Quinn Dower (quinn_du_lac) wrote in nexusthreads, @ 2020-12-05 21:54:00 |
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Entry tags: | !closed, archie taylor, dora ollivander, quinn dower |
Who: Dora and Quinn (and Evie), and Archie
Where: Howl (through the new rift), in town
When: Backdated to a few days of the rift being opening
What: Hearing rumours for strangers/travellers
Rating: TBD
Open: No
Quinn sat crossed legged on a rock at a secluded spot on the beach, watching Evie play with several water orbs he’d created for her. This world didn’t seem to have any magic of its own - or at least none they’d noticed - so he and Dora were keeping theirs secret from the other people. An easier thing for Quinn to do, he was used to it after all, whereas Dora came from a world where (as long as she wasn’t around muggles) she could freely use magic and talk about it.
Quinn missed Cleo so much. A month was way too long to be apart. The rift to the Nevernever had closed and neither of them could get it to reopen. He couldn’t imagine how worried, scared and upset his wife was. He was lucky, he had Evie, though he was worried about the four-year-old. She was quieter than usual, and Quinn was worried he wasn’t helping her. His own mood was up and down but he tried his best to keep it lifted for Evie. But, bloody hell, it was hard.
A high shriek broke him out of his thoughts and his gaze darted to his daughter but relaxed as she started to giggle. His concentration had slipped and the orbs had lost their structure, showering Evie with water.
“Sorry, sweetie. I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Dad, put it back!” Evie demanded.
Dora wandered down the beach towards him. She’d managed to get a night job, singing and waitressing. She’d hardly stayed in her own form this long since she was a teenager, and it was itching because of it. “Hey”
“Hey. Everything alright?” Quinn asked as he clasped his hands together to create a new orb.
“I though we were being subtle?” Dora asked. “I heard something odd last night at work,”
“No one comes here, and if they do I can see them from here,” Quinn replied, handing Evie the orb. He looked back at Dora. “What did you hear?”
“About strangers coming out of nowhere,” Dora said softly, careful not to let Evie hear.”
Quinn stared at her before shifting closer. “Anything else? About the strangers specifically?”
“One of them might be....they’re mostly just stealing stuff, so it could be our lot,” Dora chuckled
“Sounds like it could be. One of them might be?” Quinn’s gaze flicked over to check on Evie before he focussed back on Dora. He tried not to get his hopes up but was failing, if this was a rift to their island then they needed to find it. And whoever had come through it.
“Arch...Maybe,”
“You going to check it out? Find out if it’s more than a maybe?”
“Wanted to tell you first...but no one they’ve told me about fits Cleo,” Dora muttered
Quinn rubbed his temple. “I’m not that surprised. I can’t imagine she would come through a random rift without reason. Makes me more worried about her though,” he said quietly. What if she hadn’t made it back either? Fuck.
“She might just have stayed on that side, to be safe,” Dora reassured
“She might. I hope it’s that.” He watched Evie for a while before speaking again. “Are you going to and see if anyone we know is here? If Archie is?”
“I’ll find out mate,” Dora muttered.
“Do you want company? In case, or rather go yourself and put those spy skills to work?” Quinn teased lightly.
“If they’re from the Nevernever? I’d prefer you two stayed safe,” Dora replied
“I can help, you know. I was just overwhelmed in the actual place,” Quinn pointed out. “But… I’d rather Evie not be around anything from there again.”
“And we can’t do that if we’re both there,” Dora pointed out
Quinn nodded. “Let me know though. Ever text or call.”
“Course I will, not gonna leave you two here,”
“I know that. But also if you need help or anything.”
“Big spy, I won’t even let them see me if it’s not them,” Dora replied
Quinn chuckled softly. “Just, stay safe, Dora.”
“I was a LeStrange, I’ll be fine,”
~~~~
Dora had decided to remain in her own shape for now. Archie tended to know her whatever she looked like, but if she came across anyone else they needed to recognise her.
Since the rift had opened, Archie had been through a few times, helping to restock the island’s dwindling supplies - and convincing Anders and Max that they needed more than just booze and weed. He did wish the opening was in a different place other than the balcony staircase though, it made going back through a bit dangerous if you forgot which way was which - tripping upstairs was definitely less hazardous than tripping down.
Archie sighed as he walked down the street, hands in his pockets. He didn’t feel like exploring but he liked being away from the others at the moment, from them asking if he was OK. He couldn’t stay long though, they didn’t know when the rift would close and he wanted to check in on Cleo.
“Lo?” She’d watched him come and go a few times before she was really sure.
Archie wasn’t paying that much attention but heard a voice and stopped mid-step. “Sorry, were you talking to me…?” He trailed off as he turned. “...Dora?” he breathed out.
