The Savant

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

---

POKE!

Looking over his shoulder his phone went off and that was odd. No one really texted him. Most people knew he appreciated calls more than texts. Sighing, since he assumed it was a spam number or something. One of those running text types of deals.

POKE!

Taking a second look over his shoulder because that was abnormal. Why was someone texting him right now? Maybe it was one of his officers trying to be funny. He could see it. Looking around in the crowd, he was trying to see if he could spot any of his officers on their phones. There were two almost in the front row and they waved at him. Not seeing any others, he gestured to them to say hi as another POKE! rang out in his eyes.

Fine. Tommy reached into his back pocket and for some reason in that instance, he moved his hand across his other back pocket. Wallet. Wallet… Keys. Wallet. Only wallet and keys. OH GOD. WHERE THE HELL DID THAT LETTER GO!?! Pure panic began to sink into his chest and a wave of hopelessness faded into his existence. It should be there. The letter should be in his back pocket.

Grabbing his phone and opening it up, his thumb moved across the screen as it unlocked. Reading the texts. Texts from Levi.

Hey dude,
Sorry, this is really random, but if you see Stella can you let me know? I have her phone.
Her and I were drinking, but I didn’t know she was such a lightweight! Miguel told me after. She took off without her phone.

Why did reading these texts make him feel sick? What the fuck were you planning with Stella, Levi? his eyes sharpened at his phone and those stormy blue could pierce through anyone. Tommy could feel his blood pressure rise and his breathing became deeper than usual. He could feel himself begin to shake. Those weren’t all of the details. He knew his old friend. There was something that was being left out. That bastard better not have gone after Stella, his mind was thinking of the worst. Why wouldn’t Levi go after younger girls? Naive. Sweet. Innocent. They didn’t know his games.

No. Don’t think like that Tommy. Levi wouldn’t do that. Would he? Would he go after Stella… this was a difficult thought to process. He was unsure. Biting the inside of his cheek, he was trying to calm himself down but he could feel his body heating up from shards of anger. The anger wasn’t all about Stella. It had been shards of anger that have been lingering throughout his body for years.

You don’t know this man anymore. He became a city boy… They are never up to any good… Tommy thought to himself and began to send a text.

— I’ll keep my eyes out, Levi. Don’t come back to town and start breaking all the girls' hearts I care about again… —

No don't’ send that… The man erased the words of that text before sending it.

— I’ll keep my eyes out, Levi. I better not find her crying. — SEND

Tommy decided this was his time to leave the stage, he walked right off and hopped off the platform, and began to wander around the festival. Find Stella and make sure she is okay. Get the story from her. You trust her. She will tell you what truly happened right? If she tells you at all. He needed to find her to figure things out so he wasn’t mad at Levi for any reason. Through her story, he would figure out if he had a reason or not. Then he had to rush back to Nixie’s house. He must have dropped that letter. He needed to get that letter back. He needed to get that letter back.

As the man wandered through the crowd, everyone could see that he was on a mission. He was trying to find his little sister, well, she wasn’t really his little sister but he felt like she was a part of his family. Tommy needed to make sure she was okay.

---

Interaction Texting Levi @The Muse

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

Thomas Fischer & Doctor Fitkau

---

Doctor Fitkau noticed three men up on the stage more in the back, but he could tell there were three and they were males. How interesting… he thought while writing something down in his pocketbook since he was taking observations and notes at the moment. Men were usually more confident but he was surprised not a single woman had stepped up on the stage, not yet at least. He wondered if any women would be participating in the charity event tonight or night.

Thomas Fischer stood there inside of his own head since Archer wandered away to take a phone call and no one else was keeping him busy. Looking out to the crowd of people who were most likely going to have a good laugh from the playful evening. It should be fun. Usually the authority figure placed himself in charity events each and every year and usually tried to organize more money for the Boys and Girls club.

He knew some of his officers were going to make the bidding fun for him. They already told him that they were going to bid a few dollars to raise the charity funds for the heck of it. Make the process more exciting. The police force in Sanctuary was all about making it a better place for the community but they really wanted to go over and beyond for children who needed that extra support. It might be a self projection of his failed childhood. He wanted to make sure others didn’t have it so rough.

Glancing over to the other individual that spoke, his voice sounded familiar, and he noticed it was Talie’s coworker. The one that usually hid behind the counter as the sheriff brought Talie her coffee around lunch when he would visit. He was somewhat surprised that the man was up here but he did find the man quite flamboyant. Should he be surprised? Probably not. A faint yet warm smile was offered to the other man when he commented about lunch, “She would probably bury meh somewhere if aah stopped bringin’ coffee,” Thomas joked and lightly laughed at his own words, there might be a little truth to those words.
He would bring Talie coffee quite a lot for lunch time check-ins and whatnot. If he stopped bringing coffee, Talie would probably say something about it. Probably be disappointed. Tommy was a people pleaser, to a point, but he tried his best to keep his friends happy. He didn’t want people feeling how he constantly felt, so he smiled most of the time and would go out of his way to see positivity light up on their faces.
As Manuel began to officially introduce himself, Thomas held out his hand to shake the other man’s, “Thomas Jay Fischer,” It was odd to think about it but he has never been officially introduced to Talie’s coworker even though he comes around to the geology department quite a lot. Maybe she didn’t want him knowing the man or becoming close to Manny? Did she not really like her coworker? He wondered what could have kept her from introducing them weeks ago and those thoughts faded quickly.

Laughing at the other man’s request as he sighed, should he get into a friendly payment of alcohol? Would that be a good idea? Shrugging his thoughts off, physically, he deserved to have some fun sometimes, “Let’s make it a competition. Whoever makes the least pays but whoever loses the drinkin’ competition has to bah lunch fo-wah the next work week,” That seemed fair and he was trying to have more fun than he usually allowed himself to have.
Tommy was not known to be one to really drink in public or allow himself to let loose. Why the hell not? It was an annual festival and everyone was having fun and he was able to get off the payroll early today. He should allow himself some slack so he could enjoy his life a little more and have a bit of stupid fun from time to time. Everyone else was doing it while forgetting about him. The man has barely seen anyone he would consider himself close to all night. He knew Nixie was around but she seemed to be a ghost for the time being.

