RP:Ash-Less Cremation

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Spring of Vitality

Nowfaleena was doing her best to ready for the cremation and memorial on her own. She had been building a pile of wood for the better part of the day in the center of the clearing. Her luminescent gaze slid shut with a huff as she heaped more wood onto the funeral pyre. Her features had fallen into a sad expression, clearly the memory of her love was paining her now that she must truly say goodbye. Her tail hung limp behind her, and her ears pinned back against her hair. Opening her hues once more, she examined her work.


Calwin had slept most of the day. As he awoke and stretched a familiar scent hinted at his nose outside the den. Groaning lightly the feline dragged his clothes on and yawned. Rolling to his feet the pantheran made his way to the exit of his small hole. Decorations greeted him everywhere and as he looked around he saw Nowfaleena. "Hello miss."


Nowfaleena blinked and turned to see the panther. She still had mixed feelings about him, but she would tolerate his presense, for now. She gave a small nod of greeting, "Calwin." Her eyes then turned to the pyre, trying to estimate if the large pile of wood would be enough to achieve the dismal task of cremation.

Calwin looked over the decorations again curiously and then turned to Nowfaleena. "Need some help?'


Nowfaleena didn't want to admit that she needed any aid, but the truth was, piling the wood had been hard on her, especially since she was almost due. "If you wish." She gave a shrug, turning to walk back into the forest surrounding the clearing, seeking out more dead wood to pile onto the pyre.


Calwin followed the woman clsoely and reached out to gently touch her shoulder. "What would you like me to do?"


Nowfaleena blinked as her shoulder was touched, bristling slightly, "If you want to help, find some wood and put it on the pyre." She responded, shrugging his hand off.


Calwin sighed and shook his head. Making his way towards a deepoer part of the forest the feline began to gather limbs and branches fallen from the trees scattered around.


Nowfaleena set herself to another task, setting up a makeshift table on which to spread the refreshments when the time came.


Calwin gather a load of wood and began to carry it back. As he moved towards what appeared to be some sort of celebration he eyes Nowfaleena. She seemed kind enough and a sweet woman to boot, he truly did regret hurting her feelings as he did.


Nowfaleena sighed softly as she spread a cloth over the table, closing her eyes. She took a moment to compose herself, and her face shifted to a neutral expression. Casting a glance at the other, the caracal noticed his eyes on her, "Tonight is Strend's memorial." She explained.


Calwin frowned and nodded softly. "My condolences." The feline walked over to where the other wood had been stored and dumped the load he had just gathered


Nowfaleena gave a nod of thanks, watching as he piled the wood onto the funeral pyre. "Do yo uthink it is enough wood?" She knew that Strend would be angry if he knew Cal was talking to her, let alone helping her prepare for his funeral.


Calwin shrugged and frowned. "I do not honestly know."


Nowfaleena offered a slight nod, "I see...well...I think it will do..." She knew that her mate would hate her if he still existed anywhere, but she had to make her next request, "Strend..." She choked slightly as she spoke the name, "His body...is over there." She gestured to a sheet covered mass that stank of decomposition from having been allowed to sit so long, "Could you lift him onto the pyre?"


Calwin turned and eyed the covered bit and cringed a bit at the smell. Pulling a piece of cloth from his pack the feline covered his nose by tying it off behind his head and walked over scooping the odd mass up. As he walked the stench was barely pushed away, but still he carried the form to the pyre.


Nowfaleena tried to remain emotionless as she watched the panther move Strend's corpse to the pyre. She quickly failed as her eyes began to fill with tears, and she placed her right hand upon her belly, feeling the life stirring within her. She knew the odor was horrid, and that was her fault for waiting so long. Tears matted the fur beneath her eyes as they began to spill over.


Calwin heard the woman crying. Making sure to be quit, yet careful he lowered Strend's body into place. Quickly moving over to Nowfaleena's side he gently hugged her. It was not flirting or anything of the kind, but rather for comfort. "Shh. It's alright to cry, but you have to relax. The stress isn;t good for the babies."


Nowfaleena’s eyes widened as the man embraced her. She made no move to return the gesture, but did not pull away either. Tears matted the fur of her cheeks as they rolled down her features, carving little streams that dripped from her chin. She knew she should relax. She knew this was meant to be a celebration. But she just couldn't seem to view it as such.


Calwin began to lightlyrub Faleena's back to help her relax. "Shhh. I know it's hard, and I'm not saying forget that it hurts, but you have to calm yourself and relax."


Nowfaleena closed her eyes, trying her best to calm down. Her body trembled slightly as she took a shakey breath.


Calwin very gently scooped the woman up. He made sure not to harm the children. Though the woman had the added weight of pregnanacy she was still quite light. He carrief her over to s ahigh standing stump, which would work well as a chair and sat her down on it. "Sit here and rest for a few. I will do whatever else is needed."


