Not everyone can say they’ve been to the Big Apple, but MARIBEL NUÑEZ, a 31 year-old WOMAN has lived in OCEAN HILL, BROOKLYN for 20 YEARS. This is the city of dreams and SHE/HER knows it, because they came to NYC to be a GRAPHIC DESIGNER. Living in the city means they meet all kinds of people, but everyone always seems to think they look like EIZA GONZÁLEZ. They even got away with free cab fare once because of it!
tw: child neglect, divorce, cheating
BASICS
NAME: Maribel Nuñez
NICKNAMES/ALIASES: Bel, Mari
AGE: 31
BIRTHDATE: September 13th 1990
OCCUPATION: Graphic Designer / Cultural Manager
GENDER: Cis-woman
PRONOUNS: She/Her
ORIENTATION: Bisexual
LANGUAGES: English, Spanish
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
FACECLAIM: Eiza Gonzalez
HAIR COLOR: Brown
EYE COLOR: Brown
HEIGHT: 5'8” - 1.73cm
TATTOOS: Humming bird on her back shoulder, a color palette in her hip
PIERCINGS: Ears
CLOTHING STYLE: Casual
USUAL EXPRESSION: A smile
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: her smile
SCENT: citrics
FAMILY
FATHER: Ben Brower
MOTHER: Martha Nuñez
HALF SIBLINGS: Natalie and Ben Brower
CHILDREN: None
PETS: None
STATUS: Single
LOOKING FOR: A stable relationship
ROMANTIC HISTORY: At 22 years old she met her ex, Brandon. Their relationship lasted 8 years, he was her first love and they also lived together for five years. She thought both were in love and wanted the same things, but when Bel brought up marriage and kids, they realized they didn’t have the same goals, and after months of fighting they decided to separate
HOBBIES: yoga, painting, skating, going to the movies, reading, doing buzzfeed quizzes
EXTRAS
ZODIAC: Virgo
MBTI: ISFP
HOGWARTS: Ravenclaw
PRIMARY VICE: smoking
PRIMARY VIRTUE: empathy
FAVOURITES
WEATHER: Cold
COLOUR: Green
MUSIC: Jazz, latin, indie, pop rock
MOVIES: all types
TV SHOW: jeopardy
PAST
Was born and raised in Mexico City
Her parents met one summer, eloped and after a few months together, Maribel was born.
Her parents separated two months later, her mom stayed in Mexico and her father went back to New York City.
She had little to none contact with her dad throughout her childhood. He only sent money, presents and cards.
She attended art classes since she was 4 years old and was really good at everything art related. She won every contest she ever participated in.
Ay age 11, her mom got tired or taking care of her so she sent her to live with her father to NYC
She didn’t speak English so she had to learn the language while living in NY, that made her feel out of place most of her life.
She has two half siblings; when she went to live with her dad, she found out she had re-married and divorced again, and she took care of her siblings when they stayed with their dad.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Bel didn’t go to college; instead she became a graphic designer by practicing and doing online courses
She organizes art exhibitions in unknown/new galleries or coffee shops to help fellow local small artists put their work out there and maybe get more commissions or sell their pieces.
After the break up, Bel went back to live with her father and it was really difficult for her to adapt to his lifestyle again.
She spent months fighting depression. She even looked for professional help but didn’t feel comfortable going to therapy so she stopped and instead decided to focus on her work.
She’s a freelance graphic designer which is why she can always be found working in coffee shops and diners.
Character development questionnaire II
Full name? Maribel Nuñez
Nicknames? Bel
Hair color? Brown
Eye color? Brown
Birthday? September 13
Scars or birth marks? A heart-shaped birthmark on her right arm
How do you dress most of the time? Casual, she doesn’t pay much attention to clothes
What’s your best feature? Her eyes
What’s your most prized possession? Why do you value it so much? Her current doodle journal. She carries it around all the time and whenever she’s inspired, she draws her ideas there.
What’s one word that best describes you? Observant
Family questions:
What’s your mother’s name and what’s she like? she’s loud, self centered and spoiled.
What’s your father’s name and what’s he like? His name is Ben, he’s caring, but he’s always busy working or attenting his other family
Do you have siblings? If so, what are their names and what are they like? Two siblings, Natalie (24 years old and Ben Jr. 22 years old). At first it was hard getting used to them, but now that they’ve grown up, they talk often.
Any non family adults important members in your life? Her best friend, Lia, who lives in Oxford, England. They met each other one night at a party and clicked instantly; since that party, the spent a few days together before she had to go back and became each other confidants.
What’s the worst thing one of your siblings has ever done to you? When Natalie was little, she used to resent Bel because her mother would tell her that her sister wanted to steal her father from her, so she rejected her and was mean to her. That stopped when they grew up.
What’s the best thing one of your siblings has ever done for you? Together, they gifted Bel her first laptop.
