Another Flame Extinguished [Silver Jedi & Friends]

[Connor Harrison]

The Plateau
Felucia, Felucia System

​

6 torches burnt in the cool air of Felucia, leading a makeshift walkway to the funeral pyre for Master [member="Sochi Ru"] of the Silver Jedi Order. With her brown robes laid over the top, that was all that remained of her person after being slain whilst serving her Order. For a legacy that reached out across the galaxy, it was now time to say goodbye to her amongst the beautiful planet of Felucia. Fauna and vegetation snaked up out of the planet, dwarfing the congregation below.

With Silver Jedi and many other allies and friends Sochi had made in her time in the galaxy, the mood was sombre again in a ritual that had already taken place not long ago for Iella E'ron. Now another life was lost; another ally gone, and another friend taken.

Connor Harrison, the one who was with her at the end and failed to save her, stood to the side as he stared into the planet beyond, jaw tense and thinking about nothing but also thinking about everything. They waited for Grandmaster [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] to begin the far too familiar proceedings to say goodbye.

Spoiler

@A'vyak
[member="Aeshma Zambrano"]
[member="Aiden Merritt"]
[member="Aika Kawakami"]
[member="Ailyne Viren"]
[member="Alexander Hark"]
[member="Allana Gan"]
[member="Amilja Masmor"]
[member="Asaak Tey"]
[member="Ayumi Pallopides"]
@Aerin Firebrand
[member="Basaba Willamina"]
[member=Bellalika]
[member="Bridgin Sky"]
[member="Caira Zee"]
[member="Camellia Swift"]
[member=Cathbodua]
[member="Circes Litai"]
[member="Coci Heavenshield"]
[member="Corran Serat"]
[member=Creimire]
[member="Cynthia Alucard"]
[member="Dagos Terrek"]
[member="Danger Arceneau"]
[member="Ein Necavich"]
[member=Ezra]
[member="Fletcher Lorcan"]
[member="Gregor Arthmael"]
[member=Guldan]
[member="Hanna Vondiranach"]
[member="Hawk Solo"]
[member="Ikki Ike"]
[member="Ilias Nytrau"]
[member=Iratann'Dira]
[member="Jack Sheltrak"]
[member="Javik Quar-Kai"]
@Je'daii
[member="Jeela Tillian"]
[member=Jericho]
[member="Jessie Volt"]
[member="Junko Ike"]
[member="Kahne Porte"]
[member="Kail Myn"]
[member="Kei Amadis"]
[member="Kenshi Mitsumoto"]
[member="Kharen Promethien"]
[member=Knight]
[member="Krafurk Maris"]
[member="Kycoros Oberon"]
[member="Lanir Tyko"]
[member="Larana Holst"]
[member="Lorna Halcyon"]
@Ma'ku
@Ma'ku Izi'ka
[member="Marek S'hadar"]
[member="Mark Sage"]
[member="Matsu Ike"]
[member=Maxi]
[member="Maya Whitelight"]
[member="Maylia Antilles"]
[member="Nagate Hei"]
[member=Nellja]
[member=Nesheph]
[member="Niamh Raste"]
[member="Nico Minuro Ike"]
[member="Nima Tann"]
[member="Noremak Saunders"]
[member="Noriko Ike"]
[member=Nyxie]
[member=Odysseus]
[member="Oka Osaa"]
[member="Orihime Ike"]
[member="Perth Marogan"]
[member=Pratiya]
[member="Pravis Sharman"]
[member=Quenladose]
[member=R2-T2]
[member="Rael sul B'an"]
[member="Rasu Gan"]
[member="Reiko Ike"]
[member="Rellim Selah"]
[member=Rossy]
[member=Saffron]
[member=Saki]
[member="Sanya Val Lerium"]
[member="Sarianna Misarr"]
[member="Satele Carrick"]
[member=Sayuri]
@Serana
[member="Shalla Horizonis"]
[member="Shiva Horizonis"]
[member=Shoxx]
[member="Siather Det'aan"]
[member=Simone]
[member="Soran Kron"]
[member=Stray]
[member="Syala Daivik"]
[member=Syn]
@Ta'mur Rokar
[member="Tarazet Acsada"]
[member="The Ethelwulf"]
[member=Tricia]
[member="Una Gal"]
[member="Uther Weiss"]
[member="Vexander Graves"]
[member="Vladimir Kirov"]
[member=viper]
[member="Willa Isard"]
[member=Wren]
[member="Xander Carrick"]
[member="Zatten Black"]
[member=Zayen]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Looking around the area of the pyre, Coci now understood why Sochi loved this place. Such beauty in nature, unique and vivid. As colourful as the Master Jedi now taken from them. Coci took time to think of Master Ru and wondered on a few things about the woman.

