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?
Elijah knew he had messed up. He said some pretty careless things and made some rather insulting accusations to a man he counted as a friend. Of course he was stressed and worried about his son, but he had absolutely not right to say those things. Especially not to Ferris. The man had showed up and tried to make the best out of an impossible situation with several other people involved who were equally capable of speaking up on the matter.
Directing that anger so specifically at the man was completely uncalled for. And Elijah would be lying if he said he hadn’t noticed the absence of his friend… if he was even still allowed to call him that. He wasn’t sure if he should call him or text him, so instead her drove around. He didn’t seen the man’s truck at the fire station, but thankfully did recognize the vehicle outside Purgatory.
Elijah parked and sat in his vehicle for a moment. More than willing to accept it if the man was still sore toward him. But he hoped her could at least try and make it up to him. He stepped out of his car and shrugged, his ‘business casual’ look of a jeans, and a buttoned dress shirt tucked in making the man stand out a touch from the general bar scene crowd milling about. He locked the car and made his way up to the door.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jul 9, 2024 3:00:37 GMT
He'd seen Elijah in passing around town. Exchanged some words. Made small talk. They avoided anything about Price or the fires or watching a hockey game again. The Stanley Cup Playoffs and Finals came and went and Ferris watched them alone or with the crew at the station. Just like he was used to. He'd avoided Purgatory for a while, but really, he'd avoided anywhere that wasn't one work or the other.
There wasn't anymore hockey for a while. But there was baseball...and racing. And fights. And he didn't really do basketball. But tonight, he was out at the bar to drink, rather than to watch anything. Which wasn't his usual. He was three drinks in on his day off and probably going to have to get a ride home. But he didn't care right now.
He sat in corner table, boots up on the chair opposite, a shot of whiskey and a half-finished beer in front of him, watching the tv as it played some sports talk show he couldn't hear and was too far away from to makes sense of the closed captions. He wore jeans and a thin Oilers hoodie that was a little too small for him but he was clearly attached. Grey eyes looked over at the door as it opened, doing a double take when he recognized who it was, though his expression remained largely neutral and he didn't opt for a hello. The man was allowed to drink here. And probably wasn't looking for company anyway.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Jul 10, 2024 0:16:46 GMT
Walking in, Elijah received a few greetings and was polite while he tried to glance around and find Ferris. It didn’t take long, the man was sitting in one of the corner tables by himself, and Elijah couldn’t help but feel as if their rolls were slightly reversed here today. Usually he was the one drinking away his woes and looking a touch on the miserable side. He absolutely had been mentally kicking his own ass over everything after the hellhounds incident.
He gave a nod to the bartender, walking up and ordering himself a double shot of whiskey, taking the drink and paying for just the one, not quite feeling like opening a tab tonight. And even though he definitely got the impression the man didn’t want company, and any other time he might have accepted it. But, Elijah wanted to have a friend to watch hockey with and to talk or drink with. He took a sip from his drink and walked over with a nod. Not quite sure what to say, as starting with ’hey, sorry I’m a fucking moron.’ didn’t quite seem right. “Hey… mind if I sit?”
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jul 10, 2024 0:38:56 GMT
Despite his efforts to the contrary, it was painfully obvious to anyone in the bar that happened to look at the disheartened Canadian that he was doing everything in his power to pretend he wasn't watching Elijah Vanderson walk through the building and up to the bar to order a drink. Ferris wasn't very good at subtle. and he wasn't trying to be, he was just trying to ignore the tension between them which of course only seemed to make it worse.
As much as he wasn't thrilled, he wasn't incensed or angry. He certainly remembered what the man accused him of but hadn't had the balls to say directly to his face. But feeling any kind of way about it now required energy he didn't have. He'd much rather drown himself. In alcohol.
