Dorian Sloan (nullumpotentia) wrote in destructionisle, @ 2019-11-01 15:22:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !october ac, !thread, dorian sloan, finn thompson |
Who: Dorian Sloan and Finn Thompson
What: Books, Music Aspirations, and a Music Lesson
When: October 17, 2019 [backdated]
Where: Library and the Marigolds
Rating: Low
Status: Complete
Each few feet Dorian walked he looked over his shoulder. With one knife at home and one in his left boot, he walked briskly to the Facility and inside to the library to return a few books and perhaps find something new. He promised himself that he would keep an eye out for any guards - trustworthy and untrustworthy.
—-
Finn was humming a happy little tune as he wheeled the trolley through the library, it was stacked with returned books to place back on the shelves. Just another typical day, he had his routines and he liked to stick to them as best as he could but of course chatting with people about books and checking them out with their selection took priority over putting them back.
He turned a corner with the trolley when he saw Dorian enter the library holding a few books. Wheeling the trolley back towards the main desk area he smiled as the other man got closer. “Hey there Dorian, what did you think of those ones?” He was always interested to see what readers thought of his suggestions, sometimes he was spot on but just as many times he was wrong and he wasn’t afraid to admit that fact
—-
Seeing Finn turn the corner, Dorian smiled a little. It was good to see a familiar face. As far as he knew, this place was safe and that was good for him considering how the guards could be. He walked towards the other man and sighed. “Hey. I liked them. But I was wondering if you had any suggestions for another genre, something different than my favorites.”
—-
Taking the books that Dorian was returning he quickly scanned them in, pressed a few buttons to say they were returned and held them ready to put back on the trolley, it was almost like a dance the way he moved behind the desk. “Something different…” Finn thought for a moment, trying to think of another genre that Dorian would enjoy but wouldn’t be too confronting like some of the true crime stuff. “How about mysteries? There’s the murder mystery classics like Agatha Christie or something completely different like Frankenstein, Dracula or The Invisible Man. Unless you want something more modern, but I often find the classics are a good place to start, talking about a simpler time than what we live in now.”
—-
It was a simpler time in the Library where no one was found dead and the guards were not at present. Dorian watched Finn, liking the simplicity of actions that were a process and direct. “Perhaps Dracula...Bram Stoker, right?”
----
That still shocked Finn, he didn’t want to admit it but some mornings he’d often wake up wondering if anyone had gotten killed overnight and if so, who was it? In all his years living here that wasn’t something that he had ever thought of before but was starting to become more common over the past few weeks.
“Yep, that’s the one. I’ll get you Frankenstein too because I think they make a good set and both are about the human condition in a way.” Finn tilted his head, indicating for Dorian to follow him before starting off towards that section of the library.
----
The death of resident had only increased Dorian’s fear and determination to get him and the Finns off the island. But he needed to think and be patient. That always served him well.
“Perhaps just Dracula for now,” he breathed and began to follow Finn to the section of the library.
—
Finn nodded, navigating his way through the maze of shelves that might cause some people to get confused or lost but he knew his way around this place even better than his own apartment, well that was given seeing as he and Riley had only moved in to the two bedroom less than two months ago.
“Dracula it is, I’m sure you’ll like it. It’s one of the original vampire stories.” He glanced behind at Dorian. “But I love the classics as I’m sure you would’ve guessed by now.” Not that recent books didn’t have their place, he loved them too but the classics always won out.
---
Dorian stopped short of Finn, giving him room. He liked the idea of a library or book shop. Perhaps in another life when things were calmer. For now, he was content to be at Caspian’s side as he had been before being brought to this island.
“Good. Anne Rice does a good job, but I think reading the origin of vampires by a classic would be refreshing.” He smiled softly, the introvert showing through.
---
If Finn knew, he was sure he could rustle up a job here for Dorian if that was what the other man wanted. All he had to do was ask.
