🌼 create a family with a twist

[CherryBomb50]

[name_m]Rufus[/name_m] [name_m]Corran[/name_m] Grissenbeck (6) is Libby’s best friend and Zara’s older son. Immediately the two clicked as the only redheads in the preschool at age 3 and they’re practically inseparable now. [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] loves Libby’s guinea pig Gingerbread and wishes for his own, but his parents want to make sure he has a sense of responsibility first. [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] has a deal that if he keeps his room clean and behaves in school for the month (which is working out fine since there’s one week left) then they will do so. [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] is happy about this upcoming accomplishment and is actually quite surprised that his family is getting him an animal. Of course, his surprise stems from a more unrealistic request — he wanted to get his friend [name_f]Libby[/name_f] a real-life giraffe for her next birthday but they told him that he cannot have a real giraffe. He stated he’s not having the giraffe since he’s giving it to [name_f]Libby[/name_f], but they still talked him out of why it’s not a good idea to have an actual giraffe. Both his parents are very kind people and [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] looks up to [name_f]Zara[/name_f] as an inspiration, perceiving her as a “hero”. He’s not very aware of his parents associations with other people although he’s picked up some doubt on [name_m]Artur[/name_m]. [name_m]Artur[/name_m] isn’t a toxic influence on Zara’s friend but he’s definitely one to make bad first impressions - especially given his self-conscious ways of the Grissenbecks knowing about his prosthetic foot and his not-just-friends interactions with Ori’s sister. However he’s joked about the latter, insisting, “I mean it! [name_f]Libby[/name_f] and I are just friends and there’s nothing secretly going on!” and in this case it’s an honest statement. [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] is more of a “Todor guy” and sometimes perceives [name_m]Todor[/name_m] as a “prince” and [name_u]Storm[/name_u] as a “princess” of the ballroom.

He is however very supportive of Aadvika who he feels is a really cool person and he loves her style of dress, claiming he’d wear the same “if he was a girl”. He wants to join Aadvika’s Kids [name_f]Monday[/name_f] Ballroom classes when he’s old enough, but his younger brother jokes that [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] only wants to join because he’s a fan of Aadvika and her fashion. [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] claims he is not idolising Aadvika, he just thinks she’s very pretty and makes people very happy. This isn’t honest at all though - he’s totally a fan. He sometimes perceives her as a “goddess”, all of his perceptions on people very known by his brother and the Burkelaws. Whenever his younger brother likes to tease him about his “fan perceptions”, [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] likes to clap back and ask him if he’s in (puppy) love with a Burkelaw twin, which always gets him to stop. [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] and [name_f]Libby[/name_f] love being the eldest of their siblings and really bond as the cool older siblings although they couldn’t be happier with the kind family bonds. [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] at one point was jealous of [name_f]Libby[/name_f] for her Guinea pig but he never stays mad at anyone for long and by the end of that day, he was still happy and giggling with her and the family. He’s super excited for the Guinea pig coming up and he’s also delighted that he’s about to get a coin or two as well — [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] just lost his first tooth!

[kitkatcookie]

[name_m]Hugo[/name_m] [name_m]Lachlan[/name_m] Griesenbeck (4) is Zara’s younger son and Rufus’ brother, known for being very mischievous when he feels like it. Energetic and inquisitive, Hugo’s current favourite things are robots, aliens and helicopters, in that order. Once he asked his parents why they couldn’t have a helicopter instead of a car, and in spite of getting a very reasonable explanation, [name_m]Hugo[/name_m] still is adament when he grows up, that will be his primary means of transport at any given situation. While he doesn’t including asking teasing question in his list, his parents insist otherwise thanks to the constant slew of them he comes out with, usually about crushes: after all, they get the funniest reactions when he mentions them!

It all began thanks to the boy’s main babysitter very much being enamoured with her significant other. She also told [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] and [name_m]Hugo[/name_m] about two of her friends who have crushes on one another, and when the younger brother asked why she didn’t just make them sit down and talk, the knowledge of how people react to this became known to him: bingo! In spite of this, Hugo’s by no means a cruel child. He always speaks in the highest terms about his friends and will do anything for them - he’s promised the twins he’ll build them a spaceship when he’s older, but this comes second to the one his parents will have, thank you very much. Hugo’s dad has considered getting him in a mini robotics club when he’s older, however he doesn’t want to push anything onto his son, and instead Zara’s going to bring this up…covertly of course.

---

@autumn.leaves
@avenmaide
if you’re interested no pressure

[autumn.leaves]

[name_u]Ruby[/name_u] “Rue” [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] Wildwood [28] is Hugo’s preschool teacher. She grew up in a close-knit family with three younger siblings, including her 16-year-old sister, [name_f]Luna[/name_f], who is currently living with her and her husband, [name_m]Cassius[/name_m]. Rue’s parents have been struggling with serious health issues (her mother has dealt with multiple sclerosis for many years, and her father was recently diagnosed with cancer), so [name_u]Rue[/name_u] and [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] stepped in to care for [name_f]Luna[/name_f].

[name_u]Rue[/name_u] and [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] moved to town a year ago, and they recently found a church that they love. They have a 3-year-old daughter, May-Lyra, and [name_u]Rue[/name_u] is currently pregnant with their second child. [name_u]Rue[/name_u] met [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] when they were both studying at university, and they quickly fell in love. [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] is a kind and supportive husband who works as a software engineer. [name_u]Rue[/name_u] and [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] have a strong relationship, and they are both committed to supporting each other and their family.

[name_u]Rue[/name_u] has always been passionate about education and helping others. She decided to become a teacher because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of young children. She loves working with kids and seeing them learn and grow.

However, [name_u]Rue[/name_u] has been experiencing complications with her pregnancy and is worried about the health of her unborn baby. This has been causing her a lot of stress and anxiety, and she has been struggling to balance her responsibilities as a teacher, a mother, and a caregiver for her sister. [name_u]Rue[/name_u] is doing her best to stay positive and hopeful, but she is also seeking support from her family and her church community.

