Helia Vaz

coven leader of Saga's, cis-woman, 46 years old.

[heliavaz]

HELIA VAZ

BIRTH NAME: Helia Vaz NICKNAME: Lia AGE: 46 years old GENDER/PRONOUNS: cis-woman, she/her DATE OF BIRTH: 18th of September, 1977 SPECIES: Witch  FROM: Brasilia, Brazil IN FENRIR SINCE: 2002 NEIGHBOURHOOD: Wood Road OCCUPATION: IC doctor

Threads | Muse

STATS -

SEXUALITY: gay RELIGION: raised Catholic GENDER/PRONOUNS: cis-woman, she/her LANGUAGES: Portuguese, Spanish, English, German FC: Pathy Dejesus

BIOGRAPHY -

death mention tw

Helia - named after the Greek god Helios - was her family’s sunshine. When she came into the world, her father had just gotten a new job, and her small family moved to one of the bigger cities. She was born in a hospital, stayed there till the doctors were certain she was healthy, and surged along on her parents’ new ideals and happy living. Where they came from before, she has never been able to gather, but they were no well-off money wise and could give their children all they ever wanted. She learned her craft from her mother, and often from her grandmother as well, small visits to extended family always were shrouded in mystery. She loved her life in Brasília, her parents, her siblings, her connections with the nature so close to her home and the mystic elements of her youth. But she was a child of two worlds, the past and future of her parents’ fortune.

She moved to the United Kingdom for love, her attraction and adoration for the woman who had captured her heart led her to Fenrir’s Wood. While her greatest love continued her research, Helia finished her studies to become a doctor at Oxford, and with time found her voice and status within the supernatural community as well. With age, Helia grew more like the god she was named for, a bright and powerful presence in every room she entered, she spoke with fierceness, she put the happiness of others and the rights of people before her own happiness, and she began to believe more than just love brought her to Fenrir. She established herself as the coven leader while her lover slid away into her unending research, barely seeing each other until one day Helia knew, the moment she walked through the front door, that she was alone.

The woman she was supposed to have her forever with, was gone, and all Helia could do was throw herself in her work, while holding on tight to the woman she was and had become, not willing to let grief get her down.

She was there when the last Children of Loki was defeated, he'd hidden himself in the body of Lukas Thorsun, a friend of Helia who had been one of the first to be murdered. She returned his body to the ground and thus defeated the Fenris Wolf.

HEADCANONS -

Helia lives for her Coven, she's always on the move. Whether at her job or with fellow witches, she cannot stop.

Is a powerful witch on account of the amount of time she spends bringing offerings to the spirits.

WANTED CONNECTIONS -

People from her coven

Fellow doctors and nurses at Fenrir Central Hospital

People who need guidance

Friends

The older generation of Fenrir's Wood

People she can worry about

[heliavaz]

OPEN STARTER @fenrirswoodstarters location ; the duck fair

There was no better time to be taking out her summer dresses than at the fair. Each year she happily woke up early to give herself some time to get dressed and ready to visit the stalls and the attractions. There was always something to do, always people to see, and she bought so many things that she knew she would be offering to the spirits.

She had five re-usable bags full of local products and sat down on a bench in Sans Park with a sigh. "Hello, by any chance, have you eaten yet, and can you recommend something at the fair?"

[pclymcrphcus]

"Well..." A half-smile emerges, a fragile and tenuous curve upon her lips, still mostly thin and repressed by the tension and fear that she holds tightly within her body. She couldn't deny how comforting the apology sounded—how unexpectedly soothing it felt. Pretty words, affirmations, and promises couldn't always be trusted, especially when they came from strangers. Nevertheless, she allowed these words to offer a small measure of solace, like an invisible thread sewing up the frayed seams of a destroyed and broken little girl, ravaged by depraved forces and malicious magic. "That's good to know." She can only trust so much of it before she becomes prey...

