reagan "rey" townsend.

41. chief operations officer for obsidian holdings. @paxtonrp

[paxtonrp]

𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐒

Name: Reagan "Rey" Townsend

Age: 41

Occupation: Chief Operating Officer

Affiliation: Executive Board Member for Obsidian Holdings

Gender & Pronouns: Woman (she/her)

Faceclaim: Yaya DaCosta

𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐘

Comes from one of your typical humble, from-nothing beginnings. Father stepped out on them when she was barely learning to walk and made things that much more difficult on a hard-working woman juggling three jobs and no babysitter. Rey had to learn to be quiet and hide, whenever the boss comes around, or else mommy might lose their income.

If all he did was step out on them - deadbeat is as deadbeat does - that could have been overlooked and forgiven. At the very least forgotten about. But that man broke her and took everything, and claimed that baby girl wasn't even his. He came from money and a background far too good for these nobodies, so he took that woman's innocence, dreams of owning her own business, and the twenty thousand start up she'd worked years on to get, too. If that wasn't enough, he snatched what small valuables Rey's grandparents left for her in trust, too.

A lot of Rey's memories include catching her mother's sad stare as she pushed hair back on her head, and whispered how she wished she'd had a boy instead... Because the world wasn't kind to women, and she feared what would come for her baby girl after everything done to her, too.

Rey learned what true grit and determination was - the epitome of pulling one's self up by their bootstraps. Nothing in life was given, it had to be earned. In some cases, it had to be taken.

The struggle was real. Sometimes, they had to decide if food or utilities was more important. As soon as Rey got old enough, she earned extra dollars doing odd jobs here and there with neighbors and local businesses, until she was legally able to get a solid job flipping burgers and bussing tables right alongside her mama.

She was that girl you'd catch at the back of the dimly lit diner, pouring over a mess of books and homework, because the only time she had for schoolwork was between breaks. Rey never complained, though. Complaining never changed anything. It only fueled her to one day step on all those people who stepped on them, straight to the tippity top, where she could knock everyone else off and stare down on them. She believed in karma and it was coming for those people who scoffed at her and her mama. Especially for that man, who dared to take everything away just to rub salt in the wounds, because he damn sure never needed it.

It took years of study, in school and out, to perfect and mold herself into a fearsome adversary. She involved in anything that would only further herself in life, her sole focus on pulling herself out of the gutter and dragging her mama on up with her. But there was always that intention, deep in the backs of her mind, that one day she'd get proper justice.

There's been ugly claims and rumors slung her way all her life. Who the hell was she? Where'd she come from? How'd she get here? Assumptions were made from sleeping with the bosses to having dirt on the right people, because of course that's the only way this random would get her foot in the door so firmly. Let alone rise through the ranks as she did.

None of it was true, but Rey always saw it as an opportunity. Let them think what they wanted - the more they felt she was capable of, scruples or not, the less likely she'd get messed with. Rumors were just rumors, it'd take more than that pierce her thick skin.

As Rey got older, it got easier to muddy the waters of where her true humble beginnings started. Most people didn't care to look past the picture of what she presented: a sleek, professional gal with grit and tenacity, and obviously some decent upbringing. How else did she manage such a pretty tongue and nice clothes? That home? It was important to fit in with these people around - they came from money and prestige, so Rey played the part that she did, too.

Money talks, of course. Grease a few palms, one could get what they needed. Not only was she able to have her background doctored to suit this new life she and her mama immersed themselves in (right on down to name change), but she was able to track down some ties to that man who abandoned them all those years ago. That's the true reason they got to Paxton and weeded their lives into Obsidian Holdings. He's involved somewhere, and Rey is nothing if not patient, willing to play the long game. She only hopes her ailing mother lives long enough to see it all to fruition.

Rey has since become COO for these people. One may even say the big man's right hand woman. She's made herself just about indispensable and invaluable, with calculated control. Efficient. Even still, she's someone that maintains a delicate balance of relationships through manipulative smiles and soft speech - many might think she's a downright peach of a person, even. And sure, she is... Until she isn't anymore.

𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐑𝐂

Coming from nothing means she’s in it to make her millions — billions if she does it right — and move onto the next one. Obsidian versus Paxton is all friendly fire. She’s sat towards the top of Obsidian’s executive board for close to a decade and she tends to be seen as the heart of the business. Little do they all know that her heart shrinks a few sizes every time she walks out the building. Her secrets span decades and only time will tell if the small town life will reveal them all.

[zaidhassani]

Patience was a virtue he held in select circumstances. When it came to business dealings, he had no problem following the slow path as long as it kept Obsidian on the right side of the law. It was every other matter of life where his patience ran thin and his temper rested on an even thinner line.

The dealings in Paxton had left the man pouring over endless reports, ensuring that debts were being repaid timely and that insurance policies were rock solid on every property owned by the company. It was infuriating at times, though one would argue that even on a good day, the Chief Compliance Officer could find something to make his blood boil beneath the surface.

