rafaelmoldonado

[rafaelmoldonado]

He clocked the look at the ring camera but forced himself to not do the same. "Believe it or not but there actually aren't a ton bilingual psychiatrists who have the time for this." Rafael had been in this position more than once and every time, he thought about how it all would be easier if those kidnap programs worked. But they most definitely did not so he was stuck going step by step as long as it took. That was the problem with situations like these, and he was getting a pretty good picture of what was happening, was that they took a long time.

"I think this could be a really cool opportunity for you." At least it could be a reason for Damian to interact with other people who were open. Truthfully, he didn't give a fuck what it took to get Damian back to the annoyingly charming young man who was once so vivacious. "But if you're afraid of a challenge then no problem, I'll try to find someone who can." He gave a short nod then stepped back. "Well you have my number, I'll see you around." He would most definitely be back soon if he didn't run into Damian sooner. "Try to make another meeting, by the way. The door is always open, no matter the circumstances. And no apologies necessary." Rafael took a few steps back, hoping that Damian wouldn't just let him walk away. There were way too many layers he wanted to work through.

The forced neutrality of both his demeanor and expression morph into something like confusion as Rafael speaks, something about helping him with translating for jargon that goes so over his head, it may as well be the cow that jumped over the moon. “What—” he furrows his brows when Rafael finishes his spiel, shaking his head once. “Uh, no?”

The answer is almost automatic — he’s been saying no to things almost all the time now, unless they’re directly asked by Jason — but this time around, he feels like it’s a little warranted. With a quick glance at the Ring camera, he crosses his arms over his chest anxiously and meets Raf’s gaze once again. “It sounds like you need someone in your field to actually translate that, Rafael. I wouldn’t get any of your terms and shit. I barely got any of what you just said.” 

He wants to demand an explanation — wants to know how Rafael found him, why he thought it’d be appropriate to show up here. Scratching at his jaw idly, he takes a cautious step back into the house, his hand reaching to grab the edge of the door in preparation to close it again. “Listen, I’m sorry,” he apologizes, voice still as devoid of any emotion as possible, loud enough so that the camera can pick it up. “Maybe hire someone online, or something. I know there are a bunch of freelance translators that work in your field.” A beat. “Well, bye.”

[rafaelmoldonado]

open to all; capped at 5 ! sorry it's uh bad

The second he looked into those beautiful brown eyes, Rafael knew the dog for him. He was walking out of the shelter less than an hour later with the completed paperwork and a new buddy. Regretfully named Macaulay Macaulay Culkin Culkin, his blue heeler mix was already a welcome addition. Their energies matched but the distinguished four pawed gentleman, referred to as Mac from the moment they left, was already pushing him out of his comfort zone. Case in point, they were venturing through one of the many Blue Harbor parks attempting to exhaust both of them. Only two miles in so far and they weren't tiring.

[rafaelmoldonado]

"Your struggles hurt you the most." Rafael added gently. He was always reminding people of how they mattered since it was a concept constantly pushed aside. The fact that he rarely considered it for himself was also unimportant. "It won't be the same, Sawyer. Relationships constantly grow and develop and this is now a new chapter." Breakups were big life events, even when one's hormone levels had stabilized. While Rafael didn't really understand the grey relationship terms that defined the young woman in front of him with the person who kept making her cry, they were in some sort of breakup process. He was sure he'd have a similar discussion with Leon when his situation erupted. "You can't control that. And you can't control what Dante feels. But you can give him time, patience, and forgiveness."

Sawyer knows her relationship with Raf will always be different from her personal ones. He's her... guidance through the struggle and it should be alright to open up every single part of her to that in order to get better but it also makes her feel like a fraud with some of her other relationships. Leo knows things about her, but not everything. Just like Dante knows things about her that and things he doesn't know about her. She bites her lower lip and nods her head, tugging her leg up to have it underneath her. "I know it matters," she whispers. "I just... wish my struggles didn't hurt someone I..." Her eyes move down to her lap. "Someone I love," her words are softer than usual, maybe it's the admission or maybe it's the idea that this person she loves might not look at her the same. "Yes," she sniffles, raising her hand up to her eyes, wiping the tears from her eyes. "But I've been so perfect in his eyes, I'm worried... that if he truly sees me. It won't be the same."

