《 ★ Adrien Ritchie ★ 》 - Blog Posts
Adrien's eyes nearly pop out of his head in excitement.
"Oh good! At least there's some more gay solidarity."
He laughs.
"I mean, it depends on how old you mean by old. And I'm here at the colony house, yeah. Where do you live?"
CHERRY BRIGHTENS AS SHE TAPS HER GLASS TO HIS . she takes a sip of what's definitely not water in solidarity before she's brightening a bit as he goes on . " oh shit, you're gay ?" cherry's gasp is one of drunken excitement as she smacks him lightly on the arm . " fuck, me too !" cherry nods sagely for a moment before she's adding, " also i'm honoured you think i know shit . appreciate that ." she pauses a moment to hum thoughtfully as she tilts her head and adds, " the guys i know who're into dudes are older than you though ... " she squints . " you like old ?" there's a beat before she adds, " also, where're shacked up ? here ?"
Adrien sits quietly, reminiscing on the few memories he still has of his parents. One such from the day they'd died. They'd spent the day attempting to fish in a river similar to this one. Since Adriennwas 10, he was obviously terrible at it, and he'd had his parents clutching their sides in laughter from his attempts. It had been on the way back when it had happened.
Adrien looks up and smiles when he sees it's Muz talking.
"Oh hey," he greets though it's not a peppy or bright as he usually is. "El made me take the day off, and I wasn't feeling up for hanging at the colony house. Not having much luck on the getting-a-boyfriend front and everyone else was busy, so... yeah, getting lost felt like a good way to pass the time."
He looks back toward the horizon and swings his leg, his big toe skimming the surface of the cool, clear water.
"What about you? What brings you to getting lost territory?"
river banks, adrien. @patroclusblossom
He's found himself on more walks than ever since arriving in Oblitus. The river banks became a quick favourite. Muz leans against dock, watching the ripples of the river. The sun threatens to start its slow descent but he sees Adrien sitting near the edge, one leg hanging over the side, staring out at the horizon like he had all the time in the world. The usual energy that Adrien carried seemed to be gone today, replaced by something quieter.
He pushes off the post and steps down the dock, boots making soft thuds as he moves closer to where Adrien sits. 'Not a bad place for getting lost,' Muz says, his voice breaking the silence. 'What’s got you out here?'
"Shit! Airplanes? That sounds awesome. I've always wanted to get a look inside one. Hell, I've always wanted to fly in one."
He chuckles, though it sobers a bit when they ask him about his mechanic history.
"I mean, yeah, ever since I could hold a wrench. My dad taught me a lot of the basics before he and my mom... and then my uncle showed me a bunch of stuff after along with some family friends."
He blinks quickly so he doesn't tear up thinking about his parents.
"Yeah, I used to work on airplanes, it seemed fitting enough." Ellington shrugs, "But it just kind of became a thing. There'd been a few people who had some knowledge but not enough to get this town in shape when I first got here," they are tinkering about in the tool box, searching, "There was so much that needed fixing. Although I didn't necessarily have a lot of knowledge about anything other than airplane engines, you kinda just... figure it out? Plus, I've always enjoyed fixing things." Ellington approaches the vehicle again, a wrench in hand, "What about you? You always been a mechanic?"
"I'll drink to that," he says, raising his glass to tap Cherry's, then sips some water.
"So I hope I'm not making bad assumptions right now," he says sheepishly, "but you give off the vibe that you know. What's the hook up scene here like? Mostly straight? There any gay or bi guys around here?"
Not that he's desperate for sex but since he's embracing himself more here, it's only fitting he check if he can.
" YOU'RE WELCOME ." cherry replies with a nod, although she truly wasn't expecting to be thanked . that said, she won't say no to it, beaming broad and warm at adrien's compliment . " oh, stop ." cherry replies as she gives him a playful shove to the shoulder . nonetheless she does flick her hair over her shoulder to lightly say, " i know . m'gonna age fuckin' great too ." she shrugs before moving to take another sip of her drink with a simple, " if we don't get fuckin' eaten in this place at least we're both gonna be hot in our old age ."
