His family would be happy to hear that. And so would he.
[There's a pause as her eyes gaze at the paired photos and then the description.]
"Many of these photos weren't intentional. The individuals pictured in their younger state were taken when I myself was a child, playing around with a disposable camera. When my condition further weakened, I decided to use whatever time I had left to track down the subjects and take their photo. I wanted to show the extreme contrast in the passage of time and the gap that had grown between the time of the first picture and when I finally found each person in their current state.
The gap between each photo is an unwritten story only they can tell."
[There's one last photo in this area that is strangely without a partner. Before they move onto it, Berna remarks to Gale.]
I assume she's never mentioned him at all, has she?
Edited (sorry for the million edits) 2024-09-05 15:57 (UTC)
[Berna, observant as she is, doesn't miss how Gale conducts himself and how he responds to her words about Briar and Amelia. She's known several men over the years and tends to have a keen eye for any warning signs that tell someone to stay clear.
Gale Dekarios has very little to none of them at all. Amelia may have said little, but what she's told Berna is true; sincere to his core to the point where the artist can tell why it drives her friend away. To be that open meant being more vulnerable and being more vulnerable meant more chances to hurt.
That is her battle to fight. Berna is here to guide and shed some light, nothing more.]
He was taken from us far too soon. Briar was a gentle soul and incredibly empathetic despite his limitations. In a way, it made him even more determined to see and capture the life he saw in others because his days were quickly dwindling.
Look.
[She points to the single picture that isn't paired up. It's blurry and clearly unprofessional, given touch ups so that it can match the dimensions of the others. In it, is a young girl who's spinning so fast, one can barely make heads or tails of her limbs and light freckles.
But that red hair is unmistakable.]
"I didn't want to pair this one up. I wanted to make my own story with her. I don't want to forget a thing."
[He listens intently; he worries that any response he could give might feel too trite, but he notes, to himself, that the same has been true for so many creatives who have left their mark— sometimes, those whose lights burn the brightest burn out all too quickly, but it would appear that Briar had chosen to make use of his time as best he could. To find beauty, to spread joy, to tell stories.
He allows Berna to direct his attention to the next photo and something in his gaze softens. There's no mistaking its subject, and he does not need a companion picture to know precisely what she looks like now, burned into his memory as she's been since they met.
The caption only confirms what he had begun to suspect, and he gives a faint, bittersweet smile.]
I understand.
[What Berna had wanted to communicate to him. What Briar meant to imply. Maybe, in his own way, how Briar himself felt.]
It's a beautiful sentiment.
[One he wonders how Amelia might respond to, strong as it is. She should see it, he thinks, but he cannot imagine any world in which doing so would be easy. As the pieces come together, he suddenly finds he understands her a bit better, and he turns his head to look back to Berna, both earnest and curious.]
If you don't mind my asking, how long ago did he pass?
[Five years. That would be quite a significant anniversary when it came around— and while he might have expected an event like this to be hosted sooner, he's well aware that things of this scope do take some time, and five years was almost no time at all to those who had lost someone they cared for so deeply. Loss knew little in the way of boundaries.
It would have felt inappropriate to be openly pleased about the news Berna gives next, and so it's a good thing that his initial reaction is startled instead, his dark brows quirking upwards for a brief moment.]
Is she? That's— I'm glad.
[He exhales, letting out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.]
When she said she hadn't decided whether or not she would attend, I worried that she might regret it if she didn't, even without knowing the full history.
[Berna tries not to widen her smile. The more she spends time with the astrophysicist, the more she sees why Amelia has failed to distance herself effectively from him.]
You're very invested for a friend, Dr. Dekarios.
[She crosses her arms and straightens up to her full height giving him a pointed look.]
It makes me think you're very... Serious. Am I assuming too much? Feel free to correct me, but I tend to be on the money more often than not.
[In retrospect, he likely should have expected this— and even so, Berna's direct approach catches him just slightly off-guard, enough so that he has to clear his throat and then idly straighten one of his cuffs as he composes himself.
He has been rather transparent, hasn't he? Transparent enough that he can't even attempt to fool himself any longer— their shared drink after Amelia's meeting with Dr. Raphael had been the nail in that particular coffin, the moment he'd known that all of this pretending wasn't as convincing as either of them had hoped it would be.]
I— [He huffs softly, then gives an incredulous little laugh, one that still leans towards good-natured.] Are you asking after my intentions?
[If anyone was going to, he supposes it would be Berna. It's difficult to say more with her staring at him so intently, but if he was finally going to admit the truth out loud— now was as good a time as any, wasn't it?
