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?
Although West had visited Price in the hospital while he was here, he hadn't been too choked up about it. He'd live, probably have a cool scar. To be honest, Price hadn't seemed in a very good mood, what with the pain and round the clock supervision. Though West suspected he enjoyed all the people doting on him and would get a kick out of the messages on his phone once he got around to looking at them. He wasn't sure what happened. Their dad didn't seem to know much and West didn't care to ask him for specifics anyway. He knew enough to know that Price had been on that wild hunting party. And that something attacked the group. Which was crazy considering a wolf would have to be high or rabid or whatever to attack a group of people. Whatever it was, wasn't normal. But that was Sweetwater.
And then he was sent away for better care and rehabilitation and West was suddenly one of only three children instead of four and received one hundred percent more attention and scrutiny that he was prepared for. And that was before the whole drug problem thing came out.
West sorely wished he had a dorm room to go back to rather than his way too big room in their family mansion. Sure, it was a nice retreat and all, better than the space some people had, he wasn't ungrateful. He just hated it and the fake privacy. He'd left dinner early and holed up there when mother started crying over Price and their youngest sister. Look, Claire was fine and he loved her, blah blah blah, but she was his kid sister and annoying and he didn't care to hear her go on an on when he was just trying to eat. So storming off wasn't the best way to avoid attention.
Rather than working on coursework, West lay on the plush navy rug in his room, staring up at the ceiling that was covered in various posters of movies and metal bands and motorbikes and debating on rolling a smoke. Which probably wouldn't help how hungry he was after not finishing that fantastic salmon and mashed potatoes and carrots...
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Feb 29, 2024 9:05:22 GMT
Just when it seemed Elijah was beginning to think he could start making those big life changes and truly try to improve his own life; he was thrown a curveball in the form of his eldest son participating in some form of foolhardy ‘hunt’ and ending up in the hospital. It could have been much worse, but at least he was alive… and then the drug issues and his struggle with the pain medications… he couldn’t let his wellbeing be left to their little small town doctors. No, Elijah sent him off to a private rehabilitation center that would cater to both his physical needs, and the drug issue.
Because of their eldest son’s issues, Siobhan had convinced him to delay telling the children about their divorce. At least until she could ‘make arrangements’ specifically for herself and Claire. That still broke his heart. Because Claire knew. She had been bribed into secrecy by her mother, and Elijah just couldn’t bear to be around them. Not when it both fueled his rage every time he saw Siobhan, and then shattered his heart to see Claire. It was no wonder why the man had taken to drinking by noon and wasn’t shy about being seen purchasing alcohol in town anymore. Besides, as long as the focus stayed on him, no one was asking about Price.
Elijah had worked today, so he had yet to begin his drinking for the day. Instead, he walked in the door of the main house Vanderson Estate and frowned as Siobhan approached him, complaining of West being distant and left dinner without a word. He massaged his temples as he sighed “I’ll try to talk to him.” He assured her, being more than civil to her despite everything. She seemed to nod and accept his response, moving back toward the dinning room.
Shaking his head and removing the tie at his neck, Elijah began his ascension of the stairs. It didn’t take him long to reach his younger son’s bedroom door, where he paused to knock. Elijah wasn’t the type to just push his way into bedrooms, never knowing just what one might stumble upon. He also had a signing suspicion that were he to announce himself, West might bar the door or bolt out the window. So instead, he waited. Painstakingly sober.
Post by West Vanderson on Mar 4, 2024 22:08:41 GMT
West turned a distant interest toward the knock on his door. Price would have either smashed on the door or not bothered with niceties. Alexis would have knocked and let herself in at the same time. Claire only ever bothered him when his door was closed if she had a question about the internet or a video game or something that she shouted through the door. His mother didn't ever come to his room but even if she did, he had a feeling she would simply demand he present himself.
Which left his father. To be honest, the man was gone so often, West wasn't sure what his MO was with closed doors. To be fair he had been around a lot more recently, but Price and Alexis pulled most of the attention. Now...he wasn't prepared to be the only son. Not that West envied his older brother where he was either.
