( oohhh, mister ranger! maple is nodding along in agreement, and though helena may not be able to see it, that smile of hers colours her voice with a certain cheer. )
I'm not worried. After all, I've met some very kind people like you, Helena! ( and here, her tone softens. ) I don't usually get to chat with others aside from Shin, so I'm always happy to meet someone new.
( she'd only taken about four minutes to decide she'd taken a shine to sara during the game. why, that amount of time has already passed, and helena seems so kind. it's only natural that she would find herself just as fond. )
[it's fortunate that Helena knows self control on a deep level, else Maple might have seen the way her hands subtly tightened on each other where she sits. Shin. maybe she means someone else, like how they had multiple boys named Akira, and how there are two Nanamis. it has to be. because the alternative makes her worried for him, that someone is exposing something they shouldn't. a cracked open section that needs to be covered with bandages and hidden under clothes and shielded with someone else's flesh and blood.
she knows how to divert the subject safely.]
Hmm...I don't think I've met anyone named Shin here, but I'm so glad you're finding new friends! Truly, there's so much I hadn't gotten to experience either before I was here - things like a proper snow day, and how to use a computer, and some people have been so kind as to help me learn to cook for myself.
[and, being able to sleep in a room with friends, and to feel a little safer when she does.]
It seems that what we lack, be it companionship or experiences, there's at least some opportunity here to mend that. I know we've only just met, but I'd be happy to talk to you whenever you like!
[there. they've walked away from something that might have made her blood run cold if her suspicions were validated.]
( that brings her to pause in her work, still a few stitches from completion as she looks up to helena with surprise. it's a pleasant surprise though, really! wide eyes relaxing into a bright smile, a happy little hum, more than pleased with this kind of reply. )
I would love that! If you ever want to talk, I've been staying in room "Moon 4," so you can visit me any time.
( there's a bit of a pause as she begins pulling the needle through the patch once more, turning the fabric slightly to continue, and she can't help but feel a little bit giddy about the prospect. )
And even if the Shin I know isn't here right now, that's okay too. Hiyori said that he's going to bring him back, and maybe if we ask him nicely, Hiyori will even let me introduce you to him.
( it's... well, based on her experience, it's an exceedingly slim chance that hiyori will allow someone else—someone not associated with asunaro no less—to touch his personal belongings... but maple is responsible, right? if she can prove that she'll keep shin safe and they won't talk about anything strange, she'd love the opportunity to introduce others to her dearest friend. besides, he's certainly much kinder than the off-brand "sou" they have here. )
We can all share tea and stories, and try new things together. Wouldn't that be great?
[she feels...not a twisting, not a ice in her veins, but a dull certainty that she can only associate with starting a match. a game with no winners, only evasion. in her mind, Shin is there, seeking a way out - she'll draw attention, run rings around and shed her own blood to let him free. there will be a way out.
there will be a way out. later, it will make her sick to think of, but for now, she smiles so gently, acting as if this news has not caused a chasm in herself to open up. as if for the smallest fraction of a second, the idea of death did not ghost across her brain.]
Oh, that sounds marvelous...I really love stories, actually, and I'd be honored to hear yours.
[whatever it takes. she doesn't blame Maple, if she was taken in. doesn't blame her for what she cannot know, likely. but she can hold two things in her heart at once.]
Though I haven't met anyone called Hiyori, either - is he here?
( it's a quick reply, but not at all sharp. she sounds audibly excited now, and both energy and fondness colours her words. )
I had thought this place would be awful, and when I got here, I was scared... Then I saw Hiyori. Everything felt better then, and he promised me that it would be okay—because we're together now.
( there's something about the way she says his name—hiyori... it's wistful and sweet, and everything helena might imagine of a girl with a hopeless, lovestruck heart. isn't he sweet, she seems to ask. isn't it romantic? but she leaves it as expectations alone, because for now, maple does have helena's request to see through. she's finishing up the last stitch now, cutting loose the thread and folding the shirt outside-out again so that she can admire her handiwork, but really, it's the memory with hiyori that has such a content feeling settling in her. )
You're very fortunate to have someone you care for that much.
[in that, Helena is sincere. as much as she can be when thinking about someone who she has set herself against with every fiber of her being. if Maple is truly unaware, then she can't be faulted for her heart - for Helena's read about girls in love with terrible men, suffering but still true. if she isn't, if she knows it all and excuses it and finds it charming...
that's another thought for later, safely in her own room.
he's here, and the moment she finds him, she'll have an idea of how to proceed - how to shield and be shielded.]
From all I've read and heard, it's a wonderful thing. I've no doubt you treasure him truly.
Heehee, I know. Hiyori... is really special to me. ( maple is just the luckiest girl in the world, isn't she? ) He's been so nice to me since I got here. He even let me stay in his room!
