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Mamoru's Funeral [Video, then Action in a week]
"Good afternoon, everyone. By now I think it's safe to say that Mamoru has left us. A week from now I'll conduct a gathering at the newly-appeared Memorial where words can be said for him; I encourage all who knew him to offer what they can. And for those who didn't, well, then would be the chance to learn. Go under the Mercy."
Bleak blue sky deposited light snow on the assembled. It was a modest affair, with about two dozen chairs facing a podium. Ted took to the soapbox, cleared his throat, and offered tribute.
"Mamoru was one of those rare sorts who really practice what they preach. 'Courage' was his preferred idea, the practice of which I struggled in vain to dissuade. That was our first meeting, actually; an argument. He was a child in the best sense: single-minded, innocent, friendly, simple, affectionate, and all for justice. Chivalrous, too; he preferred the safety of himself far, far less than others'.
He also had that rare quality of wanting to fight and defend--in a word, to live--for Genessia, not having spent ten minutes in its company. Mamoru was just that noble, willing to protect anything or anyone that might have need. Indeed, I never knew a moment where he wasn't engaged in or recovering from his heroics. Typically in that order.
He remained pure from adult sins; untainted by needless sophistication. It's what made him a burden and a blessing. We're all poorer for his absence. Happy is the world that gets to enjoy him next. May he go under the Protection."
[OOC: Feel free to comment below on other things/tributes/grieving your muse has to offer. Ted will offer one more, though this time in (relative) privacy.]
Bleak blue sky deposited light snow on the assembled. It was a modest affair, with about two dozen chairs facing a podium. Ted took to the soapbox, cleared his throat, and offered tribute.
"Mamoru was one of those rare sorts who really practice what they preach. 'Courage' was his preferred idea, the practice of which I struggled in vain to dissuade. That was our first meeting, actually; an argument. He was a child in the best sense: single-minded, innocent, friendly, simple, affectionate, and all for justice. Chivalrous, too; he preferred the safety of himself far, far less than others'.
He also had that rare quality of wanting to fight and defend--in a word, to live--for Genessia, not having spent ten minutes in its company. Mamoru was just that noble, willing to protect anything or anyone that might have need. Indeed, I never knew a moment where he wasn't engaged in or recovering from his heroics. Typically in that order.
He remained pure from adult sins; untainted by needless sophistication. It's what made him a burden and a blessing. We're all poorer for his absence. Happy is the world that gets to enjoy him next. May he go under the Protection."
[OOC: Feel free to comment below on other things/tributes/grieving your muse has to offer. Ted will offer one more, though this time in (relative) privacy.]

4 more stages to go [Semi-open; see post]
Ted dutifully stayed till all had said their piece and made their farewells. Ted still needed to say and make his. Once he thought he'd got some privacy of his own, he approached the granite wall, staring intently at Mamoru's name. He swallowed, clenched his fist, and tried to find the words.
"...Well, I hope that was a nice enough eulogy. Pleasant enough to excuse its emptiness. I'd have said more, but that would have upset everyone. You've done quite enough of that.
It's poetic, really, the way you chose to vanish. We first met when I tried to convince you not to do something dreadfully stupid on your own. Now you've done just that, without even the decency of a warning this time. So you could, what, give us the slip? Not have to suffer any more tongue-lashings from those who know better? Were we so awful as that? So much for courage.
Really any virtue would've been preferable to your monomania. Like fidelity, for example. I peeked at your very first video here, you know. You swore up and down that this was your home and that you'd defend it to the death. Maybe that was alien for 'waste everyone's time and squander our feelings.' I'm not fluent. I guess I shouldn't be surprised; you seem to go through homes like laundry. Just who the hell do you think you are?
Maybe I'm to blame too. If I had just...I don't know, called more often. Written a letter. Sent you invites to parties I didn't host. Something. Could I have prevented all this simply by paying more attention? What should I have done?
I can count on one hand the good deeds I'm absolutely sure of. Helping you was one of them. And to think I was so pleased when you didn't even know my name. My right hand didn't know my left. Now I'd give up my pointless good deed if it brought you back.
God, I'm pathetic. An event about you and I'm feeling sorry for myself. Honestly I wish I had one tenth the courage you did. I can't justify why the world cast someone as fundamentally good and righteous as you out, and sees fit to keep people like me in. Maybe you really were too good for this world. What hope does that leave the rest of us?"
By now tears had formed, in complete ignorance of their maker.
"I hardly know what I'm saying anymore. I love you. I miss you. Not much of an epitaph, is it? In any event, you can't be allowed to leave without me getting something out of it. You must have left something worth salvaging; some souvenir. Was it courage?" He couldn't help but chuckle, already feeling some burden being lifted. "Well, maybe I can do a passable imitation. There's a city I know that's run fresh out of the stuff." He stood up, wiping his eyes. "Farewell, Mamoru. Should you ever return, I'll do my best not to strangle the life out of you. Thank you for all you've done and for all you've been."