Topher Nottmorr

@tophernottmorr

21 years old. College Sophomore.[Topher is a member of When the Smoke Clears RPG] [I track the tags wtsctophernottmorr and tophernottmorr]

629 posts

Tired of Silence || Topher & Sophie

"Nope!" She stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him, "I’m not leaving! What’s wrong?” She had no plans on even moving from the bed because even a step could make it that much more easy to get her out. So she stayed planted where she was, cross legged and staring at him defiantly. Almost daring him to tell her to get out, despite being unaware that he wasn’t able to talk… she wasn’t about to move, and that much she made rather clear.

She wanted answers and like hell she was getting up before she got them. She wanted to know why Topher wasn’t coming out of his room. Why he was ignoring her, and throwing things at the door. Why he wouldn’t so much as speak to her since the earthquake. “Did I do something wrong?” That was a bit softer, more concerned, though he hadn’t left to talk to anyone… she wondered if possibly she’d done something and he was just ignoring her. She couldn’t think of anything but… Sophie wasn’t confident in herself enough to think that she had absolutely no hand in her room mates’ actions.

Topher's face fell when he saw Sophie's expression, heard her voice soften. He'd never actually told her he couldn't talk, did he? Never even told her he'd been in the hospital after the quake, or checked up on her to make sure that she and her brother had gotten through it safe. Suddenly he felt like absolute shit, even worse than not being able to talk. He'd been a crap friend, that was as bad as eternal silence, as his muse leaving forever would be. His jaw clenched as he realized that, and his arms tightened as well, almost hugging himself, as if it'd make him feel better. It didn't, his stomach was twisting in knots now, making him feel sick.

He dropped his arms, and turned to find some staff paper. There was never any normal paper in his room, but he'd been writing down some of his music, so he had that. Grabbing a pencil he bent down over his amp, using that as a flat surface to write upon. Topher didn't want to deal with people, not even Sophie, but he owed her an explanation. She was supposed to be his best friend, it wasn't fair to make her feel like shit, too. He already felt bad enough for both of them. Hell, for all of Storybrooke.

The earthquake fucked me up. I can't talk anymore. At all. There's nothing wrong with me physically. Doctors said I was sane. Can't talk anyways. Or sing. Or anything. Even if I want to. Don't know why.

That made enough sense, the words scribbled over the staves. It was messy, and his hand writing had never been beautiful, but with any luck it would be legible enough for her to understand. Walking over, he handed his housemate the paper, arms crossing over his chest again as soon as she had it, while he waited for her to read.

#sweetsandsongs

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Lost Dignity on Aisle Three || Harrison and Topher

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Pressing his lips together, Harrison nodded awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. Well, at least Harrison cleared things out. He didn’t get the luxury to explain before he embarrassed himself. Actually, Harrison didn’t know if Topher even cared at all. He had a habit to think too much, but it came with the territory. The only one he considers his friend was Fillbert, and that was because he didn’t make Harrison’s life worse a priority. Seriously, Fillbert needed better friends.

It didn’t escape Harrison that Topher looked like he was going to say something, but coughed instead. Or was it a sneeze? Some people’s coughs and sneeze sounded the same. Should he bless him or would Topher be offend— Gaah! Focus, Harrison. “You…You’re Topher, right? Topher Nottimorr?” Harrison asked cautiously after a beat of silence. It would be pretty mortifying if he was calling him by the wrong name, but it’s not like there were other Topher’s. “I’ve seen you around…Not like that! I mean I’ve heard about you, well of you. Not that I know you know you. This might be the first time we’ve seen face to face. Except that time in the forest—that sounded weird. I’m being weird. This is awkward…Correction; I’m being awkward, not you.” Harrison dragged his fingers down his face; trying to prevent his mouth from rambling.