"Plenty of other ways to get your sugar high." His complaint, however formal and pressed it might've seemed, was nothing more than an annoyance uttered aloud. It was a bad habit of his, one he'd never quite learned to tame. He glanced down at the woman, a small grin tugged crookedly on his mouth. "It's more of a busy morning than a rough one." New insurance policies were always a hassle to form, but never failed to fight for the best policy at the lowest cost the company.

Zayden's grin remained as the woman muttered her order to match his own. By her line of defense, he could only assume that her cup would be accompanied by the very sugar he'd verbally disgraced. "Busy day ahead of you?"

[rey-townsend]

"So what is the difference between getting sugar in the coffee than a dessert or candy?" she couldn't help to ask, as her brows lifted some. "If you'll still get the same type of rush." She supposed it would have something to do with the fact he may not have to wait as long, for someone to grab a donut or snickers bar.

"Mm," she agreed, though her days were usually busy with something or another. "I'm concerned how the rest of your day will shape out, if you're already running short of patience in the cafe line," Rey teased lightly, as she leaned forward a tad and offered a certain look, that said she wasn't so sure this wait was worth his annoyance. Of course it wasn't. But they were two entirely different people and what annoyed him, didn't necessarily annoy her. It may not be any sort of deal to her, but to him? It might very well color his entire day.

"Nothing outside the usual," she answered, brushing aside some hair from her view. "Lots of paperwork, several meetings..." Then again, he was due to be in a couple of them too, so he'd know about that already. "How's your morning so far, Mr. Ramzi? Lengthy cafe lines notwithstanding." She moved forward as the line got shorter.

[jasper-wainwright]

Thankfully, she had a copy of the artwork. Jasper pointed at the paper. "May I?" He asked. From the distance, the snakes did look reminiscent of something one of Joey's nephews did back in the 90s. Family crests weren't all that common, most people didn't know what their actual crests were for one thing, but there wasn't a lack of them either. Before he got her hopes up, though, Jasper split a binder tower in half. Carefully, he opened one of them and began to leaf through the subjects. "Might be one of these two artists if it was someone here that drew it -- if you got time, two pairs of eyes are better than one pair if you catch my drift. The pieces are organized alphabetically so try 'c' and 's' first."

[rey-townsend]

Rey's head inclined some, allowing the male to take the crude picture and use as reference for his search. She already had the crest burned into her mind's eye after so many years. It was part of her, after all. Whether the old bastard wanted to accept her as his daughter or not, her blood was just as his.

His lack of reaction to the drawing made Rey believe this person may have seen this kind of tattoo before. Or, if not the exact one, it might have looked similar to someone's work. Wasn't there a way for artists to tell who did what type of work? Everyone had tells. "You've a good memory," Rey commented, as she pulled the other binder towards her and flipped open to the 'C's as directed. "These two artists.. Do they still work here?" she kept her tone casual as her eyes considered each piece she turned by, carefully.

[faye-rhodes]

Starter for @rey-townsend

When: Present

Where: Shear Beauty

After meeting with Lindsey, Julie expected a brief lull in Obsidian Holdings activity. Yet, there she was at five in the evening catching sight of Obsidian's COO on her appointment roster. Julie just marked the time off on the schedule when the bell tolled announcing Rey Townsend. She looked up from the tablet with an even smile. At the end of the day, Rey was now one of her customers, so even if this appointment was conveniently timed it could just be a coincident. "Miss Townsend," she greeted, taking a few steps to the side to clear the walkway, "I'm the last station on the right."

In her element, Julie felt at ease. Talking to customers, making sure they left happy, and staying on her feet -- that was where Julie thrived. She pushed her one cart closer to the chair. "If you have anything you want to put down, on top will do. Before we start would you like anything to drink? We have water and soda."

[rey-townsend]

The salon was one of Rey's personal pursuits -- for the most part. Most of the men she worked with didn't quite see the business as top priority and that was typical, because they could often be short-sighted and fail to see the usefulness of something so unassuming. Women were influential creatures and the world catered to them and their vanities quite a bit. If Obsidian were to get their claws into the salon, then they would have access to all its clientele that went there, or their husbands. Or brothers, fathers, mothers... Any potential person of importance, was the point.

But Julie was quite a shrewd and tough woman, in Rey's opinion. Much smarter than what Rey's colleagues gave her credit for. She wasn't going to just hand the business over of her own free will. It would take a lot of pressure and coercion to get this proud salon owner to bend to the company's... protection.

"Oh no thank you, I'm fine for now," Rey declined the offer of anything as she followed to the designated station and sat her purse aside. "Am I your last client of the day?" she asked with a pleasant smile, taking a seat and crossing one leg over the other as she bent forward, draping her hands over the table to make her nails available to the woman. "I shouldn't keep you long," Rey went on, "I think just a recoat of the last color will do." She was a simple woman-- she didn't get fancy fake nails, as hers were naturally long enough and well-kept, and usually only bothered getting them shaped and painted. Sometimes, she even opted for just a gloss. "So, how's the salon life treating you? Seems to me you're getting more and more business every day."

