11/06 A Brother's Funeral

{LONG DISTANCE TO: Geztelle ven Pelleaux}: Dear Getzelle,

Do the stars see all we do in our lives; each moment burning brightly in their patchwork sovereignty across the heavens above? I've considered it these past months as I've drank my days away, feeling the sun rise and fall at my back with none of the usual warmth.

It's always cold, and yet I've not grown ill. Not of body, at least.

I ask, I suppose, because if the stars judge me, perhaps too do they punish me. I've gained everything I could have wanted; fame. wealth, and power. And yet, it is ash in my mouth.

My crew now follows me blindly with fear and admiration, and it cost me everything.

I feel nothing, and it's very cold.

Sincerely,
Captain Reave

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[20:17] Ryker touched down in the sand, removing both his cloak and his cap for the temporary time being. It made his ears itchy anyway.

"MAERTOCK!" The Docro exclaimed in his typical fashion. A typical greeting. "My deepest fucking condolences man. But we're here to pay our respects and shit."

It was perhaps not the best statement to make at a funeral but Maertock was a pirate surely he'd appreciate it.
(Ryker pyr Docro)
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 The old rodent followed along, huddled down and waddling all the way in the rear end of the pack.. A fancy, clean black cloak just to show all the respect she could to the dead. Arrival brings a halt, a small finger stuffed down the end of her pipe with a whole matchbox fetched out with her other hand..

She seems to let them all do the talking.. Now was time for grieving! - Though not for the poor fish.
(Misha)
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 Maertock would appear to be on his lonesome when the party of Achyon arrives in a staggered, but effectively formal degree. The Captain of the Deep Company already wore all black out of habit as a master of shadow magic, but it was obvious he was prepared for the funeral in other regards.

His visage was stone, eyes lacking their mirthful glint of yesteryear. It seemed as if he'd been aged twenty years in a fortnight; the ambient, carefree cheer that had once emanated around the reaver lord of the south coast's being had been robbed with Murtock's life.

A cloak of inky, sifting shadows curled around his shoulders like a still tide, barely shifting as its symbiosis with Maertock inherited his malaise in light of his brother's death. It was not a burden his psyche easily bore.

He'd bow his head politely first to Cyril's eldest sister who he introduced, crossing his right, massively sinewed arm over the ashen arcanium plate ofhis scaled cuirass as he nodded slowly.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Aertas. I thank you all for coming to remember my lost brother as we give him to the sands and depths; feel free to make yourselves comfortable in the meantime before the ceremony."

Maertock would sigh lightly at that.

"Even now, his absence is present in the silence in the air. It must be filled with chatter once more."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Gareth and Ryker made for the best possible CO and XO pair. Why?

Because they were two sides of a coin.

THE DUALITY OF MAN.

While Ryker was all roaring exuberance and relentless energy, Gareth approached exuding nothing more than calm. Ryker gesticulated, Gareth's arms were locked firmly behind his back. Ryker yelled, Gareth spoke with compassionate softness.

"...you have my condolences for your loss, as well. An', I would hope, those of the state. Murtock, even if my first meeting with him was at his swordpoint...I can appreciate a will to make the world bend before you."
(Gareth Vasern)
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Stood near by the waves, with her apparel being highly more different for the more tropical locale, Amelia would offer a hidden glance behind thick shades as her attention shifts between her brother and Maertock.

Grasping the tip of her hat, the eldest Aertas' form shifts to offer a curt bow before the captain. "My condolences. Your brother was an interesting man. He has helped push me and my craft in its formative years before... well, before whatever state we find ourselves in these days."

The same cursory glance would then befall the approaching Achyon squad as she nods in greeting toward them before turning her attention back to the waters. Perhaps most would not recognize Amelia immediately, save for her sister of course.

It was rather rare to see her outside the city walls like this.
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 She offered the grieving Reave a glance. Loss? Foreign to her and outwardly removed entirely. Perhaps she is disrespectful or rude.

