refactor: use a wrapper to simplify interfacing with storage (#364)

* refactor: wrapper on storage to improve readability

* test: ensure serializer handles data in FIFO order

* refactor: simplify code with lesser match branches

* doc: update comments

* refactor: DRY storage metrics collection

* refactor: next can't err

* refactor: store can't err

* refactor: `send_publish` takes a `publish`

* doc: comment explaining functions

* refactor: `clone` when required only