Nowfaleena blinked as she was lifted, not sure she liked the idea. As she was set upon the stump, she wiped the damp fur of her face. She gave a nod at his statement, "Alright." She would allow him to do the rest.


Calwin said to you, "Dry your tears miss. Thinks will turn. They always do. Now what else would you have me do?"


Nowfaleena sniffled softly, "I have a bottle of lamp oil...douse the wood and the...and Strend...they will burn better that way."


Calwin did as he was told, finding the bottle and dousing the body as well as the wood. he didn't like performing this task, but once he was done, he saw that Faleena was still sniffling. Turning he made his way over to her and gently placed his hand on hers. "It may be best if I am not here for the ceremony... but I want you to know... you have my condolences."


Nowfaleena could not watch as the pyre was drenched in lamp oil. But when she saw a hand on her own, she blinked, and looked up at the other feline. At his words, she gave a nod, "It would probably be better if you were not here." She agreed.


Calwin nodded and patted the woman's hand very gently. "Is there anything else you need before I go?"


Nowfaleena shook her head, "I think I can handle the rest..." All that was left to do was to set out the refreshments, and then, once people arrived, to light the fire. She dreaded that task, but it was one she had to do for herself.


Calwin nodded softly and gave the woman a light hug. My prayers are with you and your children." Cal turns and begins to walk away.


Nowfaleena bit her lower lip, giving a nod of thanks. Again she made no move to return his embrace, but did not push him away. As he walked away, she watched him fade into the forest.


Virilis appears from the north.

Nowfaleena rose from her seat on the stump, and began setting out the food and drinks she had purchased.


Noemi appears from the north.


Virilis walks quietly into the area with a smile on his face. The smile was fake and void of happiness, but up none the less so as not to make his friend feel worse than he knew she already did. Upon seeing Faleena setting out the food and drinks he heads over to her. "Hey."


Nowfaleena looked over to the first arrival, "Hello, Virilis..." She spoke softly, putting out the last of her buffet. Looking around she sighed softly, her eyes finaly coming to rest upon the pyre which had yet to be lit.


Noemi enters the place, having being able to read the tavern boards today, she wonder if she is welcome to visit the man, slowly taking careful steps, unsure, that Now woman still hates her it seems


Araina made her way quietly into the area as she normally would, bare feet whispering over the soft grass as she made her way over to the feline by the refreshment table. A very slight smile is offered, and she tenatively wrapped her arm about her, whispering softly, " Leena." She knew the woman did not find such things comfortable so she did not hold her long, letting go quickly.


Virilis keeps his smile up as he is greeted by the caracal. "Everything looks great. I'm sure that Strend is looking down smiling right now." The panther places a hand on Faleena's shoulder then lowers it quickly as he hears the others approaching. He turns to greet all that arrived standing next to his friend.


Nowfaleena offered a faint smile to her friends as they filed into the clearing. She supposed it was time to light the fire. Hearing Virilis' words didn't really sooth her any, she just looked down. She wasn't sure there was an afterlife... "Perhaps." Was all she managed as a reply. Turning to light the pyre, she spied the pinkette, her eyes narrowed slightly. This was the woman who had tried to seduce Strend! What right did she have to be at his memorial!


Noemi innocently smiles at the woman as she enter, she is wearing her usual barmaid uniform and backpack, a large coat upon her shoulder and an odd large cylindrical object upon her right hand, unsure what it is for, the feline moves close and said, "What? I am here to return this..." taking the coat from her shoulder... it was Strends... "He... uhm... left it last time I gave...... service." blinking a bit, glancing at the body, as if she wanted to put it there too, "And this is only a handful (of people), I am guess it is not starting yet?"


Virilis lofts a snow white brow at the newcomer's words of service. Looking over at Faleena he could tell she didn't want her there. Unsure of how to act currently the panther stands where he is ready to stop any argument that might break out, and ruin the funeral.


Nowfaleena bristled and hissed softly, not liking the woman's words at all. It was only Araina's hand on her shoulder that kept her from attacking the pinkette right out. "Think of the children." The lycaness whispered in her ear, "Go ahead and put it on the pyre." She growled, "But don't you -dare- try anything!" With that she reached for the torch with which to light the flame that would cremate her love.


Noemi nods and moved closer toward the corpse, placing the coat over him. Somehow the coat seems heavier, as if something is in it, turning to the Now-woman, "So, Are we starting this? or is there anyone else we waiting?"


