To Marcus Wraysford

[Rosemary Andrews]

(ooc: I wanted to play her, so... idk, have some cousin bonding)

Hey hon,

How are you? I just thought I'd check in! I've been stress-baking like crazy, so the box attached to this has biscuits in it (though if you haven't already torn it open and aren't well into your third helping as you read this, we may not actually be related). Anyway. I hope you're not allergic to nuts or anything??

So, how's Lucy? How's The Coffee Bean? How's your love life Are you eating well? Getting enough sleep? Exercising?! (I'm not.)

Promise you'll stop by and visit sometime!

~ Rosemary

[Marcus Wraysford]

Hey lovely,

It was so great to hear from you and, don't worry, parentage confirmed because my trusty Andrews nose practically smelt the hazelnut cookies through the package. I'm on my third one already, daaaamn Rosie, you sure can bake. Speaking of baking, how's Pie Boy? How's life in general?

Lucy's doing great, thanks, she tells me to say hiiiiiiii to you since she's on break from school right now so, predictably, has found sleeping at my place on a lumpy sofa more pleasant that the sub-zero temperatures of the ol' Wraysford house. Since Gran and Grandad are strictly speaking her legal guardians I feel they ought to put a little more effort into insisting she go home but idk whatever. She's doing well at Hogwarts though and her relentless enthusiasm hasn't changed one bit so I guess she's happy!

Work is good, not much to report on really, we still brew that coffee and people still drink it so all's well as far as I'm concerned on that front! I should probably mention now that Liam and I broke up since I last spoke to you. Ngl little bit gutted really since I did really like him and I thought he felt the same- clearly not but I oh well I have good friends, a good life, a super awesome sister (can you tell she made me write that? haha), a good job so... screw him, you know?

I am way ahead of you, Rosie, Lucy and I will be by the shop sometime tomorrow morning.

Marcus

[Rosemary Andrews]

(ooc: Where did we leave off with Ned/Rosemary? Secretly hooking up?)

Marc,

I learned to bake from the best! And if I have to get fat living next to a bakery, I'm taking everyone down with me (kidding). We've been Ned's great. I've just been a little worried about turning a profit at my shop this month. Cross your fingers I won't go under, okay?!

Hi Lucy!! I really wish Gran & Grandad Andrews were still around; I think Lucy would have really liked them. Though I don't think my parents would mind if she ever wanted to stay with them for a bit? Of course, they'd have to reign in the nudism and hide all their bongs and grow lights (please don't let her read that!).

I listen to your radio show in the shop! I'm really proud of you for forging your own path, you know. It takes bravery to figure out what you want and really follow your bliss.

Oh sweetie. There are plenty more hazelnut cookies with your name on them, in that case. And you also have awesome cousins! But yes, screw him. There are plenty of cute boys in the sea, yes?

~ Rosemary

[Marcus Wraysford]

((ooc: Them secretly hooking up sounds good to me if it's good with you. Also, impressive for Ned to pull-off without anyone finding out since he's the least subtle person ever and the worst liar.))

Rosemary,

But of course you did! And pff don't be silly, you're hardly getting fat my lovely! But yeah... I did eat the cookies with my running shoes practically glaring at me as if to say 'you're really eating another one, mate, really?'. It's fine, I'll appease them by running some extra with Kyle this weekend. Glad to hear Pie Boy's doing good, note to self: I need his key lime pie back in my life. Nooooo, you cannot go under, I refuse to let it happen if I can help it! But hey, I happen to know a load of artsy types who love vintage stuff, I'll send them round to the shop.

Lucy says a really enthusiastic (and ngl, slightly aggressively happy) hello back! I think Lucy would have loved them too. You know, I worry about her sometimes because she doesn't remember a lot about Mum and Dad and well... Gran and Grandad Wraysford aren't exactly the most emotionally available people around by a long shot. I mean she seems okay and she seems happy but... it kind of sucks that she doesn't have a proper parental figure around. Well, apart from me but come on, my life is hardly the epitome of responsible and an example to her. I'll let her know about the offer to stay with your folks for a bit - she'll probably jump at the chance, just so you know.

Awww, my lovely, that's so nice of you to say! Thank you! It really means a lot to know that... well firstly that people actually listen to it... and secondly that you enjoy it! I just... I hated the Ministry, I couldn't stand the idea of becoming a Ministry drone and then the possibility of turning into a carbon copy of my parents. Couldn't hack it, hence the running away to the more airy, fairy, artsy world of music haha. But thank you, seriously, it's nice to hear someone's proud of you every once in a while.

