Louis Laroche
From DevilshireWiki
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 David Tennant as Louis Laroche | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Contents |
Background
Louis had a fairly normal childhood. He grew up in east Texas, the only son of a couple of marginally successful entrepreneurs. He wasn't particularly remarkable in any way, with no outstanding gifts, but no outstanding handicaps, either. He had saved up money, and had every intention of going to college and continue being entirely unremarkable.
Unfortunately, this wasn't what fate had in store for him. His first vision occurred on his first day at university, and his life was forever changed. The contents of this vision are known only to three people in the world other than himself, and it is quite likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
Louis was very quick to pull out of school. In fact, he was quick to pull out of life. The next week, after some recovery and heart-to-heart talks with his family, he bought a bicycle. He's been roaming the countryside on this bicycle and a series of buses, taxis, and other means of public transportation ever since. There have been a few memorable occasions... Visions that he was able to act upon to help another person, for example. Or the time when a well-meaning person decided that he was completely out of his mind and tried to have him committed. Mostly, Louis looks back on these things with amusement. He rather enjoys his shiftless life, for the most part, and has avoided attachments like the plague.
And then Devilshire happened. It was supposed to be a pit stop on his trip down the coast. He figured he'd hang out, earn a bit of money, and then move on. He found a job, alright, but the longer he stayed, the more intrigued he becomes by the mysteries of this place.
And the longer he stays, the more he finds himself attached not only to the place, but the people. He's made friends, and fallen in love... In fact, the depth of his feelings for a certain Harget have surprised even him. He continues living day to day, but more and more he finds himself looking to the future and finding to his own shock that perhaps settling down might be in the cards for him, after all.
Personality
Also, he wears glasses, and can't see very well without them. He doesn't wear them for pictures because they're dorky, okay?
Powers and Abilities
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There have been certain instances in which Louis has been known to trigger his own visions. Usually, it was in a moment of passion or anger, but can also happen if he's extremely conflicted in some way, or has a subconscious desire to 'escape' a situation (in a metaphorical sense). These are almost always closely followed by a migraine (though not necessarily the only instance he would have one, since he seems to be unusually prone to them.) He is very much aware of how his own emotional state can affect his peculiar power, so he does his best to keep his emotions under control, usually by the liberal application of humor to situations where it can sometimes appear extremely inappropriate. Needless to say, this can be detrimental to close relationships.
There are two instances in which Louis will never have a vision. The first is when he believes that he is in life-threatening danger. The second is when he knows that having a vision would cause immediate life-threatening harm to another person (such as if he were driving a car). Although this reflects a certain level of subconscious control, he's never quite become aware that he might be doing this. As a result, he tends to avoid pushing his luck when he can.
As for the contents of Louis' visions, from his perspective it is more like being a ghost eavesdropping on events rather than random flashes of objects. Before Devilshire, he almost always had a concrete view of what he was seeing. As long as the vision lasts, he can move around and investigate, though since he obviously can't affect objects in his visions, he is generally blocked from seeing anything behind a closed door, under a blanket, etc. When it comes to visions provoked by more supernatural events, however, it's difficult to say how his particular ability will interact with the person (or creature) that triggered it. Sometimes, he doesn't understands exactly what he's seeing, and fails to realize the significance until he finds someone more familiar with the supernatural to interpret. Other times, the vision becomes a migraine-inducing, fractured mess, making him feel a bit like he's wandering in a reflection of a shattered mirror.
Family
Evelyn Tucker Laroche - Louis' mother. She's a very sweet woman, just a little bit pushy, but he loves her to death. She's always been a little hurt that Louis left home, especially since he insists on cavorting across the country like a hobo. She's constantly picking at him to come home for a visit.
Nicholas Laroche - Evelyn's husband and the man Louis believed was his father for most of his life. In spite of the knowledge that the man isn't his biological father, Louis still considers him "dad."
Mason Hayes - Louis' biological father. Or as he likes to think, his "sperm donor." Also Evelyn's high school sweetheart, and a bit of a cad. Louis hates this man with a passion.