She began to think of the losses of both masters, E'ron and Ru. The bestest of friend, sisters in fact. If E'ron was here, she would have stood tall and proud for knowning [member="Sochi Ru"], she would spoke about her, saying that she loved her, admired her and looked to her much guidance over their lives. Would have given Sochi much credit for taking a large risk when following her to form the Order of the Silvers and thanking Sochi for beginning one of the few that believed in her vision. They had had many things to deal with but each time they grew closer as friends and Jedi. Master Rasu Gan, the other of the trio, pity she is not here too.

Coci waited as soon everyone would gather to pay their homage to a great Jedi. She walked to the pyre and straightened the robes, and before she moved back to rejoin the others and stand along side her husband [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], Coci place a small token within the folds, a jedi coin with the Order of the Silver Jedi embossed on it. It is a symbol of lasting connection, and Sochi will always be able to find her way home.

 

[The Dark Man]

"The ways of the Living Force are beyond our understanding… But fear not. You are in the hands of something much greater and much better than you can imagine."

The Force permeated all, and bound the galaxy together. The Dark Man couldn't begin to fathom where he was, when he wasn't somewhere. His human brain could not comprehend the deep intricacies involved in this great cosmic power. Did he even posses such a brain anymore? Such thoughts drifted in a vast ocean of nothingness, yet there was everything. An all-consuming darkness, but a brilliant glaring light. He knew he held within him the power to manipulate this power, but more than anything he rested. As all do upon death.

Days became weeks, weeks into months, and months into years, all in the flash of a second. His mind was soothed, lulled, and his thoughts seemed to be ever wanting to rest, he struggled to ask himself the questions that burned within him. Within his spirit. Was there time when embraced in the Force? Such questions but he felt only tired, and once more he rested for many more years. He would be rocked from his sleep as a shiver through the Force signified the death of a Force User, or what felt to be earthquakes as many lives were taken from the likely invasions that were ever plaguing the galaxy.

More he rested, and such existence was bliss. Such an existence he could live in for infinitude, until the stones crumble into dust, until the stars burn out, and all goes cold. But he was stirred once again, a shiver through the Force, more disturbing than the others. He awoke, or was he already awake? The answers were there, but he couldn't fathom them. All at once light exploded, colors sowed together, and the shadowy outlines of figures stood around what appeared to be a pyre.

Things he had not sensed for what felt like millennium returned. His eyes perceived, and his nostrils registered the scents on the wind. Such elegant beauty was but a mere ugly stain in contrast to the beauty of being one with the Force, and instantly The Dark Man desired to return. But something had drawn him here. A man he had once known had desired him to be here. He didn't know it, but he felt it. He didn't make his appearance known, but any attuned to the Force could feel the ripples in the cosmic energy his presence produced. He knew this Jedi to have already passed, and was one with the Force, but somewhere out there, a being, a former friend, Hasjo Hallu, desired and longed to be here. In his place The Dark Man would pay his respects to this Jedi.

| [member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] |

 

[Kei Amadis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wz1xA5kxVI​

Safe Travels​

Arriving with [member="Wren"] as his guest by his side, feeling she'd want to be part of this. Kei did not know the fallen Jedi Master, he hadn’t been a member of the silvers long enough to have met her. A Jedi who lived her life as a Jedi, holding fast to her ideals right until the end, that was enough for him, the ex-soldier in him wanted to pay deep respect to her life.

