The Hand Funeral
“Welcome everyone. Today we’re here to mourn the loss of Julian’s hand. I don’t have any personal stories or experiences with the loss of a limb and I’ve never done a funeral for just a body part but I feel it’s appropriate nonetheless.”
You’ve never heard Cyrus talk so softly and nicely before. It’s a weird look on him.
“I know the time in between finding you a replacement hand will be tough but I have full faith you can work through the challenge. Losing a piece of yourself will never be easy and you've already been through so much. What’s done is done and we’ll find you a replacement just as good. It won’t ever replace the real thing and you’re allowed to grieve for what you’ve lost. I promise you everyone who comes in here—"
He has this lost look in his eyes before continuing
“— sorry nevermind. I promise you’re not alone in your struggle and you have a support system even if we can’t fully relate to what you’re feeling. May it rest in peace. You have served Julian well and you may live knowing you died loved and appreciated.”
Cyrus ends it off with a nod and rests a single white lily on the small box he acquired. He holds the box for a moment and a bust of magic wraps the box in a purple shimmer. Cyrus' hair gets a little greyer and he looks a little more tired but he has a faint smile on his face.
Thorn Hollow Residents
“To those lost in Thorn Hollow:
Dear Ivory, Elona, Fig and Bert Greybloom, Vera, Cassian, Adurros… and the Oathbrooks. For starters, while the Oathbrooks weren’t particularly good— I can’t make that fair assessment without knowing them but… I think everyone deserves a funeral no matter how bad they were in their life. Their unlife should be a new start for their soul and maybe they can finally find peace for what was haunting them. To Vera, Cassian, and Adurros; I never got to know you and I only met Vera after she had passed but her soul remained bound to the material plane. I’d like to hope she finds peace soon with Cassian and the rest of Thorn Hollow. To Ivory, Elona, Fig, and Bert… I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry it ended this way. I wish I knew more about what happened but I promise you I’ll do whatever you need me to to let you pass on knowing everything will be okay. If you’re listening, I didn’t find Hazel or Dr. Cooper but between missions, I’ll do anything to find them for you. I can only hope to Shar they’ll survive and that they’re out there somewhere. May you rest in peace in the life beyond this one. You deserve it…”
Cyrus finally lets himself cry, tears dripping onto the stone plaque inbeded into the ground: ‘In loving memory of Ivory, Elona, Fig, Bert, Vera, Cassian, Adurros, and the Oathbrooks. Your loss will not be forgotten.’