Seven (lucky_seven) wrote in destructionisle, @ 2019-07-12 14:56:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !july ac, !thread, daniela martinez, laura finn, npc: caitlyn finn |
Who: Laura and Dani
What: Asking a favor, making friends?
When: June 26, 2019, afternoon
Where: Marigold Arts Center
Rating: Low
Status: Complete
Laura stood to the side of the studio, watching with other parents as her daughter, Caitlyn, was in class. When they lived in New York, she had few opportunities to watch the little girl in her dance classes like this, she was always working at one job or another. She always made sure to make the big events, like recitals, but little day to day things she missed and that stuck with her. Here, without a real need to work other than to keep herself busy, Laura was glad for the opportunity to watch her child grow up.
But there was another reason for her visit today. Laura needed to speak with the instructor about something. She hoped it would go well, Laura never had been very good at socializing. But for her daughter, she’d do anything.
---
“Okay that’s it for today. Great job everyone,” Dani congratulated with a series of claps. The reactions were mixed. A couple kids were disappointed and expressed it with a loud ‘awww’ while others gleefully ran to their parents that had been waiting on the sidelines. There was a lot of noise as children chatted excitedly about their day’s accomplishments to whomever was willing to listen. It made her smile seeing their bright and happy faces. That’s what she had started this place for, to bring a bit of happiness to the people there.
She bid each child farewell as one by one they left with a parent or guardian. There were still a couple children milling about when she noticed Laura enter the studio. Dani had met the woman before but their conversations had been brief. She offered her a smile. “Hello, Ms. Finn. Here for Caitlyn?”
---
Laura was anxious. It was hard to be around a lot of people without having something specific to do other than watch. She’d worked many jobs in crowded places, but she was always able to keep busy. Standing there amongst the others, she had no idea how to relax and just be. But she was trying.
Catilyn waved to her mother excitedly, but was busy being a social butterfly as always, still chatting with a few friends she’d made. When Dani spoke and approached, Laura looked to her with a faint smile and nodded. It felt strange, in a good way, to be called Ms. Finn. She and Caspian hadn’t been married very long before being dragged to the island. But it was an important brightspot in her life. Speaking up, her voice was soft and crackled a bit like a slow burning fire. “Yes. Hello. I was wondering if you have a moment to talk?”
--
Most of her focus during classes were on her students but she'd occasionally steal a quick glance at the adults that hovered along the sidelines. Dani had been more diligent in who was around after her runin with the guard not too long ago that ended with her plant being mangled. Lucky she was able to salvage it but it just proved to her that she needed to be more aware. Was there anyone new amongst the regular crowd? Did anyone seem a bit off? It pained her to have to think that way but she needed to, if only for the safety of the children. She would never forgive herself if something happened to one of them while on her watch.
Dani smiled. She had noticed Laura’s anxiousness during one of her quick scans earlier and wanted to make her feel as comfortable as possible talking to her. “Of course. What can I do for you?”
--
Laura chewed at her bottom lip for a moment before speaking softly. “Well, Caitlyn’s birthday is coming up. Caspian and I wanted to have a party for her, but we were concerned it might… arouse attention. But it seems like the children are allowed to gather here without a problem. So… we were wondering if you might allow us to have a party here for her. Where it’s safe.”
--
Arouse attention? It took Dani a moment to realize what Laura was likely concerned about. With the string of incidents that had been happening as of late, many didn’t want to draw attention to themselves lest they have their own encounter. A gathering of children for a party would definitely get unwanted attention if held in the wrong place. “Sure, you can have it here. I’ll likely have to rearrange some schedules but it should be doable. What day were you thinking?”
--
Laura let go a sigh of relief that she hadn’t realized she’d been holding in. She knew how much Caitlyn loved coming to the center to dance, and so a birthday party here was not just safe but would make her little girl happy. But she also knew they couldn’t disrupt the woman’s business. “Whenever is convenient for you. And you won’t need to worry about a thing, we can take care of everything.”
--
The woman's sigh of relief came as a surprise though Dani didn't let that show. Had she really been so nervous that she might refuse?
"Every day usually has free time for residents to come in and use the rooms," she informed with a smile. "So we could easily hold the room for the private party during one of those periods on any day. What day is her birthday?"
--
Laura was nervous about life in general, but especially about things around here. Anxious was her default setting.
“July 12th, it’s a Friday this year. I promise it won’t be any inconvenience. I can come beforehand and set up everything, and of course I’d make sure everything is clean and set right once the party is over.” Laura was just glad Dani seemed willing to have the party here, she didn’t want to make anything difficult beyond that.
--
She continued to smile and nodded her head in understanding while Laura assured her all would be taken care of. The woman had been notably relieved when she received the approval to hold her daughter’s party at the center but still seemed worried. “How about we arrange to have it on the 12th then?” She replied once Laura had finished. “Would sometime in the afternoon work for you?”