[grayson-hall]

While the Obsidian Holdings employees Gray remembered from years ago no longer worked in town; he tended to notice the new wave. There was always a way that they carried themselves that made it obvious they weren't from Paxton. There was the added fact that Lizzie worked for the CEO, and then Jaime's internship, that seemed to lead them towards him. Gray put his hands in his pockets, nodding, as she reassured him that she wasn't allergic. He was happy to be on his way, but she said something more and it felt rude to keep walking. Gray couldn't help but shake his head, too. "I guess if the town or whoever rents these booths out to the vendors knows about it, then that's for them to worry about," he mused, eyes drifting over the rest of the wares laid out. The low hum from the hives continued as a few wayward bees lazily circled around a couple of jars. "Although, I heard fresh honey is good for seasonal allergies. You ever hear that old wives' tale?"

[rey-townsend]

"Not if they get out and cause a stampede of panic," Reagan remarked with dark realism, "because that'll become everyone's problem. We'd be trampled in the chaos." Her lips pursed at the corners, to staunch the sudden urge to smile at this rather dire -- and highly unlikely -- picture she painted. It was a bit funny, she had to admit to herself. "Mm," the woman acknowledged the wives' tale, "though I imagine it has as much legitimacy as acupuncture." Neither trick seemed to be backed by any real science behind it, right? "I'll stick to the medicine bottles that list their ingredients and explain what to expect," she went on, checking inside her purse for her wallet, "which seems more practical than relying on sheer faith."

[jasper-wainwright]

Jasper took the questions in stride. Joey would be pleased at the interest. As she drifted closer to the wall, looking at some of the samples, Jasper shook his head. "We have a few different binders from current artists to some archived works from the retired folks."

They only kept the archived books since there were occasions that people came in wanting a tattoo that matched a piece their parent had. Jasper bent down to grab the Tupperware bin. With a grunt he heaved it onto the counter and began to unpack. "Do you have an artist you're looking for, or is this more like a piece you're trying to find?"

[rey-townsend]

Rey found herself pleasantly surprised when the younger man seemed to understand the assignment. He went above and beyond what she had expected to get from him, even. Perfect! It endeared the male already -- she loved efficient folks.

"A piece," her attention was drawn away from the bulletin of artwork when the sound of something heavier was sat on the counter. There was an entire tub of these binders he spoke of. "I'm not sure if it's a common one," she now came to approach him as she went into her purse and pulled out a crude drawing of what the tattoo should look like. It was like one of those family crest types, with swords and snakes around the blades. "Would this be in one of your artists' wheelhouse?" As far as she knew, her father had gotten branded here in Paxton, but the where and by who, still unknown.

[zaidhassani]

location: prickly perk character: open

He liked his coffee as bitter as many people thought he was. Flavorings and other sweeteners were entirely unnecessary. It made standing in line for an order as simple as his frustrating to say the least. He'd listened to every order with a look of disapproval painted on his features. By the time it was his turn, his blood had damn near been boiling. He rattled off his order, a classic in his opinion and with a tap of his card, he stepped to the side where a few others awaited their orders. "Busy place," he muttered more so to himself, but loud enough that the person next to him could've heard it. He reached for his tie, centering the material out of habit with a minor adjustment. In two hours, he'd be pouring over contracts and other various documents to ensure every move or potential move was legal and if it wasn't, it was his job to figure out a way around it. When an order was called off, the male scoffed, his simmering temper getting the best of him. "What's the point of ordering a coffee if it's mostly sugar?" This time, he didn't measure his voice, uncaring of who heard him speak something as true as what he'd said.

[rey-townsend]

This morning, Reagan had a small number of meetings to prepare for this afternoon. She'd been pouring over paperwork for several hours already and now, decided she not only needed a perk-up but had to stretch her legs away from those same four gray walls. It was either that, or go stark raving mad. Indeed, the woman could have easily called for the receptionist and made him go for the coffee run and save her the trouble, but Rey preferred to run her own errands -- usually.

Things got done the way they needed to be done, when she handled it herself. Quickly and efficiently. Rey was not a woman that liked to rely on anyone else.

So that's how she found herself in the coffee shop, yet with work in tow. As she stood off to the side to await her own simple order, Rey had her nose in a small manilla folder. It was only when a familiar voice made comment, that the female's eyes moved up from the papers to peer over her glasses at him. Zayden Ramzi, of course. Who else would be so impatient to wait a few moments for coffee? She'd noticed her coworker had something of a short fuse some time ago, which in her book made him more of a liability than an asset. Temperamental people could be unpredictable and difficult to control. Alas, these opinions were kept to herself, naturally. Thus far, the man hadn't given OBH any reasons to doubt his loyalty -- her personal consideration of him being one of those walking red flags would be seen as nothing more than unfounded and hysterical.

