Seven (lucky_seven) wrote in destructionisle, @ 2019-06-07 20:44:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !june ac, !thread, finn thompson, laura finn |
Who: Finn and Laura
What: Welcomes and warnings
When: Afternoon, Friday, May 31st, 2019
Where: Library - The Facility
Rating: Low
Status: Complete
The weather wasn’t all that bad for the end of May, the temperatures hovered around the fifties and today there was more sunlight than clouds which made the day seem even nicer. As a born and bred Washingtonian Finn was used to the weather, some might think that it was still cool, especially for those from the south but it was typical for this part.
Dressed in a blue short sleeved button up shirt and his usual stone washed denim Finn was humming a tune to himself as he wheeled the cart down one of the walkways of the library, taking books and placing them back in their rightful position before returning to the cart and moving to the next section. He loved his job here, he loved books and helping others find something to read always brought a smile to his face, especially when they came back to say how much they enjoyed it.
----
Laura knew she needed to get out more often, despite her feelings about the island. She had to be a good role model for Caitlyn, and not let her know about how scared she was of this place. The only way to do that would be to confront her fears head on.
Which is why she found herself moving through the Facility now, warily. This place just felt wrong, in so many ways. Hands shoved deep down into her pockets, she made her way to the library. Books had always been a refuge for her. Maybe it would be one here as well.
---
Finn finished doing the rounds putting books back and wheeled his cart back to the service desk near the front of the library and the place where he spent most of his time. Most of the time it wasn’t overly busy as people would come in when they wanted to, look around and sit and read in one of the quiet zones that existed or they would check a book out to take it home to read.
His head raised when he saw a woman enter the library, the brunette wasn’t someone who he had seen before and he was pretty sure she was a new resident. “Hey. Welcome to the library, if there’s anything I can help you with just let me know.”
---
Laura was looking around carefully when she was startled by the voice. Jumping slightly, she looked to the source and then suddenly felt very embarrassed. Shaking her head at herself, she offered an awkward wave. “Hi. Um, I’m just browsing, really. Is this place open to everyone? I’m not really familiar with things around here.”
--
“Anyone and everyone is welcome here. It’s a no judgement zone so if you want to sit and read some trashy Harlequin novels no one’s going to mind.” Finn said, giving his usual introductory talk to new residents about the ins and outs of the library. “But if you’d like to borrow something I just need the book and your ID card. Books that you check out are recorded by…” His eyes looked at the ceiling, indicating the government that pretty much tracked their every move. “But nothing is recorded if they don’t leave the building, so if you want to keep your trashy romance fetish a secret it’s better to read them here.”
--
Laura listened in silence. She really had no interest in romance novels, although it had been a guilty pleasure in the past. She glanced around a bit, trying to decide where to explore first. But something the man said caught her off guard. “They… track what we read? Why?” That sent up lots of red flags for her. Even in the hell she’d been in in the past, they didn’t care what she read, or if she even read at all.
---
Finn couldn’t believe it when he first got here but over the years he learned that the government was capable of anything. “I don’t think they care if you prefer J.K. Rowling over Tolkien or King over Kootz, it’s more if you’re borrowing books on anarchy or anything that might indicate that you’re going to try and cause a ruckus.” He curled his finger to indicate for the woman to come closer and then he whispered. “Though there are ways around that.” There were several ways to get around the systems that the government had put in place here and Finn had learned them all over his years here. “But feel free to browse, I’ll be here if you need help.”
---
Laura gradually stepped closer, catching the whispered words. She just stared at the man for a moment before nodding. “Is… there a section of new arrivals? Or recommendations? I don’t have anything in particular I’m looking for.” The information Laura was looking for was unlikely to be in a book. At least not a book on a library shelf.
--
“There’s no official ‘Welcome to Destruction Island’ guidebook but after six years here I’m probably as close as you’ll get to one.” He offered a small smile, trying to make her feel at ease, he remembered what it was like when he first arrived on the island but there was a lot less available than there was now, and a lot less people. New people arrived and some people disappeared, but that was life on this island and something he had learned to live with. “What kind of things do you want to know?” Maybe he should write a guidebook for new residents, why hadn’t he thought about that before?
