Create a Family (CAF) With a Twist

[kitkatcookie]

[name_f]Iris[/name_f] [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] [name_m]Thomasen[/name_m] (17) is Joyann’s younger daughter and Lindy’s sister. Absolutely avid about running, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] hopes to become an Olympic level athlete some day. The major shift in this is how she started running as a means of focusing her thoughts and getting away from any other stresses accumulating in her life. [name_f]Iris[/name_f] has had a history of being friends with very dramatic people who seem to thrive in friend groups that are dominated by bickering, only managing to get out of this cycle about a year ago when she began participating in the school’s Olympic Cohort, basically a group set up for those at her school hoping to become professional in their sport(s) of choice.

It’s not that [name_f]Iris[/name_f] cut off all her friends when she began meeting likeminded peers - she’s still close with a lot of people - however this was her best way of separating from those obsessed with bitching and gossiping. As someone with a preference for calmness and easygoing fun, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] didn’t thrive in this environment, usually just ending up stressed and annoyed at what was going on around her; withdrawing more socially as a result of all the pettiness.

Lindy’s the person [name_f]Iris[/name_f] confided most in during this time, with their age gap bot diminishing their closeness as sister’s. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though [name_f]Iris[/name_f] has her meddling tendencies, most notably with the poem entry on Lindy’s behalf, she’s never malicious and admirers the patience of her sister, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] admits herself to be lacking in many ways. She’s someone who uses athletics to handle her antsiness and usually opts to go running or jogging when the moment becomes moat overwhelming, whereas [name_f]Lindy[/name_f] writes, but they get one another, which is most important. This includes an initial confusion as to their dad’s closeness with [name_m]Davide[/name_m], however since [name_f]Lindy[/name_f] came to understand it, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] is trying more to herself.

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@I.have.no.idea
@moonwriteen
@chamwue
@mynameis1
@Era_Laine
@olivelovesnames
@ElisabethJulie

[chamwue]

cw: unlikeable character. quite literally a gaslighting, gatekeeping girlboss. bullying mentions

[name_f]Arina[/name_f] " [name_m]Ari[/name_m] " Evdokiya Konyachev (17) is one of the people that [name_f]Iris[/name_f] is avoiding. A rising social media influencer, [name_m]Ari[/name_m] is beautiful and absolutely knows it. [name_m]Ever[/name_m] since she was a child, she realised how much she could get away with her looks— pretty privilege goes a long way— and loves getting what she wants, whenever she wants.

[name_m]Ari[/name_m] and [name_f]Iris[/name_f] knew each other since middle school, when [name_m]Ari[/name_m] was less manipulative and more kind. She only started changing when she first started doing Instagram seriously; she found out that social media was full of pretty girls like her and that she wasn’t the breakout star she hoped to be. As a result, [name_m]Ari[/name_m] became ridiculously competitive in all aspects of her life: beauty, grades, and dating. It’s no wonder that [name_m]Ari[/name_m] became a bonafide gossip machine— she’s trying to take down all her perceived competitors.

She’d even go so far as to say that she doesn’t consider her core friend group to be her true friends— Ari’s ended up surrounding herself with like-minded people that view the world in the same way. Contrary to what her Instagram shows, [name_m]Ari[/name_m] isn’t happy with her life; she wants to live a life of glitz and glamour. But when all the world’s a contest, and all the people are merely contestants, can you really be happy?

The worst thing [name_m]Ari[/name_m] has done was spread a lie about her former friend, about how she was kissing boys left and right and cheating on them. This, of course, was not true at all— [name_m]Ari[/name_m] just spread this rumour because her friend got a better grade than her last year. This caused the girl to become a social pariah, while [name_m]Ari[/name_m] just looked on and smirked to herself. The repercussions didn’t matter, she was merely taking out the competition. Was that so bad?

The one person who’s trying to reign in [name_m]Ari[/name_m] and her behaviour is her older brother. Her older brother knows that [name_m]Ari[/name_m] wasn’t always like this (well, she was definitely not as bad as she is now), and that if she’s on this warpath, then she’s going to alienate everyone around her. [name_m]Ari[/name_m], though, thinks that he doesn’t get it— even though she’s wrong. Her brother used to be a famous influencer, and recently left social media due to the toxic environment that he created for himself. He doesn’t want [name_m]Ari[/name_m] to fall into the same trap he did, but he’s afraid he’s too late.

Outside of her “friend group”, the one person [name_m]Ari[/name_m] is truly close to is her childhood best friend who lives across the country. She feels as if she can be herself around them, and is inwardly terrified to find out what’s going to happen if they find out what kind of person she is today. Of course, [name_m]Ari[/name_m] would never admit that. She’s perfect. She has to be.

[kitkatcookie]

tw: discussions of mass murder; grief; PTSD; me shamelessly inserting a film i enjoyed into CAF canon [sorry]

[name_f]Daisy[/name_f] [name_f]Veronica[/name_f] [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] (17) is Ari’s one genuine friend and resident of Massachusettes, firmly removed from the cruel, pettily vindictive antics of her dear friend. The two became inseparable at summer camp when they were both nine, after [name_m]Ari[/name_m] stopped [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] from being forced into a swimming lesson by an older kid who wasn’t listening to the fact [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] had an ear infection that would be inflamed by plunging her into lake water. This bravery would unfortunately become the confidence [name_m]Ari[/name_m] now uses against her rivals, and if [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] knew her praise of it resulted in such channelling, she’d be pretty blatantly mortified.

