[Mini Event] burned bright

The time had finally come to pay respects to Edy. Oh, not the party they were going to throw later, but the somber, solemn affair of the funeral was finally here. Although Beatrix would insist that she had done it all, Loren had of course done the bulk of the work: gathering the wood and kindling for the pyre, making sure there were enough seats on the off chance that people actually came by, setting up a very small stage in case anyone wanted to make a speech, and finally placing all the belongings the Launceleyns had gathered in a pile above the wood. The funeral was taking place at night so the Ascended could come. Even if tensions were high (not that Loren knew about that), he wouldn’t deny them the opportunity to pay their respects. It was held on the lawn outside the Manor, of course, since he didn’t want to chance the fire getting out of control. Indeed, he’d dug a ditch around it just in case. Now he waited, a silent sentinel at the front next to the fire. He’d finally cleaned up for this occasion, though he could do nothing about the circles under his eyes or the thinness of his cheeks and frame. Still, he’d cut his hair and shaved, and dressed in all black; it stood in stark contrast to his too pale skin. Indeed, other than the blue of his eyes and his sandy blonde hair, he was almost entirely shades of black and white. He waited until enough people had shown up before stepping up onto the stage. Although he was understandably nervous about being in front of all those people, he focused on his breathing and called upon all his training, so he knew that he at least looked calm. His voice, which carried easily over the crowd (or lack thereof), was sad, but clear. ”If anyone would like to say a few words, please feel free to do so.” Loren himself probably wouldn’t say much, though he hadn’t made up his mind yet. It didn’t seem entirely appropriate for him, the prodigal Launceleyn, to act as anything but the master of ceremonies. However, leaving Beatrix and Jace as the sole representatives of the family didn’t seem right either. LOREN Not quite an open book