--
Laura bit her bottom lip, but nodded eagerly. “Yes, that sounds perfect. Caitlyn will be so happy. And Caspian and I will be forever grateful to you for allowing us to use your space. We just want Caitlyn to try to have as much of a normal life here as possible. I wish that for all the children here.”
--
“I understand completely.” The desire to help children and adults alike to live a normal life despite their circumstances was exactly why she wanted to establish the center. “I wish for that too. For everyone.” Dani glanced over at Caitlyn over with one of her friends, smiling and chatting away. “I’m glad that I can help you give that for your daughter. Every child deserves a chance to just be a kid.”
--
Laura looked over to Caitlyn as well with a smile. “I’m so grateful for you, and this place. She loved dance back home, it was so good to see that she could continue that here. She’s lost so much else.” A frown crept up again and Laura tried not to get sucked into the self-blame that sometimes consumed her. She was convinced that her family was on this island because of her, and she regretted that deeply.
--
Dani gave her a sympathetic smile. There was no doubt in her mind that the young girl had indeed lost a lot coming to the island. All of them had. While she had come to enjoy her new home overtime, she still missed her old life. Her family, her friends, traveling. She’d often find herself wondering how they were especially her parents. She missed them terribly.
“Living here… it can be difficult to adjust,” she voiced after a moment of consideration. “I know it took some time for me.” She offered her a warm smile. “I find getting to know your neighbors and engaging with the community helps. Friends make things easier.” Dani extended her hand toward Laura. “Hopefully I can be yours. If there is any way I can help you or you family don’t hesitate to ask.”
--
Laura hesitated before taking the offered hand, shaking it gently. Her hand was noticeably warm, much warmer than it should be despite it not appearing that anything was amiss. She spoke softly, offering a confession. “I’ve never had many friends before, I always kept to myself for the most part.” Obviously Cas had changed that for her, and when he befriended Dorian, she followed suit. Laura knew Capsian trusted Dani, and the woman did look after their daughter during her dance classes, so the scales were tipping in her favor.
“I’ve… been in a place sort of like this before. A long time ago. I never thought I’d have to come back. I didn’t want my family to have to be here.”
--
The warmth of Laura’s hand surprised her. Dani knew that some people were naturally warm but this was different. It felt less like a person who tended to run warm and more like someone suffering from a fever. Was Laura sick? There was nothing about her appearance that revealed she was. Her gaze wandered to the identification badge she wore. It didn’t linger, only settling there long enough to see the word pryokinesis. Ah, she could manipulate fire. It all made sense now.
“Have you?” Another surprise. There were other places like this? Were they created because of abilities like the residents here displayed or had she experienced a different sort of isolation? “I’m sorry.” She wasn’t exactly sure what else to say. She wanted to comfort her but she had no idea what the best thing to say would be to achieve that. This was obviously a sensitive topic for Laura and she didn’t want to drive her away with the wrong response. “This will be different,” she said with as much positivity as she could muster without being sickeningly optimistic. “And I’ll do what I can to help.”
—
Laura nodded slightly. It wasn’t something she talked about often, if at all, so mentioning it the way she had showed that she was putting her faith in Dani. It was a leap but she took it. “It was smaller, back when I was a teenager, more of a lab but the same sense as this. I hope you’re right about it being different though, in a positive way. At least here we’re allowed to gather and talk with each other. That makes a big difference, even for people like me who are the worst at socializing.”
—
Dani did her best not to appear horrified. “I couldn’t imagine.” Laura had spent her youth in a lab environment? Thoughts of various movies, shows, and books that touched on children in a lab went through her mind. If it was anything like those - and it appeared to at least be a bit when she mentioned they weren’t allowed to talk to one another - she could understand why Laura was worried about being on the island. “I think you’re doing a fine job socializing,” she assured, smiling once again.
—
Laura looked away with a smirk. “I’ve only really talked to one other person here besides you. And we’ve been here over a month. So, I think you might just be being nice. But I do appreciate it.” She sheepishly looked back to Dani with a half smile. “Thank goodness Caitlyn is more brave than I am. She gets that from her father.”
--
“You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. It’s only been a month. It takes time to open up to others especially when you’re in a place you’re unsure about.” Dani gazed wandered to Caitlyn once again before returning to Laura. “She’s definitely an outgoing young lady. Enthusiastic. Classes are always livelier when she attends.”
—
Laura smiled faintly again. Her daughter was her life, and she was glad that the girl hadn’t lost her infectious personality with all of the difficult things she’d been through in her short life. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she cleared her throat and drifted back to the topic. She didn’t want to take up too much of Dani’s time, she was sure the woman was very busy. “I think we’d like to invite the other children from classes to the party. If you think their parents would allow them to attend.”
