Create a family (but it's got a twist)

[I_meme_it]

Ihrin Sunshine Markham (7 weeks) is Shae and Connor’s daughter, younger half-sister of Patrick and cousin of Joanna and Ken, as well as Connor’s sisters’ children. Having a first name chosen for her fathers’ Romanian heritage, Ihrin’s the absolute center of Shae’s world, being doted upon by her mother, who ensured her nursery has a specific angel prayer just for her daughter. Ihrin was a water birth at a midwifery unit, Shae having felt it was best to be directly one-on-one with specialists to ease her nerves as a first-time mother, and thankfully there were no complications; with her having sent organic produce to those involved in the delivery as thanks for their kindness and exceptional care.

Patrick’s currently staying with his mother, so there’s time for Ihrin to settle into life at home, as well as the fact Shae’s been quite exhausted from the labour process, and having an outdoor obsessed little boy to also care for would have been a lot for her and Connor. While he had some nerves, due to Pip’s father still not particularly liking Connor, Patrick’s thankfully been having a lovely time with Pip and their side of the family, even coming to see his namesake as less intimidating due to the Everett situation having cleared up with him happily settling with Della, instead of pursuing Pip when they didn’t want a serious relationship.

There is a meeting arranged between Ihrin and her cousins - Joanna and Ken - but it’s become known to Matoaka, through her friendship with Pip, that the relationship between Connor and Shae’s sister has remained distant. While by no means are they hostile, she still feels uneasy about the incident regarding Florent and worries if it happens again, that Shae will feel responsible somehow, as she coincidentally stopped things from escalating. This is an opinion she hasn’t voiced, as she wants her twins to enjoy meeting Ihrin, and to not spark a proper argument at this introduction - primarily for the well-being of her beloved sister and niece.

~

Shae was created by @kitkatcookie

Connor was created by @moonwriteen

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for alcohol and motorcycle accident (not fatal).

Dean Tarian Livingston-Kay (31) is Ihrin’s maternal uncle and Shae’s brother-in-law. He is Joanna and Ken’s father. He’s married to Shae’s sister and is completely understanding of her situation against Connor. Dean knows Shae will make sure Connor comes around for her but he’s concerned about what Connor himself thinks. Does Connor want to make amends with his sister-in-law? Will he own up? And what about Florent and Pip – has he, or will he own up to them either? Dean feels his wife isn’t the type to forgive if she feels someone isn’t all-around genuine. Dean and his wife have given well wishes to Ihrin, they truly adore the sweet child that she is.

Dean is not a doctor, he’s a computer consultant, but he has tremendous respect for doctors. He can’t help but be very supportive of them, especially Pip and Florent, which is why he feels so strongly favourable of them. His father was in a motorcycle accident at one time, but was healed by Pip and Florent. They were not just good doctors but genuinely caring people and Dean always remembered this. Although he does think Connor did them dirty, he adamantly doesn’t hate Connor. He knows Connor himself had a hard life and has said and done irrational things while drunk and he really wants Connor to stop this before it hurts someone – like himself. Dean’s father was drunk at the time of the crash and hit a guardrail. Thankfully nobody else was harmed, but Dean had trouble seeing his father in the same way. His father raised him and his brother all his life, Dean always saw his father as a smart and inspiring person, so it felt like betrayal. His father wasn’t mean, but just “plain stupid” in that moment according to Dean. If it wasn’t for Dean’s brother, who is also a father to Fi and her younger brothers, Dean wouldn’t know how to talk to his father since the crash. Thankfully his father has made better choices and takes extra measures to avoid driving/motorcycling drunk. Dean isn’t mad at his father or at Connor, but is just greatly disappointed in a way that can’t just be easily shaken off. He knows both have so much potential to grow and change from their bad decisions and hopes they do that as soon as possible.

That being said, he absolutely adores his daughter Joanna and son Ken and will be the best father and example he can be. He’s not perfect; he actually used to be terrible at cooking and wants to get his house remodeled, but only by professionals because he has no capabilities to remodel his own house. But he’s an amazing parent and amazing husband. He loves picking fruit with his kids and loves watching movies with his wife when the kids are asleep. He and his wife were both surprised when they learned they were expecting twins, but it’s the best miraculous gift they could have, and they love Joanna and Ken just as they are.

Fi was created by @I_meme_it.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Erica[/name_f] [name_f]Mae[/name_f] [name_m]Howell[/name_m] (24) is a co-worker of Dean’s and a friend of [name_f]Tamar[/name_f]. She is originally from [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]Zealand[/name_u], and moved to the US when she was 18. She works as a receptionist, but she sings part time at a coffee shop nearby. She and her boyfriend actually welcomed a baby girl that her boyfriend actually delivered by himself at home when the midwife couldn’t make it on time. She is still very nervous about motherhood, but still loves it.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Chance[/name_u] [name_m]Alvin[/name_m] Hammett-Kay (34) is well-aware of [name_f]Erica[/name_f], asking her to sing at the coastal holiday retreat business and like her, has a part-time job: every summer, he’s a scuba diving instructor! He’s the father of Fi, brother of [name_u]Dean[/name_u], and uncle to [name_f]Joanna[/name_f] and [name_m]Ken[/name_m]. By chance (pun definitely intended), he happened to have a virtue name which isn’t a tradition in the [name_u]Kay[/name_u] family, seeing as [name_u]Dean[/name_u] doesn’t have one. He and his wife were already a solid couple, but she couldn’t help but immediately think he’s “a keeper” when they first met. [name_u]Chance[/name_u] is a-ok with the idea of virtue names as long as he gets some choice in the matter and with his son, he had been much more immersed in scuba diving at that point, and gave him a water-related middle name.