The man hasn’t spotted Stella the whole time and thought he would at least see her a handful of times and chat. Nope. Levi was back in town and the man felt like a stranger to him. They were childhood friends. They haven’t spoken in years, You need to get over yourself Tommy… he probably could care less about you. It’s been over a decade… Those thoughts hurt but he knew it was true. At least he believed it was true.
He has seen Nixie only once today and that was only in the morning. Maybe she was avoiding him. Levi was back in town. Those two always seemed to forget about him and the plans they would make together when they were back on. He wouldn’t be surprised if he hears how they are back together by the end of the night. Forever a third wheel with those two.

Who else could he hang out with tonight? Not many. It wasn’t like he had many friends to do things with. These thoughts made him realize how lonely he truly was. The only person that might possibly do something with him later, the only person that tried to make plans with him was Talie. Asking him to save a dance but she was even busy with Reya and others doing her own thing. With all the excitement, he wouldn’t blame her if she forgets.

Everyone was doing their own thing and he was just dwelling at this point. The man was planning to go home and get wasted tonight anyways. What a sad and pathetic life the sheriff of Sanctuary truly has. “A drinkin' competition sounds fun if ya are up fo-wah it. Not scared are ya?” Thomas got playful with those words and was trying to egg the man on. Why not socially drink and have some fun with it? It would probably make his night a little brighter than usual. The usual of being alone at home.

---

Interaction Thomas Fischer @PrinceAlexus Manny

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

Thomas Fischer, Archer Graham, Moxi, & Doctor Fitkau

---

Both men seemed to have the exact same idea and began to move towards the stage when they heard the mayor's assistant, Jewel, announce the date auction. That the people who were being bid on needed to find their places. Everyone was beginning to move and people seemed interested in the announcement. Next thing they knew they were bumping into each other while trying to stand on the first step of the stage, “Ope! Apologies!” Sheriff Fischer instantly began to apologize to whoever he ran into. Noticing the newer face right away. A few people have talked about the doctor.

“No, no, I think it was my fault. I was busy trying not to bump into others, I didn’t notice you either,” Archer gave a reassuring smile that he took nothing to heart in the situation and he was friendly. Both of them chuckled at each other’s reactions before almost going at the same time, again.

That was when Tommy stepped back a few steps and gestured for the coppery maned man to go before him. “Thank you, Sheriff,” Archer gestured his hand up as an extra thank you to the sheriff before he walked onto the stage first and went over into the positioning area.

“Ya're the doctor that aah've bin' hearin' so much about. How do ya lak the town?” Tommy wanted to interact with the man a little bit. He was new to Sanctuary and he wanted to give the doctor somewhat of a warm welcome even though he slacked on it for a little while. The sheriff and chief of Sanctuary were not one to visit the hospital unless need be.

Archer nodded his head while standing to the side, “Yes, and you are the sheriff? Sheriff Fischer? Also the Chief, I have heard. I have been enjoying your small town quite a lot. The medical field here really keeps me busy,” Archer kept a light tone with somewhat of a playfulness at the end of his sentence. The hours made it difficult to find sleep sometimes and the lack of employment would have been stated as outrageous from the cities he has worked in before. Everything was fine otherwise and he was adjusting. Being one of the only doctors with multi-specialties in the medical field in this town seemed to be rare. There was barely a nurse at a head turn. It sometimes caused nightmares or sleepless nights, but he knew it would begin to turn around. It will get better.

Tommy seemed to force a smile to say keep your hope up, “Aah'm both. Aah can assure ya this isn't mah town. Aah just look after it. Aah try mah best to make it a little better,” The man felt like he was bragging to a point and glanced at the ground while rubbing the back of his neck. They were standing side by side and it was somewhat awkward for him. You would think the chief and sheriff of Sanctuary was more confident in certain aspects of his life but he was more broken than this town.

“That makes both of us,” Archer playfully nudged the man and gave another warm smile since he noticed the man’s sudden change. Maybe the other was thinking? It was hard to tell but he seemed to busy himself with thoughts or maybe worries of some kind. “I bet we will be seeing each other more often. I notice your officers bring quite a few to the ER,”

Chief Thomas and his officers were constantly bringing people to the ER for DUIs, drugs, or other injuries or issues when pulling people over or answering house calls. There was a bunch they had to do before processing them if they were injured and so on. “Aah hope we don't have to see each other while we work,” Tommy joked back since he didn’t want to visit on the payroll. That wouldn’t be fun to always see the doctor while they were both in uniforms.

“Maybe we should get lunch together sometime. I need to become a little personal with others around this town or it’ll get lonely, maybe that’s the reason I am up here. Why are you up here?” Archer was one to keep small talk and it was easy for him to do so.

Thomas shrugged, “Aah love mah, kids. Aah've to be up he-yah fo-wah 'em,” The man didn’t have kids of his own but he felt like all the kids in the Boys and Girls Club along with his little champions of the hockey teams he coached were as close as he would ever get in the sense of family.

“You have kids? What’s that like?” Archer seemed interested. He had wanted kids when he was younger and he still did but he found himself way too busy to have time for a family. Most of his relationships were great in the past but he has heard the line, you work too much or you don’t have enough time for us, a few too many times.

Tommy laughed, “No, aah don't have mah own kids. Aah don't even have a missy friend... Ya know. Aah coach the hockey team 'n volunteer fo-wah the boys 'n girls club. That's probably the closest aah will git to havin' kids. Ya know? busy 'n stuff,” Thomas felt like he was rambling and he felt somewhat stupid doing so. He couldn’t keep a relationship because he couldn’t truly commit. He was an idiot. He probably could have been married by now with children if he actually said yes and allowed himself to not be stuck up in the sense of being intimate with someone else.