He nodded once when the other guy asked his name, arms crossing over his chest defensively as he did. If he knew Topher's reputation from high school, this likely wouldn't end well. Despite having never done anything malicious, not really, between the dark clothing, eyeliner, and fights he got into, anyone who knew him from there had learned to either dear him or hate him. It made him tense, wondering if this kid would end up blaming it all on Topher, like half his graduating class would have. But the boy seemed too nervous to do anything malicious, so he stayed, listening to the rambling in a tempt to discern intentions.

An eyebrow quirked as the boy babbled, explaining where he'd known Topher from. At least it wasn't through rumors, that was a relief. Walking over, he gently shoved the other guy's shoulder, playfully, or something like that. Then he shrugged, trying to explain that it wasn't awkward, though he couldn't verbally say it. He didn't feel bad for the kid, just wished he'd shut up long enough to realize that it was totally cool. He was interesting. About the right age where he should hate Topher, but didn't. So a part of him was immediately drawn to the boy, half wondering why the rambling if he wasn't afraid.

Phoenix (inspired by x)

Over and over throughout his life, Topher has had to remake himself. When he was a boy, he was constantly struggling to fit in, to get people to like him and to be whoever parents would want so he’d get adopted. That never worked out for him, and one way or another he always stuck out like a sore thumb, never adopted, and always bullied or ostracized by the other children living there. Then he went through phases: jock, hipster, geek, thespian, delinquent. No one’s kept track of how many times Topher did a 180 and changed everything about him, in an attempt to find happiness. But somewhere along the line he settled on punk, music his solace and joy, and everything else less relevant.

Now that he’s happy, for the most part, Topher doesn’t understand the need to change, and often avoids it whenever possible. New Year’s is the worst time for that however, with everyone making resolutions and trying to change for the better and create a new them. He hates it. His whole life has been spent trying to find something that contents him, and everyone feels the need to change something that works. It always puts Topher in a sour mood. Almost as much as people trying to change the ways he’s set in.

#wtscprompt #Headcanon

Through Misty Eyes | Topher and Vidia

She should have known better than to suddenly snap at him. What could he do? What did she expect him to do? He wasn’t like past relationships or flings where the other would drop to their knees and kiss the toes of her combat boots. No. Topher Nottmorr was her opposite match, and it frustrated her how he could make her giddy one moment then pissed off the next. They probably would stare each other down, showing different emotion, but equally stubborn.

She told herself years ago to give up on happiness. All that mattered in the world was her acting career, her father, and his accounting business — one that she had planned on taking over in a few short years. How that was going to affect acting didn’t play out in her mind yet. It was the future and if she learned anything over the years it was that time changes things. Standing there, in the apartment bedroom, glaring at the man with eyes stinging with tears threatening to spill, she realized she did love him. It wasn’t a lie.

Lip tugged and bitten down hard, Vidia curled her hands into fists again and squeezed her eyes shut. She counted to fifteen before prying her eyes open again and looking to Topher. She swallowed hard then marched across the room. Her hand rose, flat and shaking a little. She brought it up to his face, and froze again. Her stare intensifying. The weak expression in his eyes made it worse. She wanted to love someone that would be strong for her when she was about to crumble. Instead, they both were about to break. That thought struck the nerve. Suddenly the quiet room echoed with a loud whack. She glared at him and took two steps back, rolling her now stinging hand, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"W-wh-why can’t you say it back…?"

His head tilted when she placed her hand by his face, leaning into the touch. He wasn't sure if she was about to slap him or not, but either way it didn't matter. He was looking for something, anything, that would show him she cared. That this was more than a game to her. And maybe hr should have reached out, put his hand over hers and held it there, or maybe leaned in to kiss her when he noticed the pain in the eyes, something that not even the best actors could fake, not so genuinely. But the sudden dash of hope when he saw that torment, the realization that she was hurt by his lack of reciprocation so far, was the greatest gift she could ever give him. He should hate himself for finding comfort in her pain, but the fact that she cared, that Vidia Hilson actually, genuinely cared, only made tears slip down his cheeks.

