you'll be in my heart.

zander tarr. 38. forest ranger. a very good wild man. coronaislandhq account.

[zandertarr]

🌿 - Jane

Standing in the doorway of the bakery as he waits for Jane to follow along, Zander didn’t pay any mind to the decorations around him. Especially not the one above his head. So it isn’t until Jane catches up and stops, glancing up above them, that he even realizes anything is there. “Is that mistletoe?” he questions, already aware that is indeed the plant hanging from the top of the doorframe. “I didn’t realize people actually did that.” @xx-janee

[zandertarr]

xx-janee​:

Jane smiled warmly up at him. “I hope they have the mini marshmallows. You can’t have cocoa with it.” The woman looked around a little before her smile grew. “What about a sleigh ride? I’ve always loved to admire Christmas lights. It would also be a bit less crowded.” 

“I’d think they probably would. That’s part of a classic hot cocoa, right?” Or at least Zander had always had marshmallows in the hot chocolate his mother made when he was a boy. “A sleigh ride sounds nice, yes. Do you want to go get in line for that while I get the hot chocolate?”

[zandertarr]

xx-janee​:

Jane could spend the evening simply looking at everything and be happy. She truly was a simple girl but her attendance felt a little more special given Zander had came along. “I think some cocoa is always a good start now that the weather has a bit more of a bite.” The thought alone caused her to shiver.

A soft chuckle escapes Zander at the sight of her little shiver. “Cocoa it is then,” he agrees and looks around for a moment, realizing he has no clue where that may be. Though he figured if they walked around enough they could probably figure it out. “Anything you want to do afterwards?”

[zandertarr]

For all Zander has lived on the island his entire life, this was one of the first times he can remember actually attending the annual winter festival. Ever year he helps bring in the tree for the ceremony but never stays long enough to actually see it lit up. But this year there was one major difference that brought him out. “So what do you want to do first?” he asks, turning his head to smile down at Jane. @xx-janee​

[xx-janee]

“Zander?” She questioned the open space as she poked her head into his home. “Hello, anyone here…. I have cookies!” She let out with a small laugh as if that was going to pull him out of no where. The girl had been missing his company and as just as she tried to deny it .. Zander seemed to consume a good majority of her thoughts.  || @zandertarr​

[zandertarr]

It wasn’t often that Zander had anyone coming to his door - only ever the occasional visit from his mother or his cousin coming around to annoy him - so rarely did he ever feel the need to bother locking up his home, always wanting it to be open for the important people in his life. Which is why it’s a slight surprise to see Jane there instead of one his family members like he had expected it to be when he’d heard the front door open. A smile easily grows on his face at just the sight of her. “Hello Jane,” he greets, always remembering his manners first as he moves fully out of the bedroom he’d been holed up inside to enter the main room of his small cabin. “Did I hear you mention something about cookies?”

[zandertarr]

Are you afraid that someone might try to hurt your fiends only because they have magic?

“I don’t think so. Most of them are very private about it as far as I know, so I think they’ll be okay. I’ve also seen a bunch of people far more open about their powers that have never been hurt or had anything happen to them so I think they will be fine.”

[zandertarr]

skellington-jack​:

“It was weird, I went to bed one night a few weeks ago and when I woke up… I already had them.” There was not even a logical explanation like in the movies or books, no radioactive accident or secret government experiment. “At first I thought I was going crazy when I saw people who were somehow present but at the same time dead.” Those days hadn’t been very calm, but now everything was under control or at least Jack wanted to see it that way. Looking at Zander, all doubts about having revealed that secret were dispelled because his friend did not judge badly or seem hurt that he had not told him before. “I know you’re right and that I should tell my friends. Although the idea that they won’t react like you and get angry make me nervous. Or worse, that they get scared.”