“There were a few classic vampire stories out there but it was Bram Stoker who kind of made the genre famous. There’s also Carmilla, it was written around the same time but is about a woman who gets seduced by a female vampire… if you don’t mind that kind of thing.” To each their own.
---
“I don’t think I would mind.” Dorian nodded. Then he smiled and whispered, “Love is love, attraction is attraction.” He liked reading about times, places outside of this island. There were things possible out there.
—
“Exactly!” Finn said, a wide smile on his face. “But there’s so many people out there who think love should just be between a man and a woman, anything different shatters their sensibilities. I mean, look at me, I’ll be getting married to Riley soon and I’m sure that more than a few people on the island would be shaking their heads at me for even being with a man but we love one another and that’s all that should matter, we’re consenting adults after all.” He always smiled when he thought of Riley. Getting to the section he found Dracula without any problems and just down a bit was Carmilla - after all Bram Stoker and Joseph Sheridan le Fanu were close in the alphabet so where close on the shelf too. “Carmilla’s just here if you’re interested after you finish Dracula.”
--
Dorian’s smile deepened at Finn’s words. “That is amazing! Yeah... I hope I find the right guy someday,” he confessed softly. The taller man felt comfortable telling the other man that. It was uncommon for him to find someone to speak who thought exactly the same, felt the same. Following, Dorian looked over the shelves. “Maybe...maybe.”
--
"I'm sure you'll find him. I thought I was going to be the lonely old guy working in the library for the rest of my life, not that I was really looking, it kind of just happened. I'm a firm believer that there's someone out there for everyone, if not a partner than the best friend who would never leave your side no matter what." Finn was just lucky that he had the two wrapped into one package. He looked around the shelves as well, seeing if any of the titles there jumped out at him, the usual way he picked what he was going to read next. "Well you know where it is if you're interested." He tapped on the spine of the book and smiled at Dorian.
--
“I have someone who I consider similar to a best friend,” Dorian nodded and smiled. He lifted his head to look at the shelves. One new title was enough. He could manage more if there were ones he had read before. “It seems very surprising to find someone here." The younger man added and sighed.
---
"I'm glad, even us introverts need someone to talk to, someone we can trust. I'm glad you've got that at least Dorian, sometimes Lady Luck shines upon you, even in a place like this." Finn said, stuck on this island or not, life still had to go on. Looking at the books he found a title and pulled it out, quickly reading the back before he put it back, the title didn't reflect what he thought that the book might be about.
------
Dorian smirked a little. “I was lucky to not come to this island alone.” He was thankful for that. Hopefully he would be able to get the Finns and himself off the island in due time. But he knew it would take planning and he could be patient when it comes to that.
---
"Laura and Caitlyn are lovely, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Caspian but you are lucky." Finn nodded, while he couldn't say that he was friends with Laura he knew that Dorian lived with them and they were as close as family, he almost wished he had something like that when he first came here but he had his own family now. "Caitlyn is such a little bookworm, it kind of makes me proud."
---
He smiled, bowing his head a little, truly thankful for the Finns - especially Caspian. “Hopefully you will meet him. He’s a good man - honorable.” Dorian nodded. He’d be lost without him. “Good! I’ve been sharing the books I have with her - Harry Potter, the Hobbit.”
---
There was no doubt he'd meet Caspian one day, almost everyone's paths crossed on this island sooner or later. "Not to mention that she's in here quite regularly, I'm always happy to help someone so young who appreciates them, I suppose not having access to technology like they do on the mainland means that you read books or nothing at all, no downloading the latest e-book or whatever." Which also meant that Finn would never really be out of a job.
---
“She is? Good! I’ve read to her when she was younger and before coming here. So…” Dorian smiled. It felt so good that Caitlyn had found the library and was enjoying it. “It’s better that she doesn’t have access to technology right now. There’s too much nature out there to see….but with her parents or me alongside her.”