( and it's something she reaaally would love to brag about, something special, but she can't find any flaws in the handiwork of her patching for the time being. tracing the fingers across the inside, she can tell that the texture shouldn't feel itchy or uncomfortable either, so it would seem that she's done.
for now... she supposes she can brag another time. it isn't as if she'll move rooms any time soon, after all. )
Oh, but about your shirt—I'm all done with the patch. Would you like to feel it?
[she holds out her hands to take the shirt back, glad to not have to say the name "Hiyori" again. she'll humor the girl for now - and with her voice, Helena can't find any flaws. can't say that this is an act. no, she really cares for him, and she's either the unluckiest soul or the luckiest to not know.]
( oh, she must be looking forward to it—maple only hopes the effort she's made doesn't disappoint. )
Here you go!
( handing the blouse back, when helena runs her fingers across the surface of the fabric, she'll find a heart-shaped patch where the hole once was. it's filled in with a soft plaid material and lined with lace, and underneath, the fabric is neatly folded and lined up so as to keep any of that itchy lace from bothering her skin. maple would like to think it leads to a cute aesthetic, and with expectance in her eyes, she watches to try and understand the reaction helena herself will have. )
[her fingers trace around the shape and the lace, the considerate softness but the frill surrounding it, and for a second, her horror and disgust and every other emotion she was feeling melts to a pure wonder, reflected in her expression. it must be cute - she wants to keep touching it, and a grin blooms.
if she could sparkle, she would.]
You've made it even lovelier than I could have hoped...I don't have the words to thank you enough.
[lace, frills...she loves these things, even if she can't see them, for the texture they imbue a garment with.]
( the brightness of helena's smile is returned immediately with the same amount of cheer in maple's voice. )
I'm glad you like it, Helena! It may stand out a little, but I'll be really happy if you still wear it.
( her hands come together, clasping her fingers with delight. ah, yeah, now that she holds it, this feels like it was a good choice. something bright to make her stand out, but not so much as to stand out in a bad way. a splash of colour to brighten up the dreary halls of the school. just enough lace to feel elegant and not gaudy, too. )
This is my thanks to you for talking with me. I always look forward to conversations, and you were even kind to me when I told you about Hiyori.
( some people were not so understanding when she tried to mention her feelings for him. )
You say that as if I might not be, when you were so clearly talking about someone precious to you.
[who still concerns her and will spark a freakout later. but right now, she can handle Maple with care, and be truly grateful for the gift she's been given.]
Of course I'll wear it. I can't let your hard work go to waste, and even on days where I need to wear my jacket, I'll know it's there. I feel like it lets me dress a little closer to how I want to, even though we have to listen to the rules.
( there's a bit of surprise, but in a good way—she sounds excited. )
Heehee, if you'd ever want me to help mend or alter more of your clothes, I'd be happy to any time. As long as you'll have another conversation with me.
( this one was already so fun, but she understands she can't keep helena forever without a good reason to go along with it. )
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no subject
I'm not worried. After all, I've met some very kind people like you, Helena! ( and here, her tone softens. ) I don't usually get to chat with others aside from Shin, so I'm always happy to meet someone new.
( she'd only taken about four minutes to decide she'd taken a shine to sara during the game. why, that amount of time has already passed, and helena seems so kind. it's only natural that she would find herself just as fond. )
no subject
she knows how to divert the subject safely.]
Hmm...I don't think I've met anyone named Shin here, but I'm so glad you're finding new friends! Truly, there's so much I hadn't gotten to experience either before I was here - things like a proper snow day, and how to use a computer, and some people have been so kind as to help me learn to cook for myself.
[and, being able to sleep in a room with friends, and to feel a little safer when she does.]
It seems that what we lack, be it companionship or experiences, there's at least some opportunity here to mend that. I know we've only just met, but I'd be happy to talk to you whenever you like!
[there. they've walked away from something that might have made her blood run cold if her suspicions were validated.]
no subject
I would love that! If you ever want to talk, I've been staying in room "Moon 4," so you can visit me any time.
( there's a bit of a pause as she begins pulling the needle through the patch once more, turning the fabric slightly to continue, and she can't help but feel a little bit giddy about the prospect. )
And even if the Shin I know isn't here right now, that's okay too. Hiyori said that he's going to bring him back, and maybe if we ask him nicely, Hiyori will even let me introduce you to him.
( it's... well, based on her experience, it's an exceedingly slim chance that hiyori will allow someone else—someone not associated with asunaro no less—to touch his personal belongings... but maple is responsible, right? if she can prove that she'll keep shin safe and they won't talk about anything strange, she'd love the opportunity to introduce others to her dearest friend. besides, he's certainly much kinder than the off-brand "sou" they have here. )
We can all share tea and stories, and try new things together. Wouldn't that be great?
no subject
there will be a way out. later, it will make her sick to think of, but for now, she smiles so gently, acting as if this news has not caused a chasm in herself to open up. as if for the smallest fraction of a second, the idea of death did not ghost across her brain.]
