CAF With A Twist ❤️

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] [name_f]Kim[/name_f] [name_m]Nguyen[/name_m] (28) is an employee of Anastasia’s and co-worker of [name_m]Bates[/name_m]. Unlike [name_m]Bates[/name_m], she would be excited to work at night, even getting a thrill out of the heebie-jeebies. She was the type of person who watched horror movies before bed and then got scared when she heard any noise in the night afterwards. She’s not as afraid anymore and she likes it now. She and her sister [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] are of Vietnamese descent although both enjoy Thai food, although [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] loves Vietnamese food too. She is understanding of [name_f]Stacia[/name_f] being of Russian culture but not being afraid to step out of her shell and try other cultures. In terms of how she feels about Bates’ stance, she doesn’t judge him or find him a bad co-worker. She wants him and his partner in Mix the Fusion to succeed in the annual talent competition. However she’s overheard something that could make things awkward moving forward - the boyfriend of [name_f]Stacia[/name_f] is also competing in the talent competition! Unlike Mix the Fusion, he doesn’t care so much about the scouting since his family comes first, but he is hoping for the prize money. It’s for the sake of helping support [name_f]Stacia[/name_f] and her family. [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] is conflicted over whether to tell [name_m]Bates[/name_m] this but for now, her lips are sealed. [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] focuses on what’s in the present and she wants to continue being in a good and happy state.

It’s no surprise [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] is most often seen at night when she works for [name_f]Stacia[/name_f] and she too agrees with Bates’s stance on milkshakes being unusual at breakfast. She tries to be a motivator because she knows [name_m]Bates[/name_m] isn’t a downer and his spirit was made to rock out. [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] knows and gets along with [name_m]Danny[/name_m] best of the Dowd siblings and she agrees the most in terms of his soul searching on whether he wants kids. She feels like he is great at giving the credibility that people deserve as well and that more people should be like him. [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] debates with herself over whether Stacia’s environment is the best, seeing she feels [name_f]Stacia[/name_f] isn’t quite a motivator, but knows there’s something within her that’s motivating. That being that she’s a motivator to her kids, and while [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] knows [name_f]Stacia[/name_f] has kids, she doesn’t know how many. [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] is on Stacia’s good side in terms of being an employee and is the most hardworking but she isn’t doing it for praise and naturally, isn’t surprised when she’s treated like a regular employee. It’s not on Stacia’s end that she’s trying so much to fulfill, it’s from many [name_f]Asian[/name_f] and Eastern-world standards to succeed, and she never stereotypes her sister [name_f]Caroline[/name_f] as being “too perfect” and rather gives the appreciation her sister deserves. [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] herself has something hidden as well, a talent for beatboxing, although she’s not sure if she’s entering the talent competition. She doesn’t take the competition too seriously and doesn’t care if nothing life-changing comes out of it.

Caroline was created by @Lindseylloyd052399.

[I.have.no.idea]

TW: traumatic birth story, absent parents
[name_f]Tamarka[/name_f] [name_f]Alyona[/name_f] Petrov ‘Talia’ (17) is someone [name_f]Fidelity[/name_f] has met a few times and Stacia’s youngest child with her first husband, [name_f]Talia[/name_f] is the only one of Stacia’s children to carry her last name or to have both a russian first and middle name (all her sibling have either) this is due to the fact that Stacia’s ex left her right before [name_f]Talia[/name_f] was born. As [name_f]Stacia[/name_f] was beginning to go in labor he left to get in a final shift at the mechanic he was working at and never came back, [name_f]Stacia[/name_f] called him desperatley but no avail, she called his mom who also didn’t answer. She was hopeless, didn’t have health insurance and had to call one of the russian ladies she knew from church who helped deliever [name_f]Talia[/name_f]. Since then [name_f]Talia[/name_f] has lived in the shadow of the leaving of her dad, all her siblings say she looks like him but how could [name_f]Talia[/name_f] know.

[name_f]Talia[/name_f] is shy and is still unsure of her position in the world yet, she has always followed her siblings but isn’t sure yet. When they were little [name_f]Talia[/name_f] would always trail along whatever they were doing in the Milkshake Parlor’s parking but now all her older siblings have left the house so [name_f]Talia[/name_f] is the one being trailed. She loves her little half-siblings but is still shocked by the fact that they don’t speak Russian and don’t know that side of her mom. She is also happy that her grandparents live with her, she has really loved learning about her mom’s family and heritage.

