CAF With a Twist 💕

[CherryBomb50]

[name_m]Emereo[/name_m] [name_m]Isidoro[/name_m] Estrada (16) is Tia’s younger brother and “expired” fifth crush of [name_f]Era[/name_f]. Currently on the water polo team, he’s considered basketball but felt it wasn’t really for him given his poor aim and not so tall height. [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] hopes his poor aim in basketball won’t translate to poor aim in dating! He’s the youngest of his family, behind his older brother who has since graduated from the school and [name_f]Tia[/name_f], just one year older than him. His family is full of activism and they celebrate diversity within themselves as Mexican-Australians and within other people’s cultures. He and [name_f]Tia[/name_f] have similar viewpoints on culture and fighting discrimination and they’re close as siblings typically are. As for [name_f]Era[/name_f], he really likes her and [name_f]Tia[/name_f] has a feeling he does. He’s not sure if [name_f]Era[/name_f] likes him back anymore, especially since he feels she’s falling for somebody else now. He doesn’t quite know who that new crush is, but heard from [name_m]Delmar[/name_m] that [name_f]Era[/name_f] likes another guy now. [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] is determined to get [name_f]Era[/name_f] back since he worries he didn’t like her back until it was “too late”. He barely knew [name_f]Era[/name_f] at the time she liked him, a contrast from the current crush who knew her when she was younger and wants to befriend her now.

The reason why [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] wasn’t trying to pursue anyone at the time [name_f]Era[/name_f] liked him was because he wasn’t interested in dating after he used to date another girl on their first year. People even called them the school’s cutest couple and nearly got voted this in the yearbook. He’s glad they didn’t because they broke up the summer after and now [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] feels he’s at a place to date someone else. He was worried he wouldn’t find anyone else because of the noticeable microaggressions on him and his family by other students. He’s really started to fall for [name_f]Era[/name_f] during this time and appreciated how strong and smart she was in school. She really wanted to help other students in his eyes after the way she made a great presentation against hate. He’s asked her about it and she told him that she was inspired by her father and his friend, which [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] was intrigued by, not knowing that the friend of Era’s father is the father of Era’s current crush! He’s met [name_f]Madi[/name_f] recently at the ice rink inside the mall, after learning she’s of American descent, specifically Minnesotan. He too loves mountain biking and asked her before if she and her friends would like to mountain bike with him. What’s awkward is that although they all accepted, the bike ride was intended to get [name_f]Era[/name_f] to fall for [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] again, yet [name_f]Madi[/name_f] used it as an opportunity to try to get him into liking her. [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] has felt some good vibes from [name_f]Madi[/name_f] and would enjoy seeing her again, but [name_f]Madi[/name_f] is nervous to tell him that she wants something planned for just them, without the others. This will be especially hard given [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] wants to see [name_f]Era[/name_f] again. [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] just saw the sixth and current crush of [name_f]Era[/name_f] and he’s told [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] that a girl likes him, but hasn’t said which one. Given Emereo’s nervous nature at times, he actually didn’t believe the other guy!

[moonwriteen]

Lillard Nazario Covarrubias [ 15 ] is Era 's crush six and Emero 's rival . He thinks Emero is a poser. If he loves his Mexican family so much, why would he live in a prestigious, STEM-focused boarding school and live in a dorm with Delmar ? Lillard thinks Emero only does all this advocating for Hispanic people and anti-discrimination shtick to show-off, after all, his family isn’t as poor as his own used to be.

He is not a particularly avid basketball fan , not as much as his dad - who owned a hot dog stand next to the basketball stadium in the town from which they had moved recently - but he certainly has a bone to pick with the rival school against which Lars and Nasser , among others, are playing the homecoming game.

It’s a private school , even more prestigious than the all-boy’s STEM focused high school that Emero and Delmar attend , Alan Emtage’s Private School - named after a Black innovator who founded Archie, the great-grandfather of google. The school is well-known for good exam scores , discipline among pupils and even stylish school uniforms, however it doesn’t have as much tradition as the private school against which Nasser and Lars will play - Antoine Lavoisier’s Private High School of Math and Science, where Tia attends… and , other than Tia , also her friend and Lillard 's ex.

Almost noone now associates with the ex because she not only cheated on Lillard but also tried to falsify the voting for the president of the Speech and Debate Club after she felt threatened by a new , likable girl at school and was afraid that she might take the position instaed of Tia 's friend , who had been there for a year at that point and didn’t want to give up the power that comes with being the president of the Speech and Debate Club, including choosing the topic which will be described during debates and weekly meetings with the faculty. Lillard thinks his ex is a mean girl and doesn’t understand how Tia could have stayed friends with her after everyone else cut her off and she was kicked out of the club because of tampering with the votes. Tia and Lillard 's ex work together in the local community centre and write poetry together, but Lillard thinks his ex’s attittude won’t help the Hispanic people fight with microagressions and create community, instead just causing more divide.

Lillard doesn’t understand that the reason why Tia still stands by his ex is childhood friendship - the very same reason why Lillard wants to win over Emero in the fight for Era 's heart now that he’s moved closer to her and goes to the same school - the reason being childhood friendship! Lillard 's dad and Era 's dad were very good friends at one point. As children , Era and Lillard would play together , but Era would dislike Lillard because he would tease her , call her a " squirrel " because of her teeth who were full of cavities when she was younger , and generallu be very loud and obnoxioous to get her attention. Now, Lilard wants to genuinely befriend Era and make her feel seen by showing her that he has changed from his immature ways. He is determined to show her love in a romantic way and has even sent a boquet of flowers to her house anonymously. He hopes Emero quits the effeorts to win Era back and pursues Madi instaed , especially since Madi is the one who truly likes him and for Era he’s a crush of the past, so in Lillard 's opinion he should stop trying so hard.