[name_u]Chance[/name_u] is rather virtuous, but uses it in a kind and comforting way, not a holier-than-thou way. He’s been Dean’s main rock on a lot of his concerns and helped him through the dilemma regarding their father. [name_u]Chance[/name_u] doesn’t know [name_f]Erica[/name_f] as much as [name_u]Dean[/name_u], since [name_u]Dean[/name_u] and [name_f]Erica[/name_f] are co-workers, but [name_u]Dean[/name_u] recommended her to him. [name_u]Chance[/name_u] enjoys Erica’s music and is happy to build up her career and resume a bit. He knows about [name_u]Pip[/name_u] from Erica’s friend [name_f]Tamar[/name_f], who is Pip’s half-sibling. He’s asked [name_u]Dean[/name_u] about [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and gotten a pretty strong opinion on [name_u]Pip[/name_u] from [name_u]Dean[/name_u]. Thankfully [name_u]Pip[/name_u] is not the type to be super miserable right now and is actually doing amazing. [name_u]Pip[/name_u] is close with their son [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] and has been understanding of Patrick’s feelings towards Pip’s father. Since [name_u]Everett[/name_u] has moved on with [name_f]Della[/name_f], Pip’s father hasn’t been shooing off [name_u]Everett[/name_u] anymore and has come to a civil agreement with [name_u]Pip[/name_u] not to discuss bad talk about [name_u]Connor[/name_u] when [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] is around. Still, [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] have been a lot more honest in their conversations out of fairness. While they didn’t discuss one-night stands out of staying appropriate, [name_u]Pip[/name_u] gave [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] an honest explanation that they and [name_u]Connor[/name_u] were not meant to be in a serious relationship and that they still love him as their son anyway despite their dramatic changing lives. [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] have became good friends in the months since [name_u]Shae[/name_u] and [name_f]Della[/name_f] announced their pregnancies and they’re on better terms since the months after and the births of [name_f]Amelia[/name_f], [name_m]Langston[/name_m], and Ihrin. [name_u]Chance[/name_u] overheard [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] having a positive conversation outside one day but they awkwardly stopped talking when they saw [name_u]Shae[/name_u] and [name_u]Connor[/name_u] in the corner of their eyes. When [name_u]Shae[/name_u] and [name_u]Connor[/name_u] left off into the distance, they both claimed, “Ah, well you’re cooler than [name_u]Connor[/name_u] anyway,” and “Don’t let seeing them ruin a nice day”. It’s likely [name_u]Shae[/name_u] and [name_u]Connor[/name_u] didn’t see them. [name_u]Chance[/name_u] was feeling good about [name_m]Florent[/name_m] and [name_u]Pip[/name_u] being friends, but he’s heard gossip around the hospital that [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] are not real friends, just co-workers who teamed together because they want to “get back” at [name_u]Connor[/name_u].

To Chance’s surprise, the rumour is false. [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] don’t work in the same unit but they work in the same hospital and meet up on lunch breaks. Also [name_u]Pip[/name_u] was already friends with [name_u]Clem[/name_u], Florent’s sister, who was the midwife roommate of [name_f]Gola[/name_f]. In the last few months, the four have been having alternating Video Game Night/Movie [name_u]Night[/name_u] every week where the winner of Video Game [name_u]Night[/name_u] gets to choose the movie for the following week’s Movie [name_u]Night[/name_u]. [name_f]Tamar[/name_f] loves 2000s video games and whenever they’re around, they join the four whenever it’s a 2000s video game. [name_f]Erica[/name_f] has joined [name_f]Tamar[/name_f] on the occasional times they visit the group on Nights. [name_f]Erica[/name_f] told [name_u]Chance[/name_u] the next day, “I think [name_m]Florent[/name_m] was shocked at how badly we beat him.” [name_u]Chance[/name_u] asked, “Oh god, [name_m]Florent[/name_m] was assaulted for real this time?! WHAT?” [name_f]Erica[/name_f] told [name_u]Chance[/name_u] to calm down, there was no assault, she actually beat him in a 2000s video game. She then tells [name_u]Chance[/name_u] to ignore the rumours, [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] are truly bonding alongside each other’s family and friends, and they’re actually fun people and not vengeful. But even when [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] are alone, they’re still close and they have something fake friends do not have: trust. They’ve both told one another a secret which [name_u]Chance[/name_u] doesn’t know and neither does anyone other than [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] themselves: [name_u]Pip[/name_u] is the only one who knows [name_m]Florent[/name_m] is a virgin and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] is the only one who knows [name_u]Pip[/name_u] got their stepsister out of her latest toxic dramatic relationship by convincing him to leave her. Regarding Pip’s secret, they doesn’t like to think about what happened and knew their stepsister wouldn’t have liked it, but they know it was the best for both. The waning thing about Pip’s friendship with [name_m]Florent[/name_m] is that [name_m]Florent[/name_m] has not met [name_m]Patrick[/name_m], although [name_f]Gola[/name_f] and [name_u]Clem[/name_u] have. [name_m]Florent[/name_m] respects [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] but he and [name_u]Pip[/name_u] feel wrong trying to introduce [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] to the man his father controversially almost attacked. [name_m]Florent[/name_m] feels bad because he feels lesser of a friend to [name_u]Pip[/name_u] than [name_f]Gola[/name_f] and [name_u]Clem[/name_u] for this reason, but reassures [name_u]Pip[/name_u] that he is not using this to end their bonding friendship over something that wasn’t even his own fault.

[name_u]Chance[/name_u] himself is very close with his wife’s side of the family and he himself has made some friends, surprisingly [name_u]Everett[/name_u]. He knows his friendship with [name_u]Everett[/name_u] is odd but he’s recently been invited to [name_u]Everett[/name_u] and Della’s wedding. He and his wife had Fi and their son before but [name_u]Chance[/name_u] relates to Everett’s desire not to ride family coattails. [name_u]Chance[/name_u] may be a big part of the coastal holiday retreat business but he likes time for himself and he’s grateful and glad he has his summer job as a scuba diving instructor to practice his dream. [name_u]Chance[/name_u] feels [name_u]Everett[/name_u] is a good person and he too has revealed a secret to [name_u]Everett[/name_u]: he secretly wants to scuba dive full-time.

[kitkatcookie]

Ruby Jonquil Livingston-Kay (31) is Chance’s sister-in-law, Dean’s wife and mother of Joanna and Ken. Having taken over her parents organic produce business, Ruby’s seen as the contrast to her sister Shae in many senses: she’s blunt, forthright and no-nonsense, ultimately a result of her career, where she faced patronising and blatantly sexist questions regarding her appointment as the new manager without her husband’s involvement, respecting Dean’s career and not feeling it was right to pull him into her affairs at the expense of what he chose his path to be. Although many people assume having twins would put Ruby off conceiving again - especially given the boundless energy Jo and K [as she affectionately calls them] posses - now they’re getting older, she’s spoken to her husband about the possibility of having another baby, feeling she would like to expand her family at least one more time. The only thing she and Dean are wary of is the notion of having twins once more, as two sets of doubles might just drive them both mad [not that Ruby would really mind deep down, as the bond shared between Joanna and Ken means the world to her, reminding her of the closeness she and Shae have maintained through thick and thin…and more recently this has been put to quite the test].