“You were supposed to realise straight off you know?” Dora replied. “Hello,”
A faint smile touched his lips at that. “It’s really you? H-How? I… Last time I saw you… Oh god, Dora.” Archie hugged her.
Dora leaned into him, “I’m fine, most of the Dower team are here,”
“You mean Quinn and Evie are here as well?”
“Mmm, they’re not doing great,” Dora replied, before she tightened the hug and kissed him, “Just needed to do that”
“I can imagine…” Whatever else he was going to say was halted as she kissed him and he sank into it. “I missed you,” Archie whispered, resting his forehead against hers. “I tried to find you. To reopen the rift, get you and everyone back.”
“It’s only me and the Dowers,” Dora replied. “I missed you too, I kept trying to find a way out.”
“But… how did you end up here?” he asked. “I mean, others arrived back after the majority of us but she hadn’t been anywhere else.”
“I shifted to look like one of them, grabbed Quinn and Evie and got them through a hole in reality, once I found it,” Dora replied. “I just wanted us to live,”
“You’re bloody amazing, do you know that?” He kissed her. “How long have you been here?”
“Month...I got a job, I don’t know why that matters...you’re really here right? I’ve been dreaming you a bit.”
“I’m really here. I promise.” Archie tucked a lock of red hair behind her ear. “I was starting to think I wouldn’t see you again.” He blinked. “A job? Are you… attached to it? I guess, what I’m really asking is, are you going to come back?”
“Quinn had to stay with Evie and we needed to eat,” Dora replied. “Do you want me to come back?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then work’ll get over it. Did Cleo get back? I don’t know what I’ll say to Quinn if...”
“Didn’t I say? Yes. She is.” Archie said. “I’ve been trying but… she’s not going great. But if Quinn and Evie, I need to tell her.”
“I’ll go and fetch them, we can just go home.” Dora replied
“Where are they?”
“There’s a little beach, can’t crowbar Quinn off it.”
Archie nodded. “The rift’s at the end of the main beach. I could come with you.”
“Obviously,” Dora smiled at him, something inside her wobbled and she blinked away her tears.
Archie returned her smile and nodded again but didn’t move away from her, not wanting to.
She hugged him again, letting out a shaky breath. “I thought...Fuck...”
Archie sank back into her, wrapped his arms around her. “I tried to find you… I lost sight of you and I…” He brushed the hair from her face and kissed her softly. “I love you, Dora.”
“You didn’t mean to, and they needed me,” she muttered. “I love you too.”
“Shall we go then? Get everyone back?”
She nodded. “Or bring Cleo through?”
“I don’t think she will,” Archie said, brow furrowing in thought. “It’d probably be better to take Quinn and Evie to her.” He frowned, wondering if it was best to contact or see Cleo beforehand. Dora nodded, making sure she had a tight hold on his hand. Archie curled his fingers around hers and let her lead the way to the Dowers.
“Text her?” Dora pondered. “Hey? Do you fancy getting married?”
“I could,” Archie said before he blinked at the next words, taking a moment to register them. “Dora Ollivander are you saying you want to make an honest man out of me?” he asked with a wry smile.
“Yeah...I don’t want to just be your girlfriend any more. It’s not the wizarding way,” Dora replied.
Archie’s smile softened. “I’d love to marry you.”
“We better get the Dower’s home, then we can sort it out,” Dora smiled. “You’re really sure?”
“Very sure. If you hadn’t asked I would have,” Archie replied.
“Best be hiding a rock at home then,”
“Hey, you asked me, you might have to get me something pretty,” Archie quipped before he shook his head. “I don’t. This is the first rift that’s opened since the Nevernever, but I’ll get you one.”
“Could get each other something? Go left.”
“Oh?” Archie raised an eyebrow, even as he followed her directions.
“Well, we’ve not been traditional so far,” Dora replied. “Quinn...” she called as she spotted the Dower’s on the tiny beach.
Archie smiled at her before he glanced over to where she was looking. He should text Cleo, check in with her before they went through.
Quinn looked up at the sound of his name and waved at Dora before smiling as he noticed who was with her. “Guess she was right,” he muttered.
Dora ran down the beach to them, dragging Archie with her, “She’s there Quinn.”
Quinn got to his feet, aware of Evie coming over to him. “Are you sure?” he asked, glancing between them.
“He told me,” Dora nodded.
“It’s true. She’s back at your place on the island,” Archie said. “I’m just going to send a text or two, why don’t you guys gather what you need and then I’ll take you to the rift?” he offered.
“I’ll go back to the hotel if you want to stay with Arch?”
“Are you going to be able to get everything by yourself?” Quinn asked.
“I’ll get round it, witch and everything, I’ll enchant a bag,” Dora replied
“More and more I keep thinking your magic is better than mine,” Quinn said. “Thanks, Dora.”
“We just flex more wizard.”
“We also have to take exams and everything,” Archie pointed out.