He was an idiot at times, yes. But when it came to the person he cherishes the most, even a day of odd behavior was surely going to be noticed. At first it was just her being distracted at work. She’d fall on the net during practice. Take longer breaks. Be more quiet. That alone was enough for Gale to worry. She never spoke of the why-- in fact, she was making it seem like nothing was wrong.
Typical.
As much as he wanted to help, if it wasn’t needed or wanted, he feels as though she shouldn’t intervene. Only when she skipped work for the third time in the week did Gale finally felt the need to go out of both their comfort zones and get to the bottom of the issue. She was carrying a heavy load and if he could, he’d take all of it away. Sadly, he knows she wouldn’t let him.
But Goddess, he’ll try.
He trekked through the snowy terrain of the city and headed over to their farm. The first place he should go to was where she lived, and if luck was on his side, she’d be there. He felt a little too useless going there empty-handed, but he pushed through anyway. Suddenly bombarding her with pleasantries and gifts seemed like the wrong move...
“Hello...?” He says as he knocks at his neighbor’s doors. It was convenient to live so close to her, yet it still felt odd to casually visit like this.
The language of flowers was complex. It wasn't just about the flower itself,but the color, too. And as one who lived for more than a thousand years, he already had his fair share of knowledge when it came to them. For his little bird, for his... first and only love, he already knew what to give on this day of peace and thanks.
He couldn’t find it in him to actually hand out the flowers nor does he trust the mailman to give it on time. Instead, he drops by the farmland in Selphia District in the evening, leaving the flowers by the doorsteps before making his exit. Surely, she’d see it eventually. And even if he never placed his name or left a note, the lone red tulip mixed with the bouquet of dyed white roses, the cream color now mixed with shades of blue.
An unattainable love. For an extraordinarily wonderful person. Gale let out a long sigh as he slowly made his way back to his apartment, silently greeting her, hoping the wind can pass it on. “Happy Harmony Day, little bird.”
It was kind of Frey to invite him despite not being able to contribute to the celebration as he isn’t exactly the best person to have in parties. Gale chose to stay at home, watching over her through the crystal ball. For once, he was grateful of the magic he possesses. He was... avoiding her for now. The events after the festival still had not passed, and as much as his heart yearned to see her again, to strike up a conversation, to hear her say his name... it was simply not to be. She was an unfathomable constellation that belonged in a galaxy far from him, close enough to admire from a distance, but far enough for him to never reach.
Her words from their last encounter still haunted him; the rejection, the defeat. It was different back then when his feelings were left unsaid. Unrequited as they were, he always found something to keep him hopeful. But now, he was left with the cruel reality that no, she does not feel the same. And yes, she never will.
Gale simply has to accept that.
His attention falls back on the crystal ball where a man of blond hair approached Frey. He seemed nervous. He felt nervous.
All the wizard could do was sit back and watch as Frey was gifted with dresses, a necklace and... a ring. A ring that resembled the gift she had presented him in hopes of ‘finding the person he’ll one day love with all his heart’. She didn’t understand back then, however, that she is the one who’ll always have his heart. Now. Tomorrow. Always. To have her so hopeful that he’ll get over her... how cruel it was to love such a kind person. She wished him the best while admitting early on that it will never be her that will love him. What else was there to do than to accept it? To take her good wishes and use it as his fuel to move on.
Perhaps one day, he’ll stop thinking fondly of her.
One day, someone else make him feel there is so much more to life than to simply live in the background.
One day, he’ll get over the little bird he’s grown to love and cherish more than life itself.
But today, he continues to love her. He loved her so much he found himself wishing her all the best when he detects the incredible amount of happiness from both she and the blond who he recognizes as her former lover. Frey might have been Gale’s first and only love, but quite obviously, the blond was hers. And she was his.
