Archive of Our Own ^beta

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     It came of no surprise that a town in the middle of the forgotten mesa didn't get a lot of water. Yeah it rained occasionally but never enough to last more then two days before being used or evaporating.

So that left Tumble Town without water most days. It had been a problem even when people first settled down. So much so that people were spending more time getting water then anything else.

With the closes water source being adout an hour and a half of walking just to get there, and with most only able to carry two buckets full of water, it wasn't enough to cook, bath, clean, drink, or water plants and animals with.

So the first sheriff, along with her deputy, assigned a day where at least one person from each household would leave early in the morning to make the trip. The group would ride out on horse, which cut the time down by twenty minutes, some with wagons to carry as much water back to the town. The water is shared and many gets things like laundry done first. That why the name for the it became "Laundry Day".

It's a tradition that is still around to this day and Jimmy really hates how early he has to get up for it as the sheriff he has to gather the people who are going with him.

So with a reluctant sigh he gets up and gets ready, leaving his house before the sun can even begin to think of rising. 

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     Adoption is a big thing in Tumble Town. Since the first case of adoption, the second deputy adopting a young theif,  means most of Tumble Town civilians are not blood related to their families.

Adoption is so important in Tumble Town that things like orphanages were never built as kids were being adopted before one was need. There are procedures in place–of course.

Before being able to adopt you most have your own house, some type of steady way to get food, and have at least three people vouch that you are ready to raise a child.

There are even procedures for emergency fostering. With traditionally the sheriff or deputy fostering until a child bonds with a family.

There is almost no greater honour then raise and caring for an adopted child in Tumble Town. That's probably why Tumble Town often has so many children or teens just showing up and being accepted in as part of the community.

That's why none of the town folk blinked an eye when Jimmy adopted Rosa, and many think he has already adopted Tommy too.

With Tommy often sleeping in the room meant for said foster child, it's not a large stretch.

Ms.Rosemary is the most popular foster parent. She raised five kids, one she adopted. Four remain in Tumble Town while one went off to explore the world. Not to mention she has three blood related kids too. A true trooper she is.

With all this knowledge, Jimmy and occasionally Tommy find themselves asking for her advice. To which Rosemary helps to the best of her abilities.

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     Tumble Town civilians don't sell things, they trade. The only time you'll be given any type of currency is to people like Tommy who have to buy things outside of Tumble Town. Other then that, if you want something you better be ready to trade something for it.

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     Tumble Town never had set in stone traditions, yeah there was things that developed, but not really anything that was there from the start. Well other then courting that is.

Tumble Town is a western town holding onto old west traditions. At first to start courting someone, ladies would give away some type of hand made cloth. Traditionally men would accept the cloth if they wish to court, denying it if they wish not.

From there things like homemade meals, personal or hand made jewelry, and quality time, would be exchanged. Finally to seal the deal, the two would switch hats for a week to show everyone that they are official.

In more modern times people would start off the courting by offering a small but personal gift. Once accepted, the couple will send time making things and exchanging them. When official, the hat exchange would start and last a week.

That's the reason for the law against wearing another person hat. It's not another person hat if you're courting but to take someone's hat is seen as overstepping one's boundaries.

And Jimmy understood courting– so why did the others not? Fwhip wouldn't give him his deputy badge back.

(Jimmy's citizens thought they were courting once it was known that Fwhip was no longer the deputy.)

His hat was consistently being stolen and put on like it meant nothing.

(He had gotten many confused looks from the town folk when they saw someone wearing it)

And the dolls where weirdly detailed and well made. Personal in a way.

(So well that he had been questioned by citizens if it was some weird courting gift.)

And Jimmy didn't think it was–probably...maybe?

If so, he doesn't accept.

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     Tumble Town was a friendly town. But even then they didn't get many people showing up, the hot weather and hard work deterring most. Only those who were desperate or enjoyed the heat and work stayed.

Or it was until Joel started messing with the town. He built toys, games, and most famously–the walls. Only then did tourist start showing up, interested in what the god built.

At first Jimmy was angry and so were the town folk, but then the tourist started spending money, buying from the shops. And Tumble Town realized they could make profit from this. And while they may not like toys, it definitely boosted the town.

Civilian started setting up shops in the tourist heavy areas, selling instead of trading. (The money is later traded in for things they actually needed.)

And while Tumble Town hated the "gift" from Joel, they were going to use it to its most potential. 

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Tumble Town was located in the mesa. A place known for it hard clay. Which would you believe it or not – isn't easy to dig or bury anythin in.

So Tumble Town had to find a different way to mourn their dead. And with that the idea of cremation was put into play.

The deceased would be put into a wood casket, burned over a large pile of wood, clay, and sentimental parting gifts. Family and close friends would be there for the burning.That's the normal experience. From there it can varry based on the person.

Some wish for their ashes to be sprinkled somewhere special. Some wish for their ashes to put in a specialty made clay jar known as a "Resting Pot" which is inscribed on about who they were and how they lived.

Families traditional keep the jars for many generations; a few long standing families have resting pots dating back to the beginning of Tumble Town.

Resting pots can be costom made. For example most sheriff and deputy pots are decorated with their badges and something significant they did.

Jimmy's would have his badge and something representing his flock mates. Rose would be shown as beautiful orange rose, a deputy badge with cat ears for Norman. A sewing needle with red string for Tommy, next to it lays a spider representing Shroud. And finally a herd of creepers to show Jimmy's skill for creeper taming.

Sidney's resting pot lives in Jimmy's office, kept safe on a high shelf. The jar is made out of clay and terracotta, painted a mix of purple and pink with white stars sprinkled around. Of course their name is carved in with a few other things that Sidney had requested in their will. 