Connor would not know Kei save their council meetings, or odd meetings around the temple, but it was obvious to anyone even just with their eyes, that many were torn up, going through their own emotions. At these times he wanted to act as a big brother for everyone, because that was his nature. First he passed his Master and old friend [member="Coci Heavenshield"], laying a hand on her shoulder, giving her a nod, he would hug her if she accepted it. Then he moved to [member="Connor Harrison"], and did the same, pat on the shoulder holding it there for a good long moment, making sure he knew. Nobody was alone, not those who died or those who stood.

Taking off his black cap, a grizzled Epicanthix looked at pyre, he’d buried too many men and women in his short life. He held his cap to his chest, he saved his military dress for rare occasions like this, though hoping against hope that he’d not be using it again so soon. The Jedi and the galaxy had lost a unique expression of the force. It would never be expressed the same way again. That is how he was looking at death now, learning to accept it, and celebrate their life. She’d died like an Epicanthix would, it might be small comfort to the others, but she’d held to who she was, and that was all anyone could do when their time came.

Kei Amadis knelt to take a single handful of earth, sprinkling in the air and watched it blow away.

“Wherever you are at now, you’ve got a lot of love here, fly safe.” Kei said quietly. That statement, he didn’t need to meet her to see how much the others around her cared for the woman. She had obviously moved those around her, and that small piece of respect was the least he could offer, he returned to [member="Wren"], replacing his cap and waited silently.

[member="The Dark Man"] | [member="Sochi Ru"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Wren"]​

 

[Darth Ren Malgus]

Wren had accompanied [member="Kei Amadis"] on his return flight to see where the supplies they received were coming from and take a much needed break from the rigors of leadership of the group of refugees. All had been going quite smoothly until he received notice that one of the Master's of his order had died. Rather than place an undo burden on him to take her back she accompanied him and she hoped in some small way she could provide some measure of comfort as part of a way to repay him for his kindness.

Looking through the many things he carried on his ship she found a length of sheer black material she pulled it over her head to hide her feature, but allowed her to see through the shadowy mesh. She had seen many of the women in the camp practice this for those who died. She did not understand the custom but would follow it out of respect for the dead.

Felusia. From the moment she stepped onto this world she felt she knew it. If her memory were in tact she would have known than she had taken a mission here with Anastasia Rade to investigate some missing botantists. Wren hung back as she watched Kei greet members of his order she paid no attention to them her eyes were fixed on the image of the Master that they were paying their respects and expressing their grief for. She was breathing through her mouth softly as she looked she would swear she knew this woman. Again if her memory were in tact she would have remembered that Master Sochi Ru had taught her far sight. Wren did not know how to act as her mind fought for understanding.

She was relieved when Kei returned she had watched him walk back as he passed those he greeted she could see in profile Connor Harrison whose name she did not know but his face. His face was in her dreams. She clenched her jaws tightly saying nothing but knowing somehow she was connected to all of this and she did not know how. Kei had the answer and patiently waited for her to ask for it. She trembled for a moment as emotions washed over her.

She looked over at Kei she could see the sadness in his face through the black veil she reached she squeezed his arm to let him know he did not stand here alone there were so many here that he could share his grief with.

She stayed quiet there by his side as her mind worked to solve how she felt.

[member="The Dark Man"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Sochi Ru"]​

 

[Jaret Sha'Co]

Jaret had only just found The Order Of The Silver Jedi, when he heard about a funeral for one of the fallen Jedi. He had not known the Jedi, but he felt in necessary to go and pay his respects to the fallen warrior, teacher and icon. Although Jaret had no master, he somehow managed to to find a ride to Felucia.

While at the funeral, Jaret had switched his dirty farm clothes, to the finest clothes he could afford, which consisted of a black buttoned up shirt, and some neat black pants. Not having a master, he tried his best to avoid most of the Jedi, he was worried about what would happen if they caught him. Jaret wasn't at all strong with the force, barely being able to levitate small rocks, but he could somewhat feel the aura of the one lost. This made the sadness grow inside of him.