He didn't want to get up, but neither was he interested in inviting the man into his personal space. Especially because he had perfectly legal substances in his bedroom, don't worry that he wasn't twenty-one yet. He considered bolting out of the window, but that required effort.
"Hey Siri," he said from the floor, pausing a moment. "Play the Foo Fighters. Max volume." The speaker picked up suddenly with a very loud but not quite bassy enough "My Hero" filled the bedroom. West tapped his hands on the rug along to the drumbeats.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Mar 4, 2024 22:55:51 GMT
When it came to the matters of privacy in their home, Elijah did his best to provide each of his children with space reserved for them, as well as trying to be respectful of said privacy. But he wasn’t known for being a very patient man. So after his first knock had been ignored, he exhaled slowly, massaging his temples for a moment before he was preparing to knock again. Only, just before he lift his hand; he heard West’s voice saying something, and then music blared to life.
Elijah frowned.
He was not in the right mood or mindset to adequately handle this. Elijah knew he ought to step away, take some time to maybe get a drink to help him ‘relax’… and yet, he didn’t move. He looked at the door debating if he was going to bang on the door, or trying to calculate just how much physical exertion it would take for him to kick the door in. With his rising anger; he believed he could manage it. But that did seem a bit, excessive. Even for him.
Still, he shook his head with a sigh and settle for banging on the door in an attempt to compete with that of the loud music. “Come on West, I know you’re in there.”
Post by West Vanderson on Mar 4, 2024 23:27:34 GMT
The initial silence led him to hope that maybe whoever it was had left him alone. Which meant it was a maid or something. He'd come to learn the hard way that everyone in his family was stubborn in their own demanding sorts of ways. Which he supposed meant they were related. So much for his hopes of being adopted when he was little, though sometimes he still found it suitable, what with how amazing Price and Alexis were at everything and how much more affection his mother had for Claire than him especially. They only ever looked at schoolwork and clubs and all he had ever gotten was 'if only you would apply yourself more, West.' and other bullshit. But he was stubborn too, not stupid.
He saw his door shudder more than he heard it, but the banging wasn't quite in sync with the beat. Pity. His father's voice shouting over the music made him second guess the fact that maybe he was, in this moment, a little stupid. Sure, he'd been frustrated with his mother, but he didn't have a particular problem with his dad. Well, besides him being a hypocritical ass much of the time. But that wasn't a specific issue.
This was the part where he should back down. Where he should admit that the door was in fact unlocked. But West wanted to see how long that lasted for. Maybe he'd try to break the door in. The image was amusing since he doubted it would happen. But on the off chance it did, it would leave him without a door. So maybe it wasn't all that funny.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Mar 9, 2024 7:21:31 GMT
He knew it wasn’t likely that West heard him, but he was still trying to be respectful of the boundaries in the house, but damn did his younger son make it difficult. Especially when all he wanted to do right now was simply retreat to his office and dedicate some time to looking for an apartment for Alexis and her frien Callie. Whom he had looked into and decided her wouldn’t mind her being a roommate to her daughter. The pair seemed to get along nicely, and Callie’s school transcripts showed she was at least a decent student with a lot of things going for her. Though she had some questionable taste in men, at least was all he could get his private investigator to say… though also saying that apparently she was also friends with West. Which wasn’t as surprising, Elijah didn’t know much of who West hung out with. To be fair, he also tried not to get much involved with their relationships or friendship after the issue with Alexis’ last boyfriend.
But it was becoming increasingly obvious that West had no intention of acknowledging the man at the door. He sighed, attempting to bang on the door but knowing that his son most definitely was not able to hear him over the music. Elijah massaged him temples for a moment before taking a breath and reaching to try the handle, surprised when it rolled freely and he pushed the door open gently, just enough to sort of step into the door way. He looked around until he spotted West sitting on the floor, why this made him chuckle a little he couldn’t say. It was just a touched amusing.
“Hey, do you have a minute?” He tried to ask, though he doubted he was heard over the music still blaring. So instead of trying again, he waited to see if West would at least lower the volume.
