#lucy:threads

[lcstorfound]

Where: Grand Naporia Mall Open: Anyone!

"Isn't it great here?" Lucy lifted her hands into the air and twirled in a circle, taking in the sweet scents of cinnamon rolls and fresh baked pretzels. All around her were shops: for clothes, for sports goods, for books, for shoes, and couches, and tupperware. For someone used to living in an apocalyptic wasteland, it was a dream come true: everything she could want at her fingertips. "And, my job pays me in cash. Look." She pulled a couple of hundred dollar bills out of her pocket and unabashedly showed them to the person in front of her, waving it around in a way that would have made it all too easy to steal. "And I just give this to the people at the shops, and they give me food back. And it isn't even poisoned at all."

[ambercast]

where: roman’s apartment who: roman forest ( @endlessreruns )

Lucy was nervous approaching Roman’s door. She hesitated outside his door, their hand lifting and freezing for several long seconds before she knocked. They had no idea if he was home, but they were really hoping he was. It had been several weeks since the Incident, and they were hoping he missed her as much as she missed him.

[lcstorfound]

"Oh, no, the big one. You know--" She mimed an explosion with her hands, but it only took a second to realize the woman had no idea at all what she was talking about. "We're from different worlds, aren't we?" It had been a learning curve these last few months to realize that she was not only in a new world with new rules and laws--which was to say any laws and rules, as she had come from a world without a single one and absolutely no way to enforce them even if there were--but that this place also hosted people from all walks of life. "In my world, the entire world sort of blew up," she said. "But it's beautiful here. And so cool to learn that that's not common in other people's lives. I'm actually the only one here I've met that's lived in an apocalyptic wasteland. Oh, no one here has tried to kill me," she assured her. "But everyone in my world tried to kill me at least once." She shrugged. "Maybe your son will come one day. New people keep appearing on the beach every day. I really hope you two find each other again."

"That's a long time," Amelia commented. She was going to point out the foam on the other's lip, but she chose to remain silent. this was part of learning, right? "What do you mean before the war?" she asked. "Like, World War 2?" she asked. "Because I was not in LA before that," she stated. "And no, I'm not one to hang out with movie stars. It's not like that. Wait, who tried to kill you?" she asked. Amelia shook her head. "No. I don't think so, because if he was, I'm sure he'd be here with me. He's only a toddler."

[lcstorfound]

tag dump.

[ambercast]

who: roman forest (@endlessreruns)

Lucy had been avoiding Roman since the encounter with Emrys. She didn't want him to see the bruise and overreact. But they knew they couldn't avoid him forever. There were only so many times she could tell him that Parker needed her or she was over at Duck's through their walkie talkies.

Finally she told him that she would see him at the ice skating party, and here they were, bruise healing well, and she really hoped he wouldn't flip out with so many people around.

"Hi," she said softly when she spotted him.

[ambercast]

where: the sasquatch who: aaron abernathy (@ghostsbrokenbyfairytales)

They saw him stumbling out of the bar: Aaron. Lincoln's son. Lucy's chest seized up at the sight of him. He looked miserable. Remembering how she'd felt after Lincoln's death, what she'd done back then, she couldn't blame him.

They hurried over, grabbing his side as he lurched to the right. Her tiny frame wasn't strong, but she did her best to keep him upright. They looked up at his face, as she wrapped her arm around his waist.

"I'm Lucy. Remember?"

[ambercast]

Lucy nodded, her smile widening, a small shiver going through her as he sniffed at her neck. “Yes. I got a new lotion. I was hoping you’d like it,” she admitted.

Being trapped in the dance hall reminded Lucy of the first night she met Roman. Of their first kiss and the first time he’d touched her. He’d helped distract her from the fear and anxiety then, but now she had more people to worry about. Cat, Parker, Luca, Bella, and Jerico. She gripped Roman’s hand tightly, pressing up against him as she felt the growing tension within the hall.

