It had been a day - a full day - and Claire had spent it in deep study. She ran her fingers along the script, detailing just how the elementals were formed, how they came into being, and how to pull a portion of the elemental magic into being for yourself. It was arduous and required a lot of memorization, but Claire was determined to master the incantation as soon as possible.
Gilean entered the door, his hand behind his back. Well, hello there, he greeted, drawing Claire's attention to him. I got something for you, he continued. From his back he pulled a beautiful bouquet of flowers - blues and yellows. Claire looked from them to Gilean, noting how the man was blushing. I, um, really appreciate you letting me stay with you, he said.
Claire smiled and shook her head. 'Ah! Well, you don't need to blush then. You're just being nice and thanking me... aren't... you?' That had to be all there was to it. Gilean had been too good of a friend to her for it to be anything but.
Well... yes, I did want to thank you... but I also... I was also wondering if you would... go on a walk with me.
'Where shall we walk?'
Well, we have to go there first, Gilean said. Taking her hand and vanishing the two of them in a swirl of golden dust.
They arrived in an older forest full of trees strung with lichens and moss. Birds chirped and called to one another and squirrels zipped from tree to tree. They stopped on an old marble bridge and stared out over the edge. Claire found her mind going back over the past few days. It's nice to get out of the house, Gilean said.
'I haven't been thinking about it if at all possible. Just... studying.'
I really care about you Claire, and I don't want to see you upset.
'You're a good friend, Gilean. Truly.'
It looks like there's a little path there. Let's see what's there.
Claire reluctantly took her gaze from the water as it passed under the bridge - an appropriate living metaphor - and followed Gilean to a clearing. The colors and vibrance of life nearly rivaled the plane they had visited and Claire found her spirits lifting. She sat beside Gilean in the grass and looked around until his voice drew her focus. Claire... You are a dear friend... and I care about you very much... very much... Claire waited, she had heard these words before. Something was wrong. What had she done now? I actually... care for you... more than just a friend.
Claire's head swam as Gilean kept talking. She had just parted ways with Psycho, had been considering a return home, and now this... and he wasn't an esper. She'd always pictured herself with another esper. So, I guess you could say I've been smitten for a while, he said.
It was too much, too soon. Excusing herself, Claire went back to her cottage and to the library. She desperately opened her spell books, reading, reciting, reading, reciting and clutched at her head when she lost concentration on every spell.
