Dancing Queen

The name's Matt. You'll usually find me at the Ashford Valley firehouse Captain-ing it up! If you're bored and looking for a chat or a laugh, hit me up!

[ashfordvalleyhq]

MEET MATT

Full Name → Matthew Russell Schuester

Age → 35

Birthday → December 20th, 1989

Order & Type → second, solo

Gender & Pronouns → cis man, he/him

Sexuality → pansexual

Occupation → fire captain at Ashford Valley Fire Department

THEIR STORY

Ever since Matt was a kid he wanted to be a firefighter. Well, the first thing he wanted to be was a Ghostbuster but after he learned that wasn’t a real thing he clung to the firefighter dream. He had a miniature fire engine he’d drive around in, which drove his parents nuts, and even begged his mom to take him to the local station for tours. As he grew older Matt never lost focus and flew into the fire academy the day after his high school graduation. He’s been a firefighter ever since, experiencing some of the most intense moments in his life, but also the most beautiful as well. When it comes to impulsiveness, Matt has it down as an art form. The man gets carried away quite easily and he can find himself in sticky situations more times than he cares to admit. He figures life is too short so why not make the most of it? That impulsiveness is what led him to bounce from Lima to Vegas, then to San Francisco then New York to finally Ashford Valley. He wants to experience as much as the US has to offer. When it comes to what Matt does in his spare time, he loves to watch movies. He can dish out a quote or incorporate a movie reference without thinking. He has a tremendous passion for ABBA but he’ll listen to just about any kind of music. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word modesty and basically has his own style of living. He cracks jokes and loves to flirt and sleep around. He doesn’t like to admit this but Matt is quite dramatic. Scratch that. Very dramatic. That mixed with his passion can get quite comical at times. Finally he has a big heart and does what he can to help people, sometimes with no questions asked. Matt’s been in Ashford Valley for a few weeks now, taking over the Captain position after the prior Captain’s retirement. He’s adjusting to the slower pace compared to the New York madness. Ashford Valley does make Matt a touch homesick as it reminds him a bit of Lima, without the cow smell. He feels this is a great place to slow down and possibly start a family. He’s been on the go for years and feels he’s at a good place in his life to give an actual relationship a shot.

[mackfabray]

Gods, this weather has been killing me lately. Feel like my entire back just wants me to lay down and not get back up. Need this rain to fuck all the way off.

In other news, it's given me a lot of time to write, so I can't entirely complain, this book of poetry might actually be close enough to being done to be out by the end of the year.

How is everyone else doing?

[matt-schue]

Damn, Mack...sucks to hear about your back. What do you usually do when the weather fucks with it?

Silving linings at least. Crossing all the things, you get that poetry book. done!

Good, good. Did a bit of Founder's Day yesterday, and now I'm working on some inventory at the station. Contemplating vacation plans, but haven't figured out where to yet.

[lucyquinnfabs]

Oh man I loved Degrassi as a teenager. He wrote himself into the show and kissed his crush? Man that lucky dude! I would've given anything to be on that show! Back then, as a teenager, I would've wanted either Fiona or Mia, but I never would've admitted that back then!

Yea I kinda was, but life is better now that I'm making my own little family. For a long time it was just me, Kurt and my daughter, but our little family has been growing bigger ever since moving here. For example, I now have a sister! I'm really lucky honestly and I'm so happy my daughter will grow up surrounded by love.

[matt-schue]

See, I knew of the show but never got around to watching it. Just knew a lot of unhinged shit went down. My girlfriend tosses it on, along with a lot of other stuff (Off Campus is her most recent one), so I tune in. Fiona's the one who had that pig and dated her friend. The one that's a super high achiever? Don't remember Mia. I think, if I were to relate to anyone at that school...I probably was a mixture of JT and Spinner.

How old is your little kid? And that's fanfreakingtastic about having found a sister! Found a sister or blood-related sibling thing happening?

[matt-schue]

[lucyquinnfabs]

Olivia Benson is an icon and I dream of being as badass as her one day. I honestly love them as just close friends. I never wanted them to get together, I just wanted Olivia to myself personally.

That is very true, I had a lot of emotions back then. I could've done worse, but I tried to keep myself reined in, especially after I joined glee. My dad died a few years ago, thank god because he was a terrible man, and my mom disowned me when I was 21 so I have no idea where she lives anymore. Yea, he's my closest friend.

[matt-schue]

Y'know...that's totally fair. Too bad you can't just write yourself into the show. Unless you're Kevin Smith, who somehow managed to get on Degrassi and kiss his crush on the show. Didn't even know that happened until recently, but he's had Degrassi references in a few of his movies over the years. Don't know which character I would want for myself, if given the chance...at least not with something recent.

Damn...you really were dealt with the shitend of the stick when it comes to parents. There's something to be said for found family, because then you have a say in who you share your life with. Not forced.