[cara_murvolio]

[name_m]Cassius[/name_m] [name_u]Benjamin[/name_u] Wildwood (28) is Rue’s husband and soon-to-be father of 2. [name_u]An[/name_u] electrical engineer by trade, [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] is a devoted husband, father and supporter of his in-laws, Mr and Mrs Kaauwai, as well as [name_f]Luna[/name_f] and his wife’s other siblings, one who’s 21 and the other 24. Unlike his wife, [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] doesn’t have an immediate family circle. He grew up in foster care, with the information surrounding his parents being murky at best, and [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] admits he doesn’t particularly want to investigate his biological family. This isn’t a product of the ongoing struggles of his in-laws or the additional responsibilities the second pregnancy has placed on his shoulders - it’s something he decided when he was 18 and the chance of investigating became possible.

The likelihood of disappointment or at the very least learning something traumatic is something [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] would rather avoid given his own sense of displacement in childhood. [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] moved about frequently between homes and placements, never settling anywhere long enough to form close bonds with those looking after him. It’s why he prioritises loyalty and dependability with his own family, balancing his hours to the best of his ability so he’s around for May-Lyra, who he absolutely cherishes.

By no means stony or cold, [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] appears aloof on a surface level and she’s someone he always melts around, losing his stoic disposition in the face of his daughter, although it was [name_u]Rue[/name_u] who first got to see his softer side. [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] has a lot of compassion to him and it pains him more than he admits seeing his wife going through so much anxietyn especially as the circumstances are beyond what either of them have a say in. What he always ensures though, is that [name_u]Rue[/name_u] knows he’s available to talk about how she’s feeling, and that he’ll do all he can to help her and the family get through this difficult time. In order to support [name_u]Rue[/name_u] more, [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] has been in contact with a friend from college who’s a specialist in midwifery, to see that the second pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

Ezekiel-Jack Wildwood (nb) is the son of [name_u]Rue[/name_u] and [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] and the baby brother of May-Lyra. [name_u]Rue[/name_u] and [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] had planned a home birth, like last time they did with May-Lyra, so they would have a calm, intimate birth. One night, one a rainy early morning, [name_u]Rue[/name_u] woke up with very intense contractions, she decided to relax in their bathtub. [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] woke up to [name_u]Rue[/name_u] screaming that her baby was coming. [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] takes off his shirt and gets in the bathtub with [name_u]Rue[/name_u], as he would deliver baby Ezekiel-Jack by himself. Thirty minutes later, Ezekiel-Jack was born screaming.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for car accident (no injuries).

[name_m]Harrison[/name_m] " [name_m]Hays[/name_m] " [name_m]Elikai[/name_m] Kaauwai (21) is Ezekiel-Jack’s maternal uncle, Rue’s younger brother, and Cassius’s brother-in-law. He is mostly mature but he can be a bit overreactive. It is nice that he’s at least the cautious type and not the naïve type, but he could use some relaxation. He initially didn’t think a home birth was a good idea and felt Ezekiel-Jack would be safer born in a hospital, but [name_u]Rue[/name_u] reassured him that it would be calmer with less pain just like May-Lyra. However last time, the midwifery specialist delivered the baby, whereas this time [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] did. When [name_m]Hays[/name_m] found out about that, he was disgusted. He exclaimed, “Sorry but that’s not cute that your husband had to deliver him. That’s creepy! That’s gross! And he’s not even experienced in midwifery, are you sure this delivery was safe?” [name_u]Rue[/name_u] responded that the midwife did come but she was very late, but she wasn’t going to miss it because she wanted to make sure everyone was okay.

Why didn’t the midwife come on time? Unfortunately, she was in a car accident with another driver. Thankfully, she was unharmed but the driver sped off and badly messed up her car. She was able to safely get it parked on a curb and towed. She was just recently able to report the driver who crashed into her car, but she’s not sure how long the damage will be repaired, if it can be repaired. As much as she’s ashamed to miss the important delivery, she’s glad she didn’t try to drive her damaged car to the Wildwood house. The engine was horribly damaged and could have even exploded on her if she was in the car.

While [name_m]Harrison[/name_m] didn’t know her well, he knows her more now. Both [name_u]Rue[/name_u] and [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] are closer and so are the other Kaauwai family members. The reason why is since this woman doesn’t have a working car, she can’t drive to meet her important work tasks. Since [name_u]Rue[/name_u] is on maternity leave and will be at home most of the time to tend to Ezekiel-Jack and May-Lyra, she’s temporarily lending the midwife her car. Her midwife is eternally grateful for this and although the car crash and missing the delivery was horrible, there’s a silver lining in strengthening her bond with the Wildwoods and Kaauwais. She even stays at the house sometimes. [name_m]Hays[/name_m] is currently in university majoring in home economics but he still bonds with the family and their midwife friend. Although [name_m]Hays[/name_m] can be a worrywart, he’s glad things turned out good in the end and he’d rather be safe than sorry. He loves being young but he likes not being the youngest, and enjoys seeing his younger 16-year-old sister [name_f]Luna[/name_f]. However it’s the 24-year-old sibling he relates to the most because that person truly gets him.

[kitkatcookie]

[name_m]Felix[/name_m] [name_m]Nainoa[/name_m] Kaauwai (24) is the second born of the siblings, and usually the mediator whenever things need resolving, especially with his parents both being unwell. A marine biology student who makes money as a diving instructor, [name_m]Felix[/name_m] doesn’t strike people as an academic upon first glance: he’s so easygoing, sociable and mild tempered, it’s hard to picture him fretting over essays and pulling all nighters - but that he does. Animal welfare is something [name_m]Felix[/name_m] first became invested in thanks to his dad, who used to attend protests against whaling in his youth, and the same spirit quickly took his eldest son by a storm; guiding [name_m]Felix[/name_m] to decide he wanted to completely understand the animals he wishes to protect. [name_m]Wales[/name_m] have always maintained a special place in his heart, especially orcas, and [name_m]Felix[/name_m] attended a protest against Seaworld when he was 18, subsequently meeting his future roommate at this event, who runs a blog documenting mistreatment of animals in captive environments.