The Empire is not kind to anyone in particular.

Did Maertock know her? Unlikely. He hardly moved around as his brother did and made those connections. At least with Achyon. The Captain did not come up as much as the First Mate.

There's then room on the stage now, she thought morbidly. "Condolences, yes. It's best you not stray even with heavy loss."

Her gaze lingered on her older brother and sister- Cyril, more than Amelia. Her gaze- Did it burn? Or was it the reflection of the high sun?

Who knows.

"I knew little of him and made no attempts to know more, personally that is. He fired his weapon and me then stole my coin."

"The favor cannot be repaid, unfortunately." Soon, her shielded gaze parted from her brother's direction and went out to the sea.
(Matryona pyr Docro)
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 Whether or not the vindictive gaze of the youngest Aertas burned- Didn't appear to concern him. Cyril kept idly casting his line- While subsequently piling one fist after another at The Captain's feet.

The second eldest's grief was arguably more subdued, but unmistakably present. "You've long had my condolences, Maertock. Though you were often too far asleep to notice.."

Probably.

The Captain was acknowledged with a somber nod, and the gentle toss of a tilapia.
(Cyril pyr Aertas)
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 Mish stands around for the longest time, just about dozing off at one point.. Right before realizing she came with something!

Small hands reach into her cloak just there, one pulling out a bowl.. The other pulling out a bottle, one from either side, all to up-and-front the captain there..- A glare upward with that soulless, dead fish-eyed gaze, only to offer either to the mourning pirate.

"I's sorry fer yer loss, na'ain't ever good t'lose family like that."

A dropped gaze follows that, the rodent surely about to find herself a place to sit and such, it was a very long trip!
(Misha)
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 Maertock would turn his attention to the Aertas patriarch as he took a drag from his cigar; minty smoke rising from his dry, reddened gills as his cold shark's glance flicked across the gathering with a soft hum. It was surprising how many people the crew had ended up robbing who would become fire forged companions in the long term.

Perhaps that was the romance of the battlefield, a place where passions and hearts were worn on the sleeve.

"It is but a trial offered upon my psyche to overcome as any other. I will not lose myself to grief, Murtock wouldn't have tolerated it. His death reminded me I'd lost my edge, and I found it soon after having my quartermaster Anne gutted for disobeying me. I will not tolerate fools again in my life."

The captain would nod slowly at that, his tone cold and lacking his usual frenetic cheer. It was just another Tuesday sinking people, her death had at least brought some sanguinary cheer to the shark. Blood was blood in the water.

A glance turned to the second Aertas sister with a light smile.

"Ah, that was just like Murtock. He sees a mark, he raises his pistol before the hour is passed. He didn't have an ounce of fear in his whole body; considered himself immortal. In a way, he was."
(Maertock Reave)
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Ryker contemplated Maertock's words about Murtock thoughtfully. He considered himself immortal, much how Ryker considered himself above death itself.

"I could feel that in him, when we fought. That he felt himself unstoppable and immortal. I'm glad we were able to eventually see eye to eye with each other ESPECIALLY through battle itself.

He was a good fucking cousin. I've been missing him. Also, my uncle Luca isn't able to make it but he NATURALLY sends his regards as well!" Ryker stressed.
(Ryker pyr Docro)
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His eyes don't roam away from his claws even for a moment. He narrows his lids for a few seconds before shaking his head. Is this what had been meant? Feeling better if he were here?

Mm.

"Can we send the old fish off, already? I'd rather we not mince words when every living thing here knows what's gonna happen."
(Lyael)
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Maertock would take a soft drag from his cigar as he sighed lightly in grief, the Captain of the Deep Company turning his cold, icy blue eyes up towards the sky with a soft frown. The reaver lord of the south coast had expected this tension in the air of the proceedings, it was the kind of air he would have once embraced wholeheartedly at someone else's funeral.