There’s a natural explanation for why [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] has remained ignorant to Ari’s true nature, and it’s not pretty, pleasant or something she mentions often. In 2016, her older sister [name_f]Leah[/name_f] went missing for two months while working on a film school project investigating an unsolved family homicide. This was the winter following [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] and [name_m]Ari[/name_m] meeting at the camp, leading to their long distance communication intensifying as [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] wanted to keep her mind off of the likelihood something terrible had befallen her only sibling.

Being fourteen years younger than [name_f]Leah[/name_f] made her Daisy’s hero, and the horror of their parents was something her youth didn’t make her ignorant to either. In a shock to everyone, [name_f]Leah[/name_f] was found, barely alive, in a hidden shelter being used by the culprit for multiple killings, and the subsequent years have been incredibly stressful for everyone. Her trauma, and sense of guilt over how she handled the investigation have made her a much more withdrawn person, in spite of the fact she did get a dangerous person taken off the streets ultimately. It’s made [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] a more reflective person too, and she’s actually considered becoming a criminal profiler to prevent something similar happening…but how [name_f]Leah[/name_f] will take this is going to be a huge deciding factor, never mind what [name_m]Ari[/name_m] might think or say.

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The Lost Tapes of Leah Sullivan

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for aforementioned kidnapping and murders.

[name_m]Danylo[/name_m] “ [name_m]Dano[/name_m] “ [name_m]Artyom[/name_m] Konyachev (25) is Ari’s brother, who’s loosely known Daisy’s sister [name_f]Leah[/name_f] due to his love for true crime. Admittedly, he sometimes wishes he was farther away from that drama, although he’s fine where he is. He lives in [name_m]Ontario[/name_m] too, but not in Toronto with his parents and sister. He lives near his cousin [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] [name_m]Moroz[/name_m], a publicist who works with celebrities but doesn’t want fame for himself. [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] could tactically do this but chooses not to and both he and [name_m]Dano[/name_m] are glad [name_m]Ari[/name_m] is at the very least not like a certain client [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] helps, even if she is a nicer person than [name_m]Ari[/name_m]. [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] recently got married and is currently on a honeymoon, so [name_m]Dano[/name_m] is fine with attention off him even if [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] isn’t around right now. [name_m]Dano[/name_m] was an influencer and made a big “Goodbye” video when he left, but he didn’t want to per sé. He just didn’t want to ghost his fans, even though he never liked the term “influencer”. He was originally a gaming YouTuber who played mostly crime games. He didn’t even show his face in videos and everyone was expecting him to face reveal in his Goodbye video, but he didn’t, which led people mystified. A little let down, but hey, they’ll live. He knows he’s had toxic fans that he’s tried to stop, but they never did, and he knew this was hurting his image as a person. For a long time, he wished he consulted [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] about this to help his reputation, but [name_m]Dano[/name_m] realised he didn’t really want to be famous and wanted to play games. He needed the videos monetised to help him but now, he figured it was time to focus more on his passions outside his hobbies, like his desire to pursue a career in the education department.

[name_m]Dano[/name_m] has been invested in a similar true crime case, and even looked into the family previously murdered by Leah’s kidnapper. He’s kept this mostly secret from his sister since he feels she will inquire, ruining her one true bond she has, even if [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] lives in the States and has a long-distance friendship. [name_m]Dano[/name_m] wants nothing to do with the way [name_m]Ari[/name_m] has been treating her friend group in and out. He doesn’t know why [name_m]Ari[/name_m] spread those lies about her former friend being a cheater or who’s even still friends with her. [name_m]Dano[/name_m] sees [name_m]Ari[/name_m] as more of a chick flick villain than a real sister, so he’s glad to avoid her. [name_m]Chick[/name_m] flicks are not his style of movie, but not “because he’s male” since he does have a male best friend who’s always kind but has a ravenous guilty pleasure for chick flicks. [name_m]Dano[/name_m] just loves crime, horror, and mystery flicks and enjoys going on IMDb to write reviews on why he likes these films. He hasn’t discussed this with [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] for obvious reasons and doesn’t have the contact to talk to her, so he feels anything about him that [name_m]Ari[/name_m] says about him is likely what [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] might think. [name_m]Dano[/name_m] can’t tell if [name_m]Ari[/name_m] would say anything about him because he’s “not important enough in her life anymore” or whether she’d take no hesitation airing his dirty laundry. He’s only just learned of [name_f]Leah[/name_f] and is shocked by this, but feels it’s best not to contact her for now since she is technically a stranger to him…plus she would be even less enamoured by the idea of media publicity than him.

Pasha was created by me.

[cara_murvolio]

CW: manipulative behaviour & scheming

[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] " [name_f]Lou[/name_f] " [name_f]Florence[/name_f] Pelletier (17) is one of Ari’s ‘frenemies’ who Dano’s met a few times and finds to be baffling, most of all as she’s the head of the social circle his sister associates with, even if she doesn’t like them. [name_f]Lou[/name_f] doesn’t seem a fitting as a leadership figure. She’s quiet and soft-spoken. What she is good at is asking questions…although they aren’t the nicest or easiest to answer. If life is a competition to [name_m]Ari[/name_m], it’s a game of chess to [name_f]Lou[/name_f], who always enjoys outplaying and strategizing, even though it means she’s less flash than most of her friends.

Although she’s aware of Dano’s former fame and status, [name_f]Lou[/name_f] seems quite disinterested, mostly because she doesn’t like giving people any indication they have power over her, most of all [name_m]Ari[/name_m]. She doesn’t have the full insight into the other girl but isn’t blind to her indifference where the group is concerned and knows there’s not any real weight in how she views the others, which is where [name_m]Ari[/name_m] and [name_f]Lou[/name_f] diverge. Those she hangs out with are genuinely her friends, even if she’s not the warmest or most well-intentioned person.

