[it's an ordinary day, in Helena's reckoning, but it is also Saturday, and she considers that to be a day worthy of making herself something nice. what, she hasn't decided yet, but she'll figure it out as she goes along. something sweet, she thinks - a gift to herself for making it through another week.
therefore, here she is in the kitchen, having brought in a chair to reach the higher items. some of the more commonly used things have labels she made, but others, she cracks the top and smells them to know the contents. it's like this that someone else will find her, dutifully retrieving the flour in its container.]
[it's bizarre to see someone she knows is blind with a chair to climb things, because that just feels dangerous, but she also knows through association that helena is perfectly capable all on her own, and if she needs any sort of help she'll ask; it's only this that helps her bite back her knee-jerk reaction and stays hesitantly by the door as she speaks up.]
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize anyone else was in here. I can come back later if you're using the kitchen.
[always an offer out; kaede doesn't want to bother people in their spaces too much, just how she is, but it's nice to see helena and those others affected by the past few months regain their footholds. her own still feel a little loose beneath her weight, but that loss is trivial compared to those who knew better.]
[the assurance lets her step in, and she glances at the cabinet she remembers which the tea is in; she thinks about the small kindness in not knowing every step, and how she'd like to keep to it.]
Just a cup of tea. I haven't perfected making it yet though, so it always ends up a little on the weak side. But every day is a new chance to get it right.
[let's see... just some black tea'll do, she'll come over to take it out.]
I'd offer to make you some, Adams-san, but I'd feel bad pouring you a mediocre cup of tea.
Please don't sell yourself short - that you keep trying makes it a good cup on its own!
[wait. wait she has an idea, and the smile that crosses her face proves it.]
Actually, if you don't mind staying a little, I was going to bake, and I'll certainly have more than enough for one person. I'd like to give you something to have with your tea.
[no wonder amami held helena in high regard; she's a kind person, and kaede returns the smile. it's very much in line with her own thoughts... just more to other people.]
That's so sweet of you! I'd love to have some, thank you. What're you making? [...] And, um... do you mind teaching me?
[Helena beams, and nods at the idea of teaching her. she's more than glad to pass on the knowledge handed to her - Kaede will have an even easier time with it.]
Cookies are rather simple, and pair well with tea. Do those sound all right, or would you prefer something more on the side of a cake?
[a very simple tea cake is not beyond her. fancier things require more preparation, but in terms of what could be pulled from a cupboard quickly and assembled, she has a few ideas.]
[the student store is all too familiar. she used to go every single day, after all, to keep her promise to Keigo. in their absence, she hasn't gone as frequently - there's no point to it. but still, something about it feels safe, and particularly when she's dodging out on another awkward bonding exercise.
stepping inside, she breathes a little sigh of relief, and moves further in so no one outside will see her. at least here, it's something of a sanctuary, even though she won't hear a particular voice, hear them running around for a hug. that it's being kept up at all will make them happy.]
( the student store is empty when helena walks in— not even someone welcoming her presence, and acknowledgement is important here when trying to drive sells. rather than hearing that, she'll hear a soft chime that grows louder as though it was coming to the store itself. a gentle ringing that pierces the silence as a clapper hits against a brass bowl of a bell, and the melody is meant to draw in the attention of those who hear it. )
Oh! ...Welcome, welcome.
( the item in komaeda's hand jingles again, which happens to be about four at the different sounds helena will here that merrily knock together. one lower, and one higher pitch, but they're a cute array of antique shopkeeper's bells for him to put up on the door to find which one has a tune that's pleasant to a person's ears, than one annoying to just draw in attention. )
With everyone so busy... I didn't think anyone would drop in today.
( with a hand against his hip, he chuckles at his own joke before falling silent... )
[her expression melts into a smile, hearing that voice, and she turns in his direction to be more attentive. she hadn't heard him, but that doesn't mean she's less enthused to know he's there.]
Busy they might be, but a shopkeeper's job is never really over, is it?
[not when customers showed, or thinking of new ideas, or...]
To tell the truth, I'm hiding from the others. The strange games are beginning to be a bit much for me to take.
Retiring isn't too bad, is it? That means I can make more time for others, but as it stands...