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     Rain was a rare occurrence in Tumble Town. So when it did rain, people made the most of it.

Kids would rush the streets in muck-boots and rain coats, two things that barely ever so the light of day, and ravish in the puddles and get each other water. Even a few adult would join in.

People would set out buckets to catch the rain, with most adults prefering to sit on their porch and watchor or listen to the rain fall.

Jimmy liked talking walks through the wet street, talking to his citizens as he goes. He hates his wings being wet and heavy but he doesn't know when the next rain while be so he enjoys it while he can.

Tommy will sit on his or Jimmy's porch if he has work to do. If not he joins the kids playing in puddles and slashing each other.

Norman is not a fan of water and will often be found on Jimmy's porch or in some building talking to people if it's raining. He'll only enter the streets if there is a problem that Jimmy can't solve on his own.

Many kids like Shroud and Clem will flood the streets, slashing in puddles and covering themselves and others in mud. Drista can often be found on these days playing with the kids. Often convincing them to have a mud fight.

Ms.Rosemary, if not watching younger kids, is walking the streets and talking to people. Occasionally joining in on the kids' games.

Rosa in her younger years preferred to be held on rain days. But as she got older you could find her in the center of any game the kids in the streets were playing. The goblin grew to love the rain and the messy but fun games it brought with it. 

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     Tattoos are not common in Tumble Town for many reasons. Though the biggest reason has to be that there is no one who does tattoos in Tumble Town.

That being said though, there are multiple people who had left town to get tattoos. Like how Rosemary has multiple simplistic tattoos on her arms representing all the kids she's raised.

Jimmy has a cat and cowboy hat tattoo on his upper left arm. He's currently thinking about getting a new tattoo to represent all his flock.

And Tommy wants one but is having trouble finding a spot that isn't horribly scarred.

Sidney, the starborn they are, had trouble finding ways to work around their star covered skin for a normal tattoo. Luckily they found a tattoo (and artist willing to do it) that they liked that encompassed their stars quite nicely.

So while not the most common, and definitely not done by any current Tumble Town resident, tattoos do show from time to time in Tumble Town.

Most commonly among travelers, tourist, and the deputy and sheriff. People who often travel to and from Tumble Town for various different reasons.

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     Tumble Town had a force that seems to bring in the desperate. From animals and people alike.

There were few reasons to come to the mesa town. And most of the time it was before someone was desperate. They could be searching for a new start, a fresh start, or a place that would accept them.

Often times it is teenager who show up out of nowhere with little on their backs. It was so common in Tumble Town that there were places and people set up to help them.

But humans weren't the only strays that called Tumble Town home. Pets often got dropped off in the mesa, in desperation they find the closest place to satisfy their needs.

This leads to lots of pets finding their way to Tumble Town. And like any stray, the citizens welcome them with open arms.

Things like bowls and beds are set up on porches. Shelters that are hardly noticed by humans are built for the more reluctant animals.

Some shops even stock toys for if an animal comes around. And with a majority of shops propping open their doors, animals will sometimes right wonder in.

Tommy is one of the few who rarely prop open his door for any animal friends. Despite Tommy's love for animals, and his little care of what others think, it'd be bad business to sell clothes with fur and/or claw marks on them. Plus he would feel bad if an animal accidentally got stabbed by any of his sewing needles.

So instead Tommy made behind his shop a little paradise with toys of all types, boxes, beds, more then enough food and water bowls, and several scratching posts.

And while it wasn't the prettiest thing to ever exist, it did its purpose wonderfully.

Norman is actually the one who works the most with stray animals mainly cause he can shapeshift. He is the deputy of the animals and humans.

If an animal is injured he'll help them or be the one to find help for them. He helps with communication between pets and their owns. And will talk with Jimmy if there is something that needs to be arranged.

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     The tailor, or more commonly known as Tommy, was one of the two hearts of Tumble Town. Only second to the sheriff himself.

A young adult who showed up out of nowhere one day with his child and proceeded to set up a church and shop, and is often seen helping the sheriff when not working. Tommy had made himself right at home, and like any other stray, Tumble Town welcomed him with open arms.

Not only was Tommy's church a success but so was his tailor shop. Something that Tumble Town needed desperately.

Tommy made clothes for everyone no matter the species. His son, Shroud, was often seen modeling and testing out kids clothes through the window and out in the street.

The kid jumped, ran, rolled, and stretched to their hearts content to test Tommy's craftsmanship. It was quite the sight to see as; the young spiderling bolting up and down the street laughing and tossing his hands around.

Other then Tommy's shop, the town loved him for his dedication. Not only to place and things (the church and the clothes he makes) but also to people.

It was why no one questioned if Tommy should be raising Shroud at his age and instead offered assistance if asked. It's why Sheriff Jimmy went out of his way to visit Tommy and have him over every evening for dinner.

And of course the town folk noticed the deities who follow him. The most obvious being Drista, goddess of chaos, who had no problem with showing herself to mortals.

Lady Prime clearly showed her favoritism for Tommy with large harvests and perfect craftsmanship. Plants seemed to blossom and grow exceededly when under Tommy's care.

Some even claim that Lady Death also favored the golden priest. Saying how they seen shadows and crows in the corner of their eyes when around Tommy. How in morning instead of a roster crowing, a crow peckes on Tommy's window until the golden boy wakes.

People outside of town whisper how the tailor is somehow both cursed and blessed. That he had managed to gain the favor of the original runaway Watcher and Listener. That there was Eyes watching you at all times when near the priest.

Whispers speard about those who faced a painful death because they dared to harm the golden tailor of Tumble Town. That not only would you be hunted down by the town folk but multiple deities too.

None of which who would show you mercy.