He pulled his gaze from the far off tv to the man standing next to his table, simply looking up at Elijah as the man nodded. Ferris shrugged. "It's a free country," he grumbled, having always found the line hilarious. He took a drink of his beer and pulled his feet of the chair, boots landing with a thud on the floor. He straightened himself up slightly and did his best to look the man over. He seemed...alright. And he'd paid his bill already without a tab. Maybe he had some sort of handle on that drinking problem. There was something else about him that nagged at Ferris, but he was...four drinks in? Something like that. He should pace himself. Or maybe he had been.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Jul 11, 2024 20:54:25 GMT
It wasn’t unusual to see Eljiah frequenting the bar, and typically drinking more heavily than he ought to. And while he might have wanted to start a tab, he was trying to keep himself in check for the time being. Afterall, his preference for alcohol didn’t need to be attributed to the divorce, not that it was quite public knowledge around the town just yet. He had only just gotten the chance to Alexis, he still needed to get with West. Who wasn’t quite his biggest fan on a regular day.
He half expected Ferris to tell him to get lost, and he wouldn’t have faulted him for it. But thankfully, the man grumbled about it being a ‘free country’ and removed his feet from the seat. Elijah eased down to the seat and tried to offer a nod of thanks. Ferris looked much like his normal self, though a bit more worn and weary. “How’ve you been?”
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jul 14, 2024 1:03:47 GMT
He watched Elijah sit down with only the hint of a frown. then again, he'd been rather glumly glaring at everyone and everything, including the TV and his beer. It being so much longer since they last spoke, the sting of the accusations Elijah had leveled at him weren't nearly so sharp. The Fire Chief liked to think of himself as a professional and not the sort to take things so personally. Which was why he had withstood most of the then distraught father's barbs. But maybe it was because of their budding friendship that eventually, he had had enough.
But Elijah was right, of course. He should have thought of the consequences of not being there to direct the outing from the start. He couldn't bring himself to redirect his frustration at the other man. So, it stayed there, a heavy weight on his chest.
His gaze had traveled back to the TV until Elijah's questions. The man turned then to look at him more directly, then moved his eyes to his drinks plural and back to Elijah. He only shrugged though. "Lost now that the hockey season is over," he said. Sure, he was lost, but not because of the lack of his favorite sport. That he could live without. It was...other things.
"How's the family?" he asked, meaning to ask about Price out of honest concern, but not wanting to immediately steer their conversation to where the last one had ended. Best to be vague. It was then he noticed that Elijah was without his wedding band. Which probably meant his question was hitting somewhere a bit more tender than he had meant it.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Jul 19, 2024 9:39:19 GMT
Elijah took a long sip of his drink, feeling the weight of the conversation and Ferris's concern hanging in the air. He sighed, not quite ready to delve into the intricacies of his personal life but appreciating the attempt at normalcy from his friend.
"Family's... complicated," He replied, his gaze drifting momentarily. "Price is holding up. It’s been a rough patch, but we're managing." He glanced at his bare finger, noting Ferris's perceptiveness. "As for the rest, well, you know how it is. Sometimes things fall apart and you just have to pick up the pieces."
He shifted his focus back to Ferris, trying to lighten the mood. "As for you, it sounds like the end of hockey season's left a bit of a void. Anything else keeping you occupied? Or just looking for a new distraction?"
Elijah offered a small, wry smile. "Sometimes a good distraction is just what the doctor ordered, even if it's just a temporary fix."
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jul 20, 2024 18:33:47 GMT
To say they were 'managing' was an understatement even Ferris understood. He knew the man had been having a rough time making things work last fall. While they hadn't talked much in the winter, he didn't image the hellhound business made things any better. And even then, with them all but physically separated, the man had stubbornly worn that ring around his finger. For him to not have it now, and that cryptic bit about things falling apart...
"Yeah. My ex-fiancé taught me that one," he said, taking a long drink. When he set the glass down, Ferris caught Elijah's eyes and for a moment and the pair shared a look. Ferris knew that Elijah knew that Ferris knew he was divorced. Or had at least filed for it. He didn't need to say anything else.