"To make it more palatable," Rey answered, aware he wasn't necessarily speaking to her but seeing as they worked so closely, it made sense to speak him back down. Imagine, a coffee being the man's undoing? She closed the folder and tucked it under her arm, deciding to offer him some focus. "Rough morning, Mr. Ramzi?" Rey took off her glasses and slipped them in her pocket, looking towards the baristas. Like her companion, she'd ordered a black coffee. Unlike him, she would be putting an obscene amount of sugar in it, no cream.

[margotlucan]

Status: Open for Everyone Location: Lost Horse Saloon Time: Late Evening

Another month rushed by and Marlo considered herself lucky that she was able to pay her employees. She loved Rhett, truly. Her uncle was a good man who had misguided judgement about certain things and now his own mistakes were haunting her from his afterlife. Inheriting horseshoe hospital felt like the torch being passed down, inheriting the debt that came with it felt like the same damn torch set her ablaze. And for this, she couldn't forgive her uncle. If only he had told her, they could've made plans, worked something out together and gone the length to straighten things out but now he was gone and she felt the water rushing in. So when the month came to an end and her father's medical bills were covered, she knew the people under her employment could eat and at least some of the due letters would stop, she stopped looking into her pockets. She'd get by, she was resilient little thing.

Still, she probably shouldn't have ended up at the Lost Horse Saloon - and yet here she was. The beer bottle pinched in between her index and middle finger, swaying with each of her movements, it was almost empty but also warm and stale at this point. She'd been at it for the entire evening but refused to buy another. Instead, she just kept aimlessly throwing arrows at the dart board. Pathetic but it beat sitting alone at home. And so she finished one round and then another, abandoning every rule of the game until Marlo felt someone hovering. Glancing over her shoulder at them briefly, she threw the last dart remaining in her hand but didn't bother checking the score. "Do you want to join or tell me to scram? I'm fine with either, I can just move on to the pool table."

[rey-townsend]

Lost Horse Saloon was not exactly a place someone like Rey Townsend was particularly welcomed in-- at least, for those in the know. To cause any fuss over the OBH shark on firm cowboy territory, however, would only result in further problems on both ends. The woman was confident nothing would happen to her. Playing nicely was a forte of hers, really. She often put herself in the line of fire because sometimes, it was necessary. Someone had to reach across the aisle and offer a winning smile. It was best to be personable and approachable, for everyone in Paxton. As the saying went, you caught more flies with honey.

Rey noticed the local veterinarian some time ago. She brought her turtle, Rupert, in for the occasional checkups yet outside of that, the two women hadn't exactly interacted much. Horseshoe Hospital was certainly a personal interest of hers, as she happened to be an animal lover. That wasn't the only reason, however. If OBH could convince the pet clinic to link up with them, that would only further add to their leverage in this town. After all, most people saw their animals as extensions of their family-- they were people's babies. Precious and loved. Only stood to reason that their concern for these adored pets would make them easier to... work with.

As it became clear the other woman was alone tonight, Rey finally left a pretty tip at the bar and took her bottle with her as she crossed the room to the darts. "Figured you could use some friendly competition," Rey offered with a quiet smile, and sat her beer aside for now. "How's the clinic been lately, Dr. Dalton?" The COO moved forward to start plucking the darts off from the board so they could play a real game of it.

[grayson-hall]

Open Starter

Where: Main Street Market - Artisan Alley (Weekly Farmer's Market)

When: Present Evening

With the sun having gone down, people swarmed the farmer’s market like ants — Gray included. He went through periods of keeping to his home and periods of wandering. Both kids were out the house — one to a football game, and the other to visit his mom — and he had nothing better to do.

Gray recognized some of the tents. Most of the vendors sold here every week. There was one that stood out, though. A low hum radiated a few feet all the way around. Gray was used to local honey, but not people trying to sell an entire hive. “Well, that’s new,” he observed with a wry smile. “If you’re allergic I’d keep my distance.”

[rey-townsend]

Like many others in town, Rey made use of the local market for her day-to-day necessities and gifts. It was important to invest in the place, so it stayed healthy and grew as the company needed it to. She was only doing her civic duty, really. Besides, Paxton was a small, comfortable community -- there really weren't too many other options in town.

She paused as the sounds of buzzing got louder, as did a few other concerned onlookers. Rey didn't recognize the vendor. "They can't be serious," she said, more to herself than anyone else. But her attention moved to the nearby man who also spoke up. In that brief look, she understood who it was. Not that they were familiar, but Grayson gained infamy years ago when his wife's mysterious -- and in her opinion, suspect -- disappearance made the local news. As far as she was concerned, he might as well be a giant walking and talking red flag. Rey could play nicely, though. Her arms crossed, dark eyes back on the vender. "I'm not allergic, nor am I afraid of bees. But I don't find this an appropriate venue to bring a hive along to. The lawsuits alone if they got out..." She shook her head.

