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?
After some meticulous planning and with some assistance from some of the guys at the fire station (namely; Cisco), Darcy had managed to set up a scavenger hunt of sorts for Ferris. But she felt a bit embarrassed over it, so she decided she would just give him a text to get him on the right track. And if he struggled too bad then she’d just go suck it up and call home to walk him through it. The more she thought about it, the more she felt awkward over it all. She’d never put in this sort of effort for anyone, but she wanted to make it fun if even slightly childish for him. She knew he’d be a bit down, and hoped this would at least make him laugh. Even if only to laugh at her, it still counted.
She’d left the first envelope in the tree, just a simple plain envelope with his name on the front in a nice style of calligraphy. A skill she would never advertise that she has. Because she felt like she was putting far too much effort into something for a friend. She was mature enough to acknowledge the fact that she was indeed imprinted to him, and she knew exactly what that meant. She knew she loved him. But knowing and accepting were not the same. And he was also her best friend. So as someone who did love him; she wanted to make a little Christmas fun for him. And it was also exactly why she didn’t need to be there for him to find the gift. She’d simply send him a text telling him where to find the first envelope, and sit in the comfort of her cozy living room, White Christmas playing in the background. She ran a hand through her messy curls, her relaxing attire consisting of an oversized green flannel and a pair of black cheekies. Clearly not planning on leaving the comfort of her home tonight.
Hey you, check the Christmas tree in the fire station for an envelope with a little gift.
She pressed the ‘send’ button. And curled up on her couch, pulling a weighted blanket over her as she awaited his inevitable responses. She forced her attention on the tv, screen instead of her phone. He would find a little Christmas ornament she picked up and thought he’d at least find entertaining, with the envelope taped to it.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 23, 2023 6:15:38 GMT
The Fire Chief spent most holidays in the fire station. St. Patrick's Day, Christmas, Halloween, American Thanksgiving...whether he celebrated or not, he wasn't much for parties anyway. So instead, he did his best to give some of the other full time fire fighters the time to be with their families and friends. Besides, until this holiday season, Ferris didn't really have anyone he felt close enough to that he wanted to hang out with. Besides the one year he visited his sister and her family after negotiating with their parents to ensure they weren't there at the same time. Otherwise, Ferris didn't get in the way of his nieces and nephews being with their grandparents. He knew his sister had that handled.
He spent the morning going through the usual gear check with the cat harassing him. She was persistent, he would give her that. By lunch time, he was ready for a nap rather than food, but busied himself with daily chores and then laid down on the couch, enjoyed how empty the station felt today. Heather leapt up on his chest only moments after he laid down. "Damn cat," he grumbled, but he left her alone, closing his eyes to relax only for his phone to vibrate in his pocket and startle the cat anyway. She dug her claws into his shirt and then darted away. Ferris hissed in discomfort and reached for his phone as he rubbed his chest were her paws and used him as a springboard.
It had been a long time since he felt so eager over his phone going off. Even when he wasn't feeling himself. He read Darcy's message, confused and then feeling awkward. A gift? He hadn't gotten her anything. He should have gotten her something. Ferris glanced across the living room to the tree in the corner that some of the others had set up, the artificial pine decorated in white lights and red ornaments with a few fire trucks and a few other unique ornaments.
He sighed and got up from the couch, texting Darcy back as he moved to the tree to look underneath it. Ferris wasn't much for 'holiday cheer' but he did buy everyone at the station a group gift every year. Sometimes with station funds, sometimes out of pocket depending on what it was. This year, that gift was an emergency kit for their cars. Jumper cables, blanket, ice scrapper, pliers, electrical tape, gloves, first aid kit, tow rope, flashlight, reflective poncho, bungee cord, knife, glass breaker. Which counted as a work supply otherwise he'd never be able to afford the obscene number he had purchased. Some of which had been picked up already, others were still awaiting their fire fighter to take them to their forever home. There were other gift exchanges that happened too, but Ferris wasn't part of any of those and most people didn't remember to get their boss anything. He didn't mind. Because of that, he didn't spare the tree much notice.
Would it surprise you to know I don't have any decorations put up at my place? there's nothing under here. I've heard of coal before but air's a new one
Ferris stood there looking over who he had to remind to pick up their gift. There weren't any envelopes there either.