She decides to probe further, her trenchant gaze peering out from beneath furrowed brows, curiosity mingled with skepticism. "But how are you so certain?" She fidgets in her seat, tugging at the cuffs of her black cardigan, a nervous habit that betrays her curiosity showing her inner turmoil. "Where I come from, covens aren't so nice to me." She has horror stories- bloody and gruesome, but she hardly shares those among breakfast. In fact, her mother's coven's tactics often involved making the younger Valdez sister weak, hoping it would slow her down, make her easier to track, and quicker to remove from the delicate fabric of the world.

"W-what kind of magic do you do?" Her voice trembles slightly, a blend of fear and fascination, as she leans in, her eyes wide with a mixture of hope and dread.

[heliavaz]

Helia lightened her smile a bit, wary still of showing herself in a certain light, but glad that there seemed to be a bit of calm returning to the other's face. She looked around for a moment, but despite how busy it was, nobody seemed to be at all interested in the conversation they were having, which meant that she would not be too scared about talking about witch-craft. Certainly the general population had its idea of the strangers in the city, but there were odder things than magic in the world.

"I'm never a hundred percent certain," she admitted. "But I've lived in this city for over a decade, and I've learnt that most witches who've come here have been fleeing from something. The coven I belong to, Saga's Coven, they were on the run too, and the Werewolves took them in, in exchange for their help during the full moon. I am not new to hearing it is much less friendly to our kind out there, but we try to be our best here," she promised, even if her promises would ring empty to the other witch, she had nothing to prove her words with, except experience.

Helia smiled. "I do many different kinds," she said, always happy to talk about what she did as a Witch. "Though I mostly do ritualistic magic," she added. "Alongside the simpler spells like turning on candles or changing a space to stop people from listening in on conversations," she admitted. "A lot of magic to help people," she summed up.

[museinitalics]

"Thank you, I think I just want a hot dog and a Coke," Chae commented as he scanned the limited menu offerings with a thoughtful look, eyeing also the fruit smoothie but was hesitant to add a secondary drink though he did give the picture a few lingering looks. When the young witch eventually pulled his focus away from the menu and back onto Helia, he gave her a small smile and a slight shrug. "I'm okay. Managing," he stretched his arms over his head, shoulders and spine popping with the motion and he released sigh as a pressure was released from the middle of his back. "Busy mostly, with the pub. We're doing very well lately. Oh," he let his arms fall back down, hands resting in his lap, fingers fiddling with the stitching on the pocket of his trousers, "Actually, I had someone unexpected turn up from--" he almost said from his family but Chung Hee wasn't his family, not really, he worked for his family but he wasn't family, but sometimes... it felt like he was. "From Korea," he eventually concluded with an almost guilty expression.

[heliavaz]

Helia noted the lingering look on the picture of the smoothie, but she did not order one for him, not yet at least. She would give him a chance to order something extra later, she was sure he would not mind making use of her offer, afterall, Helia had a good income. She was not in any way rich, but she had no children, a house she’d bought together with Lilette, and a dual income. 

“I am glad the pub is doing well,” she voiced. “And managing, given the circumstances, is an impressive feat already. I take it you also heard of Reza and Lilette’s return?” she asked, though she guessed at least the first would’ve made his return to Chae’s company already. “From Korea? A relative or a friend from the family?” she asked.

[benji-parker]

status: closed @heliavaz

where: thistle & sage

one of the benefits to living in fenrir's wood was it meant that there were a wide variety of shops in town, an occult shop included! being as involved as he was with both his coven and the paranormal, benji liked to come here somewhat regular in order to keep his supplies stocked. when they weren't running low on anything, they also came here to browse just out of pure curiosity, which was the case today.

unfortunately, today he accidentally left the magnetic part of his cochlear implant at home, meaning he effectively couldn't hear anything beyond very loud noises. as a result, they failed to notice the person trying to get their attention until they were within their line of sight. "i'm so sorry! i promise i wasn't trying to ignore you, i'm hard of hearing and i left the transmitter part of my cochlear implant at home so--" his frenzied explanation is cut short when he recognizes the person as helia, a fellow witch living in fenrir's wood. "helia!" they greet, immediately switching to signing, knowing that she is aware of his preference for sign language. "how have you been? i must not have seen you come in, otherwise i definitely would have said hi before now."

