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OOC: Everyone's attendance is assumed even if you do not post below. Dated for July 13th.
WC:500+
A quiet had fallen onto the warrior pack with the fall of one of their comrades. Jazper was no stranger to death but it was rare for him to lose a friend. Standing in the small meadow, that he had named the Silent Meadow, he covered up Regners body carefully with small sticks and building it up to small logs. It was a strange ritual that Jazper had never performed, preferring to bury his own, but Anann and him had discussed what they should do and come to an agreement that they wanted the bones to remain on top of the soil. Already the bones of the raiders killed littered the ground in a loose pile to one side of the meadow, Regner would be treated better though. He was a warrior soul, a proper knight that the coal male had enjoyed speaking with profoundly.
The body lay on a bed of sticks and logs and was covered completely. It had been available for viewing for the past day but with the ceremony it would need to be completely contained. He had gone around the pack asking everyone to bring a stone, about the size of their palm, to place around Reg to mark his grave. Lifting his large muzzle the friendly giant called for all to gather in a solemn tone. Although this was a ceremony of sorts he wore his everyday clothing instead of his formal wear. This was no cause for calibration and it seemed odd to dress up special for the death of a loved one.
Standing beside the to be grave he held his own flat stone he had searched for earlier that morning but as he waited the sun began to set, it was time to start. Slowly members began to arrive and he nodded quietly a greeting to each. His heart especially went out to Adelle, she had taken the death of her grandfather extremely hard and her pack mates would need to be very patient with her for the upcoming weeks. When the final person arrived to the meadow Jazper stepped a few feet away from the wood pile. This was all a very new ceremony so he would need to lead things as gracefully as he could.
“This evening we gather to witness the sun set on a life.” He started, his voice steady and lacking the soft reassurance it normally held, replacing it with a simple sadness. “Regner was a warrior of pride until the very end, and his life ended how he would have wished, in battle with a friend. Due to the circumstances Lorenzo has left Casa on his own spiritual journey and will return to us in the fall.” Pausing he gave the members a moment to take in the situation. When a Casa member brought injury to another member it was law that they be demoted or asked to leave the lands. In this case Jazper had deemed it an accident but due to the sensitivity requested Enzo leave for a couple of weeks to give Adelle time. However his son had requested leave for longer in order to pursue some self discovers and the Sole would not deny him that.
Bringing the attention back to the ceremony he continued, “The experience of death is a fresh wound for many of you and we have all been affected to varying depths. Regner acted as a father figure of the pack, someone we could all go to for the wisdom of an elder and yet he would always have our back in a fight and acted as a sparing partner to many of us. He has left us too soon due to a tragic accident that none of us could have seen coming. I pray he finds peace in the afterlife.” Moving forward he placed his stone down a couple feet away from the wood. “I welcome you all to place your stone down to help mark his place permanently in Casa and to say a few words.” Stepping back again he looked around opening the opportunity for the members to say their own goodbyes publicly or to quietly place down their own stones.
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When she heard the news, Alyssum was more or less numb. While she did not know the man, her heart went out to those who did. But, when she discovered that the man was Adelle's grandfather, she became more saddened, but the sympathy was a familiar feeling. She experienced many deaths, yet none of the struck her personally, and felt it rude and unnecessary to grief over one she did not know well. Thus, whatever pity she felt, she kept to herself; everyone knew that every other was terribly sorry for what happened, and there was no need for her to announce the obvious to anyone.
She was near the courthouse in the gardens, picking out a stone. They had a small pile of them, and decided it'd be nice to pick out a rock from some place peaceful in hopes it would help carry over the spirit the same way. She had plucked a suitable size a few minutes before Jazper called forth everyone, and made her way to where it sounded quickly. She was not one of the first to come, but rather easily mixed in with others that just entered as well. She glanced over at the Sole, trying to meet his eyes if but for a moment, and looked back down at her feet as the rest of the pack filed in.
