Who: Laura and Dorian What: A heart-to-heart and cheering up When: Mid-evening, September 19th, 2019; after this [backdated] Where: The Finn house Rating: Mild Status: Complete!
The dinner was over, the discussions done. Dorian sat in his bedroom with the door open. He had a Facility Library open book in his hand. Deep in thought, he was sitting on the foot of his bed reading. The activity calmed him and also centered him. A part of him was still a little unnerved by the acceptance of Ehren into the fold despite Caspian’s assurances.
Laura was glad that the dinner and discussion was over. She knew that Caspian was trying to do this all to protect his family, but she didn’t necessarily agree with the new recruit. He had this vision, and important one in her mind, but withheld the information until much later. That didn’t seem very trustworthy in her mind. But she wasn’t the one making these decisions, and it was probably for the best.
She noticed how uncomfortable the whole business made Dorian seem, so things were cleaned up for dinner and Caitlyn was settled, she went off in search of her friend to check on him. Finding him in his room, she knocked lightly on the door. She didn’t want to interrupt his reading.
Being used when he hadn’t given permission before hand, Dorian had closed himself off a bit even when he wanted affection. He kept to the people he trusted. Hearing the light knocking, Dorian placed his right index finger in his book and looked up and over to see Laura standing there. “Hi,” he said softly. “Are you doing okay?”
She offered him a small smile but lingered in the doorway, not wanting to invade his space. “I’m okay. How are you doing after all of…. That.” She made a vague motion to the living room, but she knew he could understand what she was referring to.
Dorian shrugged and frowned a little. Then he motioned for Laura to come into the room. It was easy to understand what she was referring. The young man didn’t want to question Caspian. There was always a plan.
She slipped into the room at his beckoning, keeping her voice soft. “Is that the one who upset you a few weeks ago?” She didn’t know the details and she didn’t want to. She just wanted to protect Dorian the best she could. “I know I don’t know him well… but I am not impressed with the first meeting.”
Moving over, Dorian gave Laura to sit if she wanted. “...yes,” he nodded as he placed a marker in his book and closed it. “I didn’t know he was coming here.” He sighed as he tried to shake off the unhappiness. “He has an interesting ability.”
She moved to take the offered seat beside him with a little sigh. “I wish Caspian had warned you. I’m sorry that he didn’t. Are you sure you’re alright with this?” She studied him with concern and then smirked. “Interesting, but he doesn’t seem to use it very effectively, from what he shared.”
“Caspian has his reasons,” Dorian shook his head. “I can be as long as Ehren keeps his distance.” He gently held onto his book. Then Dorian blinked at Laura’s comment. “He...has been scared of it...for good reason.”
“Haven’t we all be scared of our abilities at some point?” She frowned a little and then sighed. “Maybe I am being too harsh. Which is why I didn’t say anything to him directly. But I don’t take kindly to people who know my family is in danger and decide not to tell us. And now to know that he is the one responsible for making you feel badly, well, I have little sympathy for him. Hopefully he will prove me wrong and I’ll change my mind.”
He shrugged a little. Dorian had been for a moment or two, but not for long. “You’re okay being harsh.” He bit his tongue and shook his head. “Maybe whatever Caspian plan he has will make him useful.”
“I really hope so. I know it’s not my place, but I don’t like this little process here so far.” It was so much easier back home. Laura didn’t need to be involved in Caspian’s business, and she only did involve herself if her ability was needed. She had no opinions about the dealings, she was only concerned with the safety and wellbeing of her loved ones, and that continued on here. “I’m doing my best to do my part, but…” She just shook her head and shrugged.
Dorian rarely brought up opposition to Caspian’s plans. He trusted the other man’s ideas and thoughts. He hoped it was the same with this one no matter how difficult it was to trust. The young man blinked as Laura let her words drift off. Gently, Dorian took one of her hands in his. “You are doing just fine. You helped save me...and you’re a mom.”