[heliavaz]

Helia knew very little in the occult shop actually had magical properties, but they were still important to Witches regardless. The Spirits certainly loved all of this, they loved being showered in gifts, they loved rituals used to ask for them to magic. As a result, Helia too made sure that she had enough of the herbs, candles, stones, and other things the place sold. And she loved browsing, she enjoyed making her home seem like it was the perfect place for the occult. All she was missing was a few animals walking around, and she would have supported the true Witch vibes. 

She’d only called for Benji’s attention once, noting something they were picking out and commenting on how good it looked. When he didn’t respond, she got into his line of sight, and smiled kindly when he explained himself, then put her basket down so she could sign in return. “It’s all right,” she signed. “I am sure you would’ve, and I’ve been good.” She spoke along with her signs, unable to turn it off. She was a bit out of practice, but she found that it was easy to pick the words up again. It was a bit confusing with how the UK used a different alphabet, but like knowing several languages, it just took a bit of reminding. “How have you been, Benji? Are you getting ready to renew your ability this Full Moon?” 

[pclymcrphcus]

"I didn't know for certain, Amoreco," she replied softly, her voice carrying the weight of their cherished time together and apart. The years of companionship and love with Helia are the very essence of her existence, the foundation upon which her heart and soul rest. "I hoped. I hoped with every fiber of my being that you would still see the love I have for you, that you would recognize the depth of my remorse and the sincerity of my return."

Taking Helia's hand in hers, she pressed a kiss to her knuckles, a gesture both reverent and affectionate. "I told myself- promised myself that I'd understand if you have reservations, and if there's a part of you that needs time to fully trust me again, then I want to earn that trust back, step by step, day by day." Their love is a sanctuary for Lilette, a place where she finds solace and peace amidst the chaos of the world. It is a beacon that guides her through the darkest times, a constant reminder of the light and warmth that Helia brings into her life. The companionship they share is not just about being together; it is about understanding, support, and a deep-rooted sense of belonging. Helia is not just her spouse but her confidante, her partner in adventure, and the one who sees her most vulnerable and authentic self.

"What I want, more than anything, is to be by your side, to share our lives again, and work hard for you- for us."

[heliavaz]

Hoped. It made more sense, but it also gave her a warmer feeling than it would’ve if she said she’d known. Because Helia valued the life they had together so much, but most of all the love and understanding they had for the other. They did not always have to tell the other what they were feeling, but they could be sure that whatever they were feeling would be met with the attempt to give it a place, the attempt to understand. Helia knew she’d found in Lilette more than just a partner for life, more than a wife. She smiled softly. 

“I have some reservations,” she admitted. “Or my brain has, but my heart does not want them to be in the way of trying to be together again,” she said. “I cannot promise that I won’t ever feel the negative feelings, but I know in my heart that there is nothing I want more than to have you by my side.” 

[pclymcrphcus]

Even as she speaks, Nohemi's gaze flits around the room, following the other patrons with a vigilance ingrained since childhood. She had been taught to remain alert, to never fully trust her surroundings, and to constantly maintain an acute awareness of herself and others. She waits for the cues—scanning for someone approaching from the corner of her eye, bracing for the sensation of cold, hard hands upon her shoulders, or the grip of strong, burly arms ready to carry her away. But those fears remain unfounded; the threats never materialize. Despite this, the atmosphere feels oppressively heavy, as if the very air is pressing down on her.

The sudden, unexpected creak of the bathroom door startles her, causing her to jump and instantly turn towards the sound. Her posture remains tight and tense, muscles visibly taut, as she watches the bathroom-goer return to their seat.

I'm fine, she repeats to herself, a mantra of reassurance. I'm okay, she silently affirms.

Then, finally a very long, shaky exhale rattles from her ribs, followed by a trembling hand grasping for her water. She takes a long gulp, attempting to clear the knots of what feels like cotton that have dried her mouth. She decides with fear, ever present, "No... no, you can stay."

