Louis Winter

Details

A tall, handsome blonde. That is how most people would describe Louis. Having a certain natural beauty to him, the man has always been quite the sight to behold without even trying. With a broad build like his it isn't that surprising that he is as strong as he is. He is very muscular, something that complements his tall body very well. With his wide chest and small waist its often commented that he has an ideal male body type. On top of that having perfect fair skin means that he meets most of Ashmoor's beauty standards. Most of his power comes from his upper body, which can also clearly be seen as his arms are quite thick and packed with muscles. His body has nice proportions all over.

Louis has a very angular face and has sharp features. The most notable feature on his face must be his eyebrows, as they are quite generously filled. He can be quite expressive with them if he wants to be. He has bright blue eyes that often lack a certain spark to them, as if he is just generally tired of life. He has straight, slick blonde hair that is kept relatively short. His hair is extremely soft to the touch and always has a sort of healthy shine to it.

As a sort of Professor Louis can often be seen wearing suits and very formal attire. He has a wide variety of colors regarding this outfit, but he often prefers darker shades or general lack of. It's rare to not see him all dressed up. Perhaps the only time when he isn't wearing a suit, is when he is working out. It's the only time you'll see him with informal attire and cloth that display his muscular body the best.

Louis seems like a very cold and distant person. His way of speaking is very proper and regal, just like he carries himself. One could say that he seems arrogant at first, but that is far from the truth. Even though it isn't as bad as it used to be, the man does have a hard time having any positive or good views about himself. He has developed some sort of self-image, but it still has ways to go. Due to this Louis takes love, compliments, and any other positive attention in a not so good way. He has already improved somewhat and can take a compliment or two, but if it became too much, he will actually become annoyed and clearly irritated. He doesn't know how to deal with them and often refuses such things. He can get a bit agitated if it is really pushed too far, as he can see it as mockery sometime. Therefore, he rather keeps himself away from people, leaning more into an introverted side of himself. Mostly tending to prepare lessons or educating himself on new subjects by reading or exchanging notes with his peers.

Louis has always been very mature for his age and that hasn't changed over time. He is so serious most of the time that some really claim that he is boring average joe. And maybe that is the case, or maybe not. He just never had the opportunity to explore himself beyond that point. It was hammered in him from a young age to be like this, behave properly and be good. The man is very strict, very punctual, and loyal to Ashmoor. He lives closely to its rules and will even do his best to force those ideals on others. He does not tolerate anything that breaks these norms and can get quite aggressive on such matters. He's like a teacher's pet, telling whenever he can, and he will do his best to please the church, his family and the high standing people of Ashmoor. His loyalty is unrivaled and perhaps even scary to a degree, as morals seem to be overshadowed by this blind trust he has in the rules that the district has. A blind follower, one could say. Although people could say that it's normal for a Winter to be like this, for Louis it really stems from his fear of being left behind or seen as anything less. In a way it really shows that he is some sort of people pleaser, to a certain degree at least.

Louis is calm, timid and could be described as a quiet individual. He doesn't speak much and rather blends in with his surroundings. His presence is often forgotten as a stronger personality can easily outshine him. This is mostly because he tends to be somewhat of a downer. He's had serious depressing episodes back in the day that sometimes still linger, making him a pessimist and not just a bit... Introverted. The combination of all the previously mentioned factors has left him feeling a bit isolated from people, which is a shame really. For deep down he truly does care and feels very lonely for never being able to connect to anyone. Louis' problem often stems from him refusing to feel the things he feels or show the things he wants to show. He has a fear that doing things will make things worse, but also that not doing anything will make it worse as well. Therefore, he almost freezes up, unable to make a decision or do anything. He rather avoids than confronts, even though he is fully aware that these things should be attended to. It's like something in his brain won't allow him to do so.

He has difficulty letting go of mistakes or missteps, from himself and the people around him. He easily holds grudges and is the type to never forget anything. He's the man that could lay awake all night thinking about what happened 5 years ago at a party, but he's also the guy that will remember about that one time you bullied him in school 15 years ago. He's jealous and stubborn, which makes him a very black and white kind of person. He doesn't let go of bad images of someone easily and due to his history he is also easily jealous of others, but mostly his brother really. This all comes back around to Louis being a very overprotective person. He will fight for what is his and put his foot down for it. His job, wife, friends, ... Everything that he has earned over the years is very dear to him and he would protect them with his life. The thought of losing one of those things can really make him act out, sometimes even aggressively. Although not physically, he will certainly raise his voice and let his displeasure be heard.