Era was created by @Era_Laine
Delmar was created by yours truly
Madi was created by @olivelovesnames

---

@GoldenNebula88
@Swimmere1223
@wandering_willow
not sure if you guys know this thread, figured maybe you’d wanna join into this crrazydramaland! ^.^

[kitkatcookie]

[name_f]Gloriana[/name_f] " [name_f]Glory[/name_f] " [name_f]Jimena[/name_f] Velasquez (16) is a former good friend of Lillard’s ex, whose relationship with her dissolved in the wake of the vote tampering scandal. Although this proved too much for [name_f]Glory[/name_f] to forgive, she does understand why [name_f]Tia[/name_f] hasn’t dissolved her own friendship: she can’t bear to see someone completely socially excluded, in case it has some long-term impact on their mental health, and [name_f]Glory[/name_f] can respect her kindness, in spite of not wanting to be close to someone who disappointed her so much. [name_f]Glory[/name_f] did shoot down the idea of running a story about this in the school paper though - of which she’s editor: it felt a little too cruel, and she worried about what further malice could be inspired among the staff and student body.

In spite of these changes, [name_f]Glory[/name_f] and [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] have never been especially close, but he came to be somewhat resentful of her after she told him that “just because your ex is public enemy number one, it doesn’t mean your reputation’s perfect either”. While [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] and his ex were dating, [name_f]Glory[/name_f] got to know him more herself, and his tendency to pass judgements of others - especially his claims of other’s committing performative activism - annoyed her greatly. They bickered a few times when she questioned his judgements [culminating in [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] making overly harsh critiques of the scholl paper], and [name_f]Glory[/name_f] ended up abandoning her crusade to see [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] become more charitable in his opinions, as he was an evident lost cause to her.

There’s also another reason she wouldn’t run the story in the paper. [name_f]Tia[/name_f] came to [name_f]Glory[/name_f] insisting that Lillard’s ex, in fact, didn’t rig the votes in some Jawbreaker inspired insecure rage against the more well-liked girl. Instead, this was done by her other ex [the guy she cheated on [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] with], as revenge for calling it quits with him. [name_f]Glory[/name_f] doesn’t quite know what to believe, but she’s decided to investigate, as to her, the truth is paramount and she doesn’t want anyone being slandered unfairly. She isn’t going to bend over backwards for her ex-friend, nor does she think cheating on [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] was right [even with [name_f]Glory[/name_f] not really liking him much herself], however she doesn’t want a lie to tarnish anyone, other discretions aside. Only Glory’s own closest friends know what she’s up to right now though, and whatever the truth, it upsets her in principle alone…

[I_meme_it]

cw: toxic ex, cheating, generally bad person alert

[name_u]Mason[/name_u] [name_m]Harris[/name_m] Skelton (16) is the boy under investigation by [name_f]Glory[/name_f] and the guy who [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] Covarrubias’ ex cheated with. To say that the whole thing was complex is an understatement. The whole relationship between [name_u]Mason[/name_u] and Lillards’ girlfriend happened because she was angry at her then-boyfriend for offering unwarranted advice, although it pretty much always ended up coming across as criticism, and she wanted to return the hurt and embarrassment caused with every comment - several of which happened with the audience of their classmates.

She was upfront with [name_u]Mason[/name_u] about this, and he’s the sort of guy who’s always enjoyed taking things from others: he was unanimous with stealing stationary from his classmates in kindergarten, and by middle school he’d progressed to asking out the crushes of boys he didn’t like. This wasn’t helped by how [name_u]Mason[/name_u] is undeniably his fathers’ golden child, much more so than his younger sister, as they have the same ardent worship of masculine ideals; the disparity sky-rocketing when [name_u]Mason[/name_u] made the school football team, something his dad had always been hoping for.

What [name_u]Mason[/name_u] didn’t count on was developing a sincere interest in Lillards’ girlfriend. To her the affair was literally transactional, and she knew things would end with [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] breaking up with her, in the moment all that mattered was revenge. But when it all came out and she firmly told [name_u]Mason[/name_u] this was the end of things between them as well, he was furious. Who turned him down, after all? He was the one who’d always put an end to his other relationships’ and used girls’ to satiate his ego. Who was she to do this to him?

So, [name_u]Mason[/name_u] is guilty of rigging the election and framing his former fling to ruin her public reputation. As he knew, her friends’ would stick by her when it was a personal issue regarding [name_m]Lillard[/name_m], but targeting a completely innocent peer - who was so genuinely good-natured - proved too much for everyone aside from [name_f]Tia[/name_f]. The cheating just made it an easier pill to swallow. For what he’s done, [name_u]Mason[/name_u] can’t get over his feelings for the girl in question though. Really he’d hoped destroying her social clout would force her back to him…but she’s proven absolutely uninterested. So, he figures it’s time to start searching for another girlfriend…oh joy.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Kelby[/name_u] [name_f]Evleen[/name_f] Skelton (14) is Mason’s sister, who is “caught in the crossfires” as she says it best about the drama with [name_u]Mason[/name_u]. She doesn’t perceive herself as good or bad. [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] is a tomboy and borderline stereotypical “Aussie girl”, not that she’s ashamed of either. [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] is single and doesn’t believe anyone would be naïve enough to date her, let along her brother, but she wouldn’t be surprised if he found someone. She knows [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] goes to the other school and that he has a semi-rivalry with [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] although [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] takes Lillard’s side in terms of who should date [name_f]Era[/name_f]. [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] stays away from the “poseur” rumours because she feels this will just make both [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] and [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] look bad, but she agrees with Lillard’s stance that [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] is trying too hard. She thinks [name_f]Madi[/name_f] deserves a chance and she’s secretly convinced [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] to talk with her more, although whether they get into a relationship is their choice. In general, [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] feels bad for [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] and how her brother’s treatment affected him. [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] doesn’t have any problems with [name_f]Glory[/name_f], she felt [name_f]Glory[/name_f] is in the right place in terms of dissolving the friendship. She wishes [name_f]Tia[/name_f] would do the same but understands why it’s hard to break off such a longtime friendship. She knows [name_u]Mason[/name_u] made Lillard’s ex look bad but truthfully, she doesn’t feel bad for the other girl. That girl knew what she did. [name_u]Mason[/name_u] was single at the time and she wasn’t. This is the one thing related to the drama that the Skelton siblings agree with…and that’s it.

