Where: Infirmary

Adrien laughs. "I doubt I could if you can't, but I'll still take a look. You more of a big machinery person?"

Adrien grunts as he tries to rachet a bolt loose.

"It's alright, I guess. It's not exactly what I thought when I first heard the options, but it's not bad."

He finally gets it loose.

"It's not so much the space as it is the... I don't know, vibes? It's just not always my favorite. There's cool people there, but we're not always in the mood to hang out with each other. At least they're not sometimes."

He shrugs.

Ellington leaned back slightly on their stool, their lips curling into a smile as they caught Adrien’s enthusiasm about the watch. “Still got it,” they said, nodding toward a nearby workbench. “Haven’t cracked the mystery yet, though. It’s a tough one. Maybe you can fix it?”

They took a moment to let Adrien’s words about calling this place home sink in, their gaze softening. “That’s good to hear. Feeling at home here, even just a little, is no small thing.”

After a beat, El shifted gears. “Speaking of, how’s it been at Colony House for you? I know it’s got its charms, but it can get... crowded over there. Everyone finding their space okay?” Their tone was curious but gentle, a genuine question wrapped in the easygoing demeanor they always wore. “If you ever need a break from it, you know where to find me.”

Lucas watches her intently, listening to her musings. Thoughts he's learning a lot of new people normally share.

He considers his next words, wondering what might offer some temporary solace.

"I know it sounds crazy, but being in this town, I've never felt more free in my life. I don't need to pretend I'm not gay to people who know but are uncomfortable by it. I don't need to worry that people i care about might suddenly disappear. All of our odds are 50/50, and if it happens, then I'll be sad. But right now, there's no reason to be."

He watches her face as he talks, seeing if what he's saying is helping or hurting.

'Catie,' she says, brushing hair out of her face as she sizes him up. 'I’ve been here two days. Everyone’s telling me to relax or stay inside like that’s going to help anything. And now we’re just throwing a party?” She scoffs, looking away for a moment, then back at Adrien, her voice dipping into more bewilderment. 'It’s like everyone’s just…Fucking hell. This is where we’re all supposed to be now.'

She leans back, feeling the wall’s cold surface steady her, her shoulders slumping as she keeps her eyes on him. 'But you—' she pauses, trying to figure him out. 'Feels like you’ve already adjusted more in a few days than I could in a lifetime. You’re really just…okay with this?'

"It was," Lucas insists. "That was probably more information than we've ever gotten. I really do appreciate it."

Lucas nods in agreement.

"I know, but sometimes even the illusion of safety is enough to help."

" ... I KNOW IT WASN'T USEFUL ." elm replies simply even after the encouragement . they move to get up with a gentle, " if i remember new stuff i'll say ." they shake their head at lucas' offer, quick to say, " it's okay . bruna gives me food at the diner . and marama's with me a lot ." a pause before she shrugs . " she's not an escort, but she kind of is ." a beat of consideration . "besides, if they wanted to take me i don't think much could stop them ."

Lucas snorts. "With you? I don't think he ever is."

He let's Adam pour him another drink, listening to the nihilistic but strangely comforting speech.

"We drink," Lucas echoes, watching him struggle to light the cigarette.

"I just can't stop imagining that I hear screams coming from out there. Which is crazy because the rain is so loud I wouldn't hear anything anyway."

"When's Jim ever happy?" up until now Adam didn't even consider the real consequences this day would have on everyone who stays alive. He was more concerned with the amount of digging he'll be forced to do first thing in the morning. Not to mention seeing dead bodies, all fucked up, did not get easier with time. In many ways, he was hoping this would never end. "New day, new rules -- this place is letting us know who's really in control. Ain't nothin' we can do about that. Except drink, so....we drink..." he pours him another, and then another one for himself and lights the poorly dried cigarette. "Day will come, 'til then we're better off in here than we would be out there..."

Lucas winces as Becca pushes.

"If I say it barely hurts will you let me go?"

He'd stumbled in from the storm, trying to do his job and help as many stragglers that were still caught in the storm as possible.