Archer nodded his head, “I understand. My career path keeps me busy. It’s hard to think about someone else in career paths like ours. They are community-based and communities end up becoming our families if we allow them to instead of having personal ones,” Archer smiled and that reminded him he forgot to call his sister a few hours ago. Shit… The Scottish man took out his phone and looked at the several missed calls from his little sister Ari and the handful of texts asking if he was okay. That he usually texted or called around this time. “I’m sorry, I have to do something really quickly. Talk to you later sheriff,” Archer stated before going and stepping off the stage and instantly calling his sister. She sounded worried and he was only to the side of the stage but he was trying his best to keep quiet and not be stared at while speaking with her. That was when he noticed a familiar man with blonde hair and those icy blue eyes. Moxi.

Moxie gave the doctor a faint smile while he stepped into the crowd of chairs, moving past people, and his usual look of unamused interest peered through the crowd. Those cold eyes froze anyone in their grasp. Archer waved though he pointed at his phone and the Russian man dipped his head to show he understood, “Vhat a pleasant man…” He mumbled to himself while finding a spot in the crowd to keep his eyes on this playful date auction that was happening at the festival. It caught his interest, so he decided he would at least watch. It would pass the time for him at least and keep him out for a little longer.

Sitting down and getting comfortable, Moxi caught sight of a man walking down the middle of the aisle of chairs. What an odd mustache the man had. He hasn’t really seen the man before but he did not look like he truly belonged to this small town. They both were eye sores and their eyes met. Moxi’s sharpened as he looked away and onto the stage to notice the sheriff. Rolling his eyes. Why was he not surprised that the sheriff was participating in something so trivial and stupid? Pathetic.

The man with the unique mustache raised a brow at the blonde hair man as he found the man interesting. He swore he saw the other smoking on the outskirts of the festival earlier but his memory could be failing him. “I wonder where he is from,” The psychiatrist whispered to himself while going into the back of the crowd and disappearing in the waves of chairs that were available. Going to the second row from the back and a few seats in before sitting down. “This should be pleasant to watch. Such silly things make a good laugh and possible research.” Doctor Fitkau took out his pocketbook and a pen, so he could write down what happened during the dating auction and if he saw any strange behaviors or whatever. For research and self-interest research about the town of Sanctuary.

---

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

---

Upon getting home, Thomas went over to his couch and set the stuffed dog down. A part of him wished that he had an actual dog. With the other toy, he went over and set it down on the dining room table with all of Nixie’s birthday gifts that he got her this year. Glancing at them, he didn’t want to take too much time from the festival, but he found himself staring at them. None of these matter now that Levi is back in town… In his mind, he doubted she would even notice them if he left them at her house. For some reason, negative thoughts were creeping in. He couldn’t push them away. It was difficult and he felt like he was going to do something stupid.

Walking away from the presents with a sigh and stroking a set of fingers through his hair, Tommy was trying not to take too much time at his house or take a shower for too long because he knew he would get wrapped up in his thoughts and probably miss the rest of the festival. He already won the bear for Talie and he won something for Nixie and himself, he hoped they both liked what he won them. How Talie reacted caused him to be uncertain about her feelings for the bear or possibly him. That was a weird interaction. He didn’t know how he should feel about it. She’s never thanked him like that before.

As he stepped into the shower a sharp inhale was created and it sucked wind through his teeth from the hot water hitting his body. “Aahhh~” There was that sharp pain again and his face winced. For some reason that shoulder decided to kill him today. Ever since he woke up this morning it was a pain and he found himself naturally grabbing that shoulder in an attempt to coddle it or ease the pain. The man had no idea why it was hurting so badly from the simplest things though he wasn’t committing to any decision that would lead him to the hospital, not yet.

Attempting to be quick once his shoulder settled down and became tolerable, Tommy needed hot water to combat how internally frigid his body became from the ice water in the dunk tank. His feet ached under his weight and they were wrinkled and discolored from staying in soggy socks for so long. “Dunk tanks suck…” Mumbling to himself as he washed his hair. He didn’t need to be smelling like a wet dog or anything while dancing tonight.

Tommy spent longer than he anticipated he would in the shower, about thirty minutes, and he turned it off while grabbing a towel. Starting to dry himself as he stepped out and found himself looking at a broken mirror in the master bathroom. A distorted and shattered reflection of Tommy peered back through all the pieces that stayed up on the wall and he sighed. That broke almost a year ago when he was drinking heavily one night and slammed his fist into it. It was around his father’s death date. That wasn’t an excuse though that week usually had him fucked up in more ways than he could ever explain to someone.
He remembered how Nixie asked him how he got the cuts on the outer side of his palm and pinky finger on his right hand and he told her that he must have done it while riding Pandora or working around the house, he had no idea. A lie. He shouldn’t lie to her, but he didn’t want her to see him as anything else but a support system. The mirror needed to be replaced but no one came into the master bedroom or bathroom so he was not in any rush.

Shrugging his shoulders as he completed the drying process as well as he could before quickly getting dressed. Going over to the cabinet in the bathroom and grabbing out an ibuprofen bottle. Dumping a few pills into his hand before throwing them into his mouth and swallowing them dry. Tommy put the bottle back and closed the cabinet before he continued to do what he needed to do.

As he walked around the house and was making sure he had everything, he glanced at the presents on the dining room table, and he knew he needed to get things done before returning to the festival. Knowing he might be drinking and possibly do something stupid later, Tommy made the decision to drop Nixie’s presents off tonight. If he didn’t have them anymore, he couldn’t do anything stupid and regretful, and Nixie’s birthday wasn’t more than a few days away. Early birthday presents wouldn’t hurt anything. His heart began to race at the thought of what he was doing. Am I doing something I will regret? was repeating in his mind but he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, pushing those thoughts into the back of his mind. No, he wasn’t going to regret this… no matter the outcome it caused. Inhaling deeply once more, he needed it, before walking towards the dining room table and grabbing his hat that hung on one of the dining room chairs.
Grabbing his boots as he sat down and began to put his socks on. Putting his boots on as he grabbed his jacket and slid that on as well. Standing back up and stretching in an attempt to rid him of his nervous energy. It helped a little bit. Only a little. Adjusting all of his clothes and accessories, Tommy felt way better out of a work uniform and in his everyday wear. Most of the time he was wearing something like this to work.