Hey, I'm cool, it's fine - I got past the 'eating my feelings' phase a few days back. Though, by all means, send over more cookies, haha. Of course I have awesome cousins, I thought that was a given? But yeah... there are plenty of cute boys in the sea, so I'm told, shame I can't seem to find them, eh? Or else they always turn out to be douches. You live and learn I guess. Maybe I'm just attracted to douche bags?

Marcus

[Rosemary Andrews]

Marc,

I'll *subtly* convince him to put Key Lime Pie back into rotation, dove.

I know it was your parents' wish to have them as her guardians, and I'm sure they care for her -- I don't want to diminish that at all. My parents don't butt in too much, because I understand there exists a, well... delicate truce between them and your grandparents that they'd rather not upset again. (And, well, they're not perfect wholesome homemakers either, obviously.) But they'd love to be a part of Lucy's life, I know that.

It's true! Some people don't realise those things until far later in life.

Everyone has a their own soothing breakup remedy! Livvy's is cheesy films and ice cream. Felicia needs to shoot things in video games. Ned's friend Geoff grows an insane beard. I do cookies. And hon, falling for douchebags happens to the best of us! Some of us stay engaged to them for eight months... *coughNeilcough* I just think of it like, there's something good in there that attracts us to them, but they have their own issues that are beyond our control. Be thankful for the clean break and remember that it probably just wasn't meant to be.

~ Rosemary

[Marcus Wraysford]

Rosemary,

I love you x a million, Andrews, I really do. Also…tell me to piss off if I’m prying way too much but… you and Pie Boy – umm is there something there?? I promise I won't gossip if there is!

I try to respect Mum and Dad’s wishes. I mean, for all we had our differences of opinion and for all I still can’t quite forgive them face what happened that night, they had our best interests at heart right? I’m sure. But upset the truce, for real, just tell them to do it because I don’t want this sweet, sweet girl growing up in an environment where her own grandparents can’t say how proud they are of her because they’re too busy being uppity and proud at work. Would a hug or even a smile be too much to ask from them, really? I should point out this Christmas I might have gotten into a huge fight with them and said some… not very nice things along those lines. I regret it, obviously, but I stand by what I said… yeah… it’s made things a bit less civil when I do see them.

Huh. Well can I choose ignoring it, emotionally belting out ‘On My Own’ aggressively in my flat, and then drowning my sorrows in wine? Yeah I’m still really sorry about Neil, you deserve so much better that how he treated you, Rosie, so SO much better. But you’re happy now, right? I definitely hear you on the douchebag thing, I wish I didn’t, but I SO do. Maybe I thought I could change him? Liam had his faults, sure, and I’m sure I have mine but… I just… idk I thought we worked well together and that it didn’t matter. I (clearly misguidedly) kinda saw a future there, ngl, as much as I should probably just be ‘playing the field’ at my age, or so my mates say. Ah well… fuck it and him, back to the bottle of rosé and belting “I love him, but everyday I’m learninggggggg, all my life, I’ve only been pretendinggggggggg!” for me. ;) My neighbours must love it when I’m going through a break-up.

Marcus

[Rosemary Andrews]

Marc,

Do you want me to less-subtly convince him?! Yeah, okay, there might be something there. Something that... doesn't have a name on it yet. If certain people get word of it, they're all going to freak out and start planning our wedding, so... shhh.

I believe that they had your best interests at heart. And I'll talk to my parents. Lucy deserves that much. And of course Mum and Dad have no problem with smiling and hugging... and drum circles... and wildly inappropriate overshares. Don't beat yourself up over whatever you said, okay? I'm sure my dad has said far worse to them! And was far more stoned and less bathed when he said it.

I'm happy! I have an easier time standing up for myself now, and recognising when I need to just cut someone off for my own good. I learned a tough lesson with Neil, but I'm glad I learned it sooner rather than later. I think people can't change unless they really want to, and that's on them, not you.

Keep singing your heart out, deary!

~ Rosemary

[Marcus Wraysford]

Rosemary,

Tbh lovely, you can openly tell him I said his menu looks bare without it haha, I do not fear Ned and I have no issue with him knowing I think his key lime pie is heavenly. I'd even go so far as saying it can be better than sex but idk, really, I would need to taste it again to make completely sure, you know? ;)

But there IS something there?! Ohhhh Rosie, I'm so happy for you! Come on, he's been holding a flame for you for aaaages, awww I'm so pleased for you whatever this 'something that doesn't have a name on it yet' is. I can be discreet, don't worry.

