The bodies in my floor all trusted someone. Now I walk on them to tea.

[kingshaming]

[After the trial, Xander does what he does best. What always blanks his mind when training is not an option:

He organizes.

The hot food for lunch is out still, and while he feels far from hungry, he knows they all SHOULD eat. Everyone wanders off to take care of their own grief, and he lets them for now- and instead busies himself at the espresso bar. There's something specific he wants to do.

Later, under each door, and with the same thing written on the white board he had dragged out for meetings:]

There is hot food and tea in the cafeteria, and while I have no stomach for food it is there for those that can.

While it is tempting to be alone right now, if you wish company I shall be there until evening. Now may be a good time to compare new information while it is fresh.

If not, please stay well.

Xander

[And as promised there is fresh tea. Green tea in fact, though it lacks the milk Chitanda made- but basic tea he can manage at least]

Comments

[yukionna]

...thanks.

[ Rukia pretty unceremoniously plops herself down in the seat across from him, her sketchbook tucked under her arm. ]

I don't think Chitanda would have wanted to see any of us feeling terrible and alone, right now.

[ It's her usual type of ridiculously blunt statement, but at least she's not feeling sick anymore. IMPROVEMENTS. ]

[kingshaming]

[He almost smiles. Not quite, but it is softer then the glare he was pointing at the book]

If I hadn't, I feel we all would have gathered eventually regardless.

[yukionna]

Do you think so?

[ She sort of doubts it, but whatever. ]

I also wanted to ask you something, since you seem to be shaping up to be our chief, here.

[kingshaming]

Maybe. Maybe not.

[He sighs]

And I doubt everyone here would agree with that assessment, but ask away.

[yukionna]

Hey, you're the closest we've got. [ Meant as a friendly jab, but her expression falls soon after. ]

I feel like we should...do something for them. Some sort of rites. [ Chitanda, mainly, but the others still deserve their eulogies. ] It feels strange to just carry on without acknowledging it.

I'm usually on the other side of funerals, but I've picked up a few things about human customs, if that helps at all. [ She's the charon, not the priest, in essence. ]

[kingshaming]

Yurika mentioned something similar, and I agree. Tonight might be too... soon, for everyone. But at least some kind of memorial would be prudent.

[yukionna]

Of course, yes. In that case, I'll talk to her the next time I see her.

[ a pause ]

Is there anything special you do for funerals in your home? I don't know what customs to abide to for them, so any ideas might help.

[kingshaming]

Depends. If someone dies at home we usually have the body prepared and viewed. On the battlefield that isn't practical. For both we burn them, usually with items they cherished or their weapons.