(open) strength be granted.

[decrypter]

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.]

Comments

[notsosou]

[Shin backs up to avoid being clocked by it as the door opens to reveal Helena. He... feels like he's seen her somewhere.]

R-right, I should introduce myself, huh. My name's Sou Hiyori. [The name comes smoothly now, at this point as much a part of him as the scarf.] I'm just a... well, ahaha, I don't think I have a job anymore...

[That's what happens when you don't show up for a couple of weeks on account of being kidnapped for a death game and then ending up in a mysterious high school. It had been night shift, too. Decent money, and less having to talk to people... it's strange the things you miss.]

Ah, what about you? I don't think we've met.

[He's noticed the deliberately even calm of her breathing. He's been there before, if not on this end, and his tone is gentler because of it and despite himself. Take your time.]

[decrypter]

No, we haven't, Mr. Hiyori.

[his voice isn't familiar, not even slightly. with him moving back, she knows she has room to exit the closet, shutting it quietly behind her. while she's not relaxed enough to try and give him a smile, it's enough to be out in the room again.

strange, the way he's acting. isn't this a school? employment should be a little more straightforward - then again, she's out of place, even though she's managed to gather that she's in a uniform. safe, cloaked in the herd.]

My name is Helena Adams. Sorry for all the trouble - I didn't want to be caught and led back to class.

[notsosou]

Then nice to meet you, Miss Helena.

[His tone carries his smile. Mr. Hiyori is a little strange to hear after being called Sou by near everyone, but only strange, like discovering an item of clothing has unexpected pockets.

More importantly... he doesn't think he remembers seeing a Helena Adams on Senku's list of names, dead or alive - so she must be new, musn't she. Finally, someone who knows less than him. That's something he can use, he's done it before, it's been done to him before... garnering reliance with information. The thought sits uncomfortably in his mind like a familiar pebble in a shoe.]

Not really the hall monitor type... I'd have to catch and lead myself back to class, ahaha. Though it's not a good idea to skip often... [He briefly turns his head to the side in thought.] I... I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me guess, you've just found yourself with fake memories and no idea how you got here?

[decrypter]

More or less, that is correct. It's like I forgot many things for quite some time, and then it all returned back in a very sudden fashion. Is it rather common, then?

[while that didn't say very nice things about this situation, it was some degree of comfort to think she isn't alone in that disorientation. and anyone that knew more, that was willing to talk - those are lifelines thrown to someone cast adrift. she has to trust that they won't snap before she can find something to stand on again.]

[notsosou]

[The one such line he made became genuine, despite his intent when making it, so there's good odds in the end.]

Fairly. You're the forty-second so far. [Where to start... probably with the most important thing, in his mind. Well, the second most important thing.] Ah, I've got some bad news, sorry. You've been trapped in the school like the rest of us. Doors... windows... it's just not gonna work. It's almost like there's a forcefield across them.

[Now the most important thing, that needed this background information. Come in for the landing, Sou.]

Which... aha, is a problem. The people here... well some of them aren't very nice, Miss Helena. There's at least one murder a month here. You should be careful about being alone. ...Especially with someone named Komaeda. [Don't make his mistake, except he's refusing to think of it as a mistake. When he does it it's tactical.]

[decrypter]

[she swallows her first thought, which is to say oh, only one? perhaps her time in the endless games has left something off kilter - or perhaps it's the memories that ring all too close now. being imprisoned is more concerning, and she'll have to see if there's even one way to get a fresh breeze. being stifled will be all too much.

very subtly, her grip on her cane shifts, and she frowns slightly. there's something to fear with being alone, but there's also something to fear being around someone you didn't know very well. she has to listen, and be cautious, until they show some facet of themselves that proves something.]

None of that's really reassuring, Mr. Hiyori, but thank you for telling it to me anyway.

[survive. she knows how to do that now.]

May I ask what the matter is with Komaeda?

[notsosou]

Reassuring... ahaha, sorry. I guess that was a lot to start with. But isn't it better to know what you're dealing with first? [For example such as whether you've got certain death hanging over your head.]

Well he's a murderer, Miss Helena. [He says, like a liar. He doesn't actually know if this is true, but multiple people have mentioned Komaeda in the same breath as the murders so it's a fairly safe guess to make when you don't want to seem like you don't actually have all the answers.] Not exactly safe company...

[One of his few allies in the death game had been a murderer and surprisingly nothing had happened even after Shin fell asleep near him, so this is also a bit of a lie. Technically he's a murderer too, what with having contributed in being forced to vote people dead. It's not something he likes to examine too closely. You can't afford to indulge those sort of regrets outside the comfort of your own home or your nightmares.]

Forewarned is forearmed, is how it goes, right? [It didn't occur to him until her grip moved on it how easily that cane could be used as a weapon, but he can't exactly blame her for the caution he wanted, can he? He has to ignore it either way.]

[decrypter]

...Are there many murderers here? Or only him?

[it would almost be reassuring to hear that there were many. it would make it more familiar ground, though the safety net would be removed of it not being only one person to avoid. her voice is soft, hesitant, and something in her posture states she could go directly back in the cabinet to hide if there's not some decent answer awaiting her.]

[notsosou]

Ahaha, what a question. Only him and Natsume that we [he] know about but... who knows. You wouldn't mention it if you got away with it, would you.

[This is the sort of thing Shin thinks about late at night when the school is utterly silent and nobody would hear him scream.

...maybe he's going too far. He's scaring her. His clothing rustles as his posture shifts into something more contrite, and his tone into something more apologetic.]

