The End of an Era and The Beginning of a New (235 members)

[Sir Galahad]

Rai's body was being carried by Cabalian Soldiers. They would stop when they reached the border of the 235 and pass over his Casket to the Honor Guards that still served the land. The people from all over the land would watch in silence as Rai's corpse was taken to a tomb and laid to rest. Here is where they would stay cause they had also received word that the new Interim ruler of 235 would be showing up today, and it was said she was told to make an appearance at Raikotsu's funeral and say a few words to the people before starting her official duties as the new Ruler. So, here is where they waited to see the woman who would be their new ruler. None were happy.

[Cecelia Riddel]

Celia watched over the ceremony with a somber expression, her hands folded in front of her as the Dragon was laid to rest on the land that he had watched over. Dressed in a modest dark dress, the garment felt more like armor against the tension in the air – and the red. So much red. She had been told about it, of course, along with the most basic gist of what was going on in the territory. A territory she now was now watching over, at least until a proper ruler was recognized and officially welcomed in.

She could feel her legs shaking as she stepped forward, surrounded by a people full of animosity and anger, standing against her. Each step was deliberate despite the churning of her stomach. A brave face facing forward; they were a battle-heady people, but even if they weren’t, she had to display a good first impression to anyone who might see. Chin up, posture proper, her gaze swept over those before her.

“Today we mourn the loss of life taken early.” Her words were quiet but even at first, hands falling to her sides. “Raikotsu Sudeki was more than a Dragon; he was someone who wanted the best for you. All of you, until the end.” The confidence returned, if only for a moment, expecting some form of confrontation already.

“Today, I promise to do the same: to look out for the people of this land, it’s safety, happiness, and well-being.” Her gaze roamed over the group before her once more. “Together, I know we can find a way to bring prosperity to this land and to you, a life that those before you may not have had the opportunity to have. As we honor Mr. Sudeki today, he leaves behind a legacy to build and a future to reach towards. So We will do exactly that.”

[Dime Price]

Holding one of her Blood Zells as they mourned. She too had been thick with tears from being one of the first to hear the news and one of the few who would have had to say something to others about it. She heard the Speech brought forth by the young woman from Zukunft. She wasn't one to dis the first impression but she was weary. She would hope the person brought forth before her would absolutely have everyone's best intentions in mind.

Her dress was long and the top was backless and not but crisscrossed over her front and around her neck to hold it all up and in place. 

[Jericho]

At a distance away from the funeral, Jericho stood beneath the shadow of the blood mansion, watching the solemn event take place. His unkept white hair would look gray in the dark shade, and it moved slightly as the wind occasionally let itself move. With such a still and stagnant posture, a masked face, and emotionless silver eyes, he would probably be an eery presence to anyone who did not recognize him.  

He would join the funeral with Dime, but this kind of event called for emotion Jericho had no interest in having or interacting with. He was not sad. He was not angry. He was not in grief. He did not feel. He had no reason to.

Rai was not dead.

He had been put to rest before, and came back. The king had not fallen, only given an obstacle to overcome. Soon he would return again, and that is what Jericho counted on. Until then, he would continue to serve the territory under the true king. Rai's dormancy did not change his position, despite what many seemed to believe. The police captain would not serve under some frail little girl with no experience. She had no right to be here. She would probably be killed soon. Not by Jericho; he had no reason to yet. But this territory was not one for dainty five foot girls who could be broken by stumbling over a rock. It was one for those who had been beaten and scarred in life, put on the brink of mental and/or physical destruction. She seemed to not know the meaning of the word pain.

She was not his leader. Rai was. So under him the Jericho would continue to serve, remembering Rai's last wish: "No matter what happens, you two have to stay alive and work together. And if you should have to, promise you'll do what I could not and bring this place back to its former glory."

That was the long term goal while he awaited Rai's return. The short term was to do his job: seek justice. Jericho knew someone did this to the king. This was no accident; only an action with a purpose and delivery could affect Rai in such a way. And he knew exactly where to start.

