Lucas Gives A Breathless Chuckle.

Lucas chuckles and shakes his head.

"You know that's not the scout sign, right?"

He raises three fingers up to demonstrate the salute as he takes a couple of steps backwards.

"Think Hunger Games without the kiss."

CHERRY CAN ONLY SHRUG IN RESPONSE TO LUCAS' WORDS . she almost feels bad, but how can she ? this wasn't the kinda place where you could be for everybody . this was the kind of place where you quite literally might get eaten alive if you didn't watch your own neck . she glances down at the hand he offers her, and after a brief scrunch of her expression she reaches down to shake it . " s'fine ." cherry shrugs ultimately, even as she raises her brows at his words . she's truly got no intention of taking anything from anybody, but she finds herself shrugging all the same because it's not like lucas needs to know that . " yeah, sure . you'll be the first to know ." cherry crosses her heart with a finger . " scout's honour ."

Lucas listens with a proud smile. This is the Anastasia he became friends with. They keep each other grounded, especially when other people can't.

He kisses her forehead and squeezes her shoulder.

"You and me, no matter what. We're getting these people out of here."

He steps back and resumes his task.

"So anything I should know about this talk with Cam? Are we avoiding her now or inviting her over for game night?"

Anastasia straightens, taking in Lucas’s words like a lifeline, grounding herself with his steady presence. She lets out a deep breath, the weight of it settling her rather than weighing her down. It’s like his reminder is just what she needed, a glimpse of purpose cutting through the fog she’s been stumbling in for so long.

"You're right, you know." Her voice is level, though a slight crack reveals the intensity simmering just below the surface. She brushes a stray tear from her cheek, refusing to let herself go under. "We can’t let any of this break us. Not here, not now. There are too many people counting on us."

She takes a steadying breath, her gaze sharpening as it meets his. "We've been through hell and back, and I know neither of us wanted any of this. But we’re here. We’re still here." Her jaw sets with a resolve that’s familiar yet renewed.

"We have a duty, Lucas. To these people, to ourselves." Her voice is unwavering now, conviction returning to her tone. "Even if we don’t see a way out yet, giving up isn’t an option. Not for them, not for us."

Anastasia places a hand firmly on his shoulder, a determined gleam in her eyes. "We hold the line, like you said. Together." She offers him a small, grateful smile, a hint of her usual fire returning. "Whatever comes next, we face it head-on."

where: infirmary

when: after kina's autopsy

whom: @ludics Rae

Lucas takes a deep breath as he walks toward the morgue. It's been a long day, and he'd honestly love nothing more than to just head home, take a shower, and go to bed. As much as he wants to make sure everyone is safe, secure, and taken care of, he definitely needs time to himself.

Except there's one more person he needs to check up on. One he needs to handle personally.

He pauses outside the door, bracing himself for anything he might see, then knocks on the door.

"Rae?" he calls through. "It's Luc."

He waits, letting Rae set the pace though he's not taking "go away" as an answer that's for damn sure.

Lucas approaches cautiously, trying not to spook her like she's a deer that could leap into action at any second. His hands up to show he means no ill will.

"You can't really blame us for being cautious now, can you? We don't want you to get hurt. Or worse."

He winces at the memories of bodies. Especially those of newcomers who didn't know better or tried to deny the reality before them.

where : the edge of the forest / town with : open

— RAYS from the afternoon sun shine through the trees , melting away the remaining frost on the yellowing leaves and warming greer's near windburnt cheeks . though a chilly autumn was no irregularity for the detroit native , there was something sinister in the air , something she tries desperately to ignore , that makes the cold air seem to seep into her weary bones , inescapable no matter how many layers she may wear . despite this , her glove - less right hand remains outside of her coat pocket , a nearly finished cigarette held tightly between two pinkened fingers , orange lighter clutched in the palm of her hand . the unease only worsens the longer she stares into the woods , the shadows among the trees looking all the more ominous . she takes a deep inhale , the harshness of the cold air stinging her nose and throat as she does so , refreshing and punishing at the same time . as she exhales , she closes her eyes , cutting herself off from staring into the forest , and the dark , irrational thoughts that seem to cluster in her mind whenever she was near it . footsteps approach , the sound of gravel crunching taking away from the otherwise eerie silence , and successfully pulling the young woman from her reverie . greer's eyes remain closed for a moment longer , this time to contain an eye roll . “ i'm not running off again , you guys don't have to keep threatening to ‘ restrain me ’ . ” forever assuming rather than asking , disinterest and annoyance cloud greer's voice . her eyes open only to fall into a scowl as she turns to look at the one who interrupts her moping . “ what do you want ? ”

Rafael

"A good point," he says, dropping his arms into a relaxed casual stance. "I guess we just wanna be 100% certain, you know? Doesn’t hurt being cautious."

He smiles warmly at her, hoping that maybe he can get her to drop her guard enough to at least let him look around.

WELL, WHEN HE PHRASES IT LIKE THAT SHE CAN KINDA SEE WHY SHE'S FIRST ON THE LIST . she crosses her arms she moves to lean on the doorframe, easily replying, " well, i'm not gonna tattle ." she huffs a bit, gesturing with a hand . " how do they even know the booze is really missin' ?" she tries with an arch of her brows . " maybe it's just lost !"

Task 002

Lucas lives in a residential house, one of the few that want to be alone.

Well, he doesn't want to be alone, but he is. Even after 7 years, his house doesn't feel anything like him. It's furnished as all residential houses are: simple, clean, all the necessities but no personality or charm. While it's not empty, it feels lonely. Like there isn't enough life moving inside it to make it feel like a home.

