Ironic that I feel more free in this caged town than I was out in the world [RP Blog]
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Latest Posts by patroclusblossom - Page 2
Adrien shakes his head with laughter. He'd had some drinks earlier, but he could've sworn he wasn't that drunk.
"I don't know, but I'll still accept the help. And same to you, ya? I can totally talk you up to some pretty girl. Or big buff girl. Whatever your preference is."
He giggles.
" OH, DAMN ." cherry nods with sympathy at his sigh, moving to pat him on the shoulder in a way that's at least intended to be comforting . it's only half awkward with her tipsiness . " well, maybe your guy will get stuck here tomorrow ? love works in mysterious ways ." cherry's expression twists as he continue, her brows furrowing . " what ? no, i'm not here, i'm at the motel . what gave you that idea ?" cherry's head tilts in her confusion even as she reaches behind her for her cup of jungle juice to waggle her brows mischievously . " i could still do the wing woman thing though ."
Adrien nods. He was never too good at people's layers either. Too scared that they'd leave if he got too deep.
He perks up at the mention of the watch.
"Oh, do you still have it? Did you get it working? He promised to find me something to work on, too."
He smiles at El to show them he's hearing them.
"I wouldn't mind this becoming home. At least for a little bit."
Ellington pauses mid-motion, resting a hand on the side of the engine as they process Adrien’s words. They snort softly at his teasing, shaking their head.
"Yeah, Cherry is good folk. But good doesn’t always mean simple, you know?" They shoot Adrien a sidelong glance, their smirk faint but fond, as if already regretting how much they’re saying. "She’s... just got layers. And I’m not exactly an expert at peeling those back without making a mess."
They wipe their hands on a nearby rag and lean against the workbench, looking thoughtfully at Adrien. "Muz, huh? Yeah, he’s cool. He’s got good instincts. He brought me some busted-up watch to fix the other day—it was a cool project."
They tilt their head slightly, a touch of mischief in their smile, "stick around long enough, and this place’ll start feeling more like home... or at least something close to it."
"No, no, don't apologize."
Adrien looks around and grabs a pencil and some scrap paper. He draws a crude but clear image of windmills on top of a building.
"I figured if we built them on top of tall major buildings, we would have less stress of the monsters trying things. Plus, if we’re strategic with which buildings, we could use those as reliable shelters in emergency situations."
He looks back up to her.
"What were you thinking? Because we'd still need water. Plus, you never know for extreme situations."
"I thought about that too, maybe using water, but that would require digging-" she said not finishing that thought. "Or we could try and use waste, too gross though for my taste- or induce, which would require a lot of...Sorry I did it again," she said standing up from where she was on the floor.
"Wanna show me what you've got in your head."
Adrien chuckles.
"It's not that big of a deal. I just really want someone that I know I can talk to. Can be close to like that. We can be vulnerable with each other in a way that friends can't."
He shrugs and looks at Muz.
"What are you dodging, huh? Not much room in town to dodge things."
'Been one of those days. Sometimes the noise at Colony House just gets to me, yeah? Needed a break.' He watches Adrien for a moment, catching the way his leg swings and his gaze seems distant. 'Guess we’re both out here avoiding it all today, huh?' His lips quirk into a small smile without quite reaching his eyes. 'Not that I blame you. The whole “getting-a-boyfriend” thing sounds like a hell of a lot more stress than anything I’m dodging.'
Lucas's smile softens to a concerned look.
"Do you want someone to talk to? Or to talk at? I'm a pretty good listener."
He flips open the counter and gestures to a chair next to his desk.
"I can try to answer questions. I know sheriffs out there are... not great, but here? We're here to help."
Catie narrows her eyes. 'You’re kidding,' she says, the disbelief in her voice impossible to miss. 'A sheriff. Deputies. What, have you got a judge and jury hiding somewhere back there?'
She doesn’t mean to sound so harsh, but the absurdity of it all—the structure, the formalities, the idea that any of this town could resemble real life—is too much. Her gaze flicks to the desk behind him, cluttered with papers and a coffee mug, as if this were any normal police station.
'Sorry,' she adds after a beat, though her tone is only slightly softer. 'I just... I don’t get it. I don’t get any of this.'
Hey now those (your big brown eyes) are some dangerous weapons…
(insp.)
Adrien laughs and rubs the back on his head, embarrassed by the compliments.
"I definitely try to be, at least. No point in making people feel worse than they already do living here. Even a cage as big and beautiful as this can loom too large."
He leads here onto the dance floor and turns so they're facing each other. Taking her hands in his, he tries leading her through some simple dancing steps in beat with the music.
"So, Miss Maude," he says while trying not to trip on his own two feet, "what do you do around town?"
they sure knew how to make someone feel at home. "i'd love that, actually." the words come with a soft smile, and for the first time in a while, maude feels a genuine sense of belonging. she was used to standing out, and not always in a good way—it was in the way she carried herself, shaped by years of being the sore thumb in her small, insular world. that was before her new life had begun, before she dared hope for something different. this, though—this warm welcome—was a refreshing change.
in gratitude, she takes their arm with a light touch. "are you always this nice? because, honestly, we could all benefit from your kindness around town. it’s making me feel a little guilty that we haven’t met sooner."
Lucas nods, then stops the tape recorder.
"That was good," he says gently, patting the arm of her chair instead of her actual arm. "Thank you, really, Elm. I appreciate it."
He stands and cleans up his stuff.
"Is there anything I can do to help you?" he asks, now out of sheriff mode and in community mode. "Bring your meals to you? Give you escorts anywhere?"
ELM SHAKES THEIR HEAD THEN . " no ." there's a beat before they shift in their seat and shrug . the lace is wrapped tight around their finger again . " that's all i remember. when i woke up the tree was gone and i was laying in the forest ." their brows twitch together a bit . " it took me a while to get back ."
Adrien giggles.
"Okay. That's not too old. I guess i wouldn't mind that."
And then he sighs. "You'd think, but I haven't found anyone. It's so disappointing."
He looks at her with wide eyes. "Well, if you live here, you have to help me out. Be my wing-girl."
" OH NO, YOU'RE DEFINITELY NOT ALONE ." cherry's face scrunches up at that thought as she shakes her head . " every two steps you can probably find someone less than straight around here . it's real nice . would kinda be really fun if it weren't for, you know . the motherfuckers trying to eat us ." cherry shrugs before she's brightening, tilting her head with a hum to say, " like, mid thirties, kinda ?" cherry's brows furrow before she's moving to give adrien a playful smack in the side . " what're ya talkin' about then ? colony house is like, the hub for free love ! you should be able to find some cute guy here for sure ." cherry blinks and remembers the question, quickly adds, " oh, and i'm at colony ."
Adrien is immediately interested in the little she'd said. He walks further into the room.
"You know, I was thinking we could probably make some decent windmills to generate power," he says, looking down at the book she was reading. "It's pretty windy here, and it'd be more reliable than solar power."
"It's cool," she said looking at the source from inside the notebook from where she was sitting on the floor. "I'm just trying to figure out new power source, but with limited- " she said before glancing up to see who was speaking to her before closing the book. "Do you need something?"
where: colony house | when: utp | whom: @rcmpcrt Marley
Adrien is just wandering through the Colony House. Officially, he's looking for anything that might need some fixing. Unofficially, he's just looking for something to pass the time with.
He wanders into a room and pauses in surprise to see someone already inside.
"Oh, sorry," he says with a sheepish smile. "Didn't mean to interrupt... huh, what's that you're working on?"
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 listens to El's description of flying, imagining it for himself. His smile matches theirs.
He swallows hard after his family explanation, wishing it wasn't still so hard to talk about it. "Yeah. Solid people."
He watches their face as they talk, drinking in every word. He doesn't know what it is — why he never felt this connected to the literal family that took him in — but coming from El, it feels better to hear. Like a balm that actually helps.
"An ode to them," he echoes with a nod. "That's really beautiful."
He smiles at them, letting the moment settle between them. Then, he takes a deep breath.
"Thanks, that's really great advice." He turns back to the engine. "So what friends do you have here? You don't seem like the loner type."
Ellington leans against the truck for a moment, their hands idly fiddling with the wrench in their grasp. "Flying’s… something else. Working on airplanes was great and all, but being up there? It’s a whole different world. You should try it someday—it’s worth it." Their lips curve into a small, wistful smile before they turn their attention back to Adrien.
As he mentions his family, Ellington catches the quick blink, the slight hitch in his words. Their expression softens, though they keep their tone casual, not wanting to press on anything raw. "Sounds like you had some solid people teaching you. That’s good—it makes all the difference, having someone show you the ropes early on."
They pause, glancing at the engine. "Y’know, working on this stuff, fixing things—it can be grounding. Like putting broken pieces back together kinda mirrors… life, in a way." Ellington shrugs, offering a brief grin. "Plus, you can think of it as honoring your family. Like my old man, he taught me a lot about mechanics and aviation. Every time I'm in the cockpit or successfully put somethin' back together, it's like an ode to him, y'know? Sure, he's not here but his teachings, his influence, and his grit lives on through me. That's special and no one, not even this place, can take from you," Ellington offers a sympathic smile, reaching over to squeeze Adrien's shoulder.
"I can tell," Lucas stage whispers back.
He finally turns around.
"Alright, don't get in trouble. Have a good day."
HER BROW ARCHES AT THE WORDS . she watches him perform the act with her hip leaned against the doorframe and her arms crossed over her chest before saying, " i'll let you in on a secret, luc ." she shakes her head even as she leans in to almost lightly stage whisper, " i was never a fuckin' scout ."
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 ?"
Lucas considers this. He's been in a lot of the woods around town but hasn't come across a tree like that. Of course, that's not at all surprising. Still, it has him thinking.
"Okay," he says, focusing back on Elm. "That's good. Was there anything else?"
He gives her a small smile.
ELM CONSIDERS THE QUESTION FOR A MOMENT BEFORE SHRUGGING . " it's the only thing i remember ." elm wonders if that's enough to make it notable . there's another beat of thought where their head tilts before they're adding a, " there was a moon over it ." their brows furrow a bit . " it was full and ..." a thoughtful pause before elm is making a round gesture with their hands . " the tree was by itself . in a circle, like this ."
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?'
Lucas looks up and sees a girl standing at the front desk. She looks lost and scared.
"Hi," he greets, walking over and chuckling. "I am, and yes, we do. We even have a couple of deputies if you can believe it. But it's just me today. How can I help you?"
He stands with his hands behind him, polite and non-threatening, so he doesn't scare her.
nowhere county jail, lucas. @patroclusblossom
Catie steps in. The place feels wrong in ways she can't quite place, but it’s the sheriff’s office, she figures, and she has no idea what else to do. She’d been walking for what felt like hours, the streets of Oblitus starting to blur in her mind.
She’s about to turn around, maybe head back outside and try to wrap her head around any of this, when she sees Lucas.
He’s young, maybe a few years older than her, with dark hair that’s a little too messy for someone in law enforcement. Catie pauses, her thoughts scrambling to form a coherent sentence. 'You're the sheriff?' Her words come out a little sharper than she intends, and she realises she sounds like she’s questioning the whole damn idea. 'This place… actually has a sheriff?'
Lucas listens intently, making sure Elm knows he's really listening to her, giving her space to talk about anything.
He quirks an eye up. If she felt the need to mention it, then it must be something to consider important.
"What was notable about the tree?"
ELM TAKES A MOMENT TO THINK ABOUT IT . " i was with bruna in the community kitchen ." elm shrugs . " we were doing chores together to keep busy during the storm ." a beat before elm admits, " i don't remember why i left . i don't remember leaving ... but i know they were there ." they wrap their fingers around their laces again and again, eyes on the motion before, " after that i woke up in the forest and walked back . my shoes were gone ." a pause before they tilt their head, meet lucas' eyes and add, " ... i remember a tree ."
"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 ."
Lucas chuckles and shakes his head.
"You know that's not the scout sign, right?"
He raises three fingers up to demonstrate the salute as he takes a couple of steps backwards.
"Think Hunger Games without the kiss."
CHERRY CAN ONLY SHRUG IN RESPONSE TO LUCAS' WORDS . she almost feels bad, but how can she ? this wasn't the kinda place where you could be for everybody . this was the kind of place where you quite literally might get eaten alive if you didn't watch your own neck . she glances down at the hand he offers her, and after a brief scrunch of her expression she reaches down to shake it . " s'fine ." cherry shrugs ultimately, even as she raises her brows at his words . she's truly got no intention of taking anything from anybody, but she finds herself shrugging all the same because it's not like lucas needs to know that . " yeah, sure . you'll be the first to know ." cherry crosses her heart with a finger . " scout's honour ."