The Temple is closed during the Early Morning timeslot to anyone who is not part of the memorial service for Kuni Koryn, this includes Crab clan members and those they have invited.

The temple is still old, the dirty gray of the facade taking on a steely tone in the morning light. A basin outside the entrance will allow mourners to purify themselves before entering. The mostly young monks move about with purpose, lighting the spirit lanterns and small pyres for offerings and prayers.

There is room enough in the main hall for everyone who attends. The plaster walls of the main hall are bare of most adornment. Inspirational sutras to the Fortune of Perseverance are written in large characters on larger than life scrolls displayed at irregular intervals, covering cracks in the plaster.

Behind a low metal fence are three statues: The largest is obviously Kisada in Fortune form, flecks of gold glinting in the recesses of the carved stone, though the rest has slowly worn away. Statues of Osano-Wo and Bishamon flank this central statue.

In front of the fence, space has been marked off for a small pedestal displaying a simple urn carved of dark grey stone with a bias relief Crab mon over a rectangular space with the characters of Kuni Koryn's name freshly carved within. A faded cloth in Crab colors drapes the tables. The monks appear to have material on hand to honor any clan, but most are very seldom used.

Two small, rectangular braziers are set before the pedestal for those who wish to burn offerings, prayers, or messages for the deceased. Softly glowing spirit lanterns are hung throughout as protection from malign spirits while the newly deceased's spirit gets their bearings.

In long ago days a four day wake allowed for spoken farewells as the spirit was believed to remain nearby for that time. In the Celestial Era, this was not practical on starfaring ships or many worlds, and the practice shifted to a rapid cremation or launch into the nearest star, with services that might last for days on some worlds, but frequently far less with smaller, symbolic rituals being performed by friends and family in those days to assure the lingering spirit that they could and should move on.

Mumei wears her dress robes of flowing blue over wide-legged tan trousers to conduct the ceremonies, her half head of hair braided and coiled neatly. She purifies the space with both incense and water, chanting sutras in a quiet alto that strives to hold steady all the way through despite the growing heat.

When the time comes to speak of the deceased, she has had only a few hours in the depths of night and this morning to gather information. She knows he was a pilot, and Kuni. So she speaks of bravery. What little information the Phoenix passed along made his youth clear, so she speaks of potential. She knew he had died protecting others, and speaks of honorable sacrifice...though, because one of those was a Spider, she chose not to call out the grateful clans by name, given the tension there. Others could speak of it if they chose.

She will ask if there are representatives of his family to offer the traditional first prayers to the flames--sanctified papers with traditional prayers praising the deceased and offering guidanceto the spirit in their new state. Whether there is a representative, or she feeds the papers to the flames herself, she will chant the prayers aloud as well.

After these proceedings, following forms that are very similar across the Empire, she will ask if the Crab have any specific traditions or rituals that should be seen to. Then the space is open to those who offer eulogies, and then to those simply wishing to approach and speak to the deceased or burn offerings.

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Note that for the sake of not dragging, assume that things happen in this order, but make your posts and interactions whenever and just be clear what sorts of things you are doing. The above is to offer an overall structure to keep in mind. Between work/sleep, my posting time is limited during the workdays, but feel free to PM me messages or requests for things that the Crab might want the officiant to do (please cc GMs just to keep them in the loop)

Nara hadn't expected an invite really. She didn't really know the person, just stood with him while he fought and was eaten, but the Crab invited her and it would be rude to refuse. She even found a white attire in her luggage that would be at least mostly ok?

She stood to the side, quietly rocking side to side, as she listened.

Ishiyo arrived solemnly and in dress uniform. She had made sure everything was pressed, and every bauble shined. On her arm she wore a band in Crab colors, showing solidarity for their loss. Not wanting to block the way and having known Koryn for only a short while, the Crane maiden stepped back out of the way and remained near the back.

Hyeon-ju felt like she should've realised something was wrong when in the early morning hours Inu had squawked loudly, wishing to be fed and given attention. Koryn had cared greatly for the bird, and wouldn't have left it along for that long without asking someone to look after it. He was a good kid like that.

And then the message came.

It was unexpected, but it felt right and proper to be there for his funeral. He had been their room-mate, and in a way, it had been a bit like a temporarily family and home, like Ryuu had said.

Appearing in full uniform, as mourning-wear wasn't something she had packed, Hyeon-ju cut an impressive figure in the tailored uniform, hair pulled back in a military-like bun, and an armband in the Crab-colors on to pay tribute to the dead Crab.

