apocafics

[apocafics]

~~*~~

At the name of her nibling, Sera's eyes flicked around searching even though they weren't even in the same room anymore. They were too important. Her composure stayed the same otherwise and her eyes rested back on her brother. They had so many contingency plans for anything that Afterglow might do or perhaps one of the other groups of people that were notoriously active in the area. But nothing for this. Who could possibly plan for bugs crawling out of the earth and attacking people? You'd have to be crazy to see that coming. Score one for the crazy people.

"Where's Lindsay? Why's he coming here?" Her imagination went wild with possibilities that were each more terrifying than the last. The only thing keeping her sane at this point was Santiago would be losing his mind far more if his man was hurt. "Have you seen anyone else?" She readjusted the collar of her shirt to hold it away from her skin more, standing still was making her feel it more. She needed a distraction from the red burning flame across her skin. "I don't know where anyone else was during this."

"yeah, si, si, i'm fine, but—" he didn't have a moment to start explaining when the man fell into them and interrupted. while some may have been upset at the man in the same situation but santiago simply moved to help them to wherever his sister felt right to bring him. this place was going to get swarmed with people, even more so than were already there and santiago knew a disaster when he saw one in the making. both of their work was bound to be cut out for them for days to come, knowing they wouldn't be able to rely on afterglow to help them in any timely manner.

"it's maisie," he said when they'd finally gotten the person somewhere safe to be treated. "they were in the market when the swarm first came in and they didn't get the worst of it but their arm is already blistering something terrible and, dios mio, sera. they're in so much pain." maisie was taking it well, probably too well for someone who hadn't experienced that much physical pain before, but he could tell their ability to be stoic through it was slipping as time went on. "i don't trust anyone but you to look after them, hermana, not in this place. please, lindsay isn't here yet." and he was worried something would happen to him on the way.

[apocafics]

~~*~~

Chuck pauses and looks up at the wall for a moment before shrugging, "Moths are bugs so I feel like Mothman is more bug then he is like us but...then again, maybe he was cooked up over in that other compound." Afterglow was just as much of a cult in her opinion. They were convinced they were going to save the world and that everyone needed to fall in line. At least with the Jackals she was allowed her own opinions. She'd seen some crazy things in her time and the thing that she'd come to realize is that almost anything is possible but there's no point trying to find an answer to it all. Humans weren't meant to. She also would fall into some wild theories if she let herself sit with it too long, imagination getting the best of her. "Who knows around here."

Without really meaning too Chuck lets out a short bark of a laugh and turns to face Javier with a wide smile. "There's giant bugs that came out of the ground and are burning people and giving them the flu but witchy woo-woo shit is where you draw the line?" She shook her head and turned back to her bike. "What do you think it is then? They kind of targeted people so I feel like it's more than just...bugs."

"Do they really worship bugs?" Javier murmurs from across the shop, sat at a workbench fiddling with a project of his own. Joining the Jackals - or, at least, becoming a prospective member of the Jackals - had sort of just fallen into Javier's lap by happenstance. His skills and interest in motorcycles and other mechanical projects had brought him to the Fishery, and it had simply made sense to join the motorcycle club. However, the deeper he got into the fold of the organization, the less certain he was about actually becoming a part of it. Not that he was about to say any of that out loud - particularly not to Chuck, of all people.

But at least the Jackals seemed to make some sense, particularly when compared with the cult in question. He did his best to stay out of hte way of the 'mothman cult', or whatever it was they called themselves. "So you think they like, summoned 'em straight out of the ground to attack the town? I dunno, that seems a little," his hands lift to flair his fingers out wide, "woowoo-y, or whatever? You think they're witches or something and can just call bugs forth for vengeance?"

[apocafics]

~~*~~

"Just don't die on me, that's thanks enough," Sera huffed as she looked up the stairs and then to her patient before shouldering more of her weight. It wasn't going to be pretty but she was doing to get to that office. The trail of blood they were leaving behind was both concerning and amusing. A place like this probably wouldn't question it. It was possible it wouldn't even get noticed right away assuming they didn't run into anyone on the way. If they did, Sera was praying that Morijah was still awake to tell them she would live. Of that she was sure at least. The woman was going to live because Sera was going to make sure of it.