Alongside this friend, [name_m]Felix[/name_m] lives with his girlfriend - who uses she/xe pronouns - and two others: someone he’s known since high school and a fellow biology student, although they’re specialising in the plant side of things. While he absolutely adores his family, especially his niece and newborn nephew [who he calls [name_u]Lemon[/name_u] and Jackfruit affectionately], having some space of his own is important to [name_m]Felix[/name_m]. He did consider offering [name_f]Luna[/name_f] a place with him in the light of recent developments with their dad’s health, however [name_u]Rue[/name_u] convinced him otherwise, as she knows [name_m]Felix[/name_m] needs time and a break of his own to focus on achieving his goals; as well as to not put pressure on his housemates, who he has very strong friendships with. Not to mention they also have a dog in the house. No-one quite knows what breed Spaghetti, or ‘Hettie’ as she’s affectionately called, is, however when she was found abandoned as a puppy and looked after by the house as they spoke to animal services, no-one wanted to say goodbye to her.

For how much stress the family are currently facing, [name_m]Felix[/name_m] tries his best to keep a degree of hope alive. His dad’s cancer was caught early, so treatment has a greater chance of being a success, although [name_m]Felix[/name_m] can’t quite let things become too sunny. He fears rose tinting reality, due to his own grief at the fact they’ll eventually lose their mom, and doesn’t want to set up his siblings for greater trauma, especially [name_m]Hays[/name_m] and [name_f]Luna[/name_f] - on account of them being younger, but also because his brother faces a lot of worries as it is, and that’s without [name_m]Felix[/name_m] contributing unintentionally. The health of his nephew has greatly uplifted the spirits of everyone following the pregnancy complications though, and [name_m]Felix[/name_m] hopes this positivity will continue to flourish; even if there was the fretting over [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] having to deliver the baby with no medical training. Although she lives with [name_u]Rue[/name_u], he does make an effort to see [name_f]Luna[/name_f] often, especially when a conversation about studies is requested, as [name_m]Felix[/name_m] is the best at giving advice in this area without seeming pushy.

[cara_murvolio]

[name_f]Portia[/name_f] [name_f]Ann[/name_f] Levitz (24) is Felix’s girlfriend, and main confident regarding the difficult family circumstances he’s currently facing. Raised by parents who were fixated on social climbing, the Levitz and Kaauwai family’s are especially different in the eyes of [name_f]Portia[/name_f]. Xe loves her parents, in spite of how their antics and fixation on impressing people were embarrassing at points throughout her childhood and teenage years, something her younger brother can’t always understand, as he’s much more focused on the weird instances Mr and Mrs Levitz got their kids involved in. A sociology graduate who’s currently working at a museum while looking for placements, [name_f]Portia[/name_f] knows poverty dominated xeir parents respective childhood’s, and the bullying that came with this has led to them wanting nothing but security and admiration in adulthood, including for their two children.

While xey loathed their name for a couple of years - finding it always drew unwanted attention and eyebrow raises - Portia’s come to embrace it, and she’s especially fond of making [name_m]Felix[/name_m] blush by telling him how nice it sounds in his voice especially. She’s someone who finds flirting easy and is very playful about it, the first thing that caught her boyfriend’s eye when the two met at a first year frat party. Neither of them can remember how they were invited (someone knew someone who knew a guy with a friend in the frat or something), but really [name_f]Portia[/name_f] doesn’t linger on the details, as it led to her and [name_m]Felix[/name_m] meeting, the important part of the whole story! Her brother calls her romanticism cringey, but xey just laugh it off, as Portia’s seen much worse (she hasn’t told him yet as she doesn’t know how he’d recover).

The biggest perk of her current job is Portia’s allowed to bring [name_f]Hettie[/name_f] along on days xeir archiving or working in the back office. This naturally disrupts the flow of work a bit - as everyone wants to fawn over the adorable mutt and give her cuddles - but Portia’s manager’s a very easygoing and kind man, who wants his employees to be in a positive environment, as this allows better work for the museum as a whole. While xey can seem a little frivolous and too laidback, [name_f]Portia[/name_f] has a very compassionate side to her constantly, and she reserves her serious qualities for [name_m]Felix[/name_m] mostly, given all he’s shouldering with his parents and then his niece and nephew. Xey also have given advice to their other roommate, who just broke up with someone after a lot of umming and ahhing, as while [name_f]Portia[/name_f] works hard to be an optimist, by no means is she willing to lie to anyone about personal matters: first and foremost herself.

[jinxed_peach]

[name_f]Eugenie[/name_f] ’ [name_u]Genie[/name_u] ’ [name_f]Rosamund[/name_f] [name_u]Pierce[/name_u] [24] is one of the roommates of [name_f]Portia[/name_f] and [name_m]Felix[/name_m]. She’s the other biology student, not the one who [name_m]Felix[/name_m] has known since high school. She’s always had a passion for biology and a love for plants. Her childhood was filled with memories of spending hours in the garden with her mom and siblings during the summers and tending to the indoor houseplants during the fall and winters. Genie’s always felt a need to be surrounded by greenery and plants so her room in the shared home is full of plants of all kinds. Some of them aren’t safe for dogs if eaten and while Hettie’s pretty good about not taking any munches of her plants, [name_u]Genie[/name_u] always makes sure that her door is closed.

She’s attached to her plants much like some people are attached to their stuffed animals, some of them even have names. There’s [name_u]Oleander[/name_u], a hoya carnosa plant, [name_f]Elixane[/name_f], a prayer palm, [name_f]Fantine[/name_f], a monstera deliciosa, and many, many more. [name_u]Genie[/name_u] is the go-to plant expert among her friend group and is always giving her knowledge of herbal lives and her remedies for problems like root rot or mealy bugs.

One of her siblings lives nearby and when she’s not hanging out with her roomies, she’s usually with them. Their mother hasn’t been doing so well health wise lately so there’s been a lot of talk between the [name_u]Pierce[/name_u] siblings about what the plan will be in the scenario that things take a turn for the worse. But they’re not quite there yet so they all want to try and keep things positive.