But his brothers made it hit dully in his chest, the Captain of the Deep Company taking a light drag from his cigar as he rose from the table wit ha sigh. Shaking his head slowly as he gestured over to the seas.

"As respectful as trying to rush my brother's funeral so you can get a fix of bloodlust is, we are waiting for If to return. He was his protégé and son, I will not begin until he arrives."

The captain's tone was cold, tired, his gaze never leaving the distant tides.
(Maertock Reave)
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 A lilt in his desire to stand is enough to topple the giant, his legs being swept from beneath him in a wave of exhaustion.

He crumples down and onto his bottom before lying back onto his, well, back, and allowing his golden optics to stare at the sky just as well. So they would be waiting for a while.

Sand angels are made as he waits, arms and legs spreading as he does so.

"I guess that's something I'm gonna have to respect. Pretty sure he'd look at me and tell me, 'take a swig and grit your teeth, you salty dog'." Or, something like that.

He doesn't speak pirate, but Murtock was a weirdo like that.
(Lyael)
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 Maertock Reave says, "That he would...ah...Murtock."
 Maertock would frown deeper, his eyes shadowed with mourning.
(Maertock Reave)
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 Tybalt would approach Maertock, smoke streaming from his pipe as he approached the pirate captain. "I think I may have missed the Funeral captain, but I wanted to pay Murtock my last respects."

Pausing he would stop. Simply waiting for the captains reply.
(Tybalt lux Mighas)
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 Maertock Reave says, "Ah, I remember you."
 Maertock Reave says, "You were robbed here once."
Maertock Reave says, "Welcome, thank you for coming to pay respects."
 Maertock Reave says, "The funeral has not yet begun. Feel free to take a seat."
 Tybalt lux Mighas says, "Aye, I was."

Whatever was going on in this amalgamation of cultures was lost on her. She honed in like a magic dart, tracking down her ill-dressed brother and standing at attention.

"Hi, En-En!" she responded, hand raising cheerfully in return before moving for a wicked hi-five.
(Enlil)
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Enki's palm slapped against Enlil's own to follow through with the high-five, head dipping to offer a whisper over towards the girl as he looked around the area.

"So, who died..?"

Pearly eyes continued to scan around, glancing over towards Enlil every now and then as he hummed.
(Enki)
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[ Maertock would take a soft drag from his cigar as he scanned across the beach with a light sigh, the Captain of the Deep Company rising as he gestured to all those that had chosen to attend with respectful candor as he sighed. He had to be the host, he had to get through this. He owed it to his older brother to ensure he was sent off right, and then he could move on with his life.

It wasn't easy letting go.

As If arrived, the Captain of the Deep Company would offer a wave to the crowd with an ushering nod. It was time then to begin. It was time to say goodbye.

"Everybody, thank you for coming to honor my brother at his funeral. If he were here, he'd be proud to see so many faces from so many different sides of the continent coming together to pay their respects. It goes to show just how many people he effected at the end of the day."

The captain would nod slowly, quietly, his visage downcast.

"If you'd follow me to the shoreline, we can begin the funeral and burial properly."

The captain would disperse into the shadows, appearing on the northern shoreline where a massive hole had been dug and reinforced with wooden planks to fit what lay beside it. A golden embroidered, jewel lined sarcophagus over eight feet long and half that wide. The sort of container that could only hold one sort of man.

So it had begun.
(Maertock Reave)
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 Enki's question ended up being answered shortly- alongside the miracle of the two children not getting smacked for their cluelessness. She followed along, watching across the sea and leaning to whisper to her bro in a voice that wasn't as quiet as she hoped.

"Probably somebody important, with all these magi here..."
(Enlil)
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 ...And it just begun. A beautiful sarcophagus, fitting for no other than Murtock herself, the sirenian she once thought to be a god. Yana placed a tattooed hand upon her chest, a white anchor marking forever her palm through still fresh scarification.