[name_f]Talia[/name_f] works as a tutor and babysitter when she isn’t studying. [name_f]Tatia[/name_f] really wants to be able to go to college and support her mom who has always been there for her and give her the little luxuries of life she never go to enjoy because of the burden of [name_f]Tatia[/name_f] and her siblings. She really wants to bring her mom to russia so her mom can reconnect with her best friend and cousin who she hasn’t seen since she left.

[kitkatcookie]

cw: anxiety mentioned

[name_f]Yoriko[/name_f] " [name_f]Rika[/name_f] " Yamashiro (30, they/xe/he) is someone [name_f]Talia[/name_f] knows pretty well, as they’re another frequent face at the parlor her mom manages, as well as being a music teacher who’s actually provided piano lessons to some of her friends, and - more recently - one of Talia’s younger siblings. Rika’s presence is mostly because they’re the other half of the duo Mix the Fusion, and they enjoy coming to visit [name_m]Bates[/name_m] whenever both of them have a moment to spare. This has also increased because of the upcoming competition and planning necessary for this event, something [name_f]Rika[/name_f] worries about greatly [although this isn’t known by people they don’t feel comfortable sharing this with].

They’ve always been someone who finds intense attention anxiety inducing: performing is somewhere they can switch off and embrace their music, whereas knowing there’s a prize to be won is nerve-wracking. In spite of this, Rika’s determined to compete and succeed at given what could be won by themself and [name_m]Bates[/name_m], although they confide in him when they’re feeling especially uncertain. At fourteen they were given a formal diagnosis and failure greatly weighs on their mind, which led to them almost dropping out of high school when this was at its worst. It was Rika’s mom who convinced them to not give up, as she could tell it wasn’t a decision that would benefit them long-term, and instead it would become a source of shame for them further down the line - something [name_f]Rika[/name_f] completely agrees with.

Pronoun choices and gender identity is something [name_f]Rika[/name_f] knows their parents don’t always understand, but they’ve never been disparaging or intolerent about this. The generational gap is something they’re mindful of, as well as the pressure also faced by them as Japanese-Americans’: with people questioning their cultural identity and expression, a point of understanding that’s helped with things. Rika’s younger sister is bisexual and has a girlfriend currently, something their parents have likewise embraced, and being part of such an accepting family has helped with musical progression for [name_f]Rika[/name_f] as well.

[cara_murvolio]

CW: attempted scam

Yukako ’ Yuka ’ Yamashiro (26) is Rika’s sister and self-proclaimed ‘Number 1 Supporter of Mix the Fusion’. This is mostly displayed in how she’s the primary designer for merch, EP covers and even made the logo for the band after offering to do so for [name_f]Rika[/name_f] and [name_m]Bates[/name_m], who she has great relationships with. While they’re not the only musicians Yuka has collaborated with, they’re her most frequent team up and the one she’s loyalist to. She actually can sing herself, having gotten lessons’ alongside [name_f]Rika[/name_f], but any kind of performing frightens her beyond belief.

Like her older sibling, Yuka’s always been a quieter person, who prefers keeping to herself and staying close to those she knows well. This doesn’t make her a pushover though, something that has been assumed of her before. Since one band attempted to not credit or pay Yuka for her work, she’s vigilant and devoted to protecting herself. With the encouragement of her friends’, [name_f]Rika[/name_f] and [name_m]Bates[/name_m], Yuka actually posted online following this incident, which led to her receiving payment and full acknowledgement for the artwork, although the band didn’t keep it - given the scandal it was now associated with.

In spite of this, it hasn’t made Yuka give up on design work for her career, and she’s branched out to working with a larger pool of industries. She and her girlfriend are frequent customers of [name_m]Dice[/name_m] + Steam, with Yuka recently providing [name_m]Danny[/name_m] with some custom mug and flask designs to sell in the shop. She admits she isn’t much of a board game person - remembering all the rules can be a chore for Yuka - but she loves the environment and how Danny’s made it such a welcoming space for people to attend. Plus she is exceptional at Cluedo.

---

Bates belongs to @CherryBomb50

Danny belongs to @kitkatcookie

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for homophobia.

