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 Ferris Felwinter on Jun 16, 2024 21:48:44 GMT
Ferris looked up at her from the floor as Darcy seemed hellbent on comforting him. On trying to fill the uncomfortable silence he left. He understood what she was trying to do. What he was taught to remind people of. But it didn't matter who or what the woman was. It didn't change anything. He only shook his head slowly as she spoke but didn't interrupt or try to explain.
He knew it wasn't his fault. But having that freewill not only ripped away from him, but to have it pointed out that it was flaunted in his face by someone forcing him to feel like he did something willingly… He would have almost preferred to not know. But this was burden he had accepted when Darcy sat him down in the ranger office bathroom and explained to him who she really was. He couldn't say he wanted to know her and then turn around and push away the truth when it hurt his feelings. That wasn't how it worked.
He pulled his gaze from the wall to Darcy's face as she knelt beside him, watching her hand and then back to her face. “I know that. That's…that's not the problem.” Well, not the major problem. “Kinda makes me feel worse about it, honestly,” he said with a shrug, brushing it off in his usual fashion.
His dark grey eyes met hers as she brushed his cheek. He understood then that she didn't want him to be alone. Or maybe she didn't want to be alone. He remembered quite vividly that time in her bathroom months again, which was why, more than anything, he didn't trust himself here. But he trusted her. Even if he couldn't explain what was really bothering him. “I appreciate it…I just…want to sit for a while. Okay? With you, if you want. But I don't want to talk about it.”
Because if he talked about it, then he knew he would do something stupid and reckless. Better to just…close all that off. Deal with it later. Sometime he wouldn't bother his friend with it. But the more he sat there, the more he thought about what happened. What that woman did to him, forced on him, made him enjoy. Except she hadn't forced him to enjoy anything, just to do it. Ultimately, he was the one who was wrong. It made him feel only more confused and dirty and out of sync. This wasn't how he was supposed to be. Allowed to be. He was wrong.
There was something so liberating about being able to speak to him so freely on things she’d never be able to talk to just any ‘regular’ human about. But along with that feeling of libration; came waves of guilt. Ferris had never asked to be thrown into the chaos of supernatural creatures and their secret lives around this town. He hadn’t asked to be attacked with her on that hike. And a lot of wolves in her pack let her know just how careless they felt she had been. Not just for her pack and kind, but for him. He hadn’t asked for this burden of knowledge. And yet, she told him. She revealed herself. Changed from wolf to woman right before his very eyes.
Sure, she had been hurt and it seemed necessary at the time. But was there more to it? She couldn’t help but wonder if her growing attachment to him had anything to do with it. How long had her wolf known she would imprint on him? Did that have anything to do with why she didn’t seem to hesitate about changing to face that bear to keep him safe, or changing back with him right there to see?
He didn’t deserve any of this.
“I… am so sorry Ferris.” She shrugged, shaking her head as she did. “Once again I’m just dumping all sort of information on you, that you never asked for.” Darcy slowly pulled her hand back and gave a gentle nod to his words. She moved to sit against the back of the couch near him, though leaving a bit of space so he didn’t feel suffocated by her presence.
“Okay.” was the only word she offered as she eased her head back against the fabric of the back of the couch and let her gaze lock on the wall. But she wasn’t even seeing it, more like she was staring through it. Her ears focused on the sound of him breathing and the way his heart was beating. As much as she might want to help him work through this and feel better; she couldn’t force him to talk about it. That wasn’t her place. she just wanted-
No, needed to be here for him. This wasn’t about her, and she needed to accept that being here for him, meant meeting him where he was at and in his terms. And she could do that, because that’s what you did for the people you loved.
last edited Jun 18, 2024 22:55:56 GMT by Darcy Vance
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jun 18, 2024 0:43:23 GMT
Ferris realized what he said sounded harsh. Like he was blaming her. He hadn't meant it like that and it felt like a punch to the gut, seeing Darcy's dismay and attempt to apologize for something he didn't understand. He grimaced. That wasn't how he had meant it. But rather than try and correct himself, he kept his mouth shut, worried saying more would only make it worse. He pulled his knees up, folding his arms over them. As he moved to rest his chon his arms, he winced and paused to inspect his wrist, tugging back his sleeves. He was still a moment, and then reached over to undo his watch, pulling it off and setting it on her floor so he could look at the marks on his left wrist too, the ones that were much worse. Somehow, Ferris had no idea, his hands weren't shaking.