The speed with which she scooped her phone back up was that of someone not at all watching the moving and ‘ignoring’ her phone. Namely because she’d argue that he might need help. Which apparently he did. She shook her head and grinned a little as she tapped away on the screen.
noooooo, not under the tree… IN the tree! About level with your chest, you should see a white envelope with your name on it taped to an ornament that is also for you.
Darcy tapped send, and then decided she’d give him about five minutes and with call him if he still needed help. Though she hoped he’d see it, she didn’t think she hid it that well. She knew the second one would be a bit easier. Cisco told her he’d stash a plate of cookies in the cabinet where the crock pots were stored. And on top of the plate of cookies he’d find the second envelope. But first, he’d need to get the one from the tree and figure out the little riddle.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 23, 2023 7:26:19 GMT
Ferris stood there and glanced down at his phone at the text preview. He let out a hum halfway between thoughtful and finding himself stupid. Who put presents in the tree? Was that some kind of American tradition? Or a werewolf thing? He unlocked his phone to read the rest of her message as he grabbed the very obvious envelope with his name on it. It came away with the ornament she mentioned and he turned that over in his hand first, smiling faintly. Not that he had a tree to decorate with it, but it could stay here.
this is nice. thanks. good tattoo inspiration
He looped the ornament back on the tree near the top and then turned his attention to the envelope, wholly expecting a card. Of some kind. Maybe a gift card. The note inside thew him off. Ferris read it and then read it again. Begin his quest? He flipped the page over and then back. Now he really was relieved there was no one else in the main communal space. And he felt even more guilty about not having even thought to get her a gift. Some friend. The kitchen was the clear place to start so he moved over there and looked over the riddle again, wondering just as much about who helped her set this up as he was about what a 'noches' was. How did you even say that word? So it rhymed with crocks?
He started with the oven, which was empty, but then looked it over again and opened up the cabinet with all the pots and pans and things the Fire Chief didn't use for cooking and baking. Another envelope. And a plate of cookies. Which, if he had to guess, answered his question about who had probably helped her set this up. He pulled the try and the envelop out of the cabinet and set it on the counter, texting her back and this time feeling a bit more triumphant and giddier having figured out what was going on.
the cookies look great but I thought we were going to leave him alone with a bear you sending me on a scavenger hunt? also, what's a 'noches'?
He opened the cookies first to try one out for his lunch and then sealed them again and opened the next envelope, shaking his head. The cookies did taste good.
The movie on in the background was almost completely forgotten as Darcy found herself almost nervously awaiting his texts back. She was a little worried that he was just going to think she was absolutely ridiculous and laugh at her little gift scavenger hunt. But even if he was laughing at her, it meant he was smiling and that was better than the alternative. But the anxiously awaiting the updates was a touch more difficult than she had anticipated.
glad you like it, thought it was pretty cool
Darcy sent the message and waited for the next update. No longer able to just sit on her couch, she was up and pacing around the quaint little kitchen. His next update made her laugh, he figured out her accomplice.
hey, I needed help and he was the on my one I knew I could count on to make this a little more challenging for you. And yes, I thought it would be a nice break from the daily ebb and flow of things while you’re at work. Don’t question the grammar, it needed to rhyme. 🤣🤣🤣
That one was Cisco’s idea though.
She tapped ‘send’ and grinned. Not at all shy about throwing the other man under the bus for his goofy attempt at a rhyme, though his help had been invaluable to her. Her being around the fire station would have been super obvious and suspicious, so using Cisco to place the gifts and envelopes had been a a great idea.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 23, 2023 18:14:22 GMT
Ferris noticed that his texts weren't just immediately marked as 'read' but that Darcy began typing a reply almost instantaneously. He could very easily imagine Darcy in a sweater and no pants, sitting cross legged on her couch with her phone in her lap. Maybe a little too easily. If she was so invested in this gift (she'd made a scavenger hunt with fancy cards with fancy handwriting and rhymes and conspired with his co-worker to put it together, there was nothing in Ferris' life right now that the term 'invested' was better suited for), they why hadn't she called him or shown up in person? It would be a lot easier for her to laugh at him stumbling like an idiot through her instructions.
thanks lol
How could it rhyme if he didn't know how to say it? But that seemed a harsher critique than necessary. It wasn't her fault he wasn't great with words. He'd have to have words with Cisco about this. Only he wasn't really sure what he would say. sure part of him wasn't excited to be ganged up on, but...it was nice of Darcy to put in the effort.
