It's a terrible day for rain

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

"Speech!"
It hurt.

It hurt beyond measure.

As a therapist, Laeta understood the powerful feelings of guilt, how easily they could tear someone emotionally, skin and bone. How the sheer pain of a loss close to oneself could easily lead to a vicious, dark spiral. How important it was to give those grieving individuals space and time to process the grief on their own terms, without pressure, without prodding. If only she held herself to the same esteemed grace she offered all her clients; but she wouldtry her hardest. Even at her own advanced stage of fading away, she knew it was only a matter of time before she would meet Audra again -- just not in this plane of reality.

Mel was a little more worse for wear; the badger was weeping as he pulled Laeta's wagon towards hte funeral site, pausing every so often to sniffle and sob. Laeta let him take all the time he needed, even as tears gently wet the edges of her own eyes, pooling down her hallowed face. Audra was one of her closest and dearest friends, though everyone in the Hallows deserved that title. Furthermore, Audra was family. She was beloved. She could only imagine how Gloom was feeling. As they approached, Lae craned her neck the best she could to see the beautiful display Artorias had arranged; Audra looked as if she was merely having a rest. A beautiful, joyous rest. Not even the rain could interfere with this moment, the one where the wagon stopped and Laeta looked at the pyre with the rest of her pack, silently weeping and grieving the loss of such a dear friend.

"Farewell, Audra," She whispered, swallowing hard as more tears pooled at her eyes. "We will meet again soon."

Mel wept, sniffling as he solemnly whispered, "R-Rest in peace, L-Lady Audra."