Helena Phillips

JUDGEMENT (35) opera singer/actress composure, decisiveness, homesickness, snap judgements, forgiveness self-doubt, gossipy, lack of self-awareness, unfair blame, false accusations

[didanagy]

HARLOTS (2017-2019)

created by alison newman and moira buffini

2.04

[theodosiamoorefv]

Anabasis | Theodosia & Helena

The chime rang out, a loud, clear knock. She felt it click, a physical thing, and familiar. The whooshing sensation overtook her. Almost a suction. It twisted inside her. Color, blazing and wild, unfurled before her eyes. Vermillion and carbon and ivory and cerise. Her chest was a cage. She couldn't catch her breath. Her mind somersalted. Her stomach rebelled. The skeleton constricted.

And then they were there, settled on their feet. The world had turned right side up again, and Theodosia breahed in deeply of the clear, fresh air. Her skin was pricked with sweat and she groaned, rubbing the back of her neck. She felt ill, as if she'd been off-balance, head muddled, but it was fading. She gasped, head tilting back as warm sunshine hit her face.

She groaned. "I hate that," she admitted, eyes fluttering open as she turned towards Helena. She felt half light-headed, as she often did for moments afterwards, but she sucked in another deep, clear breath, and smiled her most winning smile, putting a hand to her stomach.

"I had a notion," she said, then, a bright chirp as if the heaving of travel had not just borne down upon them. Moments ago, she might have been more standoffish in the offer she was about to make, stiff and irritable, but now standing in the sunlight of the Overworld, she was a different version of herself. And she tried to put the past behind her. This was for the good of the circus, not a personal offer.

Thea tilted her head. "I think we could combine our acts in an arresting way -- your voice and acting skill combined with my illusions -- I could conjure you settings, ornament your co-stars, outfit you, and you, well, you could sparkle."

Different person or no, however, she couldn't entirely hold off from the small arch of the brow, even as she smiled through it. "That is...if you think we might well align?"

Despite everything, she thought, but in the Overworld, she did not say it.

[helenaphillipsfv]

Had Theodosia's suggestion been made mere moments ago, Helena might have eyed her more suspiciously. Their relationship was not what it had been once, and such words may have been met by some sort of accusation on Helena's part, regarding Theodosia's motives had they still been in the underworld.

But here, where the sun shone more brightly and the air wasn't quite so dense, Helena did not doubt quite so much. Helena, herself, might have taken this opportunity to ruin someone who had once wounded a much beloved friend, but she did not think Theodosia would not be so cruel. Nor did Helena believe she would risk the success of their next show just so she might humiliate her.

"Hmm, I shall ground your illusions in reality and you shall add an air of magic to my performances," She said, touching a finger to her chin as she thought aloud. She took a few steps forward as she allowed herself to consider just what that might look like.

She was no stranger to Theodosia's illusions and even she had to admit that they were rather spectacular. Had she been less proud, she might have even admitted that Theodosia was a greater performer than she was, but as it was, it was enough for her to consider so highly as to contemplate the prospect of utilizing her talents to enhance her own performance.

There was always the slight fear that Theodosia would outshine her -- a fear that she found was creeping up, even now -- but in the end, she believed that she had enough talent to match her and that, ultimately, it would truly be to the benefit of both.

Helena stopped her pacing and turned towards Theodosia again. "I hope you know my consideration of this proposal does not mean I believe my performances need altering. I am quite capable of holding an audience captive, all on my own," Helena managed a laugh and a smile, too, that reached her eyes, as though she was joking. In truth, she could not have been more serious.

"Still, one would be quite foolish to pass up such an opportunity. It will be a performance like no other. Even I have limitations with what can be achieved on the stage."

Out of habit, Helena found herself taking Theodosia's arm, although they had not been quite so familiar as this in many years. "Perhaps you could conjure a man worthy to play Don José to my Carmen. I've been rather disappointed with any of my options here in the real world."

[marieduplessis]

CHARLOTTE WELLS, celebrated courtesan, a fiery and subversive spirit, throws an earring into the middle of a gaming table. It is reckless and she knows it. Charlotte’s bluff is called. Her cards are worthless. She dissolves into laughter. The hardened rakes and cardsharps can’t help admiring her good humour.