"Ah--- There he is."
(Yana)
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Enki stares ahead, his head nodding along in agreement towards Enlili as he stared towards that sarcophagus, one that held such a presence within the funeral. All eyes were no doubt on it, hoping to look towards the man that was most likely held inside.

The teenager preferred to look towards the jewels that lined the container, his eyes gleaming as he stared towards such wealth.

"He must of been pretty rich huh, or very loved. Or both, maybe it's both En-En."

Another faux-whisper, attention remaining ahead.
(Enki)
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Enlil remained silent, following her brothers gaze for a moment before inclining her head. With so many people here there wasn't a snowballs chance in hell of snatching any jewels.. but perhaps there'd be entertainment to find anyway.
(Enlil)
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The Docro lined up amongst the others yet kept to the back. The drugged up man smoked in silence as a cloud of nicotine blanketed him easily. The entire family had come to give respects to Murtock. He was a faithful member of the family after all, and a cherished cousin.

Family is forever, after all.

Strangely enough, Ryker was silent during the entire time. There were no outbursts or jokes or laughs. It was somber, because Ryker absolutely understood the importance of a funeral. Especially a funeral for a member of the family.
(Ryker pyr Docro)
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 Maertock was a shadow upon the sands in vitality and visage alike, the cold eyed Captain of the Deep Company crossing his sinewed arms over his arcanium plate. He had expected to die long before his brother. The smaller of the pair, the weaker of the pair, ever in his shadow. And yet he'd grown from that, mastered being in the dark until it was a familiar blanket. They'd made it their way, and as Captain Maertock never had a more loyal crewmen.

His first mate wasn't just his brother. It was his best friend.

"Before we give him to the sands and let the tide burial commence, I'd like those who knew him personally to offer a memory of their time with him. Not all of you knew him, even less knew him well, but those who experienced the reaver and king he was might offer the lonesome tide their song of solemn memory."
(Maertock Reave)
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 If didn't want to go. The alchemist had struggled to get out of bed that morning, and even now they hovered low to the ground. The toes of their boots dragged in the sand every now and then.

They'd let themself ignore it. The pain. Let themself believe Murtock was still fine in a way. Just off doing things elsewhere. He was often absent, doing his typical Reave thing. But this served as an irrefutable reminder. It dug deep at the healing wounds in their heart.

The scent of iron was on the air. The alchemist glanced toward Maertock, then others among the crowd. They didn't quite want to speak first. Their gaze landed on Yana.
(If Reave)
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 Enki turned to look towards those that had gathered for the funeral, no longer paying attention to those glittering jewels that were ever so tempting to the teenager.

Shedding of tears, solemn appearances, there was plenty to take in for the teenager.

"En-En. I wonder if your funeral will be this active."

A hand rose to cusp his chin, fingers digging into his jaw as he took in the sights.
(Enki)
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 Murtock never needed me to speak for him. His actions, his presence and purpose? One he carried for himself, he was a man which would see true our dream." Hands returning to his sides as if such was enough, as though all around him knew the kind of soul Murtock was.

"He was a proud yet ruthless pirate, I would have not had it any other way."

Simple as could be, fitting for a man who had ever held his utmost respect.

Still reminded of those chunks blown from his arm for the simple purpose of striking down this noble.
(Lannis Grimmore)
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 Rachelle folds her arms behind her back and stands tall. Despite her not entirely pure intentions going into this, she held a relatively high degree of respect for the man now lost. Such would be addressed in the words she now spoke.

"The bond between him and Lannis Grimmore was beautiful to me. Something akin to father and son in many ways, I'd say. He was a very loyal, friendly man," she comments with sincerity.

"...he also tolerated my constant puns in Lannis Grimmore's basement and drank a rather exquisite bottle of wine in honor of a past Grimmore. It's nice to see so many drinking for him now."

Though she couldn't bring herself to partake.
(Rachelle)
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A grey blanket pulled over an otherwise vibrant beach, the setting of a funeral washed away any brevity despite attempts to make it light-hearted. No amount of dressing up could disguise the truth of the matter, at least in Enlil's mind.