Now he's sitting here, dripping wet and trying to get back out there as soon as Becca says he can. If she says he can.

where: lost and found bar when: after the storm starts who: open (0/2)

everything was too sudden for becca to truly understand. distractions took her attention before she could think; the hurried conversations, the rush of movement, the sudden noise of a hard rainfall on the roof and windows. even her own voice didn't sound right. it felt strained and warbled in her throat when she spoke, still caught by surprise just as she was getting the hang of this place. but her hands are steady on the injured ankle while she feels for irregularities underneath. "it's not a break or tear- that's good. now, i'm going to push on your foot and you let me know when it hurts too much."

"Wow, ten years?" Adrien doesn't even look up from his work as he continues talking. "I thought not really leaving my hometown for that long was bad. But this place?"

He let's out a stream of air in sympathy. He strips off the covering so he can get to more of the wiring.

"I mean, I've got the important bits: monsters that eat people, can't leave town, stay indoors once the sun sets. It's all very Twilight Zone. I guess I'm curious what all you guys do in the meantime? Gardening, scavenging, cooking, healing, that's all good, but that's survival, not living."

she'd forgotten how newcomers could be; so eager to learn and ask questions. its one of the reasons why she never took up a leadership position with the council; erin didn't think that she could keep herself impartial if she got too close to every newcomer. a lot of people didn't make it, she didn't want to sign up for the pain fest it would be when they inevitably died. she hoped that he wouldn't though, that he would somehow break the cycle. she stalls for time, looking around the shop and tinkering with things in the office here and there. "ten years," she replies easily enough, but if you were to know her then you'd notice strain in her voice as she says it. clearing her throat, she continues. "what do you want to know?" better to figure out what he already knows and then go from there.

Adrien smiles at El.

"Exactly. It's kinda beautiful to think about it like that. Tragic, but beautiful."

He moves back to the engine.

"So, you've been doing this as long as you've been here? Working in the shop?"

Ellington leans against the truck frame, wiping a bit of grease onto their already stained jeans as they watch Adrien pull out the valves. There’s a gleam of appreciation in their eyes as they examine the truck—it’s a solid piece of machinery, the kind that’s endured decades without much fuss.

“Yeah, it does feel a little wrong to rip her apart,” Ellington replies, giving the truck a gentle pat. “I mean, they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore, right? Sturdy, reliable… might’ve had a few more years left in her.” They shift, gesturing to the growing piles of parts. “But hey, every bit we pull is something that keeps this town running a little longer. Bet these valves can patch up at least two or three motors around town.”

There’s a sense of pride in their voice, and they flash Adrien a quick grin. “Besides, something about finding new life for the old stuff? Kinda feels like we’re doing right by her, even if she won’t be on the road again.”

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."

"El's really cool. They're teaching me shit I didn't even know about out there."

Adrien turns his focus back to his project, though he keeps up with the conversation easily.

"Just something, Muz or Mara found. Figured I'd see if I could make it work before we stripped it for parts."

He looks up. "Anything I can help with? This is just fun stuff I can do any time."

He places the pieces on the bandana he'd found and wraps them up.

"that's good, there are some cool people here, and you picked one of the better jobs. i'm sure el has you working hard," she says with a smile. "you seem to be taking things pretty well." she liked how adrien always seemed so positive about things. it was refreshing in a place like this. they needed more people like that. "i'm okay, got a long list of things i need to work on around here but wanted to check in with you. i know it can be a lot these first few weeks." cam looks down at the walkie talkie he was messing with. "what'cha doing with that? haven't seen one of those in awhile."

Adrien nods in agreement, having not planned his costume until El mentioned people could. Then he blinks in surprise.

"It's your birthday? Happy birthday! Damn that's crazy."

He taps their glasses together in a toast.

"Sorry, since we're all focused on the Halloween stuff today. They should've made a cake for you or something."

" THANKS, ADRIEN ." cherry replies with an amused nod, her lips curling up into a grin . despite herself cherry can admit to being almost mildly endeared . it's hard to put her finger on why, but hey, she'll take it . " i mean, honestly i wasn't gonna bother until i found out other people were doing it ." cherry shrugs . " i love a party as much as the next girl but being the only one dressed up would be kinda sad no matter how hot i looked ." cherry sighs then before shrugging and playfully adding, " but it is my birthday so i had to do somethin', you know ."