( semi-closed ) the ocean washes over your grave

[wheft]

WHO: to those who wish to pay respects.
WHAT: wriothesley's funeral.
WHERE: an abandoned beach at okinawa.
WHEN: 20th of november.
WARNINGS: death, naturally. will update as it goes.

Whether this is your character's first time at Okinawa or not, one can tell that the usual summery atmosphere on this certain beach has been changed out for a more somber tone for this occasion. Ishmael had even taken it upon herself that the beach has been cleared out of any debris and crabs so that there won't be an further messes nor sudden uninvited guests turning up. Of course, most of the work and preparation are all thanks to Ereshkigal, the esteemed goddess of death, who's made sure to comply to the couple's wishes to the very end.

The funeral is located at what appears to be the remnants of an abandoned beach resort, which has been spruced up and decorated in soft off-color whites. The beach has been provided with ample shading as well; huge umbrellas have been set up at various points on the shore for some much-needed protection, along with a peaceful view of the beach and the nearby dock that goes a little further out into the water.

It is meant to be a quiet affair, the distant crash of waves being the only form of music accompaniment. Though of course, it can't all be doom and gloom -- after all, funerals are meant to provide reprieve for the ones who are left behind as well.

MORNING

At the gazebo overlooking the shoreline, the first thing one notices upon arriving is a casket made of dark food, covered in plenty of flowers. In it is Wriothesley, fresh-faced and tranquil in his tuxedo -- perhaps looking a bit too tranquil that one would think he's merely asleep. Aside from some new scars here and there he looks relatively unchanged, now and forevermore, all thanks to Ereshkigal's hard work.

Near the casket is a small table decked in white cloth and more flowers, with various pictures of Wriothesley displayed thanks to March 7th's contributions. It's a memory table, though instead of a book, a tablet will be provided where one can still submit their memories with him before it can be saved into a hard drive and will be given to Tezcatlipoca for later use.

Everyone is free to take one more look at their friend, acquaintance, brother figure and confidante for the last time before noon strikes. For anyone curious enough to want to observe the proceedings around preparing Wriothesley’s body, this is taken care of by one of the local gods of death. For the occasion, Tezcatlipoca even looks the part, since he dons his formal regalia to preside over the process. As he speaks Nahuatl, he gently pours a jug of water over Wriothesley’s head, then opens his mouth to place a little green stone inside, underneath his tongue. He brushes his fingers against the makeup that covers the top half of his face to collect a little smear of it, then brushes it down underneath Wriothesley’s lips. It’s an extra, personal blessing, should it be needed in the afterlife. It’s all serious and meticulous, a sign of how even the chaotic god takes this process as important and worthwhile.

After these preparations are done, he simply asks for the tokens that will accompany him, and he takes them all off to be cremated.

EARLY AFTERNOON

In case anyone is feeling peckish while waiting for the ashes, fortunately there are some food available. Since Wriothesley had had a fondness for tea that's bordering on addiction, there will be a wide selection of teas available at one side -- along with cookies and biscuits which were actually bought by Ishmael in bulk at various convenience stores, but don't knock them out before you try them! There are even some leftover boxes of pocky that were brought along, but for the sake of this occasion, they're not spiked with anything. There is also coffee for those with a different palate, though they come in instant packets. Better than nothing, and they aren't too bad (in Ishmael's opinion).

Of course, there are also servings of sliced fresh fruit such as watermelon, mango, and pineapple along with coconut crab chowder if you want something a little more filling.

It will take a couple more hours before the main part of the event, and that means more time to kill. Ishmael isn't forbidding anyone to take a dip in the waters if they like, so long as they can come back looking fresh and new. There are also fishing gear provided, albeit in limited stock. Ultimately this is the time to catch up with each other, potentially gossip about the dead or even other people who come to mind -- it's all in good fun, at least until it is time to say goodbye.

LATE AFTERNOON

At last, when the sun is beginning to set on the horizon, it's finally time. Tezcatlipoca will have been staying the entire time to observe, but he simply returns with an urn in his hands to give to Ishmael. Ishmael then urges everyone to come follow her to the furthest end of the dock, the wind not too strong enough for the ashes to be cast as far as can be.