She gulps another sip of water—harshly, the sound audible from her throat even from the front counter where customers pay. "Your coven..." The polite way to ask eludes her, so she blurts out the question instead. "It's around here, isn't it?" She winces, reminding herself that it’s better the devil you know than the devil you don't. "I can feel the energies sometimes..." She attributes her unease to this, rather than acknowledging the PTSD that likely fuels her discomfort. "It makes me feel sick."

[heliavaz]

Helia had to keep herself back from figuring out what was going through Nohemi's mind. She could ask the spirits, and it would be easy for them to tell her about it. But she had to rely on her own skills, the ones she's tested time and time again and the hospital. She'd always been good at that, finding that patients who were in distress would calm if she spoke kindly to her. But perhaps that wasn't going to be the easiest with this Witch, because more was at the edge of this ravine, and Helia feared that she was to blame for that. Not her personality, but what she represented.

She kept her arms close to her body, kept her body language open, and waited patiently for Nohemi to either tell her to leave or to stay. She'd give in to whatever, she'd decided. Even if she did not wish to leave, because she did want to make the three new witches more safe in the city, especially since they'd finally gotten out of the woods when it came to the mysteries in the past two years.

Upon the agreement, Helia remained seated, carefully taking a sip from her drink and thinking about how to answer it without further generating fear. "Yes, in this city," she said. "I'm sorry it makes you sick," she expressed. "I am certain none of the witches would want you to be sick," she said. "But in a normal month, we don't do that much magic, aside from during the full moon." She made sure to keep her voice low, not to ask the spirits to muffle their conversation, afraid Nohemi would feel that too.

[evanoraray]

Happy for her. There was no such thing — Evanora knew better than to cradle any hope for ever achieving any happiness, and she has long made amends with that. She has long accepted what she was.

What she and Bodhi had — it was temporary. He would soon no longer be a blind fool and come to his senses.

"You can control what goes out of your mouth, can't you?" cold and bitter.

Her eyes averted, finding a spot on the door to rest on. "Do just that."

[heliavaz]

Helia remained confused, and disheartened. She wondered if she had known how heavy Evanora might react to it, if she would've stopped herself from saying something. She knew she should not share personal information like this one way or another, it was unfair to Evanora. And it would be unfair to expect to be forgiven right away.

"I am so sorry," she reiterated, though she knew it wouldn't add anything.

"I fear I have moments where I... think too little of what others might want and too much about what I would want in their place," she admitted.

[purepinotnoir]

“Protection of the humans of Fenrir’s Wood? You should be evacuating them,” Rex scoffed, rolling her eyes at her comment. With everything that head gone down, it was a wonder rumours about aliens and whatever else humans believed in weren’t circulating. Helia and her minions must have been working overtime to keep that under wraps. “The town is unsafe for anyone unable to protect themselves. Protecting humans here is like trying to protect a delicious steak from a pack of hungry dogs.”

He paused, thinking for a moment. “How many humans have the wolves turned since they got here? And more importantly, did you give them a slap on the wrist for that, or was it brushed under the rug along with the oopsie at the police station?” He feigned concern and curiosity, tilting his head to the side.

“I’m back for the front row tickets,” he added, a smirk spreading over his lips. “The Helia Vaz show never disappoints.”

[heliavaz]

Helia narrowed her eyes, but she decided not to go for the bait. Rex knew the protection that held the Werewolves out during the Full Moon, though she figured he'd never actually participated in its ritual. He knew the careful balance the Witches of Fenrir's Wood struck, and the effort she and others went through to make sure their secret wasn't known. By now... she figured maybe ten to fifteen percent of the population knew about the Supernatural, some of those part of the Covens or the Pack, some not, and some allies of the Supernatural population in Fenrir's Wood. From all works of life, intent on helping with keeping everyone in the city safe, regardless of their species.