Her head tilted at Enki's question, prospects that she hadn't even considered. How many people would attend hers?

"It doesn't matter," she replied after a moment.
(Enlil)
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Stood near the center of the lines of the ensemble, the eldest Aertas would presently stand. Her demeanor was hard to tell; what with the shades preventing proper eye contact and her lips simply left behind as a straight line.

Though she doesn't seem to have much words in her, there was indeed action.

From below her shengese cloak, an intriguing small scrap of an old metal armor prototype would be revealed. Along with that, an intriguing bottle and glass would be produced as well.

It was to note however that the bottle seems to be quite a few years old and seems to be one that the late Reave favored heavily.

Momentarily, Amelia breaks from the line, burying the strange armor piece and pouring out the contents of the wine into the glass; just close enough for the waves to lightly graze the item.

"Even in death, I hope what I made you still finds itself serviceable," she'd whisper to herself before returning to her spot.
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 A mug full of a random alcoholic beverage, he didn't care to check what it was. He sought to simply drown the sorrow he felt at the bottom of a bottle.

He missed Murtock. So very, very much.

"He was like an older brother to me. Guided me when I first joined the deep company." A pause would follow, as another large swig from his mug follows, before he presses on. "If it weren't for him, I'd be half the man I am right now."

"Esshar ain't the same without him."

With that, the Task would fall silent, as he stared out towards the sea.
(Thanatos Task)
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 "That's true, you'd be dead after all."

Sudden, such abrasive words as he remained scanning across the crowds, before finally becoming content with his invasive staring at those around.

Instead, he returned his sights towards the magnificent sarcophagus that held an apparent esteemed figure within the hearts of those that had taken time out of their day to attend the funeral.

His mind engraving the sight within, lips parting to offer a final whisper to Enlil.

"His name was Murtock, I just heard it!"
(Enki)
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 Yana's eyes watered. And she thought the widow thing was over already! Biting over a clawed finger, the Ookami held a calm and collected visage. As others spoke around her, a smile eventually bloomed through her lips. Such a bittersweet and consumpting pain.

"Murtock was a force of nature. I wouldn't think it was a lie if anybody told me he was indeed a god, no", she told many what once was confided only to her apprentice.
(Yana)
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 The Docro would swig at the bottle again, then pour some out, staining the bright sand a darker, more tinted color. A drag of his cigarette, and then again, another swig.

He'd exhale smoke as he spoke, the hand holding the bottle drawing closer to his chest as if to put a palm against his heart. "My nephew, Murtock, was always a man of his word. Never cryptic- straight to the point, he spoke from his soul. A true sailor."

"We was just boys, 'wee lads' he'd put it, when he was working labor at our import docks. Always a dedicated worker, knew what he wanted and how to get it. He wasn't afraid of taking anything either." He grinned some, in memory of the feud between him and Ryker.

He'd reiterate an old saying- "Your ship is anchored in the spirit's harbor, and though his sailors are of equal rank- there'll be shipmates on the deck to greet you- and rum as you ascend the plank." The Docro coughed some, downing himself another couple swigs.

"Rest well, nephew."
(Edel pyr Docro)
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 Those who knew Murtock were asked to say something, and the young Docro realized that included him. A hand reached up to pinch at the cigarette that had become nothing more than just a stub during the course of his fishing and it was flicked off to the side in his typical fashion. It didn't hit the ground, disintegrating into not even dust within the air.

"Murtock Reave was my cousin. He was a family member to the Docro family whether you fucking like it or not. We shared blood, both off and on the battlefield. He called me a mad cunt but maybe he was the one who should have been called that!" Ryker's tone was sincere and absolute. It was nothing but the truth, even if some would have gladly chosen to ignore it.

