Rhea Soto

Rhea || Logan ( @logan-kingston37 )

Rhea || Fiona ( @fionadrake )

Rhea || Sophia ( @sophiamiddleton )

There was only one good thing about this festival and that was that for the duration of it people could come and go between the towns and Jackson like that. What he didn’t like was how many people were out and about, he preferred being alone and almost everyone knew that. But he had promised a couple of people that he would make an appearance and so he was standing there in the middle of it all. “So, what do people usually do first?” He asked the person next to him. He honestly had no idea where to even start, if it was up to him he would just dip into a bar and stay there until it was all over. 

“Well that all depends!” Rhea said as she walked up next to him and smiled seeing his familiar face. “Glad to see you came Jackson! Maybe there is a little fun left in you.” The love manipulator teased with a playful smirk and then went onto answering his question. “Now if you’re hungry, then I would suggest eating first and then playing games before getting on the rides. Unless you’re not worried about puking everywhere with a full stomach after the rides that is?” Laughing, the woman shrugged and offered another option. “Or you could always do the rides first and then eat and play the games at the same time afterwards?”

Sophia stood there, willing herself to go into the place of worship but something stopped her from going in. She almost felt like she didn’t deserve to, because of her recent thoughts and mistrust in Him, especially with her jealousy towards the Park residents who could leave. She just wanted a hug from her mom, but she couldn’t have that right now. The blonde let out a shaky sigh and turned around quickly, beginning to walk without even looking where she was going and slammed right into the other. “Oh shoot, I’m sorry!” She gasped, reaching out to steady the other just in case, though she was only small she doubted she could knock anyone over. “Are you ok? I’m really sorry I just— not with it, obviously.” 

Rhea needed some time away from her office to clear her head of a few things and had decided to take a walk around town. Not really having a specific direction in mind, the love manipulator made her way closer to the Church. Turning her head to look at the couple who was walking across the street, Rhea took a wrong step and in that moment couldn’t escape Sophia’s own misstep. Smiling at herself and at Sophia in front of her, Rhea answered with, “I’m alright, don’t worry about me.” Pausing and searching the blonde’s face, Rhea knew the other wasn’t okay. “That’s okay, we all have days where we “aren’t with it” as you put it.” Looking behind Sophia, she noticed she was coming from the direction of the church and the love manipulator couldn’t help but ask, “Coming from the Church?”

“Do you ever think about how animals are just… far better than people?” Fiona spoke suddenly, hoping to startle the other as she pet the dog next to her. “For instance, they don’t seriously believe that I didn’t see what you just did.” She said, looking at them pointedly with a raised brow. 

Rhea frowned confused at the woman’s words next to her as she took her seat on the bench. “Dogs are most definitely very loyal....but there is that possibility of having that quality in another person too.” Putting her planner back in her bag, the love manipulator turned to look at Fiona and asked, “I didn’t know that looking at a man’s attractive behind is a bad thing?” She joked with a smile.

Rhea’s office was one Kay had never been in before. Well, that wasn’t strictly true. She had been in before, but never to see Rhea, and certainly never about this. Awkwardly, she leaned back in the chair, trying to get comfortable physically, since what she was about to ask certainly wasn’t going to be.

“So, uh, hi. Um. I guess, I sort of need your help,” she began doing her best to hold back the word-vomit that was on the tip of her tongue. Kayleigh was a notorious nervous rambler. If she got started, nothing–not even a force of nature–could stop her, and she didn’t want to overwhelm the counselor.

@rheasoto​

Rhea finished a few notes on her laptop before closing it and smiling softly at Kayleigh who had asked if she could have a sit down. From what Rhea could gather, it wasn’t an actual session and more like the woman in front of her had wanted some answers or a sort. Either way, the love manipulator was more than willing to help.

“Of course! That’s what I’m here for! What’s on your mind Kayleigh?” Instead of grabbing a pen and paper, Rhea crossed her hands in front of her and waited for the other to speak what seemed to be troubling her. Meanwhile, her love powers were picking up a lot of back and forth conflict which Rhea tried to push back at first.

Larissa smiled, patting the other gently on the shoulder. “Thank you for saying that.” She said. A lot of people kind of took the doctors and everyone else as a given. That they would be no matter what, no matter where and no matter what conditions. But with most cases, they all were front line workers. Therefore if anything were to happen, they would have to work themselves silly. “Everyone has a task in this world though. You do too. So we’re all just doing our bits for the society.” There wasn’t another way to describe it. It was as simple and as difficult as that. “I’m not very tech or anything, but is there anything I could to help you out? You need a test bunny or anything?” She grinned, though she wasn’t really sure exactly how she could offer her services. 

