forum "You have to pay for that you know" (1/1 closed)

Started Mar 27 by @rui group

tune

Character A accidentally shatters the museum's most prized artifact, initiating a lockdown as staff review surveillance footage to identify the culprit. When A's involvement is revealed, they're held responsible for the damage but lack the means to cover the cost. Forced to offer their time instead of payment, they're confronted with the daunting task of a year-long volunteer commitment or facing a hefty fine. Meanwhile, Character B, entrusted with enriching visitors' experiences with detailed historical insights, frequently encounters A at the front desk, leading to the blossoming of an unexpected connection in the museum because they rarely get visitors so the staff is suck talking amongst each other

I don't prefer either character I think both are really cool. You don't have to know history by the way unless you do like history and want to give some facts I don't think there will be a time when you will need to talk about history(unless you want to incorporate scenes like that), but yeah. This is a slow-burn romance between two men. I tend to type in descriptive paragraphs(medium-sized) nothing too bad. I would love it if you could match my energy as I find it hard to continue without that. lemme know if you're interested!

Yeah no problem! Lemme get the template out and send it, do u have a preference if I share my template first or no? I don’t care either way

I don't care either, whatever works best for you!

Okiiii I already had some characters ready, so that I will send mine along with the template age first. I would say late 20s to early 30s
Template:

Name:

Nicknames:
Age:
Gender:
Sexuality:
Backstory:
Looks:
Personality:
Hobbies/Interests/Habits/Favorites:

Name: Amir Henderson
Nicknames: None
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Pansexual
Backstory: Rowan was an average person growing up. He's had his heartbreaks, falling in and out of love. It taught him to be cautious and distant with people he is close with. After leaving college, he lived with his parents for a while before buying an apartment. Despite going to college for an engineering degree, he didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. After college, he worked towards getting an engineering job, but until then, he had to take up side jobs so he could start paying for his student loans and his apartment. He interviewed in different places until the museum let him work there not too long after college. He started to like it and saw different people walk in, sometimes the same people year after year. However, he had to remind himself this is a side job until he can find a real job. Now, he works two jobs at the museum: a front desk job during the day and a security guard at night/evening.
Looks: He's a guy with thick, black, fluffy hair that falls in waves. He wears circular glasses that have silver frames during his day job and contacts during his night job. Amir has Hazel eyes. During the summer, his hair bleaches faster than others. He often wears sweaters and cardigans with cargo pants. He is 5'11", and he looks like an approachable guy. He's Puerto Rican a bit on the darker side; here are some reference pictures: picture 1, picture 2.
Personality: He refreshingly exudes kindness, respecting people's privacy without being overly invasive, yet he possesses a genuine curiosity and is unafraid to ask questions. His voice commands attention when necessary, though it takes quite a bit to provoke his ire, which is best avoided as the aftermath can be unpleasant. Despite this, he maintains a calm and cheerful demeanor, embracing life's journey with a steady pace. While minor setbacks don't faze him, he holds himself to high standards. He is aware of his surroundings and how he appears to others.
Hobbies/Interests/Habits/Favorites: He loves cooking and reading. He often brings a book with him wherever he goes. He loves any sour candy or spicy food. He doesn't like sweet things. He loves nature more than anything, which causes him to sit outside. He also likes to write short stories or journals about his life. He sleeps a lot when he's not working. He doesn't have a reason for it. It just happens at times.

Omg I love him!!!

I'll probably get a character up in an hour or two

No worries take your time and thx 😊

I am so sorry for the wait, I accidentally lost track of time
I think I went a little overboard with him, but let me know if there's anything I need to add or change!

