[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

BEATRIX

Oh. Someone had words. Lots of very loud words.

"What the FUCK is this?" It was loud. It was brash. It was undeniably a small child. Beatrix stomped into the room, her scuffed boots making a very loud thud as she did so. Her black pants were tucked into them at the bottom, over which she wore Edrei's Northwind military jacket she had found, the sleeves rolled up haphazardly so they weren't too long. And of course, on her hip, the head bopper dildo she had found. Jace was following along behind her, wide-eyed, quiet as usual.

The young Launceleyn put her hands on her hips, glaring up at Loren. "This isn't a funeral for Edrei!" she snapped at him. "Where the hell is her pyre of stuff to burn? What is that bar shit about up there? What do you mean 'if anyone has words'?! This isn't about what other people think it's about Edrei you dummy!" she huffed at him, a scolding tone in her voice. He had been gone for a year but how could he forget what a Launceleyn funeral was?! Her mom had told her they had one for and older brother of hers she never got to meet and that Loren had been there. Boys were such idiots!"No one is suppose to talk, we are supposed to burn her stuff and watch til it turns to ash so she is back to the magic she came from and then make dirty jokes cause it's Edrei!"

I'm reppin' for the girls

who taking over the world

have me raise a glass

Table Code by Sky!

Beatrix, predictably, is not pleased with Loren’s efforts here. Normally, he’d have been kind and patient with her, knowing the grief and loss she’d gone through was far beyond what any child should’ve endured (his own traumatic childhood notwithstanding). But she made the mistake of talking back to him in public. Whether or not she liked him, he was the head of the family now, and she would at least do him the courtesy of being respectful in front of others. Then, however, he realized how similarly that sounded to something that one of his other relatives might’ve said, and he sighed, instead, a sympathetic look on his face. ”Those are Edy’s things, Bea. From the bar and the ones you and Jace missed.” Mostly because they were in places too tall for a child to reach or they were too heavy for a child to carry. ”I would love if you could add the rest of her things to her pyre, though. And I think she would appreciate it as well” He gestured at the logs and objects next to him. And Beatrix was right about one thing: they needed magical fire to return Edy to her roots. Loren had been planning on doing this later in the ceremony, but seeing as no one seemed to want to speak, now was as good a time as any. Raising his arm, palm out, Loren made sure to meet Beatrix’s eyes. The movement was not strictly necessary, but he wanted there to be no doubt about what was about to happen. Perhaps it was time to remind the child—to remind everyone—that just because Loren was kinder than most of his kin, and more inclined to service than to leadership, that did not make him weak and it did not make him useless. A phoenix burst into being, perched on the top of the wood and belongings. Immediately, both caught fire, as the bird of legend raised its head and keened, Loren instructing it to make a mournful sound. Even though the summoner was not going to speak, necessarily, at this funeral, he could still give his cousin a fitting send off. LOREN Brought back by satisfaction more times than the cat

WESSEX

Go
deep throat
a cactus

Unaware of Launceleyn traditions, Wessex can only sit in the back (no big fire in her face, thanks) and listen and watch. She’s one of the first there and is thus purposefully able to choose a place from which few might notice any stray emotions. Luckily for her, Zariah’s brat comes in, yelling and pulling attention in a very annoying voice.

And then for a moment, she thinks the man has Edy’s gift and her breath catches in her throat, until she sees that it is either much more or very different. A pheonix lands on the pyre meant to represent Edy and the whole thing swoops up into flame amidst some mournful noises. An excessively appropriate display. With the dildo clearly and inappropriately on the child’s hip, Wessex thinks Edy might have been satisfied with the whole send-off. The only way it could get better is with a drunken orgy.