Here, Ishmael puts the urn on display and tells everyone that if they like, they are free to take a handful of ashes and scatter them into the waters. Whether or not they choose to utter their final words or not, it doesn't matter -- their thoughts will be carried off by the wind and the waves at the end of the day.

And with that, the funeral is over. Everyone is free to go home after this, or help in the cleanup of the venue if they're that inclined. Either way, they will all have to move on one way or another and they will have to do it together.

code

[ ooc: hello! while this is reserved for the people who knew him, people can also be +1'd if they so desire! just mention it in the network post associated with this log right here. as always, have fun! ]

Comments

ii

[fursuit]

[ Once his duty was done, Tezcatlipoca hadn’t left the proceedings, but he’d largely kept to himself. It’s not out of any shyness or anything like that, but he just feels he has little to add beyond the ritual and his divine presence. He hadn’t known Wriothsley at all, and Ishmael was somewhere between acquaintance and coworker. But still, he stays, just pensively taking everything in.

As things start to taper off, he heads to the dock, and his footsteps on the planks announce him more than he needs to call out. He’s also back to normal attire, since the regalia is somewhat taxing to keep up with. Whether she looks his way as he approaches or not, he waits until he’s beside her to speak up. ]

Yo. [ Casual as ever, even with the occasion… ] Didn’t want to make a fuss of it earlier, since it’s just for you.

[ He holds something small out to her, and if she takes it, it’s another small piece of greenstone that’s very similar to the one that had been sent off with Wriothsley. ]

It’s the other half. Had to buy a bigger chunk, but splitting it didn’t feel too bad, considering.

[ He also stays standing for now, since he’s not presumptuous enough to take a seat. This can be quick, or he could linger. He’s leaving that up to her to direct. ]

[wheft]

[ she'd expected tezcatlipoca to make his leave after delivering the ashes, so she almost jumped with the god himself makes his casual appearance at the docks. curious, she reaches her hand out and takes the stone, turning it this and that way between her fingers. ]

Erm, thanks.

[ hold on she's going to scoot over to make space for mister tezcat please sit down sir let's enjoy the view together ]

No, seriously. Thank you so much for all you've done. Ereshkigal said that you have extensive experience in cremation, so I'm quite honored to have you here.

[fursuit]

[ When she scoots, he bows his head to her a little bit in a silent acknowledgement of the consideration. He starts to take a seat, but after taking a look at the water line and the waves, he reconsiders slightly… But it just means he starts to take off his boots. He’s not much taller than her, but he is particular when it comes to fashion and doesn’t want them to get wet. ]

You’re welcome. Was surprised she asked me for help, honestly. Not just ‘cuz we’ve got beef, but because I didn’t know the guy.

[ With his shoes and socks removed, he does take that seat, but he’ll also definitely flinch at the cold water when it does crest high enough to touch him. He can’t win, but it’s fine. ]

—But can tell he was important to people. You, of course, but everyone else that showed too. It’s a damn shame to lose people that bring out that kinda warmth.

[ He doesn’t have to know him to notice that. Tezcatlipoca nods and slips into a bit of a silence, but it’s because he has to consider where to steer the conversation. There’s a lot he could say, certainly. Explaining the afterlife of the Aztecs, explaining the meaning of the stone in her hand, but ultimately, he goes with something gentler. ]

Ain’t easy, all of this. But hope it sets your heart a little more at ease.

[wheft]

[ it's just a little water, king, it ain't gonna burn you or anything... ]

Mm. The fact that she approached you in the first place means that she's taking this job more seriously than I thought.

[ she'd always wanted to see ereshkigal in a more serious light, with less anxieties to bog her down. it's only a shame that it took someone's actual death for her to lock in.

she flips over the coin tezcatlipoca handed to her in her hand, admiring the way the sunset rays reflect off its surface. ]

And... thanks. I can't guarantee that this'll be the last time we'll hold something like this if one of us dies in the future, but... at least now we'll be prepared.

