Highs and Lows (Helle/Claudia)

California.

There was little time for debate. As they arrived, Helle was immediately rushed into the E.R. She was placed under, her whole body in a critical state. It took hours, days, before her body stabilized; tubes and wires hooked up to her open chest. After that, it took even longer before her body could sustain itself, leaving her immobile on her bed, incapable of moving but aware of everything around her.

This is torture, aware of all the people around her, coming in and out of the room, checking on her as if she’s some test subject. He hates it here, but she knows she doesn’t want to be anywhere else. Though, despite it all, her thoughts always returned to the Vandenreich. What are they doing? How are they handling her disappearance? Is she missed? Then, her mind wandered to that single scene that she dared spy on, and all she could do was let a few tears fall from her tired eyes.

Again, more time went by, and she was now able to at least sit up. She was told a while ago that Claudia would be coming by to see her. That makes sense. That woman does own this hospital and she’s probably curious as to why Helle, of all people, is here. With that knowledge in mind, the woman just sat there, staring at the television in the room, watching the news as she waited, the heart monitor near her beeping at a steady rhythm.

Helle’s eyes didn’t move as the door to her room opened. She didn’t have to divert her gaze to know that it was none other than Miss Duvalier. Helle knows that this woman is the only reason she lives today. A part of her is glad, but another part of her is less than excited at this second chance at life. She shouldn’t think that way, but it’s hard to keep up morale when one is strapped to a hospital bed, their condition far from healthy.

“Did you contact them?”

It shouldn’t be hard to discern which ‘them’ Helle is referring to. Though, Helle’s mood is evident with her lack of greeting. She had cut to simply revealing the thought in her head at the moment, and with that question asked, she moved on to another thought that bothered her.

“What did the doctor say?”

Surely, Claudia had spoken with whoever was in charge of Helle. Helle doesn’t know it, but she’s in a really sticky situation. Her heart has weakened a considerable amount. Her left side is being affected by it, turning her normally strong body frail. There is also the issue of her spiritual energy acting up. It is as if two different energies are at war with one another inside of her, making her unstable and warned off from using any of her abilities at the moment until further tests could be done.

So, nothing that Helle could not feel herself. All it took was a simple attempt at calling forth the Reishi around to know that she had lost much of her capabilities. Not only could her heart take the stress from trying, but she could feel the absence of what made her whole. If anything, she had regressed from what she was as a child. She is nothing but a pitiful excuse for a Quincy as it stands. It’s that fact that brought a strong sigh from her body, her eyes suddenly seeming to age decades beyond her age. There is no gleam in her emerald gaze as they focused on the shape of her body underneath the blue covers.

“Thank you. I wish for none to know of my existence here outside of who you deem adequate. I will gladly repay you for your services, on my own accord.”

She is not one to take without giving, even if she must serve under Claudia. Though, she found herself wishing to stay away from her duties. She does not have the strength, mentally and physically, to lead anyone. She is not the same woman as she was mere weeks ago. Something has changed, and it would be folly to try to leap without testing the waters. With a dry chuckle, she focused her eyes onto Claudia, a grim expression on her face.

“Do you have any questions?”

It’s probably for the best that Helle keeps Cyrus’ private life private. The existence of Mazda is something that can’t be kept secret, but Helle’s involvement with that entity should be. How does one explain the use of unearthly power to such an extent that it almost eradicated their body, mind, and soul? Besides, the words of Erchanhardt echoed through her mind, the whole deal of Claudia being something more than just a successful business woman. Helle, despite everything she is, couldn’t help but feel fearful of what the truth may bring to herself and to others. She isn’t strong right now, and she’s unsure if she’ll ever be strong again.

However, she was brought here, so she might as well try to keep her unease at bay for now. For all the pleasantries being shown to her right now, what would happen if she no longer proved useful to this woman? Even if she is exaggerating, the business world is cruel, and Claudia probably knows how to cut off worthlessness. Helle hates that the only power she has right now is to hope and pray.

“Thank you, again. Claudia. I am not entirely sure what happened myself, but I will try to do all in my power to assist you as I may.”

She smiled, wryly. Helle will at least try to act normal, but she’s not the best at hiding how she feels. If she was, then this situation wouldn’t have happened at all.