the nepenthe

HIJACKdependent oc. for 3066hq

[lukedcvis-blog]

trekking on.

There was no time to lose. He trusted the others to watch over the house, to make sure nothing happened, and maybe - on some level - there was a sense of relief in being able to leave them behind, while he did something. Anything. Progress was a distraction, but one Luke was happy to make.

He followed into the woods, strides confident and hurried, even as he took to stealth. This was their territory, their home. It made his blood boil that anyone would try to take that away. For the moment, they had a clear path to follow. “Can you tell how old these tracks are?”

[lukedcvis-blog]

ofdragovs‌:

  Her lips had parted to object, but he’d already hurried out of her line of sight, and by the time he returned ( packed and ready to make the short trip along side her ), she’d already pushed a sigh through her lips. 

“You don’t have to come with me.” She assured, grabbing the front of his shirt long enough to still him and press a gentle kiss to the stubble near the corner of his mouth. “But you’re sweet for doing so.” With one last flash of a smile, she slipped around him and out the front door - her pace just a touch quicker then what it usually would be.

As the roar of the waterfall grew, her pace quickened even more. “That cluster of rocks - where Will usually throws his stuff when he goes for fish. I dropped it there earlier. Some of my stuff was in my hands and my mind just… wandered away on me.” A poor excuse, but the truth nonetheless. 

The result was near instantaneous. Luke's shoulders loosened, the severity of his features made kinder by a single gesture, and for a moment, it was like they a shadow had lifted across his features. The knot of tension remained, though less prominent now, less pressing.

"Still owe me." He repeated, but it almost looked like he was going to smile.

A routine journey stretched into something alien and uncertain, with each second marked by fading light. There was no reason to activate a torch yet, but Luke was on high alert, eyes darting everywhere as they rushed to their destination. As always, the waterfall was a source of comfort, its sound drowning out anything else they could make.

"That's okay," he said, less concerned about excuses than leaving. He had his back to her, still obviously scanning the area around them. "Just find it."

They could talk at home if they needed to.

A beat, then another. He could hear Emma moving in the background, but out of the corner of his eye, there was a flicker of- Luke inhaled sharply, turning to his right. The woods were silent. In the distance, it almost looked like the shadows were dancing.

"Em. Hurry."

[lukedcvis-blog]

ofdragovs·:

 Her gaze once again flickered up at the tone of his voice - this time seriously giving her pause to contemplate whether or not she should just listen to him and wait until the sun rose again. There was something about that option made her skin crawl - particularly because she’d been so careless with their few belongings as it was, that if they weren’t there in the morning, she would have failed. 

“If I was really worried my life was in danger I wouldn’t be going out.” That was only partially a lie, because in reality Emma knew every time they passed through the threshold of the house they were in danger. “If I leave now I’ll be back right before we’re meant to be in anyways. Stop trying to stall me. If you’re that worried you can wait on the porch with your arms crossed and that cute scowl on your face and sulk until I’m back.”

Once again, the horizon drew his attention, and he reconsidered the time a quick jaunt between here and the waterfall for what felt like the umpteenth time in a handful of seconds. Normally one so good humored, Luke couldn't seem to help the way her jest had his expression darkening, like there were storm clouds gathering above his head.

"You owe me for this, Em." Little more than a huff, but without her prompting, he was darting into the next room, grabbing a quick set of supplies. Rope, multitool, and in the next room over, better secured, a switchblade, and a torch with batteries. Normally they wouldn't have needed this much prep for a trip out to the waterfall.

Normally they didn't head out so late at night.

Luke barely spared a moment to grab his jacket. "Come on, we're wasting daylight."

[lukedcvis-blog]

ofwilliamliao·:

lvedlis·:

 the woman huffed as the others grew closer, their towering forms more apparent over her shorter.  she hated that.  grinding her molars as the three said their pieces,  lis tried to remember the surrounding area.  it wasn’t the most hospitable but it was possible the stranger was camping out?  how far would they have traveled?