Oh, that sounds marvelous...I really love stories, actually, and I'd be honored to hear yours.
[whatever it takes. she doesn't blame Maple, if she was taken in. doesn't blame her for what she cannot know, likely. but she can hold two things in her heart at once.]
Though I haven't met anyone called Hiyori, either - is he here?
no subject
( it's a quick reply, but not at all sharp. she sounds audibly excited now, and both energy and fondness colours her words. )
I had thought this place would be awful, and when I got here, I was scared... Then I saw Hiyori. Everything felt better then, and he promised me that it would be okay—because we're together now.
( there's something about the way she says his name—hiyori... it's wistful and sweet, and everything helena might imagine of a girl with a hopeless, lovestruck heart. isn't he sweet, she seems to ask. isn't it romantic? but she leaves it as expectations alone, because for now, maple does have helena's request to see through. she's finishing up the last stitch now, cutting loose the thread and folding the shirt outside-out again so that she can admire her handiwork, but really, it's the memory with hiyori that has such a content feeling settling in her. )
no subject
[in that, Helena is sincere. as much as she can be when thinking about someone who she has set herself against with every fiber of her being. if Maple is truly unaware, then she can't be faulted for her heart - for Helena's read about girls in love with terrible men, suffering but still true. if she isn't, if she knows it all and excuses it and finds it charming...
that's another thought for later, safely in her own room.
he's here, and the moment she finds him, she'll have an idea of how to proceed - how to shield and be shielded.]
From all I've read and heard, it's a wonderful thing. I've no doubt you treasure him truly.
no subject
( and it's something she reaaally would love to brag about, something special, but she can't find any flaws in the handiwork of her patching for the time being. tracing the fingers across the inside, she can tell that the texture shouldn't feel itchy or uncomfortable either, so it would seem that she's done.
for now... she supposes she can brag another time. it isn't as if she'll move rooms any time soon, after all. )
Oh, but about your shirt—I'm all done with the patch. Would you like to feel it?
no subject
[she holds out her hands to take the shirt back, glad to not have to say the name "Hiyori" again. she'll humor the girl for now - and with her voice, Helena can't find any flaws. can't say that this is an act. no, she really cares for him, and she's either the unluckiest soul or the luckiest to not know.]
no subject
Here you go!
( handing the blouse back, when helena runs her fingers across the surface of the fabric, she'll find a heart-shaped patch where the hole once was. it's filled in with a soft plaid material and lined with lace, and underneath, the fabric is neatly folded and lined up so as to keep any of that itchy lace from bothering her skin. maple would like to think it leads to a cute aesthetic, and with expectance in her eyes, she watches to try and understand the reaction helena herself will have. )
no subject
if she could sparkle, she would.]
You've made it even lovelier than I could have hoped...I don't have the words to thank you enough.
[lace, frills...she loves these things, even if she can't see them, for the texture they imbue a garment with.]
It's wonderful. Almost too fine to wear, now.
no subject
I'm glad you like it, Helena! It may stand out a little, but I'll be really happy if you still wear it.
( her hands come together, clasping her fingers with delight. ah, yeah, now that she holds it, this feels like it was a good choice. something bright to make her stand out, but not so much as to stand out in a bad way. a splash of colour to brighten up the dreary halls of the school. just enough lace to feel elegant and not gaudy, too. )
This is my thanks to you for talking with me. I always look forward to conversations, and you were even kind to me when I told you about Hiyori.
( some people were not so understanding when she tried to mention her feelings for him. )
no subject
[who still concerns her and will spark a freakout later. but right now, she can handle Maple with care, and be truly grateful for the gift she's been given.]
Of course I'll wear it. I can't let your hard work go to waste, and even on days where I need to wear my jacket, I'll know it's there. I feel like it lets me dress a little closer to how I want to, even though we have to listen to the rules.
no subject
( there's a bit of surprise, but in a good way—she sounds excited. )
Heehee, if you'd ever want me to help mend or alter more of your clothes, I'd be happy to any time. As long as you'll have another conversation with me.
( this one was already so fun, but she understands she can't keep helena forever without a good reason to go along with it. )
no subject
[but simpler clothes are better to be taken seriously with. easier to match.]
But please know, even without a reason, I'll be glad to talk and to see you.
no subject
( but speaking of their next one, maple will fold her hands neatly in her lap as she continues. )
Oh, but I'm sure you're busy, aren't you? Everyone here seems to have so much to do... Maybe next time I'll prepare some tea so we can relax together.