prosgecko

[prosgecko]

It was near impossible for Josie to wrap their head around what the other must be going through along with four children under her care. Josie wasn't sure if they would've been able to handle it had the roles been reversed, aside from being in a constant state of panic. But, Josie figured it best not to let the other know that, the last they needed was a reason to fret more.

"They're all still so young," she whispered with a small nod, trying to gather her thoughts but it was a lot to take in, even for Josie at twenty-seven. "But, unfortunately the truth will be realized at some point whether it's you that tells them or not. I'm sure they already have a lot of questions. The good thing, though is that they have each other and you, and whilst it's not going to replace either parent, you'll all be able to lean on one another. Would you like someone to join you when you're ready to talk to them?" Josie offered.

"It's all so shitty," she added, more bluntly than intended. "I'm sorry, that's no helpful, but there's no better way to put it." Against her better judgment, unsure how the other would respond, Josie slid a hand into her jacket pocket to carefully pull Sprinkle's from its place, cautiously holding him up. "It won't help everyone, but at least for me, I know I've always found comfort in having Sprinkle's around when things were bad, he's not cuddly like a dog or a cat, but animals have a strange way of helping sometimes."

While comforted and reassured by the other's kindness, saying that they don't mind, Büşra still felt her heart racing. Like it wanted to jump out of her chest. This was the worst kind of situation to be in. Even with a kind person, offering advice, there was no getting around how awful of a situation she had found herself in. Whether that was just blurting out this kind of thing to a stranger, or the fact that they crashed in general. Probably the latter. Mostly at least.

But there was this person, asking questions, talking back to her, and she needed to answer. The ages were the easiest, "Um, the oldest is 7, she'll be 8 at the end of February but she's still," She caught herself choking up, "She's still just a little 7 year old. Then, the rest are 6, 5, and 3 and a half, well a couple months older than 3 and a half. The 6 year old just turned 6 too, her birthday was the 29th," At those kind of ages, what the fuck does she do? They're still in early childhood, that lasts through the time they're 8. They deserve a nice early childhood.

She continued, "I've been with the family for just under three and a half years, and never have seen them lose anybody. But the eldest three may have? Before I was with them? But even the oldest would have been 4 at most," She explained, "This was all just supposed to be a family vacation for them, with me as their au pair tagging along."

[prosgecko]

A ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of Josie's mouth as the other spoke, gushing over Sprinkle's in a way most didn't. It was heartwarming to see. "Aren't they, though? I've never quite understood why so many are repulsed by them." She couldn't help but slip out, a sliver of pride washing over her.

At the mention of the other's friend, Josie's smile grew to a grin, the excitement evident in her eyes. "Really? That's....so marvelous, has she gotten far on it? Am I even allowed to ask that? That would be so cool, imagine playing hide 'n seek in that!" She couldn't help but exclaim, failing at keeping her voice at one tone but fortunately for them all Sprinkle's was quite used to her by now.

@prosgecko // jocelyn lau // group 3

ariel ran her fingers very carefully over sprinkle's back, marveling at the subtle shift of colors in the lizard's scales. "look at you," she cooed. the little ridges of the lizard's hide scratched against her skin, and she giggled. "what a little marvel of evolution you are."

she looked up at josie, grinning. "you know, i have an engineering friend working on a fabric that mimics a chameleon's iridiphores. maybe when we get back, they'll be done, and you two can match!"

[prosgecko]

"As much as I'd love to take credit for its being here, I do think sneaking a snake on board a plane would be a tad tricky," Josie admitted with a nonchalant shrug, her mind now trying to work out the logistics of doing such a thing. "Maybe I'll save that for the plane ride out of here, though," they couldn't help but joke, trying to sound somewhat hopeful that rescue would come at some point. "Although I don't think it would be very fair to her to do so." Not to mention, Sprinkles wouldn't be much of a fan.

"Did you just..." Henry's gaze drifted over to the animal in question, pausing midsentence as he attempted to regain his composure, "...find that here," he asked, somewhat incredulous. He hadn't had time to explore the island much less any time to make friends of the local flora and fauna, and couldn't imagine that anyone else had.

