[name_m]Steven[/name_m] “ [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] “ [name_u]Timothy[/name_u] Vardy (18) is Javier’s best friend. He’s the fraternal twin brother of [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] Vardy. [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] also loves Gothic literature and is in the Gothic culture. All of his siblings are into the arts, with [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] loving theatre and [name_u]Elias[/name_u] loving music. He’s not in Elias’s band but still likes music anyway and likes to play with [name_m]Javier[/name_m] the best. He supports [name_m]Javier[/name_m] and his significant other but has a secret he’ll never tell: he used to be attracted to Javier’s S.O. He’s gotten over it and he won’t tell anyone because his friendship with [name_m]Javier[/name_m] is more important than a former attraction to someone happily dating his best friend. Still, [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] hopes there could be a good love interest for him too…
[name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] [name_u]Jet[/name_u] Sanderby (18) is Javier’s significant other and the person [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] used to have a crush on. One of the co-presidents of their schools LGTBQIA+ Alliance, Lorelei’s time coming out as non-binary hasn’t been entirely easy. While their dad didn’t outright reject them for being open about their identity, he kept insinuating [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] was merely seeking attention as a response to the birth of their younger half-brother, and it led to them opting to not visit him, their stepmum or newborn sibling for some time until they received the love and respect they deserve. Things are still a little shaky on that side of the family, and [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] doesn’t fully trust their dad because of how quick he was to attack their identity, but at least he uses the correct pronouns for them and doesn’t question them anymore (or make baseless, offensive accusations). They’re especially glad to have had their mom, stepdad and maternal half-sisters during this time, who’ve respected [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] from the moment they opened up to the family and supported them through the discord.
As a fellow musician - who sings alto and plays violin - this is how [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] met both [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] and [name_m]Javier[/name_m], as they exist in similar circles outside of school and they’re best friends with a member of Javier’s band: Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m] - with the relationship blooming when [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] got the film reference hidden within their name, striking up a conversation with him due to a mutual love of horror films. Not all of their friends are art based and [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] enjoys mixing interests as much as possible with peers, meaning they’re frequently mentioning new friends whenever they’re hanging out with [name_m]Javier[/name_m]. This extends especially to their family cat too: a Russian [name_u]Blue[/name_u] named [name_f]Miranda[/name_f], who was a joint [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] gift for them and their sisters five years ago. Their warm, friendly and protective qualities are why [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] fell for them - as they’re always willing to make time for others - but Lorelei’s got a good friend with the same principles and (oblivious to his crush) is planning on doing a bit of matchmaking for Atevie.
[name_u]Finch[/name_u] Ji-ho [name_m]Lim[/name_m] (18) is the lead guitarist and songwriter of Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m], but they’d tell you their job was being Lorelai’s best friend. The two have known each other since they were 10 and have been inseparable ever since. Lorelai’s coming out as nonbinary helped [name_u]Finch[/name_u] realise their gender as well— [name_u]Finch[/name_u] identifies as transmasculine and nonbinary and uses they/he pronouns. They’re out to their nuclear family— their immigrant parents are quite liberal— but know they couldn’t ever come out to their extended family. Sometimes his father slips up on pronouns, but he corrects himself and [name_u]Finch[/name_u] knows that he’s especially loved by them.
[name_u]Finch[/name_u] actually came up with the band name by total mistake— they had to come up with a name for a contest and wrote down the first thing they thought of. Whilst their band’s genre is not heavy, they’re an alternate rock/indie rock band and enjoy the irony of it all. The band as a whole always say that they’re going to change it, but they never do. [name_u]Finch[/name_u] is too attached to the name and hopes the band never changes it.
Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m] isn’t the first band [name_u]Finch[/name_u] was in— they left the band [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph because of the lead singer’s narcissistic behaviours and toxic personality. He’s trying to convince his former bandmates to leave as well, but unfortunately, the lead singer’s blackmailing and manipulation forces them to stay. [name_u]Finch[/name_u] is especially angry that the lead singer is using the drummer’s financial situation against them, and is trying to find a way to solve this personally, but isn’t above pressing charges.
[name_u]Damaris[/name_u] " [name_f]Alice[/name_f] " [name_f]Elysia[/name_f] Akerman (18) is the frontwoman of Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m] and former synth player for [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph who left shortly before Finch…and when things absolutely imploded. [name_f]Alice[/name_f] often provided backing vocals during her time with the band but whenever she received recognition or praise, the lead singer would become hyper sensitive and immediately criticise her for “overstepping her place”. The hostility only became more apparent when [name_u]Finch[/name_u] composed songs requiring multiple vocalists and he had a ‘meeting’ with [name_f]Alice[/name_f] where he accused her of putting [name_u]Finch[/name_u] up to this as a means of ousting him - even threatening to expose her feelings for their lead guitarist as a means of frightening her more. Subsequently, [name_f]Alice[/name_f] left the band shortly after this horrible encounter, believing her exit would ease tensions and stop the lead singer’s behaviour from escalating, but in reality he was always on this path and she’s only heard about how he’s worsened from the others. She’s working with [name_u]Finch[/name_u] to try and help them leave the awful environment he’s created but absolutely understands the impacts of his threats, and how personal he’s willing to go if it means securing control.