Jin wore his uniform, or at least what was his off-duty one. It was plain, Hare colors, with a small but polished insignia of his nikutai rank. He was solemn and silent, giving a deep bow to everyone, but was otherwise silent.

Eriko never came prepared for a funeral and this was no exception. She wasn't exactly the military type either and wearing her mandatory service uniform didn't seem quite right either. Her outfit was simple in the end, merely going for a white robe-blouse and blue slacks.

She didn't speak to him at length but Koryn was a cousin and a loss of a Kuni was felt. Her expression was stoic and she had no wisecracks for this occasion.

Akemi was here too, wearing her usual suit, just with a darker tie than usual. Her mind was in a dark place, her eyes locked on Koryn's name on the urn, her jaws clenched. Hard to say what was going through her head at the moment exactly.

Nishida stood in the front. As the crab with the highest status this was his place. A place he didn't really wanted.
He hadn't had mounring clothes either, but he had his traditional clothes.

That poor boy, to die so young and in such a way.

It really was a shame. Koryn was a promising fighter pilot and that the phoenix were resposnible for his death, left a bad taste in his mouth.

The most bitter of truths was that this Asako Mafuyu wouldn't even get to face justice.

Ryuu knew he had only been invited as a formality. They had only been roommates, but there was something of a bond there. He was in his full dress uniform. Pin of rank and office, boots, and the jade cufflinks were polished to mirror finishes.

His daisho was peace-bound, and his hair was tied tightly back, not a strand out of place. Every detail was immaculate.

The Spider and the Crab were enemies, ever since the beginning. But that meant there was respect, honor even, due to enemies.

He stood to the rear of the ceremony, respectful for their feelings. Offering heartfelt condolences.

Wearing her uniform, Moshi Atena with the little sleep she had was present. Her arm wrapped in bandages from the previous night event. It was sad for the poor Moshi but the girl barely remembers what happened that night. Koryn was talking about the bioluminescence of the organisms living in the water. Then she was in her bed with her aching arm.

The girl wondered why bad things happen to good people.

Looking down to the floor, the feet in front of her when someone was close enough. Ichika stood beside Ryuu, away and toward the back, no one should be alone now and she made a committed effort toward that but she was quiet. Expression neutral as she stood there in her kimono. Having packed little even for a Miai, she didn't come prepared for a funeral. A celebration of life in many ways, of plotting and planning of rebirth for a whole group of Samurai. Yet, here they were, at the mourning of the passing of a life.

Ichika had awoken early, as she often might, and found that Koryn's bed was empty still. Something that concerned her greatly, and while the others took care of things in the room Ichika elected herself to give a quick run around the Inn. Needing to move to feel like she was doing something good. When she returned to check in on the others, see if they learned everything, she learned too what had happened.

With her hands closed together inside her kimono she stood, and when the attention called for it she looked, but otherwise she just listened, and waited, and thought.

Mourning clothes hadn't been part of the itinerary when Tetsu had packed. The idea of needing them had been absolutely foreign to him.

This was supposed to be a fun miai. And now we are at a funeral.

Tetsu is in his dress uniform, plain even by Crab standards, with the utmost amount of starch applied. He feels a stab of guilt. Koryn had been a shipmate after all. Even if he himself hadn't been the one to trick Koryn into coming to a miai, he had at least known about it. Tetsu had thought it a good thing for the young sailor, so he hadn't said anything.

There was no way he could have known this end, but the guilt still lingered. The guilt finds an outlet in anger at the sight of a Spider in the back he huddles over with Akemi, breaking into a harsh whisper. "I thought we were keeping the ceremony, you know, private." He offers a head tilt back in Ryuu's direction

Akemi barely looked and answered in a whisper, distracted:

"One roommate. One who fought by Koryn's side during his final battle Some legitimacy to be there. Koryn was friend with everyone. Can still kick them out if they make a scene."

Dressed traditionally for the first time since arriving on this planet, Yasuki Nakaba was among the group here paying respects to the fallen. The crab are well educated on the dangers of xeno lifeforms as the empire reaches out further into space but fall victim during such a celebration was tragic. The crab clan sent some of their best and to cut down such a shining star of our generation so young in his life shouldn't of happened.

Emotionally detached from those around him, Nakaba appears hollow. He might of never really known Koryn but the loss still stings him deeply. No matter how the miai ends there will always be void where the young pilot should of been. Regardless of what kind of person he was or how well those here got to know him, Koryn was irreplaceable.