[name_u]Kelby[/name_u] doesn’t know what [name_u]Mason[/name_u] saw in that girl to begin with. She even tried to talk him out of it, but it wasn’t until the election rigging that she truly saw [name_u]Mason[/name_u] as a terrible person. She stopped getting along with her father and felt [name_u]Mason[/name_u] could help her stand up to him more, feeling it was mostly her father turning the two against each other. Eventually she’s realised it was more of them vs. her and felt outnumbered 2 to 1. [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] herself knows she wasn’t the best person in the past, [name_u]Mason[/name_u] stole the answer key for a big test in her hardest class and she did take it because she knew she wouldn’t pass otherwise, having multiple occasions of studying but still not passing. [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] does feel bad because it was academically wrong but also because [name_u]Mason[/name_u] looms this “you owe me” attitude over her shoulders. She has bonded more with her other family who aren’t involved although she’s neither trying to force them into or away from any drama. She knows they aren’t against [name_u]Mason[/name_u] since he’s family and she won’t try to change that. She’s gotten closer to the Greysons, especially given her belief that [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] should pursue [name_f]Madi[/name_f] instead, but also because she finds them fun and likes learning about her American culture. [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] is also close with a friend in her year, who loves music and animation just like her and the two are considering making a virtual band one day. She and her friend are quite skilled in music but are deciding what characters they want to make to represent the band. [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] also isn’t the type who likes to show her face much, especially given her current situation. The [name_m]Vice[/name_m] [name_m]President[/name_m] of the Speech and Debate Club doesn’t seem to like her given her relation to [name_u]Mason[/name_u] so she’s not sure how to feel about the actual [name_m]President[/name_m]. She really wants a resolution for the club’s election, recently noticing [name_u]Mason[/name_u] and the girl he framed are currently banned from the club.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Kira[/name_f] [name_f]Mae[/name_f] [name_m]Johnson[/name_m] (19) is one of [name_u]Mason[/name_u] and Kelby’s sister’s closest friends in school. She’s a talented artist who loves to draw and paint portraits, landscapes, and still life scenes. [name_f]Kira[/name_f] is also a skilled pianist and plays the keyboard in a local band. She’s always been supportive of [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] and has stood by her side during the drama involving her brother. [name_f]Kira[/name_f] is kind-hearted, loyal, and has a great sense of humor. She’s currently studying fine arts at a nearby university and hopes to pursue a career in painting or illustration. Kira’s family is originally from [name_f]Canada[/name_f], but they moved to Australia when she was a child. She’s proud of her Canadian heritage and loves to share it with her friends.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f]Isabel[/name_f] " [name_f]Icy[/name_f] " [name_f]Estée[/name_f] [name_u]Greyson[/name_u] (19) is Kira’s friend and bandmate, who plays electric guitar. Her nickname is from the love of snow she has from her past growing up in Minnesota. She is the elder sister of [name_f]Madi[/name_f] [name_u]Greyson[/name_u], the girl falling for [name_m]Emereo[/name_m]. She’s most aware of Madi’s crush on [name_m]Emereo[/name_m] and likes that he has been more open lately to give her a chance. [name_f]Icy[/name_f] doesn’t want to get too into it though and give them space. [name_f]Icy[/name_f] herself had well, an icy side when it came to relationships at Madi’s age. She liked a guy before and kept acting like she wasn’t into him, even though she was. She never outright acted like she hated him, but she often played hard-to-get whenever he was around and occasionally acted annoyed by him. Needless to say it didn’t work, so her advice to [name_f]Madi[/name_f]: “Don’t do what I did!” Although [name_f]Icy[/name_f] is convinced now he never really liked her anyway since they rarely interacted and had nothing in common, he was just “cute” in Icy’s eyes.

[name_f]Icy[/name_f] knows [name_f]Kira[/name_f] defends [name_u]Mason[/name_u] in the drama given relations and friendships but [name_f]Icy[/name_f] isn’t getting involved. To her, private school was over - why relive it? She attends a public university with [name_f]Kira[/name_f] which felt like a big change but she’s gotten what she wanted in both schools. [name_f]Icy[/name_f] works part-time as a school aide to her past private school, but it’s for the detention room. So she’s used to seeing misbehaved students although she’s uneasy seeing the same students come in numerous times. Haven’t they learned? She secretly misses Minnesota but she likes this “North American Trio” she notices between the Johnsons (Canada), Greysons (USA), and Estradas (Mexico). Secretly she finds [name_f]Tia[/name_f] to be a “mini Kira” in the fact of being good people but defending problematic people.

[moonwriteen]

[name_u]Piper[/name_u] [name_f]Asenath[/name_f] McNamara [ 16 ] is the girl framed by [name_u]Mason[/name_u] and [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] Covarrubias’ ex-girlfriend. She’s also a promiment member of the local community centre and especially its [name_f]Poetry[/name_f] Club , even more now that she’s banned from her school’s Speech and Debate Club just because she had the audacity to reject [name_u]Mason[/name_u] Skelton after merely wanting to make [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] jealous and so [name_u]Mason[/name_u] spinned the whole story about [name_u]Piper[/name_u] rigging the vote for Club [name_m]President[/name_m] in favor of herself because her rival was not only more likable, she also had more of a popular fashion sense instaed of being a goth and was overall less serious , promising everyone doughnuts and debates about dinasours instaed of weekly discussions about which topic to pick and wanting the Speech and Debate Club to meet up with local politicians and other people who do public speaking so that youth can seek guidance for them. The girl who [name_u]Piper[/name_u] suppousedly rigged the vote agianst is now Club [name_m]President[/name_m] and lo and behold - people actually have doughnuts every week. The girl has always been nice to [name_u]Piper[/name_u] and even reached out to try and get [name_u]Piper[/name_u] un-banned from the Club after she found out from [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] what [name_u]Mason[/name_u] did. [name_u]Piper[/name_u] didn’t care anymore but thanked her sincerely.