Kuk [name_f]Nahee[/name_f] “ [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] “ (26) is Yuka’s girlfriend, who relates in a way to madly supporting family member’s dreams despite not relating to them. Nattie’s cousin [name_f]Kylie[/name_f] is in a duo with a romantic partner too, although Kylie’s actually a YouTuber. Her girlfriend [name_m]Noah[/name_m] is a huge part of her life and both share their Korean culture as well. However unlike Kylie’s family, Noah’s family is unfortunately not as supportive of her relationship with a woman. As a woman with a girlfriend as well, [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] can’t respect Noah’s family for cutting her off and she’s very welcoming among Kylie’s family to welcome [name_m]Noah[/name_m]. While Nattie’s family uses their last names first, she doesn’t mind being called [name_f]Nahee[/name_f] Kuk and doesn’t blame [name_f]Kylie[/name_f] and [name_m]Noah[/name_m] for going by names more similar to their surnames. [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] herself has been somewhat of a performer, often acting in school plays, although she’s usually just an ensemble dancer. There’s been a few times when she’s tried for the main role, but she tends to lose to another girl who’s an exemplary performer and someone Nattie’s been low-key jealous of. A feeling of “always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” Usually when she doesn’t get the role, she becomes a person in the ensemble but she’s been the understudy a few times. She’s never had to take over as understudy and actually finds this more stressful because she has to learn all the lines of the main role and it’s for nothing. Ironically when she did get the main role once, she couldn’t be there for the performance and the other girl got to take over for her! [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] doesn’t hate this other girl and while she did find her a little “too lucky”, the dust was settled and she’s moved on.

As for the scam Yuka went through, [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] is glad Yuka stood up for herself. [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] respects Yuka’s designer ethic and feels this is how famous people or people aspiring fame should understand. Those who dedicate their careers for people will respect them and help them, but those represented can’t be horrible individuals or it will bite them back. [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] herself is a choreographer and has used her past experience in ensemble dancing to help her. And likewise if dancers pull a fast one with her, she’d follow Yuka’s assertive example. She’s currently choreographing a small dance troupe’s moves and she’s sensing this troupe also wants to be in the annual talent competition, but she’s not for sure and she only sees the show as a friendly competition, not something for everyone to get riled over. But they’re not telling her for sure. [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] is very close with her family and adores Yuka and Rika’s close siblinghood. She also appreciates the Dowds being so close and not feuding and while [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] is closest with the youngest Dowd, she likes [name_m]Danny[/name_m] and [name_m]Bates[/name_m] too. [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] has gone to school with the youngest Dowd growing up, but they aren’t in the same year. She loves how smart but carefree he is and he was the first Dowd who knew she was gay. [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] is also very enthusiastic with her appreciation to Yuka, even if she’s rather quiet in public settings. She and Yuka aren’t married or engaged yet but they’ve related in a sense to the Dowd relationships also being the same way, yet very close and comfortable.

Noah & Kylie were created by @mynameis1.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_m]Kian[/name_m] [name_f]Elaine[/name_f] [name_m]Fisher[/name_m] (26) is a sparkly and shiny popular woman and had actually taken over for [name_f]Nattie[/name_f] when she wasn’t able to have the lead role for her play. She loves spotlight and doing well for it. She even asks advice from her loyal dog about how to act better! She was not successful at last year’s talent competition when she did not even place. She did a great job but her partner did sloppy, ruining the overall act. Her partner said he told her he was terrible, but she knew it was just for validation from her. This year on the day of the talent show, she acted her heart out! Everyone admired the skill and prowess. While she did not win and Mix the Fusion did, her amazing art gained her a following and a recruitment into a talent agency. She has since found a new partner who is much better for her.

[I_meme_it]

[name_m]Weston[/name_m] ’ [name_m]Wes[/name_m] ’ [name_m]Emile[/name_m] van Vuren (25) is Kian’s former collaborative partner, who hasn’t had much of a relationship with her since the disastrous performance and fallout when they didn’t place. At the time, [name_m]Wes[/name_m] was under a huge amount of pressure in his personal life, namely his landlord had announced his then-tenants needed to move out ASAP to accommodate building plans, and arranging moving dominated his life. [name_m]Wes[/name_m] does take accountability for not telling [name_m]Kian[/name_m] - he actually forgot and then thought he’d explained himself - but the way she handled them not placing led to him deciding he didn’t want to continue working with her musically.

While he cares about presenting his art, it isn’t the be all and end all for [name_m]Wes[/name_m], especially given his circumstances at the time weren’t exactly easy to handle. Not placing didn’t mean anything to him when he was balancing finances to move his belongings back to his parents house before his former landlord had the right to just chuck them from the property. He has prevented any of his friends or family drom seeing [name_m]Kian[/name_m] out to argue about things though, as truly, [name_m]Wes[/name_m] believes more in live and let live rather than grinding an axe.