Jaret dropped to his knees, and bowed his head, mumbling under his breathe. "May you go with peace." He'd stay on his knees, his head bowed towards the pyre.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor had a headache, and the strong Force aura of those around him batched in grief wasn’t helping. It had been whirlwind the last few days since Sochi fell. With nothing to show except mild burns to his chest and Sochi’s robes, once more the Sith had struck at the heart of the Silver Jedi and brought them to their knees, wallowing in grief.

Watching The Grandmaster and the Master of the Order together, as always, at the head of the pyre ready to begin, Connor’s eyes darted right gently as a hand patted him on the shoulder, and he just nodded. One of the many assurances that everyone was united in their loss, but an assurance that he didn’t need.

Seeing a figure in front of him walk forward and fall to his knees, Connor rolled his tongue around his mouth and stepped forward. The young Jedi was knew to him, and probably the Order, but he had made his grief visible; a weakness. Connor bent forward and looped his hands under the arms of the youth and pulled him up, turning him to face the Master.

”Get a hold of yourself, Padawan,” Connor said quietly, ” this is not the way to act. The Sith want this from you – to collapse under what they have done. Stand tall, swallow your sadness and let it come out in your actions with the Order to defeat the Sith and all the venom they stand for.”

With a gentle shake of the youth's shoulder, Connor turned and went back to the front of the congregation, back to starting at the pyre, eyes focusing on the robes, head still aching.

[member="Jaret Sha'Co"] | [member=Wren] | [member="Kei Amadis"] | [member="The Dark Man"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[Jaret Sha'Co]

Jaret's heart almost bounce out of his chest as he felt Connar Harrison grab him. He stood up with the help of the Master, brushing his knee's alitle in an attempt to remove the wet patches and small blades of grass which stuck. Jaret stood stock still and gave a gentle nod as he spoke in a hushed tone. "Yes Master."

Jaret now stood, motionless, as he watched the awaited The Grandmaster's address.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion stood silent before the pyre and the people gathered to pay their respects to their fallen friend and fellow Jedi. Felucia had proven a grand location for such an occasion, her lush and exotic vegetation bringing beautiful, vibrant colour to this day of mourning. With their newborn soundly asleep in his arms, Thurion watched [member="Coci Heavenshield"] as she laid the token among the robes atop the unlit pyre. He also took notice of [member="Connor Harrison"]. His heart weighed heavy with the deaths of Masters [member="Iella E'ron"] and [member="Sochi Ru"], more than most. The man had never been afraid of skirting the line between light and dark, but Thurion feared he would go too far with so much doubt in his heart.

Before he addressed those gathered he carefully passed their son unto Coci, sharing a look with her in the process.

"I won't pretend to do Master Ru justice, for how could anyone truly find the words which most accurately describe such an individual? I can only offer my humble take on her character." He paused, eyes locked on the pyre. "Sochi was peace given form. She was the essence of serenity. I never saw her in a bad mood or heard her speak ill of another soul. She was an upstanding member of the Order - any order - and a true Jedi." He took a step forward and placed an open palm against the empty set of robes.

"Rest well, my friend. One day we will all be together again." His gaze was raised to observe the onlookers.

"Would anyone else care to share something about our fallen?"

[member="Jaret Sha'Co"] | [member="Wren"] | [member="Kei Amadis"] | [member="The Dark Man"]​

 

[Baalagor]

"It's not your fault, you know." Those were the only words spoken quietly by Syala to her Master as she stepped up beside him, his grief palpable simply by his proximity, but radiating through the Force as well. It was too soon for them to suffer another blow. Too soon for the Silver Jedi to lose another so close to them, so dear to their hearts. It was too soon for any of them, but especially so for [member="Connor Harrison"]. She was perfectly aware of his alignment, how he balanced precariously on the edge of light and dark without teetering one way or another. It was something she had been aware of since their first meeting, and it had become more apparent as their time together increased. More than anything, she didn't want to see him go through this. He didn't deserve to. None of them did.