[name_u]Piper[/name_u] sees the main teacher at the poetry club - who has published two books of poems before and is actually a lecturer at the University where [name_f]Kira[/name_f] & [name_f]Icy[/name_f] study - as her mentor. She would never admit it out loud, but she feels more connection with him than she does with her father - who sees everything artistic or expressive as a waste of time or money. He’s a simple man and a carpenter who doesn’t have a way with words, but him and [name_u]Piper[/name_u] have one thing in common - they really love nature. [name_u]Piper[/name_u] has written many poems about nature and the relationship with her father with the guidance of her teacher and she will forever be grateful to [name_f]Tia[/name_f] for introducing her to the community centre. She appreciates that [name_f]Tia[/name_f] is still friends with her after the club scandal and that their childhood friendship withstood their differences in style and attitude towards people - while [name_f]Tia[/name_f] is one to always give second chances, when you’ve hurt [name_u]Piper[/name_u] once, there’s no going back. Her favourite saying, often repeated by [name_u]Piper[/name_u] 's mother, is " Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me "

For that reason , she will not ever go back to [name_m]Lillard[/name_m] - in [name_u]Piper[/name_u] 's opinion he can have [name_f]Era[/name_f] if he pleases. As for [name_u]Mason[/name_u] , she plans to warn the girl whom he targets as his next "dating conquest " against him - that girl being [name_u]Tali[/name_u] [name_u]Reynolds[/name_u] - but she doesn’t know how [name_u]Tali[/name_u] will react given [name_u]Piper[/name_u] 's scandal and their two completely opposing personalities. She hopes the current Presidenrt of the Speech and Debate Club can warn her instaed , because their attitudes in life are similarly happy-go-lucky. She will not try to reenter the Club or date boys for the time being - men are pigs anyway and if she has to write it explicitly in a poem in order to express it, she will. Certainly no love poem will come alive from under her pen in many, many months. In fact, love-focused lyrics are the only lame thing that she finds about [name_f]Kira[/name_f] and [name_f]Icy[/name_f] 's band. In [name_u]Piper[/name_u] 's opinion , they could be perfect if they added more variety to their glam rock inspired catalogue when it comes to the lyrical aspect. However, she knows [name_f]Kira[/name_f] and [name_f]Icy[/name_f] will probably deem her too young to write songs for them.

Tali Reynolds was created by @ElisabethJulie

Era was created by @Era_Laine

Tia was created by @Lindseylloyd052399

Lillard was created by yours truly

[kitkatcookie]

cw: toxic masculinity, mentions of schizophrenia

[name_u]Jet[/name_u] [name_f]Deanna[/name_f] Skelton (19) is the other reason Piper’s hesitant to approach [name_f]Kira[/name_f] and [name_f]Icy[/name_f], given she’s Mason’s other sister, albeit a more distant figure thanks to living almost full-time at her mom’s house. It’s not like [name_u]Mason[/name_u] and [name_u]Jet[/name_u] are close - in fact they pretty actively dislike each other, partly influenced by Mr Skelton blatantly favouring his son - however the orbit of association really wouldn’t be healthy for [name_u]Piper[/name_u] right now. In spite of the fact [name_u]Jet[/name_u] absolutely would call [name_u]Mason[/name_u] out if she knew how low he’d stooped recently, she doesn’t absolve [name_u]Piper[/name_u] when it comes to their affair. The only thing she does agree with is that love songs should be moved away from, but [name_u]Jet[/name_u] also concedes she has a terminal case of cynicism.

Although [name_u]Jet[/name_u] herself has an unforgiving component to her personality - she and her dad haven’t been on good terms since he ranted about she, [name_u]Mason[/name_u] and Kelby’s mother [his ex-wife] at [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] dinner 3 years ago - she doesn’t condone such public vengeance that lies in breaking trust. [name_u]Mason[/name_u] being involved is not a shock to her though.

What surprises people is the fact that, at one time, [name_u]Mason[/name_u] and [name_u]Jet[/name_u] shared a close bond. It’s why she has somewhat clearer understanding as to why he can attract girls’ to him, as [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] grew up with clearer memories once the worst parts of their brother began to emerge. It was shortly before their parents split - when [name_u]Jet[/name_u] was 10, [name_u]Mason[/name_u] was 7 and [name_u]Kelby[/name_u] was 5 - that a shift towards chaotic cruelty emerged. Their mom blamed herself in part [fearing the tension at home was making [name_u]Mason[/name_u] attempt to break his sister’s toys and torment other children living on their street], however [name_u]Jet[/name_u] feels it’s their mothers’ tendency to assume too much responsibility speaking there: it’s why their dad and she didn’t work out after all, and [name_u]Mason[/name_u] takes after him distinctly.

Something [name_u]Jet[/name_u] possesses that her dad does approve of is determination. She’s in her first year of college, with plans on becoming a psychotherapist, and this is in spite of people assuming her dyslexia would hold her back. Mr Skelton showed bare miminum interest in Jet’s interests as she’s someone without much fondness for athletics, but this never stopped her from being fascinated by the mind and wanting to help other’s. Her paternal grandmother had paranoid schizophrenia - something [name_u]Jet[/name_u] knows her father’s ashamed of [she seldom saw his parents growing up] and tries to avoid being mentioned - which is what started her journey to become a source of support to those struggling with their psyche.

[moonwriteen]

[name_f]Nadine[/name_f] [name_f]Alice[/name_f] Crenshaw (19) is Jet’s collague in her psychology course and her former roomate in the college dorm - she doesn’t really have a passion for it per se. In fact , [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] thinks it’s just mildly interesting and a ton of times better than being forced into Pre-Med and Medical School by her parents. She relates to [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] because her family , too , treats her older brother like a saint - especiecially now that he finished trade school and pfficially became an electritian , not to mention getting engaged to his long-term girlfriend. [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] is stuck being the " weird one" who eats pizza, sings everywhere (not only in the shower ) and has been expelled from the college dorm due to the RA noticing that she kept her rat, [name_u]Skipper[/name_u] , there. She refused to get rid of [name_u]Skipper[/name_u] and now continues to live with her parents, although they’re sick of [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] 's resonant voice singing rock songs all the time and her overwhelming messiness.

It’s [name_f]Icy[/name_f] and [name_f]Kira[/name_f] 's band - Daisies for the Rioters - that she finds true comradery within - being its lead vocalist. The band has just found a new bass guitarist after the previous one left upon discovering that [name_f]Icy[/name_f] had a crush on him and that’s why she was acting in an irritable way around him and being hard to communicate with. He ultimately came to the conclusion that [name_f]Icy[/name_f] 's conduct made the band an unproductive working environment and left. [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] was really bummed out because the guy had a lot of experience. She even got into an argument with [name_f]Icy[/name_f] over it , but it has since fizzled out and [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] 's happy to welcome the new guy - her mother complains that she’s too happy because as she says " You and your little wolf pack treat this house like a hotel!" when [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] ‘s having jam session’s in her parents’ garage with the bandmates.

