CAF With A Twist

[Lindseylloyd052399]

In this game, the OP posts a picture or a link to a picture, the name they’ve made for the person in the picture, and a short bio of them. The next poster does the same thing, making a character who is somehow related to the person above. It doesn’t have to be by blood - ex. the person’s boss, favorite singer, classmate, etc.

Arthur Marcus Williams (41) is a hunter from Quebec, Canada. He was born as Uzziel Petrus DiMercurio in Columbia, and emigrated to California as a child with his parents. He got involved in the latin mafia, and did a lot of drug trafficking and shootouts. When he got caught, he decided not to snitch, both for the sake of his friends and his own safety, and so spent 14 years in jail. When he got out, he changed his name. He decided to use his shooting skills for good, moved to canada, and became a goose hunter. He is married with 1 daughter.

@lemon_swirlxx @chamwue @kitkatcookie @I_meme_it @CherryBomb50 @Kaykay154

[lemon_swirlxx]

[name_f]Laura[/name_f] [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] DiMercurio (37) is Arthur’s younger sister and has always admired him as the smart, sporty one when he was younger but was shocked when he got caught for drug trafficking and shooting. [name_f]Laura[/name_f] is single but she travels with her tight-knit friend group, and one of her friends is one of eight so she considers them like her siblings as she spends a lot of time with her friends family as she rooms with that said girl.

[I_meme_it]

tw: police corruption, drug dealing

[name_f]Michaela[/name_f] [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] [Hendrix] [name_m]Williams[/name_m] (37) is Arthur’s wife and Laura’s sister-in-law. A native of [name_f]Canada[/name_f], having grown up in Moncton, [name_u]New[/name_u] Brunswick, [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] is fully aware of her husband’s past as she met him through a support group relating those with criminal connections. While she’s never broken the law herself, Michaela’s father was a high ranking detective who worked in the narcotics division, only for it to all come crashing down when it was uncovered he was on the payroll of a local prolific drug dealer and had deliberately misled investigations to benefit this man; going as far as to frame innocent people if it meant protecting his secret employer. This revelation devastated Michaela’s family - especially the then-12-year-old girl, who’d aspired to join the police herself when she grew up, until the truth of her father’s actions came out.

Subsequently, she struggled throughout her teens, almost dropping out of high school now her world had been shattered: but the help of her mother and the school’s counselor managed to prevent this happening, with [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] ultimately being diagnosed with depression - allowing her to seek access to medication and therapy which helped considerably. She now works as an animal welfare shelter coordinator, her desire to help the world having maintained, albeit animals became her passion: inspired by her pet hamster, Radish, who she took a lot of comfort in during the time of her father’s arrest, trial and imprisonment. [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] has no contact with him even now and refuses to let him have anything to do with her daughter, as she doesn’t trust him to not lie about the past: a distinction between him and [name_u]Arthur[/name_u].

In spite of her husband’s prior actions, Michaela’s faith in him comes from Arthur’s transparency and honesty with her about all he’s been involved in - allowing her to befriend and then come to love him as they bonded over time. Eventually, [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] managed to gain the approval of her mom and younger siblings, with their daughter being the centre of the couple’s world. They also have three rescue chickens from the shelter [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] oversees: [name_f]Brigitte[/name_f], [name_f]Marilyn[/name_f] and [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], who their daughter already adores.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning [not graphic]: Deceased character; alcohol consumption.

[name_f]Julienne[/name_f] [name_u]Patrice[/name_u] [name_u]Hendrix[/name_u] (27 [name_u]November[/name_u] 1987 — 16 [name_u]March[/name_u] 2013, aged 25) is Michaela’s late sister, who had just turned 10 when her father’s scandal broke out. During her childhood, she always found her father a “rescuer” sort of man but unlike [name_f]Michaela[/name_f], she feared for cops. She was grateful when they caught criminals but feared for their safety and feared for the safety of her father whom she trusted at the time. However she also found cops to have a scary and intimidating side, especially with guns and it took a while for young [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] to understand. [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] was very safety-conscious and even carried that into adulthood. She was a crossing guard for a local primary school and always wore that “dorky“ orange vest with pride. She loved to have fun and was never the type to act “no fun” despite her safety-conscious views and she was loved by her community.

