Post by Sophie on Mar 30, 2023 21:22:59 GMT -5
Thousands of Kumo gathered outside the Fuyonouso Palace. At least one representative from every royal family was present, every minister and their families, and any commoner who could afford to make the trip. Attendance wasn’t charged for, and all were welcome to the general admission. Both television and radio broadcasters were present to bring the funeral to those that could not attend.
Shiraori’s honor guard stood right next to her casket, the door of which was open. She was dressed in a formal yet simple yukata with an ornate shawl to cover her neck. All her eyes were shut, and a small smile remained stiff on her lips. At peace, one could hope.
There were many speakers, ministers, friends, royals, and even a few common folks whose lives had been directly touched by Shiraori. Hours went by, or at least what felt like it. In the background sat one whose most eyes fell upon aside from whoever was speaking at the moment.
Princess Reito was stoic. Almost frozen in time. With a perfectly straight back and simple black kimono, her eyes barely moved from staring straight ahead. She was to be the final speaker. As the speaker before her began to wrap up her speech, Reito began to stir.
She stood tall and moved deliberately over to the podium. She cleared her throat into the mic, which reverberated through speakers allowing the thousands to hear her clearly. “Thank you, Minister Ninomae. And everyone else who spoke.” Her tone was very carefully manicured, sad but not too sad, appreciative but not too emotive. “Hearing how my mother touched so many have made this process much more bearable.”
“All of you know my mother as the Empress of Kumosenkan. An extraordinary leader who oversaw incredible changes for our people. We prospered under her like no other Empress before her. She made incredible changes to the fundamental nature of Kumosenkan to the benefit of everyone, most importantly, the “Gifts of the Empress” act. Her name is not one that will ever be forgotten, and I am thankful for that, as it will feel like a part of her is always with me.”
Reito paused for a moment. “I would like all of you who are listening, both here and at home, to join me in Constellation.” Again she paused while all bowed their heads in prayer. Reito took the lead. “To our ancestors who so gracefully oversee all matters. Today we ask upon you to guide my mother, the gracious Shiraori Tetsu Kumo, to join you amongst the living stars. You have called upon her early to serve with you there, for what can only be assumed as the most important of reasons. Once she has made safe travel there, please aid her in any way that you can. She has gifted all of us with improved life, and we ask that once she is with you that you allow her to aid all of us from the living stars so that we may continue to be blessed by her gifts. I know the coming years will be of the utmost importance to the people of Kumosenkan, and we will all need someone like her to guide us into the future. May the light of the living stars guide our way.”
“May the light of the living stars guide our way.” the entirety of the crowd echoed back.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I can’t thank you enough for attending today.” Reito continued from the podium. “I ask you now to lend me your strength as I seal her casket and carry her to her final resting place.”
As is tradition, Reito was to, alone, close her mother’s casket, seal it with her own webbing, and carry it to the tomb that had been built for her. With a deep breath, she turned from the podium to her mom. She took one long final look at her mother’s smiling face. “I miss you already.” She whispered before kissing her cold forehead.
The casket closed with a wooden thunk, and Reito began to spin out silk that she used generously to seal it tight. Two thick woven ropes she tied from the casket to around her shoulders as two of the honor guards lifted it onto her exoskeleton.
She almost collapsed under the weight, but Reito managed to stagger forward. The tomb was only fifteen meters from the stage, but it felt like miles with over four-hundred pounds on her back. It took a solid few minutes for her to reach the tomb, where the guards again helped her place the casket down safely.
Reito placed the first brick that would seal the final resting place of Empress Shiraori Tetsu Kumo.
Shiraori’s honor guard stood right next to her casket, the door of which was open. She was dressed in a formal yet simple yukata with an ornate shawl to cover her neck. All her eyes were shut, and a small smile remained stiff on her lips. At peace, one could hope.
There were many speakers, ministers, friends, royals, and even a few common folks whose lives had been directly touched by Shiraori. Hours went by, or at least what felt like it. In the background sat one whose most eyes fell upon aside from whoever was speaking at the moment.
Princess Reito was stoic. Almost frozen in time. With a perfectly straight back and simple black kimono, her eyes barely moved from staring straight ahead. She was to be the final speaker. As the speaker before her began to wrap up her speech, Reito began to stir.
She stood tall and moved deliberately over to the podium. She cleared her throat into the mic, which reverberated through speakers allowing the thousands to hear her clearly. “Thank you, Minister Ninomae. And everyone else who spoke.” Her tone was very carefully manicured, sad but not too sad, appreciative but not too emotive. “Hearing how my mother touched so many have made this process much more bearable.”
“All of you know my mother as the Empress of Kumosenkan. An extraordinary leader who oversaw incredible changes for our people. We prospered under her like no other Empress before her. She made incredible changes to the fundamental nature of Kumosenkan to the benefit of everyone, most importantly, the “Gifts of the Empress” act. Her name is not one that will ever be forgotten, and I am thankful for that, as it will feel like a part of her is always with me.”
Reito paused for a moment. “I would like all of you who are listening, both here and at home, to join me in Constellation.” Again she paused while all bowed their heads in prayer. Reito took the lead. “To our ancestors who so gracefully oversee all matters. Today we ask upon you to guide my mother, the gracious Shiraori Tetsu Kumo, to join you amongst the living stars. You have called upon her early to serve with you there, for what can only be assumed as the most important of reasons. Once she has made safe travel there, please aid her in any way that you can. She has gifted all of us with improved life, and we ask that once she is with you that you allow her to aid all of us from the living stars so that we may continue to be blessed by her gifts. I know the coming years will be of the utmost importance to the people of Kumosenkan, and we will all need someone like her to guide us into the future. May the light of the living stars guide our way.”
“May the light of the living stars guide our way.” the entirety of the crowd echoed back.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I can’t thank you enough for attending today.” Reito continued from the podium. “I ask you now to lend me your strength as I seal her casket and carry her to her final resting place.”
As is tradition, Reito was to, alone, close her mother’s casket, seal it with her own webbing, and carry it to the tomb that had been built for her. With a deep breath, she turned from the podium to her mom. She took one long final look at her mother’s smiling face. “I miss you already.” She whispered before kissing her cold forehead.
The casket closed with a wooden thunk, and Reito began to spin out silk that she used generously to seal it tight. Two thick woven ropes she tied from the casket to around her shoulders as two of the honor guards lifted it onto her exoskeleton.
She almost collapsed under the weight, but Reito managed to stagger forward. The tomb was only fifteen meters from the stage, but it felt like miles with over four-hundred pounds on her back. It took a solid few minutes for her to reach the tomb, where the guards again helped her place the casket down safely.
Reito placed the first brick that would seal the final resting place of Empress Shiraori Tetsu Kumo.