It took the slap in the face to remind him to move. He hardly even cringed at the pain, welcoming it, deserving it for having caused her to cry. Topher's lip still trembled, just for a moment, when she asked why he couldn't tell her he loved her, a sudden, cruel reminder that he was a mute, and though every part of him was screaming at him to say "I love you," he couldn't. Instead he looked down at his hands for a moment, focusing on making them stop tremble. He was selfish and an idiot, letting himself hide in his room and pity himself since he'd been released for the hospital. Now wasn't the time to feel bad, Vidia was just as weak as he was. And all he wanted to do was fix her, to find the strong, bulletproof woman he'd fallen head over heels for. He just didn't want to be the one who made her cry.

Topher looked up again, eyes finding hers before he took two steps, to stand right before her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her close, capturing her lips with his for a soft kiss. He couldn't say "I love you," but there was no use crying over that. He felt shitty enough. All he could do was show Vidia. She knew he was mute, maybe she'd understand. So he reached for one of her hands, taking it and placing it above his heart. His gaze met hers again, searching, in hopes she'd be able to look inside him and understand. He was completely bared to her, as well as he knew how, giving her the chance to tear his heart out and leave him dead inside, if it would make her happy. Because he did love her, as idiotic as that made him. I love you.

Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner || WTSC Grand Ball || Vidia and Topher

Vidia laughed. The idea of an after party was hilarious. Like Storybrooke was capable of having a decent one that would last passed the witching hour of the night. She rolled her eyes at his sock remark. “As long as they’re black, and matching, who fucking cares? I’m in heels.” Small ones, but she didn’t feel the need to point that out. “We’re driving too, so get over the socks. And the fact we’re in Maine.” She smiled a little and got into the driver’s seat. “You clean up nicely. I don’t say that about most people.” She turned the car on, revving the engine, and looked over to Topher. “Shall we?”

Topher rolled his eyes when she all but told him to stop complaining, a sweet smile on his face at the compliment. That wasn't half bad. And kind words from Miss Vidia Hilson, Storybrooke's resident bitch, should never be taken lightly. It really was the highest compliment, considering that she was the only person in town who he even remotely cared to impress. "You don't look too bad yourself," he grinned at her, returning the compliment in kind. But it was an understatement. He found Vidia drop dead gorgeous on a day to day basis. Seeing her in a bikini had nearly given him a heart attack. Her dressed up, actually trying, well... he wasn't sure if she was a goddess or not. But he wouldn't let her know that he thought that, right now. She already had too much on him. "We shall."

#dearestvidia #wtscgrandball #smiling Vidia makes me and Topher the happiest snowflakes ever

Through Misty Eyes | Topher and Vidia

The moment the window opened, Vidia nearly tossed herself into the bedroom. Her heart pounded in her chest. I fucking hate heights, she hissed. Had she been blessed with wings, an old wish from when she was younger, things would be different. Here she put her health on the line to check on Topher. It shouldn’t — he shouldn’t — bother her or be this big of a concern to her. Five days use to be like the blink of an eye. She cared for very few people, and fewer she’d scale a tree for and scoot out on a unreliable branch. None the less, she forced herself to keep composed and brushed off her jeans before leveling her eyes at Topher. How she wanted to walk up and smack him across the face.

Now that she was here, Vidia couldn’t think of a way to express her concern without, well, seeming overly concerned. She really liked him, but they weren’t exclusive. Hell, she could count on her hands how many times they hung out. But it hurt. Her heart twisted in painful knots as she stared at him. Finally after silence fell for half a minute, she found her voice.

"Why did you leave the hospital without telling me or waving fucking goodbye? I waited beside that cot for hours, waiting to make sure that you were okay. I sat there with the doctor giving you the synopsis and you just—-" she threw her hands up in the air then dropped them back down to her sides. This was not how she planned. She was showing emotion other than sarcasm. Her voice a mixture of pain and anger, and she currently couldn’t care less. "You couldn’t…" she started, rolling her hand into a fist to stop her hands from shaking, "you couldn’t even fucking text me? Not once? I get that you’re mute. It fucking blows but get over it. Or let me in, gods DAMNIT! I love you-" She wasn’t suppose to say that. She didn’t even know what love really was. Her eyes grew from her slip, jaw hanging open as she tried to mumble something to push her feelings aside. Now who was the more vulnerable one?