Luckily - the new bass guitarits’ aunt agreed to be Daisies For The Rioters’ social media account manager - having experience in marketing and wanting to support her nephew however she can. Now, the band is considering having jam sessions in her garage instaed and [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] is very hopeful for the bands’ future. She , [name_f]Kira[/name_f] and [name_f]Icy[/name_f] actually were meant to go to the same University to study fine arts, however only [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] ended up choosing a different major after all under the preassure of her parents and brother. While not the most attentive of students, [name_u]Jet[/name_u] is happy to lend her notes that she did during the lectures and adores [name_u]Skipper[/name_u] , telling the story of [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] 's expulsion as a funny quip around the campus , which practically made [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] a legend at uni already. [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] wishes she could still be [name_u]Jet[/name_u] 's roomate, but you can’t have all the nice things in the world…

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_m]Donovan[/name_m] (20) is Nadine’s childhood friend and they grew up together in the same neighborhood. They went to different high schools, but reconnected in college when they discovered they were both attending the same university. [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] is studying business and hopes to one day start her own company. She envies Nadine’s freedom to pursue her passion for music and often encourages her to go after her dreams. [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] is kind and empathetic, always willing to lend an ear to her friends’ troubles. She loves animals and volunteers at a local shelter in her spare time.

[kitkatcookie]

[name_f]Haniyah[/name_f] " Yaya " [name_f]Niamh[/name_f] Felkis (20) is Penelope’s girlfriend, who actually met her thanks to being close frieneds with the aforementioned new bass guitarist of Daisies for the Rioters, the two having known each other since middle school orchestra days [and many cringe stories can be used against each other should it be relevant]. When Yaya left home for university, she was uncertain if her friend would join a new band, her old group having folded thanks to everyone going their separate ways. In truth, it wasn’t a shock to Yaya to see lochjaw fold, as active performances and practices had majorly wound down in its last 6 months of existence, with Yaya - the lead guitarist - and the bassist suspecting they wouldn’t reunite at any point.

He’s the only former bandmate she’s retained consistent contact with, as it became increasingly obvious that - beyond music - there wasn’t that much common interest shared between lochjaw’s members, not that Yaya believes you need intense closeness to be successful [and here, that distance helped a lot when things naturally fizzled out]. When she was younger, Yaya felt uncertain about how her sentimentality proves erratic, to a point where it doesn’t even make sense to her - all she knows is she can’t let go of any stuffed animals or even the most ridiculously melancholy songs she wrote aged 12.

Currently not belonging to any bands, as school proved enough for Yaya - who also likes to set aside time for her comic collection, urban exploring and D&D sessions - it surprised her to begin seeing [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] actually. While she admired the other girls’ honesty about envying creative types, as well as her drive towards the future, Yaya assumed nothing more would emerge as they started to spend more time one-on-one, ostensibly so the band had space to practice and they weren’t left twiddling their thumbs. This meant it fell to [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] to make the first move regarding their romance, something met by a wall of self-denial initially, as Yaya couldn’t quite fathom the other girl wanted to pursue a relationship with her. Although she externally presents as confident and easily gregarious, a part of Yaya can be hyper critical, especially when it comes to how she doesn’t consider herself a naturally reassuring presence: something key to many people seeking romance.

What she hasn’t lost is a confidence in voicing her opinions. Nadine’s circumstances bother Yaya, although she calls herself ‘unqualified’ to comment, being an only child. The favouritism game isn’t alien to her background though, with her own mother having very much been second best to Yaya’s uncle, constantly dismissed in her achievements thanks to choosing a less academically conforming path. She just can’t fathom comparing children with such unfairness, and has encouraged [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] to always take confidence in her achievements, even offering to help her get in contact with [name_u]Jet[/name_u] to see an escape from immediate comments. And while the nitty gritty might frighten Yaya, she’s never affronted by approaching new people.

[moonwriteen]

[name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] [name_m]Louis[/name_m] Varlet (19) is the new bass guitarist of Daisies for the Rioters. He and Yaya were the " awkard band geeks " in middle school , but Yaya always tells [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] that he is the one who had a glow up. [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] actually didn’t do much to improve his looks, he just started eating a bit less processed food and cooking for himself . Now that he’s an adult it doesn’t bother him to be called " gay " for using a moisturiser. In fact, he doesn’t think " gay " is a valid insult once you’re older than 13 and considers himself a straight ally to the LGBTQ community, being one of the first people Yaya came out to. It’s not like [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] had much of a reaction , all he said was “Oh, cool” and then they kept on watching a show.

He fully supports Yaya’s relationship with [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] and actually knew her before , too , because [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] was the one who helped [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] 's family choose their cat from the animal shelter. [name_f]Minette[/name_f] is a very personable and cuddly orange tabby , but she
probably wouldn’t be personable to [name_u]Skipper[/name_u] the rat - whom [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] always brings to practice. This is the reason why [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] leaves [name_f]Minette[/name_f] under the care of his mom and dad.

[name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] knows that Yaya is very sentimental and has a hard time letting go of memories , especially good ones, so he was a little bit hesitant to tell her that he gave up the hope of reviving lochjaw and joined Daisies for the Rioters via a Facebook ad. It was a pleasant surprise for him to discover that Yaya actually felt a lot of distance between herself and the lochjaw members so she didn’t feel all that strongly about him entering a new band. [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] still made her a custom mug with the lochjaw logo so that Yaya could have something to remind her of those days and it makes him smile to see her drinking from the mug.

At first he felt a bit weird in Daisies for the Rioters because [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] was still regretful of losing the former bass guitarist and kept explaining that [name_f]Icy[/name_f] might fall in love with him at any moment , subsequently becoming a tsundere towards him. Having a long distance girlfriend in [name_m]Lyon[/name_m] he hoped it wouldn’t happen… and thank goodness, it didn’t - after the first few jam sessions he seemed to vibe with the band just fine and is also friends with the drummer, a member of what the band calls “Weird Accent Squad” because [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] has a [name_u]French[/name_u] accent and the drummer has an Arabic - funnily enough, some of the drummers family lives in [name_u]France[/name_u] so him and [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] have a lot to talk about.