---
Finn's smile widened as Dorian spoke about reading to Caitlyn when she was younger, so he was in a way responsible for her love though Finn knew that her parents would've had a say too. "I was brought here just before the whole 'smartphone' thing became popular and parents started giving kids electronic devices to keep them busy. I'm kind of glad that we're away from that, kids are getting the chance to be kids and yes, exploring nature and getting muddy."
---
“Yeah...smartphones. I wasn’t big on technology when I was growing up.” Dorian half frowned. But then he smiled at the idea of exploring nature and getting muddy. “There is a dance studio here, right? I think I heard about when I was in the Marketplace last.”
---
"Yeah, Marigolds. It's got a dance studio section, as well as one for music and another for fine arts. Any kind of artistic expression, you can find there. I often go to the music section and play their piano when I'm in the mood… and our little 'band' meets there too." It was one of the places on the island that Finn enjoyed - other than the library, beach and home with Riley. "Why? Want to give dancing a go?"
--
“Mmm, no, not me. I fear I’d look like a flamingo on roller skates,” Dorian wrinkled his nose. “But...I’m glad you go there to play the piano. Music’s always good.” He didn’t want to make a fool of himself. But he thought he could find another outlet somewhere. Reading was about it these days.
---
Finn chuckled at the mental image of a flamingo on roller skates, he was sure Dorian wasn't that bad. "There's always someone willing to teach you if you're interested in learning an instrument, I learned everything as a kid but it's never too late. I think you'd be good at it, you've got long fingers which can be a good thing with many instruments."
--
“Maybe...maybe. I sort of dropped most of what I was interested when I was school...other than reading. Thanks.” Dorian smiled. He wouldn’t mind learning to play an instrument, perhaps the piano. Maybe it would be fun and also give him an opportunity to observe more of the guards if he were to practice past normal hours.
---
"Go and have a look, ask some questions and see what they say. I find most people involved in the arts are quite open and willing to help others." At least that was what he had found, there were still a few not so nice people on the island but they thankfully didn't seem to be involved in Marigolds or the library, they were safe zones. "Or if you want to wait until I finish work I could take you to meet a few of the people."
---
“I may,” he nodded. It was still a little nerve-wracking to him. He but he would be brave. “I can wait. I don’t know anything pending.” Dorian smiled. “I would appreciate it.”
---
While he didn't know his way around the Center as well as Dani did Finn still knew where the important places were, at least those that were important to him. "It doesn't have to be today, but I'll probably be another…" A quick look at his watch. "Hour and a half if you're happy to sit around and read til then." He'd understand if Dorian had other things to do and sitting around waiting for him to finish wasn't one of them.
---
“It’s okay. I don’t have any other plans.” He smiled softly and nodded. “I like it read,” Dorian’s smile deepened. Besides he liked to be around people who liked to read as well and he could observe any new faces or guards after that hour and a half.
---
"Find yourself a comfortable seat and enjoy. I should get back to putting the rest of those books out." Finn returned the smile, while he always enjoyed talking to people about books or music he did have a job he was supposed to be doing. "I'll see you in ninety minutes."
-----
“Okay. Thank you, Finn.” Dorian nodded. “Ninety minutes.” Then the tall, lanky young man turned and headed back down the aisle where he found a cushiony chair and sat down with Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
---
Finn smiled and watched as Dorian went in search for a chair. He then went about his job - putting the books back where they belonged, helping patrons find their desired books or whatever else they were looking for in the library.
It was just over ninety minutes, closer to ninety five by the time he got his things from behind the desk and made his way to where Dorian was sitting. "Ready to go?"
---
Dorian found a nice chair and curled up in it as much as he could and opened up the book. He had fallen into the story for the ninety or so minutes - intrigued by the writing style and in awe of the origin of the vampire story. He almost didn’t realize Finn was standing there.
Blinking, he slipped a bookmark into the book and rose from his chair. “Yes, yes. Ready to go. Good book so far.” Dorian smiled.
---
Finn had already checked the book out in Dorian's name, usually it required scanning barcodes but he knew his way around the system and was able to do so without having to disturb the other man.