But, his duty was here, near this funeral, in case anyone attempted to hinder it. Pondering all this, the chief of police stood, vigorous in mind, frozen in body, lifeless in spirit. His king in a casket of wood, his heart in a casket of flesh.

[Cecelia Riddel]

The verbal silence from the audience continued, some seeming in shock while others wept openly. She wondered, for a moment, how many of them had known them. Who mourned the person, and who the king. But there was no rush of anger at a stranger, a relief warming her that Cecelia allowed to give her a moment to let out a silent breath.

She would take a step back, turning to face Rai's body before giving a curtsy of respect to the fallen king. King he was, and a ruler of a Zukunft territory, albeit a small one. It was only natural that she show a sign of honor. Holding the pose for a second due to rank, she had to wonder what thought passed through the minds of the other territory leaders to let her watch over this place. It wasn't what she was meant for, but here she stood, still far from home and now without a friendly face in sight. Again.

Turning towards the audience once more, she continued, "I'm sure there are questions and concerns, but today is a day of remembrance. But I will stand ready to hear you out when those concerns are spoken. Let us move forward. Together.

"Thank you." She would look towards whatever guard had been appointed to her with a small nod, indicating she was ready to leave.

[Dime Price]

She would head up to the platform she would lay a hand on Jericho as she passed by him. It wasn't a notion to follow but to know she wasn't alone she would confirm it with this action. She would trace fingers on the edge of his casket before stepping up to the podium after Cecilia. She would seize this moment the people were uncertain and needed a reminder.

"My comrades and I were close with our King, we believed he would bring us to rise once more like a territory. We were far too close to being torn apart from the inside out to have ever been whole again. The Blood castle and the blood-stained earth... it is the same blood that flows in our veins. We were not born of this land but we have fought with sweat, blood, and tears nourishing this very place to what we need it to be." She folded her hands before her. "Raikotsu was one we thought would bring this land forth, however his second coming was not to see us grow it was to teach us to stand united. We've been given a second chance... so stand with me, your brother, mother, friends, and neighbors. Stand in our own Honor and Pride, this is our territory, this is our home... Thank you."

She looked to Cecilia. "Also Thank you Lady Riddel for the kind words to our plight. We look forward to seeing how you and Zukunft will usher us into a new era with the greatest care and the greatest hope of peace." Dime would then make her exit. Head held high and remaining strong enough that tears wouldn't fall uncontrollably. The signs were more than apparent that she has done plenty of crying in the hours before this but right now. not a tear fell from her eye. Not if she had anything to say about it.

[Jericho]

Jericho nodded to Dime as a "well done" once she made her way off the stage. He remained under the shade watching attentively.

[Sir Galahad]

The Royal Guards from Zekunft, that Rai had assigned to different leaders under his rule, would all now he present to guard Cecilia. Taking up formation around her as she made her way off the stage. The crowd did not yet disperse, they still watched, in silence, and wondered what was going to happen, both now and for their future.

[Cecelia Riddel]

The woman who stepped forward spoke with the burn of one who had lost something, but a surprising amount of strength, too. It was also a reminder of this place she was in - bloodied and bloodstained. She offered the other woman a small, polite smile and a nod of acknowledgement before leaving the stage.

She held herself as polite and demure as possible, letting the guard form around her as easily and as natural as breathing. There was a security, a familiarity to their presence in her life, and a reminder of home she desperately needed in this strange new place.

They would all see what the future held for them.

Taking her leave of the funeral, Cecelia would head towards whatever counted as Rai's official study or auditorium, whatever he had.

[Dime Price]

No doubt his office was the fortress of blood. Which was used as an almost church for the zealots. Many of them slept in its many rooms and today the place was especially bloody as the Blood Zells were making their offerings to strengthen their home for an uncertain future. And to make their piece should this be the end for them.

Dime was not far behind Celia upon arrival. She would be stopped by sorrowful followers questioning what would become of them.

She would beckon they wait a moment more while she'd request an audience with the current woman in charge.

