@LiegeLord

"I'm glad you understand," Helena said, returning the smile. Most people would have told her she needed to grow up, but at least James heard her out. At the mention of the girl again, she listened intensely. Her jaw dropped a bit at James's recount of her death. She let out a heavy sigh. "There are some truly awful forces in this world, aren't there? Neric told me a little bit about Granger earlier. He seems like a very dangerous man, if you can even call him a man." Helena shook her head thinking of the little she knew of him. If it were in her power, she would make sure he got what he deserved for wanting to kill James and for killing a young girl. "Are him and other bad Voids the reason you and Neric train?"

@1Hawkeyes

"Partially, Neric has been through people that have been in the military and wars. His reason is it's hard to get out of those habits." *James said as he looks at Helena, forgetting for a moment that Edmond was also there. But right now he didn't really care, and it seems Neric hates the fact as well. They have to let it go or else it will eat them alive the thought* "Neric here changed a bit after, keeps telling himself-" *Interrupted as the Void flies off to one of the windows, James sighing as he speaks again. His eyes on his Void* "Well, basic idea. He blames himself for her death, he thinks he could have done something to protect her. And he's told me about his past... trust me, don't ask him. It's a lot of bad, bad memories there. I think the point he decided to change his ways and not be like the other Voids was Hitler's time..." *James said as he sighs, shaking his head and covering his face. Elbows on the counter, he needed to get this off his chest. It's hurting both of them to keep it locked away*

@LiegeLord

Helena watched Neric fly off to the window. James's explanation of Neric's guilt made a lot of sense. That must've been why Neric was much less talkative this time when discussing the girl. "Neric blames himself for a lot of things, doesn't he?" Helena asked, "You two didn't get the chance to do anything, right? It couldn't be his fault." Her words felt slightly hypocritical because if she was in Neric's shoes she would blame herself too. She let out a sigh and added, "The most important thing is Neric isn't like those other Voids, and he hasn't made you into one of those," she lowered her voice to prevent Neric from hearing, "husks."

@LiegeLord @1Hawkeyes

Edmond hade been listening to Helena and James talk. He was glad that Helena was helping James in a way and he was also glad he invited her. Edmond ate his last pepper and realised he had no more food on his plate. He then said, "Welp im sorry to interrupt but im gonna get some desert." Edmond smiles and picks up his empty tray and stands to go get some desert . But before he goes he turns and looks at Helena. "Also do you whant me to talk to Cecilia for you? I am one with words you know." Edmond asks before continuing to get some desert.

@SoulEater

Helena laughed a little bit at Edmond's silliness in his lack of food. She almost forgot he sat with them whilst munching on peppers. At the mention of talking to Cecilia for her, Helena gave a nod, "If you don't mind, I would really appreciate it, Ed." The young woman thought about how caring he was and added sincerely, "You're a really good friend." Her words weren't false either, she truly appreciated his kindness. He invited her to eat when she was alone and was now offering to help her mend a wound with a friend.

@SoulEater@1Hawkeyes

*James nods as he looks at them, smiling. It was nice of Edmond to talk to Cecilia about it, he'll have to talk to her too. He was concerned about her after what happened. After lunch he'll have to talk to her, she showed kindness when she was the first one that he showed Neric to. She didn't shun them, instead she gave them a push to try and let everyone else in. Still working on it, but people here weren't like everyone else and he has a lot to say to her when he gets the chance. Well, he'll try anyway. James's has never been good with words, but he thinks she deserves an apology and a thank you from him. At least if she doesn't think less of him after Neric's moment, he bets Neric would like to apologize to her as well most likely. Looking over at her for a moment before looking away, curious if he should ask Edmond to talk to her for him. No he needs to do this himself* "Helena I doubt she's mad or scared of you or anything, she doesn't seem like that type at all." *Seeing if a little assurance would help or not*

@1Hawkeyes @Mangrale
Edmond chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "Well come on there is free food. Why ntg go crazy with the options a little?" He winked at her as he eyes her plate. Helena then said it was alright so that was what he was gonna do. When he turned Helena then mentioned him being a good friend. He waved lazily and said, "Well it's nice to meet people who see me as me. Well anyways i'll be back shortly." Edmond walked twards the lunch line and looked at the options before he whent over to Cecilia . He picked up cinnamon rolls, blue berrys, and mango. He licked hie lips as he looked at his plate, then walked over to were Cecilia. He smiled and asked,"Do you mind if i set here?"