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Morgan

As I was saying to Kate, I do feel like Helena has a soft spot for the young girls at the carnival <3 I'm not sure how much she knows about Morgan, but I do think the it is clear that she's not as carefree as say, the Hawthorne girls, and that her life has not always been easy. And while I haven't figured out all of Helena's backstory pre her Silver Cross days, I do think that she looks as those as the best time of her life which really says something to how she grew up aslkfjsdlafj and yeah, I do think she can sympathize with Morgan in that regard.

That being said, Helena is rather materialistic and so her love language is definitely gift giving and I feel like when Morgan first came to the carnival, she would occasionally try to give her teas and books and anything she thought she might like! And even something a little more expensive on special occasions, too, which is honestly a big deal for Helena!

I'm not sure what Morgan would think of Helena though, especially now? I feel like she's lost a lot of friends lately (can't imagine why!) so even if they were once on good terms, I can see where they wouldn't be now!

Also, she probably can sympathize with Morgan's plan to try to find a wealthy benefactor (idk that she knows this is her plan but!), however she definitely would not take kindly if they ever tried to go after the same one alsdkjfldsfk

[morganduriefv]

So I actually think Morgan may have been one of the people to fall on the side of Helena in the great Helena v Lydia Schism? Like I'm looking back over who I connected her with and like.... she's not deeply connected to anyone who would have fallen on Lydia's side, so like, I can def see a world where Morgan is like: "I mean, what did she actually do wrong? Quentin is the one that made the conscious decision to cheat on his wife. It wasn't a good idea to keep secrets from Lydia, but I can see why she would - it's Quentin's responsibility to admit to the affair...." (Morgan as a secrets girlie like: SECRETS ARE TOTALLY FINE AND OKAY, RIGHT???) So I'm kind of thinking that they're probably on fairly decent terms? Esp since I think I said that the divide happened 3 to 4 years ago, which is like.... when the Durie siblings showed up. Hahaha. I wonder then if Helena giving gifts to Morgan was partially being her love language and maybe partially a need to like.... keep Morgan on her side? Like, I think Morgan def is swayed by material things (deep "wouldst thou like to live deliciously" vibes with my bb Morgan!) so she would be entranced by the like little trinkets and would probably display them in her lil séance tent. I'm also not sure exactly how much Morgan has told Helena about her past - she does talk about the fire as a thing that happened that killed their parents, but doesn't talk about her fears that she summoned something that started it. Beyond that she kind of talks about her past as something inconsequential, Lucian did the heaviest lifting to make sure they all survived and she did parlor tricks to kind of help things along.

I do think though that Helena is maybe one of the few people that Morgan HAS told about her plan to nab a wealthy husband? Mostly because Morgan would be like: "Well, Helena did it once. Even though it didn't exactly work out for her, that could have just been a fluke/not her fault, I could probably still learn from her!" So I think she's probably told her but swore Helena to absolute secrecy about it, knowing that Lucian would ABSOLUTELY not approve!!

[helenaphillipsfv]

Yes! Honestly, I agree that part of why Helena would have been reaching out to Morgan with gifts is sorta of two sided -- and I think it does extend further than just having a soft spot for Morgan. Especially given the time frame in which the Duries arrived, which was soon after the affair fallout, and I think Helena was witnessing just how many friends and allies she lost in it all?? And I think she's a very social and lively person and definitely missed all the connections she gave up for a failed attempt at a better life!!!

And yeah, that makes sense! I'm not sure that Helena knows too much about the particulars, but I do think she can tell that there was tragedy in it and that's all she needs to know to wanna kinda look out for Morgan???

But omg, I honestly feel like Helena would lowkey wanna help Morgan in this if she told her? Like -- sorry Morgan, Helena is gonna select the best one for herself -- but she has no problems helping Morgan snag a ridiculously wealthy young man to be her husband and is also not gonna breathe a word of her plans to anyone! (Helena is also v good at keeping secrets when she needs to) I also think that Helena sorta feels like this is the best case scenario that girls can really hope for? I think she does believe in love, but feels like it is a rare thing and that not everyone will be lucky enough to find it, so you gotta do the best you can with this life and if you can't have love, why not have money??

