Who: Laura and Dorian What: Talking , Looking out for one another, and the future When: August 21, 2019, early evening [backdated] Where: Finn Residence Rating: Low Status: Complete
Logan was vindicated. That was another good thing Dorian could do. He was so nervous testified in a courtroom. But he had steeled himself, centered himself as he did many times before in Brooklyn. Today, he had gotten some more supplies and food for the house with what money he had. Setting the bags on the counter, Dorian sifted through things and put them in the cabinets and refrigerator. He took an apple, washed it off, and carried into the living area where he hoped Laura was.
Since the beginning of the month, Laura hadn’t been feeling well. On her good days, she tried to do everything as normally as possible, in addition to working part time at the bakery in the Marketplace. And on the bad days, she could barely get out of bed. Today was one of those in between days. She’d taken Caitlyn and April to the dance studio, but by the time they got back she was too exhausted to do much else. She and Caspian had decided to hold off on telling the rest of the family what was going on, but Laura knew they couldn’t hide it much longer.
Resting on the couch, she had the television on but wasn’t paying much attention to what was on. She looked up to Dorian as he entered the room and gave him a faint smile. She’d been worried about him, he’d had a difficult month, but she knew to keep her distance and give him space to breathe. She was glad to see him now, though. “Hi. How are you?”
Dorian had noticed Laura being more exhausted and not feeling well, but he had kept his distance with the difficulties he had gone through. He still wasn’t consistently back on that even keel. But he tried. The tall young man had a smile for Caitlyn and April - not wanting them or any of the Finns to worry about him. He’d emerge from this doldrum eventually.
“Hi. I’m okay,” he shrugged. “I brought the family some more food. Here,” Dorian stepped over to the couch and held out the apple in his hand.
Sitting up a bit more, she took the offered apple appreciatively. “You did? You didn’t have to do that, but thank you.’” She looked to the apple and then back to him curiously. “Are you sure you’re okay? I don’t want to push or pry, but I can be a good listener if you just need to vent.”
“You’re welcome. Doing my part,” Dorian offered as he circled round the couch and sat in an armchair beside it. He wasn’t okay. But with any of his low times, he’d make it out of them in time. “A lot has been going on. And trying to protect myself is a challenge here.” Dorian offered, “But I don’t want you to stress yourself.”
Laura listened as she watched him carefully. “You’re not alone, we can protect each other. And I’ve already told you I’m going to worry about you either way, so it’s a little less stressful to know why.” She smiled faintly, just trying to show him that she was concerned and supported him.
He nodded slowly, clasping his hands together as he leaned forward. The razor blade was still folded in his right sock, resting against his ankle. Dorian still had nightmares after the abduction, near experimentation, and rescue. Trauma from before Caspian’s rescuing him had permeated his sleep, what there was of it. “The government’s abducting me, pretty much making a nightmare of mine come true had thrown me. And I may have been a bit too harsh towards Ehren, but I did help him and Logan by testifying.” There was a faint trembling to his voice and he felt it - clasping his hands tighter to make it subside. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you immediately about that guard who threw me out of the facility during the storm.” His eyes had stayed on his hands the whole time, but he looked up and over at Laura at his apology.
Setting the apple aside for now, she pushed herself up to sit up complete and watched Dorian as he spoke. “You have nothing to be sorry about. You’ve done nothing wrong. I’m sorry we were there to get you out sooner, or that you had to be taken at all. It wasn’t fair to you and I’m sorry that it happened.” She studied him for a moment longer before speaking up. “I understand how scary it is. And how difficult it is after. I was in your shoes before. No one came to rescue me, but I was lucky enough to finally get out. After a few years.”
Dorian paled a little as Laura spoke about being in his shoes before. He knew that she was strong that he was, had an ability that was more useful. “I was no staying aware of my surroundings. If I did, I would have been able to do something.” He breathed and nodded. “You’re a very strong person, Laura.”