“fair enough,”  lis agrees with a nod, fingers tapping into the flesh of her forearm, anxious thoughts racing her mind.  they didn’t have much to protect themselves with but with the outsider sneaking around, perhaps they wished to avoid confrontation?  “you think they’re armed?  they’re willing to risk it?”

@ofwilliamliao

“they were willing to risk breaking into our farm to steal our livelihood. i’m willing to bet they’re desperate, which makes them dangerous. but risk-averse not to outright storm the farm while we’re there.” he would wager they’re armed with the same weapons they are if they survived this long with the Tall Ones out–knives, maybe bows. “they’re patient. maybe smart.”

he wonders just how often they’re watching. if they’re watching them right now. if william set out traps around the farm, would they know instantly? “smaller party is good, but that leaves the possibility of being outnumbered if they’re waiting for us.” 

@jolenehq·

"The more time we waste, the bigger the chance they have to prepare an ambush. We go after them to figure out what we can. Because we don't know shit, right now." Luke said, meeting their eyes in turn. There was a weight behind his words, as he stressed, "No confrontation. No heroics. Just surveillance."

@lvedlis·

[[jo’s not here, she said she’d catch up right! no gifs rip]]

[lukedcvis-blog]

jolenehq·:

lukedcvis·:

lvedlis·:

 “not by yourself  ––  you’re not.”  lis stood, adamantly in the man’s way, arms folded over her chest, lips pressed together with resolve.  “you need someone to watch your back.”

“and doing what?” william’s gaze is hard, though not unyielding. everything in him begs to leap up and follow luke into the dark, to draw blood from whoever thought they could invade their space, steal from them, and expect no consequences. the only thing stopping him in his tracks is imagining what would happen to luke if he acted upon it. he didn’t survive this long just to watch his partner die alone like an idiot.

“what if it’s an ambush? a trap? what if it’s those crazy cult people?” he squeezes luke’s wrist. “you’re not going alone.”

@jolenehq

“The hell he is  going anywhere alone.”Jolene said firmly,pushing the fear of losing anyone to whatever did this to them down and focusing.  “All of this,our home,  everything we built together  only works if we do it together. Following the tracks could lead us to a trap and give them the opportunity to hurt whoever remains behind. You can’t do this on your own.”

"And we can't all go marching off. No sense in leaving this place undefended." Not that it had mattered. The culprits hadn't been worried about hitting the place while they were all present.

He can feel the tension radiating off the group. William wore it more openly, or he was just taking advantage of his stature, but Luke knew for sure that Lis would sooner break bone than back away from a fight. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea to send anyone so hot under the collar.

"And we're more likely to lose the element of surprise with a bigger party. Two at most.”

@lvedlis·

[lukedcvis-blog]

open.

[lukedcvis-blog]

jolenehq·:

  “There’s that laugh I know and love.” She said, laughing lightly herself before standing on her toes to kiss Luke’s cheek. “I’m always willing to get fancy for food,that’s not even a question.” She said,floating around the room getting whatever she was going to need for the rest of the day.

“We have enough to stay afloat for the next three to six months if we stretch it out carefully and nothing major happens.” She explained.“Even though I hate to say it,we might need to go on another run soon, just to be sure we’re okay.”

Just as Jolene moved up, Luke leaned back, just enough that she'd have to stretch for that kiss, maybe far enough to overbalance her. Because he was all too happy to catch her, arms going around her waist, cushioning a not-quite fall as the corner of his mouth quirked in an unapologetic smile. Luke found no shame in looking so smug, even if he had to let he go.

"I think I've had enough of major happenings for the rest of my life." And with the little set up they had, that life might even extend for the next year. It was almost painful how much funnier gallows humor had become.

Falling into step beside her, Luke moved on muscle memory and routine. They'd been doing this for years now. It made it that much easier. Stopping just to give her shoulder a quick squeeze, he insisted. "Don't worry. We'll make do."

They had no other choice.

Without another word, it was back to work.

//end?

[ofsecretsongs-blog]

lukedcvis‌:

A sharp intake of breath, and then, “I’m following those tracks.” 