The man leaned forward, groaning and running his hands through his hair before pulling back, settling with his chin his hands, fingers covering his nose and mouth and the weeks' worth of stubble that he wasn't capable of shaving without fear of cutting himself, one way or another. As much as his breathing was a forced calm and steady, his heart slammed in his chest.
Ferris sat there for a long time, letting the internal war play itself out and knowing where he would end up. He kept thinking of Darcy, sitting next to him, close enough to reach out and touch her if he wanted. If he dared. If he was worthy. If he felt like he deserved anything after being with someone else like that. Well and painfully aware that it wasn't his fault, he felt...worthless. What kind of emergency services worker was he if he couldn't protect himself? What good was all that bullshit he had given Darcy in the UC parking lot if he couldn't protect himself? What kind of man was he?
She was right. Who was he kidding? He should just leave the supernatural to the supernatural. Leave the town to those more capable. Just...leave. That was way more bearable than thinking about what he really was trying to avoid. Sirens and vampires and werewolves had nothing to do with why he was having a pity party on his best friend's floor. He closed his eyes, trying to find something inside to pull himself together with, only he kept coming up empty.
Darcy watched Ferris with a heavy heart, the weight of his pain palpable in the silence between them. She had always known him to be strong, resilient, but seeing him like this—raw and vulnerable—made her chest ache. She wanted nothing more than to reach out, to bridge the gap between them and offer him the comfort he so clearly needed, but she held back, fearing she might make things worse. If he didn’t want to be touched and comforted, it wasn’t right for her to try and insist. Especially not after everything he’d been through.
First the first time in a long time, Darcy felt useless. She knew there weren’t words she could offer to make this better for him. And not just words. There wasn’t anything she could do.
Period.
And she just had to accept it. Because this wasn’t her pain or experiences this was his. And all she could do, was be here for him. She wanted so badly to hug him, or move to the couch so she let him stretch out, put his head in her lap and just run her fingers through his hair.
All she wanted to do was show this man just how much she cared.
But again…
This wasn’t about her.
Darcy shifted a bit closer, her hand hovering just above his arm, hesitant to touch but yearning to- and yet instead, she eased her hand back to sort of hugging herself. She felt a lump form in her throat. She had never been great with words, always preferring action, but this moment demanded more. "You’re brave, and kind, a-and... and you matter to me."
More than you know.
Her voice wavered, betraying the depth of her emotions. She had spent months hiding her feelings, afraid of what they might mean for their friendship, but now... now she just wanted to break. But she couldn’t, because once again; that was incredibly selfish. He didn’t deserve that.
She gave a slow exhale as she stood, moving to the kitchen to retrieve a bottle of water. Darcy couldn’t help how selfish she felt for wanting the things she did. His erratic heart rate only made her desire to comfort him stronger, but she just opened the bottle of water and eased herself up to sit on the counter.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jun 19, 2024 2:20:06 GMT
Ferris looked over at his friend when she spoke again, barely seeing her. He heard the words she used that he supposed were meant to remind him everything would be okay. He knew those things. But he didn't want to admit. Though that last one...it wasn't just an observation she had of him, it was much more personal. It struck a small chord inside him, but he couldn't bring himself to answer. What was he supposed to say to her? That he was sorry for hurting her? Because he might not right now, but he knew he would.
The last time he had been anywhere near this drunk, they had slept together for the first time. Something he had thought would be a onetime thing became regular. But not because it was easy. Because he did care for her. A lot. Darcy mattered to him. Admitting that was easy enough. Letting it take hold was harder. He knew better than to let himself invest in anyone. Especially himself.