He has returned to production more recently, specifically production and DJ mixing, however anything live is off the cards, as [name_m]Wes[/name_m] can admit the incident still leaves some upset for him when he thinks back to it. Showcasing his passion poorly is embarrassing for him, and while by no means is it remembered by other people, abandoning the shame for [name_m]Wes[/name_m] isn’t quite as easy. Most of all he worries it makes it seem like he doesn’t care about artistry, which is ironically the furthest thing from the truth thanks to how composing music with meaning and personal reflection is so important to him.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for stroke (not fatal).

[name_f]Rozala[/name_f] [name_f]Cilou[/name_f] [name_m]Dewitt[/name_m] (25) has been a supporter of [name_m]Wes[/name_m] through this “awkward disaster”, knowing he didn’t necessarily want to be there in the first place. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] did watch this act, though she’s never performed and she’s mainly there to support the community. She doesn’t see [name_m]Wes[/name_m] as the type to seek validation, in fact seeing him as the opposite, though she’s tried to understand why [name_m]Kian[/name_m] would feel this way. Still, she felt [name_m]Kian[/name_m] wasn’t paying attention to [name_m]Wes[/name_m] when this was an act about working together, passing it off like [name_m]Wes[/name_m] was “just being nervous”. Then getting upset when the inevitable happened. Not to mention the fact that this is [name_m]New[/name_m] [name_m]York[/name_m] City, so a lot of people were there and expected [name_m]Wes[/name_m] to be like a Broadway dancer, [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] gives [name_m]Wes[/name_m] credit for trying at least because she isn’t really the talent show type at all. The two of them have a bond over similar cultures, though [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] is specifically of Flemish descent. She’s gotten her teaching credentials and teaches [name_m]Dutch[/name_m], with her fave class unit being about Flanders. For now, she’s excited about summer just as any student would be. While she’s never wanted to talk about back-to-school growing up, this is a big year for her, since this is the year she’ll get to teach at a school for the first time.

She doesn’t think any of her skills are entertaining enough to present, though she’s always been smart. She jokes she’s “too nerdy” to win anything on a stage, despite her being very close to this in school at 14. Not a school talent show, but actually a trivia contest. Get a trivia question correct and you continue. Get one wrong and you’re out. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] loves trivia so naturally she did great, though she was surprised she made it into the final 2. However the way the show concluded was a shock. While [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] was on stage next to her competitor, her sister got a call and told the organisers to get [name_f]Rozala[/name_f]. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] was shell shocked to be taken off stage when she was about to get the question that would result in her win or loss. Her sister told her that their mother had a stroke and they needed to get to the hospital. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] apologised to the organisers for the interruption, but she didn’t hesitate to leave to go to the hospital to see her mother. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] was visibly in tears and panicking, and while she knew the audience could hear her, she didn’t care and all her focus was on her mother. The host announced, “Due to unforeseen circumstances in an family emergency, the game is effectively over. Thank you all for coming and thanks to all contestants for playing.” [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] worried she killed the game’s mood but everyone was understanding, though there was a lot of gossip at school as to why she had to leave. Neither [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] nor her opponent were considered the winner, though Rozala’s opponent didn’t want to take the win and felt it wasn’t fair. Some people considered them co-winners, which [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] was okay with. She found out later what question she’d be asked and knew the answer to it, though she doesn’t see this as being cheated out of a win. Maybe her opponent also knew the answer to the following question. She doesn’t regret being at the hospital to see her mother and doesn’t blame her sister for pulling her out, knowing she’d rather have it than to win and then have her good mood ruined by knowing her mother was in the hospital during that time. Her mother is doing much better now and [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] couldn’t be more grateful her mother survived.

[name_f]Rozala[/name_f] has often been in the wrong place at the wrong time. So needless to say, it was okay for her to be at the right place, even if it felt like the wrong time. She remembers a past job where she wanted to apply at a chain coffee shop. But she went to the wrong location and was so confused when they told her they never scheduled anything with her. It also completely ruined her interview at the right location because she was late and the interviewer gave a face that basically let her know she wasn’t getting hired. Sometimes she’s at the wrong place by a place in life, where her last serious relationship ended 3 years ago when she was considering taking another step whereas her ex was wanting to break up. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] felt blindsided but she accepted the end of the relationship, feeling that talking about “next steps” wasn’t going to save a relationship that wasn’t going the right way for both people. She relates to [name_m]Wes[/name_m] feeling [name_m]Wes[/name_m] had been in the wrong place himself following the landlord conundrum. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] felt his landlord was a total jerk and wishes [name_m]Kian[/name_m] had been understanding of this rather than talking about show biz all the time. This pushed [name_m]Kian[/name_m] further however, since she knew [name_m]Wes[/name_m] was in a place where he would need money and to make a better life for himself. Still, while this year’s show was better for [name_m]Kian[/name_m], it just felt off that [name_m]Kian[/name_m] would get so upset with [name_m]Wes[/name_m] and then just replace him like that. She’s glad [name_m]Wes[/name_m] is going at his own pace and living by his own standards. Rozala’s respected Wes’s wishes not to get involved with [name_m]Kian[/name_m] and to let that be, much like the rest of the people in Wes’s life. Admittedly, she’s falling for [name_m]Wes[/name_m] as well though she’s never been very public about her dating life, let alone a secret crush.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Celeste[/name_f] [name_f]Athena[/name_f] [name_m]Thompson[/name_m] (25) is Rozala’s trivia rival from school. While considered a co-winner, she embraces her status as a champion especially for those who wanted her to win it all. Her chance was right there and she had full confidence and potential to get the deserved praise.