@rafaelmoldonado

[rafaelmoldonado]

"In the 19th and early 20th centuries, chiseling ghoulish grins into turnips was the more common practice (at least in Ireland and other Celtic nations). Are you implying that the Celts don't know what they're talking about? Not every country in the world has pumpkins but most have root vegetables of some kind." Rafael shook his head. There were times when he understood the appeal of being a lawyer but it was only for pointless discussions that people became needlessly invested in. "I'm just trying to be respectful of other cultures. Earth does not just have the United States within it."

"Where did someone say that was the only month? Turnips?! What? Is this about root vegetables? Is that what you are talking about?" Rachel was trying to follow Rafael's train of thought here, but couldn't for the life of her totally know what exactly he was trying to get at. But that's maybe because he wasn't making any sense to begin with. "Well I think it's more about the leaves changing color then falling. And some leaves do start falling in September so obviously I'm right." She gave him a triumphant smile even though it fell a little when he asked her if she was really willing to go down fighting on this argument. Sitting up straighter she gave a firm nod, "Yes, because I'm the one who is right here. So, honestly you can just acknowledge it and we can move on, Doctor Rafael Turnip Moldonado." Rachel said with a small smile as she couldn't help but tease him a little.

[rafaelmoldonado]

Rafael patiently waited through Dante’s stammering. It wasn’t the first time he’d talked to someone who was indirectly affected by addiction. Usually they didn’t sit through an entire AA meeting looking more and more uncomfortable. If he was a different person without his extensive psychiatric training, Rafael would have gotten a bit annoyed at the young man’s fervent denials. The AA meetings were safe spaces and judgment had to be checked at the door or they wouldn’t be able to heal. Again though, there had been plenty of addicts who also attended the meeting as some sort of requirement and they also denied they had a problem. He was just too tired right then to let it go on too long. He was always too tired.

“The meeting is over so it is traditionally the time that people leave.” He offered a smile, inclining his head towards the regulars who were already heading out the door. “Mind helping me with the chairs, actually?” He took a sip of the adequate coffee before setting the cup down and moving towards the chairs that were still set up. “They just need to be put on those carts and I’ll wheel them into the storage area after.” Two hands made work easy as they said. “Maybe you can tell me what’s on your mind. Most people don’t seek out a meeting for no reason. Karaoke or slam poetry, sure. But I doubt it was the coffee and snacks." Rafael was much gentler with his patients. They got to know each other first and he earned their trust. But he was also being paid in those situations and made sure that he didn't have an personal connection with them.

Important stuff. The words danced around him and all he could do was nod. Dante knew it was important. Knew it was serious and life altering for all those who struggled with addiction. There was no denying just how important it all was, especially to him whose parents had too been plagued by it. Whose parents had cared more for the drugs than their own child. Sitting in this room - filled with people who actually wanted to get clean and be better - all those thoughts resurfaced making it even harder for him to listen. It was already gut turning having to picture his pretty girl going through what was described in some people’s stories but to layer on those feelings of abandonment from his parents made it hard to get through.  “Oh- uh.” Dante swallowed, turning to face the people before turning back to the doctor, “I’m not- I mean I-” Did he think Dante needed help? Was that why he asked? The thought brought color to his face and he felt the need to quickly deny. “No, I’m not an- I mean I’m not…” an addict, but saying it like that made it seem like some foul disease. Dante didn’t want to seem insensitive or come off as rude, but even the thought of him potentially being there because he was struggling with sobriety was embarrassing for him. “I don’t know why I’m here exactly.” he decided to explain instead, “Just kind of.. found myself coming. I hope I'm not disturbing anybody. I can leave.”

[rafaelmoldonado]

Did u get my vibes man?

[rafaelmoldonado]

OSCAR ISAAC — for Brioni Fall/Winter 2024

[rafaelmoldonado]

“Giselle, I really don’t think this is necessary.” Rafael shook his head but there was a smile on his lips. Of course he thought the activity was a waste of time but that was a little rude. It was just hard to see so many people leaning towards the mystical rather than more traditional psychotherapy. Sometimes, it seemed like a bandaid. Not that his profession was a cure-all but he couldn’t dwell too long or he would become more grumpy than usual. “Threatening to quit your job based on my reaction is a really bad bet.” He chuckled. “How about if this doesn’t improve my day then you have to read a book of my choosing.” Tarot cards? There really was no chance it could do what a lunch with a good friend could do. “Go ahead. Coffee is on me either way. Unless its bad news. Then I don't want any of it."