To say Ruby and her sister’s boyfriend have a strained relationship is an understatement. Even before the incident involving Florent, Ruby and Connor didn’t see eye to eye much, with her finding his temperament- and how Shae had to act as a calming agent - a point of stress, as she didn’t want her sister to feel responsible for times where Connor was pushed to breaking point. The almost-assault on Florent was the final straw for Ruby though, and she didn’t take one moment to not voice her upset at the situation. While she understands no-one wants their personal life to be gossiped about or treated akin to a soap opera to be observed by others, almost attacking someone is way beyond what Ruby considers acceptable - given that Florent wasn’t being malicious or threatening Connor’s family in any sense. This prompted her to pull back her twins from spending time with him unless she or Dean were around, as she found her trust in him shattered, and outright refused to be involved in keeping this information from Pip, as she knew it wouldn’t end well either way. She knows that Connor sincerely loves her sister, never mind Ihrin and Patrick, which pains Ruby more in a sense, as she wants Shae to be surrounded by warmth and affection, however the idea she’ll feel she has to be responsible for Connor if this ever happens again is something Ruby feels she can’t let happen.

For how she seems more brittle and argumentative, Ruby’s spirituality mirrors her sisters’ entirely, and she includes her, Ihrin, Patrick and Connor [for their conflict] in her daily angel prayers, as well as having crafted a special mobile for her niece, who she already adores. Ihrin’s birth has made Ruby and her family a bit more physically present, as she’s been providing Shae with support and advice on adjusting to the demands of motherhood, although relations remain cool between her and Connor [not that she actively wants arguments, in spite of some assuming otherwise due to what they’ve heard]. Ruby’s also a strict vegetarian, although she doesn’t enforce this on her family, and has learned to cook a wide array of dishes to shoot down any critiques of her diet being boring or repetitive; now involving Jo and K in some meal prep, although she’s very careful about what they can do. She still plays the cello - an instrument introduced to her when she was 7 - and enjoys gardening to relax, having created quite the beautiful, tranquil space at she and Dean’s home, that encourages reflection and introspection when visited.

---

Joanna & Ken ads credited to @CherryBomb50

Connor is credited to @moonwriteen

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f]Julya[/name_f] [name_f]Aleksandra[/name_f] Whitford-Markham (34) is Ruby’s frienemy. She is Connor’s elder sister adopted from Gomel, Belarus as an infant. Neither she nor [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] are rude to one another, but [name_u]Connor[/name_u] is someone very polarising to their views. [name_f]Julya[/name_f] is a local journalist and abroad activist and she’s often spent her time here but does visit Belarus and is very familiar. Both she and [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] are passionate leaders and [name_f]Julya[/name_f] respects Ruby’s take-charge feminist strength. [name_f]Julya[/name_f] is rather liberal, opposing the death penalty, despite Belarus being the only European country to actively practice it. She knows about the complicating ways she and [name_u]Connor[/name_u] were raised and she knows her parents favoured her more, something she knows was unfair. Her career in humanities was her own choice given the dictatorship of Belarus and she feels she and [name_u]Connor[/name_u] shouldn’t have been compared when they had much different passions. However she doesn’t feel she should take responsibility for Connor’s actions because these were his own adult decisions, not hers or anyone else’s. [name_f]Julya[/name_f] knows [name_u]Connor[/name_u] felt a sense of loneliness, given his clingy nature to [name_u]Pip[/name_u], but she’s glad [name_u]Pip[/name_u] made their own decision and got what they wanted as a platonic co-parent. She and [name_m]Brendon[/name_m] are happy parents of two children, the elder one being [name_m]Egor[/name_m], who she had at 23 when [name_m]Brendon[/name_m] was 21. The two are very sharp-focused individuals who go for what they want, so [name_f]Julya[/name_f] is very passionate when she sees other people pursue their dreams and goals no matter what.

While [name_f]Julya[/name_f] doesn’t feel right being friends with [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] at the moment given her brother’s volatility, she has respected her a lot. She believes if [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] wants another child, she should be able to have one even despite the twins. How [name_f]Julya[/name_f] feels about [name_u]Connor[/name_u] is very difficult, she doesn’t consider him a victim per se, but definitely someone who should have sought help sooner. She’s pushing [name_u]Connor[/name_u] to do so because she truly believes it’s for him, but also for anyone else in his path. [name_u]Connor[/name_u] is currently in therapy after urges from [name_f]Julya[/name_f] to do so, and [name_f]Julya[/name_f] has helped [name_u]Shae[/name_u] with taking care of Ihrin. Julya’s younger child has a great attachment to maternal cousin Ihrin and [name_f]Julya[/name_f] is happy her children love the new baby. She believes it is Ruby’s decision in terms of when her twins should meet Ihrin and [name_f]Julya[/name_f] believes in the power of choice, never forcing [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] to get involved with Ihrin, especially since she feels it’s unfair to both [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] and Ihrin. She’s seen the bond between the Géroux and Satterfield families and it makes her feel good seeing [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] so happy now and hanging out with friends they truly enjoy. [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] also seems happy and Pip’s friends have been so nice and happy-go-lucky to [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] when he really needs it. She knows [name_u]Connor[/name_u] will apologise to [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] at some point while in or after therapy, but she’s worried for a different reason. [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_m]Florent[/name_m] are in such a good mood in their lives now, would having them see [name_u]Connor[/name_u] again ruin all that rightfully-deserved happiness?

[lemon_swirlxx]

tw: murder, racism

[name_u]Florence[/name_u] [name_u]Ivy[/name_u] McDonell ‘Flo’ (38) is Julya’s boss at the newspaper that they work for. [name_u]Florence[/name_u], her sister [name_f]Rubie[/name_f] and her Mum and Dad emigrated from [name_u]London[/name_u] to Belarus when she was little. Her Dad is mixed race and emigrated from [name_u]America[/name_u] to the UK, where he met Flo’s Mum, originally from [name_u]France[/name_u].
Her Dad is a bank manager and was offered the opportunity to manage a bank in Minsk, Belarus and he immediately took it, taking his wife, 5-year-old [name_f]Flo[/name_f], and her 7-year-old sister with him. Flo’s Mum wasn’t happy about it (the unexpected decision to move) and Flo’s parents argued a lot which led to them getting a divorce, and because they had just moved, her Mum was relying on her husbands salary and was not financially independent so she moved back to [name_u]France[/name_u] to live with her Mother. All this was very chaotic for 10 year old [name_f]Flo[/name_f] and she doesn’t really like to talk about her childhood.

