[SEASONAL EVENT] empty chairs at empty tables

Remi waited for Ronin to begin. It seemed like the right thing to do, much as he wanted to take the reins. As soon as the former-captain began to stack the wood, Remi did as well, and soon a formidable pyre developed. The alchemist hated the way his mind tended towards efficiency and efficacy of burning a body and tried to remind himself that it was Vanya. But on the other hand, the last thing either of them needed was for this to go badly. Watching Ronin place the linen-wrapped form on the pyre was sad in a way that would not be described. All Remi would remember later was how it hurt, and how perfectly useless he felt as Ronin turned back towards him saying the words that so perfectly and devastatingly summed up this whole ordeal. "No." Remi agreed with a swallow, his own eyes shiny with tears in the soft moonlight as well. Remi felt his heart lurch painfully as Ronin moved with an almost robotic-efficiency. The alchemist understood, but that didn't ease the pain. Assembling the wood around her as well, Remi created swathes of crumpled blue and white paper to emulate waves around her body, but also to serve as a fuel source. Having been to a few funerals before, Remi was surprised how unsure he was of what to do next. "Is there anything you want to say?" He asked. "I am sure there is nothing that she does not already know, but..." Remi trailed off, the bridge of his nose and the back of his eyes prickling with unshed tears that drowned out the words. remi Don't pretend it's such a mystery Think about the place where you first met me