[CherryBomb50]

[name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] [name_u]Magnethia[/name_u] [name_u]Pierce[/name_u] (27) is Genie’s sib who lives near her, using she/they pronouns. They aren’t a roommate but they’re a close sibling of [name_u]Genie[/name_u] and have really gotten to know and bond with the other roomies. [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] loves roller derby and finds it a fun hobby. They are proud to be genderfluid and usually wears fancied dress suits on formal occasions. [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] and their girlfriend choose each other’s corsages at the annual [name_f]Anova[/name_f] Ball. [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] understands what the roommate of [name_u]Genie[/name_u] and [name_f]Portia[/name_f] was thinking when it came to the difficult decision to break up with a recent now-ex.

[name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] herself has confidence problems especially when she feels like she’s making herself look “irresponsible”. They were the midwife who didn’t come on time to deliver Ezekiel-Jack which made her feel lousy because she felt she let down the couple. It wasn’t their fault, they got into a car accident on the way there, and while they were grateful not to sugfer any injuries, their car was messed up and needed repairs. They’re grateful [name_u]Rue[/name_u] let them borrow her car while she served maternity leave, but they feel like they don’t really deserve it and that they hate being in a position that makes them dependent on someone else. [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] has since gotten their car repaired and has returned to their everyday routine, but feels they owe something to the Wildwood family even if [name_u]Rue[/name_u] insists they don’t have to.

[name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] loves to get plants for [name_u]Genie[/name_u] and to learn more about her amazing botany collection. They have learned from [name_u]Genie[/name_u] which plants are and aren’t safe for animal consumption, given [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] is considering getting a pet. [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] often feels like they wish they had more confidence, something their siblings are better at than her, and she thinks a pet would ease her. [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] has also found a lot of respect for [name_f]Portia[/name_f] as well, not just in helping with advice, but also a member of the genderqueer community. [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] is currently part of a pilates class as well and attended every [name_f]Sunday[/name_f].

[moonwriteen]

(tw: homophobia)
Davron Tulkin Shakirov (24) is someone who attends the same Pilates class as [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u]. He is from Uzbekistan and emigrated to the US after getting qualified for an athletic scholarship. He played semi-pro volleyball and had a position as a libero throughout most of high school. He unfortunately had an injury which made him unsuitable to pursue the athletic scholarship any longer - a relative, his father’s cousin, who lived in the US since the 80s, came to his financial aid (he had no family or wife and so all the money he had to spare came to Uzbekistan anyway).

Davron lived with him until the cousin found out that Davron is gay, at which point he was promptly thrown out and cut off from financial support.

He and the boyfriend he met through a college course in biology tried to find a solution - eventually Davron was forced to work two jobs at a local bike shop and a second one as a security guard to pay for one month of his college tuition after his grades became high enough to qualify for an academic scholarship instaed of an athletic one - the owner of the bike shop where he worked the day shift, [name_u]Reggie[/name_u] , offered him to live with him and his two other roomates - [name_u]Cam[/name_u] & [name_f]Helena[/name_f] .

Davron agreed despite making it clear that initally his situation will be very dire and he might not be able to contribute as much to the rent as he wanted to when it comes to paying his share of the rent. For [name_u]Reggie[/name_u] , [name_u]Cam[/name_u] and [name_f]Helena[/name_f] that wasn’t much of a problem as they knew that Davron can contribute in other ways - by keeping the house clean and occasionally cooking Uzbek food for other roomates.

[name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] knows Davron as the shy guy who always wears a rainbow pin and incorporates rainbow somewhere in his backpack , yoga mat or other pilates-related accesories. After the recent break-up with his boyfriend over whether or not he should try and reconnect with his family members despite their homophobia , he has a hard time opening up to someone , anyone. He enjoys the pilates because it gives him soem kind of physical activity. He had been missing it for a very long time , particularly since his achilles tendon related injury. He doesn’t feel like he can open up to his roomates about it either because one of the roomates - [name_u]Cam[/name_u] - is now in a PDA-filled relationship with a Swiss exchange student named [name_m]Yannick[/name_m] and he doesn’t want to ruin the mood with his sob story. [name_m]Little[/name_m] does he know that his ex-boyfriend is actually the roomate of [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] 's sister, [name_u]Genie[/name_u]. [name_u]Genie[/name_u] and [name_f]Portia[/name_f] currently work together to support Davron 's ex emotionally. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though [name_u]Burgundy[/name_u] has been trying to talk to Davron and approach him after recognising in him a fellow member of the LGBTQ+ community, the intermingling of the friend groups could have some unpredictable consequences.

Reggie was created by @szinkle

Cam was created by @kitkatcookie
Yannick was created by me
Helena was created by @I_meme_it

[kitkatcookie]

tw: homophobia, familial rejection
mw: parental death

[name_m]Seymour[/name_m] " [name_m]Sy[/name_m] " [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] Mabitz (24) is Davron’s ex and the final roommate of [name_u]Genie[/name_u], [name_f]Portia[/name_f] and [name_m]Felix[/name_m]. In a lot of senses, the former boyfriend’s ironically remind their roommates of one another: Sy’s likewise a private person with an introverted nature, although he opens up easier than Davron, and was jokingly called “the ghost” by their landlord for quite some time, given his infrequent appearances. It’s a combination of things that keep [name_m]Sy[/name_m] so evasive: he’s very content keeping to himself in his room, but also is busy working too, having managed to land a good starting job in a mechanical engineering following his college graduation - something he’s proud of, but eager to continue succeeding at, failure in any perceived form having long concerned the young man.

Having known [name_m]Felix[/name_m] since high school, he’s the person who understands this best about [name_m]Sy[/name_m]. Growing up with divorced parents, Sy’s mother passed away when he was 8 and he subsequently became very close with his dad, who influenced his hardworking attitude greatly. Mr. Mabitz grew up in abject poverty and fought to become financially successful, having a projection of these fears onto his son, who he encouraged academically. Their once impenetrable bond was shattered when [name_m]Sy[/name_m] was 18 though, after he came out as gay just before leaving for college.