"Keep talking, this is good. Gotta stay present," she was focusing solely on the next step and then the next, fearing if she glanced up or behind to see where they were she would lose her balance. She didn't want to hear about Shamrock business, though she only had a cursory understanding of what that even meant since the name was heard around town occasionally. If she was honest she didn't want to hear anything about a floor named Lust either but it was better than her losing consciousness. "How long you worked here? Hopefully it wasn't your first job. Something more normal like bagging groceries or something."

At the top of the stairs she chances a glance up to look around. It all looks the same to her but there has to be some difference. "Just pick a room or...?"

"Funny, I didn’t recognize you under these circumstances," Moriah said, her voice strained but laced with a hint of humor. The white-hot pain in her side had become a grim companion, one she focused on intensely, clenching her jaw to keep herself from drifting into unconsciousness. Morijah stifled a laugh at her tone, but the effort made her wince; laughter felt like daggers in his chest.

"I take care of my employees, make sure they’re respected. Books? Yeah, that too… fucking hell." Each slow, deliberate step pushed the limits of the Capo, yet she was tougher than most realized. This was not her first rodeo; it wasn’t even her first ill-fated encounter. She had faced the dark side of her world alone too many times to count.

"I manage the floor," Morijah continued, her voice firm even as she gestured to the source of her pain—a blood-soaked hand that told a story of chaos and danger. "But this," she grimaced, "is related to Shamrock business." As if that justified anything at all.

The stairs loomed ahead, their ascent a daunting challenge. Sera was already supporting much of her weight, their combined effort a struggle against gravity and fatigue. Every step felt heavier, and with each one, Moriah battled the overwhelming urge to close her eyes and surrender to the darkness. "Just get me to the office. It has everything you’ll need," she murmured, determination threading through her voice. "I need to find a way to thank you for all the trouble you've taken."

[apocafics]

~~*~~

"A nap? Damn. Must be the bullshit going on outside," she gestured to the window absently and took a moment watching the person on the phone. Sure was a wild conversation from the looks of it. Hopefully nothing related to her or it was going to be a busy night. "But I ask you guys to cook every day. Better for the world and my building if I'm not in charge of anything over an open flame."

Chuck sucked down several gulps of the hot liquid he set in front of her, as if he was anticipating her, and nearly moaned at the relief it offered. More people should thank coffee for keeping them alive. If she didn't have access to coffee she'd have a much higher body count. "Fun? No," she set the cup back down and smirked, "Honestly had more issues with nature this week than people if you can believe that. I haven't had to break anyone's nose in days. Might forget how."

it's clockwork. he could set a watch to it. the moment she's sliding onto the stool, he's got the cup in front of her, made exactly how she likes it. behind him, one of his cooks shouts something to him and he offers them a nod. a couple in the corner are mumbling in hushed voices, just outside, someone's lit up a cigarette and is chatting animatedly on the phone, and each of these little tableau scenes plays out around the constant of chuck appearing on her stool and demanding her coffee. damien almost laughs as he takes a sip from his own cup. it's crap, if he's being honest. the kind of coffee that wakes you up but doesn't do anything flashy in your mouth. it's for washing down food, not swishing around and looking fancy about.

"round here? nah. i actually went home and took a nap for once. the night manager practically shoved me out the door and demanded it. people're comin' by more, i guess because it's easier to have someone else cook for ya when everything seems to be going to shit." he doesn't get involved, not in the way that he probably should, with whatevers happening outside the diner, because the second he does, his bleeding heart makes him more likely to try and help everyone. "got anything fun to report?"

[apocafics]

~~*~~

"Who can sleep with all those damn bugs?" She asked with a roll of her eyes. The cicadas were dangerous and annoying but it wasn't the first time she'd lived under the weight of life ending peril and it wouldn't be the last. If she lost her marbles every time it happened then she wouldn't live her life at all. It seemed that most of the Jackals were approaching the situation that way. Just continuing to live life. Or maybe they just attracted a certain kind of person.

