FLORES, Rafael

[Deleted]

RAFAEL MEDINA CASTRO FLORES

VITAL STATS

FULL NAME: Rafael Flores
ALIAS: Rafa
BIRTHDAY: December 10th
AGE: 34
GENDER: Male
ORIENTATION: Bisexual
BLOOD STATUS: Muggleborn
OCCUPATION: Auror
POWER: N/A
PLAYBY: Diego Luna

THE CHARACTER

Rafael comes from humble origins. His father, Gustavo, was a farmer based in Sinaloa, Mexico. A rare feat for someone to be an independent grower. It was always dicey in Sinaloa. Violence grew year over year in the region. When Gustavo and his wife Carmen had debated making the move out of Sinaloa for years. But to where? Elsewhere within Mexico? Or to the fabled United States to the north? They figured they had time to ponder the question, but instead, were forced to expedite their decision when Rafa made a surprise appearance in their lives.

It was a warm December morning when he was brought into the world. The turn of the decade was upon him and his family. Gustavo had saved enough money to make the move he and his family desired. They elected to move to the United States of America.

They settled in a modest-sized city in Texas called Amarillo when Rafa was just 2 years old. They were scared. They didn't know if it was the right move. They didn't speak the language. But they did what they always did - put their best foot forwards, always. Rafa began school not knowing English, but picked up on it quickly enough. Thankfully for him, there were plenty of children in his class of similar background. They helped him acclimate. They became his friends.

As he grew through his early elementary years, he began asking questions as to why his parents had left Mexico in the first place. Amarillo itself was certainly not perfect - so why even take the chance? His parents went back and forth on whether to tell them that Sinaloa was not a safe place at the moment. Despite leaving, they had always held Mexico in high regard. When they would visit, they would visit family in Mexico City, or Guadalajara. But never their hometown. Rafa had always wondered why. He had always asked to see it. To visit his grandmother who remained there. Eventually his parents obliged.

There were many rules to visiting Sinaloa - Guasave specifically. No fancy jewelry. No cell phones. No eye contact. Rafa wasn't used to this. He wasn't used to see his parents nervous, and scared. He just wanted to see his grandma. And see his grandma they did. It had been a long time. She had.. out-aged the time since he had last seen her. She looked 20 years older. Not 5. He barely recognized her. He listened in behind the couch as his parents spoke with her at length about state of Sinaloa. They pleaded with her to come back with them. But she would not. She wanted to stay to be a part of the solution. To see Sinaloa return to the days of old. Old farming communities. Older country. Rafa wanted that for her too. His grandma was his hero.

For a long time after that, he had figured he would return to Sinaloa. To be a part of that solution. Just like his grandmother. Even when he was presented with his acceptance letter to Ilvermorny, he figured he would use this newfound knowledge to make his hometown a better, safer place. He studied hard in school. Harder than he had thought possible, to get the best marks. He had a goal. A singularly focused mind. Year in and year out, he performed. Until year 5. When his grandmother passed away.

It was his first bout of loss. Real loss. The permanent kind where one considers what they could have done or said differently throughout the course of their life. He didn't take it well. He didn't have many friends at Ilvermorny, if any. His grades slipped. His motivation soured. He was convinced that stress had killed his grandmother. Growing hate stewed. But it was his mother's wisdom that brought him back to earth. Reminding him that his purpose of helping others did not have to die with his grandmother. And she was right. His mother was always right. So, as his family often did, he dusted himself off, and moved onwards. His grades recovered, as did his demeanor. And when he graduated, he knew his path. The deliverance of magical justice in accordance with morality.

The path to that point had been arduous, and would continue to be so. Combat magic training was grueling, and Rafa wanted to be considered among the greatest in the world. He wanted to be assigned to a selective spec ops unit. Those who would only tackle the most dangerous and elusive of criminals - the Hand of Merlin. He would have to be handpicked. He couldn't just apply, or ask to be in. So he paid his dues. He maintained a spotless track record. Volunteered to endure tasks and missions that were likely above his pay grade. For a number of years, he thought he might have been wasting his time. But eventually, the payoff came. He was approached by squad leader. He had done enough. A trial period was offered.

There was really no preparation for the things the HoM faced on a day-to-day basis. Rafa quickly became accustomed to seeing the absolute worst that wizarding society had to offer. He became a specialist of sorts. He was often tasked with tracking down murderers. The most wanted. He had hoped his grandmother was proud of him.

Eventually he went back to Sinaloa, to visit. His grandmother's old home now had a young, large family living in it. It was healing. His grandmother could rest. The city that bore the family, began to resemble what it once was. It wasn't perfect. But clearly, he and his grandma were not the only ones that cared about the sacred land. It would be okay. It would all be okay. But in the interim - he had to return home. The was a new baddie on his radar. And she was causing quite a stir in the wizarding community. It was time him to deliver on his promise.

OUT OF CHARACTER

My Name is GHOSTT and I play 5 characters and I live in EST.

[SHAWNA]

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Happy playing!