Flo’s sister moved out at 19, taking 17 year old [name_f]Flo[/name_f] with her, because of their Father’s substance abuse the two girls went to [name_u]France[/name_u] first, to live with their Mother and after a year of living in [name_u]Paris[/name_u] with their Mother, she pulled out two plane tickets, to [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]York[/name_u]! The two girls headed to [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]York[/name_u] where [name_f]Flo[/name_f] met her current husband, [name_m]Sekou[/name_m], who emigrated from [name_f]Nigeria[/name_f] to the US as a child.

[name_f]Flo[/name_f] and [name_m]Sekou[/name_m] had three kids together, [name_f]Layla[/name_f], [name_u]Harry[/name_u], and [name_f]Nadia[/name_f]. [name_f]Layla[/name_f] is 8, [name_u]Harry[/name_u] is 11 and [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] was 14 when she died, but would be 16 this year. [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] was the eldest, and was subject to a racial attack when she was out with friends by a group of boys. [name_f]Flo[/name_f] was absolutely devastated and went into a severe state of grief, and this is why she took the job as a journalist, she wanted to make sure Nadia’s story was heard.

[moonwriteen]

[name_m]Kiryl[/name_m] [name_m]Brendon[/name_m] Whitford-Markham (9) is the younger child of [name_f]Julya[/name_f] and [name_m]Brendon[/name_m], younger brother of [name_m]Egor[/name_m] and also a friend of [name_f]Flo[/name_f] 's children [name_f]Layla[/name_f] & [name_u]Harry[/name_u]. Naturally he didn’t ever know [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] because she died before [name_f]Flo[/name_f] established the new local newspaper , however he tries to always be emotionally supportive towards his friends , especially [name_f]Layla[/name_f] , who he’s closer in age to. He admires both his mom and [name_f]Flo[/name_f] for what they do in journalism , when other people ask him about that he tends to respond that they’re " changing the world by telling stories " - this response got him the reputation of the teacher’s pet when it comes to his [name_f]English[/name_f] teacher, because the teacher found it poetic and now wants him to join the [name_f]Poetry[/name_f] Club or participate in the Spelling [name_f]Bee[/name_f]. [name_m]Kiryl[/name_m] finds it very weird as he didn’t find this expression poetic at all and always was kind of a linguistic whiz due to speaking both Belarusian and [name_f]English[/name_f]. He wants to be a translator in the future like his father and recently has been obsessed with translating the songs of his idol - [name_u]Michael[/name_u] [name_u]Jackson[/name_u] - into Belarusian. [name_f]Julya[/name_f] and [name_m]Brendon[/name_m] really encourage this activity , also being glad that [name_m]Kiryl[/name_m] is sharing his music taste with [name_m]Egor[/name_m] and so [name_m]Egor[/name_m] listens to less rap with cussing in it. [name_m]Egor[/name_m] would prank [name_m]Kiryl[/name_m] about [name_m]Kiryl[/name_m] wanting to " Become African American like [name_u]Jackson[/name_u] wanted to become white" however after getting to know [name_f]Flo[/name_f] 's children and their tragic story with racism, [name_m]Kiryl[/name_m] told his brother that this kind of insult is not fine to throw around towards anyone , even if it’s a joke , because it relies on racial stereotypes and is insenstive towards those who may have vitiligo , be biracial or be under circumstances that make them seem racially ambigious. Of course he didn’t use those words with such sophistication , those conclusions being a result of lots of brotherly bickering.

His favourite season is the same as his friend , [name_f]Layla[/name_f] 's - winter. However he’s been very sad lately seeing as the climate is getting warmer and warmer and there is not always sufficient amounts of snow around. He has been made aware of climate change in science class and is now worried that his new cousins from his paternal aunt’s [name_f]Della[/name_f] 's side - [name_m]Langston[/name_m] and [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] - may never see snow. This really devastates him and he has been listening to " [name_f]Earth[/name_f] Song " by MJ on repeat , even going as far as telling his music teacher that he wants to sing it in " Our School’s Got [name_m]Talent[/name_m] " awards together with [name_f]Layla[/name_f] , who goes to the same school and is a much better singer than [name_m]Kiryl[/name_m] is. The teacher told him that the song would be too demanding vocally for a 9 and 8 year old to perform, but they can still do something other climate-change related for the contest. At this point [name_m]Kiryl[/name_m] is brainstorming ideas with his brother [name_m]Egor[/name_m] and [name_f]Flo[/name_f] 's children, [name_u]Harry[/name_u] and [name_f]Layla[/name_f].

Brendon was created by @CherryBomb50
Egor was also created by her!
Amelia and Langston were created by @jinxed_peach , as was their mom Della

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for deceased character (natural causes) and references to Nadia’s death.

Elmira Minnie Whitford (21 May 1941 - 1 February 2022, aged 80) is Kiryl’s paternal great-grandmother, a huge supporter of the peace. She retired as a nurse years before her passing, but her peace work never ended. She’s been an advocate of human rights and was a longtime fighter against segregation. Like Kiryl, she was also motivated by heroes. The two love seeing one another which is a very great privilege for both. Kiryl asks for great-grandmother Elmira to tell an old story about her youth. Since Elmira was now rather old, and Kiryl very young, she decides to tell him about her own inspirations. Once Elmira is finished telling her story, Kiryl asks, “What about them? Are they still alive?” Elmira shakes her head and responds, “Not for decades now…”

Being old was a challenge for Elmira, especially seeing the idols she looked up to pass away. She often thought about how Kiryl and Egor reacted when Michael Jackson died…only to realise they weren’t born yet. Still, she’s mesmerised by how this didn’t stop their fandom, even if they didn’t have the experiences seeing him that she had. Although she was older, she credited her son Henry, whose name was the middle namesake for Della’s son and Elmira’s great-grandson Langston, for her love for saving the Earth. Henry got her into earth-saving ways to protect the planet. Elmira was happy for her son and she’d be happy that Kiryl is in a contest for climate change.