He concedes with a soft smile, his gaze somber.]
I care about her a great deal. Respecting her boundaries is part of that, but your assumptions are... likely correct.
[Berna turns to face the blurry picture of the younger red head to consider Gale's words.]
At the end of the day, she'll have the final word, regardless of my input and conclusions. But what I'm hearing from you is promising... You're forthright as well. Transparent for better or for worse, but... That makes me relieved in a way.
[She motions for Gale to follow her to another section of the gallery where the main focus was subjects wearing a bright colored accessory or item of clothing, with the saturation dialed up to make it stand out even more.]
But I'd say it's rather dangerous to be in this deep with such a soft heart, Dr. Dekarios. Especially when she continues to hide the way she does.
[How strange, to be seen in such a way and have it lauded rather than discouraged. A jaded thought, perhaps, but those years with Ariel had made him more than a bit self-conscious about his heart's natural inclinations. It had, for a time, made it harder to trust— but it had never quite managed to make him cynical in this regard, much as he might have tried to pretend otherwise for awhile.
His heart had a knack for getting him into trouble, but he was certain Amelia was well worth it.
He follows Berna's lead just half a step behind, his hands deep in his jacket pockets, his gaze moving to the pieces on display as they talk.]
She has her reasons.
[Reasons that he's starting to better understand.]
I've done my own share of hiding, too. It can take time to be ready to face the obvious. As for danger, there are some things that are well worth the risk.
Her reasons are that she has a harder time liking people.
[Amelia herself had said it back in the bar and even during their first meeting, there was a variation of it mentioned.]
And because of that, she wrestles needlessly with herself and others can get tangled up in that mindset. Of course, before she was much worse about it, but it's still... Well, plainly put, she's a pain in the ass.
[Berna makes that brutally honest remark in the way only a very good friend can do after years of various assessments.]
But that's her way of having a sensitive heart. And that's one of the things you like about her isn't it?
She's mentioned that, yes— and when she does like people, she believes it to be against her better judgment.
[Something he's certain Berna knows full well already.
Her bluntness startles an honest laugh out of him, brighter than the reserved chuckle he'd given before. He inclines his head slightly— she has the right of it.]
It is. One of many.
[He's sure Berna has heard by now that he and Amelia have a great deal in common, as well, for as different as their outward demeanors may seem.]
[Berna shakes her head, but is smiling. She could do this all night if she wanted, this playful interrogation, but it's so clear to her already. It's not just Amelia's accounts, but meeting Gale in the flesh and how he interacts with her is telling.
Briar was the only other person who saw the world in her friend. Maybe this man did too.]
... Well, I think I know who'd you rather be with right now. As much as I hope you enjoyed being in my presence, I think you can judge for yourself whether any of this is worth it.
I suppose she's not the only one with a stubborn streak.
[He can feel that heat creeping into his face again as Berna prepares to excuse herself, but he supposes he has no reason to hide it from her, flustered though he may be. He raises a fist to cover his mouth as he clears his throat again softly, with only the faintest bit of playful exasperation in his gaze.
Everyone should be as fortunate as he and Amelia are to have friends like Tara and Berna, really.]
Would you? That would be greatly appreciated, thank you. I will say, it's been lovely getting to properly meet the famous Berna after all these months.
[He's been eating her sandwiches since the start of the semester, after all.]
Of course! I'm very happy I've gotten to make your acquaintance. In fact, this won't be the last time we'll be talking, I'm sure.
Now let's see...
[She takes out her phone to text Amelia. There's no immediate response, but when it arrives, she directs Gale to a room in the back, supposedly part of the show, but it wasn't to be open to the public until later in the evening.
Apparently, as per the deceased's wishes, it was to be seen by one person only...]
[If Gale is right outside the door, a text from Amelia appears. Though brief, it has that trademark weight that comes in certain situations such as the one they're faced with now.]
[Gale can't quite decide if Berna's parting words are a promise or a playful threat— perhaps something of both— but having followed her lead, he pulls out his own phone when he feels it vibrate in his pocket, his brow furrowing slightly at the message he's received.]
Of course. I'll wait here until you say otherwise.
[Though her message had been brief, there is a weight to it that he has, indeed, come to recognize. Whatever is in this room, the context is enough to tell him that it's likely responsible for that weight.]
[It's a conversation that they could easily have face to face, but he suspects that she needs the time to collect herself. Given what he now knows, this day must be even more challenging for her than he initially thought, which was considerably so.]
I've quite enjoyed myself, yes. It's lovely in every sense, both the work and the sentiment. I'm planning to purchase a piece to support the cause.