Roman looked her over not noticing anything at first. Then he he leaned down closer as if to get a better look. It was then he felt he caught a hint of something and moved to sniff her neck, certain that's where it was coming from. "oh you smell nice"

[ambercast]

(continued from here with @exmcrtis)

“I know someone named Duck,” Lucy said as she approached. She crouched down across from Caper and the duck, holding her hand out to him tentatively. “But he doesn’t like to go by Duck anymore, so I call him Mal.”

[ambercast]

where: art festival who: cat wayne (@violenttempest)

Lucy was excited to see Cat walking past. Asking Roman to watch the table briefly, she grabbed her gift for Cat and hurried after her, grabbing the edge of her sleeve and tugging on it to hopefully stop her. With all her time now over at Roman's, she didn't see her friends at the Commune that often, especially since Cat seemed to have retreated even further into the space.

When the other turned around, she lifted the carving she'd been working on for a long time Cat, looking up at her and hoping it made the other smile, at least a little.

[ambercast]

(continued from here with @ofescapisms)

“Oh. No. This was from before,” Lucy said as she allowed Ruby to help her up. She brushed the loose ice from her clothes. “I’m okay.” She didn’t recognize the woman, so it was pretty nice of her to help them, but they weren’t entirely sure what to say next. Or do, frankly, as they still needed to skate if they wanted to get off the lake and she was kind of worried about falling over again, so she just balanced awkwardly.

[ambercast]

Lucy wrinkled their nose, not sure they believed that. Bella and Jerico seemed like such a perfect couple. They sighed softly. "I don't know what to do to fix things so he doesn't leave."

Jerico nodded. "Sure; I'm sorry. It's never fun or easy when you fight with your partner. I'm here for you if you need like. Advice or anything. Believe it or not, even Bella and I have had our tiffs through the years."

[ambercast]

(continued from here with @exmcrtis)

Lucy was surprised it was Bella of all people coming over to help her. She blinked up at her for a moment before reaching to take her hand a little shyly. The other had always somewhat intimidated them. Maybe it was the resting bitch face or the way Bella seemed to be cold to the majority of people. Lucy had no actual bad experiences with the woman themself, it just seemed like Jerico was Bella’s person and that was it.

“I’m okay,” they said softly, wobbling some as she pulled herself up.

[ambercast]

where: i’m giving up at this point who: bella darling ( @exmcrtis )

“I don’t know how to be a bridesmaid,” Lucy admitted. “Is there anything I need to do?” She’d never known anyone who got married with a wedding, so she didn’t know what to expect. They didn’t want to do anything to accidentally mess anything up.

[ambercast]

where: outside who: james goldstein ( @detectivegoldstein )

Lucy had found a really nice loveseat at the trading post and was now doing her best to drag it across town, sweating immediately as while it wasn’t heavy, she really had little to no upper body strength, so it was difficult pulling it across the sidewalk.

[lcstorfound]

Lucy waited for the man to elaborate, but when he did not, she let the disappointment roll off her and rallied, smile still firmly in place. She knew that in order to meet new people, especially people from all walks of life and different universes--as was common on this island--she had to stay open minded. Manners were likely different where he was from, and you never knew what someone was dealing with. She nodded along to his instructions, clearly eager to maintain the customs of the ritual he was teaching her. She licked the salt, downed the tequila shot, and, gasping in shock at just how strong it was, quickly sucked on the lime. Her eyes watered slightly and she coughed, the drink burning the whole way down. "Oh, this is a hazing ritual," she realized. "You're trying to scare me away. That's okay. I appreciate the challenge, and I would like another, please." So much of her life had been made up of canned food and polite smiles, until suddenly she was thrust into a cruel wasteland where everything was intense and frightening, and though it had overwhelmed her once, she had learned to embrace the unexpected. "Do you have anything stronger?"

