that doesn't mean he's wise. Latke can be impulsive which causes him to leap before looking. He has a smart mouth and a knack for mischief. Having said that; he is good at science and is artistically inclined. Latke will never miss a clue, and is a bit of a trickster; able to get the answers and outcomes he wants through methods such as reverse-psychology or playing dumb. He also exhibits a level of quick-witted tactical genius, being able to formulate solutions in the stickiest of situations and in record time. It is often pointed out that Latke is "inquisitive", as he tends to ask a lot of questions - even silly ones. Latke is brave, and while not immune to fear, he has the willpower to overcome it. This allows him to undertake dangerous tasks, especially if his friends and family are on the line. His biggest pet peeve is when people bully or hurt others, particularly those closest to him. Latke prefers to reach out to and even befriend his foes instead of outright fighting them. However, if you manage to force his hand, he won't hold back. Heart of gold, nerves of steel, and a diamond in the rough: Latke is never down for the count against the unknown mysteries that Gravity Falls has in store.

Physical appearance
Latke is said to be a spitting image of how his father looked as a boy, minus the hair color (his father's hair was red, though it darkened during his adult years).

Latke has shaggy jet-black hair, hazel eyes, and light skin. He often sports a beige sweater with a red collar, cuffs, and an abstract cat head on the front with big eyes. Finishing off the ensemble are cerulean pants, white socks, and black shoes. Latke is of average height for his age with a svelte, fit build. Powers and abilities Time and time again, Latke has defied insuperable odds and brought down heinous forces through sheer determination, strategy, moral fiber, luck, and help from his friends.

N/A.

Weapons

 * Slingshot: Latke sometimes carries around a wooden Y-shaped catapult that fits comfortably in his pocket. He uses it to fire stones and other projectiles. He has also used it to send objects to other people who are far away.

Items

 * Smoke bombs: To effectively disappear and reappear, Latke makes use of capsule-like devices that give off dense clouds of chemical smoke. They also prove useful for distracting people.
 * Olympic gold medal: The Announselor gave Latke one of his three medals for showing ingenuity in a game of capture-the-flag. It has a green lace and it's design consists of two crossed flags.

Peanuckle Peanuckle is the small manufacturing business run by Latke's parents. Their most successful line is their cereal division, Sugarfrosted UFOats. Though they do make other produce, such as peanut butter and corn dogs.

Water tower
The Gravity Falls water tower is really Latke's centre of operations. Though the tower looks normal on the outside, there is a hidden door that leads to the inside which looks like a big futuristic rec room/observatory. Not only does it contain beanbag chairs, a mini fridge, a maxi fridge, and a flat-screen TV; but there is also a large supercomputer with seven rectangular monitors and three keyboards. It's hooked up to a surveillance system of the town so Latke can keep track of things he's discovered in Gravity Falls.

The entire roof of the water tower is able to open up like a hatch, in response to Latke's ejecting-chair function. A section of the roof can slide open in order for Latke to observe space with a 200-inch telescope, or simply stargaze without it. In the center of the tower is a big cherry blossom tree with a carved-in ladder that Latke grew himself. It provides reach to the three different levels of the interior.

Luna Ellos-Lupin
"Luna doesn't only wolf up when there's a full moon. Other things can trigger the transformation. Annoying things. How do I know? Because I'm usually the one who does it."

- Latke describing his relationship with Luna

Luna and Latke have been through a lot together. Latke thinks her werewolf/witch background is 'neat', a unique genus he refers to as a "werewitch" and "care were". He is secretly jealous that she can grow more body hair than he can.

Maddie Jameson
"Big mouth for such a small brain."

- Maddie teasing Latke

<p class="MsoNormal">The yin to his yang, Maddie is the 16-year-old friend and co-worker of Latke who brings new meaning to the term "women's intuition". They work together in the Mystery Shack as Miss and Master Mystery. The two like to trade banter and make gibes at each other's expense, but their undeniable bond runs deep. Latke cares for Maddie as if she were his real sister, and the rest of Latke's family views her as such.

Willow Cooper
"I'm Willow. Like the tree."

- Willow first meeting Latke

Willow is the youngest cop in Gravity Falls and a close friend of Latke's. She is bold, fiercly loyal, and hard to be restrained. Along with their friends, Latke and Willow have a reputation for pursuing high-flying, death-defying escapades in their not-so seemingly sleepy town.