Topher just stood there and took it, though his heart was all but writhing in agony as he saw expression, without her even speaking. It was not fair. It was not fucking fair. They weren't exclusive, they'd hardly even spent any time together, and he was head over heels for her. To the point where he'd imagined her being at the hospital with him, to make the whole ordeal less awful. But she hadn't been there when he wasn't drugged in order for the doctors to do whatever they had done. And she probably just found him another amusement around town. At least she wasn't sadistic towards him, he had that kindness, though he wasn't sure why the girl everyone in town called a bitch was showing him any mercy. Just other toy, one who'd take the abuse, if she wanted to hurt him, and come back for more. Just because, for some reason, being around her made all the shit he got worth it, made some part in him sing. He was an idiot. Especially now, with her having shown up here. Salt in the wound. Because his feelings for her were one. A vulnerability that cut deep. Vidia would never care, couldn't. But some part of him, the part that made him care for her, just kept asking why the hell she was here.

He stood perfectly still as she spoke, eyes on hers, but his were glazed over, dull. Dead. He'd noticed that since he'd come home, the blank, void dark orbs that met his gaze every time he looked in the mirror. But they began to cloud, looking a bit more alive as she spoke, her words only confusing him. She was in the hospital? Told you, the irrational part that told him that it was possible that she cared gloated, making the rest of Topher sick to his stomach. She was gone when he woke up, she couldn't have been there and just left. That made no sense. She hadn't been there. It was a lie, it had to be. Hands curled into fists, short nails biting into the palms of his hands as she called him out for not texting, for pitying himself for being a mute. Vidia was right, all of him knew that. He hated pity, more than he hated any other emotion. Yet there he was, stuck in his room for days now. Of course he wouldn't answer the woman he was positive only kept him around to torment him. He hadn't answered his roommate and best friend. That was bullshit. He was a piece of shit. And a hypocrite. Now it made sense why she'd shown up. This whole hurt, indignant act was only to twist the dagger that was already in his heart and make a mess out of everything else. To hurt him more. That had to be it, everyone in town couldn't call her a bitch for nothing.

But then she said three little words that turned everything upside down, that made his doubts, and his voice of reason, fall silent. In fact, everything fell silent, his thoughts, even the sounds of his breathing and his heartbeat seemed to cease.

"I love you."

The quiet didn't last long. Suddenly every part of his mind raced into overdrive, so many different thoughts trying to reach Topher at once that he was frozen. Petrified was more accurate, as tears flooded his eyes, and he wasn't in control enough to keep them from spilling down his cheek. He wanted to get down on his knees and beg her to tell him the truth, to stop playing with him and tell her everything he felt, so she just kicked him while he was down and would leave him alone. He wanted to charge at her, to hurt her, physically, for lying to him, for playing with his thoughts and telling him the one thing he wanted most, but could never have, because it would never be what she actually meant. He wanted to kiss her and show her exactly what was going on in his mind, so she felt it and could do whatever she wanted from there. He'd let her. He wanted to throw up, to make the sick feeling go away, so she'd be repulsed and leave him. To scream at her, to get out all his anger and frustration over the fact that she was a liar. But a part of him also wanted to kiss her senseless, to beg her to actually mean those words and never leave him. To serenade her with poetry, song, and anything else he could think of, to show her how much she'd meant to him all along. To pull her to bed and fuck her senseless, or to worship her in every conceivable way.

Every possible scenario raced through his mind, and he wanted them all to play out. But all Topher could succeed in doing was stand there, tears streaming down his face, lower lip trembling. A ragged breath escaped his lips, but no sound, not even the whimper it should have carried, came out. All he could do was stand there, confusion clearly on his features, wishing she actually meant it, but not able to believe her. Not Vidia Hilson. She'd never love him. He was hallucinating again, it had to be it. Apparently there was more wrong with him than his voice being gone. But he couldn't move to do anything in regard to anything, whether she was real or not, and her love the truth or a lie.