Virilis looks over at Faleena as she lets out her hiss. He nods agreeing with the lycaness' words. "She's right my Faleena. Calm down." The panther watches as the other feline lies the coat over his fallen friend. It was strange he had never seen Strend ever wear a coat like that causing him to wonder if the bar maid was lying. He looks around at her words. "It looks like this may be it."


Nowfaleena eyed the other feline as the pinkette placed the coat over Strend's partially decaying corpse, "I think this is it." She replied, not even trying to put on a friendly tone. She took a deep breath to calm herself as Araina murmured to her, "We are here to honor Strend, not to fight." The caracal gave a slight nod as she held the torch tha would light the pyre in hand, and began to speak. She wasn't one for alot of words, and so her eulogy would be short and simple, "Strend...was unique." She began, biting her lip to fight off the tears that were beginning to form, "He loved life, challenges...and whatever people say...he was a good man..." The tears had one the battle, and they streaked down her furred features as she placed the torche upon the pyre, which quickly became engulfed in flame. "Farewell, Strend..." She whispered as the flames reflected in her glowing hues.


Noemi picks up her stuff and move toward a tree, using her claws as she climb it, sitting on a major branch as she watch this people talk about the one who is already dead, 'Why won't just they burn it already!' she told herself, being a demolition expert and a pyromaniac, she can't help but fidget, unable to wait anymore, she shouted mid-speech, "Yes! Blah! Blah! he is awesome and stuff! for crying out loud burn him already!" wrapping her tail upon the branch as it hold her in place, picking up the large cylinder, placing it on her shoulder, being a weapon maker, demolition and fireworks expert, devastating weapons like this are easy, aiming the tube toward the coat that is above Strend's body, actually... it is not his coat, its a random coat that she filled with Blasting-powder, placing a hand upon the trigger, "Good bye Master...." a projectile powered by fireworks started to escape from the tube. With a grenade installed upon its tip to ensure the pulverizing ability of the round, grinning as she put the tube aside, waiting for it to hit the target.


Virilis stares at his friend's corpse as Faleena began to speak. He remembers back to always having to save the elf's life after he had his tail end handed to him in a fight. His reminiscing is cut short however when the barmaid shouts out her interruption. His crimson eyes dart up to the feline in the tree with utter rage filling them at her words. He opens his mouth to yell at her to shut up, but quickly closes it when he sees her aiming what appeared to be a weapon down at his friend's dead body which Faleena just happened to be standing next to. The panther makes a mad dash over towards the caracal keeping his eyes on the strange device. Upon seeing the projectile rocket out of it's barrel he instinctively raises a hand while murmuring a brief incantation. As soon as the last syllable leaves his mouth a dome shaped barrier engulfs the panther and Faleena. He hopes it is strong enough to shield them from the blast.


Araina had been keeping a close eye on Noemi, regardless of her words to the caracal, the druid did not trust the barmaid. Emerald hues followed her movements, narrowing as she moved herself up into the tree. However, as the pregnant woman's words resonated, her gaze was brought back to fully focus on her friend's still form for the first time. The woman found her eyes watering as she overlooked the elf, memories flooding her as she thought back over their time together. Emotion tore through her as she recalled the first months of meeting him, his never failing humor in any given situation, even if it was innopropriate had nearly always left her in a good mood. She kept her hand on the caracal's shoulder during her speech, giving what support she could. She nearly averted her gaze as Leena lit the pyre, though at the last moment retrained on the now-burning form of her departed friend, a thought, a prayer, falling from her lips softly, " Goodbye Kisa." Having had her attention else where, she didn't notice the projectile until the panther had already moved in front of them and she removed her hand from the caracal to begin tracing intricate patterns on the air, an emerald glow emitting to strengthen the shield the panther had already made. Adding her own power to his, she was confident they would be kept safe from harm, though with their proximity to the pyre she was uncertain.


Nowfaleena growled lowly when Noemi interrupted her. How dare she! To show up at the caracal's lover's funeral, and then show such disrespect was enraging! She was about to charge up the tree after her, as best as she could in her pregnant condition, when the pinkette fired her weapon. Fortunately Virilis and Araina stepped in to save the expectant mother, throwing up a force field that would hopefully absorb most of the impact. "YOU!" The caracal shrieked once the explosion had roared through the area, "YOU! GET OUT! OUT!" She bristled, and hissed, and glared through those luminescent hues. She was shaking now, so angry, so saddened by the now scattered remains of her lover, a ball of emotion. Breaking away from her friends she moved to where the metallic tail of her mate had landed, blown off his body by the force of the blast. She knelt to the ground beside it, tears in her eyes.


Noemi grins as the round hit the target, blasting away the corpse, sending that area into oblivion, destroying the area completely as the ground itself seems to have turned charred, earth have been torn away, leaving a small hole on where the corpse once stayed, smoke start to void one's vision, even masking Noemi's scent with Strend's burning flesh, feeling so... relieved it seems, Noemi stuffs the tube on her pack, jumping toward the forest, running, wanting to make her escape by jumping through the buildings of Kelay.