Chuck took the cup offered her with a small thanks and actually looked at Logan. He looked worn out. He must have actually appealed to the kid instead of just beating the lesson into him like she would have. Different approach. "Huh," she raised her eyebrow and turned back to the movie, "I'll give him the night but these kids have to figure it out. No product means no money means shit falls apart. Seems pretty simple to me." She sipped her drink thoughtfully for a moment before adding, "You don't...think they're pinching it...do you? Trying to start their own thing? Keep the profits?"

"You were," Logan said, sternly at first as if he was picking up her slack but eventually a small smirk appeared on his lips, "but I had nothing to do and knew I was either going to fall asleep or do some work and you know me and sleep aren't exactly the best of friends." As Chuck spoke Logan turned and walked to the kettle before pouring another cup of tea.

"Mhm," was all he said as he walked back over to the window, looking out of it as he held the cup out to her. "He swore to every god he had ever heard of he wouldn't lose the product again." He took his had off and put it on the counter in front of them before running his hand over his hair with a sigh as he looked at her. "I'm choosing to trust it for now but we've both seen a number of these kids drop the ball over and over again. As far as seeing him later... maybe just give him the rest of the night to get his head straight."

[apocafics]

DAISY JONES & THE SIX Episode 6: Whatever Gets You Thru The Night

[apocafics]

~~*~~

There was likely more she would accidentally divulge to him but...he smiled. She couldn't help but return the emotion and marvel at the way it changed his face. She'd only seen him smile a few times before and it lit him up in a way she's starting to become very fond of. It seemed to be reserved for his son and she couldn't blame him. Her smiles were becoming fewer and far between and directed more and more at Maisie and Nora than anything. When she first met him he was so stoic. So quiet and serious and solid enough he could be the foundation of a skyscraper. He was built to hold people the way she always tried to and felt like she was failing.

And he moved right from smiling at her to complimenting her. Sweet words of reassurance that she wanted so desperately to be true. It wasn't that her siblings didn't say such things to her. They did. Often. But they were supposed to. Right? That's just what siblings did. They lifted each other up and supported one another. It felt different coming from someone she wasn't related to. No...it wasn't just that...it felt different coming from him. What was that twist in her stomach with the way his voice curled around her name? It felt safe in his mouth. As if he was the armor keeping it from harm. When he said she was important...she wanted to argue. Remind him he had far more to lose than she did. That if anyone was important in this room, it was him. There were so many Munoz siblings that surely one wouldn't be missed all that much...but she just couldn't say the words. It felt like it would hurt him and she wasn't sure why.

But was she being safe? No. There was nothing safe about any of this.

All of the resolve that she had built up over the years doing her job and working as what equated to a double agent was starting to crack. What was it that he had over her that got under her skin and made it harder to fake this facade? The smile was still in place but it was becoming forced even as her eyes filled with tears and the emotions threatened to spill over onto her cheeks. Everything felt like it was on fire and there was no hope of it being put out any time soon. And Felix...he scared her most of all.

"I'm-"...fine. The word died. She couldn't say it to him. It felt like a lie. It was a lie. She wasn't fine. The tears she had been holding back for weeks slid down her face leaving tracks as she was finally honest. "...scared," she finished the sentence. "I'm-I'm really scared."

ATLAS HADN'T UNDERSTOOD IT at first -- why he felt a pull to her amongst everyone else. could he go through with it again, loving caring for someone who was associated with them? with afterglow? he had asked himself the question a thousand times before she arrived at his door -- somehow managing to look just as beautiful as the day he had met her, even as exhausted as she was. he never doubted it for a second, but that didn't mean he wasn't amazed by it. and why out of everyone in this place -- from devil's elbow to burnington and back again, she was here with him. he thought little of anything else outside of his work, which was just as violent as his mind. never, in a thousand years, will you ever find yourself deserving of that girl. he took lives to make a living -- making something of himself off the backs of their losses. and fuck, if he didn't try his hardest to separate his targets from their personhood. he would never deserve her. and yet, he found himself unable to stop himself from the inevitable fall. grasp at anything he can to pull himself up again. even if she didn't feel the same -- he will be there. atlas had felt his heart crack in his chest when he had first seen the look on her face, the signs all there: she's been working so much, that she hasn't even stopped to eat.