"oh, no, please, please! it's just a good time, i promise. nothing bad's going to come of it. one card. c'mon. just one!" giselle liked to pride herself on being able to pick up on when someone needed a pick-me-up, and in her opinion, the older man most definitely was in need of some positive energies. thus far, she hadn't been able to convince him to enter crystal clear, though she had somewhat managed to block him in, as though playing bumper cars, tarot deck already in her hand, ready to be wielded. "if this doesn't improve your entire day, i'll quit my job, how's that for bloody high stakes and all?" she should've been a professional barterer or something, owned a market stall, or kept in musical theatre instead, and gone to singing lessons, used this booming tone to be on the stages jasper watched so eagerly. instead, here she was, but she wasn't about to have a life crisis over it. she was far too determined. "three little cards can change everything."

STARTER LOTTERY! for @rafaelmoldonado ; location: somewhere outside of crystal clear.

[rafaelmoldonado]

“Oh no, absolutely not.” Rafael chuckled, amused by her enthusiasm at something he considered so mundane. There was light in those dark times of his youth. They were usually associated with Leon and Max, the trio running around Blue Harbor causing shenanigans. Him and Leon walking around Weaver Ridge into the late hours because Rafael couldn’t fathom returning home. “You’d lose all respect for me.” He followed obediently but stuck with an unnecessarily expensive bottle of water instead of something that would undoubtedly clog his arteries. “Yeah? What was your favorite part? The rides or games?” As soon as Leon was living in New York, Rafael grabbed Max and the three of them did a special day trip to Coney. It paled to how big their neighborhood theme park felt. “I don’t run marathons, Ari. You’re really quite incorrigible.” To demonstrate, he took a long drink instead of giving in to the temptation of carnival food. “They had discount days here. Us Weaver Ridge kids would take over and be absolute terrors.” He didn’t intend to go into detail on the rather illegal activities they all got up to because who didn’t do dumb shit when they were teenagers? He was responsible now. “We got banned for a while. Something about not appreciating the Halloween vandalism.”

Without a peep, Ari nodded her head aggressively at his question. "History lesson? Do share about what young-er Rafa used to do through these parts." Though she would let him talk eventually, there would be nothing to get in the way of her and what she had arrived for. As she stepped backwards, she motioned for him to follow with her finger. Anyone who didn't know her probably thought she'd get through about half a pretzel but almost proudly, she pulled her lips into a wide smile after having done serious damage on a small plateful of curds. "Big—huge fan of Coney Island weekends growing up," she confessed without prompting. Her brows perked up at him as she waved the red and white paper tray near him. "What's forty, if you act like death's right around the corner? You can go back to marathons and granola bars immediately after today. So, history, as you were saying before I very rudely cut you off."

𝐅𝐎𝐑: @rafaelmoldonado

[rafaelmoldonado]

Rafael felt his stomach sink as soon as he got the message from Uriel. Damian hadn't attended meetings in town but it still took days to confirm that the young man wasn't on vacation, ill, or suffering an inconceivable technological disconnect with society. There was the chance that Damian just needed a break from life and went theoretically underground. Rafael couldn't justify canceling on his long-term clients even if his worry for Damian was slowly increasing. Those people needed his help too.

He spread word through town but just hoped that he wasn't waiting too long. From what he gathered as an exceptionally non-proficient gossiper, Damian was still in town but living with someone. No one of the regular crowd, definitely not someone who attended meetings. His questions turned up more concerning evidence: Damian was separating himself from his friends and family, being seen in bars, showing up hungover to work. Nothing good.

It took much longer than Rafael wanted to find out where Damian was staying. The house looked normal on the outside, well kept. Damian did not look at all well kept. He wasn't going to jump to conclusions but the rather textbook red flags were waving rather wildly. "Hi, Damian." He matched Damian's tone, keeping his face neutral. This wasn't the first crisis he entered.