She is understanding of Rozala’s situation as her family’s health was never guaranteed. She struggles with the hardships today and focuses on life being better for everyone.

She currently works for a bar and grill, loving that atmosphere and trivia knowledge. She has always been smart and enthusiastic, making waves for the next generation of intelligence.

Her dreams and desires are never too far away for her to reach. Gallantly, she persists in her life as a woman of strength and determination. Her family motivates this power and she’s true in her nature to defend them.

[CherryBomb50]

Opia [name_f]Anouchka[/name_f] [name_m]Dewitt[/name_m] (28) is Rozala’s older sister, who feels for [name_f]Celeste[/name_f], especially since she knew it was hard to pull her sister out at the final two. Opia didn’t have time to think about how this was for [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] and [name_f]Celeste[/name_f], since she mainly wanted answers to she and Rozala’s mother. Both she and her younger sister think alike in how much they’ll do for their family, so it wasn’t surprising to her that [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] would quickly leave with her to attend to their mother. She’s surprised knowing now how far [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] would have gotten and sometimes wonders whether she or [name_f]Celeste[/name_f] would’ve won, but it’s in the past and everyone’s accepted that they made it as far as they could without winning – and technically didn’t lose! Opia’s been really happy for [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] lately since her younger sister is enjoying teaching. Rozala’s nervous as it’s her first year but feels a lot of rewarded excitement to get her dream of teaching [name_m]Dutch[/name_m]. Opia and [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] love talking about Flemish culture and Opia has plans to visit Flanders later this year.

Opia had a while of questioning what to do with her life, so she understands why [name_m]Wes[/name_m] would feel that way. She feels that despite [name_m]Wes[/name_m] not wanting spotlight the way [name_m]Kian[/name_m] did, it doesn’t mean he can’t do great in production and DJ mixing. He may have not won that talent show or gotten close, but he never gave up on what he truly loved to do. Likewise, [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] didn’t get to win that trivia contest years ago but she never gave up on her smarts and wanting to teach people. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] and Opia’s parents, especially their mother, is very motivating for them not to give up on themselves. It only feels more rewarding to make the [name_m]Dewitt[/name_m] parents proud. Opia’s had a friendship fizzle out recently when her former friend got too interested in gambling. While this friend was successful and won more than lost, Opia’s felt she and her friend didn’t have much in common and honestly didn’t want to get sucked into gambling herself. Opia works in a skin care business, focusing on making environmentally friendly products and going against animal testing.

Opia herself is engaged, though they’ve taken the engagement low-key. It was obvious she was gonna say yes to the proposal, though she hasn’t said yes on any dresses yet. Opia’s convinced she’s going to add some colour and not go completely white in her dress, though she’s old-fashioned in wanting her guests not to wear white. She’s not black tie by any means and she’s not into huge productions. She isn’t the best dancer and doesn’t care when her guests dance if they’re more interested. Though she’s getting lessons on ballroom dancing since she genuinely wants to learn the skill. She’s aware [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] likes [name_m]Wes[/name_m] in a romantic way, though she didn’t know this at the time [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] developed feelings 4 months ago. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] genuinely seems happy when she’s around him, but has never called him her “boyfriend” as they’re technically not there. But she’s also stopped calling him “friend” because she doesn’t want him to think she only feels that. [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] still hasn’t quite admitted her feelings, mainly since she doesn’t want him to be uncomfortable. Both [name_m]Dewitt[/name_m] sisters believe it’s very important to see other perspectives, which is why they’ve never seen [name_f]Celeste[/name_f] as an enemy despite being the last opponent of [name_f]Rozala[/name_f] in the trivia contest years back.