" i'll grab water or somethin' in a minute. its okay. " he smiles gently -- something that clearly out of character for him, but most certainly genuine. he's sure even making even the most minute decisions proves to be difficult -- considering she's asked to make so many big decisions for other people. " yeah... yeah y'are. " he murmurs clearly sure as can be based on the look on his face. he had a different understanding of death -- playing the part of either the grim reaper or the devil when it was earned, coming for their soul. but she, she brought salvation. that took a kind of strength he knew he could never have. " y... you save people's lives, sera. do you know how important that is? how important you are? " he doesn't quite understand why he finds himself speaking so openly, but again -- he can't seem to stop himself. the words just keep coming. he never thought it was true, that some people in this world breathe new life into you. make opening up all the easier. his brows furrow at the mention of stealing, but he leaves it alone. when she's ready. " you're bein' safe? " he asks. that was all that mattered to him at the end of the day. her business was her business. " i'm not talkin' about your brother... i'm talkin' about you. " he whispers. he wants to grab her hand.. but he can't scare her. " all of us, even your brother, need to take care of ourselves every once in a while.

[apocafics]

alice hoffman practical magic

kofi

[apocafics]

~~*~~

"No," she said honestly as she glanced around at the chaos. Someone in a back room screamed and she flinched. She hadn't asked them. But she also hadn't set it up officially. There were people here when she got here and she just...took care of them. That was her job. No, it was more than that. This was just who she was. "Santi brought Maisie to me and I brought them here and then..." she gestured around mirroring her brother. It hadn't been planned really. "I don't even know where he or Lindsay are right now. Someone had to help who was here."

As he's doing his best to explain how he wasn't a good brother or anything like them in caring for each other she had another thought and the guilt ate at her from the inside out. One thought just kept bowling into others like billiard balls, ricocheting off each other so she couldn't keep track. "Have you seen Benny? Or Connie? I don't know where they were when this all...and I haven't seen them here or the clinic."

While Javi didn't know nearly as much about what Afterglow got up to behind closed doors as Serafina probably did, he didn't want to believe that they would take advantage of a tragedy like this. Would they? No...that would be...Nah. They wouldn't... Would they? He shook off the thought - at this point it wasn't even reasonable to consider; there were too many people suffering and being put up in the clinic. "Maybe not - but that doesn't mean you have to break your back to make your own hospital facility. That's... insane. Have you even talked to Lindsay and Santi about all this? Turning their house into --" He waves a hand a little to encompass everything that was going on around them. Of course, it wasn't as if this was only Serafina's doing. Obviously their Silver Linings leaders had established a little too much of an open door policy in his opinion.

He stares at her a moment before shaking his head. "No? It's not? Checkin' that my baby sister doesn't kill herself while she tries to take care of half the damn town is definitely not the same thing. That's just... being a semi-decent sibling. I'm not sacrificing myself to make sure you're taken care of." Is she delirious? Javier wasn't anything like his siblings - not like Santiago who was surely running around checking on literally everyone, or Sera who was injured herself and still trying to help every single person she could despite it. All he cared about was his family, his people - anyone else could fuck right off.

[apocafics]

~~*~~

She just needed five minutes. That was enough time to get some relief from the pain that was reignited every time her scrubs brushed across the angry rash that still marred her skin. A cool washcloth pressed to it wasn't exactly a cure all but it helped. It brought the pain down just enough that she'd be able to go back to helping others. Her back was to the door and she jumped as she heard someone speak to her, the cool cloth she'd been using flopped loudly on the floor. She should have heard the door but maybe her brain was so preoccupied with the slight relief she was getting that it ignored the noise.