"I have a work issue I was hoping to get your help with. There's an extremely interesting meta-analysis of structural brain abnormalities, focusing on hippocampal volume as a premorbid risk factor. The problem is that the article and associated discussions are in Spanish." It was the most reasonable request he had on hand since there was in fact an article he really wanted to read that was not yet translated. "Would you be able to help?"

STATUS: closed for @rafaelmoldonado LOCATION: jason's house, evening

That’s the tenth movie Damian hasn’t had the attention span to finish today — keeps adding to the Netflix queue, which he knows is only going to annoy Jason. He hates it when Damian’s indecisive. Says it’s not attractive for a grown man not to know what he wants. Last time Damian had said ‘whatever you want’ to Jason’s posed question of what they should have for dinner, he stopped speaking to Damian for three days.

He’s Googling how to delete titles from the ‘continue watching’ list on the television when the doorbell rings. Glancing up in surprise, Damian can’t help but hesitate for a second — he hadn’t ordered anything. Jason hasn’t said anything about expecting a package. It could be a salesman, or a neighbor. He doesn’t have access to the Ring camera — the notification will have gone to Jason’s phone, but he doesn’t immediately text Damian about what to do. He’ll either be angry if he opens the door, or be angry if he doesn’t; he figures it makes more sense if he does the latter after the doorbell rings again, and Jason still doesn’t reach out to him about it.

Standing from the couch, he makes his way to the front door, leaning in to gaze through the peephole — only to feel his stomach sink at the sight of the man standing at the door. It’s Rafael, looking as solemn as ever, yet far more put-together than Damian is. He looks down at himself — a red tank, sauce-stained sweats, mismatched socks — never mind that he doesn’t think he’s brushed his teeth since his last meal. He’s lucky he hasn’t had a drink yet; he was going to, as soon as he found something to watch, and, fuck, fuck — how did Raf even find him?

He twists both locks to the left and opens the door, extremely aware of the Ring camera pointed right at Rafael. He thinks it’s a bad idea to start with how did you find me — that’d be an immediate red flag, if Jason watches this later. He sets all motion interactions to record. “Raf,” he greets him, a little stoically. Any more emotion in his voice, Jason’ll surely pick up on it and pick it apart. “Can I help you?” 

[rafaelmoldonado]

"Park would be preferred." Rafael laughed. He loved when both feet were on the ground and the ground was not moving. Hiking was great, parks were wonderfully convenient for a quick hit of nature. There was a reason why he lived in Forest Lake. Especially with Jack's help putting in some native flora around his home. It was ideal and calming. But then again, a good meal was even harder to say no to. "Oh Oyster and Pearl, yeah." It was a little fancier than Rafael ever indulged in. He ate at O'Shea's almost every time he wasn't dining at home and that was comfortable, that was familiar. "It's a bit fancy but yeah, I met Rachel for lunch there once and it was really good."

Rafael pushed his sleeves up, the sweater still a little premature for the cooling temperature out. "I can buy this time. You got it last week." He perked up further, a bigger smile replacing the easy-going calm expression. "We could stop by Katz's books. Leonard said there were some new releases I may want to take a look at." By that, he hoped the author had ordered in more than just terrifying reflections on the worst of humanity. Rafael was willing to expand his boundaries and try some cozy mysteries but there was definitely a limit to how much darkness he was willing to consume outside of work. "Unless you need to pick up the kids or something."

"Not too big a fan?" Lea asked with a smile but proceeded before Rafael could interject, "No worries. The park is just as exciting as the lake I'm sure." he pressed his lips to hold back a grin but quickly it broke through. His children were due at the park with Maya anyways, so it would be fun to watch them from a distance and not actually have to be on alert. Although he was sure if Diego sensed him near it would be only moments before he was bouncing in their direction. Lupita on the other hand, not so much. She enjoyed any and every time she could get with other females which did make Lea a bit worrisome that she was looking for more than he could offer, but he knew growing up the only girl in a house of men probably wasn’t easy.  Leandro snapped his finger and pointed it at Rafael as a thought crossed his head, “There is also that new place over in Laurel that opened up recently. Pearl something, I believe it’s called? I hear they have a great menu.” Close enough to the water where Lea could observe and lose himself in the waves which he found comfort in, and gave them a nice place to chat and hang out. He had been meaning to dine there for a while now, but always somehow ended up elsewhere with his kids. As if they knew they had nothing exciting there for them and food simply wasn’t enticing enough to coax them into it. “You’re not allergic to seafood are you?”

[rafaelmoldonado]

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (2021-) 2.18

[rafaelmoldonado]

Rafael would be lying if he claimed to not immediately clock the new face in the room. AA meetings were about anonymity but in a place as small as Blue Harbor, there never was more than one layer of privacy available. Being involved in the drama of 20-somethings was exhausting, especially when his own best friend was in a convoluted love polygon, but he did care about Sawyer. It was hard not to when he still remembered the tiniest blonde child looking up at him with huge eyes and no big brother around.

"Important stuff." Rafael corrected lightly, his hands in his pockets. If this were a patient, another situation, another day, another week when everyone wasn't on edge, he would have eased into it. Sitting in on an AA meeting wasn't exactly a fun afternoon treat. As it was, Rafael took the young man's choice to attend a meeting as consent to jump right in. "What's on your mind, Dante?" The possibility that he could be amassing enough wealth to fund a solo vacation to somewhere cold and quiet like Iceland. He could just jump in a volcano instead of daydreaming about it.

Closed Starter:  @rafaelmoldonado at AA meeting wherever that is

Dante found himself once more sitting at the far back of the room, listening and avoiding conversation with anyone around. He’s been coming to the meeting in an attempt to understand what his pretty girl was going through. In an attempt to understand even what his own parents must have felt during their last years. Addiction wasn’t something that he knew much about, and was scarred against from a rather young age. His own grandparents refused to address the subject which over the years developed into Dante avoiding it as well.  It’s what made it so hard for him to see Sawyer in that predicament. To fully be accepting when she knew the things that he had been through at a young age. But this wasn’t about him and why she did what she did. He wanted to understand how he could have missed the signs. How he could have helped somehow, if he had been allowed. Anger filled his thoughts when he thought of her now. Not the love he’s had since the two were nine. Not the passion that took over the moment he laid eyes on her. There was once a time where he swore he knew her like he knew himself. Now? Dante stood from his seat and headed towards a snack and coffee table off in the distance to grab himself a bite. A moment after he noticed Rafael walking towards him, and he offered him a nod. “Been a while,” he says to the elder, whom he’s only ever really seen around his cousin over the years. “Heavy stuff, huh?” Dante asked, motioning towards the chairs then turning to fix himself a cup of coffee.

[rafaelmoldonado]

"Just for the record, I do prefer Carly Simon. Well, I prefer Stevie Nicks if you allow me to go back that far." Rafael chuckled. He loved observing the relationship between Anne Louise and Leon. For once, there was someone who refused to look past the outward grump and not try so hard to justify his actions. Or more than that, it annoyed Leon and that was endlessly entertaining. "I would love one, thank you." A sober psychiatrist at a bar, there was surely another joke ready in there. He wasn't the funniest though. "How are you doing, Anne Louise? No one giving you too much trouble here I hope?"

you started so strong there.

spoken like a true psychiatrist, anne-louise thought. her attention was stolen away from the offender, who had backed away from the jukebox sheepishly, and brought back to raphael. she smiled shyly. even halfway through her thirties, she wore her insecurities plainly, no matter how hard she had tried to seem confident. the worst part was that she had improved from how she had been before. gaining employment at the bar when she was twenty-one was a trial by fire that had lasted for almost fifteen years, and still sometimes she faltered. anne-louise was just lucky most of the customers of o’shea’s were incredibly loyal locals, and they were all used to her timid personality. “they’re just lucky i picked a song that’s from after the obama administration. you know how much i love kate bush and carly simon.” anne-louise had been told many times that their music was too downbeat for a bar, however. carly rae jepsen—the other carly of her musical taste—was much happier. her smile dropped slightly at the mention of her new boss; invoking the name of leon never did anyone any favors with anne-louise. no, because he’s a dumb man that likes dumb music and he wants to torture everyone with his horrible taste, she answered internally. what she actually said was much more diplomatic: “i guess he wouldn’t.” anne-louise sighed and leaned against the bar top. “you want another perrier?” she asked, head canting towards his bottle.

[rafaelmoldonado]

Rafael shook his head. "October is about respecting pumpkins. If we're actually trying to adhere to autumnal traditions, why are turnips completely ignored?" Although could turnips be used for syrup in coffee? Doubtful, right? "Fall is defined by the leaves falling. How will we explain where the term came from if the trees themselves are adapting and losing their leaves later in the calendar year?" And what an innocuous argument it was but this was how their coffees went. It was nice not to be trapped within his constantly analyzing brain. "Is this really a good enough hill to fight on? Especially when I'm right?"

Rachel pulled yet another face at Rafael's combination mention, which apparently was real much to her surprise. "September is not too early for pumpkin spice, Raf. It is very much the accurate time to start. August is too early for pumpkin spice." She spoke as this was fact and not something one could have differing opinions on. Even to his point of climate change, which he did have a good point about, she wasn't going to budge on what she felt was just the truth. "September, October, and November are fall months in the mind of the correct people." Rachel had felt that way since she was a kid, even though she knew that fall didn't really start until late September, she was confident that all of the month still should be included and would let her friend know this.

[rafaelmoldonado]

RAFAEL: I'm not that familiar with what the farm has been up to since you took it over. Are there cider type things? Or are you doing a fall festival or something? I think it would be fine for them to try working any aspect of farm life regardless. RAFAEL: Sometimes being lost gives you the ability to be found :)

MADISYN: i mean i am thinking of some like, fall type activities and could do with some more helping hands MADISYN: i guess it depends where outdoors, can’t imagine it’d be very beneficial when ur like…lost in the woods.

[rafaelmoldonado]

He didn't even wear suits to his practice. That was supposedly one of the best perks for being an adult: never wearing anything that wasn't comfortable. At least this wasn't a tie event. Rafael needed time to prepare for those. Glancing at Max, Rafael frowned. "That's such a tone of surprise! I'm offended." He shook his head. "I'm not Leon. I have more than 90s band t-shirts you know?" So what if he preferred a comfortable sweater? It didn't mean that he was incapable of dressing nicer. "No, you know the rules. One social engagement a weekend. This should fill my quota for a while, thanks." His own non alcoholic option was already empty. Rafael still didn't understand what a spritz was but he was now a big fan of how they managed to encapsulate the feeling of summer. "You mean Leon's boyfriend." Rafael mused, still staring at his drink as if it would magically refill. "I volunteer at Bright Sparks, you don't need to remind me of how important it is." Money was an unfortunately vital part of the non-profit, otherwise Rafael may have even attempted to speak about some of the horrors he heard about. "You know what you're going to say? Do you want to go practice?"

it's not too often that max and his boys (and by his boys, he means carl jung over here and their bear-man best friend prowling the vicinity with a hot yoga instructor) get dressed for such formal events but, well, they clean up nicely. this is the kind of sunday max is probably more used to than the other two but they each have their turns dragging the others to whatever weekend activity of their choosing. max is just happy he's not in the middle of slimy lake somewhere or falling asleep to the rattling of mahjong tiles at four in the afternoon.

"shut up, you look great." he smooths down the lapel of rafael's navy jacket, then towards the open collar of his shirt where a tie should be but, at alex's suggestion (and she would be the only person in the car max would trust for fashion advice next to, potentially, his driver vincent) might look better without it, fingers lingering just a bit on the material of the fabric. "this is actually a nice suit, raf. like, nice nice," he says, with a surprised tone that rafael had picked it out himself, if it isn't bespoke, and casually threw it on. and he's complaining about it. chuckling softly at the mention of the spa, max drops his hand on his lap while the other reaches for the sparkling wine on their table. "we can still go to the spa after, if you really want," he teases, though he knows raf would only go there to appease him despite how it's looking to be a more attractive option for his friend when he compares it to mingling with pearl-clutchers who probably only care about having their name on a donation board for their own benefit than the real cause. "but we have to support saul. and the gays. and i have to go up there, remember?" he nods towards the platform where some chairs have been arranged for the guest speakers.