Linnie Fawkes - Louis' daughter, 4 years old. She was the result of a 6-month relationship with a very...tempermental woman named Janene Fawkes. Louis only recently found out that she exists, and has been living with his parents for some months. She apparently shares Louis' visions, and is staying with the LaRoche's for the time being. Louis doesn't feel Devilshire is the appropriate environment for a 4 year old prone to having the sort of visions that he's had. He's probably correct.
Janene Fawkes - She isn't technically family... But Louis loved her very much, in a weird kind of codependent way. Their relationship was generally a turbulent one, and it's not one of those things he likes to talk about. But she bears mentioning, as she is the mother of his daughter.
Friends, Enemies, and Acquaintances
Phillip Harget - Sweet, caring, intelligent, patient, AND a good cook. What more could anyone want?
Springfield America - A friend. Something very different from his relationship with Phillip, and somewhat new to Louis' experience. Someone he identifies with, though he's still not sure if his perception of Ringo's reality is entirely accurate.
Anna Bracha - Danger with a capital 'D'. Frustration with a capital 'F'. Bad news with a capital...You get the idea. And Ringo appears to be entirely infatuated with her. This cannot end well. Louis has at least agreed to attempt to play nice. But she hasn't been making it easy, in his opinion.
Scout Smith - Touchy, skittish, and generally aloof. Also very TEENAGED, which makes it difficult for Louis to get a grasp on how to handle her. Next to Ringo (whose answers can be cryptic at best), she's the best person he knows to go to for information about Magic and Magical Items. Which is a rather broad and badly defined category in Louis' mind.
Marley Moore - Actually one of the first people Louis met in Devilshire. He was trying to get a job at the bar where she works. Louis' main impression of her is that she seems like a very unhappy individual. Learning that she's capable of being ripped to pieces by a dinosaur and recovering to be as good as new was a bit unnerving. Knowing that she is capable of breaking him in half is equally so. But knowing that she once held a gun to Phillip's head is enough to make Louis think that it's a good idea to avoid her. Especially considering how trigger-happy she is. He also thinks she's probably the worst mother ever, but he keeps that to himself.
Wentworth Moore - Louis feels sorry for him. Marley is probably not the most abusive spouse he's seen in his life. But she's the first he's seen who actually shot her husband. On the other hand, he seems to be able to take care of himself. So maybe they're perfect for each other, after all.
Amy Nichols - She seems sweet enough. When Phillip's friend died, she broke down and gave Louis one of the worst visions he's had in awhile. There's something "off" about her, but he can't quite put his finger on it.
Emma Bailey - Louis met this woman in the street, had a vision, and proceeded to quasi-stalk her. He now knows who she is, sort of, but he's still vaguely convinced that she's going to die horribly in the woods, someday. He's worked with her a few times since, and she seems capable... but that pale girl she hangs out with is seriously creepy.
Bet Yeager - Female with a penchant for running around half or fully unclothed. She is also unnervingly perceptive concerning his visions. But on the other hand, she can kick butt when she wants to, which could be useful. Also, she makes Phillip jealous, which is interesting if only for the novelty. But all in all, Louis would choose to avoid her if possible.
Claire Cavendar - She ran Louis over with her bicycle when he first met her, because her brakes were broken. He proceeded to fix her bicycle and her scraped knee, and has promised to teach her to ride a little better, when he gets a chance. He finds her chatter charming, and she's another one who inspires fatherly feelings in him, though he'd be hard-pressed to admit it.
Leslie Whitcomb - A charming woman. Or possibly a man. Louis isn't really bothered by not knowing. She once complimented Louis' vest in an ice cream shop, so she must be a friendly sort.
Rabbit Evans - Had nice things to say about Phillip, which will always earn extra points with Louis. He also knows about Magic and Magical Things, which is very helpful. On the other hand, he insists on being paid, which makes him a last resort. Louis can't be sure, but that stuff in the shop seemed awfully fishy. Eye of Newt can't be an actual thing, right?
Helena Bergen - Distressingly blonde. She likes to bend over a lot. Louis is puzzled by this.