[jasper-wainwright]

Starter for anyone and everyone

Where: Outlaw Ink

When: Present

The thing about Jasper was he controlled his schedule. After spending years on and off the road, he liked the freedom of being able to come and go as he pleased in his personal and professional life. Now, he was back and it would take a few weeks for people to realize he was open for appointments again. This gave him time to putter around the shop and reacquaint himself with the town for the first week. While he found out later than most about Oceanview and Randall Kastings, it seemed everywhere he went, even the line at the grocery store, wanted an opinion. Everyone seemed required to have one at least. When the bell tolled an arrival, Jasper came out from the backroom to meet them halfway. "If you're here for a statement about what's going on in town, no comment. If you need the restroom, the owner's out and I'll act like I didn't see you if you're quick," Jasper said with a faint smile at the end. "If you're actually here for a tattoo -- I don't do anchors."

[rey-townsend]

Her lips pursed some, not sure how to take the man that came from the back with a prepared speech at the ready. Rey wondered if he wanted clientele at all, with that behavior. "If it's all the same to you," the woman said, "I'd like to see examples of the work this establishment has done."

Rey already focused in on one wall in-particular, which seemed to have a slew of artistry papered across it. She moved in closer to it. "Is this all of it?" She stood before it, eyes scanning over each picture in turn. Thoroughly. "Or do you also carry a binder with more examples?"

[thelizziehall]

starter for: everyone

location: prairie pies

The day at work had seemed never-ending; it was one of the relatively quiet days in the Santiago mansion, Hector off on some business trip for the past couple of days. The house staff always seemed more relaxed on such occasions, talking a little longer and laughing a little louder without fearing the dominating glare of their boss. His mother, though, was the opposite. Crankier than ever, she had to be begged to take her medicine, and every attempt of conversation ended with her snapping, usually something in unintelligible Spanish. Lizzie didn't blame her- with Alicia gone, it only made sense that she would rather keep her family close. The Halls seemed to be doing exactly the same.

Said Halls were more pleasant on her phonecall to let them know she was coming home and their request was much easier to satisfy than that of her elderly employer- pizza. She happily obliged, her own stomach protesting, dropping by their favorite spot and one of the very few open ones this late.

"Excuse me, are you waiting to order?" she asked the only person standing in front of her in line, trying not to sound too impatient.

[rey-townsend]

It was getting late and Rey was tired -- rather, she had a headache and zero motivation to go home and then cook dinner, too. Though pizza didn't exactly sound like it would hit the spot either, she stopped at Prairie Pies anyway, because it was on the way home.

She stood there considering the menu board, idly rubbing a hand up and down her arm. A pizza itself just sounded so heavy. Maybe she would do one of those new things they were trying, where it was just a bowl of toppings and cheese. "Hm?" Rey was distracted from her thoughts by a woman's voice, and focused. "Oh, Lizzie," she greeted warmly, moving aside by a few steps and gesturing her forward, "no, go ahead, I'm still deciding." Her eyes went back to the menu board. "Hector still out of town?"

Rey knew that he was. She also knew when he planned to be back. But, polite conversation and all.

[rey-townsend]

REAGAN "REY" TOWNSEND Name: Reagan "Rey" Townsend Age: 41 Gender & Pronouns: Female, she/her Occupation: Chief Operating Officer Affiliation and Position: Executive Board for Obsidian Holdings Face Claim: Yaya Dacosta

BIOGRAPHY.

Comes from one of your typical humble, from-nothing beginnings. Father stepped out on them when she was barely learning to walk and made things that much more difficult on a hard-working woman juggling three jobs and no babysitter. Rey had to learn to be quiet and hide, whenever the boss comes around, or else mommy might lose their income.

If all he did was step out on them - deadbeat is as deadbeat does - that could have been overlooked and forgiven. At the very least forgotten about. But that man broke her and took everything, and claimed that baby girl wasn't even his. He came from money and a background far too good for these nobodies, so he took that woman's innocence, dreams of owning her own business, and the twenty thousand start up she'd worked years on to get, too. If that wasn't enough, he snatched what small valuables Rey's grandparents left for her in trust, too.

A lot of Rey's memories include catching her mother's sad stare as she pushed hair back on her head, and whispered how she wished she'd had a boy instead… Because the world wasn't kind to women, and she feared what would come for her baby girl after everything done to her, too.

Rey learned what true grit and determination was - the epitome of pulling one's self up by their bootstraps. Nothing in life was given, it had to be earned. In some cases, it had to be taken.

The struggle was real. Sometimes, they had to decide if food or utilities was more important. As soon as Rey got old enough, she earned extra dollars doing odd jobs here and there with neighbors and local businesses, until she was legally able to get a solid job flipping burgers and bussing tables right alongside her mama.