"I'm glad that you like it, I must admit that it's on my list of favorites that I'll read over and over again if I can't find something else that interests me." Though that list was quite big and most of the titles he actually had copies of in his personal library in the den. "Let's go." He led Dorian out of the library and towards Marigolds, humming softly to himself.
---
“Sounds like my list with The Hobbit and the first Harry Potter book.” Dorian smiled. He didn’t have a long list, but he hoped to add more to it. “Okay,” he added as he followed Finn.
The taller man kept quiet for the first couple of minutes, but then asked, “What are you humming? I don’t think I’ve heard it before.”
---
“I won’t mention how many I have, not that I’ve actually counted but I’m getting a nice little library going on in the den at our new place. He really does put up with a lot of my… quirks. I’m so lucky to have him.” There was that happy little smile across Finn’s lips.
“It’s part of Tchaikovsky’s piano concerto, I love the classicals and while I don’t know the whole thing there’s parts that are stuck in here.” He tapped his side of head. “I can probably play you a bit, but it doesn’t sound as good when you’re playing by yourself.” Though he’d give it a go, he was sure that Dorian would appreciate it.
---
“You are lucky,” Dorian breathed and smiled. “I’m starting a tiny collection of books. Just favorite.”
“I like it. Well, there has to be parts to make the whole.” He offered as he continued to follow Finn.
---
"Well I've had a bit of a head start, I'm sure you'll get quite the collection after a couple of years." There was a soft chuckle.
"Just doesn't sound the same within an orchestra." They walked into the Center and Finn looked over at Dorian. "Where do you want to go first?"
---
Dorian hummed to himself, keeping his desire to not be here a couple of years to build a collection.
“That is true,” he nodded and he lifted his head to look about the Center so far. “Uhm, I don’t know.”
---
Finn didn't mention that it had to be on the island, after the talk with Laura he had a fair idea that Dorian shared the same hope - that they wouldn't be on the island for very long, to Finn this was life now.
"Let's start with the Arts section and go from there, we'll finish at my favorite part - the Music section." He said with a smile, a hand hovering to guide Dorian down the hall towards the first part of the Center.
---
Dorian couldn’t settle into a mind set of this place being home, his life. He would do anything to get the Finn family off the island.
“Okay,” he smiled and followed Finn. “Getting back to things I could have done in school...is a bit mind-blowing.”
---
Finn knew this building pretty well, occasionally something would change and he'd get a bit lost or confused for a moment but most of the time he could talk like he practically lived there, Dani would be proud of him.
"Like I said, it's never too late to start learning, you might find some natural talent hiding inside." As they entered the Arts section Finn smiled. "Okay… Arts. Painting, sketching, pottery, sculpture. If any of those spark your interest. Don't answer just yet, but there's tutors for them all. They might not be professional teachers but when there's nothing else to tend to become one."
---
Dorian was pretty good about learning his way around locations. So this place may be easy. It was creative and marked, unlike some places that seemed to want anyone not accustomed to the place to get lost.
He looked about as they entered the Arts section. The taller man drifted towards the painting section, but stepped back to remain with Finn. “That’s good,” Dorian smiled at Finn.
---
"It's a nice, relaxing environment in here. I think that's what Dani wanted, somewhere we can all appreciate creativity in a safe place." Without getting harassed or belittled by the guards.
Letting Dorian have a look around for a minute Finn then announced."Next stop is the dance studio. That's where Caitlyn has her lessons, from what I hear she's pretty good at it too!" Although Finn was an only child he could see that Dorian was like a big brother to Caitlyn and that was a good thing on this island, positive role models.
---
“I agree. Some place to open up and all beyond the Library,” he smiled. As long as the guards were not around, Dorian would be open to it.
“Oh? Yes. She’s all around good at anything. That’s why I’m going to leave the dancing to her,” Dorian smiled. He was like a big brother to Caitlyn. He was an only child, but having a ‘little sister’ like Caitlyn was awesome.