--
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t,” she replied confidently. Most of the parents were personable in her experience. They were sure to allow their children to attend a birthday party. “It would essentially be like another day of lessons except they’ll be having cake instead of practicing pirouettes.” She chuckled some. “Well, they’ll probably still do that without my asking. Did you want me to talk to the parents?”
--
“If it’s not too much trouble…” Laura frowned at herself and bit her lip. She didn’t want to make things more difficult than they needed to be. “Do you think there’s anything you or the children or parents would like at the party? I just want to make sure everyone enjoys themselves.” Laura was willing to give everything to make the party a success.
--
"No trouble at all." Dani knew that it would be better if she spoke with the parents rather than forcing Laura to step out of her comfort zone. It seemed as if it had been nervewracking enough for the mother to approach her; she didn't want to make Laura any more uncomfortable than she already was. "I personally have nothing specific to suggest but I will ask when I speak with the parents. Perhaps we could exchange numbers? Would make further discussion easier." Then she added. "If you want to, that is."
--
Laura bit her bottom lip and then nodded, quickly searching her pockets for her phone. Pulling it out, she looked to Dani. “I really do appreciate this, so much.” After a hint of hesitation, she handed over her phone for Dani to input her contact information. “And thank you for being so patient with me.”
--
Dani waited patiently while Laura searched for her phone taking extra care not to make her feel rushed. "What are friends for?" She answered cheerfully as she tapped her information into the cell. Perhaps the other woman didn't see them as friends now but Dani hoped she would in time. "I'm excited for the party," she confessed, handing the phone back over to its owner. "I'm sure it'll be a blast."
--
Laura smiled halfway, watching Dani closely as she typed her number into the phone. “I am too. Or maybe nervous? It’s hard to tell.” She smirked at herself, a little joke. “I hope it goes well. I just want Caitlyn to be happy.”
--
“Probably both,” she said with a bit of a chuckle. “That’s always how I felt before a performance. Excited and nervous as all get out at the same time.” Her gaze once again moved to Caitlyn, then back to Laura, smiling. “It will. She will be. I guarantee it.”
--
Laura quirked a brow in interest. “You used to perform? That’s so impressive. You must miss it a lot.” While Laura missed her old life, she’d never had any particularly interesting jobs before.
—
Dani nodded. “I did. Professional dancer. Traveled all around the country.” That was how she had been in Washington during the reactor meltdown despite hailing from New York. “I’ll admit I miss it but I’m satisfied with what I’ve created here.” She lifted a hand to indicate she was talking specifically about the center. “I’m proud to know I’ve helped others feel more at home, comfortable, by making this place available to them.”
—
Laura glanced around and nodded. “This place is wonderful, we’re all lucky to have you here, helping make things feel more normal. I’m afraid I’m not very artistic, or good at much, but I am always willing to help out with things here should you need it.” Maybe doing so would help get her out of the house a little more.
--
Not good at much… that was an unfortunate thing to hear someone say about themselves. Dani doubted what she said was the truth; she was probably good at plenty of things. “That would be great if you could. I’m always looking for extra help around here,” she replied with a bright smile. “I’ve been looking for someone to help with inventory actually and I’m always looking for keyholders.”
--
Laura nodded a little, pushing her hair back behind her ears. “Okay. What exactly does that entail? I only really have experience working in bars and coffee shops. And briefly in a bookstore.”
--
“Keyholders are pretty much what the title states - they hold the keys. They monitor room usage, opening them when someone wishes to use them and locking up after. They are also in charge of signing out and signing in of materials from the resource room. Then, of course, they lock up the building if they are closing and open it when, well, you know.” Dani paused, giving Laura a moment to process all she said. “As for inventory, we try to do a weekly count of our resources so we know what we have and what we might need to request replenishment for at the end of the month. Also helps us determine usage, are some using too much during their time with the item - paint comes to mind. Things like that.”
--
She nodded slowly. It was all a lot more detailed than she’d imagined but it all made good sense. “Oh yeah, I never thought about that kind of stuff. But I guess it’s something people take for granted until they have to do it.” She hoped she didn’t sound too stupid.
—
“It’s true,” she agreed with a nod of her own. “Before we could just go to the store or shop online any time if we needed something but now…” Dani gave a little shrug. “It’s not so easy. And for a place like this that’s considered entertainment over necessity? So much bureaucracy to go through.” A soft laugh.
—
Laura nodded with a little frown, it was unfortunate but there seemed to be little that could be done about it. “I’m sorry things are such a hassle for you.”
--
"It is what it is. Truth be told, I'm pretty sure it would have been the same way anywhere else too." Arts funding wasn't the easiest thing to achieve. The sound of her name had her look over at the door where a woman stood, hand waving to get her attention. "Speaking of keyholder… I have to go." She smiled. "It was great talking to you."
—
“Oh, sorry to have kept you. It was nice talking to you too, I’ll be in touch about details for the party. Thank you again.” She watched the woman go before moving off to fetch Caitlyn so they could be on their way with the rest of the day’s plans.