Adrien senses something shift once he mentions El, but Cherry moves right on past it, so he does too.
He blushes at all the compliments, rubbing the back of his neck. Getting called smart and handsome with equal validity? A nice ego boost.
"Thanks."
Then he looks her over with some surprised.
"Wait, really? I wouldn't have guessed anything older than like 25."
" RIGHT ? RIGHT ?" cherry replies emphatically as she pulls back from the hug . she huffs a bit . " you get it, adrien . a birthday's a big deal! especially round here, like i coulda fuckin' died before this one !" cherry is in the process of shaking her head in exasperation when she registers adrien's words, blinking in surprise as her heart sinks heavy and quick at the mention of el . " oh, shit . didn't know that ." a dry swallow before she's moving to compose herself, attempting to hide the expression with a firm pat to adrien's arm . " look at you ! you're smart and shit, huh ?" cherry has to arch her brows at the reply . she studies adrien in new light . " huh . you kinda look younger ." a shrug . " s'good thing though . means you're gonna age good ." she nods decisively before she's pointing to herself and adding, " m'thirty one today ."
Task 002
Adrien lives in the colony house, so he doesn't have a set room or space necessarily. He roams around the house, enjoying the space as well as the company it allows him.
While he's impressed by what's already there, he does like to add his own touches here and there. Taking scraps from jobs at the Chop Shop that just weren't worth saving for practical use. Now, he brings them to the house to find new life as decoration or weird new purpose.
He also tends to just leave little things, particularly tools, behind as he works. Almost like a bread crumb trail of where he's been semi-recently. Sometimes, he'll even leave something behind because he'd set it down to pick up a different thing he'd left behind earlier.
He also tries to add some of his old farmhouse home to the areas of the house. He fixes or refurbishes things in the style he's familiar with, hoping it makes everything feel homey to everyone, not just him.
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.”
"With a lot of practice," Adrien says. Then adds, "Unfortunately."
He unconsciously matches her tapping fingers with his own on his knees.
"I know it sounds a little naive, but trust me, it's taken a lot of experience to think like that. Experience I wish I didn't have."
Catie stares at him. Free? She lets out a short, hard laugh, but it fades quickly as she considers the honesty behind what he’s saying. 'So, that’s it?' she asks. Her fingers drum against the plastic cup, her mind racing against a wall she’s only just realising might never come down.
She looks away, biting the inside of her cheek. The idea that everyone here had already gone through these thoughts, that they’d all made peace with something that to her felt like an endless cage—it’s unsettling. 'I don't know how you do that,' she mutters finally, almost to herself.
Maybe not today, not tomorrow but I am gonna achieve it, cause I am a consistent hard-worker
Adrien shakes his head.
"Ain't no way to look ridiculous. Trust me. And if you're worried about dancing alone," he offers an arm to her like a regency gentleman, "then I'll dance with you."
He doesn't want anyone here to feel left out or alienated, just because of insecurities for fears.
she glances toward the dancing, a flush creeping up her neck as she feels inexplicably singled out. yet, she knows they likely mean well. there's a quiet gratitude for the unspoken benevolence that seems to wrap itself around the party, transforming what once felt like an overwhelming atmosphere into something oddly welcoming, even comforting especially now. "the second option, actually," she admits with a sheepish grin, her words tinged with mild embarrassment as she sets a glass down. "i know i’m probably overthinking it, but i just... i don’t want to look ridiculous dancing alone, you know?"
where: chop shop when: day time whom: @hcartcorruptcd El
Adrien is hunched over the engine of the truck, trying to gauge what all is salvageable and what could be modified to be salvageable.
They'd had a few cars brought in from the junk yard after the leaders and sheriff's department got everything useful for the community. Now they're stripping what they think can be useful.
"For a truck from the '80s," he calls out, "it's in pretty good condition. Almost a shame to tear it up."
He climbs out with some valves, carrying them over to the piles they'd started to keep things vaguely organized. Then he glances over to El.