---
"Don't get me wrong, the library is great and I'm glad they let me play my violin when it's quiet, but a whole section dedicated to just music where I can play as loud as I want is great!" Not to mention some of the songs he knew on both violin and piano were definitely not the easy listening type that he often played in the library and some heavy metal wasn't to everyone's taste.
"My Grandma used to say 'wise beyond their years' for kids like Caitlyn, or that they were an old soul… if you believe in reincarnation and past lives." Not a lot of people did and he'd often get weird looks or raised eyebrows for saying such things. They walked until they got to the dance studio section of the building.
---
“I always thought a place to read with violin music was heavenly,” Dorian smirked. “But, yes, yes a whole section where you can play as loud as you like.” He loved classical music, but never had the opportunity to play an instrument.
“Mmm, I believe that. She’s amazing. Mmm,” he hummed and followed Finn to the dance studio section. “Yup, flamingo wearing roller skates if I were to try dancing.”
---
"It is if I stick to the soft classicals, not everyone appreciates violin covers of Metallica though." Finn smirked, most people who frequented the library didn't mind his playing, it was better than playing a CD on repeat, live music had more of an ambience. "And I promise like I do every year, the library is a Christmas music free zone. I used to hate walking into a store where they had some boppy Christmas song playing over and over again."
The mental image of a flamingo on roller skates still made Finn smile, though he was sure Dorian wasn't that bad. "Well now you know where to come if you want to see Caitlyn perform. Dani, who's her teacher is the one who started this place up. She's a lovely woman with a very kind heart." And Finn couldn't speak highly enough of her.
---
“Well, depends on the Metallica, I guess,” Dorian shrugged. He needed more music in his life. “Oh? I like that. Yeah….Christmas songs invade everything.” He smirked. In trouble, Dorian had little time to pay attention to Christmas stuff before coming to the island. He was almost always busy.
“Definitely. That’s good. I don’t think I’ve met her yet.”
---
Christmas was never a big thing in his life, sure the family's bookshop got busy in December but they were never really into the whole 'big dinner and lots of presents' thing, they just enjoyed each other's company and some good food. "I am looking forward to winter though, as much as I love surfing and the ocean there's just something about the cooler weather that makes me… and plenty of others, just want to curl up under the covers with a good book."
"I'm sure you'll like her, she's always friendly and willing to help." Maybe next time if she was around he could introduce the two of them. "Have a look around, when you're ready, we'll move onto my favorite section."
---
“Winter is good. Yeah,” Dorian smiled and blushed a little. “Maybe we’ll get more books.” He was a relatively quiet person most times. And liked to follow others’ leads most times. And that had gotten him in trouble after he exercised a bit of rebellious freedom many years ago before Caspian rescued him.
“Sounds good. I’m ready,” he smiled. Dancing was definitely not something he was comfortable with. Fighting, yes. But not this.
---
Finn’s friends always knew that any kind of books were a great present for him, obviously the same for Dorian and he guessed Caitlyn would be the same. “Books are always there for you, even if no one else is. And if we get snowed in -” there was a snort at the idea of getting snowed in, “at least we’ve got them.”
A smile and Finn lead Dorian out of the Dancing section, down the hall and then into the Music section. “And here we are, one of my ‘mistresses’ as Riley likes to put it. If I’m not at home I’m either here or at the library, but I don’t think he minds, especially when I play a song for him. What kind of music do you like?” He asked.
---
Dorian smiled softly and nodded. It was a sweet yet sad thing about books always being there for you even if no one else is. But he believed Caspian always will be there for him. “Yes, at least we’ve got them.”
Looking about, he followed Finn and then smiled as they entered the Music section. Dorian breathed in deeply and nodded with a smirk. “I like classical mostly. Instrumental music seems to speak to me more than vocal.”
---
Finn used to joke that books were better than boyfriends because they never let you down, that was until he met Riley, though he still loved his books but his fiance was happy to share in that regard.