[Briar would have loved to hear that. But she doesn't know whether she wants to mention that over text, in person, or at all.
She remembers that Gale laid out his pain so plainly in front of her before. It was shameful, embarrassing, but he told her and he never asked anything more from Amelia than to listen.
... Nothing will move forward if she remains as is. She will never move forward if she can't even reciprocate with this part of herself that she's kept hidden so desperately.]
[He doesn't text her back, only wordlessly tucks his phone away in his pocket and enters the room as bidden— his smile has faded to something more tentative, somber, and without preamble, he fulfills her earnest request.
He takes the seat next to herself, clasping his hands together against his knees as he looks ahead to the display. In doing so, he feels something catch in his throat— that she would ask him here is a greater show of trust than anything else she's done up until now.
He glances her way for a brief moment before looking back to the display, at last offering a soft:]
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sunfloras2024-01-21 09:17 pm
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[There's a pause as her eyes gaze at the paired photos and then the description.]
[There's one last photo in this area that is strangely without a partner. Before they move onto it, Berna remarks to Gale.]
I assume she's never mentioned him at all, has she?
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I can't say that she has. As you yourself said, she does not speak of herself or personal matters easily.
[His gaze moves to another photo, though they have yet to reach the one missing its partner.]
That she hasn't tells me he must be very important to her, indeed.
[There's no judgment or suspicion in his voice, only calm observation, understanding.]
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Gale Dekarios has very little to none of them at all. Amelia may have said little, but what she's told Berna is true; sincere to his core to the point where the artist can tell why it drives her friend away. To be that open meant being more vulnerable and being more vulnerable meant more chances to hurt.
That is her battle to fight. Berna is here to guide and shed some light, nothing more.]
He was taken from us far too soon. Briar was a gentle soul and incredibly empathetic despite his limitations. In a way, it made him even more determined to see and capture the life he saw in others because his days were quickly dwindling.
Look.
[She points to the single picture that isn't paired up. It's blurry and clearly unprofessional, given touch ups so that it can match the dimensions of the others. In it, is a young girl who's spinning so fast, one can barely make heads or tails of her limbs and light freckles.
But that red hair is unmistakable.]
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He allows Berna to direct his attention to the next photo and something in his gaze softens. There's no mistaking its subject, and he does not need a companion picture to know precisely what she looks like now, burned into his memory as she's been since they met.
The caption only confirms what he had begun to suspect, and he gives a faint, bittersweet smile.]
I understand.
[What Berna had wanted to communicate to him. What Briar meant to imply. Maybe, in his own way, how Briar himself felt.]
It's a beautiful sentiment.
[One he wonders how Amelia might respond to, strong as it is. She should see it, he thinks, but he cannot imagine any world in which doing so would be easy. As the pieces come together, he suddenly finds he understands her a bit better, and he turns his head to look back to Berna, both earnest and curious.]
If you don't mind my asking, how long ago did he pass?
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[It's a longer period than one would expect, but short enough to still leave its effect on those who knew him best.
And as if reading his mind...]
She's here you know. Amelia. She arrived hours before anyone else did.
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It would have felt inappropriate to be openly pleased about the news Berna gives next, and so it's a good thing that his initial reaction is startled instead, his dark brows quirking upwards for a brief moment.]
Is she? That's— I'm glad.
[He exhales, letting out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.]
When she said she hadn't decided whether or not she would attend, I worried that she might regret it if she didn't, even without knowing the full history.
[Then, he manages another faint half-smile.]
Of course she was early.
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You're very invested for a friend, Dr. Dekarios.
[She crosses her arms and straightens up to her full height giving him a pointed look.]
It makes me think you're very... Serious. Am I assuming too much? Feel free to correct me, but I tend to be on the money more often than not.
no subject
He has been rather transparent, hasn't he? Transparent enough that he can't even attempt to fool himself any longer— their shared drink after Amelia's meeting with Dr. Raphael had been the nail in that particular coffin, the moment he'd known that all of this pretending wasn't as convincing as either of them had hoped it would be.]
I— [He huffs softly, then gives an incredulous little laugh, one that still leans towards good-natured.] Are you asking after my intentions?
[If anyone was going to, he supposes it would be Berna. It's difficult to say more with her staring at him so intently, but if he was finally going to admit the truth out loud— now was as good a time as any, wasn't it?
He concedes with a soft smile, his gaze somber.]
I care about her a great deal. Respecting her boundaries is part of that, but your assumptions are... likely correct.
no subject
[Berna turns to face the blurry picture of the younger red head to consider Gale's words.]