Virilis turns his head to the corpse as the projectile hits it, and watches in horror as his old friend is blown limb from limb. As the explosion clears the panther looks over at the lycaness giving a nod letting her know he was taking down his part of the barrier. His crimson eyes are filled with something he had not felt in a long, long time... Complete and utter hate. He turns those hate filled eyes up towards the psychotic feline. "You pathetic, maniacal, she-devil of a witch!!! I swear upon my honor I will see you dead!" He takes a deap breath as his hands cleach up tight. Turning his attention to the caracal he walks over and kneels down beside her. He places a hand on her shoulder. "I.... I'm sorry... I didn't think to protect him as well. I'm so sorry..."


Araina did not watch as her friend's body fairly exploded, turning hues now obsidian in their anger upon Noemi. She said nothing, all of her concentration on holding the barrier that protected the caracal. Belatedly catching the panther's signal, she allowed her own hands to fall, breaking the barrier just as Nowfaleena moved to the scorched metal that had been Strend's pride and joy. She had nearly run after the feline, her beast howling inwardly, her voice becoming low and gravely as she growled. Had she been a mere human, the smoke and rising scents might've rendered her useless as to capture the visage of the woman, though her heritage afforded her impeccable eyesight to watch as she ran off, making her escape through the forest. Run while you can bitch, was her first thought, followed quickly by the urge to check on the caracal. Such anguish and fury did not escape her empathic nature and she went over to her quickly, knowing that such uncontrolled stress would not be good for the babes, especially so late in her term. Thankfully, though it was nearly bright red with heat, the metallic tail that her own mate had made for the elf had been one lone object to escape the demolition. Moving slightly in front of her, she placed her hands, palm down towards the tail, and in a moment fluid seem to escape freely from them, the metal sizzling violently as it met with nearly freezing water. She kept this up until it no longer caused a reaction, and hesitantly picked up the tail, it having returned at least that much back to normalcy. She cradled it for a moment, a pained expression overtaking her features before then handing it to the caracal silently.


Nowfaleena shook her head at the panther's apology. She was angry, but not so much at Virilis. No, the caracal was too busy loathing the pinkette to be mad at her friend. She wanted to hold the one piece of her love that remained, but that could not be, as the metal was glowing with heat. Luminescent hues watched as the lycan cooled the metal down, lifting it tenderly, and then passing it to the woman who had been Strend's mate. Once the tail was in her arms, the feline clutched it tightly to her bosom, as best as she could given it's weight and her current condition, and wept bitterly. Liting her head to look in the direction of Noemi's escape, she snarled, "I hate her! I hate her! I want her dead!"


Virilis sat quietly beside Faleena as she shook her head to his apology. Not since he was a kit has he ever felt so helpless and useless. He watches on as Ariana cools of the smoldering hot tail that once belonged to his elven friend, and as the caracal embraced it with utter sorrow in her eyes. He looks over at the lycaness his face showing off a crazy flow of emotion, and he spoke his voice was raspy and his question choppy but it came out none the less. "Are... you alright?" His attention soon snaps back to his mourning friend as she spoke her words of hate. His hand that was resting on her shoulder slid off and down into his lap. The panther runs his right hand through his snow white hair as he composes himself. He turns his gaze up to the dark night sky as a tear escapes from his right eye. "She will... Even if it means me coming out of retirement that woman will die, and it won't be a quick death either. I swear that to you Nowfaleena."


Ariana could feel her own tears falling, and made no attempt to hide them in front of the two. She had not only her own pain and anger to deal with, but with all of the emotion of the event her shields were nearly non-existant, so she in turn felt nearly everything from both the caracal and the panther and both fed to her own mounting turmoil. She was torn between following the pinkette and showing her the extent of her power, and staying with the caracal, as she could feel the distress of the babes within her swollen belly. Her attention moving briefly from Nowfaleena to Virilis, whom she had only met once before, she nodded slightly, the growl having left her tone, " Thank you for keeping her safe." She spoke softly, knowing words would bring little comfort to the woman, though there was an undercurrent of authority to grasp her attention, " Leena, I need you to try and calm down for me. You're too far along for this kind of distress, I don't want to have to birth the twins right here alright?" She ran her palm over the woman's distended belly, feeling the restless movement underneath. Worry was apparent in her gaze, she was truly afraid of having the stress driving the caracal into an early labor. The panther's words lifted her gaze to him and the expression on her countenance was obvious, she wanted blood for this. She would aid him, perhaps bring her sister along for the ride, should he ask. Perhaps even if he didn't.