Silence Isn't Golden || Topher and Prilla

Can’t talk, doesn’t sign. New development. “Oh.” she whispered. “Would you… like to? Sign, I mean?

" Maybe it was a stupid question. He didn’t really want to interact with people, from what she could tell. But Prilla’s open and loving heart couldn’t help but reach out to him, knowing that he was hurting.

That was something that she didn’t have to ask, for she could see it clearly in his face. And she couldn’t stop herself from at least offering help. Even if he didn’t accept, the hand would be there. That’s just the way that she was.

No, I don't wanna fucking sign! I wanna talk, dammit! Topher was unamused. He should be able to talk. He usually could talk, up until a few days ago. Or maybe it was a few hours. He'd lost track of time in the hospital, but he was pretty sure it was more than one day. The man was too pissed off to try to actually recall, a very rough estimate to rant about worked well enough for him. Except- oh wait, he couldn't rant, now could he. A scowl appeared on his features again, This is fucking great. Just fucking amazing. And I was supposed to try and record something too. Fucking awesome.

#clapforfairies

Friends...? || Vannie and Topher

genuinesourpatch

Van sat a little uncomfortably, “no, I usually avoid certain places. Really. Well not like all the time. But there’s zones I don’t enter unless I’m in a really good mood. ‘Cuz it’s not usually him but the friend he hides behind. If I’m with a friend or really focused on my music, then I don’t care. They can’t bother me. But without it? I dunno,” she shrugged, staring down at her icecream slosh. Suddenly, it didn’t look appealing. “You can’t always act brave, you know? So I just spend time in the garage. It’s my happy place.” She picked her head up to smile a little. She forced herself to down the half of the milkshake. “Hmm?” She laughed. “Definitely. Eat all the cookies and then the feeling go away. Buuutt… I think instead you’d get a stomachache. Pick your battle wisely.”

"Gotcha." He did the same. But mostly in his case it was to avoid old haunts filled with bad memories. Places where he'd been arrested, where he'd been beaten up or stabbed in the back. And the orphanage, of course. He avoided that like the plague. "Being brave is hard," he nodded slightly, "but happy places make it better. He didn't quite have a happy place. There was the place he went when he was playing, but it wasn't a physical location, just a state of mind. Maybe it counted, maybe it didn't. "Bellyaches are definitely better than feelings-ickiness," he stated, chin raised slightly to show he was confident in that. He stopped for a moment, looking at the cookies, before he glanced up at Vannie, a grin spread across his features, "How many do you think I can fit in my mouth at once?"

#genuinesourpatch

Friends...? || Vannie and Topher

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She couldn’t argue with that. Vidia Hilson had a reputation in town and probably liked to keep it the way it was. Wasn’t she lonely though? Van gave a weak attempt of a laugh and stared at her milkshake, biting her lip. There were many things she should have done, but didn’t. She praised herself for being strong and independent, but when it mattered the most, she was as bendable as a rod of copper. Her head lifted as Topher grew more angry with hearing about the boy. She winced, thinking about the years of torment. No apology was going to make it better. being a bystander made him worse than Tiffany. Shockingly. She finally let out a better, yet soft, laugh and smiled somewhat. “I’ll remember that. But…” she shrugged her shoulders and picked up another cookie. “I don’t think I’ll be seeing much of him now. I kinda…ran away from him at the fireworks? And have been avoiding all the places in town that I could possibly run into him. I don’t know what to do if I see him! Besides, ya know, maybe kick him like you said.”

"So you're letting him keep you from going places you want to go?" he furrowed his brow, trying to figure it out, "Or did you not really bump into him before, anyways." It didn't matter as much, to be honest, Topher was mostly stuck on the image of Vannie running away. True, they hadn't been friends too long, but he just didn't get that vibe from her, and he was the type who could usually trust his gut. "Then kick him and walk away, if y'see him. Let him grovel. He deserves it." Shifting slightly, he finished off the last of his milkshake, pouting and looking down when he noticed it was all gone. "Hey, Van?" he put the cup down on his lap again, careful to keep it from toppling over, despite it lacking contents, "Feelings suck. Do you think they'll go away if I eat all these cookies?"

