#laviniamatthews

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: barbara palvin

full name: lavinia gwendolyn matthews

nickname(s) / goes by: lav

pronouns & gender: cis woman

sexuality: pansexual

birth date: october, 7, 1993

birth place: merrock, maine

arrival to merrock: local to merrock but moved for university and returned at the end of 2022

housing: the coast and pier 

occupation: cafe owner + freelance painter

work place: cobblestone cafe

family: vincent matthews - brother

relationship status: single

PERSONALITY

With the flash of a toothy grin and a well-timed compliment to start your day, she is the epitome of a carefully crafted piece of art. Fiercely loyal to those closest to her, it’s rare that she goes a day without lending her aid. The rejection of her parents still rests as a heavy weight on her soul, and it shows in how she prefers to focus her energy outwards on others without revealing much of herself. If the conversation drifts too close to heart, a witty quip will see her redirecting to more innocuous matters or, better, turn the question on whoever might have asked. Any mention of art or literature will see her waxing philosophical about the nuances of a composition; note: this is the best time to ask for a coffee, as her creative moods will see her making you the best concoction of lavender and espresso known to this side of the Atlantic.

WRITTEN BY: Taylor (she/her), aest/est.

BACKGROUND / BIO

triggering / sensitive content: child abandonment

The younger of two siblings, Lavinia has always been dynamic. A desire to stand apart from her brother and carve a path in life meant that once her sights were set, she stubbornly insisted on seeing her choice through. Growing up, she was a quiet yet reflective child, content to observe the world around her and wait to voice her observations until she was in the presence of family.

Her parent’s separation hit her hard, especially when they announced that they were moving, leaving the barely thirteen-year-old in the care of her older brother. It took several years for her to grapple with their abandonment, though she never took it out on her brother. Instead, she became his biggest cheerleader, cheering him on even when his future in sports crumbled.

Sports were never her forte, the arts calling to her more readily than any team sport could. Reading and writing took up large portions of her free time, although it was to art that she turned to truly unwind. Perhaps it was the desertion that pushed her towards expressing herself more readily, the loss of two confidants forcing her out of her shell to seek new connections.

She immersed herself in school, made friends in the campus art club, and did her best to distract herself from the dull ache that walking past the family kitchen table elicited each morning. Over time, however, the familiarity of Merrock only served as a reminder of what she had lost, and, by the time graduation rolled around, she was itching to get out.

Her grades saw her offered a scholarship at a prestigious university in Hungary and she accepted without a second thought, booking a one-way flight to Budapest and not looking back.

She spent her young adulthood there, studying literature and anthropology whilst marveling at the sights Europe had to offer. She sent regular updates to her brother on the gorgeous architecture that filled the city.

It wasn’t until a visit to Merrock last Christmas that she realized the ache of missing home. Her true home. For once, she could see past the painful visage of her parents’ turned backs to recall the better times shared in the town. Like ice cream on the pier, riding bikes in the fading summer sun, stumbling around the school gymnasium during homecoming.

Lavinia rang in the new year with a call to her landlord and an email to her boss tendering her resignation. It was pure coincidence that the café she used to barista at in high school was for sale, and she leapt at the opportunity.

Now, she starts her mornings before sunrise at the café, trying her hand at new recipes for lemon blueberry muffins and chocolate hazelnut lattes. If she’s not there, she can be found sitting by the water painting seascapes for the local art gallery, relishing in the sea breeze she turned her back on for nearly a decade.

[merrock]

WELCOME TO MERROCK, LAVINIA MATTHEWS!

Lav (she/her, cis woman) was born on October 7, 1993 in Merrock, Maine, and is a local who returned at the end of 2022. They're working as the owner of Cobblestone Cafe, and live in the coastal area. -- (written by taylor (she/her, aest & est) & portrayed by barbara palvin). FILLING CONNECTION: Vincent Matthews' younger sister.

Hi, Taylor, welcome to Merrock! We're so excited to see Lavinia here in town. Make sure to check out our welcome page, and submit your account within 48 hours, and your personality & background within one week. Thank you! xx

face claim: barbara palvin

full name: lavinia gwendolyn matthews

nickname(s) / goes by: lav

pronouns & gender: cis woman

sexuality: pansexual

birth date: october, 7, 1993

birth place: merrock, maine

arrival to merrock: local to merrock but moved for university and returned at the end of 2022

housing: the coast and pier 

occupation: cafe owner + freelance painter

work place: cobblestone cafe

family: vincent matthews - brother

relationship status: single

filling connection: vincent matthew's younger sister