There are little touches of him: books left on tables, dishes in the sink, plants that he's trying to keep alive. But overall, it seems like one of the empty houses on the street, ready for some new unfortunate soul to move in.

The places he's more clearly left an imprint are the sheriff's offices and the homes of his friends. He's more interested in making the town his home rather than his house. Because then maybe he might not feel so alone.

Lucas actually looks up to who he's talking to. He vaguely recognizes the face as someone semi-new. Seeing a child helps. Larry? Lauren?

Lucas stands. "Sorry. We just encourage people not to get too close to the woods. Sheriff Lucas Miranda."

He steps forward, offering his hand.

He glances over and smiles toward the kid playing.

Reaching out toward a plant, Lainn delicately brushed the tips of his fingers on his outstretched left hand against the stem, before moving it to glide along the leaves. Frowning a bit, he remembered what his classes told him about the type of tree in front of him. Before he plucks a leaf right off and moves to stand in on the quick succession of moves.

Glancing over, he could see his son, playing and brought the leaf up to his nose, sniffing it before absently twisting it between his fingers and turning to move away a bit, spotting someone a moment or so later. He quirked an eyebrow at the other's assumption that he was looking to hunt, taking note of it, he gave a nod of his head.

Lainn turned his head, keeping Tali in his view, who remained close to him still before saying, “Well, I don't really hunt.” Holding his hands out, he gives a lazy shrug at this, before continuing to toy with the leaf in his hands and going on, “Do you?” Lainn inquired before turning his head back away from the stranger, listening to Tali come closer as he explained the type of plant he was now holding. Lainn gave a nod of his head, commenting gently toward his son, “That's correct. It's a pretty cool find, Tali.”

As Tali grinned at Lainn's words, before he moved a little ways away once more, to look at more of the plants in the immediate area. Lainn looked toward the stranger again, then around the wooded area before them, “It's pretty, this place. This type of biome is great for all kinds of discovery. There's probably loads of strange bugs here.” Lainn commented offhandedly. He had always found swampland and the like to be almost mystical.

Finally. It had been a long day. Survive the storm and night, get the run down of the town, meet El, see the Chop Shop, and now, finally, being shown where he's going to be living. It's a cool place. Big, a little fancy, and it's buzzing with energy even with quiet somber air. So different from his aunt and uncle's place.

Cameron showed him his room and where the supplies he might need are kept. Then he's let loose to wander and see what he can find.

He finds a common room with some couches and chairs. And books he steps in to see what kind of books might still be here, but then he freezes because someone else is already in here.

Adrien blinks because there's no way this guy is real.

Adrien's seen cute guys back home. But this guy? He's handsome, beautiful.

Adrien licks his lips. Then, he realizes the guy is looking at him. Talking to him.

"Oh. No, not mine. I don't have much that's mine anymore. Just my mini-tool kit. No books. Uncle Don didn't let us bring books on our family hikes. So it's fine if you read that."

He's feeling breathless under the guy's gaze.

"Hi, I'm... I didn't mean to stare. I just... well, you're..."

He shuts his mouth and swallows hard. Get yourself together, he tells himself.

He steps forward, wiping the sweat from his hand, then holds it out to the guy.

"Adrien. I'm new."

@patroclusblossom

LOCATION: colony house

The storm passed. Some were hurt, and a few went missing. Less died than he expected, but the gruesome sight was enough to send many into somber silence.

Sangjoon had finally settled into the Colony House thanks to Cameron and was clearing out a spot to sit. There was a book in his way and after a moment of deliberation, he picked it up. He wasn't completely sure what the rules were regarding property in this house and wondered if he was going to upset someone just by flipping a few pages. Still, after all the horror, it felt nice to read.

Escape for a moment to a safer world.

What pulled him back to the bleak present was a pair of eyes. Sangjoon, having lived the way he did, was always hyperaware of any attention on him.

Fortunately, the gaze did not seem unfriendly.

"Is this book yours?" Were you looking at this, or looking at me? "I should have not touched it without permission, sorry."

PLOT DROP 02.

The darkness creeps in the air, a sensation of impeding doom following the massacre that rolled in with the storm. There is a growing need now amongst the residents of Oblitus, a need for hope, for ease, for laughter. And what better way to aspire for all, than to attend the annual Halloween party at Colony House. And while the party will, no doubt, be different this year, with more new faces, louder atmosphere to drown out the screeches from the outside, it is sure to bring on some much needed relief. So take out your finest garments, your tastiest treats and head over to Colony House before the night rolls in. Oh and do make sure not to open the door for any trick-or-treaters....for you might just end up a treat.

OOC: Welcome to our second plot drop and the most fun party Oblitus can get!

Note to all: Halloween Party is an old tradition dating back for as long as the residents can remember. Every year, the whole town gathers at the Colony House to enjoy the night of music, games and laughter. It is a tradition reserved to mock the town and its many horrors, while also ensuring everyone is safe and sound and most importantly -- not alone. During this night, the monsters that usually roam the town are unable to assume their human form, so they are seen around in their real form, and their powers of allure and persuasion are at an all-time-high. This is why, in preparation for the party, the windows are blacked out entirely, and residents are forbidden from peaking through.

Our Halloween event will be taking place from Friday, November 1st (6pm EST) through to following Tuesday, November 5th.

We encourage everyone to put their current threads on pause during the event!

Please tag the starters 'starter.oblitus' and post them in a designated discord server.

Give this post a like so we know you have seen it <33 happy roleplaying !!