I already buried her you ****!!!!

Note: this in no way is meant to be offensive to the author of Mortem, and is purely shadow's opinion. 

Calm down, there's no need for profanity. We know that you buried her, but we are having a ceremony at the Mountain. 

I'll be attending if I escape Catastrophe alive. 

Bury her in begonias, wreath her memory with more. You'll think of her every time you see them. They may become the flowers of sisterly love, or perhaps a sister's grief.

a funeral does't always need a body shadow. The point is to remember how that person touched our lives.

I know that for sure.

too well.

Aviance, Volucris, David and I will be there. We are so sorry... I didn't know ALexandria that well, but she certainly didn't deserve today. When I knew her she was a kind and funny girl who's childhood had slipped away too fast. I can't- it's just... this war is so... that Rigga! All of us will fight for what Alexandria and all of the people who have been brutally thrown to the side died for. 

Lycaella, Nygrune and Nieke will attend if they hear about it, can get there and are free. Karune is unable to go in person but sends her sincere respects and several large bouquets mainly consisting of begonias.

I finally found myself dressed in black and ready, with a black umbrella above my head, and even a black backpack.  I didn't tell anyone where I was going, even Ronan--I really don't want him to see me cry. 

I feel terrible inside, really. At the Resistance, we discussed what to do. And we practically just brushed Alexandria's execution aside--pfft, Shadow will rescue her!

I can see Shadow now, but I can't stand talking to her--hey, Shadow, how's it go going?  I know I just stood by when your sister was killed, bur but we're cool, right?

Finding a good place near the house of the funeral, I unstrap my backpack and kneel down in the mood. My black dress is caked in mud now, but  I don't care. My hair is drenched, but  I don't care.

I take out an item the size of a soccer ball and covered in rough bark, and also take out a spade.

I just start digging until the one seed survivor of the fire on the great flower was planted.

One day, it'll be where Shadow can fly freely, without a worry of the future.

Goodbye, Alexandria.  

My eagle touches down, buffeting the grass around me. The crowd stares as Zephyr wings away, hardly making a noise. 

I walk through the crowd until I spot Icy and shadow. They were both crying, and Icy was covered in mud. I slowly walk up to them, taking my gift out as I do.

shadow turns to me as I approach, her face expresionless. Quietly, I unwrap my gift and press it into her hands.

It was a sculpture of Alexandria, made of tiny little bits of metal. She was caught in the act of laughing, her childish face full of happiness. It was about a foot tall, and was made of solid bronze.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. 

mostly I don't wear shoes

but this is different

out of respect I won't let fur touch the holy grounds

I crouch in my tux. and said one thing

"Et hoc modo est pars vitae, sed non in finem, nunc volare"

This is a part of life, but is not the end, Now fly

The procession takes place inside a small church, where it is raining outside and the rain patters down on the stain glass windows. The entire sanctuary seems to be coated in an air of regret, sorrow, and loss. I spot Shadow in the corner, and Icy keeping a distance from her while sitting with Sprocket. I think of where to sit, but I pick a spot in the front where my eulogy will be made. The procession starts, and after the words, I stand up and begin. 

"Before me are faces of bewilderment. Believe me, the shock has hit everyone. I never been very good at funerals, comforting friends, or feeling sympathy. But something I do understand is that she had a place in all of our hearts. And when someone like that is taken away from you, the holes never seem to be filled up again."

Some mutter in agreement, others sniffle, and one person quietly whimpers.

"But knowing Alexandria, I know that she fought to the end. In fact, her problem was that she could never stop fighting, I swear."

Everyone laughs quietly.

"I don't have much to say to ease her departing, or to make people feel better, but know this- Alexandria was born a fighter. But she died a fighter and family. Thank you."

I let the crowd take it in before batting at one of my ears and sitting back down.

I look beside me, and even Alex looks on the verge of tears. I playfully nudge him and he smirks.

I wonder if Shadow will be able to make one.