Post by West Vanderson on Mar 10, 2024 19:39:53 GMT
West closed his eyes, laying there and contentedly thrumming out the drumbeat on his floor. He was debating between doing schoolwork or maybe going to the campus to work out. He didn't particularly like weight machines, but he had learned when he was little, that of all the sports he'd tried playing, most team sports weren't fun. Either other people were idiots, or they treated him like an asshole just because of his name and reputation. Probably he should figure out something to do in the spring, because he was starting to get bored. But wrestling or track or something else solo was stupid. Maybe he'd pick up rowing or something.
On further consideration, rowing sounded way too nerdy. Maybe Mikey had some ideas. Something he could do alone.
And then the door finally opened and he looked over with a smirk. "Took you long enough," he said, though he doubted it was audible. "Hey, Siri, shut up," he said a bit louder.
The voice assistant speaker cut off. "It's not very polite to tell someone to shut up," it replied.
"Oh, really?" West said back sarcastically. Not the first time it had been programmed to defend itself. but it listened and that was the point. Freaking robot and AI overlords.
He looked over at his father still in the doorway. "You here about dinner? Because I'm tired of hearing mom cry over her favorite 'darling' child. Not my fucking problem."
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Mar 11, 2024 4:51:40 GMT
Elijah shook his head with an exasperated sigh, definitely unable to make out whatever West said when he opened the door. Though listening to him get smart with the AI tech with a half amused smile. That little sarcastic bit was absolutely a trait West inherited from him. Siobhan wasn’t half as clever with her sarcasm.
When West spoke, the man couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed in not only his soon to be ex-wife, but himself. He knew that he wasn’t exactly the best with articulating emotions with his children, but it was still no excuse to have let West go largely neglected. He had put so much effort in Price, he had been a rather, well; shit dad. Even if he was around more, he still could have done better.
“She can be a bit… much.” He admitted with a shrug, crossing his arms as he leaned against the door frame, raising a brow. “Your mother’s behavior aside… how are you?” Even as he asked the question, he felt a bit ridiculous. But he wasn’t quite sure what else to say. “Look, I’m not good at this. I just wanted to see how you’re holding up and ask if you were still hungry… I can have the kitchen staff bring you food up here so you don’t have to be around your mother.”
Post by West Vanderson on Mar 11, 2024 5:17:33 GMT
West pursed his lips in a frown. He wasn't blind. And as much as he pretended to be stupid, he wasn't. He knew there was something going on between his parents. He had for a while.
"Oh, great, it's good cop tonight," he grumbled, turning his attention back to the posters on the ceiling. West rolled his eyes. He was really trying to make this a friendly conversation after he slammed on his door like that? No. There was something else at play here and he wasn't buying it. He ignored the question about how he was. That was a load of bullshit.
"Obviously," he commented. "I know how to feed myself. I'm not a child." Okay, so he had stormed off like one, but what was he supposed to do, sit there and listen to her all night? He'd rather go without food.
"You want to be better at this?" He asked, glancing over at his father. "Don't subject me to cruel and unusual punishment over dinner." By which he meant listening to his mother.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Mar 17, 2024 20:04:33 GMT
Elijah was under no delusion that this conversation was going to be easy going or even enjoyable. He and West weren’t all that close, and it was his own fault. He’d spent so much time pouring into Price, he left West much to his own devices. Even Alexis got more attention than he did, but she had always been ‘daddy’s girl’. Not that it made it any better or even gave him any excuse. He truly had nothing to say in defense of himself for the difficult relationship. Especially considering the similarities between the two, though he dared not mention them.
Not because he didn’t think West reminded him a lot of himself, but simply because he knew West wouldn’t appreciate the comparison. Not that he blamed him. Elijah wouldn’t be winning any ‘father of the year’ awards any time soon. He refrained from rolling his eyes at his son, choosing not to comment on that. But then was unable to withhold the half amused smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Oh, I have no doubt of that, though there could have been a more diplomatic approach taken for your abrupt exit.” He chided with a shake of his head.