[name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] really loves visiting his girlfriend in [name_m]Lyon[/name_m] - often spending [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] , [name_f]Easter[/name_f] and [name_u]New[/name_u] Year’s with her family and taking every possible occasion to " take a lift " there from his mom who often goes on work-related trips to Frech-speaking countries as someone working in the local art university’s departament of student exchange - he actually met his girlfriend through his mom , because the young Frenchwoman had an emergency situation where her host family had to go to the hospital with a family member who got sick and the girl didn’t want to be alone in a strange house at night , but also didn’t have the money to book a motel. [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] 's mom as the coordinator of the student exchange project agreed to take her in for two nights. She slept in hte guestroom but spent most of the evening’s in [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] 's room talking about art and music, the relationship then blossomed from there.

The father of [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] 's girlfriend is an event planner and he’s excited about the possibility of Daisies for the Rioters having a concert in [name_m]Lyon[/name_m]. For now, the band is too small to go international and the least he can do for his bandmates is to offer a different garage to have jam sessions in instaed. He feels sad for [name_f]Nadine[/name_f] about how her mother doesn’t respect her friends and favours her brother , but he is unqualified to comment just as Yaya is due to being an only child. He knows how it is to look at somoene being underappreciated and not being able to do anything about it. [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] sees his aunt as underappreciated by his dad - she always cooks food for the family and helps his dad clean the house when [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] 's mom is away for work trips. [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] recognises that his dad weaponises incompetence in the area of household chores to exercise control over the women in his life - be it his wife or sister. [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] has been unable to talk any sense into him so he learned how to cook and clean himself so that his aunt didn’t have to do it in the house and his mom felt less overworked. She still insists on helping somehow, so he asked her to please let Daises for the Rioters have rehearsals in her garage , and she said yes. [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] 's aunt is very proud of him for standing up to her and is super sweet towars all the band members , recently even becoming the band’s social media manager because of her experience in digital marketing.

[cara_murvolio]

[name_f]Paige[/name_f] [name_f]Jemima[/name_f] Schumaker, nee Varlet (44) is Demetriens’ aunt and the social media manager for Daisies for the Rioters. Having once been in advertising management for a successful makeup and hair care brand, [name_f]Paige[/name_f] changed career paths following the birth of her children - B/G twins - who are now 6 years old, but being around for her family is a continued top priority, so she opted against returning to office heavy working. This surprised some people, as prior to falling pregnant, [name_f]Paige[/name_f] was very much career focused, having put off starting a family to build herself up.

Really, this choice was more so due to the fact [name_f]Paige[/name_f] wanted to be available for her own kids at all possible times. Her father - Demetriens’ paternal granddad - was always working and putting his job first throughout her childhood, something that led to an obsession with achievement forming in her: she believed if she was always doing the best, he’d take more interest in her, however as she grew up, it became apparent to [name_f]Paige[/name_f] that there wasn’t much she could’ve done to combat this side of her father, although they’re not especially close now.

It’s also [name_f]Paige[/name_f] who communicates with Demetriens’ girlfriends’ father a lot, namely convincing him to cool down making huge plans when there’s still a lot of things being worked out by the band members (never mind the cost of this and how it’s just not possible for everyone). She’s someone able to be a voice of authority without inciting arguments, although on the occasions someone does pursue a fight with [name_f]Paige[/name_f], she’s a formidable opponent, having been known for her wordplay in high school.

[ElisabethJulie]

[name_m]Ethan[/name_m] [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] Schumaker (45) is Paige’s husband.

[name_m]Ethan[/name_m] is a seasoned software engineer with a background in cybersecurity. He currently works for a technology company that specializes in developing security solutions for businesses. [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] has always been passionate about computers and technology, and he’s found his niche in ensuring that digital systems and data are protected from threats.

Much like [name_f]Paige[/name_f], [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] values family and work-life balance. He’s seen the toll that a demanding career can take on personal relationships, and he’s made a conscious choice to prioritize his family over work. He believes that quality time with loved ones is one of life’s greatest treasures.

[name_m]Ethan[/name_m] fully supports Paige’s decision to step back from her high-powered advertising career to spend more time with their twins. He admires Paige’s dedication to her family and understands the importance of her role as a parent. He believes in shared responsibilities and takes an active role in parenting, from helping with household chores to being there for the children’s needs.

Ethan’s career in cybersecurity has sharpened his communication skills. He’s a patient and effective communicator, which makes him an excellent partner for [name_f]Paige[/name_f]. Whether it’s discussing family matters, navigating the complexities of dealing with Demetriens’ girlfriend’s father or providing a voice of reason within the family, Ethan’s calm and articulate demeanour is an asset.

[name_m]Ethan[/name_m] is aware of Paige’s relationship with her father and the impact it has had on her. He is supportive and understanding, offering a safe space for [name_f]Paige[/name_f] to discuss her feelings and experiences. He knows that Paige’s career-oriented past was driven by a desire to be noticed and appreciated, and he makes sure to provide her with the recognition and validation she deserves.

Ethan’s background in technology has also honed his logical thinking and analytical skills. This makes him a formidable opponent in debates and discussions, much like [name_f]Paige[/name_f] during her high school days. While he prefers to use his debating skills for constructive purposes, he can hold his own in a verbal sparring match when necessary.

[name_m]Ethan[/name_m] and [name_f]Paige[/name_f] make a strong team, both personally and professionally. They share common values, support each other’s choices, and work together to provide a loving and nurturing environment for their children. Ethan’s understanding nature, combined with his professional expertise and communication skills, complements Paige’s background and personality, making them a well-rounded and supportive couple.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_m]Roberts[/name_m] “ [name_m]Rob[/name_m] “ [name_u]Billie[/name_u] Schumaker (49) is Ethan’s brother who shares a good bond with him. [name_m]Rob[/name_m] used to be a little more of a stereotypical older brother growing up, given how much 4 years felt like an age gap at the time. He would consider [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] his equal coming around, when [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] finally became the same height as [name_m]Rob[/name_m]. He was still a cool older brother and helped [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] a lot, to his credit. Now [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] jokes that [name_m]Rob[/name_m] is almost 50 and [name_m]Rob[/name_m] likes to enjoy every moment of his 40s while he can. [name_m]Rob[/name_m] feels his brother is a kid at heart in some ways, especially with the 6-year old twins of [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] and [name_f]Paige[/name_f]. He and Ethan’s parents are much more relaxed than Paige’s and they were completely accepting of [name_f]Paige[/name_f] as an in-law. [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] and [name_m]Rob[/name_m] don’t take offence to Paige’s father and Rob’s glad [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] married and had children with [name_f]Paige[/name_f] despite the in-law discomfort. He’s proud his brother is so great at cybersecurity and feels this has gotten him more respect. [name_m]Rob[/name_m] himself is an event planner so he knows about the event planning of the band. He has seen the father of Demetrien’s girlfriend, also an event planner, and he also thinks it would be cool to see the band perform in [name_m]Lyon[/name_m] but also lets them have space to get situated into the band more. After all, he can relate.

