Name: David Eldridge
Play-By: Stephen James
Age: 26
Occupation: Artist/Comic Book Shop Owner
Birth Place: Cambridge, UK
Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Sexuality: Heterosexual

Physical Description:

David stands in a little over six feet tall with a muscular physique that is thanks due to the time he puts into the gym. His dark brown hair is always kept cut short though he is always experimenting with new cuts and styles to wear it in. His emerald eyes usually hold a glint of amusement to them along with a faint smile on his face.

Distinguishing Marks:

The only other distinguishing aspect of him is his collection of tattoos David is almost covered head to toe with various pieces that he has acquired over the years with each one holding some sort of significance to him. The Hindu goddess, Kali dominates his torso and makes for a rather dark and striking piece that he is rather fond of. Having found a fondness for the UK he has a few the nation's symbols on his right arm including Big Ben in London and the Union Jack in the background. On the other arm he has dedicated it to his favorite artist, Salavdor Dali. The rest of tattoos vary from more portraits on his legs then to others on his body that were inspired by Eastern religions such as paisley patterns to a prominent lotus flower on his neck. Some of his latest pieces include the words, "ROAD" and "ZION" tattooed on his fingers. Besides his tattoos he has both of his ears pierced as well as his left nostril though he does not always wear his piercings. Again it depends on what mood he is. As for any other piercings well one would just have to find out for themselves if he has any others.


Personality:

David is someone most people find pleasant to be around and always seems to be comfortable no matter where he is by always exuding a cool confidence about him. He very much has a "go with the flow" type of mindset and it seems to take a lot piled up on him at once for him to actually show any sign of concern. One aspect of his personality is that he always tries his best to make everyone around him to feel welcome and get them to smile. He enjoys seeing people having fun and is a bit of a partier himself though deep down he is a nerd a heart. That being said his true joy is art no matter the medium. Aside from that he does not like to bother others with his problems and would rather others be the center of attention in that aspect.

Background:

David was born in Cambridge to his parents Conner and Tara with the two meeting during college though the former was on a student visa from the United States. The two married after graduating and a year later their son was born. five years later tragedy reared its ugly head due to circumstances involving Conner's father, Paul the family had to pack up and move to New York to help care for the eldest member of the Eldridge family. Sadly Paul was committed to hospice shortly after and in a few months' time the man had passed away.

After dealing with Paul's private affairs and Conner receiving his ancestral home in the will the family decided to set their roots up there instead of returning to their former lives. With both of his parents having graduated at the top of their classes at Cambridge's Medical School they were able to find jobs rather easily. Thankfully David was young enough to adjust to the move and the Eldridges soon became accustomed to their new surroundings with the parents even having a daughter, Margaret by the time their son was eight years old.

It became apparent early on that David was a bit of an oddball at least when it came to being compared to his parents. While they were strict and proper his more of the free spirit type that preferred to do whatever came to him in that moment instead of worrying about making a plan. That was probably why his parents became flustered when he did not show any interest in college, but after cracking the whip he did put in the applications and was accepted into a university. To his parents dismay he enrolled into the University of California Los Angeles with the desire to earn an art degree no less. Not that they were surprised by his choice of majors given how he always loved the subject, but they had always hoped he would follow in their footsteps of becoming a physician. Like always their son followed his own beat and left for California to strike out on his own for the first time in his life.

While attending college he found himself taking a business course on a whim and then the following semester he took another. This continued until he graduated with his art degree along with a minor in business that he intended to put into good use. After a bit of convincing from his parents to give him a small loan he opened his shop, Secret Headquarters. It was a comic book shop but unlike others it fit the boutique style of the other L.A. shops in the city thanks to several factors. First was the decor the minimal clutter that was opposite that other stores had and there was the fact he show cased more of the indie style of comics unlike other shops. Besides that the shop was the location of several signings of big name artist once his business gained some renown and even started to host art openings at night.

His business flourished almost overnight, but besides his success there he still wanted to focus on his art. Paintings here, the occasional sculpture there, a photograph, but in the end he decided to do what he always wanted to, create his own comic book. He slaved for almost two years working on his pet project, Vinyl Veins, a paranormal/occult comic that was a hit in the indie audience but lately there have been rumors that he has been in the discussion with Image Comics about them publishing his works.

Dealing with all of his responsibilities with multiple business opportunities as well as partaking in his hobbies has left him without much time for romance. It was again on a whim that he decided to send in an application for Coupled in Paradise, not expecting to be invited to participate in the show. Much to his surprise he was in fact accepted and now wonders what sort of adventures wait for him on the islands. Will he find that special someone? Only time would tell.

It turned out time told quite a bit in the length that was the year since David appeared on the first season of the show. His deal with Image Comics was indeed true and with them publishing his comic, which in turn has become a success. Enough that he the book has garnered a few awards for being the best new series and David himself earning his own for best new talent of the year. Even though Vinyl Veins was being adored by many and his career as not only artist but also a writer blossoming that was not the only aspect of his life he was doing well in

Since meeting on the show David had started dating Destiny and for a while he thought the show was the turning point of his life. He finally found the one he could spend the rest of his life with though with what seemed like in a blink of an eye to him his luck changed quickly. Both Destiny and he had busy schedules with their professions being demanding due to having to travel constantly. He had meetings, conventions to attend and his store to still oversee though to him she had the heavier workload. Then one day she called it quits, saying something along the lines that it was better this way and that she was leaving for Europe.

At first he was upset with her for throwing what he thought was the best relationship they both had ever been in but as the months passed the bitterness has lessened. Now he has accepted that it was not meant to be and that it was going to break sooner or later. Just because he thought they could make it despite the distance did not mean it was possible unless they both thought so. That is why he decided not to dwell on it and instead throw himself deeper into his work.

Since the breakup he has not done much dating but he was recently contacted by someone representing Coupled in Paradise to see if he would like to return. His initial reaction was to decline on the grounds that his last experience was not fruitful, but as with a lot of things in his life David decided to take a chance. So he is returning to the island to see what it has in store for him this time. Of course he has no idea his ex is also returning as a contestant to the show. That should not be awkward right?




Likes:

Anything considered "nerdy". Comics, video games, tabletop games, sci-fi movies, and whatever else falls into the category. Art, again anything that could be considered as such from visual, auditory and so on. Going on random trips to wherever sounds good at that moment, spicy foods, a good drink and of course his dog.

Dislikes:

Hot drinks, being bored, conformity, people who are stuck up or insults others' personal preferences. What Marvel Comics has done to Spider-Man over the years. First Civil War, then One More Day and that's just the beginning.

Strengths:

In great physical shape, rather creative, easy going, spontaneous, very well practiced in various forms of art such as painting, drawing, dancing and cooking. Not really strength though many people have claimed that he has "the luck of the devil" especially those in his circle of gaming friends.

Weaknesses:

Has trouble taking anything seriously, has a soft spot for most people in distress and even more so for animals. Moves at his own pace in life, which others might not agree with.

Fears:

Clowns, not being able to practice his art, not seeing everything the world has to offer and even more importantly not getting to share that adventure with someone.


Fun Facts:

Can play the drums and even played in a jazz band back in college, fluent in Korean, and takes part in charities such as ones as the Pablove Foundation, 826LA  to those related to comic books with his favorite being Superheroes for Hospice.

The Perfect Girl for You:

David does not really have list of requirements when it comes to being his "perfect girl." He prefers to get to know someone and see if there is a spark instead of chasing an idealized version of someone.

Current Attire: