03.2023 | WELCOME BACK! Hello friends old and new! I'm so excited to welcome you all back to SITW! I've made some changes to the plot and added the ability to play supernatural charcaters! So come and check it out! I can't wait to jump back into this little town with all of you!
A strange history surrounds the town, it is a place where mysterious and supernatural things have been known to happen. The reputation of the town reguarly draws in visitors and newcomers alike. While some residents avidly believe in the supernatural, others are far more skeptical. What do you believe?
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Nov 27, 2023 1:30:32 GMT
He watched carefully to see how Callie would chose to handle this, and Cisco would be lying if he said he wasn’t impressed. She was clearly determined to get the ‘yes’, so he let her handle things. But when she mentioned the calendar not having to be ‘raunchy’ he immediately frowned. Was she trying to take all the fun out of it?
“But isn’t that sort of the point… ya know, pushing the whole ‘sex sells’ angle?” Cisco’s jaw almost dropped as she actually rolled her eyes at the idea. “You guys don’t have to be objectified as sexual ideas for the town to want to support you.” She almost looked, was the disappointed? He cleared his throat and looked to Ferris, surprisingly a little lost for words. “Well, I guess that’s for you to decide Chief.”
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Nov 27, 2023 2:07:07 GMT
Ferris was prepared for push back. The moment the word calendar left Cisco's mouth, the man was all but chomping at the bit to get Ferris to break, with either a yes or to leave the room uncomfortably or something. He half turned in his chair, hands still on the table, following Callie as she spoke. Because it was the respectful thing to do, whether she was toying with him or not.
In truth, the man didn't mind people seeing him as an object. That happened enough already, one set of photos wasn't going to change any minds. Hell, sometimes, it was nice to be admired for his looks. There was nothing wrong with that. Clearly Callie had to understand that. Which made the 'not objects' angle hard to swallow as honest, rather than just trying to ease him into the idea. He didn't buy it, especially considering who would be in charge of the project. But the rest of her points...he supposed he should look at it from the community perspective of giving people a means to give that was worthwhile. Still, why couldn't they just sell fancy candy or magazine subscriptions? That was...less personally stressful. And less interesting. Both things Ferris could get behind.
He glanced over at Cisco as the man pouted. But if he really didn't like it, he shouldn't let the new hire talk for him. But he sighed and looked back at Callie as he spoke, returning her focused stare. "You and I both know no one is going to buy pictures of that idiot doing laundry in a T-shirt and sweats," he said, jerking his head at Cisco. Because that idiot was kind of right about sex sells. Just...they were going for sexual appeal, not actual porn. Ferris took a breath and collected his thoughts, squaring off to face Callie, hands on his knees. "So, let's say I agree to the idea. What's the scope of this look like? What kind of pictures would you use?"
Post by Calliope Bartlett on Nov 27, 2023 6:41:30 GMT
She couldn’t help but chuckle at Cisco’s expense. Honestly, she might, but then again; she liked her men older. Resting against the counter behind her, she looked between the two men as Ferris spoke, and tapped her chin as he directed a specific question to her.
Callie pondered it over for a moment, then moved to grab her portfolio, picked a couple photos from the stack, then whipped out her phone and opened her camera roll. She tapped a few times, created a new album, and grabbed a few photos off the web for examples. Briefly pausing on one photo example and zooming in. Was that… Her eyes darted over her phone momentarily toward Ferris as she grinned, saving the photo but not adding it to the album. That would be stored for a separate conversation. A few more moments of tapping and Callie arranged the photos on the table and set her phone down with the new album opened.
“Okay, bare with me…” She paused, almost wishing she’d brought her own laptop so she could have whipped together a better presentation. But for on the spot, it wasn’t terrible. “I agree that ‘sex sells’, but we don’t have to make it explicit. See here, where we can play off the use of partially uniformed fire fighters and water. As long as your team isn’t opposed to having a little fun and okay with posing for a camera; I think it can be a very lucrative fundraising opportunity.” On her phone she had thrown together an album with some example stock photos. Callie leaned over the table, very aware of just how every move she made invited attention to her, especially when she moved to twist her hair up out of her way.
Human
Head Editor at The Tribune & Volunteer Firefighter
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Nov 27, 2023 7:03:36 GMT
While the idea of things being made less explicit might not have sounded like as much fun to him, he couldn’t argue that what they said made sense. He rolled his eyes over the lay full jab at him, shaking his head as she looked down the at sweats he was wearing. He watched Callie tap away at her phone and arrange a few photos and sort of put together an impromptu presentation. This was most certainly impressive, she was quick on her feet and that would serve her well if she pursued a career in photo journalism.
“Okay, the internship is definitely yours, Ms. Bartlett.” He said with a nod as he glanced over the photos and swiped through the examples on her phone, suddenly able to see the idea she was pitching and giving a look to Ferris. “I think this is a happy medium myself.”
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Nov 27, 2023 20:45:23 GMT
Ferris turned to follow Callie as she stepped back to the table, sifting through the photos she had brought and then working on something on her phone. He folded his arms back over his laptop and waited silently. After a moment, his thoughts drifted back to his paper. Due in a week or not, he really needed to spend more time on it. He needed to do well in this class and that meant spending twice as much time on the writing assignments as he would on anything else. He hated freeform papers about thoughts and how people functioned. Give him a straightforward action-based report any day.
He glanced over the photos on the table, mouthing the word 'lucrative' with a soft laugh as Callie said it. Yeah, okay, so maybe this was why they should make a calendar instead of selling snacks, but did she have to throw around fancy words like that? Her phone was a lot more difficult to see from this far away and sideways, but he could make out a few shots of protective gear and abs. "Just remember it's autumn. It's cold. Either shoot indoors or photoshop some water or something."
"Cisco, I thought you hired a photography intern, not a hostage negotiator," Ferris said flatly with a glance at the other man. "She deserves a raise," he added, leaning back in his chair, still directing his words to Cisco, but then the two of them. "You provide some waivers. Make sure anyone who wants to be involved knows this is public and knows to fuckin' behave. I'll see who's interested this week and get you their schedules to you. No more on the clock time and just remember if something happens you need to get out of the way of the team." Just in case. Of course, he imagined a lot of pictures would be around the fire engine or workout room or outside the station, but he didn't want anyone supposed to be working tied up in a stupid photoshoot, nor did he want a photoshoot tied up around his fire station.
Post by Calliope Bartlett on Nov 27, 2023 22:22:26 GMT
She watched the two men and couldn’t help but smile, quite pleased with herself. And chuckling a little at Ferris’ mention of her needing a raise. She looked to Cisco, who just chuckled and looked impressed. Exactly what she was going for. It also helped that she had plenty of practice due to her younger siblings and even the occasional issue at the Orchards. Either way, she was glad she to help.
“I’m sure your photographer on staff at the Tribune will have all the documents we’ll need for any sort of waiver and release in regards to the photos. As far as planning around emergencies, I will do my best to make this as painless as possible for your team… I’ll practically be invisible.” Apparently something she said made got to Cisco because he started choking and coughing a little bit. Callie began gather the photos to her stack and slipped her phone into her bag pocket.
Human
Head Editor at The Tribune & Volunteer Firefighter
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Nov 27, 2023 22:31:05 GMT
“oh, naturally. I’ll go ahead and give Tate Parrish a call to make sure he can be ready to show you the ropes… though I have a feeling you’ll manage just fine.” He said with a grin, shaking his head a bit and shooting only a half glare toward Ferris over the mention of a raise for her already. He wasn’t wrong, but Cisco would never admit it. When she said something about being ‘invisible’ Cisco couldn’t help him. He tried not to laugh and ended up choking a little and just coughing like an idiot. So maybe Ferris was too far off with the nickname.
He stepped to the fridge for a bottle of water, taking a drink and clearing his throat before hearing the annoying chimes of the washer and dryer. “Ah, fury calls. Callie, you’re an absolute gem. I’ll have Tate arrange a day with his schedule that works for you to shadow him, and we’ll start getting things set for the calendar. Aside from that, I’ll be seeing you around the Tribune, welcome to the team.” He offered a hearty handshake before excusing himself to tend to his chores around the station. Not at all unaware of how he very clearly left Ferris alone to see Callie out.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Nov 28, 2023 0:31:21 GMT
The young woman hadn't been hired on paper yet and she was already comfortable giving orders. Well, at least she seemed a good fit for the role. Hopefully she merged with the rest of the newspaper team well enough.
He settled back in the chair and flipped open his laptop to get back to work, content that enough had been covered on the fundraising that he would leave the two of them to the rest of the interview. Or so he thought. Until Cisco both ended the interview and dismissed himself, leaving Ferris alone with Callie. He sighed and closed his laptop again. "Least he could do is see you out," he grumbled, pushing himself up. He really needed to finish this rough draft already.
"I'll walk you out," he offered Callie, rounding the table close to her and moving toward the door to the lobby.
Post by Calliope Bartlett on Nov 28, 2023 2:28:52 GMT
The way Cisco handled everything let Callie know her assumptions were true, she had the internship before she’d even shown up for the interview. And while she didn’t mind that, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was her name, looks or photo samples that really did it. Not that it mattered, the job was her and she’d do her best to make things work out with the rest of the staff at the Tribune, especially Tate.
She grabbed her coat off the chair, draping it over her arm as she gathered the rest of her personal affect. Callie’s eyes moved back to Ferris, who seemed a bit annoyed by Cisco’s rather immediate departure. Or perhaps it was due to his being pulled away yet again from whatever he was working on. Whatever the reason, Callie felt sorry for the interruption. “I appreciate you for that, Chief Felwinter. Thank-you.” She gave an appreciative nod with a smile.