Finn Rooney
"Finn once handcuffed me to a flagpole and forgot I was there. He made up for it the next day by buying me all the peanut-butter and jellyfish sandwiches I could eat. Which wasn't a whole lot...but Abe liked them."

- Latke describing Finnow Finn is the partner/mentor of Willow. Finn initially antagonized Latke, believing he liked Maddie (his object of affection), but the two eventually became good friends. When trouble is afoot, Finn tends to take charge while Latke takes heart. He likes to be percieved as manly even though he has a soft center, a façade that Latke views with amused bewilderment - but isn't above invoking.

Jade Northwest
"Don't sound so jaded, Jade."

- Latke encouraging Jade to enjoy herself

Jade and Latke are on each other's good sides.

Bucky Rhodes
Bucky and Latke made easy acquaintance when they first met in Jade's backyard.

Latke's parents
"For me sake."

- A young Pete "Page you guys later."

- A young Pam Latke's parents, Pete and Pamela, care very deeply for their children. Back in high school, they were best friends. Pam was a member of the pep squad and the wrestling team. Pete's biggest dream was to be just like his hero, Long-Limb Louie, a treasure hunter who disappeared but left dozens of clues and treasure maps behind.

Pam is down-to-earth, spirited, and clever. During her younger years, she was very in touch with pop culture; even owning a portable cassette tape player for music and a pager to talk to her friends. Pam always came through for others and was very considerate towards people and their feelings. As a youth, Pete was known for being quick with the tongue. He was snippy, talkative, teasing/joking/jovial, silly, and had an independent and active streak. Though despite it all, Pete possessed a big heart and cared dearly for his friends.

Latke's siblings
"You might actually have a shot with that girl. Don't mess it up."

- Waverly to Latke, in her first appearance "And when you do mess it up, can she be my girlfriend instead?"

- Abe to Latke, in his first appearance

Latke has younger 10-year-old twin siblings. While occasional disputes arise, Latke truly does love his brother and sister and is quite protective of them.

Aberdeen Angus "Abe" Katsopolis: Is the older twin (by 6 minutes). Abe is the quintessential recipe of "snips, snails, and puppy dog tails". He is good-humored and self-aware. He's also a bit of a smooth talker, but brutally honest, speaking his mind without regard to hurting people's feelings. Abe can take things too literally or just miss the point altogether - often to the annoyance or amusement of others. He never gets tired and always has plenty of energy, but what he does with it is up to him. Similar to Latke, Abe has black hair, but his eyes are bluish green. Abe is rather non-confrontational. His signature weapon is a green round shield/flying disc with a darker green four-leaf clover in the center and a matching darker green ring on the outer edge.

Waverly Katsopolis: Is the younger twin (by 6 minutes). Waverly is a wheeling and dealing individual with an overactive imagination. She is marked by her enterprising personality, often the instigator of zany schemes, and fondness for catty comments. Waverly likes to play practical jokes on others that sometimes go too far. She also tells tall tales - specifically the one about her "long lost triplet". She is embarassed by her first name "Delilah", so she goes by her middle name instead. Waverly has brown hair done up in odango style and brown eyes. Her pet is a brown bird that can mimic people's voices with startling accuracy.

Enemies
Huckleberry "Huck" Piper: A youth (16 years old) with a bad boy rep. Huck wears a penny whistle that hangs from around his neck on a string. It's tune harnesses magic that lets Huck engage in hypnosis and telekinesis. His favorite hobbies are poetry and horseback riding. Huck owns a pet albino ferret named Winter. He has blue eyes and neat platinum blond hair that covers the tips of his ears. He has something of a rivalry with Latke and Finn. Huck has a sister named Amelia.

Justine Thyme and Nikov Thyme: Time-travelling twin siblings from 207̃012 Russia who wreak havoc on the present day.

Other Allies
Xeer Quinton: Xeer is a young but brilliant CSI, not to mention the newest member of the Gravity Falls Police Department. Despite his friendliness, Xeer can get a little carried away when he's trying to enact justice and lose sight of what's really important. He is good friends with Bucky Rhodes, who he often looks out for.

Announselor: The Announselor is a camp activities director in Gravity Falls. Often tasked with hosting special events, he serves as the announcer and counselor to all who participate. The Announselor has a tendency to be very (or perhaps too) enthusiastic in everything he does, and encourages his campers to be the same way. He is a very skilled camper himself, being a three time capture-the-flag Olympic gold medalist and capable of roasting six marshmallows at once, each caramelized to perfection.