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Victoria

Okay, so Helena does have lots of love for her Silver Cross Tavern friends, and Victoria is no exception!!! <3

Helena kinda wishes some days that they were all still back there, but I do think it helps that she does notice that everyone else seems to be happier here?? Helena can obviously be pretty selfish, but when it comes to her friends -- especially those core ones -- it's easier for her not to be! She's also pretty protective of them, especially the girls, and I do NOT think she likes or trusts Leander and has definitely made her opinions of him known tbh!

[victoriamcqueenfv]

Ahhhh! Yes, the Silver Cross Crew is eeeeeverything to me, ngl! I just think it's so lovely that this little family managed to band together when some of them were clearly gonna be thrust out! They were all like: absolutely not, if you're kicking them out, I'm going too!!!

I think Victoria deeply understands why Helena wishes things had been different and they hadn't left Silver Cross. She def sees Helena as like ~A Lady~ and so knows it must be hard for her to instead have been transplanted to basically living it pretty rough on the road! Victoria loves it herself - it reminds her of where she grew up and loves the space to be out and about riding - but I think she sometimes also misses some of the luxuries of Silver Cross and sympathizes with Helena there.

I also think that Victoria found The Affair Situation to be a huge internal conflict! She deeply loves Helena and thinks the world of her, but also isn't someone who agrees with the sort of sneaking around that happened? But I think in the end she decided it was better to stand by her friend and try to like... guide her towards making better choices as best she can. Hahaha.

Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE how protective Helena is of Victoria too. Like, I don't think Victoria is without ability to like fend for/defend herself, but she's def... very sweet and optimistic but also anxious and insecure in a way that can very easily be manipulated so I think it's great that Helena is there to be like: "LEAVE MY BESTIE ALONE!!!"

I'm also interested in the fact that Helena is so vehemently against Leander! I wonder if Helena was one of the few people Victoria told about her feelings for Nicholas, and if that's coloring her opinion at all? Esp since there are some overlapping traits between Nicholas and Leander, and Victoria was always too nervous to confess to Nicholas so she feels like that opportunity had long passed her by. But I can still see her being like: "you don't understand, he's a very kind man, he's just had a hard life. We all have, you understand that. It means he doesn't want to see me get hurt just like you. He just... shows it differently!!!"

[helenaphillipsfv]

Me, too!!!! (And as upset as Helena is to leave the comforts of the Silver Cross behind, I do think that there is a little part of her that will always love that they all stood up for her/left together, y'know??? I think that that is the closest thing Helena has ever had for a family and aslkfjsladfjlsdfjlsdfj <333)

HAHA, I can definitely understand why Victoria would feel that way about the affair!! Honestly, Helena did not make it easy for them to all stand by her, either!! She was v manipulative in throughout the whole thing! I do think Victoria probably knew just how much Helena was desperate to improve her life/situation and while I don't think Helena said a word to her about her plans on how to achieve this, I think Victoria was very much privy to her complaints on their new lifestyle, etc. (not that that makes any of her behavior acceptable, I just think that Victoria would have known what her motivation was -- and like that it wasn't just Helena breaking up a marriage for the fun of it)

I also think that Helena lowkey knew that she was going to lose a bunch of friends after the fallout of the affair, but I do think she always assumed that the Silver Cross crew would always have her back and like I do think she takes them for a granted a little bit in that way -- like they have always been together/had each other's backs and I think she feels like that will always be the case, whatever she does, and like not that she has any plans to do anything terrible or anything, but I do think it would be interesting to find that line!

I don't think Helena thinks any man is good enough for Victoria, tbh, and if she IS going to marry, he ought to at least be filthy rich ;D As far as Leander goes, she has seen him be controlling and a little too easily jealous and she just fears that that spells trouble for their future! And if Victoria did tell Helena about her feelings for Nicholas, that would also make her dislike him even more, tbh! And I feel like she would probably try to encourage Victoria to reconsider the engagement!