When’s the last time you saw a member of your family? Where are they now? Bel sees her family once or twice a month since her siblings are in college and her father is most of the time working. She hasn’t seen her mother in 20 years.
What’s your best memory involving your family? She often remembers her first time ice skating; she’d never known real snow until she moved to NYC. It never snows in Mexico.
Childhood & Adolescence questions:
What is the earliest memory you can recall? She remembers herself coloring a book her dad sent her for Christmas when she was 4 or 5 years old. She was painting a princess.
What was your favorite game? Hide and seek
Who was your best friend when growing up? She didn’t have a best friend while growing up, at school it was hard making friends since she didn’t speak the language.
What is your fondest childhood memory? What is your fondest adolescence memory? Childhood memory: getting new art supplies Adolescence: going to Disney with her dad and siblings.
What is your worst childhood memory? What is your worst adolescence memory? Childhood memory: those three days she spent crying after realizing her mother was no longer with her and that she missed her. Adolescence: having made being fun of at school.
What were your childhood fears? Do you still fear them? Darkness and being left by the people she cared about. She’s still scared of both.
How old were you when you went one your first date? 17 years old.
In high school, what ‘clique’ best describes you? None
Who was your idol when growing up? Her dad
Likes & Dislikes questions:
What are your hobbies? Painting, ice skating, yoga, cooking, going to art exhibitions
What bands do you like? Jazz, Latin, indie, pop-rock bands.
What song is ‘your song’? Why? Thunder Clatter - Wild Club. It’s the first song that made her feel something.
What’s your current favorite movie? And Favorite movie of all time? She could’t pick one movie!
Favorite Tv show? Least favorite? She doesn’t really watch TV or streaming services.
What is your biggest pet hate? People checking their phones while she’s trying to talk to them.
What’s your favorite time of day? Sunset
What type of weather do you like the most? Foggy
What’s your favorite food? Least favorite? Bel loves italian food, specially lasagna. Least favorite: none
What’s your favourite drink? Least favorite? Favorite drink: Mezcal
Do you have any pets? Do you want any pets? What kind? No pets :(
What do you find most relaxing? Doodling, spending time on social media
What kind of things embarrass you and why? When people ask about her past, or blushing when someone she likes is near.
What’s one thing you don’t like about yourself and why? Sometimes she can come off as rude because she doesn’t measure her words or tone.
Sex & Intimacy questions:
Would you label yourself with a sexual orientation? Why or why not? Bisexual. Bel likes people in general, if they’re nice and she really gets to trust them, it’s okay for her.
How old were you when you lost your virginity? 22 years old
What is your perfect romantic date? Walking around the city, talking and taking pictures.
For you, what is more important in a relationship - sex or intimacy?Maybe intimacy more than sex.
What was your most recent relationship? Who was it with? It was somewhat a weird relationship at first, both were inmature, hadn’t had much experience with other relationships and were each other’s first passionate love, they lived together for a long time but it didn’t work out, so now Bel has to learn to live on her own at 31.
What’s the worst thing you’ve done to someone you loved? Being dishonest and hurting them because of that.
CONNECTIONS
Ex-boyfriend: At 22 years old she met her ex, Brandon. Their relationship lasted 8 years, he was her first love and they also lived together for five years. She thought both were in love and wanted the same things, but when Bel brought up marriage and kids, they realized they didn’t have the same goals, and after months of fighting they decided to separate
Siblings: 0/2 Natalie and Ben Brower. They have a good relationship but they always resented Bel because she was their father’s first child. They had a difficult relationship at first.
Lover: Bel is open to finding someone to spend her life with
Best friend / Coffee shop owner: Bel organizes art exhibitions in her best friend’s coffee shop.
Gallery Owners
Tinder dates
Yoga buddies
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Bel was born and grew up in Mexico, she always loved everything art related and at 11 she was sent to live with her dad who was now divorced again and had two children. She didn’t speak English so she had to learn while living there and it was difficult so she felt out of place. Then he met a guy and they dated for like 8 years, she wanted to get married because how can you not be married at 30!! (Mexican weird thoughts) so she broke it up and spent like a year very sad and now she’s trying to put herself out there. She’s a designer but didn’t go to college because she couldn’t afford it, everything she learned she just did by practicing and online curses.
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Born and raised in Mexico City, Maribel Nuñez grew up liking everything art related. From coloring books to painting canvases, Bel could always be found either doodling, painting or coloring, no matter where she was.
Since little Bel started attending art classes at 4 years old, at 7 years old she had already won multiple drawing and painting contests against other children, and at 10 years old, she had already showcased her work in a few local galleries.
At home, life was fairly simple. She had two parents that had probably got together too young, and no siblings, which meant all attention and expectations fell on her.
Her dad had met her mother at 19 years old while on vacation with his family, and her mother, having always grown up watching love stories on TV, had fallen in love with him instantly.
Young as they were, they eloped, thinking life would be easier since all they needed was their love for each other. Neither of them consdered that, nine months later, having a crying baby sleeping between them would be all they needed to rethink their life choices and go back to their families.