( he opens his arms to knowing helena can't see, but it's to gesture to their surroundings (that, and komaeda's so used to moving his hands when he talks) within the student store. it's not officially his though, sharing it with shin, but even thinking of him makes komaeda frown slightly, noticeable in his voice as he continues their conversation. )
I get a break at night, though... so there's that.
( his hold on the handle of the bells cause them to jingle, and as he walks over to the counter to set them down, his head turns to look at helena. )
The bonding experiment? Now! You can't appear to look shy for the new school year, Adams-san! ( that said, komaeda can't take busy places either, and so this place is much preferable especially with everything that's been going on. ) How has everything been on your end?
I'm not being shy, I just think some of the games are a bit much...I don't need to physically fall into someone's arms to be able to trust them.
[she'd already heard at least three kids smack their heads on the ground, after all.]
And then talking about a video game night...I'm sure everyone's going to have fun there. If most people go, I'll have the kitchen to cook something for myself for dinner.
[good food and a good book. she'll nest in her hammock then.]
They probably find that safer than a knife being pushed into someone's back! Ahaha...!
( with a laugh, the ultimate tries to cheer himself up and is marginally successful, there's no need to be sad around helena when she's on a positive note herself. )
I hope some people do go though...
( there are more people who deserve the bonding treatment than others, and he knows that add's capable of bonding. komaeda just doesn't want him to think he has to be alone. )
Food sounds nice, are you really cooking, or baking this time? ( he mentions, wondering what has he eaten today. ) And... is it that different?
[there's a knock on the door of Nagito and Ranger's room, a soft rapping that comes along with a voice.]
Mr. Ranger? Are you here?
[because in spite of this tragedy, she has a promise to uphold. she promised to show him something, and in this day, at least, the sun is bright and the wind not too strong, and the snow has been melting enough that she can feel plants under her feet and smell the earth. spring has come - where things become renewed, where they grow full of life and energy and will, and with how shaken he must be...
has he ever stopped to feel the sunlight on his face? they'll change that, if no.]
[ The last two days have been difficult at best. His patient isn't waking up, and so everything from cleaning the blood and dirt off to creating a set up for him has fallen on Ranger. For the most part, he's had no desire to leave their room for hope of something changing.
The sound of a door stirs him though, and there's a creak of a mattress followed by the sound of light footsteps. The sound of a knob turning comes next, and finally the door opens. He cracks it, then opens it fully upon confirming who it is. ]
... Hm? What's up?
[ He sounds tired. He's an AI, and so he doesn't really get tired, but there's a kind of emotional fatigue that's been building for awhile. At least, that's what he thinks it is. ]
[true, and simple. there's no need to hide it. despite the stress of the meeting, she looks calm, collected - just a friend, come to see him. not Nagito, him specifically.]
With everything that was going on, I missed the turning of the seasons to spring - but when I remembered, I thought of you, and I wanted to ask if you'd like to go take in spring for a little while.
[to come outside, and breathe fresh air, and enjoy the sunlight. to not be sitting there worried for who knows how many hours.]
[ Ranger exhales softly, and the knob clicks as he turns it a couple times. His eyes flick back to the best, but in the end he knows that continuing to stare at him will no more wake him up than trowing a rock at the moon's reflection in the lake will allow one to strike it. The most one can do is disrupt its reflection, and the most he can do by continuing this game is to create false hopes and imagined scenarios. He'd just get scolded for doing so.
She had promised to show him the seasons. ]
Oh, sure... [ It's a half-hearted agreement, not for a lack of want. He shakes his head, drawing in a breath before exhaling softly to recenter himself, and his voice returns to something more normal. ] Yeah, I could use some fresh air. It gets pretty stuffy in here... Ah, the flowers should be starting to bloom right about now, right?
Yes! Some of them are already out - you'll be able to enjoy what you see.
[she pauses, and her expression drops to something more sympathetic.]
...He'd want you to go. He told me, a little while ago, "spring is better with people." And then something about flowers blooming from people, but the essence of the thought remains.
[it's alright to put down his burden for a moment.]
[ The brief moment of silence is just as telling as the little frown that hides behind a face card. He inhales, holds the breath, then exhales softly before taking a step forward and tugging the door shut. The click of a lock follows. It really does sound like something he'd say, probably just before shoving him off. ]
... Ahaha, he'd probably think I was weird for staring at him while he's getting his beauty rest.