That’s why Julienne’s death doesn’t make sense. She died instantly in a boating accident when her boat slammed into a hill on shore. But what confuses people is the fact that toxicology tests proved she was under the influence of alcohol, which she would never do. [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] was not a reckless person, in fact she was a single mother of a then-2-year-old boy (who was not present at the accident), and she valued him dearly and constantly wanted to set a good example. It was later found out that prior to the crash, a former friend of hers, who was related to a drug trafficker, was on the beach and chatted with her like a friend but spiked her drink. If she hadn’t passed away, she likely would have been manipulated and recruited into crime.

[name_f]Julienne[/name_f] was a nice person and loved all her siblings. [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] wouldn’t know if any of her other younger siblings had children or who has taken in her son, seeing that she was a single mother with no partner. However her son and Michaela’s daughter get along very well. [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] did have some legitimate friends, not just the fake friend on the beach, and [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] was in Laura’s friend group and bonded with the other women in that group as well. She would have approved [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] and here’s why: during Arthur‘s redemption, he ended up tracking down and finding the person who spiked Julienne’s drink. He turned in that fake friend; who was found guilty of drink spiking, reckless endangerment, and involuntary manslaughter. In addition, more charges were added when it was revealed that there were crimes planned that day that the fake friend was trying to get [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] to commit that day, but she died before these plans happened. The fake friend is in jail and the sentence has still not ended yet. The youngest sibling of [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] and [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] had even stated not to approve [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] marrying [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] unless sure [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] approved. Given Julienne’s safety streak and being brought to justice - [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] would have supported her brother-in-law.

[I_meme_it]

[name_u]Lark[/name_u] [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] [name_m]Williams[/name_m] (7) is the daughter of [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] and [name_f]Michaela[/name_f], niece of the late [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] and cousin of her now 11-year-old cousin, the first grandchild born into the family. Unsurprisingly named in part for her mothers’ sister, Lark’s dad wanted her first name to reflect freedom and uplift, so that of a bird felt the most fitting once [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] fell pregnant. This has rubbed off on [name_u]Lark[/name_u] undeniably, as she’s a very optimistic girl who always tries to find the silver lining, no matter how the cloud can trouble others. Thanks to her mom, she’s also a very honest person - some would say a bit on the brutal side - but Lark’s always earnest in what she says.

Her cousin was raised by their grandmother and they’ve unsurprisingly developed a close bond. [name_u]Lark[/name_u] looks up to her cousin greatly and asks him for advice a lot, considering him one of the most mature people she knows (outside of actual adults). Something else [name_u]Lark[/name_u] loves is the natural world, especially lizards. More than anything she’d love a pet one, but for now her parents are holding off on this, as Lark’s not quite ready to take on such a responsibility. What she’s also aware of is that her dad has a criminal past, but she hasn’t been privy to all the details yet, given her age.

~

@kitkatcookie
@moonwriteen
@wandering_willow
@rachelheth
@A.B.Galaxy
@Tasia
@lemon_swirlxx
@jinxed_peach
@mynameis1
@lever_du_soleil

so I forgot this forum even existed until CherryBomb50 happened!

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Ray[/name_u] [name_m]Jeremy[/name_m] [name_u]Hendrix[/name_u] (36) is Lark’s maternal uncle and second-born of the four siblings, five siblings, if you count his 11-year-old nephew taken in by their mother. [name_u]Ray[/name_u] adores his nephew and wants him to enjoy his time as an 11-year-old - after all when [name_u]Ray[/name_u] was 11, his father was arrested and turned out to work for a drug trafficking ring. It’s scared him, [name_f]Michaela[/name_f], and Julienne; yet he can’t imagine how the youngest sibling felt. Growing up, he’s become stronger and braver. [name_u]Ray[/name_u] isn’t married and doesn’t have children, but he’s definitely close with the children of his siblings. He and [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] clicked due to his outdoorsy nature. [name_u]Ray[/name_u] also loves nature and he and [name_u]Lark[/name_u] bond for this. [name_u]Ray[/name_u] finds it responsible and wise not to tell [name_u]Lark[/name_u] at the moment about Arthur’s former criminal background. It was in the past anyway, although [name_u]Ray[/name_u] sometimes worries about what [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] might have done in the Latin Mafia.

