#ch: wille eccleston

[backstage-if]

hi! since you said you were looking for an excuse to talk about the families... 👪 for all the ROs? (and Wille and MC too, if you want!)

YOU'RE A LIFE-SAVER. Of course, there will be more... nuance in the actual IF and some of these are spoilers.

👪 FAMILY - what is their family like? what is your ocs relationship to them? does your oc have any siblings?

Under the cut :)

MC They were raised by their mom and she is basically the only family MC knows. I think I said this before but her family cut contact before MC was born, so… no grandparents, no cousins. Their father is out of the picture, too. MC and their mom were basically on their own and all the other had, so they really clinged to each other for most years. They were glued when MC was little. The mom is very supportive and always encouraged MC to pursue arts. I think seeing their mom work so hard to raise them and also being the reason her parents stopped talking to her… can make MC scared to disappoint her? Also some of their abandonment issues come from THIS lack of other relatives. 

I can’t exactly say what their relationship is like now because I plan to leave it to the player, but what I CAN say is that their mom tries to be involved, at least. Also, no siblings. 

Bonus: I talked before about the mom having a close friend group, so, yeah, MC grew up with 3 aunts (!!) who all lived in different parts of the country, but they used to call on their birthday, send gifts and visit sometimes. 

C

A nurse dad (Jaymes), an accountant mom (Sloane) and a teenage sister (Meredith or just Edith). C’s relationship with their parents… used to be better. Things were fine when they were the funny kid who, yeah, sometimes got sent to the principal’s office for whatever reason, but also had the best grades in class year after year, graduated with honors and left for college. C’s parents don’t really understand why they want to be an actor and this really strained their relationship. C figured this out during their college years and just immediately went to San Thérese after graduating, so them and their parents didn't have much time to talk about it. The rest of their time together? Yeah, they get along well. 

C's parents are quite serious people, but they appreciate their child's humor. They like how C knows who they are (even if that's why they're butting heads) and how caring they can be. They really should just meet face to face and talk for a while. 

C gets along well with their sister, very grumpy (Edith) and sunshine (C) sibling dynamic. They talk at least a few times every week and are always sending each other random messages. Edith looks up to her older siblings, even if C doesn't see that.

NEIL

His mom (Cora) was Neil's favorite person, but she unfortunately passed away when he was 19. She just really loved being a mom and, even if she was busy because of her career, she always made time for him. Taking him to the theater, mom-son painting classes, being part of the activities at his school, things like that. Core also tried to make sure the media wasn’t pestering her son until he was old enough to decide if that was the life he wanted. She was the actress, not him. 

Things were different with Neil’s dad (Émile/Edwin). He wanted to be a dad, but didn’t know how to be a good one. Privacy and such were always a sore topic between him and Neil’s mom because too much attention made Neil overwhelmed at a young age and Émile was always using his dad title for good headlines and paparazzi pictures, but he didn’t actually find a way to connect with his son. As Neil got older, he was fine having a very neutral, kind of distant relationship with his dad, but then his mom got sick, his parents got a divorce and Neil finally accepted that his dad isn’t the kind of person he likes to have around. 

I don’t think his dad is an angry man, but Neil is the only one who knows how to get on his nerves.

Also, because Neil’s dad doesn’t really understand how to raise a child and keeps with his acting career, Neil has been basically raising his sister (Laurie, 8) since he turned 19. He makes sure she gets to school on time and she talks his ear off every day after coming back. They go to the park. Neil bakes brownies for her school’s fairs. He tries to be who his mom was to him and they get along well. Neil doesn’t introduce her to anyone he doesn’t consider a close friend.

JOY

Joy’s parents had some issues with their other pregnancies and she was a really wanted, loved baby… and child, teenager and adult. Joy and her parents simply are very close. She is an only child. 

Her dad (Dustin) is a dentist and her mom (Anne) is a historical-fiction writer. They both are interested in arts and it was their idea to introduce her to theater during her middle school years to see if some of her shyness disappeared. They were worried about her social life for a while. It worked, she blossomed. 

There’s nothing much to say aside from the fact that Joy loves her parents very much. She cares about their opinion and she always tries to make time for them, at least weekly. She moved to her aunt’s old apartment to try to be a little more independent and it worked. Their love can be a little suffocating, but they’re trying to listen more to her and spend less time worrying and living their own lifes.

Her aunt (Rey) was Joy’s inspiration when she was growing up. She is a very confident, laid-off woman who likes to spend her time traveling and meeting people. Joy thought she was awesome and she still does. Rey moved from her old apartment a few years ago to live with her wife and left it to her favorite niece. 