Name: Anthony Fox
Nicknames: Tony
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Homoromantic, Asexual
Backstory: Anthony grew up in a nice neighborhood but in an unpleasant household. His parents were perfectionists and held him to higher standards than any of his other siblings, resulting in him never feeling like he was enough or good at anything. It didn't help that his parents didn't support him, either. Not that they were homophobic; they didn't mind Tony's preferences for guys. What they didn't approve of was the fact that he wanted to go to art school and get a career as an artist rather than become a lawyer, like they wanted him to be. They saw the arts as a waste of time and potential, especially for someone like their firstborn son. Behind their backs, Tony worked hard, scraping together enough money to be independent from his parents, and when he got accepted into a fairly reputable art school, he packed his bags and never looked back. Despite college eventually taking a toll on the minimal savings he had, he never gave up his passion, and he took up any odd jobs he could just to get by on rent. Because of how strict his parents were about grades, Tony never really had time for friends or dating; he didn't even realize he liked guys until his senior year of high school. He's been a loner the majority of his life and gets his income mainly from art commissions, and he enjoys going to different places like parks and museums for inspiration.
Looks: Tony has long, soft dirty-blonde hair that he can easily pull up into a ponytail or loose bun. He has bright green eyes with permanent eye-bags underneath them from the years of all-nighters he pulled and still does. His wardrobe consists only of baggy/loose hoodies, shirts, and sweatpants that have noticeable paint stains on them, but they just add to his aesthetic. He's a bit on the scrawnier side and is 5'8" and I do not have suitable reference pictures that will do him justice but he's a tired Italian boi who needs a break
Personality: He's a bit reserved and soft-spoken, and is used to being ignored. He's observant of other people and as much as he doesn't mind being alone, he longs to join in the conversations of others and be more social, but he lacks the courage to do so. When he does find someone to talk to, he visibly brightens up and becomes very talkative and animated. When he finds someone he wants to be friends with, he becomes very eager to make sure they don't lose interest in him and he does whatever he can to try to convince them to befriend him, like gifts, free art, anything that would make them happy; basically, he does everything short of actually telling them that he likes them and wants to be good friends with them because social anxiety do be like that sometimes. However, he immediately closes up and lashes out when he gets scared or upset. This is more noticeable when he gets asked questions about his personal life, especially about his family, but normally he's a pretty chill guy who's used to being in the background and hates making mistakes because of his childhood.
Hobbies/Interests/Habits/Favorites: He loves art and history. He likes to combine these two passions by visiting museums that showcase art. He has a major sweet tooth and because of this he taught himself to bake, only because he can then add in as much sugar and chocolate as he desires. He loves going to new places and exploring, especially music venues, art galleries, and theatres because he's fascinated by and enjoys practically anything pertaining to fine arts, given how he was so deprived of it for most of his life. He flinches when someone raises their voice or yells, even if it's not directed at him; a side effect from his childhood. He always carries a paintbrush around with him, even if there's no real reason for it, and whenever he's deep in thought or focused he taps the paintbrush against his leg; he's not even aware that he does this most of the time.

Don't even worry about it, and you didn't go overboard. I feel a little underprepared now lol oh btw I put like 2 pictures for my character in case I didn't describe him well enough. I'm more of a visual person. Anyway, Anthony looks amazing and I love that he's an artist! are there any questions before I start us off?

Lol thanks and yeah one question, are we starting before or after my boy breaks the museum's artifact?

I was about to ask you that I was thinking about it earlier. What do you wanna do I don't really have a preference. Whatever you think can help your writing work is fine with me

I'd kind of prefer to start after he broke it

(sure no problem :)

Amir savored a bite of his sandwich, the taste of tangy mustard mingling with the soft texture of the bread. As he flipped through the pages of his book, searching for where he had left off, his mind wandered into the world of the story. With a swallow, he wiped his hands on a napkin, the rustle of paper filling the small break room. Lost in concentration, he scarcely noticed the distant crash that echoed through the hallway. Startled murmurs reached his ears, pulling him from his reverie. "That's unusual; this place is generally quiet," he mused, furrowing his brow in curiosity. With a resigned sigh, he inserted a bookmark into the untouched page and rose from his seat, the chair scraping against the linoleum floor. Following the sound, he emerged into the corridor, where a small crowd had gathered, their hushed whispers creating tension. "What's going on here?" Amir's voice cut through the murmurs. His eyes scanned the group until they settled on the source of the commotion. At his feet lay the shattered remnants of a once-magnificent architectural masterpiece. His breath caught in his throat as realization dawned. "Oh…shit," he breathed, his shock evident in the curse that slipped past his lips. How could something so significant be reduced to rubble in an instant? His gaze swept over the assembled onlookers, their faces a mixture of concern and disbelief. "Is anyone hurt?" His voice, though tinged with urgency, remained calm as he addressed the crowd. His priority shifted to ensuring the safety of those present. Relief washed over him as he received shaking heads in response, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Okay, did anyone see who did it? I promise you won't be in trouble if you say it now." His tone softened, a reassuring note lacing his words as he considered the possibility of an accidental cause. After all, accidents happened, especially in places bustling with curious visitors. "If not, no one can leave until we figure this out."