Walking over to the living room, Tommy grabbed a cologne and put it on before leaving the house. The cologne was called gunslinger or that was the brand. He could not remember where he got it. It was something that Nixie’s moms got him for Christmas a few years back if he remembered correctly. He didn’t really buy colognes for himself. It made him smell very earthy and it wasn’t in an overwhelming way along with a tint of cherry wood and a light fragrance of evergreen trees. It was an interesting cologne but he would wear it because it was a gift. Plus he didn’t care to waste people’s presents.

Grabbing the presents and stepping out the door, Tommy made sure it closed behind him as he went over to his jeep and fired her up. Making sure he set everything nicely on the passenger side seat. As the lights were on and the engine rumbled, he couldn’t help but feel the chill of the air before closing the door behind him. Sitting in the driver's seat as he rolled down the window. At least he was wearing a long sleeve, he didn’t know how cold it was supposed to get tonight or if he was still chilly from the dunk tank. A shaky breath came from him as he asked himself, “What are ya doing?” The man kept his eyes on the variety of gifts he got for Nixie’s thirtieth birthday.

These gifts were all something he knew she would like. Possibly. One of them was something he won for her tonight at the carnival game because he knew she would love it or at least he assumed she would love the stuffed pegasus toy. His nervousness was building up in his chest as he continued to stare at her presents in thought. The other items were two movie tickets to a movie she brought up since it was coming out. He didn’t even know if she truly wanted to go see it but he was trying to show that he listened to the things she would say. Then he felt like an idiot. He could have just bought her one. Tommy bought two in hopes that they could go together but he didn’t even care for movies. Nixie knew that. Why would he even buy two? No. She would most likely take someone else. For some reason this was relaxing and a painful thought at the same time. It was a scapegoat present, he was already thinking of explanations if she questioned anything. Stop that… Don’t think like that… Closing his eyes and puffing his cheeks full of air. He held his breath before letting the air out slowly. For some reason that calmed him even when he was a little kid. It was something that his mom would make him do if he was having any overwhelming emotions or whatnot. It allowed him to not focus on whatever was bothering him.

The other presents sitting on the seat had a lot more thought put into them since he purposefully had the items handcrafted for the woman. The item that he thought she would enjoy the most was a decorative knife that had her name carved into the one side of the blade, Nixie. The other items were handcrafted dark chocolates since he knew she didn’t like the sweeter things. These were specially requested and made with dark chocolate, Himalayan salt, and buttery caramel. Ingredients that would combat the small tastes of sweetness that the chocolate and caramel had naturally. He didn’t think they were overwhelming in any aspect of flavor but he found that they were somewhat bitter before they turned into a buttery flavor with a mild sweetness to them. These gifts were too much, weren’t they? He was going to make an ass out of himself. What if they upset her? Why would they upset her? He sighed in frustration as he kept overthinking about all of this.
With those thoughts, he turned on the radio, and the typical country music station that he listened to came on. The man reserved before coming to a stop and putting the jeep into gear and going forward. Making his way to Nixie’s house, Tommy turned the vehicle off and stepped out. Grabbing the items and walking up to the woman’s house as he put in the spare key she gave him a while back. He entered without an issue. She had a spare key to his house as well.
Only being in her house for as long as he needed to be when she wasn’t home. He did not want to intrude on her space. The cowboy set all of the items up on her table so she could see them when she got home and he rubbed the back of his neck as he stared at the cream-colored envelope which was not the usual type you got from the post office. Conflicted feelings flooded him while he stared at it. Setting it down amongst the beautifully wrapped presents except for the festival toy. Biting onto his lip as he looked at the envelope amongst the gifts. “Aah caint leave this…” He mumbled to himself as he went to grab the letter. Stopping himself. Thinking. She had enough gifts, right? She didn’t need this letter right before her birthday explaining his feelings for her. What if she retracts his invitation to her birthday because of the letter? Why is this so damn hard… His one hand began to shake from the nervous anxiety that blanketed his body.

Breathing in a deep and shaky breath and breaking a shaky breath out, "Everythin’ will be fine even if ya leave the letter…” Trying to give himself some type of words of encouragement which helped slightly. Turning on his heel and beginning to walk away. He made his way to the door before he decided to instantly turn around and grab the letter.

Quickly grabbing the letter and walking out of Nixie’s house, he shut the door and made sure it was locked. This time in a way sealing his fate that he would not leave the letter on the dining room table. Slipping the letter into his back pocket as he stepped off the porch. The crunches under his boot and the sound of his weight covered the silent noise of that letter falling onto the porch. The front of it is his beautiful handwriting. Beautiful for a guy most would say. People teased him for how nice his handwriting was. Nixie was written on the front of the envelope and he could barely hear a thing from how high his blood pressure escalated and the overpowering noise of his heartbeat in his ears distracted him from realizing that letter wasn’t even in his back pocket.

Getting back into his vehicle and making his way to the festival, Tommy decided to spend more time at the police station booth. He was working with the K9 officer and teaching kids about what Shaggy the K9 officer does. Allowing children to try to work with the canine to find treats and everything else. He spent an hour or two playing cashier for the food part of the police booth as well. Then he was able to get off the clock and begin wandering around the festival.

It was around sunset and he was looking around, admiring the beautiful colors that were beginning in the sky, and he found himself in conversations with plenty of people. Most people bring up how his being dunked earlier was hilarious or kids reminding him of the canine officer and certain things Shaggy could do. Tommy loved kids and animals. He wanted dogs. He just never felt encouraged enough to get them for some reason and his past self would have thought he would have been married by now with kids.