No words spoken to the others. Only the silence masking Nakaba's contemplation.

"Tcch. I'm not starting a fight here." Tetsu shakes his head. "And the baka had a way with people"

He looks around. "Should I say something? We were ship mates."

"Sure. If you feel there is anything you could add to Nakauchi-sama's eulogy, please do so. This is a time for those who knew of him to remind us of who he was in life."

Akemi didn't exactly give him a glowing endorsement, but Tetsu feels the call of duty to speak.

"Good morning everyone. I was a shipmate of Kuni Koryn. While we served in different departments, his genial nature made him easy to like, and easy to want the best for. We used to rib him a lot too..." Tetsu chuckles, shaking his head at the memory of the better time. A moment later, his expression returns to a somber state.

"His end is tragic and while we shall miss him, let us honor that he embodied the virtues of the Crab to his last breath: fighting in defense of others, against an overwhelming monster, just as the Crab did in days of old, and as he and his fellow pilots do against unspeakable odds. None of us may know the time of our departure from this realm, but let us pray that we leave behind an imprint on comrades and a legacy that is noble and pure as that of Kuni Koryn."

Tetsu is quiet for a moment. "That's all."

He steps down, yielding the floor to whoever wants to go next.

"If he hadn't had the opportunity to nominate a Voice after Death, you did pretty good, I'd say," she nodded in appreciate to Tetsu after he returned from his speech.

Eriko took a look around and sighed internally. It was probably better to say something now than to wish you said something later. She straightened her posture and made her way to the floor, taking a moment to burn some offerings she picked up at the last moment. After that bit was done, she returned around and cleared her throat.

"Kuni Eriko, here," she said plainly as she scratched her forearm in a nervous gesture. "Kuni Koryn was pretty young from what I was told, barely out of gempukku. That's barely enough time to sew the second eye of your wish doll, where we come from. He was a cousin of mine, sure, but we never really quite talked. I'd like to think I got a pretty good read of the young man when we aquainted, he was straight-laced and looking to help others, patch up some people there...lend his valuables to another...So, he was a good kid, I'm pretty sure of that."

She stepped off the floor afterwards.

Atena followed, lighting some incense and bowing to the altar. She kept her head low in a solemn way. "Anoo... Kuni Koryn san was a good man. He wanted to make people happy. He laughed at jokes even if they were lame... I think he wanted to make people feel included and part of something... etooo... in the short time I spent with him I kind of... knew he was a good friend." She took a breath. "The world has lost a great person, we have lost a good friend. His last word... would inspire... to fight a good fight. He said 'Courage isn't just a matter of not being frightened. It's being afraid and doing what you have to do anyway.'" She took another breath. "Like a true Crab... he... protected those..." Her voice cracked. "he considered friends." She took a deep breath and composed herself. "He never heard me sing... so... I would like to sing."

The Moshi started to sing. When she finished her song the girl stepped down. She was tired and wasn't performing her best.


//D6 EM Perfom Song Fatigued: 6d10o10k4 17

It seemed like this was a thing... perhaps it was best if she spoke on behalf of Room One, though she wouldn't stop Ryuu or Ichika for expressing their condolances or their thoughts. She listened to the words of his fellow Crab, fighting back a frown as Tetsu outed himself as one of Koryn's bullies back home - probably had taken part in not telling him this was a miai, she thought. At least the Kuni's words were solemn and respectful, and she bowed her head as she listened.

The Moshi's contribution was a touching one and she remained silent for another long moment. Then, it seemed the right moment to speak as well.

Walking forward with a solemn pace, the beautiful Utaku's face was locked in quiet stoicism. Hands folded neatly behind her as she stood relaxed yet with a proper posture.

"My deepest condolances to the Crab who lost their kinsman. I am Utaku Hyeon-ju, and I had the honor of being room-mate with Kuni Koryn-san for this past week, along with Daigotsu Ryuu-san and Doji Ichika-san."

Her voice continued in an even and calm tone. "Kuni-san was a good man. Young, but his heart was in the right place, and he was kind and considerate of those he shared a room with. He helped me when I had an episode of discomfort, as he also helped others who stayed at the inn when he could. He got along with all of us, and while he did not know exactly why he had come here to Asakaze, Kuni-san put in his best efforts to show his skills and talents with honor and integrity." Hyeon-ju bowed her head.

"It was an honor to have known him, and we will not forget him."

Having added her piece, the Utaku bowed deeply to those gathered, and stepped away, giving room for the next person who wished to speak.