He shrugged. It was less the hockey and more...other things. But even were they buddy-buddy again it wasn't something he would share with the other man. In fact, he'd probably be even less inclined to talk if he and Elijah were 'friends.' "Drinking's a good enough distraction tonight," he said with a shrug. Though Elijah was right, he certainly had other distractions on his mind. One he wished wasn't just the temporary fix that they had agreed it would be. But at least they could still spend time together. "What's it to you? You have something in mind?" the words were confrontational, but his tone was simply tired and his characteristic unenthusiasm.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Jul 21, 2024 18:36:30 GMT
Elijah held Ferris' gaze for a moment longer, understanding the layers of unspoken words between them. "Yeah, I get it." He said quietly, acknowledging the weight of their shared history without delving into it.
He took another sip of his drink, letting the alcohol burn its way down. "Sometimes, a distraction is all we can hope for," He continued, his tone more reflective than confrontational. "It's not a solution, but it keeps us going, even if just for a little while."
Elijah leaned back in his chair, studying Ferris with a discerning eye. "As for tonight, I didn't have anything particular in mind. Just thought we could keep each other company, maybe even find a bit of solace in the bottom of a glass. But if you've got other ideas, I'm all ears." His voice softened, the usual edge giving way to a rare moment of camaraderie. "No pressure, man. Just offering a bit of company, if you want it."
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Jul 21, 2024 22:35:34 GMT
the Fire Chief grunted. "Sure." Put like that, his life sounded even more depressing. All he could hope for was distractions? But it did sound right. He'd been floating around for a while, finally settled in Sweetwater, taken five years to find any friends, didn't have a steady relationship, no progress on that dream of having a family, had nothing he was trying to work toward and nothing he was looking forward too. The last time he had taken a break from work had been when Darcy got him that ticket to visit his sister. That was almost six months ago.
Ferris looked up from the table as Elijah spoke. He didn't particularly enjoy the way the man looked at him. Not because it wasn't warranted but because he knew he had done this to himself, drinking in public and letting him sit down. "Company is good," he agreed simply. It wasn't an apology. But it was about all Ferris had really wanted in return. "You wanna stay here or go somewhere else?" It wasn't forgiveness, but he'd stopped blaming him for it.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Aug 12, 2024 6:36:18 GMT
Elijah listened to the Fire Chief's gruff response, noting the undertones of resignation in his voice. It struck a chord deep within him, the way a man could get so lost in the routine that the days blurred into years, and suddenly, you realized you had nothing to show for it. He didn't like the thought that Ferris felt that way too, but he understood it all too well.
He sighed, pushing aside the remnants of anger still simmering beneath the surface. The truth was, his frustration wasn't just about the accident, or even about his son—it was about all the ways his own life had veered off course. He’d been trying to keep it together, but moments like these made it harder to ignore how far he’d drifted.
"Yeah, company is good." Elijah echoed, his voice quieter now, carrying the weight of understanding rather than accusation. He glanced at Ferris, noting the tiredness etched into his features. He could see the man was just as worn out by life as he was, and somehow, that made him feel less alone in his own struggles.
"Let's stay here," Elijah finally said, his tone softening. "No point in running off somewhere else. Sometimes it's better to just... sit with things, you know?" He paused, searching for the right words. "I'm not looking for forgiveness, Ferris. I just... I don't want to make things worse. Maybe we can just keep each other company for a bit."
He leaned back in his chair, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease just slightly. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. And for now, that would have to be enough.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Aug 16, 2024 4:39:47 GMT
Ferris shrugged. Drinking here or anywhere else was no different to him. He'd only asked since Elijah seemed...skittish. But at the same time, the Fire Chief was sure he was reading too much into it. He was the one with the problems. Well, besides the whole family drama. He didn't have that, at least. Though, honestly...he kinda did. Maybe that was why he had gotten so annoyed at the man. Was his own fault, pushing away someone he could have enjoyed a lot more hockey with. Maybe next season.
He looked up as the man said something about forgiveness. He didn't particularly think they owed each other anything, being as they weren't the friends he had thought they were. But he also didn't think they couldn't be actual friends. So yeah, he agreed with them 'not making things worse.' "I'll drink to that," he agreed, lifting his beer and downing a swallow and finding he was just about empty. Thankfully, the bartender seemed to notice too.