#genuinesourpatch

Silence Isn't Golden || Topher and Prilla

Prilla’s eyes widened in understanding. “You.. you can’t talk?” she clarified, working off of his pantomime and being forcibly reminded of Sanford, one of her newest (but already very dear) friends.

"Do you sign, or…?" she lifted her hands and shaped her words, hoping he could communicate that way. "Is this a new thing?" she added to her questions.

Topher's head bobbed once, the closest he'd get to a nod, at her first question, just barely shaking his head at the second, before repeating his first motion at the last inquiry. It was very new. As in a few days old, if even that. He didn't have his phone. or a calendar, and he didn't remember what day he'd written when he signed out of the hospital. Needless to say it was brand new, and he didn't know any way of working around it.

#clapforfairies

Tired of Silence || Topher & Sophie

Sophie had been knocking on Topher’s door for what seemed like months when it certainly hadn’t been that long. But she was sick of being ignored and talking to a door. She’d even tried mocking Frozen! That hadn’t really… well, gone how she’d planned… at all actually. She was pretty sure the thud of something hitting the door hadn’t been a good sign. But he was in there! She could hear him moving around and playing music.

And she could hear when the door opened, even if he was trying to be sneaky. So she took her chance, waiting a few moments for him to be out of sight of his door she opened hers silently and slipped out, closing the door behind her. Socked feet made no noise as she headed down the hall and into Topher’s room.. Seating herself on the bed she waited for his return. When she saw his figure in the door she looked up at him. “I’m not leaving until you talk to me! I’m tired of talking to a door!”

Topher avoided leaving his room as much as possible, but as days wore on, he'd found that there was one thing he couldn't have if he stayed in his room. Food was the one reason he went out, even if it was only to the kitchen, and he timed it so he left when Sophie was sleeping, or at work, or just out. He couldn't converse, and he didn't want to try and get pulled into a conversation. Sophie had been trying to get him to engage in one for days, though, not getting the hint. It felt like she was constantly knocking on his door when she was home, trying to get him to open it and talk to her. He didn't want to. He physically couldn't talk.

He'd gone downstairs to make a sandwich that day, almost positive that Sophie was watching a movie or something in her room. She wouldn't notice him, silent and on socked feet, creeping to the kitchen and back to his room. But when he returned, he dropped the plate, not noticing it shatter, or his ruined sandwich. Sophie was sitting there, on his bed, waiting for him. Fuck. He just pointed to the door, not sure what else to do, before crossing his arms over his chest when she told him she wasn't leaving. Well I can't fucking talk, so it looks like you have a problem.

#sweetsandsongs #okie doke!

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Lost Dignity on Aisle Three || Harrison and Topher

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Pressing his lips together, Harrison didn’t insisted more, “O-Okay…” Topher didn’t accept his offer, so it seemed like it was okay. Should he have insisted more? He just didn’t want to be come off as the kid with no manners. Sooner or later his dad will find out and lecture him of upholding the Haddock name. He really needed to stop thinking about what his dad would do. Harrison will probably start having grey hairs than his dad.

Little shivers ran up his arms as he entered the frozen aisle with Topher. He’s still wondering why he was following the silent man in the first place. He can walk away, pay for his things, and die in hole from the embarrassment. It’s a win-win for the two of them. Before he does that…

"In case the employers asks," Harrison spoke up meekly; looking at the frozen food products absentmindedly, "the puny, clumsy idiot’s name is Harrison Hendrick Haddock III. I-I’ll probably faint on the spot before they even ask me.." It was the most likely scenario and that way he woun’t pull Topher along into his mess. He may not know him, but Harrison will feel guilty if he got someone in trouble for nothing.

