<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=112975.msg4970618#msg4970618">Quote from: PhantomPistoleer on 24-07-2011, 07:04:23</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">You don't have to shift too many things around in your character history to accommodate me ;).  The two characters could have met during undergrad.<br/><br/>What if they were lab/study partners?<br/><br/>I see them as not having many things in common except their coursework, with their friendship manifesting gradually.  There would be a sexual subtext to their friendship which unfortunately never develops on account of Michael's hectic superhero schedule.  Towards the end of their friendship, Michael's seemingly unreliable and always getting injured in accidents or assaults.  His excuses are always flaky and unbelievable.  He is never there when you need him.  The sensitive, good-looking guy anyone could talk to became despondent, taciturn and moody because the stress of his decisions and his injuries were emotionally overwhelming.  I also see Michael sleeping with Nicole's best friend after a night of drinking (read: his only night of ever drinking), which might further wedge the two apart.  Once Nicole graduated, deleting Michael from her contacts was simple.  (Please don't feel pressured into accepting this scenario, it's just a suggestion).<br/><br/>I like the paths of characterization you described, but Arrow wouldn't be depressed if he was defeated by Nicole.  I think he'd be completely perplexed.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Backstory is useful for creating connections and flavor.  But there might be more opportunity for character interaction if we start them out in a similar venue/setting.  Otherwise, they already have history and their relationship is already somewhat set which can also be good theater and drama in its own way since there would definitely be "hurt feelings" and whatnot involved.  Though they probably wouldn't know each other's identities right away so the big reveal moment where they both realize who one another is would be fairly priceless.<br/><br/>And what you mentioned above would be more interesting to write about than to say it's already happened.  I mean, I don't have much in the way of character history yet for Nicole.  But at the same time, I'm pretty flexible in this.  If we do choose to go the route of backstory, then we'll need the creative use of flashbacks and foreshadowing to hint at things of their relationship prior from earlier.  Otherwise, then we can play the whole Clark Kent/Lois Lane style with both Michael and Nicole interacting with each other on a daily basis, but at the same time not knowing each other's personalities by the night.  In the same way, I'm not sure how much time there will really be for interaction outside of the over-arcing Storylines so that may not be a viable option.<br/><br/>Lastly, I'm curious?  Why perplexed?