Fear brewing in his belly, churning towards something more volatile, but they couldn’t do nothing. They weren’t dealing with Tall Ones yet. Humans, they could do something about. This almost felt like a plan. “Someone has to stay behind, make sure they don’t come back, but I’m going after them.”

Event: The Intruder

“not by yourself  ––  you’re not.”  lis stood, adamantly in the man’s way, arms folded over her chest, lips pressed together with resolve.  “you need someone to watch your back.”

[lukedcvis-blog]

“and doing what?” william’s gaze is hard, though not unyielding. everything in him begs to leap up and follow luke into the dark, to draw blood from whoever thought they could invade their space, steal from them, and expect no consequences. the only thing stopping him in his tracks is imagining what would happen to luke if he acted upon it. he didn’t survive this long just to watch his partner die alone like an idiot.

“what if it’s an ambush? a trap? what if it’s those crazy cult people?” he squeezes luke’s wrist. “you’re not going alone.”

@jolenehq

[lukedcvis-blog]

open.

[lukedcvis-blog]

ofdragovs·:

 “Oh do keep talking - I enjoy flattery.” She teased - though the slight glimmer faulted at the sight of the beaten notebook - a small spark of guilt blooming in her chest in its place. It was like Luke’s baby - filled to the brim with important notes and developments critical to their survival - and she was certain at least one of her little doodles lay hidden in the corner of one of the upcoming, unused pages. It had been a waste of ink and paper, but something had propelled her to leave it there in hopes it would bring a little smile to his lips if he got too far lost in thought when no one else was around.

“It’s still early in the day. Why don’t you worry about our potatoes - I can head out to the waterfall and scour the woods nearby. We know the animals are surviving off of something. Maybe I’ll find some fiddleheads, nuts or berries.” Reaching over, she gave his arm an affectionate squeeze. “I’ll send one of the others to check on the fruit. Lord knows if I do it, I’ll harvest something before its ready and that in and of itself will be a disaster.” 

His eyes found the door, new reflex built to set out the sun. It didn't guarantee their safety, but in their new world order, any form of security couldn't be taken for granted. They saw better in the daylight anyway.

The area up to the waterfall wasn't theirs exactly, but it was as good as. They all knew the paths well. It was a matter of survival to familiarize themselves with them, and more than that, Emma was made out of steel beneath that sweet smile. He knew that. He believed it. If his heart twisted in his chest, that was his fault entirely, and his struggle to bear in private.

Luke only turned away from his carefully guarded notepad to kiss the crown of her head. "I'll send someone who won't scare the produce, don't worry." Then with calculated nonchalance, like it didn't matter at all, he added, "Be careful out there."

He told herself Emma wouldn’t need it. She’d be fine.

//end?

[lukedcvis-blog]

A sharp intake of breath, and then, “I’m following those tracks.” 

Fear brewing in his belly, churning towards something more volatile, but they couldn’t do nothing. They weren’t dealing with Tall Ones yet. Humans, they could do something about. This almost felt like a plan. “Someone has to stay behind, make sure they don’t come back, but I’m going after them.”

Event: The Intruder

[lukedcvis-blog]

Hey, I’m part of a polyamory rp group, set in a post-apocalyptic world, with inspiration from A Quiet Place and the Walking Dead. We’ve got a great bunch of writers, and we just opened one more space in case anyone is interested!

We’d love to see fcs like Aja Naomi King, Jamie Chung, Emilia Clarke, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie, Oscar Isaac, Jack O’Connell, Bang Sung Hoon, Bob Morley, Mathew Daddario, Candice Patton, Avan Jogia, Jesse Williams, Adelaide Kane, and Mena Massoud! I will bribe you to bring Sidharth Malhotra.

All comments/questions should be sent to jolenehq.

[lukedcvis-blog]

our girls are so tiny, lis is 5'3"!!!!

luke - 6′0″

will - 6′4″

[lukedcvis-blog]

open.

[lukedcvis-blog]

ofdragovs·:

 “Always right?” She released a light scoff, tilting her head against him momentarily. “If you keep talking like that I’ll get a big head. Quite a dangerous thing.”