[name_u]Ray[/name_u] is also good with the law, working as a mall cop. He isn’t taken seriously sometimes as a mall cop by those who find him to “not be real police” but shoplifters fear him, and crime at the mall is reputably low. [name_u]Ray[/name_u] loves viewing Michaela’s animal welfare shelter and has a hen of his own, [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]. He credits animals for helping [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] get through her mental health struggles at the time and Radish for being Michaela’s support hamster. [name_u]Ray[/name_u] likes [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] with the animals too, it gives him a soft side that he never shows anywhere else. [name_u]Ray[/name_u] hates hunting but appreciates [name_u]Arthur[/name_u] more, especially since he’s proven one can be a hunter without having no regard for animals. [name_u]Ray[/name_u] is a meat eater but unsurprisingly, he doesn’t eat chicken.

[kitkatcookie]

cw: social anxiety & toxic masculinity

[name_m]Kurtis[/name_m] " [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] " [name_m]Damien[/name_m] [name_u]Hendrix[/name_u] (31) is the youngest sibling, who was only six at the time his father’s criminal activities were exposed. In contrast to [name_f]Michaela[/name_f], [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] never was particularly close to their dad - something that served as the only real source of conflict within the family prior to the shock when it was revealed [name_u]Phil[/name_u] [name_u]Hendrix[/name_u] had been a corrupt cop for many years. In the eyes of his father, [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] was overly emotional and clingy, struggling to leave his mum’s side upon starting school, and enduring a lot of nightmares. A combination of toxic masculinity and the fear of what would happen if the family knew what he’d done led to [name_u]Phil[/name_u] not having much of a bond with his younger son, something [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] both resents and is grateful for: he had less of an urge to speak to his dad following the arrest, but at the same time felt - given his behaviour - [name_u]Phil[/name_u] should have granted his children more respect and not attempted to push arbitrary expectations on to them, especially as the truth coming out led to Kurt’s nervousness developing into full blown social anxiety by the time he was only eight.

Subsequently, [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] attended a specialist school where his avoidant personality and tendency to run away from what intimidated him were given time to be addressed. Ironically, he proved to be exceptionally academically gifted when at ease - having a head that retained information well and just being able to get on with assignments placed before him. He still tended to ask his siblings a lot for advice, especially [name_u]Ray[/name_u] who had received much less of a cool reception from their dad [and yes, his brother has forgiven him for making [name_m]Paul[/name_m] Blart jokes - after all, that is one of cinema’s greatest heroes], and then [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] given she’s the eldest who saw so much of her future shaped by the fallout.

Having studied sociology at university, [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] now works in social housing schemes - he allows [name_u]Ray[/name_u] to tease him back for how boring his job always sounds when he starts trying to explain it - and does his best to see those less fortunate aided by government welfare. Given the complexities of the system and its reputation, [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] doesn’t have time for people’s classism or assumptions, treating everything on a case-to-case basis, and he can be a little cagey about what he says given some people’s views. Losing [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] also made him draw into himself a bit, but he’s been long known as aloof and quiet, so it wasn’t as concerning as it could have been. He tends to be the uncle her son confides in about more abstract things, including questions about identity, as Kurt’s genderfluid and uses he/they pronouns, on top of being the child judged the most for things beyond his control.

