Adrien listens as he works, El's voice very soothing in contrast to the familiar sounds of work.
"Yeah, Cameron's cool. She's lives at the colony house with me."
Then Adrien lifts his head to look toward El. Cherry? Complicated? "She's seems like good folk, though. Don't see what could be so complicated." He ends with a smirk on his face, teasing El a bit.
Then he turns back to the work as he talks.
"I'm trying. There's some really interesting people around. Like that, Muz guy. He seems cool."
Ellington’s hands paused over the engine, the faint grin on their face softening at Adrien’s words. The moment felt lighter, somehow, despite the heavy things they’d both touched on. They tilted their head, giving Adrien a sidelong glance.
“Solid people make all the difference,” El said, their voice low but warm. “Sounds like you’ve had a few of those in your corner. That’s not nothing.”
Adrien’s question brought a small chuckle out of El as they leaned back against the workbench, arms crossed loosely. “Friends? Well, I wouldn’t say I’m drowning in them, but I’ve got my people. Cameron’s one—she’s good at grounding me when I start thinking too much. Low-key but solid, like the kind of friend who can share a drink in silence and it still feels like a conversation.”
They glanced at Adrien with a knowing smile. “And there’s Cherry. She’s… complicated. Keeps me on my toes, though, which might be why I stick around. Or why she sticks around me—hard to say.”
El shrugged, their grin turning a little self-deprecating. “But I think you’re underestimating my loner tendencies. I have my people, I'm a friend to everyone, but I also spend a lot of time alone or... I used to. Seems like that might be changing nowadays,” in their minds-eye, Cherry's face appears and they can't help the little grin that appears on their lips.
They picked up a wrench, turning it idly in their hands. Their eyes flicked back to Adrien, their tone a little softer, more thoughtful. “So what about you? Got your people here yet?”
Adrien laughs and nods in agreement.
"Your ass definitely looks good and you're rocking it."
He even salutes her before bursting into giggles.
"Yeah, it seems like it's hard to cobble together even basic costumes. I'm honestly surprised they even bother with the dress up part."
THE DESCRIPTION HAS CHERRY STARING FOR A BEAT OR TWO . " wow . okay ." cherry has to shake her head as if to clear it, her hands on her hips as she squints at him in disbelief . " the fuck ?" but before they can get further into it cherry is waving a hand dismissively as she says, " you know what ? the bullshit hollywood is doin' doesn't matter, i am a fuckin' soldier, thank you for askin' ." cherry gestures to her camo shorts with a pleased nod . " mostly because it was quick and easy and my ass looks good in these shorts ." she shrugs before adding, " i wanted to be a hooters girl but i couldn't find a lotta orange to be honest ."
Lucas walks Rae outside. The sun is starting to set so they don't have too long to get home.
He notices Rae keeps glancing at his own hands, he takes one of Rae's in his.
"It's okay," he says. He doesn't know what Rae is seeing, but he knows he can calm the images down, even just briefly.
They hurry to the residential area.
"I'll tell Jim that I'm going to help you tomorrow," Lucas says. He did it before Kina. He wasn't good by any means, but he could follow directions. "Hopefully, we can get everything done tomorrow."
rae's breath caught in his throat at lucas' gesture, a simple kiss to the top of his head, but it was enough to send a jolt of emotion through him. he nodded, his grip on the other loosening, and walked back to the examination room.
it didn't take long before his hands were submerged in water, desperately scrubbing to wash away the visible remnants of death. but despite his best efforts, the blood seemed to cling to his skin, refusing to wash away. he scrubbed harder, fingers digging in, and still it remained. he shook his head, his eyes wild and unfocused. "it won't come off," he muttered to himself.
ready? a voice cut through, and rae glanced up, his eyes focusing on lucas' reflection in the mirror. when he looked back down, the blood was…gone.
"…ready," he echoed, turning around as he dried his hands. he threw the towel towards the counter behind him, not caring where it landed. "let's go."
where: colony house when: Halloween night whom: @rampents Catie
Adrien stumbles out of a bathroom, shaking his hands to finish drying them. He's having way too much fun for what everyone seems to think Oblitus should be.
He's about to head back to the dance floor when he notices someone chilling on the floor, not really paying attention to her surroundings.
Not one to let someone stay alone for too long, Adrien runs then slides on his knees, stopping right in front of her.
"Hey, there, I'm Adrien. Want some company?"
Lucas actually pouts and slumps deeper into this seat. He feels like a reprimanded child, and he deserves it, but he doesn't have to like it.
But he doesn't have to make Becca suffer with him.
"I don't suppose you're also a meteorologist and can explain this storm at all?"
finally, he's convinced. becca sighs in relief, knowing that it was difficult for lucas to ignore his sense of duty. it wouldn't have been much longer before she tied him to a table if he had continued the argument. she tries to give a reassuring smile, but remains stern when she speaks. "you'll have to."
she returns to her own seat, watching as he struggles with the gravity of his situation and comes to accept it. "when the storm is done, the first place you're going is to the infirmary. you need a real treatment and whatever they say, is what you're going to do. until then, stay off it." and if he's lucky, they might even have crutches available.
