Rome, Italy Thursday Evening Fandom Time

[glacial_queen]

Even in Kaeleer, Karla made sure to keep a Fandom-based calendar handy, so she could keep track of things like friends' birthdays and things like that. A few days ago, she'd noted another anniversary was coming up, but not one as fun or exciting as a birthday.

Thursday, May 10th, was the day that Triela had died, last year. Funny how it felt like both more and less than that long. Funny how much it still hurt, an ache in her heart she doubted would ever go away.

After seeing that, Karla had made a few handwavy calls to people, friends of hers and Triela's that she thought might want to join her sojourn back to Italy. Unsurprisingly, several people had already made separate plans to do just that, but didn't mind combining those plans with hers. Karla couldn't speak for everyone, of course, but she was sure that very few people wanted to go back and remember their friend alone.

For once, Portalocity was willing to work with her, and she was able to set up several portals to meet in Rome for Thursday afternoon and a return set for late Thursday evening. Hopefully that would give everyone time to...do whatever they needed to do today.

[For any friends of Triela's who want to meet up. If you think you'd've gotten a phone call, you absolutely did. Give a sec for OCD. NFB, NFI]

Comments

Arrive

[glacial_queen]

Arrive and mingle, yes, but it's not exactly a party atmosphere.

Wander Rome

[glacial_queen]

Or just take some time to do your own thing, either alone or in small groups. There are lots of ways to say goodbye, after all.

Gather by the Grave

[glacial_queen]

For speeches, goodbyes, talking to Hilshire or any of the other girls, whatever.

Goodbyes

[glacial_queen]

In case you want to do something after the graveside bit.

OOC

[glacial_queen]

No world-ending!

Re: OOC

[heromaniac]

But but but!

Re: Gather by the Grave

[sie-bruder.livejournal.com]

Hilshire looked like he was wearing the same suit he'd had on twelve months ago. And possibly like he hadn't gotten it cleaned or pressed during that time.

He also might have lost his razor somewhere along the way, too.

Re: Arrive

[trigons_child]

Raven had come with Karla, of course. The thought of going had tied her stomach in knots, but she couldn't not go.

Re: Arrive

[heromaniac]

Momoko had been one of the ones already planning to go. She simply hadn't said anything to the others because she wasn't sure how they felt visiting graves.

She was somber (but not nearly as depressed as she had been the last time she visited Rome) and carrying a basket containing, among other handwavy things, incense sticks, two thermoses, some fresh teacakes and a single teacup.

The teacup was for Triela.

Re: Gather by the Grave

[heromaniac]

Momoko took a moment to press her hands together and offer a prayer, then busied herself tending her friend's grave. Triela deserved the respect of a clean resting place, so weeds were pulled, twigs removed, and litter picked up. After that, she retrieved her thermos of water and gently poured some on the stone to clean it and left an incense stick burning on the top.

She had more if people wanted to do the same.

After another prayer, Momoko pulled out the solitary teacup and filled it from her second thermos. "Sorry it's not your favourite. But it's a nice soothing blend and it tastes good cooled. I hope you like it. Ah! And I have cookies for you too!" She set the teacup and a cookie next to the base of the stone. "It's a very nice day, today, you know."

Re: Arrive

[icecoldfrost]

Emma was, of course, there after her shift at Dite's, and properly attired for the occasion. If it was a bit short, well, it was because she never would have managed to make Triela wear it.

Re: Arrive

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah had brought flowers. And a small teddy-bear; not the one that Triela had given her, but a new one. She hadn't decided whether to leave it at her grave or give it to one of the other girls at Triela's Society yet.

Re: Arrive

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Hey," Dinah said, slipping an arm around Momoko's waist. "Good to see you here."

Re: Gather by the Grave

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah put her bouquet of tiger-lilies and daffodils in the holder after Momoko had cleared off the grave. She sat down and listened to Momoko talk to Triela, silent, but imagining Triela's side of the conversation, and her own contributions. Wishing.

Re: Arrive

[heromaniac]

"You too!" Momoko smiled back, reaching for a return hug. "I was coming anyway, but it's totally better to grave visit with friends and family."

Re: Arrive

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. I was going to come alone, and then I got Karla's e-mail... this is better." She squinted upward at the bright sun; it was cool but clear today. A good day for visiting, even with the tightness in her chest. "What did you bring there?"

Re: Arrive

[heromaniac]

"Raven! You came, too!" Momoko approached her, smiling. "How are you feeling? Can you use a hug?" Or would that be too much, was what Momoko wasn't asking.

Re: Arrive

[heromaniac]

"Hmmm. Things for tending the grave." Momoko lifted the basket a bit so Dinah could see all the handwavy inside. "Some tea and cookies for Triela. Some snacks for anyone who wants them."

Re: Arrive

[trigons_child]

Raven managed a smile as well. "A hug is always welcome," she said, holding out her arms. Especially right now.

Re: Arrive

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Tea and cookies." Dinah smiled, a little sadly, wishing she could be angrier that Triela wasn't there to share them; glad she wasn't. Thinking of the first year after her mom died, lighting a candle and talking to Tony. "I like that. It's better than some customs. Or lack of them."

Re: Gather by the Grave

[heromaniac]

Momoko noticed and walked over. Sure she had issues with him, but with Triela gone, so were the reasons she didn't like Mr Hilshire. Now he was just a very (very!) sad man at the grave of her friend.

She offered a hand. "Hello, Mr Hilshire. You may not remember me; I'm Akatsutsumi Momoko. One of Triela's friends from Fandom High."

Re: Gather by the Grave

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Hilshire looked... not good. Triela would have disapproved, was the first thought Dinah had. And yet she couldn't say she was surprised.

"Hello, Hilshire." She studied him, her hand still clutching the bear. "We should have expected you, I guess."

Re: Arrive

[heromaniac]

Momoko rubbed her nose, slightly embarrassed. "Well, it's one of the few times I can't help being traditional, grave visits. It's so important. For me, death means the person isn't with you, but they are still watching over you so it's totally return respect."

Re: Gather by the Grave

[sie-bruder.livejournal.com]

He looked up slowly. "I remember," he answered, voice coming out scratchy and disused. After a moment (which he needed to focus his eyes), he reached out toward her hand, but then paused, as if not entirely sure what to do with it.

Re: Arrive

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"It makes sense." Dinah sighed. "I don't... my family doesn't have too many customs about it. I just hope I don't do this wrong." She smiled a little. "Not that Triela would care. Or see the point, I'm guessing."