[ not sure if there will even be a funeral like this again, but. good to know it's an option regardless. ]

I asked Ereshkigal this earlier, but does it ever get easy for you? No matter how many times you've done this in your lifetime.

[fursuit]

[ He nods in agreement, though it’s not quite solemn, even if it’s serious. He’d commented when he got here that it was surprising that people hadn’t died in the process of fighting kaiju, but he doesn’t feel any satisfaction for being correct. Nor does he for the idea that there would be more of these. He feels certain that there will, though.

There’s part of him that wonders if that change was because of his presence, since it’s not impossible for that to be the case… But it’s also not anything worth mulling over. Without his omniscience, he couldn’t confirm it in any way.

Tezcatlipoca looks at her as she asks the question, and it’s clear that he’s considering it. Though, in truth? It’s more that he’s considering her. He has an answer immediately, but it’s not one people always like to hear. ]

…It’s always been easy.

[ He’s only guessing, and he might be wrong, he knows. But his impression of Ishmael is that she might prefer the honesty over platitudes. ]

But it’s what I was created for. At the beginning of all life, I was the one meant to be there when it ends. I’ve got no ego when it comes to death. There is no “easy” or “hard”, because it’s not about me. I’ve never been able to feel loss like people do.

[ Which is a little cold, and he knows it. That’s the chasm between him and humanity, ultimately. Yet, still. When he adds more, his voice is softer. ]

But I still know it, even if I can’t feel it. I greet all souls that have the right to come to Mictlán, and I’m there to listen to them. Talking, grieving, reflecting, whatever they feel like. I consider no duty of mine more sacred than that.

[wheft]

[ for a moment, she's a bit surprised at the frankness of his answer, but that goes to show how different he is from ereshkigal. while ereshkigal feels for every death that passes through her hands, it's interesting how tezcatlipoca just... does his job like any other responsibility without blinking an eye.

she hums thoughtfully, gazing into the sunset with a knit between her brows as she considers his answer. ]

Huh. Maybe it's because death isn't your own realm of responsibility as a god? Unlike her, whose always been all about death.

[ like his attention is split, or something like that. ]

It's a common sentiment, I've noticed. Set had actually approached me when we returned to the base, and held a private vigil for me and Wriothesley. Said that he used to do something similar in a world he'd previously come from.

[ the waves lap softly at her feet, the ocean wind picking up ever so slightly only to calm down again. ]

It just made me think that... you gods really do care for humans, despite wanting to keep their distance from them. That despite how many times humans have cursed the gods for plenty of things that had gone wrong in their lives and in their world, the gods will greet them at death's door regardless. [ a sigh. ] I know this is all elementary to hear, but I've never really believed in them until now, so.

[ she turns to him with an awkward smile. ]

I don't know. Thanks, I guess. Wish I could be more eloquent than this, but I completely used all my good words when I tossed his ashes into the waters. [ haha. ]

[fursuit]

[ He laughs and gives a little shrug, since even if this is serious, he can’t help but ribbing Ereshkigal and Set a little bit. It’s not anything mean-spirited, but very much like how an elder sibling might rib the younger one. ]

Yeah, could be that. But they’re both softies with more human hearts, secretly. Don’t tell ‘em that I said that, though, since they’d both take offense in their ways.

[ Set especially… He’d probably break his spine (again) for the perceived insult, even if that’s not at all how Tezcatlipoca means it. He just chuckles again, and his expression softens as she continues. He doesn’t crave understanding, since he’s just a god that’s inherently meant to cause question and conflict, but still. It does feel validating to have the understanding, however partial. ]

Eloquence has its place, but hopefully I’ve made it clear that I’m just fine without it. Being genuine—That’s important to me. [ His casual, very human way of dressing, the way he generally speaks, they all contribute to showing that. ] So, you’re welcome. Hell, maybe a thanks in return, since belief is a stronger thing than you might think.

[ He tosses a smirk her way that might make it seem like he’s joking… It’s hard to tell with him sometimes. ]

Can only speak for myself here, really, but figure the others would say something similar. I’ll do my best to not disappoint that kinda faith.