--
“I just want to know the truth. I’ve been in a place like this before. And it didn’t go well. I want to know what to expect, and how to protect my family.” Laura felt badly that this man had been here this long, but she was happy to meet him. She needed to know someone with experience with this place.
--
Finn looked around and briefly up towards the camera he knew was up there. Nodding his head he indicated for this woman to follow him, this kind of conversation was better had away from the prying eyes (and probable ears) of the government. When they were in a blind spot for both cameras and microphones - a spot between the shelves of books - he began to speak. “There’s a couple of nice guards here but the rest of them are pretty much assholes, they seem to think that we’re freaks or subhuman and I swear they get their thrills from treating us like garbage. You’ll find out who they are soon enough.” That was probably his most important piece of information for a newcomer, watch your back. “They don’t really like people publicly displaying their abilities so if you’ve got something physical be careful there too. Though there is a ‘school’ in this building where we can practise and build on them… all under the watchful eye.” Again his eyes looked towards the ceiling. “There are eyes and ears just about everywhere, even in your house. But if you keep your head down and try not to cause any trouble you should be alright.”
--
Laura followed behind, nonchalantly looking at the books on the shelf. She pulled one out to look over as she listened to the man speak. She took it all in carefully, believing his words. She frowned a bit, there were several things she wanted to know more about. “What about the school for the children? Is it safe?”
--
“It is, probably one of the safest places on this island. Most of them aren’t old enough to have ‘side effects’...” Finn did air quotes around the words “they’re just here because their parents are. Like you, I suspect.” Although she hadn’t actually said that she had a child or children it didn’t take a genius to figure it out. “My boyfriend teaches at the school and I know he would do anything for those kids, he’s the kindest soul you’ll come across and protective of each and every one of them. The rest of the teachers are like him, some of them even parents themselves, they only want the best for them.” Hopefully his words were of some comfort.
--
Laura nodded slightly, it was only mildly comforting to hear. Setting the book back on the shelf where she’d found it, she chose another, pretending to read the back cover. She kept her voice low, but it was even softer at her next inquiry. “What about children born here?”
--
He pretended to straighten books and move them into the right places. “There aren’t many born, and those that make it to term seem to suffer… complications within hours.” Finn knew that what he was going to say next he shouldn’t even know about, it was something that he had picked up acting as a go between for Faction members - coding their messages and passing them along within certain books. He also knew that the government was putting people ‘undercover’ to spy on them but Finn had a good feeling about this woman, it was safe to tell the truth “But that’s just what they tell everyone, especially the parents. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. So my advice is don’t get pregnant.”
--
Laura frowned deeply, looking to the man to see if he was kidding. But his face was serious. Looking back to the book quickly, she whispered again. “That… that can’t be true. It can’t be legal, that’s for damn sure.” Returning the book to the shelf, she turned away from him but stayed close enough to continue the conversation. “How the hell do we get off this damned island?”
--
“Many people over the years have tried and failed to escape, most of them ended up in body bags and those who survived we haven’t seen since.” Probably taken to whatever underground secret prison there was hiding on the island. “As you can probably guess they find whatever loopholes there is and even create a few in order to keep us here. There were people here in the beginning who actually did have radiation poisoning but most of us are healthier here than we were back on the mainland.” He pretended to look at a book as well. “It’s like a piece of North Korea off the coast of the US.”
--
Silenced, Laura didn’t know what else to say. Cas wanted her to have hope, but after hearing this, hope felt impossible. Folding her arms beneath her chest, she sighed before looking back to the stranger. “So… we just sit around and wait to die?”
--
“We’re just trying to make the best of a crappy situation, finding a new normal. I used to manage a bookstore but now I’m curator here, my boyfriend used to teach elementary in an actual school and now he’s teaching all ages. I definitely won’t say that it is paradise here but we’re luckier than some, we get a roof over our heads and food… there’s thousands out there who’d love to have that.” Finn tried to be optimistic about his life now, he knew it wasn’t perfect but it could be so much worse.