Manipulating for your own benefit isn’t what [name_f]Lou[/name_f] dislikes - she’s very personable with other members of the schools’ most popular and prominent circles to keep herself in good grace - but it’s boundaries and mutual respect being violated, something Ari’s’ lie definitely is classed as. And [name_f]Lou[/name_f] has become more aware of this lately. She and her best friend, a member of the schools’ events committee, have been meeting often to discuss what they suspect [name_m]Ari[/name_m] had done…and it’s worth retribution.

[chamwue]

cw: manipulative behaviour, scheming

[name_f]Angela[/name_f] " [name_f]Angie[/name_f] " Yeoreum Yoon (17) is one of Ari’s ‘frenemies’ and an actual friend of [name_f]Lou[/name_f]. If [name_f]Lou[/name_f] runs the social circle, [name_f]Angie[/name_f] is her secretary. At first glance, [name_f]Angie[/name_f] seems to be the leader of the friend group— she’s charismatic and gregarious, often beaming at teachers and students alike. She’s also captain of the varsity cheer squad, and she has a picture-perfect smile. But [name_f]Angie[/name_f] knows [name_f]Lou[/name_f] can play most like a fiddle, and [name_f]Angie[/name_f] herself feels more comfortable when she’s pulling strings so Lou’s plans come into fruition. Like [name_f]Lou[/name_f], [name_f]Angie[/name_f] sees life as a game of chess, something that she has to play carefully to not lose.

The only daughter to a fashion designer mother and lawyer father, [name_f]Angie[/name_f] is the beloved daughter of two affluent members of society. She gets good grades and plans on becoming a fashion designer, just like her mum.

[name_f]Angie[/name_f] is well-aware of people like [name_m]Ari[/name_m]— insecure girls who’s only joy is hurting other people. She finds [name_m]Ari[/name_m] a little pathetic; the way she struts around like she’s desperately trying to convince herself that everything is okay is downright sad. Besides, [name_f]Angie[/name_f] thinks of their friend group as genuine friends— sure, they’re all a little mean, but they all have each other’s backs. Well, except for [name_m]Ari[/name_m]. But that’s not Angie’s problem, is it?

She knows [name_f]Lou[/name_f] is coming up with something with the girl on the school events committee— which is exciting, because the next big event their school has is a huge pep rally with other, prestigious schools. [name_f]Angie[/name_f] doesn’t know the full story, but she doesn’t have to, 'cause she trusts Lou’s going to make it spectacular.

Angie’s brand of manipulation isn’t outright antagonistic; if it was, she’d be expelled by now. Her preferred method of getting things her way is subtle comments here, a saccharine-sweet insult there. She’s not proud of it, but it’s something she does to get what she wants.

Besides, Angie’s got information about [name_m]Ari[/name_m]— apparently she likes a boy on the basketball team. She’s dropped this hint towards [name_f]Lou[/name_f] and her friends, perhaps some ammunition they can use later. In the meantime, she’s busy taking cute selfies for Instagram and having fun with her friends.

[kitkatcookie]

[name_f]Sojourner[/name_f] " Suza " [name_f]Adeline[/name_f] Phelt (17) is Lou’s bestie, Angie’s close friend and member of the Events Committee, a position she is actually responsible with, in spite of some assuming she just got involved to meddle and gatekeep. To many of their classmates, Suza is tolerable: not liked, but you can just about relax around her…unless you’re in a group project, then even prayer can’t save you. A Type A personality in every sense of the word, Suza loves order, which is why she’s so fond if [name_f]Lou[/name_f] and [name_f]Angie[/name_f], as they help to create this, even if their methods are unorthodox.

It’s also why [name_m]Ari[/name_m] is her worst nightmare, spreading chaos with her goal to amass absolute social dominance. Rules are rules for a reason, and when [name_f]Lou[/name_f] told Suza she suspects [name_m]Ari[/name_m] defamed another girl for her own emotional gain, this was worth scrutiny in Suzas’ eyes. The fallen social figure in question actually used to be involved in planning events for the school and Suza raited her abilities highly, but when the scandal broke, she sided with the other committee members to stop anarchy being unleashed. Knowing this all could have been baseless has made her incredibly unhappy, as Suza does believe in setting aside differences for the greater good, and with the help of [name_f]Angie[/name_f], she’s considering trying to rejuvinate this girls’ image for the wider social scenes benefit.

Her homelife is actually quite unusual when compared to the group she’s part of. Suza has an older brother who’s been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, but they’re actually close in spite of his less empathetic and impulsive nature clashing with her need for order and surprising level of self-reflection beneath a veneer of disinterest. With her brother, Suza understands his callous attitude at times isn’t personal, and he doesn’t interfere with her orderly nature. He’s actually studying psychology to understand more about himself and woe betide anyone who calls him ‘Patrick Bateman’…aside from Suza herself, as it’s a joke they’ve developed as siblings.

[chamwue]

cw: homophobia & christians being bad christians, mental health problems

[name_f]Margaux[/name_f] [name_f]Asha[/name_f] [name_m]Gauthier[/name_m] (17) is also a member of the Events Committee, and a friend of Suza. She doesn’t know [name_f]Lou[/name_f] and [name_f]Angie[/name_f] that well, but she gets along with them just fine. She’s not incredibly social, but she knows how to make people not hate her. She thinks that she can be civil with most people— of course, excluding your typical assholes.

