Funeral of Samuel Federov (1926-2020)

[Kayla Greene]

It wasn't a very extravagant affair by any means. Kayla had barely been able to afford someone who could make her a portal from the Red Dragon Inn to Serpent's Rest, in the middle of the Cadentian Desert. He wanted to be layed down there. At home, on his own land. Closer to his family. "Face me west," he used to say. "So I can watch the sunset. Other than that, I really don't mind."

It was a short ceremony. Open for any member of the public to attend. His headstone was a Russian orthodox cross, carved out of pure white marble.

In Proud And Loving Memory Of

Samuel Andrei Vasilevich Federov

February 13th, 1926 - September 5th, 2020

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

- Matthew 5:6

They lay him to rest in silence, Kayla, dressed in all black, struggling to maintain her composure when she saw the coffin lowered down. It felt so final. Like he was really never coming back.

But of course, he wasn't.

After the coffin was lowered, anyone who wanted to say a few words were free to do so. It was an open floor. Kayla, however, went up to the podium immediately.

"... My father was never one for spectacle, or elaborate speeches. If he were to organize today, then... I feel like this is more of what he'd want. No pomp and circumstance, just... a gathering of friends. People who knew him, and loved him. Celebrating his life, and celebrating the way he lived it. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't know my father half as well as any of you. He was... a very difficult man to be around, growing up. And I didn't speak to him for many years. But in the brief time we had together, reunited... I came to learn just how much my father had changed. Sam Federov was a good man. He may have had his doubts, and he may have been the first to dissuade you if you ever gave him the misfortune of commenting on it... but he was, and will always be remembered as a good man. I hope he knew it, in the end. I hope he... I hope he realised just how good of a person he was, and just how much of an effect he had on people. I never knew my father to turn down an opportunity to help a friend, even at great cost to himself. Not once. He was there for everyone. An ever-present part of Rhy'Din. A man who offered an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on and any advice you needed, all for the cost of asking. And I hope he realised, too, before the end... just how many people loved him. He was a staple of this city. A staple of this community. And now that he's gone... the world is just that much more dark, grey and gloomy of a place."
"I'd like to finish by reading a quote. From Chief Tecumseh. My father would always live his life by his rules, and his principles. I think we can all strive to be half the person that Sam Federov was. And I think if we all tried to live like he did, even tried a little bit, then... he would be proud of all of us."
“So live your life... that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,even a stranger, when in a lonely place.Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”

Once everyone had said what they wanted to say, the gathering would make their way back through the portal, to the Red Dragon.

[Haru Jeong]

Stepping free of the portal was a young man, dressed in a simple all black suit, his black hair combed neatly, no gel, his eyes cast down.

His steps first leading him up that familiar path, towards the stairs first, his body steering him where he had last gone, before he stops, looking towards that coffin, towards his family, changing his course, stopping near the back of the gathering crowd, listening to the words spoken.

“Everything ends… and it’s always sad… but everything begins again… and that’s always happy.” He mutters to himself, barely audible to any but him, echoing the words Gramps had said about this, “Love you Grandpa, I’ll see ya later, you still owe me cooking lessons…” His voice breaks slightly at the whispers, he hoped somewhere, Federov could hear his words, even if he didn’t speak at the podium.

[Morgan LaLuna]

Morgan attended the funeral quietly, set apart from the crowd completely and standing with Mallory and Canaan. The acrobat seemed despondent at best, and at some moments maybe a little confused. He watched in silence when the Old Man was put into the ground, and watched his loved ones grieve, but did not attempt any interaction, and even shied away from anyone attempting to do so, stepping back further into the space of the two there supporting him.

When all was said and done, when everyone had dispersed, Morgan approached the stone, and knelt quietly on one knee, setting a small, framed picture among the flowers.

A selfie of Morgan with cropped red hair and Sam, with Morgan holding up a fish between them, making fishy lips and a silly face, and Sam laughing at him in some amusement. Once this had been done, Morgan stood, stared a moment, and moved away, hands shaking as he mumbled something about being hungry.

[Anne Marie]

Anne had never been to a funeral...for...anyone. Growing up as a poor farmer, when family passed away they were cremated and life went on. No time for sorrow or grief was given. Often burying the torment of loved ones lost in hard labor to forget the pain and hollowed sense of loss. Her parents' murders being no exception. No time to let go and forgive. To send with them her love and affections as they were laid to rest in their fiery grave. The mob quickly on her feet and running her ragged. Little did she know they would be running her to her true family. Little did she know they would be running her to the family she had always wanted. That loved and supported her in every way.

Anne was swathed in black clothing with a constant stream of tears leaking from her eyes always by her sister Kayla's side. The woman did not commonly wear the color black and it was easy to say the color did not fit her. Such a cheery light of joy stricken so sick now by the hand that life had played her. Her head, always held so proud and high around her family now lowered in deep sorrow as tears dripped from her nose, looking much like a ghost of her former merry self. Giving polite smiles that in theory just looked more painful and abrasive with the bittersweet agony they communicated. Such fresh looking youth looking so resigned and beaten was heart breaking. So much life to live yet she already looks like she had enough of what it had to offer her. Such a sad broken thing.

The words Anne had to share were not for anyone but her Pops and her. Emi her white rose bush held in her dainty hands and digging around in her pockets she collected some small seeds. She placed those seeds with gentle touches into the barren desert soil and lifted her fragile hand with an elegant gesture. Pearly white roses bloomed to caress and frame the pure white marble headstone with its fragrant beauty.