His father reacted by initially insisting [name_m]Sy[/name_m] was mistaken, and when his son refused to agree with this judgement, an argument broke out between them. As it continued, [name_m]Sy[/name_m] realised his father couldn’t accept him, and worse still, he didn’t want to bother trying. In his mind, [name_m]Sy[/name_m] had been changed somehow, and it was for the worse, something that devastated him for how his dad had long been such a positive presence in his life. They became fully estranged once [name_m]Sy[/name_m] was away at school, and he would opt to stay on campus over the holidays, then spending them with Davron once they got together.

Sy’s desire to reconnect with his father developed due to addressing more feelings in therapy about the loss of his mother. While he insisted to his boyfriend and others that he was fine being estranged, the combined loss of both parents weighed heavily on him, and although he’s nervous to try a reconciliation, it’s something he wants to pursue. As someone who struggles being emotionally open out of fear, the reaction of Davron to this decision deeply hurt [name_m]Sy[/name_m], and he once more retreated into himself. It’s not that he doesn’t care for or even no longer love his ex, it’s merely too apparent that there’s things they both have to resolve before they can become embroiled in serious relationships [although [name_m]Sy[/name_m] hasn’t plucked up the courage to say this aloud].

[CherryBomb50]

Warning: Deceased character and aforementioned homophobia.

[name_f]Oriane[/name_f] [name_f]Bridget[/name_f] [name_m]Dalby[/name_m] (21 [name_u]March[/name_u] 1973 - 10 [name_u]September[/name_u] 2007; aged 34) was Sy’s late mother who passed away when [name_m]Sy[/name_m] was 8. She was a supportive influence and while [name_m]Sy[/name_m] was born under his father’s surname, the [name_m]Dalby[/name_m] family still considered him one of them. [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] had one sister, who wasn’t married at the time of Oriane’s passing, but had broken off an engagement only a few months before losing her sister. It was a tough time for Oriane’s sister, even if she was the one to break off the engagement to begin with. She made the difficult decision to break it off from her fiancé when she fell out of love with him, which [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] supported her through. It was difficult because neither sister feared causing hurt, but [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] insisted it was better to have a broken engagement than a divorce, seeing [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] had gotten a divorce herself. [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] and her sister had a very strong support among each other and were always there, so losing [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] was like breaking the biggest support system one had.

[name_f]Oriane[/name_f] never thought she’d leave her son behind so soon when she passed, given she had such a friendly light like she was going to be in his life forever. She and her husband complemented each other, she inspired his supportive nature while he inspired her hardworking nature. [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] was a pageant contestant in teenage years, being first runner-up in a Miss Teen pageant and was third runner-up in a Miss pageant as a young adult. [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] stopped pageantry because she wanted to marry and have children, and couldn’t do that in a Miss pageant. She was stuck questioning what to do as a career given she didn’t know what her next step in life was. Her husband’s hard-working demeanour got her back into school and she would eventually become a biologist. Her main reason for divorcing her husband was also simply because she fell out of love, and post-divorce, she found him grating and pushy. [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] was happier without him.

Pertaining her son’s sexuality, [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] would have been very supportive. She would only know [name_m]Sy[/name_m] in childhood so she wouldn’t have known he was gay. However she never assumed he was straight either. When [name_m]Sy[/name_m] was a little boy and asked about couples, [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] replied, “When two people love each other very much, they become a couple. What they do after becoming a couple is their choice, in our case, we married and had you as our son. You are too young at the moment to find a partner but when you grow up, you may have feelings for people and could become a couple with someone if they feel the same way for you.” Her explanations were always gender-neutral and never invoked that potential future significant others for [name_m]Sy[/name_m] had to be female. Oriane’s husband didn’t notice that she didn’t invoke gender and just saw these as simple explanations of love, so he never opposed what she told [name_m]Sy[/name_m]. [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] focused a lot on Sy’s childhood even after the divorce from her husband. Oriane’s sister comforted her and the two women stayed close. [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] kept the original house so she could stay closer with her family while her ex-husband moved to a more successful city an hour and a half away.

While [name_m]Sy[/name_m] was at his father’s house, [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] unfortunately passed away in her home after an epileptic seizure, having suffered from a mild case of epilepsy starting when she was 10. [name_m]Sy[/name_m] and his father attended her funeral and the death of [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] put [name_m]Sy[/name_m] in a tough place in his life. Although his father wasn’t in love with [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] anymore, he stayed supportive of his son and his grief of her, since he was his only parent now. The part Sy’s father didn’t care for was making 1½ hour drives to the [name_m]Dalby[/name_m] family’s city. It was awkward to drive there anyway given they were exes, to the point that [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] would often do the driving there and back to pick up [name_m]Sy[/name_m], so her ex-husband wouldn’t complain about it in front of her family. But that wasn’t possible anymore given [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] was no longer alive. Her sister did the drive there and back but stopped after her car was getting too old. Growing up, [name_m]Sy[/name_m] had many memories of his mother keepsaken, and had vivid memories of his time with her. While things with the Dalbys was sometimes awkward for Sy’s father, he never spoke badly about his ex-wife and stayed a kind influence to [name_m]Sy[/name_m]. At least until he made the betraying decision to deny [name_m]Sy[/name_m] was gay, making a 180⁰ on how he had previously been a kind influence on his son. [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] would have been highly against this.

While [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] was straight and simply fell out of love with her husband and his personality, her sister fell out of love with her fiancé because she has since realised she was lesbian. In the recent years, she has recently gotten engaged to a woman and this time, it’s going to become a marriage. Oriane’s sister isn’t close with the Mabitz family since the times Mr. Mabitz took [name_m]Sy[/name_m] to see the [name_m]Dalby[/name_m] family had decreased given his impatience with driving over. During adulthood, [name_m]Sy[/name_m] had recently reconnected with his maternal aunt and has found her an inspiring individual. She’s apologised for this distance that her family had with [name_m]Sy[/name_m] due to her disdain with Mr. Mabitz. She initially didn’t want [name_m]Sy[/name_m] to reconnect with his father but ultimately she was convinced [name_m]Sy[/name_m] deserved to make his own decision. It wasn’t her place to judge and felt it would be hypocritical to get angry that Sy’s father wasn’t in his life when she had been a waning figure as well. She was so close with [name_m]Sy[/name_m] after [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] passed away but distanced herself due to her own grief and growing dislike for the Mabitz side. She’s vowed to stay a close figure for [name_m]Sy[/name_m] regardless of how the reconnection goes for [name_m]Sy[/name_m] and his father. It’s what [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] would have wanted…and what [name_m]Sy[/name_m] wants and deserves.

