[Deleted]

for the lin siblings, if you want to keep up with their mother's greek naming scheme, go for it.

----- LIN, the eldest brother

TWENTY-EIGHT / MERFOLK PHYSIOLOGY / OPEN

Once the protector of his little brother when Elys was bullied in elementary school, [brother] became the protected when it was Elys's quick thinking that let them keep their lives after the murder of their parents. [brother] always hated the fact that his little brother was the one keeping them alive, and he always had plenty to say (in private) when Elys tried to shoulder as much of the burden as possible. Perhaps it was regret that he could not be strong enough to protect his little siblings. Perhaps it was jealousy that Elys was able to do so much for them (despite never realizing the risks Elys took or the decline in his health).

[brother] disappeared three years ago. The gang claimed he ran away, but did he? Maybe there was an unfortunate accident and they disposed of him, thinking he would not survive? Or, maybe he did run away! But why? He has not contacted Elys all this time. Is it for his own safety? Regret? Hatred? Maybe he trying to make enough money to pay off the debt to free his brother for good?

----- LIN, the little sister

TWENTY-THREE / MERFOLK PHYSIOLOGY / OPEN

She can barely recall the faces of their parents (she remembers their mother's voice more than anything), but she can vividly recall the dark closet, huddling together with her brothers, and then gunfire. [sister] had always been babied by her brothers. They took care of her when their mother was working day and night and pay the bills while their father was out gambling, and they took care of her while they were held captive and living in the casino. She looked to them for everything, and she followed their every word, whether it was to fake a cold or to never let out a peep.

At sixteen, she was let go. Elys was able to arrange for her freedom. How? He never said. He handed her the hidden savings from tips received from casino patrons, and it was enough for her to get a cheap place in a rundown part of town. They exchanged letters, but she stopped sending them after two years. Why?

THE GANG LEADER

AROUND THIRTY / MALE / HUMAN / OPEN

The gang in question is covered by an affluential family's name and the perfectly legitimate business they run out of many casinos in the state. This person is the son of the former leader, who was the former CEO of the family business. This person seized control of both the gang and the company after the unfortunate accident three years ago (that he orchestrated) that took his father's life.

Even prior to taking control, Elys was his favorite and sought him out whenever possible. He was the one who made the initial decision to split the acts of Elys and his brother into two, forcing them apart due to scheduling conflicts and eventually forcing them apart completely. He planned everything so that Elys would be completely alone, so that he would be the only one Elys could turn to. Taking the throne was part of that plan, casting out the former king that dared to lay his hands on his prize.

His possessiveness of his lovely little songbird is suffocating, yet Elys keeps returning to him again and again. The chemistry between them in undeniable.

THE GANG MEMBERS

AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE / HUMAN / MULTIPLE OPEN

Why would I heavily incorporate organized crime with Elys's backstory if I wasn't going to open it up for everyone else? I have no idea what the gang is called (up to whoever takes the gang leader)! Many will hold positions within the many casinos throughout the city. Others might be bodyguards (Elys isn't allowed to leave the establishment without one).