At the end of the day, she'll have the final word, regardless of my input and conclusions. But what I'm hearing from you is promising... You're forthright as well. Transparent for better or for worse, but... That makes me relieved in a way.
[She motions for Gale to follow her to another section of the gallery where the main focus was subjects wearing a bright colored accessory or item of clothing, with the saturation dialed up to make it stand out even more.]
But I'd say it's rather dangerous to be in this deep with such a soft heart, Dr. Dekarios. Especially when she continues to hide the way she does.
no subject
His heart had a knack for getting him into trouble, but he was certain Amelia was well worth it.
He follows Berna's lead just half a step behind, his hands deep in his jacket pockets, his gaze moving to the pieces on display as they talk.]
She has her reasons.
[Reasons that he's starting to better understand.]
I've done my own share of hiding, too. It can take time to be ready to face the obvious. As for danger, there are some things that are well worth the risk.
no subject
[Amelia herself had said it back in the bar and even during their first meeting, there was a variation of it mentioned.]
And because of that, she wrestles needlessly with herself and others can get tangled up in that mindset. Of course, before she was much worse about it, but it's still... Well, plainly put, she's a pain in the ass.
[Berna makes that brutally honest remark in the way only a very good friend can do after years of various assessments.]
But that's her way of having a sensitive heart. And that's one of the things you like about her isn't it?
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[Something he's certain Berna knows full well already.
Her bluntness startles an honest laugh out of him, brighter than the reserved chuckle he'd given before. He inclines his head slightly— she has the right of it.]
It is. One of many.
[He's sure Berna has heard by now that he and Amelia have a great deal in common, as well, for as different as their outward demeanors may seem.]
no subject
[Berna shakes her head, but is smiling. She could do this all night if she wanted, this playful interrogation, but it's so clear to her already. It's not just Amelia's accounts, but meeting Gale in the flesh and how he interacts with her is telling.
Briar was the only other person who saw the world in her friend. Maybe this man did too.]
... Well, I think I know who'd you rather be with right now. As much as I hope you enjoyed being in my presence, I think you can judge for yourself whether any of this is worth it.
Would you like me to let her know you're here?
no subject
[He can feel that heat creeping into his face again as Berna prepares to excuse herself, but he supposes he has no reason to hide it from her, flustered though he may be. He raises a fist to cover his mouth as he clears his throat again softly, with only the faintest bit of playful exasperation in his gaze.
Everyone should be as fortunate as he and Amelia are to have friends like Tara and Berna, really.]
Would you? That would be greatly appreciated, thank you. I will say, it's been lovely getting to properly meet the famous Berna after all these months.
[He's been eating her sandwiches since the start of the semester, after all.]
1/2
Now let's see...
[She takes out her phone to text Amelia. There's no immediate response, but when it arrives, she directs Gale to a room in the back, supposedly part of the show, but it wasn't to be open to the public until later in the evening.
Apparently, as per the deceased's wishes, it was to be seen by one person only...]
no subject
[If Gale is right outside the door, a text from Amelia appears. Though brief, it has that trademark weight that comes in certain situations such as the one they're faced with now.]
no subject
Of course. I'll wait here until you say otherwise.
[Though her message had been brief, there is a weight to it that he has, indeed, come to recognize. Whatever is in this room, the context is enough to tell him that it's likely responsible for that weight.]
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I hope Berna didn't say anything strange.
[She sounds normal enough...?]
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Not in the least. She was pleasantly engaging company, nothing more.
[She'd certainly said a great deal, but nothing he would classify as strange.]
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[There's a sense that Amelia is traveling down this path of conversation, like she needed to focus on something other than what was in that room.]
Do you like the gallery so far?
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I've quite enjoyed myself, yes. It's lovely in every sense, both the work and the sentiment. I'm planning to purchase a piece to support the cause.
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. . .
[Another long minute passes. A notification arrives again.]
You're a bit much. Have I said that lately?
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Am I? Should I apologize? I've always been one to support the arts, and the cause is more than worthy.
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She remembers that Gale laid out his pain so plainly in front of her before. It was shameful, embarrassing, but he told her and he never asked anything more from Amelia than to listen.
... Nothing will move forward if she remains as is. She will never move forward if she can't even reciprocate with this part of herself that she's kept hidden so desperately.]
You can come in then. Just sit next to me.
Please.
no subject
He takes the seat next to herself, clasping his hands together against his knees as he looks ahead to the display. In doing so, he feels something catch in his throat— that she would ask him here is a greater show of trust than anything else she's done up until now.
He glances her way for a brief moment before looking back to the display, at last offering a soft:]
Hi.
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