Thanks for the support, I know Lucy would appreciate it more than she could ever say. I still feel really bad about it but oh well, can't take it back. But yeah at least I wasn't stoned when I said it, thanks for highlighting the silver lining haha!

I'm glad to hear you're honestly happier now and yeah... think you could give me some advice on how to cut people off sooner when you realise they're no good for you and/or not letting people walk all over you? I should preface this by saying... you remember that clean break thing you talked about as being so healthy and good? Yeah. Well. Umm. So, last night I might have experienced something of a 'backslide' and... sort of... kind of... accidentally slept with Liam a little bit. I suck, I am weak yadda yadda. PLEASE HELP ME. :'(

Marcus

[Rosemary Andrews]

Marc,

Oooooh, advice. I'll try! I'd say "just pretend you're Lara Croft", but I'm not sure you can pull off those boots. The point still stands, though... I've always been shy, and I have a lot of trouble being assertive, and my best coping mechanism is to act out a new persona. Pretend to be someone who doesn't take crap from anyone. Practice your "lines", if you have to. I'm sorry if that sounds insane! I probably play too many video games. (Though I did catch two shoplifters last year, so...)

What, did you slip on a banana peel and fall on him?! Oh hon. That too has happened to the best of us! You don't suck. You're not weak. You're just human. It takes a long time for two souls to disentangle in the spiritual realm I'm not an expert, but emotions are complicated, and I'm pretty sure there's all sorts of chemicals going crazy in your brain when you're with someone, so you can't always logic your way out of it. Think about yourself right now, and no one else... is he causing you more pain than happiness? Then it's probably time to cut him off for good.

~ Rosemary

[Marcus Wraysford]

Rosemary,

No, I’m confident enough in my own sense of style to know that I could never, ever pull off those boots. What a shame, I was so hoping to dress as Lara for the next costume party. :P

No but seriously, cheers for the advice. I mean I am not a particularly shy person by nature but I just… I find it a lot easier not to argue, I hate being hated, and I feel as though that often comes if you’re assertive with people. But I think I might let people walk over me more than I should. And I’m pretty sure they take advantage of me because they know I’m too soft to say anything about it – case in point is the entirety of mine and Liam’s relationship.

When I woke up this morning next to him… I hated myself quite a bit so I know it’s a mistake, and I think I fundamentally knew it was a mistake when I agreed to go back to his place the night before. I just… I don’t know… I knew it was going to be purely a sex thing then and I don’t know why I agreed, my brain should’ve saw through it all, yeah, and warned me against it? And he always makes me feel like crap about myself because he knows I'll give in to him even though I went as far as saying ‘over my dead body will we ever sleep together again’ when we had that big argument and broke up. Why do I do it, Rosie, why? It’s/he’s not good for me and yet I still go back. Brb, just blocking him on Facebook, deleting him from my contacts, changing my phone number and avoiding every single bar I normally drink at. :/

Marcus

[Rosemary Andrews]

Marc,

Don't mention costumes to me even sarcastically, because I have tonnes of cool cosplay stuff for all sorts of characters and will load you up with all of it if you let me!

Yay for semi-okay advice! I hate conflict too. I think that's only natural. And while the world may overwhelmingly favour the uber-assertive, that doesn't mean people like us aren't equally as valuable. Sometimes softness is what's needed.

Oh sweetie In my twenties, my go-to strategy to avoid hooking up with anyone was to stop shaving and stay in bed all weekend marathoning saved up episodes of Bargain Hunt. I don't know if any of that works for you...? Make sure to spend lots of time with your friends right now, okay? They'll help you keep a healthy perspective, I know it.

~ Rosemary

[Marcus Wraysford]

Rosemary,

Oh yeah? What cosplay do you think I could actually pull off then, seeing as how Lara Croft is out? :P

Well I, for one, hope the world comes to appreciate the admittedly slightly softer (and more pushover-y) personalities someday. It'd be a nice change.

I could try just not going out at night? Alternatively, take Lacey with me and beg her to be my official vetter for hook-ups, drunken or otherwise, and that way, I'll be going home with nobody at all. ;) I mean. I guess I could marathon Arrested Development or Parks and Rec. Or do some major hanging out with Lucy since she's home from school.
All of the above??

Thanks for the stellar advice, my lovely, and continue being awesome, won't you? :)

Marcus