[prosgecko]

"I was thinking of naming her Buffy, but that might be a little on the silly side," Josie admitted with a small chuckle. Truthfully, a few names had come to mind, though she knew better than to name an animal she couldn't actually keep. Not when it belonged to the island. "Or Ducky," she added, before looking up from the snake to the other. "Well, I've spent a lot of spare time studying snakes and other reptiles, so I've sort of learned which to avoid befriending. The worst a green tree python can do is nip at my skin, but they really only do that if they feel threatened."

"she's interestin' to look at, that's for sure." ciaran nods, looking at the snake. seeing it curled around josie's arm -- green flecks and little black eyes complimenting the greenery around them -- made him feel a little ill. it was surreal: they were here, among snakes and bugs and birds, nd no one knew where they were. it was an odd thing to come to terms with. "how can you tell which are harmless and which... aren't? can't personalities be deceiving?"

[prosgecko]

Josie ran her index finger along the snake's head, before glancing over at Logan once again, "As long as you don't spook it, you should be okay. Bunnies I'd argue are scarier than snakes, most the time. The worst this guy will do to you is a little nip," they explained, cautiously taking a couple steps toward Logan.

Josie pulled their own hand back, allowing the other to have a chance to pet the snake. "Small, cautious steps are always the best way to start." She added encouragingly, though she didn't want to pressure the other.

"Well, normally I'd go for something a little more on the traditional side, but I had a box of chicken biskit's and had some crumbs at the bottom, so I figured it'd do the trick.." she admitted.

Logan hesitated, surprised for a moment. It was like the other had read her mind. Weird. She shook it off and grinned at the other. "I'd love to... if it lets me. Like I said... no animal whisperer over here. I once scared a bunny into shitting itself after I simply said, 'hi,' and that's not even an exaggeration." She laughed and rolled her eyes. It was one of her least favorite long term memories at this point.

Moving forward carefully, Logan touched the snake's head. She knew from a friend back at college that it was best to greet it that way, then you could continue to pet it. As many times as she'd carefully attempted to pet her friend's snakes, she was always in awe of how smooth their scales are.

"What kind of scraps did you feed it?" Logan asked, genuinely interested in how to lure in a snake friend.

[prosgecko]

Initially, Josie tried to look on the bright side of things, she was alive and aside from a few scratches, she was mostly unharmed. Sprinkles was alive, too. It could be worse, she reminded herself daily, having seen the aftermath firsthand. Still, it was hard not to worry, concern herself with people back home. She knew her dad was likely going mad at this point trying to get answers. Josie even debated writing a note and slipping it into some bottle and sending it out to sea, something to bring some sort of ease. Even if it would never reach their family, it was better than nothing.

After doing so, she'd decided to head back in the direction of camp only to be caught off guard by the sudden and abrupt question thrown at them. "Not necessarily," Josie admitted, but tried to think back on the conversations she'd had with her father about her mother. "But I do know that I've always appreciated when my dad just was honest with me about things, as opposed to beating around the bush. How old are they?" they asked, shifting on their feet slightly. "I don't mind, I'm sorry for your loss and theirs, though," Josie added. "Do you know if they've ever lost anyone before?"

CLOSED STARTER FOR: @prosgecko

CHARACTERS: BÜŞRA & JOCELYN

LOCATION, DATE, & TIME: JANUARY 1ST 2000. APPROXIMATELY 4 PM. A LITTLE BIT AWAY FROM BASE CAMP, AFTER IT HAS BEEN SET UP, BUT STILL CLOSE.

Büşra knew it at this point, Kathleen and Stephen were dead. She had found an excuse to go back to the plane earlier, and saw their bodies. And fuck. The kids were at the base camp, she was close enough, and it was still bright enough that she could keep an eye on them. But she needed to be away. She hadn't yet figured out how to explain that their parents wouldn't be finding them, that their parents were dead yet. She needed time away to think, out loud to herself -- in Turkish, of course, it was easiest for her. And to pace back and forth.

When she saw someone else coming to the area she was in, she acted very impulsively, something not normal for her, and asked them, "Do you know how to explain death to kids, especially of people important to them?" She realized how awkward it was after she had said it, and backtracked and corrected herself a little bit. "Sorry, I didn't mean to just blurt it out like that. I'm an au pair for four kids, and they lost their parents in this crash. And I'm freaking out about it, and explaining it to them. In the three and a half years I've been with them, they haven't even been to a funeral." She explained, before apologizing again, "Sorry for putting this on you, though. I didn't mean to just blurt everything out."