“Only three days? My fragile heart! How will I ever go on after that?” She cast him an amused smile before her gaze fell to look over the table once more. The harvest was… going. They’d managed to make it through an Alaskan winter once, but there were days she worried if a second would be possible. “Thankfully I didn’t have much hand in the rest, so we’re getting there. I think we may have some carrots soon… though we may want to consider trying to preserve some of it… somehow.” 

“We’ll figure it out - we always do.” 

"There's still some time if you want to try and top that?" Luke said, cracking a smile, as he nodded towards the tuber that started the whole thing, but he pulled out a notepad, a beaten old thing that probably wouldn't have gotten halfway used back when they had a steady source of electricity. Now, Luke’s neat, tiny scrawl covered almost every inch of every page he used. He was little over two thirds done with it, didn't know where he was going to get a new one, or a new pen.

"We're going to see if we can get any... salt, vinegar. We can try pickling them. Did any of those fruits come in?" He asked, a hint too hopeful. "Jam something. Anything that isn't a potato for once, god. Not that I'm not looking forward to these next three days."

Just more to add to their supply needs. Luke kept track because someone had to. It helped him more than it helped others on some days. It gave him an excuse to get out of bed, and sometimes that was all he needed.

[ofsaintsins-old]

“I’ll be fine.” She reassured once more, brow furrowing as her attention flickered from her companion to a button on her coat. “The waterfall isn’t far and I’m certain I left my bag tucked under one of the rocks near the water. I’ll be out and back in no time. Besides, it isn’t as if we can just run to the store to replace what was in it. It was my mistake, I’ll fix it.”

[lukedcvis-blog]

"Yeah, and we can't replace you at all." There was an edge to his voice Luke wasn't proud of, but he couldn't say he cared. The sun had started its steady creep below the horizon. He'd already completed his first round around the premises, making sure that everything was ready for nightfall. The evening breeze was moving in. After all this time, he wasn't ready for how fucking cold Alaska got.

"It's - there's nothing there that won't be there in the morning." Mouth pursed into a thin line, Luke stepped closer, close enough to reach for her if it came to that. "I don't like you out there this late."

[lukedcvis-blog]

open.

[lukedcvis-blog]

ofdragovs·:

 Chocolate orbs flickered between the pathetic excuse of a potato to the man at her side before a huff of her own passed her lips ( this one more defeated then anything ).  “I’m fairly certain I did warn you that I made a miserable gardener,” she muttered. Her gut twisted as it was set aside - Emma had taken to mentally calorie counting, trying to determine what each of them needed to maintain a healthy diet and setting something so pertinent aside just seemed wrong.

“We can reuse it right - replant it to grow more?” Brow scrunching, her body angled so she could look at him - lips threatening to twitch into a smile at her next words. “I’d hate to go potato-less already. They were just becoming my favorite food.” 

Luke slung an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close to kiss the side of Emma's head. It was the only way he could hide a smile. "I should have learned by now, you're always right."

He had no good way of smothering a laugh, but he bit the inside of his cheek in a valiant attempt, only reluctantly letting her go. "Don't worry, by the looks of things we've got enough... breakfast and lunch and dinner for the next three days. Try to contain your enthusiasm." In front of them, the potato had somehow managed to reach a whole new level of sulk. Luke picked it up, figured they could use it for its eyes, at least. "We can work with this. Don't worry about it. How did the rest of the harvest turn out?"

Don’t worry about it. It was a forced optimism hat sounded more and more sincere with every day that passed. The little things were becoming easier. They were expanding their garden, and after so many years, had gotten a little creative with what they were going to do with it. Given enough time, they’d hopefully never have to worry about starvation. If they could ever get that far.

[lukedcvis-blog]

open.

[lukedcvis-blog]

jolenehq·:

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.” Jolene said, standing next to Luke. “I think it’s beautiful,definitely the potato queen.” She said,looking at closely. “It’s what’s inside that counts,or aleast that’s what I’m going to tell myself when I eat it.” Jolene said, missing the days of fully stocked grocery stores without weird looking potatoes. There were alot of things she missed but it was better to focus the good things she had now,present company included.