Louis is deep down just an introverted nerd that likes to read and explore fantasy worlds. He wants to be more caring, as he does feel all those things, but his past limits him in that regard. He's patient and calm and is the type to really listen to the people around him. It's just really hard for him to show a softer side or show what he really means deep down.

Louis was born as second son to Reginald and Elizabeth Winter, only a few months after their firstborn Lionel was born. Eleven months to be exact. This allowed the brothers to be very close when they were children, achieving a lot of small milestones in their early life around the same age. Although, naturally, Louis was physically always falling behind. But that was normal, he was nearly a year younger then his brother. It was normal that as a baby he was just crawling when his brother could already walk and as a child he only learned to read when the other was already writing. Yet, having kids so close together did mean that in a way they were compared, a lot, and that started from that very young age. As if being a Winter wasn't enough pressure, he quickly started to feel even more. Not necessarily at the hands of his parents, but more to the maids that raised him. It was those little talks, praising his brother amongst eachother while they helped him with small things. He didn't understand why they didn't talk about him like that... But a seed for certain jealousy was planted, that much was for sure.

He started to fall behind, a lot. And it wasn't really clear what the problem was. Was it him or his teacher? Louis wasn't really a joy to be around as a kid as he had a tendency to just start screaming when he didn't get his ways, rarely stating what his problem was. Not that talking was a problem to him, but he just wasn't much of a person to put his concerns into words. He lacked physically, even though he was still a kid, and he wasn't even good academically. He had a lisp when he spoke and even had a tendency to stutter, to the distaste of his parents. Louis did look up to his parents, a lot, and tried to cling onto them as much as possible, seeking out their love constantly. But he didn't receive much, as that wasn't becoming of a young lord. The maids, who just thought him to be annoying, rarely put in the effort as well. It was quite sad, as Louis clearly was a child who just sought out conformation and attention, but never received it. He really started to suffer under it, developing some problematic behaviour and emotional outbursts. The tipping point was a tantrum he had while they had visit. His parents felt ashamed and were clearly disappointed. After all, all he did was bring them trouble with nothing to show for it.

So, he was sent away to a boarding school. He was one the youngest boys at the time of arrival and it showed, as he was often picked on. He couldn't keep up with the rest of his classmates and had a lot of breakdowns and emotional outbursts. These were now heavily corrected in several ways. After a few months he had learned to keep his emotions to himself, after a year he was able to keep his stuttering in tone. Slowly but surely he was corrected for every little fault and mistake he had. It was brutal for such a fragile soul and in a way it did break him. Such crucial points in his life were void of love and praise, things that were part of a good development.  But that wasn't something that was looked after. All they had to do was shape him into a great young lord, one that could bring pride to his family. Louis had experienced things in that school that he never dared to speak about with anyone. He is actually afraid of that place and that most likely says enough. Yet he remained there for years to come. He rarely was allowed to visit home, mostly because academically, he still wasn't showing progress. He was small, weak and despite being more corrected, he still couldn't show his parents that he could be something. It hurt a lot, coming home every time and just seeing those glares of disappointment, as if it was never good enough.

And perhaps, what hurt the most, was that his brother was thriving. He had found his calling in the army and just like when they were children, the older Winter brother seemed to find praise everywhere he went. Louis felt so jealous of the other as he simple could look on. He had become better, was starting to improve. But all of that was being overshadowed by people that were greater than him. He felt so little next to his family that he slowly started to loose grip on who he really was. Broken and bent through means that shocked him to the core, he just snapped. That desperate kid that still lived in him, seeking out the love of his family, finally died. And all that was left was an empty husk, someone that felt like he had nothing to loose, like nothing mattered. In many ways people could say that he slipped in a sort of depression. He wasn't as effected anymore when people glared at him and he never stepped out of line again. Head hanging low, it really seemed like the kid had reached a true low in his life. Even his baby sisters seemed to get more attention then he ever did and that really set him off even more. He felt like he was an outcast and that he had been sent to the school as a way to get rid of him. And that pained him, a lot.

