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[decrypter]

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[moonlesstides]

~You underestimate how much I have...how did the Barmaid say it of that bucktoothed vermin...'ran my mouth'. But I will be mindful.~

A hand, light, on Helena's head. ~My poet...there is another friend I have made. I wish to ask your kindness upon him. Not your intercession but merely your great patience. He calls himself Yufei, and he is much as the Wildling, only more so. The manners of society are not upon him. I say this because I think his directness may be startling to you, but I do not think he is a thing like me.~

[decrypter]

She twitches a little at the unexpected contact, but remains with the dresses, touching the fabric of another with a thoughtful expression.

"I will endeavor to be kind to him, if he appears around me. So far I have not encountered him, but this ship is relatively small, in our population. If you find others you wish to ask me after, of course, they are also welcome."

Though she can't predict what will happen in the course of a conversation, she can be civil, and promise that.

[moonlesstides]

~Those I've met are already fond of you, my poet. To tell the truth, that frightens me. I am in your place of power, here; I could never fight them all.~

An admission of weakness. It's not what Shouji wanted Grace to say to Helena, but it's the truth all the same.

[decrypter]

"And why does fighting them need to come into your calculations?"

She says it lightly, deliberately so, so that Grace doesn't know the jolt of icy certainty that comes into her spine. If she's to be hunted again, she wants to set more terms.

"Or is it that you're still growing into the concept of co-existence with me without violence?"

[moonlesstides]

~...Neither, my poet. Both. My first life ended at the hands of an angry mob, a story I've not told you and don't wish to. What I fear, even if I tell myself that it is absurd to contemplate, is that you grow weary of me and gut me like a fish. Just a whisper and my fate is sealed. I do not ask for your reassurances.~

Grace swims away, to another display close by. Some distance, some privacy.

~I told you before. To be heard is to be truly strong. You are not merely heard; you are heeded. Do you understand?~

[decrypter]

"...There are reasons I doubt that, but if I'm to be heeded on anything, then I wish that my request in regards to you will be. Those who know of you, know of our past - I asked them, if they could not find it in themselves to extend courtesy to you, to leave you be. I meant what I said, when I declared this place to have freedom."

It would be simple to hold onto a straightforward past bitterness. It would be more exact than the tangled knot in her chest. But she does not, and will not, and proves with every day that one may live with their killer, communicate with them.

"Your pain is your own, Miss Grace. I will not ask you about it - I have no right to it. I have no right to your life either, for my feelings to dictate whether or not you exist in this world, now or at any time, even on that day you fear, though I believe it an impossible outcome. You do exist, and something higher than me would see it so."

[moonlesstides]

~There are none higher. Gods are stupid, verminous things, and monsters like me cannot have your power. But...thank you, Helena. You may not comprehend the power you wield, but I have already seen it, and it is a thing of terror and beauty. The being Security, I think, personifies it rather completely.~

Grace swims back over, and slowly brushes a selection across Helena's forearm; the sorts of cloth she's seen and felt her poet wear, in endless matches, that she's hooked onto her harpoon and known Helena to prefer, even if she never understood why.

[decrypter]

"...What do you mean?"

Said as she slowly takes the offered clothing, feeling over the texture. It's soft, and the neckline feels modest, both of which are higher on her priorities.

[moonlesstides]

~It asked me who I was to dare care about you, when we first met. It was my first argument with words. I liked that, and I think I like Security, but do you understand? This was when I understood that I now dwell in your realm.~

[decrypter]

There's a smile that tugs at the corners of her mouth, a little one, to hear that, but she keeps most of her attention on the garments.

"Security is a more particular case than others. You cannot judge the realm by it alone."

Though it does give her comfort, to think she would be defended so.

[moonlesstides]

Fondly: ~You still underestimate your radiance, and it remains galling, my poet. Thank you, for meeting me. I will remain to ensure the beast gets no ideas, but before I give you your peace...is there anything you want to ask of me? You answered my questions.~

[decrypter]

"You give me more answers than you realize, while you ask whatever's on your mind." She shrugs, drifting to another area. "If you have others, ask away. I have nothing else but time for the rest of the day - and I will hear the creature coming, if it wants to come nearby."

[moonlesstides]

~I will stay. I attempted to hunt the beast and it was proof against all attacks; even when little Voyager cast the stars themselves in its teeth. I can get you to safety faster than you can on your own.~

[decrypter]

"As you wish. It doesn't mean you can't ask more questions, if you have them."

It's an offer to spend time together, really. As much as Wayne had suggested to not seek her out, if there's a task at hand, Helena thinks it'll be all right.

[moonlesstides]

~...Is the tea with the little balls in it supposed to kill you or am I drinking it wrong?~

Listen, you said any question.

[decrypter]

"...I have not heard of tea that kills you, nor tea with balls in it. Perhaps the balls are not meant to be there."

Is this some new fad.

[moonlesstides]

~The menu says 'boba tea' and it has little balls which are chewy and delicious, but also they go up the straw and then I choke.~ Explanation! ~It is not like the black tea Jack favors. I expect the peers of London turn up their nose at it.~

[decrypter]

"I'm not sure how I feel about eating my drink, but I trust your opinion. Though I can't say anything about the British and their tastes...they like odd things."

She shakes her head, pushing aside the hangers.

"If I want something to eat with my tea, I'd prefer something sweet, like a good cake."

[moonlesstides]

Silence.

Then: ~Are you amenable to the 'girl talk'. A thing happened; it is handled. But it may amuse you.~

[decrypter]

"What was it? You already have my curiosity."

Something that had to be handled? Did Grace have a crush, already? It wouldn't be out of the question...

[moonlesstides]

~A chatterer with little manners attempted to...'flirt', with me. He has been taught respect.~ Grace makes a satisfied sound, one Helena may remember from the endless matches. ~In some ways I think I have regrets. He was clever enough to leave my Abyss and wise enough to retract his suit rather than press it dishonestly. The chatterer Zelos might be interesting, if his feet weren't clay.~

[decrypter]

"The name is unfamiliar to me, but why have regrets? Even if he doesn't choose to press his suit, he could still be a friend to you, if he has enough wisdom and chooses to learn some manners."

She laughs a little, but it's light, gentle and not mocking.

"You deserve someone who would respect you all of the time, and not merely because you made them remember to do so."

[moonlesstides]

~You compliment me too highly.~ Grace can't blush, but the emotion of it probably comes out in her tone. ~But...in the heat of the moment I knew only my need to establish my dignity and say, firmly, that I will not be disrespected or offered hollow wishes. But now that it's done, the novelty was...refreshing.~

[decrypter]

Now who's the one in need of a gentle ruler bonk?

"May it not be the first such occasion. Not to be disrespected, of course, but to feel flattery in that way."

[moonlesstides]

Come at her Helena, embrace your inner Hunter, go little a apeshit, as a treat.

~We shall see. I am...what were the words of the Hermit...considering him an outlier, at this time. Your poisonous Painter has at least set a precedent for the idea that I have beauty but I am well aware that I am not a thing like the Barmaid, or you, or the Queen.~