[prosgecko]

Was it possible for any of them to have been prepared for what had happened? No one boards a plane with the expectation of it crash landing, or at least, not most people he assumed. It was a lot to digest in so little time, even with all the training he did have in dealing with being a medic in emergency situations. But then, he was usually equipped with and prepared with the right equipment to help. This, this was a completely new terrain and he'd done his best to donate what he could to the inventory, but it only stretched so far.

He'd been meaning to take a break, step away from the medical area, but he was terrible at saying no and refraining from helping. So, he carried on, sitting beside someone as he wrapped their arm securely giving them a rundown on how often it'd need to be changed and more importantly what not to do to make it worse.

Still, Manu found he was exhausted, working on overtime, so as someone tapped his shoulder, he couldn't help but jump a little, startled. He nonchalantly attempted to laugh it off with a flash of a friendly smile at Nichole. "You don't need to apologize, it's important everyone take care of themselves just as much as everyone else, do you have someone to walk with you if you decide to go far?" He asked, before glancing back at the this she was referring to, "I think I've just told myself I don't have a choice."

CLOSED STARTER FOR: @prosgecko

CHARACTERS: NICHOLE & MANUEL

LOCATION, DATE, & TIME: JANUARY 1ST 2000. APPROXIMATELY 2:30 PM. SAFELY FAR FROM THE CRASH SITE, BUT STILL CLOSE.

Nichole was overwhelmed. That was the best way to put it. She would never admit it, but she was. And she was sure it was starting to show on her face. She saw the injuries, and this was far from anything she was trained for. Even the minor injuries. She was doing her best to help, she was assigned to do some concussion screenings. Make sure people who seemed to only have concussions didn't have the warning signs of something worse. But really, this is not something she was ever supposed to do. And she was overwhelmed, that was the best way to put it.

So, she stood up from where she was supposed to be sitting, and took a bit of a walk off. But she also knew she needed to let someone else there know she was taking off. She felt bad for leaving others to take care of everything, but she needed a break. This wasn't her job. This isn't what she trained for.

"Hey," Nichole tapped another person who was helping the passengers on the shoulder to get their attention, "I'm sorry, I'm going to head off on a walk, I don't know how you guys can sit through this."

[prosgecko]

PEDRO PASCAL as MR. BEN FANCAM ASSEMBLY | SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

[prosgecko]

josie and manu are accepting ask memes, and i'll be sending them out soon, as well as getting to my drafts <3

[prosgecko]

"I can make a good enough promise if I've done my research, the worst it can do is a little nip and that's manageable. Will you be happier if I say it won't kill me but might bite if provoked?" Josie couldn't help but tease, shifting her weight slightly to make things more comfortable for her and the creature. "I've always found myself drawn to them, but for the last few years I've been spending my life convinced I'd be the next Crocodile Hunter," she admitted. "If you want to pet it, you can. I'd argue that Yorkies are more aggressive," she couldn't but joke, chuckling softly. "I may have found some food scraps to lure it in."

"I mean, you can't really promise that something that can't actually speak a promise itself isn't going to do something. Especially if it gets scared, even if it is harmless." Logan raised a brow, then cracked a smile. "I'm just giving you hell, though. It is really cool. As much as I love animals, I am no animal whisperer." It was true, even her dad's annoying little Yorkie back home didn't even like Logan, no matter what she did. "I can't believe it was willing to just... hang out?"

[prosgecko]

Was it, though? Despite their odds, they'd all wound up crash landing. But he supposed, it could've been worse, they could be dead. So, instead he simply nodded, not wanting to dread too much on the statistics and what could've gone differently. "Just a little scrape," Manu insisted with a small shrug, making an effort to move and wiggle the hand whilst masking the pain, though it was a clear struggle. "I would feel worse if you didn't. I'd offer you some some of my spare clothes, but most of it is still hanging up to dry." He insisted, hesitant to let the other look but figuring it was better than not doing so. "I'm usually better at wrapping things up, but it's never as easy on your own hand," Manu added slightly defensively, he did pride himself in his medical abilities. "I like Charlie, Lottie is nice too, but if you prefer Charlie, that's what I'll call you. My name is Manuel, most call Manu or Manny." Select few called him Lolo, but he preferred to keep that on the downlow when possible.

