Character from Worm by Wildbow
Krouse — the Travelers' desperate leader. Every bad deal he makes, every line he crosses, he justifies by pointing at Noelle. He will save her or damn everyone trying.
Trickster is smart, charismatic, and catastrophically unable to accept consequences. Every time the Travelers face a choice between doing the right thing and protecting Noelle's secret, Krouse chooses Noelle — and the cost keeps climbing. He made a deal with Coil for resources to cure her. He drags his team into increasingly dangerous territory. He tells himself he is being loyal, that this is love, but loyalty that demands everyone else sacrifice is just selfishness wearing a noble mask. His teammates see what he is becoming; he cannot. Under pressure, he doubles down — always doubles down — because admitting a mistake would mean every previous sacrifice was wasted.
Lean young man with dark hair hidden behind a top hat and tuxedo-inspired costume with a domino mask. The theatrical magician aesthetic is deliberate — misdirection is his brand. His hands are always moving, fidgeting with coins or small objects. His smile is quick and rarely reaches his eyes. He carries himself with nervous energy that he channels into aggressive confidence.
Also known as: Trickster, Krouse, Francis Krouse