Living close by to the rest of the family, [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] and his partner have two sons: a four-year-old and one-year-old. They’ve given their children unique, charming names with a kitsch quality, and nature based middles to further bonds between the boys and their cousins; not to mention the fact Kurt’s girlfriend absolutely adores gardening and has her own extensive amassing of flower boxes for every window of their home. The couple also own an ancient moggy named Grizella, who was rescued by Kurt’s partner just before they started dating [having been introduced through a mutual friend at uni], and who hated him for a few years until deciding she accepted another human in her mistresses life - the Great Cold War as [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] and [name_u]Ray[/name_u] call it. His older son is campaigning for a worm farm but Kurt’s trying to hold off on that for now, given the fact he doesn’t trust Grizella to not mount another attack on intruders, thanks to how she loves being fussed by the kids.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_m]Ernest[/name_m] “ [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] “ [name_u]Reed[/name_u] Hendrix-Fulton (1) is the younger son of [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] and his partner. He’s the younger brother of their 4-year-old and cousin of [name_u]Lark[/name_u] and their 11-year-old cousin. [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] doesn’t know about the worm farm, since his parents are playfully keeping him away from finding out. [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] loves his older brother for the most part and sometimes the two “out-rowdy” each other but they’re the sweetest boys when they get along! [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] has met his paternal grandmother but doesn’t know about his paternal grandfather, as there’s no plans to share that information. [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] loves being the youngest grandchild however and likes to rock with it. His fave food is applesauce and his least fave is mashed peas.

[I_meme_it]

[name_m]Winston[/name_m] ’ [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] ’ [name_u]Elm[/name_u] Hendrix-Fulton (4) is the older son of [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] and his partner, he who’s eager for the worm farm. Everything about Sonny’s bold: the way he expresses emotions, his interests and affections, usually spurring [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] on, although his intent varies depending on mood. Aside from his love of creepy crawlies - anything insect-like is the absolute best in the eyes of [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] - he loves being read to by his parents, with superhero stories of course being his favourite. He hasn’t decided on a code name yet, so currently he’s known as [name_u]Hero[/name_u] A, for anonymous, whenever playing with the neighbourhood kids.

Around his older cousins, [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] can be a little more reserved though. He thinks they’re the absolute coolest, he’s told his mom as such on several occasions, and just wants to come across the way they do, something she does her best to reassure him about. More recently, Sonny’s become interested in decorating the baking his mom enjoys doing, and his absolute favourite thing is spider biscuits, something she started crafting just for him. He wants to make a special dinosaur cake for Julienne’s sons’ upcoming birthday too, as eldest cousin is firm on wanting to become a paleontologist.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Cadence[/name_u] “ [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] “ [name_f]Jasmine[/name_f] [name_m]Fulton[/name_m] (31) is Kurt’s partner and the mother of [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] and [name_u]Sonny[/name_u]. She’s recently come out by using she/they pronouns and she’s grateful for the love and support her in-laws have given. They hasn’t really come out about that to their own parents because she can never predict how they are. They are not conservative or liberal, they are both centrist. There’s been times when they’ve said stuff that obviously sounded like they’re leaning one way or another, but they insist they’re always going to be centrist and hate being assumed as anything else. [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] doesn’t let it rock their world, they’re always proud of who they are no matter what anyone says or when they choose to come out. Thankfully the mutual friend whom [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] and [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] met at uni is still great friends with both and accepts the couple’s preferred pronouns.

[name_f]Cadia[/name_f] loves her sons and secretly wants [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] to drop the worm farm idea but she finds it adorable how much he loves bugs. She’s talked to him about their eldest cousin’s upcoming birthday and discussed dinosaurs - at least just to get Sonny’s mind off worms for the moment. [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] has talked with the soon-to-be birthday boy about dinosaurs and has told him their favourite is the spinosaurus when he asked. She’s not telling him about the cake, for now that’s a secret surprise between she and [name_u]Sonny[/name_u]! They adore cooking and feel happy when [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] says he likes it too. Sometimes [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] feels bad that her sons never got to meet [name_f]Julienne[/name_f] but worries more about the family member they haven’t met but want to know about the most - [name_u]Phil[/name_u] [name_u]Hendrix[/name_u]! [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] knows the least about [name_u]Phil[/name_u], the estranged father of the [name_u]Hendrix[/name_u] family, whom [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] seems to be curious about. They often says it simply that she doesn’t know or says that he’s “not really family just because they’re blood-related”. This pretty much has toned down a lot of that desire and truthfully nobody told them about him. They only wanted to know because some kids have two grandparents on both sides of the family and they were curious whether they did or not. [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] can’t help but sympathise, none of her grandparents on either side are alive, although they were when she was a toddler. [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] loves silly stories and loves to tell them, especially superhero bedtime stories.

