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 Elijah Vanderson on Dec 1, 2023 5:31:53 GMT
With the base information now in his mind, Elijah tried to follow and found it was pretty straightforward. Which he liked, and it made him at least somewhat less interested in the glass in his hand. Namely because he wasn’t aiming to get black-out drunk in Harland’s Alehouse. True he had his issues with alcohol, but he didn’t need to make the papers or gossip columns. In due time, until then; he needed to pace himself.
“No, even when I was a kid I had my nose in book or spent time at the museum.” Elijah shared, finally turning to actually look at Ferris. He shook his head and looked at the bottle. “Not the best one, but it gets the job done.” Taking another drink, but decidedly slower than before.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 1, 2023 6:43:44 GMT
Ferris wasn't sure what the man wanted exactly, but he could provide a distraction, for however long it lasted. At least until the game ended. At the very least, talking kept Elijah for chugging down the whole bottle at once.
He sounded like Cisco. Everyone around here seemed to like books except him. The direct eye contact for a moment was not reassuring. He looked drunk already. Some food would probably have been helpful but Ferris got the feeling g it would be ignored.
He fell silent again as the game picked up, the players getting a lot more physical. The first period ended without a fight however, leaving them in limbo for a bit until everything reset. He finished the bourbon and shook himself again. The second time tasted a lot more exiting. Still, he didn't go for another shot or another drink. He wanted to drive home. Elijah thought.. slow or not he didn't seem to want the same thing.
The game returned after a long commercial and there was a fight off the face off of the match. Both players grabbing each other with one hand and throwing punches woth the other until toppling to the ice. Only then did the refs break it up and hold off other brawls. Both players went to the penalty box, one with a bloody nose. Ferris smirked and shook his head.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Dec 1, 2023 7:12:01 GMT
While part of him felt the want and desire to finish not just his glass, but also the bottle; it was easy to ignore while focusing his attention on the game. He seemed to be slowly coming to find it interesting, more interesting than the drink or the woes he came to forget. He was thankful for that.
And when the game started back he was tempted to finish this glass and pour another, when the game got even more interesting with a fight breaking out. That for sure got his attention! Elijah couldn’t help but chuckle, setting the glass down and releasing it from his hand for the first time since coming into the bar. “Well I’ll be damned, do fights like this break out all the time?” Okay, so maybe he did like hockey!
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 1, 2023 21:30:24 GMT
Whether it was the alcohol or an honest interest in a sport the man had probably never really watched before, Ferris' drinking partner seemed to be more and more invested in the tv rather than his glass. It was a small relief in a way, that he at least wasn't going to down the entire bottle in one period of hockey. The only person he knew could do that was Darcy and she was a werewolf. Which, thinking about it, probably other werewolves could handle their alcohol too. Though while Elijah seemed attentive, he still had all the hallmarks for having seven or eight shots of bourbon in ten minutes.
Ferris looked over as the man laughed at the fight, staring at him a moment. Casual interest the entire time and then overt violence breaks out and now the high society family man is interested? Not at all what Ferris had thought his reaction to a fight would be. "Not all the time, but often, yeah. Sometimes they agree to it before hand, some is honest rivalries or to protect someone who got hit or shots at a good player, strategy-like. Other times...things get carried away," he said, watching the refs review part of the play and then reset the ice. "Didn't think you for a man of violence," he nudged verbally. Of course, watching and enjoying a fight was different than being in one and he knew enough about Elijah to know he didn't know him that well.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Dec 1, 2023 22:21:19 GMT
From the outside, Elijah could imagine what most people thought of him. He was a pretentious snob who thought money could solve anything. And to a degree he did work hard to project that. Because it kept people out of his business. People didn’t ‘want’ to get to know the pretentious snob, they tended to avoid him. But once of the reasons he had to stop going on so many trips for work, was because he had a temper and didn’t hold back when things got heightened or stressful. Which may or may not have resulted in the damage of some priceless artifacts. It was hard to get work on archeological digs if you were known to have a temper that caused damages. Granted, he still had friends in the museums and such that outsourced work to him a lot, but he tried not to take too many jobs away from home, per guidance of his anger management specialist. He sat back slightly in the booth, a little straighter too. Waving the waitress over to order a basket of fries.
“Interesting,” He raised a brow at Ferris as he spoke then couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, a flash of something different in his eyes as he shrugged. “I got into a lot of fights when I was young, but my father paid to keep my name out of the papers and such. Can’t say I’ve outgrown it that much, got into a scrape when I was away for work… but, don’t tell my therapist.” He shook his head a little, looking at Ferris with an amused smile.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 1, 2023 22:52:37 GMT
The more he spoke about the potential fighting, the more Elijah seemed to forget how focused on the bourbon he had been. Still, he found it hard to believe the man got into so many fights. Well, alright, maybe that wasn't such a stretch. Especially with the mention of having the money to keep his name out of the papers. Ferris wouldn't help but rolls his eyes at that. When he got into fights as a juvenile, he'd gotten in plenty of trouble. Some of it spending time at the police station. And he hated it. It taught him to control himself.