[kitkatcookie]

sexuality insecurities

[name_f]Tamarind[/name_f] " [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] " [name_f]Claire[/name_f] Juring (47) is Oriane’s posthumous soon-to-be sister-in-law and the fiancé of Sy’s aunt, who’s become closer to the young man over the years. While she never had a chance to meet [name_f]Oriane[/name_f], [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] not only respects how her fiancé strives to keep her sisters’ memory alive, but her continuous work to ensure [name_m]Sy[/name_m] never forgets her completely either. She’s never met his father in person and has no intention to, not wanting to deal with such a toxic personality. Education is always important to [name_f]Tasha[/name_f], and she believes people can let go of intolerance and work on themselves, but doesn’t bother with those too embroiled in active bigotry, not wanting to waste her breath and face more frustration.

Bisexual, [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] struggled with her own identity for several years. She was acutely aware of stereotypes surrounding bisexuals, and tended to be evasive when introducing herself to others, helped by her preference for dating women, that blurred the lines. It was her brother - who’s also bi - who convinced her to completely come out, and this was shortly after her 29th birthday. Both he and their parents’ weren’t surprised that Tasha’s become a university lecturer, specialising in sociology, which she’s always been passionate about, even if it took her til college to narrow down this particular subject’s name. Before then she’d just say humanities when asked.

[name_f]Tasha[/name_f] had one serious relationship prior to her current one, lasting through college and post-graduation for several years. She and her ex remained on good terms until [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] began dating again, at which point it dawned on her that her former girlfriend had always hoped for a reunion, something she couldn’t see being good for either of them. Although they cared for one another deeply, Tasha’s ex was often immature and flighty, things that became a problem thanks to how she didn’t handled finances well. It always led to them arguing, and [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] felt time alone would help her ex mature, instead of viewing a partner as a means of guiding her through life. Thanks to both being involved in the local queer community, they’ve had some awkward reencounters over the years, but now at least [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] doesn’t consider hiding in the toilets.

[moonwriteen]

(tw: searching for revenge, MLM , death - not blurred, not graphic )
[name_f]Faustine[/name_f] [name_u]Seneca[/name_u] [name_m]Dalby[/name_m] [55 ] is [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] 's fiancee , [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] 's sister and [name_m]Sy[/name_m] 's aunt. She is very excited to be getting married to [name_f]Tasha[/name_f]. She used to be jealous of [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] 's ex but now that she “put a ring on it” she feels more secure. [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] ackowledges that her ex was clingy and expected [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] to " complete " her and lead her through life, which she didn’t experience with [name_f]Faustine[/name_f]. [name_f]Faustine[/name_f], while she had her own demons, was always very independent and a little bit of a loner, but [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] found it quite endearing to be honest.

[name_f]Faustine[/name_f] is an avid reader and likes to read philosophy, from ancient philosophers like [name_m]Plato[/name_m] to more modern onees like Slavoj Zizek. She has the ability to keep reading because of her job - she’s a librarian.

She likes her middle name , which was given to her after a [name_m]Stoic[/name_m] philosopher. Her first name is a saint’s name - [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] and [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] 's mother was a devout Catholic, but [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] herself considers herself agnostic.

[name_f]Faustine[/name_f] did not want to contact [name_m]Sy[/name_m] for the longest time because she knows a secret about [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] 's death that she swore she would never tell and battled herself in therapy for years before finally being convinced that she can, indeed , keep the secret.

One year after [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] 's death, [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] picked up a call from a 19-year-old girl. As it turned out, the girl was there when [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] had a seizure - she came to the front door and peeked through the window , to see if someone was home and she noticed something was wrong. The girl’s manager - her " upline " in an MLM that sold vacuums - told her to go to the door and knock. After a few knocks the girl started saying her pitch to inform the resident of the house that she was attempting selling a vacuum cleaner… She noticed the doors were open and found it strange, so she entered to witness [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] having a seizure. Because the girl’s mom was a nurse, she knew what to do and quickly placed a soft pillow under Oriane’s head while trying to loosen any tight clothing , but before she called 911 her manager dragged her out of the building, so no medical staff really got to [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] in time - once her neighbour noticed something , it was already too late. Police recognised that there was someone at the scene attempting to help [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] and searched for the person wanting to ask about why no medical staff was called. Unfrortunately , [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] and Mr. Mabitz were clueless as to who it could be, but Mr. Mabitz desperately wanted to find the person and physically beat them up for not doing enough to safe his wife. Mr. Mabitz wanted [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] to help her find the person but [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] knew he was in a dark place filled with anger and the desire for revange, so even after the girl contacted her in tears a year after, [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] swore that she would never tell the truth to Mr. Mabitz because she knew that he might hurt the poor girl even though she had no control over her manager and did everything in her power to help [name_f]Oriane[/name_f]. This decision cost [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] the relationship with her nephew - Mr. Mabitz couldn’t get over losing the love of his life and the fact that someoen was there with [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] but didn’t call for help, yet he was unable to find and punish the person or get [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] to search for revenge with him. He refused to drive [name_m]Sy[/name_m] to the [name_m]Dalby[/name_m] side of the family, being convinced that [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] 's death didn’t affect them as much.

[kitkatcookie]

cw: death from cancer; MLMs

[name_u]Vesper[/name_u] [name_f]Anneliese[/name_f] McCormack (34) is someone [name_f]Faustine[/name_f] has become aware of recently and is contemplating reaching out to. A journalist who’s primarily focused on business scandals, she’s currently working on an exposure documentary about the MLM - Women 4 Winning - which is a supplement brand exemplifying the predatory nature of this industry, and home of the woman who dismissed the medical emergency to claim Orianes’ life. It’s been a passion project for [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] for several years, and really what she had to wait on was appropriate funding sources, as well as her own children’s needs. [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] has two children: a 5-year-old son and 22-month-old daughter, with her partner, and didn’t want her job to compromise family time, a personal issue for her.

