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(open) strength be granted.
who: Helena and open!
what: Awakening and adjusting to the school.
when: 7/21 and onwards
warnings: None yet.
one.
[it's not obvious, what changes, until it has. no recollection, no understanding, and she goes as still as something inanimate might be. the where, the why, the what - there is nothing, and for the first time in her life, Helena longs for the same feeling of the manor's walls wrapped around her.
it's the benefit of living so long needing to remain hidden at points, to control one's self - she can feel the ghost of hands on her shoulders saying calm your actions, and her hand wraps around the wood of her cane. comforting, familiar. the minute the strange class is dismissed, she waits for everyone else to leave, and then exits, finding a place to stand and be unobtrusive until they scatter back into class.
with the halls empty, she can start listening - really listening, the soft tapping of her cane giving her information. nothing sounds the same, smells the same - this isn't anywhere she knows, even her clothes feel different.
truancy might be against the rules, but Helena needs to know where she is. but if she hears other footsteps, she's immediately ducking into the nearest closet, empty classroom, or anywhere else she can crouch and hide. knowing nothing, everything is alarming, and everyone may be the hunter. and her head being filled with strange memories that aren't hers? she needs time to find the truth.]
two.
[later, there is enough to settle with. later she's been able to grasp a small bit of what's happening, and while the clock tower might intimidate some, it is a place of peace to her. perhaps things are easier due to the cat that's settled on her lap, purring up a storm, soft and warm. where it came from, Helena doesn't know, but its presence does much to make things calmer. stroking its back, a smile comes to her lips, and while there's much still to fear, to question, cat shaped comforts that demand no more than attention ease things.
still, one can't assume they're alone, and the moment there's the sound of something coming up, both Helena and cat are on the alert. her arms wrap around it protectively, head tilted to listen best as whoever or whatever it is draws nearer.
however, the giveaway that this isn't an empty sanctuary is in one mrah that comes from the being in her arms. clearly, Lily May wants to inquire what someone's business actually is before they even finish getting up.]
three.
[classes are...interesting to get through. having been homeschooled for her life, there's something of a novelty for being in these sessions, making one's way to each individual session and meeting so many different teachers. it was what she had hoped would happen when she finally went off to higher education, and getting to try it out now? well, that's not so terrible.
when the extra students have scattered, though, now she's able to explore far more leisurely. opening unlocked doors to walk into rooms, to tap her cane and gain a sense of what this is, what that is. this one is a classroom, so is this one, but this one smells of paint and paper and must be used for art. the sunlight is leaving, is almost gone, and her exploration is undimmed.
still, if she opens a door and hears movement, she's not so quick to simply charge on in. instead, she calls out in a softer voice:]
Is someone there?
wildcard.
[have a different idea for a thread? throw it at me, let's make it happen.
a note: Helena is currently unable to use her PDA.]
what: Awakening and adjusting to the school.
when: 7/21 and onwards
warnings: None yet.
one.
[it's not obvious, what changes, until it has. no recollection, no understanding, and she goes as still as something inanimate might be. the where, the why, the what - there is nothing, and for the first time in her life, Helena longs for the same feeling of the manor's walls wrapped around her.
it's the benefit of living so long needing to remain hidden at points, to control one's self - she can feel the ghost of hands on her shoulders saying calm your actions, and her hand wraps around the wood of her cane. comforting, familiar. the minute the strange class is dismissed, she waits for everyone else to leave, and then exits, finding a place to stand and be unobtrusive until they scatter back into class.
with the halls empty, she can start listening - really listening, the soft tapping of her cane giving her information. nothing sounds the same, smells the same - this isn't anywhere she knows, even her clothes feel different.
truancy might be against the rules, but Helena needs to know where she is. but if she hears other footsteps, she's immediately ducking into the nearest closet, empty classroom, or anywhere else she can crouch and hide. knowing nothing, everything is alarming, and everyone may be the hunter. and her head being filled with strange memories that aren't hers? she needs time to find the truth.]
two.
