Post by Lepa on Nov 17, 2022 2:48:01 GMT -8
Name: David "Taffy" Valentine
Gender: Male
Age: ~46
Race: Human
Home: Aster City
Alignment: Lawful Good
Family: Lila Valentine (wife), Connor Valentine (son), Lovise Valentine (daughter); Johnathan O'Connor (older brother), Hal O'Connor (younger brother)
Friends: Minna Clover, misc high school faculty
Likes: Colorful things, teaching children, long walks, matching sweaters
Dislikes: Horror movies, magic, Hal O'Connor
Job: Child Psychologist at Aster High School
Relationship: Taffy absolutely adores his wife Lila, and the two have remained close and supportive of each other since their marriage over 20 years ago. He's very affectionate towards his children Lovise and Connor as well, though both siblings agree that their father tends to go embarrassingly overboard - especially in public. Taffy also seems to be friendly towards John, occasionally calling him for casual chat, oblivious to his apathy and shady activities. Conversely enough, Taffy simply cannot stand Hal; his younger brother is probably one of the few people that can bring down Taffy's sunny disposition and actively annoy him.
Personality:
An optimistic ball of happiness and cheer, Taffy is best described as a human sunbeam. He simply adores bringing smiles to other people's faces, though this can and will include rather corny jokes and puns. First impressions of Taffy might be a bit off putting to some, as his overwhelming kindness may come across as suspicious or fake. The tone he acquired from working with kids can also come off as condescending, as it tends to be gentle and leading. Getting to know him, however, reveals that there's no malice behind this - he's genuinely happy to help others in any way he can. Unfortunately, there are a handful who will take advantage of this, to which Taffy seems to be either oblivious of or willingly tolerant of. He also seems to be astonishingly patient, but like all people, even he has his own limit...
Powers:
Psychology is a recurring theme with the O'Connor brothers, and Taffy is no exception. While he has no extraordinary powers to speak of, Taffy studied to become an expert in child psychology. Thus, he lends an ear to the younger folk and acts as their sounding board or advisor when it comes to their problems. His cheerful, supportive nature makes him easily approachable, and he's especially patient with young clients who take some time to open up.
Weaknesses:
Taffy is a normal human being with a special aversion to magic, so he can be easily taken down in a fight.
History:
David was the middle child of his family. Unlike his older brother, Johnathan, David was much more social in his youth and found himself better adjusted emotionally. He adhered to the stout moral beliefs taught to him by his parents, growing into the kindest and most law-abiding of the three brothers.
David would find himself often tormented by his younger brother Hal, who would always try to get him in trouble or frame him for his own problems. Conversely, David looked up to Johnathan and was inspired when he immersed himself in psychology studies. This prompted David to do the same, instead with child psychology, hoping he could learn how to help children and teens with their thoughts and feelings.
Like his brothers, David would eventually move to Aster City. There, he would operate as an independent child psychologist for a short time before meeting his future wife, Lila Valentine. The two would grow so deeply in love that when they wed, David took her surname as a symbol of their mutual affection. Once they had kids, David would eventually shift his career to school counselor, shuffling between local schools and gaining the affectionate nickname "Taffy" from children. While his services are still available to other schools at special request, David would go on to gain a more stable counselor position at Aster High School.
David has since maintained this role for at least a decade, if not more, and continues to work at Aster High. While he likes to think of himself as a forgiving man, he doesn't think he can forgive the Templars for attacking the school several months ago - especially when he himself was tasked with helping as many students as he could through the trauma left behind.
Anything else:
- He encourages students to call him David or Taffy, but professionally he goes by Dr. Valentine.
- He won't stop others from using it, but he himself is incredibly nervous or uncomfortable around magic.
- For older kids that Taffy has been unable to get through to and help, he has suggested or sent them to his brother Johnathan. Taffy is completely oblivious to his brother's ways and thus has inadvertently sent some teens down a dark path. One of these cases was Cassie Cahill.