[kitkatcookie]

tw: implicit transphobia

[name_f]Amoris[/name_f] " [name_u]Mo[/name_u] " [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] [name_m]Fulton[/name_m] (22) is Cadia’s sibling and auncle of [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] and [name_m]Ernie[/name_m]. Being nonbinary is difficult at home for [name_u]Mo[/name_u] sometimes, as their parents centrist ways mean they have friends who frequently give them a side eye [with the occasional mutterings about cultural marxists] or make comments about how Mo’s merely going through a phase for attention, leading to a growing resentment building within them. [name_u]Mo[/name_u] confides in [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] often, about how they love their mom and dad but wish they’d defend them properly, as even an attempt at rebutting this would mean a lot to them. Part of this brewing discord is also spurred on by the fact Mo’s parents are very willing to use their academic achievements to gain respect from said friends: they’ve completed their bachelors in history and are now going to be completing a masters in [name_m]History[/name_m] and Intensive Language - a subject choice determined by how [name_u]Mo[/name_u] was excellent at [name_m]German[/name_m] and [name_u]French[/name_u] at school, still speaking, reading and writing the latter fluently given Canada’s large use of the language. The home conflict has pushed [name_u]Mo[/name_u] to consider studying abroad for their upcoming course, but they don’t want to be separated from their sister and nephews, so this idea’s been axed.

As is the cliché for academics - their own words - Mo’s an introverted person, content in their own company and usually quiet in social situations [unless they’re pushed by someone’s comments, at which point it’s a challenge to get them to back down]. Lile [name_f]Cadia[/name_f], they don’t do well with mess and are terrified of spiders - so she and [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] are anticipating telling [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] that he can’t see his auncle if a spider becomes his next intended pet - keeping their room minimalist, aside from their collective of succulents. This is something Mo’s positively influenced [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] in: given the responsibility any pet requires, they’ve bought him a little plant of his own, with the agreement being if he can look after it [within reason given his age], animals are more likely to join the ramily [but his parents mean rodents or a small dog, not the worm farm thank you].

[name_u]Mo[/name_u] was aware of [name_u]Phil[/name_u] [name_u]Hendrix[/name_u] and remains pretty knowledgeable about him, not that [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] will be clued in any time soon. A little awkwardly, they actually watched a documentary that referenced him at school not too long after their sister started dating [name_m]Kurt[/name_m], and it led to a lot of people bothering [name_u]Mo[/name_u] when it came out, something their friends did their best to keep them protected from. [name_u]True[/name_u] crime does fascinate them still, but they deliberately avoid anything regarding the [name_u]Hendrix[/name_u] case, thanks to the upset it caused within their in-laws family, and refuse to discuss the case with anyone who comes snooping. One of Mo’s friends does host a podcast relating to this, but they’ve never mentioned the case for obvious reasons, and instead focus on promoting awareness of missing indigenous women, as she’s Native American herself. The stories of their friends culture fascinate [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] especially, and Mo’s careful to ensure it’s appreciation they inspire, not appropriation [but their nephews proven himself woke - something [name_u]Mo[/name_u] loves saying around their parent’s ultra conservative friends when they’re being disrespectful]. They’re looking at moving into an apartment post-grad, having managed to snag a dorm room for their masters to be spared any arguments with guests in the [name_m]Fulton[/name_m] family home.

[kitkatcookie]

bump!!

@A.B.Galaxy
@Tasia
@jinxed_peach
@wandering_willow
@rachelheth
@Swimmere1223

[Swimmere1223]

[name_f]Ramona[/name_f] [name_u]Jules[/name_u] “Romy” [name_m]Fulton[/name_m] (16) is [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] and Mo’s younger sister, and the aunt to [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] and [name_m]Ernie[/name_m]. Seeming like the perfect daughter to her parents, she has a secret she is keeping from them. Sneaking out almost every night, [name_u]Romy[/name_u] has found her way into the criminal underground, and spends her nights either partying or working part-time at a chop shop (using a natural ability she has for fixing things). Close to her siblings, she has told [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] and [name_u]Mo[/name_u] some things about what she does, and her siblings have been trying hard to convince her to get out of it, having seen how crime had affected Arthur’s life.