Also, Rey was the one who adopted Patroclus for Joy. 

SPENCER An English teacher dad (Corey), a restaurant-owner mom (Natália), an older sister (Helena/Lena, 28) and a younger brother (Jonas, 12). 

Spencer gets along greatly with both of their parents, but especially their mom (and they believe they’re her favorite). A lot of their curiosity and passion for trying new things comes from their parents. Corey likes to research, read and learn every aspect of the thing he sets his mind on. Nat likes to be more practical and simply… try, even if things go wrong at first. They’re very in sync as a couple and Spencer is quietly impressed by that because they’ve been together for a long time and are very stable.

Lena, the oldest, is where Spencer’s perfectionism comes from. Their sister has been a bit obsessed with being always right ever since her teenage years, but, while she got over this idea a while ago, Spencer is still kind of set on being the best. Even if Spencer is a very calm person, their competitiveness appears when it’s against their sister (their parents think it’s because they’re so close in age).

Jonas, the youngest, is a hurricane. He is always going by Spencer’s apartment uninvited, going with his friends to see their sibling at the coffee shop, messing with Spencer’s stuff to see if they get angry. They don’t. Spencer loves his brother and doesn’t care about his tricks, but sometimes pretends to do so he gets happy. 

A

Surgeon mom (Simran), musician dad (Azad) and half-brother (Rohan, 12). 

A lot of A’s selfishness comes from their parents and how they (A) views their divorce. 

They’re quite similar to their mom when it comes to personality, so they understand each other and it makes it easy for them to live together. They don't mess with each other's personal stuff, have a similar taste for food and know where to find the other when they want to talk. 

A small, childhood-constant part of A makes it hard for them to see their dad as absent. He tries not to be, but his career hasn’t yet launched and it takes a lot of his time and has been taking a lot of his time for years by now. It affects both of his children. 

A’s mom isn’t the biggest fan of theater. She watches plays, but doesn't have a passion for it or anything. Still, when her child came to her saying that they wanted to act, she supported it. 

A is close to their little brother, they see each other every month. It could be better, but it isn’t bad. 

WILLE Their parents (Veronica and Albert) have a clothing store together and Wille has twin siblings (Becca and Luke). 

Wille’s parents are pretty much still in love. They’re disgustingly sweet together. 

They wanted Wille to keep taking care of the store later in life, but they believe their parents are more relieved that they didn’t want to. 

Wille studied business at college because of their parents. 

If anyone asked Wille for the name of their siblings, they would have to think about it for at least a minute. 

They don’t really talk to each other and that’s all Wille wants people to know.

[backstage-if]

Just some facts about Backstage's main character:

They were solo raised by their mother.

MC, Wille and C (from the intro post) met at school and share a hometown.

There will be an option to determine what MC wants to do with their life. Acting can either be their dream job, a hobbie, a means to an end...

MC and Wille share an apartment!

[backstage-if]

The main characters as Sims (part. 3)

Joy Pham

Wille Eccleston

Part 1 | Part 2

[backstage-if]

hi! pls facts about wille? before and after college?

Hey! Of course.

I actually loved getting to talk about Wille this early on.

Before college:

Wille used to be part of the track team at school. They actually really enjoyed it and stayed for a few years.

Wille is the oldest of three kids. Their twin siblings were born during Wille's high school years.

They used to spend all of their free time at MC's house (and MC's mom wasn't a fan).

Their grandma taught them how to sew.

During/after college:

Business major! Their parents have a store! Wille hated every second of it!

Wille (and MC, by default) didn't get to be/have roommates bc their college was SUPER close to home.

They moved less than one year ago.

Wille has an old sewing machine in their room. It's quite loud and their neighbours openly dislike it!

Fun fact: Wille was the one who told MC to audition. They're in the costume department of the play.

[backstage-if]

A little father’s day gift after the results of this poll :)

On a serious note, I’m warning that Wille and their parents don’t get along that well and this is (kinda) featured in here. Also, it’s a little longer than a drabble.

Under the cut:

2022. 

Wille Eccleston is leaving this town in seven days. No more, no less.

Neither of her parents know about it yet. 

She isn't planning on telling them at all, at least not until the very last day. That scenario is clear in her head. Next week, she will be getting hold of her bags, the rest of her needlework money and then follow to her best friend's house with a simple "By the way, I'm moving", or something close to that. She won’t give them enough time to react or put together any sort of emotional speech about how they will miss her. 

It isn't a plan, not exactly, but this is all she has. 

The moment her sister, Rebecca, enters her room, Wille is working on the last costume she will ever make for her old school’s theater group. 