With the increase of MLMs in the modern age, [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] grew up witnessing her mom being victimised by these schemes. She was a single parent following the sudden passing of Vespers’ father to aggressive stomach cancer, raising three children - Vesper’s the eldest, followed by her nonbinary sibling, then her sister - and tupperware parties seemed ideal to support them. Of course, this didn’t turn out well for the family. [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] witnessed her mother undergo intense stress, furthered by the demands and passive aggression of the company she worked for, constantly pressuring her to find more customers and promote their name. It was when they demanded she go on an unrealistic business trip to ‘promote company affluence’ that she quit, recognising it had all been a lie peddled to lure her in, and she barely managed to pay off her mortgage as she went back to secretarial work.

It’s the predatory nature - and reliance on societies unfair expectations for mothers’ - that’s made [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] so determined to go after unethical and exploitative businesses. Her initial recognition stemmed from an exposè of a pet company that weren’t doing proper checks on those coming to buy animals, leading to many being abandoned as people weren’t appropriate fits for their needs. [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] hasn’t exactly settled with a particular publication, but instead works with different networks depending on the needs of those she’s looking to aid with her work. For her higher profile, [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] prefers having a very relaxed home environment with her vinyl records; collection of bird paraphernalia, and beloved Norwegian forrest cat, Jubbly.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for arranged marriage and aforementioned MLMs.

[name_m]Kamil[/name_m] [name_m]Murad[/name_m] [name_m]Sulayman[/name_m] (34) is Vesper’s partner, AMAB but non-binary. They’re the middle child, anlthough anlso in a family of three like [name_u]Vesper[/name_u], and comes from a Maldivian family. Life is good for [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] and they’re grateful to be with [name_u]Vesper[/name_u]. They don’t really talk to their parents, who expected them to marry someone else before the age of 21, and failed to get a marriage arranged between them and a very successful (would have been) bride. [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] has since become less traditional; wanting to stay life partners with [name_u]Vesper[/name_u], having children without a marriage, and being proud of their non-binary identity. Kamil’s elder sibling is currently in an arranged marriage while their younger sibling divorced out of one. Growing up, [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] didn’t get along with the youngest for immaturity while idolising the eldest for a lot of maturity. While there wasn’t direct parentification to the youngest, [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] felt like the youngest had to be watched by both parents and siblings to ensure no misbehaving. They didn’t realise the blunt of it until the eldest was sick for some time and they were in charge of the youngest. [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] was actually happy at first, especially since they’re the middle child questioning their place, but they grew to completely resent it and find the youngest “so rude and petty”. They’ve since seen the youngest grow and change for the better and now [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] is on much better terms while rarely contacting parents anymore. They’re still closest with the firstborn but is more open to talking about emotions with the youngest.

Working in airport security, [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] knows every way from the back of their hand that people have attempted to smuggle things in. There have been times that [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] has seen stuff that is technically legal to pack but just embarrassing to show people you have; but then again, they’ve seen just about every awkward item and usually isn’t as embarrassed as the person packing it. Admittedly, some make for good workplace stories at least! MLM is definitely a different kind of sneak concept however, and [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] has learned a lot more about the MLMs from [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] and [name_f]Faustine[/name_f]. [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] is a supportive parent to their children, one of whom loves the mas riha, a curry native to the Maldives, which the two enjoy. [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] loves their children and enjoys going to the local carnival or circus with them to have fun. They’re close with Vesper’s mother, considering her a second mother, but never puts pressure on her, especially given her own difficult life raising three with just one of her. They wish that they were able to have known Vesper’s late father, relating to [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] wishing she had known [name_f]Oriane[/name_f]. They have a good bond with Vesper’s non-binary sibling, being able to relate on an identity level and also being a middle child. [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] likes to keep the home environment relaxed as well, they remember when Jubbly was a nervous little cat when the couple adopted, but is now very sweet and happy-go-lucky with the TLC the couple gave. [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] often times worries about people they believe to be terrible, but to everyone else, they put love first. They can’t help but be excited about Women 4 Winning to be released and sense this will be a successful hit people will be raving on.

[moonwriteen]

[name_f]Amy[/name_f] [name_u]Jeanne[/name_u] Burkenlaw (34) is someone whom [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] interviewed in connection with Women 4 Winning and the person who tried to prevent the medical emergency that claimed [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] 's life. [name_f]Amy[/name_f] was deeply traumatized by the situation of being dragged out of the building by her " upline " while trying to help and it took her a whole year to tell anyone about this incident. It was she who found the woman’s family by asking around local shops and such and by putting two and two together when the investigation by police took place. As a result, the first person she opened up to about being unsucessful in her pursuit of saving [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] 's life was her own sister, [name_f]Faustine[/name_f]. The second person she told about this was her first girlfriend in college - a serious , calm and collected [name_f]British[/name_f] girl who took everything with a dry sense of humor and nothing ever surprised her , due to the fact that she lived in a sketchy part of Birmingham and fought tooth and nail to get out of there to live with her aunt in [name_m]Vermont[/name_m] - she didn’t exactly envision having two kids and living off of welfare by the time she graduates high school ,the way her parents clearly did. It was the calm Brit’s difficult past which caused [name_f]Amy[/name_f] to open up to her and be completely honest , although she broke down during that confession and was very direct about the fact that it was the reason why [name_f]Amy[/name_f] became a nurse - not by virtue of wanting to continue a family tradiition or be like her mother, but rather just so she can try to make things right between her subconcious and [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] 's spirit - as [name_f]Amy[/name_f] herself puts it.

Nowdays, [name_f]Amy[/name_f] has a wife, three wonderful children - [name_f]Libby[/name_f] , aged five, who she gave birth to , and boy/girl twins birthed by her wife 2 years ago. She has a nice house in a quiant little neighborhood and her kids are friends with the neighbours’ sons. Talking about the past has been painful for [name_f]Amy[/name_f] but she deeply respects the work that [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] is doing and appreciates [name_m]Kamil[/name_m] for bringing her tissues when [name_f]Amy[/name_f] was teary-eyed during [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] 's interview.

