Strings and Shadows

CHARACTERS INTRUDUCTIONS

Mason Trueblood

Age: 16
Birthday: August 18
Pronouns: He/Him
Song: Babydoll

Mason Trueblood had a presence that was impossible to ignore, though he'd never say he wanted it that way. Tall, with a lean build that made him look like he could disappear into the shadows or step onto a stage and own it, Mason carried himself with a quiet confidence that drew people in without him having to try. His dark hair fell into his eyes just enough to make him look effortlessly untamed, and when he played guitar, it was like the world fell away—every note precise, every chord deliberate, but with an energy that could set a room on fire.

Life hadn't been easy for Mason, either. Growing up in LA, he and his brothers had learned quickly that talent alone wasn't enough—you had to fight for attention, for opportunity, for your place in the chaos. Mason had done that, carving out a reputation not just as a skilled musician, but as someone dependable, someone who kept his word. People respected him for it, and some even feared the quiet intensity he carried under his easygoing smile.

At school, Mason didn't try to dominate every hallway conversation or force himself into the spotlight. He let the music speak for him. His band, which included his brothers, was known for more than just skill—they had chemistry, a sound that felt like it belonged to the city itself. And yet, despite the attention, Mason stayed grounded. He had a small circle of friends who really knew him, and for the most part, he liked it that way.

When Mason first noticed Venus Miller, he didn't realize how different she was until she walked into the music room with that electric guitar slung over her shoulder, her hair in a messy fringe, eyes scanning the room like she didn't quite trust it. She had an aura of quiet defiance, the kind that made him curious, the kind that made him want to see what someone like her could do with that guitar in her hands.

Mason didn't chase curiosity often—it usually chased him—but something about Venus made him take notice. Maybe it was her confidence hidden behind a wall of caution, or maybe it was the way she carried herself like she had something to prove, though not to him. Either way, he felt the familiar stir of interest, the same pull he got when he first heard a song that hit too close to home.

Mason Trueblood wasn't the type to fall fast, but even he could tell that Venus Miller was someone who might change the rhythm of his life—and maybe, if he let her, she'd play the first note in a song he didn't know he wanted to hear.

Maven
Mason x Venus

Eli Miller

Age: 8
Birthday: January 9
Pronouns: He/Him
Song: Dream brother

Eli Miller was eight years old and bursting with energy that their cramped apartment could barely contain. Where Venus was quiet, cautious, and guarded, Eli was loud, curious, and impossible to ignore. He had a mop of dark hair that never stayed brushed, a smile that came too easily, and a habit of asking questions faster than anyone could answer them.

He adored his big sister in a way only little brothers could—equal parts hero-worship and constant annoyance. To him, Venus wasn't just the girl with the guitar; she was the person who walked him to school when their parents worked late, who listened to his rambling stories about superheroes, and who always made sure he felt safe when the city outside their window didn't.

For Venus, Eli was the reason she kept pushing forward, even on the days when her chest felt heavy and her own thoughts turned against her. He was the reminder that she couldn't give up—not when someone so small still needed her to be strong.