The holiday of love..Valentines Day. The day that no matter if you were single, married, or dating, you showed those close to you how much they mean to you and how much you love them. For Ryder, it was a special holiday now. He wasn’t spending it alone anymore. He was spending it with his boyfriend. Ryder was happy and excited. He grabbed some flowers and a Teddy Bear. Yes, he believed in guys getting flowers too. So he didn’t care if it was cheesy or not he was getting them. He made his way to Bennys apartment and knocked on his door. He held the flowers and teddy bear up to his face.
Open Starter: Kismet Harbor's 100th Annual Winter Festival
Ryder decided that instead of going back to his apartment alone and just binge watching some tv shows or flipping through his phone, that he would check out the annual winter festival that was happening. There was a lot to do and he was sure that he could have a better night than just staying at home. He walked over to a booth selling some hot chocolate, making sure to get some before checking out the different games they had. “Ooo ice fishing and snow tubing. What to do first so many choices.”he said out loud.
Ryder found a best friend in River. He knew that he could tell him anything. Along with his other best friend Benjamin too. With River, they were like two school boys gossiping with each other, they always wanted to know if the other went on dates or had an upcoming one, who kissed who. Anything and everything they would talk about. When River and Ryder were at work, they did have some downtime every now and again to sit down and talk, gossip, ask about their love lives, and just catch up with what’s happening in their lives. Sometimes, it was call after call or getting the truck and ambulance ready and stick with supplies, running drills, or eating, so the two of them couldn’t get to catch up. Today was one of those shifts, after they clocked out Ryder asked River if he wanted to come over. “Hey Riv, you’re free to come over right?”he asked slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Relationship Status: In a relationship with Benjamin Jackson
Birthday: September 12th, 1991
Hometown: Brisbane, Australia
Occupation: Firefighter at Kismet Harbor Station
Residence: Astra Heights Downtown
Pets: Black Lab named Lucy
Family:
Mother: Emily Thornton (Teacher)
Father: Christian Thornton (Doctor)
Siblings: None
Adopted Family: Firehouse family
Living in Kismet: Since September 2000
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, Fire Academy
Biography:
Ryder was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia. He is an only child. His dad’s name is Christian, and his mom’s is Emily. He always asked why he never had any other siblings. His mom said they just wanted one perfect child, and that’s what they got. Or so they thought. Ryder gave his dad a hard time. His mom is the one who babies him. She would let him get away with everything and anything.
Ryder was a rebellious child. He was always pushing the boundaries and seeing what he could get away with. He was an only child after all. He got away with some things with his mom because he was, is, and always will be a mommy’s boy. His father, on the other hand, caught on very early to what Ryder was doing. His father was the more powerful and strict authority figure of the TWO of them. When he LAY down the law, his word was final. Ryder hated that. He wanted to do what he wanted. So, he went against everything he said. It backfired a few times, and his father would get angry with HIM. other times, he didn’t even notice because he was so busy working.
His rebellious attitude and phase spilled over into his school years. Especially in high school. He skipped class, hung out with the wrong crowd, and wasn’t going to graduate high school at one point. Ryder's dad, Christian, had accepted a new job in Kismet Harbor, working at the local hospital. They packed up and left Brisbane and arrived at their new Kismet Harbor home. Ryder wasn’t thrilled about leaving his friends and the life he built for himself and was accustomed to. He constantly thought each day, “How dare they move someplace that he didn’t know and hadn’t even heard of before."
Ryder sparked an idea in his head that if he turned his life around and started buckling down and working hard, graduating high school and college, maybe his family would move back to Brisbane. Wishful thinking that was. Ryder's dad told him this was permanent. They weren’t moving again. This was their home now, and he would grow to like it whether he liked it or not. Ryder decided to make the most of it and try for his parents. They seemed to love their new home and didn’t want to stand in their way of happiness.
To everyone’s surprise, under the rebellious, don’t care, don’t want to be here, not going to put in the work attitude, Ryder is smart, resourceful, passionate, kind, adventurous, goofball, hard-working, and generous. He graduated high school with honors and went on to study fire science He graduated from the local university with the highest distinction summa cum laude. After attending university, Ryder went to the fire academy to become a firefighter. This is where he found his passion for helping those around him. He has come to love living in Kismet Harbor and has become active in the community when he’s not working crazy hours.