The turning point was when he was sent off to join his brother in the army. It was noted that he was started to bulk out a lot. Not being as tall as his brother, but still being a good height, he quickly started to become more physically capable. In the army he started to focus more on physical things. Perhaps for the first time in his life he was good at something. Not at first, but after some time he really showed how well he was with a sword. His strong build clearly helped him outshine some of his peers. He bested some of the people of his age with ease when it came to hand to hand combat. And that was all thanks to his strict training back at the boarding school. He had enjoyed intense classes in not only physical things, but also other things. History, science, medicine... Louis had been granted a taste of everything, which allowed him to be an all-rounder in his training days. He was good in training and did well on tests. Now that he was among more common people he suddenly became something praise worthy. And it hit him, hard. At first he even got verbally aggressive when someone praised him, claiming that lies shouldn't be shared with him. But after a while he just remained silent whenever he got it. Louis couldn't show appreciation whenever someone showed him actual good attention. He pushed it away as he simply didn't understand it. Yet, every silly little compliment got to him. It slowly pulled him out of that hole he had fallen in.... It gave him some energy, which made him work even harder... Which gave him even better results. It became a cycle where he slowly started to improve, as a person and in the craft he was putting his mind to.

Louis' had developed some confidence while being in the army, and even though he still saw himself as an outcast, he actually voluntary returned to the boarding school. He had requested it of his father, stating that he wanted to develop his academical skills a bit more. His way of speaking no longer being so down and sad, it seemed that he had gotten some pride from his work in the army. And sure enough, he finally seemed to succeed. He slowly became better, even becoming the star pupil of his class. he eventually graduated top of the class with stunning grades. Unexpected to say the least, as people had always seen him as this struggling kid, never being able to get his footing in the world. But Louis had already set his mind on what he wanted... And without much regards to his family he applied for university. He was accepted and started to study there.

Being back home full time meant he would run into family quite often. But there was nothing left of that kind kid he had once been. He was cold, distant and seemed to only prioritize his studying. He would cut dinners shorts with the excuse that he still had work to do and so on, anything to not be apart of family events. His efforts proved to be fruitful as he eventually graduated in the field of science. His teacher at the time even asked him to become his assistant and eager for work and a challenge, Louis accepted. He didn't need to work, since he was a WInter, but he felt like he should. After all, Lionel was working as well. So Louis did his best, and it showed. He quickly was offered to teach on his own, something that went with a bit of hiccups at first, but eventually seemed to smooth out. He started to teach a year after getting the job as an assistant, also helping out sometimes with his mentor whenever he could. Mostly teaching a variety of sciences and maths, his way of teaching seemed to grasp students attention. That, or perhaps the fact that a Winter was teaching. He liked to believe it was because his classes were actually good and not because of his name, but he was no idiot... It lingered in the back of his mind.

Th decision of marriage was something he made himself. Why? Because that was just part of life. Drilled in him to be that perfect part of society he selected a woman of high standing, Zoey Eckhart. He felt nothing for her as he asked her father. He accepted his proposal and quickly after they got married. He had only seen Zoey at parties and she had always seemed like a decent girl. And she surely was decent and even more. She was kind, beautiful and everything that a man would want. Yet, Louis felt so... Weird around her. He really tried at first, but that only made his stomach turn. So slowly he pushed her more and more away. Working more hours and even spending whole days at the university sometimes. He was scared that if he did something, she would leave. But if he didn't do anything, she would do the same. It was that kind of anxiety that made him incapable of reaching out to her. He had chosen her because she would fill in the role of wife perfectly. And he had thought he could do it, play the role of husband just as well. Yet, his lack of love showed his head once again. He simply didn't know how to show her that attention. And that scared him, a lot.

- Has a cat allergy.
- Used to have a bit of a lisp that can sometimes still be heard.
- Also used to stutter a lot as a kid and teenager. He mostly grew out of it, but still stutters when he feels overwhelmed or very emotional.
- His singing is horrible, he also doesn't have a sense for rhythm and therefore his dancing is just as bad.
- Working out is his way to release stress.
- He has a bit of a drinking problem.
- Picks at his own skin when stressed, usually his hands.
- Suffers from insomnia and has a tendency to overwork due to it. He's often late home and usually sleeps on the couch.
- Doesn't really likes animals.
- Plays the piano.
- Models; mostly for paintings, but sometimes also for sculptures.
- Has a very bad eyesight ever since he was small and needs glasses to function.
- Afraid of becoming a father.
- Has a hard time accepting compliments, affirmation and love in general. Has a tendency to overreact a bit if all of that is too much.
- His favorite time of day is just before dawn, he loves the sunrise.
- As a kid his dream was to become a big brother himself, but now he really struggles with that role. He mostly tries to avoid and ignore his little sisters despite wanting to be there for them.
- Has a complicated relationship with his big brother. He feels both admiration as well as jealousy. He is extremely protective of everything he has, which mostly includes his wife, around him and takes no shit regarding it with him.
- Has abandonment issues.
- Has a very deep soothing voice.
- Likes tropical fish. Would have a huge fancy fish tank in modern day.