005. Voice | April 6, evening

[pmsgargoyle]

Londo Mollari was killed during the attack.

I'd like to cremate his remains in order to perform a Wind Ceremony.

Comments

[Voice]

[topgun_textiles]

...Sorry. I know how rough that is.

[Voice]

[pmsgargoyle]

[ aha. Sympathy. How ironic. ]

Casualties of war, isn't it?

[Voice]

[topgun_textiles]

Yeah, but that don't mean y'can't mourn... or do that Wind Ceremony. Does Shibusen have the, uh... the remains?

[Voice]

[pmsgargoyle]

I'm not sure who does. Perhaps the morgue.

[Voice]

[topgun_textiles]

Best bet's there. That's where I've seen all the others as their records get an update.

[His voice sounds briefly tight around the edges at that last bit, but he leaves it at that.]

[Audio]

[badcop]

[No condolences from Barricade, but she ought to expect that.]

Wind ceremony?

[Audio]

[pmsgargoyle]

[ she doesn't need them. ]

A funeral, so to speak.

[Audio]

[badcop]

I get that, but what is it specifically?

[Audio]

[pmsgargoyle]

When a gargoyle dies, the rest of the clan holds a Wind Ceremony for him or her, a farewell to stone and flesh.

When a gargoyle dies, the disposition of his or her body depends only slightly on whether the gargoyle died during the day or at night. If at night, the corpse is cremated. If during the day, the rubble is pulverized, though such cases are very rare. [ she has never mentioned Gargoyles turn into stone during the day, has she? oops. ]

In either case, the cremated or pulverized remains are taken by the gargoyle mourners to the highest point on the local map. A memorial is held and whoever wishes to speak of the departed, may, be it a friend, be it an enemy. In the end, the mourners spread the remains upon the wind, saying, "Ashes to ashes or dust to dust. All is one with the wind." [ Over time, humans began to use a variation of the same at their funerals. The idiots ]

The gargoyles then spread their wings, soaring amid the ashes or dust in the hope that part of the departed will stay with them forever.

[Audio]

[badcop]

[Yeah, she kind of lost him at the 'rubble' part. Still, funerals weren't something he'd seen for a long time. Autobots might still perform them, but Decepticons couldn't bear to waste perfectly good parts and Energon. Might as well be useful in death, instead of six feet under.]

You're going to have to clarify - why's it matter what time of day you die?

voice;

[fourleafbrat]

[. . . It's been a really long time since Clover's spoken to Londo. It's odd, to say the least, to hear news like this, and even though she hadn't been close to him, she can't help but listen silently and respectfully.

She feels pretty numb. Death probably doesn't affect her as much as it should.]

. . . When?

[It's only one word, but it's the only word she can think of at the moment.]

voice;

[pmsgargoyle]

[ Demona assumes the "when" is about when the Wind Ceremony will be held. ]

It depends on when I'm given his ashes.

It will be held during the night, however.

voice;

[fourleafbrat]

[She assumes correctly. And although she doesn't necessarily know what a Wind Ceremony is, she's curious enough to snoop on the other responses she's gotten--

Not to mention, it isn't entirely impossible to figure it out on context.

. . . Now what does she say?]

I guess I should say thank you. I didn't know him that well, but I'd still like to attend, if you don't have a problem with that.

My name's Clover.

voice;

[pmsgargoyle]

[ Demona has no idea what she should be saying either. She didn't think of Londo as someone to be cared for others and the fact that someone does comes a bit as a surprise.

And besides.

It's humans. Being caring. ]

... Demona.

You may come, if you wish to.

voice;

[fourleafbrat]

Thanks.

[She lets out a sigh, as if she's relieved, or something ridiculous like that. She doesn't know why she would be-- but in any case, it isn't hard to tell that there's a lot here, not being said.

On both sides.]

Once you've got a date for it . . . be sure to let me know.

[voice]

[thatkindofscum]

L-londo-sama is gone?

[Obito sounds more than a little shocked. There goes his designated drinking partner. But there's more to it. Obito knew Londo, and it's never easy to say goodbye to someone you talked with even only casually.]

I... I'm sorry.

[voice]

[pmsgargoyle]

[ honestly what is she supposed to say to your sympathies ]

Yeah.

This is what war is like.

[voice]

[thatkindofscum]

Yeah, I know that. It's just...

I just don't know what to say about these things.

[voice]

[pmsgargoyle]

You do not need to say anything.

[Voice]

[ghostofaqueen]

[She's not entirely one to waste sympathy on someone who clearly doesn't want it. So she doesn't. Her tone is more curious and carries little sympathetic accents to it.]

Then it seems you'll have to get a new Weapon.

[Voice]

[pmsgargoyle]

Yes, I do.

[Voice]

[ghostofaqueen]

What kind of weapons are you proficient in, or do you have something in mind already?

[Voice]

[pmsgargoyle]

Medieval weaponry, such as mace, morningstar, falchions, flail, polearms and spears, axes and crossbow. I am also capable of using more advanced technology such as guns, riffles, particle beam weapons, bazooka and high powered canon.

[ the perks of being born in 994 and living for a thousand years ]

voice;

[glassworkgenius]

Londo-san... was...

[ Taiyou stays silent. He's only ever spoken to him once, but the fact he was gone now still struck him to the core. He didn't know what to say, but after a long silence, he weakly speaks up again. ]

Ah, I'll go too, if it's alright. To the Wind Ceremony.

voice;

[pmsgargoyle]

[ another one? Why do humans even care, seriously. ]

Very well. I will let you know when it will be held.