talk about Loni's father. i wanna know more about the man who helped shape her into the woman she is.
So we all know Gladio died when Loni was six. He was protecting (or thought he was protecting) her from Leanne who had broken into their home and pointed a gun at him. Now, Gladio was no joke. He was a VERY strong man with a large amount of fighting history as well as a boxer (yes he boxed just like Loni does). One might have thought oh he could take her down easily? Wrong. Leanne brought her dad’s toughest men with and they pinned him down in like five minutes.
Okay now that we know this, it’s obvious he did not spend much time in her life, but by no means does that say he was not, and is not currently, a MASSIVE influence on Loni as a whole. He showered Loni in love and taught her a lot when it comes to friendship and family (hence why she can create though sorts of bonds far easier than most). He was caring and touchy and loved to shower his loved ones in gifts they liked. Not big things necessarily, but the small things. Favorite flower, candy bars, etc and that’s something Loni herself does. She acts like a badass, and I mean she is, but at the same time Loni is gentle and loving at her core. Sadly, given her extreme abuse, it’s been twisted in ways and given her life style she’s lost that outwardly, immediate care that she once had as a little girl.
He taught her NEVER to take shit from people. He told her to stand up for herself and to never let anyone put her down. Of course, he did say to be respectful when the other party was being such (which would mean they weren’t ragging on her but rather speaking and having a discussion). He also wanted her to understand to be the voice and the helping hand of those who couldn’t do things themselves. To be their sword and shield in times of need. He WANTED Loni to be a person who would challange those who oppressed and harmed other’s who were innocent, and while she has taken it to a bit of the extreme (the gang, killing, etc) she clearly does just that. Of course her abuse shaped her into that, but she does know that her dad always wanted her to be the one person people could call out to when no one else would help.
Gladio was a doting parent as well. Big softy when it came to his girl. He was great at putting on airs in front of people and hiding his true emotions, SOMETHING WE ALL KNOW Loni does well (but to an extreme and to an unhealthy level) in order to show he was not to be pushed around. Clearly this is seen in Loni as I just mentioned and also in how she treats those closest to her. She’ll stay ‘ cool ‘ around them ( two exceptions being Katey and Ozymandias but even then if the situation is serious she will refrain from being her more relaxed and happy self with them).
Now I hope this is all making sense? Because there’s a lot... And I mean a lot I could talk about so it’s hard to pick a spot to focus on and really get into depth with. The best way to end this is just to say Gladio is the reason Loni has the heart, underneath all her coldness and closed heart. He taught her familial love from a young age and instilled many values into her that make her the protective person she is. Of course he was a mobster, and due to that was morally grey (hence why he encouraged her to fight and shit if she had to) and I mean he would have, eventually, been okay with her taking over the gang (though he did illegal shit with weapon trading and that while Loni fights against gangs as a gang leader herself- it’s confusing I’m sorry).
But yeah? Gladio? Huge effect on Loni, that’s all I can say. Not just personality wise, but likes and that too (bikes, boxing, reading, RED VELVET CAKE, and much more).