Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
The fall always seems to be a somber time thanks to the transition of the cold. With less distractions from the chores required during the summer heat, you cannot help but think about those who are no longer there in your life. Maybe it was your mother and father, prominent figures in your life that you never imagined would be gone. Or maybe it was someone taken from your life too soon, like a friend or a sibling. Or maybe it was an animal, a familiar that you raised when you were a kid but passed away from old age.
How do you honor those you have lost? What goes through your mind this time as you celebrate their life and mourn for the loss? Take some time to reflect on the past, and how that impacted you and shaped you for the future. If you want, you can even roleplay with a friend to discuss each other's loss (but both character needs to speak of their own personal loss in order for it to count).
[ We are looking for reflection more so than the actions, but here are the funeral rituals in tendaji:
A lot of it is just burials in cemetery like lots of land. The Alkidike take their Sisters back to the Islands where they have a night ceremony, bringing them back to Aisha, and then floating them off to sea on a pyre.
The earthlings have funerals and bury their dead, leaving a stone marker in their place. They usually bury their deceased and pass their belongings down to kin during the ceremony. Each earthling tribe uses a specific burial blanket during their funerals.
Many of the Kahikinans conduct burials in the soil near the waters (Rivers/Samps) or release their dead to the sea (Reef/Sea/Caves). ]
So much had happened over the past two decades. Danika found herself musing as she watched the fading light from a pyre, the body of a sister floating across the ocean waves with only the flickering lights of a few candles to keep her company on her way towards the Great Mother. Another Sister gone, may Aisha take care of her. The Alkidike shifted, her shoulders covered by a warm blanket, and let out a sigh as she settled back into place on the swinging bench that had been built into the upper level of their family home in Chiume. The giant tree house had levels and a rope walkway trailed around the outer branches connecting the levels while also giving them a good view of the ocean below. The sight of the funeral had made her remember losing several over the years and her heart ached while she thought of her own role in the past where she had seen them off into the waters of Chibale.
Yira, the Sister who had taken an arrow for her in battle, had been the last one that she had watched floating across Chibale's waters before coming to Chiume. The memory still brought a pain to her chest, the weariness of that final battle forever haunting her spirit. If only she had moved quicker, fought harder, been better...but at the end of the day they had won the battle and saved those that they could. "At least now they're at peace as we all are." She whispered, her eyes stinging as she recalled others lost over the years. Their sacrifices had allowed the Aishans to grow into what they were today, the different groups growing into strong communities that protected the peace of this world instead of festering more war and strife. Though sometimes she had to worry about the strife that her own daughters could make. The very thought of her Alkidike daughtesr traveling out into the world along with their teen Vandreas brought a smile to Danika's lips despite her mournful spirit. Their presence along with Vermina's own always warmed her heart and she would be forever grateful for her family.
That's what we can do now. Continue growing towards the future with new life that will always treasure and honor those who we have lost along the way. Their memories would live on in the stories of the community, their spirits reflected in the lives of their descendants and the new generation of Sisters and Cousins.
Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:27 pm
After the funeral, Vermina took a moment to herself to warm up a pot of tea. She sighed softly, watching the tea leaves swirl in the in the darkening water. She could still remember the night water from long ago, the dark surface shimmering in the moonlight with the passing of so many laden pyres... She hoped to never see the like of it ever again.
She put the steaming pot onto a tray with two mugs and carried it out to the table by the bench. She sat down next to Danika and squeezed her hand. "A little tea to chase off the chill?" Without waiting for an answer, she poured the mugs and held it out for Danika to take. "I know we are meant to celebrate their return to Aisha, but I find it always leaves me a little.. I don't know if sad is the word I feel, but it's as close as I can get." She took a sip of her own mug to make her point and sighed with relief.
Sabra Knight
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Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:07 am
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Danika blinked when Vermina squeezed her hand, her more somber thoughts breaking away into a warm smile for her love. "Yes, thank you." She took the mug and cherished the way the warmth of the tea seeped into her chilled fingers. Even the steam felt nice as it slowly curled upwards around her face. "I agree." Replied Danika quietly as she glanced away from Vermina and back towards the lights as they disappeared into the ocean.
"I am glad that we have a place to go once everything is over." Replied Danika quietly as she raised the cup to take a careful sip of the tea, a hum leaving her lips in appreciation for the cozy drink. "Still, it is always sad to say goodbye even when you know that they're finally at peace." Even if they all returned to the great tree one day it was still heart breaking to know that they would be separated until their spirits eventually reunited.
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2021 8:13 pm
Vermina nodded slowly. "That... but more than that as well." She pursed her lips and swirled her cup as she worked out how to put her thoughts into words. "I enjoy being alive. We get to experience so much in such intensity.. I can not help feeling like the experience itself of being alive and walking is so precious. I feel.. I feel like it is unfortunate that they have left this world behind." She blushed lightly. "It probably sounds like such arrogance, since they have no concerns in their new existence with Aisha.. but surely they much miss life as it is here."
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Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 8:24 pm
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"I think it's fair." Danika replied with a slight shake of her head. "I honestly would think it would be nearly impossible to miss things here." She admitted as she glanced towards Vermina with a small smile, some amusement visible despite their somber discussion. "It would be a bit too quiet without the girls causing chaos in the next realm and I would dearly miss having you next to me." She could only imagine how strange it would be to not have something going on in her life after all. It was already hard enough transitioning into a life where their older girls were leaving home to explore the world, the silence thankfully filled by the activity of their younger Vandrea daughters.
