I need some advice :\ I'm in a 1x1 that's great and all until the two get into a fight. My partner thinks it's so funny to be set on one thing that neither agree on, while I'm sitting there fuming because they refuse to see my character's side, let along budge. I've tried explaining my character's side, but apparently that doesn't work. There's no IC compromise. What should I do? :(
So just so I’m clear your characters are arguing with each other in you 1x1. You want the story to move on, but nether character is willing to budge IC and both writers have justifications for their character’s actions.
This isn’t an uncommon problem with role-playing. Those of us who have been doing it for a while find that our characters take on a life of their own and it’s very hard to make them act out of character for their given circumstances, especially when their actions are justified by various motivations. It’s all very fascinating and frustrating. I’m going to assume that your partner feels as though they’re doing what feels right and not being stubborn just to be a pain in the butt.
The easiest way to solve a problem like this is to find a third path for you character/ characters to take. Change the dice. Add a plot twist. People’s lives aren’t so set in stone. If you change the circumstances around the characters their priorities will change.
Let’s say we’re talking about Santana and Rachel. These two are having a huge fight. Rachel thinks Santana should say sorry for being a bitch over whatever and Santana stands her ground and says no. In Santana’s point of view Rachel needed to hear whatever it was she said and nothing is going to change that. Rachel on the other hand thinks Santana’s totally out of line and wont talk to her until she gets a full apology. Nether will budge because that’s who they are.
Now lets pretend Santana gets a phone call that her abuela is in the hospital. That would change the situation and Rachel’s motivation. While Rachel is a self center character, Santana still has a place in her heart. Things might not be better right away, but Rachel would be more likely to communicate better with Santana if she new there was something painful going on in her life.
Without more detail about the characters I couldn’t say what kind of twist you need. That would be something to chat with your partner about. Your characters might have lives of their own, but you can control the situations around them. Brain storm things with your partner which might affect both your characters in a useful way and remember that being in a 1x1 requires compromise.