"Lend me a dress," her sister barely says, competing with the loud noise made by the sewing machine, then Rebecca herself turns it off unprompted. “Mom said I could choose one of your dresses!”

Wille annalyzes her sister's frame for a minute, the girl is even shorter than she was at her age. 

"It won't fit you, we both know that. Mom must know it, too." 

"Let me have it, Willow!"

She pretends to think about it for a second, "Nah." 

Rebecca stamps her foot loudly on the wooden floor and, at that sound, their dad's head appears at the bedroom's door, a confused expression on his face. 

"Did I hear an argument?”

It has happened way too many times at this point, especially considering how few years they have been on this Earth together, but Wille already learned that, unless she makes a point of being the first one to say something, Rebecca will have no problem throwing her ‘mean sister’ under their parents’ bus. 

"Rebecca never gives my stuff back, she proved it too many times."

His confusion turns into weariness, maybe even impatience, "Can't you just... get it from her room when you plan to use it?"

Wille doesn’t have time to come up with an answer that doesn’t spoil her plans, because she can register the exact moment in which her dad sees the bag by the bedroom's corner. 

"Hey, what is this?"

Silence. What is there to say? 

"Willow, what is this?"

The truth. Maybe.

"Okay. Fine, you win. I'm moving."

"...What? Does your mom know that? Did I know that? It doesn't seem like something I would forget if you told me."

"I haven't had the opportunity to talk to her yet. I will. Tonight."

"That's not-" he seems to remember the girl right there, watching the scene unfold with wild brown eyes. "Leave, Rebecca."

"But I wanted to-"

"No, you didn't. Go to your room, go."

She exits with a frown, but not another word. After the girl leaves, Wille’s dad gets inside the bedroom and closes the door. He stays standing with his arms crossed, staring at her as if he can’t decide whether she is lying or going insane. 

"Where did that idea come from? No, of course. See, I’ve always said that friend of yours and her crazy mom weren’t-"

“Don’t say it,” Wille raises her voice at that and he stops whatever he was going to say, at least. “I talk about moving almost every day, why is it such a surprise to you?”

“We thought you were joking!” her dad mumbles something incomprehensible, then says louder. “You can’t just move.”

"Why?"

Deep down, she knows what is coming. Wille can hear the words even before it’s out there in the world, but, for a moment, she hopes her dad will surprise her and say something different. 

"Who will take care of the store?"

In the end, she is right.

It stings a little, even if it shouldn’t anymore. Once again, there is no worry about Wille herself, only that hell of a store. Always the same.

"You and mom will, as you already do. You don't really need me here, dad, I would be a terrible manager."

Just say both of you will miss me. Say that I'm your daughter and you love me and I should stay because of that, instead. 

"And if something happens? If Lucas breaks an arm and I have to take him to the hospital or if your mom, God forbid, falls ill? What then? We close it, just like that?"

She stays quiet.

"Willow, honey- We don't just do what we want to! Believe me, I know a thing or two about that. Sometimes we… Well, we have responsibilities and we have to stay. Life chooses for us."

Finally, she turns to him and tries to ignore what is implied in his words. He stayed for the family and now he wants her to stay for the business. It’s supposed to be a never-ending story. 

She says, "I'm going anyway."

"Oh my God, you’re so stubborn. Do you even have a plan? Any plan?"

Yes. Her train tickets are already bought, their not-fancy but surely affordable apartment is simply waiting for Wille and her best friend by this point and, if her dad can’t tell by the bag that gave her away in the first place, almost all of her clothes are already packed. Still, she lies to him, "No, but I'll figure it out."

"I really don't get what is w-" he stops mid sentence, then opens the door. "Nevermind. Good luck telling you mom that. Don't leave the dirty work to me."

"I won’t."

"She might… I don't know, she might even talk some sense into you. You're 22, for God's sake, you're too old to be this inconsiderate."

He closes the door loudly and leaves, and Willow doesn't bother screaming after him that she is actually 24. 

A week after that, she is the one leaving.

[backstage-if]

Hey. How about 🌌 MILKY WAY - what was the inspiration behind your oc? what was the first thing you decided about them? For all the ROs + Wille? :)

I had this ask twice and I don't know if it's from someone else or you accidentaly sent it again, sorry! Anyway, loved this and it's here!

C - They were inspired by a very minor character in one of my thriller IF ideas. They were a side character's child and had only one scene or something like that. So, when I gave up on that IF, I took them with me to Backstage. The first thing I decided about C (apart from the other IF) was that they were from MC's hometown (bc initially C, MC and Wille were going to be a trio of friends).

