The Particular Thing and the Knowing Individual [Helle, Ninsianna]

"Impossible. Come. Come."

Almost like clockwork, Helle invited Ninsianna closer. To be honest, the woman was waiting for this. After so long of tormenting tests and checkups, followed by other official business, a friendly face is well needed. Though, that friendly face has a lot of dust hidden underneath its splendor. Helle is unsure how to unpack the load before her. Would ignorance be bliss? Maybe the direct path is necessary. Thoughts of what happened then still taunt her.

"Hello, Ninsianna. I see you're faring well."

Probably the chippiest Helle has in a long while, it seemed almost unnatural for the woman to smile and mean it. Her skin does seem a bit pale though, her body lithe and missing the plumpness it held before. The most one would notice is the black casing around Helle's left arm and the way her right eye seemed to hide a soft rusty glow underneath its splendid emerald color. All in all, though, nothing seems to be wrong, and that alone should help relieve the stress that entered the room.

"Mmm..."

For a second, Helle paused. There was no major difference in her appearance, outside of her expression straining itself. Only a keen eye would catch the bare twitch of her lips. Despite being in a better state of being, the issues of her surroundings still remained. Nothing could hide her worry for it, not even the brightest smile.

The only thing that seemed strong enough to change her expression proved Ninsianna's hand. Helle almost seemed to refuse to acknowledge it, but it slowly cracked the blonde's defenses and left her somewhat somber. Of course, Helle would be a bit frailer around NInsianna of all people. It's easier to share your feelings with someone you've come to trust.

"There's a lot left to do, and I've been taking a rest for far too long. I feel different. It is hard to tell if better or worse, but I know that whatever I'm feeling doesn't matter right now, not with you here at least. Sad or happy, I feel like things will be alright."

Strong words, but Helle has given up trying to hide herself or make something more of herself for others. She just wants to be herself, even if herself is a bit sappy at times.

"The Vandenreich rests on our shoulders, and those underneath us hold us up sodden feet. Though we march through rivers of blood, sweat, and tears, it is us that must stand as a beacon. I've been sorry with my duties, a sad excuse of a Director really."

Helle's expression, mutual at first, hardened with each word from her mouth. The sadness behind her eyes seemed distant, replaced by a realistic rationalization of life. One could not call her a depressed woman anymore, her determination to be more than that burning beneath the surface. It doesn't matter if she is still tormenting by her failures because those issues will soon be drowned by victory. At least, that's what she believes must be her intended fate.

"Death has failed too many times to take me. I must get my revenge on him for even trying. The Sternritter have grown soft. We'll never be able to do anything with some major revisions."

A small, smug smirk on her face at her own cryptic joke, Helle tilting her head, eyes focused intently on Ninsianna. Thoughts running through her head, Helle couldn't help but focus on but one, her thoughts returning to a dreadful moment between the two. It would feel cheap to simply be the one to taunt the other about it.

"First, better training regimes. More drills on how to handle crises. We probably are going to need to find a way to better organize our divisions. Too many men were clueless on how to act when we were attacked."

She stopped, knowing she shouldn't push too much at the same time. This is a step-by-step procedure. However, before anything can be done, they must first work on the chain of command. Helle sits at the top, yet she is probably the weakest of her men. A time ago, that was not the case, but she must work with the reality of things today. Maybe seeing her, working to better her capabilities is exactly what her men needed to boost morale.

"Bwah. Work, work, and more work. As I've sat here, nothing better to occupy my mind, all I can think of is how to become a better person, not for myself but for others. Honestly, I am glad you are here. We could go back and forth all day on what to do about The City of Lights..., but I think I'd like a breather from mindboggling politics. With that said, how are you, Ninsianna? Inanna doing well?"

Parents? Quick successions of blinking followed suit, Helle's expression wracked with sudden nervousness. Inanna's friend, Alex? Yes. Helle knows of this girl from nothing more than Inanna's wishes for the two to meet. Then, follow that up with the youth's insistence for all four of them to get together and experience a playdate together. That leaves Helle with an issue. If things are what they are between the two women in this room, then does that mean she should also meet Alex's parents? Ah, but she hasn't even met Alex. She's not even sure if that's a requisite or relevant to the situation at hand!

"Oh? That is swell. I suppose my presence is wanted. I wouldn't want to miss Inanna's friend, nor her parents. I wonder what they're like. Would they like me? I'm a bit of a mess right now. My hair hasn't been combed in weeks. Do I like find Ninsianna? I wouldn't want to embarrass you or Inanna."

An obvious case of stage fright, Helle is stricken by the idea of having to be on her top behavior, but she's capable of putting on a smile and holding a pleasant conversation.