“The garden’s starting to look really good. Just you wait,one day we’ll have ugly strawberries,ugly squash,whatever we want.” She said with a content sigh,happy to entertain the idea of them staying on the farm forever,safe and happy. Who knew? That reality could be obtainable, they would just have to work for it.

Luke huffed out a laugh, charmed in that effortless way only Jolene could ever pull from him. Even when he had to be careful, all too aware of the pitch of his voice, it was good to laugh. For a long time, he'd been convinced he wouldn't ever again, that he'd lost his voice permanently. She had a way of making him feel like no time had passed.

"We could aim for decent looking at some point, if you're willing to get fancy." He teased, nudging her as he continued sorting. "How're we doing on supplies anyway? Is it too soon to be making another run?"

[lukedcvis-blog]

open.

“Wow. You’ve really outdone yourself this time.” It came out in a huff, impressed despite how Luke didn’t want to be, eyebrows shooting to his hairline, a smile quirked at the corner of his lips. “That’s- that’s definitely the ugliest potato I’ve ever seen.”

The sad, squashed little thing looked almost angry. Angry and sad. He’d always thought the others were exaggerating about their prowess - or lack thereof - in the garden, but this was something else. He separated it from the rest of the pile, creating its own little space on their counter before diving back into their spoils.

The garden was modest, all things considered, but they worked with what they could. It was the little things, the little victories that made this bearable. The alternative was a spiral with no end, so he’d take laughing at a damn tatter. 

[lukedcvis-blog]

✦ ✧ ✩[theo james, cismale, he/him] Before the world ended, he was just Lucas Davis, a thirty year old mechanical engineer from Rochester, New York. To the group, they are The Nepenthe, ingenious and pragmatic but also damaged and paranoid. Written by Jay! 

Luke Davis, mechanical engineer, cop show enthusiast, amateur woodworker, widower, father of one.

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, where his biggest problems were his little brother, Daniel, stealing too many of his french fries, and living on the facist inbred side of the north.

It was a good life for a good kid. There's more he remembers about it, but none of that really matters. That person was gone a long time ago.

Followed a girl to college in the Vancouver, Harriet Williamson. Etta on a good day, or Big Hairy, when he was feeling reckless and she would let him. She was amazing. She was everything.

Got a degree in engineering. Panicked about staying mechanical or switching to chemical for years. There was still so much money to be made in oil! Ha. Ha ha.

Watched his best friend's life crash and burn. Couldn't even get him on the phone.

Married Big Hairy on a lovely April day. Cried when he gave his vows. Got roasted for it by his brother. Worth it.

Got a promoted to Project Head - seemed like a big deal. Had a son, Alex - was actually a Big Deal.

On June 23, Etta had a conference in Juneau. He doesn't remember why they called it the Fancy Spigot Convention but they laughed about that for a long time. He kissed her goodbye at the airport. The last time he saw her was a video call where she was brushing her teeth.

Alex was four when the world ended.

They didn't immediately die. Communication was silenced pretty quickly. They went North.

Juneau was razed before they got there. Big cities didn't survive.

Met up with a group of survivors who claimed they could establish themselves in the Canadian outback. It was quiet. That was all that mattered.

They kept going North.

Alex was a good kid. He didn't cry as often as Luke thought he would. He whined even less, and somehow found it in himself to smile more. But he was a kid. Sometimes kids get sick.

It was a dry cough. Luke remembered being so concerned about getting his vaccines on time. But he was sure Alex would get better.

Not everyone agreed to that. The risk was too great.

Somewhere in the wilds British Columbia, one of their surviving party slit Alex's throat. Luke didn't remember who it was, he didn't remember a lot after the incident. He traveled alone after that.

He shouldn't have made it. He owed his survival to the person who found him, and the family they built after.

About

》Tries so hard to get people to smile.

》Found an old radio that hasn't seen life since the 80's, is trying to get it to pick up anything but static.

》Very invested in creating new ways to make their life more bearable.

》Cooks. Isn't terrible at it.

》If you have a problem, he wants to fix it.

》Prone to secrecy, and underplaying his personal struggles.

- Will want to take charge of every emergency.