She shook her head and sat forward with a sigh. “You can’t blame yourself for this. This place, these people, they spend most of their time trying to catch us doing something, anything that they can exploit us for. You did nothing wrong.”
Sighing, she raked her fingers back through her hair. “I’m not. I try to be, but I’m not. If I was strong, I would be different now. But I let it all affect me too much. I don’t want this place to do to you and Caitlyn and Cas what that place did to me.”
Dorian breathed in deeply as he listened to Laura and nodded. It was difficult not to blame himself for what had happened to him here on the island and the situation he had gotten himself into and found a way out with Caspian’s help. For the most part, the years since Caspian taking him under his wing, Dorian had found a sense of calm and stability. Being brought to the island had created a new instability. But he was and had been working towards that calm once again.
“You were able to get out of that one situation,” he insisted on Laura being strong. “I will continue trying to keep Caspian and Caitlyn from being harmed.”
Laura looked to the floor and nodded slightly. “And keep yourself out of harm too, as much as you can help it. We can’t be completely safe here, none of us can. But if we look out for each other, there’s more chance of staying out of trouble.”
Sitting back against the couch slowly, she sighed. “I know Caspian’s asked you to look after me and Caitlyn if anything ever happened to him. And I know it is a lot of pressure to put on you, but I’d like you to be able to do the same for them if something happens to me. If you feel you can. I just… would like to have some peace of mind. Especially after everything that’s happened.”
“I am,” he nodded. “I am watchful of the guards and anyone in the shops or businesses. My guard has not gone down outside of this house since you and Caspian got me back here.”
Dorian kept his leaning posture and his hands tightly clasped. “I will, Laura. You have my word.” There was no doubt he wouldn’t look after Caspian and Caitlyn for her. He gently unclasped his hands and held out his right hand to her.
Her hand was warm on his as she reached out to squeeze it lightly. She smiled a little, trying to lighten the conversation a bit. “And don’t let him do anything stupid. He needs to stay smart and strong for you and Caitlyn… and anyone else who might come along.”
He gently squeezed hers in return, the warmth and her smile was welcome. “I will do my best.” Dorian nodded, knowing that it would be difficult to keep Caspian from doing anything stupid and using his ability to do so would be a challenge. “Oh? Are there plans to bring more people into our house?”
Laura hesitated before nodding. Caitlyn wasn’t nearby to overhear, but she knew they’d have to tell her soon. “Hopefully. If all goes well. I’m pregnant. But it’s not safe to be, not here anyway. Cas took me to the Facility hospital, but we left because we were warned against it. And it’s not the first warning I’ve heard.”
Dorian blinked, surprised. He was happy for her, but also scared as he listened to her. “Wow,” he whispered. “Does Cas have any plans in the works to get you away from here?” HE continued to hold Laura’s hand, wanting to protect her and the baby.
A little surprised by the question, she shook her head no. “Not that he’s mentioned. I don’t know what he has planned, we’ve only really talked about me just staying away from the Facility, which I have no problem doing. I don’t know if he’s just trying to make me feel safe and calm, or if he really does think everything will be alright if I just rest and stay away from that place.”
Dorian wasn’t aware of any of Caspian’s current plans other than keeping the family safe. And he would do that. “Then maybe that is all we need to focus on - keep you safe and calm away from the Facility and keep Cas and Caitlyn safe.” He nodded. It asked to focus when there was an immediate plan. Everything else would fall into place if and when Caspian had a plan.
“And keep yourself safe too. You’re a part of this family, we all have to stay safe.” She squeezed his hand lightly again. “And I won’t let anything happen to you again, I promise.”
He breathed deeply and nodded. The young man had tended to feel separate from the family despite all of their kindness. “Thank you, Laura.” Dorian was ever thankful, but he would put the baby over his own safety.
She offered him another smile in reassurance. “Any time. Is there anything I can do for you? I’m always here if you need anything, even if it’s just someone to listen and not say a word.” She would never judge him, or anyone else, so it felt like that didn’t need to be said.