@LiegeLord @SoulEater @Mangrale

"I don't know, she looked so scared of me at the time," Helena said, scratching the back of her head as she remembered Cecilia's face. "I don't think she's mad at me, and she wasn't afraid of me in my human form before... Maybe I just shouldn't transform in front of her... Or maybe I should show her it's not scary?" At this point, she was more or less thinking out loud. She then rethought and reevaluated James's words. "You know, you're right, she really isn't the type to be afraid of me, at least not for long, right?" She thought for another minute and decided, "I'm gonna go talk to her, you wanna come too? She looks awfully lonely over there by herself."

@1Hawkeyes@SoulEater@Mangrale

*She can see he is nervous but wanting to, sighing softly as he nods a bit. Getting up as he looks at Helena* "Y-Ya, I'm sorry I just feel nervous. She was so nice and everything... I just feel weird after what happened. Guess I shouldn't worry either." *Smiling a bit with Helena as he walks over to Cecilia's table, with her walking with him or not. Smiling at Cecilia and Edmond, though looks to Cecilia as he speaks* "H-Hey Cecilia, mind if we sit here with you two?" *Meaning him and Helena if she tagged along, trying to cover up his nervousness a bit*

@Mangrale@SoulEater@LiegeLord

Helena noticed James's nervous expression when he agreed to come along. She returned the smile and walked with James towards Cecilia, hoping her presence would give him a bit of confidence. James seemed to be socially awkward, and that made sense, especially with his background, so Helena wanted to give him as much support as possible, even if it wasn't much. "Yeah, mind if we join the party?" Helena asked in her usual upbeat tone, hoping to further cover James's anxiety and her own. She gave Cecilia a slightly sheepish smile, hoping to show she wasn't upset about the earlier events.

@SoulEater
Cecilia wasn't eating with as much "vigor" as she had at the start, her appetite diminishing while she was alone with her thoughts. She did, however, finish her rice ball, finding it a pleasant and refreshing surprise. But even the rice delicacy couldn't keep her mind off things for long. She peered out the window next to her as she somberly mulled the day over. It was her habit, though it felt off since the outside wasn't speeding by her. "Hmm?" Her attention quickly shifted to Edmond, smiling and carrying a plate of desserts. "Edmond? You want to seat? Sure," she answered with a slight smile. She wasn't expecting nor feeling up to having company, but she couldn't just say no either.

@LiegeLord@1Hawkeyes
She sat up in slight alarm when she saw James and Helena come over. Her eyes eyed her less than finished lunch, her mind racing. Perhaps she should have finished earlier so she could have spent some time somewhere secluded. Either way, she definitely didn't feel ready to see Helena right now. But there was nowhere for her to go. So she just nodded and smiled nervously, trying to seem as accommodating as possible. "Ah... N-not at all, you two. Pl-Please sit anywhere," she skittishly answered them.

Helena's breath caught in her throat at hearing the nervousness in Cecilia's voice. How could Helena possibly think she wasn't afraid of her anymore? Of course Cecilia was still scared of her! Helena looked down at her own empty plate of food and felt a little sick. Helena sat down and found it hard to look Cecilia in the face. Did she make Cecilia nervous even in her human form? Helena took a gulp and said, "I'm sorry for scaring you earlier. I didn't mean to upset you."

