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?
The Fire Chief sat in his office, staring at his desk. He’d handed over the morning checklist to Ethan, who seemed to realize something was up, but rightly didn’t ask about it. Ferris had paperwork to catch up on from reports on his day off. But mostly he naturally found himself gravitating to tasks he could do alone. He knew he wasn’t fun to hang out with on a good day around here and today wasn’t a good day.
Ferris knew he shouldn’t be by himself. He felt better than yesterday, had managed to get himself up and dressed and to work and fed. He’d even worked out a bit and started laundry (and since forgotten about moving the loads over) and at least looked at the course work he had for the week. Not that he felt like doing any of it.
Even the call they had this morning to help clear a road while the police dealt with a minor car accident, he had handled well enough. But now, it was lunch time, and he really didn’t want to be downstairs while everyone talked and worked out and cleaned and did their own reports.
He’d been looking at the same report for about an hour and finally gave up, closing his laptop, elbow on his desk, hands in his hair.
Human
Head Editor at The Tribune & Volunteer Firefighter
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Dec 11, 2023 2:24:49 GMT
The day had been mostly busy work, with the exception of the call that morning. Cisco helped with his portion of the chores, focused once again on preparing a meal for the other firefighters. Honestly, he enjoyed the work in the kitchen, an it meant that they got a nice freshly prepared meal a few times a week. Today’s lunch consisted of a taco bar.
Lined up on the counter were containers that held an assortment of diced and chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro and some lettuce. A few different types of cheeses, sour cream, limes and slices of avocado. As well as some bowls of corn and black beans and finally a skillet that held some seasoned and cooked ground beef. A stack of flour tortillas near the plates so the crew could help themselves. Cisco stepped away from the food prep to take out some trash. He noticed a load of laundry hadn’t been changed and thought it was a bit odd, because Ferris was usually on top of that when he started some laundry.
He finished taking out the trash and decided to pop on in to see how Chief Felwinter was doing, even if only to annoy him slightly. It was a favorite hobby of his, afterall. Cisco rounded the corner and stopped in the doorway, his usual playfulness dropping slightly at the sight of Ferris sitting at his desk with his head in his hands. “Hey, are you good Chief?”
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 11, 2023 2:46:30 GMT
Ferris didn't hear the footsteps outside the hall, even despite his open-door policy. He probably should have closed it, but a combination of old habit and being terrified of being alone had kept it open. He twitched in surprise at the words, dropping his arms to his desk and looking up Cisco in the doorway. His brown-blonde hair was even more of a mess than usual. For a long moment, he just looked at him, trying to process what he had been asked and then deciding what he should answer.
Probably best not to answer, actually. He didn't know what he could possibly say. Cisco was the last person he needed to know anything. It was bad enough when he tried to tell him to stop being so gloomy.
The Fire Chief took a deep breath and straighten his shoulders, sitting up to his normal height and managing a slightly less blank expression. "What can I help with, Cisco?" He asked instead of answering.
Human
Head Editor at The Tribune & Volunteer Firefighter
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Dec 11, 2023 4:15:16 GMT
Cisco watched in moderate surprise as Ferris seemed startled by his presence, which was a bit odd. He must had been rather distracted and lost in his thoughts to not notice Cisco approaching. But instead of answering the question, Ferris asked a question of his own. The curious man wanted to press him for answers, but he didn’t want to make things worse. So instead, he leaned on the door frame with a half smile.
“Just wanted to let you know there’s a taco bar set up in the kitchen, and the load of laundry is ready to be swapped… want me to take care of it?” He offered, deciding to opt for being helpful instead of his normal annoying self. At least for the moment.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 11, 2023 4:42:36 GMT
This was decidedly not the same man who had been texting him the other day and whom he had jokingly (even if it didn't always sound like it) plotted to murder with his friend. Ferris narrowed his eyes at Cisco, trying to figure out what it was he was up to this time. But even on one of his better days, he never figured the editor out. He didn't try that hard. It was much easier to just take his words at face value.