[name_f]Margaux[/name_f], however, is all-too aware of [name_f]Arina[/name_f] " [name_m]Ari[/name_m] " Konyachev, the girl who ruined her girlfriend’s life. She and her girlfriend were dating in secret— mainly because of her girlfriend’s family, whom are born-again Christians and deeply homophobic— and when things seemed to go well, [name_m]Ari[/name_m] had to blow everything up by spreading the rumour that her girlfriend was cheating on a lot of boys. [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] found the rumour to be absolutely ridiculous; her girlfriend was a lesbian, and her “boyfriend” was their friend who was pretending to date her. Besides, all this chaos for just kissing? [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] hates to think how the student body would react if someone actually had physical relations with someone they shouldn’t— the entire building would explode.

The reason why [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] hates [name_m]Ari[/name_m] isn’t just about the rumour— [name_m]God[/name_m] knows that [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] has spread some nasty gossip before— it’s about how it’s affected her girlfriend. The two are polar opposites; [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] is the tough, scary one while her girlfriend would rather die than kill a mosquito. She had to see her girlfriend fall apart in the wake of the rumour, and even though her girlfriend still has friends, it hurt [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] to see such a positive person crumble into herself. [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] thinks that what [name_m]Ari[/name_m] did was despicable, and wants to see her get taken down a peg.

Because of how emotionally involved she is in the situation, [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] wasn’t able to talk to Suza about the whole situation— she just made some comments here and there about how [name_m]Ari[/name_m] “doesn’t know when to shut the hell up”— but after she’s overheard Suza question Ari’s character, she’s burning to tell her the whole truth. [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] hopes that Suza can help change the public’s perception of her girlfriend, because she deserves the world.

Her brother has been a huge source of comfort in this situation. He’s five years older than her and gives her advice about what she should do. He’s fully supportive of her and her girlfriend’s relationship, and soothes [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] when she’s about to do something drastic. He reminds her that stooping down to Ari’s level would make [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] the same type of person that she is, and [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] would hate to be that type of person.

[kitkatcookie]

cw: rumour mill around cheating; religious homophobia; aformentioned murder + kidnapping

[name_f]Miriam[/name_f] " [name_f]Miri[/name_f] " [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f] Purdough (17) is Margaux’s girlfriend and the person [name_m]Ari[/name_m] orchestrated the downfall of because of the matter of the grading of a biology project. All it took was the praise of [name_f]Miri[/name_f] contributing something deemed unique and inventive by their teacher to set off the chain of events that led to her being branded a cheater and a liar, with some people insisting she couldn’t have made her own work because it was ‘far too credible for someone with her morals’. Being treated as a pariah and contemptible at that was so devastating [name_f]Miri[/name_f] almost switched school to a religious academy her parents have long admired - they just couldn’t get their daughter to agree to the entrance exam.

Thankfully [name_f]Margaux[/name_f] and their friend, Miris’ fake boyfriend, talked her out of this decision, as she would’ve been truly miserable in the heart of all her mother and father stand for. Often they bemoan her sense of dress for being ‘too masculine’, insisting it’s unnecessary as [name_f]Miri[/name_f] has a younger brother so why would they want a daughter who isn’t enamoured with feminine aesthetics? [name_f]Miri[/name_f] just hasn’t ever found that they appeal to her, and at the very least has managed to convince them she’ll be taken more seriously in academics by avoiding the prairie dresses…for now.

There’s an extra irony in the sense [name_f]Miri[/name_f] actually is one of the few people at school aware that [name_m]Ari[/name_m] knows [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m], sister of the infamous Massachusettes Maniac, as the media dubbed the man now arrested for kidnapping [name_f]Leah[/name_f] and killing numerous others. If [name_m]Ari[/name_m] had any idea [name_f]Miri[/name_f] knew this she’d contemplate abandoning their school herself, given what [name_f]Daisy[/name_f] would think about her behaviour towards [name_f]Miri[/name_f] solely for outdoing her in one class, and without any malicious intent. This is why [name_f]Miri[/name_f] has been trying to build up the confidence to approach [name_f]Lou[/name_f] and Suza about whatever retribution they’ve got planned, as the last thing she wants is to convince [name_m]Ari[/name_m] that her only path in life is playing the villain, even if forgiveness will take much longer to come from her.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for homophobia, aforementioned kidnapping/murder, and never knowing biological family.

[name_m]Xun[/name_m] [Chen] [name_m]Yee[/name_m] (18) is the friend and former “fake boyfriend” of [name_f]Miri[/name_f], who also goes to her school. [name_m]Xun[/name_m] himself is also gay and had harsh parents growing up, although [name_m]Xun[/name_m] was adopted as an infant. He never truly knew his birth family, as his adoptive parents always acted like saviours in his life and that he didn’t need to know about the family he had before. [name_m]Xun[/name_m] reluctantly accepts this but still in a sense wanted answers. He’s Shuang’s half-brother biologically but the two have never met. Though his adoptive parents gave the vibe they’d do anything for [name_m]Xun[/name_m], they never gave him nearly as much respect since coming out to them, and would punish him if he acted “too open” with them about men. Which is why he doesn’t actually live with them. When [name_m]Xun[/name_m] became a legal adult, a best friend of his let him live with his family during the remainder of his year before college, an unusual but very blessed arrangement. [name_m]Xun[/name_m] was still a juvenile at the time of the fake relationship with [name_f]Miri[/name_f] and had not come out to many people at the time; just his parents, [name_f]Miri[/name_f], his aforementioned friend, and that friend’s family. [name_m]Xun[/name_m], his biological family, and his adoptive family are all Chinese but Xun’s friend’s family isn’t – although they welcome him to celebrate his culture.

