BASICS
Name: Ricardo Castellanos
Nicknames: Ric, Ricky, RC
Gender and Pronouns: Cismale, He/Him
Birthday: 28th August 1981
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas
Sexual/Romantic Orientation: Bisexual
Relationship: Divorced
Occupation: Editor in Chief of The Aurora Bay Times
Residence: Crystal Condominiums (in @benj-hyun's guest room)
Family: N/A
Aurora Bay Resident: Two years ago.
TW: affair, alcohol abuse
ABOUT
Ricardo grew up in Dallas, Texas to a working class family. His father was an engineer while his mother prided herself on being head of the PTA at his school. Something which Ric would have rather preferred her not to be, as it made for some highly embarrassing moments, especially when he attempted his rebel phase.
In high school, he was an avid swimmer and on the track team. Despite giving off an unbothered appearance, he actually did care about his grades and was able to earn himself a scholarship to Berkeley, California. He enrolled onto the Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology Program in hopes of one day making a name for himself, and being responsible for some change in the world.
Similar to high school, he seemed unphased about academics whilst at college and would often be found passed out around and on campus benches or barely conscious in his lectures, after too many keg competitions the night before. He became known as the party king and if you ever even suggested a get together, he would be there and probably providing the booze.
He met his college sweetheart in his third year, and they both thought it was true love. She was the only one that could out drink him, so he decided he'd marry the girl one day. And it didn't take them long, because a year after graduation, they did.
During this point, they had settled down in Aurora Bay, California, after much deliberation on finding a town that was idyllic, and could provide safety any children they chose to have to grow and thrive.
He got a job interning alongside the local government, learning everything he could in hopes of one day potentially running for mayor â simply to be on top.
However, things took a different path when he realised that interning didn't pay as much as he originally would have thought. Instead of waiting, he knew he needed a proper income, especially if he were to start a family one day. He took up a role as a journalist at The Aurora Bay Times, after using a connection he'd made in college - he could write, he'd have no issues. And maybe, he thought, that he could use this as a way to start some change, really reach to the reader and get through the messages he wanted to send - still hoping his candidacy for mayor would come in the future.
Ric found out that he liked investigative reporting the most, and through his journalism, he always found himself asking challenging questions and getting himself into trouble with someone. He believes there is a conspiracy taking place, he's not sure what of or who it involves, but he's got it into his head that this town is not what it seems.
As the years went on, Ric became renowned for his journalism, earning him several awards, including the famous Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting, which is an honour he holds dearly to his heart. He threw his soul into it, forgetting about wanting his role in government, and eventually worked his way up to Editor-in-Chief.
He wasn't a good husband, and he'd have numerous affairs. There was a time when he'd been so in love with his wife, but as the years went on, he'd grown bored and her lack of enjoyment in their relationship mirrored his, and it got to a point where they were purely just co-existing together.
However, there was still a possessiveness there. When she began coming home late herself, as he did some nights, Ric would become jealous â knowing that she'd found company, other than his desolate one.
They would argue terribly, both accusing the other of cheating and when they'd finally reached some sort of conclusion, that yes, they were both as bad as each other, they decided to file for divorce the next day.
Although he knew this was for the best, he still was saddened by the wasted years and not having someone at home waiting for him, as toxic as they were. He fell into a depression of sorts, and he'd often choose to battle his demons with a bottle of whiskey at whichever bar was willing to serve him.
He moved in with his college roommate and best friend, Ben, at Crystal Cove Condominiums, and tried to carry on as though he wasn't affected by this transition into divorcee life. But he didn't do a very good job at hiding it.
He swore to Ben that he'd only be crashing in his spare room for a month while him and his ex-wife sold their house and he found somewhere new. He paid his own way, sharing in rent and bills. But he enjoyed the company too much and before he knew it, six months had flown by and he hadn't even began researching properties to move into. He hoped Ben hadn't noticed.
CONNECTIONS
sponging off - @benj-hyun
best friends - @benj-hyun & @santiagodeleons
@aurorabayaesthetic