"I don't know any exact numbers," she stated to Rex. The Fenrir Pack had been here for centuries, and it was only recently that they'd decided to make the biting of another - when it was done intentionally - equal to murder. Since then the numbers hadn't dwindled, but it had been mostly Werewolves from outside of the City that joined ranks. "But you and I both know that the numbers are much lower than they were before the First World War." Not the historical point she was referring to, but when Hel Coven had come to Fenrir's Wood at least the opinion on biting people had began to shift.

"The people responsible for what happened at the Police Station have been sentenced to whichever punishment the court saw fit," she informed him. Ignoring him completely on his comment about the Helia Vaz show, it made the hair on her neck stand upright.

[hector-vasquez]

"i hope so." he returns, response slightly curt even if he doesn't mean it that way. hector is just on edge because he doesn't like being around his pack members very much when they act like this. and he's supposed to be comfortable around them, isn't he? what's the point of being in a pack if he feels tense? "my pack members are affected in certain ways that i'm not, so it makes me feel uncomfortable and it's hard for me to relate. the full moon doesn't make me act the way they do, should it? is there something wrong with not being affected by it?"

[heliavaz]

Helia smiled sympathetically. "No, there is nothing wrong with you," she said. "Feelings are heightened that are already there, if you don't usually have those, then there is nothing to heighten," she expressed. "Not everyone has the same feelings in regards to sexuality and romantic feelings, that's what makes us human. If I were a Werewolf and I'd be affected by the Pink Moon, I am sure it would just heightened my love for Lilette, and no suddenly make me thirst after other women, or even men," she said with a chuckle.

[pclymcrphcus]

The book in her hand twitches slightly as Nohemi peers from behind its pages. The young woman trembles at the thought of encountering Helia once more. The first time she had witnessed the other witch had been an unplanned and harrowing visit—she had hidden behind the door, hands pressed to her ears, paralyzed with terror. The witches in her life didn’t come to her home for mere social visits. Instead, they invaded her sanctuary, tearing her from her sister and dragging her through hell to a ritual meeting place. Her nightmares were haunted by her own screams and cries, echoes of the pain from every whip and lashing inflicted upon the little girl who only wanted to understand why her mother hated her enough to trade her for magic.

And magic—what a concept. How horrible it felt to know that she had the inklings of her mother's powers coursing through her veins. How it scared her to know that, somewhere deep inside, her mother was there, forever a part of her. She bites her lip before nodding, "Nohemi, yes." Her breathing is restrained as she gives this information so freely. "And your name is Helia, and you’re one of them…" She glances around, searching for exits, noting how crowded the room is and how difficult it would be to escape. Would the townspeople help her? Would they stop and intervene, putting themselves in harm’s way to keep her safe? Would Sofia come charging in, ready to protect her like she always did?

An exhale gets stuck in her throat as her plate of food is set before her, the same fluffy pink pancakes the other had ordered ( ironically ), but her stomach is in knots from uncontrollable fear. A tense question escapes her lips, "You’re not going to hurt me, are you?" She could endure it—the abuse, the terror—the spirits would know of the suffering inflicted on her, how she had been confined in pet crates, locked in cabinets, and tied to radiators by her wrists when she was younger. She doesn’t want to go through it again, but for Sofia’s sake, maybe she would. "My sister and I don’t want any trouble, please."

[heliavaz]

Helia instantly felt the shift, as Sofia's sister recognised her. The spirits did not need to tell her that her company was unwanted, and that the small frame before her was not at all interested in having a friendly conversation. She did not know what exactly had happened to the Valdez sisters, only that they clearly did not trust covens. Her face fell a bit, but she tried to keep her heightened emotions from her face. The alarm she was feeling about the possible direction of this conversation, the way she hoped she was not blocking any path for Nohemi to get away if she wished to.

"I am not," she stated, firmly. "I'm not here to hurt you." She felt like it might be much harder to get Nohemi to trust her than it would her sister. Perhaps this was why Sofia tried to keep her away, to never meet her little sister. She could understand the feeling of protectiveness.