"No," Logan kept his answer short and to the point, hoping the young woman could get the hint that he wasn't exactly one to talk to. He watched as she took back her money. Normally tabs could only be open with a card, but he had a sense that she wasn't the type to drink and run. As Lucy went on about Chernobyl, almost as if she didn't catch on to the sarcasm in his voice, Logan let out a huff. He now stood up straight, arms folding across his chest as his eyes never left her face. "I can do you a tequila shot," Logan presumed that the female hadn't drunk alcohol before, or at least she wasn't that well knowledge about it. He knew that maybe starting off with a mixer for the tequila was probably more ideal, but watching some drink it neat for the first time was just too tempting. Grabbing a shot glass, he rubbed the rim with a lime slice, covering it with salt before pouring the liquor. Placing it in front of her, this was the first time that Logan actually smiled slightly. "You lick the salt, down the tequila and then bite the lime."

[ambercast]

(continued from here with @ghostsbrokenbyfairytales and @endlessreruns)

Lucy went to the kitchen to get a glass of water, returning and handing it to him before perching awkwardly on the arm of the couch, unsure if she should sit or stand. “My whole family died too,” she told him solemnly. “Lincoln saved my life then took care of me. When he died I tried to go with him. But my friends helped.” They paused, biting their lip. “I can be your friend, if you want. That way you won’t be alone anymore.”

aaron rolled onto his back and closed his eyes for a moment before lucy came back, only sitting up to grab the glass of water and take a small sip from it. "sorry you had to go through that," he mumbled. they looked young, younger than him at least. "you shouldn't be friends with someone like me, i'd just drag you down again and then you're back to square one. trust me it's not worth it."

Lucy tilted her head. “A lot of my friends said that at first,” she admitted. “My boyfriend too. But it hasn’t happened. I’m tougher than I look.” They knew they looked small and fragile, but having been through so much over the years, it really had helped with her mental resolve. “I want to be friends. Lincoln adopted me, and you’re his son, so that makes you my brother.”

aaron could only sip his water again. he wasn't sure what to say because part of him wanted to say no, really emphasize that he wasn't worth the time or energy yet he couldn't bring himself to say it after she mentioned how he was their brother. "okay," he mumbled, "my dad wouldn't want me to push away family and since he considered you family then i guess i'll just have to get used to you." the last part came out as more of a joke, cracking the tiniest of smiles as he looked at her.

Roman knew that sometimes Lucy would be there at the apartment when he wasn't, it was why he'd given her a key to the place so she could have access when he wasn't there. What he hadn't expected was for someone else to be there when he came in for the night. "What the fuck?" Is what immediately makes its way out of his mouth.

Lucy matched Aaron’s tiny smile with one of her own. She was about to stand and find him a blanket, when the door opened and Roman entered. She stood quickly and turned around to face him. “This is Aaron. Aaron, this is Roman. Aaron is Lincoln’s son.” She bit her lip. “He’s drunk.” She hoped that would explain his presence.

aaron didn't look back, only held up his hand and put his finger and thumb close together but didn't make them touch. "just a smidge." then he put his hand back down and leaned back against the couch. "i'm sobering up, sorta."

"I don't care who he is, what's he doing here?" Roman asked, clenching his jaw as he closed his eyes and inhaled, fingers curling up into his palms at his side before stretching back out as he exhaled.

Lucy started to get the feeling Roman was actually angry. They weren’t entirely sure why. She glanced between Aaron and Roman. “He’s drunk,” she said again. “I wanted to help him. He’s my brother.”

aaron looked back from the couch at him now with a raised eyebrow. "chill out dude they were just trying to help." something he probably was not currently doing.