"So good, so honest...always carrying the weight of his burdens like a man. Making the impossible possible..." Anne whispered as she caressed a soft white petal of a rose with a small genuine smile. "...someone I am proud to call my Pops. That I love dearly with all my heart. I love you..." Anne said as she plucked a rose from Emi and placed it in the grave with her Pops. Her small pink cheeks sleek and wet with tears. "...I will always be with you and you with me. This isn't goodbye..." Anne sniffled and returned to her sister Kayla to giver her a gentle hug and commend her for such an eloquent speech. Staying by her side as she promised. There to support her always.

[Roni]

Roni arrived in head to toe black, eyes and face already puffy and red. She's been crying off and on, probably since Thursday night. When she had last seen Sam. And this morning had been a struggle. To get out of bed, to get dressed, to even cope. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to mourn the loss of someone else she loved and cared about. Two deaths in a year.... in less than six goddamned months was two deaths too many. She was tired, and her heart was heavy, oh so heavy the past couple of days.

She didn't really mingle, didn't really say much of anything to anyone... She didn't have the energy to fake a smile, or deal with words, or other's sadness. The faerie already had so much of her own. There wasn't a word breathed to no one. No one except for Sam. She had come early enough to steal a moment of time with him and his casket, well before it was lowered into the ground. Silence came for a long moment, before she actually struggled with her words, voice wavering and cracking as she spoke.

"Yer a jerk fer dyin'.... But ah. Sam. I really do t-think Lily Samantha... It's a pretty name, right?" There's more she wants to say, so much more, but she doesn't wish to be in the way. It's not long before she's simply just another mournful face in the small crowd. She stays to solemnly watch as they lowered him into the ground, listened to the words that other spoke.... then was gone. At least for the moment. She had to compose herself.

[Azriella]

Azriella stepped through the portal that led to the funeral and the small group of people that had gathered there to pay their respects to Sam Federov. Wearing a simple black dress, she found a small corner and tucked herself away as she watched the service and listened to any that had decided to say a few words. She hadn't known Sam. Not really. But what memories she did have with the man she cherished, especially now. The she-wolf didn't venture out much anymore and she figured she wouldn't know many at the service, if any, but looking around slowly she realized that she did know quite a few. More than she thought she would.

Kayla was there, of course. She'd only met the woman yesterday but found herself glad she had. Morgan she spied as well, tucked between two people she didn't know. She would watch in silence nearer the end as Morgan ventured to the stone and placed the picture just there amongst the flowers and linger a while before moving back to the two people he'd come with. Anne was there too, sticking close to Kayla for most of it.

Haru showed up, which she didn't know, and then there was Roni, who she did. It had been quite a while since she had seen Roni or talked to her, but she smiled softly at those memories.

The entire service was quaint and quiet. A simple affair for the Russian who had touched so many during the span of his life. Aside from Kayla, each person seemed to have words, if there were any at all, for Sam that were meant to be between them and the man himself. Each encounter unique and every memory cherished, they spoke of them as if speaking directly to him, remembering.

Azriella was no different, and when her time to linger had ended she looked to that marble cross and smiled as she said the words that were meant only for him. "It was a good last ride, old man. You did good, and yes, I do think you are a good man." She knew he'd hear them. Somehow, she just knew. A hand came up to her mouth, fingertips pressing those soft lips for a kiss that she blew in his direction with a smile. He had done good, and she was honored to be there with him in the end. One last fond look was given before she turned and stepped through that portal, leaving the service and heading into the Inn.

[Sylista Ravenwood]

Serpent's Rest was eerily quiet, almost as though even the horses were mourning this loss. It was late in the night, the majority of people who would have been at the funeral were at Samuel Federov's memorial now, speaking in the Red Dragon Inn about their fond memories of the man.

There was no way Sylista could face all of those people who would have kind words when all she wanted to do was scream and hurl angry responses at all of them. Instead, the woman stepped out of the rift she created and silently walked to the marble cross.

The Runelord's chin was tilted upward in defiance. She was trying not to cry again, evidence of previous tears marked by the rust coloured streaks down her cheeks.

A flame lit in the palm of her hand, illuminating the letters on the cross so she could read them. Scoffing, she let the fire die out and just stared at the stark white grave marker with the white roses underneath, likely from Anne. She knelt then, running fingers over the delicate petals.

After a time, the alto voice could be heard singing softly, the volume increasing slowly until her words were clear, the lyrics from the song she had picked for the father-daughter dance at the wedding she had been planning in this very yard.

"Words can't say enough
What you've done for me
You gave me what I need
You were tender, you were tough.
'Cause the world you've built around me is the strength that will surround me
And protect me now that I'm on my own.

Daddy dance with me.
I want you to see the woman I've become.
Daddy don't let go
I want you to know I'll always need your love."

The words died out as the sobs took over, the borrowed blood that flowed from her eyes landing on the white roses in the disturbed dirt before her.

She stood, wiping the tears from her eyes."I suppose this means I will never disappoint you and have to deal with your ire ever again. Good!" A beat. "You need to know I hate him! You are gone because you chose him over your own life and, as such, you would not say our goodbyes face to face..." stopping her angry words, she shook her head and sighed.

"I… cannot promise you any of it. I will not make promises I will break to a dead man. The dead cannot forgive…" the whispered words were barely choked out. "I… I should have erased all of me from your mind that night. Then I would not hurt this much. I would not have loved and lost."

Stepping back from the grave marker that seemed as pure as his heart, she snarled softly before saying "goodbye Samuel Federov."

As she turned to walk away, a single scream was released, the pain of the loss spreading across the desert in that wail before she teleported away, leaving her last shred of goodness there with him.