⋆｡˚ Ariana Neptune (Ariel from The Little Mermaid) || 23 || World History Major ⋆｡˚
Character information
Ariana "Ari" Neptune is 23 years old and a World History Major. She is the youngest in a family of seven sisters and has spent most of her life feeling like she is fighting to be seen as her own person rather than just another Neptune daughter. Ariana's father is strict, very protective and has a very clear idea of what he thinks Ariana's and her sisters life should look like. Ari though has never been very good at obeying by these rules or staying inside the lines. She has a very curios, adventurous and romantic personality and can sometimes be a bit too trusting for her own good. She has a strong sense of adventure and if someone tells her not to go somewhere, that is usually the first place she'd want to explore.
She is very warm, bubbly, excitable and easy to talk to and loves to hear other people's stories and is fascinated by lives that are completely different from her own, most likely a factor that contributed hugely to her choosing to study world history. Ariana wants to understand people, places, different cultures and all the little pieces of the world that she feels she has been kept away from. However, she can also be somewhat impulsive, stubborn and naive at times, she often follows her heart first and thinks about the consequences later, which means she can be a wonderful friend or a chaotic influence depending on the day.
Plotting - wise, the biggest thing to know about Ariana is that she is desperate for freedom. She sneaks out, goes to parties she shouldn't be at, talks to strangers, collects experiences like treasures and wants to prove that she can make her own choices. She is not trying to hurt her family, but is tired of being protected to the point of feeling trapped. She is very much in her I want more era, which can lead to friendships, mistakes, romance, rebellion, danger, heartbreak and self - discovery.
Full character bio can be found here!
Someone Ariana knows from university, especially a classmate from World History or a related class. They could help each other study or be the person who constntly drags her attention back to assignments etc. when she gets distracted by an odd historical fact or other things. This could be very wholesome, chaotic, competitive or even turn into a deeper friendship such as best friends.
The bad influence
A person who encourages Ari's rebellious side. They invite her to parties, late - night adventures, secret hangouts and places she shouldn't be going to. Ariana thinks they are exciting and free, but whether they are actually good for her or not is upe for debate. This could be platonic, romantic or messy with some angst possibly thrown in.
The voice of reason
Someone who sees Ariana making impulsive decisions and tries to slow her down. They care about her and can be protective of her or just tired of watching her run headfirst into bad idea after bad idea. Ariana probably fins them annoying at first or rejects them as she feels they might be trying to stifle her, just like everyone else, but secretly she may be happy about it and need someone who asks her how she is doing and if she has thought things through?
Secret friend
A friend Ari keeps away from her family, because she knows that her father and/or sisters would not approve of them. They may come from a completely different background and have a reputation connected to trouble. Ariana likes that they feel like part of a world that only belongs to her, away from her family.
Older sibling energy
This is someone who become protective over Ari in a way that is completely different from her family. They don't try to "control" her or expect her to abide by certain rules or expectations, but they look out for her when she is too far in over head.
The crush/Romantic interest
Ariana becomes interested and fascinated bu someone who represents all the things she wants: freedom, confidence, independence and maybe a life completely different from the one she has grown up in. This does not have to be endgame (it could be), it could also just be a crush, mutual pining or unrequited feelings and so on.
The party acquaintance
A person Ariana really only knows from sneaking out, going to parties, clubs and late-night adventures. This person does not know much about her actual life, her family or how sheltered she sometimes feels. There is definetely potential for this to become a deeper friendship once the other person starts to understand there is more to Ariana than just the fun nights out.
The rival
Someone in her classes who takes their studies very seriously, more so than Ariana, and constantly clashes with her dreamy and chaotic approach to things. They can compete over grades, presentations, internships, approval from professors etc. This could even become enemies to friends or rivals to lovers.
Ariana meets someone who introduces her to a new side of Redwood Hollow she has never experienced before. For example this could be underground parties, local legends, hidden places around town, a new hobby, a new friend group or just a different way of living. Ari is immediately fascinated because it feels like proof that there is more to life than the careful and controlled world she grew up in. This plot could be very fun and freeing at first, but could also becoming complicated if she starts to romantacise the things she is introduced to rather than seeing them for what they are.
Under the surface
A plot where Ariana seems bubbly and carefree, but somoene catches her during a vulnerable moment. Maybe this is after an argument with her father or after sneaking out or after realising she doesn't always know what she is doing with her life and is still trying to find herself. This person gets to see the part of Ari that feels trapped, overwhelmed and afraid that she will never become her own person or be taken seriously about what she wants for herself, rather than what her father wants. This could become a plot with a close friendship, a confidant or a slow - burn emotional bond, where Ariana learns that being independent does not mean that she has to handle everything alone.