[name_f]Alice[/name_f] got her nickname because kids struggled pronouncing her first name growing up and it was an alternate choice for her parents when she was born, being derived from her great-grandma. She’s an only child due to her mother experiencing complications throughout pregnancy, and it was deemed safer that [name_f]Alice[/name_f] was going to be the only birth she’d go through, which does sometimes sadden her as she knows her parents dreamed of having a large family - and raising her meant they didn’t have time to properly consider adoption. They run their own business making custom musical instruments and are both musicians themselves - her dad’s a saxophone player in a jazz band, her mom’s a retired DJ who was popular in early 2000s rave culture - and fully support Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m] in all their endeavours, with [name_f]Alice[/name_f] also doing some DJ based side projects as she was taught about mixing by her mom at a young age.
As for her feelings for [name_u]Finch[/name_u]? Well those still are present and honestly have strengthened since he also left their awful former band environment. [name_f]Alice[/name_f] suspects [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is aware of how she feels but due to the closeness between them and [name_u]Finch[/name_u], never quite knows if they’d be for or against a relationship…and that’s if he even looks at her with any interest! They’ve confided in their best friend - an artist who does EP covers for Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m] - who wants her to be honest in her own time but [name_f]Alice[/name_f] has never felt so strongly about anyone and frankly doesn’t quite know what to do just yet…
[name_f]Marcela[/name_f] [name_f]María[/name_f] [name_m]Rodriguez[/name_m] (18) is a bonding acquaintance of [name_f]Alice[/name_f] and fellow fan of the Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m] players. She’s moved twice in her life, first time from Nicaragua when she was 2 and second time from Wichita, [name_u]Kansas[/name_u] just recently. [name_f]Marcela[/name_f] grew up doing toddler and child beauty pageants when she moved to [name_u]Kansas[/name_u] and did them from when she was 2 to when she was 10. She’s heard every [name_f]Honey[/name_f] [name_u]Boo[/name_u] [name_u]Boo[/name_u] joke but truthfully she didn’t care. She went to school very conceited and always liked to flaunt herself and everything great about her. She was too self-infatuated to realise people actually didn’t like her. It wasn’t until her teenage years when she realised everyone hated her and her goody-two-shoes attitude. She tried to change but no one trusted that she was a changed person and found her “fake” for trying. She didn’t have any friends and no one wanted to be around her.
This wasn’t what [name_f]Marcela[/name_f] pictured herself and she felt so awful for how she acted then. She really wishes she didn’t do those pageants. So for college, she went out-of-state and tried to “start on a new clean slate”. She even told off at the lead singer of [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph, saying, “Look. I was in your spot. I get what it’s like to feel so great performing and think you’re super loved just because you’re a star on stage. I went through the reality of knowing people are not going to praise you for showing who you are if who you are is a complete priss. You keep acting like that and you’ll be friendless like me.” [name_f]Marcela[/name_f] doesn’t know if the lead singer learned anything from that but she hopes he can learn the easy way and not the hard way, which it appears he is going towards the latter and will have just as much, if not more, people against him.
For a long time, [name_f]Marcela[/name_f] didn’t think she’d ever make any friends but has soon gotten a good bond with [name_f]Alice[/name_f]. She’s also become close with Alice’s best friend who does EP covers. [name_f]Marcela[/name_f] herself is afraid of putting herself back out there in terms of fame and genuinely doesn’t know at all whether to do it. She currently works as a stage and tech manager for the band. Sometimes [name_f]Marcela[/name_f] can be a little paranoid in trying to make sure people are happy with her and don’t think she’s a bad person, but [name_f]Alice[/name_f] and her best friend have made [name_f]Marcela[/name_f] feel better about it. [name_f]Marcela[/name_f] doesn’t know about Alice’s feelings for [name_u]Finch[/name_u] but would definitely support it if she knew. Marcela’s only just been opening up about her past in fear of judgement and recently came out as lesbian.
[name_f]Perpetua[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Ximene[/name_f] Godínez (18) is a newer friend of [name_f]Marcela[/name_f], Alice’s best friend and the artist in collaboration with not just Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m], but numerous local bands looking for illustrators - although the aforementioned group always get priority artwork from [name_f]Pippa[/name_f]. Some people consider her a little snobbish given she’s always prone to talking about the artists she admires, theories of application she prefers and whatever her current inspiration is, but it’s enthusiasm that drives [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] - and once you get to know her better, it’s evident she’s not just coming from a place of arrogance. She’s hyper critical of her own work and always striving to improve, to the point of which [name_f]Alice[/name_f] insists upon giving her positive feedback as sometimes Pippa’s hard on herself.