He watched her from his space on the floor. Part of him wanted to explain, to share, to vent about his frustrations and his opinion of himself and all the tangled mess of emotions. To help her understand because clearly, she wanted to. He wanted her to. But that felt...like admitting he was even less functional, less in control, less worth anything if he couldn't pull himself together on his own. Just pretend everything was okay until he was alone again.
The sound of the fridge opening and her unscrewing a bottle reached him. Ferris let out another breath and picked himself up. He stepped over to the door, lighter and pack of cigarettes burning holes in his pockets. He tapped one out and was striking the lighter almost before he shouldered the door open. He didn't bother with his boots, leaning on the railing and looking over the trailer park, breathing in a deep breath of smoke. He wished he could say it made him feel better, but it didn't.
The water was cool and soothing, but offered little comfort to the part of her that craved something stronger. And yet… she didn’t find herself reaching for the bottle. She simply finished off the bottle of water and just relaxed where she sat. Listening intently to the sound of him getting up and going toward the door.
Darcy didn’t need to look to know he was stepping out for a cigarette, she could hear the slight filling of the box and him getting one out as well as the lighter being used to light it up. She gave a soft sigh, running both hands through her mess of curls as she eased off the counter and tossed the empty bottle in the trash.
Taking a slow inhale, Darcy’s brown eyes drifted toward the door and she stepped around the counter and followed after him. She couldn’t help it, following after him like a lost puppy. She just… needed to be near him. Everything inside her screamed at her to be closer to him, that she needed him…
And hoped that he needed her too, even if just a little bit.
Wishful thinking.
Darcy stood in the doorway for a minute, wanting to let him have some time to enjoy his cigarette, but eventually stepping out on the porch and gently running her hands up and down his back before gently hugging against him.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jun 20, 2024 3:26:53 GMT
Ferris started at feeling Darcy's arms around him. He'd managed to lose himself to not really thinking about anything besides the soothing feeling of nicotine entering his blood stream and the taste of smoke and the feel of Darcy's porch beneath his socks and the wood grain against his arm as he leaned against the railing. The man relaxed into her arms though, letting her embrace slowly melt through the walls of ice he had step up. Not just from this moment but from so many others.
He continued to stand there, cigarette between his fingers, staring out at the houses and cars without really seeing anything, struggling to do more than simply stand there and exist and wonder if it mattered.
It wouldn't be until Darcy made to pull away, whenever that was, however many cigarettes later that was, that he shifted and caught her wrist gently and kept it where it was, so her arms stayed around him. Ferris didn't say a word.
Of course there was the chance that he didn’t want her to be so close, or that he didn’t want to be touched in general. She wouldn’t blame him for it. But still, even when he seemed startled; she didn’t hesitate to finish wrapping him in an embrace. And selfishly; she knew she needed the closeness to him likely more than he needed it.
Darcy judged held herself against his back, eyes closed gently as she just let the embrace last. She didn’t mind the cigarette smoke, especially not if it was helping ease his comfort. And after about the second -or was it the third?- cigarette, she began to make a move to let him go, only to be stopped. His grip on her wrist made her pause, and instead she tightened her grip around him. Resting her forehead against his back and just exhaling softly. “I’m not going anywhere.” She whispered softly against his back, even gently pressing a kiss to his back before continuing to let her forehead rest against him again.
Everything in her ached for him, to find a way to make things better for him. She wanted desperately to be able to settle whatever this internal conflict he was dealing with. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jun 20, 2024 5:00:34 GMT
He felt like he was drowning. Like the weight he had been living with just around the corner was some beast that had reached up and dug in its claws and was intent on dragging him into the depths. Ferris wondered if it would hurt less if he just...let it.
Ferris tried to focus on the feel of Darcy's face against his back. Her warm arms. The feel of her breath against his shirt. He looked down as the smoke curling from the third cigarette as it burned down, humming softly as she said she wouldn't go anywhere. He put the butt out on the railing and sighed.