She was that girl you'd catch at the back of the dimly lit diner, pouring over a mess of books and homework, because the only time she had for schoolwork was between breaks. Rey never complained, though. Complaining never changed anything. It only fueled her to one day step on all those people who stepped on them, straight to the tippity top, where she could knock everyone else off and stare down on them. She believed in karma and it was coming for those people who scoffed at her and her mama. Especially for that man, who dared to take everything away just to rub salt in the wounds, because he damn sure never needed it.

It took years of study, in school and out, to perfect and mold herself into a fearsome adversary. She involved in anything that would only further herself in life, her sole focus on pulling herself out of the gutter and dragging her mama on up with her. But there was always that intention, deep in the backs of her mind, that one day she'd get proper justice.

There's been ugly claims and rumors slung her way all her life. Who the hell was she? Where'd she come from? How'd she get here? Assumptions were made from sleeping with the bosses to having dirt on the right people, because of course that's the only way this random would get her foot in the door so firmly. Let alone rise through the ranks as she did.

None of it was true, but Rey always saw it as an opportunity. Let them think what they wanted - the more they felt she was capable of, scruples or not, the less likely she'd get messed with. Rumors were just rumors, it'd take more than that pierce her thick skin.

As Rey got older, it got easier to muddy the waters of where her true humble beginnings started. Most people didn't care to look past the picture of what she presented: a sleek, professional gal with grit and tenacity, and obviously some decent upbringing. How else did she manage such a pretty tongue and nice clothes? That home? It was important to fit in with these people around - they came from money and prestige, so Rey played the part that she did, too.

Money talks, of course. Grease a few palms, one could get what they needed. Not only was she able to have her background doctored to suit this new life she and her mama immersed themselves in (right on down to a name change), but she was able to track down some ties to that man who abandoned them all those years ago. That's the true reason they got to Paxton and weeded their lives into Obsidian Holdings. He's involved somewhere, and Rey is nothing if not patient, willing to play the long game. She only hopes her ailing mother lives long enough to see it all to fruition.

Rey has since become COO for these people. One may even say the big man's right hand woman. She's made herself just about indispensible and invaluable, with calculated control. Efficient. Even still, she's someone that maintains a delicate balance of relationships through manipulative smiles and soft speech - many might think she's a downright peach of a person, even. And sure, she is… Until she isn't anymore.

PLOT ARC.

Coming from nothing means she’s in it to make her millions — billions if she does it right — and move onto the next one. Obsidian versus Paxton is all friendly fire. She’s sat towards the top of Obsidian’s executive board for close to a decade and she tends to be seen as the heart of the business. Little do they all know that her heart shrinks a few sizes every time she walks out the building. Her secrets span decades and only time will tell if the small town life will reveal them all.

[rey-townsend]

[[ NOTE: Everything below here is archived. ]]

[xanderxmoorex]

He knew why She was sounding like such a hard head, it was because she knew what she was doing, probably had done it so many times before, but still, was it so hard to cut the guy a break? Avery takes a deep breath, he doesn't want to fight, especially not with her, "I know. Look, I get it, its just--hard, I just need a moment where I don't feel like everything is about the Wolf, like its--controling my life, because it already does, and I know you think this is stupid to come out there alone, but I know what I am doing. I just--I don't want to have to ask my friends all the time to come with me and hold my hand, I'm not a child, I've had a crappy couple of days I just wanted to come out, have a drink and go home, that's all," he sighs, "No offence, but I'm not. I'm not normal. Until I can control myself I'm not gonna be normal," which is why for that time being he was just trying to be the… Regular guy with a crappy couple of days who come out for a drink. Not worry about the Wolf just for a couple of hours. "Can We just please drop this? I get it. I really do," and he was being honest here, he knew She was right, but still, he should be allowed one night on his own, right?

"I do," he nods with a sigh, because he did, so far he had done nothing to prove himself, nothing to show he was better with control, "I Will. I'll give you my word, okay? "

"Okay," noticing her look, Avery raised his hands to say he wasn't gonna try to ague, you'd have to be a fool to do so when someone looked at you that whay. He sat down besides her, giving a nod to her resquest, "I will, its not--wolf related though…its…me, I think? But you also never told me, are you okay? 'cause you asked me not to stress you, as you were already stressed?" He asked, eyebrow raised in a bit of concern.

[rey-townsend]

Oh, he was such a wolf-- hardheaded and thickheaded. He thought he could handle it even though they had several instances from him so far that proved otherwise. "No," she shook her head firmly, "you don't know what you're doing because if you did, we wouldn't be talking now, would we?" A hand came to settle on her hip, a stance the female often adopted when she was getting into her no-nonsense phase. Ney didn't care if this upset Avery to the point he hated her or couldn't stand to be around her-- that was fine, it might very well happen but that was fine, this was important. She wasn't going to go easy on him just because he was going stir crazy in a few weeks. That was nothing! He was going to have a very difficult time of things if he thought a couple of weeks were driving him mad. "I'm not going to drop this," she told him, "because it's not something you can just push aside and deal with later on whenever you feel like it, I'm sorry." Well, she wasn't exactly sorry, because she knew she was right and one of these days Avery would know she was.