Also, Nicholas is probably one of the few people who Helena trusts to actually treat Victoria right, ngl! I don't know that she completely trusts men, having seen the worst of them, but she dOES trust the Silver Cross crew with her life! But if Victoria got engaged to someone else outside of Nicholas, she'd probably find something wrong with them, too, lmao

[farawayvisions]

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Theodosia

I can see where Theodosia and Helena might get along but then also see where they would nOT! They are both of a similar age and I feel like they are both sympathetic to the plights of those who have struggled and are looking to make a better life for themselves!! That being said, Helena clearly has higher ambitions in this area than Theodosia and is more manipulative and scheming in her approach!!

Plus there is also Theodosia’s friendship with Lydia to consider, too! And I’m sure Helena’s pursuit of Lydia’s husband/her being responsible for the end of Lydia’s marriage probably isn’t a good look for her #whoops

And honestly to talk to Helena, I feel like she considers herself blameless in this — especially when they are in the underworld and she’s really lacking self awareness — and completely blames Quentin (who could have said no at any time!) and Lydia (who clearly wasn’t satisfying her man!) and yeah basically is here to judge them and not herself!

That being said, she can be teasing and witty and charming and I feel like she’s pretty fun to be around a lot of the time. She also always has all of the latest gossip about ~everyone~

Perhaps they were friends/friendly when they first met but are less so now? Thoughts??

[theodosiamoorefv]

ok but kinda love the idea that they like...are kinda frenemies, for lack of a better word? like they probs have these moments of understanding/can work together to achieve a greater goal, etc, but in general thea def doesn't buy into helena's ends justify the means mindset, and now on top of that yeah!!! there's that history!! bc you know that set the ~entire carnival in uproar at the time!!!!! def feels like the kinda event where a line was drawn in the sand and yeah i def think its safe to say that thea was/is team lydia!!!! esp w the pre-existing francis vs alastor tensions already existing within the circus i think it probs re-drew a lot of battle lines too!

omg loooove the idea that they were actually pr tight ~back in the day~ but this whole thing totally split them apart! i def think that thea is of the opinion that helena showed her true self and feels v discouraged that she didn't see it earlier -- tbh idk if that's fair of thea honestly but i think that's what def what her mindset is!

i do think that thea, in general, ~wants to be more of a forgive and forget kinda girlie but i do think that's smth she def struggles w and i do think, esp in the underworld, she can be a lil spiteful bc its when she's her most fearful/separated from her wisdom, and i think she sometimes does/says things there she wishes she could recall when they're in the overworld and she's trying to come to terms w the fact that she's ~both those ppl, yknow? and so i think there's this weird way in which helena has almost come to symbolize that struggle to her, perhaps? bc helena ~doesn't do the whole regret thing that way and so thea by turns resents and admires that in her, i think! also for the record, thea def thinks quentin is equally (if not more so!) accountable but also thea def feels that lydia is blameless and so if helena says it was lydia's fault, esp in the underworld, that probs ~does upset thea honestly hahaha

but yeah i ~do think she probs feels that helena is the type to get stuff done and i do think there're probs still moments when she's like 'i need helena's help with x' and such!

ok so also looked up their tarot stuff [ "The High Priestess represents intuition, inner wisdom, and a connection to the subconscious mind. Judgment, on the other hand, signifies a call to a higher purpose and guidance. Together, these cards suggest that you are being encouraged to listen to your inner voice and trust your intuitive insights." ] and [ "these two cards together are a powerful combination and remind you to trust yourself and your abilities, as you navigate through a significant life change. So, darling, don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith and trust the journey." ] couldn't really find any info on the reversed but...yknow...i think its safe to say its probs smth along the lines of ignoring said journey and avoiding transformation etc

for whatever that's worth! <3

[helenaphillipsfv]

I feel like they probably do have a frenemies thing going, honestly?

As I think more about Helena, I feel like she IS ambitious and goal oriented and definitely is like hyper focused on her goal, whatever that may be, and her philosophy is always "the end justifies the means" but I don't think she always considers what that actually means! Like, I do think she knew that there would be some people who would drop her friendship after news of the affair surfaced, but she convinced herself that she didn't care about that -- all she wanted was Quentin's money!!

But yeah, I think she is finding out that that's not all the really matters and I think she definitely misses some of the people that found themselves on the other side of things -- like Theodosia -- but she also lacks self awareness (especially in the underworld) and I don't think she always realizes just how much those losses affect her either, haha.