Poor unfortunate decisions
Ariana makes a reckless choice that pulls another character into the consequences alongside with her. Maybe she lies about where she is going, sneaks into an event or borrows something she should not or ends up stranded somewhere late at night. The other muse either tries to help her, cover for or gets into the mess with her and is furios about it. This could be comedic, dramatic and involve angst depending on the vibe we'd go for.
The library after dark
Since Ariana studies World History and spends a lot of time in the library when she isn't out at parties or off on an adventure, this plot could start with a late-night study session at the library. Maybe she and another muse are working on the same project, fighting over wanting to borrow the same book and accidentally get locked in together. This can be a setup for classmates, rivals, study buddies, romantic interests or where they maybe even discover something strange and unexpected about Redwood Hollow.
Kiss the girl
In this plot Ariana has a crush on someone and is painfully obvious (while trying not to be) about it to everyone. She is dreamy, impulsive and romantic, but may not know right away how to handle real feelings once they are returned. This could be mutual pining, a first love situation or just a messy crush where Ariana has built something up in her own head and then have to learn who they actually are.
Treasure collector
Ariana has a habit of collecting random objects, stories, souvenirs, photos, old books and other things she finds fascinating that she likes to keep from her adventures, in order to remember them, be able to reflect on them and also know what life can be like. Another character might find this endearing, weird or concerning. Maybe Ariana finds something belonging to this character and has to return it or the character helps Ariana track down the history behind and object she found.
Ella had been looking for Dandelion for nearly ten minutes now, and with every passing second her worry only grew. It wasn’t like her daughter to simply wander off without saying anything. Curious? Absolutely. Easily distracted? Constantly. But Dandelion usually stayed close enough for Ella to keep an eye on her. In a store this large though, filled with endless aisles, busy shoppers, and carts rolling in every direction, it was frighteningly easy to lose sight of a child.
“Excuse me, have you seen a little girl with black curly hair and a yellow jacket?” Ella had asked what felt like half the people in the store already.
Most customers only offered apologetic shrugs until finally an older woman pointed toward the entrance. “I think I saw her skipping outside a minute ago.”
Outside.
Ella immediately felt her stomach drop.
Quickly making her way to the checkout counter, she barely noticed the groceries half-scanned in front of her. “I’m sorry,” she said breathlessly to the cashier, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Could you maybe keep these here for a moment? My daughter wandered off and I need to find her.”
The cashier’s expression softened instantly. “Of course. Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
Ella practically rushed out of the store after that, anxiety tightening in her chest.
Meanwhile, Dandelion herself seemed entirely unbothered by the panic she had caused. The little girl stood happily outside beside Ari, rocking back and forth on her heels with a bright grin stretched across her face. Her dark curls bounced slightly every time she moved.
“Hello Ari, you are veeeeeeery pretty!” she announced with complete confidence and childlike excitement. “I like your hair, it’s red like tomatoes! Dandelion likes tomatoes. Mommy is buying tomatoes in the store!”
She pointed dramatically as if the tomato detail was extremely important information.
“Red is a happy color too,” she continued thoughtfully. “And ketchup is red! But mommy says too much ketchup is bad because then I won’t eat vegetables.”
Before Dandelion could continue listing red things she enjoyed, Ella finally spotted her daughter standing safely nearby. Relief washed over her so suddenly she nearly laughed from it.
“Dandelion…”
Her voice carried both exhaustion and affection as she approached them.
The little girl turned immediately, eyes lighting up. “Mommy!”
Ella stopped in front of her and crossed her arms, trying to look stern despite the lingering relief softening her expression. “Dande, you cannot just run away from the store like that. I told you to stay with me.”
Dandelion looked down at her shoes for a moment, suddenly aware she may have done something wrong. “I just wanted to say hello to the squirl i saw…”
“I know,” Ella sighed, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “But you scared me. If you want to go somewhere, you have to tell me first, alright?”
“Okay…” Dandelion mumbled obediently.
Only then did Ella properly look back toward Ariana, offering her a small but warm smile. “Hello Ariana, it’s nice seeing you here.” She rested a gentle hand on Dandelion’s shoulder. “Were you studying? Make sure to take enough breaks too. You look like the type to forget to eat when focused.”
Dandelion immediately perked back up again. “Mommy says brains need snacks or they become grumpy brains!” she informed Ari very seriously.
At Dandelion's bright reply, Ariana's worry softened almost immediately. She had expected tears, fear, or confusion from the little girl, not a confident, amused comment that her hair was the same colour as tomatoes. For a second, Ariana simply blinked, a bit taken aback from the surprise of it, then a warm laugh slipped out of her before she could stop it.