The next riddle clearly indicated their little gym. He finished off the cookie and took the letter with him. Perhaps a bit awkwardly, the gym wasn't as empty as the living space. Ethan looked over from where he was jogging, offering a wave of recognition before returning his attention to his phone propped on the treadmill console. At least he had headphones it, so it was just the whirring thump of the treadmill Ferris had to deal with and not any teasing. Well, provided the man didn't notice.
Where he would usually sway? Was that just a rhyme or specifics? Maybe just a rhyme. He surveyed the room, looking for another envelope tucked somewhere. Which, if he didn't see right away, he'd text Darcy and keep looking, trying not to make Ethan suspect he was doing anything. Ethan wasn't as bad as Cisco, but the two could both be a lot.
Try as she might to maintain some ‘chill’, but she was absolutely giddy. She’d likely need to take herself out for a run before she’d be able to wind down for the night. Or maybe she’d just hop on her treadmill, because there was no telling where she might end up if she wolfed out for a run. Darcy grinned at his text, but didn’t really feel like she needed to respond.
But she made herself grab her spiked eggnog from the fridge and sit back down on the couch, the movie still playing and earning a smile from a her as she took a sip of the eggnog and felt the slight burn from the alcohol in her chest. Darcy lifted her phone to read the next text and she grinned as she started tap-tapping away at the screen.
You should find a green envelope being propped up by a little carved figurine, over near the weight rack One of the rangers I know likes to carve and whittle as a hobby, and it just seemed fitting
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 23, 2023 19:25:32 GMT
Ferris stepped over to the weight rack, kicking away someone's discarded t-shirt. Sure enough, the letter and a wooden bear were tucked behind the rack. He leaned down to pick up the carving and the envelope, turning both over in his hands and chuckling. She had a sick sense of humor, that woman. Teh firefighter sat down on the weight bench nearby to text her back and open this note.
It's not over? lol you've some sick humor you know but I cant argue with your tastes
Deadlines, papers, pens, focus, projects... She had to mean his office. Or at least one of the classrooms upstairs but probably his office? Did she know he had an office? Even if he hadn't mentioned it, Cisco certainly would have. He felt his stomach turn over slightly, full of a lot of heated emotions that he quickly let out with a breath and a chuckle. No, definitely not.
Darcy Vance, if I find out you've been hiding in my office for the past seven hours, we're gonna have to talk.
He hit send maybe a little too quickly. Probably that wasn't something he should have said. For a lot of reasons. Not the least of which was because it only encouraged her to call him that name. He never should have allowed that, but he was a weak mortal man and he knew it.
Ferris tucked the carving in his pocket, adding the envelope to his growing stack and making his way upstairs. He started with his office, feeling only a little weird about the thought of Cisco or really anyone else going through his personal space. He almost considered pulling up the cameras later. Not that he thought anyone would really do anything. Looking over his desk and the chair and his laptop and the sparse shelves, he didn't notice anything that he'd placed there having been moved.
He set the bear on his desk and then sat down at his desk with a soft groan, rubbing his temples before he gave the room another once over for an envelope like the others.
She took another drink from her eggnog and couldn’t help but grin as she read his text. He wasn’t wrong, she definitely had an interesting sense of humor. And excellent taste. She thought he’d enjoy the gifts becoming a game, instead of simply giving a simple gift bag or card. This was definitely more fun than that.
Almost done, I promise! What can I say, I think I’m punny. 😜
At this point in time she honestly wished she could at least be seeing him do this. But she didn’t trust herself to be able to simply behave as his friend in his place of work. Not the way he made her feel. Sometimes it was maddening, feeling like a bitch in heat. She was watching the movie a little more now, no long pacing as she seemed to be settling a little after her drink. And then the screen lit up again and she could help but laugh. Did he think she was the gift? Clever, but no.