ANYWAY, all of this is to say, I think that Thea may have actually been one of the best friends she had made since she arrived, and she threw it all away for (what ended up being) literally nothing, ha!

I think she probably reverts to being kinda snarky & sarcastic towards her now (especially in the underworld) but I also think that this is a defense mechanism lmao! Also, Helena is proud and she's not going to admit that she was wrong easily so it's better to push Thea away than try to reconcile!

That being said, I do think that she would always lowkey be open to work with Thea if Thea ever needed her help!!! Like, internally, she would be jUMPING at the chance but externally she would be like "I don't know .... I gotta think about it .... "

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Daisy

I feel like Helena would honestly love Daisy??? I think her openness/liveliness and just general spark sounds like it is pretty infectious and Helena does adore having a good time and loves to laugh/can be very charming and witty. Helena is also rather materialistic and can be sorta stingy with what she does have, but I can see where she sorta has a soft spot for the young girls at the circus and may even have indulged to spoil Daisy a bit from time to time with new ribbons for her costumes or something sweet like some chocolates, but maybe even things a bit more expensive like jewelry on special occasions.

That being said, whatever their relationship might have been, I do know that the scandal with Helena and Quentin has sort of divided the circus a bit, and a lot of people have taken sides and I do think that Helena has seen a lot of her relationships suffer for it! She is still friends with Rose, for what it's worth? So yeah! IDK how Daisy would have viewed Helena's attempts at friendship when they first met and then, now, after the fallout?

[daisyhawthornefv]

soooo i'm still noodling around exactly WHO daisy is honestly... so things might shift a bit BUT I definitely think daisy is the sort of person who knows no stranger and is VERY much a people pleaser and is just generally positive and happy. daisy wants to make people happy, wants to be around people who are bright and fun, so she would definitely gravitate towards someone like helena who wants to laugh and have fun! and i think that if helena were to give her little gifts daisy would be SO delighted! i definitely think she'd see helena as this very glamorous person and would be flattered in a way okay soooo... I'm sort of just assuming the affair business happened before the hawthornes joined up? daisy is not the sort who would dwell on past things-- especially if they didn't affect her-- so, honestly, probably most of that sort of just went in one ear and out the other when she heard about it? not saying that helena is a bad influence or anything of the sort, but i do think daisy doesn't necessarily consider the negatives when dealing with people... so she's latched on the positive things about helena and that's sort of all she sees! EDITED TO ADD! I just straight up didn't think to look this up haha! So their cards together: The Sun and The Judgment together form a Tarot card combination that suggests a period of significant inner growth, transformation, and spiritual awakening. This combination is particularly relevant for those who have been going through a tough time, as it indicates that brighter days are ahead. The Sun provides the energy to overcome obstacles and promotes healing, while The Judgment provides the necessary insights to make life-altering decisions.

So knowing that Helena went through it a bit with some of the circus members after the affair came to light... it could maybe make sense that Helena was sort of drawn to Daisy in some sort of like... healing kind of way I guess? And I do think there's SOMETHING i just can't figure out yet about daisy needing... i dunno a change or to realize something so maybe helena sort of helps her come to that realization as well??

[helenaphillipsfv]

Yeah, I think that the affair happened like a year before the Hawthorne girls showed up? So, it wasn't ~super~ fresh and I'm sure that there was still a lot of gossip about it, etc, I feel like the trio involved were all able to work together -- and like there probably was still some tension -- but it probably felt less to someone like Daisy who was still new/didn't know what it had all been like before the affair?

And yeah, I feel like that would have also a) helped their relationship since Daisy wasn't around for that and b) probably another reason Helena sorta went out of her way to make friends with Daisy because ngl she definitely burned a lot of bridges w/ that move haha and she's a very social person at heart so she probably missed the friendships more than she thought she was going to!