Starting with food. He didn't want any, though tacos sounded nice. "Thanks for organizing lunch," he said, despite having no interest in trying it. He shook his head as he pushed himself up from his desk, grimacing a little and feeling stupid about forgetting the laundry. "I'll take care of it," he said simply. If he couldn't do reports, he had to do something to pull his weight. Taxpayer dollars, and all that. Maybe Darcy was right though. He probably could get away with some sort of temporary accommodation to his workload and hours. Maybe next winter? That felt too far away.
He patted Cisco on the shoulder, half as a way to move through the doorway and half as a way to apologize for even playfully considering taking him out. Not that he could know of course. "Who are you and what did you do with the real Cisco?"
Human
Head Editor at The Tribune & Volunteer Firefighter
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Dec 11, 2023 5:59:44 GMT
“It’s no trouble. I enjoy the time spent cooking and it seems to help boost morale with the crew.” He said with a nod, more the happy to do his part to help around the station. He gave a nod as Ferris said he’d tend to the load of laundry, standing from his desk and moving toward the office doorway.
While he should have expected Ferris to be suspicious of his manors and him behaving more civil, he still just shrugged and stepped aside as Ferris patted his shoulder. “Since when am I not allowed to just be nice?” He feigned a pained look, as if hurt or offended by the question.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 11, 2023 6:23:07 GMT
The fact that Cisco knew to suspect Ferris of being suspiscious meant that Feris was right to wonder. Not that he knew ew that of course.
"Since you sexually harassed me through text the other day," he pointed out, though his expression was rather lacking, which was probably fine considering he was going for dry humor. But even more than usual, it came across flat and accusatory.
Ferris continued to the laundry whether Cisco followed him or not. He paused in the small room, putting a hand out to the the washer for a moment to steady himself. He hadn't eaten anything since yesterday with Darcy. While he'd been sitting down a while, standing up had him feeling light-headed. He really should eat. Or at least drink something. But he pushed through the moment, trying not to let Cisco see. Ferris moved the slightly damp clothes over to the dryer and turned to find a hamper full of blankets and towels to start loading.
Human
Head Editor at The Tribune & Volunteer Firefighter
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Dec 11, 2023 6:57:12 GMT
“Okay, okay. You have a point.” Cisco held up his hands as if defeated, first simply watching at his chief walked on, but then raising a brow in slight concern. It was obvious something was off, but the man was doing his damndest to present himself as being ‘fine’.
He slowly followed over and lowered his tone, actually looking a bit more concerned. “Do you need something Chief? You seem a bit off.” Cisco prided himself on being a very observant person, years of working at the local newspaper were to thank for that. But even so, he knew that sometimes people didn’t want to talk. Especially if they were already fairly tightlipped.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 11, 2023 16:21:15 GMT
Ferris noticed Cisco followed him. It meant one of two things. That either he wanted to make sure the chief didn't mess up his laundry room or that Ferris was really bad at bluffing today.
The other man's question caught him off guard. Because, let's be honest, the only thing Ferris expected from Cisco was dad jokes, sexual innuendo, and criticism about acting older than his age. Which...was honestly very unfair of him, especially due to the softness of the question more than the question itself. The first time in his office, that care was a fluke. But the second time was a trend. One Ferris suspected he had been overlooking for a while.
"Like what?" He asked, glancing over at Cisco. Drugs? Food? Some time off? A raise? A therapist? "Off how?" His tone struggled to be more confused than blunt.
Human
Head Editor at The Tribune & Volunteer Firefighter
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Dec 11, 2023 16:37:24 GMT
“Well, I was thinking food or drink. I don’t think I’ve seen you eat anything today. But, I’m also not your babysitter. So I don’t know if you’ve got your own stash of goodies elsewhere.” Cisco gave a gentle shrug, a puzzled look on his face as he tried to make sense of it. He knew that sometimes the guys could go through times when not things got sullen around the station. But this seemed different.
“‘Off’ as in, a touch off balance. At least let me get you something with electrolytes. Did you sleep alright?” Try as he might to not feel like his ‘parent-mode’ was coming out, he couldn’t help it. Chalk it up to him missing his kids, who happened to be on a holiday trip with their mom; but Cisco just wanted to help. All jokes aside, he cared a lot about the firefighter family. Even if he drove them mostly insane most days… some more than others.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 11, 2023 18:37:49 GMT
He relaxed a little, realizing he was far over thinking things. "Didn't realize you had christened yourself station mom," he said, still avoiding his questions and feeling a little trapped in the laundry room by the other man. "It fits," he added sincerely.