[lucyquinnfabs]

I haven't even heard of that show honestly, but I'll put it on my watch list. I haven't seen Criminal Minds yet either, despite all the people telling my I'd love it. I've been watching a lot of Law and Order and Sherlock recently. I just love shows that make you think and figure things out.

Wow you think thats impressive and not pathetic? Thanks. Well I cheated on said boyfriend and we broke up. Thankfully by that point I really liked glee so I stayed. Yea, I had some personal issues to deal with and I had a bad relationship with my parents so I left and never came back until now. The only person I ever kept in contact with was my best friend Kurt.

[matt-schue]

I fell down a Law and Order SVU rabbit hole some years back! Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler kept pulling me back with each episode because they had that whole "would they or won't they" thing. Reminded me a helluva lot of Mulder and Scully from The X-Files.

ha! When you're a teen your emotions and shit are running wild. I probably would have done something way out there if I felt like someone was trying to snatch whoever I was into at the time. But damn. I didn't expect that twist. Do your parents still live here? Oh hey! I know Kurt. He's a cool guy.

[lucyquinnfabs]

Well with movies and tv shows I really like a bunch of stuff. I particularly like crime dramas and mysteries. I think tv shows and movies that make you think, but I can't say no to a good romance. As for books fantasy and romance are my go-to genres. But honestly I'll read anything except horror.

I wanted to keep a girl from stealing my boyfriends so I joined to keep an eye on the two of them and possibly sabotage glee into failing. Like I said, not the best reasons. After I graduated I cut contact with almost everyone from high school, but I'm reconnecting with some of them now that I moved back. It's been nice seeing everyone again.

[matt-schue]

Crime drama made me think of a show I've been meaning to finish. Have you seen Broadchurch with David Tennant and Olivia Colman? We play a lot of stuff as background at the station, and someone put that on a while back. Criminal Minds is another one, but that stuff gets under my skin when I let my imagination run wild with how they pull some of their ideas from real cases. That's a big YIKES!

Holy shit... that's pretty impressive you did that! What wound up happening?! 🍿🍿 Was it a distance thing or just needed to deal with some things? I haven't talked to many people from those days. Unless you count social media check-ins with a random like or comment on a pic/vid.

[maeveflynnabrams]

It's gorgeous and emotional. I need to get into Subnautica 2 soon. That's good, I'm glad to hear it. Yeah? Would you ever move to head back to a big city?

[matt-schue]

If you ever want to check it out, I connected my computer to the TV since it's not on any consoles yet. That's kind of tough to say. Things are going great here. Really great, actually. Better than how things were a few years back before I applied for the captain position at the AV station... I guess I miss working more. Which isn't a bad thing because it means people aren't in distress or facing shitty situations. Think I need to come up with a project at the station. Another way to give more to the community.

[lucyquinnfabs]

Nope. It just never interested me. I appreciate the legacy and all the fans but it's just not my kind of humor personally. I tired giving all those adult cartoons a shot, but I don't find any of them particularly funny.

Yea I did, that sounds really cool. If I'm honest I didn't join glee for the best reasons, but I ended up loving it. I'm glad I did it because those guys were there for me during some hard times.

[matt-schue]

You got me curious here... What kind of shows or movies do you like? Or books if you're not into watching stuff on a screen.

My dad got me into glee. I played sports (soccer, baseball, football...anything with a ball and I was there) and was a total theater kid, so it didn't take much arm-twisting to get me to join. Glad you wound up loving it. That's awesome you connected with them! Do you keep in touch with anyone from those days?

[camille-diane]

A soft laugh escaped Camille at the suggestion of sparkly name tags. “Honestly, that might’ve helped me growing up,” she admitted. “My parents had me volunteering at so many town events that half the people here seem to recognize me, and I still can’t remember who anyone actually is.”

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly as she glanced back toward him. “I’m definitely better with faces than names. Though apparently not enough faces to survive small-town life.”

At the mention of the firehouse, genuine curiosity flickered across her expression. “That actually sounds kind of nice, though. Tangible.” She smiled faintly. “Most of my work just involves people arguing in conference rooms until somebody threatens litigation.”

Tilting her head slightly, amusement lingered in her expression now. “You seem significantly more adjusted to this town than I am.”

[matt-schue]

Matt leaned against the wall and nodded along at this. "What would you do then? Point at people and say 'Hey, you!' or something? Has anyone called you out by singing that 'Say My Name' song?" he joked and had to laugh at that very moment due to his own name being called out by the barista.

When Matt returned, grabbing a straw from the nearby condiment bar, he grinned. "I know from watching shows and stuff that people call others like hun or sugar or something. Nicknames. For me, I just fall into conversation and hope nobody asks me to introduce them to a friend of mine or something. That's where you'll catch me stumbling and then slinking away as if I was never there."

He mixed his drink with the straw and quirked a brow. "Litigation, huh? Sounds like you hear a lot of interesting discussions. Maybe? Or is it over boring crap? And I guess I am? I kinda coast and hope for the best. Still feels weird to be in such a small ass city compared to the other places I've lived."