Ah, i-it's... just something to be aware of. There's classes... clubs... people here sleep in groups. It's not like it's anarchy, Miss Helena. If you're careful and pay attention, you'll be just fine.

[decrypter]

[she nods, already making a few quiet resolutions. she's survived before - she can survive again, provided she gets up to speed quickly on things. basic concerns would have to be addressed, but if she can bear to sift through the sheer amount of things she now remembers...it will be easier.]

I somewhat recall the classes, and the clubs...but nothing about sleeping arrangements. Though perhaps that's because there's so many thoughts in my head currently from two different lives entirely.

[but Helena can keep moving. she can adapt to this - only time will tell what life is better or worse than the other.]

Still, I have to thank you for being so honest with me. Being too kind about this situation...it would only end up being proven false, sooner or later.

[and she's had more than enough of people lying to her, about her. it's not a pleasant place, but at least she knows it.]

[notsosou]

[He glances away, even though she can't actually see his face.]

I-it's nothing really. Just doing my part, aha.

......

[She gets it. She must be like him, in a way. It's kind of a relief that someone else gets it, really, actually listens to him... even if it's also slightly concerning considering everything about who he is. Being Sou Hiyori isn't pleasant. Even now his stomach is roiling a little. Honest, huh.]

It's overwhelming isn't it... I'm sure you still have questions, Miss Helena, but... let's sit down first. [There's the sound of footsteps as he heads over to the empty desks and then, intermittently, two chairs being squealed across the floor, one ending up next to her. Also panting, because exertion is not at all his forte. He needs to sit down himself, pulling his scarf back up from where it's started to some loose with the motion.] Ha... aha... what would you like to know?

[decrypter]

...Before I ask that, are you alright?

[an amount of worry creases her forehead, makes her frown. she can hear his exertion, and while she sits - it'd be impolite to refuse - she can't help but be a little concerned. as unsettled as she is, between that and his tone, it tells her he's not entirely okay himself.]

[notsosou]

Tired myself out earlier, that's all...

[He's still a bit breathless. Technically true, even if he doesn't mention it doesn't take much to tire him out. His anaemic physical fitness is the kind of sore spot that results from the idea people might be judging him for it.]

It's hard to find time to rest around here sometimes, ahaha.

[Also true, if you're as paranoid about safety as Sou here.]

[decrypter]

Then why not rest now? That way you're not alone.

[if he's as anxious as she can guess he is, that'll be something of a reassurance. she has no reason to turn on him - not when he's got answers and she's in the dark - and they can both sit. truthfully, it'll work out for her as well, allowing Helena to calm herself to sift through her thoughts.]

I'll hear if anyone's coming this way.

[notsosou]

Your hearing's that good, huh...

[It makes sense. It's not like he hasn't noticed the stick and closed eyes; she's probably had practice with this. That does actually make him feel a little safer. Especially since he's got something she needs.

He shifts on the seat, drawing up one leg and resting his arms and chin on his knee, because if you ever see him with good posture it means he's been replaced by a body double. Or is possessed.]

...you're really too kind, Miss Helena.

[It's one of those lines with the double meanings because they're like chips he's gotten hooked. Shin just let your extremely roundabout thanks stand. His jacket rustles as he leans back a little to let more of the afternoon sun streaming through the windows fall onto him, breathing returning to even. His head dips and jerks back up out of a microsleep as he blinks, glances at Helena, and returns his idle gaze to the rest of the classroom, tapping his finger on his knee a little before stopping. If she says something, he has to be awake to hear it.

At least it's not passing out in the middle of a strategy meeting. It's a common enough occurrence for him he just picked up where he left off as if nothing had happened for that one.]

[decrypter]

[but she's not saying anything at all. she's letting the silence fall around them, nothing more than the distant sounds of things far off that reach her ears, or the subtle closing of a door a hallway off. Helena still breathes, but she's still, controlled, letting him decide what level of rest he wants to get - be it simply quiet space, or actually falling asleep.

her thoughts settle down, like sand is supposed to on the bottom of a lakebed, becoming clear and easy to understand. she knows who she is, where she was before. the haze of this school life didn't make that not matter. the faces she knew before, the endless cycle of before, the striving to succeed and find a way out. forward, always forward. there was always some kind of light.

and right now, without her heart wanting to tear itself from her chest in fear, the path is simpler to contemplate. it would require as it always had, one foot in front of the other, one day after the other.]

this is the closest i have to a sleeping icon rip

[notsosou]

[After a while with the protracted silence filled only with even breathing, the warmth of the sun, and the sense of someone nearby who currently isn't a threat keeping an eye out... his eyes slowly close and shut completely as his weight settles limply on the chair. It's too much on the side of his body's meaningful 'pay up' gestures with regards to the debt he's been placing on it for him to really fight it in the end.

His breathing shifts to that of someone deeply asleep. After a short while there's quiet sounds when his fingers and legs start twitching, but he doesn't wake up.]

[decrypter]

[that's...kind of what she had thought, hearing his exertion and the nerves in his tone. while it can't fix everything, it can fix some things, and her own head bows in time. still alert, still ready to wake if some thing crosses her perception, but resting in the way she used to do on the sofa in the manor library. there were rules in place to protect each other.

this time, it just so happens that she's the one protecting someone else. it's not bad, just novel.

Helena will stay where she is - there's no hurry, at least at the moment. she'll be there, half dozing herself, when he finally decides to wake up.]