The firefighter made awkward, drunken small talk. About the festival, about Elijah's work. His other kids. How the founding families were doing. "Enjoying your newfound freedom, eh?" he asked. Not that he was sure 'enjoying' being officially separated from his wife was the most enjoyable, but if things had been that bad, then he was happy for the man. He didn't ask about custody or the house or anything like that. Not his business and if he recalled, his kids were practically adults. "Pick up any new hobbies?"
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Aug 19, 2024 1:14:09 GMT
Elijah glanced down at his glass, a small frown tugging at the corner of his lips. He’d been doing well to keep himself from drinking too much lately, but the temptation was always there, especially in moments like this. Still, he’d managed to keep his intake to a minimum, at least compared to his past habits.
He nodded slightly, acknowledging Ferris's toast. “I’ll certainly drink to that.” He replied, though his voice lacked enthusiasm. He took a measured sip, just enough to wet his throat, and set the glass back down, resisting the urge to finish it off.
The small talk that followed felt more like a test of endurance than anything else. Elijah listened, offering polite responses about work and the usual town gossip. When Ferris brought up his separation, he couldn’t help the easy smile that formed on his face. “Freedom... yeah, something like that.” He said, keeping his tone light. In truth, it was a mixed bag. The separation had been necessary, and a long time coming, and yet… he almost felt guilty.
When Ferris asked about hobbies, Elijah paused. “Nothing new,” He admitted, shrugging. “Just trying to keep busy. Work helps with that.” He glanced at his nearly empty glass, then back at Ferris. “It’s all about keeping the mind occupied, you know?” That, and he was already fending off the attempts to be ‘set up’ with a few different women in town.
Elijah wasn’t sure if Ferris could relate, but he figured the man understood the need for distraction, even if they sought it in different ways.
Post by Ferris Felwinter on Aug 25, 2024 16:42:52 GMT
The Fire Chief appreciated the distraction, but his tone was somber. He didn't push too hard for Elijah to answer, but he was trying to awkwardly catch up with his maybe friend. Part of him wanted to hold a grudge, but it hadn't been that big of a deal had it? It had been long enough that the initial sting at the man degrading his character felt more right.
He snorted and then nodded thanks to the bartender that replaced his beer with a new glass. Between Elijah's emphasis on distractions and his lack of hobbies and his vague answers, Ferris wondered if he had something else on his mind. “Tied down again already?” He asked. He didn't presume the man had picked up a lady friend until the paperwork was filed. But he imagined that had to be hard. To ache for a connection and to still feel the need to shake off this old noose he didn't want. He grinned slightly, barely refraining form suggesting the man get laid. He knew how that felt to be on the receiving end and he wasn't quite drunk enough to forget it.
“Sounds like you need a hobby. Like fishing or mountain biking or…whatever you used to do before you had kids.” his tone was amused. He almost felt bad for Elijah. Clearly, the guy was having problems, but at least he had made some progress. Still, Ferris supposed he was the last person to suggest work was a terrible option for distraction. “Then again, I have the same problem,” he admitted, taking another drink.
Post by Elijah Vanderson on Aug 27, 2024 20:09:42 GMT
Elijah chuckled dryly, a touch of bitterness in his laugh. “Tied down? Not all,” He said, shaking his head. The question hit a bit too close to home, a reminder of what he was trying to escape. “More like trying to find a balance between being free and not falling back into old habits. It’s a work in progress.”
Ferris’s suggestion about hobbies made Elijah smirk. “Fishing or mountain biking, huh? I might be better off with something less physically demanding. I don’t think I’d make it very far on a bike these days.” He paused, considering. “I’ve thought about picking up something new, but it’s been tough to find the right fit.”
He glanced at his nearly empty glass, then back at Ferris. “I guess we’re both in the same boat. Work’s a good distraction, but it’s not a full solution.” He took a sip, feeling the cool liquid ease the edge, though it was a fleeting comfort.
“Maybe I’ll give those hobbies a shot. At this point, I’m open to suggestions. How about you? What’s been keeping you busy lately?” Elijah asked, genuinely interested. The conversation, despite its heaviness, felt like a small step toward understanding each other better.