fight or flight

Kody Taylor || 39 years young || Tired

[kodiaktaylor]

@kenzietxylor​

Being in a sea of people made Kody just a tad uncomfortable. He wasn’t unused to crowds - he’d been in New York long enough to find his way through the various swarms of bodies, had become accustomed to it. But at least there he didn’t have to worry about running into anyone he knew. He had been a literal stranger then, but now? Every time he so much as glanced in the direction of someone he thought he might know, he quickly tugged up his collar and walked in the opposite direction. It was a game of dodge and weave, one he felt victorious in until he turned and nearly barreled into somebody “Shit--!” He quickly grasped them in order to keep from knocking them over, “Sorry, sorry, didn’t see you there,” He quickly breathed out, not looking at the woman directly out of embarrassment.

[kodiaktaylor]

@kiraxtaylor​

He hadn’t played carnival games in years. Had to be at least... six? Maybe seven? Maybe even longer than that, if he genuinely stopped to think about it. Hell, he hadn’t been to town in thirteen - that much he knew without a doubt. Still, there was a sort of appeal when it came to popping balloons. A nice sense of relief in hitting your target, if you didn’t count how many times you missed. Kody wasn’t an expert marksman, but he was a decent enough shot that he’d managed to win himself a stuffed... Elephant? At least that’s what he thought it was. What the hell was he going to do with a mass-produced poorly formed polka-dotted elephant? “Guess it’s better than nothing...” He murmured to himself.

[kodiaktaylor]

@rogerthatsoph​

Admittedly, carnivals weren't Kody's favorite gatherings. As a kid, he absolutely adored the brightly colored lights and abundance of sound. But as was typical with age, he'd come to view most of it as a little... excessive. Still, he had been cooped up in his motel room the entire week, and he'd gotten antsy. He figured going for a little while might not hurt. Plus, the smell of food had been a decent decision maker. As he weaved through the crowds of people, he stopped near a funnel cake stall, frowning a bit as he wondered if he should indulge here or elsewhere.

[kodiaktaylor]

Hello there! I’m Grey, and thank you so much for welcoming me into the group! Below you’ll find out a bit more about my son Kody~

CHARACTER NAME: Kody ‘Kodiak’ Taylor AGE & DATE OF BIRTH: 39 years old and July 28th GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cisgender Male and He/Him PLACE OF BIRTH: Born in Edens Town. TIME IN EDENS TOWN: His entire life, up until leaving thirteen years ago. DISTRICT: Ashford (Currently living at hunter’s motel) OCCUPATION: Bartender at The Crafty Pig FACECLAIM: Jon Bernthal

SECRET: Is being watched/followed by reps from a company he tried to blow the whistle on. PAST. Kody was as inquisitive as they came. As soon as he was able to form words, questions became the next step, and Kody was bubbling over with them on the regular. He had the natural curiosity of a child but doubled, and his parents were never spared when it came to his inquiries of 'why this?' and 'why that?'. It served him fairly well growing up, especially where academics were involved. But it was a source of indescribable grief and confusion when their mother left. But he buried down the majority of his feelings on the matter, throwing himself into getting a decent education while working at the garage on the side. The promise of his and Kenzie's trip kept him going in the later years, but with his father's diagnosis, a fight or flight response welled within him. Could he really bear to see their father slowly deteriorate, watch his sister's struggle, spend the rest of his life working like a dog and still push everything down as if it was all okay? The short answer was no. The decision to leave on his own nearly tore him apart emotionally, but he forced himself to go through with it. It was for the best, for all of them. He would be virtually useless if he stayed. That's what he told, and still tells himself. But even after all those years traveling the big wide world, that tug of home never left him completely. He told himself it was issues with career that brought him back. That's all it is, right? PRESENT. Since returning to Edens Town, Kody has put a hold on finding a job that would make use of his journalism skills. He feels it would put an unnecessary target on his back (being that he's paranoid about the one existing already), and so he applied for a job as a bartender at The Crafty Pig. It seemed low-key enough, and it would afford him a way to blend in and also get to know a few people around town. Though he assumes he'll see a few familiar faces, it's good to know those who may have just come to town as well. And although he'd never consider himself sage or anything, he doesn't mind doling out the occasional piece of advice for those seeking it. FUTURE PLOTS/PLANS. First and foremost is re-connection with the sisters! He may not show it outwardly, but the guilt of leaving Kenzie and Kira has eaten away at him. A part of him yearns to reconcile, but knowing that it will be a daunting task makes him extremely hesitant to approach them. Also, upon learning of their father's death, the guilt will definitely double down and make way for good 'ol sorrow as well. He'll mourn in silence, perhaps re-visit his old habit of smoking although he had quit for about a year. I would also love to explore him dealing with, alongside his sisters, various ghosts of his pasts (old friends, flames, etc.) and having to wade through the emotions his abrupt exit and arrival would bring about.