And I agree that things get easier once your character is more well known. I feel like a lot of RP'ers just expect that they'll head to the Pocket or join an RP SG and they'll immediately find 239085901390 new in-character friends and that'll be that lol But in reality, you gotta put some work in first? You have to build the relationships and create a back story and develop a personality for your character. Theeeeeen finding RP friends will happen for you.
As an RPer who was in some of those cliques I'd say that's accurate. As a rule, Virtue wasn't
Mean Girls. You can sit our lunch table with us. If you're a wallflower, or rude, or a Mary Sue, or Deadpool Ripoff Toon #45,021, or Obvious ERP Mesbian #80 bazillion don't be shocked if you get ignored, of course. Talk to people, ask for their stories, share yours, be creative, and be patient. You'll find your tribe if you keep at it. and the more people you meet the more you're going to meet, because they'll introduce you to their friends, who will introduce you to
their friends, and so on.