Roman shot Aaron a look as he told him to chill out "dude, I don't fucking know you, so don't tell me to chill out" he snapped at him before looking back at Lucy. "you know how important my space is to me or I thought you did. Maybe I thought wrong"

Lucy bit her lip. “I thought . . .” She glanced between the two again, frowning faintly. “It’s almost dark. I didn’t know if he’d make it to the commune. I thought . . .” It dawned on her that they may have fucked up. “Since he’s my brother . . .” Their gaze fell to the floor. “It’d be okay . . .”

between the look roman shot them, his tone and the way lucy was acting now aaron was getting pissed off himself and the alcohol that was still in him wasn't helping. he set the cup down and got up from the couch to face the other finally. "what's your problem? there's no reason to be a dick when they were just trying to help me."

Roman watched as Aaron stood up, "my problem is there's a fucking stranger in my apartment without my fucking consent" he growled, before taking in a breath to try and not be so heated as he turned back to Lucy "so you didn't take me into consideration at all? That this is my place? How I feel about strangers being in my apartment? I don't even like people that aren't you that aren't strangers being here. You just decided that it would be okay."

Lucy continued to stare at the floor between them. “I’m sorry.” They wanted to remind him that it wasn’t like she could’ve called him to ask for permission, but she didn’t think that would be very productive. Roman seemed really upset and it was her fault. That’s what was most important here.

"aaron, nice to meet you now we're not strangers, better or you still gonna throw a fit?" aaron rolled his eyes as he started laying into her and decided this wasn't worth the headache so headed for the door. "i'll sleep in the hallway since your couch is oh so precious to you that you'd rather accuse her of not thinking of you instead of considering that i don't know, she was just trying to be nice."

Roman clenched down on his jaw again, wanting nothing more than to punch Aaron in the fucking face right now, but refraining from doing so only because of Lucy's presence. "you realize it's not about a fuckin couch, right?" He shook his head. "he can stay the night if you're that worried about him" Roman turned back to Lucy, "but I want my key back." He held his hand out "I don't trust you, and I'll spend the night at Sammie's because I don't want to be here right now."

Lucy lifted her gaze at that, eyes swimming with tears. She held them back as best she could, silently pulling the key out of her pocket and placing it in his hand. She knew there was nothing she could say at this point. Despite wanting to beg him to stay and talk it out, they knew he needed space right now. It hurt, but it wasn’t about her, which was why they were trying so desperately not to cry despite the deep ache in their chest.

"whatever." aaron mumbled still making his way to the door until he heard him say he wanted the key back. "seriously?" he said turning around. "you don't trust her all because she brought someone back here without telling you? please tell me how they're supposed to tell you anyway when we don't have cell phones, not everyone has a radio and you weren't here for them to call on the landline. that's such a bitch move." (i'm wishing aaron a very please shut the fuck up)

Roman stuffed the key into his pocket after she handed it over, and was on his way to the door himself when Aaron had turned back around as well. He still wasn't going to punch him, instead he grabbed his shirt, gripping it tight as he pushed him into the wall by the door. "you really need to shut the fuck up about things that you don't actually fucking know shit about." He narrowed his eyes, a mixture of anger and hurt at the whole situation in them as he released Aaron and slipped out the door, being too upset to even slam it behind him as he did.

Lucy watched him leave, the tears slipping down her cheeks then. They didn't know what to say after all that. What did one say when they thought they'd done the right thing but also the wrong thing at the same time. Sniffling, she quickly wiped the tears away and went to grab a pillow and. blanket from the bedroom, setting them on the couch before looking over at Aaron. "We won't make it to the commune. Sleep here."

aaron didn't care that roman grabbed his shirt and pushed him against the wall, it's not like it hurt or anything plus he deserved it even if he didn't realize that right now. watching him leave he turned back to lucy and felt awkward, rubbing the back of his neck. "i was being serious about sleeping in the hallway, feels like it's more trouble for me to stay here and i'm like... preeeettty sure i just made that worse."

Lucy shook her head. "He's already gone," they said softly. It didn't make sense for him to sleep out in the hallway when she knew Roman wouldn't be back. They weren't sure how to feel. However misguided, Aaron had stuck up for her, which was nice. But Roman was upset and it was her fault. He didn't trust them anymore. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything Aaron could do to fix that.