"The first time we met he explained how he was my cousin, and he pointed his gun at my future wife. I stepped in the path and he beat the fucking shit out of me. TAKING MY LUMPS as he calledit. Took my money." It took a lot for someone like him to admit defeat, but the fight against Murtock had been a challenging one, but one he had eventually rose up past. "I swore I'd pay him back and I got my payback. After that, we were family through thick and thin."

Now, Ryker's words failed him for once in his life. This next subject wasn't easy. But much as he had muscled through in his challenges against Murtock he'd muscle through this one just the same.

"He ensured my older sister returned home safe and sound to her family when I wasn't able to make sure she did. For that, I'll never forget him. He came to my wedding even when he had battled just that day, to pay his respects. He understood the merit of family.

Hopefully you're going to be like the rest of us, fighting for eternity upon your passing, cousin."
(Ryker pyr Docro)
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 When one doesn't have something nice to say? It is certified to be better not to say a single thing at all.

"I didn't like him."

No, he doesn't walk up as there would be little point. What he has to say is not long enough to warrant the need and so, Lyael will remain in his place. "I didn't like some of the things he did, or how he went about doing others."

His scowl drags into a flat-out frown as he leans further into his little perch in the corner, against rocks and stone on a mountainous side. "But at the very least, he lived his life doing what he wanted, died, doing what he wanted."

A spirited whirl of his hand goes into the gesture of humility, "It's how I'd wanna die, if I come to that point. So, you sucked, Murtock, and I woulda preferred if I was the one to send ya' to the deep, not some stupid situation. But, I guess I respected you, fish head."
(Lyael)
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 It was only once most had said their piece that If managed to lift their voice. Still it was a quiet tone, one that carried only far enough to be heard over the waves. They drifted forward just a step or so, peering out across the magnificent setup that had been prepared for Murtock’s body. One hand reached out toward it, but they didn’t touch.

They looked back, for a moment, before focusing ahead on him. "I mighta been killed if I ain't met him. Never would've found magic th'way I did. I'd be without a family. Without friends. Just some orphan kid with a helmet too big for their head and no purpose in life beyond survivin' to see th'next day."

"First time I met him proper.. Aheh.. He were shootin' folks. He did that a lot. Happened t'be Ryker actually. Was.. Dazzled by th'way he managed t'beat him and th'other lass. Amazed."They paused for a moment to draw in a shaking breath.

"Every step of th'way I looked up to him. He taught me more than anyone else what this world was made of. He was th'best role model I coulda had, despite th'fact he were a pirate- Or maybe because he was one. I don't know.. I.."

"There never lived a more honorable pirate, and there may never be another who can match up to his name."

"I can only hope.. I can only hope, dad, that ya happy. After everythin ya done, ya deserve that much."

There the alchemist's voice trailed off, and they drifted back into the crowd to float at Maertock's side. They lowered their head, and drew sharp little breaths on occasion.

Thank God no one could see the tears.
(If Reave)
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 If Reave whispers: .. Thank ya, dad.

 Maertock would take a soft drag from his cigar as he watched the tides, listening to countless people tell their stories of his brother as he clicked his rows of serrated teeth together. Shadows covered his eyes, but it was clear from the glisten of water upon his usually dry gills that tears were leaving the man's eyes. He'd been drinking constantly for month on end to oblivion trying to dull the pain.

But here and now, it seemed, he could finally, truly accept his grief. He could say goodbye to his brother.

It was hard.

"I....mmm..."

When the words came for a speech, it never came. The preparations he'd had for a formal goodbye, the countless comments and praises, it was all gone in that moment as his voice caught. Slowly, his eyes would fall upon the Pauper's Bride, his brother and his precious ship.

And a song came to mind, one that Maertock
suddenly knew said all his soul needed to say.

"I thought I heard the old man say
Leave her, Murty, leave her
It's a long, hard pull to the next payday
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her, Murty, leave her
Oh, leave her, Murty, leave her
For the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her."