Adrien gives a dramatic sigh, like he's so put upon by the lack of candy.
"Fine," he says, sounding like a petulant teenager. "So long as there's at least one good-looking guy I can drool over, that should be enough."
He snickers.
Then he listens closely to El's explanation. His mind wonders what causes people to come over? What is the deciding factor? Who is deciding?
He nods in agreement. "That's all we can really ask for now, isn't it?"
He gives El a small smile. Then it turns mischievous.
"Besides, if I wanted glamorous, I'd be asking for a different job. You've got grease on your face, you know?"
El’s mouth curves into a smirk, their usual mix of dry humor and good-natured sarcasm creeping in.
"Eye candy, huh? You got some high standards already. I’ll see what I can do—though if you’re lookin’ for real candy, you’re probably outta luck unless you’re into stale peppermints."
They adjust their position slightly, wincing but masking it quickly with a chuckle. "As for how I got here, uh - I was on my way home from a work trip and the rest is history as for how I got this thing... long story, but let’s just say I tried to play hero and ultimately became the victim." El taps their leg lightly, the gesture casual despite the damage. "Didn’t really walk away from it—more like crawled, kicked a few times, and cursed until someone dragged me outta there."
Their gaze shifts, catching Adrien’s briefly with a flicker of warmth. "You know, kid, the Chop Shop ain’t glamorous, but it’s honest work. Keep your hands busy, and your head’ll catch up eventually." They shrug. "It’s not a bad place to land, all things considered."
Adrien kept working while El was quiet, thinking that the subject was basically done. Then he looks up at them to listen intently, noting how sure they seem in their words.
"Really? You wouldn't mind a roommate?"
He'd never had a roommate that wasn't family before. That's why he'd chosen the Colony House when he first arrived. Wanting a chance to meet new people.
But he's met new people now. Maybe, he's not cut out for a big house like that?
Ellington leans against the workbench, their hands loosely resting in their pockets as they watch Adrien work. They listen quietly, noting the way his words trail off and the subtle tension in his voice. Colony House clearly isn’t sitting right with him.
“I get that,” El says, their voice low but kind. “It’s not for everyone. Too many people in one place can mess with your head after a while.”
They glance toward the door for a moment, as if weighing their next words, then look back at Adrien. “I’ve got a place on the far side of town. Whole house to myself. Quiet, no one to bother you unless you want them to.” A small smile plays on their lips. “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s solid. And it’s got space.”
They lean a little closer, their tone soft but sincere. “If you’re feeling like Colony House isn’t cutting it, you’re welcome to crash with me. No pressure—just figured I’d throw it out there. It might be nice having someone around who’s not... you know, always in each other’s business.”
Adrien hums, listening to her. Seems like she's still spiraling after arriving in town recently. He moves to sit against the wall across from her, their shoes inches apart.
"Sorta? I came in a few days ago with the huge storm. But I'm guessing you're even more recent than that? And to be honest? If having a party is delusional, I'd rather be that than dead."
He shrugs. He knows he's an outlier amongst the people of Oblitus, but he's used to that feeling. And he's happy to share it with others when he can.
"I didn't catch your name," he adds with a friendly smile.
Catie’s eyes narrow as Adrien slides to a stop in front of her, his enthusiasm jarring compared to everything she’s felt since arriving. She folds her arms, glancing around with disbelief.
'Company?' she echoes, almost laughing despite herself. 'Yeah. Sure. Not like I was having a ton of fun hanging out on the floor. By myself. In this creep fucking house.' She shakes her head, almost hesitating but not quite catching herself. 'Just, are we seriously doing this? Having a party while there's all that actual shit out there?' She glances at Adrien, her tone sharper than she intended but held back by a thread. 'I can’t decide if everyone here’s delusional or if I’m just the only one who thinks this whole thing is completely insane.' Her voice drops, anger simmering just below the surface as she forces a smile. "But you—you look like you’re actually having fun. Guess you’re not new here?"
Lucas gives him a dubious look, not really believing him at his word but not really able to call him a liar either.
Then he eyes the bench, wary. If he sits, he's not sure he'll stand back up any time soon. But getting off his feet sounds so nice.
He sighs and settles down next to Muz.
"If I fall asleep, you better wake me up," he says with a relieved sigh.
'Lucas, baby, what d'ya mean, man? Full twelve hours, me. Sleep the whole night through.' Twelve hours total in the four months since landing in this town, a bit more likely. But he lets a smile slip. 'Need your beauty sleep, man. Come sit for a bit. Gimme company.'
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.
where: colony house when: Halloween night whom: @hcartcorruptcd Anastasia
Lucas stands to the side, watching as the party gets started. They've had an influx of young people, and it's so nice seeing them be happy and young.
He'd been around their ages when he came here. It's almost like he gets to feel young again through them.
He sighs and shakes his head. He's not old yet. He can still have fun.
He finds Ana and sidles up to her.
"Please tell me that we can fuck around and be dumb tonight," he says with a chuckle. "All these young people are making me feel older than I actually am."
Ironic that I feel more free in this caged town than I was out in the world [RP Blog]
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