“That seems to be how most people are getting them, from what I can tell. I don’t think anyone has had an actual reason or explanation for any of it,” he comments. At least, Zander knew Jane hadn’t had anything that could have been a cause for her own powers - she’d simply one day started hearing the thoughts of those around her. A small nod of his head in understanding, Zander knew why he wouldn’t want to tell just anyone about something like this. “That makes sense. I’m glad you felt you could trust me, though.”

[zandertarr]

skellington-jack​:

“Y-you do?” The brain had half collapsed, surprised yet relieved that of all the possible situations that could have played out, Zander had believed him. Knowing that others had powers did not completely take him by surprise since it was obvious and impossible that only one person out of all the inhabitants had developed special abilities. “It’s good that there are others, I hope they are well.” It wasn’t fair to burden the other man with the responsibility of revealing those names and Jack didn’t want to interfere either. “It’s a relief to be able to be honest with you, Zander, I don’t like to lie but it’s not like I can say that I see dead people and help them cross to the other side while they reveal secrets. I’ll end up in some madhouse or in a worse place if individuals with bad intentions find out.”

“They are. It.. was a bit of a surprise for them at first, but I think they’ve gotten the hang of it by now.” Zander hoped his words were reassuring - that they’d let Jack know he too would start to understand his powers better over time. Though they did make him realize he didn’t even know how long the other man had been aware of his own magic. “When did this start?” he asks, curious as to how long before or after Jane he may have also received powers. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about, telling most people. At least those that you are close to already.”

[zandertarr]

skellington-jack​:

“Of course, that’s something that cannot be discussed.” Jack just nodded absently, still having doubts about how to explain the whole situation without making it look like he had escaped from a madhouse. Zander’s worried look didn’t calm the doubts much “Yeah, that place is suitable.” Moving without being really aware of it but delicately so as not to bump into others, the man dropped onto the bench of the picnic table and placed his hat on its surface, prompting the other to sit in front of him with a nod. A hand tangled in his hair, ignoring the festive atmosphere and voices that now seemed distant. “First of all, I want you to know that I’m not drunk and I am not making it up.” Soft sigh resounded slightly. “Please don’t freak out but I’ve been developing some magic or gift or whatever it’s called for a long time that allows me to see and hear the dead.”

Following Jack’s lead, Zander had an inkling of what the man was about to end up telling him. And as he sits on the picnic table alongside him, it’s no surprise when Jack admits to having some type of magic. “I believe you,” he says. “I… know others in similar situations.” He wasn’t going to say any more, it wasn’t his secret to pass on, but that was enough that he hoped Jack would understand he didn’t find him to be strange for this. “Well, they can’t talk to the dead - but I know others with powers as well.”

[zandertarr]

skellington-jack​:

Surely a category for pets would have been another factor in favor of the festival, so Jack just nodded with a lopsided smile. “Probably. Zero and the others could have shown how adorable they are.” At Zander’s reply, Jack looked away slightly as his mind seemed to go a hundred an hour. Should he give more information to this man he considered his friend? A part of him felt bad for not being sincere, another fear that she would take him for mad. “I see, I guess everything is fine.” Should Jack tell him? Zander seemed trustworthy, but with so many people around it might not be a good setting for a revelation. “Hey. Can we talk in private?” Delaying it was just making excuses

“And I’m sure they would have won,” Zander agreed with a chuckle. Watching Jack obviously think something over, he just waited and gave him the time to decide on whatever he may be mentally debating. And when he finally asked to talk in private, Zander was confused but figured it wouldn’t be awful or hurt. “Sure.” Looking around, he nodded his head in the direction of a picnic table away from everyone else passing by. “Over there work?”

[zandertarr]

skellington-jack​:

“Believe me, I know that feeling.” Jack nods, he had no problem spending entire days at work or home, and even trying to help the ‘others’ on their days off. The routine wasn’t boring, although it did consume more physical and mental energy than expected. Focusing, Jack listened to Zander with a smile as he returned the phone to her. “Nah, my friend. Maybe if next year they make a pet category.” Seeing the apparent confusion of the other, he did not know to what extent the man was aware of the news. That, and also that Jack had not told him his 'capabilities’. “I mean. Have you heard that information related to magic?”

