Honoring The Dead

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W A R R I O R ; H E A L E R

Nyko's expression had remained unchanged during the entire memorial service. But then, that was not unnatural for a warrior. He had been trained as one prior to becoming a healer, a rare circumstance but he of course had his reasons. The bombing of Tondc was a tragedy. So many were dead, so many lives destroyed. Nyko hadn't been able to save them, and he inevitably felt the weighted guilt. As Trikru's healer, he was unable to heal those who needed healing. Save those who needed saving. The Mountain had been a threat to them for so long. Too long. But it was over now. News had spread like wildfire, and Skaikru had brought down the Mountain. Something that their own people should have been a part of but alas. It was not Nyko's place to make such demands. His son had been killed by Skaikru, but they had lost many to the Mountain Men.

Right now, he was focused on the present. When the memorial was over, Nyko turned to look at one particular young woman. Jaga. Nyko was long since friend's with her parents, both of whom were dead now, along with her brother. When the crowd began to disperse, he made his way over to her. She had been captured by the Mountain and released after the deal was struck. Nyko had checked on most of those who had been released, but this was now a difference circumstance that brought them together. He was not here as a healer. He was here as a friend. Moving toward her he stopped when near, placing a hand on her shoulder in attempt to comfort her. "They will be forever remembered. Forever honored." It was all he could say, aware that no words eased the comfort of losing a loved one. For he still mourned the death of his son. Every day. "And greatly missed."

Tag;; @jaga

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Jaga had been mostly keeping to herself since her release from the Mountain. Her entire family had been taken from her over a very short time, and what the Mountain Men had done to her had left her feeling vulnerable and jumpy. She'd found a place to stay in Polis. The though of returning to her now ruined former home was painful, but she knew she had to come to the memorial.

She tried not to cry during the memorial. Her mother wouldn't have cried. But even though Jaga had long since given up the idea that she could be a warrior like her mother, she still hated the way her chin quivered and tears rolled down her cheeks as she listened to other's speak of the dead.

She was getting ready to leave, to get out of this place where her life, her former happiness, had been blown to pieces, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, turning quickly to see Nyko. He'd been friends with her parents. He'd practically seen her and her brother grown up. "Their fight is over now, right?" she said in Trigedasleng, aware she sounded mildly bitter. Nyko didn't deserve it, but she was bitter. She was angry. Mostly she wanted to run away, but she couldn't. She couldn't brush off the older man who'd been so kind to her in the past.

Tag: @nyko

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W A R R I O R ; H E A L E R

Their fight was over. He knew the lacking comfort the words entailed. It did not ease the passing of his son when others told him that. Told him that he had a warrior's death. That his fight was over and he died with honor. From a warrior to a warrior it meant something. But as a father, it did not ease the ache in his heart. The missing piece of it, that forever be void. Unfilled by anything else in this world. "Yes," he answered simply, his hand resting by his side. There was nothing he could say to make this better.

"But their spirits will live on." He sometimes felt his son's spirit but it was never the same as actually seeing him. Holding him. Hearing him talk, hearing him laugh. So many lives have been lost. So many casualties of this never ending war. Even now, it was not over. The unrest among their own people prevented it from being so. "In you," he added, looking directly at Jaga. "For I see their strength in you." It could not help the passing of a loved one, but may help derive strength to cope with it.

Tag;; @jaga

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Jaga shook her head at his words, he eyes prickling when he finished. She looked away, drawing a deep breath. She wasn't going to cry. And after her deep breath, the threat of tears went away. "They made me strong," she managed to say through her teeth. "Now they're gone." And she felt like she would fall apart at the seams.

She drew another deep breath and looked back at him. "Were you here when it happened? Did you... see them?" As much as she didn't want to know, she needed to know. Had they been killed instantly? Had they suffered? Did they try to help others until they could no longer keep going?

Had they died well?

Tag: @nyko

[Deleted]

W A R R I O R ; H E A L E R

Nyko wished that he could offer more to her. But in the event of death, of losing a loved one . . . there was nothing apart from bringing the person back that could truly heal the wound. That was what Nyko's duties had meant to be. That was where he had failed. "And you are a part of them," he told her. As she said they made her strong, her strength could be found in the connection that she would always have with her family. She then asked him whether he had been there. Whether he had seen them. "I did," he confirmed, trying to keep himself composed. His voice leveled. Steady.

He had lost so many friends, so many loved ones, so much family. They all had. War brought nothing but death. Nyko wanted to ensure life. But it seemed that the more he tried, the more death surrounded them all. When would it end? Where did everyone draw the line? When was it said that enough is enough. "They did not suffer," he assured her. "They were not in pain." It wasn't much, but he could at least offer her the comfort that their deaths were swift. That their final moments were not full of pain.

Tag;; @jaga

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Jaga lifted her chin a little when he said he had seen her father and brother, bracing herself for his answer, and hoping it wouldn't cause her to break down. When he answered, she felt flooded with relief... which was the last emotion Jaga would have expected to cry over, but her chin quivered before she could stop it and tears ran down her cheeks. She lowered her head, wiping at her face. "Thank you," she managed to choke out. She sniffed hard, wishing her father was here to hold her, but that would never be possible again. She was half tempted to throw herself against Nyko--he was kind and gentle--but she resisted the urge. "Thank you for being here for them." She had no idea if Nyko had needed to tend to them or not--it sounded like they'd died instantly--but knowing Nyko had been in TonDC when the bombing happened was a comfort. The immense guilt that she hadn't been here too weighed on her.

She wiped her face again, still not able to look back at him. "Are you staying here?" she asked, after she thought she could steady her voice. She didn't know if he would stay to try to rebuild, or if everyone was just leaving TonDC in ruins. She knew she couldn't stay, though. Even if it was built back up to it's former state. There was too much pain here now. "Is anyone staying?"

Tag: @nyko