Maertock's singing voice was surprisingly soft, dense with emotion and yet as flowing as his dark shadow as he began to stomp and clap to the rhythm of the sorrowful shanty. His black tendrils would extend forth from his inky shadow to slowly wrap around the massive sarcophagus, lifting it as if it was as light as a feather as he continued to sing.


"Oh, the winds were foul and the work was hard
Leave her, Johnny, leave her
From the Achyonite dock to the Osronan yard
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her, Murty, leave her
Oh, leave her, Murty, leave her
For the voyage is done and the winds don't blow
And it's time for us to leave her."

As gently as the seaside breeze, the sarcophagus would be lowered into the depths of the hole that had been dug and reinforced for the massive sharkman. Tears fell freely from the shadow eyed captain's eyes as he continued to put his brother to rest, the last chorus of the song needing to be sung as he allowed his wounded heart some fresh air.

The tears fell as freely as the lyrics.

"Well it's time for us to say goodbye
Leave her, Murty, leave her
For now those tales have all been told
And it's time for us to leave her
Leave her, Murty, leave her
Oh, leave her, Murty, leave her
For our voyage is done and it’s time to go
And it's time for us to leave you..."

With the sarcophagus lowered, a black surf of water would gently roll in with the seabreeze, steadily and softly burying Murtock in the sands as a cairn of stone was assembled above his burial place to secure it. No tide would wash away his memorial.

"...Goodbye, big brother. I'll see you on the other side. Save me a spot in the depths, okay?"

The captain would wipe his eyes with his sleeve.





(Maertock Reave)
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 Maertock may have been the only one who sang in honor of deceased family but the emotion held behind his words was enough to move Kofe deep down. A deep breath was drawn before the old Rhoynish looked up towards the skies. Directly at Iberl. A small smile was cast towards the star hiding beneath the daylight.

The old man's right hand rose up and magic would begin affecting each and every person in the area as Maertock entered the second verse.

Despite Murtock being dead without a single doubt those who attended his funeral would be graced with the deceased granting backing vocals to the song in his name. Cosmic energies gently embracing the lot of them all in a moment of quiet and peace despite how fiery and irritating their previous discussions were.

Through telepathy that was unique to its kind, Kofe offered the gift of Murtock's voice singing.

One last time.
(Kofe)
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 Silence enveloped Enki as the funeral took a much darker turn, the stories told about Murtock listened to, but when the singing voice of Maertock came into existence and the sadness that seeped into each word.

It was a time for the teenager to remain silent, his sister already long gone, and instead he stared towards the Captain of the Deep Company as he converted that feeling of loss into words.

His pearly eyes moved, onto the container that held the elder brother of the Reave.
(Enki)
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 A sad sight to see, so many people with so much to say on the deceased pirate.. The old rat merely keeps her head down with not so much as a squeak to spare for any of it. - Huffing and puffing on her pipe throughout, the only thing keeping her up and standing.

As a matter of fact, she can find herself swaying with the waves, big, round ears listening away to that song. Not one to cry, however. "Mhm.."
(Misha)
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 R Maertock's voice breaking through the solemn ceremony with the song surprised Ryker. Yet soon that surprise merely grew with Murtock's own additional voice offering backup to the song made in his name.

The Docro's hands remained in his pockets, hidden from the world, as he stared forward. There was a façade of neutrality across his countenance and yet those jade hues of his could not hide the misery and melancholy of the moment.
(Ryker pyr Docro)
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 Silent.

Waves crash along these blackened shores and winds howl as a final message echoed across this grand sea. He dared not speak a single word more, dared not stand in opposition of a man which had given him so much. Murtock had seen his dreams become reachable, all which had remained was Lannis needing to grasp them.

Digging a heel into the sand his attention would soon drift, looking towards Rachelle as those markings upon his features continued to ever burn. Restless and screaming souls within Antares even acknowledging the pain which clung in the air, the somber tone which resided within all.

"... I suppose this is truly goodbye for Murtock, then."

He who had acted and continually pushed this world further and further.