[thatschuesterguy]

Chris: Normally, yes... in your case, no??!?? 😉 Chris: But we love you anyway.

[stellaschue]

Stella: 😘 Stella:

[matt-schue]

Matt: I hate how well you both know me........ 😑 Matt: Makes me feel predictable, which in turn makes me itchy Matt: Itchy, I say! Matt: The reason for my text is Father's Day plans! Should we do something for both mom and dad? Combine the holidays since we only Facetimed mom instead of visiting/flying them out this year.

[zacsylvester]

Oh yeah, you know I kinda feel like that newer game Backrooms that they're making a movie of was kind of a rip off almost, when you think about it. Then again, you look at music today and compare how many of the songs sample from something from our generation, which sampled from the previous generation, and so on.

It's the first full week of May, starts on the 3rd and runs through to the 9th. Thanks, man, it's always a fun way to get a jump on the season.

[matt-schue]

I will say the Backrooms trailer gets me all kinds of intrigued. Don't know if it'll be any good, but A24 did release a commercial for Cap'n Clark's Ottoman Empire. And I keep accidentally typing Backwoods instead of Backrooms. I blame Jaz since she got me watching random Degrassi episodes, and that's a character's nickname.

Hard to believe we're already mid-May! Another Founder's Day is upon us! You gonna hit it up?

[camille-diane]

The thing nobody warned Camile about when she moved back to Ashford Valley was how impossible it was to run errands quickly in a small town.

In New York, she could go weeks without speaking to anyone outside of work. Here, a simple stop for coffee somehow turned into three separate conversations, one unsolicited update about somebody’s cousin’s divorce, and an invitation to a charity fundraiser she was fairly certain she’d accidentally agreed to attend.

Not that she minded. Not entirely.

Mostly.

Standing near the counter with a coffee she’d long since forgotten to drink, Camile glanced down at her phone out of habit before catching herself and slipping it back into her coat pocket. Baby steps, apparently.

At least until someone nearby caught her attention, pulling a small smile from her despite herself. “Please tell me I’m not the only person in town still trying to remember everybody’s name,” she said, dry humor warming her tone. “Because at this point I’m considering making flashcards.”

[matt-schue]

Matt moseyed from the station, catching a break away from the firehouse for a change. The day's been semi-productive, outside of a couple of medical calls. His full-time, part-time, and volunteer crew completed their monthly hands-on drafting operations drill. This proved to be a much-needed lesson for some of the team, as they were unfamiliar with the process. No matter how long Matt's been running the show, he still feels he needs to be go-go-go at all times.

At the corner coffee shop, Matt ordered a vanilla cream cold brew, something that'll keep him going for a while since he needs to work on policies. Exciting stuff. He bounced on his heels and thought about what kind of summer vacation plans to put together for his and Jasmine's 1-year anniversary when someone nearby spoke up. Matt looked over and chuckled. In a town with 2,000 people, give or take, Matt's gotta admit he doesn't recognize her.

"I've been here since 2024. I still don't know everyone's names. I'm much better with faces." He admitted. "Can you imagine if we lived in a society where people sew name tags to their clothes? I'd want to put flashing lights or make it sparkly. Make it pop."

[nick-duval]

Does your first grade teacher vouch for you in writing? Documentation is key, I need at least three letters of reference and an annotated bibliography before I put you in charge of campaign iconography.

[matt-schue]

You're gonna make me FaceTime her, aren't you?? In my defense (!!!!!!!!!!), she and I are cool now. I briefly dated her son when I was in high school and apologized for the allegedly questionable drawings. She no longer thinks I need psychiatric help. My mom helped with all that when things went down, initially, but I cemented it years later. Ha!

[lucyquinnfabs]

Is this a bad time to admit that I've never watched The Simpsons?

Not really. I went to middle school and high school here. I was head cheerleader and part of glee club, an interesting mix but it made for a fun high school experience. Yes I did and I promise I won't! She seems really sweet and like someone I could get along well with.

[matt-schue]

Never ever? The show's been on for 200 seasons. Maybe longer. But hey! It's not everyone's jam, or they didn't have a chance to scope it out during what many fans refer to as the golden years. (not that I really pay them any mind because everyone's taste is subjective when it comes to things. Something that might bring you joy may infuriate someone else.)

Welcome back then! You probably already learned from Sassafrass (Stells) that our dad was the director of our school's glee club. Nice to meet other people who were part of that world, too!

[maeveflynnabrams]

I've never been a big MK fan. Those fighting games aren't my style. They're good. Been playing a lot of video games, been really into Pragmata when I haven't been grinding ranked in League. What about you?

[matt-schue]

Just looked up Pragmata and that game looks GORGEOUS! Shit, I might jump on that one once I get my Submatica 2 fill. Waited years and years for this one to finally drop. It's still early access, but I'm happy as hell with it. Work's been good. We get random calls, fire code inspections, and help out when Allentown stations are short. Gotta admit, sometimes I miss working at a big-city station.

[matt-schue]