She squeezed his hand lightly with a small smile. “Thank you. I’m trying. I just feel like I should be doing more to help get us out of here. I just don’t know what. I could easily burn this whole damned place to the ground, but what good would it do?”
“You’re welcome. Maybe it’s best you keep Caitlyn and yourself safe,” Dorian offered. “I will do more to help get us out of here, I promise.” He held Laura’s hand, knowing Laura was such a strong person with a strong ability. His own was a liability.
Laura offered Dorian a soft smile. “You are doing so much already. We’ll get out of here when the time is right. I hope that it is sooner rather than later, but there is only so much about this that we can control.” She was trying to be patient and smart about things, but with each day she worried more and more. If that was even possible.
“Okay,” he breathed. There was so much Dorian felt like he should be doing. But he was following Caspian’s plan. “Is there anything I can do in the meantime?” It was agonizing not contributing in a real way.
She offered him another small smile. “Maybe allow me to help where I can? I could start with making you something for dessert, if you’re up for it.” The dinner hadn’t gone as planned, so she hadn’t had the chance to make something in the course she really shined. “And… maybe help me plan something for Caspian’s birthday?”
“Yes, please.” He nodded and smiled softly. There was a simplicity in planning for ‘normal’ things. “I would like that.” Dorian replied. “I would like to find something that would be the perfect present...other than a boat or airplane.”
Standing slowly, she nodded. She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep moving around so easily for much longer, so she wanted to take advantage of it. “What are you in the mood for? Something chocolately, or fruity, or something else?”
She considered for a moment and then sighed. “I have no idea what to get for him, but I want it to be special.”
Dorian stood up with Laura, watching how she did. “Something simple...not too complicated.” He was easy to please when it came to desserts, but more so when he was settling his nerves.
“Maybe something he hasn’t had since we got here. But I don’t have any connections to the supply deliveries.” He frowned.
Nodding, she mentally went through what they had available and what would make the most comforting dessert for him. She started out of his room and down the stairs slowly, hoping he would follow. “I don’t either. Maybe we need to change that though. I have to admit that I’ve been failing at getting out more often and meeting more people.” Some days she was just too sick to get out of bed, but she hoped the worst of the morning sickness would be over soon.
Dorian followed Laura, mindful of each step down to watch out for her. “Maybe I need to find the most friendly and honorable guards. Perhaps we could convince them to find something special.” He offered.
Laura nodded in agreement. “Be careful though, I don’t want you getting hurt over a gift. I know Caspian would rather know you’re safe and sound than think you risked your safety for a gift. But I will see if I can find out who is the best one to work with.”
“I will. I will be safe. I would like to get him something concrete and useful. Maybe if I could get information.” Dorian offered and nodded.
Moving into the kitchen, she checked the refrigerator and started taking out bits and pieces to make dessert. “I know he misses a lot of things from home, we all do. Maybe we could find a way to make it feel a little more like that.”
“What things do you suggest?” Dorian asked as he followed Laura into the kitchen and stopped beside the counter. “Clothes, books,” He asked and frowned that he couldn’t think of things immediately.
“I know he misses his gun.” It was a random musing as her hands worked to whip up an individual-sized strawberry shortcake for Dorian. “But that could be dangerous and I don’t want you to get in trouble. Has he mentioned anything to you?”
Dorian nodded. “He does.” He echoed. “No, he hasn’t mentioned anything else. Maybe I could look for any clothing items he would like.” The young man shrugged. It was hard to come up with things with the island’s restrictions.
Laura sighed, glanced to him briefly before looking back to the dessert she was nearly finished making. “I wish we could find a way from him to relax for a bit. Some down time. He’s using his abilities a lot more here, I worry how it affects him.”
He blinked as he looked over at Laura as she spoke. Dorian knew there was a possibility he could suppress Caspian’s abilities, but he feared that he’s know he was doing it. “Maybe you could...convince him to relax and I could dampen his abilities.” A part of him hated the idea, but he wanted to protect Caspian.
