[D5 EE] Final Rites (OPEN)

[Kitsune Takeo]

Takeo was there, wearing a white ribbon tied about his arm. He had brought little that fit the occasion, given that this was a miai.

Still, from what he knew of her, Chi-Pu did not seem like the type who would want much pomp and so he supposed that his show of solidarity and his presence sufficed.

[Moto Butaj]

As the fire grew around Chi-Pu's form, Monkhbaatar reached down to his saddle and produced a skin of kumis. Getting a bit closer to the pyre, he poured some out for the Otaku joining their ancestors. He then took a swig as he moved to rejoin the rest of the mounted Unicorn and offered the skin to the next of his clansmen so that they could pass it around and share a final drink with the honored dead. The whole time he didn't say a world, just watching solemnly.

Butaj follows Monkhbataar's example in sharing last kumis with Chi-pu. He still remembers how he shared it with her three nights back, her charming inebriated confessions still ring in his mind, his muscles still remember her weight in his arms as he carried her to rest, and his mind still remembers the expression on her face when he tucked her to sleep. Many big words have been said and those small words he would say about her, of Chi-pu the woman and Chi-pu the friend rather than Chi-pu the hero, are better left out of public places. Butaj is sorry for Hirase's sake, and seeks either him or Yuki in the crowd for a moment with his gaze. They would be a good couple and make a good family, her and Hirase, but this is not going to be now, and Butaj feels remorseful about that. Offering a throaty, continuous low growl as a proper lament, including no words, he looks to the skies and rides back to Khulun's side. He has offered his farewell.

[Seppun Hideo]

As the fire catches, springing and leaping into the sky, tears course freely down Amaya's cheeks, and she does nothing to stem then nor keep them from spilling off her chin and wetting her kimono. She nods silently to the Imperial by way of answer before turning her face back to the pyre.

Hideo said nothing. He just stood closer to Amaya for the moment, not so close as to be obviously invading her personal space, but close enough that she could feel he had remained close by. Then he turned back to the pyre, and wordlessly looked on.

[Matsu Kogo]

At the moment the funeral pyre is lit Kyra, use to the mourning howls of Ikoma bards that come with such moments takes that queue to let out a mounful sound a long wail for the dead comes from her feline throat echoing over the area. Ryori remains stone faced keeping his on like a good samurai watching as the fires consume the body, he leans just enough to allow his shoulder to reassuringly touch the Matsu next to hims shoulder a moment so she knows he is there.

She looks at him, thanking him with her eyes for his kindness. She whispers," My heart is too soft, like clay. It feels each movement of the world. "

[Asako Hirase]

Hirase, of course, had come. Oh, true, he came a bit late, and he came alone, without the martial display that so many others could boast. He couldn't even wear a touch of white, since that color had not been a part of his wardrobe since the formal mourning period for his first wife had ended nearly two years before.

All he could bring her was a promise, murmured softly to the ascending coils of smoke.

"I will learn what has befallen you, and it will be written. Your time in this cycle here is ended, but your name shall not fall to silence as you have."

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Sighing, Tomonaga turned away as the flames crept higher. There didn't seem to be any reason to watch any longer.

"Not too far off from the Crab way, in a lot of respects." Tomonaga observed in a low voice to Hiroji. "There wasn't a Voice, but besides that..." He shrugged. "It was a good send off. Chi-Pu will go to judgment well-accompanied."

[Soshi Taira]

Taira did not look away.

This was his duty. His failure.

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Sighing, Tomonaga turned away as the flames crept higher. There didn't seem to be any reason to watch any longer.

"Not too far off from the Crab way, in a lot of respects." Tomonaga observed in a low voice to Hiroji. "There wasn't a Voice, but besides that..." He shrugged. "It was a good send off. Chi-Pu will go to judgment well-accompanied."

Hiroji did not look away. Though he did let his fists uncurl and his expression soften. "They honor her in their own way, I trust it is enough." He sighs.

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Hiroji did not look away. Though he did let his fists uncurl and his expression soften. "They honor her in their own way, I trust it is enough." He sighs.

"Yeah." Tomonaga said with a nod.

After a reflective pause, his hand dipped into his kimono, lifting a fine ceramic sake bottle just enough to be seen. "Drink? Seems like a good time for it, honor the fallen and all. And I brought the good stuff."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

As the fires flickered and grew larger, Dong-Ha left the pyre, only to return with four heimin carrying kumis and few bottles of sake. "We have sent Otaku Chi-Pu on her final journey! Now it's the time to celebrate her death and her rebirth! Drink deep and remember the fallen!" Dong-Ha's voice boomed, cracking a bit by the end.

Meanwhile the servants scurried to serve drinks to those present.

"Oh, and some of our drinks are courtesy of Yasugi Tomonaka-san! Give him a cheer, will ya!"

[Kaiu Hiroji]

"Yeah." Tomonaga said with a nod.

After a reflective pause, his hand dipped into his kimono, lifting a fine ceramic sake bottle just enough to be seen. "Drink? Seems like a good time for it, honor the fallen and all. And I brought the good stuff."

Hiroji sighs and even manages to give a small smile. "Yes, a drink would be good."

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Kitakuhime fetches a bottle from one of the servants and pours it on a cup. Atop Gekko, she approaches the pyre and throws the content over the fire, feeding the flames even higher.

She pours again, and Gekko walks nearby Imane. The Otaku heir extends her arm to offer the drink to her sister-in-arms. When she accepts, Kitakuhime looks around, ready to serve others.

--
PM me if you would like to be served.

[Yasuki Tomonaga]

Hiroji sighs and even manages to give a small smile. "Yes, a drink would be good."

Hearing his name, Tomonaga ducked his head a little, his cheeks reddening a bit. He hadn't really wanted attention at the moment. Well... nothing to be done about it now.

With practiced ease, Tomonaga pulls out the bottle and a cup, passing the later to Hiroji. He filled it generously. He took out his own cup, pouring into that one as well, and then raising it. "Well. To Otaku Chi-Pu." He said, raising his cup in a toast before drinking.

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hearing his name, Tomonaga ducked his head a little, his cheeks reddening a bit. He hadn't really wanted attention at the moment. Well... nothing to be done about it now.

With practiced ease, Tomonaga pulls out the bottle and a cup, passing the later to Hiroji. He filled it generously. He took out his own cup, pouring into that one as well, and then raising it. "Well. To Otaku Chi-Pu." He said, raising his cup in a toast before drinking.

"To Otaku Chi-Pu!" Hiroji responds to the toast before drinking.

[Matsu Yurio]

Yurio had his own sake cup. Black with little golden kittehs painted on it.