Also, I just read the tarot card combo you added and yeah that kinda plays into that, too! I feel like, on, Helena's side, she's looking to rebuild her life a little (even if I don't think she acknowledges that it is broken!) and Daisy both developing a new friendship (and one where she is actually being selfless in!) is a v good thing for Helena and a step in the right direction

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Cassandra

Helena does have a very special place in her heart for everyone who used to work with her! And ngl I think she was v happy when she was able to recruit Cassandra!!! <3 I think of all of her friends from her old life, Cassandra is probably the one she is most protective over, tbh? I know Helena doesn't know everything about her, but I do think she knows enough to know that Cassandra has had a tough time of it!! And I do feel like Helena is pretty determined that Cassandra will enjoy her life here! She is a little hesitant about her relationship with Lucian tbh and like idk how much she knows about Cassandra's feelings for him, but she is still in the process of vetting him so she's hoping that her friend is using caution!!

[cassandrawrightfv]

Cassandra is SO happy to be here with Helena again. Tbh I think part of her was a little hurt and sad that she wasn't brought along with the original crew (my bad, bestie, I messed that up for you!!!! <3 L) but appreciated that Helena wrote to her later about coming to join and felt very touched! I def think that like, the things Helena would know about what Cassandra has been through is like: *Cassie came to the Silver Cross from an insane asylum that like the owner of the brothel purchased her from *Cassie was like NOT really good with anyone in that beginning period, was pretty wild-eyed and avoidant since all her visions would happen when she was touched by someone and her inability to control what she saw/convey it properly meant she kinda would just be saying word salad at people whenever they grabbed her. (which, yknow, was surely GREAT in their line of work.) *Cassie would get nosebleeds, cough up blood, or faint if she tried too hard to clarify a vision - probably was thought of as consumptive when at Silver Cross! What I think Helena does NOT know is: *How long Cassie had been at the asylum & what her life had been like before then. *That Cassie's visions have started being painful/causing symptoms even if she's not trying very hard to clarify them. Also, I wonder if may have been Helena that kind of ~helped Cassie re-learn social niceties after growing up in the asylum, and how to be a better courtesan? Like I can certainly see the two of them together with Helena instructing Cassie on how to properly hold a teacup or how to laugh at a very stupid joke a customer made. I also could see Helena being the one to have gifted gloves to Cassie, to help protect her from unintentionally getting a vision from an accidental touch. As for Lucian - I think Helena def knows that Cassie is intrigued by him and goes and tries to spend a lot of time with him. But since I haven't talked much with Kate AA about their relationship to each other I'm not real settled yet on what she may or may not have relayed to Helena! Like I said to Kate AA, tho, I think it's mostly about Lucian is quieter to be around and so it feels like a respite. And since Cassie hasn't wanted to concern Helena with how her body seems to be deteriorating faster, she probably wouldn't have shared that it's different around him than anyone else.

[helenaphillipsfv]

Okay!! I love all of this!!! And I can absolutely see Helena taking Cassandra under her wing, too? I think she probably enjoys helping other girls, especially ones who clearly need her instruction! However, I do feel like she has had several teacher/student relationships with other girls but ngl I feel like she had also sorta shaped them to be her ~minions~ more than friends, because I think she also was v desperately holding onto the position she held at the Silver Cross and deep down probably knew that one day, someone younger/more beautiful would eventually take that from her! So I think she sorta kept them at arm's length, too, y'know?

HOWEVER, I do think that Cassandra was an exception to this rule! Like, I do think that Cassie's shortcomings probably allowed for this, initially, because Helena probably didn't feel super threatened by her (even if she did see that she was both younger and prettier than her!) but I like to think that as their relationship developed and she learned more and more about Cassie, Cassie became dearer to her than many of the others and she developed some real affection for her and lasdjflajf omg I also love the idea that Helena is the one who got her the gloves, too!! <33 Helena's love language is definitely gift giving and she's not always a super generous person, but when she is, you know that she loves you!

Also, Cassie is probably one of the few girls who Helena would be okay with doing better than she was! (which is also huge)

I do think, given everything that Helena does know, that she would have been fiercely protective of Cassie, too! I don't think she was happy about leaving her at the Silver Cross without the rest of them there, but Helena also didn't want to leave it, herself, and I can see where she might have also wanted to wait to see if their new future was something that Cassie would have liked better than the Silver Cross?? I feel like Helena probably thought that Cassie might eventually be able to slip into her old spot @ the Silver Cross and even though that's probably not a life Cassie would want anyway, Helena has never had better, so I don't think Helena really viewed it as abandoning Cassie or anything, if that makes sense???