"Hey, Hi, yes I'm fine." Fine. She was fine. Everything was fine. Once this was all over she was never going to use the word again. She'd said it so much lately. She stooped to pick up the cloth quickly and fumbled with it trying to make it look like she was just holding it. Maybe getting her own supplies but her cheeks were red and it was obvious she wasn't. "H-how are you holding up? Getting any sleep?"

location: afterglow clinic

closed starter for: @apocafics (sera)

maverick felt like he'd been at work for a week straight, and it's because he had been. he hadn't bothered to leave the clinic since an influx of patients swarmed through the door (pun intended), inding places to tuck himself away to sleep for a couple hours before he went right back to working. he felt as tired as he looked, but his exhaustion didn't hinder him from doing his job. his main goal in life was to be a good doctor, and he couldn't do that if he just went home at the end of his shift. and so he persisted showing up when needed and doing everything in his power to make sure his patients were taken care of.

he was mid-yawn as he shuffled his way into the supply rom, pausing only to take in sera's presence before he located exactly what he'd been looking for. "good morning, doctor muñoz. it's nice to see you." his pleasantries never failed to be awkward, but it didn't stop maverick from at least trying. besides, sera was nice and she didn't deserve his sometimes-hardened disposition. "how are you feeling?"

[apocafics]

~~*~~

"You have no idea," her head jerked up at the question, the coffee clutched between her hands not doing much to help keep her awake. She'd just spent at least twelve hours if not more at her brother's house treating people and came here more to show her face to people and have her time card reflect she was present but, being who she was, it would turn into a full shift here as well. Truly she didn't mind, it's what she signed up for. She just wished her skin didn't burn so deeply. It would make it easier.

It took her a moment to recognize the voice but her chest settled after it dawned on her. "Did you decide to come help us down here? Slum it with the medical doctors for a bit? Or are you bringing us something to help?" Her conversation with Felix crossed her mind and her skin pricked at the discomfort. "How is that antidote coming anyway?"

closed starter for @apocafics (sera) location: afterglow clinic

Levi was on the verge of being burnt out. Everyone was working around the clock to try to figure out how to solve the problem the cicada toxins were causing, which meant he wasn't really sleeping. He was napping at best. He usually thrived in this environment; not having any time for himself, no time to worry about what he was supposed to do with his life. But he felt like he had hit a wall, and the complex felt so... suffocating. So he decided to slip out, even though it seemed like a terrible idea between the protests and the bugs.

The clinic was stuffed to the gills, and Levi did his best to navigate around all of it. He knew Sera would be working; she cared deeply about people. He asked around a little before he was finally able to find her - thankfully alone - and knocked gently on the doorframe. "Hey.... you finding it as impossible to find sleep these days as I am?"

[apocafics]

~~*~~

A faint but strained smile passes across her face. She wants to burst out laughing. The man was intending to insult her and enforce his significant power over her but all she can think is he has no idea how long she's known how to suture a wound. It was something her father had taught all of them relatively early on, among all of the other basic field medicine he shared. There's a level of smugness that she just can't seem to shake when it just confirms for her that, for all of his attitude about knowing them all so deeply, he doesn't know much about her background.

There is still a level of fear that runs just under everything else. On any other day, it would likely be annoyance. Frustration. But she's tired. She's hungry. She's injured. And part of her is truly scared of this man. Not because he's imposing, but because he lacks what she considers basic human empathy. At least, he's never demonstrated it that she could see. That makes someone dangerous.

As it always did with Felix, the situation needed to be handled delicately. "With all due respect," which was none, "I believe my strengths are better served elsewhere. I am much more adept at practical applications of medicine than of theoretical research. As I have told you numerous times." She doesn't want to be humble about her skills, she's usually not. She's done quite a bit to earn her reputation and it's deserved. But she doesn't want him anywhere near those skills unless he's a patient. And even then the only thing keeping him alive would be that she's not like him. "I'm sure you have more...appropriate candidates on your list in any case. There won't be anyone to test your antidote with if they aren't cared for either. Can't put all of your eggs in one basket so to speak."

oh, she's a quick one, isn't she? no, felix knows well that dr. muñoz is far from inclined to bite her tongue, particularly in his presence. and normally the chief medical officer might take pleasure in forcing the wheels behind those sharp eyes of hers to turn but, as it stands, he has simply run out of patience. he's in no mood to be spoken back to, spoken down to. his own gaze narrows behind the lens of wire-rimmed glasses and felix presses his lips into a hard line as she continues to feed information to him that he is already well-familiar with.