Elmira didn’t know Flo for that long before her passing but saw Flo’s daughter Nadia years before she passed away. Nadia was a Girl Scout and sold her cookies and in addition, her troop also volunteered at Elmira’s nursing home. Elmira was shocked by the brutality of Nadia’s death and couldn’t imagine that once-sweet Girl Scout losing her life so cruelly. But of course it all made sense: racism. Hate. Elmira grew up seeing it everywhere and the fight for progression. Hate crimes were never okay to her no matter what, no matter when. You couldn’t say it wasn’t an injustice. She fought to help Flo and her family, living the way she found her own heroes to act. Elmira planted a memorial tree for Nadia, which turned into a project to plant multiple trees, with the help of Henry. Elmira was a strong supporter of leaving the world a better place than how she found it. However all good things must come to an end, and Elmira would pass away naturally after a stroke in her sleep in 2022. She never met Langston but was grateful Langston honoured her son Henry, the “biggest hero in her life”. Elmira would have loved to see Kiryl perform and the family knows she would be grateful just to know Kiryl and Layla were in the contest. She’s given Kiryl her scarf before she died, fitting given he and Layla’s love for winter.

[chamwue]

( tw: dead family member & brief mentions of dealing with grief )

[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] " [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] " [name_m]Gordon[/name_m] (19) is a freshman in college and had an inter-generational friendship with [name_f]Elmira[/name_f]. [name_f]Elmira[/name_f] was a friend of Charlie’s grandmother, whom she was named after. [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] was also raised by her grandmother after her own mother passed in a tragic car accident. [name_f]Elmira[/name_f] was one of the only people who were allowed to call [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] " [name_f]Lottie[/name_f] ", as [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] was already the nickname [name_f]Elmira[/name_f] had for her grandmother. [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] remembers growing up and asking [name_f]Elmira[/name_f] a lot about her life as a nurse, and she’d be lying if she said those stories did not affect her career path in any way.

When [name_f]Elmira[/name_f] passed, [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] didn’t allow herself to grieve. Her grandmother was swallowed in the sadness of losing her friend, and [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] did whatever she could to support her. While helping her grandmother process her feelings, [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] often forgot about her own feelings and chose to “forget” about her grief. Her friends at school kept telling her to not bury her own feelings in the sand, but [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] didn’t listen. Things came to a head when [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] was writing college applications and had to write her essay: while writing about a memory she shared with [name_f]Elmira[/name_f], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] ended up crying for the first time about Elmira’s death. Thankfully she finished her essay and was accepted into her dream school’s nursing program, but it was clear to both [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] and her friends that she didn’t know how to process her emotions.

[name_u]Charlie[/name_u] is an only child, but she has a group of friends she’s grown up with and she considers them her siblings. They’re also all going to the same college, which made [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] very happy. Currently, she’s rooming with her best friend at the college dormitories. They’ve also snuck in a baby orange kitten named Cheese in their dorm. Charlie’s a little worried because room inspections are happening soon, and they’re not allowed to have unregistered animals in residence halls.

[marigold.solstice]

Sonora Lucy ‘Sosie’ Scout (19) is Charlie’s roomate and best friend. She grew up next door to Charlie and her grandmother, and knew them both from birth. Sosie was raised by two loving parents, and has two sisters. Sosie is planning on a double major in fashion design and business, and plans on stating her own clothing line once she gets out of college–she already sews all her clothes, and designs outfits for all her friends as well. Sosie is definitely a rule follower, so it took a lot of convincing from Charlie for her to be on board about sneaking Cheese in–though she loves the company of their fluffy furball, and really hopes no one finds out about him.

(sorry if I’m not doing this right, this is my first time trying to play, haha)

[kitkatcookie]

Ānyǔ " [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] " Feng (19) is another member of [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] and Sosie’s friend group. [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] joined a little later than some of the others - she moved to the area when she was 12, following her parents divorce, and her mom wanted a fresh start, so she pursued a job there, leading to the relocation. When she was younger, [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] had practically no idea why the relationship broke down between her mother and father, sometimes making up terrible scenarios in her head as she hadn’t seen any external factors. Her younger brother was very cut up by things, and looking back she admits to her friends that the decision was influenced by wanting to protect him as well [not that he’d appreciate the sentiment currently, as at 14, he’s basically ready to move into his own apartment y’know]. Ultimately, Sparrow’s come to realise there was no scandalous affair or huge secret being kept: her parents just realised their romantic connection had faded, and forcing things to carry on was making them both unhappy, to a point where they both feared genuine resentment could build up.

This is what led to Sparrow’s decision to focus on psychology, and behavioural therapy is what she’d like to specialise in going forwards. Although she’s not particularly outgoing, her people reading skills are top notch, although don’t ask her to consider something for you, as she’ll very much linger and fret over finding the best outcome. Her advice can be unsolicited sometimes: a trait Sparrow’s trying to break out of, as she knows people feel criticised when she makes suggestions at certain points, and is trying to work on delivery with the help of her dad: a university lecturer, who sometimes finds himself in rough spots regarding student feedback. [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] sometimes spends weekends off campus visiting him, however she’s always in contact with her friends throughout the times she’s not physically present.

Although she’s been asked out a few times since starting college, Sparrow’s only had that much interest in one guy, who her friends believe is building up the courage to approach her. For how cute she thinks he is, Sparrow’s clear she doesn’t want dating to cut into her time with the group, especially [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], who she’s grown closer to since the essay penning happened; as [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] herself went through a semi-estrangement from her cousin when they became involved with their girlfriend, and [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] struggled voicing how hurt she was for quite some time. She and her roommates - the two other members of the group - have also offered to let Cheese hide out at their place when inspection rolls around, to ensure he isn’t evicted. It has made them more determined to get a little pet of their own in good time, but currently Cheese is the priority, so they’re holding back…

---

@marigold.solstice no you’re doing great!!

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Marian[/name_u] [name_f]Viva[/name_f] [name_u]Scout[/name_u] (24) is the girlfriend of Sparrow’s cousin and is one of Sosie’s sisters. She’s not quite Sparrow’s enemy or necessarily “evil”. The main concern is simply being that [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] felt lonely and hurt that her cousin dedicated all their time with [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u]. However she can be quite unlikable as [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] has confessed a secret to [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u], “I wish your cousin wasn’t dating my sister.” [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] secretly agreed! They don’t hate one another’s relative, they just feel like the relationship makes them both uneasy. They don’t necessarily like them together but don’t want them splitting either because they feel it would only make things more dramatic.

