u/SweetCauliflower123

So, recently I came back from a 2–3-year-long hiatus. The process of finding a partner has been grueling, as usual, but I managed to find one person who was interested enough to stick around. We started the RP around a week ago and the replies had been consistent. The problem is: I’m not really feeling it.

Now, there’s not really anything that’s outright bad about my partner or the rp (otherwise I would’ve just ended it) but things aren’t exactly going well. The start was a bit rocky tbh – their opening message was kinda off-putting. I didn’t think it would go anywhere, at first, but things got better so I just rolled with it.

We’re doing an enemies-to-lovers plot where my character starts off as the more powerful one and their character goes through a training arc and beats him. And then they fall in love. We agreed to this from the start. We just finished the opening scene where our OCs meet for the first time and fight. It fell pretty flat, in my opinion. There really wasn’t any chemistry or dynamic established between our characters. My OC should’ve left a strong impression on their character (because he was the most dangerous opponent he’d faced so far) but their OC didn’t seem phased. I got a distinct impression that they were more focused on making their OC look cool in a fight than doing the thing we agreed on. This isn’t the first time something like this happened (from my experience this is a somewhat common tendency in enemies-to-lovers rp) so I picked up on it right away. And it just rubbed me the wrong way, especially since their OC will have plenty of opportunities to shine later on and get back at MC. The plan is for MC to get so injured that he can’t even fight for a while. I emphasized this between replies and they seemed to get it and agree. But then, in their latest reply, they threw in that their OC spat in MC’s face even though MC was grounding his face into the dirt. It’s like they just had to add a ‘badass moment’ even though it didn’t make sense.

And the thing is, this on its own isn’t a deal breaker for me. It’s annoying but I can let it slide if our characters had good chemistry. I told them that I wanted some kind of a moment between our characters in this first scene – nothing too big, just something that made it clear that they’re special to each other (in an enemy sort of way). Like it could’ve just been a sentence or two of internal monologue. I delivered on my end but they gave we nothing. In this scene their character was supposed to be backed into a corner, fighting the toughest fight of his life and yet there was very little emotion from him. And this lack of reaction made my character seem way more desperate, in comparison, which completely flips the scene and doesn’t make sense since MC is not the one fighting for his life. It's like MC was just one of the many goons their OC had to face in his quest.

 

So yeah, idk if I should give it a bit more time and see if things get better? It could be too early to tell? It’s not like I have a lot of other options. Though, honestly, their last reply has just drained all the enthusiasm I had for this rp. So, maybe I should dip and focus on finding someone else? Of course, if I decide to quit, I’ll tell them straight up.

But what do you guys think?

Hi! I’m looking for a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers rp with a nice balance of plot, romance, angst and a touch of smut. I already have a plot in mind, but I’m open to other ideas so feel free to pitch me.

 

For the past few years, Minyu and his men were on the hunt for YC. Why? Because YC was in the possession of something they desired - Qatna, an ancient spirit whose power can be harnessed for war. YC is a Vessel, a conduit for Qatna’s powers.

Twenty years ago, Minyu’s clan, the Nara, were in control of Qatna and they ruled the region uncontested. But, all of that changed when Qatna was stolen from them by their enemies – YC’s clan. The previous Vessel, Minyu’s father, was killed so Qatna could be extracted from him and put into a new Vessel. Without Qatna’s power, the Nara were vulnerable and their enemies took advantage. The subsequent wars resulted in the death of half of the Nara and the loss of most of their territories. Those who survived barely held on, ravaged by poverty and disease, living under a constant threat of complete eradication. Minyu was just a child then, helpless to do anything but watch the ruin of his clan. But now, twenty years later, he was the strongest of the Nara and so, it was up to him to recapture Qatna and restore the clan. He’d sworn to the elders, to his ancestors, on his father’s empty grave that he would do whatever it takes…

When Minyu and YC first clash, Minyu has the upper hand. This is because YC’s control over Qatna is still tenuous and Minyu is a more experienced fighter than him. Still, fight after fight, YC manages to slip right through Minyu’s fingers. As time passes, YC gets stronger and better at controlling Qatna. And, once they’re equally matched, Minyu becomes the one with a disadvantage. Because, unlike YC, Minyu has to be careful – he can’t risk YC dying while Qatna is still inside of him. So, while YC can use his full power, Minyu has to hold back and pull his punches. And, if something else threatens YC’s life? Well, Minyu has no choice but to step in.