"That's a relief." And it was, she'd much rather herself than a bunch of other people far less deserving of this turn out than she was. Glancing over at the him, her eyes fell to his hand as he wrapped it, brow furrowing a little at the obvious injury. "You're hurt." Tone as well as expression painted in concern, that faded away into surprise and then a hint of a smile as she gave a little nod. "It may... but... I couldn't take your sleeping bag." Even if she didn't really have much herself to keep warm. "At least not just outright... why not see if I can help you with that?... Your hand... I mean." Shifting a little to move closer with a hint of a wince in the movement of her shoulder, her free hand held out in offer of his own injured one. "I'm Charlie, by the way. Or Lottie. Anything but Charlotte, really."

[prosgecko]

"Look at her," Josie exclaimed in an excited whisper, holding out their arm as she allowed the green tree python she found to curl around her arm. She watched in fascination, careful not to move to much as she didn't want to startle the snake. Fortunately, Sprinkles was elsewhere at the moment, so she was able to take advantage and explore the island some. "Isn't she beautiful? Oh! I promise she won't bite, these are harmless!"

[prosgecko]

WHAT’S IN THE BAG? - ft. jocelyn lau

Josie was super excited to have been chosen to embark on a trip through her work and studies to a place she'd never been to before. Heck, she hadn't really travelled much at all up until college, even then, she always ventured home when she could, being the homebody she is. So, whilst her packing skills may not be the best she's glad she has small pieces of home to keep away the homesickness as best as possible.

ON THEIR PERSON

a scrunchie

she was initially dressed smart as that's what their dad told them was best when flying, especially far, but eventually josie did change into something comfier, including a pair of beat up converse

keychain of tamagotchis

sprinkles the chameleon

a fleece jacket

spongebob pillow

UNDER HER SEAT / CARRY ON

she had a backpack and a small tackle box with her, both kept under her seat.

crochet needles

electronic diary

a lunchbox packed by her father, including water of course

a couple capri suns

a tackle box filled with various necessities for sprinkles, such as food, twigs, a place for him to relieve himself, etc.

a small toiletry bag with the essentials

SUITCASE

a photo album she nicked from home

one of her dad's work jackets, not for on the job ofc.

clothes, lots of clothes

textbooks

an excess amount of undies

old tshirts

notebooks & pencil pouch

random knick knacks that were tossed in last minute.

template credit ( @oppalus )

[prosgecko]

"Well, that's a damn shame, because I can assure you they don't normally end up like this," Manu spoke out in the midst of wrapping hand in a ripped up piece of fabric from one of his flannel shirts. He was surprised that was all of him that was injured aside from the scrapes here and there, but glad, even if it prevented him from being at the top of his game in regards to helping others in the way he normally would be. But he did help where he was able to. "Let's hope for all our sakes, though that it isn't your last flight.." he tried to slip it out as a joke, but the humor in his tone was lacking. "If you'd like, dunno if it'd help, I've got a sleeping bag that you can borrow. I packed quite a lot of clothes, so I should be fine without it. It's not the same as home, but it may help."

"That was the first plane I'd ever been on... I was always too scared to fly before this... ironic, isn't it?" Sitting on top of her mangled suitcase, back against a tree, Charlie stared at the still smoldering wreckage and gave a deep chested sigh as she cradled her new relocated arm in her lap and tugged her sweater tighter around herself. "I've never spent a night away from home, before..." Voice growing more quiet with each word, her eyes lifted to the sky above them. "Bet there's gunna be so many stars, though..."

[prosgecko]

The last twenty-four hours felt like something of a blur to Josie, between the amount of blood she wished she was able to erase from her mind to the cries, it left a foul taste in her mouth. But still, despite this, she had managed to find a peace in the place once she’d been able to feed Sprinkles. Fortunately for Sprinkles, food was of the plenty on the island with all the bugs. The lizards diet also happened to serve as a great bug repellent for her. Not that she ever minded bugs, but surely it would be best not to get a ton of mosquito bites on night one and who knows what else lie around them. 

Eventually after managing a few hours sleep, a surprise to herself, she woke again, disappointed to find that all that she’d hoped had been a nightmare was very much a reality. The stench of blood, vomit and more still lingered in the air, along with whatever was left from the plane. She supposed she should be grateful for being alive after all that had happened, but it was a lot to take in. Josie couldn't help but think about her brother and father back home, knowing that the news wouldn't be an easy thing to swallow for either, but especially her father. At the very least, they had each other, though.