[name_m]Rob[/name_m] has a bit of an odd backstory himself - he used to be in a boy band. He performed in a boy band called “Rose Beaus” which he finds the cringiest band name ever now and finds their work to be really weird to look back on. He thought it was cool then and that his younger brother [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] just didn’t understand. He’ll defend the band however, even though he doesn’t believe his band took it as seriously and wasn’t nearly as good as Daisies for the Rioters although [name_m]Rob[/name_m] was 19 himself at the height of the band’s career. He left at age 24, joking “24 is too old for being in a boy band, can’t pass for a boy anymore.” In actuality, it was because he welcomed his daughter and wanted to stay with her and his wife. He relates to [name_f]Paige[/name_f] leaving her busy career for her twins on that same personal level. [name_m]Rob[/name_m] also has a now-19-year-old son, who is very close with [name_m]Demetrien[/name_m] and the band, but hasn’t decided whether to join it himself. Rob’s son knows [name_f]Icy[/name_f] is over the former bass guitarist but also that it would be awkward for the two to collaborate again. Outside of his job and family, [name_m]Rob[/name_m] likes to go whale watching and see dolphins as well. He loves nature, especially in the winter. He’s in a good place of getting along with most people, so he enjoys being able to take it easy around them.

[moonwriteen]

(warning: parents playing favourite , childhood anger problems )
[name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] [name_u]Blanche[/name_u] Schumaker & [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] [name_f]Celine[/name_f] Schumaker (6) are [name_m]Rob[/name_m] 's niece and nephew as well as [name_f]Paige[/name_f] and [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] 's only children.

[name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] and [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] love their uncle dearly. They like to tease him about his singing voice from his band days and embarass him by asking him to sing at their birthday party. [name_f]Every[/name_f] winter season they’re excited to go for long winter walks with him during [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] - especially because [name_m]Rob[/name_m] likes to take it easy and be laid-back so he is more lentient towards them than their parents - he lets them throw snowballs , bicker and do snow angels. They spend most winter breaks with [name_m]Rob[/name_m] 's family - hanging around their 22-year-old female cousin, who studies Public Health at university gives them bragging rights to say that " their cosuin will be the boss when another pandemic hits". It’s depressing for [name_f]Paige[/name_f] and [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] that their children use it as a bragging right because it only shows how the pandemic affected them as children, thus becoming a core memory. The twins also love their female cousin’s 19-year-old brother who is on the rise to becoming a professional snowboarder and has his own youtube dedicated to different winter sports. They miss him now that he transferred to [name_u]Alaska[/name_u] State University and it’s sure that he won’t be there to spend the winter break with them. They like their other cosuin too, though - even if constantly talking about health, safety and not allowing them sweets is not something they appreciate, they love seeing the young woman’s playful spirit light up the second they start to play tag , blind man’s buff or watch [name_f]Disney[/name_f] movies together.

[name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] loves everything that’s futuristic and is determined to be a robot builder, because he wants to be like his dad and noone has yet told him that cybersecurity has in fact next to nothing to do with robots - however if [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] found out, she would be sure to tell him and engage in a wrestling match over it.
[name_f]Ixora[/name_f] 's dream career for now is [name_f]Disney[/name_f] Princesss - because [name_f]Disney[/name_f] princesses are rich and can afford their own horses to take care of them everyday instaed of just riding the horses once a week like [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] does during an extracurricular activity. She’s a natural leader and very energetic, so [name_f]Paige[/name_f] and [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] decided she should use up the energy on something outside of school - horses are calming to her. However, [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] is not without fault at home - she is most often the instigator of quarrels between her and [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] but parents believe her instaed of [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] when she says that he was the one who started it, thus being grounded ends up more severe to him. [name_f]Paige[/name_f] was also shocked to find out that even [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] 's school teachers started reporting her anger issues whenever her " leadership skills " aren’t listened to in the class. [name_f]Paige[/name_f] and [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] now started to believe [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] more - he has a more quiet nature and always takes the effort to protect his " little " sister , being the older twin. However, they did not expect this kind of behavioral problem in their child. They asked [name_m]Rob[/name_m] what can be done and he noted that they tended to treat [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] with favoritism and brought her into an extracurricular activity while not considering the same for [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] . He advises them to go to family therapy and stop treating [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] with favoritism - [name_u]Robert[/name_u] knows [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] and [name_f]Paige[/name_f] try their best to be good parents while still reminding them that everyone is allowed to make mistakes.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_m]Caius[/name_m] [name_m]Lander[/name_m] [name_m]Donovan[/name_m] (27) is a teacher at [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] and Ixora’s school and he’s the older brother of [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] [name_m]Donovan[/name_m]. While the two siblings always lived in Australia, they moved provinces when he was 7 and she was just a few months old. Despite being 7 years older, he and [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] were very much alike. They are used to reconnecting, especially [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] reconnecting with [name_f]Nadine[/name_f]. Both of them are good with music, with [name_m]Caius[/name_m] mainly preferring indie rock. He turned to teaching in adult life when he realised band life wasn’t for him. But growing up, they were really similar. Because [name_m]Caius[/name_m] was older, he was perceived as someone who [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] can follow in terms of talent, but [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] was always better at music than him. So she often competed with him on this although she ended up growing rather kindly. [name_m]Caius[/name_m] felt a pressure to not follow [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] because she was much younger as a sibling but he really respected her, never belittling her and supporting her accomplishments. In fact, sometimes [name_m]Caius[/name_m] didn’t want the attention. When he was 16, he was walking by a trench and found a wallet left behind there. He slowly and steadily moved inside the trench to grab the wallet, fell while trying to get back up the trench, and just shook it off immediately and successfully got up with the wallet. [name_m]Caius[/name_m] then found the address and returned it into the owner’s mailbox completely anonymously. Nobody else knows about that but he prefers it that way. He remembers when he was a teenager and she was a kid and being embarrassed that she could sing better than him. He had to find that balance between not comparing himself to her but also to understand that she is his sister after all. The two of them grew up with talented and expressive parents which is why they felt more compared as opposed to other siblings of their age difference. [name_m]Caius[/name_m] finds the good in this though since it’s helped strengthen their bond even more now.