Considering Elijah seemed to just get a slap on the wrist...maybe he wasn't so easy going all the time. Ferris winced at the mention of a therapist. Yeah, definitely not easy going. "I don't believe in therapists," he said. Which was true. Personally. "But if it works for you, I won't judge." Hearing the man had returned home partly because of a fight was surprising too. Not that the Fire Chief was the gossiping type. "Though seems to me, you telling your therapist is the point of a therapist, yeah?"
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Dec 1, 2023 23:56:50 GMT
“Shit, therapy doesn’t work, I go because I was court ordered to.” his amusement on the subject clearly enhanced by the amount of alcohol coursing though his body, making loose his lips and giving him the comfort to release his steady hold of his well maintained control. He rolled his eyes a little. “I spend an hour in an office, talking about work. Never anything important.” Elijah admitted with a shrug, picking up his glass and taking a single sip. Setting it back down as he looked back to the tv. “If I could get away with not going, I would much rather find another way to blow off steam.” Though his idea of blowing off steam general involved stitches, and a meeting with his solicitor.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 2, 2023 6:58:04 GMT
Ferris' mouth became a slim line at hearing that. Well, he supposed he shared that believe, but hearing the man had a court order for it was concerning. That didn't necessitate a personal need for therapy, but it did more than just imply he had done something to mandate it. To have a judge order him to therapy meant something significant must have occurred. This wasn't the usual sort of speech the man was used to getting out of a Vanderson.
"Sounds useless," Ferris noted. He imagined talking about work with someone he didn't know. Sharing the big picture of his day. Being asked to describe the traumatic events he dealt with. Then being asked to describe the mundane portions of his job. And then related why he felt differently about the two, how that made him feel, then having said stranger ask if he resented his ex for leaving him. Like that was a question, let alone relevant. He shook his head. Ferris wasn't the person to ask for help coping with anything and he wasn't about to offer suggestions for that. But even he knew it was good to find a way to let go of stress. "What's stopping you?" He asked, looking back up at the game.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Dec 2, 2023 14:19:39 GMT
“You’re telling me.” He responded gruffly, looking up with an appreciative nod to the server who brought him the basket of fries. Taking a few and motioning for Ferris to enjoy some should he feel like it. Elijah might seem mundane or boring, but the conversation and his interest in the game playing on the screen definitely were helping with positive distractions. Though part of him still wanted to just quench his thirst with most, if not all, the alcohol in the bottle. But he knew that was the alcoholism, and he needed to tread carefully so as to not make any dumb decisions. Like another fight. “Only a month left of scheduled visits, might as well just tough it out.” Another few fries were enjoyed as his eyes stayed fixated on the screen.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 2, 2023 16:51:27 GMT
Ferris might not have been interested in the man handing him over money straight up one their ride, but he was mortal, and one who was always hungry at that. He wouldn't say no to the offer of food. He did ask the waiter for a cup of beer cheese, however. Because as terrible as it was, the firefighter's favorite food was cheese fries. Any combination of fried potatoes and melted cheese was heaven. A good poutine was fine and all, but he was happy to go even cheaper than that with nacho cheese and McDonald's fries.
He did take a few while waiting for the cheese to show up, most of his attention still on the final minute of the first period. There was a lot more roughing and tension between the players, but no more fights just yet. There was still thirty minutes of ice time for things to go sideways.
Ferris tilted his head, not quite hearing what Elijah said and looking at him a moment while he processed. "Going to shit therapy stops you from finding other outlets?" He shook his head and finished the bourbon in his glass before leaning forward on the table. "What's one thing, besides drinking, that would make you feel better than therapy?" That seemed like an open ended enough question.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Dec 2, 2023 20:49:36 GMT
“Oh, well no. I hadn’t really tried to find a better outlet…” He admitted with a slight shrug. It’s wasn’t that he didn’t have hobbies, it was mostly that the ‘hobby’ that won out was drinking. Perhaps he ought to consider AA. The thought was almost laughable, he knew he wasn’t ready to tackle that issue head on. But he probably could use a decent hobby, he didn’t have other ways to blow off steam. Not when his wife was turning into the bane of his existence. Another sip from the glass, and then eyes moving between watching the game, still finding it pretty intriguing, and Ferris.
“I’m assuming a fist fight is off the table too?” He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. Feeling just a touch less frazzled than before. “I mean, horse back riding is enjoyable. But I don’t really feel like it’ll have the effect I’m looking forward.”
