tenyearslost | IC Contact; empatheias

Admittedly, it's a lot. Almost too much, even wrapped in the warmth and simple joy they'd all felt that day. This is as far as Oz is willing to go, it seems, at least for now--he's quiet for a long minute, and when he looks up again, that familiar lighthearted attitude is back. The part of him that's dared to venture forward into acknowledging loss has retreated.

"If it bothers you that much," he says thoughtfully, tapping at his cheek, "What if we made something kind of like that? Like a journal, but one that we could share, and write down the things that happened that day, or that week, you know." Sure, they have the amulets, and they're still together often enough that they could find a way to sit down and tell each other about their day in person. But it's not quite the same as sitting down, deliberately remembering recent events in order to pass them on. Plus, it's almost a project--something positive for Gilbert to focus on, and if Kevin (doubtful) or Hibiki (less doubtful) wanted to join in, they could. Almost like a household diary.

It's a good idea. A fanciful idea, a sentimental idea. They could keep it in the hallway between the two houses, in a wide open space where people could feel comfortable sitting down and writing their thoughts when the occasion struck. Not every day, just when important things worth documenting came up. Sometimes, that could mean every day, Gil contemplates as he thinks back on the last few days they'd all spend together in their world.

"...Yeah," he finally answers, smiling that same fond smile. He mirrors Oz's movements by bringing his own hand up to the side of his face, but instead rubs at the back of his neck. "That's a really good idea. Maybe it would help the Arehtei in some way, too."

There's a lot that they still don't know about the magic behind the Arehtei, so who knows? Maybe putting good thoughts down in one place like this would make their own positive emotions all the more powerful.

It's a small thing, hardly even a compliment, but Oz perks up anyway, pleased. "You think so? That would be great!"

It's been frustrating, that he's only been able to help Peromei a little, in the grand scheme of things. He understands the logic of balance, but it's difficult all the same. When you're used to putting everything on the line, supported by nothing but hope... reining that in can be practically stifling.

But more importantly, this is a prime opportunity to make Gilbert feel useful. A QUEST. He turns his finger on his best friend, poking him in the chest. "Then I'll leave it to you to find the perfect journal, okay? You'd better pick a good one!"

He wonders, but he doesn't know for certain that something like this would help. But then, the things that do help aren't ones that are obvious to everyone from every world. There are different types of miracles and magic in each individual one, and there's still a lifetime of new things to learn here. It doesn't hurt to try.

"Eh - me?" he answers. "N-no, you're more familiar with things like books! You should be the one to pick it out!"

What if he chooses poorly and it ends up being some terrible, gaudy thing that no one wants to write in at all??

Nnnnnope, nice try. But this is more for Gilbert's benefit than anyone else's, Oz thinks, so he just crosses his arms and gives his servant a look.

"Gilbert," he says sternly, "I'm counting on you, got it?"

This is a whole lot of pressure. Pressure that shouldn't be pressure because to any sort of normal human being this would just be a boring chore, but to someone like Gilbert with Many Feelings he suddenly feels burdened with this very important decision.

It's going to take some time.

"Yeah," he finally answers. "You can count on me."

And that's exactly what Oz was going for. As per usual.

"Great!" He beams, and while he doesn't summon any sparkles, it's close enough. "Then I'm going to head inside for a little bit, okay?"

"Yeah."

He hesitates, thinks about why he'd come out here to talk to Oz to begin with. That's right, Dunamis. He thinks back to the cup he'd repaired, the fence he and Kevin had mended, the ways that he'd been able to summon this power to begin with. At its core, his own power to pull things back together and seal them in beauty and fragility, begins and ends with this young man in front of him.

"I may not have been watching you close enough," he mutters, "but I'm proud of you, Oz."

He pats him on the back, and then pushes him along so he can head back inside. Gil doesn't make any moves to follow, though. It's nice outside, and clearly he's going to need to practice a lot more to catch up to his young master.

IC Contact; empatheias

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