Belonging to the schools Photography Society, as well as being an accomplished cyclist, Pippa’s someone who prefers keeping herself busy as her parents both work long hours: her dad’s a prosecutor, her mom runs an insurance claims department, and subsequently she prefers being around her friends rather than home alone since her older sibling departed for university. She doesn’t do well in silence and finds herself falling into critical thought patterns about her accomplishments, which is something only [name_f]Alice[/name_f] properly knows about, as [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] hates the idea of being looked down upon, given people tend to judge her unfairly enough as it is.
[name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph are the only band blacklisted from her commissions - thanks to the awful frontman who treats everyone around him terribly - and for [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] it’s even more personal, as the lead guitarist is her boyfriend. They went through an on-off period thanks to the ‘tyrant’ (as [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] calls him) declaring the relationship was an unhealthy distraction, and accused her boyfriend of disloyalty; not too unlike his claims that [name_u]Finch[/name_u] and [name_f]Alice[/name_f] were conspiring against him. In spite of her own anger, Pippa’s been clear about not dragging [name_f]Marcela[/name_f] into the ongoing conflict, as she doesn’t want to see her friend’s old reputation used against her, and doesn’t put it past the guy she and her friends loathe so much.
Zia Gwynn Copeland (18) is Pippa’s good friend and backing vocalist for Edge of the Axe. She’s a cousin of of Neve and Keeva Copeland. She also kinda knows what it’s like to have a relationship with a Forest Nymph bandmate — although she never found it a real relationship. She and their infamous lead singer went on a few trips to the local coffee shop and he assumed they were in a serious relationship. Truth is, Zia never thought that, she didn’t even call her coffee shop visits “dates” instead more like “hangouts”. He got offended by her calling them “hangouts” and said she was being a lousy girlfriend. She told him she wasn’t really his girlfriend and she didn’t intend to lead him on, but he just stormed off mumbling, “I can’t believe that brute just broke up with me…”. Zia just shrugged it off. To her, they never “broke up” because they were never seriously dating and she found him too immature for her taste. She doesn’t even call him an ex, just saying he’s “some lunatic I used to associate with”.
She, alongside her 3-year-old Dalmatian named Dottie, have been nothing but supportive of Pippa and deep down, Zia thinks Pippa could do better than the guy she’s with. Still, she knows the lead singer has been controlling to the other members and knows this from his crazy insistence when he claimed she was his girlfriend when she wasn’t. Zia does support Pippa in other ways such as cycling with her, always complimenting her photos and illustrations, and congratulating her on how far she’s come. Zia supports Finch and Alice dating but says nothing to them about it, after all they’re not dating and she doesn’t want to ruin anything for them, especially after her own past.
[name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] " [name_m]Ned[/name_m] " [name_m]Edwin[/name_m] Morrenbeck (18) is Pippa’s boyfriend, a friend of [name_u]Zia[/name_u] and the unfortunate lead guitarist of [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph. It’s a statistical improbability to get into an argument with [name_m]Ned[/name_m], so the lead singer of the band he’s in is managing to pull off astounding displays of toxicity to rouse the temper of someone known for being unflappable. In many ways he reminds [name_m]Ned[/name_m] of his own father - who he barely speaks to in spite of remaining at home - a man defined by an unhealthy obsession with classism and family prestige, something that always ends up being projected onto [name_m]Ned[/name_m], who is disapproved of thanks to not wanting anything to do with studying business; as it’s a subject matter he finds soul crushingly boring, not helped by the mental associations with a man constantly criticising and interrogating him about his life choices. The main means of defense [name_m]Ned[/name_m] has from this is his older brother, the [name_u]Golden[/name_u] Child, who’s followed the same path to inheriting the family’s textile empire - however he can’t help feel terribly guilty, as he knows it isn’t really what his brother wants and is just to appease their dad. At times he’s encouraged his brother to also rebel, but it ultimately goes nowhere, and he fears the trap is too secure now.
Thankfully, [name_m]Ned[/name_m] can always rely on his mom for some much needed support, stability and advise. His parents divorced when he was 2 and his brother was 8, something that surprised no-one given the impossible expectations his father places on everyone around him - not dissimilar to the insane loyalty and commitment [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph’s dictator of a frontman places on his bandmates. [name_m]Ned[/name_m] has incurred his wrath frequently by skipping practises out of spite and is running the gauntlet to be kicked from the band, which he’s come to view as his only means of leaving now. The toll things took on his relationship with [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] are an especial point of contention for him, and he’s desperately trying to help their drummer find more money due to finances being used as leverage - although it’s proving difficult given [name_m]Ned[/name_m] and his dad’s intentional distance.