Silently she had stood in the back for a time, not quite ready to approach yet, absorbing her surroundings and quietly processing everything. The barest of smiles, gone as quickly as it came, turned up the corners of her mouth when she saw Connor attempt to bolster another Padawan's confidence. His roundabout way of doing things was always interesting to watch, especially given his gentle behavior when it came to how he consoled and conversed with her. It was a subdued side of him she had a feeling not many chanced to witness, but it only made her all the more sure that he was suited to be exactly who he was, regardless of whatever objections he might make in their time together. This wasn't an easy path, as times like this demonstrated, but it was the right one.

"I don't want you to blame yourself. None of us should. I don't believe she would have been taken if it wasn't her time. Trust in yourself, and the Force, Master." It was times like these she almost felt like the teacher, but this type of reversed relationship was necessary in these moments. He needed her support just as much as she needed his, contrary to what some seemed to believe. That same ethereal, nearly unnatural calm was present in her aura as it always was, and she extended it of her own will to meld with his, a silent symbol of her solidarity. She was here, she had been here, and she always would be. There would be no dissuading her, or convincing her otherwise. For better or worse, the two of them were in the long run, together.

When the offer for others to speak at the pyre she remained respectfully silent, chewing the inside of her cheek in thought. Maybe this time she would step up and say a few words, whatever they may be. Certainly she could say something that would help communicate the resolve they had to hold in their hearts to move forward despite this loss. There was no doubt that this loss hurt all of them, deeply and in varying amounts, but they had to let that drive them forward to push on both as an Order and as friends. But for the moment she remained where she was, offering support to one man for the moment.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"], [member="Jaret Sha'Co"], [member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Wren"], [member="Kei Amadis"], [member="The Dark Man"], [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Would anyone else care to share something about our fallen?"

In the back, a hooded woman's Force presence -- dissonant, cold, decidedly at odds with her surroundings -- became discernible. She took down her hood as she stepped up, glancing around and meeting eyes. She didn't introduce herself.

"I didn't especially know Sochi Ru, not socially, and we never served together during my Jedi days so far as I can recall. I had the chance to fight her once, though, in a tournament, and you can come to know a great deal about someone by fighting them at an intimate range. She was fighting alongside Rasu Gan; I was fighting alongside my wife. Master Ru impressed me primarily as someone who trusted the woman beside her. Someone who took Jedi unity seriously." She smiled without amusement, almost wistfully. "Someone pure of heart. Innocent, you might say. She never spoke a word to me that I recall, but for that afternoon, I knew her, and those of you who mourn her, I'm sorry for your loss. I've stood on hallowed ground and watched the mechanics of the living Force that makes up each of us. Watched it come in from the galaxy and go out again to the cosmic Force, to keep the wheel turning. Master Ru may or may not have retained her identity; it's a rare thing. Either way, she isn't dead, not as we think of death. Death isn't what our eyes tell us it is. It's just reintroduction to a very old, very slow pattern, and as part of that pattern, in a very real way, Sochi Ru will never die."

She stepped back.

 

[Marek S'hadar]

This, this couldn't have happened. No, no he wouldn't accept it. She wasn't dead, his pupil, there wasn't a way, it wasn't possible.

Guilt, denial, and pain rushed in and through the Jedi master, more specifically, Sochi's master. His wife, gone, he'd stopped hoping a long time ago, and now his other pupil was dead, all were gone. He hadn't been there, he hadn't been able to save Sochi or find Rasu. Why hadn't he been able to save them? Where had he been? He'd been trying to save himself, keep his darkness at bay, like they'd have wanted, and look what it had done. Marek had failed them, he'd failed ALL of them. Amongst the other Jedi, he stood out like a sore thumb, a spot of darkness in a sea of light, his age old friend snapping in the back of his mind. The rage burned.

Sochi was dead and he could only blame himself. He hadn't trained her enough, he hadn't helped her become strong enough. Why hadn't he tried harder, why hadn't

This was his fault

Underneath the hood he draped over his head, the recently returned master's eyes were bloodshot, drained of all tears they had. Nut the once brown eyes were changing, an ugly mesh of yellow and brown held their place. He kept himself at the rear of the procession, his thoughts long since having moved from grief to revenge. Balling his hands into fists, the master stepped forward to the pyre.