He looked over at Dorian as the other man said that he liked classical music as well. "If I wasn't already engaged to my soulmate you'd be quite the catch Dorian." He said lightheartedly but it was true, finding someone with similar interests on the island was a rare thing. "C'mon, let's head over to the piano and I'll play you something."
--
Dorian usually stuck close to the people he trusted the most and avoided others nearly to the point of being a hermit. A part of him truly hoped he’d find someone someday.
“Oh?” He breathed and blushed a little as he looked away a little bit and shrugged. With the change in the conversation’s direction, Dorian refocused and nodded.
—
Finn didn’t see the blush but was still smiling as he walked through the room towards the piano. It wasn’t like the one back at his parents place back on the mainland which was over a hundred years old and lovingly cared for, but this piano still had a nice sound to it and the size of the room provided good ambiance.
Knowing Dorian would follow he didn’t look back and sat down on the chair in front of the piano, stretched his fingers and began to play. The energetic tones of Mozart’s Rondo alla Turca filled the room, Finn’s eyes were closed as he played, one of the many pieces that he knew by heart, some of the longer pieces he still needed sheet music for but everything else was all in his memory.
---
Music wasn’t something that was around the house he grew up in. Science was the religion it seemed. But he did love the music and would listen to as much classical as he could.
Dorian did follow, giving Finn space, and stopped to sit in a nearby chair. Then she smiled as soon as the other man began to play. The staccato of the notes were perfect as they almost mimicked the sound that the piece may sound like accompanied by a harpsichord. He watched with wide eyes and listened.
---
Finn's parents had seen a natural talent in him at a young age and nurtured it, something that he was always grateful for though he was sure if his interests had lain elsewhere it they would've nurtured this too.
The piece only went for a few minutes but when it finished he opened his eyes and looked over at Dorian with a smile. "It's not a grand piano but it still sounds good."
---
Dorian didn’t like to think about his life before Caspian. So he pushed it to the side and focused on what he could do now. Perhaps take up a hobby to along with his reading.
Smiling, he nodded. “It does. Part of it due to the player.”
---
Hobbies were a great way of using one’s excess time and energy, hopefully there was something out there other than reading for Dorian, Finn would make it a goal to help the other man.
Finn let out a soft chuckle. “A well tuned piano helps with that, I once played one that was so out of tune that not even Mozart himself could have made anything sound good on it!”
---
Dorian was more focused on reading and helping out the Finn family than anything else. But he did want to find a hobby.
“Maybe. Wow…,” he shook his head.
---
“There’s people out there who buy a piano for some kind of ornament, for display only and not meant to be played. They forget that anything that’s not electronic requires maintenance and sometimes re-tuning. It’s sad to see such a beautiful instrument treated like that.” As Finn spoke his hands ran over parts of the piano he was still sitting at.
“Any requests? I could quite happily sit here and play all day long. I love my violin, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes it’s good to give my fingers a rest from strings and bows for a while.”
---
Dorian smiled and nodded. “Reminds me of a time I was walking back and forth to school...I decided to go a different way and there was one of those standup pianos in a driveway wedged between the car and the garage door. It was exposed to the weather. So terrible.”
He thought for a moment and nodded. “It may be cliche, but just a little bit of Mozart’s Moonlight Sonata...first movement.”
---
Finn shook his head at what Dorian was telling him about pianos out in the weather. “Poor piano. Up here they’d freeze and down south it’d be too humid and it’d warp like crazy. And it’s not like good uprights are cheap either”
“It’s a good piece.” He said, fingers moving to the keys and he started to play while still looking at Dorian, giving him a smile before turning his attention to the piano although he could play it with his eyes closed.
---
“Yeah. I wanted to rescue it. But no way to sneak it into my room,” he nodded and frowned.
“I’ve always liked it.” Dorian sighed as he sat there and listened. “It could be a peaceful piece or an angry one.”