Behind the back of the frontman he loathes so much, [name_m]Ned[/name_m] has been setting up another band with some help from [name_u]Finch[/name_u] and [name_f]Alice[/name_f]: BIOHAZARD. There’s currently no members aside from [name_m]Ned[/name_m] himself as he wants to leave slots open for the other [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph musicians while not wanting anyone to feel obliged to follow him into this - as the sound is distinctly more harsh and fast than what they’ve been composing, partly because [name_m]Ned[/name_m] doesn’t want to emulate something he has so much negative emotion attached to. He spends a lot more time with [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] now he’s no longer listening to the frontman, and has been crafting her a necklace to thank her for how she’s stuck by him, as for someone who can never get homework done on time, Ned’s surprisingly disciplined when it comes to projects he genuinely cares about. Still it isn’t hard getting time with his girlfriend currently, as his mom’s just got a St. [name_m]Bernard[/name_m] puppy from a local shelter named [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], and everyone [name_m]Ned[/name_m] knows is obsessed with fawning over him.
cw: domestic abuse ment, not graphic. traumatic events are censored, though.
[name_f]Clover[/name_f] [name_f]Astoria[/name_f] Zimmerman (19) is the bassist for [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph and along with the other band members hates their frontman with every fibre of her being. Initially, [name_f]Clover[/name_f] thought she was the only one driven mad by her former friend’s antics, but talking to [name_m]Ned[/name_m] about the whole situation was highly cathartic, leading [name_f]Clover[/name_f] to shed a few tears during the talk. Clover’s had the hardest time in the band: she’s childhood friends with their frontman, and he wasn’t always like this. It was only when [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph gained traction that he started becoming a grade-A asshole, something [name_f]Clover[/name_f] couldn’t tolerate.
Clover’s hatred for controlling people came from witnessing her father abuse her mother. It first started as verbal abuse, but at thirteen, [name_f]Clover[/name_f] caught her father nearly killing her mother by strangling her, and she had to use violence against him to save her mother. Thankfully, she and her mother now have restraining orders against the man, but from this point forward, [name_f]Clover[/name_f] swore to never let someone hurt her or her loved ones like her father did. Because her friend’s actions didn’t escalate, [name_f]Clover[/name_f] didn’t realise he changed for the worse until he demanded [name_f]Clover[/name_f] miss class for band practice— which she said no to. She feels stupid for not noticing sooner, but [name_m]Ned[/name_m] has reassured the girl that it definitely wasn’t her fault.
While [name_m]Ned[/name_m] has been rebelling behind the scenes, Clover’s been very vocal in opposing what their leader does. She supposes she gets a pass because she’s known him the longest; thus, he’s less prone to his rages when [name_f]Clover[/name_f] does it. She’s begun to use this to her advantage— making the time they have to practise more tolerable for the other members. Ned’s given her a sneak peek into BIOHAZARD, and [name_f]Clover[/name_f] thinks it’s exciting and wants to join once her time in [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph is up. [name_f]Clover[/name_f] always complains to [name_u]Finch[/name_u] about [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph’s leader, and [name_u]Finch[/name_u] laughs, saying that he “told her so”. It’s not in malice, though— [name_f]Clover[/name_f] knows [name_u]Finch[/name_u] is trying to make light of her terrible situation, and she appreciates the effort. Another light beam in Clover’s life is her boyfriend: he’s the rock she needs right now and adores the way he’s trying to help her and her friends out, too.
[name_m]Lucian[/name_m] " [name_u]Luca[/name_u] " [name_m]Danilo[/name_m] Kowolski (18) is Clover’s boyfriend and main source of support throughout the implosion [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph is enduring. A little ironically, [name_u]Luca[/name_u] has absolutely no knowledge of or ties to the music scene - he’s firmly an aspiring engineering who did a couple of guitar lessons when he was 7 and quickly realised it wasn’t for him. [name_u]Luca[/name_u] specialises in working with electronics, and has helped build several sound systems for both his girlfriends band and a couple others - including Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m] - which he really enjoyed (nothing to do with all the time he got with [name_f]Clover[/name_f] either, no sir). He often jokes about trying to manufacture specialist earpugs to block out the demands and criticisms of their frontman, but seeing [name_f]Clover[/name_f] so upset by how her friend is behaving means [name_u]Luca[/name_u] always offers an ear so she can reflect and confide in him about her complicated feelings given the situation. Her strength is something he admires a lot - very vocally - and when they first became an item, [name_u]Luca[/name_u] even admitted it was a surprise as he considers himself very boring next to her vibrancy.