But yeah, I think eventually Helena just missed her too much, haha!

Okay, so given what you've got so far re: Lucien, I don't think Helena suspects that Cassie has any strong feelings, but I do think she would eventually notice that Cassie does seem to spend a good amount of time with him and would probably make a note of it.

[didanagy]

HARLOTS (2017-2019)

created by alison newman and moira buffini

2.01

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Cassandra

Helena does have a very special place in her heart for everyone who used to work with her! And ngl I think she was v happy when she was able to recruit Cassandra!!! <3 I think of all of her friends from her old life, Cassandra is probably the one she is most protective over, tbh? I know Helena doesn't know everything about her, but I do think she knows enough to know that Cassandra has had a tough time of it!! And I do feel like Helena is pretty determined that Cassandra will enjoy her life here! She is a little hesitant about her relationship with Lucian tbh and like idk how much she knows about Cassandra's feelings for him, but she is still in the process of vetting him so she's hoping that her friend is using caution!!

[lydiapricefv]

OOC | Lydia & Helena

So, uh, obviously these two currently don't particularly like each other!!!! Hahaha. I was trying to parse out exactly when I think Lydia found out about the affair, and I'm thinking it's been about three to four years since then? I'm just thinking that three or four years makes sense as Lydia has kind of chilled out and accepted everything, but still does not particularly care to be friendly with either Helena or Quentin. To be clear, she's still def civil and kind to Helena in the context of her job making sure she's fed, clothed, gets to her performances on time, etc. But she would certainly rather not spend casual time with her, it just hurts too much still. What're your thoughts on the subject, if you have any? I was also curious on what Helena's thoughts were about Lydia's apparent blossoming interest in Nicholas, especially given that Helena has been close with him for so long!

[helenaphillipsfv]

Okay, cool! I was gonna ask you what the timeline on all of it was! And three to four years works great for me!

So, I think Helena had basically been targeting Quentin from the start? And was totally here to play long game and cozy up to Lydia first! I do think she wanted to have Lydia's complete trust before she even tried anything at all -- because that gave her both the opportunity but also she didn't want Lydia to suspect anything if she ever saw her with Quentin, because she didn't want everything to fall apart before she had her chance to really get him?

I also think, since it was kinda a long game on her part, she never fully appreciated the friendship she did have once with Lydia? Like she never let herself consider how close they probably actually could have gotten, nor what that relationship could have meant to her, because to Helena, it was all business, all the time?? And honestly just the entire thing was one big manipulation!! (And all for it not to work!!)

I don't think that Helena blames herself for any of the fallout and just sorta has decided that it is obviously all Quentin's fault (he's the one who cheated!) and Lydia's too since if Quentin was truly satisfied with her, he never would have pursued Helena! Most days I feel like Helena is able to maintain a professional working relationship with Lydia, but when they are in the underworld, I can see her still saying some unpleasant things to Lydia in that vein (sorry in advance!) Helena definitely is not here to patch up her relationship with Lydia, but I do think very deep down she does harbor some regret over all of it, but it is so repressed that she's not even aware of it? And it makes her feel better about it when she's placing the blame on Lydia and not herself.

And she is not!!! about the Lydia x Nicholas relationship at ALL!!!! For one, she is v protective of her friends and ngl probably a little possessive of them, too, when she feels like she might loose them. I don't think she's over here crying over the friends she lost over the affair scandal, but I DO think it would hurt her very much to lose Nicholas or to have him pick Lydia over her and so I do think she would do everything she could to discourage that!

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Victoria

Okay, so Helena does have lots of love for her Silver Cross Tavern friends, and Victoria is no exception!!! <3

Helena kinda wishes some days that they were all still back there, but I do think it helps that she does notice that everyone else seems to be happier here?? Helena can obviously be pretty selfish, but when it comes to her friends -- especially those core ones -- it's easier for her not to be! She's also pretty protective of them, especially the girls, and I do NOT think she likes or trusts Leander and has definitely made her opinions of him known tbh!

