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 young boy (13-14 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 "Latke" 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. Though he has acquired a dislike for potato pancakes since that day, Latke seems to prefer his nickname to his real name and has grown quite fond of it over the years.  

Growing up in Gravity Falls 

Latke gave his parents, Pete and Pamela Katsopolis, 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 

Latke gets a job at the Mystery Shack.

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

Latke is daring, funny, kind, confident, genuine and just an all-around good guy. As a cheerful extrovert, 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. 

Wits

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. Latke is also a bit clumsy, flippant, talkative and has a big appetite. That being said; he is good at science and is artistically inclined. Latke will never miss a clue, and is sharp enough 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. It is often pointed out that Latke is "inquisitive", as he tends to ask a lot of questions - even silly ones. 

Nerve

Latke is brave, and while not immune to fear, he has the willpower to overcome it. This allows him to undertake dangerous situations, 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. 

Verdict

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. 

Appearance

Latke sports shaggy black hair, brown eyes, and light skin. He usually wears a beige sweater with a red collar and cuffs, dark blue pants, white socks, and black shoes. He is of average height for his age with a svelte, fit build. He is very good-looking, but is not particularly aware of it. Latke keeps a slingshot in his back pocket.

Pinochle

Pinochle is the name of Mr. and Mrs. K's food manufacturing business. Their most successful line is their cereal division, namely Sugarfrosted UFOats. Though they do make other produce, such as peanut butter and corn dogs. 

Water tower

File:S1e14 water tower.jpg

The water tower is Latke's secret headquarters.

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 a rectangular monitor and three keyboards. It's hooked up to 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. 

Relationships

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. 

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 are close friends who 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

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. 

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 friends who are on each other's good sides. 

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 wrestling team, but her favorite courses of all were her culinary classes. Pete was a young writer who based many of his stories on the experiences he and his friends had. He was also an avid conspiracy theorist and his greatest hero was Licorice Louie, a treasure hunter with long limbs whose adventures were dispensed in candy wrappers as comic strips. 

Pam is outgoing, resilient, fun-loving, and generally down-to-earth. During her younger years, she always came through for her friends 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

Latke has younger 10-year-old fraternal 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, saying the truth 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). Wave has a love for theatre and is a master of disguise. She likes to assume made-up identities on a regular basis, but sometimes loses grip of who she really is. Waverly is an imaginative, fiery, fly by the seat of her pants go-getter. She is also a bit of a prankster. By keeping her pet parrot tucked in her collar, she's able to simulate perfect vocal-mimicry. Waverly has red hair in braided pigtails and brown eyes. Waverly is Willow Cooper's self-proclaimed biggest fan. 

Enemies

Huckleberry "Huck" Piper: A youth (15-16 years old) with a bad-boy rep. He wields a fife that's music can control people's minds, levitate objects, and allow him to mimic the abilties of others. His favorite hobby is poetry. Huck owns a pet albino ferret named Winter. He has neat platinum blond hair and gray eyes. 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 forget what's really important. He is good friends with Bucky Rhodes. 

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 (14-15 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". 

Abilties/Equipment 

Time and time again, Latke has defied insuperable odds and brought down heinous villains and forces through sheer determination, strategy, moral fiber, luck, and help from his friends. He is righteous, courageous, and selfless - making him a natural leader when a situation calls for one. Latke has dazzling hand-eye coordination, capable of effortlessly hitting targets from far away using a slingshot. He is a scout member of the Flying Pigs; and so owns a  Swiss Army knife and has survival experience ranging from knot-tying, to starting a fire, and foraging food. 

Latke is an adept gymnast and traceur; agile, flexible, and acrobatic. This helped him earn his black belt in kung fu, which he was taught to use only in self-defense. He can place both of his legs behind his head as well as perform cartwheels, handsprings, and other aerial flips and manuevers. However, his best skills lie in his creative thinking and problem solving. Always outside the box, Latke's next move is never quite easy to predict. If his opponent is too big or strong for him to overpower physically, he will resort to more crafty, creative, or cerebral approaches. 

Sightings

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" 
• 111. "Trial and Terror" 
• 112. "Jade vs. Wilderness" 
• 113. "Camp Wherenow?" 
• 114. "Very Sue" 
• 115. "Project Jade" 
• 116. "The Lat Came Back" 
• 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" 

Quotes

"If you ever find yourself in Gravity Falls, you've got a futon to crash on." —Latke vowing open-door hospitality

"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

"I'm allergic to bees! And unlike them, you're not gonna enjoy the stuff that comes out of my hives." —Latke

"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). 
• Similarly to Stan, Latke likes to use smoke bombs.
• Latke is allergic to bees. 
• A running gag is Latke's somewhat vague age. He's about 14, but when 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. 
• He owns a slingshot. Latke uses lentils from his Pinochle-brand peanut Smez dispenser as ammo. 
• His favorite character from Fight Fighters is Joe Zambique. 
• When Latke was 8, he had to apply a special lotion all over his body every night for three whole weeks so he wouldn't get "moonburn".
• 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.  
• His favorite food are apple fritters.
  • Abe's favorite food is pumpkin pie. 
  • Waverly's favorite food are onion rings. 
• He is ambidextrous, meaning he can use each hand with equal skill.
• Latke owns a black cat named "Sesame" and Waverly owns a blue parrot named "Jangles". 
• He sings in his sleep. 
• Latke and Luna battled an army of "barf fairies" deep in the woods to obtain a werewolf flea collar. 
• Abe and Latke invented a new sport called "Boy Tennis" where they play billiards using 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. 
• In the roleplay "Reunions", it is revealed that the Northwests used to sponsor the business of Latke's parents. 
• Latke actually owns many versions of his iconic sweater, but the cuffs and collar are a different color for each one - orange, purple, blue, green, yellow, indigo, and black. The black version is white instead of beige and has an abstract black cat's head on the front.