Also coming from a single parent household, Luca’s circumstances are pretty different from [name_f]Clover[/name_f] and all of his friends: his mom chose IVF to have him after coming out of an emotionally abusive relationship and knowing she wanted a child more than anything but couldn’t face trying to be with anyone while she needed to heal. Since Luca’s gotten older she’s dated a bit - being kept busy by her job as a dermatologist (and he hands out her free skincare advise to anyone who asks) - but hasn’t settled down and [name_u]Luca[/name_u] jokes about how he scares people off given he’s quite protective of her thanks to what he knows she endured. It’s no secret she absolutely loves [name_f]Clover[/name_f] though and is always happy to see her at their house, insisting on giving her leftovers from the traditional Polish dishes [name_u]Luca[/name_u] and her make together.
Outside of working on his engineering projects and supporting the members of [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph to the best of his ability, [name_u]Luca[/name_u] skateboards and hopes to get a motorbike someday (if his mom doesn’t ban him of course). Machinery naturally fascinates him and he would like to pursue it more given his hopes for the future but doesn’t have much time - as well as generally being tired thanks to birning the candle at both ends, a habit he’s not quite able to let go of. His friend group are primarily fellow STEM aspirationals, and one of them is the significant other of [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph’s drummer who’s really been grateful to have [name_u]Luca[/name_u] and [name_f]Clover[/name_f] around given how terribly they’ve been treated especially. [name_u]Luca[/name_u] often jokes about how atypical his friends are though, as you wouldn’t imagine them going for high academics at first glance, and he’ll own up to not being the most intensive where his studies elsewhere are concerned, but Clover’s got him more motivated to try.
Warning for abusive relationships, cancer, and Nazi [name_u]Germany[/name_u].
[name_f]Magda[/name_f] [name_f]Karolina[/name_f] Kowolski (43) is Luca’s mother. She’s happy as a dermatologist and a mother. [name_f]Magda[/name_f] also has an Instagram called “sacredskinbymagda”. She has a tattoo on her foot that says “Survivor” due to the survival of her former abusive relationship. [name_f]Magda[/name_f] comes from a family of survivors; the families of her grandparents emigrated from Poland after Nazi [name_u]Germany[/name_u] invaded their country, her mother is a cancer survivor, her brother survived being born prematurely, and her father had also survived an abusive relationship before meeting Magda’s mother. [name_f]Magda[/name_f] likes to think of herself as a survivor but admits she wouldn’t have gotten the tattoo without Luca’s motivation and credits him a lot for her strength. She isn’t in a serious relationship but she’s slowly opening herself up more. Magda’s other motivation is her brother who is an optometrist and her niece who is the drummer of Edge of the [name_m]Axe[/name_m]. She and Clover’s mother are good friends and have helped get through each other’s past hardships and [name_f]Magda[/name_f] personally hopes BIOHAZARD proves itself to be the redemption everyone needs from the horror of [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph‘s frontman. Needless to say, her bond with the Zimmerman family is close and she loves giving them her traditional Polish dishes and really loves that [name_u]Luca[/name_u] has an amazing girlfriend.
Avielle Katarzyna Berkovich (17) is Magda’s niece, Luca’s cousin and the drummer of Edge of the Axe. The daughter of Magda’s younger sister, Avielle’s Polish-Jewish culture is something she’s proud of, with a few of the songs she’s written for the band having Hebrew titles: as she speaks and writes it fluently, as well as having learned Polish from her mom. She unintentionally can seem a little cocky to some people, tied into how aloof Avielle generally is prone to being, and her confidence in voicing her beliefs, thoughts and opinions isn’t always welcomed by those she belongs to the Historical Community with - however it didn’t stop her being voted to the joint vice presidency role, as she’s undeniably sincere in her interest, enthusiasm and dedication.
For her coolness, there’s an undeniable romantic side to Avielle - she jokes it’s a response to seeing how absolutely in-love her parents are - and it’s what’s led to her conspiring with Lorelei to set Stevie Vardy up with a friend of Avielle’s who taught her how to knit. In spite of being the ‘baby’ of Edge of the Axe, she isn’t a shrinking violet in the music scene and at one point stood up to Forest Nymph’s front man when he tried having a go at Alice when they ran into him at a venue, something that shocked him into silence given she’s generally the most mysterious member as far as he’s concerned.
Avielle works on-off at her parents business - they run their own shoe shop, which promotes ethical labour and cruelty free materials - whenever they’re needing some cover, but they absolutely support her love of music, as well as the passion’s of her two younger siblings. Alongside drums, Avielle plays the harp, her ‘calming instrument’ as she calls it, that has been featured in some of Edge of the Axe’s recordings. As she was born just after they graduated university, Avielle’s closest sibling in age is 6 years younger than her, and she tries her best to guide both of them in finding what makes them happiest. Granted, she can’t knock her youngest sibling, whose biggest priority is the family’s pet rabbits: Bon-Bon and Sherbert.