[ It's a small, humorless laugh. It goes without saying that it was major trauma, and so it's no surprise he's still asleep. If he thinks of it that way, then it's easier for him to prop himself up. He gives the door a little push to ensure it's fully closed before taking a step forward. ]
Well, I dunno about flowers blooming from people, but it's better with another person... Does anything grow around here other than the spider lilies?
[ It'd been late enough in the season when he arrived that the local flora was already withering. ]
[the note that appears in the room is handwritten, not in Helena's braille but someone else's hand. it's polite, asking Subaru and Natsume to bring her PDA and writing tools to the nurse's office, since Miss Helena requested them.
she wants to see them, after all. and she hopes they're smart enough to come together. recovery demands a lot, but she had quietly said she'd crawl if she had to in order to let them know she's alive. that had been determination enough. her hands fold together on top of the sheets, and she waits, listening for anyone to come by.]
except it's not subaru who bursts into the nurse's office, as characteristic as that might be of him; it's natsume, empty-handed until he goes to her side and
and
he fills his hands with a chair, pulls it over to her side, and fills his hands a second time with his own, fingers squeezing tightly together. subaru will be in on his heels with what she asked for, he didn't leave him that far in the dust, not when both of them are so experienced in losing people they love without warning. )
Little Bat— ( pause, a breath, and ) Baru-kun's comING.
( he's making subaru carrying everything so that he has something to do with his hands that isn't "diving straight onto helena because he's been worried sick" )
[and he isn't far off, he's quiet despite the pounding of his heart and natsume's taken up her space before him, it's fine, he deserves that, they're all close but helena and natsume closer by far (or is that his own demons talking, ever murmuring in the back of his—)
subaru sets her things down by her as he rounds the other side, hands shaking as he hugs her and hugs her tight; it's like the end of february, when he lost more than he had thought, and the same wetness begins to fall like then, too. he doesn't know how bad she looks, he doesn't want to focus on that. just that she's here, that she's here, that she's here here here—
he can't speak, won't speak, he knows the nurse's office is midori's domain and he doesn't mind the doctor much but he remembers their session and simply does not want to address it.]
[sitting up in the bed, it's been adjusted to be easier for her, a pillow behind her back. the sheets cover her from the waist now, and the shirt she wears has a high color, so that the only skin that really shows is her face and her hands. an IV is taped on the back of one, connected to a clear bag. her cane rests beside the bed, and overall, she looks a little tired, but intact.
her eyes widen when she hears footsteps, Natsume's voice, and she's about to say something before Subaru's coming in, holding her tight (and she winces, but she's not going to tell him to stop. this pain can be borne better than that pain, or the pain to come. their presences fill her up, reassure her, and she can breathe easier.]
...I'm so sorry I made you worry.
[to both of them. she can't apologize enough for not being able to reach out sooner.]
( natsume stops himself. rethinks his words, and then gently lays one of his hands beside her as an offering for her to take, like she always does for him, like she has always done for him. )
...I'm happy to see you aLIVE. ( the bare minimum. ) Though that might change if Baru-kun doesn't let go of YOU...
( but there's no real force to it, no bite, nothing to suggest that subaru should actually let go if he doesn't want to. )
[he loosens, at least, shaking still. but he can speak, stuffed as it is.]
Why did you go out there? What happened? [breathe, breathe.] Why didn't you... why didn't you ask me to come?
[their guard dog, their seeing-eye friend. subaru never had a problem with it, not then not before february not after not now. why, why, why. how the day before her sudden disappearance could have been the last time he'd seen her, enjoyed her company, and they hadn't done anything special.
he doesn't know if he can accept her apology. she knows, for the both of them.]
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3/26, kaede.
therefore, here she is in the kitchen, having brought in a chair to reach the higher items. some of the more commonly used things have labels she made, but others, she cracks the top and smells them to know the contents. it's like this that someone else will find her, dutifully retrieving the flour in its container.]
Oh, hello!
[she can hear footsteps, at least.]
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Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize anyone else was in here. I can come back later if you're using the kitchen.