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 2, 2023 21:32:35 GMT
Of all the things the man could have suggested that the first option was a 'fist fight,' was not what Ferris would have thought. Sure, the man had just revealed himself to be interested in watching violence, but this was different. "Last I checked, fist fights with strangers are a criminal offense." His recent waiving of such a thing aside. But even the Fire Chief could admit there was something to getting out one's feelings with a physical and confrontational activity.
"No martial arts in town that I know of," Ferris said, as that was at least a real hobby. That or boxing. "Horseback riding is a relaxation, not a release." he agreed. There were a few things he did to let out stress. Most notably, he didn't. But he had to admit, he sometimes played video games to help. And drinking and getting into a good sports game could help. But other times, he just let it sink in and didn't do anything about it and when it got really bad, those days were the ones the drugs in his Ford were for. Just another reason he was grateful for Darcy. Because he had been rather close to something he knew he would regret. "Have you asked your wife? I'm sure she could use the outlet too."
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Dec 2, 2023 22:02:01 GMT
“Yes, I’m painfully aware of this.” Elijah responded with a nod, though a certain level of amusement still on his face at the idea. He couldn’t help it, nothing seemed to be a better outlet than a certain level of aggression acted out at times. Though he doubted any underground fight clubs existed in Sweetwater. Pity.
“Sadly no, but I could always just order in a punching bag.” The idea seemed like a good start, maybe that’s what he’d do with her study when she left; turn it into a nice home gym. He chuckled, nodding in agreement over the statement about horseback riding. It definitely was relaxing, but by no means was it a release. He had him there.
Elijah enjoyed another fry, about to turn his attention back to the game when Ferris spoke again. This time his expression dropped and a prick of anger rose in his chest. “I’m sure she’s got someone else in mind for that.” He quipped picking the glass back up and finishing the contents, lifting the bottle to pour another double and swirl the liquid in the glass a moment before she hammered back every drop. Practically slamming the glass back down on the table, though not hard enough to do damage.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 2, 2023 22:21:24 GMT
At least the punching bag was a good idea. That the man seemed to enjoy hitting things so much and didn't have one of those already was mildly concerning. But he didn't recall ever hearing about any civil disturbances or cases of abuse involving the Vanderson estate, so at least the man was still a decent human being. Of course, it did briefly make Ferris wonder what else was going on with the family until he reminded himself this wasn't his business. He didn't want to be involved in that sort of politics.
He took another handful of fries and began dipping them in the cheese that had been dropped off. It was almost a nice moment, he reckoned. Fries, cheese, beer, hockey, some not terrible company. Until he'd clearly said the wrong thing to involve Elijah's wife in the conversation.
"Ah," was all he had to say about that, shifting his gaze to the tv enough though it was the intermission and so it was just a bunch of commentators and analysts sitting at a desk with delayed closed captioning. What was he supposed to say to a man who just expressed the wife of his...four? kids was cheating on him. Even that he simply suspected her of it. It wasn't as if he could tell the man to do the same back or to leave her or any of that nonsense. If it was him, he would want to know with who. And why. And if it was fixable or not. And Ferris suspected a man with Elijah's wealth and backing didn't need him to ask those questions. What he could do, was his best to relate. "That's fucked up," he said quietly, watching the man slam back suddenly a lot more drinks. The desire to punch someone suddenly made a lot more sense.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Dec 2, 2023 22:47:39 GMT
Elijah’s normally well maintained calm exterior began to crack. The fact that he’d put years into a marriage and a life built with someone so deceptively cruel was enough to make him want to throw his ass across the room. But he didn’t. He didn’t need to cause any sort of scene, and especially didn’t want to stress out the staff that had already been so accommodating. Not to mention make Ferris uncomfortable or bothered. Well, more than he already had.
He didn’t immediately refill his glass this time though, just sort of carefully looking at the empty cup sitting there. “I will never understand why she would rather lie and lead a double life, instead of just being honest about things… at least then I’d have a modicum of respect left for her.” He exhaled heavily as he shook his head, shoulders tense as he leaned back against the booth seat. Part of him wanted to share the information, but he wasn’t an over sharer, and he knew it was something he needed to handle delicately. Though the alcohol certainly made it easier to talk. “I’m honestly not even surprised by the cheating, Siobhan changed a lot after becoming a mother and I don’t think we ever truly learned how to communicate and be there for one other... She’s a wonderful mother, but I think somewhere along the way I forgot how she was supposed to be my best friend too, and that’s on me.” Despite his anger toward her, Elijah wasn’t one to just be unkind or ugly. Once upon a time, he had loved her very deeply. But that was years ago. They hadn’t been like that since Alexis was a baby.