[name_u]Marian[/name_u] only had one other person she loved, a woman [name_f]Erica[/name_f], whom she attended college with. [name_f]Erica[/name_f] emigrated from [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]Zealand[/name_u] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] had always wanted to go there. However the relationship barely lasted given the realisation that [name_f]Erica[/name_f] wasn’t really attracted to women while [name_u]Marian[/name_u] was pansexual. [name_u]Marian[/name_u] accepted Erica’s sexuality but now she felt she wasn’t a “real girlfriend” of [name_f]Erica[/name_f] and more of an “experiment”, which she disdained. They split and [name_f]Erica[/name_f] has since found a boyfriend who loves her unconditionally. [name_f]Erica[/name_f] and her boyfriend have a daughter who is a few months old. At first when [name_f]Erica[/name_f] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] broke up and [name_f]Erica[/name_f] moved on, [name_u]Marian[/name_u] was jealous. She nearly reached peak envy when [name_f]Erica[/name_f] announced her pregnancy, but at that point, she started dating Sparrow’s cousin and was feeling content in her own relationship. This worked out for [name_u]Marian[/name_u] too, she didn’t want children after all, and she and [name_f]Erica[/name_f] were patching up any hurt she previously had.

That’s what worries [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] most; she feels like she has to let go about her feelings of [name_u]Marian[/name_u] with Sparrow’s cousin because the relationship is truly what’s making [name_u]Marian[/name_u] very happy. [name_u]Marian[/name_u] currently has a job as a receptionist which she finds boring and “not the worst job, but a job nobody aspires to be”. [name_u]Marian[/name_u] has a complex social life, believing she has as many people who dislike her as she does with people who like her. One of Sparrow’s roommates dislikes [name_u]Marian[/name_u] a lot, which [name_u]Marian[/name_u] is semi-aware of, but [name_u]Marian[/name_u] doesn’t care too much about who does and doesn’t like her. [name_u]Marian[/name_u] feels like she relates to Sparrow’s feelings of insecurity and does want [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] to pursue the man she loves. [name_u]Marian[/name_u] has a tendency to be an unlikely hero but she’s also very aware of her polarising nature.

Erica was created by @Lindseylloyd052399.

[kitkatcookie]

tw: racism

Aslesha " [name_m]Lash[/name_m] " [name_f]Noelle[/name_f] Karanam (20) is the ‘nemesis’ of [name_u]Marian[/name_u], granted such a title’s a little dramatic. Aside from the overly intense nature of [name_u]Marian[/name_u] and her significant others relationship, [name_m]Lash[/name_m] finds she’s dismissive of people, especially their experiences and perspectives, as showcased in how she projects the idea everyone should follow her example of nonchalance in the face of criticism, not that this is always easily said or done [never mind feasible in some circumstances]. The other main source of disagreement between [name_m]Lash[/name_m] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] is that the former rejects the idea of needing a romantic partner to be content or fulfilled in life, and when she mentioned this around Sosie’s sister, an argument broke out because [name_u]Marian[/name_u] interpreted this as a personal attack. At that time, [name_m]Lash[/name_m] wasn’t actually directing anything at her, however this caused an unease to develop between them, which helped build the eventual dislike [although distrust might be more accurate, as both parties can be on edge around each other].

Curiously, [name_m]Lash[/name_m] actually has a very good relationship with another one of the [name_u]Scout[/name_u] sisters, whose acted as a mentor to her. She’s a qualified teacher and that’s what [name_m]Lash[/name_m] is studying to become, specialising in primary education, as she admits that teenagers would drive her up the wall [and probably lead to some tears as well]. This, alongside [name_m]Lash[/name_m] being friends with [name_f]Sosie[/name_f], is what’s prompted her to try and be more cordial towards [name_u]Marian[/name_u]. She isn’t someone who thrives on conflict or even feels comfortable arguing, but her fiery temperament means once pushed, she isn’t going to back down, which is especially true when she feels someone’s undermining her, a constant occurrence for a while in her life.

[name_m]Born[/name_m] to a white mother and [name_f]Indian[/name_f] father, [name_m]Lash[/name_m] experienced racist bullying from a classmate, and this was often dismissed by their teacher, who never personally witnessed the comments made by the boy in question. When Lash’s parents became aware of what was happening and asked for a meeting, the teacher insisted their daughter was merely overreacting and vouched firmly for the child totmenting her. This would lead to [name_m]Lash[/name_m] almost moving schools - in spite of the nearest alternative being a considerable distance away - until the headteacher was spoken to by her dad and thankfully, they did take the concerns seriously and suspended the boy: he ended up moving schools when other parents caught wind of why this had happened. The teacher who turned a blind eye also left abruptly, but [name_m]Lash[/name_m] admits to her friends that this knocked her confidence greatly, and [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] understands it’s why the issues between her friend and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] arose; obviously for different reasons, but having the time and patience to listen, as well as the awareness of others feelings to understand, are values [name_m]Lash[/name_m] greatly values and tries her best to embody.

Like her dad, [name_m]Lash[/name_m] is a practicing Hindu, and she’s also vegetarian, having an obvious talent for cooking savory dishes. She has a brother but he’s considerably younger than her, having been born when her parents were in their early 40s, and he’s just celebrated his 7th birthday. If anyone questions her credentials to become a teacher, Lash’s dynamic with him quells these thoughts, as she’s always willing to indulge his ridiculous questions and play pretend, image of sophisticated maturity be damned.

[lilac_elixirxx]

tw: extortion, homophobia, racism, pyramids scemes and vandalism
[name_u]Arrow[/name_u] [name_u]Emrys[/name_u] [name_u]Taylor[/name_u] (20) was the boy who bullied [name_m]Lash[/name_m] in school. [name_u]Arrow[/name_u] was charged for extortion when he was 16 and he was suspended from his new school. He was then charged with vandalism a few months later and for his school that was the last straw and we was kicked out. With a criminal record and parents who had kicked him out, he was stuck for what to do. He joined a pyramid scheme and worked his way up to the top. At 19 he was finally arrested and given a sentence: 5 years. The picture above is his mugshot.

[name_u]Arrow[/name_u] was raised from a young age to be prejudiced against lgbtq+ and people of a different race. His older brother [name_m]Crew[/name_m] was his main friend growing up and he pushed his racist and homophobic opinions onto [name_u]Arrow[/name_u]. Back in school when [name_u]Arrow[/name_u] bullied [name_m]Lash[/name_m], his parents were horrified, as his parents were overtly supportive of things like black lives matter especially as Arrow’s Mother was raised by Hindu foster parents. Arrow’s Mother was disgusted that [name_u]Arrow[/name_u] would disrespect his grandparents culture like that and gave him one more chance. Arrow’s Mother said he could go back to school but she got lots of stick from other parents so she quickly moved him schools but told him that he was NOT to mess this up. [name_u]Arrow[/name_u] is 1 year into his prison sentence right now and I hope he learns his lesson.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for racism.

