Airwin, Jun, on the Platform
Airwin was surprisingly pleased to see the intermingling between his people and those who had stood as their saviors in their darkest time. He may not have been physically present at Operation Fireplace, but having spent time beside Taisho Ketsurui Yui had given him a different vantage of the operation and time to highlight those who had participated. He figured Sinith would have been proud of such things, it was her that had fueled so much of the changes even if the church dragged its feet on their reforms. He acknowledged Arina's presence and gave a nod and signaled her that she could join him and her brother.
The prayers and hymns continued, and it appeared regardless of the disagreements between church and state that would continue. Mourners continued to gather, PAINT had thankfully provided additional Starchaser Ferries to their route for the occasion, it allowed many from the other refugee sites to join. They remained watched through the lenses of media drones which whirled through the air above the crowds.
The volumetric projector behind the sarcophagus activated, and a massive image of Sininth was projected on the platform, the projection only slightly distorted by the snowflakes which fell. The audio of the Aester's speech at the First Battle of Vespa Lekera played over the hymns and prayers;
"It is up to us to be the beacon in the dark night; our blood is shed in sacrifice for a greater overwhelming good. We've seen losses, heavy ones and yet here we are on the verge of a new campaign. Though it is not just that I come to give you hope for. I want you to know that there is a future beyond this darkness. A time will come when our great nation will have time to feel its grief, to honor these soldiers fallen. There is a time when peace will come to us again and it will let us prosper like we never have before! The walls of division have fallen, what stands before us all now is an era of struggle which will lead to better times..." the words of the fallen Empress were shared, and the truth in her words was all around them for that time had come. The speech would continue as more gathered.
Airwin said to Jun and Arina, "I wish I could tell her how right she was..." his tone solemn and sad. "She would have loved this place, I can't count the number of times we would just lay in the snow and listen to the sounds of the beasts howling in the mountains outside of the palace," he recalled.
Aiura Caeyara arrived from Fort Tokyo, the first Norian in the Star Army of Yamatai wore her uniform proudly as she approached her father. Thankfully due to the cool temperature on Akina, her
undersuit had little use there. She stopped before her stepmother's sarcophagus and knelt briefly before it then got back up to join her Ysi.
Naelui Approaching the Platform
Another member of the Caeyara Ysi approached the stage; just the only difference is most on the stage and around it would have no idea who she was. Naelui had been hidden for the entirety of the wars, the youngest daughter of Sinith and Airwin hadn't joined them until Ayenee. She had originally been sent to that frontier world in an attempt to ensure the survival of the royal family. The long very dark, almost black, hazel hair, and gold eyes made her look very similar to her mother. Enough so it took a few second glances from some of the soldiers in the front row. She walked gracefully with an entourage, the intricate tan leather stylized dress she wore had belonged to Sinith, and her mother's necklace fastened around her neck, the large teal-colored gemstone caught the winter sun which caused it to appear illuminated.
Uaeso and Naika
"Well Arina is here now, perhaps Rin decided to sit this one out?" the Crowned Prince said to his wife as glanced around after he acknowledged the presence of Arina. This part of the funeral ritual was always so emotional, he couldn't wait to actually celebrate his mother's life when it concluded. They had authorized the opening of cases of cacelle for the event, and until something could be done about the seed vault back in their home universe it would probably be the last of a lot of it. "Who is that?" Uaeso said to Naika, his sight focused on Naelui who appeared to have a royal escort of soldiers. Even though he had no idea who she was or why she existed, either way, her familiar look of her made him concerned and he made that abundantly clear through his vesper with Naika.
The Gathered Group
"Uh, Captain Lenna?" a familiar voice would be heard a few steps behind the Sobek's Captain. It was Admiral Cheol. the man who had been in command of Gamma Ark, "Do you have a moment?" he asked, he had managed to get one of the newly produced MERN dress uniforms just for the event, the replication of his Admiral rank was a little off but he had worn it anyway. He gave a glance to the others there, the ones who were in discussion about the temperature. "Some converted shipping containers are on their way, they have transparent side panes to allow a view of the platform and have a maintained environment interior," he said, a that it was one of the things he had been in charge of arranging.
"Tal'Cel Aelya," he acknowledge the ascended queen with a smooth bow of his head and the cross over of his right arm, the formation of a fist over his left shoulder briefly in salute.
The trucks carrying the modified containers had actually arrived, just they were in the distance behind them in the process of unloading and Cheol had not noticed due to his intent to get in a conversation with the Sobek III's Captain.
The Funeral - General
Soldiers of the MERN filtered through the crowds welcoming those who had come from the Yamatai Star Empire and the other factions that had assisted them in Operation Fireplace. They would give directions to the converted shipping container shelters that were being put in place before the platform. The soldiers would hand out small gift bags with sweet-wrapped Norian candy flavored with exotic sweet and sour fruits from their previous home, as well as cans of sparkling water and a card produced for the event which thanked them for their attendance. It would also explain that the funeral would have two parts and that a party would be held after the funeral event at a nearby lodge, which was less than a ten-minute walk.
Other soldiers handed out cups of coffee and tea, an offering of Yamataian drinks in hopes of warming those who decided to brave the cold.
The volumetric image of the late Aester continued her speech in the background, as things were prepared to let the funeral actually begin.