@Mangrale@1Hawkeyes@SoulEater

*James would sit down, looking at Cecilia and Helena. He was concerned that Cecilia didn't wanna talk to him either, though Helena's case was more understandable. The whole situation turned everything upside down for everyone almost, it was a chaotic moment for them all. His vision shifting from them as he looks away, maybe it was a mistake this soon. His thumbs twiddling under the table as he thinks quietly, letting them talk it out for now*

@1Hawkeyes@LiegeLord@SoulEater
Cecilia felt terrible seeing Helena this way. It was apparent that the shapeshifter blamed herself for transforming and frightening her. But it felt as if one of Cecilia's worst fears was coming true. She, in turn, couldn't look directly at Helena nor anyone else for that matter. She could already tell what was going to happen. Helena would say how terrible she feels, wouldn't do anything to hurt to scare her, etc. She'll possibly decide to be "careful around" her, not using her power. Cecilia felt as disgusted at the notion as she was before.

This was it. It was happening right in front of her. She gulped, letting out a stiff breath thtough her nose. If this was the end, she was going to have her say. It may at least make whatever she has coming to her easier to swallow. "No, don't apologize Helena. You were trying to protect everyone..." she stated, sill looking away from everyone and towards the window. "I'm the one who couldn't handle it..." she wearily confessed. "I panicked... and I'm sorry... I'll understand if you wouldn't want to be my friend after this... I-I want you to be yourself, and... if you don't think you can around me... well... You shouldn't have to wait on me." She found it hard to continue, but it's possible Helena would know what she meant. It hurt to say, and she felt tired for saying it. Yet she just continued looking away in tentatively calm defeat.

@Mangrale

Helena now looked up at Cecilia. "You think I don't want to be your friend after this?" she asked, shocked and yet relieved. So that meant Cecilia still wanted to be friends, right? "Look, my powers aren't what define me. I like transforming and all when it makes sense, but other than that it's not who I truly am. Kind of like playing a sport, you enjoy it, but it's not always what defines you." Again, she paused to think about what she wanted to say. "Maybe when I get my transformations down they won't be so creepy, but until then I'll give you a heads up, alright?" Helena didn't mind holding back transformations for a bit, she usually didn't do a full body morph unless really needed. Heck, Cecilia didn't get scared when she only transformed her hand, right? Maybe she needed to introduce Cecilia to morphing slower. "I accept your apology, so we're still friends, right?"

@1Hawkeyes
Cecilia folded her arms together over the table, with very little change in her expression. "Helena, I didn't mean that your powers define you. I meant that they're a part of you. In the end, you were trying to protect others. That's what defines you and I'll always look up to you for that. But getting scared and panicking? And when I could have been doing something? Anything? That's what defines me, and more than you might realize," she explained in a low yet stern voice, saddened but also angry at herself. There seemed like no other conclusion left to her except that she had let everyone down, including Helena and Neric. She wasn't interested in any concession on Helena's nor anyone's part. As far as Cecilia was concerned, if she couldn't handle it, she had no business being here. "Thanks, but this is something I'll need to overcome myself. I need to get stronger. Nothing more than that..." Cecilia contemplated rising from her seat and getting out of the situation, but decided not to for now. Despite this, she couldn't just fake a smile and continue as things were, like years before.

@Vampy
Looking over as Valencia as max noticed she was drawing. As she was finishing max knew what it was. "wow that's really good" Max said as he looked up at her. He turned around and got some colored pencils out of his backpack.

@Mangrale@1Hawkeyes@LiegeLord

Edmond watched the sean in silence. He didn't even pick up his food to eat. He whanted to say something but he really had nothing. Cecilia then said she needed fo work better at her powers so Edmond decided to enter into the coversatione. "Well don't we all need help with are powers? I mean look at me for example. When ever im frighten or flustered i light my self on fire. Edmond rubbed the back of his head then smiled at everyone. "Were all still learning."

@Blueflame

"Thank you" Valencia spoke with a happy voice. "I think that you could guess what my power is but I want to tell you myself since you did that too." She said and looked up to Max as he grabbed something out of his backpack. "My power is telekinesis." Valencia said and watched Max putting colored pencils on the table. She didn't know what to say next so she decided to watch Max and to study him some more.