Walk me through your beautiful mind and tell me how you chose your love stories for your character.
Thanks for the ask! Warning: Long post ahead.
Okay so first, I played it safe with HPHM, putting them with canon characters.
David and Merula, I honestly loved the foil that MC and Merula are for each other in the main story of HPHM. However, it could have done with a lot more fleshing out, which is really what I wanted to do in creating their relationship.
Whether they're enemies or just rivals to lovers is up for debate but regardless I liked their at first very contentious relationship gradually developing into an admission of respect. It culminated in the two catching feelings for each other, Merula defending him and eventually the two dating. The rest as they say, is history.
Amelia and Chiara, now I tend to flip flop on this as I really do like the thought of Amelia travelling the world, taking down creature poaching operations and breaking hearts. On the other, I do like Amelia and Chiara meeting up again later in life and kindling an unspoken love for each other.
Phoenix and Erika, these two are the loosest as I haven't had much time to develop them. But, I like the thought of them being rivals to lovers, Phoenix being one of the few able to truly get under Erika's skin.
For everyone else, it's a little different, with a lack of knowledge or interest in the canon of HPHL and HPMA, I started going with OC x OC ships instead. I’m a great fan of the idea that shipping can be used to really help grow and develop both halves of the ship. So I cast my line into the great sea of OCs and see who bit first. Thus, I wound up with Leila, Gareth, Lydia (@rogueharrington), Asher (@cursebreakerfarrier) and Hazel (@kc-and-co). Also, Valentina (@camillejeaneshphm)
I love Reubeila being able to find a loving family in each other after experiencing a horrible home life. I love Clareth’s will they/won’t they yet there’s still a fierce sort of loyalty between them. I love Marilyd’s friendly rivalry that developed into friendship and then one of the most amazing romances. I love Asher and Robin’s angsty side that let Robin show a bit of softness in contrast to the loud, brash, goofy girl that she usually is. I love Nick and Hazel, I feel like it would make Nick more confident, and I adore the support they would have for the other’s ambitions. Luis, my Marauder’s era boy and his tragic romance with Valentina is also one of my favourites for the fact that they knew they loved each other but never quite got there.
But overall, what I really look for in a ship? Satisfaction, plain and simple. Whether they become life partners, strike out on their own or if the romance ends with a hint of tragedy, as long as it was a satisfying journey and conclusion, I’m okay with how any ship turns out.
💋 How affectionate are they with their friends? Their family? Their romantic partner(s) (if they have any)? Are they more physical or emotional when it comes to displaying their affection? Why?
Marigold's family weren't always the most physically affectionate but she did learn how to show affection and bond with people on an emotional level. It wouldn't be until she gets friends in Reuben, Cledwyn and Faith that she starts showing physical affection to her friends. She and Reuben in particular sharing a very close platonic bond.
Lydia Ellis (@mjs-oc-corner) is a different case, Marigold would dote on her with whatever they need. Whether that be someone to cuddle up with or someone to simply vent to when they're feeling upset.
Overall, it depends on who she's with but generally strives for a balance between physical and emotional affection.
🍒 What kind of things do they expect from their relationships? Does this differ between platonic relationships and romantic ones? Is your OC “demanding” or a door mat? What kinds of things do people expect from them in a relationship?
What Marigold expects is someone who can keep up with her, something that lay the groundwork for her attraction to Lydia being that they would get into debates on certain subjects and on more than a few occasions, Lydia managed to best her. One thing she learned to expect regardless of the context of the relationship is compromise, even though she can be a bit demanding, she understands when people need their own space.
I'd say people do expect Marigold to be there for them, especially if she took the time to get to know them. Some may expect her to spend a lot on them but Mary only tends to reserve that for her closest relationships.
