realityshifted | Requiem æternam dona eis

[There is a large funeral pyre on the Plane. It is large enough to hold over a hundred bodies. The pyre is edged in a thick wall of stone to contain the fire. There are a handful of devices embeded into the stonework to contain the fire and the heat. There is also a transmat in the pyre.]

[In a moment, all the bodies from the onsen still there are transmatted onto the pyre. They're under the canvas, so no one has to see the gruesome sight.]

I should say something then, shouldn't I? [Benny is awkwardly quiet for a moment, not really sure how to proceed. If only they were enemies, they could send them off in some grand Martian manner. Oh well. She looks to Brax, and then back to the pyre again, clearing her throat and starting again] Right, well we're gathered here today-- [she stops short, making a face] Oh, that's weddings, isn't it? Bullocks. [she fidgets, looking to Brax again, before taking another deep breath and trying again] I can't say I knew anyone I saw in that room. A few looked familiar, but in the face of it all, I really can't say I could distinguish one from the other. I don't know what kind of people they were, but regardless, they deserved better than that display. [another pause, and she turns to Brax] Oh, I'm rubbish at this. Can't you say anything?

[Braxiatel, in funeral greys, shakes his head. His voice is quiet.] Not unless you want the funeral rites for a fallen Martian warrior. Or, Heavens forfend, one of my own kind. [He places a hand of support on Benny's shoulder.] This isn't for grieving friends and family, Benny. This is for them and for you.

For me? [she pauses at that, and almost protests, but stops short] Right, well maybe just a moment of silence then. I know if it were me, I'd want to tell myself to shut up about now, too. [she looks to the pyre, and then back to Brax] Do we light it now?

[Braxiatel hands Benny a lit torch.] Just put it to the pyre. The stone is programmed to guide the flame.

[Benny stares at the torch before taking it. She approaches the pyre, hesitating once more as she stares it, before finally putting it to the pyre and watching it all burst into flames. She doesn't back away right away, but finally she backs away, returning the torch to Brax]

[Braxiatel accepts the torch, then blows it out. Silent, he reaches out to hold Benny's hand and watch the pyre burn.]

[and Benny in turn takes Brax's hand, her eyes never leaving the pyre]

{ooc; after this post.}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Damon is amused by their banter, but the attention makes him awkward] It's nothing I can't cope with, and I knew what the consequences would be. I would take the risk again if I had to.

It's harassment. And you have level grounds to persecute him for it, if you approach it from the correct angle.

[And he's not responding to Benny because it is definitely the end of the discussion]

I'll take your silence to mean you've finally seen the error of your ways. Now just a matter of deciding what I'll be packing for my luxorious Seerqellan holiday.

But what harassment is this?

[sighs] I'm suspected of turning renegade like the Doctor, simply because I helped him. The Chancellery Guard is...keeping an eye on me, and generally making things difficult. To teach me a lesson, I suppose. [bitter? not at all, really. :|]

I don't intend to make a trial of it yet, Cardinal Braxiatel. I've had some helpful advice from the Doctor.

Before I agree whether the advice was helpful or not, I have to ask which one.

Things with titles like Chancellery Guard usually enjoy making things difficult.

How about we hear what the advice was before you decide as well.

[Have a smile, Benny - Damon can see why the Doctor likes you. Of course, he uses Nyssa as his Companion Standard, so.] It was his alternate Fifth self, the one with the black cricketing outfit. But it really doesn't matter, does it?

[at Bernice] Don't knock them. They used be mine, you know.

Ahh, well he has good taste. I'm sure his advice was sound.

Now you're just adding fuel to the fire, Irving.

And this other Doctor's sartorial choices aside, has this advice of his proven to be of any help to you?

[shrugs] I don't know, I haven't tried it yet. He suggested baiting him...provoking him out in the open. Or spying on his quarters. [nervously] I'm not sure which of the two options is safer, to be honest.

It isn't the one that could leave you alone with him in his domain.

I'd have to agree with Brax here. The Doctor really suggested that you bait the man?

He did. And I don't think he meant spying in person -- I wouldn't dream of going anywhere near Commander Maxil's quarters. [get your mind out of the gutter, Brax]

[Now, would Brax think that?] Yes, just imagine. You'd never get the smell off.

[He's almost completely serious about this.]

Oh, you two are getting political, aren't you? Just give me a tap on the shoulder when you're quite done, thank you.

[smiles] I wouldn't exactly call it politics.

Indeed not, though I did have a handful of political opponents I might have referred to that way. [Three guesses who.] Not that I ever did it public, of course. Double-check the law before you do any surveillance. I seem to recall a few archaic codes that might cause you problems, but it's been centuries since I saw them for myself. [He obviously only memorized main legal texts.]

[a high brow mocking voice] Of course, we can never be seen to handle these delicate matters publicly.

[amused] I'll keep that in mind, thank you. And handling things publicly may cause more problems than anything else; it's a risky solution, which is why the Doctor suggested it, I suppose.

Requiem æternam dona eis

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