He has only heard of the [name_m]Sullivan[/name_m] family through [name_f]Miri[/name_f] although he’s questioned whether to ponder on that. Admittedly [name_m]Xun[/name_m] gets nervous when bad influences get in the way of his friendships but he and [name_f]Miri[/name_f] have done everything they can to make sure Ari’s lies didn’t destroy their friendship. [name_m]Xun[/name_m] is glad [name_f]Miri[/name_f] didn’t switch out to avoid her parents, but knows she doesn’t have the luck he has since Xun’s best friend’s family only has one guest room and [name_f]Miri[/name_f] is still a juvenile. So on a legal sense it would be like kidnapping, a word [name_m]Xun[/name_m] wouldn’t let drop so easily after hearing about [name_f]Leah[/name_f]. Although [name_f]Leah[/name_f] was an adult, she was never consenting in this, especially since her kidnapper had already been a past murderer! [name_m]Xun[/name_m] secretly wants to know about the tapes, a very important key aspect, but admittedly doesn’t think he could handle that. It lingers in his mind a little and he can’t imagine how that has to be for [name_f]Daisy[/name_f]. [name_m]Xun[/name_m] is more laid-back in school and life despite drama, feeling he’s better off not being in an integral group, and staying far away from [name_m]Ari[/name_m]. However since he’s never met [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], he’s not affected by how she feels about staying friends with [name_m]Ari[/name_m], since it’s not a forefront problem to her. [name_m]Xun[/name_m] loves to read and is a fan of comedy skits, watching them a lot with his best friend and that family.

Shuang was created by me.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_m]Zachary[/name_m] [name_m]Todd[/name_m] [name_m]King[/name_m] (18) is Xun’s friend, who’s letting him stay with his family. He also attends the same school. His older sister actually attended [name_m]Harvard[/name_m] in Cambridge, Massachusetts but returned to [name_m]Ontario[/name_m] after. He and his sister love mysteries and enigmatic stories but only if they are true. His family is happy to let [name_m]Xun[/name_m] stay and are supportive of who he is. He has a part time job after school as a hot dog vendor. He thinks [name_m]Ari[/name_m] is beautiful but a mean person.

[kitkatcookie]

[name_f]Eva[/name_f] [name_f]Diane[/name_f] [name_m]King[/name_m] (24) is Zachary’s sister, newly homebound after her time spent studying in Massachusetts, having majored in pattern and graphic design. Although she considered remaining in the States to settle down, [name_f]Eva[/name_f] found the cost of living to be too overwhelming as a recent graduate, and most of the friends she made during her studies have likewise decided to return to their families. There was, of course, bickering between she and [name_m]Zachary[/name_m] upon this return, as [name_f]Eva[/name_f] has a lot of stuff which means reshuffling where his belongings go in the various storage points around the home. She chalks this up to being sentimental, he says messy, their parents have thankfully found a way to make them compromise.

What sweetened Eva’s return is that she didn’t come alone! She brought with her Noodle, a hamster she rescued while in her last year of university in a series of events mostly relating to a couple she lived near to breaking up and neither party wanting him, as it was allegedly too upsetting to be in the presence of a shared pet - so [name_f]Eva[/name_f] ended up taking custody. Although it was a bit of a headache returning to [name_f]Canada[/name_f] with him, [name_f]Eva[/name_f] wouldn’t have things any other way, and Zachary’s friends have become very fond of Noodle, who’s surprisingly sociable.

This relationship, and its many, many woes, are why [name_f]Eva[/name_f] jokes she’s even more certain of her own asexuality, as she couldn’t imagine being happy amidst so much stress and chaos [it seemed that was all this couple had]. Neither party was a bad person exactly, they just were unrealistic in their expectations and lacked good communication skills, spelling disaster and Noodle being put through his own version of eviction. In spite of the headache of such events, she’s been a listening ear to her brother amidst his own high school drama, and while proud of her mom and dad’s kindness towards [name_m]Xun[/name_m], Eva’s not surprised as they’ve always been this way.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f]Antonie[/name_f] “ [name_f]Andie[/name_f] ” [name_f]Zélie[/name_f] [name_m]Cox[/name_m] (24) is Eva’s good friend prior to her time in college, which she is overjoyed to see again. She’s different from Eva’s personality yet still relates to [name_f]Eva[/name_f] a lot. Andie’s a lot like a “goofy puppy eager to see her owner” as said by her sister [name_m]Matty[/name_m], who works on a plane. [name_f]Andie[/name_f] can’t see herself doing anything far away but she doesn’t mind when others do. They sometimes assume she won’t be able to take it, but she is genuinely supportive of people’s life decisions, even if she misses them. Admittedly she couldn’t keep a long-distance relationship, she’s tried, but it’s hardly viable for her. She also doesn’t do online dating; she’s tried to make a profile but it was obvious she wasn’t going to get matches. Not when her profile says where she sees herself in 5 years is “idk”, her best feature is “not my fivehead”, and what she sees in a person is “someone I won’t be embarrassed to say I date”. That profile has since been deleted and some find it surprising she’d do dating sites even though she’s an adult. That’s because she’s been raised by parents who were quite strict and stern, and she remembers the time she was grounded for a month when she told them she was studying at the library when she was truly at a party.

