Helena Rivera. 44. VP of Anchori.
âShe thought of the hardness and the coldness she had cultivated over those years and wondered if they were the mask she wore or if the mask had become her self. If the longing inside her for kindness, for warmth, for compassion, was the last seed of hope for her, she didnât know how to nurture it or if it could live.â
I tell my mother that, when the time comes,
I will burn this house down.
I will split my knuckle bones,
I will turn my molars into dust.
I tell my mother that I will be a grave one day,
a hollow hole to match my empty bones.
I am restless â
turn the latchkey.
Iâm shedding skin, Iâm tasting blood.
When the time comes, Iâll set fire to this pallid town
and hope the smoke blackens every heart,
hope the clouds roil and blur.
I want to be taken out of my skin
and set down where I can kiss Chicago.
Tell my mother, when the time comes, to please be proud.
Please be proud of how I tried.
"Iâm used to working on a busy schedule. Sometimes, I donât even know how to be still. Thereâs always so much to do, and not enough time in the world to get to it all." Itâs why Beth tends to work herself to the bone, until she canât go anymore. Sheâs always trying to push for that one last thing before I stop (that never is actually just one thing). A workaholic, some would say. They donât understand that she needs it, to keep her mind occupied. When sheâs alone her mind wanders to dangerous territory, things sheâd rather not think about. Always doing something gives her the out she needs.
She grins at Helena as they weave their way through the line, only a few people away from the counter now. âMe too. Itâs good ground to make a statement on; to show Anchori is just as strong now as it was before.â The sharks were circling them waiting for first blood, that was true, but the company will have to be pried out of Bethâs cold dead fingers before she gives it up. Not when Oliver entrusted it to her to run.
Helena crosses her arms, thoughtfully tapping a finger on her upper arm. This feels like their conversation from a few days ago all over again, and although she is tempted to call Elizabeth out on it, she also knows that it's no use beating a dead horse. Helena has already warned her about overworking herself; she will not repeat herself just because Elizabeth's too stupid to listen. Besides, despite how misguided and seemingly reluctant it is, the dedication is useful. If it begins to affect Elizabeth's work negatively, Helena can always intervene more forcefully. For now, it isn't necessary.
"Unfortunately, I can relate to that," she says, her tone deliberately self-deprecating. Ordinarily she would never allow herself to say anything that could be construed as weakness, but in this case she assumes that not putting up her usual steely front can help her establish trust. "I love the work, of course, but it makes it more difficult to make time for other things than I'd prefer." And other people.
"Your performance of the past month has already demonstrated that," Helena says, sounding matter-of-fact regardless of her own scepsis. She smiles wryly. "But of course it can't hurt to hammer it in." The line moves forward and suddenly they are at the counter. Helena gestures for Elizabeth to order first, a return of the courtesy the other woman had extended her earlier.
Yes, the Wickweiss is my aproned haven. I donât get to cook much â my boss is the connoisseur in that department but I do love good food. And I know it when I see it, obviously.
She nods once, committing it to memory, all the while having to forcibly shove her way through the crowd â apparently, some people never got the memo that itâs considered impolite to stand around blocking the pathway. Elizabeth looks back to Helena, hair falling over her shoulders with the quick whip of her head. âWhen is it not?â she says in response, a resigned smile on her lips. This was how Bethâs life is going to be from now on, and sheâs accepted it. Thereâs always going to be something new waiting to land on her desk the moment she clears through one obstacle.
"The new leases are being put up for bid today, which means a long day for everyone." She feels tempted to apologize in advance, but knows Helena must enjoy the work on some front; she would not have been able to be so successful in Anchori otherwise.