As a teacher for [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] and [name_f]Ixora[/name_f], [name_m]Caius[/name_m] has tried to see it through on both of them. He wasn’t the type of teacher who made the whole class stay after school over something a few students would do. He felt this wasn’t a good learning tactic for the class to understand and would just make the guilty students avoid blame while the innocent students felt unfairly punished. [name_m]Hence[/name_m] why he sent notes home to [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] and [name_f]Paige[/name_f], it was because he wanted to respect privacy of his students in the class but also to help change their behaviour. He doesn’t personally know what it’s like for twins to have such different personalities given his life was practically the opposite but he knows digging deep that he and [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] weren’t carbon copies. Likewise, he understands that parents can have a hard time juggling two personalities equally when they want completely different things. [name_m]Caius[/name_m] isn’t perfect as a teacher and after seeing it through a kids’ perspective, something he’s never really picked up on before teaching, he’s seen that [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] and [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] just want to feel like they’ve been accepted evenly. He’d never undermine that for them and feels they deserve appreciation and to be listened to. He is a realistic person but he never shies away from supporting [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] wanting to be a [name_f]Disney[/name_f] [name_f]Princess[/name_f] and [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] wanting to work with robots. [name_m]Caius[/name_m] doesn’t tell them it’s unrealistic because he knows in the future, they’re going to be brilliant and successful adults, regardless of what they do at that point of life. That is, if they have support and learning in school, rather than some of the corrupt schools who don’t listen to their students.

This is why [name_m]Caius[/name_m] often has his students writing in journals about what’s going on in their lives. At first he just graded them on spelling and grammar, but now he’s taken into consideration the actual words the students write, not just the proofreading. He’s written comments praising his students but also writes how he feels, especially when he sees Dashiell’s recent entries about why he worries “Mama and [name_f]Papa[/name_f] like [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] better!” He’s listened in on this perspective rather than simply saying, “No, they don’t.” In addition, he’s discussed this at the latest parent-teacher conference that he agrees that [name_f]Ixora[/name_f] and [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] shouldn’t be treated the same but to also be careful about how actions can affect others’ perspectives. [name_m]Caius[/name_m] never found [name_f]Paige[/name_f] or [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] to be bad people, and takes in their perspective of trying to raise them, not painting them in a bad light either. He feels [name_f]Paige[/name_f] made a new path for herself by switching careers after her twins were born and that [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] has been a wonderfully supportive and fair husband to [name_f]Paige[/name_f], both creating good role models to their children. [name_m]Caius[/name_m] feels odd in a sense because in this scenario, he’s the youngest one, being 27 and having a conference with a 45 and 44-year-old. But he’s given them the same respect in terms of talking and listening and he’s used to this, seeing he’s done this with other parents. The best thing about the Schumaker family is that they are respecting each other’s thoughts on the matter and that they’ve done wonderfully now in repairing the past conflict.

[kitkatcookie]

tw: depression; child + domestic abuse mentioned

[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] [name_f]Bianca[/name_f] [Sutton] Yancing (35) is one of Caius’ colleagues at the school, who specialises in pastoral care for all students, instead of being a teacher for a specific grade. Her nickname is ‘Ms Y’ - a play on the fact the kids insist she’s always asking questions - but they’ve grown fond of [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] after some initial hesitancy to engage. This wasn’t a shock for her by any means, as the stigma of receiving support isn’t a new concept to her, especially when you’re accessing it at school where your classmate will likely realise, which is why she works closely with the teaching staff to ensure those she’s offering help to aren’t isolated.

A licensed children and family therapist, [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] didn’t chose this path because of her parents, but instead what she saw her mother go through. Eloise’s mother was raised in a very abusive household [both witnessing and being subjected to physical violence] and it manifested in severe depressive episodes through the rest of her life. She’d lie in bed for days, barely speaking to anyone, and Mr [name_u]Sutton[/name_u] was often forced to call upon his close friend’s to look after [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] and her younger brother when this was occurring.

Now an adult, [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] still makes time for her parents - seeing them at least once every 2-3 months - but she understands why her brother’s much warier. He has a son of his own now, Eloise’s cherished nephew, and she knows why his dad wants to protect him from the confusion and upset the siblings often encountered. [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] and her husband [who uses they/he/it pronouns] are planning on conceiving a child soon, however they’ve held back from this step as they were moving around a lot for his job at one point, and now they’ve started properly decorating their permanent home.

[name_f]Eloise[/name_f] often jokes about playing matchmaker for [name_m]Caius[/name_m], who she’s become good friends with. He was one of the teachers completely open to her presence at the school, while some other staff were wary of [name_f]Eloise[/name_f], feeling she was meddling and stirring up issues teachers would have to face in classrooms. The fact [name_m]Caius[/name_m] is so supportive and genuine with his students makes [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] confident she can find someone he’d be happy with…her only problem is figuring out more to do with his type so she can be assured this is a perfect fit.

[olivelovesnames]

[name_u]Cade[/name_u] [name_m]Walden[/name_m] [name_u]William[/name_u] [name_u]Sutton[/name_u] (2) is Eloise’s nephew. [name_u]Cade[/name_u] loves Eloise’s soft and funny personality, and even though he can’t talk or do much yet, it is obvious that he is obsessed with her. [name_u]Cade[/name_u] has only met his paternal grandparents a few times, at [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] and birthdays. His parents are very nervous abut him being subjected to the depressive state of Cade’s father’s parents and their home. Still though, his parents make sue to tell them all about him and vice versa. He does know his maternal grandparents very well, and he is the first grandchild on both sides, meaning he gets to make up the “grandparent’s pet names”. He calls them [name_f]Mimi[/name_f] & [name_u]Poe[/name_u], and since his mother’s sister is pregnant with twins, the two newest grandchildren will definitely call them that too.

[name_u]Cade[/name_u] would love a little sibling, but doesn’t really know what that entales. He would most definitely like a little playmate but his parents know he probably wouldn’t want to wait through the newborn stage, so they are planning to wait a little longer before they have another child.