---
“Yeah, they’re not the easiest things to move, definitely not something you can just sneak into your bedroom.” Finn as remembering how hard it was just moving the one in his childhood house from one room to another, no wheels or anything to assist.
“I also like Peer Gynt’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, the way the crescendo builds in it. And it sounds so much better on the piano than it does on the violin.” He started playing that piece, another favorite of his.
---
Dorian tried not to think about the ‘what-ifs’ involving his past. There was no way to change it and he was happy with his new life. But perhaps once all of them were off this island, a new chapter with music and more books could happen.
“That one? Yes…,” he smiled as Finn began to play it. “Do you know how to play Danse Macabre on the violin?”
---
Finn's eyebrows creased a bit as he thought about the peace Dorian had just named. "Can't say I do. Might be able to find the sheet music somewhere though, it's surprising what I can find in the library. Though I do know this…" He started playing the funeral march, but not the whole thing. "I got asked to play it at a funeral once, I think I was all of 10. But they had known my family for so long and really, I didn't mind." He hoped he wouldn't have to play it again in a long time.
---
“It’s a neat one I heard a long time ago,” Dorian nodded. Then he stilled as he knew the funeral march. It was something that one of his captors had on their phones. Shivering slightly, the taller man breathed and focused on it to calm himself. “You’re quite talented.” Dorian spoke, trying to mask any hint of stress in his voice.
---
Getting his phone out he brought up the notes section and typed in Danse Macabre in order to remember it and try to source the sheet music for it because it sounded like a very interesting piece, then again the macabre often did spark some interest in him. “I’ll see how I go, I might be lucky enough to find the music on the island. Turning away from the piano he gave Dorian his full attention but failed to sense the unease. “I started piano when I was… four I think and violin at six, thirty years later I guess all those lessons paid off.”
---
“Sounds good. Mmm, and you liked music and you liked to play,” Dorian replied. He had been around kids in school that didn’t like music lessons and had dropped the idea of pursuing it. His parents were more scientific than artistic. Shrugging the taller man sighed.
---
“I did and I do. I went to school with kids who were kind of pushed into pursuing music by their parents but honestly didn’t have the interest or desire to go any further than the absolute basics, as long as they got a passing grade they didn’t care.” He could understand that sometimes things didn’t go as expected and the talent or drive just wasn’t there. “Anything spark your interest so far? There’s also metal and woodworking classes, if you prefer to create things.”
---
“I like music,” Dorian nodded. It was an easy choice for him so far. Dance was definitely out and he wasn’t in the mood to get his hands messy with paint or the like. “But I don’t know how to read it.” He half-frowned. Yet he was up for the challenge.
---
“It comes with time.” Finn said, shifting across on the stool that he was sitting, giving it a pat to indicate for Dorian to sit next to him, “To begin, it’s not really necessary to know how to read music. Here’s middle C, your centre. C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. If you look at a kid’s xylophone, that’s the keys on it and there’s plenty of songs you can begin to play on it. Give each key a number if it makes it any easier.” He looked over at Dorian. “But of course you don’t need to play the piano, there’s a lot easier instruments out there to begin with.”
---
Dorian slowly stood at Finn’s patting the stool and gently sat down next to him. He watched and listened closely, nodding. Actually reading and playing music were new languages compared to just listening. “I like the piano,” he spoke softly. “Crawl before I can walk, right?”
—
“Yeah crawling is a necessary step. I should see if they have a whiteboard marker around here, kind of makes things a bit easier.” Getting a notebook out of his messenger bag he began writing down letters of the alphabet, well C to G at least. Ripping the page out he put it on the shelf for holding music. “Now remember what I said, start at C.” Finn didn’t really mind giving lessons, he suspected that Dorian would be quick to pick things up, but he’d have to wait and see.