[I_meme_it]

cw: dysfunctional upbringing, extensive criminal activity

[name_f]Cassandra[/name_f] ’ CJ ’ [name_f]Jeanette[/name_f] [name_m]Giraud[/name_m] (20) is Romy’s main contact regarding her criminal activity, although she isn’t the overseer of the chop shop, that person would be her father. To say breaking the law is normal in CJ’s world would be an understatement. By the time she was born, her grandfather had been imprisoned for drug dealing and smuggling, and her father had taken over the family enterprise, with the help of his younger brother. Although their primary business revolves around car theft and reusing/selling parts, they have connections to drug circles, although CJ’s father is staunch about her not being involved in this - given what happened to her granddad - which is why she’s a recruiter for the chop shop.

[name_m]Gregarious[/name_m], friendly and amiable, CJ isn’t just talented at convincing people to become involved in the business, she knows how to sniff out people with a talent for mechanics, many of whom desire an escape from overly controlling parents or a mundane, unfulfilling life. In Romy’s case, the pair met through a mutual friend - who’s a notable figure of the party scene - and it wasn’t long before CJ had made an offer about finding her some work. She’s an expert at minimalising the wider damage of her family business: namely the fact it involves little regard for the financial status of those they acquire vehicles from, the trauma theft can leave people battling, and CJ’s fathers’ claims they only take from the wealthy are firmly untrue.

CJ’s means of dealing with the true damage her father does is turning a blind eye, as when her mind wanders, she actually finds herself facing genuine guilt. Her older brother tends to step in when CJ has a moment of moral panic, and has actually been attempting to drive a wedge between [name_u]Romy[/name_u] and her sisters, namely due to the fact [name_f]Cadia[/name_f] and [name_m]Kurt[/name_m] haven’t wanted their sons around [name_u]Romy[/name_u] too much, given her associates; with him painting it as completely unreasonable to remove children from such a situation. After all, he and CJ grew up seeing crime and look how they’ve turned out. Again, CJ doesn’t entirely approve of her brother in this sense, but loyalty binds her to the family more than she likes to admit…

[A.B.Galaxy]

tw: criminal activity, prison

[name_u]Ryan[/name_u] [name_u]Jack[/name_u] [name_f]Summers[/name_f] (38) is CJ’s uncle. He was 18 at the time of his father’s imprisonment, and after graduating high school became enveloped in the family business. It wasn’t necessarily his choice so much as what he felt he owed to his father and brother. Over the years, [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] developed an apathetic view toward the things he used to find repulsive. It makes him feel sick when he dwells on that for too long. Previously a caring and fun person, by the time [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] turned 25, he had become a stoic, disagreeable, and ruthless person. His brother and others he worked with weren’t exactly the best role models.

Then he met his wife. On his way home one day, he randomly decided to stop at a little coffee shop. She was working there and tripped on her own feet, falling flat on the floor. He didn’t even have time to help her up before she stood and started laughing, although he is adamant that she was more snorting than laughing. With a dark blush on her face she asked him what he’d like to order and [name_u]Ryan[/name_u], smitten already, took at least ten seconds to answer. He’d had a difficult time with work that day and she seemed to brighten everything significantly. Safe to say, he started going to that cafe frequently. A year later he worked up the nerve to ask her out and the two began dating. With her he was a different man, the man he would have been without the criminal activity he grew up around. They dated for three years, [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] not wanting things to become really serious because of what he’d be bringing her into. Then she started talking about marriage and everything came out. Who his family was, what they did, and how he wanted to leave. [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] was afraid she’d leave him, resolved to the fact she probably would. But she didn’t.