Granted, her parents have been more self-aware of their behaviour and they’ve never judged [name_f]Andie[/name_f] for being bisexual, even in their most strict moments. [name_m]Matty[/name_m] is more reserved, though she’s broken out of her shell a few times. She’s really hit it off with [name_m]Sully[/name_m]! [name_f]Andie[/name_f] has met [name_m]Sully[/name_m] and finds him great for her sister and even the [name_m]Cox[/name_m] parents have called him “Matty’s prince”. [name_f]Andie[/name_f] knows [name_m]Sully[/name_m] is also interested in both men and women, something she’s related to as a bisexual. Though she’s not assuming his sexuality and knows the world is full of openness and different types of attraction. [name_f]Andie[/name_f] is very supportive of Eva’s asexuality and had a feeling of it but wasn’t sure. [name_f]Eva[/name_f] was the one who convinced her the dating sites weren’t working out and Andie’s happy for that and agreed. [name_f]Andie[/name_f] isn’t openly looking for love despite her supportive nature for people though she’ll happily fangirl for [name_m]Matty[/name_m] and [name_m]Sully[/name_m]. [name_f]Andie[/name_f] loves Eva’s bond with Noodle and she’s considered getting her own pet, given her desire for one, and her job locating and rescuing animals. She’s found it sweet that the [name_m]King[/name_m] family is so kind, especially in ways she wishes her parents were sometimes, though she knows Xun’s parents are worse. The [name_m]King[/name_m] parents consider Noodle a part of the [name_m]King[/name_m] family, which [name_f]Andie[/name_f] will always consider wholesome. She is really close to [name_f]Eva[/name_f] though she’s stopped getting so clingy as she was as a kid, and knows when to let people be for the sake of the friendship.

Matty was created by @jinxed_peach.

Sully was created by @kitkatcookie.

[I_meme_it]

warning: unlikeable character; judgemental behaviour

[name_m]Timothy[/name_m] ’ [name_m]Tim[/name_m] ’ [name_m]Owen[/name_m] Ryder-Quaid (26) is Andie’s most recent ex, one of the guys she met through an app, and probably the most disliked of the people she’s dated. A stereotypical gym bro, Tim’s a professional body builder, known for his absolute devotion to improving his physical health and body. This wasn’t the issue between him and [name_f]Andie[/name_f], it was Tim’s attitude and world views where health is concerned. Tim’s very much the kind of person who projects his values outwards, regardless of what the detriment to other people this could be. His obsession with working out is something [name_m]Tim[/name_m] believes others should share, and he can be presumptuous when commenting on other people’s lifestyles, not taking into account the pressures that can get in the way of others fitness.

Although he was never cruel or harsh towards [name_f]Andie[/name_f], this exceptional idea wasn’t something she was comfortable with. [name_m]Tim[/name_m] has his obvious inner circle of loved one’s who he doesn’t judge or interrogate about their lives, however Andie’s not the sort of person who enjoys just sitting back and watching someone tear into others or ask them intrusive questions.

To [name_m]Tim[/name_m] it’s something perfectly normal - his parents have always pried into other people, including [name_f]Andie[/name_f] when he introduced her to them - but the bigger issue for others is how he has such a hard time admitting he’s been wrong or has spoken out of turn. The ideal of perfection, if it’s his body or the way others view him, makes [name_m]Tim[/name_m] hyper defensive when faced by other’s just asking why he behaves the way he does. This has caused him to fall out with several friends and, of course, it’s ended relationships, including the one he and [name_f]Andie[/name_f] built up together. It hurt him more than he admits to people though, even all these years after their break-up.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for aforementioned fake friend and attempted baby trapping.

[name_f]Alba[/name_f] [name_f]Alexis[/name_f] [name_m]Burkitt[/name_m] (28) is a former friend of Tim’s and somewhat of a friend to other former friends [name_m]Tim[/name_m] had. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] doesn’t want this to become a “Tim hate club” and it won’t be, the group talks about way more than just [name_m]Tim[/name_m], and they’ve realised they have a lot in common despite their differences. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] has a dating app horror story that [name_m]Tim[/name_m] knew about, and [name_m]Tim[/name_m] never misjudged [name_f]Alba[/name_f] about something typically misjudged, so this made them easy friends. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] has a younger sister but never bossed her around or treated her as lesser. The two are actually very close despite their vastly different appearances. Close friends of either would say that the personalities of the two is a dead giveaway their siblings. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] always used to dress like a rockstar despite never being one, though it was a way of expression, not a way of being a poseur. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] is less glam now but has improved in music, especially electric guitar. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] also has met [name_f]Eva[/name_f] before and naturally thinks her bling and bangles are awesome.

Though [name_f]Alba[/name_f] isn’t a “beefcake” like [name_m]Tim[/name_m], the gym was never a burden for [name_f]Alba[/name_f]. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] teaches an aerobics spin class, which is a fun and calming class. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] used to do rhythmic gymnastics as a teen, which helped in this inspiration. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] knows people find artistic gymnastics “cooler” but doesn’t mind and feels all gymnasts, past or present, have the likeminded soul. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] respects buff people ironically, thinking how hard they work for their bodies. It’s an expression of self-dedication and self-love in Alba’s eyes, which is why [name_f]Alba[/name_f] defends bodybuilders when people criticise them. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] shouldn’t have been friends with [name_m]Tim[/name_m] for as long as it gotten, but [name_f]Alba[/name_f] admittedly respected Tim’s natural physique as opposed to a ‘roids physique. [name_m]Even[/name_m] despite Alba’s slim figure, it’s not hard to determine anymore who is fake. A skill [name_f]Alba[/name_f] learned from [name_m]Tim[/name_m]. But the friendship between [name_m]Tim[/name_m] and [name_f]Alba[/name_f] faded when [name_f]Alba[/name_f] knew [name_m]Tim[/name_m] was impatient. Giving the vibe of, “When is [name_f]Alba[/name_f] actually going to start working out like me?” This became more apparent when [name_f]Alba[/name_f] stepped out of Tim’s inner circle, because then it only got more judgmental. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] doesn’t want Tim’s pity and gets embarrassed by him, but breaking off the friendship was hard. The only reason why [name_f]Alba[/name_f] was feeling any sort of friendship from [name_m]Tim[/name_m] as opposed to the other toxic gym bros is because of one thing others would think that [name_m]Tim[/name_m] didn’t. The other toxic gym guys thought [name_f]Alba[/name_f] was a woman. [name_m]Tim[/name_m] knew [name_f]Alba[/name_f] was a man.