--
Laura just nodded, her jaw tightening a bit. He was right, it could be worse. It had been worse for her, long ago. But she didn’t want her family to experience anything even close to that. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
—
Finn offered her a little smile, trying to at least make this lady feel a bit better about the whole thing though he knew how depressing it all was for new residents. He also realized that he had never given her his name, sometimes he thought that maybe a name tag would be a good idea. “You’re not alone out there, we’re trying to make it feel as much like ‘home’ as we can. It can be hard and sometimes things don’t quite go right but we’re still alive.” He extended a hand out. “I’m Finn, you’ll find me here most of the time if you want to know anything more, borrow some books or just have someone to talk to. I know how lonely it is.”
--
She watched him warily before shaking his hand. Her hand was notably warmer than would be expected, but she certainly didn’t look feverish. At least his name would be easy to remember, since it was her own as well. “Thanks. I’m Laura. Nice to meet you, all things considered.”
--
He noticed the warmth of her hand but he didn’t think much of it - pyros, cyros - everyone was human. Finn also met a lot of people so her name might not stick but he’d try his best to remember it. “There’s events now and then, you probably went to the Memorial Day barbeque down by the beach. We also have storytime once a week here at the library, the kids seem to love it. And some of the adults too.” Especially with those books that had innuendos and things that went way over the younger minds.
--
Laura just nodded. She wasn’t impressed with the barbecue but it was the patrolling that set her on guard more than anything else. Had there not been armed people present, it might have been nice. She might even have enjoyed it. Which was saying a lot since Laura wasn’t one for social events. “Sounds… nice. I think. Maybe my daughter might like to come sometime.”
--
It had taken Finn quite a while to get used to the presence of guards all over the island, especially the ones who were carrying semi-automatic military rifles but now it was just all part and parcel of life, he was just glad that they stayed outside of the entrance to the library because it would certainly ruin the atmosphere of the place. “Well they usually have signs around the school or on the community notice boards with upcoming and regular events. Can be a good way to meet others depending on what you’re into and there’s also adult classes because if you don’t have a ‘job’ it can get very boring very quickly.”
--
Laura glanced around again, but continued to listen to Finn. “I’m thinking about getting a job. I don’t do well with unstructured time. But I will tell my husband, maybe he’d like to take a class.” She knew that if Cas spent too much time without something to do, he’d get restless sooner or later.
--
“There’s several business around that might have positions available, most stores here are run by the residents so doesn’t hurt to ask.” Finn said, yes the government owned everything but most of the time it was everyone else that ran them day to day. “And there’s lots of different classes - languages, exercise, things like cooking and even some trades. Hopefully your husband can find something that interests him.”
--
Laura nodded, not sure if Cas would be interested in any of those things, but she would share the information. Their lives before the island had been so different from what was available here, it didn’t seem like there was an easy way to transition. “I have some experience waitressing and bartending, so I’ll probably look into that.”
--
“Check out the Marketplace, it’s like the mall, pretty much everything you want under one roof. Also a good place to be in the middle of a Washington winter or when the wet weather hits.” Again, the weather was just another thing about this place that Finn had grown accustomed to. “There’s also a Day Spa if you want some pampering, or Josie’s if you need a drink. If you haven’t heard about those already.”
--
Laura nodded, the Marketplace did sound like the place to go. She made a mental note about the bar, but wasn’t sure she’d enjoy something like a spa. She’d never been before, so going here and now felt a bit ridiculous. “Thanks for the suggestions. I’m sorry for keeping you and talking your ear off. I’ll let you get back to work now.” Laura wasn’t sure she’d found a book yet, but she could always come back later for that. She needed to talk to Cas about the things Finn shared.
--
Finn chuckled, it wasn’t like the library was overly busy at the moment and he couldn’t step away from the desk, in fact talking to new residents and trying to put their minds at ease was something he didn’t mind doing, he was a bit of an old hand but remembered the fear at the start. Helping others also gave him that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. “It honestly is no worries at all, we were all new at one time. If there’s anything at all I can do you know where to find me.” Also finding out his address wasn’t exactly hard but he preferred to try and keep his private life separate from here.
--
Laura nodded and gave him a small smile. “Thank you. I appreciate that, really. It was nice meeting you.” She offered a little wave and then moved toward the exit. “I’m sure I’ll be back for some books soon.”