Open Remembrance day

[Taren Coballon]

45th day of Fall, 518

It was a typical fall day in Syka, the sun was out and shining brightly and despite it being fall, the temp would still be hot and humid as the daytime temps were still only degrees below the summer temps but the breeze did feel slightly cooler. Most encouraging though was the fact that sky was bright blue in color and not a cloud in the sky anywhere to be seen.

Taren had been working on things for weeks as he had time. He slowly had purchased a small stock of candles including two slightly larger candles that he reserved for himself, several rolls of red ribbon, and he had slowly tied together a small bamboo raft which Randal helped him put a small upper tier on during one afternoon after he talked to the founder about his plans. The raft was maybe five feet by five feet with the bamboo runners underneath so it would fold or be dumped by the waves, he thought it would make an acceptable Pyre. He expected that the raft would be big enough even if all of Syka turned up for the festival, although he didn’t expect as much. This was for him and those willing to join him if they wanted.

Around the 10th bell Taren started preparing for the day with first tying a large red ribbon around his upper sword arm with the tails hanging down onto his forearms before he strapped his lakan on his hip over his pants. He grabbed his jungle pack and filled it with the candles and ribbon cloth before he set it on his back and picked up sword and spear and headed down to the beach to get his homemade Pyre. With all in hand he starts the slow trek down to the commons, while he is in now hurry at all but the added bulk of the Pyre slowed him down considerably.

Once he arrived at the commons he set the Pyre in the edge of the water at the beach and used his half hatchet to drive a stake down and tie the raft to it. Next he lifted a table down from the commons to place it in the center of the beach in front of the Pyre. He set his flint on the table in between the candles and the ribbons, while he pushed a unlit torch in the sand underneath the table. Finally he pulled a handful of dried sticks to light candles with later. Lastly he took his pack and weapons under the commons where he stashed them for the day, in case he needed them he liked to have them close at hand. His boots he removed and set beside his pack as well and planned on going barefoot for the day.

As he went over his plans in his head he made sure everything was in order. Table with candles, ribbons, and able to light everything. Pyre set and tied at the water’s edge for dusk. With his height he doubted he needed a podium to talk from but if any others wanted to, they could address the participants from the stairs beside him. As he looked around he saw a few people had already came and Jansen was walking his way now, whom was the only person that he really expected to show to this Remembrance Day since it was an Akalak festival. Akalak festival to remember those that have been lost one way or another.

Although it was almost an hour before he planned on giving his opening speech to whomever arrived, for now he started to nervously fidget with the ribbon on his arm while he waited. What inspired him to do this he would never know because he usually disliked talking to people let alone talking to a group of them. He hoped his courage didn’t falter this afternoon as he stood solemnly near the table he set up and explained to the first arrivers that men normally wore the bands on their arms like his while the ladies normally braided or tied their hair up with them and letting the tails stream down over the shoulders.

[Anais Seawind]

It was the red that drew her attention, standing out brightly against the sun-and-sand backdrop of the beach. Anais had made the journey into Syka’s core mostly to avoid the isolation that had been building since she and Randal had finished constructing her simple living space. Still, she’d taken her time on the way, idling down the beach rather than using the cobbled pathway, knowing the meandering route would add nearly a bell to the already long walk. The air smelled different now, midway through the fall season, and although the sticky humidity that she had grown accustomed to still hung in the air, the cool edge that had begun to creep in made the walk an enjoyable experience. Perhaps unwisely, she’d let her mind wander, getting lost in her own thoughts along the ocean’s edge, until a flicker of color had caught her eye. On the beach ahead of her, almost too close to be politely avoided, were several men and women, red scarves waving from arms and hair; at the forefront of them sat an Akalak – Jansen? Not Jansen, she corrected herself, spotting the healer in the small crowd.

Now she found herself with a decision: continue on her way, and approach the modest gathering of people or veer off to the aide and try not to look obvious about it. She hesitated only a tick before continuing on her path. After all, you did leave your land today specifically for some interaction, she chided herself. A party, or celebration, or whatever it was hadn’t been what she’d had in mind, but here it was and here she was. An almost imperceptible shrug lifted a shoulder, and Anais steeled herself for… Whatever was going on.