"I'm sorry."

Turning away, the master began to move away from the pyre. Someone had to make amends, and that someone was him.

 

[Connor Harrison]

He only nodded absently when [member="Syala Daivik"] stood beside him. The one glimmer of light he saw around the congregation, but her constant drive to help him would be her un-doing. He had told her he wasn’t good enough to train her, and he was right. She was young, full of aspiration for good and ready to give everything to become something great.

...trust in yourself, and the Force, Master.

So his Padawan even told him to trust in himself. In the Force. To do what must be done. He couldn’t do it here.

Connor looked up at Master [member="Marek S'hadar"] and felt his similar want to do something to reclaim the pride that the Silver Jedi has lost recently; Masters falling to the blades of the Sith while they didn’t even break a sweat and move on to their next conquest, while the Jedi stood around and grieved.

He leaned in to his Padawan, whispering in her ear. ”Never stop being you.”

Placing a hand on her shoulder and he shuffled behind her, Connor edged past the Jedi he moved through towards the side of the congregation. He then walked away from them without looking back.

[member="Jaret Sha'Co"] | [member=Wren] | [member="Kei Amadis"] | [member="The Dark Man"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Ashin Varanin"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5jzQW1qmlE​

​

As various individual spoke loving words about the fallen Jedi Master, Thurion lit the pyre with torch in hand, thus following a millennia-old Jedi tradition. Stepping back to watch the flames, he positioned himself beside his wife and newborn son. He held her as the ashes sought the sky and the Living Force. Seems all he's done since becoming Grandmaster was watch all his friends and loved ones die. It made him hold [member="Coci Heavenshield"] tighter, fearful of losing her too. It would destroy him. As little Théodred rested against her bossom, Thurion couldn't resist letting the toddler instinctively wrap his tiny fingers around his single digit. This alone was enough to make him smile again, but it would only last for so long.

"Connor," he whispered aloud, looking distressed. "Wait here," he added before leaving her side in pursuit of his friend.

Knowing his old friend all too well, Thurion picked up on his Force Signature just as [member="Connor Harrison"] left the throng of people paying their respects. Skirting the gathering he saw a lone shape leaving without looking back. He caught up to him with hurried strides. "Connor," he called out to him as he neared. "Where are you going? What are you..." As he drew closer, Connor's intentions grew more palpable with each step. "Don't," he pleaded. "You can't leave us, Connor. We need you - your family needs you, and you're just going to walk away?" There was little anger in his voice, more akin to confusion and a great deal of concern.

[member="Marek S'hadar"] | [member="Ashin Varanin"] | [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Jaret Sha'Co"] | [member="Wren"] | [member="Kei Amadis"] | [member="The Dark Man"]​

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor reached the rear of the congregation when he stopped at the sound of his name being called, standing underneath three large purple mushrooms making a rather convenient arch to the plateau itself.

As [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] talked – the Grandmaster – this was a man who had first found Connor in the icy wind of Rhen Var years ago. While Iella was the one he served, Thurion was his first contact with the Silver Jedi and with redemption. But that was a lifetime ago. Looking sideways to the fire that crackled and burning brightly sending smoke and embers up into the sky with the remains of all that belonged to Sochi, Connor kept his face straight.

”I’m not walking away Thurion, don’t worry about me.”

He didn’t even call him Grandmaster. Even now he was being accused of walking away from the Order he’d nearly died fighting for.

”And walking away from my family?”

With that he turned to look at Thurion’s strong, resilant face that was that of a natural leader.

”I don’t have a family anymore.”

His eyes flicked to the figures of [member="Coci Heavenshield"] and the newborn in her arms, and then back to Thurion for a split second before he turned and continued to walk away to where he had left his ship on outskirts of the far-reaching plateau.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion made no attempt to stop his brother-in-arms; Connor was firm in what he believed in and would see things through to the end. He had always been an enigma, but even more so after the events of Shri-Tal. There was darkness in him, but always outshined by his light side. "You are my brother, Connor. I love you," he spoke aloud as his friend kept on walking, knowing he would not turn around. "Coci loves you."