“Keep your eye out for any trustworthy people?” Dorian asked. He needed some more friendship outside of the house. “Perhaps we can talk about each others’ day. And if there are any groceries or the like - let me know? Also if you need help at work.” He appreciated the offer.
Laura was surprised by the request but nodded. “Of course. But you probably know about that better than I do, you get out much more than I do and know far more people than I’ve met. But I will definitely let you know if I come across anyone new.” Sitting back with a sigh, she pushed a stray brown lock behind her ear and nodded. “I would like that. It’s nice to just have someone to talk to sometimes.” They both had Caitlyn and Cas, but it never hurt to have another person to open up to. Laura knew she held a lot inside, she had a feeling that Dorian did too.
“You already help so much, and I appreciate it more than I can express. But as far as work, I could always use a taste tester.”
“Well, I don’t frequent the bakery very much. I’d like to find someone….” Dorian began and shrugged his shoulders. “...to be close to.” Letting go of Laura’s hand, he nodded. “Then let’s plan on it when we’re the only ones in this room.” Keeping the family safe and happy was also relieving them of burdens.
“I like to contribute. Oh? ‘Taste tester?”
“You’re always welcome to visit, even though I haven’t been there as much as I’d like lately. Meg, the owner, is very nice.” Laura nodded a little, she understood what he meant, everyone needed someone to connect with. Especially in a place like this where things could be so stressful and unpredictable. She wanted Dorian to be safe, but she also wanted him to be happy.
At the question, she nodded. “Yes. I want to be able to do more at the bakery than just ring up orders. And Meg is giving me a chance. But I would still like to try out things here, get an honest opinion on them. I’d rather hear from you that something tastes horrible than have my boss taste it and tell me the same.”
“I’d love to visit.” Dorian replied and nodded as he sat back in his chair. Trusting people was something the young man wanted to do, but had found difficult. He had been someone who naturally wanted to help people. But usually to a fault.
“That’s wonderful!” he smiled. “Then I can be your taste tester.”
“I think you’d like it there.” The bakery was a rare bright spot among the darkness of the island, she was glad she’d followed Cas’s urging to go there. She hoped she’d feel better soon so that she could spend more time working and be there more for Dorian and Caitlyn and Cas.
She returned the smile, glad to hear that he was willing to help in that way. “I’ll be trying out a bunch of new recipes, as soon as I’m feeling up to it. I have a lot of ideas I’d like to try, I just don’t know if all the ingredients I’d like to use are available here.”
“I might.” Dorian needed to get out more, not focus who was the person next to use him. To trust more people. And if he could help Laura, then he’d feel better.
“I can try to find the ingredients? And what I can I do to help you feel better?” he asked.
Laura smiled, glad to hear that Dorian was open to visiting the bakery. She knew she needed to be as brave and open minded as he was, and explore the island some more and meet others.
She couldn’t help but laugh a little, and shook her head. “Unless you’ve got a cure for morning sickness, or this exhaustion I can’t seem to shake, I think just sitting and talking is helping. A lot more than you realize. I have a tendency to withdraw, I need to stop that.”
He had tried to be brave and open minded. But lately he had withdrawn again. Perhaps they could help each other.
Dorian smiled deeply at her laugh. “Well, no….but perhaps an orange would work better than an apple? Good. I do too.” He nodded.
Laura shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’s worth a shot. I hate feeling so tired all the time and being so lazy. I need to keep busy or else I get very very anxious, but it’s hard to rest and be busy at the same time.” She smirked at herself but waved it off, knowing she probably sounded crazy.
“Let me go get one.” Dorian nodded as he stood up and then left to go into the kitchen and brought back a nice-sized bright orange. “Here you go. Maybe you need more vitamin C,” he smiled and leaned over the couch to hand the fruit to Laura before returning to the chair he had been occupying.
