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The cold was bitter and unrelenting today, more so than usual. The brown female thought maybe it was the day's task that made it seem so cold. No, not task, duty. It was her duty today to see her sister's spirit laid to rest in the AniWayan tradition. She, like her brother and Dawali watched the little boat make it's way through the water. It glided precariously close to the ice that had built up over the winter and she feared for a moment that the tiny thing would be struck and would sink. She tensed for a moment, eying the boat with a nervous, fixed gaze. A calming thought came to her suddenly, washing away her fears and melting them as if they were snow. The boat was for Noir, it had a higher purpose to fulfill and she was sure now that it wouldn't fail.
Dawali was humming a funeral tune, it seemed familiar and yet foreign, had she heard it before? She didn't know and couldn't remember attending another funeral. But it was beautiful and sad and she couldn't help but think of how well it fit with the ceremony. A lump formed in her throat and tears began to well in her eyes. She tried with effort to swallow the betraying lump and stifle the tears. She had promised herself not to cry today, she had the rest of her life to mourn Noir. But today would be, for herself, a day of love and remembrance of Noir's life. She took a deep breath and grasped her brother's hand when he offered them to herself and Dawali.
As always she was comforted by her brother's touch and gave his hand a light squeeze. In her other hand she clutched a bundle of bright blue feathers, each had a slightly different hue and pattern. They had been difficult to find in winter since not many birds still dwelt in their lands, having sought warmer climates. Ocèane had brought them to place in the boat for Noir but had reconsidered. What use would they be for her spirit? They served a more useful purpose here with her, reminding her of her regrets and failures as a sister. Her fingers ran through the soft, delicate feathers absentmindedly. She glanced up at Dawali who wore a somber expression. She could see the pain in his eyes. She held her gaze on him and spoke softly, her eyes again brimming with tears, "Thank you Dawali..."
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