"Never," Helena says plainly, a sympathetic smile on her face even as, just for a moment, she is so filled with furious envy and loathing that she feels ill. It ebbs away, but leaves her unsettled nonetheless. If you do not want this, I do, she thinks. But then, Elizabeth didn't ask for this - something that Helena has told herself a lot the past few weeks and probably will even more in the next few months. Of course, that is exactly what makes it rankle so much: that Elizabeth did not ask for it, but received everything Helena wanted anyway. "Eventually you learn to manage it better, though."
"I am aware. I've already told Carolina I won't be home for dinner." Well, not so much told her as simply left her a note; lately, it has become progressively harder to actually hold a conversation with her daughter. "Truthfully, I'm looking forward to it. I always find acquisition satisfying."
I do. Well, not quite as much as I used to, but- What about you? If I'm not mistaken, I've seen you waitressing at the Wickweiss, but do you like to spend time in the kitchen outside of work?
Beth nods, thinking quickly to where exactly the nearest coffee shop. Itâs true that there is likely a Starbucks every two blocks, but in New York, the local cafes are just as abundant. In the end, the decision is made for her, as they happen upon a little joint by the name of La Maison du CafĂŠ â Beth royally sucked at French, but sheâs fairly certain it reads The Coffee House. Clever. She strolls up to the door of the busy little shop and pushes open the door, gesturing for Helena to walk ahead of her. âAfter you,â Beth says with a smile, following soon after. âWhatâs your order?â she calls out over the loud chatter of the crowd inside, weaving their way through to the actual line.Â
It does not take long for them to find a local establishment. Helena's lips curl slightly as she sees the name. How quaint. She enters the coffee shop before Elizabeth, pleased by the courtesy even though she does not mention it. It is busy inside, and it takes some maneuvering before they reach the actual line. "Plain black coffee," she says. Helena hesitates; she can be charming enough when she has a goal in mind, but small talk just for the sake of it is not her forte. "So. You've got a busy day ahead, I assume?"
"Spring is pretty, but itâs all so.. busy.â she gestures with her hands. There was something about the raw beauty of the cold months that drew to her; the stillness of everything, the danger hidden behind blanket of gorgeous snow. It was unlike anything else. âStarbucks or a local joint?â Beth asks with a smile, she herself not holding much preference in the decision.
"It is, but I don't mind. I thrive in busyness." She doesn't like the quiet and lifelessness of winter, doesn't like the way the snow covers up the sharp edges of the landscape, doesn't like the opportunity for introspection. Helena always feels slightly relieved when the time of year arrives that the sun peeks behind the clouds more often than not and the cherry blossoms in Central Park begin to bloom, even as she is embarrassed about feeling that way. That's certainly not something to share, though, so she smiles back and focuses on the question of coffee. "I'm fine with either," Helena replies. She takes a look at her watch. "Although whatever is nearest might work best."
"Not rude, just honest, blunt, straight-forward - whichever one you prefer. You Americans apparently have hunder and one words for each and every thing," Lydia corrected the woman, the smirk on her lips not quite agreeing with the words that left her mouth. "After all, age is nothing to be ashamed of, or is it?" She deliberately let the question linger in the air for a second or two as her eyes met with the womanâs. A light chuckle escaped her lips when she inquired her about her name. "I might be many things, but coward is not one of them. Besides, thereâs no shame in honesty. Iâm Lydia. Lydia Maslova."Â
"That's called being literate, my dear," Helena said, deliberate but almost playful condescension dripping off the last two words. She met the girl's gaze head-on, not at all flustered by the comment on her age. "I'm like a fine wine; I only get better with age. You will have to hone your insults if you want them to hit their mark." She cocked her head. "Lydia Maslova as in the Russian ambassador's daughter?" Helena refrained from offering her own name. For now.
Nickname: Her father used to call her Lena. Aside from that, she loathes nicknames and insists that you call her either "Helena" or "Ms. Rivera"... though she's been called by some less-than-flattering nicknames out of her hearing.
Origin of Name: Derived from the Greek áźÎťÎνΡ, Helenaâs name can mean either âtorchâ or âcorposantâ. Although the name is probably most well-known because of its association with Helen of Troy, Helenaâs parents actually named her after Saint Helena of Constantinople.