Adrien hugs back, happily squeezing the girl. Then Adrien's smile drops slightly when he takes in her words.
"What? That's not right. It's your birthday. You should be hearing that all night."
Adrien giggles and shakes his hair after the ruffling.
"Thanks, and same to you, okay? You need anything, let me know. I'm gonna be working at the Chop Shop with El, so I'm good at that kind of stuff."
Adrien shrugs and chugs some more water.
"I'm 22. You?"
CHERRY HAS TO BLINK AT THE WORDS, ALMOST CAUGHT OFF GUARD . it only takes a beat for her to soften, probably a mix of the alcohol and the whole night that makes her pull the guy who's practically a stranger into a tight hug . " aww, adrien . thank you ." her heart contracts a little as she gives him a little squeeze, pulling back to pat him on the head . " y'know you're the only one to say that all night ?" she can't help but shake her head with a sniff . she ruffles his hair . " you're a good kid . you needa favour from me, you got it, okay ?" a pause for a second as she blinks and looks at him up and down in new light . " wait, how old are you actually ?"
One day you’ll laugh so much that you’ll forget you have scars. Benjamín Griss
Adrien keeps his distance from the cow, eyeing it warily.
"You sure? I haven't had much personal luck with cows in my life."
His cousins and uncle were in charge of animal care back home. Adrien was never interested in that side of farm life anyway. Not to mention that first week after he moved in with them where the cow literally did bite him. He only got a massive bruise, but it still mentally scarred him for life.
Seems Maude is comfortable, though.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐍 was where she spent the majority of her days, diligently ensuring that the animals were well cared for, nurtured, and as healthy as circumstances would allow. Though she had grown accustomed to the pungent odors that permeated the air, she couldn’t shake the anxiety that others might begin to associate her with that unsettling aroma. “You work too much,” they would often say, but for her, it was the only way to distract herself from the fear that threatened to seep into her very psyche.
With a stethoscope pressed firmly against the animal’s fur, she focused intently, striving to discern whether everything sounded normal. “So far, so good, I’d say,” she murmured, though she struggled to pinpoint the root of the issue—the newfound behaviors and erratic mood swings that troubled her. She frowned, glancing up at the observer. “Would you like to pet her? I assure you, she won’t bite.” / ( 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐋𝐋 )
Adrien laughs with him.
"Yeah. Figured I could get my hands on new phones and figure them out better."
Adrien looks at the panel again.
"Maybe. We've got a radio station, right? There any other satellites or power lines?"
Then he laughs even louder.
"God, I almost worked at one too. Are they as stuck up as they sound?"
'T-Mobile, yeah?' Before he can stifle it, a huff of a laugh pours out. Not at Lucas, mind you - just that he'd run through a great mound of jobs in his adult life and since arriving here, had cursed himself for not settling into something handy job-wise as an adult. Something that could have been practical and put to use in a place like Oblitus. Not having these kinds of skills in his repertoire makes him feel less than more often than not. It's these little slips of information from past lives of other people stuck here that remind him to not be so hard on himself with that. Though he doesn't doubt life on a farm might give Lucas a leg up here.
Muz nods at the panel in Lucas' hand. 'You should start work on a cell tower with that there. I worked at the, uh... The Apple shop. Once. The genius bar - I thought the title was funny so I applied but hated it.'
Adrien perks up even more. There's a little shop here? His fingers already twitch, wanting to get work done inside.
"So when it comes to these talismans I've heard about, they only work if there's like an unbroken 'barrier?' So no open windows or doors?"
He's noticed some temporary solutions already up, but he's also noticed a lot of residents give those wary looks. As if they're expecting something to jump through them.
"hey, that's better than a lot of these kids around here," cam said with a laugh before opening the front door of colony house. "come on, i'll show you my little make-shift shop." really it was just a shed on the side of the house where she keeps her personal stash of tools so that no one in the house can steal them. god know everything else in this house goes missing and stashed away.
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 glances at the crowd, then back to Muz.
"Okay. So we don't dance with them."
He steps away from the crowd and closer to Muz.
"And I don't need a partner to dance. Just thought you might wanna join the fun."
He starts swaying his hips and stepping in a personal circle. He tilts his head back and closes his eyes, feeling the music.
"What's your favorite kind of music," he asks without looking.
Muz stumbles a bit as Adrien pulls him into a spin, feeling a mix of surprise and something very close to enjoyment. He can’t remember the last time someone dragged him so effortlessly into their orbit, and it’s funny how he almost goes along with it before his instinct kicks in. He gently pulls back, just slightly, taking a step as he raises both hands in mock surrender. 'Alright,—you got your spin,' he says, giving Adrien a playful side-eye. 'If you’re looking for a full-on dance partner, I’m the wrong guy. Besides,” he adds, nodding toward the swirl of people, 'I’ll probably end up trampling someone.'
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 ."
Adrien instinctually checks his pockets, though he knows he doesn't have matches or a lighter. He does have his mini-tool kit, though.
"Uh, hold on, actually." He pulls out the kit and grabs a couple of things from it. Then, he picks up a streamer that had fallen to the ground and rips a piece off. With some creativity, he manages to light the piece and then holds it up to the joint to light for the guy.
"There we go," he says proudly. "Mind if I take a hit too?"
He'd smoked at a couple of parties. It wasn't something he needed, but he likes the experience sometimes.
to: open event starter! (0/4)
“Got a light?” The words came out rougher than intended, the night pressing its familiar weight on him. Events like these typically followed the same routine: dress up, show up, drift through the crowd with vague nods to faces he was sure he’d seen before, toss back a healthy amount of shots, and then dive into conversations that inevitably twisted into something painfully awkward. This was a loop he coped with by fading into the background and finding some dark corner to lose himself in, if only to spare others from the cloud of smoke he’d bring along.
Tonight, though, he felt the strangeness more acutely. Maybe it was the ridiculous outfit his friends had convinced him to wear. Icarus—because apparently, that’s who he was. Light D’Angelo, the fallen star, tumbling back to earth after drifting too close to fame’s burning heat. A halo of golden twigs sat precariously on his head, while makeshift wings drooped from his shoulders, and golden leaves circled his bicep like some half-hearted tribute to mythology. The costume was more a collection of scavenged scraps than an actual outfit—an oversized white shirt knotted around his waist to resemble a toga, doing little to keep out the night chill. Still, the alcohol coursing through his veins dulled the cold.
He twirled the small blunt between his fingers, lingering against the doorframe as he finally turned to the stranger nearby. The words came out low, almost conspiratorial as he raised the blunt.
“We’ll keep it our little secret for the night.”
where: colony house when: Halloween night whom: @horrorismx Erin
Adrien is flush with adrenaline and some alcohol too. He finds a quieter area of the house to catch his breath and chug some water.
He almost jumps in surprise but then grins when he finds Erin being chill.
"Hey! I was wondering if I'd see you tonight. How's the fan working out for you?"
He slumps on the couch next to her, smiling like an excited though sleepy puppy.
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?"
"I don't believe in 'not belonging,'" Adrien shouts over the music. "And I couldn't give two shits about protecting these. I've been losing leaves all night."
He grabs Muz's hand and makes him spin. Adrien grins watching him.
Muz stands back, leaning against the wall, watching the crowd surge with every beat, his eyes catching on the way everyone seems to lose themselves to the night. Adrien’s enthusiasm is infectious, like he’s riding the energy rather than standing outside it.
Muz considers it for a moment, glancing at the thick crowd. His instinct is to keep his distance, hang back where the air is clearer. That, and he's never enjoyed a crowd. The noise makes it hard on him to keep track of anything. But Adrien’s out there, on the edge too, and Muz figures what’s one more foot closer to the action? He pushes off the wall, making his way through the edges until he’s within earshot. 'You really think I belong in the middle of this circus?' he asks, raising an eyebrow but warming to the moment. 'Or you just need someone to guard those wings?' There’s a flicker of a grin, something easy, as if he’s in on the joke now instead of standing outside it.