❝ i suppose you could, in which case i should like to remind you to watch how you speak, doctor. not that i should have to explain myself to you, but it would appear it needs mentioning that i am your superior. your choice to remain in clinical care might mean you do not report to me directly, but i can assure you that your director does. i have been doing my job longer than you've been able to suture a wound, dr. muñoz. my ability manage time is none of your concern. ❞

felix taps his cane thoughtfully against the tile, the pad of his thumb pressing into the engraved silver handle hard enough smart with each pass. ❝ i suppose you are right about one thing, though. it is possible the director missed you in the chaos. ❞ that isn't a mystery a simple timeclock audit cannot solve for him, and he makes a note to look into it at some point in the future.

for now, he simply says, ❝ our research teams are working overtime to produce a viable antidote, and it's an all hands on deck situation. we've been pulling from other departments to aid in the research, and you were on the list to contact. it's your services in question, not mine. and forgive me for being so blunt but the supplies you're holding, doctor, will do no good to dead patients. ❞

[apocafics]

[apocafics]

Who: Chuck and @murdcrofcrows (Rio)

Where: Jackals Clubhouse

When: After the announcement of the antidote

The only reason that Chuck didn't trust the press release from Afterglow is she used to work for government agencies that took their queues from corporations like that. She knew what orders she'd received and carried out all while having to tell people it was in their best interests. She didn't buy it. Of course, there was very little that she would buy these days. Other than from another Jackal. In that, at least, she had some faith.

"Can't blame them," she shrugged sipping at her drink chatting with Rio about the protests that Afterglow was clearly certain would disburse once their magic bullet was announced. "It was a bullshit white flag. And it feels...I dunno. Superficial . We still got bugs flying around and bodies dropping."

[apocafics]

Who: Chuck and @exmcrtis (Ezra)

Where: Stardusk Drive-In

When: Middle of movie night

For the most part, Chuck liked watching the movies. But there were some she'd seen before or just didn't care for and when that happened, she had her books. She had a few stashed away in the projection booth for just such occasion and in her search to find one, tonight's movie not being to her taste, she happened to find a notebook as well. She knew better than to open it in case it was Ezra's, though the girl rarely was seen without it. Chuck just set it on the desk and sat with her feet kicked up waiting.

"Looking for that?" She asked as she heard the door open behind her. It might not be her journal...but given how protective Ezra was over it, Chuck wasn't going to take the chance. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she liked the girl. Felt protective of her. Even as she kept reading without looking up to confirm who it was. She knew the steps. Something she'd learned from years of practice. "I kept it safe for you. Don't worry."

[apocafics]

Who: Chuck and @folliesofmiceandmen (Damien)

Where: Red Line Diner

When: Early morning

"Coffee, need coffee," Chuck mumbled to him as she sat at the counter. Not only did she hate to cook but she sucked at it. Years of deployments and field work hadn't exactly let her hone any skills in that particular area even as she became an expert in things that other people could never dream of. Other than coffee, food was just fuel to her. Coffee was essential to life, the universe, and everyone around her staying alive.

The diner fixed that problem for her. She ate here almost three meals a day. It didn't take long for her to notice that Damien would let some people eat without paying and brush it under the rug as if nothing had happened. She understood. She'd been there. So she started paying extra. Most of the people he fed were just kids anyway. No one wanted a child to go hungry. At least no one would while she was around. "I miss anything last night?"

[apocafics]

Who: Chuck and @apocalyptixs (Javier)

Where: The Fishery

When: After closing time

There were perks to being a sponsor. Normally Chuck found it tedious, or at least that's what she told people, but the prospects she did agree to sponsor were picked very carefully. Javier had the right connections, working at a shop where she could work on her bike being one, and was similar to her in so many ways that it really didn't make it that hard to spend time with him. Plus, Chuck felt like recruiting the brother of a major player in town was probably a smart long term move. There were certain factions she felt comfortable aligning the club with and others...

It wasn't her call either way but subtle things like who they associated with made a difference.

"All I'm saying is that it's a weird coincidence. The timing," she reiterated her point while not looking up from where she was swapping out her brakes, "The fucked up cult that worships bugs does some bullshit and then magically there's bugs around town? How can that not be related?"