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Rivka[/name_f] “ [name_f]Libby[/name_f] “ Cohen-Jankowski (17) is another Polish-Hebrew friend of [name_f]Avielle[/name_f], who taught her how to knit. Knitting and crocheting is one of Libby’s main interests- she’s also a part of the Historical Community with [name_f]Avielle[/name_f] and really appreciates her input and ideas, and wishes everyone appreciated [name_f]Avielle[/name_f] the was she did. [name_f]Libby[/name_f] and [name_f]Avielle[/name_f] met in the second grade- [name_f]Libby[/name_f] is also fluent in both Polish and Hebrew languages and would often write [name_f]Avielle[/name_f] little notes with cute drawings on them in class, nobody else could understand the unique letters but [name_f]Avielle[/name_f] and [name_f]Libby[/name_f], and so blossomed an unusual friendship. [name_f]Libby[/name_f] was never interested in music but she loves [name_f]Avielle[/name_f] and often comments on her band’s small YouTube channel, just to tell her how good she was, and [name_f]Avielle[/name_f] really appreciates it. [name_f]Libby[/name_f] is also friends with the younger Berkovich siblings.
[name_f]Libby[/name_f] is very aware that [name_f]Avielle[/name_f] is trying to set her up but she hasn’t been telling anyone about the fact that she knows- apart from this she really likes [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] and might even like him in that way. She hasn’t told anyone except her mom- Libby’s really close with her single mother and loves her dearly. She’s encouraged [name_f]Libby[/name_f] to go for it- but for now [name_f]Libby[/name_f] isn’t really focused on dating. She’s more concerned with her cat child, a brown tabby who she’s named [name_f]Millie[/name_f], and getting into college- she’s considering applying to the university of Illinois in [name_f]Chicago[/name_f] as she’s heard it has a great design program and [name_f]Libby[/name_f] has wanted to become a graphic designer ever since she was a little kid…
[name_m]Clive[/name_m] [name_m]Rafal[/name_m] Kowolski (23) is [name_f]Avielle[/name_f] and Luca’s cousin from Magda’s aforementioned orthodontist brother. He was a University of Illinois graduate, so [name_f]Libby[/name_f] always asks him how he got accepted and what to do there if she did get accepted. [name_m]Clive[/name_m] knows a little about Avielle’s plan to set [name_f]Libby[/name_f] and [name_u]Stevie[/name_u] together but isn’t actually involved with the setup. [name_m]Clive[/name_m] was the backing vocalist of [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph and the only person older than their infamous lead singer, but that didn’t stop the lead singer from belittling him, after all he was “just a backup” and the lead singer found him “useless” seeing that he “was so good at vocals that he could do it all himself”. [name_m]Clive[/name_m] often uses graphic design to deal with the crazy controversy and is helping [name_f]Libby[/name_f] apply, telling her it’s “worth it”. [name_m]Clive[/name_m] is the older one of two siblings so he is used to talking to [name_f]Libby[/name_f] about university since his sib is also in [name_f]Libby[/name_f] and Avielle’s grade.
[name_f]Iris[/name_f] Marzanna Kowolski (17) is Clive’s younger sibling, and cousin of [name_u]Luca[/name_u] and [name_f]Avielle[/name_f]. Jokingly, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] will tell you they became interested in the humanities because it was the only academic sphere untouched by the rest of their family - being especially interested in religions and philosophy. At fifteen they started using they/she pronouns, which was a surprise to some older members of the family, but fully embraced, which was a huge relief for [name_f]Iris[/name_f] who was terrified rejection and discord would ensue. Their middle name was even chosen as an honourific for [name_f]Magda[/name_f], which further weighted the importance of people accepting their identity, granted she was never someone [name_f]Iris[/name_f] had any concerns about.
Sometimes, there can be a perfectionist streak to them, which they credit to their dad. [name_f]Iris[/name_f] and he have always shared an especially close bond thanks to a mutual love of European history - a conversation topic their mom avoids like the plague when these two are around - and they’re grateful he’s never pushed them or [name_m]Clive[/name_m] towards medicine because of his career. While discussions about dynasties and wars might drive their mom mad, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] is very close to her too and won’t let anyone look down on the fact she chose to remain as a librarian while her husband pursued something more traditionally academic, as it’s what makes her happy. She’s taught [name_f]Iris[/name_f] all of their baking skills - they haven’t quite mastered her legendary talent at icing - and is someone both they and [name_m]Clive[/name_m] can always take a moment to talk to if needed. Given the family’s some of their friends come from, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] has worked harder and harder as they’ve grown up to be appreciative of their parents, even if they have their tensions from time to time.