"As long as you know your word is as good as you make it to be," Ney advised. She just wanted him to know that she could only trust as much as he allowed her to, and if he kept up with this attitude that he could totally take a day off without being babysat, it wasn't going to last very long at all. "You?" Her brows furrowed, unsure what he meant by that. "What about you?" Ney couldn't imagine how this wasn't about his wolf in some way but, it wasn't like she knew everything. "Oh," the woman looked surprised as he brought her own situation up, though waved it off dismissively, "I meant that I've got a whole town here to worry about, that's all. I would appreciate if you didn't add to the problems. Nothing I'm not used to handling."

[touchofmxgic]

starter for pea (utp) location: cosmic pizza & arcade

" What more could you want? There's pizza and games all in one place, not to mention we can win prizes! That seems pretty cool to me." Irvin loved arcades, they were fun also this one had food which was even better, all it was missing was a garden and it would be heaven for the siren.

He smiles over at the other, a wide grin on their lips they really were amused by this" So what are we playing? Or are you too much of a scaredy cat to go up against me?"

[rey-townsend]

Neylani smiled at the man's rather innocent behavior, gushing on about pizza, games, and prizes. Almost like they were no older than thirteen instead of in their thirties. There was nothing wrong with that, either-- in fact, she found Irvin to be quite refreshing and someone she could lower her guard around... be a little silly. Ney didn't really get to do much of that anymore.

"I don't come here nearly enough," the sheriff said, brushing hair out of her face as she looked around at all the games. It really did make her feel younger, and maybe a little bit self-conscious since they were two adults in the midst of mostly younger people and neither had a child with them. But the wolf was doing her best to follow Irvin's lead here and not pay anyone else any mind. "Me, a scaredy cat?" Ney scoffed in the face of danger. "You don't scare me," she said, amused, "but this isn't much of a fair match here... I haven't played any of these games in forever.." Actually, the sad truth was the woman hadn't really played many of them, ever. Much of her childhood had been sidelined for more 'stay on the path' reasons. "I know this one!" In a bout of excitement, she rushed toward the tabletop hockey game where the puck was smacked back and forth to avoid the other scoring, simple enough. "Let's do this one?"

[xanderxmoorex]

"They do. Especially when someone is hurting someone you care about," Avery wasn't someone who like violence, (despite being currently a raging wolf) but he was for sure protective that way, when it come to friends and family. "Yeah I--I don't know what I was thinking!" He sighs running a hand trough his hair, "I guess I was... Restless?" Being locked up wasn't easy it was starting to drive him insane, so he did something stupid. Lesson learned. "Right. So go out with friends?" He nods, "I guess that could work..." He thinks about it, maybe it he has Jesse there, or Tyler or any of his closest friends they could pull him out of the rage, yeah. "I want to," there's no hesitation there, "No matter how hard I have to work, I want to do it. I just don't want to keep going like this. So... Out of control."

"No, I didn't..." Avery looks over at her, as the conversation with Logan comes to his mind, he wonders if as a born Wolf She thinks he's being overly dramatic or even... Harsh calling it a curse, to him is the wrose thing that happened so far, but probably not to her, "Sorry--if... I'm being overly dramatic about this. I didn't mean to sound rude its just---someone told me recently there's no point in hating who you are, and she's right. And you are too, maybe sometime soon I'll feel better about all this, I'll accpet alll there is to accpet about being a Wolf, but right now its just... Too much," he looks over at her, She seems like She understands, like She wasn't out here judging and that was good. "Yeah, its sucks but--I don't wanna risk it, I'd rather... Die myself , you know?" And this was honest, between him and his family he'd always chose their safety first. "So you've done this before? Take in the... Stay puppies?" He smirks some, thats the expressions he's been hearing, as a new Wolf he was a puppy. Smilling as She swing their hands, She really did seem excited with the idea. "You mean how I become a Wolf?" He ask, he wouldn't have a problem telling her. Maybe it would help her understand a little bit better why he was having such a hard time.

[rey-townsend]

It wasn't hard to understand everything Avery was going through, and where his mindset was. He hardly needed to explain any of it to Neylani, simply because she went through the same things when she was younger and going through puberty-- all of that really stuck with you. But, it was important the younger man express himself and his feelings, and that he had someone there to hear all of it. Would keep him leveled. "Restlessness can be so difficult," she empathized, giving the man's hand another squeeze of comfort and holding it in close to her chest, hoping that contact would help calm Avery down. He was still very stressed about his actions tonight and what could have happened-- which was good, but there was only so much that beating yourself up over could really help. "Yes, going out with others until you've got a better hold of yourself is always the best option.. they'll help keep you grounded, especially if it's someone you naturally listen to." Most people tended to have that one person they heard above all others, so if he did, she certainly hoped he would bring them along. "Safety in numbers," Neylani added, in case he worried for his friends' sake, too. "Wanting to makes all the difference, trust me."