He shakes his head and stands up, not wishing to watch more as it will only break his heart. Best to leave now while his mind was happy for her. For later on, he knows it would once again be the bitter mind that it is. Plaguing him with self-hate over his cursed life, and grief beyond compare. For even if she somehow reciprocates her feelings, they will never be the couple that grew old together and love until life exhausted them enough for eternal rest. He will never be the person that can make her the happiest, so at least... at least she finds it in the man she was clinging on to. At least, she’s happy.
It was impossible to move on when one chose to stay away and avoid. And so he finds comfort in a new resolve-- he was going to meet her. Wish her a happy birthday. Tell her how important she is to him and how thankful he is for coming to his life. For another year in her life means one less year for him to be with her. And if he spent it away from her, wouldn’t it defeat her importance to him?
He took out the gift he had been meaning to give her, only finalizing it now. Tomorrow, he’d visit her. Tomorrow, he’ll be the good friend she thought he was.
After sending her a short text message to meet him at the observatory nearby their farm, Gale chose to go there much earlier. It was selfish of him to have asked to meet just before the sun rises, much like that time with the letter. But he... wished to see her at the soonest possible time, and he was sure later on, she had plans with her other friends. Her more important friends. And maybe even that blond man.
And so he waits on the top of the observatory, no guilt present at all as he used magic to gain access to the place this early in the morning. The guard that was on duty was now asleep, and the place now open for anyone who happens to come by. Who else would be there but him and the person he invited?
He waits. Patiently. The gift he couldn’t wrap rested on his lap after he sat down on the ground and looked up at the sky. It was still so dark, the sky still starry. So he waits there under the company of his age-old friends, once again letting time flow by as he sits and observes.
When someone does come around, the sky already starting to turn bright, he didn’t even look back immediately. In a few short moments, someone sat beside him and he already knew who it was. He gives himself a moment to compose himself, and then, he faces her, still with the expressionless look that had stayed with him all this time.
“...good morning.” He started, giving her a small bow of the head as a greeting. “I apologize for calling you out this early... and for not being present yesterday.”
Then, he removes the charm bracelet of leather and bronze from his lap and puts it on her, hoping it would fit. The bracelet had birds on the side (instead of the butterflies) and in the middle was a glass cabochon that held the galaxy. It wasn’t a simple artwork that deceived the eyes, it was an actual image of the galaxy, with all the shades of purple, blue, black and white clashing together as it mirrored the beautiful scene. The pendant was enchanted for that very purpose, and he hoped that she liked it. "The stars have always kept me company... and I know you have no trouble with it, but I hope you find comfort in them as much as they do to me.”
He can never be the one to be there for her always, but he has faith in the stars. The stars would never leave you alone and always will be there-- all you had to do was look. And as he gathered all the courage he possibly could, he gently places a hand behind her head, leaning forward to plant a kiss on the top of her head. He won’t make the mistake of doing anything she wouldn’t have wanted, but even through a simple gesture, he found contentment.
Perhaps tomorrow he’ll start on the long and cruel journey of moving on. For now, he cherishes the feelings he’ll have to release soon, holding it close for no one to steal or take from him.
[ To Leia<3 ]: Leia! I know it's short noticed but you make sushi, right? This is an invite slash order! Can I order a sushi platter? For a party? :> It may or may not be a certain someone's birthday and there may or may not be a party later ;) ehehe
[To Frey<3] Oh, absolutely! I haven’t gotten my shop up and running yet, so this could be a good test run actually. When do you need it by? And whose birthday is it? <3
Emiko want particularly concerned with whatever was on the other side of the portal; as long everything was in order it should be fine. Nothing had come from the pillar of light in a long time, but it was something Emiko accepted, not that she really noticed anyway. Everything seemed fine at the time, anyway.
While tending to the shrine inside, there was a flash of light, and Emiko felt a gust of wind. Noiselessly, she stood up and went to the stone path to investigate. From the portal, specks of moonlight floated about, and there stood a girl. “A visitor?” Emiko said. She did not recognize her, and yet she looked on feeling nostalgic underneath... somewhere.