[name_u]Dash[/name_u] [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] [name_m]Edwards[/name_m] (25) is Arrow’s enemy. He is also a brother, having a younger sister [name_u]Kimberly[/name_u]. However they’re proud anti-racists and are proud to be [name_m]Black[/name_m]. There were so many ways [name_u]Arrow[/name_u] and [name_m]Crew[/name_m] could have educated themselves. Why didn’t [name_u]Arrow[/name_u] get educated by his other family members? He genuinely hopes [name_u]Arrow[/name_u] doesn’t get a plea deal of any sort to ruin the justice system further. After all, he knows if a [name_m]Black[/name_m] man did the same crime, that man would be sentenced harsher. In fact, [name_u]Dash[/name_u] always followed the rules in his school because he worried he could be discriminated for his race as well. This deeply disappointed him when [name_m]Lash[/name_m] was racially bullied, because it had proven the school still hadn’t done anything to change.

The coincidence of [name_u]Dash[/name_u] and Lash’s rhyming names is often noted, but [name_u]Dash[/name_u] would defend her anyway if he had been at the school at the same time, which didn’t happen because [name_u]Dash[/name_u] was 5 years older. [name_u]Dash[/name_u] did struggle with Arrow’s elder brother [name_m]Crew[/name_m] bullying him, so he was well aware of the [name_u]Taylor[/name_u] brothers. There is one thing that makes it hard for [name_u]Dash[/name_u] to have a bond with [name_m]Lash[/name_m], and it’s not school or age. [name_u]Dash[/name_u] used to date Sparrow’s cousin at one point, which [name_u]Dash[/name_u] knows [name_m]Lash[/name_m] isn’t trying to get involved, but he doesn’t want to be caught in the middle let alone see her caught in the middle. The split was amicable and he doesn’t have any ill will towards the Feng or [name_u]Scout[/name_u] families but it’s always awkward when it turns up. They’re not enemies but not close enough to be friends. However [name_u]Dash[/name_u] completely agrees with Lash’s stance on being happily single and he too is happily single. [name_u]Dash[/name_u] works on the same newspaper as [name_f]Flo[/name_f] and [name_f]Julya[/name_f] and he has no desire to leave.

Kimberly was created by @lemon_swirlxx1.

[kitkatcookie]

tw: [name_u]Taylor[/name_u] brother bigotry and trash behaviour

[name_u]Cove[/name_u] Beaudan [name_u]Taylor[/name_u] (17) is the other [name_u]Taylor[/name_u] brother, more commonly referred to as the ‘Decent One’ for never taking on the bigoted, prejudice views of his brothers. Attending school in the aftermath of [name_m]Crew[/name_m] and Arrow’s atrocious behaviour wasn’t easy for [name_u]Cove[/name_u] to put it lightly. He was met with suspicion and questions by his peers, which he admits were justified and understandable: his brothers weren’t always at their absolute worst and could present an affable facade to convince people they weren’t absolutely terrible people. [name_m]Even[/name_m] as he started to make friends and people recognised he was not just tolerant of others but advocated for social equality and equal rights, [name_u]Cove[/name_u] couldn’t help but notice the damage [name_u]Arrow[/name_u] and [name_m]Crew[/name_m] had done, something that upset him more. The treatment of [name_m]Lash[/name_m] lead to a lot of distrust between families of colour and teachers, understandably so, and he didn’t want to ask his parents about this because [name_u]Cove[/name_u] knows better than most how they’ve struggled with what’s been caused by their eldest sons.

The closeness of [name_u]Arrow[/name_u] and [name_m]Crew[/name_m] led to [name_u]Cove[/name_u] being ostracised from them pretty quickly, not that he complained about this the older he got. They’d actually tell their classmates they didn’t have a brother and that [name_u]Cove[/name_u] was a cousin, a bizarre game that makes sense to no-one but their younger brothers past questioning their bullshit antics. Something that did surprise him was Arrow’s success within the pyramid scheme: he’s never exactly been a genius [for several years he claimed ‘cove’ was a word their ‘weirdo hippy’ parents made up], so [name_u]Cove[/name_u] suspects it’s merely the callous environment of such projects that fuelled his rise in power and reach. Again, his main concerns been his mum and dad, who are sincerely considering completely cutting their ties with [name_u]Arrow[/name_u], his trial and conviction having led to them debating if there will ever be a chance he feels genuine remorse for what he’s done to others.

As for [name_m]Crew[/name_m], he’s managed to remain out of prison recently. He spent 15 months inside shortly after leaving school for getting involved in a fight with one of his on-off friends over a girl they were both interested in, and had a few more run ins with the police in subsequent years, but has avoided major trouble. [name_m]Crew[/name_m] occasionally appears to ask for money [he has a job, and it’s a legal one, working at a car dealership], but gets turned away by their parents, as it’s almost always to do with refusing to pay child support to his ex-girlfriend. [name_u]Cove[/name_u] tends to confide in his significant other about this carry on [they’re genderfluid and use she/they/he pronouns pretty interchangeably, which of course [name_m]Crew[/name_m] was shocked by when he found out and a huge argument ensued when [name_u]Cove[/name_u] recognised he was about to say something offensive]. He and his parents haven’t actually met the nephew/grandson in question - they know his name’s [name_u]Pax[/name_u] at least - but it’s led to [name_u]Cove[/name_u] being suspicious as to what might be hidden by his oldest brother there…

[moonwriteen]

Yi-ren " [name_f]Irene[/name_f] " Feng (22) is [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] 's older cousin , [name_u]Marian[/name_u] 's girlfriend and [name_u]Dash[/name_u] 's ex. She doesn’t care in the slightest what either of [name_u]Marian[/name_u] 's sisters or her cousin about their relationships with [name_u]Marian[/name_u]. She doesn’t also see the problem with dumping [name_u]Dash[/name_u] for [name_u]Marian[/name_u] - her boyfriend once dumped her for a man and she didn’t chest, she just was brutally honest telling [name_u]Dash[/name_u] about the fact that she’s fallen out of love with him and appreciates the fact that [name_u]Dash[/name_u] had the human decently to split amicably.