Hey, I’m not that crazy. Though sex at work sounds fun, maybe put a pin in that and revisit the idea for another time Daddy 😏
P.S. check your top desk drawer for the last envelope.
Now she was starting to feel a little nervous. She’d done something rather presumptuous, but she felt it was definitely necessary and needed. He deserved it, that was for sure.
In the envelope aside from the letter, he’s find a round trip ticket for a flight from Denver to Vancouver. She’d already had a little help from his crew to arrange the weekend, and put it toward the end of January to give him enough time to mental prepare himself, and call his sister and such. And this was why she didn’t want to witness him finding the gift in person, because she had a feeling he might have some mixed emotions about it.
last edited Dec 23, 2023 19:59:19 GMT by Darcy Vance
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 23, 2023 21:22:37 GMT
The Fire Chief supposed this was less weird than her handing him a gift. Mostly on the grounds of him not having anything to give back. He knew that wasn't the point of gift giving, but still. He hadn't even thought about it and here Darcy was setting up a whole experience around some simple presents.
He snorted at her reply, both relieved he was right to make the joke and it not be true and also uncertain how to feel about her wanting to put a pin in sex at his place of work. Sure, the concept was hot, but it was also...uncomfortable. The Fire Chief wasn't opposed to a full timer having their significant other spend the night once in a blue moon. He understood that this job was tough and in a small town felt he could be laxer on that point. But the moment anyone besides partners were allowed, the place would turn into a frat house. He knew who his employees were and he had no desire to spend time ripping camera footage due to anyone being too careless with keeping it in their pants.
lol we'll see
Ferris rolled open the drawer of his desk, where he usually kept daily paperwork and his stash of sharpies and other nice pens that he didn't want anyone to take and never give back. Another envelope laid on top of the filing folders. He shook his head in amusement and picked it up. He expected another riddle. But he got something else.
For a while he just stared at the note, barely sliding the paper over enough to see there was, in fact, a printed ticket. Ferris couldn't help but feel a surge of mixed emotions. Seeing Mara and Rory and the boys always felt good. Though he was a little worried about what state of mind he would be in. He didn't like to drag his sister down with him, even if he knew she wanted to help.
He set the papers on his desk and leaned forward, hands in his hair. "Fuck you, Darcy," he mumbled to himself, somewhere between laughing and crying and not managing either. He leaned back and picked up his phone, staring at their conversation still not sure what to say. Thank you? Why the fuck are you spending this money on me? Who was she to tell him what he needed or rearrange his life? But he really only meant one of them. The other debate was whether he should call her or not. He wanted to. To talk rather than text because he didn't know how to convey how he felt, how he really felt. But he stuck with how she had started.
thanks but I can't accept this...thsi is $500
He guessed, but he knew he was close. He looked at tickets every holiday season and never committed to going because it was a lot of time and money and only got more expensive. No wonder she didn't want to give it to him in person.
The waiting made time feel as though it were standing still. But she knew from the movie playing that time was still passing. And while a delayed response wasn’t necessarily bad, her overthinking was going to drive her crazy. Did she spend more than she ought to? Yes. Was it absolutely crazy? Also, yes. But was she going to let him refuse it? Fuck no.
By the time the screen lit up to let her know he had texted again, her phone was on the counter and she was refilling her glass of spiked eggnog. Suddenly she was almost too anxious to see what he sent. But she picked up the phone, unlocked the screen and read the message, rolling her eyes a little as she expected that push back from him.
Darcy debated on the response, and finally just pushed the contact name and called him. Knowing she’d have better luck speaking rather than trying to relay everything through text. She leaned forward, elbows propped up on the counter surface as she held her head in her hands, playing with her curls as she waited for him to pick up.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 23, 2023 23:37:51 GMT
Ferris leaned forward on his desk when his phone started vibrating. He had expected her to keep this indirect and text him, so the call was both a surprise and a relief. He held up his phone to his ear.
"And I thought you hiding in my office would be awkward," he cold opened their verbal conversation with a classically flat joke. "Thank you, Darcy, but you can't pay for this. At least let me pay you back." He wasn't really sure where to start. It was really sweet of her to go out of her way to set this whole thing up and to want him to visit his family but... Ferris didn't want to leave work or show up without talking to his sister or at a time when he didn't feel like he would be a good influence around the kids. But he knew it would be cruel to not thank her for the good intentions.