Once [member="Connor Harrison"] reached the end of the plateu and his ship, a last message was telepathically sent to him:

"When your journey has reached its end, come back to us. May the Force be with you."

He would remain to watch Connor's ship disappear before returning to his wife and child.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

As the flames of the pyre rose upward, engulfing what little remained of Master [member="Sochi Ru"], Coci lowered her head in respect for the fallen warrior. Sochi had been a warrior in more ways then a few. Noble of heart, fierce in a fight and skill and more importantly a warrior of the light, she had stood by them all in their formation and in years after only leaving to fulfil her own purposes in her life, her shortened life. Yet, there is and will always be a sense of the great master within the Silvers Jedi, her legacy will live on in those that have been touched by her presence and teachings. This is what makes someone eternal, immortal.

Sochi is here, she can sense it. Coci can also sense the disturbance surrounding her brother, [member="Connor Harrison"], it has hit him hard, all of it has but no more or less than it has hit them all. Her brow knitted as she watched [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], walk after him to try and stop him from leaving them .. again. Connor needed to go, for his own reasons once more, not stay and comfort others in need but to comfort himself. Coci took in a deep breath and looked down into her child's face, "I will never leave you", she whispered.

As Thurion returned to her side, Coci lifted her head to gaze at the prye one more time. "He has gone again, hasn't he?", she knew the answer but the betrayal remained behind in Connor's wake.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion stared ahead of him into the flames licking the skies. "Yeah... He's gone again," he confirmed her suspicions. "I can only hope he knows what he's doing," he added, lifting his emotionally weary gaze upwards in vain hopes of catching a glimpse of Connor's ship. Sighing he looked to his wife and son and put an arm around [member="Coci Heavenshield"], pulling her close for an embrace. He needed the comfort as much as they did, at this point.

 

[Taiden Keth]

Dressed in pristine white attire, tunic covering his hair, a small honor guard of house Keth Echani present to honor the fallen. Taiden silently watched the burning flames ahead, no words for those departed, they were in the ideals, movements and motions of others every day from here on out, at least that is what his elder’s would say. Keth elders, conflict and motion were the hallmarks of their kind, though he was learning from [member="Matsu Ike"] and [member="Nima Tann"] to find the meaning of motion in all things, especially days like today. Movement for the departed, and movement for those that grieved for them, to carrying on living in their name.

Highly sensitive to such things, the presence of [member="The Dark Man"] while not openly looked at, was regarded with a careful bow somewhere in his direction. Similar half bows given to those attending, before Taiden silently pulled his hood aside, silver hair blowing in the wind, its motion matching the fire's direction, watching the serenity of the flames ahead. Moved yes but you wouldn’t know it in how he stood, reserved as ever in his expression, holding fast to the depth of the moment. A long bow given for the departed, eyes closed as he dipped low. Taiden stood by [member="Jaret Sha'Co"] a final respectful full bow given to the padawan for joining the order today when it counted, and to show him that gestures like that mattered. A small glow from Taiden’s aura contrasted the flame, while he moved his hand in the symbol for departure, and safe travels, signing the language ahead of him to the pyre.

One final braced stand to attention, and the Echani departed in perfect time and rhythm, their respects paid, today was for others but it was important they had come.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She would not hide her disappointment, at least Thurion would feel it through their force bond. In her arms lay their son, and Théo began to stir, soon he would demand to be fed and they would depart. Before this, Coci turned both child and herself to nestle against Thurion's chest, they had lost more this day. They found comfort together, the saddness shared between two that love each other beyond measure and now they could find more comfort simply by looking into the face of their child. Everything seemed to vanish in a mere look. Thurion placed his arms around them both, holding for as much comfort for himself and his willingness to give it. And for that moment, as always when he holds her, Coci felt safe again.

"Soon we will need to go, life continues ... ", she looked up into the handsome face of her beloved Thurion. "I love you, Now and beyond this life", she whispered to Thurion, he would know and recognise her wedding vow.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]