Fake memories involving Dawn. There was a story, probably a very long one, behind that.
But Eliot felt, rather instinctive, that it wasn't exactly going to help with the mood to get it from her. He could ask later or let old ghosts lie. There were times for those kinds of stories and a walk in the park to try to throw off the pain and shadows of the past week wasn't the time so he let it go.
"We'll have ta remember to bring food for the ducks next time." If there were any ducks in this park. He wasn't sure. "But we could climb some trees." He let go of her hand, swerving off their course toward one of the nearby trees that had branches and just the right sort of height for tree climbing. "Like this one."
He was still weaker than he'd like to be but he figured if he was careful it wouldn't be too much of a risk or drain to climb a few trees. It might even help him push himself to get some strength back.
He patted the trunk, staring upwards into the branches above, that odd feeling coming back as he did so. It felt good to be outside, back to something organic and green. He let his newly strengthened senses reach out, the feeling of the bark beneath his fingers, the smell of old wood and dormant growth, the sounds of the park all around them...
The feeling of life humming under his fingertips.
He opened his eyes, not even realizing he'd closed them, turning to smile at Buffy. "This one."