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Serena Reyes-Cooper [+]

Serena Reyes-Cooper

Age: 19
Gender: Female
Occupation: Psychology college student, music tutor/babysitter (part-time)

Appearance: Serena stands 5'3" and has naturally black hair that she colored light brown. She typically wears conservative clothes like long, loose dresses no matter the weather and the occassion, but she does pair them with comfy sneakers any chance she gets. Her only accessory is a necklace with a small white quartz embedded with a gold chain which is given to her by her grandma when she was young.

Personality: Serena is quiet and mostly keeps to herself. People close to her would say she's always been soft-spoken and meek, but she feels the bravest when she performs with even just her guitar and her voice. Even when she's shy, she's not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right. She will always do whatever it takes to protect the people she holds close to her heart, and she's always there to lend a helping hand to those that needed it the most.

Background: Serena was born in the Philippines to Filipino parents, Georgio and Felicity. Her father was an alcoholic and abusive as well, using the hard-earned money of his wife for gambling and buying more wine. Her mom Felicity worked day and night to provide for the family. Even when Georgio was an evil man at heart, Felicity still loved him and she kept living with him, hoping that in time he will go back to becoming the man she once fell in love with at the start.

Still, her love for Serena was stronger. While Georgio was sleeping one night, Felicity put whatever she could in her bag and took young Serena as they fled, riding a bus on the way to the city for a better chance at life.

The city was loud and dirty, but the two women felt happy and at peace. Felicity worked multiple jobs to pay for their cheap, small apartment, and Serena learned to do chores at a young age to help her mom. Their lives would change again when Felicity met Erikson, one of the patrons at a bar she worked at as a waitress.

Felicity learned to be tough and to harden her heart to be a provider for her daughter, but she could sense Erikson was being genuine in showing his feelings for her. On learning Felicity's past, Erikson worked hard to earn her and Serena's trust as he had truly fallen head over heels for Serena's mother. After much consideration, Erikson took them back to America, where he could give them a much more comfortable life.

Many years later and Erikson was now a world-famous pastor, life coach, and bestselling author. He married Felicity who ran an organization that helped victims of abuse. They had a son together named Michael, who's as bright and cheerful as the warm sun. Serena grew up to be a kind and warm young lady as well, where she would perform with other teens at the chapels and event places where her step-dad was invited to be a guest in.

Now, the family is currently residing at Redstone. After all the issues and mysteries surrounding this town had begun spreading even through the internet, the faith group that Paster Erik belonged to thought that he could spread the good Word and help the people living there alleviate any lingering fears and anxiety somehow. As for Serena, this new home of theirs could change her life for better, or for worse.

Connections:
Felicity 'Fel' Reyes-Cooper - mother, easily excitable, very caring and affectionate, serves the best hot chocolate
Erikson 'Erik' Cooper - step-father, highly optimistic, ever patient and understanding, gives the tightest hugs
Michael 'Miky' Reyes-Cooper - younger brother, loves laughing, clingy and always happy to see everyone, can melt icy hearts

Emerging Power: Spiritual Healing
The next day after drinking the coffee at Grace's, Serena discovered she could heal wounds. It started at papercuts and bruises, then she gradually moved on from there. She also discovered she could even heal ailments too, albeit she only had experiences with common cold and flu. Additionally, she can alleviate negative emotions like stress, anxiety, calming them and making them feel better even for just a bit.

The more major the injury, ailment, or negative emotion that she tried to heal, the more tired and weakened she becomes as well. Her healing is also reliant on the emotions she's feeling at that time; her heals are more effective when she feels hope, joy, calmness, and other kinds of positive emotions.

Serena has never tried to heal other people when she feels deep, negative emotions, nor does she want to try and find out what will happen.

Personal Motivations: Erik always says God has a reason for everything that's happening in this world. The disappearance of the Grotto, the whispers in the night, the nervous chill in the air, none of those can be explained by God. Whatever's happening in Redstone is probably divine intervention of some sorts, and Serena wants to know the truth behind it all so she can prove the existence of a higher power. It's so she can also ask them one simple question, where the answer can finally put her own spirit at ease. At least, Serena hopes so.

Additional Notes: She always carries a white rosary in her pocket.

Personal Hex Code: #FA8072 - Salmon

Beings that he's still physically in the room with everyone, would Jacob still be able to "hear" everyone, or are his abilities disabled?

Yo! I'm possibly interested in joining this. Do you still have availability?

<Snipped quote by AnakisutoYT>

Good question. I would say his powers were not disabled here. Rather, the situation is so strange that it could mmomtarily distract from his powers, if that makes sense. If, for example, still hearing everyone back in the room helps ground Jacob during his vision, that could be a nice bonding moment of sorts. But it's up to you how you do it!

<Snipped quote by souleaterfan320>

Howdy! Thanks for your interest in joining. Unfortunately, you just missed the deadline for a temporary cutoff in new characters so that we can play out the current scene as a group. If you want, I can shoot you a PM when we reach another good opportunity to join and/or if some people drop.