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?
Harland was happy to have Gem, so incredibly lucky too. In this moment until Harland could learn how to show bare his emotions to Kenna and be a Father she needed, he was so grateful for his Gem.
As Gem joined Kenna on the futon Harland poured himself another drink, it had already been a day. The big man then leaned against the counter watching the pair.
"Cancer," Kenna replied without looking up even though Gemma had cut her question short. Might as well just get out as much details as she could sooner rather than later. Like ripping off a bandaid. A deadly cancerous bandaid.
Gemma moved to sit beside her and Kenna instantly felt tears pricking her eyes. Yes, losing anyone was hard and yes, losing your mom was hard. But Sookie had been all she had. She was more than just her mom. With no father in the picture or any close relatives living nearby, her mom had been her whole world. A tear splashed down onto the album in her lap before Kenna pressed her hands over her eyes and leaned forward as the tears refused to stop. She tried to hold back as best she could but little crying sounds still escaped her as she finally let the emotion of it all wash over her.
Without even thinking she leaned towards Gemma for comfort.
When the word ‘cancer’ left Kenna’s lips Gemma winced, unable to help the deep sensation of sorrow stop from rising in her chest, and when the girl started crying she could help but want to comfort her.
Despite being a stranger to her, this was Harland and Sookie’s daughter, someone Gemma should have gotten to be there for all this time. So, when Kenna leaned toward her; Gemma embraced her warmly and without a moment of hesitation. “Hey, it’s okay. You can let it all out.” She said softly, gently stroking her hair and fighting off tears of her own. “I… lost my mom to cancer too…. And I’m not going to lie and tell you it gets easier. It hurts and sucks and you’re gonna be really angry at the world for moving on when you’re feeling stuck. But that’s why you’ve got Harland and me, if you want me around.”
Gemma didn’t want to seem pushy, she did want Kenna to know she had people who cared deeply for her. And she did care for her, and Harland. She looked up over toward him and gave a look that told him to come and join them.
Harland felt his heart for both of them, one had lost the only Mother she knew and one who had lost so much time with her best friend sat together in each other's embrace. Harland every bit the man he was fought back his own tears so he could show them he was strong enough to be there for both of them...
...Gem gave him a look, she was so smart, this was a chance. Sitting his glass down Harland came to sit on the other side of Kenna and after a single moments of hesitation he wrapped them both in his big arms.
"Gem's absolutely right Kenna, you've got both of us, you won't do this alone," he said these things eyeing Gem for confirmation that he wasn't messing up while hugging them both.
Kenna couldn't have known that Gemma had gone through the same thing but she found comfort in the similarities of their stories. When Harland moved on her other side and hugged them both she felt herself letting go more than she thought she could with two people who were essentially strangers, even with their connections to her. Her muscles relaxed into their embrace, surrounded by warmth and the smell of their skin, and she fully let go. She cried, her heart aching over her mother and her newfound situation. She nodded when Harland confirmed they both intended to be there for her, something she couldn't fully wrap her around since she was just as much of a stranger to them as they were to her, but appreciating their support. She shifted slightly to bury her face against her dad's chest, feeling Gemma still against her too and stained his shirt with her tears.
Several minutes later the tears started to subside and she just sniffed sadly, feeling a little better already.
Harland felt his heart do things when Kenna cried into his chest, he kept trying to catch Gem's eye so she could confirm he was doing okay. He would just let her cry, folks needed that especially the sad ones in sad situations, and he would just hold them both.
Harland had years to be a parent but in the moment he felt like he was doing the right thing for Kenna..for his daughter. He kissed the top of her head, "Let it all out Kenna," Harland reconfirmed. He would be right here until the end Harland told himself...for them both. Feelings for Gemma only growing in that very moment, was he a fool for never tossing their friendship aside for a relationship? Often he thought he was.
Gemma just let the girl cry, knowing that was the only way to release that building pressure. She tried to offer a reassuring smile to Harland, trying to let him know she thought he was doing great.
There was something so strange and intense about watching Harland behave so fatherly to this young girl, especially for only just learning he was a father. It made her heart flutter in her chest. But that wasn’t something to worry about right now. Kenna needed them. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but we’ll help you every step of the way.”
last edited Jul 9, 2024 1:27:19 GMT by Gemma Tramell
Kenna nodded and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry," she couldn't help but apologize for crying even though she knew she didn't need to. "Thank you. I promise not to be too big of a burden," she said. "If it's okay, maybe I can mostly with stay with Harland but sometimes go stay with Gemma?" She felt like it would be good to give her dad some breaks and maybe some girl time would be just what she needed.
Harland helped wipe away her tears, hoping he'd never have to do this again unless it was happy tears. Why did he feel so protective and they'd just met?
"You are no burden, ever, expell the thought," Harland gave her a rare genuine smile, "The only burden I see if me learning how to get you registered for school," he joked before looking at Gem, "But we'll have help..," and he winked at Gem.
Gemma eased back a bit to give Kenna some breathing room, but kept a hand gently stroking her arm. “I’m with Harland there, but I’m sure it won’t be too difficult to get you worked in, maybe call in a few favors around town to get it all handled.” She said with a nod. Then smiled softly to Harland, trying not to blush too deeply at the wink. “And of course you’re welcome to stay with me whenever you’d like… but I will warn you; he’s a better cook than I am.” She teased with a smile, though not entirely joking.
Today had been a lot. New Dad. New Dad's...friend? And the whole werewolf thing which she hadn't even begun to try to wrap her head around yet. But in this moment she was feeling good. This was a fresh start and maybe something amazing and unexpected would come out of it. Either way, this could have gone much much worse and she was glad it had turned out so well. Who knew what their future would bring?