It was a few weeks before they talked again. She’d needed time to process. Then she gave him an ultimatum. [name_m]Leave[/name_m] the business and turn himself in and she’d marry him or lose her…and their baby. That was nine years ago and [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] was recently released from prison. He’d gotten off with a lighter sentence thanks to giving the police information, causing quite a few of those he used to work with to wind up in prison. [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] is now an active part in his daughter’s life, who’s eight, and is very happy with his family. He’s working on getting a job, although to be frank, his wife makes more than enough in her job. [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] took his wife’s name when they married, not wanting to be associated with his family anymore. He knows his brother is probably feeling extremely betrayed but as Ryan’s father-in-law is captain of the police force, [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] doubts he’ll try anything.

[kitkatcookie]

tw: drug abuse mention

[name_f]Melina[/name_f] [name_f]Violet[/name_f] Epsom (17) is Ryan’s daughter, not that even she was aware of this until about 6 months ago. The relationship between her mother and he was very brief, stemming from a shared apathy on account of their mutually dysfunctional family backgrounds - her maternal grandparents being serious drug users, who are fully estranged from her mother and aunt [her mum’s older sister] - however it was clearly shallow and never going to last. Melina’s mum left to reunite with her sister shortly after they hooked up for the last time, and it was after moving into the apartment they’d leased together that she discovered her pregnancy. While she contemplated trying to find [name_u]Ryan[/name_u], they’d both used false names when involved - not wanting to divulge too much of themselves - and she subsequently wanted to focus on her unborn child, rather than chasing around a man who could reject [name_f]Melina[/name_f] entirely. Thanks to the support of her sister, who the teen affectionately calls ‘Auntie Dad’ - given how she basically raised her alongside her mum - Melina’s mum was able to finish her nursing degree, and is still working in the field, having transferred to specialise in the mental health sector more recently. This is a little ironic, as [name_f]Melina[/name_f] herself wants to become a therapist - hoping on focusing on addiction, thanks to how she knows her mum and aunt were overlooked in spite of what they witnessed growing up - but the pair joke about it constantly.

Known for her sense of humour - the quick and sarcastic variety; love of [name_m]Garfield[/name_m] memorabilia and collection of renaissance art inspired jewellery, Melina’s firm in her own sense of identity. She always encourages her little cousins - the adopted children of her aunt and her wife - to stay focused on expressing themselves authentically, although her aunt’s careful to ensure [name_f]Melina[/name_f] isn’t encouraging a massive rebellion, as she does entertain with anti-authority sentiments from time-to-time. She and her mum share their home with Dizzy, a cocker spaniel who they found abandoned one day behind a supermarket, and a great deal of begging from [name_f]Melina[/name_f] convinced her mum to let them keep the dog permanently once animal services confirmed she’d been left deliberately, however she’s become the darling of not just the family but also Melina’s friend circle. Dizzy’s friends with the dog of one of her close friends and they frequently go walking or bike riding together, while the dogs run alongside them or play together, although sometimes Dizzy exhausts herself and needs to be carried home.

It was Melina’s best friend who suggested they try and at least find out the real name of her biological father, having one photo taken at a party with her mum. This allowed them to eventually find [name_u]Ryan[/name_u], by focusing on the local area initially - as Melina’s mum didn’t move far away to live with her sister - and after some deliberating between the pair of them, [name_f]Melina[/name_f] approached her mum to ask if she thought they’d correctly identified the right guy. The backstory was what clinched it, as the details from articles about the [name_m]Giraud[/name_m] family matched up perfectly with the story her mum had been told, although currently Melina’s just sitting with the information. Through some more internet sleuthing she’s found out her biological father is married, and doesn’t want to intrude on his life, especially as there could be plans between him and his wife to have a family of their own, which naturally could be thrown into the air with the revelation of an existing child. Her mum’s encouraged her to take her time, and has promised if [name_f]Melina[/name_f] does want to speak to [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] she won’t object or interfer, as it’s not like she has some deep seated issues with him, she merely feels a little awkward at the idea of remeeting him thanks to their daughters’ life not being something he’s had any awareness of.