She listened quietly as Jazper went on without his usual gusto, which made her feel even more worse about the entire situation. She became a little curious when he mentioned his son, but gave no sign of true interest. She heard rumors that it was the Knight's boy that had hurt the old warrior, but she never really saw it as inentional fowl play. Nevertheless, she trusted Jazper's judgement, and knew that he knew what to do.
She looked up when the Sole announced that it was time to place the stones. She waited as a few placed their rocks into place, and when it was her turn, she set down the rock and stared at the blanketed body. So... I guess this is goodbye? she thought awkwardly, mentally speaking to the still man. Um...yeah, I heard a lot of great things about you. I heard you were a great warrior... I hope that Adelle will cope soon. She really misses you, a lot. Bitting her lower lip, she dipped her head to the man for the first and last time. I hope you go to Elysium. With that, she stepped away from the site and melted back into the crowd. When she began to rub her face, she realized that her eyes were slightly wet. She had a one sided conversation with a dead warrior, yet she felt like he knew him a little just by thinking to him. Or maybe she was too emotional. [/html]
She hadn't left his side. Even when they began piling the sticks around him she had stayed by her grandpa, thinking that maybe it was a game, that he'd spring back up and everything would be better again. Adelle choked on air as she struggled to listen to what was being said, not really understanding what was happening. Whining she pushed forwards, trying to reach his body again and just prove that she was there. That he wasn't going to leave her. He was the only family she had! If he left her...
Adelle stared forlornly as the sol's voice droned on through the air. She didn't even really hear what he was saying. The pack began to move forwards though, and Adelle realized they were coming near Grandpa. They couldn't! What if he woke up, what if he didn't, she didn't want to realize he was dead. Growling Adelle stood up, hackles raised as she bared her fangs at the pack members. They were not to approach. She lunged towards Alyssum as a small stone was placed down, threatening to tear into her.
[html] (340) well, that escalated quickly. xD and I hope you don't mind the minor PP, though I don't think its PP...? oh well, just tell me if you need it changed anyway!
The woman had not recently seen the girl ever since the news had spread around the pack about the man's death. While she did not sought her out, it felt strange not to see her around off-hand. But, she half-guessed where she would be, thus the reason why she avoided the meadow throughout the viewing. Now that she was there and seeing Adelle since a good amount of days, she could not help but frown at her depressed state. Alyssum thought about having a word with her after everything was done, so as to comfort her to the best of her abilities or to allow the wolfdog let it all out, through cries or words.
The hybrid was distracted by the covered body, and did not notice the girl's anger until it become verbal. She quickly turned around to face her as she suddenly came forward, and eyes widened in surprise at the terrible snarl she sounded and teeth flashing. But, her shock was but for a fleeting moment as experience and instinct flowed into her limbs and mind. While some part of her wanted to be as equally aggressive, she quickly decided not to hurt Adelle, or at least hoped that it would not come to that.
Instead, she met the hybrid halfway, and wrapped her arms around her's, almost like a hug but far more restraining. She tucked her head into the crook of her arm, in case she tried to take a flailing swing at it. "Adelle," she whispered so that only she could hear, her voice strained. "Adelle, calm down." The woman "hugged" the girl tighter, and prayed that she wouldn't fight her off and try to attack anyone else. If anything, she'd rather for the upset granddaughter to struggle with her than with anyone else. While strong for a female, she was not sure if she could hold back the giant other if she decided to shake her off. But, she'd try the best part of herself to keep her pack mates from being attacked. [/html]
Hadley knew that Isa was nearing the end of her pregnancy. She'd actually reached the end, and then kept going. Something that was deeply concerning for him. He couldn't solve it though, so Hadley held on and wished for the best. With the news of a death in the pack he grew even more anxious. It had been Regner, the one that had taught him about healing. He'd picked up some fairly important stuff from him. Now he was dead. He stared at the pile where the bones laid, ears pinned to his head. Regner might have been old, but Hadley wished he hadn't died.