That's when it clicked. Harrison Hendrick Haddock III. They'd gone to school together. He was the kid who always seemed to be watching Topher, for a time, not necessarily with any ill intent but... That was why he looked so familiar.

Topher only grew curious when he suddenly recognized the boy, shrugging slightly when he said to give his name if anyone asked. Shaking his head slightly, he opened his mouth as if to talk, generally trying, before he stopped, coughing slightly. It wasn't painful to try and talk, it just didn't work, but he still ended up coughing sometimes. With that, he shrugged at Harrison, hoping that the kid got the point. Topher couldn't talk if he wanted to, even if the employees asked him.

Silence Isn't Golden || Topher and Prilla

"What’s the matter?" Prilla peered at him, head tilted. She wasn’t really one to beat around the bush, wasting time with the "are you okay’s" or the "how are you’s" when she could tell what the honest answer to those questions were with her own two eyes.

She wasn’t anything but curious, and maybe a little sad. She knew how it felt to be lost.

Then, finally, the young woman realized how pushy her question may have come across, and backpedaled. “I’m sorry, that was probably nosy. I just… you seem sad.” she finished simply. “I’d like to help, if I can.”

Topher stood, in silence, as the girl asked him questions, not bothering to answer until she apologized for questioning him. And all he could do then was shrug. Lifting his hand, he put it up to his throat, mouthing words, before shrugging, hoping that it got the message that he couldn't speak across to her.

He was tired, emotionally drained. He just wanted to get home. Topher had no idea why he was still standing there.

#clapforfairies

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Lost Dignity on Aisle Three || Harrison and Topher

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Nodding his head awkwardly, Harrison put away the Lucky Charms box and frequently glancing at the silent stranger. He was expecting a comment about his clumsiness or just a general “what the hell is wrong with you?” If no one had something to say, well…That usually meant a good thing? He should consider himself lucky that the guy seemed to decide to keep his comments to himself. Probably waiting until he was alone to make fun of the scrawny kid who caused a cereal avalanche.

It was only when he looked up again did he noticed that Topher was walking away from him. Any other person, Harrison would have been relieved. It’s just…Harrison was curious; so very curious. He’s only heard gossip about Topher, but he never set eyes on the guy until that time in the forest. He felt that same curiosity the first time, but Harrison pushed it away. Why was it only he that Harrison felt curious about?

Topher looked back and Harrison stared right back. Without thinking, Harrison grabbed his neglected basket and sped walk his way to Topher. Immediately he felt guilty of leaving behind the tampered display, but he did his best? Speaking about the cereal boxes, Harrison looked at the Froot Loops in Topher’s hand. “It-It’s not damaged, right?” Harrison asked nervously, “I can pay for it if it is; since it’s my fault and all…”

Topher had made his way into the frozen aisle, far enough away from the mess not to get into a situation that would involve talking with employees when the boy spoke again. He looked over at the box, shrugging slightly. He could buy his own freaking cereal, the avalanche was really no big deal. He preferred to pay for his own cereal, he was mute, not an invalid, and he didn't need other people's charity. He was better than that, didn't need to take handouts to make people feel good about themselves. All he was trying to do was to stop the kid from having a breakdown and crying in front of the employees when he was confronted. Yeah.

Drumming his fingers against the box as he looked at the other guy, Topher realized he should really just get out of there. He shouldn't be leading the boy out of the mess, he'd always been left to deal with the consequences of his actions, mistakes or not. Anyone else would have been either ignored or sucker punched. But this boy.. intrigued him for some reason. Curiosity killed the cat, and though he wasn't feline or dead, it sure made him an idiot.

Got to Get This Job || Alina and Topher

alinathelionfish

"Be right with you," Alina called out from the small back room of the store, as she heard the bell about the door ring. Most of the stock was in the front. Book stores didn’t need much back inventory space— imagine that! The woman manuvered through books of this week’s delivery and walked out of the back space, turning to light off and shutting the door behind herself. She approached the register, seeing someone busily scribbling something down. When presented to her, Alina couldn’t believe it. Only a handful of people, since opening the shop years ago, had asked about job opportunities. Instead of sending him off, she gave a slight nod. "I’m always looking for someone on the weekends. Do you have a resume with you?" He seemed gloomy, and potentially someone that didn’t open up. But that didn’t concern her. If he had a work ethic, knew his alphabet, and was absolutely willing to learn her system, she’d consider hiring him. If it weren’t for her father’s constant help to support her through college, she would have been broke. It was only a feeling that he was in college. Having three sisters currently enrolled helped her make the guess.