[jinxed_peach]

[name_u]Cleo[/name_u] [name_u]Brinley[/name_u] [name_f]Summers[/name_f] [8] is Melina’s half-sister and Ryan’s youngest daughter. For the majority of her life she only knew him through a sheet of glass between them, starting when she was a newborn when her mother would take her to visit [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] in prison. As time went on they switches to mostly talking on the phone until [name_u]Cleo[/name_u] was a little more mobile since it was easier than driving out to the prison with a baby.

She’s a bit of a trouble maker in the classroom, she’s not very ashamed of the fact that her father has been in prison for almost ten years and even displayed that proudly on the family tree her class made. Other students and their parents always tried to make her feel badly about her father’s past and on one occasion she got into a fight with another little girl who called her father “A bad guy since only bad guys go to prison.” Much to the chagrin of Cleo’s mother who has always been a little scared that her daughter may have inherited some of her paternal family’s rebellious tendencies.

She’s so happy that her daddy is now home and active in her life. Since her mother is the breadwinner the two of them usually end up spending the day together. [name_m]Even[/name_m] as a child though she’s somewhat aware of the slight tension between her grandpa and her father. The older man has always resented the fact that [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] got involved with his daughter when he was living the lifestyle that he was. She would be delighted to find out that she had a big sister but like the rest of her family Milina’s existence is unknown for now. In the meantime she also wouldn’t be opposed to a doggy or a kitty cat.

[jinxed_peach]

bump!!!

[kitkatcookie]

cw: lupus

[name_m]Ajax[/name_m] " [name_u]Jack[/name_u] " [name_m]Andrew[/name_m] Whinford (11) is Cleo’s maternal cousin and the son of her mum’s brother, who’s her absolute opposite. Laidback, unphased by almost anything and capable of shrugging off conflict, [name_u]Jack[/name_u] tends to be a source of calm when hanging around with [name_u]Cleo[/name_u], who he treats no differently to his siblings. He has two: a sister who’s 6 and a brother who’s 4, as his mum’s lupus became debilitating when he was a toddler, and it was only once her condition was in a much more manageable state that his parents felt confident conceiving once again. This is partly why Jack’s so patient, as he needed to be when his mother wasn’t doing so well, and he always was careful giving her space, time and understanding. When his little sister was born, he did go through a brief panic - believing her condition might worsen again - but thankfully it didn’t, and [name_u]Jack[/name_u] shares an especially close bond with her, having decided he wants to go into medicine to help treat similar illnesses.

He’s never had any issue with his uncle’s past either, having been encouraged to not pass judgement or jump to conclusions by his dad, although Jack’s been trying to stop [name_u]Cleo[/name_u] reacting so rashly when people don’t understand her circumstances. Aside from his interest in science, [name_u]Jack[/name_u] also has guitar lessons - which he loves - and goes surfing with his dad, although he wishes he could learn as quickly as some of his friends [who are also involved with the sport]. Given how easygoing he is, Jack’s managed to garner quite a popular status at school, something he does find a little surprising thanks to how he tends to be on the more reserved side. Still, he loves socialising and going on adventures with his friends, partly as it does give him a break from his little siblings wanting to play pretend games he now feels too old for [not that he’d break their hearts by telling them, especially as they can’t enjoy the realism of zombie hunters - his game with his friends].

[jinxed_peach]

[name_m]Aedan[/name_m] ‘Danny’ [name_u]James[/name_u] Whinford [4] is Jack’s younger brother and cousin of [name_u]Cleo[/name_u]. He doesn’t quite understand his mom’s disease like his older siblings do but Jack’s patience has already started to rub off on him. He’s been called one of the more mature children in his classes by his preschool teachers, but he certainly also knows how to have fun too. Him and one of his classmates, [name_m]Winston[/name_m] Hendrix-Fulton, love to spend their outdoor time at school digging in the ground and looking through the bushes for bugs and whatever else they can find outside. [name_u]Danny[/name_u] thinks bugs are super cool but probably doesn’t love them as much as his friend does, he’s not sure anyone loves bugs more than [name_u]Sonny[/name_u]. He brought in some spider themed cookies for his birthday a few weeks ago and everyone thought it was awesome, [name_u]Danny[/name_u] especially.

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[name_m]Winston[/name_m] was created by @I_meme_it <3