Requiem æternam dona eis

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[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.}

Comments

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Does anyone really know?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

And does it matter?

[collector]

Must we get into nihilism?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Why shouldn't we?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't know, isn't it one of those topics you're not meant to bring up - like religion and politics and so on?

[collector]

Are you equating philosophy with politics?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

What's the difference?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

And in what cultures?

[collector]

Shall I make a lecture of it?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Is there any stopping you?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

And must you?

[collector]

Must you both carry on like this?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

How could we not?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

Did you expect anything less?

[collector]

Is it a sin to hope?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Has something being a sin ever stopped you in the first place?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

Yes, Brax, I have to second that: has it?

[Oh that is so cheating Doctor.]

[collector]

[Glancing at Bernice] Don't you think that should be a disqualifying sentence?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Have any rules even been laid out?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

[Glances at Brax.] I didn't hear any, did you?

[collector]

Do you need them made explicit?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Are you refusing to disclose the rules of the game?

[not-theman-iwas.livejournal.com]

Is there a reason you might want to prevent us from having a defined set of rules?

[collector]

Was I not simply questioning why you don't know them already?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[sigh] Is this going to continue ad infinitum?