There are hundreds of thousands of words in the English language that are meant for people to express their thoughts, to articulate their ideas for others. But there was only one that came to Anthony Fox's mind at that moment, a word that summed up the last few minutes very succinctly. Fuck.
He didn't mean to. It was a complete accident - he would never willingly destroy something so valuable and priceless.
Life, when I asked if this day could get any worse, I did not mean for you to take that as a challenge, Anthony thought bitterly, thinking back to the email he had gotten from his landlord just that morning, threatening to evict him if he didn't pay his rent on time that month. He had come to this museum to clear his head; he had heard good reviews about it and wanted to check it out. And he did feel a lot better, walking through the spacious exhibits, thinking of nothing else but the fascinating history before him. It was a nice feeling, to think of nothing, even if it was for a little bit.
And when he saw that sculpture…
He didn't know what came over him. He thought it was the most beautiful masterpiece he had ever seen. He had joined the small crowd that surrounded him, and with a child-like wonder, he had reached out to lightly brush his hand against it, just to see how it felt, if he could maybe replicate that texture on a canvas…
But his hand moved a little too quickly, his movement a little too uncoordinated. The artifact falling and shattering on the ground was one of the most bone-chilling sounds Anthony had ever heard. He certainly wasn't going to forget it anytime soon.
He couldn't bring himself to look anyone in the eye, especially the museum employee who had come over to see what the commotion was about. "Why didn't they put something that fragile behind a case?" he muttered quietly to himself, desperately glancing around. He needed to get out of there without looking suspicious. He felt awful, of course, guilt flooded through him like a tidal wave. But he couldn't afford to pay the museum back, not now, not ever. His art barely made enough to afford a cheap, crappy apartment on the outskirts of the city and for him to go to college part-time; there was no way in hell he could make enough money to correct the damage he caused. With his heart practically leaping out of his throat, he carefully shuffled closer to the back of the crowd, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible and doing his best to ignore the voice screaming in his head to own up to his stupidity.

The tension in the room was palpable as he made his announcement, the silence stretching and broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioning. His sigh seemed to echo, a mixture of frustration and determination. "Okay, I guess I have to," he muttered under his breath, his hand reaching for the walkie-talkie clipped to his waist. With a click, he activated the device, bringing it to his lips. "No one is allowed to leave the premises until we find out who broke the statue," his voice carrying authority and commanding attention from everyone present. The guard sprang into action, acknowledging the order and swiftly locking down the area.As he surveyed the scene, his gaze fell upon the broken piece, its fragments scattered across the floor. He knelt down, examining the damage with a furrowed brow, questions racing through his mind. How had this happened? Why wasn't there a protective case around the statue?

"This place is now locked down," he declared, his tone resolute. "Anyone who wants to leave can't until they fess up and tell me who it is." The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, each person in the room feeling the weight of his words. It was clear that resolving this mystery was paramount, and no one would be allowed to escape until the truth came to light. He began to hear muffled groans from parents and children alike. "I'll come around and survey each and every one of you, so please, if you could create a line. I just have a few simple questions to ask. The sooner we get to the bottom of this, the faster everyone can go home," he reassured with a smile. "Let me make a phone call really quick, and we will get to everyone soon." Turning away, he took out his phone, searching for the security camera guy's number. "Hey, anything you saw on those cameras? I really don't want to keep these people here any longer. Is it really that big of a deal?" he asked, tapping his foot impatiently. "A guy with…" He turned around, searching for the description he had just heard from the other side of the phone. Spotting him soon enough, Amir noticed the nervous and disarrayed figure. He chuckled to himself. "He's kinda cute. Alright, take the place off lockdown. I'll handle this quietly and professionally."