[name_f]Alba[/name_f] never wanted to be perfect and he felt scared leaving [name_m]Tim[/name_m]. He was often on his toes worried that something imperfect about him would ruin everything. Granted [name_m]Tim[/name_m] has feelings, but he could set them aside for his perfect vision, which [name_f]Alba[/name_f] wouldn’t do. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] loves rocking out but feels like he couldn’t be famous since he doesn’t have the thick skin to handle online bullies. He’s looked up a lot to his aforementioned younger sister [name_f]Addie[/name_f] who told him not to stay with his girlfriend who failed to baby trap him with a baby that wasn’t even his. The baby’s since been adopted into a stable family, which is something he’s grateful for, though it’s the only thing [name_f]Alba[/name_f] wants to know about his heinous ex. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] tends to just forget people he was wronged by and he’s perfectly fine trying to never remember [name_m]Tim[/name_m] again. He hates Tim’s parents as well for bringing him up in such a toxic way. He wouldn’t be surprised if any of Tim’s other exes felt the same way about the Ryder-Quaids, though some have caught on that [name_m]Tim[/name_m] isn’t truly happy over these people leaving. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] himself isn’t truly happy leaving [name_m]Tim[/name_m], but at least he knows he wasn’t at fault.

Addie was created by me.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_m]Bradley[/name_m] [name_m]Scott[/name_m] [name_m]Davis[/name_m] (27) is associated with [name_f]Alba[/name_f]. He was seen a lot in an innocent way. This changed when he was exposed. He’s the true father in the baby trap attempt. [name_f]Alba[/name_f] never saw him the same. He too doesn’t care for [name_m]Tim[/name_m]. He works in the gym. But [name_m]Tim[/name_m] discredits him from time to time. He has amazing dance skills. He is honestly a good father.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for aforementioned baby trap.

[name_f]Snegurka[/name_f] [name_f]Olga[/name_f] Moroza (28) is Bradley’s dance partner in professional dancing, though they are strictly dance partners. She is a professional dancer skilled in a lot of dance types and while she’s serious about her art, she knows [name_m]Bradley[/name_m] can dance to escape some of his drama. They are not dating, and she has never been pregnant, let alone with his child. She’s moved from Siberia to Toronto not too long after [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] did, though she’s close with her Russian culture. She still has some Russian tradition in her name, using the feminised Moroza while her brother [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] used [name_m]Moroz[/name_m]. She is also called “ [name_f]Snegurochka[/name_f] “ by family affectionately. She’s had an awkward moment with [name_m]Bradley[/name_m] when she told him to stop calling her [name_f]Snegurochka[/name_f], indicating the two aren’t as close anymore as he thought. She just doesn’t want him to be too much of a drama king himself just because his former friend [name_m]Tim[/name_m] was. Also it doesn’t help that her cousin [name_m]Ari[/name_m] is a drama queen herself, though Snegurka’s chalked this up to teenage drama and doesn’t want her dance partner to be equally dramatic when he’s a decade older. Still, she’s not trying to hurt her connection to [name_m]Bradley[/name_m], since she feels he’s been manipulated by the other woman, being denied as the baby’s father because she wanted it to be [name_f]Alba[/name_f]. She’s glad it worked out for the baby at least and is happy the baby is in a great family.

She understands that, especially through [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] knowing about baby [name_f]Georgia[/name_f], who was the biological daughter of [name_f]Claire[/name_f] [name_m]Thompson[/name_m]. [name_f]Claire[/name_f], the runner-up from The Voice had her as a teen but put her up for adoption. Understandable move, but also considered wrong to [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] and Ritz that she would try to become a celebrity, thinking she knew how to handle herself, when she couldn’t take on motherhood. Granted, [name_f]Claire[/name_f] has listened to Ritz and avoided being exposed for now, which [name_f]Snegurka[/name_f] supports. Claire’s family life is vastly hidden from public eye and she has no other famous relatives. [name_f]Snegurka[/name_f] wishes she could relate since her parents are famous actors in [name_f]Russia[/name_f] and Belarus and tried to get her and [name_m]Pasha[/name_m] to be exactly like them. She can’t tell if [name_m]Bradley[/name_m] grew up in a high pressure home, but knows he grew up with a high pressure gym friend. If he wants to know the baby involved, she’s not going to pry into that but wants the baby to be happy before that introduction is ever made. She knows [name_m]Bradley[/name_m] feels lost over this since he’s never had a chance to meet the child. She understands from her Estonian-Canadian friend [name_m]Margus[/name_m] [name_m]Lukus[/name_m], who was the father of [name_m]Justus[/name_m] Walderen but was previously misled that it was someone else. This was never a baby trap fortunately and [name_f]Nikki[/name_f] Walderen has done a great job with mothering [name_m]Justus[/name_m] throughout that awkward time. [name_m]Margus[/name_m] and [name_m]Justus[/name_m] have since been able to bond more, and for a while, [name_m]Justus[/name_m] only called [name_m]Margus[/name_m] by his first name. [name_m]Margus[/name_m] was completely understanding though he had felt more fatherly and wanted to be called “Dad” though he liked that at least he wasn’t formally called “Mr. Lukus”. [name_m]Justus[/name_m] has since called him “Daddy Margus” in which [name_m]Margus[/name_m] shrugged off, “I’ll take it”. He doesn’t want to explain but he likes that he’s getting there with time despite not realising he was a father until [name_m]Justus[/name_m] was 4. Both have agreed not to change his name to [name_m]Justus[/name_m] [name_m]Lukus[/name_m] and to keep him as [name_m]Justus[/name_m] Walderen. If he wants to hyphenate or combine the surnames later, it will be his choice to do so with no pressure.