Neil - He would hate it, but my first inspiration for Neil was Émile. He was a character for an urban fantasy IF and a completely different person when compared to the actual Émile from Backstage (Neil's dad). Before deciding that Neil would be a director, I wanted to make him a writer so it's still one of his hobbies.

Joy - Mostly inspired by another character from my urban fantasy IF, but a lot about her family and personality changed from one project to other. The first thing that I decided about them is... kinda of... a spoiler. (It's not BIG, but will be discussed in the future).

Spencer - I genuinely don't remember where Spencer came from aside from the fact that I was listening to some music and looking at haircuts for curly hair. I think the first thing I decided about them was their appearance, honestly.

A - They were created because three days before posting the intro for the IF, I thought something was missing. I listened to some music, opened my pinterest board... A came because I wanted something more and when I started to write about them I was like "Oh, okay. They were missing.". The first thing I decided about them was the 'false antagonist' vibes.

Wille - They were literally inspired by this picture 👇. Yeah, the first thing I decided about Wille is that they were MC's best friend (and the second one was that giving MC the option to dislike them was also funny).

[backstage-if]

Already working on it, btw.

[backstage-if]

thinking about that lucille bluth scene but instead it's MC's mom like...

MC's mom: I like all of my child's friends equally.

MC's mom, earlier that day: I don't care for Wille.

[backstage-if]

Wille when they have a pinterest board among the main characters: :)

[Redacted] when they have a pinterest board among the main characters: :(

[backstage-if]

wait, wille isn't a RO? 🥺

No, not really 🥺

It's kind of what the intro post means with "There is nothing more going on here". Wille is an important part of MC's life and it felt relevant to talk about them already, but Wille isn't interested in MC like that. It's complicated.

But they DO feel like an old married couple in some routes.

[backstage-if]

Forgive me I just found this blog but how do you pronounce Wille?? Is it (while) or (will)? or (willy) <- cursed

Hi 👋 welcome to the blog!

I think 'while' is the closest one.

If my name options for them continue as they are, then they don't mind an occasional Will either.

Willy (childhood nickname) is a big no, so is Bill.

[backstage-if]

Very sad to tell to Wille stans out there that I wrote a scene where they called MC 'honey' in the prologue and decided not to use it.

[backstage-if]

Did you ever imagine there would be such thirst for Wille?

YEAH, ACTUALLY.

The best friend/roommate/sidekick is also one of my favorite character archetypes, so, yeah, I totally get it. I was more surprised about how quickly the first wave of thirst came, honestly.

Gotta say, my favorite Wille/MC dynamic is the one where MC doesn't like them :) and I think it will be a nice one to explore.

[backstage-if]

I gotta know... Is Eccleston a nod to Christopher Eccleston? Our Beloved Nine?

Yes!

I haven't watched Doctor Who yet, but I know some fans. I saw them talking about the actors once and thought Eccleston was a cool last name.

[backstage-if]

🤍 for any or all?

:]

Yeah, I ended up doing it for all of them...

🤍 WHITE HEART — what are three of your oc's neutral/questionable traits

Angela - overworried, workaholic, indecisive.

Charlize - Perfectionist, pessimistic, introverted.

Anton - Cocky, judgmental, prideful.

Lennox - Nosy, short-tempered, hypocritical.

R. - Liar, pushy, selfish.

Wille - Stubborn, jealous, annoying.

Maeve - Disorganized, too optimistic, gets defensive easily.

Saint - Afraid of commitment, loud, bad memory.

Sacha - Distrustful, kinda rude, impulsive.

Kwan - Doesn't break fights, materialistic, can get arrogant.

[backstage-if]

💤 SLEEPING SIGN — is your oc a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? how are their sleeping habits? For Maeve, Willie, (Maybe our mom too?)

Helloo 👋

Maeve is a heavy sleeper. Everyday at 11 p.m. she covers herself with a fluffy blanket from head to toes (that kinda scares her sister), hugs her pillow and sleeps till morning. Sometimes she accidentaly sleeps past her alarm.

Wille is a light sleeper + has weird sleeping habits. Insomnia has been a thing since they moved from their hometown and they refuse to take sleeping pills most nights. While most people are sleeping, Wille is reading or cleaning their room, literally looking for anything to do. It's not unusual for MC to find them napping on the couch when they get too tired.

MC's mom is mostly a light sleeper, but she is trying to change that. After MC was born, she got used to pay extra attention to any sound that could mean trouble or danger and she couldn't sleep a full night. Also, that's her first time sleeping in an empty house after many years and it's still hard for her.