[name_f]Irene[/name_f] doesn’t really know much about the [name_u]Taylor[/name_u] brothers and their antics - [name_u]Dash[/name_u] avoided the topic of bullying that he endured by [name_m]Crew[/name_m] like a plague and it was to some extend the lack of emotional vulnerability that led to the downfall of the relationship - [name_f]Irene[/name_f] started to notice that she tends to talk more honestly with [name_u]Dash[/name_u] 's sister [name_u]Kimberly[/name_u] after she broke up with her long-term boyfriend CJ and had a [name_f]Bridget[/name_f] [name_m]Jones[/name_m] marathon with [name_f]Irene[/name_f] over it.

[name_f]Irene[/name_f] is quite the brutally honest girl and doesn’t tolerate people telling her what to to - she will stand her ground in terms of relationships no matter what, especially because she has only recently discovered her sexuality - realising she was bisexual was in quite the big part due to [name_u]Henry[/name_u] [name_m]Whitford[/name_m] - an asexual man who has been a part of the LGBTQ+ local community for years and also helped young people from the community to be involved with environmental causes and protecting the planet. [name_f]Irene[/name_f] would be lying if she told anyone that it didn’t contribute to her choosing the university major of Environmental [name_u]Science[/name_u]. [name_f]Irene[/name_f] also somewhat knows [name_u]Henry[/name_u] Whitford’s family - being aware of his mother [name_f]Elmira[/name_f] who passed away not long ago.

When [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] and [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] started expressing discontent with the fact that their cousin and sister are together and complaining about it on the campus, [name_f]Irene[/name_f] was direct in telling them that if they ever try to drive a wedge between her and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] or spread rumours, she is ready to tell the university administration about them keeping Cheese the cat as an unregistered animal in [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] and [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] 's room - although upon learning who [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] really is and how [name_f]Elmira[/name_f] inspired her to become a nurse and about the incident with penning an admission letter, she backed down and apologised for what she relised was just a thinly veiled threat.

Charlotte was created by @chamwue
Sosie was created by @marigold.solstice
Sparrow was created by @kitkatcookie
Marian was created by @CherryBomb50
Dash was created by @CherryBomb50
Kimberly was created by @lemon_swirlxx
CJ was created by yours truly

[kitkatcookie]

Bó Wén " [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] " Feng (21) is Irene’s brother and Sparrow’s other cousin, whose been a source of advice and support amidst the dating situation. Unlike [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u], Alaric’s used to how Irene’s relationships can become such dominant points of her life, although he knows the heart of their cousin’s upset is the fact she’s been overlooked since [name_u]Marian[/name_u] came on the scene, which he doesn’t agree with, even though he’s resolute in not contributing to any further drama following [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] being unfairly pulled into things. [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] also acknowledges it’s easier for him seeing how [name_f]Irene[/name_f] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] are because of how the siblings dynamic has always been. In spite of only being a year apart in age, they aren’t close: not because of any dislike or dramatic event, merely they’ve always been interested in different things and preferred different kinds of company. He’s the social butterfly - always talking to a new person or signing up for a bustling summer program - whereas Irene’s prefers tighter knit groups smaller in size. [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] was always out at his tech classes - specialising in robotics which he’s now studying - or some insane birthday party for a friend of a friend, so when he and his sister did hang out, it was brief and centered on small talk.

The irony, [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] admits, is that when [name_u]Marian[/name_u] and [name_f]Irene[/name_f] first got together, [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] and [name_f]Sosie[/name_f] were incredibly happy for them. This shifted as the couple became an exclusive duo, and he knows the upset is that there was no forewarning of this. [name_m]Even[/name_m] he admits to being worried what could happen if the couple did split up, as while ending with [name_u]Dash[/name_u] was painless for [name_f]Irene[/name_f], [name_u]Marian[/name_u] would be the absolute opposite, and [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] really would be the best person to support her thanks to their history of closeness; something now jeopardised by the conflict. Still, at the advice of his best friend, Alaric’s focuses on creating a healthy distance to allow everyone time to cool off and reflect, helped by the fact he has about a dozen parties, hangouts and pop up events to suggest to keep everyone busy.

Hanging around with [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] more also means he’s become more familiar with her friend group and in particular has bonded with [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], thanks to their mutual love of cats. [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] has one of his own in the student house he shares with 3 friends - a rescue tabby named [name_u]Stanley[/name_u], who is known to his landlord and accepted on the grounds he’s short-haired. He’s considered offering his house as a place for Cheese to bunk at if there’s any inspections but double checked with [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] before making the offer, as he didn’t want to overstep Charlie’s boundaries [and his sudden shyness made his cousin both amused and endeared, as it’s at absolute odds with how level-headed and carefree [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] tends to appear]. What he hasn’t admitted to anyone - aside from his best friend and very recently, [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] - is thinks he might be developing feelings for [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] but doesn’t want to say, as he doesn’t know how she’ll respond. Sparrow’s recommended he thinks it over before acting, but he’s confident she’s keeping an eye on things from her end…

[chamwue]

( tw: brief talk about racism against asians )

Jiā-shī " [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] " Zhou (21) is Alaric’s childhood best friend and his number one confidant. Meeting in kindergarten after [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] bit someone who was teasing him (something [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] refuses to let her forget), they’ve been inseparable ever since. Because they’re opposite genders, many people think that they’re dating. Alexa’s own parents were constantly asking if she and [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] were involved, to which [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] would respond with a very annoyed “no”. The questions from family finally stopped when [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] came out as lesbian at 15, which finally allowed the two of them to have sleepovers.

[name_f]Alexa[/name_f] also knows the gossip about [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], and she’s appointed herself as Alaric’s wingman. She’s been asking [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] to ask [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] more about [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], but knowing [name_m]Alaric[/name_m], thinks she has to do some social media stalking of her own. [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] gets along with [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] just fine, but doesn’t want the girl to think they’re involved. [name_f]Alexa[/name_f], while proud of her sexuality, doesn’t feel comfortable coming out to Charlie’s friend group just yet, so she’s distancing herself so [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] and [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] can get together without any problems.

[name_f]Alexa[/name_f] is a music producer under the name AETH3R, and has amassed a large following. AETH3R is faceless and goes by all pronouns just to up the anonymity. Knowing the misogyny present in the music industry, she doesn’t want to be scrutinised for her appearance and race. [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] just wants to be perceived for her talent and her talent alone.

She lives with another music producer whom she is romantically involved with. This producer isn’t anonymous, though, which makes it difficult to make sure [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] never is in any photos shown online. They have a lot of selfies together though, and [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] has seen most of them— [name_f]Alexa[/name_f] never stops gushing about her girlfriend.