[francishillfv]

OOC | Francis & Helena

so francis has a no-interference policy its true but i do think he...thinks he gets humans more than he really does and as such he's got this like...he'll be like HERE IS A CONVERSATION THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT A LEARNING COVERSATION except that it v clearly is but he thinks that helena cannot possibly comprehend his ageless immortal brain and so he's out here telling her a parable abt how being conniving destroyed someone's life whereas a totally honest person got everything they ever wanted or smth like 'what an interesting lil tale unrelated to anyone we know' #facepalm i swear he means well alkjsdfjksdf

i do think he believes there's smth unique and wonderful in everyone and so its not hard for him at all to see her good traits, but the bad ones ~do worry him esp given that this is all like...a chess match for the soul of the world kinda thing and????? he's afraid he's losing!! so poor helena's gonna have to sit through more parables than she'd probs like tbqh alkjsfkljsdf

[helenaphillipsfv]

Okay, my initial thought is that Helena actually has a lot of affection for Francis?? But it is on the complete downlow like she pretty much views him as an extremely annoying killjoy of an older brother figure!?! I think she finds his parables tedious, obvious, and a little too on the nose sometimes lmao and I feel like she's too annoyed with him for going on and on about it that they certainly loose their potency and might actually be more effective if they were a bit more subtle/more interesting/and less pointed, haha! (In fact, she probably only feels more justified in her actions because the villain of the piece was the only interesting thing about his speech lmao)

I also feel like she gets a kick out of trying to flirt with him/scandalize him and just generally make him worry about her even more lasfjdlfjf (which only probably makes him want to lecture her, ha)

But I do think that she has a soft spot for him and like she can mess with him but she's not happy when anyone else does!!

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Violet

So, Helena is still friends with Rose and she would definitely want to be friendly with Daisy -- but I can see where she and Violet might not get on too well? I feel like they both probably tried, when they first met, but as a protective big sister, she might not have entirely trusted Helena and perhaps wondered as to her influence on her sisters? IDK?? If so, she probably felt v justified in this after the affair came to light!!

But regardless of her relationship with Violet or Daisy, currently, I do know that Rose finds her fun and enjoys her company and while I don't think Rose agrees that the affair was a good choice on Helena's part, she's not about to let it ruin their friendship either? And yeah, Rose is definitely here to defend her, especially if Violet has any hesitations because while Rose loves her sisters more than anything in the entire world!! she doesn't really like when Violet tells her that she can't do something alskjdflsadjf

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Morgan

As I was saying to Kate, I do feel like Helena has a soft spot for the young girls at the carnival <3 I'm not sure how much she knows about Morgan, but I do think the it is clear that she's not as carefree as say, the Hawthorne girls, and that her life has not always been easy. And while I haven't figured out all of Helena's backstory pre her Silver Cross days, I do think that she looks as those as the best time of her life which really says something to how she grew up aslkfjsdlafj and yeah, I do think she can sympathize with Morgan in that regard.

That being said, Helena is rather materialistic and so her love language is definitely gift giving and I feel like when Morgan first came to the carnival, she would occasionally try to give her teas and books and anything she thought she might like! And even something a little more expensive on special occasions, too, which is honestly a big deal for Helena!

I'm not sure what Morgan would think of Helena though, especially now? I feel like she's lost a lot of friends lately (can't imagine why!) so even if they were once on good terms, I can see where they wouldn't be now!

Also, she probably can sympathize with Morgan's plan to try to find a wealthy benefactor (idk that she knows this is her plan but!), however she definitely would not take kindly if they ever tried to go after the same one alsdkjfldsfk

[helenaphillipsfv]

ooc | Helena & Lucian

I'm not sure what Lucian would think of Helena, but Helena would certainly be very interested in Lucian! She's only really has a handful of good friends left since she unsuccessfully broke up Quentin and Lydia's marriage (whoops!), but Cassandra is one of them! And idk if she knows about how Cassie feels about Lucian, but I do think that Helena is actually pretty protective over her and she might ~suspect~ that there is something there, even if she hasn't been told. So I think she would definitely be interested in getting to know Lucian and basically see if he's even good enough for her friend! (whether or not Lucian is interested in irrelevant because why wouldn't he be?? asdjfldfj)