Topher nodded slightly when she asked about a resume, pulling it out of his back pocket, carefully unfolding it, as he'd put it there when he'd given up earlier, not expecting to need it again. Probably shouldn't have assumed. Carefully flattening out the page, he glanced over it before handing it to the woman. He'd worked at his fair share of places before, and despite complaints about his aesthetic, he was a good employee, and no one could say otherwise. He'd been working since he entered high school, too, so he had a good list of references. Moving back so she could look at the resume, he fidgeted slightly, thumbing through the notepad in his hands, not even looking at it, unsure what the response would be. But then he thought of something, and began writing again, figuring that the woman would find out sooner rather than later.

I can't talk. The earthquake messed me up, somehow, the doctor's couldn't figure out why. I'm physically fine and can do anything, and psychologically I'm pretty alright. I just can't talk. You should probably know that. I don't know when my voice is coming back, either. I understand if you don't want to hire a mute, it makes things a harder, especially in retail.

He put the pad down beside the resume, for when she was done. Topher was hoping his silence wouldn't matter, but it would to most people, he knew that. It was hard. He'd understand if she wasn't interested.

#alinathelionfish

Got to Get This Job || Alina and Topher

He needed to fucking get over himself. It was obvious that even Sophie and Vidia were getting sick of his shit, and their pity only made him worse to be around. Hell, he was getting sick of his moping and staying around the house. There were bills to pay. He had to get back in the swing of things, classwork, mostly, sometime. And he needed a job. He'd known that from the beginning of the year. There was no better way to prove to himself that he wasn't an invalid by getting a job without his voice. And he'd do it. He had to.

Vidia had suggested the flower shop, and Sophie had suggested the music store, but without a voice, he really didn't want to work at either. The flower shop had a large staff, and people coming in and out, always talking. And then the music store... with him silenced, the music coming out of everyone else would just kill him on the inside. He couldn't think of anywhere else in town, too, where he wouldn't be able to get around the fact that he couldn't talk. And this was after a whole day of searching.

So, growing defeated, he turned to head home, deciding to continue what seemed like a fruitless search tomorrow. But on the way back from town, something caught his eye. A little bookshop he'd passed hundreds of time, but somehow had never gone into, despite his love of reading. Taking a deep breathe, he decided that, hell, it couldn't hurt. So he walked in, pulling out the notepad and pen he'd started keeping in his pocket, and quickly scribbling a note. Going over to the woman at the cash register, he held up the note, a almost hopeful smile on his features.

Is there any chance you have any job openings available?

#wtscalinaurchin #alinathelionfish #wtscstarter #starter #para

Silence Looks Good on You || Emma and Topher

Emma was getting a bit frustrated, why the hell didn’t he just answer her questions so she could move on with her rounds? It was cold, and she really wanted to get back inside before the temperature dropped any further. Clearly, he wasn’t going to talk to her for some reason, but he had nodded, so that was progress wasn’t it?

"Ok. Let’s try something else. How about yes or no questions? Then you can at least nod your answers." She studied him for a moment. "Do you live near here?"

Topher's fingers began to drum against the neck of his guitar, no longer even attempting to form chords. He didn't want trouble with the cops again, he already had a record, not totally deserved, and this would only fuck up his future more. People didn't like darkly dressed orphans like himself. It was all too easy to pin the blame on him, or to find him suspicious. And all he had wanted was fresh air and to get out of the house. So he nodded at her question, frustratedly resigning himself to cooperate as best he could until she left him be.

Topher Nottmorr @tophernottmorr - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag