Lucas Shuts The Book So Cherry Can't Read His Notes.

CARLOS REYES 9-1-1: LONE STAR (5.01)

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?"

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?"

Lucas sighs as well.

"Yeah, I get it. Is there at least someone here to confirm you were here during the storm? I'll confirm with them, then cross you off my list for good."

He really isn't in the mood to fight with Cherry today. And he's only really doing this to get the shop keep off his back about this.

" CAUTIOUS ." cherry repeats, her brows raising at the words before she's ultimately sighing and dragging a hand down her face . she leans against the door frame for another few beats before she's rolling her eyes and saying, " look, it was a real stressful night, alright ? maybe someone was locked in lally's and just helped themself ! can you blame 'em ? everyone copes with stress differently, right !" there's no hesitation before cherry raises a finger to add, " and before you ask i was locked in here the whole time !" she points down to the motel .

Lucas sighs.

"Yeah, I know. I just wish your team was part of the whole team too."

He offers a handshake as a formal apology.

"Sorry for wasting your time," he says. "If you hear anything about the missing stock, could you at least let me know who it was after you take it from them?"

CHERRY SIGHS JUST A LITTLE BIT . she gives lucas a look that's only half exasperated . " yeah, well ." the roll of cherry's eyes is halfhearted . " just cause i'm a trouble maker doesn't mean it's always me ." it just probably is, but somehow cherry doubts that now is the time to mention that . " and — i'm on a team ." the protest is accompanied by a lackluster shrug . " s'just ... mine ."

"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.

Lucas is out for a morning run. It's one thing that he actually likes about this place: a decent running trail and scenery. And just after sunrise is the perfect time to start, and just let the day warm up with him.

He's going steady and managing not to gasp for air when he finds Adam lying by the lake. He pauses to take him in.

"Kinda early to be drinking, don't you think?" Hhe asks walking over to the deputy.

He doesn't know what to make of the man. He seems like a decent guy, but something in Lucas's gut tells him to be wary of the man. Which is a hard thing to feel in this town.

open to all location: near the lake

He's done his best, burying the bodies, checking in on people, making sure everyone new had settled in. And now, well, even in the real world cops got a day off, didn't they? So he woke up early, just as the dawn had cleared the night sky he walked down to the lake with nothing but a towel, a bottle of cheap wine he found in an abandoned new car, and a lollypop he looted of a very unfortunate priest he had to dig six feet for. It was a fair exchange for his efforts, he thought. As the sun got warmer and his shades painted the tall grass a nice golden colour, he began to somewhat relax -- alcohol calming his nerves as he tried to process everything that went down. It's then he noticed someone walking through the run down pathway. "The water's still cold." he points out. "I got somethin' to make it warmer though..." lifting up the bottle, it's the only invitation he could offer.

"That's awesome. Glad to hear my new boss is also a good person."

He snickers. Then his head snaps up.

"Really? I'm there too! We totally need to hang out or something after dark."

"yeah, i guess when everything is so scares and random, gotta make use of everything," charlie said with a shrug as she looked around the shop. she was still trying to take everything in around here, it was interesting how everyone did their part and it all seemed to work, at least for the most part. "that sounds like them," she said with a smile. "they kinda saved me on my first night here and let me crash in their house." that night was still a blur but she was glad it was el that let them in. "you can say that again, this place is fucking crazy. still trying to wrap my head around it all." she's not sure if she ever will. "i'm up at colony house, what about you?"

"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."