At school they’re considered quite different to their cousin [name_f]Avielle[/name_f], who projects confidence with total ease, and do favourably get called the humble one of the pair. Thanks to only being three months apart in age - [name_f]Iris[/name_f] being the younger one - they have a sibling quality to their interactions, in part because [name_m]Clive[/name_m] was always interested in very different things to [name_f]Iris[/name_f] until they were about 13 and could connect with him. The two don’t inhabit the same friend group - [name_f]Iris[/name_f] is in with a more STEM/traditional academia crowd who compliment their reserved, quietly sarcastic nature; very much being the kind of classmate to slip by unnoticed - but do spend a lot of time together, and they’re fully clued in on the band scene chaos. [name_m]Even[/name_m] the very non-confrontational [name_f]Iris[/name_f] was aghast to learn about their brother’s treatment, and they’re very disdainful of the infamous frontman.
For their birthday, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] finally got their dream pet: a bearded dragon. Having named him [name_m]Pharaoh[/name_m], as [name_f]Iris[/name_f] considers him to have terribly regal qualities in how he carries himself, they were absolutely delighted to receive him, and think it may have been their brother who let things slip…
[name_m]Jakub[/name_m] “ [name_m]Kuba[/name_m] “ [name_m]Szymon[/name_m] Kowolski (45) is the father of [name_m]Clive[/name_m] and [name_f]Iris[/name_f] and brother of [name_f]Magda[/name_f] and their other sister. He’s an optometrist and supporter of the medical field but not the type to force it on others. He survived a premature birth and his parents said he was “born a fighter”. But personality-wise he’s a lover not a fighter. He’s still just as much in love with his wife as he was when they married and he’s close with all his family and with his Polish culture. He was the first person [name_f]Iris[/name_f] spoke to about her she/they pronouns and he openly supported them. [name_m]Kuba[/name_m] feels [name_f]Iris[/name_f] gets their nature from him and is alright with that but doesn’t want to add pressure to her life that they wouldn’t want. He is inspired by he and Magda’s younger sister and mother of [name_f]Avielle[/name_f], who didn’t pursue a medical career, but kept a great success and is proud of who she is. He’s happy to see [name_f]Iris[/name_f] with their new bearded dragon and knows she and her dragon have a special bond. [name_m]Kuba[/name_m] is also happy [name_m]Clive[/name_m] got out of that horrible band [name_u]Forest[/name_u] Nymph and knows he’s going in the right direction in life.
[name_f]Harriet[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Hettie[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] [Lombard] Kowolski (45) is Kuba’s wife and mother to [name_m]Clive[/name_m] and [name_f]Iris[/name_f]. Her son was actually named for Hetttie’s father, who passed away from a sudden heart attack when she was 9, leaving her to be raised by her mother and both sets of grandparents. As the older of two daughters, [name_f]Hettie[/name_f] did her best to protect her sister from the shock and upset, a quality amplified where her children are concerned. She loves [name_m]Clive[/name_m] and [name_f]Iris[/name_f] more than anything, trying her best to have knowledge of their interests and making sure they never feel pressured about their own futures - as there was some discord when [name_f]Hettie[/name_f] made it clear she didn’t want to stop being a librarian, even with her nan and granddad offering to pay for college tuition.
When she isn’t baking or enjoying a new book - reading having been her haven throughout childhood - [name_f]Hettie[/name_f] loves spending time with her in-laws and sister, who she’s remained a close bond with. Things can be a little tense with her mom, who she knows felt [name_f]Hettie[/name_f] cut her opportunities short, but she’s able to put her feelings behind her for the sakes of everyone; loving her in spite of the disagreement. When [name_f]Iris[/name_f] revealed their preferred pronoun was ‘they’, [name_f]Hettie[/name_f] did worry about how her mother would react but the acceptance she responded with helped mend some of the discord between them. [name_m]Even[/name_m] when they’re not at their best, she’ll always credit her for teaching the baking skills [name_f]Iris[/name_f] has picked up, and Hettie’s always a first choice if you need a celebration dessert.
[name_f]Jocelyn[/name_f] " [name_u]Josie[/name_u] " [name_f]Serena[/name_f] [Lombard] Featherly (41) is Hettie’s younger sister and aunt to [name_m]Clive[/name_m] and [name_f]Iris[/name_f]. [name_u]Ever[/name_u] the wild child, Josie’s a tattooist who developed her interest after one of her best friends - a prodigal engineer - made their own equipment as a challenge and she practised on them, thanks to her artistic skills being known around school. The image of a tiny cat is something [name_u]Josie[/name_u] never forgot, even when her mother tried pushing her towards traditional forms of artistry, and by the time she was leaving school, she knew what she wanted to do. [name_u]Josie[/name_u] still tattoos cats - she actually specialises in animal portraits, although people tend to want something a little fiercer nowadays - and even hosts fundraisers for local shelters twice a year, owning three rescues of her own: [name_f]Dee[/name_f], [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] and [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] [who happily co-exist with [name_f]Mindy[/name_f] the tortoise, especially [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] who keeps her company].
Her pets only come second in receiving affection to her children: [name_u]Josie[/name_u] has fraternal twins and a younger son. Technically the twins are the stepchildren of her husband - a mechanic who she met thanks to knowing a lot of people in the vehicle world, on account of having her own motorbike [something her mother loathes, prompting [name_u]Josie[/name_u] to keep it around more] - but this doesn’t do anything to dampen the bond between them. Their biological dad is a very inconsistent character who spent years making promises then vanishing off on his own whims, and [name_u]Josie[/name_u] finally put her foot down after learning he’d been using money she sent for a plane ticket to pay off gambling debts accumulated during his wild benders. She’s made it clear the twins can contact him if they want to - he was caring when around for them - but also respects their choices, especially that of her daughter, who’s very clear in not wanting much to do with him.
While a bit more erratic in comparison to [name_f]Hettie[/name_f], priorities are something she takes care to get right, and she’s constantly bringing new charity drive ideas to the library where her sister works to engage the community. All [name_f]Hettie[/name_f] did for her is something she’s never forgotten and she greatly admires her to this day, something she now expresses much more freely [as softer emotions used to be terribly uncool]. [name_u]Josie[/name_u] did a lot of voluntary work while completing her tattoo apprenticeship and is very fond of the sector, an interest she shares with her husband. She has suspicions her youngest also wants to follow her into the world of body art and struggles to contain her absolute joy, as she’s always advocating personal expression, very much being proud of her children’s individualities. [name_m]Just[/name_m] never make the mistake of thinking she’s trying to be a “cool mom” as that’s something [name_u]Josie[/name_u] does consider unforgivable.
[name_u]Jett[/name_u] [name_m]Roman[/name_m] Lombard (20) and [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] [name_f]Violet[/name_f] Lombard (20) are fraternal twins and are the children [name_u]Josie[/name_u] had with her ex.
[name_u]Jett[/name_u] is definitely the wildest of the two, but not by much, and got into a lot of trouble at school and was expelled from two of his high schools. He is not a reformed character just yet, and he enjoys partying and going out with his big group of friends. [name_u]Jett[/name_u] is a very honest person, and his family have always known about his tendency to go wild, which sometimes makes [name_u]Josie[/name_u] worry that he will end up gambling away everything like his father did. [name_u]Jett[/name_u] does not hate his biological dad as much as his sister does, but he does worry that he might end up like him. [name_u]Jett[/name_u] inherited some of his mother’s creativity, and works as a full time photography. He has set up his own business, and it is going well at the moment. He is hoping that he will be able to rent an apartment soon and live life a little more independently, as well as expand his business. [name_u]Jett[/name_u] loves his family, but is not always the best at telling them that. He gets along alright with his stepfather, but can be prone to arguing with him over small things that don’t really matter at all. [name_u]Jett[/name_u] is single at the minute, but is missing his ex-girlfriend terribly. He broke up with her a year ago, saying that it was ‘for the best’ because they were ‘too different.’ He regrets saying that and thinks it was a stupid thing to do, and is considering reaching out to her to apologise, and then to see if she would consider rekindling their relationship.
[name_f]Joanie[/name_f] is similar to [name_u]Jett[/name_u] in that she also likes to party and have a goof time, but she does it a little less often than [name_u]Jett[/name_u]. At school, [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] was very popular - partially due to her reputation as a exciting person, but also because of her kindness to everybody. [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] always makes an effort to make sure everybody was included and felt welcome, and she has a very diverse group of friends. [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] did well at school and is now attending a culinary school, where she is hoping to fulfil her dreams of becoming a world-class chef. [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] discovered her love of cooking from her stepdad, who she has a strong bond with. She does not consider her biological father to be her ‘dad,’ and wants absolutely nothing to do with him. [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] is very close to the rest of her family, however, and has a very close relationship with her mother, [name_u]Josie[/name_u]. For her eighteenth birthday [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] got a tattoo of a cat from her mother, and she absolutely loves it. She is also very close to her younger brother, and they often have movie nights or board game nights. Of all her family, [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] is closest to [name_u]Jett[/name_u], and she won’t hesitate to give him a telling off if she thinks he has acted stupid. [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] is the one person that [name_u]Jett[/name_u] will listen to, and she is usually the person he will confide in about his life problems. Joanie’s relationship status is very different from her brother’s - she is happily in a relationship with their childhood neighbour and friend. [name_f]Joanie[/name_f] knows that [name_u]Jett[/name_u] wants to get back with his ex, but she isn’t sure that her deserves her back after the way he broke up with her.
