Adrien Instinctually Checks His Pockets, Though He Knows He Doesn't Have Matches Or A Lighter. He Does

where: colony house when: Halloween night, early evening whom: open

Adrien dances in the middle of the designated dance floor, probably having the best night of his life. The music plays from records or CD that are constantly rotating. Not a lot of recent music, but it still is fun to dance to.

His "wings" force a small circle around him, which does bum him out a bit, but he takes it in stride, keeping his dancing small but still fun.

That doesn't stop him from accidentally bumping into someone, though. He whirls around to face them.

"Oh shit! I'm so sorry."

Tanner Buchanan | Behind The Blinds (2021)

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?'

Adrien clocks something odd in the way Cherry brushes off his offer but shrugs it off.

"I mean nice, really likes cuddles. Six-pack isn't necessary. A bonus but not necessary. And I guess willing to like be patient when I admit I'm new to stuff?"

Then he groans, blushing from embarrassment.

"I'm so cringe, aren't I?"

" OH, I'M — " CHERRY WAVES A HAND . " not really lookin' for anythin' right now, don't worry about me ." she tries really hard not to focus on the twist in her stomach, instead focusing on nudging adrien with her elbow . " but what about you, champ ? huh ? what's your type ?" a nod as she leans back to ask . "what am i lookin' for ?"

where: colony house when: Halloween night whom: @fromsaudades Maude

Adrien sits on a staircase and watches the dancing room through the arch. He'd needed a quick breather and to wipe the sweat from his face. He understands why they can't just open a window but fuck! It's hard not to just step outside real fast to cool off.

He notices someone kind of standing off to the side, watching the dancing as well. He stands and walks over.

"Hey, I'm Adrien. I don't think we've properly met yet."

He holds out a hand and smiles.

Lucas laughs. He's not as drunk as Becca is but he's not so far behind.

"Gets harder to keep up every year, doesn't it?"

He feels the sheriff part of his brain suggest he cut her off, but he'd promised himself and Ana that he wouldn't be sheriff tonight.

where: colony house when: halloween party (event thread) who: open starter

was it a good idea for half the town to be crammed into one place for a noisy party? no. but was becca ready for an excuse to drink more than usual without reprimand? fuck yeah. and after another barely mixed cocktail of moonshine and blueberry syrup, she's starting to realize these kids weren't playing around this year. "at this rate, i'm going to be completely useless up until dinner tomorrow. do me a favor and don't ask for anything important, okay?"

Lucas looks at the glass placed in front of him, seriously considering pushing it away. Then with a sigh, he crumples the paper and picks up the glass.

"Jim's not gonna be happy," he mutters as he taps his glass against Adam's then throws back the drink. Feeling the cheap alcohol run hot down his throat actually feels good in this moment.

He really needs to relax more often. Have a few drinks, get laid, talk about nothing and everything.

"You see those things out there? Running around like it's the middle of the fucking night?"

"You've been staring up and down that list boss, like anything's gonna prepare you for the mountain of shit we're gonna have to deal with tomorrow." there was no point in planning, not in a place like this, there was also no way to be prepared. So Adam walks over behind the bar, places two cups before the other and pours whatever piss-tasting-ale was confined within a glass bottle on the middle shelf. "Now come on, let's drink -- we did the best we could -- hell, we did better than that."

Lucas takes a seat on the couch and sips his beer. He considers the question and how to respond.

"I guess there's hardly ever a simple way to do things here. For as small as the community is, there's a lot to consider."

He gestures to a chair across from him for her to sit. Sunset is still a few hours away, so there's no rush to get her home.

"How have you been? Everyone at the motel treating you alright?"

He's a bit protective over Jo since he was the one who saved her from getting killed by the creatures. A good deed someone had done for him that he now passed on and maybe will have to do again.

lucas seemed to move as if through water , possessing a fluidity she herself had never known . any stiffness that may , or may not , be holding his muscles captive was not obvious to the naked eye , and jo felt a pang of unease resonate in her chest as something resembling jealousy burned through her . if only it were that simple — merely existing in a space and not fearing how much of it you took up .

what she knew of men was very little , her two years in oblitus doing hardly anything to further educate her . what she did know was in PURGATORY , all were equal . he and her both , collectively , hung in the balance . at least that was one thing they had in common .

her lungs trembled , exhaling a quivering breath . " right , " josephine then offered as a response , half-attempting to work a smile on her face but her muscles seeming to have lost all knowledge of the expression . thick brows furrowed deeper at the beer he extended to her , lips rolling into a line , the leftward corner twitching as if she were about to scowl . then , tentatively , she reached out and accepted it — though she made no move to drink from the ambered glass .

" what do you mean by that ?? " her curiosity inquired , steering her tongue before she could stop it . " — always something to do but. . . never a way to do them . there's a way to do everything , is there not ?? "

Adrien was chugging down some water when he'd stepped up next to the guy. Adrien's seen a lot of new faces, but even then, this guy looks even newer than himself.

"As far as I know," he replies. "Though, to be honest, I haven't really tried to leave."

He rubs the back of his neck. It's not that he wants to be trapped in town. It's more that even with the flesh eating monsters outside, he doesn't feel the urgent need to get out of town.

location: colony house

This was Gabriel's first full day in this town which happened to fall on Halloween. He had put bits and pieces together of where he was and it was no where close to New York City where he was trying to go. Someone also filled him in that it's impossible to try to leave so he was stuck. The house was having a big party to celebrate the holiday and even though he wasn't in the mood to dance yet, he stood by the side having a drink. ''Was the one who told me when I got here last night right..that there's really no way out of here? Not even a bus?

Lucas watches Muz as he thinks, smiling. He rarely gets to see the man so still.

Then he sighs.

"Yeah, that's something we're trying to figure out. Unfortunately, I don't have any answers right now, but I hope it's enough to know we're trying."

He puts a hand on Muz's shoulder and squeezes.

"Don't let it wear you down, Muz. I don't have your skills. Can't scavenge you."

Muz laughs softly, shaking his head as he stares at the gravel underfoot. 'Guess I owe you one now, huh? Better start scrounging.'

He takes a moment, letting the sunlight soak into his own skin, the warmth grounding him even as his thoughts wander. 'Alright. I’m wondering what’s gonna happen if another storm rolls in. Wondering if we’re built to handle it, or if we’re just... reacting. Like survival instincts only get you so far before they just wear you down.'