Birthday: November 8, 1969.
Birth Place: Borough of Manhattan, New York City.
[let's get physical]
Height:Â 5â5â. She dislikes being so short and often wears high heels to compensate.
Weight:Â 125 lbs.
Eye Color: Brown.
Hair Color:Â Black or dark brown, depending on the lighting.
Eye Sight: Bad enough that she needs to wear contacts.
Left handed or Right handed:Â Right.
Species:Â Human.
Ethnicity: Puerto Rican-American.
Distinguishing Features: A scar across her upper lip.
[favorite]
Book: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
Movie: She doesn't watch enough movies to have a favorite.
Food: Pernil. But anything with pork in it is comfort food for her, really.
TV Show: MasterChef (a guilty pleasure of hers). Scandal is a close second, though.
Flower:Â Purple violets.
Season: Spring.
Animal: Hedgehog.
[this or that?]
Cats or Dogs:Â Neither; she is not a pet person. But if she had to choose, she'd pick dogs.
Mornings or Nights:Â Mornings.
War or Love:Â War.
Smoke or Drink:Â Drink, although she used to be a smoker before she got pregnant with Carolina and sometimes still smokes during times of stress.
[thoughts on]
Love at First Sight: She thought it was love at first sight with Oliver. Of course, that didn't turn out well.
One true love:Â Doesnât believe someone only has one true love. Not anymore. Â
Monogamy: Vital to any romantic relationship. If you want her love, you need to be loyal to her and only her.
Miley Cyrus:Â Literally couldnât care any less.Â
[character questions]
What is their family history like? How does it affect them? How do they feel about their family? How does their family feel about them? In one word? In one word: conditional. Helena had a loving although often slightly distant relationship with her parents as she grew up, defined by narrow expectations that were no trouble as long as she fulfilled them - the trouble being, of course, that she eventually refused to do so. Helena's desire to go into business and her parents fighting her tooth and nail on that impacted their relationship badly. It mended somewhat when she and Oliver got together, a match her parents had arranged and approved of - in part because they hoped that once she got married she would settle down and get any notions of job advancement out of her head.
Things did not go according to plan, however: Oliver ended the relationship and Helena got pregnant. Her parents had enough trouble accepting Helena entering the business world; becoming an unmarried mother was the last straw. After forcing her to accept Oliver's offer of a monthly pension, they broke off all contact, the closest they could get to disinheriting her without actually doing so. This hurt Helena deeply, although she never actually voiced it, pretending that everything was fine as part of the mask she'd had already begun wearing by then. Although a few years after Carolina's birth her parents renewed the contact and they now dote shamelessly on their granddaughter, Helena's relationship with them remains strained at best: she is unable to forgive them for essentially abandoning her, and they are unable to let go of their disapproval of her life choices.
Helena was always determined to do better with Carolina, but her relationship with her parents has left deep marks on her and affects her parenting very much. However much the memory of her parents' demands and constraints stings, Helena does not seem to realize that history is repeating itself with her and Carolina, albeit twisted around.
Does your character go to church or have a religion? Helena was raised Catholic, but feels very disconnected from her faith and the community that is part of it. She still goes to church sometimes - the ritual of it is comforting to her - but she isnât really capable of believing anymore. If God exists, she doubts He would approve of her, anyway.
Do they believe that a person can redeem themselves from mistakes of the past? No. Redemption is not a concept she believes in. While she might not judge people on their mistakes of the past, she does not think doing good erases the bad. The only thing you can do about your mistakes is learn to live with them.
What scares them? More than she'd ever confess willingly. She is afraid of losing and to never receive what is her due. She is afraid of something bad happening to someone on the (admittedly very short) list of people she cares about. And - although she won't even admit this to herself - she is afraid of being alone and unloved.