[Jericho]

Jericho followed Dime, remaining close enough to her to be within earshot at a regular speaking volume, but not much farther. He also kept an eye and ear on those at the funeral, remaining on his guard. If Dime and the new leader went inside, he would keep watch out of any window nearby.

[Sir Galahad]

Inside the room would be an older man looking out the window, watching the Funeral. He would be leaning on a cane, but if one paid attention they would notice that he could obviously stand without it. He would turn to the group that walked in and smile. Dime would immediately recognize the Leader if the Scavengers Group.

"Ah, hello there. You must be Madam Cecilia. My name is Ramses. It is my pleasure to welcome you to our home."

He would say placing a hand on his chest and nodding his head forward.

"I see you've met the other two that the late King had great interest in."

He would take a couple of steps toward her, none of the Royal guards would react to this.

"I am quite curious to see what you will do during your stay here. I must ask, what are your plans?"

[Cecelia Riddel]

Oh. Oh dear. Celia's gaze went to the fortress, taking in the might of the walls and security it offered, as well as the crimson hue. It left an ache in her heart that sheignored for now. Obviously, this wasn’t an exaggeration; to see it in person was an entirely different matter that left her stomach unsettled. Still followed by some from the funeral, it felt odd that they wouldn't stay longer and would instead follow her, but she had yet to see just what the former king had left undone or had laid out for her.

Perhaps that was for the best, given the sight that awaited her inside. Only recently exposed to any real violence, Celia's cheeks paled until they were ashen at the sight of so much blood and all the sacrifices that it came from. As much as she told herself she would be a positive representative of her homeland, it did nothing against the world that was suddenly spinning as she let out a muffled noise of distress. She continued with a brief stumble, the falling sensation jarring her from her from her daze long enough for her to refocus on the back of the guard in front of her, instead.

She let out a low breath of relief as she entered the study, certain now that the woman who followed was the kings’ former consort; why else would she insist on being here before Celia had a chance to see what this land’s current state was and leave the funeral?

“Good...good day, Lord Ramses.” She nodded to the man sporting a cane, her voice coming back to her now that the ghastly sight was no longer surrounding her. She felt out of breath, her voice strained by still polite. Soft. At the mention of Dime and Jericho, she blinked, glancing behind her at the two who had come along as well. They were people of interest, then. She assumed the silent man was an advisor or former guard, the woman still a paramour. A single gracious nod was given to the two before she turned her attention back to Ramses.

Celia didn’t fuss over him coming closer; her guards were there to protect her and formed a wall around her. Ramses would have to get through them as well as deal with Zekunft’s response to a noblewoman – their representative - being assaulted. Trying not to inhale too deeply, she raised her brows at the question. How was she to know when she only had an overview.

“I will do what I can to bring peace and order to this land until I find a suitable person to inherit King Sudeki’s line and govern it, as he would want.” She pushed a pale strand of hair behind her ear as she took a steadying breath, trying not to inhale too deeply.

“I had hoped to speak with you about that, if possible. I would like to see what his intentions were should the worst happen.” Which had, given his funeral.

[Dime Price]

DIme was surprised to see Ramses here. Certainly, the fate of his "business" was one to be concerned about but assuming he would let Dime handle things as usual. They had a good relationship she wasn't sure why he was so antsy now.

However, he asked what everyone wanted to hear and Dime would enter the room. Even IF Cecelia was borderline ignoring Dime she would chime in and speak as a voice of influence and worth. "His intention was to bring us in as United as we may be and see us grow and flourish. A territory that was but recently tearing itself apart from the inside, he held up some pride for it still wanting it to become what he originally hoped. He personally started training Jericho and I, showing him we had the strength to see his dream realized."

[Jericho]

Jericho would examine the man standing in the room they entered, noticing the lack of reason for the cane. The police captain immediately walked to the nearest window, and positioned himself in order to keep an eye on the funeral outside and the scene in front of him.

Dime spoke of what Rai wanted, and Jericho decided he should add.

"She speaks truth. He wished for unity and peace. Nothing more. Nothing less." his words oozed out without tone; the words themselves had vitality yet the voice through which they traveled had none.