[later, there is enough to settle with. later she's been able to grasp a small bit of what's happening, and while the clock tower might intimidate some, it is a place of peace to her. perhaps things are easier due to the cat that's settled on her lap, purring up a storm, soft and warm. where it came from, Helena doesn't know, but its presence does much to make things calmer. stroking its back, a smile comes to her lips, and while there's much still to fear, to question, cat shaped comforts that demand no more than attention ease things.
still, one can't assume they're alone, and the moment there's the sound of something coming up, both Helena and cat are on the alert. her arms wrap around it protectively, head tilted to listen best as whoever or whatever it is draws nearer.
however, the giveaway that this isn't an empty sanctuary is in one mrah that comes from the being in her arms. clearly, Lily May wants to inquire what someone's business actually is before they even finish getting up.]
three.
[classes are...interesting to get through. having been homeschooled for her life, there's something of a novelty for being in these sessions, making one's way to each individual session and meeting so many different teachers. it was what she had hoped would happen when she finally went off to higher education, and getting to try it out now? well, that's not so terrible.
when the extra students have scattered, though, now she's able to explore far more leisurely. opening unlocked doors to walk into rooms, to tap her cane and gain a sense of what this is, what that is. this one is a classroom, so is this one, but this one smells of paint and paper and must be used for art. the sunlight is leaving, is almost gone, and her exploration is undimmed.
still, if she opens a door and hears movement, she's not so quick to simply charge on in. instead, she calls out in a softer voice:]
Is someone there?
wildcard.
[have a different idea for a thread? throw it at me, let's make it happen.
a note: Helena is currently unable to use her PDA.]
no subject
I wasn't going to, but I can... Do you play?
[ So she can't judge him for his simple piano playing... Though he glances over towards her and at her cane and can't tell if it's an insensitive question or not. But musicians often play with their eyes closed, especially when they're lost in their music, and with the piano especially when you have to keep your eyes on the sheet music to read ahead, never mind looking down at what your fingers are doing. ]
no subject
[it seems almost impossible to her that other people think otherwise. coming closer to the piano, she rests her hand against the side. the lacquered wood - it's silent for now, but she can imagine all the sounds it can make.]
Please, don't feel obligated, though. I just didn't want to interrupt.
no subject
[ It's why he likes it too, why he always had headphones clamped over his ears, sometimes playing even when they're hanging over his chest instead. Playing is a little different, but it's the same comfortable sort of lost. Nostalgic, as he places the tips of his fingers on the ivory keys and begins playing a slow, simple song. ]
The bench is long enough if you wanted to sit too. Promise I won't go crazy and elbow you in the face.
no subject
[her delight once the music starts is near a palpable thing, and coming to settle on the bench next to him, and the sound feels like it surrounds her. with how simple the melody is, it means she can really focus on it. it's comforting, and even with this school being abnormal, the unsettling strangeness of it all, it doesn't mean that this can't be a joy. it's a sincere privilege to be able to sit and listen.
she's forgotten to ask his name. when he's done, she'll be sure to - she can't forget this moment.]
no subject
...I can teach you if you want. If you can find middle C on the keyboard, you can play.
no subject
Only if it wouldn't be a great drain on your time and energy. I don't even know how I'd repay you for such generosity!
no subject
[ That's not anything new, though, and he frowns a little before his expression smooths out again. ]
I don't know most people here yet, either. So your company's more than enough.
no subject
[her tone and her smile are sincere as she says that, no hesitation. her company can't be enough, but she won't argue - she'll just find small ways to compensate him. somehow.]
I'm Helena. It's very nice to meet you.
no subject
[ It's murmured to himself, forgetting Helena's hearing likely more than makes up for her sight, but his voice melds with the piano notes and he slows his playing to a stop, letting his hands slide unceremoniously off the keyboard and onto his lap. ]
Minato. Nice to meet you too.
no subject
[she nods her head, committing the name to memory. sorry, Minato, she's polite until you tell her not to be.]
Once I'm more settled in, I'll find you again - it's not fair to ask you to teach when I'm going to be distracted trying to think about the layout of this school.
[she laughs, but she's sincere - there's a part of her mind that wants to plan and draw up a map and understand where everything goes.]
no subject
This campus is pretty small, but at least it's all one building. I probably won't be here the next time, but I'll say hi when I see you.
no subject
[if it's small here, all the better. she'll be able to learn people's voices sooner rather than later.]