"I don't know what I can do for myself right now," he admitted softly, voice wavering. And then he swallowed and pulled himself up. At least for Darcy's sake, he could pretend to have his shit put together. He collected the cigarette butts and turned around in her arms, pulling her against him and hugging her back. At least while she was around, he could pretend everything was okay. She made that easy at least, and almost not quite a lie. "You wanna go for a run?" he asked into her hair, pulling his arm up to look at his watch and realizing he had left it on her floor. Whatever time it was, it was late. After midnight. He looked up at the moon and then back down at the woman in his arms. He really shouldn't encourage himself. Or her. Not when he was thinking about doing something stupid.
It was in moments like this, where Darcy felt she could almost feel a sense of pity for her father. To want someone that way that she ached for Ferris; it was maddening! And this was one sided! She couldn’t imagine how much harder it must have been to have told the person and have them return the feelings. But as soon as she started to even think anything short of pure resentment for the man who tried to have her killed and succeeded in killing her mother; she thought of her. Of Meredith.
Meredith had lived and died knowing what it felt like to love someone who didn’t return those passionate feelings. To yearn for someone who loved someone else. To choose to be content in raising her one child, because at least she had her.
And despite being like her father; imprinted to a human, she felt she could relate more closely to her mother. Burning with passion for someone who didn’t reciprocate those feelings.
Though, in her own case; Ferris truly didn’t know. At least, she hadn’t told him. She was pretty sure some of his coworkers likely suspected her feelings were deeper than that of a friend’s. But being here, with him right now; meant so much to her. Especially since he was receptive of her physical touch. “That’s okay, you don’t always have to know… there doesn’t always have to be a concrete plan.” She said softly against his back.
When he finished his cigarette and turned to hug her back, Darcy couldn’t help but feel a bit of relief. She felt so selfish for being able to be experiencing such relief when he was still not ‘okay’. He tried though, even when he shouldn’t have to. His question about going for a run made her chuckle softly. “I mean, I wouldn’t turn down a chance for a run…” Not bothering to mention just how much time she’d spent running in the woods here lately. “But are you up for that? I can’t promise wolf me won’t be playful or giddy.” Darcy teased with a raised brow.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jun 21, 2024 3:03:55 GMT
Her words earned a grimace. Ferris knew she was right, but he felt he was expected to have a plan. He was the Fire Chief, he'd been in the military, he was a strong, capable, serious man, it seemed so simple that he know what to do. He handled emergencies around town all day everyday, with the firm authorities of someone who ‘knew what to do.’
And it was mostly a front to cover up how much he didn't know why he was so broken or how to fix himself. But while he started to shake his head and say as much, he stopped himself and took another breath.
Ferris knew a run would appeal to Darcy. Knew how much she loved running in both forms. Knew it was something she did to relieve her stress. Something she did to distract herself and wanted to do with him more. Knew there was nothing he felt the urge to do right now. It seemed better than just standing here, chain smoking the rest of the pack and thinking about the small pharmacy in her bathroom.
“No,” he said flatly. He was still pretty drunk. Sure, he could talk, and he could mostly walk but if not for the railing he wouldn't be so steady. Running was a sure way to get himself to throw up, but honestly…at least pain was something. “I like both versions of you,” he reassured, not sure why she was being so apologetic. Probably that was his fault, too. Making her feel like she had to walk on eggshells around him. But she kept following him.
Somehow, Darcy couldn’t help but feel a touch hypocritical with herself. Of course there was no harm in not having a plan… coming from the Alpha werewolf who mapped and charted out the best areas for her pack to be located during the lunar cycles. But honestly, that was like comparing apples to oranges. Two very different things. If she didn’t have plans in place to keep her pack in order; people could get seriously hurt.
And granted, Ferris could understand that perspective from his own line of work, his personal life was different. Not knowing how to handle the aftermath of an encounter with a supernatural being, especially one that took advantage of you…
Heat rose in her chest. That anyone would take away another’s free will like that, especially someone like Ferris. It infuriated her.
Maybe a run was a good idea. It would let her get some of this anger worked out of her system.
“Hey, if you’re not feeling up for a run, we can go for a drive.” She didn’t want him to feel obligated to try and do something for her. She could handle herself in very well measured doses, and right now she wanted to make sure he was okay. His next sentence did make a soft dusting of color touch her cheeks.