Amelia Piper: The younger sister (15 years old) of Huck Piper. Unlike her brother, she is much more sociable and open with people. Much like Latke, Amelia places a great deal of significance on camaraderie.

Sweety Sue: Is a popular American superhero that Luna accidentally brought into the material world when she, Latke, Willow and Finn went to The Royal Ragtime Theater. Armed with an enormous double-edged sword and Herculean strength, Sweety's heart beats for justice and goodwill. On the other hand, this heroic nature doesn't extend to wolves - who are the minions of her sworn enemy, The Wolf Master. Her catchphrase is "You'll have to excuse me".

RPs

 * 101. "Neander Falls"
 * 102. "Mystery Kids"
 * 103. "Big Brother Blues"
 * 104. "Alatkezam!"
 * 105. "Killer in Gravity Falls"
 * 106. "GFPD: Stakeout"
 * 107. "GFPD: Breakout"
 * 108. "Piper, No Piping"
 * 109. "Reunions"
 * 110. "Slumber Party Switcheroo"  (non-canon)
 * 111. "Trial and Terror"
 * 112. "Jade vs. Wilderness"
 * 113. "Camp Wherenow?"
 * 114. "Very Sue"
 * 115. "Project Jade"
 * 116. "Bowling"
 * 117. "The Future is in the Past" (coming soon)
 * 118. "Cereal Killers" (coming soon)
 * 119. "Monster Falls" (coming soon)
 * 120. "I Heart Tuesdays"  (mentioned)

Side RPs

 * 002. "Shades of Great"

Not Featured (Parents)

 * 001. "Cotillions"
 * 002. TBA 

Quotes
<p style="font-size:16.9599990844727px;line-height:23.7439994812012px;">"If you ever find yourself in Gravity Falls, you've got a futon to crash on."

- Latke vowing open-door hospitality

<p style="font-size:16.9599990844727px;line-height:23.7439994812012px;">"Truly being a hero doesn't take a lot of effort, it's about the little things you do. A hero is someone who does not give up, in spite of the walls and obstacles in their way, will not stop running - ever. You recognize that life is not about the big leap, but the first step."

- Latke

<p style="font-size:16.9599990844727px;line-height:23.7439994812012px;">"I'm allergic to bees! And unlike them, you're not gonna enjoy the stuff that comes out of my  hives."

- Latke

<p style="font-size:16.9599990844727px;line-height:23.7439994812012px;">"I'm not sure what I push more. People's buttons, or my own luck."

- Latke acknowledging his quirks

Trivia

 * Stan and other people often get Latke's name wrong; calling him by other dessert variants (e.g. waffle). 
 * Latke is allergic to bees.
 * A running gag is Latke's somewhat vague age. Whenever someone asks him how old he is he'll typically respond with "old enough".
 * Latke regularly practices kung fu and resorts to it during combat.
 * When Latke was 8, he had to apply a special lotion all over his body every night for three whole weeks so he would recover from "moonburn".
 * His favorite character from Fight Fighters is Admiral Big-Calves.
 * He is a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers.
 * Latke is double-jointed and very flexible in general. He enjoys weirding people out as a "human pretzel". This would eventually earn him the title "King of Limbo" during the seventh grade.
 * He is ambidextrous, meaning he can use each hand with equal skill.
 * His favorite food is poutine.
 * Latke owns a black cat named "Schrödinger" and Waverly owns a bird named "Jimjam".
 * Latke and Luna once battled an army of "barf fairies" deep in the woods to obtain a werewolf flea collar.
 * He sings in his sleep.
 * Abe and Latke invented a new sport called "Boy Tennis" where they play billiards using croquet mallets along with a Magic 8-Ball.
 * Latke has a flair for giving people nicknames and monikers. He has an assortment of his own, including:
 * Lat.
 * Tiger.
 * Mad Latter.
 * King of Limbo.
 * Danish pastry.
 * Waffle.
 * Master Mystery.
 * Lactose.
 * Wiener Sue.
 * Lucky, the Boy Scout.
 * His favorite color is gold.
 * In the roleplay "Reunions", it is revealed that the Northwests used to sponsor the business of Latke's parents.
 * When he was 11, Latke would wear rainbow-colored suspenders everywhere.