“There should be a pet category. I bet a bunch if people would submit for that,” he muses. It’d probably actually be pretty popular. At the mention of magic, Zander immediately thinks of Jane - but that’s not his secret to share so he just nods. “I’ve heard some things. Not much though.”

[zandertarr]

skellington-jack​:

“Still, it’s good to see you out of the forest. Even if is only for this event.” Jack knew the importance of Zander’s work and therefore never pressured the man to go further into the city. A smile lit up when he reached for the phone in his pocket to find a picture of the disguised animals. “We are an unique family that loves Halloween and Christmas! You can see it!” He passes it to Zander to see. “With everything that’s going on on the Island, it’s nice to be able to have fun.”

“It’s good to be out,” he agrees, genuinely meaning it. Though he may not come out often, Zander did enjoy the bit of time that he did leave his forest. Not enough to venture out every day, but it no longer felt like a chore to head into town. Taking the offered phone, he begins to look through the photos, nodding with each one. “They look good. You should enter them in the contest.” Handing back the phone, Zander raises an eyebrow at the last remark. “What’s going on?”

[zandertarr]

skellington-jack​:

Halloween events were without a doubt one of Jack’s favorite festivities. Dressing up and scaring people at night with hilarious scares sounded like a perfect plan! Hearing that comment from a familiar voice, he turned with a smile to look at the man “Hello Zander! I didn’t expect to see you around here, although the surprise is pleasant.” With a theatrical gesture, Jack took off his hat with a bow. “Cats are fine with Zero at home! They have their own costumes too, you should come and see them! . What about you? Something new in your life?”

“I decided to make a stop this year,” he comments with a small shrug. As if it were no big deal, like he regularly leaves his forest to check out the different festivities of the island. At the thought of the cats in their own costumes, Zander chuckled a bit. “I’d like that, sure. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an animal dressed up for Halloween before.” Mostly because he’d never left his own home for the holiday. “No, nothing worth reporting.”

[zandertarr]

Island events weren’t normally Zander’s thing, unless they were held in the forest. But lately as he’s been joining society more and more he’s felt inclined to participate in the different festivities. Which was why he was here. He didn’t have plans to stay long until he spotted a familiar face. “It’s strange seeing you without your cats,” he jokes in greeting as he approaches Jack. @skellington-jack​

[zandertarr]

continued from here.

For the past few moments, Zander had been watching Jane struggle with her pumpkin and the knife stuck within it. He wanted to offer to help, but knew better than that at this point. The look of determination on her face made it clear she wanted to do this herself. In the end she got it, but not with a minor fall - quite literally. Chuckling to himself, Zander set aside his pumpkin and the scooper he was using to hold out a hand to Jane. “Already forgotten. Though, you should be more careful with a knife like that.” @xx-janee​

[zandertarr]

philipferne​:

Nose scrunching at the thought of the trails, shuddering at following after so many hikers. He didn’t want to go through the paths that had been set by others. Pips wanted to explore the unknown, go through the places where nobody had gone. Where was the adventure of following a path? There was no excitement to it, nothing that inspired the deep desire to feel the burn of a good hike. 

“No. No. I’d go off to the unkept path. It would of been a disaster, you’d find me and end up finning me.”

Zander wants to tell him that he’s never actually fined anyone in all his years working as a ranger. But if the fear of a fine was what kept Pips from exploring the forest on his own, then he’ll just let the boy continue to think it was a possibility. “Then I suppose it’s best you stick with just our hikes together.”

[zandertarr]

K♥️ & 4♠️

K♥️ - Who does your muse look up to as a role model?

His mother, without a doubt. Also his father but they aren’t close in the slightest. He still has a lot of respect for him, though.

4♠️ - What’s the worst injury your muse has ever recovered from?

Probably broken bones and such, maybe a bad head injury. All from falling in the forest when he was trying to climb a tree or some rocks.