That letter you write to yourself or at least one of the teachers in Sanctuary would make you write to yourself and would send it about four years after you left high school. He wrote something to himself, what he hoped he would be at. Moneywise. Life wise. Family wise. Tommy’s younger self would be so disappointed knowing that he was drinking and wasting his life away instead of having the family that he wanted. The dogs that he wanted. The life that he wanted.

In a way, the canine officer was a dog he had to work with a lot. In other ways, he had many kids. He would participate in the Boys and girls club after-school program for children who needed it. He coached all ages K-12 in hockey. Tommy was substituting those things instead of actually creating a family life for himself. The man had a life. Just not the life he thought he would have.

Tommy found himself at one of the carnival games, playing another one alone, since he had nothing else to do. He couldn't find Nixie. He didn't spot Levi. That definitely put thoughts in his head. Everyone else that he would want to talk to didn't seem to be out in the open. It felt like everyone was hiding. He was on his own for the time being. Deciding that he would attempt to amuse himself with games, he threw the ball at the cups. Knocking three of them down instantly.

---

Location At his house - Went to Nixie's house - Back at the festival
Time Festival Evening
Mood Content

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

---

Thomas’s face seemed to twist into confusion when Talie responded with a tongue that he did not understand. He did not realize that she could speak other languages and that was a surprise in itself. Trying to decipher the words, he allowed it to repeat in his head a few times but he only came to the conclusion that Tomasz might be his name. Other than that he had no clue what she said. Somewhat dumbfounded by her tongue, his lips parted so he could reply, but he instantly closed them in thought. What was he supposed to say to that? Rubbing the back of his neck in the sense of feeling odd and confused, he only offered a polite faint smile.

The man smiled more towards Reya, “Reya,” Dipping his head, he was somewhat confused about what Reya was doing but he didn’t want to ask.
It felt like forever though it was only thirty seconds later and she was breaking the silence between them. For some reason, the energy of this interaction was feeling different than the usual ones they had. It could be that they were outside of their payroll. He only visited her when he was on the clock. He hasn’t ever really seen her or interacted with her heavily outside of work. That could be it. Talie seemed flustered and he was becoming flustered though that all went away with her next two lines of words. “Don’t mention it. Ya just seemed upset earlier about the bear…” What was he saying? WHY ARE YOU SAYING THIS!?! The man knew he shouldn’t state the obvious or bring things up. He might just embarrass her. Now he felt weird. He was weird. This was weird. Why is everything weird right now?
You should have just asked her about what she wanted… He thought because of her words behind her appreciation. This was not how he thought the interaction would go. Maybe he shouldn’t have won the bear but he promised so he had to. Save me a dance, Smurfy, a dog or an octopus would have been enough. Did… did she not want the bear? That seemed to cause all the energy to fade away and become neutral. You fucked up… Thomas thought to himself and really focused on those words. Next time don’t make a promise… idiot. Allowing his eyes to fall to the ground since he didn’t know how to respond to that sentence at that moment in time. He really felt dumb. This made him realize he should have come and found Talie first and asked what she wanted instead of going trigger-happy with the game booth and winning a bunch of stuffed animals.

A light pressure was on his cheek and that seemed to pull him out of thought and the realization of Talie kissing him on the cheek even if it was barely alarmed through his mind. Wait… Did… She just. Talie just kissed my cheek? His brows slightly knit together while he was thinking that and his eyes seemed to focus on hers. Opening his mouth to say something and closing it instantly.

As Talie was cutting the conversation short, Tommy just stood there in confusion and was utterly tongue-tied with this whole interaction. He didn’t realize that others were thinking that Talie and he could be having a romantic moment. That was not what he wanted to come off from this at all. He was completely oblivious to it though so he wouldn’t know till someone made fun of him for it or brings it up later. Talie began to wander away and he could actually function, “Aah need to go. Aah. Aah might. Aah'll try. Aah'll talk to ya later…” The man’s cheeks were dark red from more surprise than anything. He wasn’t expecting to get a kiss even if it was a light one from Talie. He wasn’t known to be very affectionate unless you were family or a close friend. Tommy decided that he would just walk as fast to his truck instead so he could go home and take a shower.

Out of that whole situation, he felt like Talie was disappointed because he didn’t get her what he wanted because he didn’t ask her what she actually wanted. That she was trying to be overly nice and appreciative about his gesture anyways and that he just disappoints himself more than he wants to on a daily basis. “At least she still wants to talk to meh later after that…That was weird…” The man whispered to himself as he opened up his door and put the two other stuffed animals in the passenger seat before getting in and shutting it. Turning the vehicle on and beginning to leave the festival to go home, take a shower, and change before coming back.

---

Location Driving away from the festival
Time After 3 PM
Mood Confused - Conflicted - Disappointed - A lot of mixed emotions
Interaction @PrinceAlexus @The Muse

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

---

Being new to the area caused him to continuously look around the festival and memorize faces and shop names. Everything was busy and the energy was lively in the immediate area. It was relaxing to a point. A way different energy than his workplace atmosphere. He was glad that he could take a break from it for at least a day and enjoy a community-based event.

As another individual walked up, he wondered if this person knew PJ, but he quickly found out that they did not know each other. Other than that, Archer offered a warm and welcoming smile towards the other individual who started to talk to PJ but he continued to look around since he wasn’t directly in the conversation. It seemed like something more on PJs knowledge and he was somewhat distracted by the loud horns and people gathering around a massive truck.

Noticing twenty dollars was being handed to him, he was confused at first, but he connected the dots quickly when PJ wanted sweets and the funnel cake truck had arrived. “I guess I can be a knight in shining armor,” His voice was playful as he chuckled at how PJ referenced it. A knight in shining armor. That reminded him of some people he had to deal with in the past at his job. Being a doctor, you would hear that sometimes. People were grateful for you being a fantastic physician or surgeon. You would truly be their knight in shining armor and it was gratifying to know you helped someone.

Getting funnel cake was not as glorious or rewarding but he enjoyed helping so he began to wander off, “I will be back as soon as I can, that line is getting massive!” He waved the two of them off before disappearing into the crowd. He didn’t disappear as well as others could. His ginger hair stuck out like a sore thumb along with him being one of the taller people on Sanctuary.

---

Location With PJ - Going to get Funnel Cake
Time After 3 PM
Mood Content
Interaction @Almalthia

---

---

The man went to his truck to figure out if he had any type of stairs or a black that was lifted or something to help people step up onto the truck. Getting up onto the one wheel and looking down into the bed of the truck. He had quite a few things at first sight though none of them were helpful. Then he noticed he had a platform and he stepped into the back of the truck to move a few things before pulling it over to the edge.

Stepping back over the wall and onto the tire, he let himself fall down onto the concrete and lifted the platform out of the truck. It was somewhat of an awkward platform for him to carry by himself but it would work. Making his way back over to the Reaves' truck, he glanced around and then decided to position it where he thought was best. It was just a wooden platform that was hollow. Every time someone steps onto it, a thud might be heard. “Ya have your stairs!” He called out before removing himself from the area.

Now he needed to go win a bear for Talie. He promised. The man was not keen on breaking promises or having promises broken. They meant something to him. Going over to the game Talie was talking about and looking at the toys they had to offer. The bears or the larger bears were massive. A variety of different toys and different sizes were at hand, all for different amounts of those smurf-like guys you had to shoot. The bear was one-hundred and fifty smurfs because of its size. Each game had twenty-five forty smurfs come around depending on how good of a shot you were and each game was five bucks. Calculating that in his head to figure out if he had enough in his wallet, he had way more than it should cost him even if he struggled with his shots.
Then he noticed something that he thought Nixie would like… a pegasus stuffed animal and now he had to win that too. The worker said that the pegasi are made of different materials and are massive as well are two hundred points. Tommy shrugged his shoulders, “Aah might be he-yah fo-wah awhile,” As he handed over five dollars. The game began with playful music to give you time to get ready to shoot the pellets at the targets.

Twenty little smurf-like guys came out and began to walk themselves across the lands. Some farther and some closer. Some would go behind something for a second or two. Then he began to shoot. Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Moving slightly to aim. Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! “You are a good shot!” The worker complimented his aim as the little guys all ran away. “You have one hundred points,” He offered the score as he gestured to a few smaller selections, “You can pick out of these and get one of something,”

Tommy shook his head at the idea of that. “I need three hundred and fifty points for what I want,” His tone was playful while giving the man another five before getting ready. As the smurfs began to exit the sides, he waited a few seconds before firing the gun. Ping! Ping! Ping! Moving himself over to the other side. Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Repositioning himself to the other side, he was getting them while they were coming out instead of letting them hide behind the hills, trees, and houses. Ping! Ping! The thuds of the little pellets could be heard knocking against the material. The material sounded like a thin piece of metal as he aimed his next shot. Ping-Ping-Ping-Ping-Ping! In rapid fire was able to fire five right in a row as he looked around the area with his gun before firing again. Ping! Ping! The sound was slightly irritating when trying to focus though he was doing pretty well at ignoring it for the time being. Ping! Ping! Ping! As Tommy looked over to the worker with a smile, the worker sighed, “You are better than most. Ninety points plus one-hundred and ninety gets you to a total of two-hundred and eighty points.”

“Aah'm almost at mah goal! Aah should play this game more often,” It was probably impossible for the worker to look any more unenthused than he did at this time. Handing over another five bucks since he needed at least seventy more points to get both items. Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Those ones were easy as he looked around before aiming again. Ping! Ping! Ping! Stretching his head to the side, his neck popped, while he adjusted his shoulders and caused those to pop too. He was getting into this. Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! The worker seemed to be in disbelief as Tommy shot in rounds without issue. Tommy chuckled in amusement as he took more shots. Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! This was pretty easy and fun! He knew he had more than enough.

The worker sighed, “Two-hundred and eighty points plus one-hundred and eighty points. That is a total of four-hundred and sixty points,” The man gestured to the larger animals. Tommy picked the bear and pegasus without hesitation. “You still have one hundred and ten points. The biggest thing you can get is one of these,” The man showed a variety of medium-sized toys. Tommy ended up picking a plushie that he would like for himself, a dog and he was on his way.

That was a really pleasant game and he enjoyed his time at the booth but he definitely wanted to get this bear to Talie and put this pegasus with Nixie’s presents. The man decided that he would be wandering around and attempt to find Talie and give her the prize she was disappointed in not getting earlier. Maybe he would show off his stuffed dog as well. He liked it.

As he wandered around, he was looking out for Talie and he heard her voice before he saw her. Where did that voice come from? Tommy thought as he looked around before he heard it again and it signaled him to Talie’s location, as he walked over with a friendly smile on his face, “Hey rock missy, aah got ya that bear,” The man slightly judged her with the giant stuffed bear in a teasing manner.

---

Location By Talie
Time 3 PM
Mood Dryer than what he was and happy
Interaction @PrinceAlexus

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

Taryn Reaves & Thomas Fischer

---

Everyone in the crowd seemed to have eyes on them while Jewel, the mayor's assistant, was making her speech. People seemed conflicted on who they wanted to look at. The famous funnel cake that was at the festival each year was finally at the festival and people’s eyes were hungry. “Everyone needs to move!!!” Tommy’s voice projected without issue and that started to get people’s attention to move while he gestured for an officer's help. Him and another officer removed the barricades from the festival border to begin allowing Taryn to drive the truck.

Wanting to move the vessel safely through the crowd, he put his arms around wide and this seemed to get people’s attention to back up. One officer was helping him. “Please move so no accidents happen!!!” The man kept his voice loud and his tone strict so people knew he was serious. Somewhat of an authority form of tone that caught people’s attention. This allowed for the majority of the crowd to move while he was about five to six feet in front of the truck Taryn was handling.

Taryn was in her element. Smiling faces and bright sun. She kept the wheels in their lowest gear, easing off the clutch pedal daintily and letting the entire truck and trailer creep along on its own without any other input. Tommy appeared to have come alive as well though she and Martha had regarded him strangely in his wet clothes when he first approached. However, there wasn’t much time to unravel that mystery as it seemed they had arrived literally, just in time. As the crowd parted for Tommy, she waved out the window with one hand while Martha waved from the other. Martha was clearly ecstatic having been elevated from roadside breakdown to VIP arrival in less than an hour. Her fortunes had been completely reversed.

“Doesn’t this have one of those loud horns?” Martha asked, exuberant.

“You mean this? Taryn gave the overhead cable a yank and the air horns popped off a short, bursting note like a freight train that could almost be felt as much as heard.

“Yes! can I try it?”

Taryn shrugged and waved her hand. “Go for it!

Martha reached overhead and pulled gently at first, not hard enough to trigger the switch.

“Martha, you gotta pull it! Taryn laughed.

To which she did and belted out a long note followed by a second in quick succession. Taryn could see the point was being made and several of the mayor’s assembly visibly flinched as they got closer. “Okay-okay, that’s probably enough.” They were both laughing.

“I’ve always wanted to do that.” Martha howled.

The explosive and energetic noise behind him was not something he was expecting and a slight movement of his shoulders went up while his head went down a little. The blast of the horn could be felt on his back and he chuckled while looking over his shoulder at the two in the giant truck.

As the horn went off once again and he could see Martha was the one pulling it and she looked ecstatic from his position. It seemed to cause many people to jump and skedaddle out of the way of the big truck. The noise was causing the crowd to stir and pay attention to what was happening. People began to chit-chat which caused a wave of chatter to happen amongst the crowd. Everyone was excited that funnel cake was finally here!

“Aah know y'all are excited but ya have to back up!” The man continued to use his outdoor voice while guiding people to make enough room for the truck. Where Taryn pulled up to on the east side allowed them to have a short travel through the crowd and Tommy found himself quickly placed into a blank space with chalk mark letters on the concrete spelling out funnel cake which was where the funnel cake was supposed to be.

Facing towards Taryn, he waved her on and pointed to the spot, “It doesn't have to be perfect. Just has to be en this spot 'n somewhat around it!” Tommy said while walking backwards to the farthest point of the plot and watching as people continued to move around the truck and let it through.

It was quickly apparent that there were just as many people following closely behind the trailer as there were people moving out of the way for the tractor. The small area meant for Martha’s truck and the few portable chairs and tables she brought along wasn’t going to accommodate a full-length semi. The bustle of the crowd was getting louder and closer as Taryn finally came to a stop as the air-brakes hissed again. There was no room for her to back up and even less for her to separate the trailer and unload. It was like being in a small room, quickly filling with water and she had to yell at Tommy over the excitement. “Tommy! I’m not gonna fit in that spot!” She shouted down from the cab. “This is it, this is where we’re at!”.

She turned to Martha, “You can still cook from up here right?”

Martha shifted in her seat a bit, looking back through the side mirror. “I mean I should, it’s just going to be a step up for people.”

“I can let the trailer down a little bit and we’ll find you some steps.” She turned and threw her door open, almost catching Tommy with it before she spoke again, completely unphased with having nearly clobbered him. She waited for him to recover, but stayed on the step to the cab so she would continue to be taller. Someone shouted her name and whistled so she blew a kiss in no particular direction which drew an even bigger response. “I’m gonna drop the deck a little bit,” She said, referring to the already low ride height of the trailer and squinting a bit in the bright sunlight. “She’s gonna start cooking right now. Just get some steps so people don’t trip, ya know?” She cocked her head a little and finally regarded him closely. “And why are you soaking wet?

What else could one do when those words from Taryn rang out. He wasn’t surprised that she couldn’t fit but he tried his best to guide her as much into the festival as he could. Shrugging his shoulders, he smiled, “It will have to do,” Was the given words while he moved out of the way of Taryn’s door. Almost got him.

The man looked up to the woman with his hands on his hips while she ordered him around. “Alright sass. Aah'll git the steps once aah help Martha out of the truck” That first part was said in such a way that rang playful. He gave Taryn another smile before walking around and helping Martha down from the truck and getting her on solid ground. She was appreciative and he decided that he would go find some steps.

Coming back around and raising a brow at the girl still proving to be tall on the step of the truck, “Ya would have loved it. Aah was en the dunk tank, ya just missed it,” Tommy chuckled at giving this information to the younger woman. Knowing Taryn she would have kept throwing and throwing. It would have been torture but she would have at least enjoyed it.

That was when he began to make his way back over to his work vehicle on the west side of the festival because he knew he had extra supplies in there. He most likely had steps or something.

---

Collab @Pilatus

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

---

Children are terrifying… the man continued to think while dusting himself off and reorganizing all of his items. The woman would be more correct to assume that he freaked out because he was being touched than anything else. It wasn’t like he was ready to fight a girl. There were steps before he would fight a girl though if she was in the lifestyle business he is in… that’s free game. That wasn’t an average situation though.

Huffing in almost a humorous way, “Ve have verrry differrrent opinions of zis girrrl,” His words were almost a mumble as he began to reintroduce his suit jacket onto him. Moxi was clearly trying to be nice and not call the random and confusing girl anything mean though the tone of his voice probably exposed how he felt. The suit jacket fully being on and moving his shoulders in it before relaxing completely. He felt a little more comfortable than he did a minute or two ago.

“Da, you should…” The man mumbled these words while glancing over to a random spot somewhere on the sidewalk before his eyes returned to the blonde-haired woman. Still, he found it strange why she walked up to him. Did she want a smoke? Maybe she thought he was someone else and that offended him. He didn’t look like anyone in this forsaken community. If she mistook him for someone else, he will never talk to her again.

I’m Ana, by the way, raising a brow in disbelief. Do women not understand when a guy doesn’t want to be talked to? Are they that oblivious? I hate people… The thoughts processed through his mind before he sighed and decided that he would attempt to be social and friendly when she asked for his name, “Moxi,” He almost sounded like he was defeated when it came to the situation of being introduced to the woman. It was better than that icy cold tone and his hands slid into his pant pockets.

“Do you enjoy games?” The man continued to talk to Ana and his voice seemed to be a little brighter than his introduction while he glanced over to the cornhole game. He just wanted to play cornhole. Maybe she will play it with him. He didn’t know that it was called cornhole or how any of the points were calculated. Were there points? He had no clue.

---

Location Near the cornhole game
Time Festival
Mood Settling down
Interactions @The Muse

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

---

Across the festival, the sheriff had no idea what his officers were dealing with while he was making sure he was more comfortable or as comfortable as one could be soaking wet. Moving around in his shoes felt somewhat gross though he was so used to water filling his boots because of horses or slipping into the lake that it was almost forgettable after a minute.

The deputy was confused and surprised on plenty of levels and decided that he needed to report to his higher-up — Thomas J. Fischer — picking up the walkie-talkie as he called over. “Hey sir, we have a little bit of a problem here on the east side of the festival,” The man was unsure of his words but it would cause communication to at least begin between the two authority figures.

Hearing the walkie-talkie going off in the truck, Tommy leaned over the seat to his clothes that were clean and dry, nicely folded on the seat. Grabbing the walkie without hesitation and reporting over, “Can ya repeat that?” Making sure he heard the man correctly before going into action and making his way all the way over to the east side of the festival.

“We have an issue on the east side of the festival grounds. A late arrival showed,” The man repeated with a sigh while trying to make sure his words were clear through the sounds of the running truck. The truck with funnel cake, the cake everyone has been waiting for.

Tommy sighed when hearing the comment and he closed and locked his truck as he began to make his way over to the part of the festival grounds that needed him. “Is this an emergency?” He wanted to make sure he shouldn’t be running or anything.

The static of the walkie-talkie was irritating to a point, “No sir, only a situation that I feel like you need to approve,” Sometimes he felt like his officers were too scared to make decisions on their own but he understood it being a festival and all. The man made his way quickly over to the east side of the festival without much delay or issue.

Upon approaching the officer he was talking to and the individual in the truck, he chuckled at the sight, “Aah'm not surprised…” Whispering to himself as he shook his head in a calm way that showed he should have known who it was. The man approached the side of the truck where Taryn Reaves was sitting and he allowed a friendly smile to the known face. “Are ya givin' mah officer a heavy amount of trouble?” His voice was teasing to a point and showed he was not having any kind of authority to process here. Placing his hands on his hips while looking into the woman’s eyes.

“What is the problem we are havin' he-yah?” Deciding to just get to the point after his little playful burst and see what Taryn was up to. This looked like Martha’s van and the funnel cake van that was here every single year. This was the late case he was hearing throughout the crowd. People would be excited that it finally showed up, but he was definitely confused why Taryn was driving the vehicle and Martha was nowhere in sight.

---

Location East side of festival
Time 3 PM
Mood Good
Interaction @Pilatus

~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

---

After about a few minutes of mindless eating the man felt completely calm or way more calm compared to what he did when Levi asked him if he had a girlfriend. Why did that work him up so much? He had no idea at this moment. Then he caught someone staring at him in the corner of his eyes. Allowing his attention to be shown as the older man walked away. He looks familiar… was the only thing that crossed his mind. Thomas might not realize it though Doctor Fitkau would come to the high school and help the student counselor, especially for severe cases, Thomas was a severe case but they couldn’t do anything without their parents' permission.

Everything in high school was a complete blur except Levi, Nixie, Estella, the Serrano family, and a few other things. The people that were constantly around were unforgettable to him. A few calls to the office were forgettable in the sense of the counselors trying to help without success and having to turn the boy back to the classroom. Small towns didn’t do much for troubled children or difficult personal lives. Sometimes checking in really was nothing in the bigger picture.

That man sparked something inside of Tommy and his brows furrowed while he placed the empty containers of food into the plastic shopping bag and stored it around the foot area of the passenger seat. A rough sigh came out of the sheriff as he stroked a handful of fingers through his hair which caused droplets of water to fall everywhere. CRAP!!! I’m soaking wet. I’m going to have to detail this seat. This was no good. At least it was a work truck and not his personal vehicle. Wait? Should his priorities be the other way around? He had no clue though he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed again out of frustration. Then he began to feel the water in his boots that was swelling his socks and pruning his feet.

“This is how ya git trench foot Tommy,” Grumbled to himself as he opened up the truck door and swung himself to sit where his feet were placed on the step down of the truck. Beginning to untie his boots. He poured them out one at a time and slid them back on even though his socks were soaking wet and squishy. He couldn’t change at the moment because he might have to get back into the dunk tank. “Your feet are 'unna hate ya later,” Speaking to himself because he knew it was the truth. The man decided that it probably would be a good idea to run home sooner or at least before the dance and take a shower. Redo himself before coming back to the festival. That would give him more time to put up a mental and emotional wall for future questions that might be asked by Levi. He was good at putting up walls. He has been doing it for years upon years.

Pinching the chest of his shirt, he sighed, as he stepped out of his truck and stretched. Oh god. I’m so old… I’m getting old… He thought to himself as that shoulder that hurt this morning cracked in an uncomfortable way before a shooting pain stabbed into his spine and traveled all the way down. He should maybe go to the doctor and get that checked out. It could be from Nixie’s horse, Jethro always shoving him over. Pushing the man down hills. Nudging him into mud puddles. Charging him into the lake. Maybe it was where he was nipped weeks ago. That nip hurt and could have caused something to happen with that shoulder muscle. Tommy had no clue but he needed to get it checked out and stop ignoring the doctors like he would be entering the depths of hell. Old habits die hard.

---

Location By his work truck on the outskirts of the festival
Time 3 PM
Mood Good but soaking wet