Lesson 107- Take turns when you talk. Listening is just as important as speaking.

It has been three more days and I am finally starting to feel like myself again, and even though the bar was completely repaired by the end of the second day, Torin kept the place closed until he knew I would be well enough to return to work. He SAID that we could all use the break, and he placed everyone on paid leave for today, tomorrow we should be open again like usual. The last couple days everyone has spent a few hours here either hanging out and babysitting me or working on fixing up the bar. They SAY they aren’t babysitting, but even Kyle took a turn sitting in the recliner by my bedside today. He insisted it was because he was sick of cleaning and wanted a turn sitting and watching movies, but he brought me homemade brownies and ice-cream so I’m fairly sure he just wanted to hang out. It was interesting when Laura came to relieve him and sit with me though. He offered her a brownie and she blushed! It looked kind of terrible with her red hair, she looked like a tomato. But it was cute. I wait for Kyle to leave before beginning my interrogation.
“So what’s going on there?” I ask with a smirk. Laura looks away quickly.
“Nothing!” She says, way too quickly, her voice a little high.
“Oh really. Because I know why Kyle is bringing ME treats. What’s your excuse?” I ask, a bit of teasing in my tone. Laura sighs.
“I don’t know, it’s just… Different… Staying with him you know. He’s not the same as he is when he’s here.” She says awkwardly.
“Really? Different how?” I ask. I legitimately want to know. Has Kyle been trying to put the moves on Laura? If he has I can’t say I disapprove, but while she’s staying with him for her own safety he probably shouldn’t make her too uncomfortable.
“Oh, it’s nothing big. He’s just… More talkative maybe? And definitely more relaxed. Usually when he’s here he’s too busy to talk to anyone, he’s always on the go. It’s strange seeing him just… Taking a break.” She explains.
“Huh, well I suppose that does make sense. I suppose most people probably act differently at home to how they do at work. Less professional and stuff.” I conclude. Laura nods.
“Yeah, except you I guess, since home and work are basically the same thing to you.” She jokes. I smile a little but my heart isn’t in it.
“What’s wrong?” Laura prompts. I sigh.
“Nothing, it’s just… This isn’t my home. I’m living here, and it’s nice enough. I’m comfortable. But this is definitely not home.” I say firmly. Laura frowns.
“Right… I understand. I just meant… Well, you know what I meant.” She says, a little sadly. I shrug.
“Yeah, I suppose so. You just meant that my home and work personas are probably very similar, since I spend all my time here.” I answer flatly. Laura nods uncomfortably.
“Exactly. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I thought you liked it here.” She comments. I nod.
“I DO like it here, most of the time. But I AM homesick. I miss my brother, I miss being able to go home after a long day to take a hot bath. I miss getting to do my own cooking, or even going out and doing my own grocery shopping. Hell, I miss just getting to go outside. With the exception of when I was nearly kidnapped, It has been over a month since I’ve been outdoors, do you realise that?” I sigh heavily. Laura is quiet for a minute.
“I guess I didn’t think about all that stuff. We kind of all take it for granted, don’t we? But… Maybe you could still have some of that stuff. I mean, there’s a kitchen here. I’m sure you could still cook. Kyle would get over it. Probably. And I doubt that Torin would mind. He doesn’t seem to mind anything you do.” She says pointedly. I can’t help it, I blush and Laura hones in on it like an arrow. She narrows her eyes suspiciously.
“Why are you being weird? What happened?” She demands. I delay by making a fuss about picking Crash up off the floor and settling him on my lap.
“It’s nothing, or at least HE says it’s nothing.” I say, a little bit bitterly. Wow, I didn’t realise I was mad about this until just now. But I AM kind of mad. I didn’t push it at the time, but you don’t just kiss someone then say you didn’t mean it and pretend it never happened! It’s just rude. Like even if he doesn’t want to pursue a relationship right now, which obviously I agree is a bad idea, that doesn’t mean he needs to deny it ever happened.