As she neared, she noticed a raft and a table near the water; most of those in attendance were milling around them, and Anais approached the cluster of settlers with the not-quite-smile that had become her normal expression in the past few years. A few nodded at her in acknowledgement, and some even looked familiar, as though she’d seen them around the settlement. It struck her as strange that she’d been in Syka for over a season and still knew only a handful of people, even by sight. You’re going to end up as reclusive as Telren, at this rate. The thought was fleeting, but the image of the old man flitted through her head; gap-toothed smile and wrinkled, leathery skin cloaked a surprisingly agile mind and a gentle heart. Anais hadn’t seen the man in ages, but still thought fondly of him. She’d spent several soul-wrenching days with him after leaving her pod. I wonder how he is? Probably just fine, still trading oranges for stories on his island. Which makes him more social than you, came the realization.

On the heels of that disturbing thought, Anais strode through the sand to the table and the man that seemed to be in charge of whatever was happening on the beach today. Without giving herself a chance to get lost in the small crowd and simply observe the event or worse, turning tail and seeking out a less uncertain interaction with Juli at the mercantile, she nodded a greeting to the large man at the table. He had one of the red cloths tied around his arm, and several more lay on the table itself.

“Hello,” she paused, giving the Akalak a chance to return the greeting before continuing, “Is this – “ she paused awkwardly, unsure of how to voice her curiosity. The atmosphere lacked the excitement of a party or celebration, but was not somber or serious as she’d expect from a religious ceremony. So what was it? And how did you ask that sort of question without sounding rude? “Is this a private… Event?” Anais finally settled on the words, giving a small sweep of her hand meant to include the people, the raft and the red cloth all in one, hoping the man wouldn’t mind explaining things to her.

[Taren Coballon]

Taren stood around near the table and talked with people as they arrived. Although he had grown in the couple of months he had been in Syka he still found the attention disturbing especially since he had thrown himself into the center of attention at the city core today and he really had no idea why he had. He ended up talking to different people as they came up and asked questions, usually the same question over and over it seemed but it also allowed him to meet many more of his neighbors as well. Most he recognized from seeing around but many were still unknown to him and he hoped to change that.

A young blonde Svefra woman strolled up the table and talked to him, he thought he had seen her around but had never met her yet. “Good morning” he answered her greeting.

“I’m Taren by the way, I don’t know that we have actually met before” he told the Svefra with a friendly smile after she finished her question. “If you still have questions after my speech I would be happy to answer them for you , but would you excuse me first please”.

Taren’s deep voice boomed out as he cleared his throat as he stepped over to the Common’s stair and stood a couple of stairs up on them which gave the assembled people time to quiet down before he started his carefully prepared speech. Although he was easily one of the tallest people in Syka so he didn’t need the height himself but wanted to allow everyone to see him regardless that he felt like a spectacle up there.

He tried to talk loud and clear as he started his speech “To those gathered here today, now and later, I would like to thank you for joining us. Remembrance Day has been a tradition in Riverfall for some time. It is to grieve and mourn for those we have lost in our lives, to celebrate and honor their memories, or simply remember and pray for them as you see fit. Please spend the day mourning, praying, or celebrate for those we’ve lost or if not then mourn with those around you that are here now. These celebrations can be alone, small groups, everyone, or even not at all. In Riverfall each family decided how they wanted to mourn the death or celebrate the life of an individual, with stories, in quiet prayer, solitude, or public displays so feel free to decide for yourselves. Just before dusk any who wish can light a candle to set on the Pyre down by the beach before we set it out to sea with as any who wish to watch over it as it floats away. Feel free to bring your candle, poem, sayings, or trinket you wish. We have provided a few candles if any need.” He paused to collect his thoughts before he finished. “Today is more about grieving then about formality so take part in as much as you like or not at all if you prefer.”

He paused for a half a chime before he continued with as much of a smile as he could muster at this point and as nervous perspiration rolled down the side of his face “Again thank you to all who wish to join in any of the events today however I will not keep everyone so you can carry on with your day at this time”

He stepped away from stairs with a sigh of relief after he finished his speech. He returned to stand near the Svefra and hoped she hadn’t noticed how nervous he truly was from his speech. He was just thankful that the group wasn’t as large as he feared, just weeks before he barely talked with more than one person and he just talked with an entire group.

As he tried to relax a little, he looked at Anais as he asked “I apologize, you are? Did that answer your questions or do you have any more questions?” He hoped she had some questions about today or actually anything to distract him even for moment after the speech.