Laura hadn’t even considered that, it showed on the shock and surprise on her face. Pursing her lips, she thought about it for a moment. It was a good idea, it could help Caspian. But she didn’t want to put him in a situation he may not want. After a moment, she sighed and shook her head. “I don’t want to upset him.”
Strawberry shortcake complete, she carried it to the table and set it down, motioning for him to have a seat. “I hope you like it. Would you like something to drink?”
Dorian flinched at the shocked and surprised look on Laura’s face. He knew it would be something Caspian would not agree to, but it would help him. Maybe a bottle of whiskey would help. “Neither do I.”
The young man followed Laura at her motioning and sat down. “It looks good. Water, please.” He smiled softly. “Thank you.”
“It’s not that it isn't a good idea. I just wish he would take better care of himself, we need him. But, he is determined and I don’t want to be too overbearing.” She watched Dorian for a moment and then gave him a small smile.
She moved to get him a glass of water, returning with it shortly. She took a seat at the table as well, trying to think of other potential birthday ideas for Cas.
“Maybe I can talk to him, take some of the load off of him.” Dorian offered.
Taking up a fork, he waited til Laura sat down at the table before cutting a bite of the dessert and eating a bite. “Mmm, this is good.”
Laura nodded. She wished Caspian would confide in her more and try to relax, but she understood his need to protect his family that spurned him on. Absently tracing designed on the wooden tabletop, Laura sighed. “I’d wanted to take him out for a night alone, just the two of us. But I ruined it by getting sick. We haven’t had the chance to try again. Maybe that can be my gift to him, trying again for a date night. Hopefully it will work out better this time around.”
When he complimented the dessert, Laura’s expression brightened. “Really? You’re not just saying that?”
“Let’s hope this time around is better. Think good thoughts and eat more of the oranges I brought a few days ago.” Dorian offered. He knew he had to try to help Caspian more with the slow and steady plans to get the family off the island. Sometimes, the young man wished he had an ability similar to Caspian’s so he could be of more assistance.
“Yes, it’s good!” He grinned brightly. “It’s the truth! Have a bite.”
Laura couldn’t help but smile as she looked back to Dorian. She shook her head a little to the offer. “No, no, it’s yours. Besides, working in the bakery has ruined me for sweets. Most of the time, anyway.”
She was quiet for several minutes before speaking up again. “You should smile more often. Though, I know there isn’t much to smile for around here.”
“Okay,” he nodded and ate another bite. He was thankful Laura had found something to do that made her happy and got her out of the house. If it were not for some of the friends he’d made, books, and working to support Caspian’s plan so far, Dorian would stay in the house.
Dorian lifted an eyebrow. “I wish there was more to smile about around here. But I am happy you are doing better, working in the bakery.” He gave Laura another soft smile.
She nodded with a faint smile. “I suppose that’s the one good thing about being here. I don’t think I would have ever had the courage to try to bake or anything like that back home. It’s strange to only have one job, and part time at that. Sometimes I still feel like I don’t know what to do with myself. But now it doesn’t feel so bad to have time on my hands. I’m not trying to run from what I am here.”
“I will smile more on that,” Dorian nodded. “I sometimes feel like I don’t know what to do here. With some of the things that have happened, it has felt safer to stay inside. But I am better now. And I know my job is help Caspian like before, but to also be available if you need me.”
Reaching out, Laura gently placed her hand on his and gave it a squeeze. “Your job is to live, to be as happy as you can be, and to be free, and to be yourself. And if you happen to be able to help Caspian and I in the process, then we are the lucky ones for it.”
He stilled at her touch, but soon nodded and smiled softly. “I will work on the first four. They’re difficult.” It was true. Dorian hadn’t been able to really ‘live’ on the island. He had tried and failed. He had let himself be scarred by it.
She nodded and gave his hand another squeeze before letting go so that he could eat his dessert uninterrupted.
Dorian lifted his thumb to give Laura’s hand a brief touch before she let go. Giving her another soft smile, he returned to eating the lovely dessert she had made for him.