Rhea nodded with a smile at Larissa’s words. “You’re right and every little bit counts.” She then listened and was a little sadden that Larissa wasn’t all too tech savvy either. But it wasn’t like Rhea couldn’t work around whatever issues she had with her tablets. You’re more of a paper and pen woman anyway Rhea, she reminded herself. “Oh don't worry about! It’s just this scheduling getting mixed up, but it’s really not a big deal. However, if I do end up coming across a problem that I do need a ginny pig, you’ll now be the first one I call up!” She said with a playful wink. “Though we should really go out and get a few drinks-have a feeling we both will need one eventually. Text me when your schedule opens up?”

Larissa ginned knowingly. “Only the best kind. I swear, Soon enough I’ll be handing out more sweets than actual pills. Though… At the same time, I’m glad it’s just that. I’m not looking forward to the time when it’s going to be..” She only shrugged her shoulders. As empathetic as Larissa was, at work, she put a whole different image up. It was simply the doctor’s way, and simply something that they had to do in order to get through. “Maybe they’re loving the food? Maybe it’s the Jell-O they’re staying for.” She winked, crossing her arms over her chest. “Busy to say the least. I think Last week I worked a 72-hour shift and slept with Bert on the couch.” Bert was an older man in a coma. It was the quietest room. “I hope you’re taking a break as well. I hate to see you overworked… Though…” She grinned, knowing that they all probably were, and there was no escaping it. 

The love manipulator had to laugh at Larissa’s tactics but held no judgment. “Whatever works best Larissa.” The smile still remained when Rhea heard her thoughts for reasons people continue to stay at the hospital and then playfully narrowed her eyes, “It’s the Jell-O, defiantly the Jello-O!”

Her eyebrows raised hearing Larissa take on a long shift and sighed knowing it wasn’t healthy but in their line of work it was necessary. It would be pointless to argue for one of the doctors or nurses to take more time off-they simply didn’t have that many people in here to do so either. “Well, incase others haven’t reminded you, we’re very appreciative of you and your work Larissa. Don’t ever forget that okay?” The woman reminded her and then added, “I’m doing okay. Just need to make sure I get this app working the correct way.” Giving her friend a small nod whatever hidden tiredness Rhea had would remain so-hidden.

At hearing his name, his eyes darted back up to hers with some interest. He wasn’t sure he was entirely annoyed she knew who he was, but he was definitely a little surprised. What can you expect, you and Harley are havoc together, your names probably travel. “Yeah,” he answered slowly, “We haven’t met?” he added as though that should have been obvious. He figured he’d remember. 

Warily, Tristan’s fingers flexed at his side, the mention of his power seemed to earn a raise of his head. He’d intended not to break his phone with the idiocy, that was all. “Sure,” he continued, narrowing his gaze pointedly when she breached the subject of others and their gifts. “Reach out for what?” he asked, wondering what she was talking about. 

He lifted up his hands and stepped back. “Can control them, yet, still here.” he muttered bitterly, half tempted to show her that he could lose control of it if she thought talking to people about what was happening was in any way going to help. Your mother’s out there, you’ll find her. But not like that. 

Automatically Rhea smiled shaking her head. “No, we haven’t. I’m Rhea Soto, a counselor at Grimstone.” She clarified, holding her hand out for a polite introduction. The woman knew many people reacted differently to hearing she was a counselor; two obvious reactions were: disapproval or disgust and the others were thankful or indifferent. Thankfully, Rhea was used to them all.

“Oh, I’m sorry-I meant reaching out with your phone. I’ve tried reaching out to people outside of Grimstone and have had little to zero luck with the cellphone. I’ve tried using office phones also and nothing seems to work.” Get your thoughts straight Rhea, she calmed herself. With a number of appointments to think it was easy for her to forget to add a sentence or two explaining her thought process-much like she had done that caused this man’s confusion.

Her green hues followed Tristan’s hand motions and could tell he was not at all pleased with still being within these walls. Then, there it was. That feeling the love manipulator could use and attach herself to it to do or work in whatever way she chose. Who could it be, Rhea wondered but silently held onto that emotion incase she did need to use it in order to change this man’s way of thinking if he did dare use his powers on her. But somehow the woman didn’t think it would come to that. “I understand and I know it must be even more difficult during these times. But I know a solution is well on its way.”

“You have some super strong laundry detergent or something? Because coffee stains, even if they come out, they leave a discolouration.” Zachariah sighed, the now wet top sticking to his torso. It was uncomfortable, and it felt gross. It took everything in him not to use the power on the woman, reminding himself that the asshole he portrayed was just that, a portrayal… But sometimes it felt like that was really him now. “You know what? Don’t even worry about it. It’s just a fucking shirt, right?” It was clear he was still annoyed, but he wasn’t about to get so angry that he’d use his power over a cup of coffee.

Huh, well that changed pretty quickly, the love manipulator told herself. Placing an apologetic smile on her lips, she added, “I don’t think I’d be able to help but I’m sure the lab could do a quick favor for me and figure out a way to remove it? Without any discoloration? They could even know someone who has a power that would also help?” She offered. “I’m still sorry, I’ll more than happily pay for a different shirt that you’d like? So, you’re not walking around all...wet?”