[always an offer out; kaede doesn't want to bother people in their spaces too much, just how she is, but it's nice to see helena and those others affected by the past few months regain their footholds. her own still feel a little loose beneath her weight, but that loss is trivial compared to those who knew better.]
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[putting the flour down, she closes the cabinet, and carefully steps back down, moving the chair away so it won't impact anyone coming in.]
What are you looking to make, Miss Akamatsu?
[if she also needs the oven, Helena will offer it out to her first - her plan isn't formed yet, after all, so it can still change.]
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Just a cup of tea. I haven't perfected making it yet though, so it always ends up a little on the weak side. But every day is a new chance to get it right.
[let's see... just some black tea'll do, she'll come over to take it out.]
I'd offer to make you some, Adams-san, but I'd feel bad pouring you a mediocre cup of tea.
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[wait. wait she has an idea, and the smile that crosses her face proves it.]
Actually, if you don't mind staying a little, I was going to bake, and I'll certainly have more than enough for one person. I'd like to give you something to have with your tea.
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That's so sweet of you! I'd love to have some, thank you. What're you making? [...] And, um... do you mind teaching me?
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Cookies are rather simple, and pair well with tea. Do those sound all right, or would you prefer something more on the side of a cake?
[a very simple tea cake is not beyond her. fancier things require more preparation, but in terms of what could be pulled from a cupboard quickly and assembled, she has a few ideas.]
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4/9, komaeda.
stepping inside, she breathes a little sigh of relief, and moves further in so no one outside will see her. at least here, it's something of a sanctuary, even though she won't hear a particular voice, hear them running around for a hug. that it's being kept up at all will make them happy.]
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Oh! ...Welcome, welcome.
( the item in komaeda's hand jingles again, which happens to be about four at the different sounds helena will here that merrily knock together. one lower, and one higher pitch, but they're a cute array of antique shopkeeper's bells for him to put up on the door to find which one has a tune that's pleasant to a person's ears, than one annoying to just draw in attention. )
With everyone so busy... I didn't think anyone would drop in today.
( with a hand against his hip, he chuckles at his own joke before falling silent... )
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Busy they might be, but a shopkeeper's job is never really over, is it?
[not when customers showed, or thinking of new ideas, or...]
To tell the truth, I'm hiding from the others. The strange games are beginning to be a bit much for me to take.
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( he opens his arms to knowing helena can't see, but it's to gesture to their surroundings (that, and komaeda's so used to moving his hands when he talks) within the student store. it's not officially his though, sharing it with shin, but even thinking of him makes komaeda frown slightly, noticeable in his voice as he continues their conversation. )
I get a break at night, though... so there's that.
( his hold on the handle of the bells cause them to jingle, and as he walks over to the counter to set them down, his head turns to look at helena. )
The bonding experiment? Now! You can't appear to look shy for the new school year, Adams-san! ( that said, komaeda can't take busy places either, and so this place is much preferable especially with everything that's been going on. ) How has everything been on your end?
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[she'd already heard at least three kids smack their heads on the ground, after all.]
And then talking about a video game night...I'm sure everyone's going to have fun there. If most people go, I'll have the kitchen to cook something for myself for dinner.
[good food and a good book. she'll nest in her hammock then.]
It's...different, to have everyone around again.
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( with a laugh, the ultimate tries to cheer himself up and is marginally successful, there's no need to be sad around helena when she's on a positive note herself. )
I hope some people do go though...
( there are more people who deserve the bonding treatment than others, and he knows that add's capable of bonding. komaeda just doesn't want him to think he has to be alone. )
Food sounds nice, are you really cooking, or baking this time? ( he mentions, wondering what has he eaten today. ) And... is it that different?
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4/14, ranger
Mr. Ranger? Are you here?
[because in spite of this tragedy, she has a promise to uphold. she promised to show him something, and in this day, at least, the sun is bright and the wind not too strong, and the snow has been melting enough that she can feel plants under her feet and smell the earth. spring has come - where things become renewed, where they grow full of life and energy and will, and with how shaken he must be...
has he ever stopped to feel the sunlight on his face? they'll change that, if no.]
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The sound of a door stirs him though, and there's a creak of a mattress followed by the sound of light footsteps. The sound of a knob turning comes next, and finally the door opens. He cracks it, then opens it fully upon confirming who it is. ]
... Hm? What's up?