When he gave her the orange, she returned the apple, encouraging him to eat it. “Thank you. Maybe you’re right. I’ve always been very bad at taking care of myself. Luckily, I’ve never been sick for very long, or much at all.” Except for now, but she didn’t want to think about that.
Sniffing the orange first, she smiled at the scent and then began to carefully peel and it eat, offering some to Dorian.
He took the apple and smiled. “You’re welcome. I will help you take care then.” Dorian would help look after her if she helped look after him. Fair trade.
He took a few pieces and ate them. He left one more time to get a knife and returned to sit and carve pieces of the apple to exchange with her as he ate a few himself.
Laura was happy to sit quietly and share with Dorian. After a few moments of comfortable silence, she looked to him curiously. “If we weren’t stuck here, where would you like to be? What would you like to be doing?” Laura didn’t often think about thoughts and dreams, she allowed herself little time for any of that. But she was always curious about what other people wanted out of life.
Dorian finished off the apple and sighed at his satiated belly. “Hmm?” Laura had posted herself some thought-provoking questions. “I...uh, I’d like to be back in Brooklyn, doing what I had been doing for Caspian.” It was an easy fall back to return to what he had been doing. He still felt indebted to the man. There was that connection and working well together too. Dorian had ventured further than wanting that again.
Laura nodded a little and gave him a faint smile. “It would be nice to go back home. Hopefully we can do that sometime sooner rather than later.” She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but it was nice to think about. She also wanted to give Dorian some hope, maybe that would help him in dealing with the difficulties lately.
“It would!” Dorian nodded. “I hope so. And I can help put together the nursery.” He would help in any way he could. Maybe once this captive on the island situation was over, the next chapter in his life could be open for achieving.
Laura’s smile faded slowly at the mention of the nursery. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy about the baby, she was just worried. “I’m not sure how we’ll be able to get things for a nursery here. I don’t think they want people to have babies here, I’ve heard horrible things. It’s one thing to hide the pregnancy, or have a home birth... but it’s nearly impossible to hide a baby once it’s here.” She frowned at herself, not wanting to put her worries on Dorian when he was just trying to help.
He froze as he watch Laura’s smile fade. He had said something wrong. Then Dorian moved to the edge of his chair and reached out to gently touch Laura’s knee. “Then I will find a way to get you, Caspian, and Caitlyn off the island.” The young man nodded. The cave Logan had provided as shelter during the storm and honestly it would not do.
A faint smile returned as she placed her hand on his, giving it a light squeeze. “I really appreciate it. But it’s not entirely up to you, it’s not your responsibility. But I think it would be a good idea if we all work together to find a way back home. You and Caspian and I, if we work together we’re more likely to find a way than just one of us alone.”
“I know, I know. We all will work towards getting away. I will be taking note of the guards, the supply deliveries.” Dorian nodded. “We all need to talk together.” He gently turned his hand over so he could gently squeeze Laura’s hand.
She returned the squeeze to his hand and nodded. “You’re right. I know Caspian has some things in mind about finding out information about people here… but I think that might take a lot longer than we have.” She frowned at her own words and shook her head, she didn’t want to think the worst. “He’s always the mastermind, I’m sure he can think of something. I’ll do whatever he thinks will work. And I’ll do anything you need me to do.”
Dorian nodded, breathing slowly. “He will do what it takes. And I will help him see it through.” He didn’t frown, but he didn’t smile either. It would take time and cunning. But Caspian and he had seen quite a few operations - some close calls and some smooth sailing. They just had to stay calm and hopeful.
Laura nodded, she had faith in both of them. From time to time, she had helped Caspian in his work too, but she knew that he would prefer to keep her safe and away from those things. Especially in this case, when she was carrying his child, she knew Caspian would not want her to be put in danger on purpose.
She would protect Caitlyn and the new little one. Dorian would protect Caspian and the house as well as he could. He would also gather what information he needed, looking out for all of them. He had to believe they were all getting off this island soon.