“What does he say is nothing? What happened?” Laura asks eagerly. I hesitate, then I decide screw it. I didn’t do anything wrong, and just because TORIN wants to decide it never happened, that doesn’t mean I have to.
“Well… It was after I was attacked, after I slept off the worst of the aftermath of the binding spell…” I trail off. Laura grimaces.
“Sorry again about that. Torin told me you had a protection spell from Jane, you were out there so long it almost definitely saved your life. Don’t go out again, alright? Not until the spell is gone. It’s not safe and I don’t want you to die. It’s probably part of the reason why you got so sick. You were worn down by the spell, plus the near drowning and who knows what else was in that water… Just, please be careful Rina.” Laura finishes her little rant and I sigh.
“Yeah, I will be. Feel free to mention to Torin how dangerous it is to keep this spell on me, you know, if it comes up.” I suggest. Laura bites her lip.
“Yeah, I don’t know about that. I don’t think it’s something he wants to hear.” She says hesitantly and I sigh.
“I know. Don’t worry about it, I’ll remind him myself. Besides, I’m sure he already knows. He’s probably beating himself up about it too.” I realise. Laura nods.
“Probably, but we got off topic. What happened after you were attacked?” She returns to the original topic.
“Uh, well… He realised that the reason I went outside was to save him and then… He kissed me.” I mutter the last bit, my face flaming red. Laura stares at me in complete shock, then she legitimately squeals.
“OH MY GOSH REALLY?!?” She claps her hands together and leans in closer.
“Why didn’t you say something sooner? I can’t believe he kissed you first, I really thought you would be the one to make a move on him. Are you guys like, together now? I can’t believe I didn’t know this!” She seems thrilled and I’m just stunned.
“Uh… What? Did you say you thought I would make a move? I had no intention of anything of the sort… And no, we aren’t together. He insists it was an accident, or a mistake or something like that. Either way, when I tried to bring it up he basically ran away from me, so there really isn’t anything to tell. Other than the fact that I’m now realising that I’m kind of offended.” I add with a pout. Laura seems confused.
“He… But why would he do that?” She asks incredulously. I shrug.
“I’m sure there’s a reason that makes sense to him. I DO want to talk to him about it, but I guess it doesn’t really matter. It’s not like I can actually date him or anything.” I point out. Laura taps her chin thoughtfully.
“Right, because of the whole keeping you trapped here power dynamic thing, right?” She clarifies. I nod.
“Yeah, pretty much. It would be kind of messed up, wouldn’t it?” Some small part of me is kind of hoping she tells me that it wouldn’t be messed up and that I should just go for it. Sadly, that is an unrealistic hope and Laura is too honest to lie like that.
“I guess you’re right, it WOULD be kind of a bad idea. Then again, if you want him to let you go, maybe you should just tell him you can’t date him unless the binding spell is taken off. Maybe it would be motivating for him.” She winks and me and I roll my eyes.
“I’m fairly sure that’s not healthy either. I don’t want to bribe him into trusting me.” I add. Laura nods and laughs.
“I suppose that would be kind of terrible. But hey, it’s a backup plan at least.” She winks at me and I laugh.
“Yeah, that can be plan Z. I’m still working on plan A.” I joke. Laura raises an eyebrow.
“What’s plan A?” She asks curiously.
“Convince the eternally suspicious and emotionally neglected demon to trust me enough to let me wander free even though I know way more about this magic stuff than any human is supposed to.” I answer with false cheer. Laura raises an eyebrow doubtfully.
“Well… Good luck with that. I still think you might have better odds if you just seduce him, but if you’re determined to be all moral and reasonable about it all, then I really hope it works out.” She says with a half smile. I sigh.
“I’m doomed, aren’t I? He’s never going to trust me.” I collapse back into the pillows. Laura shrugs.
“Look, a month ago, I would have agreed that you’re doomed. But now… I think, because it’s you, it just might be possible.”