Welcome, @Blue. (I wasn't a role player coming in either, but I love Carmen, so I understand completely!) This is a delightful place and I'm sure you'll be very happy here.
Internet friends are real. My best friend of 16+ years is someone I met on a Harry Potter fan site when we were in high school. We talk every day and last year we went to Singapore together to meet another friend we made on the same site. These relationships are just as meaningful as the ones...