Ferris didn't have any if his usual desire to fight the man, however. He was largely apathetic about it. He glanced down as his phone vibrated, pulling out of his pocket and catching Darcy's name before sliding it back without reading it yet. "I slept great," he said. Better than great. "But sure, I'll take a Gatorade." If it got the guy off his back then he didn't much care.
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Dec 11, 2023 19:48:34 GMT
The idea of being viewed as the station mom actually cracked him up. Because he wasn’t wrong. Cisco did a lot of the cooking, cleaning and general tidying around the fire station. “I mean, I guess it’s better than being the creepy uncle!” He gave a playful shake of his head, then a raised a brow. “Hey, since you’re the Chief, does that means you’re the station ‘daddy’?” Cisco couldn’t help the amusement he derived from poor taste in jokes.
He gave a nod, noting the man putting his phone back away. Cisco stepped out into the hallway and toward the kitchen, some of the guys still milling about with the food. He retrieved one of the Gatorades at random, walking back toward the laundry room and holding up the light blue Gatorade. “What’s eatin’ atcha then?” He stayed in the hallway, not trying to leave the man without an exit.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 11, 2023 20:38:22 GMT
Ferris narrowed his eyes at the comment. Weird coincidence of sayings. Unless Cisco had spied on his phone again. He supposed he had set it down a few times today already. He wasn't given any time to ask about it as the next moment, Cisco called him 'Daddy.' The original context wasn't sexual, the way the word came out of the man's mouth and that stupid grin on his face definitely made it sexual.
The Fire chief was aware he was attracted to men, perhaps just as much as he was attracted to women. And that was the problem. Men could be attracted to him, he had no stake or business in who people found of interest sexually or romantically. But the core of the problem was that Ferris had been taught he was straight. And any attraction or interest he felt back toward another man was wrong. Cisco was within his right to seriously or jokingly be interested in other men, including Ferris. The emotions that threatened to take over at the word left him frantically pushing away lewd images of the man. Ferris put a hand against the wall, a cold shiver running down his spine as he felt mildly ill for a moment. At least that was some kind of emotional response. He shook his head, not trusting himself to make words.
He trailed behind slowly, not very keen on being roped into talking at the kitchen counter. Even if he could smell the seasoned ground beef from here and it did smell tempting. He was rather glad Cisco returned a lot faster than he moved and handed him the bottle, preventing him from having to get too close. Partly to appease the man and partly to a voice answering, Ferris unscrewed the cap and took a long swallow. He wiped his sleeve over his mouth. "Nothing before. Now...your face," he grumbled, knowing that wasn't going to have the desired result but he didn't care.
Human
Head Editor at The Tribune & Volunteer Firefighter
Post by Francisco ‘Cisco’ Irwin on Dec 11, 2023 21:21:20 GMT
He watched the other man for a moment, not suite sure what to make of him. Ferris could be keep on keeping to himself, but this just seemed different. He raised a brow as the chief took some of the beverage, but then spoke again and he rolled his eyes.
“oh please, this face?” He made an exaggerated gesture to his own face, playful wink and a blown kiss. “I met this face get features in your favorite dreams… maybe that’s why you slept great last night.” okay, so maybe he could be a bit much, but Cisco was unapologetically himself.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 11, 2023 22:48:35 GMT
He managed to use the terrible humor of their more familiar style of exchanges to distance himself from the moment. "It does not," he said, confirming the opposite. Ferris had nothing against Cisco, but if he started having dreams like that about him or really any other man, he wasn't sure what he would do. "No thank you."
The Fire Chief looked at his watch. "I'm going to work out for a bit," he said, low key hoping that would scare the man off. "We're going to run through some hazard containment and SCBA drills tonight, since you lot seem bored." That wasn't why, Ferris wasn't in the habit of using training and drills to punish people. But it had been a while and this was the time of year when heating systems were more likely to have problems or break down and he'd rather everyone be comfortable in the field.