“Look, I can’t control how your mother chooses to conduct herself,” Oh, if he only knew. Instead Elijah straightened and ran a hand through his hair, exhaustion showing if only for a moment before he exhaled. “But no one is forcing you to sit through her antics. If she’s upset, feel free to go whenever you’d like…” He looked over his shoulder down the stairs. “It’s what I do.” He mumbled under his breath.
Post by West Vanderson on Mar 25, 2024 1:56:18 GMT
"More diplomatic? Than what, me leaving? What am I supposed to do next time, throw a chair? Shout? Give me a break," he grumbled, shaking his head. This was stupid. His dad wasn't going to side with him over his siblings or his mom. Even if they didn't get along all the time, West knew one thing was always true. When it came to family, he was the least favorite.
He chose to continue looking at the ceiling rather than his father. This wasn't a conversation he wanted, it was one he was allowing to happen because apparently 'abrupt exits' were frowned upon. What did he call it when he left on a job? Or when Price was taken to another hospital? He glanced over as his father actually admitted to doing it himself. Oh, wait, hold on, those rules only applied to West. It was only not okay when he did it. "I fail to see the difference," he grumbled, finally looking over at him. He looked tired, but West didn't care. "No one's forcing you to be here either. So, I'm upset, you gonna do what you always do with her and leave me the fuck alone or not?" Maybe that was a bit harsh, but he didn't care. This was his room. If he couldn't be here, where else could he be?
Maybe Milo was right about taking a road trip. Only he wasn't sure he wanted it to be just for a month.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Apr 11, 2024 17:06:10 GMT
If there was one thing West was absolutely solid at; it was pushing his father’s buttons. As much as Elijah would like to think he had a better grip on his temper, West had a way of making that ‘control’ fade into a simple illusion. His brow furrowed as he shook his head.
“I’ll be the first to admit what a nightmare your mother can be. But I know you were raised better than to just storm out. You can leave the room without it being made quite so dramatic.” Now it was Elijah rolling his eyes. He didn’t quite have the patience for this. He wanted to go to his office and pour himself a drink. But even that wasn’t what he ought to be doing. Not when he was trying not to be so heavily reliant on alcohol as a crutch. He really needed a new hobby.
“The difference is, if you leave without upsetting her; she doesn’t come bitching to me.” Now he was massaging his temples, clearly ready to be done with… well, whatever this conversation was. “You’re right. No one is forcing me to be here. But if I don’t at least try, I’ll experience no peace while I’m at home.” He said, sounding rather vexed at the whole scenario.
Why it seemed West and he were always at odds, he would never truly understand. Though he would chalk it up to being his own fault, he wasn’t about to be winning any ‘dad of the year’ awards after all. But he didn’t enjoy the constant animosity between them. “Look, all I’m asking is that you just ignore her or make a more quiet exit.”
Post by West Vanderson on Apr 11, 2024 23:30:28 GMT
His father calling his mother a 'nightmare' wasn't what he was looking for, but it was almost enough to catch his attention. He frowned slightly but kept his gaze on the ceiling. He snorted as the man said he was raised better. By whom? Not by him, that was for sure.
West grit his teeth. He hadn't caused a scene. Yeah, sure, he'd stood up while his mother was talking and then refused to acknowledge her when she called him, but he had somehow managed not to call her anything. He'd mumbled under his breath about having enough of hearing about Price and Claire but that was the whole of it. He knew his father was only getting this stupid image of him being less 'diplomatic' because his mother had gone whining to him first. So predictable. It was like high school all over again. No, scratch that, it was like growing up in this house all over again.
"Oh, so sorry to ruin your evening, sir. I guess I should just go down and grovel to the queen of the manor before she kicks me out," he mocked, pushing himself up from the floor. He grabbed his jacket off the bed and pulled it on. Not there was a thought. Moving out. He was far too lazy and unmotivated to make that a reality by himself though and he knew it. But he wasn't about to ask his father for help.
"Maybe you should ignore her," he shot back. "Maybe we both should. Maybe I should ignore both of you. Now move Or I'll climb out the window and it's not going to be a quiet exit," he threatened, folding his arms.