Both versions of her.
He was one of the few people who, outside of her pack; even knew there was more than one side of her. “I-I know that, I also know I can be a touch… excitable and if you’re not feeling so great, I don’t want to add to that.” She didn’t trust herself not to near immediately knock him to the ground. If she found herself struggling to resist his scent in this form, it would be ten times more difficult in her wolf form. Especially when her wolf acted much more impulsively than Darcy did.
Which was saying a lot, considering Darcy could be rather impulsive herself… randomly showing up at his apartment after tracking his scent through town, that wasn’t something ‘normal’ people did afterall.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jun 23, 2024 16:25:46 GMT
Ferris shrugged. "The run is for you. I'm gonna walk," he said firmly. As much as he felt very little desire to do anything at all, he didn't want to stay here. Or sit in a car. If he wasn't moving, he was going to smoke. Or ask for something else to drink. And while that was an easy way to forget his emotions, he knew himself well enough that it was just postponing the inevitable. Better to spend some time with his best friend doing something she loved and remember that.
Her notion of a drive did remind him about his truck. Maybe he could just...take a road trip and never come back. There were a lot of beautifully serene cliff sides a bit further north and west. The idea was there. He could leave in the morning. Or after his shift the day after. Though...he wasn't sure Darcy wouldn't be able to track him down so easily as with his apartment.
"Can I tell you something, Darcy?" he said, almost before she finished speaking, his tone with a sort of candidness he never used, his hold on her softening a little so he could pull back and look at her. "I've never felt great. I don't know what that feels like. But-" he moved sideways along the small porch, moving one hand from her arm to the railing as he neared the stairs to make sure he didn't stumble down them. "I wanna see you run," he said more firmly, attempting to tug her along with him down the steps.
Standing there, pressed against him while they tried to figure out the next move from the porch was soothing, and yet; Darcy could tell he wasn’t okay. In more than just how he drank more than she’d ever seen him drink, or his preference in avoiding talking about how he was feeling after everything he’d been through. But, she wouldn’t shy away from the opportunity to go for that run. She enjoyed getting to be around him in her wolf form too.
Darcy leaned back to look at him better at his question, raising a brow as she nodded. Dark brown eyes watched him as he spoke and he began to move, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of both sadness and oddly a sense of excitement. That he had never felt great, that made her heart ache for him. And it made her extremely frustrated, that someone as wonderful as him didn’t know what that felt like. Be deserved so much more than what he handled on the daily. As he stepped down with her in tow, she couldn’t help but grin and gently shake her head as she followed him. She’d follow him anywhere in a heartbeat.
“No shoes?” Darcy couldn’t help but teasingly ask as she stepped down off the porch with him. Her free hand moved to pull the tucked-in edges of her shirt from her shorts.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jun 23, 2024 22:45:05 GMT
Darcy made a good point. The porch he didn't notice so much but stepping off the porch, as she pointed it out, that he noticed. Gravel wasn't all that comfortable through his socks. "Point," he said simply, though he stood there another moment looking down at his socks.
Ferris looked up at her with a faintly embarrassed smile and let her go, suddenly conscious of his hands and that he had been touching her for a while. Now though, he wasn't sure what to do with them, shoving them in his pockets. "I'll be right back," he said, smile fading just as quickly as it had appeared. Ferris walked back up the steps and opened the front door of his friend's house, closing it behind him unless she followed. Rather than lean on the wall or bend over, he plopped down on the floor by his boots and began clumsily pulling them on and tightening the laces.
Pushing himself up again a moment later, he felt like he might throw up or pass out for a moment as he felt lightheaded, but it passed quickly enough as he put a hand on the wall by the door. He righted himself and patted himself down and fixed his belt. Just his cigarettes and lighter. His phone, wallet, and keys were on the coffee table still, but that was fine. They'd have to come back here anyway. Maybe he should ask to spend the night.
He opened the door again and walked back down the steps. "Any more objections?" He asked in his typical flat tone.