Adrien Nods In Understanding As He Smiles At Muz.

Rafa via Instagram Stories (August 5, 2024)

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?

This is going well. At least, Adrien thinks it is. She hasn't indicated she doesn't like him, so that's a start.

"Tea sounds great, thanks."

He sits across from her, wiping the nervous sweat from his hands on his jeans.

He'd never really had any tea before, but when in Rome or however that goes.

"No, I know. I figured we wouldn't be here at all if you could."

He wiggles in his seat, trying how to best explain what he's thinking.

"So I grew up in a small town with small-minded people. I guess I'm just hoping to learn new things. Even if they're unusual or other people don't like it."

"Straightforward works," she finally says, her voice soft but firm, carrying that smooth cadence that makes everything sound deliberate. "Better than playing games, anyway. I can work with honest."

She crosses her arms loosely, tilting her head as he talks about the rumors circulating around her—potions, tarot cards, and all the rest. The mention of fear doesn’t seem to surprise her, nor does the suggestion that others respect her. Raina knows how stories travel, how reputations morph in this strange town.

"Ah, the usual, then," she says lightly, with a shrug that makes it seem like she’s heard it all before. "People love to be afraid of what they don’t understand. And if that fear keeps them at a respectful distance..." She lets the thought hang, the smile curling just a little sharper. "Well, I won’t lose any sleep over it."

Her smile turns playful but knowing, as if she’s fully aware of how strange and intimidating this place must feel to him but finds some quiet humor in watching him navigate it. When she turns back to him, there’s an ease in her gaze—not an invitation exactly, but not a dismissal either.

"Tea?" she offers, as if that’s the most natural thing to ask after such a conversation bringing the kettle to her table with two mugs. Raina motions for him to take a seat, "What do you need a witch for? I can't wave my hands and you'll be free, if that's what you think."

"Rae-rae," Lucas says, exasperated, the old pet name slipping out. He follows Rae down the hall, ready to softly berate him about taking care of himself first and foremost.

It's hypocritical, he knows, but it's easier to want other people to be selfish than yourself.

But before he can make any challenge or tirades about Rae's well-being, he hears Rae's sob and curse.

Lucas immediately steps around and pulls Rae's body against his own. His arms hold him tight, trying to provide a physical anchor. Tears start spilling out of his own eyes, sharing Rae's pain, fear, heartbreak, despair.

"I know," he whispers. "You need actual rest. You can't force yourself to do this for hours."

cruel was putting it lightly, rae thought to himself; they were pure evil. he would never forget his first night, the sound of his parents tapping on the window, the glimpse he caught of their un-aged faces, and his mother's voice calling to him in their native tongue.

“i — ” he began, but the sound of his own voice felt foreign. he swallowed hard, forcing the memories back into the shadows where they belonged. “i'll take a break, but i can’t leave, lucas. there’s too much to do.” rae's fingers grip on the cart tightened, knuckles turning an alarming shade of white.

as they reached the door leading to the storage room, something inside him snapped. a sob broke free from his lips — a choked sound that echoed in the hallway. he stopped, his hands gripping the cart's edge tightly as if it could anchor him to reality. “fuck.” his voice was raw, a mixture of despair and anger as he buried his face in his hands. the calm facade he had fought so hard to maintain crumbled instantly.

Adrien shrugs it off.

"You're probably the least scariest thing I've seen in the past 24 hours."

He steps aside and let's the woman — Erin — in.

"So how can I help you, Miss Erin? I'm not fully trained in where everything is yet, but I do know how to fix things."

He moves to a desk and tries to look all official, even with his ear-to-ear grin.

seeing someone she doesn't immediately recognize sets her on edge. maybe because of the storm, or because it just spells newcomer - neither of which she's particularly thrilled about. more people meant more people to potentially loose to them. so her face isn't exactly one of cheer when he answers the door for her; instead, its probably the exact opposite, stuck in some kind of look of sympathy and pained. "sorry for scaring you," her voice is quiet, as it is most often, and remains sympathetic to his plight. she was plenty scared her first days here too... doesn't like to think of it. "i'm erin."

Tanner Buchanan | Behind The Blinds (2021)

Lucas gives a friendly chuckle at the jokes.

He checks the sky. If they hurry, he can get Lena back into her house, then himself to his own.

"Okay. I'll provide a police escort today."

He offers an arm to her, like he's a gentleman.

Right. Most people were still afraid of the dark here. Maybe she should have been too, if not given the circumstances. "I don't know, my goose hasn't been cooked in a real long time." She halfway laughs, her own joke- but still. "See any ducks around?" Her nose wrinkles in a smirk, but then she lets out a small sigh and a shrug of her shoulders. "I forgot what time it was, and I was already halfway there so- plus I don't wanna' miss anybody. Sometimes they try to sneak into the kitchen early, and get out before I get there." She'll point gently over her shoulder. "You can escort me, if you'd feel better?"

— Mary Kate Teske

Adrien sets the wrapped tech aside and stands.

"I mean, I'm not an expert, but I know how to handle them. I'm sure it's easy."

He wipes his hands on his jeans and follows Cam.

"Where to first?" he asks with a grin.

"that's good, stick by them and you'll be set in this place." el was always the best at getting new comers settled in. she understood why they would rather work in the shop than be a welcomer but they were the great at it.

"well, you never know, you could get it working and if we find the other one, it could be useful around here." she liked adrien's attitude, he always seemed to look in the bright side of things. they needed people like that around here. "how good are you with a hammer and saw? want to help me board up a couple windows? a couple cracked in the storm and i gotta get them patched up."