She couldn’t help but laugh when the phone picked up and his voice came through. Okay, so maybe she went a little bit bigger than she should have. But she wanted to do something fun for him.
“I might have gotten a little carried away, it was just really fun to plan and set up.” She paused, fingers still pulling at the edges of her curls as she leaned against the counter, biting her bottom lip slightly as she waited for him to continue. She wasn’t naive enough to believe he would just accept the gift. Not without some form of mediation.
“So hear me out… I will consider letting you pay me back, but only after you come back from the trip. And I got it more affordably than you’d think, thanks to a call to my great-grandfather… he’s been around awhile and has lots of connections and as his only great grandchild; I might be a touch spoiled.”
Darcy gave a slightly awkward chuckle as she admitted it, knowing that probably sounded ridiculous. And while a purchase like that wasn’t something out of her budget, she knew she could get some strings pulled to make it more affordable, especially if Ferris insisted on paying her back. She didn’t want him to, but she didn’t figure he’d just let her get away with spending money on him like that.
By now she was standing upright again and moving back toward her couch, “White Christmas” being sung on the screen as she took her seat, eggnog forgotten at the counter. She sat crisscrossed on her couch, waiting for him to respond.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Dec 24, 2023 17:04:15 GMT
"A little," he agreed. "But that was probably...definitely the best holiday experience I have had in a while," he admitted easily, if a bit awkwardly. Maybe ever. Ferris wasn't much for holidays and never had been, but her scavenger hunt had been fun. The little ornament and the bear especially. He would probably give Rory the carving though, once he told her a much-edited version of his encounter with it.
He sighed at her condition, only half hearing the bit about her grandfather. Wait... Great-grandfather. "How old is-" he caught himself and shook his head. "Never mind, look, Darcy. I can't. The station needs me." Even for just a weekend, who was going to run things? Ethan? "My sister might not be free that weekend." He foresaw no real reason for them not to be. "And most importantly, I don't know how I'm going to be feeling. I don't like being around the kids when I'm not...not myself." Of course, he'd never forgive himself if he messed up his sister's kids. Which was probably all the more reason for him to be around them when he was having some darker moments, but he didn't trust himself. He looked up as he spoke, realizing his office door was still open. Not that anyone was around to hear but he still didn't really want to talk about it.
He scrubbed a hand through his hair, collecting the first three envelopes and notes and setting them in the bottom of his desk draw, still not sure what to do with the third one. He did pick it up again and finally look at the ticket. Why did he make it sound like he hated her for this when it was one of the more thoughtful gifts he had ever received. Ferris sighed.
“Then mission accomplished. Regardless of how silly it was, the overall goal was get you smiling… even if it also included some eye-rolling too.” Darcy said soft, the smile on her face even somehow more obvious in her tone. Despite the stress of the holidays, moments like these made it worth it. Even if they were short lived or merely temporary pauses from the day-to-day bullshit.
Naturally she expected some push back from him, it was understandable. And with unpredictability when it came to emotions and how his depression or work might be going, she did sort of take a shot in the dark with the planning. But even if he didn’t take this trip, maybe he’d at least start planning a trip soon.
“I’m not going to try and argue the validity of your points, because they are all truly solid points… I just ask that you hold onto the ticket and just wait and see.” Sitting on her couch, she felt small and almost childish. His tone wasn’t cruel or harsh, just serious and possibly a touch stern. But even so, she didn’t mind that. He had every right to feel whatever he wanted over her gift. Just as she was entitled to respond as she saw fit.
“If when the time comes and it’s just not a good fit for you; just toss the ticket and we don’t have to talk about it again.” She shrugged a little, now moving off the couch and returning to her cup on the counter. Looking at it, she grabbed a bottle of brandy and added some more to the glass. But taking a drink from the bottle before storing it again. She gave a little mix with her finger to the glass of spiked eggnog and popped the finger in her mouth to clean it off before picking up the glass and moving to look out her window at the freshly falling snow.