Gone, given back to those crashing waves of which he once ruled over.
(Lannis Grimmore)
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 He had sworn, to himself, and to the very deep that he wasn't going to cry. Yet, as his captain's song reached his ears, it took every fiber of his being to halt the tears.

A deep breath would follow as he calmed himself. Everything was going to be fine, or well, it would have been, had he not lay his gaze upon his Captain. Who's tears freely flowed down their face.

Eyes close for a moment, before the youth slowly tilts his head up to stare up towards the sky, as they eventually reopened.

"It's a terrible day for rain."

The mere moment those words flowed from him, tears began to freely flow down the Task's face. The stream of tears only seemed to flow more, and more, as Murtock's familiar voice joined in with his brother's singing.

He got to here his First Mate's voice one last time.

"I'm.." He fumbles his words, as the tears refused to stop. "I'm gonna miss ya' big guy, but... We'll see each other again. I'm sure of it."

The deep would call for him eventually, just like it had done for Murtock, and when that day came, he knew the sharkman would be there waiting for him.
(Thanatos Task)
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Grumbling something below her breath, the eldest Aertas would continue looking forward. A slight somber look would through the old sharkman being slowly buried. A slight tug could be felt within her.

Which is to say, a big thing.

Pragmatism was always prevalent. Yet just this once, it would seem that a bout of emotion would well up within the Aertas. It was as if the amplified verses of the song had shook her own soul awake for but a moment.

"Goodbye old friend." She whispers to herself as she remains silent throughout the remainder of the song.
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 If slowly let the low hum of gravity slip away. Their boots hit the sand, and they stood on their own next to Maertock. They stood still, silent, taking in every note of the song.

The alchemist's tears didn't show. But they couldn't stop the rain. There were so many things they could've said, or tried to say, but all seemed like it'd come out wrong. And even after the song had faded to silence they didn't try.

They watched the sands bury the body of their father. Watched the stones piled up, a monument to the massive sirenian who would rest beneath. His body, at least.

As the last stone was set in place they moved a step forward. Their knees hit the sands before they could reach it. They didn't try to reach out. They just knelt, and stared at the cairn that marked his grave. It seemed so wrong, that he should be gone from the world.

None of this was the way it was supposed to be.
(If Reave)
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 Katja had watched this from her cloak, staying hidden the entire time. She'd jump down with the rest of her family and keep quiet, enoughso that her shift in position wouldn't disrupt the service.

She was crying.

It's good that people couldn't see.

There were memories of battles past, of a defiant will that would not fall. That, even in death, he remained his title.

Godguts. Reaving eternal, under waters unknown.

Her crying was soft, barely audible under the waves that carried her older brother home.


(Katja)
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 Maertock would sigh deeply as everyone said their goodbyes, the Captain of the Deep Company now standing tall as he took a long, considerate drag from his cigar. Minty smoke rose in sorrowful clumbs from his dry, reddened gills, and it was clear beyond any uncertainty that this really was goodbye.

Hearing Murtock's voice singing alongside his own with Kofe's aid, he'd nod in appreciation to the old bard as his song was sung, the moment of catharsis and grieving at having at last left his brother to the sea seeming to, at the least, lift a small weight off Maertock's chest.

He wasn't forgotten. He never would be. Maertock could move on.

"I thank you all for coming to our beach and sharing your sentiments. It warmed my black heart to see so many willing to add to the memory of his legend. Now, he truly is immortal in our memories; Murtock never told a lie he couldn't half back up."

The captain would sigh, taking another long, final firm swig from his bottle at that.

"Aaaah...okay, we've said goodbye. If you want to kill each other now, I won't be mad. Thank you for waiting."
(Maertock Reave)
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Maertock would take a few paces to the south as he nodded slowly to Thanatos, a weight seemingly almost lifted off his chest as for the first time since his brother died, he seemed to flash that serrated grin of his once more.

"A lot better kid. Doing a lot better. It was a long year. It's almost done."
(Maertock Reave)