How do they feel about death? Have they been significantly affected by it? So far, the closest person to her to have died is Oliver, something that she privately considers not to be worth mourning anyway. Helena has not been significantly affected by death. She does not spend a lot of time thinking about it and on the whole, she is quite matter of fact about it: everyone dies in the end, so worrying about it is pointless. Helena did, however, take measures to ensure that in the event of her death, Carolina will be taken care of properly.
What is one thing in their past theyâre ashamed of? One thing theyâre proud of? Despite doing quite a few things that other people would be terribly ashamed of, what chafes her the most is being so weak about Oliver, trying to hold on to him for so long. She is proud of many things: she is proud of her hard work and her accomplishments at Anchori (although it isnât enough, it never is), she is proud of her position and status, she is even proud of her daughter, difficult though it is to show it. Pride is not something that Helena lacks.
Pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed and sloth. If your character was a seven deadly sin, what would they be and why? As the answer to the previous question already suggested: pride, with envy and greed (the two are closely entwined for her) close behind. Much of her ambition stems from her pride, her wish to prove her self-worth through the work she does.
What would your character name their children? She named her only daughter Carolina, which can mean both âsong of happinessâ (from the French) and âstrongâ (from the Latin). The former was how Helena felt about her daughter, the latter was what she hoped Carolina would become. She has never desired any other children.Â
What Hogwart House would your character be in and why? Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Gryffindor? It's a toss-up between Gryffindor and Slytherin - but because the Sorting Hat takes choice into account, Helena would probably have ended up in Slytherin. Her ambition, resourcefulness, ruthlessness, analytical abilities, and tendency towards self-preservation (along with those few she cares about) also point towards a Slytherin sorting. However, much of that is learned behavior, part of the mask she built up over the years. Behind that cold and steely exterior she hides the temperament of a Gryffindor: brash, emotional, and extremely brave. Courage is one of her defining characteristics; she's had to be brave, to break into the business world. She is also preoccupied with her own (albeit skewed) idea of justice, enjoys challenges, and is anti-traditionalist. Even her ambition could be interpreted as searching for the Gryffindor concept of glory - Helena wants her hard work to be acknowledged, wants everyone to see her power and recognize her worth. Although Helena as she is now would identify as a Slytherin, one has to wonder what house she would have ended up in at age 11.
Elizabeth keeps stride with Helenaâs pace, assuming theyâre both heading the same way â towards Anchori. âSpring is nice,â she says, eyeing the busy city traffic around them, âbut I was always more of a winter person.â The cool crisp air hitting her lungs was such a feeling of being alive, sometimes all she wanted to do was stand outside and breathe it in. âI was going to grab a coffee before work,â Beth says, turning her head towards Helena. âWant one?â
"Oh, really? I've always preferred spring. I like how everything comes back to life," Helena says absently, weaving through the crowd. She glances back at Elizabeth. "Sure. I haven't had my morning coffee yet." And she sometimes needs more of a kickstart for her morning than she'd like to admit.
Cat calling and wolf-whistling doesnât make me feel glamorous and sexy. I just feel a dog being called. I do believe that there are still gentlemen left in the world though.
There it was. The kind of recognition that Roslyn craved for, the type she usually seek and the one she thrived on. âWhy, thank you, Mrs. Rivera.â The blonde nodded once, keeping her face impassive, merely showing a small smile to the other woman. âItâs good to know some people actually appreciate what real journalists do.â
She pushed away her annoyance at the use of Mrs., instead keeping her expression as neutral as Swan did. "You're welcome, Ms. Swan. Oh, some of us certainly do. Especially in the wake of the terrible events last month, it is very important that at least someone maintains their journalistic integrity."
"No harm, no foul," she says, a forgiving smile on her face. She notices the traffic light has turned green again; as the crowd begins to walk, so does Helena, assuming Elizabeth will follow. "Are you out enjoying the spring weather?"
