(semi closed) and if you should call

[decrypter]

Who: Helena Adams and etc.
What: Catch all log!
When: November
Where: All over.
Warnings: Will edit if needed.

[for anything Helena related over November or backdated. if you want something specific, PM me or find me at moonjelly!]

Comments

shoutout to alice for showing me this video to begin with

[mermaidcursed]

( nene makes a little 'mhm!' sound of acknowledgement, before scrolling through the saved music on her phone. what first... oh! nene hits play on a particular album and sets her phone down between them before gently taking one of helena's hands and setting to a quiet, diligent work. as she carefully files and buffs helena's nails, blowing off the dust now and then, gentle but upbeat music plays.

it's nice- a change of pace from the stress of life in yogen. maybe they both needed this. )

[decrypter]

[she's very good at keeping her hands still for Nene, but the music charms her, and it's clear to perceive - the little head movements occasionally in time, the smile on her face. they don't need to talk, but she's trusting the process, the experience of it all.

it's almost like they aren't in Yogen - that they could just be two girls, happy to try something together, kindness shown for its own sake. and Helena can't deny she's very excited to feel the end result.]

[mermaidcursed]

( for all that she works with tools, nene's hands are soft, delicate almost, and they hold helena's with the utmost care while she quietly works each nail. once each one is finished, she wipes helena's fingers with a damp cloth, and lets it air dry. normally she'd set someone's fingertips in a bowl of water, but she can't explain it properly at the moment and doesn't want to startle helena...

the song changes to the next in the album, and nene sighs softly but contently. what color, what color... helena wears a lot of neutral tones, so maybe a nice dark green or blue? she always liked how a nice light blue and creamy white went with brown. even if helena didn't know. hmmm...

there's a clack of small glass bottles being pushed aside gently, the shake of a harsh liquid within glass, and the squeak as nene opens it. the polish is cold, only occasionally brushing against skin, and immediately it gets wiped up.

helena can't see it' but it's a blue that matches her hat and scarf. she thinks the embedded lace and the butterflies will be quite nice. )

[decrypter]

[it's a number of new sensations, curious and easily focused on in the absence of words. Helena's hands are that of a scholar, soft and maintained, but very still - steady, really. it's what's necessary for her to live her life, after all.

one of the bottles has something of a sharp scent coming from the liquid, and she assumes that's the polish - paint always has a specific undertone to it, unless it's watercolors. if there was a way to know the color, she'd like it. certain colors to her are associated with feelings, with scents, things that make them up without needing what might otherwise be a space left empty.

really, all of this makes her feel...cared for, which is nice. sweet without being cloying.]

[mermaidcursed]

( sometimes care is cooking a meal for you, asking you call them when you get home, fighting off the demons. sometimes it's just something simple, of no real use but to look pretty, and makes you feel good and isn't that enough?

nene continues to paint each nail carefully, quick to wipe up any mistakes and fanning the polish dry as soon as she's satisfied with the coat. hopefully it's not too boring, waiting for one layer to dry only to be covered with the next, but the cycle repeats until the color is nice, solid and smooth.

then it's time to carefully apply the stickers! )

[decrypter]

[the layers take time, but Helena is patient, steady. she waits because it's the simplest thing, cozy and comfortable where they are. the music is sweet, she feels no urgency to do this or that, and it means that time flows by in the most unhurried fashion.

with the stickers, she feels a new sensation, and she's delighted, trying to not wiggle where she is.]

Is this where we put on the decorations? Oh, you can just squeeze my hand to say - my left for yes, right for no.

[mermaidcursed]

( and instantly, the left hand gets a squeeze! once nene lets go, it's to focus wholly on applying each piece carefully. a curve of lace in the corner, a gem or butterfly here... each finger gets maybe two pieces each, so as to not clutter her nails, but they're light as any sticker would be. the most cumbersome might be the tiny rhinestones, really, and even those are mere bumps in the end.

this takes more time, because choosing where to apply everything is hard- she wants it to look and feel nice, for helena to get to show off and have fun running her finger tips over her nails...

once the first hand is done, nene taps it lightly so helena can check for herself. the rhinestones and lace are raised, the butterflies with subtle indents. does she like it so far? )

[decrypter]

[she feels it so gently, not wanting to displace anything, but the grin that splits her face says almost more than enough. tracing the shape of the butterflies, the lace, and the stones that offer brand new texture. she's delighted, and it's obvious.]

Oh, Nene, it's beautiful.

[because anything that makes her this happy is beautiful - can't be otherwise, in her world.]

[mermaidcursed]

( though nene's smile is small, it radiates warmth and delight- it worked. gently, she reaches over to squeeze helena's hands again- you're welcome, just for you, i'll do this any time- before working on helena's other hand. she doesn't repeat any design, but she tries to keep things cohesive- or as cohesive as lace, butterflies and rhinestones can be. it's diligent, quiet work.

the main signal that she's done, other than the fact that nene has let go of helena's fingers, is the fact that the music stops and the automated voice takes its place eventually. )

if you ever want something like this again, i'll happily do it
i'm really glad that you can feel it all. and just so you know, the base color matches your hat!