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2022 6:59 pm
Vermina felt her own small smile rise. "Aisha will give us every comfort that we will need, but there are some things that only you and the girls can provide." Some day, they would be the ones getting sent to join at Aisha's side.. along with... "Though, I like to believe that Aisha will have us meet again when we go to sit with her." She reached out to take Danika's hand and squeezed it lightly. "After all, there is no such thing as a paradise without you with me."
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Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:49 pm
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Danika smiled as she raised Vermina's hand to place a light kiss on it. "Agreed." Her expression softened before she glanced over towards the lights fading in the distance. "I suppose that's plenty of somber talk for the morning." Danika moved so that she could pick up her tea, the Alkidike taking a long final sip before standing up. "Should we make some memorial cakes? We can send a basket to the family." The Sister had quite a few daughters and cousins here if she remembered correctly. Perhaps a little basket would be a good idea then since Danika always wanted to show her support to others, especially those going through tough times like these.
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2022 12:45 pm
Right. Surely there was no way Aisha would keep them separated once they crossed over. That would be no sort of paradise at all if she did! It wasn't up to her to question the workings of the goddess, but if she passed and found herself alone... That she might never see her love again, or her daughters... Vermina shook her head roughly and stood up. "Yes, the cakes sound like a good idea. I have some tea that would go well with them, so I will package some of that up as well." Her own family was hearty and whole; there was no point in brooding when others needed tending to. "Do we have a spare basket or should I fetch one?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2022 8:58 am
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A smile crossed Danika's lips as a plan was slowly coming together. "Tea is a lovely idea." She agreed with a nod towards Vermina before shifting so that she could brush past her love and head towards the door that led inside of their tree home. "We should have a spare basket somewhere in the kitchen? We can look while I also grab ingredients for the cakes. Maybe honey ones with the sweet flowers?" The delicate purple flowers were edible and had a light taste that went well with honey, especially if they rolled some oats into the cakes as well for that little crunch. It would be something sweet to hopefully help ease the pain in the family's heart. Danika would always show support for her fellow Aishans, no matter what, and even if it was a small basket of just cakes and tea at least it showed that her family was there if they needed any support.
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2022 9:29 am
In the kitchen... Vermina knelt down by the cabinets and began digging through in search of an available basket. Hmm.... these could use a little organizing. It looked like the girls weren't being all that careful when it came to putting things away. "Those sweet flowers would be perfect. Goodness, Danika. I do believe I will be requesting you make a little extra to leave some here for us." She giggled lightly with a playful smirk.
Ah-ha! She straightened up with a basket in hand and lined it with a few cotton napkins. A larger cloth was pulled out as well for going over the bread once the basket was ready to deliver. With that settled, she started sorting the tea. "Are you missing any ingredients?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 12:29 pm
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[6/7]
A laugh escaped Danika's lips at the playful tease, her spirits lifting the longer she spent with Vermina and not reflecting simply upon the departed. "I suppose I could make the sacrifice and make an extra batch for everyone here." She replied lightly as she started to roll out the oats into a clay bowl for mixing together the ingredients. It was strange to have a wooden spoon in her hands instead of a weapon, but honestly Danika didn't mind. It was rather nice to just be able to enjoy her life with her loved ones, their older years spent in peaceful bliss as their daughters grew up and took on the world in their place.
"Just a bit more sweetness." Danika teased quietly as she studied Vermina and took a step forward to place a light kiss against her lover's cheek. Truly she appreciated her companion so much and could not imagine this world without her. Still, Danika focused once more on the positives as she took a step back and started mixing the oats together."Grab me that jar of honey and we'll roll that in with the oats before adding in the flour." She instructed with a smile as she went back to mixing.
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2022 11:56 am
Vermina chuckled lightly wwith the kiss, and she reached out a hand to brush it along Danika's arm. Her life was definitely filled to the brim with sweetness thanks to her family and loved ones. A little extra never hurt anyone though! She reached out to pop open the honey jar and passed it over.
Someone passing was painful, but it was also a reminder than one should not take the people around them for granted. Looking at Danika, Vermina felt her heart swell. Her wife had done nothing but care for her sisters and cousins, and continued to do so even after so long. She knew she was lucky to have gotten a place at Danika's side here and after they joined Aisha.
She could not take what she had for granted... She had to focus on the now, and enjoy it. There would be plenty of time to mourn when they actually passed on. "I think will pick a few flowers to weave onto the basket. A life has passed, but the impact she made while she was alive lives on. A little extra life with the delivery will be nice."
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Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 8:09 pm
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Danika smiled lovingly at Vermina. "That sounds like a wonderful idea." She agreed as she thought about the flowers. "I have a few that I brought over from Chibale growing in our garden. It can give a touch of home for more nostalgia." She mused lightly as she finished mixing everything. Soon enough she would have them in the fire to bake. So for now she could focus on helping Vermina with anything else that they may want to include with the basket, a simple gesture of love that Danika hoped others would continue doing to keep the sisterhood strong and connected.
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:11 pm
Mention of the Chibale flowers made Vermina's expression soften with affection. "Those will be perfect, I am sure. After all, our sister has returned to Aisha's side.." A little taste of home might be a bittersweet token, but the sweetness would outweigh the sting. Eventually, it was be a source of comfort. Like the flowers, they spread and grew and flourished and died. It was a cycle. A vicious cycle, but beautiful nonetheless, and Vermina wasn't going to miss a moment of it.
