Lesson 58- Just because you CAN do something, that doesn’t mean you SHOULD.
Half an hour later, Torin knocks lightly on my door.
“Come in.” I answer softly, not wanting to wake Lindy. He glances at where she’s sleeping and nods, understanding. He holds out a hand to help me up and I follow him to his office. He pulls me into a tight hug.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” He asks worriedly and I nod against his chest.
“I’m fine Tori, just a little worked up. I didn’t realise how bad the situation was until Lindy explained what a selkie is. I feel so bad, I got the guy worked up. I shouldn’t have dumped his drink or called him a child.” I admit guiltily. Torin strokes a hand up my back.
“No, you might have been harsh, but that’s no excuse for his behaviour.” He assures me. I sigh, relieved that he isn’t mad at me. Actually, I take it back. He still might be.
“Sorry. I brought Lindy back here without permission. I know having people in your territory… Bothers you. I didn’t plan to upset you. I just couldn’t leave her behind. I promised I’d keep an eye on her.” I explain. Torin releases me from the hug and meets my gaze.
“It’s okay. I’m actually… Not bothered. It’s strange, I wouldn’t usually be okay with it. But I knew that you were keeping an eye on her while I was busy.” he admits and I stare. He was okay with it because I’m here? That doesn’t sound like he’s okay with me being back here because he sees me as some toy or prisoner. That sounds like he trusts me, even if he hasn’t quite realised it yet. I smile up at him.
“I’m glad it didn’t upset you.” I say happily.
“Just… Don’t leave anyone back here alone. Make sure you always know where they are.” He warns and I nod.
“Sure.” I respond.
I suddenly realise that the place seems really quiet.
“Is everything okay out there? I should probably get back to work.” I point out. Torin shakes his head.
“I closed the bar.” He answers. I frown.
“Those guys were jerks, but that didn’t mean you had to send EVERYONE away. I can still work.” I point out. Torin shrugs.
“While I took care of them, everyone else ran away. I… I don’t know if they’ll be coming here anymore. Actually, I don’t know if anyone will. If I want to make any money at all, I should probably try to avoid hanging out in the bar, at least for a little while.” He tells me glumly.
“You don’t have to do that, you can just hang out with me behind the bar instead.” I suggest. Torin tilts his head in confusion.
“How would that help?” He asks. I shrug.
“If people are being weird I’ll just act riddiculous and make you laugh. You aren’t nearly as intimidating when you’re smiling.” I grin and Torin scoffs.
“I’ll just stay in my office from now on.” he grumbles. I shake my head.
“You can’t do that, what if someone attacks me again?” I object and he frowns.
“Oh… Maybe we should both avoid the bar.” He grumbles and I roll my eyes.
“No way, I’d be bored to death. I need to keep busy.” I insist. He sighs.
“I thought you might say that. I won’t leave you alone out there. I suppose people will just have to get used to me being around.” Torin doesn’t look happy about it all.
“Thanks for keeping me safe Tori.” I tell him affectionately. I think about how he hugged me when he first pulled me in here and I have to fight the urge to blush. He needs to stop being so sweet to me. It’s making it hard not to like him just a little bit too much. I know that I should try to put a little more distance between the two of us, but then he says something adorable and I just can’t. Plus I’m worried that if I were to start rejecting him all of a sudden I would destroy what little self esteem and social confidence he does have. I know it isn’t my responsibility to manage his emotions, but I care too much to want to hurt him. It hasn’t escaped my attention that every time I’ve been in danger I’ve called on him to help, and when he told me to leave my only reason to doubt him was concern about leaving him alone. I trust him way too much for a man who is technically my jailer.
“It’s my job to keep you safe.” He answers casually and I raise an eyebrow.
“It really isn’t, it never was.” I point out. He shrugs.
“If I let something happen to you now, it would be a waste of all my efforts so far. Besides, by keeping you here I am limiting your ability to hide, protect yourself or to seek out other help and protection. Of course it’s my responsibility to protect you.” He argues.
“I’m not totally sure that’s how it works, but this benefits me so I’m not going to keep going on about it.” I smile and Torin nods firmly.
“I suppose I’ll go finish cleaning up out there. I… I’m sorry that the night went so badly.” I sigh.
“It’s not your fault. I would come with you but…” He trails off and glances in the direction of my room where Lindy is still sleeping.
“I get it, you don’t want to leave her back here without supervision. I’ll be fine on my own. I guess I get to have an early night.” I joke and Torin cracks the barest hint of a smile as I slip out of his office.
Okay, this clean up might take a bit longer than I had anticipated. There are more than a few broken glasses and the floor is sticky with alcohol. Also there’s an entire broken chair strewn across the room. How did that even happen? Please tell me that no one got hit with a chair… I try sweeping it all up, but the floor is so sticky, it’s just spreading the mess around. I tap on Jane’s trap door.
“Hey Janey, are you hungry? The bar is trashed, if you want to help me pick up some of the junk you can totally eat it.” I offer. The trap door flips open and she begins purring.
“Awesome, thanks so much! If you want to get started, I’ll get the mop and bucket ready.” I tell her cheerfully. I wander off and fill a bucket with hot soapy water, when I get back the room is already a lot better. The broken chair and all the larger pieces of glass have vanished as well as all the empties in the room. Even better, the remaining chairs have been tucked neatly around the tables and the bar has been straightened up.
“Aww, thanks Jane. You’re a huge help. I should be able to sweep up that last bit of glass.” I finish cleaning the floors and then wipe the bar over thoroughly. I’m about to leave to tip out the dirty water when I feel something brush against my shoulder. I turn to see one of Jane’s limbs.
“Everything alright Janey?” I ask curiously. She shakes the limb around and after a moment I realise that shes gesturing at me.
“Me? You mean am I alright? Yeah, I’m fine.” I assure her. She purrs loudly and taps me gently on the shoulder twice, I get the impression that she means to be reassuring.
“You’re sweet. Thanks for all your help Jane. I’ll come hang out with you again soon, alright?” Feeling riddicuously tired after the last two nights, I check in with Torin briefly, then go collapse into my bed, ignoring the selkie who is still passed out in the recliner.
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