They’re at an impasse, but this cannot last – someone is bound to break first.

 

This is the basic plot and there are a few ways things can go from there. Here are a few additional ideas I had (these are optional):

• There are several times when Minyu saves YC’s life. This could result in him getting injured, perhaps to the point where he is no longer able to fight. Maybe YC feels indebted to him, even if he knows that Minyu is just doing it for his own gain, and tries to reciprocate somehow. He could also just misinterpret Minyu’s intentions.

• Minyu gets injured in a fight (either by YC or a third party) and is on the brink of death. YC has the opportunity to kill him but spares him instead. Minyu continues trailing after YC but is too injured to be a threat. YC invites him to tag along. This could be because YC feels indebted to him (because Minyu saved his life before) or because he needs Minyu’s help in controlling Qatna (since Minyu and the Nara know a lot more than YC and his clan). It could also simply be out of pity – since Minyu is quite pitiful in this moment.

• Minyu and YC are put in a position where they have to work together to survive. Maybe they get attacked by a third party or they’re trapped somewhere or something like that.

• I like the idea of a switch up - Minyu starting off as this force of nature that seems unbeatable to YC and then becoming more desperate and pathetic as time goes on, perhaps even losing all of his powers (temporarily?).

 

Notes:

• The setting is east Asian inspired, but it can be changed to a more western setting. I’m also open to other changes in regards to the plot/worldbuilding/magic system.

• I’m still not decided on what kind of a magic system to go with so we can figure that out together. I definitely want Minyu to be some kind of a magic user.

• While the primary focus of this rp should be the plot and the characters, I would like to include some smut here and there (after our characters get together).

• Minyu is in his late 20s/early 30s and I expect YC to be around the same age.

• Minyu is transmasc (trans M or masc NB). I imagine him as being androgynous with a masculine lean. >!He is primarily a bottom (occasional switching is fine).!<

• YC can be M (cis or trans) or masc NB. >!I expect him to primarily be a top.!< I’m not too picky in terms of appearance, I just ask that he be bigger and bulkier than Minyu.

 

Writing Style

>• 3rd person, past tense

>• Flexible with reply length, average is 3-6 paragraphs, around 300 words. I can write more upon request.

>• We can exchange writing samples in the PMs.

 

OOC Stuff

>• I’m 31 and only rp with people over 21, preferably 25+

>• I don't care about irl gender.

>• I put a lot of thought and effort into rp. I’m a huge worldbuilding nerd, I love plotting and brainstorming and I can pull my own weight (playing side characters, advancing the story etc.)

>• I’m available to plot and chat most of the time, but my rp replies are a bit slower – every day at most, once a week minimum. I’m very reliable - I’ll always let you know if a reply will be late or if I’m on a break.

>• I’m pretty chill and friendly - always down to chat OOC or make new friends. But if you’d rather just stick to rp – that’s fine too.

   

What I expect from you

>• Be over 21.

>• Write in 3rd person, past tense, 1 para per post minimum, reply at least once in 2 weeks, have decent grammar (occasional typo/mistake is fine), be able to provide a writing sample, if asked.

>• Be willing to brainstorm and be around during the plotting stage – I don’t want to wait a month just to start the rp.

>• Clear communication.

>• When you PM me, give me a short introduction – doesn’t have to be too long, but at least include your age in the first message

>• No AI

 

Thanks for reading ♡ Hope to hear from you