"Alright, I just got word on who it was. Everyone is free to leave, but if it's okay, I would like everyone to leave the area while we get the mess cleaned up." Confused faces looked around, but people eventually understood. Amir walked up to the blond-haired figure, slightly shorter than him, and grabbed his wrist. "Except for you. Come on, you're coming with me. Don't try to deny it; we have cameras everywhere."

Anthony didn't think he could become paler than he already was, but when the guard announced a complete lockdown of the place, he became as white as a sheet. He froze, not sure if moving more would draw unwanted attention to him.
He could hear the sounds of grumbling parents and confused kids all around him, and his face grew hot with shame. He knew what the morally right thing to do was; he just couldn't face the financial repercussions of it. The thought of begging his parents for money briefly crossed his mind, but he shut the idea down quickly. He may be desperate, but he would never become that desperate, no matter how bad the circumstances got.
His hands started trembling and he quickly stuffed them into the pockets of his hoodie, glancing around to see if anyone else noticed. He was becoming manic with guilt. He knew that this was all his fault and that he single-handedly ruined everyone else's day; he wished more than anyone else in that room that the statue had never broke.
I should never have come here, Anthony thought. If I get out of here without being caught, I'll never step inside another museum again…oh god, what if they arrest me? Am I going to get kicked out of college? What if-
His eyes caught sight of the security cameras on the wall that were aimed where the statue once was, his hands immediately going still. The room suddenly felt colder. His eyes trailed towards the guard who was talking into his phone, and Anthony knew that he was going to get caught. A small part of him was relieved that he would be forced to confess and own up to his mistake, but the rest of him was terrified, and even a bit annoyed. He hated having a guilty conscious. He absentmindedly ran a hand through his hair, making it look more disheveled than before. Knowing that there was now nothing he could do to get out of his situation, he finally managed to slow down his breathing, and when he took his hands out of his hoodie pocket, they were perfectly fine. The guilt that had been so suffocating before had been replaced by a rapidly growing sense of dread.
Anthony didn't look up from the ground when the guard announced that everyone was free to leave. For a small, stupidly hopeful second, he wondered if the guard would think it was someone else, but all hope vanished when he felt a firm grip tighten around his wrist. When he heard the guard's voice, he finally looked up, his dread momentarily giving way to surprise; the man in front of him was definitely a sight for sore eyes, but he became weary again when he saw the look on the other man's face.
He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but his voice failed him and all he could do was nod quietly, probably looking as miserable as he felt.

(Thanks, I am!)

Amir loosened his grip on the suspect's wrist, feeling a mixture of sympathy and frustration. The young man looked out of place in this grand museum, surrounded by artifacts from centuries past. As they walked, the soft glow of the museum's lights illuminated the polished marble floors and intricate tapestries adorning the walls. The air was heavy with the scent of old books and preserved relics, adding to the weight of the situation. "Listen," Amir began, his voice echoing faintly in the empty hallway, "you know you have to pay for that, right?" He gestured towards the owner's office at the end of the corridor, its mahogany door standing as a stark reminder of the consequences awaiting the suspect. "I can't promise anything, but offering something in return might be in your best interest. Perhaps you could work here or volunteer your time." As they continued walking, they passed rows of ancient artifacts displayed behind glass cases, each telling a story of a bygone era. The soft hum of security cameras and the occasional shuffle of footsteps echoed through the corridor, underscoring the gravity of the situation. "I don't know how this happened," Amir continued, his tone tinged with frustration, "and I'm not going to jump to conclusions about your character. Accidents happen, and to put it frankly, the security measures should have been better." He paused, glancing at the suspect with empathy and resolve. "So, while this situation is partly your responsibility, it's not entirely your fault. I would advise you to negotiate with the owner. She's kind-hearted and understanding, so there's a chance she won't insist on you paying the full price." He gave a reassuring smile. "What's your name? Sorry, I was talking to you like this and didn't even bother to get your name. If we do end up working together, then I'll have to know your name at some point, right?"