InsaneJournal

Day 266 | open action; + open video;
[ action ]

It's been a full week since Helen realized Jean-Luc was gone, a full seven days since Ashley's birthday. At times, it's felt as though much more time has passed; at others, it feels like only yesterday and her heart breaks all over again. She's been keeping to herself more than usual. Even after she returned to work at the clinic and with the language classes, she was still having a difficult time wrapping her head around everything.

And then someone had mentioned the Memorial Gardens. It had seemed like such a simple thing, but now Helen isn't so certain it's as simple as she thought. Perhaps this is what she's needed.

Most of Day 266 can find her choosing flowers, specifically certain colored roses. These aren't to plant, more for show. For her. The flowers she chooses to plant in the garden are simple, tulips, daffodils, easy things that are very pretty and possibly easy enough to care for should she choose to return every so often. With three bulbs in hand and several roses, she takes to the earth. Once each of the bulbs is set into its spot, she places the roses over the spots where she has just planted new life. Three white roses for each of her special people, three yellow, one orange for Ashley, one pink for James, and one red for Jean-Luc. One of each color remains in her possession, as a reminder to herself of the people she's loved and lost.

After a few minutes of simply sitting there, one of those scattered showers does appear. It isn't much rain, but it's enough that she takes advantage of it. Holding the roses in her hands, she brings them to her nose to smell, allowing the sound of the rain falling to mask her tears as she finally truly weeps for three people: Ashley, her daughter, who was taken from her much too soon; James, her best friend and former lover, who had always challenged her to be the best she could be; and Jean-Luc, her lost love, whom she misses now more than she'd ever thought she could again.

[ later, once she's back at her apartment and a little more dry, she decides to address the network. she might not be dripping wet anymore, but she still bears the signs of having just been playing in the rain. what's noticeable this time is that the old glint of determination and confidence is back in her eyes and her voice is strong. you guys all missed the old helen. ]

I seem to have run across one of those scattered showers we were projected to have. This seems as good a time as any to remind everyone that the clinic is here for your use. I have also recently begun an Earth language studies course in conjunction with the Academy here. If anyone is interested, I am most certainly willing to offer what I know. In fact, today is one of the days I will be teaching, so please stop by the classroom if you're interested.