"I promise I only mean well, but if you'd rather I sit somewhere else, I'll move for you," she assured the other. Helia was the type to adjust herself for others, but in this situation, she felt like she didn't know what to do, what her best options were. She felt at a loss as how to mend things.

[thechellambharath]

[ TEXT ]: Pieces worth far less if he looks too bland. [ TEXT ]: Your friend? [ TEXT ]: Not yet! Sounds like it's time to make a trip. Are you free tomorrow afternoon?

[heliavaz]

[ TEXT ]: That does make a lot of sense. I'd also be more likely to trust someone to be an artist if they look unique. Though I feel that in a way that might also be stereotyping, but your brother does have a very unique look. [ TEXT ]: Ah! Apologies, I mean the person I know in the government, I'm very quick to call people my friends. If they've come to my house once, I will call them friends. [ TEXT ]: I am! And you will love it, I am sure, whomever did the interior design of that place definitely wanted a place for people to make their best instagram pictures. How about 2 pm?

[purepinotnoir]

“You always think the worst of me, Helia. It’s almost flattering.” His eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and defiance. “I’m not here to create chaos for the sake of chaos. I just don’t buy into this neat little package of control you’ve wrapped around the town.”

“He shook his head, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “I’ll participate, sure, but don’t expect me to fall in line and play the obedient witch. Helping the werewolves and humans is all well and good, but let’s not pretend it’s out of pure altruism. It’s about maintaining order, isn’t it? It’s giving…” he trailed off, searching for the right word. “Control freak? No… more like a monarchist vibe. I haven’t decided yet. I’ll text you when I figure it out.” He waved his hand dismissively. 

“So, is this why you wanted to talk today? To make sure I’m in line and being a good boy?” He tilted his head, watching her curiously. “Honestly, you’d have better luck getting a promise out of me if you’d offered whiskey instead of orange juice.” He set the now empty plastic cup on the table, nudging it a little closer to her. “What’s your game, Vaz?”

[heliavaz]

Helia shrugged, for she decided that if she could not change Rex for the better, then it was in her best interest to not be deterred by his opinions, for they should indeed mean nothing to her. If she gave them power, she'd be catering to people who might not even wish to benefit from a better system.

"It's about protection," she corrected him. "Our protection and that of the humans of Fenrir's Wood." Maintaining order was a means to an end, but she did not tell him that she did not wish to control the unaffiliated witches. This was about being a community, doing what was right for the community. Yet she felt like Rex - and others - would gladly throw the secrets out of the window.

"To speak with you and figure out why you're back in town," she responded, because she did not play games, she would not hide her true intentions. There was little she could do about Rex, he hadn't broken any laws, but she could at least give him a chance to show if he'd changed at all, which was clear from their conversation that he hadn't. "That is the only reason I needed."

[museinitalics]

"Then I look forward to finding out what those events are," Micah returned with a mocking grin, not mocking at her but a shared amusement on the marketing trap that oval pizza posed and the potential that the others would be similar. "I guess it works on enough people to make it worth it," he gave a little sigh, as if lamenting the world state as it was. He'd purchased pizza, not for the sake of it being egg shaped, but because it was vegan and usually he didn't trust food made by other people to be truly vegan but this place hadn't let him down yet and it was tiring making his own meals all the time so he welcomed the break.

"I don't want to keep you too long. Important person like you, you're probably busy," though it didn't seem like her pizza was ready yet either. Maybe the kitchen was a little slow with all the orders coming in.

[heliavaz]

"It's human to want cheap tricks," Helia agreed. She did not mind them either, sometimes she enjoyed to indulge herself in these cheap marketing ploys, getting oval pizzas and pink coloured drinks for pride. She fell for them because it was nice to fall for them sometimes, even if she did recognise the cheapness of it. "It sounds special so people are probably hoping it is special, like those limited edition drinks at coffee places," she suggested.

At the suggestion she wondered if she'd overstayed her welcome, she'd decided she could not blame Micah or Sofia for their distance from her. She did enjoy their talk and she hoped with time they'd trust her. For now she couldn't change anything yet. She took a look in the direction of the kitchen, where the owner of the place met her eyes. She knew exactly why it was taking so long.