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Dorian was usually a quick study when the situation required it. But deep down he was overly cautious. “Okay.” He nodded and soon looked at the page of letters Finn had written down. The taller man looked at the page and back down at the keys. Then he pressed the middle C with his right index finger before going to the next letter, following the upward and downward of the notes. A smile spread across Dorian’s lips. It was the most basic beginnings, but it was amazing to him. Eyes widening, he looked over at Finn as he soon recognized what he had just played.
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Finn smiled at that look of surprise on Dorian’s face, it was such a simple little song but he knew sometimes it was all that was needed to help build someone’s confidence in themselves. Taking the sheet again he spent a minute or two looking between the keys and his paper, writing down a few more simple songs for Dorian to try - Happy Birthday to You and Mary Had a Little Lamb. “Try these ones.” He said, he had forgotten what it was like teaching someone, although Dorian was already a better student than younger kids he had in the past.
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Dorian smiled. Music was a sort of magic. “Okay,” he breathed as he watched Finn writing down the songs. Then he looked over at the new ones and began to play. The taller man sniffed back a bit of emotion. The birthday song always got to him for many reasons.
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“I really should see if I can find you a xylophone, that way you can practise at home and there’s a multitude of songs that you can learn to play just on that little instrument.” He was sure there had to be one somewhere in this room. He rubbed Dorian’s back when he saw the other man’s emotion. “Sorry…”
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Dorian turned to look at Finn as he rubbed his back. “...don’t be sorry. Nothing to be sorry about,” he spoke. “It’s okay,” he nodded. “Yeah, a little xylophone perhaps.” He was good at shifting the topic away from things that got to him. It was safer that way.
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He nodded, he wasn’t going to argue with Dorian about if he was fine or not. “And I’ll find some more songs that you can play, I know a few but I’ll have to consult the sheet music to find others, start basic and build from there.” Finn smiled. “That’s if you would like lessons.”
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“Okay. And can I get a piece of sheet music to mark up and study.” Dorian nodded. Then he smiled. “Yes, yes please. I would like lessons.”
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“I'll get that for you, at the moment just learning what keys are what is better than learning what they look like, it all comes with time." And it wasn't something that could be rushed either, though it did seem like Dorian possessed a natural affinity and keen interest which was always good in a student. "That's good, did you want to make this a regular thing? Say an hour once a week?"
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Dorian nodded as he grinned softly. Music was an escape like books. And he needed such escapes while being a help to the FInn family. “Yes, I would like that. Yes, please.” He breathed. It was an opportunity and he felt comfortable with Finn and trusted him. Goodness knows he needed more friends.
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“How about Tuesdays at say… 6:30pm?” Finn asked, he’d be finished at the library and he was sure that Riley would be happy to give up an hour or so of Finn time to help someone else discover the love of music. “Meet here? Or the library, I don’t mind either.”
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“That sounds good.” Dorian nodded. He needed to get out of the house more besides to walk about and observe the guards. And it was piano lessons! He was almost giddy with excitement. “Uhm, perhaps meet at the library.”
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"6:20 at the library, gives us time to walk here, or find somewhere else to practice if I can find you a xylophone." Basic but it was useful for teaching the basics, they could go bigger when Dorian got the confidence. "Just bring a notebook and a pencil or something for notes."
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Dorian smiled. “Okay. Sounds good. I have those. I’m anxious to get started,” he replied as he sat there beside Finn. This was exciting! And it would help him keep his mind going beyond books and being stuck on this island.
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“Just remember, I’m not a professional teacher so don’t expect me to be strict or anything, I’m too laid back for that. How about one more song and then I better let you go back home while I see what Riley’s up to… no good I bet.” He joked, Riley might be visiting a friend, or cooking up a storm. More than likely the later than the former.
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“Okay,” Dorian nodded. He could get nervous around new and exciting things. But he was comfortable with Finn. “Sounds good.” He smirked and lightly laughed. “Well sounds about right. You have to have fun here.”
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“That we do, but for now I play and then head back to the future husband.” Finn smiled over at Dorian before starting on a rather long solo piece, something for the other man to enjoy and maybe strive towards playing in the future.