Face-to-Face (Helen(Gran-Chan))

It was odd, standing exposed before Helen. While the being had not told its whole story, it had told enough to make it feel venerable once more. It did not share its past so easily due to the memories it caused to surface and the cracks it showed upon the being as its true self was exposed. The pain and sadness that went along with it was heavy…but the being bared the burden once more as it tried to explain its positioning in the world to a woman who was similar and yet so different from it. It was not sure as it stood there watching the other with an even gaze if it what it had said got to her or not. Her silence was as unreadable as ever.

However, when she spoke that wall between them lifted slightly. She said that the being was foolish and could not survive in her world...and perhaps she was right. Maybe Oki was to soft for this world...and yet…. yet she was willing to give it a chance to persuade her to change her mind. Was willing to give the being some of her trust. She cut a different deal with the being. One that both brought a mix of relief and appreciation from Oki. Despite this, Oki did not celebrate or become boastful as it instead remained humbled before the powerful woman.

“Thank you, Helen for this chance. I will do my best to collect as many as I can on this path,” it said to her as it gave her bow of thanks. Whether it was words or something else that had changed Helen’s mind, Oki was thankful for the chance given. It still wasn’t quite sure why Deva had placed itself and Helen together, but it was beginning to think that maybe the gentleness that it had for the world was balanced by Helen’s coldness. Maybe because they were so opposite, they could work that much better together to bring about the future in which Deva wanted. This hunch was still unproven, but at least it seemed to be pointing in a better direction than before.

Oki stood up straight as it gave her a small smile in return and a nod.

“I will be sure to do that and no I have reported all I know for the time being,” Oki said to the woman and then seeing her actions tilted its head lightly.

“Is there something on your mind?” it would ask curious if the look was simply a waiting one or one that held a question of its own behind it.

Oki listened to the response that the other said, tracing carefully in its mind each word she said. Helen said she had nothing on her mind and yet her words that followed suggested she had much on her mind. She was planning something that would take the island by storm? And she was admitting having allies around for this "something" would be perhaps a good thing? Hmm…what was she planning then?

Oki studied the other for a while, debating if it should question her further, but then decided against it as its heart told it to simply trust her for now. When things were right she would reveal her plan...at least that is what Oki hoped. In any case, Oki's expression softened as it gave the other a small smile.

“Ah I see. Well then, don’t work yourself too hard and remember I am not too far if you need help with the plan or even just want to chat for a bit. I know we are partners in this struggle, but it can’t hurt to rest every now and then can it?” Oki said to the other its tones more gentle as the tension from earlier began to vanish now that they seemed to be back on level ground. While its partner may have her secrets, the being was still willing to work with her and learn all it could about her, so that their partnership would potentially grow rather than crumble.

There was frown from the other as she spoke about resting. It was a bit heart breaking to hear that Helen was all work and no play, but at the same time Oki could understand her position on things. Everything had to be calm before play time could be had, the being could accept this as it nodded lightly in understanding .

When she asked her question, Oki folded its arms across its chest as it thought on what she said.

“I am starting my hunt as soon as I take care of a problem plaguing the alternate island of Standasen. I am not sure what it is that is causing he issue, but perhaps by investigating, I can find a clue as to where the angel of that world may be,” Oki said and then tilting its head at Helen the being would let out a low hum as it ponder the rest of what had been said.

“Something is building up that is going to affect both sides? What did Deva tell you about this if you don’t mind me asking?” Oki said curious. If something that was about to occur that would impact both sides, then Oki wanted to know what it was. It wanted to hear what Helen knew one her side if she would tell it and if not it was thinking about speaking with Deva anyway, so maybe it could get a hint of what was going on there….

Either way this “something” caused more concern than the problem of Standasen. It could not…no would not leave its home undefended.

Oki listened to Helen nodding lightly as she pretty much gave it an answer it was half expecting. The angels….they talked in riddles and only hinted at what was to come; however, if Helen was afraid of what was to come, then whatever hint she was given must’ve been bad….A discussion with Deva was definitely in order. Oki did not expected much more than what Helen had given. Still, any hint was better than none….

In any case, Oki locked this note in the back of its mind as it looked up at Helen listening to her words before becoming quite shocked when she approached it. Holding its ground, it allowed the woman to approach itself and even reach out and…place a hand on its shoulder?

At first the gesture was confusing as Oki searched the other’s face for answers. She was…she was showing she cared? This was…this was so unlike the woman and yet as Oki accepted the strange gesture, it finally understood something about the woman. She was indeed kind underneath all the toughness, but due to circumstances had to hide it all. The fact she showed even a bit of this to Oki meant trust was there. The being appreciated this as it cautiously reached up and placed a hand on top of hers, giving it a light squeeze of reassurance.

“I will do best to prepare for what is to come and I will fight if I have to in order to protect my home…both of them. I will survive and I will continue to do so until I cannot do such a feat anymore,” it told the woman in calm tones before releasing her hand.

“I will come back again, but until I return I need you to watch your back too and if you ever need help of any kind, call me and I will find you,” the being told the other, meaning ever word that it said. Even if it didn’t know what was to come, it would do its best to survive whatever storm was to come and if it could save and aid people along the way, it would.

Oki would give the other a light nod and smile before she let go of its shoulder and turned back to her work. While Oki had many things it wanted to ask the woman, it was more concerned about the current trouble that may be coming their way. It needed to talk with Deva and in turn learn what it could do to prepare for whatever storm was growing out there. If this had anything to do with Ananke or the other called Thesis…then hell would surely break lose….and even if it wasn’t them, Oki would not let anyone trample its home. With a mission in mind, it would wish Helen luck before bidding her farewell.

Then turning, it would head back down the hall and towards the rift its mind trying to organize what to do and in what order to be as prepared as it could be for what was going to come.

Oki has exited the thread.

((Thanks for thread Gran.))