Libby was created by @kitkatcookie

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for ableism.

[name_f]Charla[/name_f] [name_f]Vivienne[/name_f] [Burkley] Burkelaw (34) is Amy’s wife and Libby’s mother. She loves [name_f]Amy[/name_f] dearly and knows [name_f]Amy[/name_f] tried to save [name_f]Oriane[/name_f] and that the MLM was not her fault. She’s on close terms with [name_f]Zara[/name_f] Griesenbeck, who works for the same interior design firm that she works for, although [name_f]Charla[/name_f] is the one who maps out the building plans. Both she and [name_f]Amy[/name_f] love their red hair and enjoy that [name_f]Libby[/name_f] and the twins have it much like Zara’s children. [name_f]Charla[/name_f] focuses on giving her children a safe and happy childhood, given she remembers some of the ableism that she grew up with. Her great-uncle often called her rude names given Charla’s dyscalculia as a child. She didn’t like visiting him because he always asked her, “So did you finally learn how to count?” and “How many fingers am I holding up?” He even tried to trick her by saying she was counting wrong even if she wasn’t and saying odd numbers were actually even and vice-versa. [name_f]Charla[/name_f] did manage to overcome this but not by anything her great-uncle said to her; this did nothing but hurt her. Thankfully her parents had always been accommodating and while her younger brother was an immature little boy at the time, he didn’t even tease her.

She’s also heard of [name_m]Artur[/name_m] Anova’s once-relationship with mutual friend Ori’s sister from [name_f]Zara[/name_f], although she knows now that they aren’t together. They did have a secret romance for some time but ultimately decided not to take any further steps as they believed they were better off as friends. Charla’s pretty much agreed that they’re better off as friends and [name_f]Zara[/name_f] herself felt that was the likely outcome, but nonetheless both are happy that Ori’s sister is still on good terms with him and is enjoying her daily life. Chances are she and [name_f]Amy[/name_f] will be dancing together at this year’s [name_f]Anova[/name_f] Ball and although [name_m]Artur[/name_m] is an [name_f]Anova[/name_f], he’s told some people he doesn’t have the motivation to attend this year. However, it’s not because of his split with his ex-turned-friend. Ori’s sister actually did stand up for [name_m]Artur[/name_m] two weeks ago when someone outed Artur’s prosthetic foot despite him trying to hide this. [name_m]Artur[/name_m] was trying to advertise the annual [name_f]Anova[/name_f] Ball online and someone by the username of Thundersteel8 posted a photo of [name_m]Artur[/name_m] with his prosthetic foot clearly shown. [name_m]Artur[/name_m] had no idea when that picture was taken and who was behind Thundersteel8 but he got a lot of messages online bombarding on that and while he will make a statement for that, he feels like his privacy was violated and the information was essentially leaked. [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and Ori’s sister knew he had a fake foot but never told anyone, however [name_f]Charla[/name_f] had no idea. She believes he will learn to accept himself and stand tall after this, but she couldn’t imagine one of her own secrets being exposed and not knowing who exposed it. She has also felt a closeness with [name_u]Ori[/name_u], especially his career.

[name_f]Charla[/name_f] is considering getting a dog after hearing from [name_u]Ori[/name_u] about the importance of rescue shelter animals. [name_f]Charla[/name_f] finds rescue pets to be very wholesome and she’s never understood the “snooty” value of purebred breeding. She enjoys the way [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] drew attention to the pet company selling their pets without proper checks and is mesmerised by the honesty of the exposé. Though admittedly, she never liked the idea of “pet companies” because it felt like pets were treated like products more than living beings. This is why she knows from [name_u]Vesper[/name_u], alongside [name_f]Amy[/name_f], that the MLM exposé Women 4 Winning is going to be a hot topic and a big deal. [name_u]Vesper[/name_u] and Kamil’s 5-year-old son has even shown some support alongside [name_f]Libby[/name_f], even though they don’t even know what “MLM” stands for! The neighbourhood boys are also on great terms with [name_f]Libby[/name_f] and the Burkelaw twins and [name_f]Charla[/name_f] is getting to know and appreciate her neighbours more. While they know [name_f]Amy[/name_f] more, they still appreciate [name_f]Charla[/name_f] and find the two a great couple. [name_f]Charla[/name_f] likes to grow little berries in her front and back yard and lets the neighbourhood boys pick some, as long as they leave enough for the Burkelaws to enjoy. Charla’s a very community-focused person and likes to check the bulletin board at her local grocery store for what events are in town for her and the family to enjoy for the day.

Zara and Ori were created by @moonwritteen.

Artur was created by me.

[kitkatcookie]

[name_m]Thielen[/name_m] " [name_u]Leo[/name_u] " [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] + [name_f]Adeliza[/name_f] " [name_f]Liza[/name_f] " [name_f]Pearl[/name_f] Burkelaw (2) are [name_f]Amy[/name_f] and Charla’s twins and the younger siblings of [name_f]Libby[/name_f]. Determined and energetic in their own ways, what [name_u]Leo[/name_u] and [name_f]Liza[/name_f] love most right now is getting to see more of the world: for their 2nd birthday they went to the zoo with their family and it was absolutely cherished by both of them - especially seeing all the animals as they know their big sister’s so fond of all creatures. The twins are more into the arts: [name_u]Leo[/name_u] loves painting while Liza’s become enamoured with making little clay shapes, which she sometimes let’s her brother paint.

Leo’s definitely the more outgoing of the duo and [name_f]Liza[/name_f] very much used to be his little sidekick, however she’s been going through a growth in confidence recently, leading to bickering between the pair. It’s never anything serious or a cause for concern for their mother’s, and really, [name_f]Amy[/name_f] and [name_f]Charla[/name_f] are happy Liza’s finding her voice. One thing the twins can always agree on is that they hope to have redder hair sooner rather than later: it’s very impressive as far as they’re concerned, and also their mutual favourite colour, so they both dressed up as little devil’s for Halloween. Thankfully this hasn’t bled into their usual behaviour…yet.