Baby Bel and her mother went back to Mexico, and her father went back to New York.
Since then, her mom, more than a loving figure, became someone who only made sure Bel was fed, had clothes and attended her classes. Her dad sent money and Christmas cards every now and then, but that kind of attention wasn’t enough for a curious creative kid as bel.
At 11 years old, her mother had had enough of Maribel; she was young, pretty and had given her best years to an ungrateful child, so she packed Bel’s things up, put her on a plane and sent her off to live with her dad.
Life became harder.
In New York everything was loud, fast and confusing. She now had two younger sibligns that she had to take care of -even when she didn’t speak their same language, and that took a lot of space in their small apartment. Her dad only focused on providing food and money for his second ex-wife, and as loving as he tried to be, didn’t pay enough attention to his first daughter.
Pencils and paintings became Bel’s safe place, and as big and confusing New York City was, she found herself starstruck by all the street art, galleries and exhibitions.
Eventually, Bel switched pen and paper for a laptop; it was only natural that her skills translated to creating beautiful physical art to creating digital master pieces, and she found herself working small jobs as a designer, first for small bussines owned by friends, later on for bigger companies.
Never an easy child, Bel never quite shook off the feeling of being out of place, and after years of crying and acting out, she finally made peace with her parent’s choices. She learned to enjoy New York; the crowded streets, the city lights and the feeling of being lonely.
Theo sat there, holding his sister Leila’s hand. Stroking it lightly knowing that this would never be the same. An anger rose from the depth of his soul, his heart, his mind. He tried to protect both of his little sisters. As one of the Deckhands came in to check on them. Theo raised his hand not letting the deck hand even speak out loud. “Get me Lusha.” His heart sank as he knew what he was about to ask that of his sister, a memory that was long bound, long gone, would come about the end of the world, but he knew he had to do it. He had to ask this of his baby sister.
Leila fluttered her eyes has she looked up at him. “What are you doing? You know if she finds out what she truly is.” Her voice faded off as her body was too weak to handle this situation.
Theo looked at his baby sister, moving his right finger against the scar on her face, the scar that his little sister Lusha or rather the demon bound to her had given to her just at the age of a child. He then moved against his scar that laid upon his face. The same demon, the same day had given to him. He sighed as he knew very well what he was going to ask that of his Lusha. Both of his elbows moved to his legs as he leaned over. Pulling his fingers through his hair as he stopped at the back of his neck. He eyes his weak, injured sister. As he thought to himself, but it wasn’t thinking to himself, he spoke it out loud. “Give one sister’s freedom up, to save another.” He was heart broken. He stood up and growled with frustration.
Theo leaned against the wall of the building, just staring at his sister. Shaking his head, not knowing what to do as he saw Lusha walk through the door with the deckhand. He looked up and down from almost head to toe with piercings and tattoos. She had changed so much since she was a little girl. He lifted his hand to comment on how many tattoos she had but fell silent.
The purple haired tattoo artist followed Deckhand into the stable, Lusha’s blue eyes darted to her sister and she quickened the pace as she fell to her knees on the hay below the bed. Moving her fingers up her sister’s body, trying to figure out what had happened. She saw her brother in the corner. It was unlike him to have this emotionless face. “What happened? Why didn’t you protect her brother?” She felt tears swelling within her eyes. Wiping them away quickly, she moved her fingers against her sister’s forehead.
Theo nodded. “There was an attack on the ship. She had gotten stabbed on the side, while protecting a deckhand, I tried to stop it, but I was pinned also.” He looked almost ashamed that his sister asked that question. The main reason why he went out to sea was to protect Leila, and he failed at that. He looked away at the both of his sisters. “I need to ask you something Lusha.” His voice trailed off as he didn’t know how to ask this vague and serious question. “Do you remember how ma and pa died?”
Lusha looked back at his brother, confused by that question. “You told me they died by a demon’s hands, when Leila and I were little. Why do you ask such things at this time frame brother?” She moved her eyes to her sister as she kept her right palm on her sisters forehead.
Theo stepped forward as he placed a hand upon Lusha’s shoulder, he bent down and whispered into her ear. “You were that demon.”
Lusha’s elbow moved back to hit Theo in the nose, as she screamed. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m Lusha damn it, I’m not a demon!”
Theo’s nose started to bleed from being hit by his sister. Holding the sleeve of his bloody shirt to his nose, he spoke. “Do you remember where Leila and I got these scars on our face? Do you remember anything when you were a child, Lusha. Do you remember killing our parents?” He said with a sad tone in his voice, as he knew they had bound her memories also of everything that happened. He knelt down to hold his free hand to her leg. “We need this demon, we need this bitch to seek revenge on the person that did this to our sister.” He pointed with his sleeve that was bloody with his body and Leila’s. “We need this bitch to hurt the person that did this to our sister.”