"I always have something to do," she told Micah. "But I did really enjoy talking with you." The owner probably thought she was having an important conversation, keeping her pizzas warm until she was done. "I see my pizza is done," she said, as the owner held two boxes aloft. "I hope you'll enjoy your non-oval shaped pizzas and I look forward to talking with you again," she added. Smiling kindly, refraining from reaching out to shake Micah's hand, and setting off to collect her purchase.

[heliavaz]

CLOSED STARTER for @museinitalics ft. Chae location ; CHILDREN'S POND LIBRARY food court

Helia could not help waking up early on Saturday to be at the library, even if she had no kids and no interest in reading children literature, she did love to see the education for the newest generation going in the right direction. She'd invited Chae to join her during the break, finding it had been a while since they'd spoken and hoping a bright and fun place such as this would set all the worries from their minds.

She'd always adored the young witch, it was why she did such an effort to find a cure for his curse, even if she was still not close to finding it. Had the Fenris wolf completed his ritual, all curses would be lifted, Chae's included, that was what Hasan had found after some research. But she did not dare to share this with anyone.

"Order what you'd like, my treat!" She told the Witch. "How have you been?" she asked.

[heliavaz]

CLOSED STARTER for @pclymcrphcus ft. Nohemi location ; MOONSHINE

Helia Vaz had kept away from Sofia and Nohemi Valdez for very obvious reasons, she did not wish to further create a scene. Though it was only because Lilette had adviced her to do so that she actually held on. In her heart she'd wanted to reach out for the two witches a long time ago, try to see if they wished to speak to her. She feared she'd be rejected, but that did not make her want to do it less.

Yet, fate seemed to want to put them together now. As Moonshine was filled to the brim with customers - and she adored this for Idris - there were barely any seats left, forcing her to take a seat right next to a young person with black hair and big eyes, who she immediately recognised as Nohemi. She tried not to gawk as she waited for her order of fluffy pink pancakes and rainbow slushie, but her motherly instincts got the best of her. "Nohemi, right?" she asked, with a smile.

[juvenal]

The more Juvenal listened to Helia's tips and tricks for surviving in Fenrir's Wood, the more he was coming to find himself grateful for having taken a chance at living in Fork's Road. Having come from nothing, with nowhere to be, going anywhere at all had felt like a step forward. Although, he'd quickly come to learn that it wasn't quite that simple, with his wages covering little more than his rent and the bare essentials.

It was a world foreign to him and one he'd had precious little preparation for, and so her 'on the job' training was quietly extremely appreciated. "It's strange to me that they just do that. Hand out free food, I mean." Had he been in better standing, he likely wouldn't have trusted it. But, he was desperate enough to take the risk. "I knew about places putting out bad food at the end of the day, but, not good stuff. It sounds a little suspicious, does it not? I mean, why wouldn't they just sell it?"

[heliavaz]

Helia smiled kindly. She did not find the other’s caution on the food distribution odd, if anything, she understood. Though she had long since accepted that there were good people out there with sufficient funds who did not mind buying good things for those who had been less lucky in life. It was what she strived for herself as well. “They know not everyone has the means to provide for all life’s necessities themselves,” she assured him. “Oftentimes it’s people who came from nothing as well who now have the means to give back.” 

She led Juvenal to her favourite soup kitchen, one she’d volunteered at a few times as well, owned by a Jamaican born lawyer who flew between his home in the UK and Jamaica between full moons. “Most of it is donated, not always the food itself, but money for the food, bought from local farms and factories to save on the import costs,” she explained further. “I understand it sounds a bit suspicious, but there are a lot of good people out there who want nothing more than to see their fellow humans happy, even if there is little they can do but give a little money to feed those who cannot feed themselves.” That community feeling was something she’d missed her first years in the UK, it was why she’d done her best to find local businesses such as these and interact with them as much as possible. At the ER she got plenty of people too who ended up in bad places because they did not have the support they deserved.