I need some advice?

[dithka.livejournal.com]

Hello, this is my first time posting on this site, and it's linked to something personal, so I apologize if I make any mistakes or seem scrambled/disorganized.

Awhile back, on February 24th 2015, I got two original characters from my partner.
They sent our partner and I (a poly relationship, fyi) a link to the big collection of characters that they were selling. They said that I could make three drawings of their character, and a bunch of roleplays with them.

I stuck to it, and I had made two drawings, and was partially in with a big roleplay that they said they wanted to do, and would work better than a bunch of small ones.
Though, before I could finish, they started to become extremely toxic, manipulative, and abusive. So they started to harass me on my art profile, and told me "you don't deserve to have my character on your page" Getting me to remove the drawings from my profile.
I won't go into detail, but eventually they got me to accept them back,
and after that I asked if I made one more drawings, if I would get the characters.

They responded with "Yeah??? They're yours" and "You don't have to draw me anything"

Only around the beginning of march did I finally get rid of them. So I feel as if they will think that now that we are separated, and that they dislike me, that the characters are no longer mine, and instead, theirs.

So I need advice on what to do if they demand the characters back, try/succeed to sell the characters again, accuse me of stealing, and/or claim them as theirs.
I'm hoping that even though what they did to me is hard to talk about, that they will stick to their word and let me keep what are now my characters. Though, after their behavior on my page and other behavior personally, I have a feeling they will not be happy about me keeping the characters as my own instead of giving them back and will lash out sooner or later.

Important note: I have already made a collection of my proof of ownership that they most likely had seen, which may have discouraged them on harassing me about them, but it is still rough around the edges due to them hiding the first contact about the characters.

Comments

[epiceternity.livejournal.com]

Given the situation involved; unless there's an essential reason you want to keep the characters it may be for the best to give the characters up as lost. While s/he 'said' they were yours now, if you feel that they'll kick up a stink about it at some point then it's probably not worth it. It sounds like you need a clean break from this person and being dragged into drama with them later on isn't helpful.

I know it's annoying after drawing some pictures of the characters already but better now than finding you can't use the characters when you've lot a lot of artwork of them or gotten really attached.

[dithka.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I guess you're right.
I'll try and figure out what to do, because it will be hard to give them up since I have become attached and given them backstories.
But I appreciate your help.

[thaily.livejournal.com]

You don't have to give up the backstories and such, just the character designs. If you want, you could always recycle the stories and design some new characters, see it as an opportunity to develop them more.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

This! Plus someone can redesign the characters for you using the old designs as a base. While both versions will be yours, one is further away from the originals.

[mazzy techna (from livejournal.com)]

I wouldnt give it back to be honist , It's yours and you like them, you have the proff of owner ship

[thaily.livejournal.com]

Keep them or give up on them, it's your choice. You definitely shouldn't sell them though, if this person decides to kick up a fuss after you sell it, all the drama would land in the customer's lap and it might damage your reputation, professionally, even if it's not your fault.

Just a note, even if you do end up giving up on the characters, they're not entitled to use the artwork you drew. If they repost it anywhere or use it in any way, you should probably send a DMCA notification to have your work removed.