[name_f]Hestia[/name_f] " [name_f]Essie[/name_f] " [name_f]Rosalind[/name_f] Edgeley (16) is Kizzy’s older cousin who regularly comes to babysit the siblings due to their cousin closest in age - ‘the troublemaker’ as their grandma is known to call him - being the child of a single parent themselves who received a lot of support from their late aunt. Using they/her pronouns, Essie’s mother is the youngee sister of Mr. Edgeley, who became pregnant in her first year of college at a party to a guy who selfishly refused to take any accountability for their child and went as far as to claim there were numerous potential fathers’ - until his own friends turned against him for his behaviour. [name_u]An[/name_u] agreement was maid between him and Essie’s mom that child support would be paid in exchange for his reputation not being tarnished, and while [name_f]Essie[/name_f] had some contact with him when they were younger, spending time together was evidently a chore that caused them to dislike the visits as it was evident they weren’t really welcome. Their dad has offered to attend their graduation when it happens and to fund their college tuition which [name_f]Essie[/name_f] has decided to accept, solely on the grounds of how it applies less pressure their mom financially.
A prominent member of the school’s arts department, [name_f]Essie[/name_f] wants to major in visual communication, while continuing their hobby of sculpture and collaging on the side. They and [name_f]Kizzy[/name_f] also share a close bond due to a mutual love of fashion, with [name_f]Essie[/name_f] giving their younger cousin first pick of all their old clothes, knowing it stops her from feeling guilty about asking their uncle for new stuff. [name_f]Essie[/name_f] has mastered the art of thrifting alongside their friends and is planning on teaching [name_f]Kizzy[/name_f] when she’s a little older, but their uncle regularly comes with them and their mom if he’s buying things for his kids. In contrast, [name_f]Essie[/name_f] and their cousin closest in age don’t share much of a bond at all, often arguing as they consider it selfish how he never seems interested in spending time with his siblings, and they’ve gone as far as to have rows at school when Essie’s particularly bothered by how much pressure’s being placed on Kizzy’s shoulders, knowing she’s too young to endure so much stress.