He stepped forward to place a stone when a sudden blur of black and gold flashed pass. The granddaughter. She was in secui form, the burly shape that he'd often seen the pup in. He stepped back, frightened by her vicious movements. Moving across he headed for where Isa was, moving to place himself between her and his very pregnant mate. In this state there was no way that he would let her near Adelle. She could get hurt too badly.
Sebastian sidestepped the mess of Adelle's grief. It was terrible. At least Reggie had lived a long and full life. He had been old when the accident had claimed him. Old, but still powerful. Handsome, too, in a rather... mature way. Strong inside and out, with an iron will and love for the small girl in his care. In the end, none of it had mattered. The boy had claimed his life with an accident and none of it mattered any more.
Sebastian placed a deep red, jagged stone alongside the others. His words were low, murmured in the ancestor of his own native language.
"Requiescat in Pace, Regner." Sebastian bowed to the body and walked away, only the brightness of his eyes betraying his sadness. His grief would come later, what of it there was. Later, and privately.
Sebastian carried his burdens alone.
The secui form girl was caught in a garish bear hug. It looked like Adelle had rushed to hug her, but she was trapped, kept from striking out. Her head was pinned, unable to twist free. She struggled against the hybrid's frame, large paws pushing desperately as they tried to find grip. It just slipped, unable to escape. Blind rage and instinct was guiding her as she fought, wanting to escape. Adelle managed to get her teeth into some fur and tore at it, but only a few hairs came away.
The words only brought Adelle's rage into focus. No! He couldn't be gone. No tears came, too busy fighting what had already happened. Adelle slipped free at last, panting as she faced the hybrid. Hackles raised she turned her head, growling as Sebastian approached the body. He left quickly enough, but she still didn't like it. Turning back to Alyssum she stepped forwards, a challenge in her eyes. She wouldn't let her get away with disturbing Grandpa.
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OOC:
WC:300+
Adelles presence bothered the Sole but he dare not remove her before the ceremony was finished. It has crossed his mind during the night to not allow her to be present for the stone ceremony but had decided as his only kin that it would be best if she were present. But as she lashed out leaving Alyssum to attempt to comfort her as the others said their goodbyes his own fur began to stand on edge. Instinct begged him to rush forward, running out the aggressor, but he dare not. He understood the pain Adelle felt having lost his own parents at such a young age, she was extremely fragile right now and it was best to ignore her behavior. His eyes wandered around the circle, nodding to each member as they placed the stone around Regner’s grave.
At last Adelle tore away from Alyssum’s reassurance and into a fit. Calmly the Knight spoke, “Everyone is excused now. Thank you for your words.” He could tell that his members were growing uncomfortable with Adelle’s actions and the quickly dispersed, leaving him and the Halfling. Two torches were pre-lit, standing on sticks held in place by the earth. “Adelle.” His yellow eyes did not leave the young one as he moved towards her. Large arms wrapped around her, her squirming useless as he hugged her close, lifting her into the air. She was a large and strong girl, but he was bigger and stronger. With a foot he knocked the torch over and onto the pile of wood, which began to burn. “It’ll be okay love.” He reassured as he began to carry her away from the sight, arms holding onto her tightly.
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Everyone began to back off, leaving the pup to guard the body as she wished. Paws digging down she kept growling as they left the area, standing as strong as she could. They wouldn't touch him. She had done her best to keep them away. Now he had to wake up. He had to come back. She'd done everything she could think of. Why wasn't he coming back? Why was he gone? Why wouldn't Grandpa wake up? Turning she began to dig at the wood, trying to uncover his body and bring him back out. He had to get up!
The call of her name brought her back around, hackles raised. She looked even larger than she normally did, snarling at the sole. She snapped forwards, but he was too strong. Every thrash was useless as she was picked up, held tightly in his arms. There were no words, just outbreaks of whines and growls as she kept struggling. The torch was knocked into the pile, Adelle staring wordlessly as Grandpa was erased from the world, burned beyond where she could bring him back. Carried away Adelle stared until she couldn't take it any longer, lifting her head and howling, a torn voice echoing through the air.
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