After a few minutes lounging around, Josie finally forced themselves onto their feet to go find the yarn she'd put out to dry, well what was left of the yarn she'd managed to save from her backpack. There was no time like now when things were surprisingly calm to find some peace and attempt to knit with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore in the background. If it weren't for all that had brought them there, she might've thought she was enjoying herself and the view. It was undeniably beautiful.

Hearing a semi-familiar voice, Josie managed to snap out of her daze and began to bury Sprinkles back into the depths of their pocket before realizing it was Thalia and instead, she left Sprinkles nestled onto her shoulder unable to help but smile at the friend she'd made on board the flight. "I'd say given I'm alive and only have a few scrapes and mild soreness, I'm doing better than most." Though admittedly she hadn't really taken time to inspect herself in the midst of it all, there were far too many that were worse off than she was. She couldn't even imagine being in Thalia's shoes right now with a baby and all. "And Sprinkles, well he's loving the free-for-all buffet this place has," she chuckled. "I can't imagine a plane crash is doctor recommended," she spat out, before grimacing at her poor attempt at a joke. "Do you need a hand?" she offered, before adding. "I don't know if you ought to be running right now, we can sit down somewhere if you'd prefer?"

location — the aa78 basecamp. date + time — january 1st, 2000. early-evening. closed starter for jocelyn lau.

In the coming night there was more magic than a soul could ever realize it was possible to wish for. The orange and pink coloured skies are swirled with white clouds that give a softening hue to the atmosphere, clouds are caressed with gently reflected light from the darkening sea. Walking along the shore for what felt like the hundredth time today, a breeze brings a long awaited relief to Thalia’s heated skin and tired bones. All whilst birds arc above, playful upon swirling updrafts. She embraces the sound of nature over the crying and screaming that have filled the area since yesterday. People have since calmed down and a more fatigued, calm tranquility, paired with hushed worrying hovered over the crash sight. 

With her sights trained on the sandy beach and happily minding her own business, Thalia watches as a crab came to the shores. It was pretty, dusky pink and knobbled in the way such crustaceans do. Its eyes raised, then they open good and wide, surprisingly, the crab grew to the size of a tennis ball. And then, with those large orbs and heavy body, the crab twitches before skittering away further down the beach. Thalia can’t help but smile as the creature digs itself deep into the sand. 

❛ — Josie, hey, wait up, ❜ Thalia calls to the familiar face who had sat beside her on the plane. She does her best to make her way toward Josie quickly, but much unlike the crab who moves across the sand lightly and with much ease, Thalia feels the complete opposite while she waddles in the sand, kneecaps buckling here and there due to some sand being wet like quicksand. ❛ How’re you holding up? ❜ she asks breathlessly. In through the nose, out through the mouth. ❛ … Jesus Christ, ❜ She heaves a large sigh while still catching a deep inhale. Shaking her head, Thalia looks at Josie with a tired smile but an easy-going chuckle, ❛ I was told there would be glowing. All I feel is sweaty, bloated, and like I have a goddamn construction zone going on inside of me. ❜

[prosgecko]

WHAT'S IN THE BAG? - ft. manuel laferte

Though a majority of Manu's travels were for work, his trip to Australia was meant to be one of his first vacations in years. He had plans to backpack throughout the country, fortunately though, he was never one to back unnecessary items for the most part, but because he didn't have a plan for where he was going to stay, he did have a selection of snacks and cash on hand in the likelihood anyone was kind enough to allow him to crash somewhere. He prefers to avoid resorts. So, he had a large backpack that he had on board with him that had most of his essentials. He also had coca cola lunch bag cooler on him. He didn't check in any bags, though. Just picture a dad in the 90s, honestly and that's how he was dressed / packed.

ON HIM

old pair of levis

a fleece jacket

a patagonia down

hiking boots

sunglasses

IN HIS BACKPACK

a small first aid kit that he takes everywhere

hiking sandals

swim trunks

some extra clothes

lots of socks & thermal underwear

a large water bottle

a map / travel guide of australia

a toiletry bag

matches / cigars

a sleeping bag attached

dry snacks

sun hat

IN HIS COOLER

urge

cheese dippers

some canned foods

capri sun

fruit snacks

a couple sandwiches

template credit ( @oppalus )

[prosgecko]

PEDRO PASCAL as Joel Miller The Last of Us - S01E01