[ He sounds tired. He's an AI, and so he doesn't really get tired, but there's a kind of emotional fatigue that's been building for awhile. At least, that's what he thinks it is. ]
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[true, and simple. there's no need to hide it. despite the stress of the meeting, she looks calm, collected - just a friend, come to see him. not Nagito, him specifically.]
With everything that was going on, I missed the turning of the seasons to spring - but when I remembered, I thought of you, and I wanted to ask if you'd like to go take in spring for a little while.
[to come outside, and breathe fresh air, and enjoy the sunlight. to not be sitting there worried for who knows how many hours.]
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She had promised to show him the seasons. ]
Oh, sure... [ It's a half-hearted agreement, not for a lack of want. He shakes his head, drawing in a breath before exhaling softly to recenter himself, and his voice returns to something more normal. ] Yeah, I could use some fresh air. It gets pretty stuffy in here... Ah, the flowers should be starting to bloom right about now, right?
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[she pauses, and her expression drops to something more sympathetic.]
...He'd want you to go. He told me, a little while ago, "spring is better with people." And then something about flowers blooming from people, but the essence of the thought remains.
[it's alright to put down his burden for a moment.]
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... Ahaha, he'd probably think I was weird for staring at him while he's getting his beauty rest.
[ It's a small, humorless laugh. It goes without saying that it was major trauma, and so it's no surprise he's still asleep. If he thinks of it that way, then it's easier for him to prop himself up. He gives the door a little push to ensure it's fully closed before taking a step forward. ]
Well, I dunno about flowers blooming from people, but it's better with another person... Does anything grow around here other than the spider lilies?
[ It'd been late enough in the season when he arrived that the local flora was already withering. ]
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4/23, evening.
she wants to see them, after all. and she hopes they're smart enough to come together. recovery demands a lot, but she had quietly said she'd crawl if she had to in order to let them know she's alive. that had been determination enough. her hands fold together on top of the sheets, and she waits, listening for anyone to come by.]
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except it's not subaru who bursts into the nurse's office, as characteristic as that might be of him; it's natsume, empty-handed until he goes to her side and
and
he fills his hands with a chair, pulls it over to her side, and fills his hands a second time with his own, fingers squeezing tightly together. subaru will be in on his heels with what she asked for, he didn't leave him that far in the dust, not when both of them are so experienced in losing people they love without warning. )
Little Bat— ( pause, a breath, and ) Baru-kun's comING.
( he's making subaru carrying everything so that he has something to do with his hands that isn't "diving straight onto helena because he's been worried sick" )
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subaru sets her things down by her as he rounds the other side, hands shaking as he hugs her and hugs her tight; it's like the end of february, when he lost more than he had thought, and the same wetness begins to fall like then, too. he doesn't know how bad she looks, he doesn't want to focus on that. just that she's here, that she's here, that she's here here here—
he can't speak, won't speak, he knows the nurse's office is midori's domain and he doesn't mind the doctor much but he remembers their session and simply does not want to address it.]
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her eyes widen when she hears footsteps, Natsume's voice, and she's about to say something before Subaru's coming in, holding her tight (and she winces, but she's not going to tell him to stop. this pain can be borne better than that pain, or the pain to come. their presences fill her up, reassure her, and she can breathe easier.]
...I'm so sorry I made you worry.
[to both of them. she can't apologize enough for not being able to reach out sooner.]
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( natsume stops himself. rethinks his words, and then gently lays one of his hands beside her as an offering for her to take, like she always does for him, like she has always done for him. )
...I'm happy to see you aLIVE. ( the bare minimum. ) Though that might change if Baru-kun doesn't let go of YOU...
( but there's no real force to it, no bite, nothing to suggest that subaru should actually let go if he doesn't want to. )
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Why did you go out there? What happened? [breathe, breathe.] Why didn't you... why didn't you ask me to come?
[their guard dog, their seeing-eye friend. subaru never had a problem with it, not then not before february not after not now. why, why, why. how the day before her sudden disappearance could have been the last time he'd seen her, enjoyed her company, and they hadn't done anything special.
he doesn't know if he can accept her apology. she knows, for the both of them.]
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