The sheriff smiled some; Avery certainly was a very perceptive person, apparently. He'd been able to pick up on her sensitivity to him calling this new life of his a 'curse'. "I appreciate that," she bumped their shoulders together gently as they walked. "But I don't expect you to have a rose-colored view of your life now-- nobody can expect you to just be okay with this, you've barely had time to breathe yet." Patience and time were always the best medicine. And a dab of persistence, too. "Sometimes, the people you care about the most can actually make things harder on you," Ney mentioned. "Because you'll be so worried and stressed about them and their safety, it'll keep you from being able to relax and focus on yourself. That's why I say stick around your friends.. Not that you don't care about them, but that you can generally be yourself with them, and there's not usually that constant fear in the back of the mind like that." The female hoped she was making sense for him. It was probably a lot to throw at the poor man all at once, but sometimes, it was better to lay it out there, just in case. There was a chance they'd never interact again, for whatever reason. So in the off-chance they didn't, at least he'd have some words to remember.

"Oh, many," Ney informed him, with a smile. "In fact, I'd say I'm basically Auntie Ney to everyone in this city by now. You're all my strays in one way or another, though I don't mean it as a bad thing." She chuckled to herself. She just meant she often took care of others. "Yes," the woman nodded. "If you don't mind saying. I would like to get an idea of your situation." And just how traumatized he might be from it.

[thejace-stone]

"Because there are no supernatural citizens in other towns.." Jason rasped with a frown, unable to help himself when it came to this one matter. His past still haunted him, in more ways than one, but he knew better than to be rude to his friend. "The flood was crazy, I'll give you that. Oh..and the bugs. Felt like I was in a Stephen King novel for a hot minute." He said after giving her an apologetic look and acknowledging her point with a nod. "..I do want to fit in, Ney."

How, was the question. She must have thought him crazy to bring his kid into this madness, let alone decide to stay, but Greywood had given him friendships like the wolf's and often, that was enough to ease his mind. As were pubs. The Den, in particular, he had never been to.

They were ready to go in, or at least he thought they were. "...wh-what?" Jace blinked, sounding rather nervous and why lie, surprised by her question. It made him pull at the collar of his shirt, giving it a sniff and looking at the shewolf with widened eyes. "..I don't know..? D-do I? Why didn't you tell me this before? I took a shower this mornin'."

[rey-townsend]

Her brows lifted, eyes scanning over the man with a certain directness as her head tilted just so. "Are you so sure about that?" she questioned, though these words came out gently. "Greywood isn't nearly big enough to support every species in the world," the sheriff pointed out, "and, we certainly aren't tethered to this place, either. I did four tours in the Marines, do you think I only flew above these skies?" With a smile, her finger drew circles up at the sky above them. The point was, this man was likely coming to learn that his small little world wasn't actually small at all. Neylani would have to keep an extra eye on the poor thing, lest he get overwhelmed and start to lose it... She'd seen it happen before in other humans, who had trouble realizing they had never been alone. "I mean.." Her lips pursed, wanting to smile. "I grant you that Greywood itself has just as many peculiar things happen to it than just its residents, but is it so vastly different from other places? I hear in some parts of the United States right now, for example, are experiencing biblical numbers of cicadas." Her shoulders lifted into a shrug, as if she was trying to brush off Greywood as being so very special when it really was. "I know," Ney's stare softened, and she offered Jace a comforting squeeze of the arm, "and you will, soon enough."

It wasn't easy to keep the laugh away once Jace stumbled over himself, even sniffing at his own collar to see if he stank too much of cologne or whatever he put on in the mornings. Still-- Neylani somehow managed to keep a straight face, maybe even add in a hint of concern as she allowed the tease to linger on for just a little bit longer. "Honestly, it slipped my mind-- I'm so sorry," her hand rested over her chest as she feigned apologetic, even leaning in close to sniff the air near him. "Oh boy.. You do have a strong smell," Neylani sighed quietly, choosing not to make it too dramatic or else it would be so obvious she was messing with him. "And not showering would have been worse," she shared, mimicking his widened eyes with her own, as if that should be the most unthinkable thing he should never do. "You can't just not shower around wolves, Jace... You'd attract all of us to your naturally rugged scent like moths to a flame!"

There was a brief pause of silence before Neylani snorted and a smile broke out, clapping her hands together. "Relax," she chuckled, so amused by herself as a hand was placed at the man's back to lead him inside, "I'm just teasing you, I wasn't serious." She knew he must have some preconceived notions of their species, she couldn't resist. "Though, we do have great smell. I'm sure I could find you, if I ever needed to.. Not that I plan to be weird about it," she added, laughing more.