[name_f]Snegurka[/name_f] doesn’t want [name_f]Alba[/name_f] to disdain [name_m]Bradley[/name_m] but finds it understanding and wants [name_f]Alba[/name_f] to be heard as well. She feels [name_f]Alba[/name_f] wants a say in this as well, especially since [name_f]Alba[/name_f] too had been wronged by [name_m]Tim[/name_m]. She hopes [name_f]Alba[/name_f] finds some true friends. [name_m]Tim[/name_m] isn’t entirely moralless since he has admittedly felt bad about losing friends and lovers from her personality, though he won’t admit it. It bothers [name_f]Snegurka[/name_f] when people have all the potential in the world to change for the better, but don’t. She finds it quite selfish when someone doesn’t do that or even try for the people they care about. But she’s stayed away from [name_m]Tim[/name_m] most of the time and feels he wouldn’t listen to her. She wishes there was someone who he could listen to about these things. [name_f]Snegurka[/name_f] herself is in a relationship, met through the phone, though it’s not from a dating app. They had a nice phone conversation when a friend of [name_f]Snegurka[/name_f] set them on a blind date, but let them talk to each other on the phone first to know a little about one another. The conversation was more entertaining and lasted longer than expected. Both were very nice to one another though neither saw each other in person until the date. [name_f]Snegurka[/name_f] finds it unusual to hear her date before actually seeing, but likes how they were able to click so well. She finds this way more effective than the “reverse” – which is seeing a date’s attractive photos first before dating or conversing. She jokes all about how love is blind but she had too many times where people wouldn’t listen. So she enjoys that she and her partner are both great listeners and have such interesting discussions.

Pasha, Justus, and Margus were created by me.

Ari was created by @chamwue.

Ritz and Nikki were created by @kitkatcookie.

Georgia and Claire were created by @Lindseylloyd052399.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Virginia[/name_f] [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] Duplantier (27) is Snegurka’s friend who set up that date. She dislikes [name_m]Tim[/name_m] but thinks he is hot. She is a pro dancer. She wants a big family someday like she grew up with. She loves dogs. Her fave color is blue. She wishes to be on the Voice too. [name_m]Bradley[/name_m] is nice to her.

[CherryBomb50]

Melisande Alice Smith (28) is Virginia’s friend and Snegurka’s girlfriend. She believes in the phrase “love is blind” though she’s insistent to anyone who falsely thinks her sister has an eye problem – it’s just an obsession with coloured contacts! Melisande’s firm on the idea of having some (vocal) contact before the blind date she had. It makes her less nervous and if she decided she didn’t want to go forward, she could say it on the phone rather than face-to-face. She gets very socially awkward, which is why she doesn’t like to admit she dislikes her job in customer service at the local fair. She only stays because she insists “no one else should have to suffer through this”. She’d rather operate the rides or help with the performers. Ironically her sister Lizzie Belle was a performer the previous year, even if it wasn’t planned. Melisande was sad she didn’t get to watch it, since she was on shift and Lizzie Belle’s performance selection was last-minute. But she knows her sister made a lot of people happy, even if Melisande still insists she’s Lizzie Belle’s biggest supporter. Lizzie Belle knows she didn’t really perform in front of millions, but Melisande will let her enjoy the moment all she wants. After all, Melisande’s customer service job at the fair feels like millions nag at her.

Melisande and Lizzie Belle are being more low-key for Canada Day. They’re both spending the day with their dates but also making it chill and low-key. So no chance anyone’s gonna randomly have a baby named Céline Dion Canada Smith. This is the first Canada Day that Melisande doesn’t have to work at the fair, so she’s stoked for a break, especially since the fair gets crowded that day. Melisande grew up as a camper for a week at Camp Kikinaw which she has many fond memories of. But honestly can’t imagine working the entire summer there and needs days to do other stuff, so she hasn’t decided to counsel there. She’s happy for other campers going, like Lark and Merritt Porter, and Melisande gets along with the staff too. Melisande still likes the camp songs and crafts, and she and Snegurka have made each other some camp-inspired friendship bracelets. She and Snegurka are both casual but click so well in dating, in a way where they can be serious without insisting they are or going too fast in their relationship. Melisande doesn’t care about Tim and nothing about him will change her, though she feels bad for anyone who’s felt pushed away by him. Melisande isn’t as hyper as her sister and is more relaxed, but their differences complement in a positive way on each other’s lives. Likewise she feels this way with Virginia and supports her too.

---

Happy Canada Day to the Canadians!

Lizzie Belle was created by @Lindseylloyd052399.

Lark was created by @I_meme_it.

Merritt was created by @I.have.no.idea.

Camp Kikinaw originates from This game.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Skye[/name_f] [name_f]Michelle[/name_f] [name_m]Jones[/name_m] (27) is Melisande’s friend who also works at the county fair. She loves summer! When she’s not working at the fair, she works for her godmother. She wants to be a godmother one day too and can’t stop talking about being one for her friends who expect babies. She loves music, especially summer jams. She’s also a peaceful protester for causes that matter dear to her. She likes to get loud and she’ll fight for people to hear her voice.