"Well, thank you," she replied as she crouched a little lower again, so that she was on the same level as the girl, "My hair being red as tomatoes might just be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my hair."
She tilted her head with playful seriousness as Dandelion continued talking about tomatoes and ketchup, "You know, tomatoes are very interesting. Some people say they are vegetables, others say they are fruits, while some insist they are strictly berries. Honestly? I think they just like being mysterious," Ariana continued with a shrug of her shoulders, "Ketchup, though, is definitely happy food, and your mommy is probably right about the vegetable part, mommies usually know things like that," she finished as she noticed movement in her periphery.
As Ella appeared, Ariana felt a sudden wave of relief move through her chest. She stood back up slowly, still holding her books close to her chest, as she watched mother and daughter reunite with a small, fond smile.
"Hi, Ella," Ariana greeted her once the other woman looked towards her, her expression bright but sheepish. "It is nice seeing you too. I was a bit worried finding Dandelion here all on her own, so I am glad you were nearby. Although, I think your daughter just gave me the best compliment I've had all month".
At Ella's question, Ariana glanced down at the books in her arms and let out a small, guilty laugh, knowing that she had been caught. "I did study, yes, and I may have forgotten to eat, but only a little bit," she answered as she looked back at Dandelion, lowering her voice as though sharing an important secret. "I think your mommy might be right, my brain is definitely starting to feel just a little bit grumpy". She glanced between Ella and Dandelion with a softer smile, "Do you need any help getting your groceries, or are the tomatoes already safely under control?"
"Well, shit," Rita laughed, running her fingers over the side of the shirt for more telltale evidence she was totally inside out.
"That was a really generous way of putting it, sweets. Thanks for the positive spin. I guess I gotta live with my new trendsetting responsibilities now."
Ariana let out a small laugh at Rita's reaction, her smile brightening.
"Exactly, although, honestly, I think you should commit to it now," she teased, as she gave the shirt another once-over.
"Just walk as if you meant to do it, keep your head held high, and if anyone questions you about it, you just tell them they are behind on the latest fashion trend."
She paused before adding with a grin, "For the record, though, I can totally stand guard if you want to fix it."
Ariana blinked at the sudden question, giving the shirt a quick once-over before biting back a smile.
"Okay don't panic" she said as she tilted her head, "But I'm pretty sure it's inside out. It's a very bold fashion choice though and I could hardly tell!"
Ariana knew she should have gone home an hour ago. Really she had, but then a new book on the library shelf had caught her attention and before she knew it she was fully engrossed, turning pages and making notes on the most intriguing sections.
Now, she was hurrying home, walking as fast as she could. The streetlights were glowing, most of the shops had already closed for the evening and the air had that quie,t late - night feeling that made everything seem softer.
She had her bag hanging off one shoulder and a stack of library books pressed against her chest, the top book still open. She was so busy trying to finish a reading a section as she walked that she nearly walked straight into someone.
"Oh my god! I am so sorry!" she exclaimed, stumbling back as an embarrassed laught left her lips.
Ariana had stayed at the library far longer than she had meant to. What was supposed to be a quick study session, had turned into hours of flipping through old history books, hightlighting notes, rewriting parts of her current essay assignment and trying to make dates and names stick in her tired brain. By the time she finally stepped outside, heading for home, the sky had begun to darken into a deep blue-black colour, the kind that made streetlights seem to glow warmer than usual. Tucking her books closer to her chest she walked quickly, wanting to make it home before her dad noticed how long she had actually been gone.
The night air was cool and crisp and she took a deep breath in letting the air settle in her lungs and calm her body. Usually Ariana liked the walk back home, it was peaceful and it felt like for just moment she could be herself, free of the pressure of her family and father. Tonight though, something felt different.
She spotted the girl near the corner by the grocery store, at first she didn't think anything special of it, it simply seemed like the girl was waiting for someone, but the longer she looked the more concerned she started to get. Ariana could see no adult nearby, no parent that called her name, no older sibling tugging her along and the child looked far too young to be out by herself, especially this late in the evening.
Ariana slowed her steps, glancing around once - twice more, searching the nearby storefronts for anyone who might be there with the girl. When she saw no one she approached slowly, keeping her voice gentle as to not startle the girl.
"Hello" she said softly, crouching down a little so she was closer to the child's height and didn't appear intimidating. "Are you okay?" she asked, as her eyes scanned the girl's face, trying to read whether she was frightened, hurt or simply lost, "What are you doing out here all by yourself?". The little girl did not answer right away, which only made Ariana's worry deepen. "It's okay, I'm not here to hurt you. My name is Ariana, but most people call me Ari." She paused, hoping that the introduction might make the child feel comfortable enough to speak at least a little, "Where's your mom sweetheart? Is she nearby?". '