“I’m curious, do you plan on participating in the calendar shoot,” As she spoke Callie fished her phone out of her back pocket, unlocking it and pulling up a photos she’d found online. Zooming in slightly before offering it for him to see. “Or do I need to dust off my photoshop skills and just use one of these?” Maybe he was right, she could easily get involved with hostage negotiation. Apparently she had stumbled upon the photographer’s website that did the photo shoot for one of the other stations he’d previously worked for and there were a few options she could work with, should he not want to refresh his look.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Nov 28, 2023 3:10:58 GMT
The man had no idea what she was thanking him for. He hadn't done anything besides be dragged into an interview as a sort of test question. He had helped Cisco more than anything, if he was being honest, and he felt like the man owed him for that. Asking questions the editor should have been asking. Doing most of his work for him. Didn't seem like much of a fair trade considering no one was helping him with his paper.
Ferris frowned as he pushed open the door. "I'm not really...interested..." he turned to look back at Callie as he spoke, trailing off as she was still a few steps behind him and reaching into her purse. He paused having just pushed the door open, turning back to watch her pull out her phone. He dropped his hand from the door as she showed him a five year old picture of a slightly younger and more blonde version of himself wearing nothing but turnout gear, without the PPE clothes underneath and showing a lot more bare skin and underwear than regulation.
"How the fuck?" he asked, the door slamming shut behind him punctuating his statement. He narrowed his gaze at her, but he couldn't entirely say her question wasn't an honest one. "Look, miss, once was enough. I'm not interested in you using any photos of me, new or old." Ferris hadn't meant to take that hard of a line against being in the calendar, but he didn't like being pushed off a ledge he was fully capable of leaping from himself.
Post by Calliope Bartlett on Nov 28, 2023 3:54:17 GMT
While her approach might not have been the most tactful one, she was determined to either get him involved, or let him know she as willing to use the older photos. Though Callie personally thought updated ones would be a much nicer touch. She hadn’t meant to cause him any stress, will; not entirely. “The internet is a crazy thing. And judging off the information available on his site I can gather you signed waivers and release paperwork for those photos.”
She paused, letting him gather exactly where she was taking this. “Look, what kind of a message is it going to send if our own fire chief isn’t participating if this project? And think of all the disappointed housewives who are going to be looking for a picture of the mysterious local fire chief?” She shifted the items in her hand to begin putting her coat on, the temperature outside a bit too cool for her lace top.
“You don’t have to decide right now, but I’ll recruit Cisco to help sway you if I have to.”
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Nov 28, 2023 4:25:01 GMT
Ferris suddenly got the feeling he was the bad guy in this hostage negotiation. Had he done something to piss her off at him specifically? Probably but he had no idea what. Backed into a corner, though, he wasn't going to simply fold to her blunt hostile negotiation tactics. She led with requesting for release paperwork out of the gate.
"That-" he stammered and cut off, not wanting to interrupt. signed or not, those photos weren't just embarrassing but they had been part of a larger project. Not just his department. Ferris stood by what he said about not minding people objectifying him. But he needed more time than just today to think about this time around. Back then, he had been at that team barely a year, was still very much the 'new guy' if not new to the work. Those pictures had been the culminations of a series of hazing incidents. Which was why he was so keen on making it clear only those who wanted to be in the calendar had to. Hell, it could be twelve months of Cisco, he didn't care, he wasn't buying it. Come to think of it, as much as Cisco seemed to get laid a lot, his reputation excluded a large market.
Callie's bit about the fire chief being expected to be in it hit home. The housewives less so. But without him, it did send the wrong message. This station and the people in it were his family. And he wanted to support them, even when they did dumb things like this. Especially when they did. He groaned softly, moving back to the door and holding it open for her as she mentioned recruiting Cisco. Whatever that meant. "Yeah? Show him those pictures for all I care. The best you're gonna get right now is a 'I'll think about it.' Now have a good rest of your day, Miss Bartlett." He knew what his answer had to be now, he was just to frustrated to admit it to her pretty face.
Post by Calliope Bartlett on Nov 28, 2023 8:42:20 GMT
Right about now Callie could assume he probably didn’t like the site of her persistent face, though he made at least a decent effort not to get hateful or too rude with her. Though she wouldn’t be quite as kind herself, Callie have a gentle shake of her head and offered a smile.
“That’s not at all what I was getting at, I merely meant that I’ll be patient waiting for your answer, Cisco will make it his life’s mission to not stop bothering you until you’re mind is made up.” She gave a soft smile as she paused stepping through the door. “Have a wonderful day, Chief Felwinter.” Callie said cheerily with a wink as she headed toward her truck parked around the back.